Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

1 minute ago, Ozexpatriate said:

We've had freezing rain and sleet but nothing to that extent. I wonder if someone helped it out with a garden hose? All that ice seems very localized.

 

 

Perfectly natural. The upper part of the trees were exposed to the sun which melted the snow and ice. beneath the trees which was in the shade it remained below freezing and the water refroze as it fell.

[jamie92208]

53 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

Should any profferings of local cognac be forthcoming, standing combat air patrols can be provided Jamie.

 

Dave

Ample supplies of M Balluet's finest are on hand .  

 

QRA begins.

 

Jamie

Edited February 12, 2021 by jamie92208

[tigerburnie]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

I agree. Rocket science is fairly simple however some of the rocket technology is complex. 

I thought you lit the blue touch paper and then retired......................................................

[Erichill16]

7 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

Hello All.

 

Really must get my priorities right and stop letting work interfere with RMweb

 

Anyway as it's POETS day I intend to do just that and take Doggo for a walk; its cold out there, but what I really don't understand is the BBC Weather guesstimate for tomorrow which shows this:

 

In the header bar a max of -1 and a min of -1, but look at the hour by hour temperature range #confused

I’ve noticed it a lot and wondered how they work it out. I think it seems to happen about once a week.

Edited February 12, 2021 by Erichill16

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[pH]

This isn’t an e-bay complaint - I have no problems with the site or the seller. 
 

I won an item on February 5, paid for it on that day, and the seller got it into the hands of the US Postal Service in Maine on that day. It made it into New Jersey on February 8 - not very efficient, but at least it had made it into another state. As of midday local time today, February 12, it hasn’t made it out of NJ. It has been to 6 different locations, some of them several times! The initial expected delivery date was “February 23 to March 23” - I wonder if it will make it.

[Gwiwer]

Evening all.  Checking in before checking out for the night.  

 

Philps of Hayle provided pasties for tea which, in my case, was washed down with a couple of beers.  One was a freebie John Smiths gifted from next door and the other a much more palatable (but not free!) bottle of Spingo Middle from the Blue Anchor, Helston.  SWMBO enjoyed non-alcoholic Friday Drinks this week owing to still feeling a few after-effects of the hospital procedure midweek.  

 

Speaking of hospitals, procedures and matters related I learned tonight that BiL (who is 59 with no underlying health issues) has been jabbed.  A few work colleagues also under 60 and without any underlying conditions they ever make us aware of have also been "done".  SWMBO is considered vulnerable by her GP and I am somewhat over 60.  No sign of us being offered anything yet though.  It seems to be turning into a lottery with good intention as to when and where you might be dealt with.  That is not intended as any slur on the NHS nor its cohorts of vax-volunteers who are probably doing sterling work under great pressure.  But the app used to predict when we might be invited is currently suggesting both of us are "After 30th April" which sounds a long way off when others of similar and younger age groups are starting to be dealt with.  

 

No news yet on when we might get the combi boiler replaced.  The central heating remains OK provided we run it in 24/7 mode - not a big problem in the current weather - but we are told "it may fail" if used in on-off mode.  Hot water is more or less a thing of the past except from the kettle or stove-top.  A few seconds of slightly-heated water is not sufficient for dishes nor a bath and I'm not keen on the icy showers I have endured in recent days.  

 

Enough.  It's time to inspect the eyelids which are drooping heavily.  Best wishes to one and all.  Sleep well.  Stay well.  

[Ozexpatriate]

I put all my winter gear on to stroll to the mailbox. (It's a community box that serves all the eight residences at my end of the street.) Fortunately footing was sound enough not to need traction devices on my boots.

 

While it was about an hour after I am usually confident the mail carrier has completed his/her round, I did notice a lack of tyre tracks in the street next to the mailbox. All of the keyholes on the mailboxes were coated in a layer of solid and transparent ice perhaps 5mm thick. A blowtorch would be needed to open them quickly.

 

While the USPS aspires to the following:

Quote

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

 

No mail delivery today, I'm thinking.

[Ozexpatriate]

17 minutes ago, pH said:

As of midday local time today, February 12, it hasn’t made it out of NJ. It has been to 6 different locations, some of them several times!

I recently experienced something similar. I had ordered something from a reliable shipper, using USPS with a 13-18 day delivery expectation.

 

My shipping confirmation email arrived on November 3. The package was moving through the system by November 30 via Georgia and Memphis, TN and arrived in Jersey City on December 11, from where it eventually moved across the Hackensack River to depart the Newark Distribution Center in Kearny, NJ on December 29. It arrived here on the opposite side of the continent on January 2.

