Early Risers.

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[Barry O]

Goodnight all!

Baz

[andyram]

Evening all and I hope today finds you well.

 

Yes I did catch the Harry Hewitt and Megan interview although not by choice. Sarah decided to forego the football on Sky to watch it - come on, own up, who has pinched my wife?? Am I going to offer my thoughts on it? No! I won’t waste my time.

 

Amber has returned to school today. This morning seemed stressful. I think she had mixed feelings but was looking forward to seeing her friends again.  With Sarah at work, there was some time for quiet this morning although much of it was spent marking yet more dreadful assignments.

 

After lunch I headed up to the shop to collect the items sold over the weekend so that the could be packed and sent out. I arrived to find the place in chaos. Workmen are renovating some of the properties in the centre, creating two new holiday lets. They are also completing the renovations to the cafe in the yard. Their supplies of floorboards had just been dumped across the front of my shop door. When I enquired to the workmen how I was supposed to get in the shop I was greeted with a vacant smile and a shrug of the shoulders. They soon moved them when I climbed onto the pile and walked across so that I could unlock the shop and go in. 
 

I returned from the shop around 3pm. It proved to be a bad move with school traffic resulting in a much longer journey. I have not seen things this bad in twelve months (even when the schools were open).

 

Stay safe.

 

Andy

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

I’ve been quite busy in the office in the cellar today and I’m pleased to say that I’ve finished Sheila’s card, it didn’t take as long as I thought. It’s been printed off and is sat in a drawer drying off. However, I did hit a bit of a snag, as the card I was going to use, was too thick to go through the printer. So I ended up printing the design on a piece of plain paper, cutting out the front design and gluing that to the front of the card. I then printed off the verse on a second piece of paper, folding that in half and then gluing that to the inside of the card along the fold. So it now resembles a very thin book, but I’m pleased with it, hopefully, so will Sheila. In between the periods where I was waiting for the ink to dry, I did a bit more work on the TPO decals. 

 

After tea, I completed the weekly Sainsbury’s Grand Prix. It was very quiet, which now seems to be the norm and thankfully the shelves seem to be well stocked too, so all the items missing on the shopping list were acquired.

 

This evening, Sheila asked when my next appointment was for a blood test at ‘The Christie’. I thought it was next week, but I couldn’t remember the time, so I got the letter with my date and times on and checked, it was a bl00dy good job I’d did, because my appointment is this Wednesday, my phone consultation is next week. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[BR60103]

There was a note today that the under-80s could now register for the jab. So I got on and everything seemed to work until the end of SWMBO's acceptance where it said "over 80 or indigenous". I had fixed it when I started mine, but not sure if it changed or not. Phoned the people and and nice lady called back and seemed to say (I didn't talk to her) that we were all right.

Now just have to wait for them to acquire some vaccine. 

 

[57xx]

Not sure if this is early or late... Still up pulling an all nighter patching Exchange servers for the latest Zero Day exploits (Hafnium).

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

There was no escaping that interview yesterday.  Clearly the young Duke and Duchess have been in more than a little distress and far be it from me of all people to pour scorn on anyone in such a situation.  Where mental health issues are concerned, it is OK to be not OK and the last thing anyone in that position should do is suffer in silence.  As some know, I have had my own difficulties with mental health.  I felt ashamed to be asking for help but soon learned that I was wrong to feel that way.  However, there are ways and ways of asking for help.  The way that Harry and Meghan have chosen has more than a touch of washing dirty linen in public and is, I fear, unlikely to lead to happier lives for either of them.  They may have been paid handsomely for the interview but money isn’t everything.

 

Today I am to be visited by a representative of the Fire and Rescue service, bringing gifts in the form of smoke detectors.  Her confirmatory e-mail is headed “Safe and Well visit” so I wonder what else she has in mind.   

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[iL Dottore]

Morning All,

A trip to the dentist awaits at 09:30  (scheduled for this evening, it was brought forward by a phone call from the dentist’s admin asking if I could come earlier). I tend to be relaxed about dental work and, once the local anaesthetic has been given, will happily drift off to sleep.

