Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Interesting fact about the Ace cafe, it was flattened during the blitz and completely rebuilt after the war. Living on my own I can pick and choose the veg for Christmas dinner and sprouts are not on the menu. Not because I don't like them but cooking for one means that such small quantities are required so cooking requirements have to be taken into account.

3 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

If they build another one will it be called The Duke of York?

On facebook someone posted the sign for a pub called 'The Duke of York' featuring a portrait of the current D-o-Y. On the bottom of the sign was written 'Under 18's welcome.' This talk of people engrossed in their mobiles reminded me that there's a film or two on Youtube of those so engrossed coliding with lamposts and walking into fountains. 

I normally carry an extra door key in the ticket pocket of my jeans. Last week it went missing and I had another cut, needless to say the original turned up, in another pocket of a pair of jeans.

[Kingzance]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

Morning all.

The yellow fog warning was cancelled and it is actually rather sunny here. 
Tony

At least its not Yellow Snow Tony!

Good (still, just) morning,

 

It has been somewhat busy in the NEHerts zone here today, daughter and mutt arrived for a flying visit lasting one hour, neighbour for another flying visit that commenced as daughter exited the front door and lasted another 45mins, took SWMBO into Hitchin to have her tallons toenails cured, returned home to a visit from our local council waste management team's mobile inspector checking on her flock of recalcitrant operatives and finally a chance to make a contribution here after catching up on all events in the world of wheel tapping and good humour.

 

A period of retail excitement being dragged around Waitrose may be scheduled for later, as is meeting our fresh fish man, then a trip to ferry grandsons to golf lessons, fresh fish for tea and finally cribbage - I don't know how I manage it all. Best to those afflicted or affected by the actions of others, wishing you a speedy end to those tribulations.

[grandadbob]

New bed delivered and it's extremely comfortable, so much so that I'm tempted to move to the spare room! 

 

Told The Boss and she just laughed and said "Go on then!"

 

Feeling rather unwanted now.  

[AndrewC]

George update. He is doing much better and will be monitored for poop output for the next few months. Hopefully this means he won't have to have major surgery after all. 

[Barry O]

still not feeling 100% but getting better...

 

Just talked with NHN.. I need an awful lot of points.....so that is the 2020 modelling token pile somewhat diminished!

 

May try some soup for lunch .....

 

back later

baz

[polybear]

4 hours ago, roundhouse said:

I have seen a woman get off at London bridge in the peak hour crush holding her laptop and walk along whilst watching video on it. There was a report a few years ago that said 150 people a year have fallen off platforms whilst looking at their mobile.

 

Saw a woman driving in Kuwait with a baby on her lap.  Whilst looking at a Tablet.....

[Kingzance]

32 minutes ago, Barry O said:

 

Just talked with NHN.. I need an awful lot of points.....so that is the 2020 modelling token pile somewhat diminished.

 

So the track plan is now firmly cast in concrete I take it Baz? 

[The Lurker]

6 hours ago, Barry O said:

Ey up!

Woke early not feeling particularly well. Hopefully I will improve to allow me to take a trip to Skipton today. Why? Wel me ans her indoors fancy a trip out and ...we are on the search for a bottle of Old Monk Indian Rum. Apparently the whisky shop in Skipton has bottles available.

 

Now for a bit more sleep....

 

Baz

If you can't find it, the Whisky Exchange (which inconveniently for you is in Covent Garden) does it:

 

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/14586/old-monk-7-year-old-rum

 

they do online delivery (if you dare)!

[The Lurker]

greetings all from a sunny and bright LBG - it's one of those lovely days where the sun brings just a little warmth. Pity I will be spending the vast majority of it behind a desk. My evening out tonight is in jeopardy because at least one putative attendee is a victim of SWT strikes.

 

Other than that, not too much to report. I have a day off tomorrow, during which we will brave the hordes at Bluewater for a bit of Christmas shopping and a spot of lunch.

 

Best wishes to those who are ailing.

[roundhouse]

4 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Breakfast:

 

Saves on the washing the plates up but I am not sure how easily those candles will digest

[roundhouse]

1 hour ago, Kingzance said:

At least its not Yellow Snow Tony!
 

I have no problem with Yellow Snow - its rather nice, well this version is!!

 

https://www.rogue.com/stories/spruce-up-winter-with-yellow-snow

[Sidecar Racer]

56 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Saw a woman driving in Kuwait with a baby on her lap.  Whilst looking at a Tablet.....

 

I can outdo that .    

 

 

[Tony_S]

I think the chap who pulled out of his drive yesterday  and attempted to occupy the same bit of space-time as me certainly wasn’t using a phone. He didn’t seem to be able to move his head left or right and just stared ahead. I think his passenger may have been giving instructions. Unlike “real” Land Rovers the modern ones have very good brakes. 

[Tony_S]

28 minutes ago, roundhouse said:

I have no problem with Yellow Snow - its rather nice, well this version is!!

 

https://www.rogue.com/stories/spruce-up-winter-with-yellow-snow

I really don’t like the taste of any beer with added conifer bits. Unless it was the ones I tried and the yellow snow tastes different!

[Simon G]

Afternoon all,  been absent again for just over a week.  This time it was because we were away in Madeira for that time, and like some others here, I don’t advertise significant time away from home due to potential insurance invalidation.  It was our second visit to Madeira, the first being over 8 years ago, and the weather was much better this time, with an average day time temperature of around 22 degrees, and with some sun.  We did quite a bit of walking and got one minibus tour of the northwest of the island, which was an excellent day out.  The only drawback is that a week is just too short!  We should have gone for 2 weeks!

