Early Risers.

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all, with slightly belated birthday greetings to Andy.

 

If I had a suspicious nature, I might well be wondering whether certain people in relatively high places have shares in the firms which make masks.  Then again, I am sceptical of much advice issued by those who rule us and marvel at how readily it is accepted by those who are ruled.  Be that as it may, I now have to find a face covering device for when I commit the socially unacceptable act of riding on a bus.  I have a bus pass which is now valid all day and there are still two buses an hour where once there were seven, so why shouldn’t I?  So how to cover the potentially infectious bits of my face?  In addition to my first choice of the rainbow bandana, I have my old college scarf, which I admit needs a good wash, another scarf and a knitted balaclava which I bought to help keep me warm when taking photographs in very cold places such as the Jing Peng Pass.  It might just be worth wearing that to see how the staff react in the bank.    

 

I note that Flavio advocates home baking.  It is a while since I have done any and when push comes to shove I am sure that I could knock up a more than acceptable bread pudding.  That’s not the point, though.  If I did make it myself it would no longer be a special treat.  Phil is obviously luckier than I am with his local Tesco and I do not expect to see it again in mine.  I recall that my e-friend Harry once made an acclaimed shortbread when he was a student: fat chance of that now that he has apparently sold his soul to Amazon.

 

I haven’t forgotten about the second ten of my favourite albums, by the way.  Coming soon …

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[Ozexpatriate]

After a string of picture perfect, blue sky, days in the 20°Cs the weather is supposed to turn cooler and wetter for the weekend. I wonder if that will dampen the enthusiasm for (mostly peaceful) protesting that continues apace night after night in Portland. Some mountain snow is even forecast.

 

Earlier in the week, thousands of people lay down for almost nine minutes on the Burnside bridge (over the Willamette river) which was quite an impressive demonstration.

 

Parts of the downtown area around the Justice Center continue to be fenced off to prevent protesters from exacerbating damage from last weekend. Late in the evening it is these fences where the rowdier protesters gather.

 

 

Edited June 5, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[JohnDMJ]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

An incredibly relaxing long weekend beckons; I will walk the dogs as Mrs ID packs the car for her trip to the Holiday Hovel in the mountains, I will then dash to the local electronics store (now open) and acquire a 2 TB hard disk to expand my PS4 storage capabilities.

 

To all, except JohnDMJ I wish you a splendid POETS day; whereas I wish JohnDMJ another productive POTS day! 

 

I may be back later. You have been warned!
 

iD

 

 

Go for an SSD if you can (Solid State Disc, no moving parts!)

 

Happy Friday!

[Ozexpatriate]

10 minutes ago, chrisf said:

Be that as it may, I now have to find a face covering device for when I commit the socially unacceptable act of riding on a bus. 

Do avoid Amazon as a source. (At least in my experience.) They will come from China, be too small and take months to arrive.

 

I found sourcing masks to be difficult and am amazed at the variety that I see people wear. Makers of kilts have taken to running up masks in your choice of tartan. At this point I have several different masks from different suppliers, unlike Goldilocks' three bowls of porridge, none of them being entirely satisfactory,

 

Those with a bendable metal nose bridge help (somewhat) with not fogging spectacles. It is difficult to determine ahead whether there will be sufficient nose to chin coverage or whether they will be not too tight nor not too loose. Elastic ear loops might seem like a good idea but these are rarely adjustable. Those that tie behind the head might be more comfortable. 

[JohnDMJ]

32 minutes ago, chrisf said:

If I had a suspicious nature, I might well be wondering whether certain people in relatively high places have shares in the firms which make masks.  Then again, I am sceptical of much advice issued by those who rule us and marvel at how readily it is accepted by those who are ruled.  Be that as it may, I now have to find a face covering device for when I commit the socially unacceptable act of riding on a bus.  I have a bus pass which is now valid all day and there are still two buses an hour where once there were seven, so why shouldn’t I?  So how to cover the potentially infectious bits of my face?  In addition to my first choice of the rainbow bandana, I have my old college scarf, which I admit needs a good wash, another scarf and a knitted balaclava which I bought to help keep me warm when taking photographs in very cold places such as the Jing Peng Pass.  It might just be worth wearing that to see how the staff react in the bank.   

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

 

Click photo for link; I presume gorgeous-looking hunk not included

Edited June 5, 2020 by JohnDMJ

[polybear]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

And???

