Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

2 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

You really do need to be here to sense the feeling of community spirit and pulling together  that has held up through all these months of lockdown. That  is far more widespread than is apparent if all you read is whingy facebook users having a cry.

Not exactly what I hear in emails from my mum in Queensland where the complaints about state border closures by (recently re-elected) Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk were loud* and ongoing for the duration of border closures there. 

 

* Including (as I find online) the NSW Health Minister.

 

Nevertheless the closures were effective and resulted in a relatively "safe" environment permitting many national-level, sports fixtures to be held.

 

Measuring the pandemic using total CoViD-19 fatalities per 100,000 of population, Queensland is currently at 0.12 and Australia 3.63.  In contrast the US is at 75, and the UK 78 CoViD-19 fatalities per 100,000. There is no question that Australia has handled the pandemic well.

 

Here in Oregon, daily case rates are rising exponentially (due mostly to family gatherings) despite mandatory mask orders and closed schools. Restaurants and bars are being restricted to take-out only starting on Wednesday. In Oregon, cumulative fatalities per 100,000 (18) are still far below the national average.  Many recent cases were directly attributed to Halloween parties. The potential for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday to be a super-spreader event is frankly terrifying.

[Ozexpatriate]

1 hour ago, NGT6 1315 said:

... nutcakes demolish everything with their petulant 4rses, all the while claiming that COVID simply is a hoax or whatever

A US national online media outlet is running an interview with a nurse in South Dakota who speaks of patients with their dying breaths insisting that CoViD is a hoax and they must have lung cancer or some other condition. She notes there are of course patients who are grateful for the care they receive but the emotional toll of watching people die in willful self delusion was difficult.

[monkeysarefun]

20 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Not exactly what I hear in emails from my mum in Queensland where the complaints about state border closures by (recently re-elected) Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk were loud* and ongoing for the duration of border closures there. 

 

* Including (as I find online) the NSW Health Minister.

 

Nevertheless the closures were effective and resulted in a relatively "safe" environment permitting many national-level, sports fixtures to be held.

 

Measuring the pandemic using total CoViD-19 fatalities per 100,000 of population, Queensland is currently at 0.12 and Australia 3.63.  In contrast the US is at 75, and the UK 78 CoViD-19 fatalities per 100,000. There is no question that Australia has handled the pandemic well.

 

Here in Oregon, daily case rates are rising exponentially (due mostly to family gatherings) despite mandatory mask orders and closed schools. Restaurants and bars are being restricted to take-out only starting on Wednesday. In Oregon, cumulative fatalities per 100,000 (18) are still far below the national average.  Many recent cases were directly attributed to Halloween parties. The potential for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday to be a super-spreader event is frankly terrifying.

 

Yes the QLD border closure did seem to be a bit of an ugly  extension  of the usual interstate rivalry  - Queensland premier referring to the 'infected' of NSW as though we were living the zombie apocalypse and so on, which caused some ill-will, especially since NSW had agreed to take on the bulk of the quarantining of those returning from overseas despite the potential risk of it escaping into the community.  The QLD border closure and the length it went on was seen here as a political play by the QLD government who faced an election and wanted to either look tough on the virus, or else were terrified it would somehow escape into the state and they'd get the blame. 

 

OVerall though  94% of Australians are happy with the governments response to the  pandemic, second only to Denmark (95%) and well above the UK and US at 46% and 47% respectively. Still, that does mean that 6% of us still find something to complain about ,  I guess they are the whingy facebook users.

 

 https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/08/27/most-approve-of-national-response-to-covid-19-in-14-advanced-economies/pg_2020-08-27_global-coronavirus_0-01/

 

 

Edited November 16, 2020 by monkeysarefun

[Ozexpatriate]

Australia has a long history with more extreme quarantine measures than most places. Avoidance of introducing hoof and mouth disease was always the biggest fear.

 

There is a long history of insect (mostly fruit fly) related quarantine measures at the Queensland / New South Wales border. I can remember when young having the car inspected for fruit at the Coolangatta / Tweed Heads border.

 

Back then Dad's work Christmas picnics were held in the grounds of the old quarantine station (though even then no longer used as such) at the mouth of the Brisbane River.

 

Anyone entering Australia by air at least into the 90s was subjected to the drama of the cabin being fumigated by blokes with arms held high, holding a can of bug spray in each hand walking down the aisles. Today I understand that Australians entering the country by air are being quarantined for two weeks. (My mum told me of her friend's granddaughter who was to spend two weeks in a converted army barracks in Darwin before being free to enter the country.)

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Australia has a long history with more extreme quarantine measures than most places. Avoidance of introducing hoof and mouth disease was always the biggest fear.

 

There is a long history of insect (mostly fruit fly) related quarantine measures at the Queensland / New South Wales border. I can remember when young having the car inspected for fruit at the Coolangatta / Tweed Heads border.

 

Back then Dad's work Christmas picnics were held in the grounds of the old quarantine station (though even then no longer used as such) at the mouth of the Brisbane River.

