Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all and a Happy Christmas to ypu all.

 

The dining room was 'tidied'.(opinions seem to vary in respect of the exact meaning of that word), the table was laid in festive fashion (yes, pretty red tablecloth on top of the norm 'oil cloth' like one, and serviettes have been provided plus of course the 'best' cutlery.   I even managed to pack various presents.   Cooking smells are emanating from the kitchen and the jungle telegraph informs me that afresh pot of tea has been made.

 

What else needs to be done?  Ah, yes, a gentle reminder of Christmas Day past and hopefully Christmas Day future for Chrisf and Bokstein

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

On 24/12/2020 at 07:12, PhilJ W said:

I'm glad that I done the 'big shop' yesterday. At one time going to Tess Coes on Christmas Eve to get a few bargains was the usual thing but now I don't bother as there was already some empty shelves yesterday.

Just my luck, someone mentioned on Farcebook yesterday that Tesco's Pitsea were selling turkey's at 50p each and giving veg away for free. Normally it goes to the local Salvation Army who give the homeless a Christmas dinner but thats not happening this year for obvious reasons.

[grandadbob]

Phil's post above has prompted me to think of how many ERs I've met.  The first (and many times since) was Stationmaster Mike along with Dr. Station Cat on an RMweb Didcot visit back in 2013.  Been to several of those so met quite a few forum members but other actual ERs both there and at various shows that I can recall, in no particular order are:

Baz, ChrisF, Bill Bishop, Tony, Phil, Ian RH, Ian Abel, Mick Sidecar, MickNB, AndyB, Polly and JohnDMJ.  I've also had a couple of phone conversations with Neil and Andyram.  

If I've missed anyone I apologise but as Chris might say my forgettery doesn't always function as it should.

Soon be Zoom time and I think the bar should be opened.  I'm a bit late with that today ....... and The Boss has just made that same comment! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AndyB]

So Bob. I think once normality returns you' may be able to add Andy P to your list as he might be lured to some of the local shows....Alton, Fanham, Woking...

[Rugd1022]

Morning all and a very Happy Christmas all round 

 

Breakfast has arrived....!

 

 

 

 

[polybear]

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

I see the jet skier has been deported from Fraggle rock..with back pack,  sans jet ski. No stopping to see girlfriend.. escorted from Gaol to ferry.

 

 

 

Seems his Girlfriend feels that he's been treated harshly:

Speaking to Isle of Man Newspapers, his girlfriend Jessica Radcliffe said: "I don't understand why he's been told to leave when he's isolated for two weeks before he came over with a negative test.

"He had a negative test in jail, he didn't put any of the public at risk, and he's done isolation in jail.

"That's four weeks already, so why does he need to leave the island? To punish him this much, they shouldn't be doing that."

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

Day!  A whole Day? Good Lord man, how many kilos of sprouts do you eat at Christmas? Sprouts for two should only take 20 minutes (or less) to prep.

 

Peel sprouts?  Frozen ones are your friend......

 

38 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Just my luck, someone mentioned on Farcebook yesterday that Tesco's Pitsea were selling turkey's at 50p each and giving veg away for free. Normally it goes to the local Salvation Army who give the homeless a Christmas dinner but thats not happening this year for obvious reasons.

 

Hopefully they've been asking customers to put some money in a charity box, with the proceeds going to homeless charities....

 

Bear has opened his chrimbo prezzie - a box of "Fox's Fabulous Biscuits" from a neighbour three doors away - the very same ones who I gave a quantity of pyrex dishes to a couple of weeks back; a very fair swap in this Bear's book, as I was very pleased they wanted them as they've been good friends and neighbours for all my life.

The OH and I decided not to go for the prezzie thing this year - she has to self isolate (gov. letter and all that) and neither of us have a clue what to get the other anyway.  Whilst it means a lot less stress and not worrying what to get it does make for a less than exciting chrimbo morning.  Still, worse things happen so no great issue on the grand scale of things really.