I am expecting a full and detailed report containing important data such as dimensions, volume, how they placed on the Rockford scale et cetera.  Photographic documentation would be a bonus!

 

A Bear never tells.

What goes on Tour, stays on Tour.

 

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

At one time I actually did have both a Sooty and a Sweep glove puppet. Goodness knows what happened to them.

 

 

Shame shame, know your name.

A Bear is for life, not just for Christmas.

[AndyID]

20 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Do avoid Amazon as a source. (At least in my experience.) They will come from China, be too small and take months to arrive.

 

I found sourcing masks to be difficult and am amazed at the variety that I see people wear. Makers of kilts have taken to running up masks in your choice of tartan. At this point I have several different masks from different suppliers, unlike Goldilocks' three bowls of porridge, none of them being entirely satisfactory,

 

Those with a bendable metal nose bridge help (somewhat) with not fogging spectacles. It is difficult to determine ahead whether there will be sufficient nose to chin coverage or whether they will be not too tight nor not too loose. Elastic ear loops might seem like a good idea but these are rarely adjustable. Those that tie behind the head might be more comfortable. 

 

MrsID makes 'em. The most difficult part to obtain is the thin elastic.

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Who turned the outside heating off?? Chilly here this morning. As her indoors went to collect the fish and chips last night we had some proper rain. It chuckeditdarn for about an hour. Great! Out garden needs rain. Looks like we had some overn8ght. Hopefully some of the rain will replenish our reservoirs.

 

Her indoors has made some masks. She raided an old fitted blanket to get the elastic as none could be obtained from elsewhere. They have a bendable metal nose insert and a pocket to put additional filters. Reet posh!

 

Tv here had an interview with a cyclist from Rotherham who had been knocked off his bike by a motorist who hadn't stopped.  Not nice but the accident occured in Leyburn. Quite a way from Rotherham... the roads around leyburn are not the widest in the world so both the motorist and cyclist should be taking care. Due to several near misses with cyclist on local pavements we have missed our daily health walk. I am now going to restart walking..if I get knocked down and the police do nothing I will sue independently.  

 

Now for Friday. Back to some painting and decorating methinks. This may be followed by a walk and some more muddling.

 

Positive thougts to all ERs and their families especially BoD, rick and those missing including Kingzance and Debs.

 

Have as great a day as you can!

Baz

 

 

 

 

[bbishop]

I have been asked to attend LAS today, there could be a spike  in telephone calls but this is actually good news, not bad news.  The probability is not to many calls and a day reading RMWeb, as I'm not allowed to log in using an LAS computer.  As I am in uniform, perhaps I should wear my PPE2 face mask on the train.  My facial fungus has been excised, one can't wear a PPE3 mask with a 'tache.

 

Bill

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

The sun is shining at the moment although there is a fair amount of cloud.  Some showers, possibly heavy, are forecast.

All parcels, most importantly the wine, arrived safely yesterday.  However there are more expected over the next few days. 

The Boss is suffering from cabin fever more than I am and this is making things a bit fraught here.  We have been getting out for occasional walks and ventured up to Epsom Downs the other day  (where we noticed lots of those little gas cylinders littering the place, there was a lady with a sack going around picking up litter).  However this is not enough for Herself, it's the lack of family company causing the problem.  We will be visited by Nicki, Steve  and kids next week for our big anniversary but therein lies a problem as we would like to be seven, possibly eight in number for the bare minimum!  Needless to say our big party, (about 90 guests)  Gemma's birthday party and our cruise plus another short break away have all been cancelled this year which is of course adding to the woes.  It doesn't help me trying to point out as gently as I can that we are all still healthy and other people have far more problems.

Never mind, I expect we'll get over it eventually.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited June 5, 2020 by grandadbob

[AndyB]

Morning all and once again for the birthday wishes.  

In answer to which is question about which decade....I seen 'em all according to my youngest. 

 

I got a chance to wear a homemade mask yesterday when visiting mum in a nursing home. As she tends to lip read it wasn't a great experience for either of us. 

TBH I was glad to take the thing off after 30 mins. And my wife and daughter - who both made a job lot for a local charity - hadn't included a felt filter either.  I don't envisage using public transport anytime soon if masks are de rigeur. 

 

On a more cheerful note I've taken the day off to make a long weekend.  A chance to read through a thread I kicked off and to make some progress on the layout. Number 1 child and I have several acres of meadow to create.   

[Barry O]

27 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Good morning all,

The sun is shining at the moment although there is a fair amount of cloud.  some showers, possibly heavy, are forecast.

