Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

This afternoon I decided to carry out an inventory of the 7 mm scale fleet.

 

A big mistake here as I have far more than I ever imagined (and there is more on order).

 

What stated as a toe in the water has developed into a major undertaking which I just never noticed.

 

I don't know whether to sit down and bask in the rosy glow of self satisfaction or to take cover against a possible retaliatory strike if you know who has a look and decides to get her calculator out.

 

I know where you're coming from.  Well, selling one of my live steamers paid for a couple, and paid for some of another that was an absolute bargain, then there was another bargain I couldn't refuse despite the foul colour (will be repainted), and another for my Not Christmas present that I could source from work so obviously cost+VAT........bargain....ahem.  This was all sneakily slid into being as Mrs NHN chose and bought new archery weapons for a substantial sum, so I think I have got away with it.  Maybe.  Luckily she likes Panniers.  That's three OK'd then.

[Danemouth]

59 minutes ago, pH said:

Iand wrote my first programs on one of these  - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programma_101 .  There was only one of them in a whole university department, . 

 

SNAP - we had one at Wales Gas. Later learned COBOL in the Internal Audit Dept  on Burroughs and later ICL mainframes as Principal Auditor (Computers)

 

Dave

[jamie92208]

6 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Sounds just like our local sub post office.

Ours is lovely, very rarely any queues and a very helpful postmaster. I try and use it as I'm sure that someone un Paris wants to shut it.

 

As to HH and Mick (NB) yours excuses don't wash.  My dabble in thevseniorvscale started out as 1 clerestory coach, and the rest as they say, is history.  I do have it all recorded on a spreadsheet, but fortunately,  the lady who is sitting beside me has never looked at the list or the values.   

 

I don't know how but a package marked Slaters arrived 3 days after placing the order. There is another one on the way from Premier Components. 

 

Anyway we had a cracking Christmas dinner with our friends.  Some of our French friends were introduced to such delicacies as bread sauce, brandy (Cognac) sauce, Christmas pudding, mince pies and Stilton.  We are now back home. Due to a storm warning the shutters have been closed and the wind is howling.  

 

Regards to all

 

Jamie

[TheSignalEngineer]

My intended programme for this week is being completely shafted due to cancellations on Northern and others. Yesterday extensive road detour for burst water mains due to United Utilities lack of investment and zero maintenance of the system. Now find that first leg of one train trip not running, alternative route middle leg cancelled for part of way.  Now looking at options three and four. If I decide to go ahead it will cost me one hotel booking, a tank full of diesel and staying sober. On top of that I will probably also miss one local gathering to which we are invited.

Not a happy bunny tonight, but glad I haven't already spent £200+ in advance train tickets.

 

Think I may just stay at home, get the tools out and do some muddeling.  make a big 'Bah Humbug' illuminated sign. I will put it up in a prominent place to annoy the __$$__ out back who has covered his house in lights and leaves them on all night. (expletives deleted)

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Had another chat with my niece this evening, no change with regard to my brother who's still waiting to go into Barts for his op. We spoke mostly about an accident my niece had yesterday. What she thought was a bad bruise turned out to be a broken collarbone. This morning she could hardly move her arm and was in some pain so she took herself down to A&E where they put her arm in a sling and gave her some painkillers. Looking for a new jacket for next summer, the type of jacket I'm looking for (gilet) seems to be very hard to find so I had a look at the internet and found a company at Rayleigh Weir that stocks just what I'm looking for. There's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight but as its persisting down at the moment not much chance of seeing it. 

[Ozexpatriate]

Just back from breakfast and a matinee viewing of Star Wars accompanied by sons, grandchild and a daughter-in-law.

 

A very enjoyable morning. After 42 years, it is nice to close the book on the Skywalker saga.

 

Now being home alone is a bit of a downer, but I will see them all again on Tuesday. I think I will ignore the football (in the absence of the regular college football season, though there are bowl games on, the NFL has invaded Saturday this weekend in addition to owning Sunday) and go out - despite the rain, which is forecast to taper off later today.

