Early Risers.

[Happy Hippo]

32 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

  Notice how Hunt D tries to shift the blame.   

Now now Dear,

 

Come Friday afternoon, the pressure will be off you!

 

He'll be blaming me for his wrecked lawn, contaminating his layout with BR(W) ephemera, and consuming his prized collection of ex 24 hour ration pack Garibaldi biscuits and tubes of condensed milk.

 

It's lucky I'm wider than I'm tall. (It's a front row thing.)

 

 

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Dull, overcast and drizzle here, well at least it is outside. 
I think the all wheel drive with an electric motor for each wheel is how the NASA moon buggy worked. 
Nothing exciting happening, unless the removal of the wrist transparent dressing this afternoon counts. 
A padded envelope has just been delivered. I think it may contain kits for wheeled objects.

 

Have a good day.

Tony
 

[Two_sugars]

1 hour ago, Dave Hunt said:

Just to set the record straight, the bottle I spilled yesterday contained isopropyl alcohol that I was using to clean flux off soldered joints. I was not secretly supping India pale ale under the baseboard, although after the event it probably wouldn't have been a bad idea! Anyway, I blame Jamie as we had just been talking on the phone and apart from the fact that I was still amazed at the size of his wagon collection he had suggested that I should have some Scottish falling down water and the thought had distracted me. Well, that's my story anyway and I'm sticking to it.

 

With a bit of luck today will feature some more wiring (without the GDBs) as well as getting in a ton or so of water weed and filling the pond for the visit of the Muddy Hollow gang tomorrow.

 

Ta-ta for now - Baz the day if at all possible.

 

Dave

Nowt wrang wi'that  . . . .he's full of useful suggestions

 

'twas on the news this morning about an earthquake of about 3 on the sphincter scale, approx 6 miles below Stockton.

Someone on social meeja reported that no structural improvements occurred.

 

Have a guddun all.

 

John

 

 

P.S , ,  ,as for retirement. . . .I'm out of me pit by 9.00am most mornings whether I need to be or not.

Edited January 23, 2020 by Two_sugars

[tigerburnie]

Morning, bright and looking  like it's turned out nice again...………………...not very often I agree with anything Jezza Clarkson says, but for the general motorist, hydrogen is the only choice for those wishing to go for a drive of more than 20 miles. As to Teslas claim to being the fastest car, really? how far will it get at 300 mph on one charge in its battery, the Koenigsegg that will already do that uses all it's fuel up in minutes as it is. It's at the top of my shopping list, but I don't think it'll be much good doing the Sainsburys grand prix as there's nowhere to put the bags.

https://www.koenigsegg.com/car/jesko/

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Its almost twelve years since I retired but I still wake up about six in the morning, my usual time when I was working. However I now just roll over and snooze for another hour or so. This morning however I overdid the snooze and didn't get up until half past eight. Now for muggatee # 2, be back later.

[Gwiwer]

Second breakfast enjoyed.  After events this week that's saying something positive.  

 

I also enjoyed the surprise of re-awakening to find the kitchen had been cleaned to within an inch of its life after I made tea and toast at stupid o'clock.  SWMBO was awake too and had gone on to prepare tonight's dinner, clear the place up and then head off to work.  She may be exhausted, mentally and physically, but she's an exhausted star when the need arises.  

 

A need arises for some IRJs.  Too small an item to be worthwhile placing a mail order for and too small to be worth trekking to the nearest retail outlet.  So the question is with what do I pad the order such that it does not resemble that "new train" shape yet is useful rather than being something for Justin Case?  

 

I have confirmed with the House of Fun that I shall return tomorrow.  I also have a session with the quack booked for the afternoon to review issues, various, which had troubled me this year.  

 

Still waiting to hear more from friend who had her breast  cancer surgery last Friday.  She messaged that she was home albeit in pain from the port but the biggest issue seems still to be her husband being in complete denial and talking to no-one.  Alarm bells are ringing loud here; I have known the chap for well over 50 years, I know his sister went through similar dramas much younger than might be the norm and that he has had other family matters to deal with.  But I suspect things are not at all well either between them or with him and I would dearly like to be able to sit down with a cuppa and crack a few nuts.  There is stunning silence from him.  I know that those not (yet) willing to be helped are really not able to be helped.  I shall maintain the one-way contact and see what develops.

 

There is a grey misty dampness hanging about the Hill of Strawberries today.  It is expected to remain for a couple more days yet but at least will kep the temperature relatively warm.  As in above crunchy-grass levels.  

 

A good day to all.  IT is time to throw the Gwiwer in the shower.  I shall emerge when the soap is thrown in

 

 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

A grey drizzly sort of day here.

 

12 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

I managed an award winning multiple GDB this afternoon when under the la**ut doing some wiring. In rapid succession I went to pick up a pair of pliers and in so doing knocked over an open bottle of IPA, tried to grab the bottle but put my hand on the hot soldering iron, jumped and banged my head on a cross brace, cursed and finally got hold of the bottle, then when getting out from under the baseboard slipped on the puddle of alcohol and caught my elbow a right crack. Burns, blood and bruising in the space of about five seconds. I'm seriously thinking of taking up alligator wrestling as a safer hobby. 

