Early Risers.

[jonny777]

Hello from a dry and bright North Somerset.

 

Everyone here is thinking of those poor families who have been devastated in the run up to Christmas by the deaths at Avonmouth. SWMBO was a Wessex Water employee for 30 years, and although she does not yet know if she knew any of those involved - something like this always comes as a shock. 

 

One TV report said the blast could be heard far and wide, but my daughter lives 2 miles away in a straight line and she heard nothing. The local residents know the hazards of living close to those kinds of industries, although it was always believed the petrochemicals were the ticking time bomb, and so are used to hearing the warning sirens sounding during (thankfully) emergency practices. 

 

When at work I had responsibility for predicting the atmospheric movement of hazardous releases, and it can be an extremely stressful job as a few minute changes in wind direction can bring completely different areas of housing/industry/offices into the equation. We had a dedicated phone which could only be used in those emergencies, and some very high level people had access to the number. 

 

Fortunately, my *guess* (not to be relied upon) is that this incident was some form of waste created gas, such as methane, which would disperse very rapidly and not cause too many environmental problems. 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Well we seem to have escaped the snow, not so a bit further north on the Essex/Suffolk border where a couple of inches fell. Wet and windy last night and a bit grey this morning.

2 hours ago, polybear said:

 

 

Why is it we always seem to wake up when a dream gets to the best bit?  I'm still seething at waking up just as Linda Lusardi arrives with a Lemon Drizzle Cake.....

 

 

 

I wonder what will come up if you Google Linda Lusardi-lemon drizzle cake.  Would be interesting if you Googled Linda Lusardi with some other objects just to see what it comes up with. But whatever you do do not put in nurses uniform.

[Barry O]

Had to go to the post office in teh Beast as it is still snowing and flippin cold. Once out of the garage Beast gave me a message "Warning! Roads may be icy".. he wasn't wrong.

 

When the car talks a message received by my phone it speaks as a bloke with a non descript accent.. just the same as Waze does.

 

Some successes today..

 

Laser eye appointment has been moved to a slightly earlier time tomorrow.

Dentist appointment to put a new filling in has been made.

 

Right so next good thing is winning the eurodollars tonight.. I could do some serious damage with £175Milion...

 

Baz

l

 

[Gwiwer]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

population per square acre

As I was frequently reminded in my school days there is no such thing as a “square acre”. Acre (and hectare for those playing in metricated areas) are square measures by definition. 
 

The point Bear makes is however valid in that larger parts of the US than the UK have low-density population which might skew nationwide statistics.  Australia is a more extreme example of the same. Cases in a couple of cities looked dreadful statistically but by total population and land mass barely troubled the world scale. 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Dull, dismal, damp and rather cool at 3°C.

We went for a walk earlier as The Boss decreed that we now needed one of the missing items from yesterday's shopping so Asda was visited and said item was found and rather cheaper than Sainsbury's.  That's given her food for thought.  After that we wandered down to the baker and picked up a loaf but then the rain started so we returned home.

Took me a while to catch up on here and I noticed Advent calendars and chocolate were mentioned yesterday.  Coincidentally I'd just received an email from a "chocolatier"  in Sheffield with details of their Advent calendar.  I took another look and spotted a very nice chocolate and cream item as today's selection.  Oh  "O" dear!  Before I knew what I was doing my finger slipped and I snaffled one.   If I don't survive sampling the item when it comes I think that the blame should be laid fairly and squarely at Polly's door.   She started it!  

Have a good one,

GDB soon to become GBH(ed) of Sutton.

Edited December 4, 2020 by grandadbob

[New Haven Neil]

I back.

 

As per Bear's wimp suggestion I used the car - ice warning triggered as soon as started.  The boys were in good form, only one missing, wifely duties apparently.  Loads of cra  codswallop discussed, world corrected in its ways, bank drained slightly, and back home and light the woodburner.  Mrs H posting photos of a few inches of snow on the mountain road on her way to work on the bus, but looking at the webcams now it has mostly rained it off.  Dry down here at our towering 90 feet ASL, but getting rather dark so suggest it may not be for much longer.

 

Correction - it poureth down. 40mm yesterday, more to come!

