Early Risers.

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[tigerburnie]

2 hours ago, pH said:

A pastie?  or a bridie?

Not that keen on Bridies, but you don't say that too loud when in Forfar lol

 

G'night all

[simontaylor484]

What a thunderstorm we have just had brilliant lightening display really loud thunder. Downside is i cant get back in bed due to a very scared no 2 son and an equally upset dachshund. Eldest could sleep through a nuclear war. Looks like the armchair for me tonight.

[simontaylor484]

2 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Evening All,

Just had a zoom meeting with the wheel tappers and shunters club.

We are now proud owners of a semi-derelict church. Only taken seven years.

Watch out for an invitation to our first open day!

Robert.

Do you get a graveyard too?

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, J. S. Bach said:

KING RAT

It never appears on any "best" lists but the 1965 movie of the book  is one of the most thought-provoking war movies I've seen.

 

And Ive seen at least 4.

Edited May 11, 2021 by monkeysarefun

[simontaylor484]

The storm looks to be over the Leeds direction now. 

 

Had a look out of bedroom window the owl(s) seem very vocal tonight and another bird with a screechy type call. Not seen the owl bur hear them 

[Pacific231G]

 

Had a fairly productive keyboard bashing day today. Got in from my walk  this morning just as the heavens were opening up . Sunny this PM but I was too busy to enjoy it.

Watched a couple of Poirots after dinner (lamb chops and mash) One of them had scenes at Brooklands but the surviving track they used looked as it does now not as it looked then. It's quite fun seeing all the art deco houses and buildings they've found.  

 

G'night all

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

After a combination of pluvial deluges, “soggy doggies” and lots of detail oriented data review, I have finally had an opportunity to get back to reading ER and seeing what the inmates / miscreants are up to. 

 

My sympathies to DH for the “good news/bad news” situation he finds himself in with his father. Unfortunately, at that age recovery will be slow (but I hope in the end a full one).

 

Basically, we are not designed for longevity. It’s interesting to note that the aches, pains and malaise of age  (which - arguably - is the body starting to malfunction/stop working properly) often start in the early to mid-30s. The age at which, in much much earlier times, one would have already become a grandparent (this is assuming that reproduction occurred shortly after reaching sexual maturity - as is the case in most mammals). With the survival of one’s offspring assured (one’s children surviving to have their children), one is basically redundant. Your DNA has ensured its own survival - game over.

 

As much as I am a misanthrope (Captain Cynical didn’t just appear out of nowhere, y’know), I find humans - as a species - endlessly fascinating. Especially, if you view humans as just another animal species, as did Desmond Morris in his book The Naked Ape (and boy did that cause a kerfuffle when it was published in 1969) I read the book in 1971 or thereabouts and it seriously  impacted on my world view and thinking. Over the years I have enjoyed taking humans apart to see how they work (and occasionally I’ve also had to put them back together again - chiz). And the more I learn, the more I realise how little do we actually know about our biology...

 

Of course, a pivotal moment in our evolution was the mastery of fire - without which humans would have had a different history, probably very short and without either LDC or PIE. Fortunately, my (our?) ancestors tamed the flame, which means that this weekend I will be indulging in a pie-baking marathon....

 

So, a request to the ER community: any thoughts as to top-notch pie fillings? I’ve already got steak & ale, steak & kidney, chicken & mushroom, cheese & onion and game lined up - any other possibilities???
 

Have a Happy Hump Day

 

iD

Edited May 12, 2021 by iL Dottore
Phrasing

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

Despite being wary of Amazon for a number of reasons, I ordered a clutch of DVDs from that e-emporium on Monday.  The first arrived at 7.45 pm yesterday, which is much earlier than I was led to expect when I placed the order but worryingly late in the working day.  It is a 2-disc set of the recent Channel 4 drama “It’s A Sin”.  The rest of the order, still in the system somewhere, comprises the two seasons of the UK version of “Queer As Folk”.  As I understand it, three vendors are involved.  This means that I have made three lots of work for my e-friend Harry, who is employed by Amazon in an executive capacity dealing with third party vendor relations.  He has more than enough work already but claims to enjoy it.  If sitting at a laptop at home for up to 12 hours a day is enjoyable, we must agree to differ.  He is handsomely paid for doing so but has little or no chance to enjoy the fruits of his labours.  This worries me and I had him at the back of my mind when I mentioned mental health yesterday.  When I heard that Mr Bezos, or however you spell it, is to offer short space flights from Texas I did think of asking Harry if he might get a staff discount but thought better of it since the suggestion might not be received kindly.

 

Too late for yesterday’s despatch was the news that the newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire cannot take up his post because of a previous conviction for drink-driving.  The election is to be re-run.  Is no check made on candidates at nomination stage to avoid such embarrassment?  Clearly not.

