Early Risers.

[The Lurker]

14 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

Good catch sir! But they don't grow them anywhere near here. The tatty fields are all in the southern end of the state (which is even in another time-zone.)

 

 

Someone in our group had the idea of processing ethanol from potatoes, so we duly set up a plant in Idaho. It never turned a profit and we gave the keys back when the lease expired. Fortunately I didn't have to visit; my business trips to the US have been restricted to New Orleans and Coral Gables (Miami).

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where the fold in the hill is bathed in early morning sun and the breeze seems to have lessened somewhat from yesterday.

 

Today will be another day of the same old same old.Work will trundle on. Home school will trundle on. Walks will be taken.

 

I was going to comment on vaccinations.  Like most on here, I am far too old to have had vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella when I was a kid - but I have had chicken pox (which the UK still does not vaccinate against) and German measles twice. I have never had measles ormumps, despite my sister getting the latter. I had my second dose of Germanmeasles when I was student and the doctor described it as a really strong dose; "think of it as a Theakstons Old Peculiar dose, rather than the usual pisswater Tetleys". I gave it to a numberof other people including my then girlfriend , who had been too scared to have the jab given to 13/14 year old girls at that time, and as a consequence had a secondary infection that permanently affected her hearing. Apparently it was all my fault.

 

Mrs Lurker had a very bad experience as a result of accidentally being given a double dose of rubella by the school nurse; it put her in hospital with a very bad back for 6 weeks having collapsed in agony at school. We were very cautious when it came to the Lurker boys having their jabs - and we had checks on Elder Lurker to make sure that there was nothing that he had inherited that could make him susceptible to similar back problems.  There wasn't, but neither has had a jab at school; they have always had their jabs at the GP surgery.

 

I am particularly irritated at some of the celebrity support for the anti vax lot. I seem to recall de Niro being one. There is no lin between MMR and ASD; and believe me having a child with ASD, we have agonised over that. but when we look back, there were traits in Younger Lurker that emerged well before his jab and well before his general display of ASD symptoms (which started before the jab).

[Oldddudders]

Another lovely morning here in la Sarthe. I cut most of the grass yesterday - walking round for a couple of hours behind a mower is better exercise than sitting on the tractor would be, if it was working. One small area to do, which will take less than an hour.

 

I needed to get some meds, so printed off my form and filled in the details, time and date. Parked in the square at Bonnetable and sauntered into the pharmacy. Auto doors mean I didn't touch anything on arrival. Handed over my prescription and medical card, whereupon Annick noted my gloves. Tablets, powders and inhaler all provided. No charge, of course. Delicious young Docteur en Pharmacie Stephanie acknowledged me. Cash machine next door spewed out notes. At car, removed right glove, opened car, removed other glove and will leave them in car. Used gel just in case. Home for coffee by 9.15. Must now do a cupboard and fridge audit, as Alison is proposing another Leclerc Drive order. She prevailed upon me not to go to Lidl, where she perceives a higher risk due to the nature of some of the other customers! 

 

I have some wiring to do on storage sidings/fiddle yard later. Switches, ordered on Amazon, are being sent from China, it appears. 

 

Stay safe, everyone.

Edited April 22, 2020 by Oldddudders

[AndrewC]

11 hours ago, laurenceb said:

You sould never pick rats or mice by the tail, they carry some very nasty diseases around that area

Having lived in an area where Hanta was endemic and with a house on the edge of the city, I wouldn't touch any rodent without gloves. Needless to say the latex gloves went straight in the bin. 

[tigerburnie]

Morning, we too have bright and less breezy, still cool with the wind coming straight off the cold North Sea, wish the over night temperatures would rise a bit, the conservatory is getting overrun with tomato and chillie plants. Hoping for a delivery today from the postie, more plants for the pond, so the "G" word may come to the fore, enjoy your day and take care.

[Happy Hippo]

2 hours ago, Barry O said:

Look after yourselves, stay in  stay safe..do not go out and drive yourcar at 135mph in a 30mph limit (what a cockwomble/wit/doilum).

Just crush the car, regardless of it's ownership. 

