Early Risers.

[Happy Hippo]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

Must be expecting the Queen.

 

Place smells of wet paint.

Better than smelling of wet pants.

[The Lurker]

To be fair to Younger Lurker’s school (he is also ASD) they have updated us several times over the holiday about online learning and the change in date and also to offer him the chance to actually go to school (EHCP children are classed as vulnerable and so can attend school if we wish).

 

mrs Lurker’s school have all been regularly preparing lessons to go on google classroom in case the bubble goes down (which has happened once to her year group) so if other schools have shown similar forethought then it ought not to be too much of an imposition; she has to go in on Monday to find out which EHCP children and other key worker children are in so that a rota can be set up - and in the meanwhile google classroom will be up and running.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. I have heard the odd firework going off over the last few nights but I expect the onslaught to begin in about seven hours time. Southend have closed all their car parks near the front and blocked off the street parking. I hope that Castle Point (Canvey) and here in Basildon (Wat Tyler country park) have done likewise. Only downside is the cockwombles will be roaming up and down the A13 looking for somewhere to go. I might still be up at midnight but not celebrating as such, just trying to struggle through Farcebook.

[Ian Abel]

Finally, we can bid farewell to 2020...

 

Late checking, mostly due to taking the Mrs for an X-ray, on recommendations of the Dr., just to confirm what is expected, not any broken bones, just "soft tissue damage". Worth knowing though, as the Mrs has a penchant for needing to know these details even if strongly suggested by symptoms etc.

 

Panic move last evening as the packing/truck loading at Jemma & Brendans wasn't going as well as they'd hoped. Fearing the potential of COVID etc., they elected to do it all themselves, wasn't the best idea, so Trevor and I went over and helped, they were much relieved and less stressed.

Today they're on their way over to say goodbye, then driving to Grand Forks - we'll miss them a lot only 3+ hours away and in the past not been an issue but with the current state of affairs won't be travelling there any time soon!

 

We'll probably celebrate early and head to bed at normal times much like @New Haven Neil especially with no partying happening.

The Mrs and I will make her traditional egg-rolls, usually shared by a gathering of friends and family - not this year, just us.

 

-14 first thing, headed for -3.

 

Wishing all ERs and their families and friends a Happy New Year, see you on the other side  

 

[polybear]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

We used to celebrate New Year in full Scots mode, but nowadays it is bed at the usual time, to be woken by the cock on the corner (difficult on a circle...hmm....the cock second from the gap!) setting off fireworks.  Tw@. His other half is a copper too, he should know better.

 

Sounds like an anonymous letter to the station sargeant could be in order....

 

Just heard from my Aunt who lives in Genteel Worthing, Sussex - where people go to retire....

News headlines in the local rag:

 

Church vandalised and windows smashed

Memorial benches for those killed in the Shoreham Air Crash smashed and thrown in the river

Ambulance crews at Worthing Ambulance Station finish 12 hour shift to discover the tyres on 5 of their own cars slashed, plus an ambulance first response car too.

 

Let's hope the fleas of a thousand camels infest their Ar5eholes.

 

In other news:

Some cockwomble has just started up with the fireworks....

Bear's not bothered one bit about the "new year" thing - just a date on a calender to me.  Bah humbug

[New Haven Neil]

1 hour ago, simontaylor484 said:

Is the peco track shortage due to lack of plastic. Due to being used for ppe or is it a lag from lockdown 1 i did see peco had spread out production and packing into pecorama

 

Peco were closed completely for 2 months, then I have heard they turned over at least half of their production to PPE.  So whilst there was some output, it wasn't in the volumes we needed to continue, turnover is everything in the cut-throat world of model railways!  What they did seem to have was of course the slow movers, which was all we still had left in stock, unsurprisingly.  The amount of track and points that went out in those first weeks of lockdown was phenomenal, put then there was nothing to replace it with.  Except Setrack left hand curved points.....see 'slow seller' above!

