Early Risers.

[roundhouse]

I remember the layout Butcombe Junction, based in the area that I used to live before I was a teenager. I remeber on school holidays being in Mums car as she travelled for her job via places such as , Wells, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Radstock, Devizes that had all lost their stations by this time but plenty of evidence including track still in place in some locataions.

 

Another nice morning ahead so more garden running aswell as in the shed. I might even venture out into the unkown (as its starting to feel like these days) for exercise to see a passing freight if I time it right.

 

Just on the news that hairdressers may be shut for 6 months. Some of us might start looking like hippes. I have often said to my other half that she will look nice with long hair and I might get my wish

Edited April 24, 2020 by roundhouse

[AndyID]

"I been workin' on the railroad..."

 

To be more accurate the computer has been doing most of the "work".

 

 

I'll let you know how it "turnsout".

 

 

[Ozexpatriate]

33 minutes ago, roundhouse said:

Some of us might start looking like hippies.

Time to rock that pony tail you thought would be cool in 1972.

 

Or you can take a trip to Georgia. The one on people's minds, not the Caucasian one. No guarantees about what you might bring back along with the short hair.

[AndrewC]

Greetings all from the boring borough. TFIF

My last 5 day work week until the second week of June. With everything being cancelled I've now got 7 days of do nothing leave and 2 bank holidays to cut down my working time. 4 day weekend starts in 8 hours. The plan is to finally finish reflooring the shed and using it as our pub for a while. I've been invited to play Whatsapp darts so I need to practice a bit. 

 

Watched part of the Big Night In last night. Some good bits, some really bad bits. The thing that really frosted my cornflakes was instead of giving people a bit of a lift, they reminded you every bloody minute how shite things are and how we are all in this together. Even a 10 minute stretch of escapism would have been welcome. 

 

Belated happy anniversary to Mr & Mrs Stationmaster. 

 

In other news a local food distributor who specialises in German foods for UK restaurants, (think Katzenhammers and Herman ze German) has decided to try and reduce their losses by selling to individuals through their website. SWMBO has ordered one of their mixed packs. We'll be eating a lot of German sausages in the coming weeks. It truly is the wurst of times. (you knew that was coming) That's now half a dozen deliveries expected in the coming days. I just hope there is enough space in the freezer for it all. On top of that we have our weekly fruit & veg man coming. 

 

No worries about hair. Took the clippers to my ever more deranged looking follicles the other day. I'm good for another 6 weeks or so. Haven't been to a barber or stylist in nearly 17 years. Although I did come across an old photo of me from 81 when I was working in Spokane. Shoulder length hair and the Brad Delp porn star moustache. That photo has been buried and hopefully another 39-40 years before it surfaces again. 

 

Coffee calls, 4 hours of meetings today. TFIF for sure.   

Enjoy the day. 

 

 

[The Lurker]

16 hours ago, southern42 said:

 

You are so so lucky, kind Sir.  Middlesex, on the other hand was abolished in 1965, and only exists as a postal address and in the heart and soul of people like me and in that most wonderful game of cricket. 

_________

Polly Middx

My postal address tells me I am in Kent, although this part of the country has been in the Boring Borough since 1965.

 

The one caveat to that is that these days the post office tell us that the county is no longer required information for an envelope. A lot of online retailers have not caught up with that though.

 

My Dad was born and grew up in Middlesex. He still reminisces about Edrich and Compton's golden summer of 1947.

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where it is sunny with some high cloud.  A bird is singing loudly in a tree outside the window of the room I am working in. I saw a distant plane about an hour and a half ago, making a nice turn abd leaving a curved contrail. 

 

Belated wedding anniversary congratulations to the Stationmasters.

 

I am glad it is Friday as this at least means a vague variation in the routine for a couple of days. I might mow the lawn this weekend and that will be about if for excitement, apart from an Ocado delivery due tomorrow morning. Because Mrs Lurker had thought it was coming today, I am now tasked with a visit to Waitrose later to get the things that she planned to use for tonight's tea. And Elder Lurker has put a request in for some beer to tide him over until tomorrow. As this means he won't touch my beer, this is acceptable....!

 

Have a good day all!

 

 

[Joseph_Pestell]

10 minutes ago, The Lurker said:

My postal address tells me I am in Kent, although this part of the country has been in the Boring Borough since 1965.

