Early Risers.

[TheSignalEngineer]

Still very cold in the Dark Peak, although the wind has shifted slightly so not full on the house from the Snake Pass snow field. That usually gives a wind chill of -15C.

Looks like a walk again as too windy to cycle even with the aid of elektrickery. I cried off yesterday and tidied the muddling room. Located the causes of three faults so it looks as if I may have to resort to the soldering iron to pass the time if the forecast rain comes in this afternoon.

[PeterBB]

1 hour ago, leopardml2341 said:

Mornin'

 

A bit early for a Sunday though. Cuppa decaff tea in hand, hopefully to be followed by some more shut eye.

 

Sadly my 'bleughness' continues so yesterday I attended a Covid test centre - result awaited and last night's planned meal with SWMBO cancelled.

 

Temperature on the rise here, 5 degrees forecast rising to a distinctly sub-tropical 12 tomorrow, that and a reasonable breeze suggests a good day for laundry.

 

Make the most of your day everyone: see you later.

Hope you end up 'negative'.

Temperature wise I'll believe it when I feel it.

 

(Barry - not aware of a PM)

Edited February 14, 2021 by PeterBB
Added answer

[jonny777]

3 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Chris, perhaps it suggests a personal 'problem' on my part, but this, I cannot comprehend.

 

I recently encountered a relatively inexpensive Californian (Monterey County), Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèrdre (a grape combination much loved in Oz as the "holy trinity") in my local supermarket. I'm not sure exactly how many bottles have made their way home but I enjoyed opening one this evening with some penne arrabiata.

 

I didn't understand any of that. Is it code for saying you had pie & chips, and a pint of mild? 

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

I had a Valentines card from the dog I sponsor at Dogs Trust. He isn’t one that can be adopted, probably because he has “personal space issues” and looks a bit like the one in the French rabies warning posters.  He does have lovely handwriting though. 
Nothing planned for today, and we are off to a rather slow start. 
I think much of the ice and snow will disappear today. The temperature is about 1C so that is some positive news. 
Tony

[bbishop]

10 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Evening All,

Regarding bbishop, I’ve never been offended but it I made me think. I wonder if I’ve ever offended anyone, particularly when in rant mode and engaging fingers before brain. I know I upset some people last year, not on ERs though and didn’t get any warning but it did make me think before posting again. 

Robert

 

I think it was personal, it was also exceedingly boring.  I'm not the only one to be driven off - think of oldddudders - possibly by the same person.  As it's not something I want to happen again, I'll keep away from ER.

If you disagree with someone's views, then a PM is the best route, rather than a vitriolic attack or a squeal to teacher.

Bill

[leopardml2341]

Keyboard Warriors - nuff said

[laurenceb]

1 hour ago, Mike Bellamy said:

As reported yesterday, we went for our jabs - now I have a very sore arm but she's fine with no problems. The same always happens with the flu jab - mine hurts like hell for a couple of days but SWMBO no reaction at all. However I did manage to bring a bit of humour into the process as the nurse was asking a series of questions about my health - 'Any headaches'? - response 'Yes she's sitting over there' !

And you lived to tell the tale! Impressive!

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Dull and breezy here but there is a hint of brighter sky to the east. The temperature has "shot up" to 2°C and may climb even further to 5 later on.

Late up, feeling carp and struggling to move with joints various protesting greatly.  Anyone would think I played in 2 rugby marches yesterday instead of just watching.  At least England managed to win fairly well after an iffy start.  Glad to see that Quins overcame the Tigers (sorry TB).  

Unusually I turned down the offer of a cooked breakfast, just didn't feel like it.  The Boss is making one of her famed beef casseroles with dumplings for dinner tonight so I hope I'm able to do it justice.  There is a selection of red wine to choose from as an accompaniment.

 

12 hours ago, polybear said:

He's cute.  Send him round.  And is your lawn really that good or have you cheated?

 

Cheated - it's artificial and  he may look cute but he and his friends and family are a pain in the butt.

