Early Risers.

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Watched the final episode of 'Roadkill' this evening. I thought the ending would be a bit more exciting but it turned out to be a damp squib. Still a bit of catching up on Farcebook to do before bed.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

The 2 minutes silence was observed by just Sheila and I here at BSW towers this morning, we stayed inside as it was starting to rain. The rain didn’t last long and it stayed dry, but very dark until late afternoon, when it once again decided to fall from the sky, but it was much heavier than the morning’s rain. 

 

The turntable bridge is now complete and I’m very happy with how it’s all turned out. A little more work needs to be done on the well and then that too will be completed. I’ve also painted a figure that will stand on the bridge platform next to the vacuum stand pipe. It’s been a long time since I’ve painted a figure and I quite enjoyed myself.

 

Below is a photo, but the varnish on the bridge isn’t quite dry, and the brick paper still needs to be added to the well wall.

 

On the subject of demonstrations, when I was apprentice we were given a demo of how to put out an oil fire. In front of us all was a large tray, approximately 8ft x 4ft and 6in deep. Inside was about 1in of what was called gas-oil. A lit rag was thrown into the tray and the oil ignited. After about 15 minutes the company firemen demonstrated how to extinguish the fire using foam, they slowly covered the tray with thick foam and sure enough the fire went out. However, the heat was still there and after a short period, the heat made the foam evaporate, the oil then immediately re-lit itself and we once again had a raging fire. So out comes the foam once again and they slowly filled the tray once more, again putting out the fire. A few later the same thing happened and the tray was once again alight. This went on for about 45 minutes or so, needless to say, us apprentices thought it was bl00dy hilarious. 

 

Goodnight all. 

[pH]

2 hours ago, brianusa said:

 And then what would that world talk about?   The possibility of a black female president of the Good 'ole US of A in 2024

Or possibly even earlier than that?

[newbryford]

Last night, Mrs NB was suffering with horrendous toothache.

Long and short of it, an emergency appointment was arranged with the tooth wrangler for 8.30am Sunday (as I think I've said before, our dentist is very good and in this case went above and beyond to arrange the appointment). 

 

She was in so much pain through the evening and overnight that Naproxen and co-codamol limits were pushed - also including some swashing of vodka around the affected molar! But even so, a very sleepless night was had.

Luckily, I managed to persuade Junior NB to be the taxi driver and I made the most of a much needed lie-in.

 

 

The next thing I'm aware of is Mrs NB arriving home about 10am and then being woken by Junior about 11.30.

 

As golf is currently off-limits, the opportunity was taken to have a ride out to Gisburn Forest bike trails with Junior NB. 

It was a perfect day to be outdoors and I have never seen the two car parks so busy. 

 

It is mostly publicised as a trail biking location, but there are clearly marked routes for bikers and walkers. Most annoying to see walkers on the bike paths and not helped when they were accompanied with a loose dog, or one on an extended lead that wasn't retracted.

 

At least it was great to be out in the open after a very busy week at work.

 

Day 2 of my "weekend" will be a visit to the fracture clinic to see if they have any answer as to why my right little finger is not co-operating and unable to be straightened or bent fully since I dislocated it 6-7 weeks ago. It is as if there is something in the way but X-rays have not shown anything untoward.

It doesn't cause me any bother cycling (or golfing), but it is quite tender when knocked and one of the most annoying things about it, (for those of a gentle disposition, do not read on) 

 

 is that it's quite painful when trying to bend it into a position to pick my nose.....

 

And on that light-hearted note.

 

Stay safe and have a good week (mine should only be 4 days long)

 

Cheers,

Mick

 

[brianusa]

56 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Watched the final episode of 'Roadkill' this evening. I thought the ending would be a bit more exciting but it turned out to be a damp squib. Still a bit of catching up on Farcebook to do before bed.