 

 You're just showing off now Dave!  

I was thinking of going down to The Shed today to recommence tracklaying and wiring but that's now put me off! 

After 15 years of retirement I still wake up by 5.00 most mornings but usually manage to turn over and snooze for another hour or two.

Nothing much doing here. We've done the Sainsbury's run and restocked the fridges and larder and I'm just enjoying a coffee.

Have a good one,

I.D. Lesod

 

Edited January 23, 2020 by grandadbob

[Sir TophamHatt]

Morning all.

 

Been a pretty good day so far.  Nothing remarkable, which is good.

 

Decided to resurrect a Twitter feed I used to run and changed it into something else (which I am surprised was still available).  Means I have something to do tomorrow on my day off - new graphical designs and then on to modelling the station building for the corner of my layout.  Woo!

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from LBG where it is cloudy and slightly damp in the air. Belated birthday greetings to Mick and hope Rick recovers from his lurgy rapidly.

 

A few beers were had at the Bridge Tap last night and then a decent curry at the Shad Indian. Turns out my friend will be in London as his new role involves visiting the London office in St Thomas' Street every two or three weeks. I learned the rather alarming fact that his 15 year old son is 6'4. I haven't seen the boy since he was 7 or 8....!

 

Fortunately my head is well so I have been able to fully contribute to proceedings here, not that there is anything exciting to report!

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

The beast is a phev. It works wel in Oz the same vehicle is available in petrol, diesel and phev versions. I have yet to see a hybrid version on the roads in Sydney and perth.i also noted today that I have spotted a single wind turbine. It was on Rottnest Island surrounded by quockers.

 

Time for some eyelid inspection.

Baz

[Ian Abel]

Morning, BIN day, the Mrs has it in hand

 

All quiet on the client front, just plodding through a major rework of reports - don't ask!

 

Nice dinner yesterday with Jemma, then took her to JFK this AM early for the start of her 4-day trip.

I can confirm for those who were asking, the Delta announcement made her quite happy, though she did mention that some of the senior captains are getting silly amounts in the region of $50,000 AFTER TAXES!

 

First thing today I was supposed to give the new CFO here a "quick overview of the system and how to use/navigate same", but he's not in yet...

 

-4 and sunny on the rather circuitous commute via JFK, high of 6 expected.

 

Enjoy the day.

Edited January 23, 2020 by Ian Abel

[81C]

afternoon All

Woke up late after Ms. America took the wind out of my sails last night she is a fun woman to be with, we had dinner in the Bear at Esher and back to 

her house for coffee, I've been invited back there for dinner and an evening on the sofa Saturday.

I had the heating pack up yesterday fortunately my plumber had just finished a job and was with me in 15 minutes a new pump and a new rad needed as the bloody

thing had a pin hole in it, even getting a cheap labour rate it still cost me £250 

I got to Zeus late today as well he was pleased that I had turned up to feed him his dinner then played football with him for a while. he got bored with that I gave him his pigs ear to munch on 

it should keep he amused till his mum gets in.

Back in the flat I've still got to advise some services of my change of address all the one's on-line have been done it's a ball ache wait for the phone to be answered I've left messages with

various robots for a call back.   better get on S. Till-doinitt           

 

The little feller has grown some more.

             

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. A SEERS meeting tonight. A talk by a retired BTP officer about various accidents he has been involved in the investigations thereof, sounds interesting. BIN day today but the bin wagons must have been in stealth mode as the bin bags were there one minute and gone the next. Kettle is ready so its be back later. 

[The Stationmaster]

Afternoon all,

 

Faux Friday today so a vist to the train spotting branch of Waitrose.  However not a single train was seen either while in their car park or at Pangbourne while negotiating the bridge under the railway although one Freightliner was seen as I drove past Tilehurst station.  Quite how that happened during an hour when there was a train passing at an average of one every two minutes I don't know quite how that happened so I must have been looking or abke to look during the longer gaps between trains.

 

Anyway shopping was eminently successful so I am informed however the cockwomble motor vehicle driver quotient was quite high in the vicnity of the bridge over the river at pangbourne/Whitchurch (maybe all the opticians in the area have been on strike for several months?) and there were two downright lunatics who appeared to be engaged in competitive motor sport on the public highway cheerfully overtaking others on blind bends and in one instance overtaking me when I was proceeding at a velocity not exactly in accordance with the 50 mph limit on the road concerned (but at least dummbo could see to overtake on that occasion as the road was straight).  But enough of these minor vicissitudes which did nothing whatsoever to upset my day.

 

Talking of the Southampton Show I shall be there on Saturday but have a rostered turn at Grantham Loco Yard 'box from 11.00 - 13.00 and then 14.00 -16.00.  After which I shall no doubt be truly looking forward to even a Voyager ride back to the valley of the Thames.

 

Enjoy the rest of your day one and all and I trust Rick manages a successful return to the world of work tomorrow.