 

The one caveat to that is that these days the post office tell us that the county is no longer required information for an envelope. A lot of online retailers have not caught up with that though.

 

My Dad was born and grew up in Middlesex. He still reminisces about Edrich and Compton's golden summer of 1947.

 

When large swathes of suburban Kent were transferred to Greater London (1965), the Post Office did have a plan to give SE postcodes to each former area. West Wickham, where we lived from 1969 - 1985, would, of course, been at the end of the list just behind Welling. If I remember correctly, we were supposed to become SE55.

I don't know if similar schemes existed for parts of Surrey, Middlesex and Essex which were similarly absorbed. Nor do I know why the scheme was not adopted.

Putting a county in an address can also cause confusion near to county boundaries. Where I lived recently, a lot of Wiltshire addresses were delivered by the sorting office in Shaftesbury, Dorset. 

[TheQ]

Mooring awl,  inner Temple Hare, 

 4.5 hours sleep followed by three hours semi dozing. 

 

When I went on patrol with Ben the slightly late collie,  it was dull overcast , chilly and slightly Misty.  Peering out of the window,  it's now scattered clouds and mostly sunny. 

 

Porridge flavour today was bottled pears and black current squash... 

 

Where I used to live in Ludgershall, Wiltshire, our postal address was ,  Ludgershall,  Andover, Hampshire even before county reorganisation.  After we left Faberstown on the Andover road ,  from which you couldn't see the join from Ludgershall, was transferred from Hampshire into Wiltshire. 

 

There was a much earlier county reorganisation of counties,  at one time there were tiny bits of counties inside of other counties because some Norman lord had owned both.. 

On the Belgium  and Netherland border it gets even more complicated with I believe at one point,  a bit of one country entirely inside another country entirely inside the other country. 

 

It's been decided where the next bonfire will be,  so the transportation of the twiggy bits plus cleared Ivy may commence,  however I may finish the roof clearance first. A box of used sandpaper, of which there is plenty, will be used to start the fire... 

 

The keel it self will be cleared of foam today,  then holes drilled for the keel bolts.. 

 

Time for a Muggacoffee  before heading out. 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2020 by TheQ

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Sunshine and blue skies again and another warm day forecast.

There was a large clapping turnout last night and for the first time 3 lots of newish neighbours joined in.

I'm told that I live in The London Borough of Sutton which is apparently in South London and part of Greater London. Well when I first came here in 1960 it was in Surrey and as far as I know it hasn't been lifted up and moved somewhere else so as far as I'm concerned Sutton is still in Surrey!

Feeling rather lethargic and still aching so not sure what I'm going to do today. I should go for a walk, the car needs washing (I haven't done it for months) and various bits of paving and decking need jet washing. The windows need cleaning (our window cleaners don't seem to be working although I've seen others about) but I'm certainly not climbing ladders with The Knee and Hip playing up) Oh and I haven't told The Boss that our new windows can be hinged out in a way that they could actually be cleaned from inside!

Even The Shed is not beckoning me at the moment. I think I'm suffering from feelingsorryformyselfitis. 

Never mind, I'm sure breakfast and coffee will help.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

Edited April 24, 2020 by grandadbob

[Happy Hippo]

Yesterday I was given a comprehensive briefing on what was going to happen today.

 

Trouble is I've forgotten what that was.

 

This means I wil not start any other tasks until I have been pointed in the right direction.

 

However, I may get caught out when the Obergrumpenfuhrer comes down and asks why I haven't started on X,Y or Z.

 

I think my best plan of action is to run away and hide

[Mike Bellamy]

 

Between 2004 and 2006 (thanks Google), East Midlands Airport was renamed Nottingham Airport as Nottingham seems to claim 'ownership' of the whole East Midlands. However the airport is actually in Leicestershire and has a Derby (DE) postcode. After much controversy and argument, it reverted back to its 'proper' name serving the East Midlands and not just Nottingham . . . . . 

[New Haven Neil]

12 hours ago, BoD said:

 

Was  it that bad?

 

Worse. Marvin-itis taking root.  All held up by someone else's software not working.

