Early Risers.

[Sir TophamHatt]

Have decided to name some of our house plants today.

The first one is Calathea Elger Grass:

 

I named it Sideshow Bob.

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Sorry, but I no longer mention on ANY social media when I'm going on holiday - which I was - even the anonimity of this site would not be enough to ensure that I was reimbursed by my insurer in the event of a burglary.  

 

So I've missed loads and loads and loads of pages, and as a result, I can only offer the usual greetings of the generic variety.

 

 Did well while away in the railway book department with about fifteen new purchases, mainly from Nevis Books, who now trade from Hungerford Arcade - where they have a secondary outlet.  I can lose myself for a good hour there, while 30747 peruses the wares downstairs. 

 

On our return, we had a bit of an unpleasant discovery - went into the living room, and 30747 said "didn't you leave the answering machine on?" - "Yes, I did" - it was off.  We then started to check, and found that all the mains sockets, cooker, and boiler were dead, but the lights were working - it appears that our main MCB had tripped on Thursday morning - possibly a surge or something, but it had only ever happened once before in 15 years here.  Of course, the fridge was rank, and the freezer contents were dubious - so everything was diposed of, and replaced via an emergency fodder run this morning.

 

Back tomorrow

Regards to All

Stewart

[AndrewC]

56 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Could you interest  your local Councillor to come round and take a look/hear your objections?  They might then light a flame under the ar5es of Buildings Control.......

Sadly, as mentioned earlier, the developer went with a private building control company instead of the council. Little any councillor can do really. All 4 of the local ones in 2 wards filed objections to the HMO with no effect. The response from planning was almost apologetic stating they could find no part of the T&C planning act to allow a refusal. 

[TheQ]

Afternoon awl, 

 

Sanded and dyed the cockpit combing,  the dye hasn't taken well,  I suspect the varnish coat I tried, had soaked into the mouldings in places and is giving patchy results.  Quite what I'll do about that I don't know. 

The inside of the combing was given a coat of blue paint,  that's revealed more sanding required... 

Deck and hull given a light intercoat sanding then recoated with varnish or paint. 

Stencils applied to stern and paint stippled through,  stencils then removed.  A good representation of what I want. Next week I'll get a artists brush and apply more paint when the stippling has dried and I can't smudge it. . 

 

Ben the happy Collie took me for a long walk,  although he chose the short route.. 

 

Dinner is about to arrive.. 

 

[simontaylor484]

1 hour ago, AndrewC said:

Sadly, as mentioned earlier, the developer went with a private building control company instead of the council. Little any councillor can do really. All 4 of the local ones in 2 wards filed objections to the HMO with no effect. The response from planning was almost apologetic stating they could find no part of the T&C planning act to allow a refusal. 

Surely the building control company is open to a negilgence claim re the encroachment that you have mentioned. The problems that will ensue could be a minefield if you want to sell your house. I seriously reccomend legal advice and speaking to the neighbour again

[simontaylor484]

Afternoon all 

Had an hour in the garden been bitten by some insect or other so retired inside to watch BTcc from Thruxton. Sat with mugatea2 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Finally sorted out the airing cupboard, despite disposing of about 25% of the contents its still full. Some more of the contents will be going to the charity shop.

1 hour ago, AndrewC said:

Sadly, as mentioned earlier, the developer went with a private building control company instead of the council. Little any councillor can do really. All 4 of the local ones in 2 wards filed objections to the HMO with no effect. The response from planning was almost apologetic stating they could find no part of the T&C planning act to allow a refusal. 

A private building control company? Surely they should operate within the various building control acts. Simon has just beat me to it but just to say any such company has a duty of care. Not only do as Simon suggested but set in motion legal action to sue the building control company. And don't let the council off the hook so easily either as its ultimately their responsibility.

[simontaylor484]

2 hours ago, Sir TophamHatt said:

Have decided to name some of our house plants today.

The first one is Calathea Elger Grass:

 

I named it Sideshow Bob.

Just hope it does nt turn out to be a psycho like Sideshow Bob

[jamie92208]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Any ideas as to why the message has never been seen before, or reported to you?

 

I have 2 suspicions.

 

1. The dealer I bought it from knew that I wanted a 3yr old manual diesel with less than 50K on the clock so adjusted things.