 

The Boss is unhappy for the second Sunday in succession as the programme she watches/listens to whilst ironing has been replaced by cricket.  I'm staying upstairs out of her way for now but she'll be even more upset when I watch the rugby later.

 

Nothing else planned today but I really should try and do something.   Yet again I'm sounding like a broken record.

Have a good one, I'm off to twiddle my thumbs.

Bob.

 

Edited February 14, 2021 by grandadbob

[Tony_S]

37 minutes ago, bbishop said:

squeal to teacher

I really dislike that term. It brings back memories of some child tolerating awful bullying rather than getting a reputation for “squealing “ or “grassing”. 

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

It is somewhat grey looking out there but there are some breaks in the cloud away to the east.  Reputedly it will be 'warmer' today but also considerably wetter - quelle surprise.

 

Flavio asked about Iain Rice and while I haven't seen or read anything about his current state of health it was disclosed several years back that that he was suffering from  Parkinson's Disease - a terrible thing for anybody but particularly for one like him with considerable skills in a particular hobby.   I would think from what I know of their respective histories that he will be some years (maybe as much as a decade?) younger than Bob Essery but I don't know the latter although I used to know Iain quite well.

 

For those who don't like lamb be warned as we will be having lamb curry for dinner this evening while I shall - as usual - be recharging my Vitamin D levels with mushrooms and bacon for lunch.  As for local vineyards the most immediate (less than a couple of miles away) produces a highly regarded, and prize winning, sparkling white and a sparkling rosé (not yet competitively judged but reputedly as good) however as they cost £35 a bottle they have not found a home here.   The next nearest was one we visited some years ago and they rather stupidly for this far north (c.51.5) do a red - which tasted awful.  Regrettably one several miles to the south of us closed when the owner sold the land but he did some very impressive white wines, on a par with a really good Moselle.

 

Back to earth and time for a wander round RMweb.  Have a good day and stay safe.

[Coombe Barton]

Cold, grey and spending too much time on the sofa, so summoning up the will to do something

[New Haven Neil]

A bit like that myself, John.  This weather has bolted me to the sofa, exercise so far today, getting the firewood in.

 

A soaring 4c here now and raining, the snaa all but gone.  Windy still but not the gales of yesterday, and the ferry has ventured out to the UK, despite the sea still having deep grooves in it.

 

P-Bear, the Leodest & Larivane Light Railway has several of those death defying leaps, insisted upon at times of no traffic by what used to be known as the 'Domestic Authorities'.  Such terms are of course outdated, especially since nowadays I am demoted/promoted to the more prosaic events in the household as Mrs NHN is now the major wage earner while I subsist on my meagre superannuation.  The three arched steel bridges (genuine LGBplastic) that fit into the gaps live in the garage outside of service days, allowing unimpeded access to the lawn, veg garden and Koi pond etc.  I'd post photo but value my freedom.  Maybe in Night Mail!

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land (just).

[Tony_S]

46 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

As for local vineyards

My nephew’s fiancée’s parents live in Modena. After visits there they frequently presented us with items of local produce (wine, food not cars). However now that international visits are not possible they sent us local produce from Sussex. The English sparkling wine was very nice .

[polybear]

1 hour ago, bbishop said:

 As it's not something I want to happen again, I'll keep away from ER.

 

 

Then they win, which most definitely isn't right as it merely encourages them to do it again...

Stick around, we don't bite (much)......

 

42 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

Flavio asked about Iain Rice and while I haven't seen or read anything about his current state of health it was disclosed several years back that that he was suffering from  Parkinson's Disease - a terrible thing for anybody but particularly for one like him with considerable skills in a particular hobby.

 

Bear was going to mention this earlier, but didn't as I don't know Iain and didn't feel comfortable in doing so.  However, as it has now been mentioned I will add that I saw Iain exhibiting a layout several years ago at S4um Leatherhead (so that should help date it) - he was showing signs then (shaking hands in particular) and did think then just how bl00dy unfair life can be sometimes.

 

On a lighter note.....

 

 

 

 

 

Little Thelma

"Since Valentine's Day is for a Christian saint and we're Jewish," she asks, "Will God get mad at me for giving someone a valentine?

