Early Risers.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

It’s been glorious sunshine all day, but apart from empty the recycling bags etc, I’ve been inside, working in the cellar all day. I’m now approximately 80% -85% of the way there now, leaving an area of about 5-6sq ft left to do. This however, is mainly at floor level, so I’ll be working on my knees most of tomorrow. I’m pleased to say that I seem to be on track for getting the work finished by the end of the week. After that I can start tanking this section of wall next week. 

 

It’s hard work and my back was letting me know about it earlier on, but thankfully it’s seems ok now. I do keep swapping my working position about every 20 minutes from standing, to sitting and kneeling then standing again, to give my back a rest, but I have been crouching a lot today. 

 

This morning, whilst I took a 30 minute tea break, I  altered the turntable wiring diagram, adding in the bypass switch. I’ve inserted in a position that all the controls, with the exception of the positioning switches, can still operate. So I can still start, stop and choose which direction that the bridge will rotate. I’ll do the same again tomorrow and alter the schematic drawing. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[PeterBB]

Hi Guys,

As a retired Biomedical Scientist after watching the Pembroke murders Channel 4 had a programme 'Are Women the Fitter Sex' had to watch and found it extremely interesting.  Will summarise as original was far too verbose.

1 Covid kills 40% more men than women in the (very) intensive care stage

2 Dr Ronx had noted and decided to investigate and found that it was the same with Aids, although the researcher said that in the age of 'equality' it did not get much publicity

3 Related this to XX and Xy chromosomes and found startling differences viz female had a very good initial 'fight infection' response and men with approx 70% less genes on the 'y' than there are on the female second 'X' had a worse initial response that allowed infection to gain a hold but a better second stage immune response.  This was demonstrated on a couple who were simultaneously Covid infected - she 'got over it' quickly while he had stay inhospitable and took weeks to recover.

4 Different responses between men and women to drugs and treatment  e.g. sodium valproate for epilepsy where 1 in 2 mothers who had it while pregnant had children that had some 'damage'.  (NB It was introduced in 1973 and certainly by 1995 in the labs we knew it had bad side effects but it seems women were not told until very recently after the damming published report).

5 Related the different presentations of heart attack and the fact that 'the indigestion/chest pain' was often put down to infection and treated with antibiotics as opposed the the 'male chest pain' and so became a 'missed' diagnosis or very late and also showed differences in diagnosis of autism in women - 'its only a man disease' - as women develop coping mechanisms to make themselves more socially acceptable.

6 Why was research only carried out on males?  Because of the women cycle and the other variations that would 'skew' the results. Hence women might not be treated appropriately for their signs and symptoms.

7 CONCLUSION - studies needed to be on both male and female  and the results need to be ANALYSED SEPARATELY (Currently where there are women in a trial the results are added into the main research and the  'results averaged' in terms of recommendation).

 

SWMBO says I am spending too much time on here ... its 0055 hours so she may be right!

 

Rant - Masks - to my mind if it is 'difficult' for someone to cope with breathing with a mask on they should not be out shopping anyway and as for COAD if they argue the toss they don't have it because they are breathing well and are therefore capable of breathing well with a mask in place!  (So says someone who has visited a shop (supermarkets) only 4 times since March and thanks SWMBO for keeping him well fed and watered by her weekly very early up and out on the 'senior' days for shopping). 

 

Edited January 13, 2021 by PeterBB
Spelling

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

It couldn’t be better timed.  Apparently significant numbers of Royal Mail workers in the East of England are either off sick or self-isolating and deliveries have been disrupted.  My suspicions were aroused when a credit card bill dated 23rd December arrived on 11th January from Skelmersdale.  I recall with some fondness that letters used to carry postmarks.  Clearly such embellishments are now regarded as incriminating evidence.  The interesting bit is that there will soon be letters in the post summoning those eligible to be vaccinated.  I wonder what will happen next?  Surely not another fine mess?

 

I spoke to Poorly Pal yesterday.  It is ages since we have met and if I am to remain more or less compliant with Government advice it will be a while before our next encounter, brief or otherwise.  If I am summoned to Stevenage for my Covid injections I will call on him on my way home.  His tea-making skills are second to none.

 

I’m Zooming again tonight.  This time it will be a presentation by the noted photographer Robert Masterman with a heavy South Wales content.  In normal circumstances, whatever they are, I would have been happy to drive to Radyr to be at the show.  This would entail something like 160 miles each way and an overnight stay in a Travelodge.  I’ve done it before and I hope to do it again one distant day.

 

Tony_S, thank you for your kind words about my Twitter profile.  Whether I will attract any more followers remains to be seen!  Andyram, thank you for the welcome.  BokStein, you have great expectations of me.  Gulp …

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[jamie92208]

Good moaning. It's still dark here but the room is warm, though it's time to go and fetch another basket of logs.  We had quite a busy day yesterday. Beth got here eyes tested, eventually, after a 2 hour wait at the hospital.  Then after a very quick lunch she and a friend went to have their hair cut. I even made tea.  Not the most exciting if days but we are safe and well.