 

A lovely sunny morning here, 16C already, so doing it's best to improve my mood.  Day off will be spent worrying about work (nothing I can do to help) and as some travel restrictions have been lifted here (no new cases yesterday) thinking about a little trip out on the bikes tomorrow, at 40 mph .  Oh and maybe the garden railway will awaken once again, none of those electrikkery things though, just kettles.

[Barry O]

woo hoo! Her indoors has decided I may spend today muddling. Great!

 

I need a mugadecaf!

 

Bob.. despite the nice weather my rugby knees are giving me some serious gyp. If only I knew then what I know now....

 

Prop forward (retired of the North West Leeds Highlands)

 

Baz

[Kingzance]

Good morning from a partly cloudy NEHerts,

 

Firstly I must apologise to our man of all thing western and signalling and his spouse for not mentioning their anniversary yesterday. Please don’t feel offended Mike - I generally forget my own too, and suffer for days after!

 

The intended actions for the past 24 hours were only partly achieved. The coloured electric string did not arrive so sections of Kingzance remain without agitated electrons. Hopefully today will see that resolved. Some rather ancient Triang clerestories were fitted with 14mm discs that arrived from Harry & Andrea in deepest Northants and those coaches run far better across all the Code 75 turnouts than they did with the much cruder offerings from half a century ago. I will now have to lower the bodies by 1mm whilst not causing the bogies to foul the bodies to get the buffer heights aligned with everything else. Syphon and Bloater were suitably improved to plan but the latter reminded me how I miss Shipham’s fish pastes . The Camera Club virtual AGM went very smoothly and it does seem the club as a whole has adapted well to the changed circumstances, even if the images we share are far smaller and less detailed than would be the case at real meetings.

 

Today I shall be mainly - awaiting orders to be decided! I may be allowed out to walk, I may receive the electric string causing me to “stick” it under tase boards. I should download the Zoom application so I can present a quiz tomorrow night and I could do with getting access to the theme fromMastermind to start said quiz. Sadly I may achieve none of the above. I am sure there will be “other important matters” that will require my undivided attention but those matters have yet to be dreamed up by my personal RSM.
 

At least I have a net of plumptious mussels to prepare and gorge myself on early this evening whilst I take the opportunity to empty the freezer of two old and almost finished bags of oven-ready French Fries, along with a good dollop of “her” mayonnaise.
 

If you see a cloud of moths emerging from this area, you will know I have succumbed to buying a few more tickets for the Virtual Members Day - go on, you know it makes sense!

[New Haven Neil]

One less thing to worry about - the website has had its wick lit! 

[Happy Hippo]

Saved!

 

I remembered I have to carry the Bay tree to the top of the garden.

 

In other RMWeb related news, I've been cleaning through my PM correspondence of over 10 years.

 

Help, advice, general chit chat, the obligatory humour even the occasional vulgarity.

 

It was all there, congratulations, commiserations and condolences.

 

Fragments of lives, hopes and dreams. made more poignant as some were to and from those no longer with us.

 

Now gone at the touch of a button.

Edited April 24, 2020 by Happy Hippo

[Happy Hippo]

12 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

One less thing to worry about - the website has had its wick lit! 

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I was born in Romford when the town was well and truly in Essex and it niggles me when the media describe it as 'Romford in East London'. I run a Farcebook group called 'Old photographs of Essex' and for that I include anything east of the River Lee which was the ancient border between the East Saxons and the Middle Saxons. It gets a bit awkward in the north west of the county where bits have been swapped between Essex, Cambridgeshire and the Southern Folk where the rule of thumb is if it has been part of Essex at some time its allowed. It helps that Essex has the second longest coastline in England, 7/8ths of its borders are defined by water.

[PhilJ W]

3 minutes ago, Happy Hippo said:

 

Most of those failures were after the war when the Americans started testing captured/confiscated rockets.

[cravensdmufan]

55 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Romford when the town was well and truly in Essex and it niggles me when the media describe it as 'Romford in East London'.

Yes it annoys me as well.  Although born in Brentwood, I went to school in Romford, Essex .

 

I suppose confusion started after it was absorbed into the London Borough of Havering.  Lots of other places such as Ilford, Dagenham and even Upminster also became within London Boroughs,  But I always still like to consider them Essex.

