Early Risers.

[andyram]

Evening all. Thanks for the good wishes. My thoughts go out to you all but especially those who have lost, who know people who have passed away today. Sad news and puts things into perspective although I admit to feeling lower than a work’s belly right now.

 

I heard the “lockdown” news whilst out delivering a loco to a customer this evening. As with all deliveries I have done this last week or so I knocked on the door, left the parcel on the step and retreated to a safe distance. The news was not unexpected. That means working and trading from home for the foreseeable future. The marking money takes on added importance, but difficult to concentrate with wife and daughter around. No chance of any space - Sarah is struggling to cope already and is insisting on sending foster child to school still (she is eligible because she has a social worker). As the person who does the driving to school and back now, I feel it is an unnecessary journey especially as I am not going to the shop. Sarah states she could not cope with them both in the house 24/7and needs to protect herself. Row number 1 ensued. There have been others but I won’t bore you with the details.

 

To compound things, thanks to the panic buyers , we are now dealing with a cat with an upset stomach. The shops had sold out of his food and only had fish flavoured food left. He had to have it because he was hungry, but we know it disagrees with him. Result = sickness, diaorhea which manages to stick to his fur! He is feeling sorry for himself and we have lots more cleaning. Thankfully we have managed to secure some the correct food so hopefully he will be back to normal soon. 
 

Life won’t be back to normal for some time. 
 

At least we are healthy. 
 

Stay safe

 

Andy

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[laurenceb]

Condolences Keith

Night awl

[J. S. Bach]

Good night owl from the Piedmont.

 

3 hours ago, AndyID said:

It's Canadian, eh.

(Although some of the later ones were built in Indiana.)

 

Oddly, I was in Muncie, Indiana for a hobby show when they were being built and did not know it!

 

 

 

 

[BR60103]

The last 2 days when I left ER for the rest of the forum, it declined to load any more topics, even when I refreshed the screen. I must have spent so much time here that it logged me out.

 

Very quiet here. Big debate is whether it's safe to go out for newspapers in the mornings.

 

 

[AndyID]

1 hour ago, BR60103 said:

Big debate is whether it's safe to go out for newspapers in the mornings.

 

 

We can get all our local news from the local rags' websites. Perhaps you can too? I would hold off for a week or two while we see how things pan out.

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

I have a confession to make.  I was going to see Poorly Pal on Thursday and stir-fry some chicken for us but last night’s announcement has driven me to bottle out.  Maybe I could have got away with it as caring for a vulnerable person but it’s not really in line with the national interest and I’m a coward.  I expect he hates me now.  I’m just thankful that I dashed out yesterday and bought a new solvent brush, for I will not be able to do so today.  The world as we know it is collapsing around our ears - one less episode of The Archers every week, two fewer doses of Hollyoaks and the postponement of Pride in London.  What apart from our liberty do we lose next?  Our marbles, probably.  I am dreading the cancellation of Sidmouth Folk Festival if and when it comes.  It cannot function without the pubs and cafes of the town and has been a key part of my life since 1975.  We’re doomed, I tell you.

 

I am quite ashamed of my ignorance as regards The Archers so many thanks to the kind friends who put me right.  How on earth could I have forgotten Rob Titchener?  It is reassuring that there are so many cultured folk on this forum.  Under Milk Wood, with the unique imagery of Dylan Thomas, must have led to the saying that the pictures are better on the radio.  If it didn’t, someone learned will know the truth of its origins.  By a tortuous train of thought that reminds me: yes, “Have a good week till next week” was indeed Kent Walton.  I recall him not as a wrestling commentator but as the presenter of “Discs a Gogo”, a pop show originated by TWW and shown on Monday evenings as I recall.  Alongside him was Tony Prince, later a grandee of Radio Luxembourg.  Hecky thump, that was a loooong time ago.  The other TWW programme I remember was “Land of Song”, “Gwlad y Gan” in Welsh, which went out once a month on Sunday evenings.  It was a bit twee but enjoyable nonetheless.  I did tell you that I watched too much TV.