 

There's been a lot of weather in the New Jersey area in the last two weeks.

[brianusa]

I had this problem.  All it takes is some hot breath or just blow on the lock.  Works for me. (in this instance)

    Brian, in chilly Gig Harbor.

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Day much as expected.

Domestic duties this morning followed by the arrival of the nephews and Sydney. You may be relieved to know that the nephews weren’t ‘entered’ in fact I don’t think they were entertained, well not by me anyway. Give them an iPad and they’re  in their own world.

I managed to phone a MRC friend and wished him a happy birthday and we had bit of a natter, nothing heavy, just thing that we don’t talk about on here. I wasn’t really looking forward to making the call as my enthusiasm for most things has been lacking but in the end I felt better for it. I really aught to make a few more call to friends, just to check how they’re coping but to be honest I just can’t seem to face making conversations at the moment.

As for tomorrow, I don’t know, Sydney’s here for a sleep over so he’ll need taking out and a bit of shed time???? I may even make a purchase from  ebay if my enthusiasm picks up and the items I’ve seen are still available.
Eyelids are feeling heavy so I’ll bit you goodnight,

Robert

[The Stationmaster]

5 hours ago, jonny777 said:

 

Really? 

 

I just read the NHS guidance.....

 

"What happens at the appointment

 

Your appointment should last for around 30 to 45 minutes.

You'll be asked some questions about your medical history.

It's important to tell the staff giving you the vaccination if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction or you are pregnant.

If your appointment is at a vaccination centre, you'll be asked for your booking reference numbers.

You will then be given an injection of the vaccine into your upper arm.

All places that offer COVID-19 vaccinations will help keep you safe from COVID-19. There will be regular cleaning and social distancing in waiting areas." 

 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/what-happens-at-your-appointment/

I suppose it all depends where it's done and who is doing it.  We were less than 10 minutes for Mrs Stationmaster and I in there togetherand were both asked to confirm our names and dates of birth for teh nbox ticking job by the 'puter operator followed bya coupel of questions about medication (I answered yes to the one about warfarin but that made no doffr erence to what happened next - the needle in my arm (after I'd nominated my favoured arm for the job).   But the Doctor who did the jabbing has seen Mrs Stationnmaster as a patient in the past so knew her and she introduced herself to me.  And that was it and off we went - but there was no need for a 15 minute observation period and so there was equally no need to wait for a suitably socially distanced observation seat to become available - which can take longer than the observation period in a busy centre.

 

I agree with Rick's point about variations around the country in who gets to get a shot of vaccine - there seem to be xonsiderable variations at play and I can only assume that in some respects they reflect the way vaccine is being distributed rather than anything else.   Vaccination sessions have been held here at varying intervals since the first took place in December and the only thing which could account for any delay in reaching the coverage of certain age groups etc could be the supply of vaccine because the infrastructure to do the job has been readily available all the way through.  But having said that I don't really doubt that first dose of vaccine down to Priority Group 4 will be much adrift, if at all. from the target date the Govt has set.  But what is odd is the way vaccination of the extremely vulnerable seems to be something of a lottery (assuming their vulnerability is on the official list of course).  My chiropractor - probably in his 30s or not much older - is in that category (Crone's Disease) and has already received his first dose of vaccine.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

This morning’s early grey skies turned to blue with bright sunshine, but that wind was bitter, often referred to as a lazy wind, as it goes right through you, instead of going around you! Still the walk to the butchers was quite refreshing, but I’m glad I wore my sheepskin flying jacket, that never fails to keep me warm! Unfortunately the same  can’t be said for my leather gloves though, my hands were really cold when I got back. Today’s high temperature was 2C, twice that of the last few days, but the wind made it feel a lot colder though, my phone app is telling me it’s currently -3C out there!

 

I had company when I went to the Trafford Centre this morning, Sheila decided to join me as she wanted a mooch around in Boots, it’s the first time she’s been since before Christmas 2019 ! However, in the end she was very disappointed and came out there empty handed, so my wallet breathed a huge sigh of relief ! I on the other hand came back with a large bag full of groceries so the trip wasn’t a complete waste of time, but it did last about 30 minutes longer than if I’d gone on my own! But thankfully did spy an Eccles cake and the bread/cake counter! I thought to myself, ooh, I’ve not had one of those for years so I treated myself to one, which was consumed at dinner, after my pork pie, which was substitute for a pastie as they were still in the oven!