 

The news from Dave about his Dad sounds encouraging.  I suspect that now is a better time to enter a nursing home than, say, a year ago, but such places are not oubliettes and there should not be anything like the undue difficulty sometimes alleged for relatives to keep in contact . 

 

Continuing warm thoughts to Gordon and family and anyone else who is poorly, and best wishes to all.

 

Chris

[jamie92208]

7 hours ago, J. S. Bach said:

I have read a few of those; right now SHOGUN by James Clavell. I started that after reading his NOBLE HOUSE and finding out that it is a part of his Asia series, I just had to get the rest. For some reason KING RAT is hard to find; at least at the low/bargain prices of the rest of the series. Note that most of these are quite long and will allow me to have lots of good reading time.

I'm also a James Clavell fan.  Whirlwind is my favourite, set in and around Iran but with various links back to The Noble House and even Shogun.

7 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

Not that keen on Bridies, but you don't say that too loud when in Forfar lol

 

G'night all

I could have been a bit partial to Bridie, she was a gym teacher.

 

Jamie

 

 

[polybear]

8 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Many of the 'box marts' here have dropped firearms from their 'sporting' goods - famously Walmart after the San Antonio tragedy.

 

We do still have "Coastal" (formerly "Coastal Farm and Ranch") which except for the groceries is much the same as Fleet Farm.

Have you ever been to a Bass Pro / Cabela's? I think the local Cabela's probably has close to 20,000 square feet of floor space dedicated to firearms* - an estimate based on the store having an advertised footprint of 100,000 square feet.

 

* Including the "Gun Library" for 'collectible' weapons.

 

The stuff openly sold in many US Gun Shops (not in all States, apparently - in some it's illegal, with very good reason) that REALLY scares Bear is "Tannerite".  Google it - and take a look on the 'tube for plenty of nutcase videos posted by nutcases bvggering about with the stuff, and very nearly getting killed in the process.  A Russian guy is particularly nuts...........

 

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

So, a request to the ER community: any thoughts as to top-notch pie fillings? I’ve already got steak & ale, steak & kidney, chicken & mushroom, cheese & onion and game lined up - any other possibilities???

 

 

A full english....

 

In other news:

LDC - or Pink Pills?

PINK PILLS

Paws achin' like a good 'un, back's complaining.....

This kitchen refurb lark is fighting back - I'm glad I banged out from work when I did, and not in five+ year's time.  Are Punk Rockers listening at the back?

 

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a grey and cool Charente.  I got some muddling done last night. The Mojo has been sighted again.  Beth had s good day, she's found a dentist who not only speaks passable English but understands her previous, rather complicated, dental work that was done at LeedsDental School. He was even impressed with the tewo refitted teeth that I had put back on her platecusing brass wire and araldite.  They've lasted for 2 years so I must have used my muddling skills reasonably well.  

 

Anyway first thing yoday, a new neighbour who not only restores MGB's but likes things that run on parallel  strips of metal, is coming to help me put a board back in the layout.  This afternoon I need to go to the Insurance brokers with the estimate for Beth's dental work, to see how much they will cover.  Is this the right time to mention the desired purchase of a new loco kit, probably not.

 

Good wishes to Mr Hunt Snr and Gordon S.

 

Jamie

[Andrew P]

Off out for a walk in a mo after my ablutions and catch the glorious sunshine, because the forecast is for rain later. 

 

Nothing serious planned for today, so will probably disappear into the POD and may even do some work on the MR  and play some Guitar later.

 

Have a good day one and all, stay safe and well.

[Barry O]

Ey up!

Couldn't get to slep last night due to Thunder, Lightning, rain deluges, strong winds... her indoors slept through it. PAH!

@iL Dottore pie filling.. steak and cheese, lamb and mint, bolognaise, seafood, bacon and egg, corned beef and onion.....

 

If the deluge last night didn't flood the square at Weetwood  I shall be off umpiring again today. Another Ladies game so it should be ok.

 

Great news @Dave Hunt! Hopefully he will see steady improvement.  No news from Gordon. Hopefully he is steadily improving.

 

time to finish my mugatea and wield the Shark for a while.

 

Have a great day!

Baz

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare..

3 hours long awake, 3 hours , some short semi Dozing, which was rudely interrupted, by Ben the Alarm clock Collie, He was right... But I really didn't fancy getting up today..

 

Forepaws complaining a bit, But Bens patrol Indicated not a cloud in the sky, and a little cooler than yesterday. The grass is growing like mad..

 

At least it's a short day, As I have the Diabetic Eye test later...

 

Bridies...Hmmm.. Mostly pastry and some sort of minced meat in a very small quantity inside with a little onion..

 

The James Clavell Asia series is one of the few sets of Novels I've read, they have yet to surface from the boxes of Books, might be worth a re read after all these years..