 

This morning I'm heading out the The Danglies again to pay a hospital bill and do the shopping.  In the afternoon  I may well spend some time in the shed.  What an exciting life we lead.

 

Jamie

[leopardml2341]

Mornin'

 

Missed mi 'check out' yesterday because I fell asleep on the sofa and then woke feeling Ike a zombie so straight off to bed.

 

 

Yesterday's work attendance was a bit, shall we say, challenging too many people wanting my time meant I couldn't make much progress on the day job.

 

Back at home desk today, so hopefully that will be better.

 

Looking forward to porridge for breakfast, just as soon as I've dragged mi sen from mi pit.

 

Best wishes to all, stay well, stay safe and I sincerely hope that the f*ckwit plague that infested my space yesterday doesn't reach any of you today

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

KLM Cityhopper put paid to my sleep this morning. The flight took at 06:13. Normally it wouldn't wake me but there are so few planes taking off the noise is different.

 

This time last year we were en route ro Singapore. Hopefully we will be able to return in the future.

 

Today is a housework then parcel preparing/sending day.

@BoD I hope the family are ok. I have just been told of a distant family member who has died through alzheimers and covid in Horden. Sad times indeed.

 

Time for my mugatea then.. time to get Wednesday straightened out!

Stay safe! Hoping all ERs stay fit and healthy!

Baz

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Dull and dismal here.  It was damp earlier but the rain has stopped for now. More expected later.

Nothing much exciting happened yesterday unless you count the cutting and eating of bread which, although I say it myself, was excellent.

Much aching in joints and limbs today.  These all stem from various injuries received in 20 odd years of playing rugby.

There was a discussion earlier here at GDB Towers about whether or not we will be going for a walk later.  The weather will be the deciding factor.  Apart from that all that is scheduled is to finalise our Sainsbury's order which is due tomorrow.  I can't wait...!  

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited January 13, 2021 by grandadbob

[jonny777]

Another dull and miserable day in North Somerset, although currently the rain is not heavy. I'm beginning to think overcast, misty and damp conditions should be simply described everywhere as a "North Somerset morning". 

 

I understand Baz's comment about aircraft, as I live only just over 3 miles from Bristol airport (as the crow, or 737-400, flies). Pre-covid there were so many departures coming overhead that I never gave them a second thought, but now each one is so unusual I tend to look them up on Flightradar.com. 

 

Nothing much to do today, although I should pay the paper bill; but am really waiting for a better day to wander off to the shop. 

 

I found the TV schedules so rubbish yesterday evening that I turned it off and read David Copperfield. 

 

 

[New Haven Neil]

Morning.

 

A rather damp rainy and 4c chilly morning here, struggling to get light.  A bit like my mood, due to;

 

My hip x ray has been a bit inconclusive, in that only mild arthur can be seen - but this does not explain the burn pain I am getting.  Previous 'nothing to see' diagnosis from our local hospital of this hip 8 years ago finished up with me in a specialist hip unit in the UK 6 months later for specialised surgery that could not be undertaken here, being unable to walk after the bone piece that was causing the impingement issue broke off and went into the cartilage.  Hmm. 

 

The actual issue was diagnosed by a Physiotherapist in 10 seconds upon seeing the x rays before it fell to bits but it took months to get an MRI scan and referral by which time it was too late to avoid the forthcoming damage (and it HURT!), so you will understand my doubt about this opinion currently.

 

There is another issue identified but I don't yet know the implications of that, so we'll see after the next GP session on Friday.  #sigh#

 

I don't suffer with the black dog, but I can feel it looking at me currently.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

 

5.5 hours plus one of dozing not too bad I suppose

 

Ben the alarm Clock Collie was back on duty today and just about on time.

 

Very frosty crunchy out there, car had to be started Before Ben's patrol, it had only just started defrosting the windscreen by the time I got back to it.

 

A very careful drive on ungritted frost covered roads till I reached the gritted main A road.. I see the seaweed inspectors are talking about the Beast from the East 2, which could arrive next week.. A polar vortex heading this way..

 

As to Paw stiffness, mine are quite often, not a single injury in this case , but several years playing volleyball, and 40 + years of pulling ropes while sailing.  They can be painful at time's, like indicating there is rain due later today, but often they are just stiff, especially in the morning, till they have had a good hot soak in the sink during morning ablutions..

 

I've just had a visit in my lab from one of the others in our department, he's just decided to bail out in March,  he's one of the few  interested in parallel bits of metal but in his case at 3.5 inches apart, so he will be sadly missed. I will see him at the odd show, he often comes to ours..

 I thought he was older than me, But he's not, he's 3 years younger, He is however a top design engineer, probably on double my pay, so he can afford to leave..

 

From the company point of view that will leave a hole, I would not be surprised if the post moves to the USA. As it is he was one of two who knows how a particular current system works... and they made the other one redundant just before Christmas....

 

I've just handed back the first major system of the week, but the second hasn't been handed to me yet, it's doesn't worry me, they just won't get it back this week and it gives me more time for this thermometer belonging to a priority customer.

