Early Risers.

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each,

I loved kippers when I was younger but haven't had them for years. Just suggested them to The Boss. That didn't go down too well! 

More progress in The Shed, so much so that I'm (almost) thinking lockdown is a good idea. (Apart from the reason why it's necessary of course)

I'm beginning to think that Q is an alQemist! All this melting of lead and pretending to build a keel. Yeh right. It's pretty obvious to me that once he's got the formula right that the boat and the contents of its keel are going to be at the forefront of a major smuggling operation in The Broads! 

The Boss has been suffering a bit from lockdown and is pretty miserable because of not seeing family and particularly grandkids  in person. She cheered up a bit earlier as there was a ring on the doorbell and lovely next door neighbours Ali and daughter Emily had delivered a large bunch of flowers as they knew she was a bit down. They really are a lovely family and we couldn't ask for better friends and neighbours.

Currently drinking Chilean Carmenère and very nice it is too. Might drink some more in a minute. 

 

[Shedman5]

 

Shame I don't live near here!

 

 

 

A brewery has been giving away beer after it was left with excess stock because of the coronavirus lockdown.

In an offer that seems to good to be true, Alnwick Brewery Company in Northumberland has decided it's better than pouring it away.

Sales director Jannick Genouw told Sky News they were stuck with the beer when the coronavirus lockdown began and because it was in casks there was not much that could be done with it.

"So there were two options," he said.

"We can either put it down the drain, or actually come up with a plan of distributing it to the local community."

 

The brewery has already run two events, with people clamouring to get their hands on the local brew, and will give more away at the local market.

Mr Genouw said: "People were coming to the brewery with containers and getting fresh pints out of the hand pumps, and we've done that couple of times already and we are just about to do our third one now... so it's been very successful."

The brewery has been asking people for donations for the NHS and has so far raised £500.

People have been encouraged to collect the beer in their own containers.

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by Shedman5

[J. S. Bach]

2 hours ago, Barry O said:

 ...snip... What I can't stand is pickled or smoked and pickled Herring (rollmops).  ...snip... Baz

I do really like pickled herring but I do not get to often  because A: I would empty the whole container in one sitting; and B: the cost; VITA is my brand of preference, BTW.

Edit to correct a spelling error.

Edited May 1, 2020 by J. S. Bach

[Andrew P]

36 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

That is a nice guitar. Although I am puzzled by you saying that it’s costing you a small fortune. Unless you go custom shop, Fender Squier, Fender Mexico and Fender USA are usually very nicely priced... Of course, once you start adding things like amps, leads, guitar maintenance equipment, changes of strings, effects pedals, strap locks, hard cases and the like, it does add up (unfortunately, Mrs iD has seen through the “it only cost £££” and demands to know what else I’ve bought to go with my latest guitar purchase).

 

I really do like the maple necks with maple fingerboards, some people like a rosewood fingerboard on a Strat or Tele, but for me, rosewood fingerboards are Gibson territory. Both my strats (my David Gilmour Black Strat and my “Fatocaster” [a “Frankenstrat” assembled from various parts] have all maple necks). I may just have to post some “guitar porn” myself... (I suffer from terrible GAS).

 

Thanks, also, for bringing to my attention that there is a programme about “The Shads” on BBC 4 tonight. I’ll record it.

 

Hank Marvin’s playing is a textbook example of “the easy bits look hard and the hard bits look easy”, at first listen something like “Apache” sounds dead simple... like @#£@** it is.  I can well understand how Hank Marvin has been such an inspiration to guitarists like David Gilmour and Mark Knopfler 

Yes, in reality it wasn't mega bucks, the Gold hardware upped the price from a standard one a bit and having just bought 3 Bass's and Fender Amp, and a Tweed and Gold Case it's starting to mount up a bit. I need a modelling pod for Hank and David Gilmore Sounds, but just for home use.

I've had many Strats, USA, Mexican and Jap but this is my first Maple Fretboard.

 

Out of interest, check this guy out, he plays with Bruce Welch on Shadomania.

 

[New Haven Neil]

Ah kippers!  Now there I can express an opinion!

 

As Baz says, Craster (Northumberland) produces a really nice product, i thought couldn't be bettered.  Then we moved to Fraggle Rock.....

 

There are two producers here, Deveraux and Moore's, both totally traditional (none of that dyed colour you see in supermarket kippers, it's against the law here, as are chemicals in beer) and both smokehouses are right next to each other in Peel!  I prefer Moore's for flavour, but Deveraux seem to manage to get less bits in their fillets, plus they do vacuum packs for posting. If one of our parcels has a whiff of kipper on it, it went in the same collection van..... They are, it pains me to say, both better than Craster kippers.  After all, which were served on the Brighton Belle?

 

One other item that Moore's do, is bacon smoked in the same batches as the fish, it is strong but I love it.  Addicted to it.  Done crispy it is heaven.  I asked if they could do hams, but there is some H&S reason they are not allowed to any more - they did in the past.  Seems odd when they can do the bacon?  Don't get that.

