Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I will have to clear out my in-box more often, sometimes in a hurry things get forgotten, some of them from 2016! If there was any frost this morning it had disappeared quite quickly as there was no sign of it two hours ago.

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple hare,

Some times you wonder about these spell chequers, it changed Temple to Templer and Hare to Hart, after never bothering before..

 

 

Yes these spill chuckers can be a pain.

[Barry O]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

 

A friend of mine, after being made redundant, ended up in a smallish engineering firm in Hoddesdon.  He hated the place, as did most of the other employees - the Boss was a T*sser by all accounts (e.g. He took all the seats away from the workbenches - "I pay people to work, not to sit down").

No-one, apart from a couple of close friends in the place knew he was coming up to 65, and they were sworn to secrecy.  On his 65th birthday he walked into the office and handed in all his gubbins - pass, keys etc.  By all accounts the look of embarrassment on their faces was priceless when he announced he was 65 and now retired.  He picked up his toolbox and walked out the door....

 

 

They'll be in your Wallet.....

Nope...wallet has been fully checked 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Frosty earlier and some grey sky but it should stay dry with some sunny periods.

Late start here after a very hectic but enjoyable day yesterday with Nicki and the kids. Ate and probably drank too much but a great time was had by all.

Didn't get to watch any rugby so may do that today although I already know the results.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

[polybear]

4 hours ago, chrisf said:

We have a Beales, though for how much longer is a good question, likewise a Debenhams.  Talking of that chain, I found the voucher for £2 which I shall redeem against some handkerchiefs, assuming that they sell said commodity and that they are still open.   A strident denial of forthcoming closure appeared on the front page of the local rag this week but we shall see.

 

Just announced on the Radio:  Beales has collapsed into administration 

Spend your voucher PDQ....

[chrisf]

16 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Just announced on the Radio:  Beales has collapsed into administration 

Spend your voucher PDQ....

 

I did - at Debenhams!  Thanks for the kind thought.

 

Chris

[tigerburnie]

Morning, bright sunny if cold it is too, late on parade had a fitful nights lack of sleep, goodness only knows why and didn't get up till the back of 9. I had an experience driving in snow that I still recall vividly, I was on my motor bike(a Yamaha YDS2) on my way to work as an apprentice in quite deep snow in the early/mid 1960's, the snow was quite deep so I was travelling at around 20mph with both feet on the ground as stabilisers. I came to the railway bridge(the one just at the north end of Leicester Central station) where the road was clean of snow, I then must have got better traction and shot forwards somewhat faster, hit the snow on the other side(no idea if I hit the brakes during all of this) and proceeded to start to slowly spin 360 degrees. I saw the road ahead, gunned the throttle a little and straightened up again, it was both hilarious and disconcerting in equal measure, but I got to work on time.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Not a lot happening . I have packed my overnight case for tomorrow. Dressing gown, slippers, sack of medication and Kindle. Normally for an 8am admission one is sent home at 1pm but they ask for overnight stuff anyway. 
A mechanic turned up at the house to change a tyre this morning, however it was for someone down the road with the same make (but not model) of car. 
Baz’s missing cards reminded me. Last year at Gatwick Aditi tried to buy some cosmetics but couldn’t find her credit card. She made me check online to see,if anyone had run amok with it. She had a different handbag for this trip so I suggested perhaps it was in the other bag at home still. Aditi said she may have accidentally removed it with a load of store cards she had removed to lighten her purse. Anyway she phoned a neighbour and asked her to go in and rummage through her handbag or dressing table drawer. Neighbour went in and found the card. At this point although we had been up for hours Aditi realised it was about 7.30 and she must have woken our neighbour up.

Aditi’s uncle from California is visiting Delhi at then moment. On New Years Eve he didn’t want to drive so went to visit family and used the Metro. His US passport and wallet disappeared during the journey. So he now has had to acquire a new US passport and also has to apply for an exit visa before leaving. I suppose all the credit cards too.