 

If it did not belong to the idiot driving, then the owners can sue him for their loss. (Well the estate of the driver, who would still have been in the car when it went into the crusher.)

 

 

[Chris116]

58 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

 

The Boss has been grumbling about having nothing to do and then saying that there is housework that urgently needs attention. I will suggest putting 2 + 2 together!

Have a good one,

Bob.

That is living dangerously! You could land up having volunteered to do that housework in her mind. 

[Happy Hippo]

24 minutes ago, AndrewC said:

Having lived in an area where Hanta was endemic and with a house on the edge of the city, I wouldn't touch any rodent without gloves. Needless to say the latex gloves went straight in the bin. 

When we have finish ratting, we go around the site and pick up the remains using a pair of tongs.

 

The assembled pile is then burned.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

The sun is shining and the sky is blue, the wind also seems to have died down as the trees behind the workshop and shed are barely moving. Plans for today are to make a start top coating the towel rail and whilst that is drying, I’ll head to the workshop and continue working on the turntable. Well I wouldn’t want to do anything in the cellar that might create dust that could stick to the drying paint on the towel rail would I? 

 

Stay safe, stay sane, enjoy whatever you have planned for the day, back later 

[Dave Hunt]

Good morning. As time goes on we are getting more organised on the supplies front, thanks mainly to a cohort of local market traders and shopkeepers who are more than willing to help. Today the fishmonger and the eggs and chicken man from the market will be bringing fresh items, as will someone from the local farm shop. We owe all these old a huge vote of thanks and in the coming months will have to come up with some way of saying thank you properly. Of course, we are lucky in having the financial ability to get what we want (I nearly wrote 'need' but we actually get far more than required to satisfy simple needs) whereas there are a lot of poor souls who are struggling to obtain the necessary basics. Having been involved some years ago in setting up the local food bank I am in regular contact with the people who are running it at present and the number of people who are in dire need is frightening. That such a situation exists in a nation such as ours is dreadful, even taking into account the CV situation.

 

In case anyone thinks that the above is a thinly disguised advert for food banks, it isn't - there's no attempt to disguise it. Please consider whether you could help your local food bank. If in making this plea I have upset anyone, I apologise.

 

Now on with Bazing Wednesday. A walk with Jill is next on the order of events and with any luck some time in the shed will be possible. Stay safe and well everyone.

 

Dave

[roundhouse]

Good morning.

 

We get a fair few high powered motorbikes and racing cars on sunny days on the main road close to us, definitely not driving for essentials as they keep gong round and round.

 

Just had another delivery of essential items, a box of bottle from Isle of Skye brewery. Will sample some this afternoon. My other half has just found Dartmoor Jail ale that they will delivery a pack of 16 bottles anywhere in the UK. I think that will be going on her credit card very soon.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Weather as yesterday but a bit warmer and slightly less of a breeze. When I went shopping yesterday when I first started the car it seemed a bit reluctant but subsequent starts have been OK. I will probably take it for a run later to clear the cobwebs and boost the battery. 

3 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

That's how I took it Andy, I was implying that he wasn't bothered about their lack of picking skills.  Maybe I should have phrased my reply slightly differently.  Apparently there are nany stories around about Mr Balluet and the girls in the tower...

 

Jamie

Your miles away from Sarthe otherwise you would have been able to compare notes with Olddudders.

Edited April 22, 2020 by PhilJ W
spill chucker

[Barry O]

House..hoovered,  grass...cut, next up....flipping dusting...pah!

Baz 

[Kingzance]

Good morning,

 

Ran out of certain wire colours yesterday so order placed and has been despatched this morning. If the post system cooperates and isn’t overloaded, unmentionable work will continue on Friday. Various herbs, seeds of which were planted last month, are getting well established and requiring daily waterings in their dry and hot location. A second sowing was made to ensure more of a regular supply of certain flavours. The Waitrose van arrived early - not a problem - but I am disappointed that they had selected “foreign” sourced foods when British producers, whose produce they also stock, need and deserve our support now more than ever.