Edited April 24, 2020 by cravensdmufan
Spelling

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

When I was born, Manchester was in Lancashire, as far as I’m concerned I was born a Lancashire lad and I still am!

 

Anyway, back to today, the sun is shining and the skies are blue with very few clouds about, but I can see a single contrail which appears to be heading east. We ended up sleeping in this morning and I’ve only just finished my breakfast, so quite a bit of the day has already gone. But that doesn’t mean that things won’t get done, just not as much as would have been. As to the plans, we’ll there aren’t any as such, my first task is to bring up the newly painted towel rail and wipe it down ready for use. The one that is currently being used will then require cleaning, and repainting, so I’ll crack on with that and earn a few brownie points. Whilst the paint is drying time will be spent in the workshop working on the turntable. 

 

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

[The Stationmaster]

Good morrow good people of ERs,

 

Another bright sunny day and the foraging party have been fairly successful with some excellent mushrooms which will keep me in lunches for a few days to come.  Alas no profiteroles as the Waitrose offering in that respect is rubbish and somewhat more extensive than Tesco's current offer price of £2 for a goodly quantity.  Eggs were apparently also something of a conundrum I understand as Mr Waitrose's chickens have stopped laying large ones for some reason but they are managing 'mixed' ones - perhaps the packing dept are short of experienced egg sizers?  Oddly yesterday's mushrooms were 'mixed' but today's with the same packaging/origin are the size of saucers - quite large saucers.

 

We joined in an online pub quiz last night - or rather the lad did and we just threw in a few helpful hints.  Apparently at one point 165,000 people were watching it online although far fewer were taking part - definitely the sort of escapism and amusement one needs while pundits(various) continue pumping out gloom and the best entertainment to be found on the telly was probably made in the 20th century.  And in some cases that consists of films made in the first half of that century.   Mind you there are also some good jokes coming across the pond as the 'leader of the free world' has suggested drinking disinfectant to tackle the virus - strange man, hope he tries it.  Judging by the example of his disciples, I thought all you needed to stave it off was a pump action shotgun or an assault rifle.

 

Daily orders have made mention of vacuum however as usual this doesn't mean nothing, or anything connected with  trains, but on the contrary apparently means the cleaning of something using nothing.  I'm surprised that Dyson bloke hasn't got onto that one because his latest device for such work is being advertised on the 'box as producing 79,000g - must be bl**dy difficult to move around is all I can say.

 

As for counties I remain in, and still use the name of ours in its abbreviated form = 'Oxon'.   Notwithstanding that everything posted here bears the postmark 'Swindon' and we have an RG (= Reading) Post Code all of which suggests to me that somebody somewhere suffers some sort of geographical deficiency and would no doubt be stumped when asked to name the capital of Gibraltar. 

 

Enjoy the rest of your day one and all and stay safe.

[Happy Hippo]

After my uncontrollable laughter at the thought of getting a refund on my car insurance due to the lack of car use,I have today recieved a letter from my insurance company.

 

It tells me I am to recieve a £25 refund for each vehicle.

 

Hoisted by one's own petard springs to mind 

[Tony_S]

38 minutes ago, cravensdmufan said:

suppose confusion started after it was absorbed into the London Borough of Havering. 

Especially for deliveries. More than a few items intended for the Council offices in Romford were delivered after attempted delivery in Havering atte Bower. 
Tony

[southern42]

4 hours ago, Barry O said:

Ey up!

 

Glad to say it is still sunny here. 

 

Me and me Blackbird are going to have a talk. His song is beautiful but at 4am he needs to be a bit quieter. Years ago at York Show some of the lad from the Butcombe Junction group would sing about what to do about Blackbirds..."and with a gerd big stick I'll knock ee off blackbird I'll av ee!"  I trust that this will not be necessary.

 

I have some "chores" to do today..this nay or may not include the application of futniture polish and the use of a polishing rag to buff it up. Pah!

 

Mugatea has arrived. Yippeeedddoooo!

 

Last night we made use of the email and collect from our local chippy. Never have chish, fips and mushy peas tasted so good!

 

Time to drink my mugatea  then grasp Friday firmly and shape it to let me get things done!

Have a safe and healthy day everyone!

Baz

 

 

You could just imagine you are going round your favourite loco giving a bit of TLC...