All parcels, most importantly the wine, arrived safely yesterday.  However there are more expected over the next few days. 

The Boss is suffering from cabin fever more than I am and this is making things a bit fraught here.  We have been getting out for occasional walks and ventured up to Epsom Downs the other day  (where we noticed lots of those little gas cylinders littering the place, there was a lady with a sack going around picking up litter).  However this is not enough for Herself, it's the lack of family company causing the problem.  We will be visited by Nicki, Steve  and kids next week for our big anniversary but therein lies a problem as we would like to be seven, possibly eight in number for the bare minimum!  Needless to say our big party, (about 90 guests)  Gemma's birthday party and our cruise plus another short break away have all been cancelled this year which is of course adding to the woes.  It doesn't help me trying to point out as gently as I can that we are all still healthy and other people have far more problems.

Never mind, I expect we'll get over it eventually.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Bob, my missus is also desperate to get back to her charity work and also to seee relatives. It can cause a fair bit of friction but it is to be expected unfortunately. So far we have missed out on a week in Malta (cricket), ten days in Robin Hoods Bay (with a large group of friends), family weekends and... cricket. 

 

She can't see why I am laid back about it all (but, in reality I am just as fretful as she is).

 

If all else fails ...drink wine/beer/tea/decaff!.

Anyone heard from Polly??

 

Baz

[TheQ]

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

When I lived in Andover, Hampshire, In the mid 80s, I was told by an elderly Andovian that many of this Hampshire market town’s problems were due to the influx of what he termed, euphemistically, as “London Overspill“.

 

 

iD

 

And I'd agree with Him, I live just 7 miles away at Ludgershall, in the 60's to early 70s. There was a massive influx of London overspill during that time and it changed much of the Character of the town. Just after I left they started opening the M3, that would have increased the influx even more.

[jamie92208]

Yes I think that it's getting to us all. I missed a reunion with my many cousins in April. Then we should now be in the middle of oyr second trip to meet the family. As allyded to here it seems to be hitting the ladies more than most of the men. I do have to remi d Beth sometimes, when I'm feeling brave, that I also miss time with little Emily. I suppose that most of us have access to a constructive hobby is a major factir in maintaining equilibrium.  I missed watching real trains but have been grateful for modelling and research opportunities along with the surprising joy of negative and slide scanning.

 

Anyway, 6 pounds of cherries have been picked in the drizzly rain.  My role in the jam production has now ceased as I am not worthy to work in the kitchen.  The worknen are banging on the roof and work us progressing.  I may well depart for the shed soon to start preparing sone new slats for the garden bench that I'm rejuvenating.

 

Jamie.

[Dave Hunt]

Morning everyone,

 

I shan't join in the litany of what we are missing out on due to this pox but I should be in Spain right now....... And please stop all this chat about bread pudding - my waistline has suffered enough recently. But the treacle recipe sounds worth trying - no! Get thee behind me!!!

 

It's persisting down here in North Hipposhire so as well as doing the garden good, as Jill keeps telling me (mind you, the bl**dy grass will take off like bamboo and need cutting every other day) it should restore normality to the Muddy Hollow and possibly stop the Telfs  holding mass gatherings.

 

Things to do today - finish muggocoffee #2, see how Dad is getting on after his first night back home, start the annual trawl for car insurance at the least usurous prices, make some marmalade and lemon curd, get some muddling time in, have fish 'n chips for tea, do some crosswords. Right, that's the plan so up and at 'em.

 

Have a good day people.

 

Dave

[TheQ]

This is a minister of religion ( from NE Wisconsin)... the tartan?  

Clergy..

 

Yes home made Face masks in the appropriate tartan, are quite popular in the kilted fraternity. (That's another forum)

 

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, 912/570.

Another bad nights sleep , though I finished with 3 hours solid, so not quite as bad as yesterday.

 

The venture to the Orange shed was a failure, long queues and it was begining to rain, so after a circuit of the car park, I went home. I'll go to GY B+Q early tomorrow, it's just as big but not as busy , and I'll go early while those not working are still in bed..

 

Ben the unhappy Collie will not get a long walk today, as usual he was charging around during it yesterday, and damaged a paw. He's split between two pads, so it's bandaged up. This morning is saw him trying to remove the bandage  and I said no, I got the sheepish look, Oh I've been caught, and he pretended to lick the other paw..

