Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

Evening all,

 

Well Dennis went away yesterday - until I popped out for the 'papers at which time the liquid component of it descended with renewed enthusiasm.  It subsequently calmed down again and that was it - until the Good Doctor 'phoned as she was about to leave Oxford after work to report it was all very nasty there and she might be delayed somewhat.  Fortunately the wind was allegedly blowing it away to the norther east (except for part of her route home where the opposite was happening despite the protestations of the seaweed down west.  Anyway she got home safely which was most welcome.

 

After yesterday's effort someone else went out for the 'paper and other shipping today - and of course it rained just as they got home.

 

As far as mushrooms are concerned I understand they are safe to consume and they alleged also reduce cholesterol although possibly teh butter I sauté them in might sort of counter balance that - but they are zero GI, as is bacon.  so my usual lunch is sautéed mushrooms plus a few rashers of bacon, and I'm still under 15st (er 'just').  Probably cutting out the double cream with the mushrooms has helped.   But as GDB knows I get to eat very few proper job breakfasts to the extent that it's easy to keep an annual tally of the ones I do have. (2 so far this year).

 

Hoping everyone keeps clear of the floods - or the floods keep clear of you.  And that the various lurgi go away before you get the strong arm of the NHS knocking on your doot instructing you to 'self isolate'.

 

Some very peculiar things ghoing on with posts this evening - this ne appears to wish to post several times over.

Edited February 17, 2020 by The Stationmaster

[AndyID]

7 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Morning all (just) from a slightly damp Charente.  I've been and checked the fires at our friend's house. She, her daughter and grandson are en route after a rather rough crossing to Caen.  It's their first trip since Joan's husband John died in November. Bread, milk, butter and mouse poison has been purchased for them and the remains of two deceased mice have been incinerated. The house shoukd be warm for them when they arrive in an hour or so.  I've been out on a shopping expedition and have bought a new battery for the garden mower/tractor. The grass is growing well and needs a trim.  More shutter work is in order this afternoon. The rather tedious task of filing the holes in the hinges square will continue. Whoever built the shutters was lazy and left the nuts on the outside which us not terribly secure. 36 holes for each pair of shutters to go from a round 6mm hole to a square one.  What joy.

 

Regards to all and stay safe.

 

Jamie

 

Assuming you are using coach bolts you could turn down the squares a bit in your lathe and "interference fit" then in the hinges (bash them in with a large hammer).

 

Alternatively square the holes by drilling four small holes for the corners and bash the bolts in with a large hammer.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. A tad late this afternoon as my internet went down for a while and I had to reset a few things. Spent the afternoon filling the soakaway, all twelve feet of it. It might be long but it is only about three inches wide. I found an old bucket dumped in the skip and that came in very handy for carrying and pouring the stone chippings. Also in the skip I found an old broom head that was handy for tidying up the spilt chippings. The lurgi keeps coming and going but it appears to be going at the moment. Thats all folks, be back later.

[JohnDMJ]

 

 

7 hours ago, Tony_S said:

 

Dad told me that producing a square hole was a task set for engineering apprentices when he was a lad.

 

 

I'd broach that subject with caution!

 

6 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

My dad trained as a mechanic in the army. One of his first tests he was given two cubes of iron, one 4 inches on all sides and one 2 inches on each side. The task was to cut a two inch hole through the larger cube, dead centre. And then he had to cut and shape the smaller cube into a piston. The piston then had to slide easily in and out of the hole cut into the larger cube as well as rotate in the hole with a maximum tolerance of 10 thou. All this had to be done with hand tools within IIRC 2 hours. My dad was in the artillery and the gun artificers had to do the same test but with even tighter tolerances. My dad did pass the test.

 

Pales my first training task into relative insignificance; here's a file, here's a block of flame cut boiler plate, make a rectangular block to those dimensions!

 

43 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

We had milk delivered up until about 15-odd years ago; the milki was some old guy who'd been doing it for years.  Every now and then he'd announce that milk would be going up by a penny as from next week - we had several years of this, and thought little of it.

We he retired my mum stuck a few quid in an envelope for him.

 

When we got the next milk bill off the new guy my mum said the bill was wrong - he'd undercharged us.  After a bit of a conversation on the subject my mum asked " so when did the price of milk go down?"

The reply:  "It hasn't - it's always been that price....."

Not sure how much the old boy made out of it, or if it backfired on him.....

 

Many years ago, Mum found a good window cleaner who did the job at a reasonable rate. One visit, he announced that his prices had gone up. Oh no they haven't said Mum and true to his customer, she only ever paid the one rate to have the windows of a 4 bed detached house cleaned for getting on for 30 years. Pleased to say, he kept the same rate for me when Mum passed but swore me to secrecy! Coincidence that he and I now live at opposite ends of the same village and still have a chat when we bump into eachother.

[roundhouse]

1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

 

They both looked starved.

The refreshment rooms long closed but there was still a cattle market!