[Coombe Barton]

Merry Christmas, everyone.

For the first time in nearly half a century I'm not spending Christmas morning cooking. I've decided to have the turkey+ in the evening. Last year I cooked for son in the morning and after taking it to them, for myself in the afternoon. So am sofa surfing in front of the lit log burner. It's damned cold, and for those of you with a white Christmas in the UK - I've never seen one. The closest call was in 1962 when we has a major blizzard in Plymouth shortly after Christmas, preceding the winter of 62-63 of legend.

In other news the Christmas tree, at just before midnight, decided to bow to usher in the reason for the season, so some time was spent restoring it to an upright position. 

 

A second cup of coffee is now being contemplated. If I can be ar5ed to get up off the sofa.

Edited December 25, 2020 by Coombe Barton
TYPOMAN

[grandadbob]

Signing off for a bit as our first Zoom of the day is imminent.

 

The bar has been opened!

 

 

 

 

 

[Erichill16]

2 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

 

Peel sprouts?  Frozen ones are your friend......

 

Would you like to explain that to SWMBO?

SWMBO by name , SWMBO by nature.

Anyway, have a good day everyone.

Robert 

[chrisf]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

Silent Night is particularly poignant when sung in German...

 

..as the Ffestiniog Travel Glee Club found when we sang it after Christmas dinner last year.

 

BTW,I seldom watch Masterchef.  I might make an exception if you took part.

 

Chris

[BSW01]

Good morning (just) everyone 

 

A quick look in before I we have a chat with the kids and grandkids, which has been pre-arranged to be in the next few minutes. Then I’ll make a start on today’s dinner, mind you, as it’s already been cooked, so it won’t take long. After that it’ll probably be sitting round doing bu99er all, which I must admit I’m quite looking forward to. 

 

So once again

 

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

[BlackRat]

Christmas Greetings and best wishes to you all.

 

I've not posted for quite some time, but have followed Early Rises as and when I could.

 

I think in many ways this Christmas is a little special, and I thank you all for being there, even though you didn't realise you were.

 

Have a very merry Christmas and my thoughts and best wishes are with you all.

 

Take care, enjoy the day whatever it holds and here's to a hopefully better new year.

 

 

[polybear]

56 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

Would you like to explain that to SWMBO?

SWMBO by name , SWMBO by nature.

 

 

Ah, er, yes - but unfortunately Bear has a very pressing prior engagement with a home-made pizza din dins, complete with stilton and an egg on top, roast spuds, maybe a bit of sage & onion......

So you see I would if I could, but luckily sadly I'm completely unable to - so I'll designate that mission to your good self.  Don't worry, we'll send flowers.....

[Chris116]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Peel sprouts?  Frozen ones are your friend......

Why peel them. Just throw them in the bin and you are done with them!

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all.

I think we are off for a short walk soon. I have usually prepared all the Christmas meals but Aditi is in charge this year. After crawling round the floor yesterday to fix what was really a minor plumbing repair I woke up early this morning in some discomfort. All I can compare it to is those day after falling off a motorbike aches. Anyway all ok now. 
Aditi had been listening to the radio with people sending in messages about food. Every time she comments that she had forgotten that item I do remind her we have plenty of cheese. 
There will be a family Zoom this afternoon organised by Aditi’s brother. Should be fun. Aditi rang him earlier and said our nieces sounded very excited. I think the time of the Zoom was originally to cope with time zones from Austria to California but possibly some Delhi residents may join in too. 
Tony

[newbryford]

Hi guys, just wanted to take a minute to wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy year, most of all good health! These days people don't spend much time or thought on some personal words to their friends and family, they just copy and paste some random message and send it on. So after all we've been though together this year I want to thank you for your friendship and wish you a happy and fulfilling 2018 - you’re the best gymnastics group anyone could ask for. Best wishes, Helen

[TheQ]

I've been present at a few white Christmases,  but living on the east coast or close to,  its more common on the east as generally that's where the cold comes from.