 

Yesterday, I spent the evening killing punks and lowlifes in Cyberpunk 2077 - which was infinitely more rewarding than watching an incredibly rich, self-centred couple - living in luxurious splendour - moan about how hard-done-by they are. Whether you are a Royalist or a Roundhead, I think it’s worth remembering that in the UK, the military, the police (correct me if I’m wrong, Jamie) and many other important civil functions swear allegiance to the Crown, not the government: which is a Sword of Damocles hanging over every government’s head. As, in theory at least, the crown can, in extremis, dissolve parliament. An advantage, I would argue, over an elected or appointed head of state. Something to ponder over.

 

I’m wondering if I made a mistake in getting the entry level Fender Tele instead of the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster 50s - which I also tried out. The difference between the two in playability was minimal, with the Squier perhaps having a very slight edge.  Still, once I get the Fender’s set up tweaked, I should be OK. Still, a bit annoying that even a quality brand like Fender still needs a set up “out-of-the-box” (in comparison: the David Gilmour Custom Shop Signature Strat was set up beautifully straight out-of-the-box [mind you, the DG strat cost a lot, lot, more than the entry level tele]). Some guitarists are very scathing about Custom Shop Signature models, but the way I look at it, I know it won’t make me play and sound like DG, but it does allow me to get a vintage quality instrument with great tonewoods etc. at a fraction of the price of what a real vintage guitar would cost.

 

Enjoy the day

iD

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Our committee meeting last night went well. I now have a long list of things to do and a large article for our Newsletter to compile before sending it off today. HMRC has delivered a sum of dosh in the form of gift aid to the society.  Now to organise getting the club room open.

 

In other news, I must go out to buy some paint today, check the clubrooms, do some of the "G" word so it will be a busy day.

 

Have as good a day as you can

 

Baz

[jamie92208]

56 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Whether you are a Royalist or a Roundhead, I think it’s worth remembering that in the UK, the military, the police (correct me if I’m wrong, Jamie) and many other important civil functions swear allegiance to the Crown, not the government: which is a Sword of Damocles hanging over every government’s head. As, in theory at least, the crown can, in extremis, dissolve parliament. An advantage, I would argue, over an elected or appointed head of state. Something to ponder over.

 

Yes, I swore allegiance to HM the Q and was very glad if that fact. I believe that the armed firces in the UK swear allegiance to HM and her ministers. I was very glad on occasions that I could happily turn round and say No to certain politicians.  

 

No one in this household watched the interview, thank goodness and I  will make no more comnent on it.  We are due to finally get Beth's inherited furniture delivered next week. The upshot of this was that space has to be made in our sitting room for a couple of items. Thus yesterday was spent rearranging the room and then demolishing the built in TV stand in the corner.  This also involved a trip to the tip with yhe 3 seater settee.that xaused much amusement  at the tip as the attendant tried, in a joking way, to offload the three seating units to some council employees.   Needless to say, not a lot else got done but I believe that brownie points were earned. I did hiwever manage to scan another 150 slides by changing slide masks on every visit to the shed. Just about 200 to go.  Muscles ached by the end of work after uding a jemmy to take some bits of wood off the wall.

 

Today the fire has been lit. A touch of David Jason is visible on the grass outside and the temperature  was -3 when I wentbout to hang the bread bag on the gatepost.  Supermarket this morning then The Danglies this afternoon  as Beth has got an ultrasound booked on her elbow.  

 

Mentioning hanging, the bird house has now been viewed several times by various small birds. Whether a tenancy is in the offing is still up in the air.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

 

 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

3.5 hours sleep. long break being bored by the whingers on every news channel before it finally sent me to sleep. Then 3 hours sleep.

 

Ben the reluctant Collie came out followed me to the Landrover and gave me the can I come routine..he then needed encouragement to go for his patrol. when he did he was happy, till a pheasant squawked . Then started running to the house, caught a wiff of something interesting and investigated that before heading for the house.

 

Land rover? yep the seaweed inspectors got it wrong yesterday and it was chucking it down when I left work. So it was Tes and cos prescription pickup from the surgery and then home. I'll try again for more MDF as they are claiming it's be sunny this afternoon .