Tony

[AndyB]

15 hours ago, polybear said:

 

FireAngel by any chance?  I've lost count of the number of times I've phoned them for a replacement cos' the battery low indication started sounding, despite being no-where near ten years old.  No problems with them sending a replacement, though the last time they wanted the duff one sending back (at my expense) for checking.  I've a feeling that some of the replacement units have since played up too (I should've kept a check).

 

It wasn't that brand. But I may take a different approach to returning it. 

Switch the thing on again and waltz back into argos. 

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from LBG where half the sky is blue and half is hidden by cloud and where it is distinctly cold out.

 

Belated condolences to Dave, and best wishes for recovery for Sherry and Sheila and Chris (and others too, no doubt). I hope that Tony's hospital visit is as brief as intended.

 

The weekend saw a visit to the ancestral home as it was my Dad's birthday. Good food and a little wine (I was driving) were had.

 

In other news the cake that Mrs Lurker had decreed I should acquire for her birthday is no longer produced so I shall have to consult as to suitable alternatives.

 

I suppose Andyram is also a little aggrieved at Derby being likely to lose points for the size of their financial losses, added to which they're bound to lose in the next round of the FA Cup to the mighty Cobblers... well actually, probably not, it's only the 4th time the Cobblers have progressed this far in the last 50 years!

 

In terms of place names reappearing, Sidcup largely escapes although I believe there is a Sidcup castle in Australia, and Foots Cray down the hill has given rise to Footscray, near Melbourne (Australia, not Derbyshire). Sydney was named after 1st Viscount Sydney, who lived at Frognal House, Sidcup. This is now in the grounds of Queen Mary's Hopsital Sidcup, where the Lurker boys were born.

[southern42]

' afternoon all from red dragon land.

Another sunny day.  

 

Some weather photos from the weekend going to and from Betws-y-coed (and some in-between!)

Saturday morning.  Dark, isn't it, mun?

 

Frost everywhere and sun most welcome.

 

Trusty steed waiting...

 

...for the points to be unstuck and oiled! 

 

Sunday morning and snow has fallen overnight above Llyn Ogwen (Lake).

 

We arrive to a heavier frost and minus temperatures.  On the afternoon run, I took a S L O W tr**n over the bridge (by the white post) so as not to frighten the heron that had arrived after the ice had melted on the pond, as well as to give the passengers a chance to have a good look at the heron at close range.  Sunday afternoon, Ray saw the heron on the pond but standing on the ice which had not melted due to the lower temperature.

 

 

A quick pic taken between preserved carriages at the end of our day.

 

We will soon be going home in daylight.  Yay!

 

Lunchtime...

 

Keep warm.

____________

Best wishes

Polly

 

 

Edited January 20, 2020 by southern42

[Tony_S]

My hospital visit is tomorrow. I am just amazed that I am ready and packed a day early. I don’t think doing last minute rushing does me much good at the moment. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed our recent trip to the Lake District was that it wasn’t rushed. You would think that with our both being retired we wouldn’t be leaving stuff to the last minute. I have just had a text from the hospital reminding me to turn up tomorrow. They really try hard to avoid the “did not show” numbers being high. 
Tony

[andyram]

1 hour ago, The Lurker said:

 

I suppose Andyram is also a little aggrieved at Derby being likely to lose points for the size of their financial losses, added to which they're bound to lose in the next round of the FA Cup to the mighty Cobblers... well actually, probably not, it's only the 4th time the Cobblers have progressed this far in the last 50 years!

 

 

In terms of the EFL charge. It is a strange one. As far as Derby County have stated, after the charge, and long before the charge was brought - the sale of the ground and the club's accounting policies were ratified by the EFL in writing. If something is passed by the body, how can they now say it is against the rules?  I somehow feel that the EFL have brought the charge to quieten the rowdy and bitter Mr Gibson of Middlesbrough. Hopefully it will be thrown out, but knowing our luck it probably won't!

[PeterBB]

Take heart, at least they got back on to winning ways this last weekend.