 

 

[roundhouse]

48 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

As you wish.

Damn, out of stock

[Gwiwer]

Kippers should have stayed on the Brighton Belle

 

 

Other opinions fish are available. 

[roundhouse]

1 hour ago, JohnDMJ said:

Good evening all from the land of POLTS day; no, not a typo but normally this day of the week, today would just be POTS (no 'Early' about it). Today was just Late! Sign of the times. However, a little retail therapy helped quieten the mood, but I will not risk the wrath of The Awl by posting pictures, this and this (in a beautifully crafted wooden case) will suffice!

 

 

If you hadn't said it, I would have!

 

 

Thanks; just set the recorder up; another few % off the hard drive!

I suppose that you are allowed to shop in store seen as you are in there working

[Ozexpatriate]

39 minutes ago, J. S. Bach said:

I do really liked pickled herring

So do I, but I don't seek it out. I prefer smoked herrings. I've mostly enjoyed pickled herrings with bröd, pickled onions and boiled eggs on breakfast smörgåsbord in places like Stockholm and Helsinki.

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[BoD]

Ah, Craster.

 

A good day out with a walk along to Dunstanburgh Castle and beyond followed by a pint or two in The Jolly Fisherman and then pick up the kippers fresh from the smokehouse.  A beautiful part of the world and fortunately not too far away.

 

Sadly out of the question for the time being. Oh, how I am missing things like that.

 

Having not tried either of the Fraggle Rock varieties I am unable to compare but I am sure that Neil, once a Northumbrian always a Northumbrian, must have good reason to favour them over Craster.  Until, one day, I am able to venture to Peel I will just have to suffer Craster’s finest.

[Coombe Barton]

35 minutes ago, BoD said:

A good day out with a walk along to Dunstanburgh Castle and beyond followed by a pint or two in The Jolly Fisherman and then pick up the kippers fresh from the smokehouse.

STOPPIT!!

 

Wanna go back there!

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I like kippers but if given the choice I'd have smoked mackeral instead. I received notice this morning that some Milliput that I ordered a couple of days ago is on its way. I need it for a couple of modelling projects not involving parallel strips of metal. Time to do battle with Farcebook, be back later.

Edited May 1, 2020 by PhilJ W
Fat finger syndrome.

[JohnDMJ]

Rollmops - great snack along with pilchards. Kippers - too many bones and have never mastered the knack although my late father couldn't get enough!

 

At an hotel in Mousehole (pr. Mouzall), Cornwall, I witnessed a grandfather showing his grandson how to eat them one breakfast time; not for me!

 

35 minutes ago, roundhouse said:

I suppose that you are allowed to shop in store seen as you are in there working

 

Yes, the till is opened to onsite staff once per week. Last month, it took some £450.00! May's figure has already beaten that!

 

However, what really gets at me is why we have to go through the till rather than a staff account. I have flagged this with our new Accounts Manager but, given circumstances, it will have to wait!

[brianusa]

23 hours ago, TheQ said:

Unfortunately Kraft took over cadburys,  lied through their teeth promising no changes.

 

And promptly changed the recipe for the chocolate  in the UK. 

 

Presumably it's now the same as the Hershey version over here?

      Brian.

[New Haven Neil]

Working in a model railway shop is expensive, but only for the half of us that are modellers!  The others don't give a monkeys!

 

PS Just got a Dapol O gauge 14xx - skint again!

[Coombe Barton]

7 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

PS Just got a Dapol O gauge 14xx - skint again!

Just had a look - please stop tempting me.

[brianusa]

18 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

High tea is different. It's served later in the day and includes some sort of cooked main course. Fish and chips being a favorite, typically with bread and butter. That might be followed by scones etc and the inevitable cake, and possibly ice cream for good behavior.

 

At least that's the way it used to be.

 

Around here, the Empress hotel in Victoria, BC, does a very nice if a bit expensive high tea; the usual, but at least they do it right.  Their "Indian" restaurant is also very good including appropriately enough, a good curry!  If you like 'grand' hotels, its pretty good.

    Brian.

[TheQ]

36 minutes ago, brianusa said:

 

Presumably it's now the same as the Hershey version over here?

      Brian.

I suspect so,  except mouse droppings is a permitted ingredient in the USA but not in the UK. 

[Erichill16]

Happy birthday Kingsance, I hope you made something of it. If nothing else it will be one to remember.(for all the wrong reasons).

Finally got new tyres for SHMBOs car. Order tyres  last week then realised there was no locking wheelnut key in the tool set that came with the car. Car’s only 18month old and wheels have never been off the car so must have not been there when we bought it. Had to make an appointment to go to Leeds to get Skeleton  key to remove security nut but when we got there they didn’t have one so had to make a second journey. Anyway all sorted now, only taken a week. 
Not been to work for a week now as things have settled down to ‘normal’. Only thing is the amount of paperwork that has mounted up and I can’t be bothered with it. Really must get my finger out tomorrow and get some done. 
Going to finish my coffee and then bed. Early start with book work (?)
Regards Robert.

ps Can’t stand the smell of kippers but do like a good fry up for breakfast, gluten free of course.

