Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

Afternoon all,

 

Is there something about the names of ship captains which has a sort of thread running through it.  March 2020 and Captain John Harry Smith is master of a cruise ship called, 'Grand Princess' (ugh) toddling about off the coast of California.  April 1912 and Captain Edward  John Smith was master of the RMS Titanic.  I trust things will turn out better for the passengers aboard the ship captained by the current John Smith.

 

Further shipping news is that our regular ship has gone into dry dock on the Tees, presumably for survey and whatever jobs might arise.  Seems a bit later than normal for docking but she has been busy and no doubt she will be back in service by the end of next moth when the passenger season resumes - unless something unforeseen crops up.

 

And back to terra firma with a visit this morning to Tesco for a little bit of shopping.  The toilet paper shelf area was almost empty - no surprise there of course; there were, usefully,  masses of fresh veg available - no surprise there either, in fact the shelves were better stocked than usual; and rather amusingly (or worryingly?) the extra half dozen brands of various sorts of non-bacterial etc soapy hand wash that have now appeared on the shelves had hardly been touched.  Looks like hand washing might not be catching on round here - weird.

 

No further news except the Good Doctor appears to be en joying her time in Hamburg and she has been to the place with massive amount of parallel strips of nickel silver set a mere 16.5mm apart.

 

Welcome home Baz - last time I came back from Aus was on an A340, an aircraft which I found to offer very civilised travel and very quiet as I was right at the for'ard end of the  Business Class and thereby ahead of  the wing and engines.

 

Enjoy the rest of your day everybody.

[Happy Hippo]

 The new keyboard has arrived so the letters QAZ are now operable once more.

 

Since the last keyboard was well into double figures, it had given very good service, but has now been quickly retired into the recycling bin.

 

I've just been out getting new flooring for the bathroom, but will be unable to lay it this afternoon because of a prior appointment with a small pineapple fruit loaf and a pot of tea.  Then there's the subdued excitement of the Twickenham match to look forward to.

 

 

 

 

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all.

We had a lovely visit from Aditi’s friend/former colleague and family. Her younger child has just started walking and was keen to explore everything possible. The meal was very good, very traditional Punjabi items. Dessert wasn’t Indian, we had cheesecake and fruit. 
Tony
 

Edited March 7, 2020 by Tony_S
Error

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Train from Manchester was late...pah!

A trip to Moreasons was undertaken.  Lots bought but no panic buying going on while we were there  (apparently it had been in place earlier in the day.) 

Mike, the A350 is also a nice plane to fly in ..much better than a Boing. 

Noticed they have a Trident, a Nimrod, a Avro RJX and a cockpit in Monarch colour schemes at Manchester Airport. Anyone know anything about them?

 

Manchester airport is the worst airport we travelled through while on walkabout.  Surly staff, broken travelators and generally looking down at heel.

 

Time for some tea (skipped lunch following an excellent Singapore Airlines breakfast)

 

Baz

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

Lots bought but no panic buying going on while we were there  (apparently it had been in place earlier in the day.) 

 

I did the weekly big Tesco shop this morning. Stock levels were generally good except that the pasta aisle was bare - except lasagne. Unfortunately lasagne had been rejected at this morning's meal planning discussion, so we'll be drawing on our supplies in hand - spaghetti, fusilli, penne, conchiglie, when what we really wanted was tagliatelle.

 

EDIT: never fear, found a packet of tripoline lurking at the back...

 

Now, is the pasta shortage due to panic buying here or a production crisis in northern Italy? There was no shortage of Parma ham or cheese.

Edited March 7, 2020 by Compound2632
Pasta aisle not isle!

[Gwiwer]

Afternoon all.  I was here earlier but the post seems to have vanished.  Something to do with Corona Virus I expect   

 

A reasonable day thus far with breakfast followed by a swift tidy-up of the environs.  SWMBO then chose to divulge the fact that she "might have" bought another tea service and had two parcels to collect from the local parcel-receiving shop.  This meant a stroll down to the river which remains high and fast-flowing though was within its banks at the time we were there.  Two parcels turned out to be two rather large boxes which took a little time to carry back up to the Hill of Strawberries from its eponymous Vale.  

 

I promptly left her to open her treasures while I walked into Twickers to visit the art shop.  Mounting board and some pens were required for various muddling purposes and all were duly brought back safely.  The town - even before lunch - was full of scarf-wearing folk many of whom displayed an allegiance to either Wales or England while others were content to just consume alcohol in the belief that it would keep them warm.  As this was some five hours before kick-off I hate to think of the condition some of the capacity crowd might be in by now.  

