Early Risers.

[simontaylor484]

Afternoon each

 

Its blooming cold here the wind is a lazy one going right through you instead of round you. Its tried to snow here but not much.

[tigerburnie]

Afternoon all, howling gales still howling, no snow or rain, the suns been shining, but it is Baltic out there, or as it's a north wind perhaps it's more accurate to call it an Arctic wind. Apart from doing a running repair to a snapped post supporting a trellis with a rambling rose on it, a lot of loafing about has taken place.

[Tony_S]

I noticed an inverted kitchen drawer on the worktop. Aditi said it was broken (she had been cleaning it) but it looked as if it had been glued before. I have repaired the runners similarly on others but this didn’t look like any glue I would have used so I suspect an original installers repair. I will have a rummage for my selection of repair epoxy sticks. 
Tony

[The White Rabbit]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

The not unplugged may be concealing the fault.

 

True - so if it's capable of being unplugged, it was. The boiler is on a switch, rather than a plug, so can't pull a plug out there. There is an electric fire in the front room and an alarm (unused) system, ditto, suspicion is falling on them, mainly as there's not much else it could be. Though I do have a nasty feeling the explanation could be similar to @The Stationmaster's experience re 'unique decision-making' re spurs. 

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice, one last attempt called for and then I think it's time to admit defeat and try to baffle the experts. 

 

[The White Rabbit]

It's a fine sunny day 'oop 'ere, so far without rain, hail or snow. However, tis a 'conservatory sunny day', one best admired behind glass. Some G word activity done earlier to finish off Sunday's work. Even with some fairly vigorous exercise, it was definitely 'a wee bit nippy' and as I'm not a Geordie, a couple of hours was plenty. A quick thaw out and then some culinary activity. Mushroom 'Omlets' and mixed veg, together with a glass of some antifreeze. Now an afternoon of doing as little as possible. 

 

One thought - I've mentioned before about having some furniture and books to find an alternative home for. There are some charities which will (at least in normal circumstances) collect furniture and (substantial) donations of clothes and goods. Depending how things turn out, this may work for some of the contents. But - I wondered if there is a preserved/heritage railway which would appreciate some furniture and/or books, whether for their mess-rooms or to resell and raise funds. If any ERs has contacts, then feel free to put them in touch or make the offer. Collection from near Shipley (West Yorkshire). 

 

The green stuff has responded to the sun, the first sowing of carrots and onions are poking their heads above ground. I took the veg troughs in last night to avoid the frost. The birdbath was frozen over this morning, the blackbird was dropping some very unsubtle hints this morning. Then she scoffed a lot of the worms and grubs I had unearthed from the G-word activity. Could she be taking lessons from cats about bending human activity to their master plan? 

[Sir TophamHatt]

Not sure what I think of weather like this.

Very sunny outside but it's also cold.  So cold, it really tried to snow earlier but was fought off by the wind.

 

Read up about electrical spurs and how to get this aerial done, which will be Wednesdays job.  Think going for an outside mount will just be safer but will see.

[leopardml2341]

Power tool failure put an early end to wood butchering; new belt sander duly ordered.

 

Prior to ordering the replacement, I did (in true Yorkshire style) investigate if repairs might be possible. Sadly not as worn carbon brushes had created so much heat from arcing due to wear, that the housing had melted. In any case, they looked as though they were never intended to be replaceable - where's the sense in that?

 

Whilst looking for replacements, some models actually stated that brushes were NOT replaceable! Needless to say, they weren't shortlisted. New item should arrive by Thursday, just in time for my time off work the following week.

 

It turned out to be quite warm in the sun whilst sheltered from the wind. A bijout snackette of crumpets and tea just consumed , so now to indoor chores like Hoovering - other vacuum cleaners are available

Edited April 5, 2021 by leopardml2341

[Ian Abel]

Morning all...

 

Very nice Easter Sunday, with Jemma, Trevor, Meagan and all the dogs.