[Tony_S]

52 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

square acre

A square acre would be an example  of a hypercube. Beyond my level of comprehension. Maffs of a higher level required. 

[New Haven Neil]

PS  Now getting random video clips at the header of pages?

[Tony_S]

The freezer arrived and has been pushed into position. It has to be switched on for 2:hours before putting food in. I can remember having to leave them to stand before turning in at one time. 
Off to pharmacy now !

[grandadbob]

11 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

Beyond my level of comprehension.

 

That applies to me in so many ways!  

[Dunsignalling]

2 hours ago, Dunsignalling said:

Abbi the Yeti in for her new boots this morning. Miserable conditions going over the common and just as I pulled into the garage, one of the parking sensors "failed safe", I.e. detected a non-existent obstruction and got really noisy. Better than it happening after I brought her home, I suppose!

    

Guess they'll be keeping it an extra couple of hours unless they,z have a spare one in stock...

 

John

Back home with new tyres so ready for any snow that does get down this far. Folding shovel now in boot and will bung the sleeping bag in too in the unlikely event of needing to make any long trips.

 

Garage also removed rust from around the edges of the rear discs while the wheels were off. Stopping now a fair bit quieter.

 

Sensor issue was a false alarm. Just a wet leaf stuck over one of them.  

 

John

[polybear]

3 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

Added to that that we suffered a plague of lightbulb failures - not connected with the power failures - and no fewer than five of them decided that yesterday was time to quit. We have an almost bewildering variety of fittings for bulbs - Edison screw, small Edison screw, bayonet, small bayonet, flat clips etc. in a range of luminosities and sizes so our stocks are similarly varied. Guess which of all the types were not in stock? Hence one of today's tasks is sourcing the ones needed.

 

 

Bear is suspicious that power surges has been encountered - 5 failures in a day is highly suspicious.

Incidentally, Bear runs some items of leccy equipment (Alarm System, laptop, AV equipment and also the fridge freezer) from surge protected adapters.  When I had a smart meter fitted the guy did ask me to unplug any sensitive equipment such as computers etc.  I didn't so the fridge freezer - which being frost free has circuitry which would fall into the "sensitive" bracket.  Guess which bit of kit was snaffu'd on power being restored?  Could've been a coincidence of course.  Cost Bear a new F.F.  Fortunately buddy next door was in his place in france and a quick call confirmed I could transfer my frozen stuff into one of his two freezers for a few days (I hold a key to his place, though he never leaves cake unattended....).

The old F.F. was temperamental - it had a habit of icing up, even though it was supposedly frost free; it was also a few years old.  The new jobbie has a bigger freezer which is useful, so I wasn't overly upset.

 

In other news:

Bear has to decide where to transfer his vouchers for undergoing C-19 testing (for the ONS) to in the next few days (there is a 3 month time limit to transfer the vouchers to a retail outlet, though I don't need to spend them at the same time).  Favoured (i.e. most useful to Bear) options are:

Amazon

B&Q

Currys

John Lewis

Bearing in mind that vouchers are a hot topic in the news at present (Arcadia are limiting their use to 50% of purchases now they are in administration) then the last thing I want to do is plonk the "money" with a retailer who subsequently runs into trouble due to current trading conditions.  I suspect that Amazon is as safe as houses, also B&Q (I believe they've had a decent trade this year); Currys and John Lewis though?

 

[polybear]

2 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

I wonder what will come up if you Google Linda Lusardi-lemon drizzle cake.  Would be interesting if you Googled Linda Lusardi with some other objects just to see what it comes up with. But whatever you do do not put in nurses uniform.

 

As to your first query Bear found this:
https://www.lovefood.com/recipes/60229/lemon-posset

- L.L's Drizzle Cake is obviously reserved for those deserving.....

As regards your warning, Bear didn't...honest.....