 

Best wishes to all.  We need them.

 

Chris

[AndyID]

20 minutes ago, chrisf said:

The world as we know it is collapsing around our ears - one less episode of The Archers every week, two fewer doses of Hollyoaks and the postponement of Pride in London.  What apart from our liberty do we lose next?  Our marbles, probably.  I am dreading the cancellation of Sidmouth Folk Festival if and when it comes.  It cannot function without the pubs and cafes of the town and has been a key part of my life since 1975.  We’re doomed, I tell you.

 

Hopefully not doomed but It's certainly going to be a significant PITA (I've got a bit of that going on at the moment but that's probably a bit TMI.)

 

At least some of our fearless leaders have come to the conclusion that "mitigation" is little different from "appeasement" when it comes to Mother Nature. Unfortunately the one to your West seems to be getting the wind up as he watches his hospitality empire go down the tubes.

 

 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple hare, 985/ 616

Not a good nights sleep 1/2 hour  followed by 1 hour, then eventually on the sofa 2.5 hours..

 

Ben the I want out Collie thinks First light is the time to go on patrol, unfortunately  this is now before I'm ready to do so.. roll on time shift on Sunday..

 

As I guessed The big orange shed (and the others ) is classed as essential. So I will have another attempt at going Thursday. Not today as they are staying closed to reorganise, I'm guessing non essential will get blocked off. IE gardening etc. Not tomorrow as there will be a lot of desperate builders / plumbers  queuing up..

 

The roads were busier this morning, Vehicles I don't normally see, I suppose that's companies reorganising work hours. The later rush hour will be much smaller though as the majority of shops will be closed.

 

Going home yesterday lots of extra Motorcycles with late teenagers on them and the lycra crowd were out on their bycycles, but in pairs or single not en-mass..

They'd better be careful on the NDR though both roundabouts had big fresh diesel fuel spills on them and one had added pea shingle..

 

Lots of emails flying around from the management, saying we were an essential industry, and not to take time off unless you were ill. Though  the Service side is going through it's annual Pre April 5th quiet period, until the new company budgets become available..

 

Time for me to go do some work, Current shunts today

 

 

[AndyID]

For what it's worth (probably not much) it's possible that lacking a sense of taste and/or smell might indicate a latent infection of the virus - inflammation at the taste/smell receptors.

[JohnDMJ]

 

Fresh air is beneficial. Staying in a potentially stuffy, warm atmosphere will only help incubate the virus.

 

10 hours ago, brianusa said:

 

I don't visit every day so hopefully I shall not be presumed dead!

     Brian

 

Some of us read regularly but do not see the need to comment. Others feel the need to publish a daily diatribe. That's the beauty of this thread; we can all use it to suit us. 'Missing', 'absent' etc., may be a personal choice, not necessarily a cause for concern.

 

9 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

All non-essential shops are to close (most have already done so anyway - the notable exception being the Guildford branch of a well-respected emporium)

 

 

And by restricting the numbers of customers in the shop are running the risk of forming a non-socially distanced queue outside, as I read it!

 

4 hours ago, BR60103 said:

The last 2 days when I left ER for the rest of the forum, it declined to load any more topics, even when I refreshed the screen. I must have spent so much time here that it logged me out.

 

Very quiet here. Big debate is whether it's safe to go out for newspapers in the mornings.

 

 

 

If it's safe enough to deliver the newspapers to the shops in the first place...

[jamie92208]

Bonjour from over here. Day 7 of the sentence nearly complete, it started at noon last Tuesday for us.  Some more gardening this morning then after lunch it's an excursion, wow what fun.  Beth has an appointment with the Cardiologist in The Danglies so we are goi g to do the weekly shop at the same time.  If possible I'll go to the post office abd send various things to the UK.  We will of course be clutching our attestations and have our passports handy.