 

Hmm, I've removed 8 inch floppy disks, to replace them with 5 1/4 inch disks, and 5MB Winchesters with 10MB Winchesters.. Also worked on Drum drives 4ft tall multiple fixed  heads on a magnetic film covered drum of about 15 inches in diameter.  I've changed Core Stores, ferrite rings with a cross of wire through then each storing a "bit", 128K of them in a surprisingly small block.

 

I've still got a 5 1/4 floppy, it was working when it got parked.. it was used to run MSDOS on a Sinclair QL which is also parked with it..

 

I got home to mud everywhere, in the road that is, they are ploughing the field just before our place and beet picking the other side of our place, which involves them going past the house to the concrete pan to deposit the pickings..

 When the wind is right I can drop a dead tree into the field they have picked from, however I think the wind is in the wrong direction this weekend , it's towards the shed for an unmentionable hobby.

 

I'm currently waiting for the first major system to be handed back, they needed it for an overnight run, they're just doing the fiddly bits at the end, which require lots of lead changes.

 

Time to.. go see if they've finished yet..

 

 

[BlackRat]

Morning one and all, from a sunny (!) Kernow.

 

Il D...... yes indeed they are......"A Constable, is a citizen, locally appointed who's authority is derived from the Crown."

 

I also took the Queens shilling ( not that I got one mind you).

 

If you want to know about the 'real' royal family....... ask one of the protection officers.

 

Lots could be told, if only they were allowed to but the threat of the Officl Secrets act hangs over like the sword of Damocles.

 

I joined up a sworn and avid Royalist.

 

My own experiences now lead me to republicanism, but then I'm a Celt ( correct spelling) and we are known to be rebellious

 

 

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a slightly overcast Fraggle Rock, that does not have an Ikea.

 

There's a hint of brightness to the east, so either the cloud is breaking, or Sellafield has gone up.

 

The day is predicted to get very draughty later (not the omeprazole although that doesn't help) and again tomorrow evening with damaging gales up to 60 mph.  Nothing new there then.

 

We didn't watch the Oprah thing, but did discuss Harry's, er, genetic background.  We came to the conclusion he did look quite like his Great Grandfather in some shots, so maybe the hair was just very, very coincidental.  Maybe.

 

It turns out Mrs NHN's new office is shared with the permanent way manager for all IoM Railways, he was very pleased, and rather surprised, to find she knew quite a bit about track!  

[Andrew P]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

Morning All,

 

 

I’m wondering if I made a mistake in getting the entry level Fender Tele instead of the Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster 50s - which I also tried out. The difference between the two in playability was minimal, with the Squier perhaps having a very slight edge.  Still, once I get the Fender’s set up tweaked, I should be OK. Still, a bit annoying that even a quality brand like Fender still needs a set up “out-of-the-box” (in comparison: the David Gilmour Custom Shop Signature Strat was set up beautifully straight out-of-the-box [mind you, the DG strat cost a lot, lot, more than the entry level tele]). Some guitarists are very scathing about Custom Shop Signature models, but the way I look at it, I know it won’t make me play and sound like DG, but it does allow me to get a vintage quality instrument with great tonewoods etc. at a fraction of the price of what a real vintage guitar would cost.

 

Enjoy the day

iD

 

I still keep looking at my Squire Headstocks and then at Fender Adds. I have read many comments about top of the range Squire and lower end Fender, same as Epiphone / Gibson etc, but the name is also important, and once tweaked and set up to your preferred settings, I'm sure you will view it as a good purchase.

My Squire Daphne Blue Jazz is a 60's Classic Vibe. It feels and sounds wonderful and has the Fender Alnico Pick Ups and a fabulous neck, sounds and plays great with a good set up, so the question is, what's NOT to like? 

[Andrew P]

Sunny thing is shining and so time for a walk before breakfast, Bright mornings, lighter evenings. perfect.

 

Have a good day one and all and stay safe.

[polybear]

1 hour ago, chrisf said:

However, there are ways and ways of asking for help.  The way that Harry and Meghan have chosen has more than a touch of washing dirty linen in public and is, I fear, unlikely to lead to happier lives for either of them. 