 

We had some puddles outside home this morning, but the ground still looked dry, two of the three holly trees in the garden have been losing leaves, hopefully they'll perk up a bit.

 

Being Ex military I've often had to wear resipirators, bit heavier and sweaty than these cloth things.. I was surprised to see the RAF now allow beards, which must be interesting going into the gas chamber to check the respirator works....

 

As it is I have two, part face rubber and replaceable filter respirators (separate goggles) used for the nasty stuff, sanding anitfouling and  cutting Asbestos, but usually I have a pile of Fibre N95 Certified for lesser dangers..

 

Well this major system is all but finished,

Time to move it and then put an automatic run on.

 

 

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

The sun is trying to shine, but there was a lot of rain overnight, so once again I’ll not be fitting the roofing tiles to the arbour. If the sea weed twirlers have got the long range weather predictions right, it have to wait until next week!

 

Anyway, the plans for the rest of the day are to continue experimenting with the drive system of the turntable, so I expect that will take up a large portion of the day. 

 

We both seem seem to be coping with the current ‘lockdown’ conditions well. Sheila is quite happy reading her kindle in between the domestic duties and is otherwise quite happy inside. As a hay fever sufferer, she’s quite used to this at this time of year anyway. I’m also quite happy to potter about the garden, workshop, cellar etc, although we both do miss seeing the grandkids. 

 

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

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Couldn't wish everyone goodnight last night as when I went to do so RMweb was down. As for the bread pudding I didn't give proportions because I never measure anything, like my mum who was a very good cook but never owned a set of kitchen scales. ID asked about spices, whatever takes your fancy but might I suggest SWMBO's favourite spices for more brownie points. One last thought on bread pudding, some ER's I do know bake the're own bread. I have had home made bread but never in the form of bread pudding that is something I would love to try.

2 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

MrsID makes 'em. The most difficult part to obtain is the thin elastic.

 

Knickers! Knicker elastic should do the job. Quite seriously most of the cheap ones are not up to the job, I've got some reusable ones on order but they haven't arrived yet. I have plenty of material that can be made into face masks but its finding someone who wants it is the problem.

[Shedman5]

Morning, The sun has now shown itself after about an hour of rain which is a good job as other half has gone off to the supermarket and hopefully she did not have to queue  long to get in. 50 mph winds are due later on today so a quick inspection of the garden making sure all is secure beckons.

 

I can cope (just about) with  the reality of cancelled holidays/planned events etc, we are fortunate that one son lives close by and can come for a garden visit, sadly my eldest lives over 230 miles away and its not really feasible and  being a first time Grandad by Zoom/Face Time is not ideal.  Other half finds this really hard to cope with, hopefully they will be able to come and stay soon. Future Daughter in Law the Dr has not seen a covid case for the last six days and will soon be moving back away from A&E/ICU to her Oncology job so thats good news.

 

Had a look around the forums last night, as they say that you can't fix Stupid...Apparently you can't quarantine it either.

 

Enjoy your day folks and be safe

[iL Dottore]

Its times like these, when people are affected the lack of contact with their friends and family, that I am glad that I have been - for most of my life - pretty much a solitary individual. I don’t have any close family to speak of, nor does Mrs ID. We do have a few friends we see occasionally and although they are very good friends, we don’t meet up all that frequently (actually we are very happy with the state of things with the few friends we do have: although we may not meet up for quite a while, when we do meet up it’s as though we are continuing a conversation briefly interrupted a few moments previously).
 

For many reasons, including spending most of my life travelling for business, I have become very happy and very comfortable being alone with myself and with my thoughts. I can quite happily sit in complete silence, without radio or television, and either read or (look away now, Debs) do some modelling.

 

In many respects, I consider myself atypical. And one of the things where I differ from a majority of people is in the number of books I actually own and have in my house. I am a voracious (and fast) reader and I never, or very rarely, dispose of my books. So currently, more or less (I haven’t done a count of my books for quite some time), I have north of 4000 books. Of these, perhaps 100 have been started and not finished for one reason or another (including, believe it or not, Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit was an enjoyable read, Lord of the Rings I found turgidly impassable), all the rest I have read over the many years (on a typical long haul flight from Europe to San Francisco I could usually put away 2 to 3 books on the outward journey, sleeping on the way back. And I have done many, many, such flights).

This number, by the way, does not include the 300 or 400 books that Mrs ID brought to the marriage (most of which I have not read as they are in German and as I read mostly for entertainment or information, trying to do so in German is a little bit too much hard work for a relaxing hour or so).
 