 

Readersvof my layout thread will have seen evidence of progress yesterday and with any luck that will continue this evening for an hour.

 

Hope you all stay well and Andyram, hope that things calm down.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Bright start to the day here and it should be a fine day with sunny spells.

The Boss is still asleep and seems to have had a fairly good night.

Nicki's car is booked for an MOT on Friday and she needs it to get to the hospital for work as she is rightly concerned about using public transport.

However I found this  list earlier which shows exceptions to closures and it appears garages and petrol stations are included. Whether on not they will carry out MOTs I don't know.

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF.pdf

 

Time to see if Herself is awake and wants a cuppa.

Have a good one, 
Bob.

 

 

 

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Sunny morning here. 

Mugatea to drink..TTFN

Baz

[roundhouse]

Good morning to Corona UK Lockdown day 1- I am sure that soemone will come up with something catchier - excuse the pun!!

 

More seriously its needed and was expected after the weekend crowds at scenic spots and beaches etc. but with the reduction in underground trains not surprised that there has been crowding on the trains. If I was still working I can guess that I would have been told that I was still required to work as my workplace does quite a bit of NHS work - the Govt. does need to define what is necessary workers as bosses will have different interpretations to many employees.

 

I have just placed an online order with Amazon for a replacement fridge for the shed as the old one failed last Autunm  plus paint for the layout fascia that I was oging to get at the local paint mixer today so hopefully they will get through otherwise I may be after a refund. I should have planned a bit sooner to obtian the relevant materials to start building the high level test track circuits in the shed as that would have kept me busy for weeks but I dont have enough timber let alone track.

 

I have emailed the DVLA re the MOT situation. I just dont want to get a fine for no road tax as I guess that will run not be renewed without an MOT so hoping that they do something about this as I wont be the only one. I have been told by a friend that he heard it on the news a week ago thatit would be Ok but DVLA need to update their website to confirm this.

 

Anyway its good weather again so will be working on the layout outdoors right next to my overflow beer stash but wont start the Kissingate Dark ruby Mild 6% till I have finished with power tools as dont want any BAZ / GDB incidents.

Stay safe all.

 

 

Edited March 24, 2020 by roundhouse

[Barry O]

JohnDMJ,

Unfortunately  some of the people who stopped posting on ERs can be classed as " missing" as others have tried various methods of contacting them. 

Which reminds me I must contact Horestan as I think he has some information I need.

 

Baz

[Ozexpatriate]

1 minute ago, Barry O said:

Which reminds me I must contact Horestan as I think he has some information I need.

Please say "hello" to Ivan for us. I hope the Sarcoidosis is well in remission by now with the current situation.

[roundhouse]

27 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Nicki's car is booked for an MOT on Friday and she needs it to get to the hospital for work as she is rightly concerned about using public transport.

However I found this  list earlier which shows exceptions to closures and it appears garages and petrol stations are included. Whether on not they will carry out MOTs I don't know.

 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874732/230320_-_Revised_guidance_note_-_finalVF.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Bob.

 

I rang the garage and they are still open doing MOT's. They have a distancing procedure in place but wont say what incase any local car thieves are happening to browse this thread.

[Ozexpatriate]

Like Chris, I watch too much television. Some of the late night comics, and a late morning "infotainment" show are broadcasting their monologues from home. (Most of the balance of the show is repeats of old celebrity interviews.) Without the normal writing round table and studio production values it has the effect of random people doing YouTube shows from their basement.

 

In the US, most TV is filmed in New York, LA (and Vancouver, BC). With New York and LA shut down it all makes me wonder when, depending on how long seclusions take, the broadcasters will run out of new episodes of content (be they game shows, scripted comedies and dramas, or reality shows). I presume that most of the current seasons are in the can anyway and we will head into the summer rerun season with only the daily productions (and sports) being impacted.

