Early Risers.

[Happy Hippo]

19 hours ago, TheQ said:

If when I point my Lamp at them they b****r of rapidly,  because they are shooting in in the direction of our house, it's a pretty good indication what they are doing is illegal..

We've had a broken window in the mobile home because of shooting in our direction. 

The genuine hunters from the pheasant shoot,  start our end and work their way down hill towards the marshes.. 

I hope you informed plod.

 

When I was in Germany, we were living in a hiring off base when somebody took a potshot at our kitchen window,  My wife who was 6 months pregnant at the time was at the sink when the window cracked, but didn't shatter.

 

 No bravery from me, and I made sure we took cover and immediately informed the RMP who in turn informed the Polizei.  Since the IRA were active at the time, the incident was treated extremely seriously and within about 5 minutes, the place was crawling  with police and other agencies, and the area was locked down, and people were being stopped and searched.

 

The perpetrator was caught! 

 

A kid with an air rifle, although the rifle was subsequently found to be seriously over the legal power limit.  I'm not sure what his punishment was, but it was a lot more than a slapped wrist.

 

 

[New Haven Neil]

Morning.  Ooh look at me, on at this time....

 

iD, no pasta I'm afraid, Type 2 DM low carb diet has put paid to that.  It keeps my HbA1c at good levels with no medication so it's worth persevering with, but no rice, pasta, bread, etc etc.    All T2's out there should read Dr Jason Fung's 'The Diabetes Code', it is a revelation.  T2 only though.

 

Thank you all for the support, as I said to Simon last night, that is ER's best side.

 

I have been made redundant before, at 24, which hit me like a freight train.  I couldn't see a way out of the situation for along time, but it steadily improved.  This time well I knew it was coming which helps, and the group that were the staff will always meet and be friends, there is also an informal railway club that meets consisting of ....us!

[Coombe Barton]

9 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

One for John (CB) - Longships Lighthouse from the (not quite) opposite direction back in 2015

Thanks.

Just had a look at the geological map - The Longships is half granite (to the south east) and Mylor slates to the north west. That means that it's right on the junction of the intrusion of the granite into the country rock three hundred million years ago. Geologically interesting, but probably interesting to no-one else.

The next junction visible to the north is up at Cape Cornwall and the other end of that is Portheras Cove near Pendeen.  That's the Tin Coast.

Cowloe off Sennen is also Mylor Slates.

There is a well defined contact (between the two rock types) at Porthmeor Cove. However this is a beach where, traditionally, clothing is optional. 

A former prof and head of department of mine (Open University) was once taking a trip round the coast in Greece when the stumbled across one such beach, and when challenged he said they were looking for interesting exposures.

Wonder if I could use the same line?

 

[tigerburnie]

Morning, wet and soggy up here with the sea weed twirlers getting it right for a change. I too was made redundant, 3 times in the 1980's when that nice Mrs T destroyed the countries manufacturing base and I ended up moving some distance to another county to find skilled work. I/we (as a family) took it as a new start rather than as an end, worked for me and I ended up much better off in the long run. Take advice from professionals and take any help offered, not sure what the rules and regs are in your part of the world, but help was there if you needed it.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone

 

The overnight rain is still falling from the sky so any thought of gardening is off. I will have to think of something to do inside today, it just so happens that the turntable control panel is sat on the old computer desk in the cellar awaiting its first coat of topcoat! Oh, I wonder what I shall find to do to pass the time?

 

I've only ever had 2 jobs since I left school, although through various sell offs, amalgamations etc, the companies names have changed dozens of times. I decided to take early retirement due to personal choice, but a close call with the BIG C and a good friend and former colleague dying from the same disease less than 4 years into his retirement really helped me to make my decision. I'll admit that I do miss SOME of the guys and gals I worked with, but I don't miss the work and all the Bu****it that went with it. Although I can work and mix well with other people very easily, I'm quite happy to be working away on my own either in the workshop or cellar. It's all about your outlook on life and a positive way of thinking always helps. 

 

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

[TheQ]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

You know it's an essential job (are you the only one that knows how to do it?) but do the grown-ups know?  Alternatively,  can you bang out now?  They might just throw wads at you for the last two years to keep you; alternatively there could be an opportunity as a Contractor, with rates accordingly

Unlikely,  they tried to sneakily downgrade all Calibration technicians a 3 or 4 years ago. They have an opinion anyone of a low grade can be replaced easily... 

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where the sun has just dived behind a cloud. Last day of my ‘holiday’ and just waiting for Joe wicks to be completed before going for a walk . 
 

sounds like that has just happened- back later!

[iL Dottore]

39 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

....iD, no pasta I'm afraid, Type 2 DM low carb diet has put paid to that.  It keeps my HbA1c at good levels with no medication so it's worth persevering with, but no rice, pasta, bread, etc etc.    All T2's out there should read Dr Jason Fung's 'The Diabetes Code', it is a revelation.  T2 only though....

Oh Dear! That's a right bu99er.

 

However, if you can't have carbs go for proteins and fats (as we now know fats are the innocent bystanders in the obesity epeidemic - it's those bloody carbs again - especially that evil s*d known as High Fructose Corn Syrup [this is an informative read: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-high-fructose-corn-syrup-is-bad#1]).

In no particular order, some recommendations for low carb main meals (and I speak with some authority as I managed to loose about 40Kg on a low carb diet)

• Slow Roast Pork Belly: a cheap cut of meat. Score the skin, roast on a rack very slowly and you'll have tender meat and amazing crackling (and a little goes a long way. A 150gm serving of slow roast pork belly fills me up, 150g of pasta doesn't)
• Pulled beef. Basically a tough cut of beef (I use shoulder) dry rubbed and left to absorb the flavours overnight, then put in a very low oven, covered with foil, and allowed to bubble away quietly to itself for several hours...
• Roast Goose. Delicious and if roasted properly not terribly fatty. But unless you get a goose whose mother has been rogered by an omnibus, a standard sized goose will feed about four with no leftovers (depending upon appetite). On the plus side, clarified goose fat is an amazing skin cream for SWMBO (the Romans used to swear by it)
• Shanks (pork or lamb) are another low cost "fill 'em up" source of protein. There are many recipes out there, but a decently sized Eisbein will keep you fed for a while....

Oooh, now I'm hungry. Off to lunch....

[Simon G]

Just caught up with the last few pages, and learned about Trackshack.  My sympathies to NHN, and the others affected.  

 

Normal service has been resumed on the weather front here today, with wind and rain.  At least the water butt I recently fitted to a downpipe is filling quickly though.  The day will be spent sorting out paperwork, and I might get an hour or so on the layout.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. In case I missed them condolences to Neil and to Trackshack. I take it that there wasn't any chance of one of the staff or even an outsider taking it over as a going concern. I wanted to take redundancy, and it was offered a few years before I did go. The only reason I didn't was that I was not high enough on the hit list. Instead we all had to re-apply for our jobs and the two who were pushed out of the door made it obvious that it was a put up job. Redundancy was hard to come by as the senior managers had it all worked out in their favour. Senior management was top heavy anyway and it was announced that some senior posts were to be done away with. The incumbents due to their salaries collected a big wodge of redundancy/lump sum and other payments and retirement in their mid 50's. A few months later 'new' senior posts were created that were the same as the 'redundant' posts with a different job title. A couple of years later these posts would be made redundant.

[PhilJ W]

Almost forgot, the shelves for the new shed have dried out without warping so I hope to install them sometime today. Then to make a start on the old shed (dismantling) but before I do there is the brambles at the side and behind the shed to be dealt with. 

[PeterBB]

Picked this up prior to being told that I did not have permission etc.  

Neil and Fraggle Rock - Sorry to hear about the owners wife and sorry to see that (from ER) a very good and popular model railway shop has had to close.  Hope your 'proper' retirement now goes well and that you are not 'defeated'.  

 

May find other 'new' things as I will now try to read from where the cut off came.

[southern42]

' afternoon all from red dragon land.

 

Looks like it is drying up.  Still cloudy - and dark - and a bit on the windy side.  I might as well carry on here.

 

It was sunny and quite warm, yesterday, so the G word took precedence over the M word thus I made a bit more of a dent in the forest overgrown shrubs rather than sliding numbers onto a small bit of plastic.  The more I cut back, the more I can see that I will probably have to cut them down to the ground.  I did this quite a few years ago and they grew back amazingly quick.  I had the intention back then to dig them up but they were so well rooted I did not bother! 

 

In another area...

The Rock Rose is doing well and flowers almost every day.

 

On the other hand, others are being eaten alive...

 

This is the only bud remaining on the Hibiscus.  I hope it gets to bloom.

 

Then, there are the culprits on the broccoli - caught in action.  While doing my bike ride on the terrace, I have been watching the cabbage white butterflies settling down on the broccoli all this week.  Yesterday, I took a look at the underside of the leaves...

...munching away (not so) nicely, so they were.  Not much will be left of that one...

Since the broccoli self seeded from next-door, I shall not worry about it!  If it makes it through until flowering next spring I shall be most impressed!

 

Fitt  and  Elfie taking it all in their stride.

Take care and play safe. 

_________

Best wishes

Polly

[Gwiwer]

3 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

Just had a look at the geological map - The Longships is half granite (to the south east) and Mylor slates to the north west. That means that it's right on the junction of the intrusion of the granite into the country rock three hundred million years ago. Geologically interesting, but probably interesting to no-one else.

The next junction visible to the north is up at Cape Cornwall and the other end of that is Portheras Cove near Pendeen.  That's the Tin Coast.

Cowloe off Sennen is also Mylor Slates.

Now you are talking my language. Geologist by training. Cornishman by ancestry and at heart. That coast is a student geologist’s dream and nightmare.  There are veins of pure Tourmaline, very small amounts of silver and of course the once-commercial tin, copper and arsenic.
 

Now we learn that the residual heat from the igneous intrusion remains at depth and that 5kms down there is a constant 195C.  Geothermal energy requires 188C for reliably efficient operation and so, pending further deep test drilling, it is suggested that Cornwall could be entirely self-sufficient in energy at some stage using wind and geothermal sources. 
 

Oh - and they also found commercially-viable Lithium in the old Great Flat Lode workings .....  Cornish mining may yet not be dead. 

 

3 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

There is a well defined contact (between the two rock types) at Porthmeor Cove. However this is a beach where, traditionally, clothing is optional. 

Not only clothing but any form of decorum, it seems. I once passed by on the coastal footpath and wondered what creature was making the sound coming from below. Some bird?  A seal?  Was something or someone in distress?  
 

No

 

It was the mating cry of the lesser-spotted local who had a  well-defined contact in progress with her young man!!! 
 

 

[Crisis Rail]

On 22/06/2020 at 20:03, iL Dottore said:

Not necessarily, it depends on the affected population. CoVID-19 is cross generational, influenza less so. I  think the high mortality in that pandemic was in the elderly. Plus, I don’t think that obesity or diabetes is as much of a risk factor for influenza.

The point I wanted to make is that as terrible as CoVID-19 is, influenza can be equally lethal, yet we didn’t react to the severe influenza pandemics as we have to the Coronavirus. And I pondered if there was a reason for this beyond the purely medical/scientific.

 

So - we're a few more months down the line from  this (#corona) and the majority (including us middle aged key workers) are still here. 

 

Anyone beginning to start inhaling a (largeish) rodent?

 

Just asking.

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl, 

Hull filled,  I thought that's enough for this side I'll mix up some more filler if I run out.... I had quite a lot left over just with that mix,  which means the hull is Gratifyingly smoother than I thought. 

Some deck inter varnish layers sanding done. 

To Norwich for SWMBOs appointment,  arrived 1/2 hour early left 15minutes early..  And no parking fees they are still suspended. 

To the orange shed got the insulation and a few other bits and pieces,  forgot the shelf  bracket I needed. 

SWMBo insisted on another shop visit,  however we still got home 3 hours after we left. 

 

Hull side filler sanded,  didn't take long,  completed varnish sanding then wiped down and revarnished. 

 

It's warm and who-mid out there... 

Eyelid assessment time

.

[Tony_S]

4 minutes ago, Crisis Rail said:

 

So - we're a few more months down the line from  this (#corona) and the majority (including us middle aged key workers) are still here. 

 

Anyone beginning to start inhaling a (largeish) rodent?

 

Just asking.

Not sure what you are asking but if your rodent is of the conspiracy theory sub species, don’t bother asking. The patients of my GP sister in law who have not recovered still from the after effects of a dose of Covid don’t sound as if they are enjoying life as they were before. The excess deaths over a “normal year” which seem to be a reasonable guide to what has happened are not smelly rodent statistics. Some of us are still here as we are following the medical advice to avoid other people.  And surprisingly those who died can’t exactly post on social media.
 

[iL Dottore]

20 minutes ago, Crisis Rail said:

 

So - we're a few more months down the line from  this (#corona) and the majority (including us middle aged key workers) are still here. 

 

Anyone beginning to start inhaling a (largeish) rodent?

 

Just asking.

TBH with every single health authority, health service and government dealing with the pandemic in similar, yet nonetheless different, ways it's astounding that we have actually managed to come to consensus on some things, but not others (for example if someone who has tested positive for CoVID-19 dies from a myocardial infarction 10 [or 7 or 5....] days after the coronavirus test are they or are they not counted as having died due to the virus? - everyone counts differently).

 

A lot of how countries dealth with pandemic was/is driven by the political system of that country and by the reaction of each government to the potential worst-cases scenarios put forward by the scientific experts of each country. I am certainly glad that I am not a member of government (any government) as it's very much a case of "damned if you do, damned if you don't".

 

Whilst it is true that some governments have managed better than others, but a lot of the differencses are also due to the nature of each country's culture and government. Taiwan's response was very effective - but somehow I can't see the measures they put place being welcomed (and followed) by - say- the populace of the UK or the US.

 

As for predictions of mortality - for such a new and unkown virus (CoVID-19 is very different to other Coronaviruses) the predictions were little more than informed speculation (and have been continually revised as new data emerges)....

Edited August 4, 2020 by iL Dottore

[New Haven Neil]

iD it is SO refreshing to see how up to date you are with the fructose/fat argument despite it not being your speciality, which the UK NHS sadly is not!  The 'Desmond' T2 course I was sent on was so out of date it was pathetic, and only my newest (younger...) GP is even a little understanding about it.  I know GP's are not specialists, but the T2 diabetes explosion must surely make then wonder what is going on.  The last one had no clue about carbs.

 

The book I mentioned above has some great references to studies (large sample sizes) about how reduction in fat consumption made NO DIFFERENCE to cardiac event frequency.  /soapbox

 

 

[AndrewC]

Greetings all from the boring borough. Just a fast flying visit after a month and a bit away from most things online. I see we've had a teddy exit the pram at high velocity a while back, several missing people, bits of sheds, medical stuff, and other stories of life. Nice to see little changes. 

 

Shame about Track Shack. Hopefully Neil can find something to occupy his time and put a few coppers in his pockets. 

 

All this talk of pension, retirement, etc has me thinking. SWMBO is now on furlough until end of Oct. I highly doubt she'll ever go back. She has taken some courses but with the rampant ageism in this country it will be hard for her to find anything. My work has just dried up as of yesterday. The last big project went live over the weekend. Now I'm in thumb twiddling mode until the sales weasels manage to find another victim for us to bill. In theory I'm safe as there are loads of minions below me that would be thrown on the redundancy fire before me, but who knows. Stranger things have happened here. I'm now 11 months short of being able to draw a Canadian pension. I'd actually forgotten about it but..... throwing that amount into the pot down the road may mean chopping a few years off my original retirement at 70. Unless we sell the house and rent for life, I can't see me retiring for at least 8 more years. Oh yea, I turned 59 last month. Big whoopy do. We were supposed to be in Paris but...... 

 

Our local 'spoons had another fire over the weekend. Not me guv. Sadly it was only minor this time. The previous fire gutted the whole building and it took 18 months to rebuild. As far as I'm concerned Toxic Timmy can do one. I'd rather drink Special Brew under a bridge than set foot in a spoons again. I was in Carlisle at the time and have the monster sized bill from Brewdog to prove it.  Missed the turnoff for Barnard Castle on the A66. Probably need an eye test. 

 

A good time with offspring for the first time in 6 months was had over the weekend. His lady was made redundant a couple of weeks ago. Just short of 18 months, so even allowing for leave, notice, etc she falls short of any pay. Barstewards. Also timed to save them having to pay into her pension and NI. 

 

I'll not be around as often as I've enjoyed unplugging far more this past month so will be limiting my online time. I'll just say, enjoy what is left of the day. 

 

 

[iL Dottore]

Just now, New Haven Neil said:

iD it is SO refreshing to see how up to date you are with the fructose/fat argument despite it not being your speciality, which the UK NHS sadly is not!  The 'Desmond' T2 course I was sent on was so out of date it was pathetic, and only my newest (younger...) GP is even a little understanding about it.  I know GP's are not specialists, but the T2 diabetes explosion must surely make then wonder what is going on.  The last one had no clue about carbs.

 

The book I mentioned above has some great references to studies (large sample sizes) about how reduction in fat consumption made NO DIFFERENCE to cardiac event frequency.  /soapbox

 

 

Thank you for the compliment, but I'd hardly call myself "up-to-date" on nutriional research (what little I did do was about 3 years ago when I started my diet).

 

Interestingly, one of the things I did read when doing research for the diet I eventually did do, was that so many governmental resources (and presumably careers in both Government and the Health Services) have been poured into promoting "eat less fat", that getting this particular Titanic to steer away from this particular iceberg is an exercise in trying to turn a supertanker on a sixpence (to mix my metaphors).

 

One of the things that made a lasting impact on how I view food was something I saw in a popular food programme on the Beeb (I think it was the Beeb). The presenters interviewed a Professor of Metabolic Medicine (at Bristol U IIRC) who laid out a number of diverse breakfasts: along the lines of - cereal with milk, granola and fruit, toast and marmalade and a traditional Fry Up (less beans). To the presenter's (and my) amazement he pronounced that the best breakfast for you was the Fry Up, all the others caused insulin spikes (of a greater or lesser degree) and did not result in a durable satiation.

 

Opened my eyes, to say the least. So I dropped my carb intake to 20g/day, gorged on Roast Pork, Beef Stew, Lamb Chops and the like.... and lost 40Kg

[simontaylor484]

What a morning

 

Had a letter from Dvla got to go on a yearly medical review driving licence

Got to send current one in also lost my C1 category ( up to 7.5 tonne ) i used that at work . I can have an enhanced medical but doubt would get it back yet.

  Also had a phone call from drs they think i am diabetic due to a blood test last week. But 3 week ago i had blood sugar test it was ok 

 

Itwould look like i am really dropping apart 

[jamie92208]

Afternoon all from a very sunny and warm Charente.   Pool is full and warming up.  Not a lot else is happening so I've done some scanning and explored the wonderful world of RMWeb.  It appears that an occasional ER has been banished to the Galapagos or somewhere similar for getting into a spat with Our Leader Andy and another Mod on the O Gauge Guild thread.   It's all happening.

 

Stay safe out there.

 

Jamie

[Coombe Barton]

3 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Not only clothing but any form of decorum, it seems. I once passed by on the coastal footpath and wondered what creature was making the sound coming from below. Some bird?  A seal?  Was something or someone in distress?  

There's a story that the driver and passengers on the St Ives Branch train once got a view, by the dunes at Porth Kidney on the opposite side to the golf course, of a cast and crew making a pron film.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Not much done re. the shed today, it does help if I remember to charge the drill battery. Its now time to put the dinner on, be back later.