 

As predicted the afternoon was spent behind my easel working on the design and plans for the layout’s Helix, which have now completed. The next stage will be to draw up a cutting plan for the plywood, to see how much I need to buy. Although the actual purchase won’t be until I’ve finished the work in the cellar. So that’ll probably be sometime towards the end of the year or maybe early next year.

 

Sheila had a reminder to book her Covid jab and she’s got her appointment booked for next Wednesday, the day after her birthday. I’ve yet to get mine, but then Sheila is 18 months older than I am and falls into the 65 - 70 age group. Whereas I’m still in the under 65 age group, so I expect mine will be sometime next month. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[laurenceb]

Had a phone call from the docs this afternoon, will get jabbed on Wed

Night awl

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

For one fleeting moment yesterday I thought my luck had changed.   This can’t be a Valentine card, surely?  Of course it wasn’t.  Instead it was a card from my long-time friend Mary conveying birthday greetings well ahead of the day and encouraging me to grow lots of yummy vegetables.   In my garden?  You jest, dear lady.  When I moved in 40 years ago I really wanted to put my garden to good use.  Sadly the garden had other ideas.  Let me put it this way: when you sow an entire packet of carrot seeds and get one carrot the garden is trying to tell you something, best expressed as “Don’t mess with me, sunshine”.   Oh well, it’s the thought that counts.

 

Another postal conundrum is ongoing.  Back in October I ordered a double CD of a concert given in tribute to the late Roy Bailey.  Somehow the webshite through which I ordered it did not properly register the order, nor did it charge my card.  Only when the album was advertised for sale again did I pick up that something was wrong.  I contacted the vendor, established that a malfunction had occurred and placed another order.  A subsequent e-mail told me that the album had been despatched on 26th January and swore blind that I would have it by 9th February at the latest.  Needless to say I am still waiting.  I have reported it missing and must see what happens.  Why do I not expect a happy ending?

 

For Brianusa’s benefit, and for general clarification, I need to explain a bit more about learning to like curry.  In that far distant world when there were shows extending over two days, there were bunches of people who used to travel together and make a weekend of it.  On Saturday nights, and for all I know at other times too, these fine people enjoyed going for a pint and a curry.  Not for them would be the draughty patio or tent: they would dine most sociably in an Indian restaurant.  On occasion they would extend the hand of friendship and invite me to join them.  I would have loved a pint or several with them but was unsure of my ability to cope with a curry and so declined the invitation.  One can only cope with so many lonely Saturday nights in a hotel room in a strange town.  If any of them are reading this, I ask forgiveness for past errors of judgement.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[iL Dottore]

13 hours ago, jonny777 said:

 

Really? 

 

I just read the NHS guidance.....

 

"What happens at the appointment

 

Your appointment should last for around 30 to 45 minutes.

You'll be asked some questions about your medical history.

It's important to tell the staff giving you the vaccination if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction or you are pregnant.

If your appointment is at a vaccination centre, you'll be asked for your booking reference numbers.

You will then be given an injection of the vaccine into your upper arm.

All places that offer COVID-19 vaccinations will help keep you safe from COVID-19. There will be regular cleaning and social distancing in waiting areas." 

 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/what-happens-at-your-appointment/

I know it’s a “one size (doesn’t quite) fits all” information leaflet from a huge, monolithic, institution, but, given that - at present - the majority of females getting vaccinated are most definitely and demonstrably post-menopausal, surely the instructions in the leaflet should be “if you are a woman of child bearing age, tell the staff if you are, or think you might be, pregnant”?

Or did the people writing the leaflet think [a] that’s too complicated for the public to understand or (b] that’s not “inclusive” enough and that it may offend someone, somewhere?  [Captain Cynical mode OFF]

10 hours ago, bbishop said:

...I was chased off ER a while back by someone reporting all my posts to Andy York.  It was a matter of leaving ER or being booted off RMWeb...

I’m gobsmacked. I was wondering why you hadn’t been posting. I certainly don’t recall any objectionable posts from your good self (and I know, given that we enjoyed time in each other’s company in Chur, that we certainly don’t agree on a number of things).

 

It’s hard not to get the impression that people nowadays are less psychologically robust than “my generation” and that any criticism or contrary opinion, no matter how slight or how small, has them demanding protection.. 
Believe me, growing up in 60s Britain with an Italian name (and an unusual one at that) meant that I was exposed to the sorts of comments that would have many today running for the shelter of their “safe spaces”. To be fair, most of such comments were made without malice aforethought (and when they were, you gave as good as you got...)

9 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

Should any profferings of local cognac be forthcoming, standing combat air patrols can be provided Jamie.

 

Dave

Now, do I [a] make a counter-offer of several cases of Basler Kirschwasser or get the lads to dust off the AA-12 Adders?. Hmmm, decisions, decisions...