Pleasant sitting outside in 21 degree sun, consuming some very fine cheeses and wine, before embarking on dinner.

Nice to be all together even though Brendan couldn't be here. Dinner was a delight of honey-glazed ham, quiche and fresh fruit, with fresh strawberry pie for dessert <phew>

 

Back working today though expect it to be quiet. Jemma leaves soon to return to Grand Forks.

 

Was 8 first thing and sunny, heading for 27 today, and calm, so may need to set the a/c in motion if it warms up too much in the house

 

Enjoy the last day of the holiday weekend, those lucky enough to have one (4 day holiday weekends are not an option/reality in the colonies  ).

[polybear]

Bear started off the afternoon by watching an episode of Battlestar Galactica (the re-make series) via BBC iPlayer; a film (via Amazon Prime) was then the order of the day, but part way-thru' Bear decided that zedding was the order of the day.  This was no doubt due to the cr@p night Bear had - I woke at about 0310 and couldn't get back to sleep again cos' the brain started with dark thoughts and worries; these were focused around the medium chance of Bear out-living many close relatives (of which there are very few) and good friends . Then it turned very quickly to "what would happen if Bear snuffed it - would there be anyone willing (and able) to take care of proceedings and Bear's empire in a correct manner?"   The thought of strangers doing it - with the very real risk of anyone "helping themselves"  can be a dark and destructive thought.  No doubt other ER'ers may be in a similar position.  

 

In brighter news, Bear now has a plate to eat off (several, in fact) as the washing-up is done and tea-time is rapidly approaching   An item that Bear has on the 'bay is also proving popular and finishes tonight, so hopefully it'll get exciting later.  Collect only too, so no aggro involved (unless they fail to turn up).  Tomorrow sees the start of painting kitchen walls with the colour coat (a very light blue) - the plan is to do small areas at a time, and to paint those areas twice in one day so they are finished with.  This will minimise movement of the cooker and washing machine and also the dust sheets protecting the floor.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Getting things ready for Gary the plumber to remove the old radiator and cap off the pipes. Problem is the shelving I used to hold the stuff from the brick shed is right in front of the radiator. The brick shed has filled up with other stuff while I wasn't looking and I've now got to move the stuff off of the shelves and find somewhere to put it. 

38 minutes ago, polybear said:

 Then it turned very quickly to "what would happen if Bear snuffed it - would there be anyone willing (and able) to take care of proceedings and Bear's empire in a correct manner?"   The thought of strangers doing it - with the very real risk of anyone "helping themselves"  can be a dark and destructive thought.  No doubt other ER'ers may be in a similar position.  

 

Indeed many of us have the same problem. I am in the process of writing my will at the moment and I have asked a like minded friend to be executor. There are some items that are of sentimental value such as some Dublo Dinky models that I purchased with my pocket money as a child. My friend who I have designated as executor collects Hornby Dublo and I have told him that when I go they're his though by the time I go some of the items will be presented to friends and relatives who I know will appreciate them. The only problem with the will at the moment is getting someone to witness it due to lockdown. Fortunately my sister will be my main executor with my friend just to take care of the models and books. 

[Ozexpatriate]

9 hours ago, jonny777 said:

I had a very nice dark chocolate Easter egg from Green & Blacks, which also included a couple of bars of their products, one of which is ginger. I have yet to sample that one; but it sounds an interesting flavour combination. 

Chocolate with ginger has long been enjoyed by me. If you really like ginger, you may enjoy it, it can be intense. Crystallized ginger, similarly so.

 

The "ginger factory" (along with the pineapple processing plant) was long a place for school field trips. Years ago it moved from its original location - situated on the top of a hill with magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

[The White Rabbit]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

.... dark thoughts and worries; these were focused around the medium chance of Bear out-living many close relatives (of which there are very few) and good friends . Then it turned very quickly to "what would happen if Bear snuffed it - would there be anyone willing (and able) to take care of proceedings and Bear's empire in a correct manner?"   The thought of strangers doing it - with the very real risk of anyone "helping themselves"  can be a dark and destructive thought.  No doubt other ER'ers may be in a similar position.  

