Early Risers.

[pH]

That's the vines in the back yard carefully pruned randomly hacked for this year.

[skipepsi]

Night all.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[newbryford]

38 minutes ago, JohnDMJ said:

 

 

Likewise, nobody would come to the Whitesnake concert with me, so Here I go again on my own

 

 

Saw them at Leeds Queens Hall on a Saturday in 1984 - pre-the US dumbed down version (above)  of "Here I Go Again".  

 

The day after, I went to the NEC  Arena to see Genesis on the Mama tour with a very good friend.  I was his best man at his wedding and we are godparents to each others offspring.

 

It was a Ribble buses combined travel/concert ticket that was advertised in the local press.  None of this "tickets on sale at 9am" on the web thingy

I always remember that we got dropped off at a deserted Blackburn Boulevard bus station at about 2am Monday morning

All we had in those days was the "three rings" to call home and about 25 minutes later one of my elder brothers came and picked us up.

In the meantime a bobby on the beat came wandering by and asked us why we were hanging around looking suspicious..............

A quick show of the concert programme and he was quite happy to talk about Genesis until my bro turned up to collect us!

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[J. S. Bach]

Good night owl from the Piedmont.

[TheQ]

Mooring awl, 

Just after yesterday's missive the heavens opened here,  and rain hammered the house.  I noted a leak above the kitchen window frame, this is the lime mortar house moving again,  out with the sealant again tomorrow .

I was in bed soon after 19:00, with the latest RM Magazine, I was asleep by 20:00.

This has meant I've woken by 02:30, I will try for more sleep shortly .

 

In 1984 I was living in the outer hebridies for the second time,  no going to concerts from there,  today's, cheaper in real terms,  return advanced ticket price from Benbecula to Glasgow airport  is  around £200. The ferries are cheaper with a car 2/3 the price and of course mean a full day of travel to get from / to the same points.

On foot, absolute cheapest advanced fares about £70, a full day travel,  but if the ferry misses the few trains, an overnight stay in Mallaig or Oban may be required, as I had to do once when the ferry didn't turn up due to the weather... 

 

Time I think for a snooze attempt.. 

 

 

[Barry O]

Sunny day..

But Mount Cook still has snow.

 

Went to wanaka...among other aeroplanes there was a Bushmaster (modified Jet Provost) Any memories Mr Hunt?

 

 

We also visited a toy and transport museum....they had a whole HA Viva, a 101 Victor,Marinas, Hillman Hunters, 1100s and loads of other cars, lorries, motorbikes and enough toys to cause thought provoking memories of a time too long ago. Outside was a Valentine and a Centurion together with a B(I)2 Canberra.

Then a nice drive ..spoilt only by the very impatient Kiwi drivers (These guys really do know how to maximise the probability of their own death!!)

 

Baz

 

 

[chrisf]

Good morning one and all, with fervent hopes that none of us is under water

 

Wonders will never cease.  I got to see the advertised film last night, with five others in the auditorium.  At £6 a ticket I doubt that the event paid for itself.  The film is "The Wound" and is an exploration of tradition and sexuality set amid the Xhosa culture of South Africa.  To my mind it is far more appropriate to the LGBT history month theme than some other items in the programme.  It will be interesting to see what, if anything, is shown next year.

 

I spent much of yesterday morning on Booking.com in search of a hotel in Bristol over the second weekend in July when Bristol Pride happens.  Where I stayed last year, out at Cribbs Causeway, would have been ideal had it not burned down three days after my stay.  This time I sought a billet closer to the city centre and thus to the action.  Those of a nervous disposition are advised to arm themselves with a stiff drink when searching for a room that weekend and definitely not to leave it till the end of June.  I found something not too horrendously expensive which is now booked and paid for.  Unlike some of the city centre hotels it has car parking facilities, at a price of course.  Getting around over the weekend will be by bus, which worked very well for me last year.

 

This evening I am off to Harpenden for Area Group.  I tried to book a suitably sized table but the landlady was understandably reluctant to reserve space for 8 or 10 non-diners.  I wonder whether the M1 will behave itself?