Thelma's father thinks a bit then says "No, I don't think God would get mad.

Who do you want to give a valentine to?" 

"The whole Isis group," she says.

"Why them," her father asks in shock? 

"Well," she says, "I thought that if a little American Jewish girl could have enough love to give them a valentine, they might start to think that maybe  we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit.

And if other kids saw what I did and then they sent valentines to them, they'd love everyone a lot.

And then they'd start going all over the place telling everyone how much they loved them and how they didn't hate anyone anymore."

Her father's heart swells and he looks at his daughter with new found pride.

"Thelma, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."

"I know," Thelma says, "and once that gets them out in the open, the Marines could blow the out of them."

 

 

 

[iL Dottore]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Does this mean that Bear could be reported to the Mods and chased off ER?  Now that would be a despicable way to try to protect possessions of cake -

 

....Such a trick on behalf of Captain Cynical can only be described as a War Crime,  surely?

Yeah, well “despicable” sort of goes with the territory. You can’t be a Super  Villain (who does good in his spare time) without being “despicable”. But I do have standards.  Firstly, I wouldn’t “shop you“ to the authorities, If I was displeased and thought it necessary, I would send round a few of the lads to “have a quiet word“. Secondly, who says I am protecting CAKE with my multi layered security systems?  CAKE is but a small portion of my culinary empire, some of whom regard CAKE as the poor relative.

As for your last assertion, providing you with “an alternative life style timeline“, is certainly NOT a “war crime”. In fact, if you read the Supervillains Code of Conduct Manual, such things are permitted and accepted when done to a single individual (you may be interested to know that I was approached by a very rich and reclusive lady collector who wanted to add  A “toy bear“ to her collection of toy boys and other toy paraphernalia. I turned her down, without listening).

 

All you need to know, my dear Bear, is that we are currently in a state of detente, which is where I intend to keep things.

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

...I had a Valentines card from the dog I sponsor at Dogs Trust. He isn’t one that can be adopted, probably because he has “personal space issues” and looks a bit like the one in the French rabies warning posters...

That’s really, really wonderful Tony.  I wish more people who are or have been dog owners to support those poor unfortunate beasts that, generally through no fault of their own (but due to what has happened to them), will never be adopted. Mrs ID and I support a charity that takes care of elderly dogs and cats (it’s horrifying to learn how many people just get rid of the dogs and cats when the animals start to get old and start to cost money at the vet).  We also, through Mrs IDs dog training, get passed to us collars, harnesses and the like that trainee dogs have outgrown and once a year we box everything up and send it down to the local animal shelter.

I really do wish it would be heavily emphasised to would-be dog owners, that they are (or should be) committing to 14 to 16 years of responsibility, 14 to 16 years of the management of assorted bodily fluids, various excreta and diverse behaviours, as well as 14 to 16 years of seemingly endless food bills and vet bills (and, at the end, when they go they break your heart).

58 minutes ago, bbishop said:

I think it was personal, it was also exceedingly boring.  I'm not the only one to be driven off - think of oldddudders - possibly by the same person.  As it's not something I want to happen again, I'll keep away from ER.

If you disagree with someone's views, then a PM is the best route, rather than a vitriolic attack or a squeal to teacher.

Bill

Whilst there may be some good instances of needing to restrict or ban access to some or all of RMWeb to certain individuals, because of the way they have behaved on forum. I hope that AndyY and the moderators do fully assess the situation and weed out all those complaints that are personal and/or have a whiff of a vendetta.

 

To illustrate:  I would hope that those moderating the forum would be able to distinguish between me complaining that someone has posted a single item that I may consider nasty (e.g. “ID has all the dress sense of a chimpanzee on acid“)  and me complaining that every time I post something on the forum, a certain individual will write “yeah, what do you expect from a brain-dead chimpanzee“. Not a great example, I agree, but I think it serves to illustrate the difficulties in moderating the forum and I would argue that someone’s hurt feelings are not necessarily per se a reason for banning or excluding someone. 

 

I certainly agree that misunderstandings about a post should be sorted out with a PM or two. Only if that fails, should an appeal to the moderators be considered.