 

This has been a concern of mine recently, especially with Covid and losses. A friend of mine beat the chance of [shysters] exploiting his family by selling his m**** r****** collection via myself. He was happy to sell 95% of this a few years before he died - others may not wish to do this. Who knows until the time comes, but I suspect I would not wish to do that. The situation is inevitably changing but FWIW, my approach has been:

 

1) Appoint a corporate executor - if you can find a charity you wish to receive the majority of your estate (and if there's no-one close to act as executor, chances are there's no-one to receive much of the estate) then if you give them the option to appoint an executor and use volunteers to do much of the legwork, they may be able to benefit more than if they use house clearance firms and solicitors. Based on [unpleasant] experience, I have a very negative opinion of the former. This can be tricky and I would advise careful research be done - I approached a well-known heritage railway and asked if they had a sympathetic firm of solicitors to act and if they could contemplate using volunteers to sell the better quality items. Despite having literature suggesting they had systems and procedures in place to handle bequests, I found to my dismay they weren't interested and would not even consider this. Their loss, as other charities will. 

 

2) Write a letter of wishes and keep it up to date. In case you get someone who doesn't understand the importance of your models or classic LDC baking equipment, it's best to produce a supplement to the will and advise on prices/value and key info, so anyone acting won't make poor decisions and throw away valuable material. A comprehensive record of valuable items can also help prevent pilfering/theft.

 

3) Anything intensely personal, protect it. If it's digital, protect with a strong password. Hard copy, look at restricting access, one way or another. I don't want just anyone leafing through my old love letters and diaries - so I keep them very safe. 

 

No easy answers and some of that is a lot of work - but may give some peace of mind. 

[PhilJ W]

This is why I asked my friend who shares my interest in railways and models to be one of my executors. I can't expect my main executor, my sister, to know whats what or what anything is worth with regard to those items. No doubt some items no member of the family will want such as furniture will have to be disposed of. In that case I have specified that it be offered to a local hospice charity that does house clearances.

[New Haven Neil]

Evening orl.

 

The remained gloriously sunny, and gloriously....cold.  Baltic.  Despite being Geordie, when we went out I was well wrapped up.  Mrs NHN is a Corn, she was double insulated.

 

Dry all day until it was just about dusk when we had two brief snow showers.

 

No covids again today, 124 current cases so we have just about got it cornered.  Again.  Fingers crossed, and front and back paws.

 

The sofa overhaul went OK other than perhaps we got the webbing straps a little tight as it is a bit hard, but I am sure they'll stretch with use and settle in.  Its better than settling almost to the floor anyway, which was making it very hard for he of arthritic hips to actually get out of the damn thing.  Didn't find any money down the back, but enough crumbs to feed a family of Biafrans for a week.  Remember that?

 

Wood burner now set to log mark 8, toastie and warm in here now.

[Gwiwer]

Evening all,

 

A day of mixed fortunes today.  It sunned, it colded and it snew.  It snew, briefly but noticeably, upon me as I made my way to the pharmacy on behalf of Dr. SWMBO for some relief to her knee pain.  The day has at least seen that ease slightly.  

 

Neighbours (Upstairs) regaled us with their choice of music for five solid hours starting at 11am.  It wouldn't have been my choice.  We accept sound-spill between the flats but we don't accept having the tv drowned out, having to abandon the lounge because of the nuisance, being able to hear their music in every room of our flat and both gaining headaches in consequence.  They will receive another email from the agent in the morning this time quite strongly worded as it will be at least their third.  They're quite OK as people - not likely to remain as friends but far from unsociable - but have no concept of "respectful" sound levels.  