[Ozexpatriate]

8 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

As to Teslas claim to being the fastest car, really? how far will it get at 300 mph on one charge in its battery, the Koenigsegg that will already do that uses all it's fuel up in minutes as it is.

They said "quickest", not "fastest", and may be claiming acceleration. I think we can assume any claims of range are at a fairly constant, legal highway speed.

[TheQ]

Evening Awl, 

As I was proceeding along the highway in Effin clown town tonight, at the indicated speed limit ,  I chanced upon the boys in blue high vis jackets . The Taxi driver behind me who had swept up at a high rate of knots , must have been glad I slowed him down for the speed trap. 

 

Actually coming back from my sailing compatriots Was The easiest trip I've done from there. Not so on the A47 southern bypass going the other way at that time,  much flashing of blue lights looked like a lorry involved with a car.  Massive tailbacks then another set of flashing blue lights including an ambulance trying to get through then the tail backs stretched off into the distance ... 

 

The sailing compatriot is much improved but still waiting for that bone to heal, we of course discussed the keel along with many things including the adenosine triphosphate cycle,  quite how we got there I'm not sure. But it's some thing I know a little about,  as its b******erd up in me ( along with another 1000 of us in the UK.)  with anaesthetics.

 

Of which a missive from the nhs was waiting for me,  not as I expected about my BP,  but to inform me the two yearly game of poo sticks is about to arrive.. 

 

Awaiting consumption by me on a plate is a pool of lava otherwise known as a Stilton cheese and parsnip chutney toastie. This a joined by my mug of choccy. 

Edited January 23, 2020 by TheQ

[jamie92208]

Good evening to you all. MV Bretagne us gently rocking as we move towads Pompey.  Dinner and a bottle of red have been consumed. We got a tax refund of a 3 figure amount  yesterday so various types of falling down water have been purchased including some of the Glenlivet  Scottish type for me.  We had a good drive up and the ship is nearly empty due to a dockers strike. Just 250  self loading cargo and no lorries.  Grand daughter day tomorrow.

 

Jamie

Edited January 23, 2020 by jamie92208

[JohnDMJ]

4 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

Good evening to you all. MV Bretagne us gently rocking as we move towads Pompey.  Dinner and a bottle of red have been consumed. We got a tax refund of a 3 figure amount  yesterday so various types of falling down water have been purchased including some of the Glenlivet  Scottish type for me.  We had a good drive up and the ship is nearly empty due to a dockers strike. Just 250  self loading cargo and no lorries.  Grand daughter day tomorrow.

 

Jamie

 

Good to hear that your travel plans are going well.

 

I'd heard that the strikes in France were starting to fizzle out; what's the score?

[brianusa]

9 hours ago, grandadbob said:

Good morning all,

A grey drizzly sort of day here.

 

 

Its been like that here, ever since Christmas!

    Brian.

[Ozexpatriate]

13 minutes ago, brianusa said:

Its been like that here, ever since Christmas!

Indeed, but seasonally so and we were really behind on rainfall and snowpack. Happily we've caught up with the snowpack. Rain is forecast every day for at least the next week.

 

Here we had glimpses of bright sun breaks between showers a couple of days ago. Today is particularly wet and gloomy. High temperatures are very constant at around 10°C which isn't bad for the depths of winter.

[New Haven Neil]

Evening.

 

Two really foggy mornings have been had, driving to work was really difficult, worst I have seen or not!) for years.  High pressure, still, warmish, perfect storm of.....fist and mog as Baz would say.

 

Little else to report.  

 

Ends.

[Dave Hunt]

Managed a couple of hours wiring today without a repetition of the GDB hall of fame attempt. Sorry if I put you off, Bob, but maybe I've satisfied the RM gremlins for a while and you will be OK to venture back into the fray?

 

Tomorrow will be demanding. Not only will I have to cope with visiting pachyderms bringing green things with saddlebags panniers but we have been shanghaied into a quiz team in the evening. On account of it being close to Burns night, SWMBO is convinced that there will be questions about the Scots bard and has been mugging up on him. If no such questions come up, of course, I will somehow be blamed.

 

Good night and sweet dreams everybody.

 

Dave 

[leopardml2341]

Nowt much happening in Willington.

 

Goodnight all.

[tigerburnie]

14 minutes ago, leopardml2341 said:

Nowt much happening in Willington.

 

Goodnight all.

I used to live in Willington...………..small world eh?

The weather over here is also bonkers, talking of which, lots of birds are getting frisky and starting to build nests, we still have winter to get out of the way first. Got some rusting and coaling done on some wagons, looking nicely weathered, but I think I will get some matt varnish to seal it, I don't handle the items much, but don't want the powders falling off.

G'night all

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Today is cricket day..or to be more accurate a game to attend in the  Big Bash League. I shall be wearing my Yorkshire Shirt, her indoors will be wearung her Headingley 2019..I was rhere shirt.

 

We had a little plodge in the sea yesterday on Rottnest Island. Water appreciablywarmer than the sea at Horden, Blackhall and Crimdon in the days of my childhood/youth.

 

Clearish skies and warm here this am. Time to get a muggacoffee and breakfast.

 

Sleep well all!

Baz