 

I don't know if they do this in UK cinemas but we were subjected to no fewer than NINE previews (along with two advertisements) with the house lights down before the movie today started, but after the advertised start. This took a full 30 minutes. Before the advertised start there is about 20 minutes of projected "infotainment" including previews and advertising with the house lights up.

 

My son and I have long had a game where we guess how many previews there will be. He guessed eight - which is more than we had ever seen before. In the past seating was open for matinees and we would arrive early to secure a good spot. This is now no longer possible. With the ubiquity of ticket selling apps all seating is now assigned so we made sure to purchase our tickets ahead of time. We knew Star Wars would be a big draw and the cinema was probably 30% full (and concentrated in the 'good' seats). 

 

Edited December 21, 2019 by Ozexpatriate

[Tony_S]

I had to go and buy a usb flash drive this afternoon. The 32Gb ones I had were adequate until now but the latest map update for my car was 33Gb and so I needed a 64Gb. Just under £12. Somewhat less then memory used to cost for computers even a few years ago. 

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Well it’s been sunny for most of the day, with just the occasional bit of cloud, but it has been a bit cooler than earlier in the week. The mystery of James’s no show yesterday was that he’d forgotten that he was coming, but that even if he’d remembered, he’d have had to call it off as he’s been ill all week, with suspected noro virus. He did enquire about when he could call round next, but with Sheila’s impending second cataract operation looming, we said it would be best if he kept away until he been clear of infection for at least 4 days and so we’ve arranged for him and Amelia to come round next Friday. 

 

Vickie and Ian also called round this afternoon and stayed for a while before exchanging Christmas gifts, by the time they went it was quite late, so we decided to have an Indian takeaway. This was followed by a bottle of merlot. 

 

Goodnight all

[Barry O]

Sleep well all!

Baz

[AndyID]

28 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

With the ubiquity of ticket selling apps all seating is now assigned so we made sure to purchase our tickets ahead of time. We knew Star Wars would be a big draw and the cinema was probably 30% full (and concentrated in the 'good' seats). 

 

 

We went to the flicks about a month ago. We were going to buy the tickets online but the cheeky blighters apply a surcharge for the "convenience".

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[Ozexpatriate]

The 2019 winter solstice will arrive here at 20:19 tonight - a little over 90 minutes from now. 

 

Happy Yule / Solstice / Sol Invictus, etc to you all.

 

With the heavy overcast we've been having (on the banks of the atmospheric river) for the last few days at the dark end of the year, it's nice to think that brighter days are ahead.

[pH]

High tide this morning:

 

[Ozexpatriate]

3 hours ago, pH said:

High tide this morning:

That's a nice image, but I'm guessing the water level is not supposed to be quite that high.

[1722]

Morning all. 

Today is always bitter sweet. I used to work as a 1:1 teaching assistant supporting a little girl who was rather poorly. Four years ago today she succumbed to her illness, aged just 10.

 

However, in 10 years I think she lived more than a lot do in a long lifetime. Today always stirs up a mix of emotions, lots of sadness, yes, but also a range of happy memories about a child who was determined to live life to the full, no matter what. 

 

I have a 3 week old son who, one day, I will tell all about the inspirational little girl I once knew. 

[TheQ]

Mooring awl,  inner Temple Hare, 

Almost 7.5 hours sleep so a good nights sleep,  some Amber liquid may have had something to do with it. 

Ben the confused Collie got me up,  took me to the back door, but didn't want out,  he reckons I should be going to work, I don't normally get three days in a row off. 

 

Computers, one of my first tasks working for Marconi, in 1989  was to trundle round various RAF updating computers,  by fitting 5 MB Winchester drives.. 

Other than that,   how about the 920B from  Marconi Elliott, which I did some work on (electronic not programming) ,  transistors and 8k memory, which filled a good part of a room,  then 20 years Later  I worked on  the 920 ATC which fitted in a small box,  for those interested.

 http://www.computerconservationsociety.org/software/elliott903/more903/Manuals/index.htm

I then went on a programming course (Ada) for it's replacement, which was based around a 680016, but as usual with such projects it didn't go into service, while i worked for the company. 

 

The picture down river from the sailing club. Not very helpful but, in an hour I'll check again at https://www.horning-sailing.club/webcam.php?camera=club_down to see the soggyness level.