The second episode is on tonight over here.  I have great hopes for this series as the BBC/ITV et al have not been having good luck recently.  "Maggie Cole", also on tonight, is one example!

     Brian.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

 

Another rather unpleasant night, if this carries on I might break out the opiates after all. Which is, quite frankly, not something I really want to do given that I am saving my unused tramadol for future recreational use. 

 

I had mentioned earlier that Schotty, once again, had injured his back and was on “light duties“. Fortunately, it is only muscular and not skeletal (there was the potential for it to have been down to a disk problem or other  vertebral problem which would not have been good news). Things are now back to normal except for the fact that the vet has instituted a total ban on him chasing after his ball. This of course is a major blow, as Schotty is very much a ball junkie and could chase the ball until he dropped from exhaustion. So now I have to come up with a way to fill the final third of our daily dog event that doesn’t involve him chasing a ball (we have a routine: every morning I take them out and we walk along the river bank for about 20 minutes, we then go to the Dog Club where I train them for another 20 minutes followed by, again at the Dog Club, 20 minutes of games and running around). Of course, I could always give him a “search and destroy” mission. Scattering home-made turkey treats into the long grass provides the “search” aspect of the mission, whilst Schotty  wolfing down the treats provides the “destroy“ part of the mission. But any suggestions from dog owning ERs are welcome.

 

On another note, and slightly political, I have looked at the commentary following the election of the US president and can only shake my head at the sheer idiocy and ignorance on display from all sides of the political spectrum. At present, quite rightly, we are concerned about the health risks associated with CoVID-19, however I think we are overlooking the dangers of another virus - which is so widespread throughout the population that no one even remarks upon it. I am, of course, talking about the “stupid“ virus: anyone infected with it experiences a drop in rational IQ. In mild cases this could be anything from believing that the Earth is flat or that Ringo Starr wrote all the Beatle’s hits, to - in severe infections - believing that the world is hollow with an advanced civilisation inside it pulling the puppet strings of the politicians up on the surface to believing that the world is run by a secret cabal based in Switzerland (actually, the latter IS true. I know that because I take the minutes for the cabal, being honorary secretary).

 

So, what can be done to prevent catching the “stupid virus“, or if exposed, dealing with infection? The answer is very simple: abundant, as needed, self administrations of CAKE, lasagna (the real lasagna verde alla Bolognese, not the horsemeat stuff you get in the UK), whiskey, porkpies, chocolate digestives, steak and kidney puddings and beer. Coupled with extensive reading of everything and anything you can lay your hands on* - preferably books with small pictures and big words (as opposed to what gets churned out for the unthinking every day: printed material with big pictures and small words). The more you read, the better able you are to see things in 3D, as opposed to the monocolour one-dimensional view one usually comes across.

* Romances, Westerns and books about football excepted!

 

Have a splendid Monday start!

 

iD

Edited November 9, 2020 by iL Dottore
Typo

[polybear]

6 hours ago, BSW01 said:

The turntable bridge is now complete and I’m very happy with how it’s all turned out. A little more work needs to be done on the well and then that too will be completed. I’ve also painted a figure that will stand on the bridge platform next to the vacuum stand pipe. It’s been a long time since I’ve painted a figure and I quite enjoyed myself.

 

Very nice, though the Awl QRF has been scrambled and are incoming - ETA 2 minutes.  If you have a basement and a steel door you might stand a chance, if not then don't bend over...

(Thought: I hope quoting such a post doesn't trigger The Great Awl in Bear's direction.....)

 

55 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Of course, I could always give him a “search and destroy” mission. Scattering home-made turkey treats into the long grass provides the “search” aspect of the mission, whilst Schotty  wolfing down the treats provides the “destroy“ part of the mission. But any suggestions from dog owning ERs are welcome.

 

How about kill the covid denier?  You could video it and make money posting it on youtube....

[chrisf]

Greetinngs one annd all, after an inadvertent lie-in.  Tut, tut.

