Early Risers.

[TheQ]

Beep beep beep rumble rumble rumble, Beep beep beep rumble rumble rumble..etc.

Yep I spoke too soon, the beet lorries are thundering past the house and Ben is hiding in his cage from the noise as they clear the pan along side.

 

I managed to take him out during a break between lorries. Then came back from the opposite direction after his long walk.. an extremely soggy walk under foot,  a couple of miles of squelchy mud down by the marshes. And the road section is not much better with all the mud off the lorries...

 

Before that 4 doors were built, after that the leading edge of the keel was glassfibred, and the bottom had several layer placed on it to thicken the glassfibre up to towards the level of the keel nuts.

More needs to be put on the bottom tomorrow.

 

There are wonderful smells coming from the kitchen as the turkey heads the end of its recommend 4 hours 20minutes cooking time..

 

dinner soon approaches..

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where it is dry and grey but now threatening rain. Not a lot to report although some work colleagues found they needed my assistance to complete forms for a new account- which had they read the instructions they probably could have dealt with!

 

Have a good day

 

[jonny777]

2 hours ago, Joseph_Pestell said:

 

Yes, I agree. But the reality is that most of our apples are imported (although less than was the case a few years ago). As to the likes of cauliflower and broccoli, hard work which only migrant labour will do. Much easier just to keep horses for little Jennifer.

 

Which is a big problem in this country. 

 

I could have a big rant about preferring cheap food in order to be able to upgrade to a new mobile every year, but I won't because this is not the thread for such things - and it is the season of goodwill. 

 

 

[laurenceb]

Necessites like mobile phones & tv's n every room ve luxeries like food

[The White Rabbit]

Hello all. Here it was a fine, sunny start but it's greying over now. Looking at the Exeter tea leaves, they reckon it's going to be a cold few days. It probably won't make much difference here, being under quarantine, we're not going further than the back garden. In the circumstances, I cancelled some booked leave and said I'd do some Christmas work. I'll not be able to do very much useful or enjoyable, so thought I might as well do something constructive and it gives others a chance to have some time off. Having discussed DNRs and how long she's got left, now I'm just waiting for the hospital to ring back for the next step. 

 

No Christmas cards sent. Firstly it was sorting out things with hospitals, then dealing with a discharge, then quarantine.  I put a card in each of the parcels I sent out of modelling goodies, think there were two ERs with those but I don't think I've written any this year. I'll send some emails with a nice picture or two a bit later. One seasonal email I got was from the BagnBox Man at Banbury (usual disclaimer) which was better than many I've had, I thought it hit the spot. 

 

A couple of food deliveries yesterday, so the fridge is topped up, though lunch on the 25th will probably be a sandwich. We are hoping the 27th will be 'release day' for us but it depends on a couple of things, so trying not to get too hopeful in case it's taken away from us. This year's had too many disappointments already. 

 

Best wishes to all ERs and I hope you can all have a good Christmas, as free from pain, discomfort or aggravation of any sort as possible. 

 

[Ian Abel]

Chewsday, and Christmas eve, eve, eve I guess

 

Quiet here yesterday, the Mrs recovering well from her knee injury/issue and in much better spirits, able to walk comfortably with a cane, so she's a much happy camper, therefore so am I.

 

The reports here are of a very dismal UK due to all the restrictions in travel to "anywhere", and the images of trucks/lorries queuing in Kent are pretty disheartening. I'd hope those reports and images would give folks here pause and re-considering their devil-may-care activities, but most of those ignoring the recommendations are unlikely to see such reporting, and probably can't read anyway! 

 

I did make one trip yesterday to pick up VERY essential supplies, a 1.75L bottle of Bombay Sapphire and a 1L bottle of Baileys  essential indeed

Today we'll do a couple of drop offs of mince pies/cookies to friends and the kids, and will also await our last pre-Christmas grocery delivery.

 

Seeing no activity from the Long Island client I'm about 95% set/decided to take the next two days off, I'm sure I'm surplus to requirements by now!

 

-6 and overcast, bit of a breeze making it quite nippy getting the newspaper. Snow flurry likely later.

 

Enjoy the day. 

[NGT6 1315]

This gave me a more than welcome laugh! 

[The Stationmaster]

Afternoon all,

 

Herself and the lad went to Tesco and obtained almost everything on the required list plus (sorry Johnny) a punnet of Egyptian strawberries for the trifle.  Quite busy and yet again with a lot of out-of-towners according to herself.  

 

The lad is on leave this week and next and i hope Flavio's rest from such activity goes a little better than the lad's - he received his first 'holiday interrupter' 'phone call yesterday.  He then had considerable difficulty explaining to the caller that he is currently on holiday so is not working but apparently the chap, who was calling from China, had difficulty grasping that particular idea; a clash of cultures perchance?

 

in the meanwhile I called the surgery today to book a session with my current favourite among the Good Count's numerous daughters (had to vary from my booked INR date by one day in order to see her but no problem there). Tthe other task was to book a 'phone consultation with the Doctor - I called in at about 11.00 and he rang back before 13.30 which I thought was pretty good.  He gave me a good 'verbal examination' - much as I would have got face-to-face in respect of the aching in my upper chest - very impressed.  And I took the opportunity to thank him, the senior partner in the practice, for the way the surgery has kept functioning for us all the way through this year's problems - he said it was nice of me to say so as not many people have.

 

No other major, or even minor, news although the GP said that if the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine is approved shortly it will be a lot easier to handle and that vaccination dates are likely to be much earlier than the Pfizer vaccine alone is allowing.  But he still couldn't give an estimate for our group (we're 4th in the priority order).   On another bright note the little pins the chiropractor put into my shoulder yesterday haven't fallen out and still seem to be doing what they are supposed to do so that's one lot of muscle which isn't giving me gip, fortunately.