 

More spreadsheet work was done on the handicap numbers.. I've decided to see if I can find the details of more non planeing Dinghies / small keelboats. They are the nearest in size or type to what I'm interested in and should give  a more realistic grouping of results..

 

Time to continue measuring this calibrator.. Ohms..

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a once again sunny but cool rock, 8c feels like 7, looks like 20.

 

Great to hear some positive news about Dave's dad, and hoping to hear the same about Gordon too.

 

Modelling mojo showing flickers of life here too, after a fallow month. Or two.

 

The day may bring a visit to a new-ish friend, to return some books loaned regarding WW2 installations in this area (radar, airfield etc - this village basically was an RAF base for the duration), I haven't been to his home yet, he invited me last week - he has, er, several bikes to gloat over, about 20 I think!

 

Bacon 'n egg in the pie, yes Baz!

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

A dull, but dry start to the day, although the ground is wet so we must have had some more rain overnight. Up with the pharting sparrows this morning, I have to be at the GP’s surgery for my 12 weekly injection of Zoladex, it is this injection that is what keeping my cancer in check and so far it seems to be doing the trick. My appointment is at 9:10 and it’s about a 15 minute walk, so I’ll set off about 8:50 to give me a few minutes spare, in case there are any delays due to school traffic etc. I could use the car, but only about a 1mile round trip, so it isn’t really worth it and parking spaces so rare anyway, so I could end up spending more time looking for one than actually walking. So it’s probably just as quick to walk it there anyway and the exercise won’t do me any harm either. 

 

Once I get back home, I’ll change into my working cloths and head back to the cellar, but to be honest there isn’t much more I can do until I get some more plasterboard. However, Ian is taking me to the big orange DIY on Thursday in his van so I can stock up again. 

 

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

 

Brian

[jonny777]

Dry and sunny here in North Somerset, but showers are promised later. However, I have put some washing on in the hope the showers will be slow to arrive. I watch them on the rainfall radar in these situations, so can rush outside if necessary and bring everything in. 

 

I will have to contact Virmin Media about their router, which my iPhone now decrees is too insecure for the phone to even bother connecting to the internet. 

 

Phones with built-in arrogance. That is something I never thought I would see, but I suppose computers are destined to take over, and mere human laissez-faire attitudes are unthinkable to a machine other than Marvin The Paranoid Android. 

 

 

[Barry O]

I hate autocorrect on my phone.. it guesses a word from your typing in three letters and is invariably wrong then sends it suggestion anyway. I have tried turning it off to no avail. PAH!!
Baz

[PupCam]

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

So, a request to the ER community: any thoughts as to top-notch pie fillings? I’ve already got steak & ale, steak & kidney, chicken & mushroom, cheese & onion and game lined up - any other possibilities???

 

3 hours ago, polybear said:

A full english....

Now there is a concept! 

 

Full English Pie!  (leave the Black Pudding out of mine please)

 

I have to say, I am rather missing my  Sunday morning rides on an old motorcycle and stopping off somewhere for a Full English and to put the world to rights with  similarly worn out old bikers friends.    Still it would appear that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[tigerburnie]

Morning, late on parade due to storm interrupted sleep, seems we are an island again and all but one road out of the village are under water, including the one the council are currently adding storm drains to, I knew that wouldn't work. River comes up, water table rises and storm drain has nowhere to send the excess water.

[Tony_S]

2 hours ago, jonny777 said:

 

I will have to contact Virmin Media about their router, which my iPhone now decrees is too insecure for the phone to even bother connecting to the internet. 

Just how old is your router?

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I hope Dave's dad and Gordon S continue to improve though its going to take some time. Arthur Itis was making some noise this morning but I dispensed with the pain killers and as I suspected moving about is just as effective at putting him in his place. For those interested in recipes and CAKE  here is one for namoura, a middle eastern dessert traditionally served up after Ramadan.

 https://www.cookinwithmima.com/namoura/

Its made with semolina flour and as semolina was one of my favourites when I was a lad I would like to give it a try. A full English in a pie sounds great, as long as they leave out the baked beans. Some supermarkets do 'Full English' sandwiches. Some are not too bad but some are awful (main ingredient tomato sauce).

[Coombe Barton]

Al this talk of pastry encased objects has reminded me that I haven't had a home made steak and kidney pud for over fifty years since my mum cooked it.. Must look out a recipe.

And find a source of kidneys. I could get them in Sainsbury's until lockdown closed the butchery counter.

[The Lurker]

5 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

...

 

So, a request to the ER community: any thoughts as to top-notch pie fillings? I’ve already got steak & ale, steak & kidney, chicken & mushroom, cheese & onion and game lined up - any other possibilities???

 

 

steak with chilli and chocolate