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris 

[TheQ]

Mooring again,  

Almost Dawn,  Ben the alarm clock Collie wanted out at his normal time as it's getting lighter out there, no clouds,  no frost, but chilly.  There appears to have been no damage from Dennis the menace, but a proper survey will take place later.

 

Ben really loves the security of being home in his own garden,  he was bouncing round, checking it was all there.. 

 

For the first time in a few days I actually desire food,  I may celebrate with bacon and egg for breakfast.. 

[45156]

Morning All

 

As usual, generic greetings are on offer.

 

Cold here, and I've managed to get the lurgj and am currently coughing my guts up,  Lie in cancelled as 30747 was "asked" yesterday to work until 1.30 to cover.  I've been landed with painting the hall, as the new colour on the stairs and landing was a success,

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[Joseph_Pestell]

6 minutes ago, chrisf said:

Good morning one and all, with fervent hopes that none of us is under water

 

 

 

Not under water here but roads around the  village are and Hereford is a 20 mile journey rather than the usual 5. Some roads would be passable if people had not left cars stuck in them (a BMW blocking a key roundabout). County Highways not covering themselves in glory by putting out their "Road Closed" signs in the wrong places.

[Ozexpatriate]

2 hours ago, Barry O said:

Sunny day..

But Mount Cook still has snow.

As it does year round, or at least glaciers. Our local 11,000' peak looked stunning in the sunshine today.

 

I never got to see Mt. Cook when I passed by what I presume is that spot* on a cloudy day. I passed by on a bus from Christchurch to Queenstown.  Why the bus?

 

* Pukaki on Highway 8?

 

My flight from Christchurch attempted a landing in Queenstown but abandoned the attempt and returned to Christchurch. This landing approach was peerless in my experience in terms of a rough flight. (Some of my fellow passengers were vomiting on the ceiling.) I am not a white knuckled flier but was grasping the armrests on this one. This was a long travel day. It had started in Portland with stops in LAX and Auckland. Despite arriving in Auckland very early in the morning, we didn't get to Queenstown until after dark.

 

Despite bad weather on the day of arrival in Queenstown, I did make it to Milford Sound. I should try to find photographs.

 

In my university days a friend had many stories of his mountain climbing adventures. He was caught in a storm trying to summit Mt. Cook and spent several days in a shelter hut on the mountain. Some Japanese climbers insisted on leaving the hut during the storm to attempt the summit despite other climbers trying to convince them not to. According to my friend's story, they never left the mountain alive.

 

My Mum has wanted to see Milford Sound since she was young. She and dad took a summer cruise from Brisbane to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  The itinerary was to circumnavigate New Zealand touching at Milford Sound on the return leg. Due to reported weather conditions, while off the east coast of New Zealand the captain made the decision to turn back. Mum has yet to see Milford Sound.

 

Edited February 19, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

A light frost here but there is a hint of brightness in the sky. This will change later with cloud, sou'westerly winds and rain forecast.

First task today is a walk to the chemist to pick up some pills that I'd forgotten about until I took the last ones earlier.

After that  we are venturing to our local High Street to visit jewellers to see if we can get the item The Boss would like for our anniversary later this year. My wallet is trembling at the thought.  Not sure if we're lunching out or not, a decision will be made shortly.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a piece of the Charente  that is rather cloudy and cool.  The gas bottle for the cooker ran out last night in the middle of dinner prep.  No problem said I. New bottle fetched from shed, attached but burners stutterred and failed.  Words were had but after half an hour the bottle had warmed up enough to start to work.  A friend has said that we should switch from Butane to Propane. I need to check whether we need new burner jets on the hob.

 

Anyway this morning the fire is not lit as the sweep is coming at 10.00. The annual chimney cleaning is a condition of our house insurance.  Fortunately  the standby parafin heater is doing its stuff.  After that off to the supermarket  for a new gas cylinder.  Then more shutter rubbing down and painting as a new orbital sander was purchased yesterday.

