Early Risers.

[skipepsi]

4 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

G'night all

What he said, G'night all

[BR60103]

We managed a hobby shop visit today, among other things. I think SWMBO offered it to get me near IKEA which has a cheap lunch that she likes. (She had to go back as her salmon dinner hadn't contained the salmon.)  I managed a calendar and a pkg of couplings and some gluing bits. IKEA produced a new ironing board which has a tight cover unlike the old one. Then a bookstore which has a larger selection of modelling mags than the local one.

Tomorrow is Dragonfest at Lostock Junction. (Owner of same refers to his wife as the Dragon. She goes along.) This is railway club non-meeting that spouses are invited to. And the train running is extremely eclectic.

 My cousin on Cape Cod has an electric car. His wife is afraid that they'll get in a trffic jam on one of the bridges and run out of power. He's the one who designed his own house and feeds power back into the grid.

 

[Ozexpatriate]

7 hours ago, AndyID said:

It's 7C - unusually warm for this time of year.

12°C here (at 9:30pm). It warmed up from 10°C earlier. It is supposed to be colder (around 7°C) and wetter tomorrow with the snow level dropping in the mountains.

 

So far, we've had a very mild winter, (again) and less rainy than "normal".

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[monkeysarefun]

3 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

12°C here (at 9:30pm). It warmed up from 10°C earlier. It is supposed to be colder (around 7°C) and wetter tomorrow with the snow level dropping in the mountains.

 

So far, we've had a very mild winter, (again) and less rainy than "normal".

 

 

5 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

12°C here (at 9:30pm). It warmed up from 10°C earlier. It is supposed to be colder (around 7°C) and wetter tomorrow with the snow level dropping in the mountains.

 

So far, we've had a very mild winter, (again) and less rainy than "normal".

 

 

45.7 here... 48.2 in Penrith.

[Ozexpatriate]

5 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

45.7 here... 48.2 in Penrith.

News reports indicate an increased fire threat in the western suburbs of Sydney from the Green Wattle Creek fire. I hope they don't materialize.

 

There are now daily updates on US news reports. It has taken a long time for them to pay close attention, given that the fires have been going on since September.

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[monkeysarefun]

3 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

News reports indicate an increased fire threat in the western suburbs of Sydney from the Green Wattle Creek fire. I hope they don't materialize.

 

There are now daily updates on US news reports. It has taken a long time for them to pay close attention, given that the fires have been going on since September.

 

 

 

I subscrie to the Washington Post and their coverage has ramped up markedly over the last couple of days. Especially enjoying replaying  their coverage of the ferals getting laid into Scott from Marketing...

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2020/01/02/australias-prime-minister-visited-families-devastated-by-wildfires-it-did-not-go-well/

 

 

[roundhouse]

Good morning from Leeds. Its nearly 6 pm and there's still night life outside with lots of shouting. Didnt affect us overnight due ot having the room air con on (no flashing lights or alarm sound from this one).

 

This morning hoping ot get our second ride on the new TPE Nova 3 push pull units to Stalybridge then make use of the Manchester daytripper ticket we bought last night from helpful ticket office staff who hadnt issued one before. We are hoping ot do the tram route from Ashton Under Lyne to Piccadilly, drop bag at hotel then meet up with another rmwebber / long time friend and head off to Glossop for beer.

Last full day of the trip as heading home tomorrow.

 

Mick - I know someone who has a lot of your products but hes not on rmweb so doubt it was him plus its much newer stuff hes adding to his large shed layout.

[jamie92208]

Good morning  to all.  Up a bit early today. It was warm enough yesterday not to have the fire lit. My first duty today is to light the fire and it's now warming up nicely. The pkan for this morning is to spend an hour or so in the log shed splitting and stacking bits of ash and plum trees that were felled in Dec 2018. They should be good for burning in 2021.  Beth does the stacking. She's neater than me.

 

The usual painting in the afternoon  and hopefully a bit of muddling.

 

Glad that Debs enjoying Briggus.  We liked Brook's restaurant there. 

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

 

 

[chrisf]

Good morning and happy 2020 to one and all

 

I have enjoyed the past two weeks, mostly in Switzerland but with the Rhine Valley and other bits of Germany because the travel company insists on us avoiding France.  My fellow traveller JohnDMJ is made of sterner stuff and travels to and from the UK via Paris, which is not as difficult as some make out.  I would have done too if I had not been in the grip of a virus when I booked the tour in May.  I hope to be back with the rebels next year.