[brianusa]

7 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Cala'me Bys Vyken!!!  Onen Hag Oll!!!

 

And for any Padstonians and some other Cornish folk : OSS OSS!!!

 

 

A Happy May Day to one and all.  One - the only one in peacetime - upon which the annual revelries in Padstow have been cancelled, falling victim to something so small yet so large in the global mindset.  

 

Happy Birthday KZ.

 

Deep in my heart I support that.  We need a break and within the bounds of being careful (a closed car = no viral risk to others) then if needs must then needs must.  The official advice even states that a valid reason for being out is "Visiting family and friends if essential".  For the mental and moral wellbeing of some it may indeed be considered essential to make such trips albeit sparingly for now.

 

There have been many more people through the House of Fun today and not all by any means have obviously been key or construction workers.  There have been numerous drunks and other itinerants who seem to be about because they have nothing constructive to do and are bored.  Police stopped, interviewed and ordered home two hoodie-wearing youths who arrived on a train from Salisbury and were duly returned with £60 apiece added to their day's expenses.  Not ten minutes later we were alerted that the land sheriffs had persons of interest under their control aboard a train from Waterloo and required the police to attend and remove them.  Sheriffs only have limited jurisdiction effectively as security personnel.  Four persons were escorted from railway premises though for what reason specifically I never learned.  Another group of four who were doing anything but social distancing gathered at the far end of a platform, sat down, commenced drinking and smoking and then climbed the fence which is supposed to prevent access to the "live" side on the tracks.  They were swiftly spoken to by a colleague (who I know to be ex-police and was happy enough to take on four at a time) and after a fair measure of abuse shouted at us all they stumbled and fell aboard a train and - I hate to say it out of respect for colleagues and customers alike - became someone else's problem.  

 

I have had reports from Cornwall of a sudden and dramatic increase in road traffic with queues to locate car parking.  Whether these are all locals is for the police to determine and act if they se fit.  Devon & Cornwall police have been doing sterling work in identifying and dealing with those who have no business in the area right now.  

 

And it is the weekend so far as I am concerned.  A Friday which dawned with a stunning rainbow, promising better times ahead, above the Hill of Strawberries as I waited for my train into work. The day has now become a post-luncheonal opportunity to do as I please within the bounds of the garden fence.  No naked Maypole dancing though - It wouldn't breach advice within private property but it may result in excessive shockery and mockery

 

In case anyone notices and asks - the signal which appears to read "wrong road" on the far left is FW94 and is for access to the depot.  It is a curiosity here that trains can depart both platforms in the same direction simultaneously with one heading towards Teddington and the other off to rest its wheels for a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dave Hunt]

Kippers - Mmmm, rollmop herrings - Mmmm. Our market fishmonger gets kippers from Fraggle Rock; don't know which particular smoker but they are delicious. When we were over there last year I had some at Calf of Man for lunch and they were totally yummy. 

 

We had high tea at the Empress hotel in Victoria a couple of years ago and I have to agree with Brian that it is excellent if a bit expensive.

 

Is it just because we're locked in that a significant proportion of ER posts are about food?

 

Just remembered that there's a rather nice Perl Wen soft welsh cheese in the fridge and a fresh packet of oatcakes in the cupboard.....

 

And an unopened bottle of Balvenie....

 

Until breakfast time then.

 

Dave  

[brianusa]

Really like the 'obby oss' parade, a lot of comely Cornish maidens as usual!

     Brian.

[polybear]

Not exactly an OSA story, but I was a reference on a workmate's Shotgun Licence application back in March this year.  I was told to expect a call from the Police to verify that my mate was suitable to have such a weapon.  I never got a call, and he got his Licence....

(Just in time, as it turns out, as the Police stopped applications very shortly afterwards due to the current situation)

[Ozexpatriate]

Speaking of firearms, I see that Canada, after the recent tragedy in Nova Scotia, has very sensibly (in my opinion) banned a class of semi-automatic rifles presumably the ones that often have tactical rails like the Bushmaster / AR15 (commonly referred to with the vague term of "assault rifle"). The official list is very long and I didn't find a 'generic' description - which is apparently yet to be defined in the official regulations.

 

The actual definitions of such things are difficult. The US requires serial numbers for the "receiver". Rifles like the AR15 can have separate upper and lower receiver block. While it is blindingly obvious what is meant, it is difficult to describe technically. Hopefully the Canadian government can make a sensible definition.

 

Edited May 1, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[tigerburnie]

I may be having an early night...… https://www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/product/devon-scrumpy/................goods stuff...…………...

G'night all.