 

Time to think about getting a Muggacoffee. 

 

 

 

 

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a still windy part of The Charente. Last night was a first.  As we had been advised to close our shutters we did so. We thus spent our first ever night in the house with all shutters closed.  The winds were certainly strong. As it's getting light I will be setting off to look for damage in due course. The only thing I can see us that the telephone/internet wire is hanging a bit low.  Fortunately  all that needs is a ladder and a couple of cable ties to sort out.  I'll do it when it's properly light.  Apart from that we will be heading for the market as usual.  A turkey has been ordered.   

 

Regards to all.

 

 

Jamie

[pH]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

That's a nice image, but I'm guessing the water level is not supposed to be quite that high.

 

There's not an awful lot you can do about the water level in a tidal inlet!  

 

Maybe I should post a photo of that area at low tide for comparison.

Edited December 22, 2019 by pH

[TheQ]

Same web cameras,  The water level is high,  it's level with the top of the quay heading. 

and down at Potter heigham bridge that should be land behind the moored boats

It's a good job it's out of season,  the tin shed top right is a boat hire company, there should be land round that as well..  Oh and it's low tide...... 

Edited December 22, 2019 by TheQ

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Very dull with lots of dark clouds but not raining at the moment. There is even the threat of some sunny periods later.

Enjoyed the rugby yesterday although I suspect at least one Tiger supporter here didn't.

Taxi job for the girls completed successfully last night although the torrential rain and amount of traffic made the couple of miles on the A3 interesting. Apparently the 50 mph limit doesn't apply to certain "drivers." I use that word loosely, maniacs would be a better description. I was discharged from duty when I got them there as they said they were quite happy to get a cab home. I was quite happy to let them!

As Christmas is nearly upon us I've just heard the dreaded words "We've got lots to do today, the house is a complete mess and needs sorting out!" This is not true as The Boss has spent the last couple of weeks "sorting things out" but I suppose I better humour her, especially as she's just asked what I'd like for breakfast. 

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by grandadbob

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

We also uave "lots to do" but..once done the day is mine!

Off out with our fully recovered youngest Herbert on Monday night. This could be great or a disaster.. (he buys me loadsa craft beers...)

 

Been fixing items which can be sold on an auction web site after Christmas. Very few are mine but they are nice.

 

I shall shortly be geabbing the day by its nether regions and kicking itinto action.

 

Anyone else having serious problems with Hermes? So far three items have bwen "lost" by them.. one being a replacement for another item they lost last month..problem is they are "cheap" to use.

 

Right, time for a mugadecaff and ..hey ho its off cleaning we go...

 

Baz

[leopardml2341]

Morning all.

 

A day away from ER again and so much happens.

 

Two bits of good news:

It's stopped raining

The days are getting longer albeit very slowly.

 

Planning to do some wood butchering later, assuming the rain stays away.

 

Hope the day brings lots of good things for everyone.

[polybear]

9 hours ago, TheSignalEngineer said:

Think I may just stay at home, get the tools out and do some muddeling.  make a big 'Bah Humbug' illuminated sign. I will put it up in a prominent place to annoy the __$$__ out back who has covered his house in lights and leaves them on all night. (expletives deleted)

 

Wait until January, then you can make a sign which reads:

 

"Big Leccy Bill?

Ha Ha - "

[grandadbob]

Breakfast has been consumed and very nice it was too. Just egg, bacon, tomato and toast, don't do the Full English any more (apart from special occasions) as I am trying not to have to buy new trousers with a bigger waistline. 

Re Hermes Baz, I've never had a problem with them. We've had the same little Chinese guy for 2 or 3 years now and he is excellent. Will always try to find a neighbour to leave stuff with if nobody in - it's usually me! TBH we must be very lucky as our postie is great and all the other couriers who deliver here seem to actually take some care in what they do with the stuff.

Muganotdecaff now and then I have been asked to take the Dyson upstairs and make a start........

 

 

........"Yes dear, I did hear you but I haven't finished my coffee yet!" 

 

Edited December 22, 2019 by grandadbob