 

Bear did watch the interview, though missed the first ten minutes and attention in latter stages did wander a little at times.  It did sound that help had been sought at times, to no effect.  However, if Bear were in a similar situation (unlikely, as Bear doesn't fancy Harry one bit, Prince or no Prince ) then if I were told "You can't do that" or that as I wasn't on the payroll (and therefore not an "employee" and not covered) then Bear's response would be "can I not?" and go do it anyway.  Let's face it, going "private" and funding it certainly wouldn't be an issue. 

One thing I did find somewhat concerning is the withdrawal of protection/security; as Harry stated, he was born into it and didn't choose it.  Perhaps the Palace may have cause to regret that decision should Harry be kidnapped (or worse), being the future King's son and Queen's Grandson.

One explanation for some of the apparent (I use that term, as we've only heard from the Prosecution and not the Defence) treatment is that the Palace has a Human Resources Department.  Say no more.

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

Yesterday, I spent the evening killing punks and lowlifes in Cyberpunk 2077

 

 

Should @Erichill16 keep his head down, one wonders?

 

In other news:

Bear notes that the Lawyer for Anne Sacoolas (suspect in the death of Harry Dunn, by allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road, and then doing a runner back to the USA to escape justice) has come out with the following:

 

Speaking to Joshua Rozenberg, for BBC Radio 4's Law in Action, Ms Jeffress said they had been trying to resolve the case in a way that would not involve Mrs Sacoolas's return to the UK.

Ms Jeffress said: "We understand that community service is a typical sentence for offences like this.

"We have offered ever since over a year ago that she would be willing to serve that kind of a sentence and to make a contribution in Harry's memory, to take other steps to try to bring some peace to the family."

 

Not sure Harry's parents will be happy for AS to do a few weeks' of litter picking, followed by a bunce to pay them off somehow.

 

Bear got up this morning to find that the lining paper previously stuck to the wall yesterday was....still stuck to the wall Always a good sign; clever stuff, glue.  Now if the paint has dried, and without runs, sags, brush hairs, bits of cr@p stuck to it or brush marks then Bear will really be on a roll.

Right, look out lining paper, here comes Bear.....

 

On a downside, the Goober Engineer (aka Dentist) has chased Bear up for a second time as being due for a check-up,  Bvgger.  S'pose I'd better not ignore it this time, as I've a feeling he may have a policy of striking you off the books if you repeatedly ignore such summonses.  I guess he has a Mortgage to pay, just like everyone else.  Bear did ask him several years ago how many Implants (of the dental variety) he'd done (Bear was in the chair, about to be the next victim). 

"Over a thousand", came the reply.  Bear responded with "Jeez, that's two million quid's worth!".  At that point I've a feeling he regretted revealing that little nugget of information, whilst the dental nurses assisting may well have been considering asking for rises.

 

Bear's final comment to him was "OK, ready when you are, Doctor Doooom.....".  The room cracked up.

[jonny777]

Another sunny morning in North Somerset. In weather terms my birthday is not usually as nice as this. 

 

I have sealed the water butt as best I can, and now all I have to do is wait for rain and monitor for leaks (story of my later life really). 

 

Cake making will commence later this morning, and I hope to produce my own chinese prawn dumplings this afternoon. A few glasses of sherbert, and that will complete the day. 

 

 

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where the sun is streaming in through the windows with such intensity that I have had to close one of the curtains so that I can see this screen. A shame really as rain is forecast for tomorrow.

 

The schools are slowly returning round here. The primary children were not all in yesterday but were today; Younger Lurker goes in for a covid-19 test tomorrow; and the dancing girls are back! These are the students from the two dance/theatre colleges in town, Bird College and Rose Bruford. They're not all dancing girls, some of them are dancing boys, and judging by the shape of some of the girls, they're studying something other than dance. In happier times, if you got a train back from town in the evening after a night in the pub, you'd often be "treated" to a re-run of the musical they'd all just been to see.

 

Right, I had better get on with some more work. Have a good day all

 

 

[Barry O]

@jonny777  happy birthday!

Another job has been added to my list.. go to the butchers for some supplies. Better get a move on then...

 

Baz

[Andrew P]

Happy Birthday @jonny777 have a good day, and many more we hope.

[New Haven Neil]

Happy Birthday Jonny, may your 7's never run low.

[Andrew P]

@grandadbob is having a good break from here, so if you look in, we do miss you Bob.

Edited March 9, 2021 by Andrew P