 

While surfing the net yesterday I came across a series of articles on yacht and keel design posted 5th Jan 2021... Now I could of done with those several years ago, but they are interesting anyway..   https://www.boatbuilding.xyz/ship-design/principles-of-yacht-design-bdu.html

 

Since the last Edge upgrade, this computer won't post links properly... The above was copied via Chrome..

 

And now...

 

Time for the next measurement..

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Although they were quiet last night Arthur Itis and my sore foot soon decided it was party time, at 4:30 in the morning. Just received a call telling me that my Amazon Prime Account needs renewing at a cost of £39:99. Problem is I don't have an Amazon Prime Account and I wouldn't have one even if they paid me. What is more, the call was from a mobile number. Now for a bit more eyelid inspection, be back later.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

I overslept a little today, so I’m late logging in. Anyway, what has happened to yesterday’s sunshine? It’s looks bl00dy wet out there, so it must have been raining for quite some time, but at least it’s not frosty, although the temperature is still low, 2C at the moment. Not that any of this bothers me, as once again I’ll be spending the day scraping paint of the cellar walls. Time to finish breakfast!

 

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

 

Brian

[grandadbob]

7 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Although they were quiet last night Arthur Itis and my sore foot soon decided it was party time, at 4:30 in the morning. Just received a call telling me that my Amazon Prime Account needs renewing at a cost of £39:99. Problem is I don't have an Amazon Prime Account and I wouldn't have one even if they paid me. What is more, the call was from a mobile number. Now for a bit more eyelid inspection, be back later.

 Annual cost of Amazon Prime is £79 or £7.99 monthly.

[Compound2632]

9 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

 Annual cost of Amazon Prime is £79 or £7.99 monthly.

 

Which would buy you half a locomotive, nearly two carriages, or several wagons - for myself, I'm happy to choose ordinary free delivery and exercise patience!

[Tony_S]

4 hours ago, chrisf said:

 

Tony_S, thank you for your kind words about my Twitter profile.  Whether I will attract any more followers remains to be seen! 

I don’t have many followers but I have found some nice accounts to follow.

[leopardml2341]

Life's too short for me to embrace yet another social media platform - let's face it I'm not too 'social' on this one

 

FWIW - my thoughts are the more social media one engages with the less sociable one becomes.....

 

Just sayin'

[PeterBB]

SinoBiological have provided some information on recent mutations - herewith comments on a few of the most recent:

the total  number of mutations is in the hundreds but so far the vaccine is effective on all.

Hope that is reassuring but we need to remember that it takes at least three weeks for 'protection' 

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

It is quite overcast here. There is some enthusiasm for a short walk for exercise today. I am not enthusiastic but will take part. I don’t think we will be accused of not staying local, most of the walk is in our postcode.

I don’t think I have any “would you mind looking at...” jobs today. 
Tiny

[Simon G]

Morning all,

It has rained all day here so far, and the rain is likely to continue.  Ballasting operations have recommenced, and after my less than successful earlier efforts a few days ago, I am happy with the current work.  Now on a coffee break before doing some more.

[grandadbob]

1 hour ago, Compound2632 said:

 

Which would buy you half a locomotive, nearly two carriages, or several wagons - for myself, I'm happy to choose ordinary free delivery and exercise patience!

For me it's not so much about exercising patience but preferring to know exactly when things will be delivered.  We use Amazon quite a lot (cue much muttering about not touching them with a barge pole etc) and don't want to hang about waiting in for 3 or 4 days at a time waiting for deliveries or having stuff left on the doorstep/chucked over the back gate.  However that's not so much a problem at the present time as we're in most of the day apart from going out for brief walks.

Edited January 13, 2021 by grandadbob

[Winslow Boy]

Well someone has left the tap on again. Don't know whose paying the water rates, just glad its not me as its going to be one hell of a bill.

 

On a more serious note discovered we have a leak in the loft. So that's another bill. The initial inspection is that appears to be above the new vents we had installed some two years ago. Problem is we have installed some between the eaves insulation so can't really see where the leak is. Ho hum. Now waiting on the roofer to get back in touch.

[southern42]

' morning all from red dragon land.

 

Wet!

 

Planes.  We are still getting the  new Beechcraft Texan aircraft buzzing out of RAF Valley.  I have not heard much in the way of helicopters, lately, some of which serve the hospital and Mountain Rescue. 

 

Plans for today starts with a mugadecaf, then cutting out articles of interest from magazines and filing away, and some tidying up (I need space for doing stuff to small bits and pieces of metal and plastic!)

 

*C* cake nearly gone - 3 days worth left, I reckon.  It's very rich, sweet, sticky, gooey even, very moist and extremely tasty - cake-theft security is at its highest.  Of course, certain cake-lovers may be entertained on the showing of their ERs cake pass with authorised avatar...but maybe not...we love it too much.

 

 

Fitt  and  Elfie have got their work cut out...

 

Take care, eat well and play safe.

_________

Best wishes

Polly

[Chris116]

47 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

 

I don’t think I have any “would you mind looking at...” jobs today. 
Tiny

Making comments like that is just asking for trouble! 

 

Does your sign off mean the diet is working?