 

Enjoy teh rest of your day everybody and stay safe.  Fish & chips for dinner tonight - from the Sikh chippy so definitely something to look forward to.

 

And if you're wondering when you'll get the vaccine this might, or might no, help

 

https://www.omnicalculator.com/health/vaccine-queue-uk

[Barry O]

@Ian Abel..try bauleys in coffee..aka REME tank coffee..keeps the cold out.

@The White Rabbit very good pictures..and an excellent card thanks

 

Baz

 

[Ian Abel]

16 minutes ago, Barry O said:

@Ian Abel..try bauleys in coffee..aka REME tank coffee..keeps the cold out.

Been doing that for years already actually

Over the next few days more likely neat though

[Tony_S]

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

n as the turkey heads the end of its recommend 4 hours 20minutes cooking time.

Is that still a Norfolk thing? You rarely get turkeys complete with heads anymore. 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. As I drink very little alcohol I have no need for any extra supplies in that form. In fact I can get by with what I've already got in stock. I will be going to Tess Coes tomorrow for bread and milk plus a few luxuries if there's any left (mince pies, cream) but I can get by without them and it will do no harm to my waistband anyway. I had a letter from my bank this morning, they have for many years offered free travel insurance for account holders. They informed me that it was being renewed for 2021, I haven't travelled abroad for the last ten years now and my passport has expired.

[jamie92208]

55 minutes ago, Barry O said:

@Ian Abel..try bauleys in coffee..aka REME tank coffee..keeps the cold out.

@The White Rabbit very good pictures..and an excellent card thanks

 

Baz

 

Beth made a batch of hevhomevmade Baileys yesterday. It's excellent  and makes a very good aperitif.

 

Jamie

[NGT6 1315]

Unseasonably balmy and windy today, so, quelle surprise, headache ensued by the afternoon. At least the food market in the city wasn’t that crowded, also owing to a reduction of stands and larger spacing between those which were present. Goose plus an additional fillet which in itself would actually make for a decent meal duly picked up, from a regional eco-certified producer, I should add.

As it is, I read an interview with someone from the local market office last week who said that the weekly food markets in Leipzig have been gaining much popularity this year. Maybe it’d not be such a bad thing to come out of the current global state of things in the long term if people had come to appreciate local products anew.

 

Dinner was Kasseler and kale with spuds, so that will have to be followed up on with a wee dram of uisge beatha, I think. 

[Coombe Barton]

8 hours ago, chrisf said:

brief encounter

Is that a Lawyer's Chicken Census?

[Rugd1022]

Evenin' all, a bit of good news if you're a Beatles fan, Peter Jackson's film 'Get Back' is now back on track, this five minute glimpse looks great, I for one can't wait to see the finished piece....

 

 

It shows that despite the negativity they felt in that period, they still liked hanging out together and making music, it wasn't half as bad as the original release of the film made out.

 

Chin up folks, here comes 2021 

[PhilJ W]

5 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

 

Another example of a politician not thinking things through. There must be very few British trucks or drivers held up at Dover and those that are can turn around and head for home if they already haven't done so. I hear on the news that Macron is re-considering his ban but IMHO he's left it too late. My suggestion if the ban was lifted is to start testing* those who have the longest way to go and get them on the ferries first. Then form convoys (escorted?) on specified routes through France to specified 'exits' (Spain, Italy, Germany and the low countries depending on ultimate destination) and then work back to those who's destination is nearer to Calais. *It will have to be the 'quick' test although its less reliable, perhaps repeated at each border crossing.

They have now decided to allow EU lorry drivers that have tested clear to cross. Just lets hope that it clears quickly.

[polybear]

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

Is that still a Norfolk thing? You rarely get turkeys complete with heads anymore. 

 

Poaching.....

And for a warm snuggly feeling:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-55409137

In other news:

Yet another day of fun nailing EML to the kitchen wall   Still, it went well and good progress made.  I need to do a bit of electrics before continuing though.

Tomorrow will hopefully see a visit to the orange shed; all I hope is that they have the ply I need (or OSB at a pinch) and that the cutting service is up and running....

[PhilJ W]

Breaking news, the government are considering a full lockdown starting Boxing Day.

[Coombe Barton]

16 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Breaking news, the government are considering a full lockdown starting Boxing Day.

Where did you find that?

 

[brianusa]

3 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

 

No other major, or even minor, news although the GP said that if the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine is approved

There was a time when I could tell the difference between cars and medicine by their name.  Gets harder all the time!

       Brian

[Erichill16]

33 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

Where did you find that?

 

Couldn’t find that article on the BBC website but did see an uplifting story about a baby elephant that had been involved in a motorcycle accident . Just hope he/she finds its mother.

Robert

[simontaylor484]

That sounds like the sort of insurance claim Jasper Carrott used to read out

[NGT6 1315]

10 hours ago, chrisf said:

 

May I wish you and Mrs iD the most festive and peaceful of seasons.  I am so disappointed that once again we have been done out of our brief encounter.  Here's to more healthy debate in 2021!

 

Chris

 

Of the third kind?

 

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

Where did you find that?

 

Daily Mirror newsfeed, I've now deleted it unfortunately.

Found it.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/gold-command-meeting-considers-birmingham-23208818

My mistake it only applies to more places being put into tier 4, possibly the whole country which will mean lockdown in all but name.

Edited December 22, 2020 by PhilJ W