According to one newspaper article the average British household contains 158 books - but a quarter have never been opened; whilst another article stated that 1 in 10 UK households contain no books or reading matter whatsoever (pretty scary statistics!) 
 

As the nefarious denizens of ER present themselves as quite a well informed and erudite bunch, I wonder what the average book count per ER member household would be.

Now off for a quick lunch followed by either a political history of WWII (book) or adjusting 4mm wagon weights (modelling)

 

Cheers

iD

[iL Dottore]

20 minutes ago, TheQ said:

....Ben the unhappy Collie will not get a long walk today, as usual he was charging around during it yesterday, and damaged a paw. He's split between two pads, so it's bandaged up. This morning is saw him trying to remove the bandage  and I said no, I got the sheepish look, Oh I've been caught, and he pretended to lick the other paw...

Poor Ben. He won’t be a happy camper for a week or two. But at least, from my perspective, it’s a surgical or trauma problem as opposed to a medical problem. With “surgical” problems (for want of a better term), such as cuts, torn dew claws and the like, diagnosis and treatment is pretty straightforward and I have no problem in managing that (and doing any post vet visit maintenance as well). Where I am not a happy camper is with medical problems, such as diarrhoea or vomiting; mainly because I can think of at least half a dozen potential diagnoses to match the symptoms- none of which are good news. Fortunately, once a medical diagnosis has been made by the vet, I have no problems in post vet visit doggy care.

Anyway, here’s wishing a speedy recovery to Ben the walking wounded Collie

iD

[PhilJ W]

I tried to count the number of books that I have, I gave up at about 3,000, not even half way through. Having said that most are reference books and are looked at as and when required. I do read fiction, the lighter variety is usually from the pens of Tom Sharpe and since he is no longer with us I found that Carl Hiaasen is an ideal replacement.

[Tony_S]

Good morning all.

It is quite breezy here today and I have been informed it is likely to rain at midday. 
As I suspect that people like me who are immunosuppressed are likely to be advised to avoid people for quite some time I decided to order some hair clippers, before my hair gets even longer. 
I don’t have a beard or moustache so shouldn’t have any problem with the masks we have if I need one next week for my trip to the blood test clinic. We have a choice of pretty Liberty print or plain pink. When Aditi sewed some a couple of weeks ago we had no trouble getting elastic (via eBay). 
I do feel well enough to wash the cars today but I can’t be bothered, hopefully the rain will loosen the dust and grime. 

As Aditi has organised food supplies we don’t need to go anywhere and we are fortunate that the garden is available for fresh air. Not bored at all. MiL would like to see us but Aditi said not until my heart procedure  had taken place. 
Tony
 

[tigerburnie]

Morning, I have a mask made by SWMBO pal, I have yet to wear it as we don't go out other than into the fields for a walk, I cannot actually remember the last time I travelled on a bus, with the grandkids in Perth a couple of years ago I think. Our only planned trip on a train is cancelled, that was due to be behind Tornado on the Aberdonian as part of my birthday present, we intend going next year.

Enjoy your day and keep safe, I shall probably be in TOSH moving things electrickerly on bits of parallel rails, as a cumudgenous old sod, I quite like my own company and don't mind being kept in, though I am missing being allowed to drive to the Glens and hill walking.

[TheQ]

I suspect Il Dottore and me are very similar,

I have thousands of books, and don't get rid of them, Back in School days I was reading up to 16 books a week (mostly from the village library back then), I can't manage that now.. The lockdown is giving problems as I haven't been round our nearest books shops for some time...

99% of my books are factual, it's extremely rare I read fiction... 

 

SWMBO has a fair collection of books as well hers are mostly weaving, Art, and that sort of thing, Mine are mostly parallel bits of metal, and History, 

 

It depends a bit on your age but we didn't get TV till I was about seven or eight, then age 13 we moved to the outer hebridies , with one channel of black and white 405 line noise until 1975. After the RAF , booze and girls. So i'm not generally interested in TV.

Both SWMBO and me are fairly solitary, I'm older than my sisters and little brother, SWMBO is much younger than her sister and brother. I've worked almost all my life on my own even when in a team of 25 on Shift in the RAF, i was the only one working on "my " equipment and after shift handovers and shift briefing, of I went for the rest of the 12 hours..

 

Lock down to us is just one extended weekend.., we just miss book shops, and me Sailing.. 

 

 

Edited June 5, 2020 by TheQ