 

Thoughts with Mick and family and welcome home to Baz - Singapore Airlines usually did us proud but we think Emirates are better.  

 

It is almost time to apply pizza and chips to the oven whilst surreptitiously following the progress of matter up the road.  Given that it may be the only topic of conversation later which ever way the result goes.  

 

 

[Erichill16]

37 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Ey up!

Train from Manchester was late...pah!

A trip to Moreasons was undertaken.  Lots bought but no panic buying going on while we were there  (apparently it had been in place earlier in the day.) 

Mike, the A350 is also a nice plane to fly in ..much better than a Boing. 

Noticed they have a Trident, a Nimrod, a Avro RJX and a cockpit in Monarch colour schemes at Manchester Airport. Anyone know anything about them?

 

Manchester airport is the worst airport we travelled through while on walkabout.  Surly staff, broken travelators and generally looking down at heel.

 

Time for some tea (skipped lunch following an excellent Singapore Airlines breakfast)

 

Baz

Evening all,

just had a round trip starting at Manchester airport and taking in Schiphol, Zurich and Geneva. Manchester definitely the least attractive. And when you get outside the litter. What must visitors think when the arrive?

Regards Robert

[Ozexpatriate]

3 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Is there something about the names of ship captains which has a sort of thread running through it.  March 2020 and Captain John Harry Smith is master of a cruise ship called, 'Grand Princess' (ugh) toddling about off the coast of California.  April 1912 and Captain Edward  John Smith was master of the RMS Titanic.  I trust things will turn out better for the passengers aboard the ship captained by the current John Smith.

I almost thought you might mention this particularly colourful Captain John Smith, one time governor of Virginia (1608 - 1609).

[Barry O]

Robert, bit just the litter.4 of the 8 travelators are out of service. E passport machines not available, miles from the gate to a toilet (which was smelly),....

 

Going out the border force are like the SS and do not know the law ..but seem to be smug in their work..

 

No one likes travelling through the place...

 

Baz

Edited March 7, 2020 by Barry O

[Barry O]

And, oh dear Wales didn't win...

 

Some interesting refereyeing for both teams..

Baz

[Gwiwer]

Some interesting decisions.  Some moments of sound play and a few rash moments which cost players their place on the field.  But in the end the right result on the day.  

[Gwiwer]

And we're back.  After a brief interlude which allowed me to enjoy dinner the server has been reprimanded.  Apparently it went into panic mode.  Needed more toilet paper, perhaps.  

[Happy Hippo]

Rick's mention of 'soft' reminds me of a conversation I was party to in our local farm shop earlier this afternoon.

 

A lady whom works in the local ASDA was talking about the panic buying she had witnessed over the past few days.

 

Allegedly, one gormless Telf went in and bought £200 worth of lavatory paper!

 

Why? This latest blip on the medical spectrum is not really something that affects the lower regions, but the chest and lungs.

 

I suppose the Telf spent the rest of the money on Corona lager and kettle chips.

 

My reference to a blip is because although the UK has suffered a few fatalities as a result of Coronavirus, about 450 people die in this country every day from various cancers.

Edited March 7, 2020 by Happy Hippo

[BoD]

3 hours ago, Compound2632 said:

I did the weekly big Tesco shop this morning. Stock levels were generally good except that the pasta aisle was bare.....

Oh dear, it appears I have just cooked our last half packet of emergency rations for our evening meal.

 

Seriously though I have just been discussing with my sister if we should take mum and do a ‘big’ shop and let her stock up with things. As I’ve said before she is fiercely independent and most certainly wouldn’t let us do one for her.  Are we being sensible or just jumping on the panic bandwagon.  
 

Funnily enough, any advice issued would probably apply to us too.

 

 

[Barry O]

All this walkingabout has left me tired so..

 

Goodnight all!

Baz

[Ozexpatriate]

7 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

My reference to a blip is because although the UK has suffered a few fatalities as a result of Coronavirus, about 450 people die in this country every day from various cancers.

We will all die. If we live long enough and avoid other causes (like accident or heart disease) we would all likely die of cancer eventually.

 

The notion of "excess deaths" is a odd concept but it is relevant to epidemics. This epidemic will cause *some* people to die sooner than they otherwise would due to other natural causes. For them and their families this is tragic and all of us would like to avoid that fate.