 

Talking of yesterday, Beth went to the Dr and was told that she either had inflamation  or an infection on her knee and needed another blood test. I rang the nurse, who'd only been that morning and between the nurse and the GP the extra tests were done on the same blood sample.  The GP rang us at 8pm with the results. Just inflamation thank goodness. But excellent care.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

Edited February 19, 2020 by jamie92208

[Kingzance]

Morning,

 

Sun is shining in the east, grey cloud is moving in from the west. A pleasant evening last night playing crib, won more than lost! This morning sees three Photography stooges heading off to The Didcot Railway Centre. I need some images for the next competition although one of those going already has his collection made from when Tornado recently went through Arlesy station.

 

Milford Sound is quite spectacular, we went on a large catamaran to the mouth a few years back. The difference in weather from inside the neck to outside was quite extreme. Much of Baz’s itinerary was in ours too. We didn’t come across many aggressive boy racers when we were driving around there six years ago, or maybe I just didn’t notice them. I still think it is a wonderful country with generally lovely people.

 

Onwards and upwards, a day is there to be vigorously taken. Relief to those with afflictions, joy to the rest of you whatever you get up to!

Edited February 19, 2020 by Kingzance
The sun WAS shining in the EAST. That is no longer the case.

[Happy Hippo]

Baz,

 

This is a Bushmaster:

 

 

So's this:

 

 

And this:

 

 

This as well:

 

 

I think you might have meant Strikemaster, loike this:

 

 

 

Now who else can I pick up on this morning?

 

[Happy Hippo]

2 hours ago, Joseph_Pestell said:

 

Not under water here but roads around the  village are and Hereford is a 20 mile journey rather than the usual 5. Some roads would be passable if people had not left cars stuck in them (a BMW blocking a key roundabout). County Highways not covering themselves in glory by putting out their "Road Closed" signs in the wrong places.

It might nave been easier if they had just put 'County closed' signs out instead.

 

A lot of people kill their cars when driving through modest amounts of flood water by going too fast, so then having to lift off the throttle.

 

(Modest meaning the exhaust pipe being under or partially under the surface of the flood water.)

 

When the throttle is closed a partial vacuum is created so there is suck back through the exhaust into the engine.

 

Water being incompressible,  makes getting  it into the cylinder block via the exhaust ports a bit of  a problem due to the detrimental effect to the engine.

[tigerburnie]

Morning, looks like Spring out there, but it's not forecast to last, I managed to do nothing yesterday, quite an achievement as someone had other plans for me, but I swerved them lol. Have a noice dayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.

[Barry O]

HI. .got me.. and that Bushmaster gun (the big one mounted in some vehicles) is carp! 

 

Done a bit of star gazing tonight as no clouds to get in the way. Brilliant but no chance of a photo.

 

Goodnight from here....

 

Baz

[Happy Hippo]

I just saw this on the DE website:

 

 

I found it amazing we now have to put out traffic signs for boaties.

[Happy Hippo]

I've just seen the proposed points based system for migration into the UK.

 

When do I get deported?

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The lurgie came back last night with a hacking cough. Not so bad this morning, only coughing up sixpenny pieces instead of half-a-crowns. A venture outside seems to do the trick. The weather forecast is for more rain this afternoon which will leave us with a dry and warm weekend. Thats the local forecast, it might be a lot different elsewhere. Tea needs to be drunk, be back later.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

It is sunny here. Aditi is off soon to Brentwood for a haircut. I am not going. 
I am not aware of any floods around here. My brother lives in Worcestershire and diversions are necessary. I don’t think any of his cars can cope with a metre of water. I saw a VW Golf spectacularly come to halt when it tried to undertake me on a stretch of flooded road in Kent a few years ago. 
Tony

[Happy Hippo]

Two days ago, I was listening to Popmaster (not Strikemaster or Bushmaster) on Radio 2.

 

The double points questions were all to do with satellites. One question required the answer 'The Hooters'.

 

This was the song they were referring to. and I've now got it as an earworm: