Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

58 minutes ago, Andrew P said:

Your brave, are you self isolating?

I thought he was into DCC 

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[Sasquatch]

31 minutes ago, brianusa said:

Thanks.  Hopefully if theres a breeze off the ocean, it'll blow the smoke away from you.

      Brian.

SE Portland has been put on a level one evac notice this afternoon , looks like they need it more that we do!

 

Regards Shaun

[Barry O]

Goodnight aĺl

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[Florence Locomotive Works]

Evening all,

 

Again best wishes to those near the fires. We occasionally have huge brush fires on the plains out here, one of which I drove through once on a highway going at probably 80mph, to get out of its way. These do make the sky go yellow, and dump a good bit of ash too. But it’s nothing like when the refineries ketch on fire. That happened about to years ago on a perfectly clear day and there was a huge perfectly black cloud over the whole city, and it dumped all sorts of nasty hydrocarbons on peoples flowers. Mind you that refinery is now pushing 101 yrs of continuous operation. 
 

I accompanied mè mater to the supermarket today as I needed something as well. This particular supermarket I had not been in in years, and it was a bit of a shock. One thing I especially liked were these very nice old style working scales, mounted two to every row, with smaller a ones in specific areas. Guess the maker. We didn’t go over to the Seafood section, as the only good seafood you can get in Oklahoma is driven through the night on the weekly “seafood truck”. The closest thing we have to the “Flying Kipper”! I did however find some excellent mini blueberry scones, and some bruschetta, just the bread though, I guess one has to find the sauce elsewhere. 
 

stay healthy,

 

Douglas

*For those who do guess the maker, I doubt these are made in Tasmania!

Edited September 13, 2020 by Florence Locomotive Works
Poor spelling. Slaps head.

[BR60103]

We went to St Jacobs today. She wanted some muffins and we needed other bits at the hardware store. We were going to walk on the trail, but it was well blocked off because social distancing was impossible. So we walked to the railway shed instead and saw:

 

On inquiry, the loco is being sent to Connecticat.  I didn't push for more details.

(Pictures bt SWMBO)

Edited September 13, 2020 by BR60103

[iL Dottore]

12 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

It must also be said that GPs have a helluva lot of reading to do. We expect them to be up to date on diagnostics and treatments and be accurate at all time. This requires a tremendous amount of continuing study and dedication. We expect expertise, and we have to allow them to be able to gain knowledge.....

I certainly don’t envy them at all. It’s bad enough trying to keep up with all the advances in oncology. Especially now, with all the targeted therapies, which means you have to have an incredibly detailed and intimate knowledge of all the various cell cycle pathways, a far cry from the good, old-fashioned, relatively simple Krebs cycle.

But, as usual, medical practitioners have a cynical saying to describe the situation (as with so many other situations one finds in medicine): GPs know nothing about everything, whilst specialists know everything about nothing.

7 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

.....and checked the reduced to clear cabinet, it was empty but there was still some stuff left in the fruit and veg, ....

I have no real need, financially, to check out the “reduced to clear“ cabinet at the supermarket, but I absolutely hate to waste food. Sometimes you can make significant savings - like getting a half lamb carcass at 50% off.

Of course, buying a carcass does mean having to break it down into joints and cuts. Some, like leg and shoulder, are easy to do (basically let the anatomy guide the knife), others less so. Conceptually, cutting - say - a rack of lamb, is easy, but in practice not so easy. Although I do have the right tools (bone saw, butcher’s knife, boning knife, cleaver, etc.), in this case “practice does make perfect” and despite being pretty much an obligate carnivore, even I can’t eat so much meat that I’m dismembering carcasses on a regular basis

5 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

.......Covid-19, global warming and a recession/depression what next? ...

There’s a lot to be said for being a self-contained misanthrope with 2 dogs, about 4000 books, a decent whisky collection, a well stocked larder and a modest garden..

It’s hardly Masque of the Red Death territory, but it’s satisfying to be able to really self-isolate...

5 hours ago, BSW01 said:

...Tonight for tea, we had something that we’ve not had for some time, one of my home made curries...

I know the usage is cultural, and perhaps it’s because nearly everywhere I’ve lived (and where I live now) the term used for the evening meal is the equivalent of “dinner” (abendessen, cena), but the idea of “curry for tea” (or similar) conjures up absurdist images of well dressed ladies, sipping tea from fragile (and expensive)  bone china whilst enjoying a chicken tikka scone or a cucumber and vindaloo sandwich (with the crusts cut off)....

Whatever you wish to call it, the idea of a curry for the evening meal appeals. So tonight, I’ll be cooking tandoori chicken, a mushroom and potato curry and a huge pot of Basmati rice (1 portion of rice for Mrs iD, the rest for the doggies - Mrs iD is insistent we supplement our dogs’ already more-than-adequate diet with rice, potatoes or pasta - it helps sooth touchy, and elderly, canine stomachs).
And on that nutritional note I wish you a splendid Sunday.

iD

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

Yesterday I viewed part of the virtual Bristol Pride parade on YouTube.  That so much of the atmosphere came across was impressive.  Footage of past parades was mixed with contributions from anyone who wished to contribute and much intoning of "Happy Pride".  I am sure that many of those watching were hoping fervently that the event will take place for real in 2021, as I was, but I could not help noticing that only about 80 viewers were on line.  I also caught a set by Sing Out Bristol, a mixed choir that has built a deserved good reputation over the years.  I would happily drive the motorway network with their dulcet tones ringing in my ears but this is not possible for they only sell DVDs of their music.

 

Later I watched the Last Night of the Proms.  It was a brave effort in trying circumstances, not least the chronic indecision high in the Beeb as to whether the songs would have words, but you can't have a proper Prom without the promenaders.  The newly arranged version of Jerusalem I found excruciating and it was as well that it was sung properly later in the concert.  As for Rule Britannia, it was always going to be tame after last year's stunt by Jamie Barton with her rainbow flag.  It was good to have You'll Never Walk Alone on the set list (!).  Perhaps next year there will be a choir of the people who can really do it justice.  Those who describe the patriotic songs as jingoistic might be interested in the derivation of the expression.  It appears to come from a popular song current at the time of the Crimean War.  It has a chorus:

 

We don't want to fight, but by jingo if we do

We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money too 

We've fought the Bear before, and while we're Britons true

The Russians shall not have Constantinople

 

How about that for the Last Night of the Proms?

 

As for diabetes, I'm fed up with the whole silly business but no doubt we will return to it.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris    

Edited September 13, 2020 by chrisf
typo

[jamie92208]

Good morning.  The idea of a self isolating Hippo brought the words Electrfrog and Double pole double throw, to my tortured mind. That then migrated to boiling frogs. I'll go no further.

 

It's definitely getting darkervon a morning. I can no longer make breakfast at 07.15 without the kitchen light on.  However the 30 degree plus afternon temperatures are strange for September. Using the pool at this time of year is a distinct bonus. However my mind produces a question.  The pool liner is definitely  made from grey material so why does it look blue when underwater.

 

I did some carpentry yesterday and did the first cutting of timber for the new garden gate. I also managed to scan several more batches of slides during the day.

 

Today we are off to the market then a barbecue. It's also Beth's birthday so I had best get myself organised before she appears.

 

Regards to all and may our western friends stay safe.

 

Jamie

[Ozexpatriate]

5 hours ago, Sasquatch said:

SE Portland has been put on a level one evac notice this afternoon , looks like they need it more that we do!

Shaun, I suspect the Medford / Ashland corridor was hit much harder than the SE Portland area and the Obenchain fire seems to be one of the most threatening right now. The Holiday Farm fire east of Eugene seems to have a similar impact on Eugene as fires southeast of Portland.

 

Clackamas County put everyone in the whole county on Level 1 "be ready" evacuation warnings. This was very precautionary for the parts of Clackamas County in Portland Metro, though towns like Estacada and Mollala were evacuated. Once the winds settled down, the Riverside and Beachie Creek fire complexes in Clackamas and Marion Counties have slowed their eastern advance, though they may well continue to burn until winter rains and snow. I don't believe these fires have combined - which was a concern late last week.

 

Oregon City and Canby have been scaled back from Level 2 "be set" to Level 1 "be ready" evacuation warnings.

 

What we need is a weather change to scour out the the smoke trapped by the thermal inversion in the lower atmosphere west of the mountains.  Rain is optimistically forecast for Monday night and into next week. In the meantime we continue to have some of the worst air quality on the planet. It is vile.

 

Eastern Washington is bad too.

 

With the easterly, offshore flow that drove the fires, there is currently a vast amount of airborne smoke in the North Pacific. As weather patterns return to prevailing conditions, this smoke will likely move back onshore. Hopefully if it does rain, much of the particulates will be washed out of the air.

[TheQ]

Mooring awl,  inner Temple Hare, 

Seven hours near solid sleep thanks to two little pink pills, 

 

Hobart catering equipment is common this side of the pond as well,  they have a factory in Germany as well as those in Ohio. 

 

For some reason Ben the snoring Collie has slept in, he was woofing quietly in his sleep,  I'll be waking him shortly,  as I need breakfast.. 

 

After a check of yesterday's work,  today's plans are sanding and fettling the cockpit combing.  Along with marking out the boat name,  and varnishing the deck.. 

 

Ah  Ben the I want out Collie has surfaced 

Time to patrol.. 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

The sun is shining, the sky is mainly blue and it it should be a fine warm day.

OCD went fairly well yesterday and although the oven is not quite as pristine as I'd like The Boss seemed  happy with it .  I'll give it another going over in a few days time.  I also noted that the door seal was rather loose so a new one was sourced and has already been dispatched.

Today's order of service:

1. Breakfast (shortly) which will consist of poached eggs, bacon, tomatoes and toast followed by toast and marmalade.

2. About three hours "On Shed."

3. Lunch. (not sure what yet but it will only be a light one)

4. Rugby- Leicester v Northampton.

5. Rugby- Saracens v Exeter.

6. Dinner: Roast Chicken etc

7. F1 Highlights.

 

Somewhere interspersed with nos 5 to 7 there will be beer and wine. 

 

That lot should keep me occupied for the day. 

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

[Dave Hunt]

A very happy birthday to Beth Guest and many more of them. 

 

We, too, are planning a barbecue this evening after Jill and a friend have been out for the day walking. My jobs while they are out are making the various salads etc. to accompany the burnt offerings and to make an alteration to Dad's mobility scooter so that the headlight doesn't reflect off the rain canopy into his eyes. Apart from that I will try to get a spot of workshop time in.

 

Thoughts and prayers this morning are for the poor souls in western USA with the hope that all our ERs in the area are safe and will come through without major trauma.

 

Dave

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Lie in this morning..long time since I had one of those.

 

Happy Birthday Beth. Have a nice day.

 

Fires look dreadful. I just hope it can all be brought into order and that people and animals don't suffer any more from the fires and smoke. Hopefully the possible rain will materialise..it did just as we entered Australia in January.

 

Not intending to do much today..Have a good day and positive thoughts to all!

Baz

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Happy Birthday, Beth.

It is sunny here, pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze. My car needs the engine running for about 15 minutes today. I know it needs a map update so I thought I would combine the two. I attempted to download the map to my pc usb drive. The new updated software wouldn’t recognise any usb drive I put in my pc. So I tried Aditi's laptop. Nothing. I then downloaded the software to a Mac hoping the Mac version still worked. It did, but the map update took 3 hours to download. I haven’t been out to the car yet to see how successful it was. It takes about 15 minutes to transfer the map update to the car system which is handy as that is the recommended time to run the engine if the car had been standing for a while. 
There is cricket and motor racing to watch today. 
Tony

[BokStein]

Good Morning,

 

I often find that I have a hidden 'cruel streak' that lurks within but sometimes comes dangerously close to the surface

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

It’s hardly Masque of the Red Death territory, but it’s satisfying to be able to really self-isolate...

I know the usage is cultural, and perhaps it’s because nearly everywhere I’ve lived (and where I live now) the term used for the evening meal is the equivalent of “dinner” (abendessen, cena), but the idea of “curry for tea” (or similar) conjures up absurdist images of well dressed ladies, sipping tea from fragile (and expensive)  bone china whilst enjoying a chicken tikka scone or a cucumber and vindaloo sandwich (with the crusts cut off)....