[Tony_S]

The new freezer has achieved its target temperature. It is very quiet so the lack of flashing light confirms this. Our trip to the pharmacy was via the Shell garage. The Fiesta was getting lower on fuel than Aditi liked (she is going to collect me from Chelmsford on Monday). Technology failed us again as the contact free pay at pump app declined out payment.  Anyway the pharmacy visit was fine. Aditi grumbled that “stand here” with footprint stickers is too complicated for some people.  Not the pharmacy’s fault, they have been good throughout the Covid outbreak. 
Tony

[Barry O]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

 

 

In other news:

Bear has to decide where to transfer his vouchers for undergoing C-19 testing (for the ONS) to in the next few days (there is a 3 month time limit to transfer the vouchers to a retail outlet, though I don't need to spend them at the same time).  Favoured (i.e. most useful to Bear) options are:

Amazon

B&Q

Currys

John Lewis

Bearing in mind that vouchers are a hot topic in the news at present (Arcadia are limiting their use to 50% of purchases now they are in administration) then the last thing I want to do is plonk the "money" with a retailer who subsequently runs into trouble due to current trading conditions.  I suspect that Amazon is as safe as houses, also B&Q (I believe they've had a decent trade this year); Currys and John Lewis though?

 

On a point of principle I would never use Amazon.. Bozos is a tight money grabbing company destroying person who treats some of his staff very badly.. and his company makes sure that despite huge profits taxes paid are very low.. not sure what you want to buy though Poly.. wood?  B& Q, Electicals?  Currys. everything other than wood? John Lewis

 

Baz

[simontaylor484]

Greetings to all 

 

MRI went ok this morning had an extended eyelid inspection earlier this morning followed by a few jobs. 

Bit of sleet here this morning followed by more rain blooming cold. The rainforest distribution company have delivered this months doggy food order saving having to cart it home. I now cannot drive due to seizure i had last june i can re apply for my licence in june again. We are keeping the car for now i can run the engine to maintain the battery. Brother in law is going to take it out for a run 

[Ian Abel]

12 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

Watching the clip yesterday  of the republican guy in the MAGA hat in Georgia, at some republican gathering, telling the other republicans there not to vote for the republican candidates in the run-off election (which will make or break the republican majority in the house)  for some reason that escapes me but seems to have something or other to do with them not saying loudly enough that the election was rigged is the wierdest example of political persuasion I've seen lately!

Actually, it's pretty typical of the "thinking" of some representatives of the party - frankly, I and everyone I know are all for that request and hopefully it'll have the entirety of the republican voters agree and decide not so show up and vote in protest - "that'll show 'em" right

Of course, they'll probably then just complain that the election is rigged as there were no votes for the republicans! Can't fix stupid

Edited December 4, 2020 by Ian Abel

[TheQ]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

The new freezer has achieved its target temperature. It is very quiet so the lack of flashing light confirms this. Our trip to the pharmacy was via the Shell garage. The Fiesta was getting lower on fuel than Aditi liked (she is going to collect me from Chelmsford on Monday). Technology failed us again as the contact free pay at pump app declined out payment.  Anyway the pharmacy visit was fine. Aditi grumbled that “stand here” with footprint stickers is too complicated for some people.  Not the pharmacy’s fault, they have been good throughout the Covid outbreak. 
Tony

Pharmacy ... New freezer temperature. -70C? Have you got secret supplies?

 

Afternoon Awl..

Definitely not good,  cold wet and soggy..

 

And so to the workshop, 

Keel stood up, excess trimmed off, but the resin is still sticky, it looks like something went wrong with the mix, its spent the day with the fan heater blowing over it, if it's not dry tomorrow it will need to be stripped off.

 

A container of door seals was found, so strips were added either side on the pedestrian door frame.

 

 

An adventure was had firkling underneath one of the shelving units,

I found a box containing,

4 new mercury halide bulbs of 3 different shapes, 

6, ceiling electrical roses

3, BT wall sockets,

Numerous cable clamps,

Twenty odd 3mm Brass screws.

Several bits of choc block

 

Separately, a failing plastic bag containing several hundred self drilling capped screws for metal sheet. The bag dropped the lot when I moved it.

 

Another box containing,

A carburettor, off I know not what,

A couple of spanners, 

A valve for British oxygen,  gas bottles to allow inflation of balloons!?

Various strange odd shaped metal.

A door handle with its square rod

 

Then there was also,

Two 3ft tap opening handles for Taps sunk into the ground,

A tile cutter,

A plastic tub containing various  small 3inch square tiles,

A walking stick

No cuddly toy was found or harmed in the firkle..