 

[Happy Hippo]

This morning's trip back from Margam was punctuated by a stop on the A465 between Glynneath and Rhigos when 8 car drivers decided to play 'close my eyes because of the  low bright sun and accelerate into the car in front!'

 

At least that what I felt it must have been.

 

Fortunately, despite the carnage ahead, there were no casualties, but the road had to be closed whilst various cars were scraped up.

 

The closure lasted just over 90 minutes before we finally got going again.

 

We are in the habit of carrying survival rations and hot drinks in flasks, so we listened to Pop Master on R2 and guzzled.

 

Had it been a little warmer, we could have put a picnic blanket out and sat in the central reservation for a sun bathe, or jumped over the fence for a dip in the river.

 

The anticipated coffee stop at the Monkland Cheese Dairy was made, but just in time for lunch.

 

OFMC this evening, so as usual, there is no peace for the wicked.

 

Having discussed signalling matters with Mike The Stationmaster on Saturday, I now need to sort out all the parts to build them!

 

 

[tigerburnie]

Evening all(it's dark outside it must be)postie brought me some swivels for sea fishing, so some rigs were tied ready for the next trip to the shore, hoping he might bring some weathering powders so I can continue making perfectly good items that move about on parallel bits of metal look old and dirty. Cold outside and little cloud, so despite the weather forecasters saying different I'm expecting a frost later, so the fires lit.

[jamie92208]

Afternoon all from a cool but clear and still sunny Charente. The sun is dropping and there is a lovely sunset to look at whilst I type.   Beth and I had a lovely drive out to the Cognac distillery  this morning. 17 miles and passed 3 cars and a lorry.  Monsieur  Balluet himself was opening up as we arrived. A good conversation was had and it would have been very rude to refuse the liquid breakfast that was offerred. It certainly warmed us up. Then back via the pharmacy and a coffee in our local bar.  This afternoon  Eric the digger (we have several Eric's around us) turned up with his telescopic loader with a man carrying platform on the front. 10 minutes later the 3 shutters were hung and I think they look quite nice.

 

8 down 11 to go.

Wood has now been fetched and a chicken and mushroom pie us in the oven. This nicely uses up the rest of yesterdays cluck bird.

 

Jamie

[The Stationmaster]

Afternoon all,

 

Another quiet day with a frosty start, hope it's better overnight as the Good Doctor will be off to work at 06.00.  And his ladship is - I'm told - also leaving at an early hour to get to a mainline station in order to connect with an early Eurostar to Paris - in order that he can have lunch in the office canteen there although his meeting sin't until Wednesday.  So my day will have to consist of retrieving his car and getting it home.

 

BTW when I lose things Mrs Stationmaster informs me that it's my fault, I however know the truth and would know exactly where things are if she hadn't instructed me to 'tidy up' the dining room!   Talking of which - Baz have you cgone through every nook and cranny of all the bags including those various zip fastened areas, and your trouser pockets?

 

enjoy the rest of teh day one and all.

[polybear]

6 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

Morning, bright sunny if cold it is too, late on parade had a fitful nights lack of sleep, goodness only knows why and didn't get up till the back of 9. I had an experience driving in snow that I still recall vividly, I was on my motor bike(a Yamaha YDS2) on my way to work as an apprentice in quite deep snow in the early/mid 1960's, the snow was quite deep so I was travelling at around 20mph with both feet on the ground as stabilisers. I came to the railway bridge(the one just at the north end of Leicester Central station) where the road was clean of snow, I then must have got better traction and shot forwards somewhat faster, hit the snow on the other side(no idea if I hit the brakes during all of this) and proceeded to start to slowly spin 360 degrees. I saw the road ahead, gunned the throttle a little and straightened up again, it was both hilarious and disconcerting in equal measure, but I got to work on time.

 

December 1981...lots and lots of snow.

I learnt the hard way that panic braking (using the front brake) whilst riding a six month old Suzuki TS50ER on snow isn't sensible.  The only damage was a bent rear brake pedal, fortunately.  Just after I picked the bike up and got out of the way a van did a very nice 360 pirouette where I'd been laying a few seconds earlier.  Fun days.