 

Dr. SWMBO slept off her headache and knee pain during the afternoon while I tried more of the spaghetti-wrangling which I had set this long weekend aside for.  Some works - some doesn't.  Some makes very wrong-sounding buzzing noises the reason for which I cannot trace.  All will be well eventually I'm sure.  

 

We made pizza for tea tonight.  Home-made base with an assortment of toppings which even iD may have approved of.  No pineapples!!!  

 

The uniform was pressed smartly and the boots polished to parade-ground shine tonight for a prestige day at the House of Fun tomorrow.  I am to be in charge of the new Welcome Desk (the person you ask about stuff but with huge new touch-screen displays and some plastic flowers on the desk  ) on its first day and kicking off a role for which only a handful of staff has been specially picked.  It's not a replacement for the Day Job but rather an occasional new and high-profile string to the bow.   

 

Former Neighbour (Upstairs) has been in touch and has asked me for an opinion on her art work.  She is painting from photos a series of portraits.  Thus far we have boyfriend and potential future in-laws.  From what I see the work and technique are really good and she might have another avenue to pursue there if her teaching career stalls or when - at some future time - she has to interrupt it to create a family.  We haven't met for nine months through the various lockdowns but if the weather warms up a bit we plan to do afternoon tea outdoors fairly soon.  

 

And that's it.  Four days.  That was Easter.  If you're from another tradition you can have it all again in a few weeks time!  Me - I'm looking forward to the Glorious 12th.  Of April.  When we can eat and drink (outdoors for now) in public venues once again.  Not long now, hobbitses.  

[Dave Hunt]

Took my 98 year old dad to Gobowen hospital for his second Pfizer jab this afternoon but on his way into the entrance he fell and it looks as though he has broken his hip, which will be the second one in two years. At the moment he is being treated in A&E at Shrewsbury, where he has been for the last four hours. I have to ring them in about an hour to see how he is and where he will be spending the night.

 

Bu**er.

 

Dave 

[New Haven Neil]

The talk of distribution of hobby chattels hits home hard, my ex-employee/good pal that visited the other day was having that chat, he has a nasty.  He has a year or so and was wondering if he should start selling now as his 2 grown up sons and grandkids have no interest.  It was a tough moment for me, I think a lot of him.  He knows only to well what his future is, he was a theatre scrub nurse. 

[PhilJ W]

10 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

The talk of distribution of hobby chattels hits home hard, my ex-employee/good pal that visited the other day was having that chat, he has a nasty.  He has a year or so and was wondering if he should start selling now as his 2 grown up sons and grandkids have no interest.  It was a tough moment for me, I think a lot of him.  He knows only to well what his future is, he was a theatre scrub nurse. 

Thats a bu@@er. That is why as soon as it is physically possible I am going to make a start  on distributing various items among my friends and family. Only thing though there's such an enormous amount of stuff to deal with.

Edited April 5, 2021 by PhilJ W

[Gwiwer]

16 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

The talk of distribution of hobby chattels hits home hard, my ex-employee/good pal that visited the other day was having that chat, he has a nasty.  He has a year or so and was wondering if he should start selling now as his 2 grown up sons and grandkids have no interest.  It was a tough moment for me, I think a lot of him.  He knows only to well what his future is, he was a theatre scrub nurse. 

It is a nasty business.  One or two of us here have been in the position of managing collections on behalf of departed friends.  Unless their specific wishes were known the best that could be done, I suspect, it "what seems right".  Collections are not always saleable.  Layouts not always movable.  Hmmmm.  

 

Dr. SWMBO and myself each have a "brown envelope" (it is actually white) marked "In the event of ..... "  Mine includes advice on how the collection might be disposed of but not specific instructions.  The same is true for the magazine library and all my many photos many of which only exist in digital format though there are quite a few slides and negatives and a small number of prints.  

 

Honestly?  I won't be around to care or to know.  If anyone profits then good luck.  I'd just like to think that items which may have useful life or even minimal value of any sort won't end up in the bin.  