2. The carchad bben some sort of lease/fleet car so thevlessor may have adjusted it to raise the resale value.

At thectimevI didn't know much about fault codes. Nor did the guyvwho serviced it for me in the UK for many years. I'd parted company with the dealer after hectold me, with a straight face, a total load of balderdash about how an intercooler worked. I never went back after that. The guy yesterday appeared to know what he was doing and let me see all the codes on screen.   As I said earlier there's notva lot I can do now but I have been very happy with the car. It owes me nothing, has justvgotva CT forvanother 2 years (MOT) so why raid the piggybank until it finally dies. It does everything I need including being comfortable to drive to and from the UK and will tow the twin axle trailer fully loaded, plus it does 50mpg. I am certainly going to have a close look at thd service history  I inherited out of curiosity.

 

Jamie

[simontaylor484]

Sorry for the legalese but what was relaxed in the planning process was the Gpdr general permitted development rights which basically allow homeowners some room to have extension/loft conversion without having to go through planning But they still need to adhere to Building regs.

Another point is this building inspection company employed by the developers or is it under contract to the council. I know some councils have contracted out certain services to the private sector eg Wakefield Council contracted a lot of back office functions to Engie and Waste to Shanks.

[Joseph_Pestell]

21 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

Surely the building control company is open to a negilgence claim re the encroachment that you have mentioned. The problems that will ensue could be a minefield if you want to sell your house. I seriously reccomend legal advice and speaking to the neighbour again

 

I don't think so. They are only there to see that the construction meets the relevant standards.

 

Totally agree that this is not an issue which can be left alone. It would be a potential nightmare for any future sale.

 

As much as I feel that our planning system is often too much of a constraint, I totally disapprove of the way that loft extensions have been allowed under permitted development. The skyline of London has been ruined by poorly designed "dormers".

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, 45156 said:

On our return, we had a bit of an unpleasant discovery - [...] and the freezer contents were dubious 

 

I well remember when my parents first got a freezer - I was in my early teens so late 70s. We were on the way back home from holiday in Dorset, round about Coleshill on the A 446 so only 10 miles to home. Mum asked Dad: "Did you turn the electricity off?" to which he replied that he had (they always did - and the gas). "What about the freezer?" ...

 

There was fish ...

[Ian Abel]

Afternoon, just, by two minutes!

 

Yesterday, success installing the security camera, altogether a very decent item so I'm well pleased.

We went to our friends for dinner/vino, and he had recovered enough to make it downstairs to their TV room, so we polished off the last two episodes of "Death In Paradise" season 9. We eagerly await the availability of season 10 over here...

 

Today, just about to depart for Trevor and Meagans' to install her "chicken cam", so she can watch/monitor/check on her chickens "at all times"!

Later I'm informed I NEED a haircut - apparently I'm starting to look embarrassingly shaggy, and since the barber is the Mrs herself, I'm ordered to present myself for a trim.

 

12 when I retrieved the newspaper this AM, heading for 24 and partly sunny all day.

 

Enjoy the rest of the day.

 

[Gwiwer]

G'dafternoon all,

 

Firstly congratulations and best wishes upon the extension of the Greater Hippo Family.  

 

A rough night for reasons undetermined was not enjoyed and neither was the resultant morning.  I spent much of the latter on the sofa waiting for the Nurofen to kick in.  I must have been dozing for a while as I remember SWMBO patting a small grey cat on the terrace.  We have no grey cat, we know of no grey cat locally and SWMBO was in the kitchen baking flopjack* and not patting anyone outside.  

 

The afternoon felt better; we have jointly and severally indulged in the G-word.  Heaved up the last of the spuds, pulled out two of three courgette plants but left the third which is still offering its tribute.  Used the spud-soil to top-coat the courgette bed which will have winter greens planted as soon as we get a round tuit.  We also clipped the shrubs around the front ready for autumn and generally tidied up the common areas of garden for which we volunteer responsibility.  

 

While I commenced the ritual sacrifice of some lamb and of the larger very fresh potatoes SWMBO triked herself off in the direction of the River Crane and declared it to have been a "good ride" upon her return.  Since when she has baked an apple cake to accompany the morning's offering and meaning that I shall be amply caked for the week to come.  