 

On offer for breakfast at our hotels in Interlaken and Chur was Prosecco.  For educational purposes I did have a glass or two with my breakfast and cannot in all honesty say that I recommend it.  Apart from that the food and drink was pretty good throughout the holiday.  On the last night I particularly enjoyed necking overgrown thimbles of Kolsch in Cologne, or Koln as the locals call it,  and for much of the rest of the holiday rediscovered my affection for weiss, or wheat, beer and of course gluhwein.  I travelled extensively, both individually and with the herd.  The only wobble happened when I had a sudden bout of depression in Davos of all places – nothing too serious this time but unwelcome nonetheless.  On Christmas night I formed part of the Ffestiniog Travel Scratch Chorus, performing two carols in German.  On New Year’s Eve there was absolutely SFA to do in Chur so I did not see in the New Year, instead retiring to bed at too early an hour in the continuing but so far fruitless quest for beauty sleep.  My heart was at the fireworks display in Zurich, which appears to be impossible to attend if you catch the last train back to Chur.

 

I have been keeping an eye on events in Australia.  Those wretched bush fires happen every year and the continuing loss of human life and habitat is nothing short of tragic despite the supremely heroic efforts of the firefighters.  What worries me is that the loss of koala life and habitat will be increasingly overlooked at large.  Think if you will of Lewis the koala, so bravely rescued by Toni Doherty and making headlines round the world, only to be put to sleep because his burns were too severe to be treatable.  I should hate to think that his death was in vain.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[Ozexpatriate]

8 minutes ago, chrisf said:

Good morning and happy 2020 to one and all

Welcome back from your holidays Chris.

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Good to hear you enjoyed your holiday Chris. We could be tempted to go to Switzerland or Germany for Christmas.. but we are a bit busy this coming year so it will be on the bucket list.

 

After a busy day yesterday another busy one today. Parcels to make and post, house to be tidied up (herself has an over 60s cricket committee meeting here today. They aim to finish our Christmas cake..pah!)

 

Ihave nearly finished check8ng all of my scale models so they need to be done.

 

Ian, hope you and your good lady have a great day!

Yes Leeds does seem to be capable of partying all 24 hours of the day. Dunno, never tried it recently myself!

 

Hoping all ERs have a great day with very positive thoughts to all ERs who are suffering at the moment especially Rick.

 

Now ...mugatea time!

Baz

[leopardml2341]

 

8 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

 

I use a special stealthy route [*] into and out of t'other place most every day.

I haven't been stopped yet.

 

You will be soon

Quote

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by leopardml2341
Wanted to remove embedded video - but can't (on Android) any ideas?

[polybear]

8 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

I got in touch with a local firm that installs loft ladders and they will get back to me early next week about doing a survey and giving us an estimate for fitting one. The bad news is that the stock of mod***ing tokens is likely to take a big hit.

 

 

 

All this talk of Loft Ladders has got me thinking too - I've not been happy with my current one for years.  I found this by chance, which may have possibilites and looks easy to install:

https://www.loftomattic.com/electric-loft-ladder/4594214767

 

1 hour ago, chrisf said:

Think if you will of Lewis the koala, so bravely rescued by Toni Doherty and making headlines round the world, only to be put to sleep because his burns were too severe to be treatable.  I should hate to think that his death was in vain.

 

 

 

DougN posted a chart over on Tony Wright's Board a few hours ago, showing info regarding the current status.  By all accounts 30% (around 8000?) of Koalas in the State of New South Wales have been lost

 

[BoD]

Morning all.

 

Ooh, Ernie has been kind.

Now what shall I spend my £25 on?

 

Have a good weekend one and awl.

[leopardml2341]

Morning all.

 

Best wishes and positive thoughts for the rest of the day to each and every ER

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Greetings from sunny South Essex.

Aditi is off to London today to see a ballet production. It is a matinee so she will be home for dinner. I am on taxi duty to and from Benfleet station. Her friend will be joining the train at Upminster so there has been synchronising of watches etc.

 I don’t have any plans for the rest of the day. I don’t think I have a list of things to do either. 
Just remembered, I have to be in so the double glazing man can measure up for a replacement window. It isn’t broken just internal condensation. 
Tony

Edited January 4, 2020 by Tony_S
Edit

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

A rather dull start to the day here but it should stay dry with the chance of some sunny spells.

Up late today on principle as "somebody" keeps  banging on about taking down decorations. I have agreed to ascend Mount Loft today but it will be in my own good time and certainly not until I've finished my breakfast coffee! And possibly another one.

Watched the rugby last night. Wish I hadn't. I have sometimes wondered why I support Quins. This was one of them. Sale fully deserved to win annihilate them. Hopefully I will enjoy Gloucester v Bath more this afternoon.

Ha, the phone has just rung and it's an old workmate of The Boss so I will be left in peace for quite a while. 

Also son Steve has just texted to say he's popping in. I'm sure he'll help with scaling the North Face. Things are looking up.