 

We are now trying to adjust to the somewhat lower temperatures here in Cumbria, and starting to plan our next trip away for more winter sun.

[Gwiwer]

17 hours ago, Barry O said:

I hate sprouts!!!!

 

To each their own.  My late father always referred to them as f@rtballs but professed to enjoying them nonetheless.  I'm ok with them as is SWMBO but we became more ok after a visit to the Richmond Hill Cafe in Melbourne (as distinct from the unrelated establishment of the same name SW of London) originally set up by Stephanie Alexander.  

 

There we encountered sprouts halved top to bottom, the outer leaves stripped but reserved, the veg par-boiled until just yielding to the fork then seared in olive oil with kaffir lime leaves and breadcrumbs.  The result was served garnished with the outer leaves (which had stayed a darker shade of green) and were crispy and delicious.  I have re-created the same at home at it also works well with a few lardons or chunks of bacon tossed in at the frying stage.  

 

Sadly the Richmond Hill Cafe is no longer with us.  After changing hands many times but largely retaining its original Alexander recipes they closed without warning earlier this year having been unable to pay the bills.

 

No sprouts are scheduled here for the time being.   Instead it is time to erect festive illuminations and to enjoy the delights of a delivered meal of some sort (sort yet to be decided) as SWMBO is out at a function and I am off-leash for the evening.

 

I'll see you later.  Provided I don't electrocute myself putting up the battery-powered lights!!!

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. SEERS tonight, last meeting this year so sausage rolls, mince pies and cake are the order tonight. Also it is track night so a chance to test my latest acquisitions. Thats it for now, be back later.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, Simon G said:

due to potential insurance invalidation

Is this mentioned on your policy? The only thing on ours is a limit to how long you can be away for, so if someone I suppose posted they were on a round the world cruise that could invalidate the insurance.

[BoD]

56 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

Is this mentioned on your policy? The only thing on ours is a limit to how long you can be away for, so if someone I suppose posted they were on a round the world cruise that could invalidate the insurance.

 

……..and what about those who constantly post on twitface-agram whilst on holiday?

 

Yes, we know, but do they also risk invalidating household insurance?

[Coombe Barton]

Have returned from a visit to Sainsbury's where I picked up quote a lot of near expiry meat which now inhabits the freezer in John meal sized portions.

However some bags are labelled "Kerry's pork chops".

 

Yes, she is spoilt.

Edited December 3, 2019 by Coombe Barton

[Andrew P]

8 hours ago, grandadbob said:

Listen very carefully, I will say this only once and quietly so that I do not get attacked by the awl: It is an SLW sound fitted Class 24 two tone green D5040   which has been on order for over a year.

WOT DID YOU SAY IT WAS Bob?

Edited December 3, 2019 by Andrew P

[Tony_S]

13 minutes ago, Andrew P said:

WOT DID YOU SAY IT WAS Bob?

Does Bob have a master volume CV value too?

[Ozexpatriate]

1 hour ago, BoD said:

Yes, we know, but do they also risk invalidating household insurance?

Indulge me with a little rant if you would.

 

I don't know whether the insurance industry is materially different in the UK than the US and I can only speak from observations in the US. Cumulatively people spend vast amounts of money on insurance with the expectation that, if needed, payments are made.

 

Insurance companies often seem to be in the business of looking for ways to not honour their policies* yet they spend vast sums of money on advertising their undifferentiated products. It would be fascinating to know what their expenses actually look like. I should look up the financial statements of such companies but I'm guessing that their expenses are likely to be 1. wages, 2. marketing 3. policy payouts

 

* Particularly during natural disasters like hurricanes. People think they are covered but storm surge damage is flooding, which is not covered under most homeowner's policies.

 

In my opinion insurers should be expected to pay up for losses, even if the homeowner left the door unlocked or advertised online that they were on holidays**. Insurers employ actuaries to statistically assess risk. I trust their ability to make the statistical mathematics work in the favour of the insurance company. If they don't it's not the consumer's fault.

 

** Unless these exceptions are clearly documented in the policy.

 

Edited December 3, 2019 by Ozexpatriate
Hyperbole removed

[Ozexpatriate]

8 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I'm guessing that their expenses are likely to be 1. wages, 2. marketing 3. policy payouts

Probably being a little too cynical there. I did sample one large insurance company's annual report. (My insurer.) As you might expect, the financial statement of a larger insurer is pretty complicated. Financials did indicate that property and casualty claims were about 3x the operating expenses. (I didn't comb through long enough to find their advertising costs.)

[JohnDMJ]

2 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

There we encountered sprouts halved top to bottom, the outer leaves stripped but reserved, the veg par-boiled until just yielding to the fork then seared in olive oil with kaffir lime leaves and breadcrumbs.  The result was served garnished with the outer leaves (which had stayed a darker shade of green) and were crispy and delicious.  I have re-created the same at home at it also works well with a few lardons or chunks of bacon tossed in at the frying stage. 

Sprouts, like most vegetables when cooked properly, are delicious! Sadly, too many people are frightened of them and boil them to a pulp (thank goodness that Wetherspoons discontinued their Sunday Roast, the carrots and sprouts were totally inedible!)

 

Given that most veg (carrots, broccoli, peas, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, sweet corn, et alia) can be eaten raw, why waste energy ruining them?