 

Other progress early this morning was to build a suitable resting place for the Victor. Still requires the edge trim and then paint.

[jamie92208]

40 minutes ago, AndyID said:

 

Assuming you are using coach bolts you could turn down the squares a bit in your lathe and "interference fit" then in the hinges (bash them in with a large hammer).

 

Alternatively square the holes by drilling four small holes for the corners and bash the bolts in with a large hammer.

Thanks for the suggestions Andy. Yes indeed they are coachbolts. However  as i only need to enlsrge each corner by not very much the drilli g would be quite fiddly.  I've cracked on today and have done a few each time I've visited the shed to fill the wood basket. 33 out of the current batch of 36 done and two sides of shutter undercoated.  This has now ground to a halt as both the old orbital sanders have bitten the dudt. One just stopped and the other got thrown out for smoking in a no smoking shed.  A visit to the big shed is to be made tomorrow.

 

Jamie

[PhilJ W]

Its surprising what storm Dennis has thrown up.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ghost-ship-african-coast-washes-21511055

[polybear]

1 hour ago, AndyID said:

 

Assuming you are using coach bolts you could turn down the squares a bit in your lathe and "interference fit" then in the hinges (bash them in with a large hammer).

 

Alternatively square the holes by drilling four small holes for the corners and bash the bolts in with a large hammer.

 

Tack weld the bvggers in with an Arc Welder.  Job done, no filing

[81C]

Evening All whistle stop tour.  

Thank you and good night.

[Tony_S]

I was going to the local tyre place but after pumping the tyre up at Chalkwell Park it stayed inflated. I will check in the morning. 

 

 

[The Stationmaster]

Evening all,

 

Well Dennis went away yesterday - until I popped out for the 'papers at which time the liquid component of it descended with renewed enthusiasm.  It subsequently calmed down again and that was it - until the Good Doctor 'phoned as she was about to leave Oxford after work to report it was all very nasty there and she might be delayed somewhat.  Fortunately the wind was allegedly blowing it away to the norther east (except for part of her route home where the opposite was happening despite the protestations of the seaweed down west.  Anyway she got home safely which was most welcome.

 

After yesterday's effort someone else went out for the 'paper and other shipping today - and of course it rained just as they got home.

 

As far as mushrooms are concerned I understand they are safe to consume and they alleged also reduce cholesterol although possibly teh butter I sauté them in might sort of counter balance that - but they are zero GI, as is bacon.  so my usual lunch is sautéed mushrooms plus a few rashers of bacon, and I'm still under 15st (er 'just').  Probably cutting out the double cream with the mushrooms has helped.   But as GDB knows I get to eat very few proper job breakfasts to the extent that it's easy to keep an annual tally of the ones I do have. (2 so far this year).

 

Hoping everyone keeps clear of the floods - or the floods keep clear of you.  And that the various lurgi go away before you get the strong arm of the NHS knocking on your doot instructing you to 'self isolate'

[J. S. Bach]

4 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

 ...snip...  and his WW2 set.

Jamie

I have his "condensed" one-volume WW2 book "MEMOIRS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR". I find it a hard read, his writing style is different to what I am used to.

[jamie92208]

13 minutes ago, J. S. Bach said:

I have his "condensed" one-volume WW2 book "MEMOIRS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR". I find it a hard read, his writing style is different to what I am used to.

I certainly find his writing easy to read, perhaps it's the 'condensing' that's made it difficult.  One of my favourite bits is his description of Hitler in Volume 1. It's a masterpiece.  I'll try and find it.

 

Jamie

[PhilJ W]

45 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Its surprising what storm Dennis has thrown up.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/ghost-ship-african-coast-washes-21511055

Curiouser and curiouser.

https://www.maritimebulletin.net/2019/09/04/12702/

Some sort of scam?

[AndyB]

Evening all.

The local trunk road was closed today due to excess dampness. 

It seemed that a number of cars were unable to adjust their speed in the 1.5 miles they had before a diversion took effect. 2 ambulances attending those who ended up crossing a T junction at excess speed and coming to a halt in a field. 

On the way home the diversion was still in place requiring traffic to follow diversion and road closed signs. 

Funny to see how many drivers seem to think these don't apply to them and end up following the car in front. Not a good tactic for the person who followed me; they twigged when I drew up onto my drive though. 

[Din]

Meadow Side Flood defences in Burton On Trent are being breached at the time of writing.

[New Haven Neil]

I'd like to read WSC's WWII memoirs, must try to get a copy, the un-expurgated version.

 

Mrs NHN's Grandfather made the plinth he sits on in Westerham, he was a stonemason of repute.  Paved Trafalgar Square and made gargoyles for Buck House too. We have a thank you letter from the Queen.  Not the Manx queen though...  ;-)  Lord of Man, but not Queen.