Oh, and one final thought: people complaining should not be able to hide behind anonymity. If I find myself being banned from the forum or put on “administrative leave”, then I would definitely want to know who complained and what the complaint was about. 

3 minutes ago, The Stationmaster said:

..asked about Iain Rice and while I haven't seen or read anything about his current state of health it was disclosed several years back that that he was suffering from  Parkinson's Disease - a terrible thing for anybody but particularly for one like him with considerable skills in a particular hobby.   ..

That really is bad news! Truly the gods are vindictive and mean spirited - to give Iain Rice such an amazing talent and then prevent him from using it is nothing short of evil. I once commissioned Iain Rice to help me design my layout and not only did he steer me in the right direction (i.e. a prototypically feasible, yet doable layout) , but he also took the time to school me in many of those aspects of the real railway which, at the time, I knew nothing about. A true gentleman

[BSW01]

Good morning (well it was when I started) 

 

It's cold, but warmer than yesterday, 4C, but the wind makes it feel colder. 

 

Late up this morning, so only just got to the workshop. Work will continue on the trackwork for the turntable, more ballasting needs to be done. 

 

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

 

Brian 

[newbryford]

2 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

Keyboard Warriors - nuff said

 

And folk that live t'other side o' t' hills...........................

 

[TheQ]

Afternoon,

Shelves put up,

 

Landrover solenoid to starter wire undone, cleaned, refitted and tightened up, cleaned and checked tight other cable and solenoid control wire..

Land rover started!!!

 

Trailer section painted on one side,

 

I'm now warming up in order to get cold walking Ben.

Trailer section to be turned over when I return to paint other side,  frozen again..

 

Oddity, hearse turned round out side our house and reversed down to the farm with occupant in back..

Why?

They have an artic sized turning area outside the barns and a gravel turning area outside the house..

 

I noticed yesterday there were cars parked outside the house, which would be naughty as they all live in London..

Hearse has now passed going forwards followed by family, walking to church half a mile away..it's very cold outside and that church has no heating..or lighting or water or electricity

 

 

I'm getting the stare..

time to walk...

 

Edited February 14, 2021 by TheQ

[PhilJ W]

Hello again from Estuary-Land. It feels a lot warmer this morning and the snow is (slowly) melting.

6 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

It’s Captain Cynical I’ll have you know, thank you very much (although it is gratifying to learn that my alter-ego has achieved a degree of infamy. Fame is great, but notoriety is even better!)

I know they can be problematic, but I do find foxes to be very endearing Canids.  As a devoted dog owner, I do have a soft spot for most members of the Canidae family (I find Wolves beautiful animals, but the jury is still out on the coyote).  

My sincere apologies for confusing you with someone else. Is Captain Sinister an associate or a competitor? 

16 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Yeah, well “despicable” sort of goes with the territory. You can’t be a Super  Villain (who does good in his spare time) without being “despicable”. But I do have standards.  Firstly, I wouldn’t “shop you“ to the authorities, If I was displeased and thought it necessary, I would send round a few of the lads to “have a quiet word“. Secondly, who says I am protecting CAKE with my multi layered security systems?  CAKE is but a small portion of my culinary empire, some of whom regard CAKE as the poor relative.

As for your last assertion, providing you with “an alternative life style timeline“, is certainly NOT a “war crime”. In fact, if you read the Supervillains Code of Conduct Manual, such things are permitted and accepted when done to a single individual (you may be interested to know that I was approached by a very rich and reclusive lady collector who wanted to add  A “toy bear“ to her collection of toy boys and other toy paraphernalia. I turned her down, without listening).

 

All you need to know, my dear Bear, is that we are currently in a state of detente, which is where I intend to keep things.

 

The 'very rich and reclusive lady collector' intrigues me. It has always been my ambition to become a 'toy boy' but by now she will have to be a centenarian.

Very sorry to hear about Bob Essery. I know of another railway modeller who has just been diagnosed with Alzheimers, he is still cognitive and the disease is being held back by drugs but the prognosis is not that good.