 

So what is on the cards for me today? SWMBO has decided that “my summer wardrobe” should come out and displace the “winter option” in the clothing locker. I am minded that “one swallow doesn’t make a summer (and I have yet to see one this year) and that previous generations of my family used to express “don’t caste a clout ‘til May is out”. I do not wish my already shrivelled bits to get frostbite so I will remain in my ankle and wrist length drapes for the time being. If she wishes to proceed differently, that is ok by me BUT the heating is now OFF until after her next birthday in mid September! 
 

I shall shortly be going outside to reduce the length of the green sward and may be tempted to amble to the nearest woods carpeted in bluebells early this evening to practice my photographic depth of field skills with a couple of lenses. I need to capture some “blue” images for the club’s weekly topic entries and BR or later railway periods will not be acceptable.

 

Be careful whether you are inside or out and on journeys to and from your places of respite.

[45156]

Morning All

 

Just a quick check in, all posts have been read and rated, and generic greetings are offered.

 

Over the weekend I have fettled a bird house which was invaded by wasps a few years ago, then sat in the garage for those years - a new base from plywood, screwed it to a fence post, and put it in the garden with a metpost and then painted it where necessary - looking good now, but I doubt that the birds will get to it this year.

 

Back later.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[Coombe Barton]

7 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

Various herbs, seeds of which were planted last month, are getting well established and requiring daily waterings in their dry and hot location

There is hydroponics - but rarely used for legitimate crops

[Tony_S]

8 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

“don’t caste a clout ‘til May is out”

I am not sure if it means the leaf or the blossom. Blossom,on the May (hawthorn) is just about to open here. 

[Coombe Barton]

8 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

“don’t caste a clout ‘til May is out”

That's May blossom - Hawthorn. Thanks to my mum for the plant lore

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/04/hawthorn-and-blackthorn-difference/

[grandadbob]

Hmm, went for a walk but only managed 20 minutes as my hip is too painful. I think I'm paying for the last few weeks of staying indoors. (and the years of limping before I had The Knee replaced which meant I was putting all my weight on the  opposite side.)

Muggacoffee now and then I shall hobble to The Shed.

[Kingzance]

Despite the “friendly” comments from John and Tony_s, I am still protecting my nadgers from frostbite!

 

it has been a few days since our Fraggle Rock correspondent has graced us, I hope he remains well and that his absence is not serious.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning.  Not at work!

 

We did stocktaking yesterday in preparation for launching totally new business software and website gubbins, hopefully to go live this evening, so having bust a gut yesterday it is over to the IT/Logistics manager today to finish setting it all up....he doesn't want us anywhere near!  He's ex-Army, the air will be as blue as if he were ex-Navy (ahem) I'm sure, but it will all be worth it. We have taken the opportunity to do this now as stock is obviously low, and deliveries also.

 

My hair will be greyer than ever tomorrow after trying to un-learn the old system habits I'm sure.

 

Sunny and windy sur le Rock today, with some easing of matters CV related announced to happen on Friday, construction workers allowed back to work (it was banned here) and non-essential journeys allowed.  We also have a 40mph speed limit in place to reduce load on the emergency services, but IMHO the fact there is no traffic has done that anyway! Still no other businesses allowed to open, we are OK as we have shut the doors to public access and two (out of 6 1/2) of us can work in separate buildings.

[New Haven Neil]

That was pure chance, KZ!

 

Been too busy - see above!  Thank you for your concern.

[roundhouse]

11 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Hmm, went for a walk but only managed 20 minutes as my hip is too painful. I think I'm paying for the last few weeks of staying indoors. (and the years of limping before I had The Knee replaced which meant I was putting all my weight on the  opposite side.)

Muggacoffee now and then I shall hobble to The Shed.

Did I spot a lift out section on your boards in the shed?

[leopardml2341]

31 minutes ago, Kingzance said:

I am minded that “one swallow doesn’t make a summer .......

 

I though it was one swallow doesn't make a commitment.......

 

OK, having plumbed the depths, I'm back in mi box - blame it on lockdown

[Kingzance]

1 hour ago, leopardml2341 said:

 

I though it was one swallow doesn't make a commitment.......

 

OK, having plumbed the depths, I'm back in mi box - blame it on lockdown

Funny how certain things tend to stick