 

Until yesterday i had thought that steaming open an envelope was the stuff of folklore.  When I discovered a seasonal greetings card that I had somehow forgotten to post last year I put it to the test.  Mission accomplished!  I retrieved last year's round robin, inserted this year's and resealed the envelope, which already carried a postage stamp.  It appears that the pritt stick used to re-seal it is past its best and much more gooey than it should be.  Not a lot else got done yesterday but I did watch "I was Monty's double" on BBC2.  The cast included the familiar faces of Sid James and Leslie Phillips, both of whom I spotted, and Alfie Bass, who I did not.

 

My enthusiam for fireworks is much diminished.  There is usually a fairly decent display at the nearby rugby club but I was not conscious of it this year.  Doubtless it has fallen victim to the all-conquering, all-stifling social distancing rule, which if left in place once we are finally rid of that ruddy virus [fat chance!] has the capacity to ruin the viability of the entertainment, hospitality and public transport industries.  The best displays I have attended in recent years have been those in Zurich, which must be among the most spectacular in Europe and has a terrific atmosphere.  I found it amusing that bottles were provided for members of the public wishing to launch their own rockets: they had once contained not milk but champagne!  Wandering round the sound stages before the 20 minute display revealed much about Swiss culture.  It was gratifying a few years ago to discover that Switzerland has finally discovered the Beach Boys.

 

Belated birthday greetings to Douglas and best wishes to all

 

Chris

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, 755 /472

An odd nights sleep, 1.5 hours 2 hours 3 hours.. always felling my legs are on the edge of cramp.. as they feel now...

A combination of being on my feet for most of the 3 day weekend and being on this restricted carbohydrate diet, is leaving me feeling quite weak.

And this is another 4 day week for me..

 

Ben the changeable Collie, disappeared upstairs as soon as I had finished my break fast, he did thunder down stairs when I opened the back door to leave, but refused his walk.. and I suspect went back upstairs once I left...

 

The weather on the way in was also changeable,

Wet roads dry sky,

then

Wet roads mist and occasional heavy fog,

Dry roads and fog,

Drizzle from above, wet roads..

Rain from above , wet roads

 

Can't remember any particular food I fancy from my younger days, though I remember snaffling Farlys rusks.. which were meant for my little brother who was born when I was almost 10...

a bag of chips on the way back from cubs I suppose.. would also be a treat for me...

 

T'is Time to wander down the lab and find this weeks major equipment.

 

[Barry O]

Ey up! The fatchy pog is thicker today than yesterday. I shall get wet walking to the Post Office to post some parcels. Who cares? I need the exercise!

 

I had a bit of a family moment yesterday. I knew my paternal grandfather had two brothers who died in World War 1. We were told one was in a battlecruiser..Queen Mary when it blew up..err no. He was in HMS Hampshire when it was sunk while carrying a VIP..

 

Time to get my mugatea drunk. Later I will be undertaking a Quality assessment of some orange scones her indoors made yesterday. The warm ones were lovely..now to try a cold one or two..and @polybear the Rapiers, Sea Wolfs, Sea Skuas and Swingfires are already deployed around the North West Leeds Highlands...

 

have a great day! Make the best use of your time! Stay safe and well

baz

 

 

[NGT6 1315]

Moaning awl.

 

Looking like yet another crisp and clear morning. Caffeinating next!

 

Gosh, I just realised I didn't mention yet that Annika is going to get a little sister (the way things look after a detail scan last week) in March, did I? Anyway, I rectified this oversight now!

 

Later...

[AndyB]

Morning all. 

 

Congratulations Dom! 

 

My campaign to free myself up from meetings has paid dividends.  So far in my cull I've reclaimed over half a day each week. 

It was getting a bit silly with the first half of each week rammed solid. 

And I'm only partially joking when I'd tell people I'd attend to "actions arising" each Friday afternoon when I had "non meeting" time. 