 

If there were a silver lining of shutting down TV production, for me it would be the darkening of reality shows (singing, courtship, housemates, whatever)  which despite watching too much television, can never be found wasting electricity and bandwidth in my home.

 

Most advertisements, without any sense of irony are unchanged from before the "stay home, save lives" orders began. I have been waiting for, and have now noticed a couple of, advertisers adjusting their pitch to the "new normal". So far they are automotive suppliers. Toyota has a "we're here for you" pitch which I presume is supposed to be reassuring or something.

 

Edited March 24, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[PeterBB]

8 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

... and some Tallis

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2020/03/23/today-is-monday/

Loved the music - all three.

[AndyB]

Morning all. Quick check in before I commute to the garage office. Was a tad chilly in there yesterday - took till 14.00 before I could take my coat off. So  set a timer up to switch the heating on last night.  

 

Overheard 2 blokestrel in my front garden yesterday afternoon discussing putting a cable through my garage roof. IntrIgued I poked my head out of the garage to find out what was happening. Apparently the next door neighbour wants to put a car charging point in his garage and had told these 2 electricians I'd agreed to let the cable go through my roof. 

Erm no.

You can take up part of the drive to do this as I had agreed. OK we can scoop ut a bit of sand and lay the cable under the paving stones. 

 

Erm no. You can get an armoured cable and put it at the correct depth. And then replace my block paving properly. 

Ffs 

[Kingzance]

Morning all,

 

Taking Roundhouse’s comment as a request for suggestions to name present situation, and the propensity to use acronyms these days, I suggest the words used are slightly rearranged so:

 

Corona UK Lockdown becomes Corona Lockdown UK and it can then link to the sad hotspots as FusterCLUKs. Our local CowboysRUs have deemed themselves to be essential workers and started rocking up at 7am - what a bunch of selfish fustercluks!

 

A number of fellow contributors are suffering, directly or indirectly, from illness or the imposition of restrictions. I am of course deeply sympathetic but, given the mass stupidity apparent in various parts of the nation since Friday, the imposition of these restrictions was almost certain to follow. Do we wish to see so many directly related deaths as Italy or Spain has experienced so far? Expeditions from Fortress KZ will be attempted by our Pioneer Corps on a weekly basis from here on in to obtain provender and medicines. We really do not need to venture out for any further foreseeable purposes except to walk the nearby footpaths - which I shall do in semi-isolation with camera and SWMBO by my side.

 

Be good, take care and Ding D0ng, for those whose keyboard skills at circumventing censorial restrictions are clearly more informed than mine after last night’s attempt at humour by your scribe.

[tigerburnie]

Morning, to be honest these latest clampdowns do not have an effect on us, we were doing all of it anyway, we have medicine to collect later this week, it will be the only time the car will move. Stay safe all and keep on modelling...……………………………(with a bit of licence taken from SWMBO favourite tv dancing show, I hear it, but don't watch it in case you're interested lol)

[grandadbob]

Tea taken to The Boss but she is still feeling rough. Looks like I'll have to do some ironing today. On the rare occasions I've done it in the past it has caused her to collapse with laughter so maybe that will perk her up.

Don't know if we'll be able to get another supermarket delivery in the future as they are prioritising for the elderly and when I log in they don't recognise me as one of them.  Phone us on this number if we've got it wrong they say. No chance as if you do get through there's just a recording but at least we're OK for a while.We were lucky enough to get a delivery yesterday which had nearly everything we couldn't get last week. This included some long life milk  and I've frozen some bread so with a bit of luck I shouldn't have to go foraging for at least 3 weeks. The kids have instructed us to stay in and they will shop if necessary but that's OK provided they don't catch anything. Time will tell. There are thousands out there a lot worse off than us.

Andy ,I'd have been tempted to tell the neighbour exactly where to stuff his cable.

Time to see if I can persuade The Boss to have a bit of breakfast. I have my doubts as to whether she will.