 

Anyone entering Australia by air at least into the 90s was subjected to the drama of the cabin being fumigated by blokes with arms held high, holding a can of bug spray in each hand walking down the aisles. Today I understand that Australians entering the country by air are being quarantined for two weeks. (My mum told me of her friend's granddaughter who was to spend two weeks in a converted army barracks in Darwin before being free to enter the country.)

 

Yes we already have enough stuff that kills us without importing  any more! Rabies is another fear and is the reason that  our deputy PM wanted to have Johnny Depps dogs Pistol and Boo put down (Its a long story!) 

 

WE aren't short of our own native viruses - Ross River fever and the Hendra virus (57% mortality rate) are both pretty scary. 

 

Edited November 17, 2020 by monkeysarefun

[Barry O]

Goodnight all!

Baz

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Apart from going to get some screws from the shed, I’ve spent the entire day in the cellar. However, lots of progress has been made, the old computer desk (formerly a work bench) has been relocated from the corner under the window to the opposite side of the cellar. The area where it used to reside has now been cleared and I can soon start to tackle the job of removing the old lime wash from the wall below the window. Once that’s done, I can repoint the wall and then apply some tanking slurry. The wall on the opposite side of the external door (which is also next to the window), as well as the adjoining corner wall can also be tackled at the same time. It’s a mucky and in pleasant job, but it’s absolutely necessary if I want the cellar dry to remain dry. 

 

Once I’d cleaned up I noticed that there is still a small damp patch in the corner. A quick inspection outside below the window revealed a small area that I missed when I repointed the outside wall below the window. Luckily I still have some mortar mix left, so this will be tackled on the next dry spell.

 

After tea I called at the pharmacy and dropped off prescriptions for both Sheila and myself, I completed the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix. It was surprisingly quiet in there tonight, the shelves seemed well stocked and I was able to get all time on the shopping list, even picking up the latest copy of RM too.

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[The Stationmaster]

The removal of the groan button I suspect didn't come as too much of a surprise in that thread as it wouid seem to have been misused by somebody who came very close to being referred to by the boss as being an a.r.soul.    You can't 'mark' or quote posts from anyone who is on moderated status although there only seems to be one of those at present who I come across in various threads and in view of the way he 'spoke' to somebody today ina post I wouldn't be surprised if it's not long before he has no status at all.

 

Alas the 'net - even somewhere as generally as sane as RMweb - does at times to bring out the worst in people for whatever reason that might be.  Idiots wg ho can't be bothered to check stuff before posting or don't bother to read a thread before posting something which has lready been said are one thing.  Those who resort to open rudeness and insults are in a very different category.

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[skipepsi]

Going to do some teaching tomorrow eek! Then some role play in training on Wednesday pah! I had best scuttle off up the wooden hill.  G'night all.

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[Gwiwer]

Good morning all. 
 

Bored already. What can we do today?  

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

May I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has expressed kind and supportive thoughts about the colonoscopy.  J S Bach is spot on with what he says about the preparation part of it, and what I have to say about the vile tasting stuff that one has to drink is not for polite ears.  The procedure is the most uncomfortable that I have ever endured and I would rather not go through it again.  When I was subjected to it five years ago the vile tasting stuff did not do its job properly.  My bowel was by no means empty when the procedure began, meaning that it could not be completed, the doctor became angry and I was embarrassed.  The need for the patient to be taken home after the operation and to self-isolate for three days’ recovery present life support problems which involve imposing on others.  I have told the hospital that I do not wish to proceed.  The hospital told me that I can change my mind within the next couple of months.  I shall seek wiser counsel and consult one of my closest friends.  He has survived bowel cancer and would be my first choice for life support duties.

 

There is better news on the prostate cancer front.  Professor Oncologist is not given to exaggeration but when he describes my PSA reading of 1.9 as fantastic I believe him.  I know that it has the capability to turn round and bite me but I rather hope that it won’t.

 

This evening the LCGB will be zooming again, at rather short notice.  I am sure it will be an interesting presentation.  It had better be as I will be reporting on it.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Her indoors is off to have her second "vaccine" injection this morning. She doesn't know if it is a real vaccine or a placebo. They have also told her that if she is offered a vaccine shot to take it.

 

I nearly finished the crust earning yesterday. Hopefully it will be completed this morning. Then I can do some muddling for me!

Grasp the day ! Make best use of your time!

Stay safe!

Very positive thoughts to all ERs and fingers crossed our missing ones are all ok!

Hope the teaching goes ok @skipepsi!

 

Baz

[polybear]

15 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

There are two other bears around here also, so its not as if we don't support their lifestyles, one may be a cousin of yours in fact - Frosty.

 

 

Second cousin, I believe.  I do recall there being a bit of a dark cloud over that side of the family - something to do with sneaking into a cake factory in the dead of night IIRC.  That action is fine; it's the "being caught" bit that is totally unacceptable and previously unheard of in this Bear's family.