[jonny777]

2 hours ago, laurenceb said:

And you lived to tell the tale! Impressive!

 

Yes, but probably didn't get the covid vaccine - another bottle was quickly brought out of the fridge. 

 

 

[TheSignalEngineer]

11 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

It has always been my ambition to become a 'toy boy' but by now she will have to be a centenarian.

Too old to be a Toy Boy and too poor to be a Sugar Daddy was my usual problem. However, a rather attractive single lady paid a lot of attention to me when I was about 19. When I neared 21 I was rapidly exchanged for a later edition. I bumped into her on a station about 20 years later and she was still single. If she is still around she'll be about 87 now.

[TheSignalEngineer]

Morning walk was done despite the wind gusting to about 60kph according to the local stats. Still plenty of groups obviously breaking the Covid rules invading the Dark Peak despite the conditions.

Two soldering jobs done and an electromagnetic device designed for altering the position of shiny metal strips adjusted.  Unfortunately subsequent testing revealed another moving shiny metal fault. The up side is that it is normally only used in the trailing direction so has been scotched out of use until further investigation can be undertaken after lunch. Meanwhile the S&T depot cannot be accessed. Good job it isn't the Sausage Factory siding.

[Tony_S]

I am feeling light headed. Not an after effect of a vaccine just the result of stage one of cutting my hair. I thought it was safe to expose my ears again as the temperature is very slightly positive. I will repeat the process tomorrow with the next shorter clipper thing to tidy it up. 
 

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

And of course, the usual generic greetings are on offer.

 

Wasn't even aware of "The Night Mail" thread, and given that I don't even have enough time to monitor ERs and the other threads I follow, I doubt that I will be able to visit it.  However, good luck to those who sail in it.

 

I was a bit worried about my COVID vaccination yesterday, as I'd heard tales of long queues outside of the venue of up to an hour.  It is a new health innovation campus at the University, and which has a lot of vacant space, so the two practices in Lancaster have rented some rooms there to be their vaccination centre. 

 

The same day I booked, I also got a letter from the NHS inviting me to attend a different centre, which is operating as a spearate operation at the Town Hall - but as my GP was on the ball and had texted me, I had replied and booked, I just ignored the letter - and anyway as I had to drive to either site, the parking at the uni was free, and the town hall was £1.50 - no brainer really. 

 

Then on Friday, 30747 was advised about 5.30 pm that she is eligible for a vaccine, as the nursery sector are now being treated as front line staff.  Rang our GP, and they were not aware of this, as it was only announced that afternoon.  So as we now had a web address to book a COVID test, we ran through the questions, and it allowed her to book for Tuesday at the town hall.  But as she is eligible, she came with me to the university just in case they would fit her in.  Arrived about five minutes before the appointment and went across to the building, where suitably masked and distanced marshalls were sorting out the arrivals - I asked if 30747 could be fitted in, but they said that supplies of the vaccine were limited - they had 990 patients booked in, and 1000 doses of vaccine - Astra Zennica as it happens. 

 

I asked about the queues earlier in the week, and it transpired that the NHS text service had overbooked the slots available by about 30%, though in fairness, they had supplied enough vaccines for all the bookings - they just didn't have enough staff.  The clinician who vaccinated me said that last week they had booked over 1300 patients instead of 990! 

 

Vaccination was swift - I was signed in by my own practice's sister drac who greeted me and sent me to a queue of two - there were seven clinicians working flat out.  I was then vaccinated after only about five minutes, and was back in the car with the bad news for 30747 that she'd have to wait til Tuesday - all in all, we were only on the campus for 20 minutes max - a very slick and creditable performance, and I also met my former GP, who has now retired, but is there as one of the lead clinicians.   He was very pleased with how it was NOW working.

 

Oh and my arm started to ache, and last night I was abed early, as I felt so tired, and I slept solidly for 9 1/2 hours without even a pee break - then woke, made tea and coffee and toast, took them upstairs, and promptly fell asleep after consuming mine for another hour.  Today, I have a headache and feel a bit listess, but at least stage one is done now,

 

Regards to All

Stewart