Edited January 20, 2020 by polybear

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Ventured out for newspapers today but car was like an icebox. Muggatee time, be back later.

[Happy Hippo]

13 hours ago, Barry O said:

Right...

Can someone explain how I have, in one day, misplaced a driving licence and a travel card? ? If anyone can tell me ...please do...conf used dot com

Aka baz

I liked because that sounds just like me!

 

I  lost my driving licence, and then  only found it again when I opened up the printer to copy a document!

 

I'd forgotten that I'd been asked to provide a copy of my dl for security purposes in order to take money from a fund.

[AndyID]

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

Afternoon all from a cool but clear and still sunny Charente. The sun is dropping and there is a lovely sunset to look at whilst I type.   Beth and I had a lovely drive out to the Cognac distillery  this morning. 17 miles and passed 3 cars and a lorry.  Monsieur  Balluet himself was opening up as we arrived. A good conversation was had and it would have been very rude to refuse the liquid breakfast that was offerred. It certainly warmed us up. Then back via the pharmacy and a coffee in our local bar.  This afternoon  Eric the digger (we have several Eric's around us) turned up with his telescopic loader with a man carrying platform on the front. 10 minutes later the 3 shutters were hung and I think they look quite nice.

 

8 down 11 to go.

Wood has now been fetched and a chicken and mushroom pie us in the oven. This nicely uses up the rest of yesterdays cluck bird.

 

Jamie

 

très chic

[81C]

Evening peeps

Another busy day laundry, coffee date which lasted 3hrs, dog visit, car wash it had turned grey so I thought it could do with a wash, a cup of coffee when I got in and Ms. America 

phoned 1.5hrs chatting about todays events she started her new job today and our date on Wednesday, dinner, now here at 7:15 and another pile of laundry to go in first thing tomorrow.

My show buddy is not attending Eastleigh so Saturday I will preen myself early for another dinner date with Ms. America she is cooking for me on Saturday evening at her home . 

 Tomorrow the tiles in the kitchen will make their way to the dustbin I'm feed up looking at them and the noise of that will mask the drilling required to put a blind up at the window bought

ready cut to size, 6 hole and 10 minutes with a screwdriver and job's done bit of a pain I have to get permission to drill holes in the wall and it costs an admin fee every time I ask. 

I searched high and low for a pair of De-Walt safety glasses ended up buying a new pair and a fat Max folding Stanley knife I got feed up with the blade falling out of a 30 year old one. 

So its onwards and upwards and prep the kitchen for a smashing time.          

                                                                                                                                                             S. Mashitt- Ancrashitt         

[New Haven Neil]

13 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

A friend of mine got high-centered on a berm of snow after the snowplow cleared the street. It can be difficult to get unstuck.

 

My boss at the time many years ago did that on a funny little roundabout with a very raised centre.  Thing is, it was one of those cars with the flashy blue lights, stripey bits and stuff.....so he had to report it.....and live with the years of mickey taking!    Good bloke, but no idea how he passed the police driving course!

 

When I took early retirement it was all smashed into crepe as my bestie was killed three weeks before.  I didn't go back to work, stuff them. Told them to either put it as special leave or not pay me, but no way was I going back while Jayne needed our support - her family had to come from the UK, but they weren't much better TBH. That was a hard month.  They did pay me - eventually.  Didn't really care TBH, other things were more important.  It's Jayne's birthday today, hence it being in my mind, the retirement chat switched it all on.  Sorry, maudlin moment.

[brianusa]

17 hours ago, BR60103 said:

Woke up to find that street had been plowed, so there was a ridge at the end of the driveway -- too much to chance. Someone with a bigger car down the street was stuck on it. Then they did the sidewalk which gave us 3 ridges across the driveway. The driveway was cleared (we're at the end of the sequence) just before 4:00.
 

Don't you just hate that!  They plough the main road of snow which means there's a couple foot high ridge to reach it and there's no real option but to shovel enough room to get in and out.

     Brian.

[Sidecar Racer]

 

Could be worse , like this guy .