 

The magazine article returned from its first proof-read with the words "well done mate, top quality" so I have hopes that it may indeed appear in print at some later time.  Three down (from the current request list), one to go.  

 

* Like flapjack but too floppy to flap.  

[pH]

3 hours ago, 45156 said:

 ... - it appears that our main MCB had tripped on Thursday morning - possibly a surge or something, but it had only ever happened once before in 15 years here.  Of course, the fridge was rank ...

 

1 hour ago, Compound2632 said:

... "Did you turn the electricity off?" to which he replied that he had (they always did - and the gas). "What about the freezer?" ...

 

There was fish ...

We once went on an extended visit to the UK. My wife and the kids stayed for 6 weeks; I had to come back after 4 weeks for work. There was a slight smell in the house when I came in. I opened the fridge, which was running, to get something to eat and the smell nearly made me throw up. At some point, the refrigeration had stopped running and the fridge had turned into a low-temperature oven. Up until then, I had never seen liquid meat ...

 

(We had neighbours looking in on the house while we were away. They had noticed the slight smell, but hadn’t been able to trace the source. Since the fridge was still running, they hadn’t thought of looking there - which was understandable.)

[The Stationmaster]

Evening all,

 

Always interested to learn of things which allegedly 'taste like chicken' in the faint hope that it might be true because alas nowadays it very often can't be said of chicken (although we do know where to get reasonably decent tasting ones, fortunately).   Far better tho' is the sound of Flavio's rabbit recipe - a proper meal based around an excellent meat although hare tends to have a little more flavour (especially the the dish io had in a restaurant in Berne 20 odd years ago.   And of course the game season is just about upon our continental neighbours - something I used to enjoy immensely about SNCF and SNCB staff restaurants at this time of year.

 

The wanderers have returned having had an enjoyable time on the Exe estuaryside at Starcrss and last night they visited on eof my favourite eateries - 'The Swan' at Exminster where the roast was always a good option especially if you took advantage and had lamb, pork, and beef at the same time on your plate.  it seems the 'help yourself' to veg element has however gone the way of most good things.  So dinner tehis evening was some sort of M&S quickie thing from a motorway service area shopping arcade and the macaroni chesse had clearly had the chees part of the recipe worked out by someone who didn't understand how that dish should taste (the hint is in the word 'cheese'.

 

And with herself home it will be back to three in the bed tonight (because the cat wil have to share with two humans instead of one - of course you knew that was what I meant,  didn't you?)

 

Enjoy the rest of t your day folks and stay safe (apparently Devon wasn't too bad at all in that respect).

[simontaylor484]

3 hours ago, AndrewC said:

Sadly, as mentioned earlier, the developer went with a private building control company instead of the council. Little any councillor can do really. All 4 of the local ones in 2 wards filed objections to the HMO with no effect. The response from planning was almost apologetic stating they could find no part of the T&C planning act to allow a refusal. 

You could.still contact the planning department regarding illegal development because on the face of the information you have supplied Andy they have carried out development outside the area that they will have had planning for. Then there is the party wall work which from what you described earlier you didn't receive any Statutory notice of or get the chance to reply to. Which contravenes the Party wall Act of 1996 (iirc) 

[simontaylor484]

15 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

Evening all,

 

Always interested to learn of things which allegedly 'taste like chicken' in the faint hope that it might be true because alas nowadays it very often can't be said of chicken (although we do know where to get reasonably decent tasting ones, fortunately).   Far better tho' is the sound of Flavio's rabbit recipe - a proper meal based around an excellent meat although hare tends to have a little more flavour (especially the the dish io had in a restaurant in Berne 20 odd years ago.   And of course the game season is just about upon our continental neighbours - something I used to enjoy immensely about SNCF and SNCB staff restaurants at this time of year.

 

The wanderers have returned having had an enjoyable time on the Exe estuaryside at Starcrss and last night they visited on eof my favourite eateries - 'The Swan' at Exminster where the roast was always a good option especially if you took advantage and had lamb, pork, and beef at the same time on your plate.  it seems the 'help yourself' to veg element has however gone the way of most good things.  So dinner tehis evening was some sort of M&S quickie thing from a motorway service area shopping arcade and the macaroni chesse had clearly had the chees part of the recipe worked out by someone who didn't understand how that dish should taste (the hint is in the word 'cheese'.