Whatever you wish to call it, the idea of a curry for the evening meal appeals. So tonight, I’ll be cooking tandoori chicken, a mushroom and potato curry and a huge pot of Basmati rice (1 portion of rice for Mrs iD, the rest for the doggies - Mrs iD is insistent we supplement our dogs’ already more-than-adequate diet with rice, potatoes or pasta - it helps sooth touchy, and elderly, canine stomachs).

 

 

I currently have a Northern colleague working in the office; his midday feast is his dinner; to everybody else in the office, it is lunch. I am considering offering him a bow tie so that he can dress for dinner!

 

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by BokStein

[BokStein]

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

It’s hardly Masque of the Red Death territory, but it’s satisfying to be able to really self-isolate...

I know the usage is cultural, and perhaps it’s because nearly everywhere I’ve lived (and where I live now) the term used for the evening meal is the equivalent of “dinner” (abendessen, cena), but the idea of “curry for tea” (or similar) conjures up absurdist images of well dressed ladies, sipping tea from fragile (and expensive)  bone china whilst enjoying a chicken tikka scone or a cucumber and vindaloo sandwich (with the crusts cut off)....

 

 

Now that sounds cheesy!

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Very auspicious page number I see - the last of her kind and I travelled behind her up to Talerddig assisting a 'Manor' about a month before she was withdrawn, great days.   A boiled egg has been consumed for breakfast and very nice it was too but I think it'll be baked beans for lunch and it's roast beef this evening for dinner.

 

The weather remains fair and is definitely moving towards the upper 20s in the afternoon but (outdoor) tomato and cucumber clearance is still not quite complete and the hedge still looks grotesque (to say the least.  However the newly wed couple across the road had a great day for their return from the ceremony with a pennant banner across the road and the floral arch to welcome them.  They had a pretty quiet (as far as we were concerned) little gathering in their garden which probably ended around midnight or maybe a bit later but no disturbance and only around a dozen people present, oh and we were given a bottle of prosecco to toast the happy couple as we'd helped with a few things.

 

So no major plans for today although there'll be a stroll shortly around RMweb albeit at times very depressing due to idiot posting but i I suppose it takes all folk.  'Our ship'  is back at sea after more than a fortnight in port (when we should have been aboard so cancellation was a lot less hard to bear) but I notice they decided to avoid Portland/Weymouth Bay for anchorage no doubt due to the presence of various large cruise ships with tenders running hither and thither, presumably to do the shopping in Weymouth.

 

Enjoy the rest of your day one and all

 

PS Good to see that a piece of nonsense in one thread has been corrected by someone who actually knows what he's talking about - saved me doing it.

Edited September 13, 2020 by The Stationmaster

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Happy birthday to Beth. Only just about to have breakfast/brunch, had a long lie in this morning and an almost as long soak in the bath.

4 hours ago, TheQ said:

Mooring awl,  inner Temple Hare, 

 

 

For some reason Ben the snoring Collie has slept in, he was woofing quietly in his sleep,  I'll be waking him shortly,  as I need breakfast.. 

 

 

You've trained Ben well if he can make breakfast for you. I have to do my own so its be back later.

[BSW01]

Good afternoon everyone 

 

Very late out of bed this morning, resulting in a late breakfast. 

 

The sun is shining and the skies are blue with very few clouds to be seen. 

 

The plan for today is to continue working on the control panel wiring. 

 

Happy birthday Beth. 

 

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

 

PS. 

I've just noticed that when I hit the return button, the keyboard no longer disappears! 

 

Brian 

[laurenceb]

Birthday greetings Beth

[Coombe Barton]

Happy Bethday - or something like that.

[Gwiwer]

14 hours ago, newbryford said:

having a go at paneers

 

18 hours ago, Barry O said:

cheese. Cut off rind

Does one need to cut the rind off a paneer or is it all edible?  

 

I see the long-requested "Groan" button has quietly arrived.  Will this be my first such accolade?