 

Well, a busy day in the kitchen beckons: I’ll be baking a lemon cake with candied lemon peel and a lemon-mascarpone cream filling, preparing an egg mayonnaise (“egg salad” to our American & Canadian friends) on toasted muffins for lunch (it’s SO easy it’s not really cooking) and tonight I’ll be grilling some lamb chops with rosemary and making a cauliflower cheese to go with it. Apart from the cake (‘cos I’m trying to perfect the recipe) all straightforward and simple (as I haven’t had guests for a while, I haven’t really been challenging myself in the kitchen and today is no exception).

 

And on that Kulinarisch Note I bid you all Ein gutes Frühstück und ein angenehmer Samstag

 

iD

Edited February 13, 2021 by iL Dottore
Formatting

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Busy day scheduled.. we have an Anglo-Australian zoom meeting this morning followed by a catch up with my sister later on.

 

I have some information to colllate and send out.. so my time cab be spent well today.

 

Time for my mugatea!

Stay safe!

Baz

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

5 hours sleep, and not a lot else,

 

Ben the Alarm clock Collie, decided to turn up today, I tried to explain it wasn't a working day, but he said that was no excuse.. The wind having moved to the south east, means there is little protection from the wind out there. It's exceedingly chilly, snow very crunchy.

 

I sympathize il Dottore's problems with his name, going to school in Scotland with a first name that only I have in the world and an English accent definitely gave me grief often with malice aforethought. There was no protection, from anyone or anywhere.. As I was living away from home..

 

Some time ago I spent hours and days trying to find  a method of arranging a VANG  or GNAV on the boat.. Eventually I settled an a slight variation on a conventional set up, it wouldn't be entirely satisfactory, but would have to do.

Then yesterday, I saw an unusual boom, it being curved, it had a conventional vang, but with a gnav it solves the problem for Blue Moon.

 

If the boat is completed for regatta week this year then it will be with the conventional set up.

This is for two reasons, It'll need a clear workbench, and I need to get the bandsaw on the original wooden boom, which is too long for the workshop before cutting up. So it will have to be done outside.

 

Once the idea popped into brain, then it had to consider what to make the new boom from, until it realised there are two sets of wooden, boom,  mast, and gaff doing nothing.. in particular one boom, which was heavily over built for Blue Moon,  it should provide enough strips of wood to laminate up into the required curve.

The old boom is also over length for the new sail set up, so there is plenty of length for the curve. With it still needing the same horizontal length.

 

Plans for today,

Turn on the second heater in the workshop, 

Take some measurements  of mast, boom and  boat. For some planning, and drawing.

Put the last  shelving up to the right of the door.

 

Trim a cupboard top to the left of the door, that was built and installed before it was decided this room would become a library.

Measure up for, make and paint shelves for that area.

 

Time to consider breakfast...

 

Edited February 13, 2021 by TheQ

[PeterBB]

11 hours ago, bbishop said:

 

Almost spotted my name on here, although it is Bill!  I was chased off ER a while back by someone reporting all my posts to Andy York.  It was a matter of leaving ER or being booted off RMWeb.  So now I'm haunting The Night Mail, no censorship but one is expected to justify one's posts.  Rather busy at the moment, I have a vaccination assessment to complete.  Bill

 

 

Bill - apologies for typo - now corrected.  Also had not noticed anything that was 'offensive' - welcome back.

Edited February 13, 2021 by PeterBB

[BoD]

11 hours ago, bbishop said:

I was chased off ER a while back by someone reporting all my posts to Andy York.  It was a matter of leaving ER or being booted off RMWeb.

I’m very disappointed to read that.  Most un-ER-like. I hadn’t noticed anything untoward... apart from you not posting that is.  I missed the reports from Lords and the Proms, although I guess we wouldn’t have had them anyway.

 

What is this night mail of which you speak?

[jamie92208]

9 hours ago, pH said:

This isn’t an e-bay complaint - I have no problems with the site or the seller. 
 

I won an item on February 5, paid for it on that day, and the seller got it into the hands of the US Postal Service in Maine on that day. It made it into New Jersey on February 8 - not very efficient, but at least it had made it into another state. As of midday local time today, February 12, it hasn’t made it out of NJ. It has been to 6 different locations, some of them several times! The initial expected delivery date was “February 23 to March 23” - I wonder if it will make it.

Perhaps it's got mixed up with a large batch of Trump ballot papers that they keep moving around so that they can't be found.  There a new conspiracy  theory to start the day.

 

Jamie