[polybear]

56 minutes ago, The White Rabbit said:

 

This has been a concern of mine recently, especially with Covid and losses. A friend of mine beat the chance of [shysters] exploiting his family by selling his m**** r****** collection via myself. He was happy to sell 95% of this a few years before he died - others may not wish to do this. Who knows until the time comes, but I suspect I would not wish to do that. The situation is inevitably changing but FWIW, my approach has been:

 

1) Appoint a corporate executor - if you can find a charity you wish to receive the majority of your estate (and if there's no-one close to act as executor, chances are there's no-one to receive much of the estate) then if you give them the option to appoint an executor and use volunteers to do much of the legwork, they may be able to benefit more than if they use house clearance firms and solicitors. Based on [unpleasant] experience, I have a very negative opinion of the former. This can be tricky and I would advise careful research be done - I approached a well-known heritage railway and asked if they had a sympathetic firm of solicitors to act and if they could contemplate using volunteers to sell the better quality items. Despite having literature suggesting they had systems and procedures in place to handle bequests, I found to my dismay they weren't interested and would not even consider this. Their loss, as other charities will. 

 

2) Write a letter of wishes and keep it up to date. In case you get someone who doesn't understand the importance of your models or classic LDC baking equipment, it's best to produce a supplement to the will and advise on prices/value and key info, so anyone acting won't make poor decisions and throw away valuable material. A comprehensive record of valuable items can also help prevent pilfering/theft.

 

3) Anything intensely personal, protect it. If it's digital, protect with a strong password. Hard copy, look at restricting access, one way or another. I don't want just anyone leafing through my old love letters and diaries - so I keep them very safe. 

 

No easy answers and some of that is a lot of work - but may give some peace of mind. 

 

You are indeed a Very Wise Bunny - many thanks.  I too have considered such options, so it's good to know I might be on the right track.

 

Bear watched a programme earlier called "Sort Your Life Out" - basically they emptied the contents of a four bedroom house with double garage into a warehouse in order for the family (his & her plus four rugrats) to sort what to keep/chuck/sell/donate.  The amount of stuff they had was .....jeez.....  It took two very long days to sort it all.  Then it was all moved back into the (now redecorated) house, that a team had also re-arranged to sort the storage etc.  The difference was amazing.  Bear is running a book on what the place will look like in 12 months though.....

Not the usual sort of cr@p that Bear watches, I hasten to add.  Honest Guv.

[polybear]

6 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Honestly?  I won't be around to care or to know.  If anyone profits then good luck.  I'd just like to think that items which may have useful life or even minimal value of any sort won't end up in the bin.  

 

Bear wouldn't mind profit, so long as it's someone that has some connection to me in a nice way.  The last thing I'd want is for some scrote to make money out of me.  I'd hope that the vast majority of items would avoid the bin too, though I appreciate that to do so would involve some serious effort on behalf of someone, be that an individual or organisation.

 

Bear's item on the 'bay has just sold for double it's start price of twenty quid (the minimum I'd be happy with) - so another redundant item out of the shed and converted into kitchen vouchers

[PeterBB]

Thoughts with Dave's Dad and Neils' friend.

 

Andy P mentioned odd snow in Swadlincote - yes, we did have a few flakes followed by the round orange thing - took the thermometer outside to check. 6C but felt so much 'cooler'.

 

SWMBO cleaned the drive ... and in the process spattered cars ... both the drive and they look better now.

[monkeysarefun]

5 hours ago, Ian Abel said:

Enjoy the last day of the holiday weekend, those lucky enough to have one (4 day holiday weekends are not an option/reality in the colonies  ).

Then you're in the wrong colony, mate!

 

Edited April 5, 2021 by monkeysarefun

[Coombe Barton]

... all this for a Teams background ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2021/04/05/no-clarity-yet/

[leopardml2341]

Goodnight folks, early start tomorrow.