[tigerburnie]

3 hours ago, 45156 said:

Morrisons do a rather nice (at least I think so) version at well under a quid a jar - it's got a fresher taste than Roses.  They also do a superior three fruits, but that is quite expensive - and at present Aldi have got the same at 99p

Unfortunately all products have to be low sugar these days as I try to keep slim and dodge being diabetic

[PeterBB]

58 minutes ago, Din said:

Meadow Side Flood defences in Burton On Trent are being breached at the time of writing.

Hope you don't live in Blackpool Road/Street that will therefore be flooded soon and if the map is right High Street might also be affected.  Reminds me of a previous time when we ferried people from riverside homes to the Burton Town Hall in our Red Cross ambulances.  TV camera crew came in about 0400 hours ... one of the times (although sitting on the floor trying to rest I didn't look my best!) that ended up on the screens.

 

Other things that have appeared: marmalade ... no thank you.

Aircraft those that spring to mind: Dakota to Jersey: 6-seater (including pilot) in Wales: BA111 to Glasgow, remembered because of the clear view of the construction of the QE2; VC10 to Canada (very pleasant and return journey leaving very late in the evening and then over the intercom "Breakfast is Served"): Vanguard and DC3 Canada - Wonderfull view of Winnipeg Siding and gong over the Rockies was wonderful: cannot remember the aircraft for Switzerland, can remember the snow, but it did involve changing aircraft at Schipol to get to Birmingham: also the Monarch bone shaker (Britannia?) to Italy.  Guys, thanks for the memories.

 

BT UK and World News does not exist anymore by the look of things and setting up other news to come up immediately - my IT skills are not up to that Tony and am now only just over a mobile telephone that could only text or make calls to one with a camera and other wonders I believe.

 

Latest rant - AI and IT inability to recognise a D-B name/surname and use a small letter for the second name - banks are one of the worst offenders -Rant over.  Also noticed that some 'likes' etc. did not appear - probably my fault.  Hope everybody gets over the extremely bad flooding.

 

Edited February 17, 2020 by PeterBB
Spelling correction

[Gwiwer]

Evening all.  

 

It seems that the after-effects of Dennis the Menace have played out all over our isles.  Flooding at Leatherhead isn't dreadfully unusual but for it to close the railway is.  Shrewsbury seems to have become an island.  There is yet another landslip on the Horsham - Dorking line (three this year so far?) and both routes through Edenbridge are affected by major breaches.  Among many other problems of course.

 

On the positive side former colleague at the Palace of Attendance has become married in a full Indian ceremony and, in a tradition less often observed these days, to a man she barely knew a month ago and was matched with by the families.  Former Neighbour (Australian), now living in the Neverlands, has also today announced that she and her young man are "Samenwonen" which is apparently a Dutch term used for being married without the formalities.  

 

So a day of varying fortunes and varying water levels.  Our thoughts extend to those affected in any way by floods and storm damages.  And to all ERs who may be feeling under the weather or in need of support in any form.  

[Ozexpatriate]

2 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

https://www.maritimebulletin.net/2019/09/04/12702/

Hard to take articles seriously with typographical errors in the first line. It makes me question their attention to accuracy.

 

I found the capitalization a little odd too. Is this normal in the maritime reporting world or a habit of this author / editor?

Edited February 17, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

41 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

... a full Indian ceremony and, in a tradition less often observed these days ...

According to a former colleague It can be expensive and difficult to find a facility that will permit ceremonial fires.

 

Most western wedding venues are in places where the fire marshal (or whatever the UK equivalent is, Wikipedia suggests Fire Safety Inspector ) would not permit open fires.

[Tony_S]

40 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

former colleague at the Palace of Attendance has become married in a full Indian ceremony and, in a tradition less often observed these days, to a man she barely knew a month ago and was matched with by the families.  

When Aditi’s parents were married in Delhi shortly after Partition the previous networks for families choosing spouses were disrupted. They met with assorted other eligible young persons for tea supervised by the mothers and aunties. Aditi’s Dad was supposed to look out for another young lady but noticed MiL because he noticed she didn’t just sit there politely. She had got up and poured her own tea. She surprised their families when after the wedding, instead of staying in Delhi she went with him to live in a tent. He was a doctor in a refugee camp.

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[Tony_S]

18 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

According to a former colleague It can be expensive and difficult to find a facility that will permit ceremonial fires.

 

Most western wedding venues are in places where the fire marshal (or whatever the UK equivalent is, Wikipedia suggests Fire Safety Inspector ) would not permit open fires.

The Hindu temple in Nottingham has a huge metal rather industrial looking extractor funnel above the fire. This is in the middle of what was a Victorian junior school hall. The ceremonies in people’s homes with everyone round a fire were “interesting”. At one ceremony a non Hindu relative misunderstood and instead of adding a few drops of ghee to the fire chucked a jug full . Amazed that MiLs ceiling wasn’t sooty afterwards. They had a very high ceiling fortunately. 

Edited February 17, 2020 by Tony_S