Most were up North , Northumberland and Scotland.

There has been snow falling at Wattisham  Suffolk, and Leconfield Yorkshire today, since we are in between, it's possible one of those black clouds going over may oblige, though I doubt it would settle.

 

Ben the soggy doggy Collie has taken me for his long walk. We were going to the beach but there are too many cars heading that way..I guess having last walk on the beach before lockdown tomorrow.

 

So we went on the normal long route by the marshes, the lane down there is up to a foot deep in water, Ben looked at me with puzzlement as I chose to carefully find the high ridges just a couple of inches below the water, he just ploughed through..

 

Fresh tracks, in the mud two horses sometimes slipping. Red deer, huge hoof prints compared to muntjac. A motor cycle,  illegal it's not a green lane , the farmer uses 4x4 , tractor , or one of those small 600cc 4x4 with a tray back.

 

Over half way round something spooked Ben and he refused to go on, so we turned and went back the way we came...more paddling.

 

Now watching a recorded copy of the 25th anniversary production of Phantom of the Opera.

That should take us to dinner..

 

 

 

[Erichill16]

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

Day!  A whole Day? Good Lord man, how many kilos of sprouts do you eat at Christmas? Sprouts for two should only take 20 minutes (or less) to prep.

 

iD

Just been informed if Mil is coming round tomorrow for left overs, more sprouts will be needed.

[tigerburnie]

Merry Christmas all, we got up early, quick porridge brekkie then 50 mile drive to Perth to visit daughter and family and went for a lovely walk with family and their Sprocker puppy. We then assisted in the launch of 2 new skateboards in the garden, Grandad decided not to have a go, had a look through the window at all the presents, then a drive back past snow covered hills. Fire is now lit, dinner is close to being ready and we will then open some presents from Santa, hope every one has as good a day as is possible.

[The Lurker]

No snow or even frost here but when we were on a family call earlier it started snowing in Littleport.

 

I think I have seen two white Christmases; one in around 70 or 71; I have a distinct memory of Mum struggling to get the car up Detling Hill on the way to my Uncle and -Aunt’s in Sittingbourne. The other was I think when Elder Lurker was about 4 months old, when we went up to Washington.

 

enjoy the day whatever you are doing - I am resting after a large main course, so large that no pudding was eaten! And I hope Rick recovers too!

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Lunch was a corned beef sarnie followed by a couple of slices of stollen.

1 hour ago, Erichill16 said:

Just been informed if Mil is coming round tomorrow for left overs, more sprouts will be needed.

I hope your prepared for the after effects.

 

[simontaylor484]

There is a lovely sunset here i have tried ti take a picture but it doesnt do it justice

 

[Coombe Barton]

Christmas is now cooking, and the shef's been at the cherry, or is it the shef's been at the sherry,

 

Oh sod it, something like that

[PhilJ W]

It's a white Christmas, official. Well thats what the met office say anyway. It appears that they no longer wait for it to fall on their roof before it becomes official. Now to prepare Christmas dinner.

[New Haven Neil]

Evening!

 

Poly, he has been excluded from the island because he broke the law.....simples.  Its in the statute for the offence. She would do well to look into his background also - she may not be so keen.

 

The lunch here was a traditions (for us) picnic, at Fleshwick Bay down south, a remote spot in Fraggle Rock terms.  We took debs car as the roads have been salted, campervans are too expensive to needlessly expose to its rotting effects.

The lad came along of course, he had the last of those profiteroles.

 

Looks like he enjoyed himself.  If anyone has seen the film 'Waking Ned', the cottage is at the end of that headland in the distance.

 

 

As for meeting ER's its a bit hard for me due to where I live, but I have Met Stationmike and Dr Station Cat, and Baz, who still appear to be speaking to me!  I have spoken to many on here though, as customers (grateful thanks) and one or two as fellow traders.  All gone now, the company was dissolved officially on Dec 22nd.