 

9 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I see Mr Bear is loosing his touch: a mention of my fabled French Apple Cake and of the proposed “Steak and Cake” restaurant elicited nary a reaction. Or is he loosing it? Could it be that Mr Bear isn’t as good at sniffing out cake as he claims to be? Could it even be that all these cake-snaffling adventures were performed by a stunt bear and not by Mr P Bear???

 

Fear not, Bear's cake sniffing tackle is alive and well and always alert, though at times it is necessary to engage temporary filtering software to prevent sensory overload (certain cake, such as Lemon Drizzle, isn't blocked by such software however as that would be just silly).  As for the use of a Stunt Bear - not this cookie.  All cake snaffling is done in person (part of the fun) - besides, any half respectable stunt bear would never hand over the spoils of war, which kinda makes their use pretty pointless in this Bear's eyes.

 

9 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Perhaps I am being unfair, but I had regarded RMWeb to have been kept free of the professionally offended, the overly sensitive, the mentally incoherent, the rudely obnoxious and the terminally discourteous - not to mention the tinfoil hat brigade.  Is the removal of the groan button and the imposition of an incredibly weird and overly touchy software censoring algorithm an indication that things are changing for this forum?

 

Whilst not familiar with events surrounding this particular disappearance I do in general feel that a certain corporate twitchiness became evident a couple of years or so back.  Perhaps there are lawyers afraid of million dollar claims from someone claiming to have suffered PTSD following the award of a groan?

 

8 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Also a lack of cakes, the only ones available were coffee and walnut and I’m allergic to walnuts. Another Pah! I was so disgruntled I picked up with a sponge mix and decided I’d just make my own which I haven’t  done since I was at cookery class at school.

 

 

Now that IS serious.  Just the mention of the words "coffee and walnut" brings Bear out in a rash.

I do have a Jane Asher Cake mix in the cupboard (lemon too, IIRC) for emergency use - I must give it a go sometime soon.

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning.  Victorybover the cottoneaster came at a price.  There was a Pah moment in the afternoon.  Last week the glass dropped out of my offside wing mirror. It'ts surprising how you rely on that mirror. Also reversing the trailer is almost impossible  A new one was ordered and arrived yesterday.  The shape was correct but the fitting on the back was different.  A new one has been ordered and I hope to get my money back but Pah. No use of the Volvo for a few more days.

 

That is however  a minor inconvenience compared to what others have to endure.  Chris, very glad about your PSA results, good luck with the other matter.

 

Mick, Skipepsi, good to see you around, good luck.

 

Anyway breakfast has been consumed. The fire is rejuvenated, without matches and the day is to be siezed.  This morning is shopping and this afternoon off to the hospital at Niort for Beth to be fitted with some sort of sleep monitor. I will take my camera and a book as the hospital is close to the station.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

 

[roundhouse]

Morning form a grey Surrey.

 

Food shopping of Mum obtained in Morrisons yesterday. No carrots in the veg aisle for the second week running so when I drop the supplies off this morning I will walk into the village and see if I can get any in the local Co - Op. I used to work in that store many many years ago after school and on Saturdays but its very different now and they no longer have piped music. ' I dont like Mondays' is a song that has stuck in my mind ever since!!

 

I also must remember to drop off my prescription renewal at the doctors.

 

 

Stay safe all.

[BoD]

9 hours ago, newbryford said:

 

To do that, I would have to set a Precedent and mention Rails........................

Where’s the groan button when you need it?

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Another greyish start to the day although I have detected a very small hint of blue to the east.  Still quite breezy and forecast to remain cloudy but dry.

Mount Loft Ladder was scaled yesterday and various bags and boxes of Christmas decorations retrieved with no injury to either them or me.  We will start putting them up today and we don't give a flying whatsit if some say that it's too early.  There's been too much crap and despondency flying around this year and we just want to cheer things up a bit.  

No "Bah Humbugs" from me,  

Have a good one,

Bob.  

 

 

 

 

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It’s a sunny start to the day here in the northwest of England, but there has been some overnight rain. A bit more work to do in the cellar today, I’m hoping to start the lime wash paint removal this morning. Other than that, there are no other plans for the day. 

 

Chrisf, a PSA of 1.9 is very good, I wish mine was that low, hopefully it will have changed direction when I have Murphy PSA test next month. 

 

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

 

Brian

[New Haven Neil]

Morning.  

 

Mrs H dropped for her bus, a 2 mile walk and shopping done and back in the house by 9!  Knackered now of course.

 

ChrisF, glad to hear the PSA is good, that is well within 'normal' range especially for chaps our age, and particularly so for you having 'the' condition.  

 

A pal (ex-employee become friend) is coming around this afternoon to have a look at the layout, he recently had a hip replacement and is doing spectacularly well, nice to see.  He was a theatre scrub nurse so 'knows the score' !!  I'm looking forward to his company, he models in N, OO, O and G!

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a great nights sleep last night as the eczema was playing up but I did get over 3 hours sleep from about 5 until quarter past 8. Will probably have a bit more eyelid inspection after my bath. Thats it for now, be back later.