 

And with herself home it will be back to three in the bed tonight (because the cat wil have to share with two humans instead of one - of course you knew that was what I meant,  didn't you?)

 

Enjoy the rest of t your day folks and stay safe (apparently Devon wasn't too bad at all in that respect).

Going back to tasting of chicken it was a long standing joke on the Terry Wogan radio show that everything tastes like chicken apart from chicken. I remember watching a programme on eccentric folk who lived on Bodmin moor.one old.boy used to collect road kill and freeze it for culinary purposes. He opened freezer there was allsorts in it Barn owl,badger he was asked what it tastes like. Chicken he said, the camera crew pulled out a hedgehog they asked him if that tastes like Chicken he said no it tastes like cat

[simontaylor484]

There is a lovely moon tonight only a crescent and low but it's an orangey colour 

 

Just starting to watch the show on Bbc4 about the Ghan

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Tea has been poured now sitting down watching the Ghan.

[brianusa]

9 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

Morning all, a great day out yesterday, but today looks overcast and rather dull, may well stay at home. Re the problem Racoon.......................................I believe they make a nice hat, always wanted a Davy Crocket hat as a kid.

 

Aha............ raccoons!  They are cute, no doubt about that!  OTOH they are a PITA!  This year we refurbished our back lawn, fresh soil, new seed, nicely watered in and first cut.  There is a small ornamental pond back there, not very big but enough to make a nice splashing sound with the pump turned on.  We have always had raccoons but this year a large family descended upon us drawn to the fresh grass and the grubs beneath.  So now the lawn is a cross between the tip and a WW1 battlefield; pot holes and turf all over the place!  Also they have taken to bathing in the pond, as many as they can cram in at one go, which may seem 'cute' but it means extra work again.  If you try and chase them off, they climb our tallest trees and wait it out and at 80' or so, they can stay there.  So I guess they win as no way are we going to the expense of fixing the lawn all over again.  Raccoons rule!

      Brian.

[Andrew P]

1 hour ago, The Stationmaster said:

Evening all,

 

Always interested to learn of things which allegedly 'taste like chicken' in the faint hope that it might be true because alas nowadays it very often can't be said of chicken (although we do know where to get reasonably decent tasting ones, fortunately).   Far better tho' is the sound of Flavio's rabbit recipe - a proper meal based around an excellent meat although hare tends to have a little more flavour (especially the the dish io had in a restaurant in Berne 20 odd years ago.   And of course the game season is just about upon our continental neighbours - something I used to enjoy immensely about SNCF and SNCB staff restaurants at this time of year.

 

The wanderers have returned having had an enjoyable time on the Exe estuaryside at Starcrss and last night they visited on eof my favourite eateries - 'The Swan' at Exminster where the roast was always a good option especially if you took advantage and had lamb, pork, and beef at the same time on your plate.  it seems the 'help yourself' to veg element has however gone the way of most good things.  So dinner tehis evening was some sort of M&S quickie thing from a motorway service area shopping arcade and the macaroni chesse had clearly had the chees part of the recipe worked out by someone who didn't understand how that dish should taste (the hint is in the word 'cheese'.

 

And with herself home it will be back to three in the bed tonight (because the cat wil have to share with two humans instead of one - of course you knew that was what I meant,  didn't you?)

 

Enjoy the rest of t your day folks and stay safe (apparently Devon wasn't too bad at all in that respect).

Yes I can heartily concur that the Swans Nest is a fine eatery having visited several times when my Parents lived at Topsham, and we lived at Buckfastleigh. The last time I was in there was July last year, when we took my Mothers ashes to be scattered with Dads at Exeter Crem, and then went for lunch there with my cousin and his wife. The Antiques place next door always fascinates me, then of course there is the Railway, an added bonus. Back when Mum and Dad lived there the 50's were in their final year on the line.

 

[Coombe Barton]

... Gladiolus I detected this ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2020/09/20/something-got-done/

[Erichill16]

Goodnight all,

Bit drained today. Had Syd all day and full day at work tomorrow so goodnight.

Robert

[brianusa]

2 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

There is a lovely moon tonight only a crescent and low but it's an orangey colour 

 

Probably our smoky left overs as the weather lady mentioned it might travel that far.  Our smog has at last cleared away so now we know where it might have gone!

        Brian.