 

I am glad that I have an annual 'flu shot. Influenza continues to shorten the lives of many. It will be nice when this virus is better understood and a vaccine is available.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The curve-ball is explained, its just an ordinary football with 'curve it' emblazoned on the box. One was duly purchased together with a few other items but they are staying in their boxes until the actual birthday on Tuesday. Well thats what his dad has said, we shall see. Afterwards we popped into Tess Coes for a few bits. I gave up counting after seeing six trolleys laden with toilet rolls. One not only toilet rolls but a dozen each of loaves of bread and bottles of water . Dinners ready, the microwave has just 'pinged', be back later.

Edited March 7, 2020 by PhilJ W

[AndyID]

38 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

This latest blip on the medical spectrum is not really something that affects the lower regions, but the chest and lungs.

 

Not that I'm advocating panic buying of TP but early reports said it did affect some in their nether regions.

 

Blip? - Hopefully that's all it will turn out to be but at the moment I don't think anyone really know. It's certainly highly contagious and seems to have a significant mortality rate among older types (like me!)

 

It's useful to remember that H1N1 took out many millions of people Worldwide - some estimates put the number as high as 100 million.

[laurenceb]

It is interesting that less than 5% of people die of old age in spite of the advances in medicine

[AndyID]

Excellent rugby weather here today. It's about 4C and hissing from a great height. Shona is a not a happy camper Scottie.

 

But I'm ensconced in the shop and the wood stove is cranking out lotsawatts. I have 7 kW of electrical heating I can use but it has to run for ages to before the shop is comfortable. On the other hand once the wood stove gets up to full chat  the shop warms up PDQ. I estimate it must chuck out something like 25 kW.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, BoD said:

Funnily enough, any advice issued would probably apply to us too.

There was something I read advising that the elderly should be visited before they might need to self isolate. I asked Aditi if that was why we were being visited today. She is planning to visit MIL tomorrow. Aditi’s sister wanted MiL to have a few extra items of food in her flat just in case she can’t get over. MiL is insisting she can exist on rice and lentils if there is a problem. I think Aditi is supposed to persuade her Mum to not be difficult in Waitrose again.

I did look up to see if there was a definition of “elderly”. It began at 65 at one time but now it “depends”. 
Tony

 

[Erichill16]

3 hours ago, Barry O said:

Robert, bit just the litter.4 of the 8 travelators are out of service. E passport machines not available, miles from the gate to a toilet (which was smelly),....

 

Going out the border force are like the SS and do not know the law ..but seem to be smug in their work..

 

No one likes travelling through the place...

 

Baz

When I go to Intermdelbau in Dortmund I fly from Leeds/Bradford. I don’t have to risk the traffic over Woodhead, APH Parking (our preferred supplier) is much closer and the whole thing is much more relaxed. Don’t know what I’m going to do this year. Not sure if exhibition will be on but I do know I won’t be flying Flybe. That’s another shame as I’ve always been happy with their service.

Now, cleanliness of trains..................

good night all

Robert

[Gwiwer]

30 minutes ago, laurenceb said:

It is interesting that less than 5% of people die of old age in spite of the advances in medicine

Indeed.  With my parents having achieved 88 and 92 neither was determined to have passed primarily from old age.  Both had that as the secondary cause after cancer of the colon and congestive heart failure respectively.  Father's sister reached 91 and passed as the result of influenza and their mother, who reached 94, passed as the result of falling out of bed and fracturing her hip; both had old age cited as the secondary cause.   I wonder what I might look forward to?  

 

SWMBO suggested a walk around the block before bed following a day of intensive activity on her PhD.  We were surprised to discover how windy it had become.  We were also a little surprised to discover a party in progress along the road involving very loud and very scantily dressed younger people (of both sexes) disporting themselves in their driveway in full public view.  

 

Spring is surely here.  The horse chestnut on the corner, one of our largest trees locally, is covered in sticky buds.  The magnolias are magnificent and the cherry blossom is cheery.  

 

It may not quite be bed-time just yet.  I'm sure there is a nightcap of some sort in the kitchen.  Probably in the bottle labelled Talisker.  'scuse me while I find a glass ..... 

[Erichill16]

46 minutes ago, laurenceb said:

It is interesting that less than 5% of people die of old age in spite of the advances in medicine

What is ‘die of old age’ and does that appear on their death certificate ? 

Where did that stat come from?

regards Robert

 

[pH]

An acoustic guitar standing in the corner of the room has just suffered a spontaneous breakage of a string.