[TheQ]

Ben the scaredy Collie is hiding in his cage, the cockwombles have started the fireworks here. Enough to be heard over the TV disaster movie. The fireworks are at least 1/2 a mile away.

[Coombe Barton]

1 hour ago, Happy Hippo said:

Better than smelling of wet pants.

Take it that you speak from a position of knowledge,

[J. S. Bach]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 ...snip... Let's hope the fleas of a thousand camels infest their Ar5eholes. ...snip...

The late Danny Thomas had a better one:

 

 "May a streetcar grow in your stomach and the conductor keep ringing the bell."

[J. S. Bach]

2 hours ago, Happy Hippo said:

Better than smelling of wet pants.

Depends on what they were wet with!

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each.

Firework morons have started. All seem to be the very loud explosive display type ones.  Glad I haven't got a dog.

Like others I won't be sorry to see the end of this year.  As a family we've been lucky and everybody has stayed fairly healthy.  A few amongst our friends and neighbours have been ill but all pulled through.  Back in March The Boss was really ill for a couple of weeks.  We thought it was ordinary flu but since then her sense of taste and smell have changed.  In particular she often thinks that something is burning especially toast even when nothing is cooking.  Possible symptom of long Covid? 

Some friends have fallen on hard times financially with a couple having to sell up and move somewhere cheaper.

Various celebratory events and holidays have been postponed or cancelled but that's a small price to pay for our continued good health.  My thoughts are with the 70000 plus who haven't survived and their families.

More bangs now. 

No celebrations here but I'll probably stay up past midnight to watch Jools Holland and have a wee dram or two.  Talisker and Caol Ila are available.

I thank you all for your friendship, good humour, advice and even the drivel (which I too am particularly adept at imparting) and sincerely hope that 2021 is much better for everyone.

A Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you all.

Bob.

 

[BokStein]

Good Evening, Awl,

 

Today's catch up has been an interesting read considering the sentiments mentioned. In summary, what a year was 2020, however, tomorrow's just another day! Who mentioned the Groundhog?

 

8 hours ago, BoD said:

 

All the right wheels...

... but not necessarily in the right order.

 

(It's that time of year)

 

Just the right wheels? No Left ones? Or were they left behind?

 

8 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

 

Appropriately for my last comment, this has to be used as the icon for the Groan button, should it ever be released from its current incarceration!

 

6 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

Afternoon and Happy New Brexit.........................................I campaigned against us joining when active in politics, however I think it was a less than good idea leaving, we are a small country with next to no industry to provide decent job opportunities for the youth leaving full time education. If Wee Jimmie Crankie get's her wish and divides Britain even further I do wonder what future we have left for the populace.

 

Is this what makes Britain Grate?

 

2 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

 

Peco were closed completely for 2 months, then I have heard they turned over at least half of their production to PPE.  So whilst there was some output, it wasn't in the volumes we needed to continue, turnover is everything in the cut-throat world of model railways!  What they did seem to have was of course the slow movers, which was all we still had left in stock, unsurprisingly.  The amount of track and points that went out in those first weeks of lockdown was phenomenal, put then there was nothing to replace it with.  Except Setrack left hand curved points.....see 'slow seller' above!

 

Not only their Lockdown 1 closure, but also a massive systems failure not long after they re-opened, causing about another month's loss of production but then at least one confirmed case in the plant. Truly their Annus Horribilis, as HMtQ once said! They need all the support they can get!

 

Tomorrow is just another day; more of the same old same old. However, hopefully over the course of the next 365 days grouped together and collectively known as 2021, the overall picture will brighten and the current spectre of doom will diminish. Only time will tell!

 

Hopefully, "Dinner for One" ("The 90th Birthday Party") can be watched somewhere in the televisual media later affording at least one tradition for this time of year; “Silvesterzauber” in Zurich has been cancelled and it doesn't look like Lausanne will be celebrating this evening either. Sorry, ChrisF!

 

Best Wishes, One and All, for as good a 2021 as you can hope for!