Have a good one,

L.A.Zysod.

Edited January 4, 2020 by grandadbob
Multiple mistooks

[TheSignalEngineer]

10 hours ago, TheSignalEngineer said:

Desktop 'puter dismantled tonight to check power supply and connectors. During work tbe cause of crashes and shutdowns of graphics may have been located. A small deposit of dust was slowing the fan pn the graphics card, causing a processor overheat and automatic cut out.  Time for sleep and full test tomorrow. Thanks to all who suggested solutions when I first reported problems, especially the one who looks to have got it right!

Tech Support, AKA Son, arrived from Ireland last night for a weekend visit and has done a registry clean-up and killed a lot of things that Win10. Google, etc insist on being active from start-up but don't get used or add any value to the experience. Fingers crossed no crashes this morning and everything that needs to be working is there and at greater speed. Thanks Matt.

[grandadbob]

I have IT support in the form of a son. Not much he can't fix as it's his day job and he's very good at it. He's cheap as well.  Well, he is for me anyway.

[JohnDMJ]

3 hours ago, chrisf said:

Good morning and happy 2020 to one and all

 

I have enjoyed the past two weeks, mostly in Switzerland but with the Rhine Valley and other bits of Germany because the travel company insists on us avoiding France.  My fellow traveller JohnDMJ is made of sterner stuff and travels to and from the UK via Paris, which is not as difficult as some make out. 

 

Due to the continuing industrial action in France, the RER part of the journey across Paris this year made the Tokyo commuter routine look tame; staff both trying to ram passengers into the train whilst pulling others off in order to close the doors! I met my Eurorats seat as the train departed Gare du Nord!

 

3 hours ago, chrisf said:

On offer for breakfast at our hotels in Interlaken and Chur was Prosecco.  For educational purposes I did have a glass or two with my breakfast and cannot in all honesty say that I recommend it. 

 

Whether you would recommend it or not is a personal preference; it was there, let's try it. Prosecco is, per se, a fizz which, whilst not being to my usual taste, did enliven the palette which I considered a sufficient reason for indulging! I was, after all, on holiday! (At 4 of the 5 breakfasts in the hotel in Chur, the bottle needed replacing with a full one. Whilst it might not be to our taste, it certainly was to the other residents of said hotel!)

Edited January 4, 2020 by JohnDMJ

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

The sun is trying to shine and I can see some bits of blue sky about, but according to the sea weed twirlers, we may get some rain later, so fingers crossed thay get it wrong. I'm just about to set off and collect Ava and then it'll be time for a mid morning drink. We will then make a start on some baking. 

 

Back later 

[Happy Hippo]

12 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 

I better not comment on what I think of so called autopilot cars.  I certainly won't get one and can't afford one, though the Tesla factory in California is a useful place to spot stored UP locos at Warm Springs.

 

Anyway I had an interesting day trying to fit the new door shutter to the kitchen door.

Here's (most) of the old one, the top rail broke off when moving it. 

  

 

Until I read the explanation, I thought you had moved into the restoration, refurbishment or replication of the classic brick outhouse doors.

 

The observation is purely academic as I have no need of such niceties.

 

As seen from earlier correspondence on these pages, and to use a well known hair product advert:

 

I just wash and go!

[tigerburnie]

46 minutes ago, TheSignalEngineer said:

Tech Support, AKA Son, arrived from Ireland last night for a weekend visit and has done a registry clean-up and killed a lot of things that Win10. Google, etc insist on being active from start-up but don't get used or add any value to the experience. Fingers crossed no crashes this morning and everything that needs to be working is there and at greater speed. Thanks Matt.

I could do with borrowing your son for that service, sure there's a heap of the same excrement on my pc too.

[tigerburnie]

Morning, my powders for the dirtying and aging of things on or related to parallel bits of metal arrived yesterday, so having read their instructions(I think that was a first for me) I proceeded to attack a 16t mineral, a van and a brake van, quite nice too(pictures could well appear on the link below later). There was a small problem however, it would seem a lump of said powder found it's way onto the living room carpet, which of course I then stood on and walked into the kitchen, pity we don't have a black carpet as I might not have been found out...……………………………………..seems I am now banished to The Old Summer House with me mucky powders...…………………..

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Had a visitation from the bin wagons this morning with their usual dawn chorus. Including the lesser spotted glass and bottle wagon which was in full voice as it is it's first visit since the festivities. It was the first to arrive at just before 07:30, no need for alarm clocks this morning. Welcome back Chris, Christmas in Germany is quite a celebration but it is many years since I spent a Christmas there. Breaking news, the M1 will be closed for the rest of the day J11-J13 due to a serious accident. Thats it for now, be back later.