 

 

Then several dustpans of detritus were brushed up and binned.

 

A hole was cut in the shelf above , reinforced either side, the  cyclone was inserted through, and attached by the lid of the dust container.

Then a hole cut through the side wall of the shelving unit to the lathe bench, a short length of pipe fitted through to the cyclone, then a T junction the other end, a vertical pipe then added with another T on top, that T having a unscrewable rodding port fitted one side.

 

A dividing panel was fitted to the shelf to separate storage from the dust collector.

 

Tomorrow, see what the keel needs doing to it 

And then err um 

 

Ben was taken for his long walk which was very short, they are having a pheasant massacre, both in front and behind the house, about half a mile away each side. Ben walked for a bit till he heard the shooting, at that point he wanted home...

 

A glass of red has been had, sausage and chips eaten,  an eyelid inspection is expected to follow.

Bye for now...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ian Abel]

POETS - that's a definite for me then

 

Another "nothing day yesterday, quiet, slow, plodding work, then a quick trip to our favorite Mexican restaurant for a curbside pickup... luvly stuff

 

Been suffering some sinus carp the last few days so the Mrs has been plying me with hot-toddies, not sure they are improving the sinuses much but I "fell better" after a couple of them for sure 

 

Quiet weekend planned - no surprises there...

 

-4 and sunny here first thing, maybe manage 4 for the high.

 

Tally ho.

[Simon G]

Afternoon all.  No snow here today, although there was some just a few miles inland.  The snow level on the fells is now considerably lower than the 2000 feet yesterday.  Managed a one hour walk in the dry this morning.  It then started to rain shortly after my return, and has rained since, so an unpleasant afternoon!

 

Following a change of mobile provider, I had had two unsuccessful attempts on the O2 website to transfer my old number to them.  Gave up in the end and phone their Customer Services.  Sat in a queue for 30 minutes, but got it sorted then.  I left the mobile on hands free while I did some work on the layout, so the 30 minutes weren’t wasted.

[Tony_S]

I am not distributing vaccines, the new freezers target temperature is -18C. 
Tony

[Tony_S]

The Land Rover garage phoned earlier to tell me to ignore the text sent yesterday as checking in online doesn’t work at Chelmsford. They talked me through the Covid procedures they have in place. Sounds fine to me. Once the car is MoT tested and serviced we don’t have any more need to go out except for a walk this year. 

[Gwiwer]

Evening all

 

It has ceased to precipitate here but Degrees of Celsius are conspicuous by their absence. 
 

I am reliably informed by SWMBO that tonight we shall celebrate the newly-created (by her) festival of Cheese Grumbla. 
 

The Surprise Cheese which arrived the other day (three varieties) will be sacrificed with salads, crackers and falling-down waters imminently. 
 

I may be some time. 

[Ozexpatriate]

6 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

The point Bear makes is however valid in that larger parts of the US than the UK have low-density population which might skew nationwide statistics.  

The evidence is contradictory.

 

There was an expectation that rural areas would have less spread of infection than urban areas because people are not so densely packed. This can be true.

 

Evidence demonstrates that opposite is often true. Some people in rural areas assumed they were safe (there were also political influences) and did not follow recommended guidelines. As a result the case rate per capita is often higher in rural counties, even if the total number of cases is less.

 

There are also activities in rural communities that have been the source of relatively large outbreaks not seen in the cities like meat/seafood packing plants and church-going that ignores state guidelines.

 

This is from an Oregon dashboard. None of the three most densely populated counties in the Portland area are in the highest per capita case shading.

 

I'll note that Oregon is about one quarter the national fatality rate, but it continues to rise.

 

In Australia, fully 63% of the population lives in just five metropolitan areas. I would characterize the population as "mostly urban" despite the large landmass. The US is probably similar.

 

Edited December 4, 2020 by Ozexpatriate

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Its only just been announced that those places currently in tier 2 but have a high number of Covid cases are being monitored and if the figures do not reduce before the 16th they will become tier 3. Basildon is high on the list and Castle Point (South Benfleet) is not far behind. Frabjoy as Baz would say, just as well I've booked a haircut for next Tuesday. Most of the increase is amongst teenagers and students so with many returning home from higher education it doesn't look good.