 

[BoD]

Morning all

 

Congratulations, Dom and family.

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a sunny and warming up Charente.  

 

Yesterday was lovelybwith cloudless blue sky from 10am to sunset.  To celebrate I even cleared and swept another bit of the shed floor. In the afternoon we attacked the jungle for another hour, then sat on the bench in the sun and had coffee and cake.  

 

Today, the first task is to get the trailer ready for a trip if itbis open, my reconnaissance expert is due to text me intelligence  about this as she will be passing it on the way to the chemists.  I have now been informed that the tip is open.  This afternoon we may well attack some more of the jungle. We have now done over half of it.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

[Andrew P]

Congratulations Dom

[PhilJ W]

Congratulations Dom.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit foggy first thing this morning but now its lifting. There was some rain last night so everything is soaked so not much can be done outside at the moment.

2 hours ago, polybear said:

 

How about kill the covid denier?  You could video it and make money posting it on youtube....

Covid itself is killing off a lot of deniers. I Googled 'Covid deniers killed by Covid-19' and there were too many to count. Most seemed to be in the USA and a lot of those were apparently following the line taken by a certain ex-president. I can now see some of their families reaching for a lawyer.

[PhilJ W]

I posted this on the joke thread but it made me think of Rick's neighbours.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

We must have had some more rain overnight as the ground and patio are wet, but the sun is shining at the moment so I may be able to get a bit of gardening done today. There are still lots of roses in bloom and also lots that need dead heading, so that will take up about an hour, then there is always leaves to clear, although the large sycamore tree behind us is now almost bare. If it does rain (50% chance this afternoon) then I shall decamp to the workshop and continue working on the turntable. 

 

Dom, congratulations. 

 

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

 

Brian

[Tony_S]

10 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

 A bit foggy first thing this morning but now its lifting. There was some rain last night so everything is soaked so not much can be done outside at the moment.

It is odd how a few miles away it was clear at first and is now getting misty. Very wet out. Our boiler service is due today so I went out to move a dustbin so the exhaust can be reached and checked there was nothing near the gas meter cupboard. Definitely damp out. The gas person will,be the first visitor inside our house since March!

Tony
 

[tigerburnie]

Morning, we too have damp and foggy, taxi driving required to despatch SWMBO to see sister drac for her routine bloods, then the day is ours, no idea what that will entail as it's her birthday tomorrow, it'll be her choices. Stay safe all.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, firstly congratulations to Dom and the Mann family!

 

Q, your 5.something BG the other day was an excellent result, you are there, well done!  I don't often manage to stay within the raise of 2 after a meal, but it does fall back afterwards, often to a lower level than the prior meal result. The low-carbing does take some time for energy levels to return, many months not weeks in my case, but I feel OK now for energy.  I do get the cramps though occasionally, always right calf for some reason.  It can occur at, er, awkward times. ahem.

 

We're off all the way south to Colby for lunch today with one of Debs old workmates, as Debs has a few days off work trying to use up annual leave.  The CEO has said staff must take care of themselves and take leave, preferably two weeks, Debs applied and her departmental (not immediate) manager would only let her have three days......what is that about?  She is becoming very dissatisfied with her current departmental manager, I think a parting of the ways is on the cards.  Her immediate manager feels the same, he is pi  fed up with being over-ruled, with constantly moving goalposts - it is complicated work, data protection within NHS/DSC, made much harder by this behaviour.

[PhilJ W]

Just had a visit from the plod re. the scooter scrote. He won't be troubling the neighbourhood for a while now and they will not now require a statement. Saturday evening he was doing his thing when he ran into a van door. It was dark, he was dressed in dark clothing and the scooter was painted black and of course no lights. Herpes delivery driver in a hurry and you can guess the rest. Said scrote is now in hospital with a broken collar bone and fractured kneecap. They won't be prosecuting and when I asked if the scooter was going to be crushed the answer was it already is.