Edited December 31, 2020 by BokStein

[Andrew P]

@grandadbob, We have the Fireworks here already as well Bob.

Edited December 31, 2020 by Andrew P

[laurenceb]

You should have stopped in Swad! Ours hav'nt started (yet)

[Tony_S]

There were a few fireworks of the “pop pop bang” variety at about 6.30. 
We won’t be setting off any fireworks. I have never got excited about New Years Eve. However, I really do hope 2021 is a better year than 2020 for everyone. 

[The White Rabbit]

On 30/12/2020 at 17:59, BoD said:

I hope that you get whatever it is sorted but I also hope that you find the time to drop in for a chat and a bit of light banter ... it’s good for the soul.

 

When I can, I will, and I do appreciate ER's company. I'm just sorry I haven't been able to catch up on all the pages since. 

 

Currently taking a brief break from nursing on one hand and funeral arrangements and early estate administration on the other. Glancing at the notifications, an old thread of mine resurfaced - another round tuit which hasn't been round tuited yet (). 

 

It has not been a good day, I can't register the death as the hospital is not answering phones or returning calls and there is a ticking clock. So feeling rather  , ,  . 

[chrisf]

47 minutes ago, BokStein said:

“Silvesterzauber” in Zurich has been cancelled and it doesn't look like Lausanne will be celebrating this evening either. Sorry, ChrisF!

 

No need to apologise: neither of us is there, sadly.

 

Chris

[5 C]

Evening awl,

 

Fireworks here too which started up as soon as it got dark. I shouldn't be surprised when the only queue I saw outside a shop yesterday was for the "Fireworks Boutique".

 

As a regular lurker and occasional contributor to this thread (usually at the weekend while contemplating a bacon, egg and mushroom sandwich), may I take this opportunity to wish all ERs, their families, SWMBOs, bears, hippos, collies and donks a happy new year. Thank you for the welcome distraction from the four walls of my house and Zoom meetings and your reminders of everyday life in the real world.

 

Regards to awl.

[PhilJ W]

I've got my ticket for travelling for the next few weeks.

[BokStein]

4 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

I've got my ticket for travelling for the next few weeks.

 

I have noted the date!

 

Hate to say that that if you've only just bought it, you've been sold a pup as it looks to have expired

 

 

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, The White Rabbit said:

 

When I can, I will, and I do appreciate ER's company. I'm just sorry I haven't been able to catch up on all the pages since. 

 

Currently taking a brief break from nursing on one hand and funeral arrangements and early estate administration on the other. Glancing at the notifications, an old thread of mine resurfaced - another round tuit which hasn't been round tuited yet (). 

 

It has not been a good day, I can't register the death as the hospital is not answering phones or returning calls and there is a ticking clock. So feeling rather  , ,  . 

I hope that you get things sorted. I suspect that in the circumstances you'll not have any problems with the registrars. As you know ER's are here to supportvwhere we can either on here or by PM.  I sincerely  hope tgat 2021vis better for you that 2020.  Fortunately here in rural Charente  Maritine we are under curfew and so far therecare no fireworks. 

 

Jamie

[Sir TophamHatt]

Returning to work after a few days off for Christmas.

 

We have a nice tradition of a present to open on New Years Day too - those are stored IN the Christmas Tree.  Bought Mrs TH some hand creams as she really enjoys them.

 

Had ti pick up an emergency cola though as my head was raging with a headache, even after some Anadin.  Gone now though, whether that was the pills or the cola, not sure!

 

Happy New Year everyone.

[Coombe Barton]

... must be expecting the Queen - the house smells of wet paint ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2020/12/31/sounds-of-the-season-33-writing-to-supermarket-ceos/

 

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Well thats another year over so just to wish you all a happy new year.

[simontaylor484]

We have a bit of a bonfire smog here a few fireworks sporadically. Rolo the dachshund is more scared of Swmbo and her shark hoover than fireworks surprisingly