Early Risers.

[polybear]

Bear's Tip of the Day:

For those who appreciate the finer things in life - and in particular for those with Pink Terrorists to educate - all episodes of that fine series "Bagpuss" are available on BBC iPlayer for the next month:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09j4577/bagpuss-series-1-13-uncle-feedle

 

Today's fun includes yet more kitchen activity (no surprises there), also a parcel to pack and courier to arrange following a successful sale on the 'bay (ok, only a fiver - but it's gone to a good home rather than into landfill).

 

Today a purchase of flowers is also predicted.  There are days in the year for all of us that aren't favourites, and 1st June each year is top of Bear's list. 

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

After a pleasant day doing an incredibly good impression of a vegetable, it’s back to work today, albeit reluctantly. Which makes me think that perhaps it’s time for me to take a holiday (as mentioned in a number of my previous posts, going to the Holiday Hovel is not really a holiday - at least for me) given that I have been working non-stop pretty much the best part of 18 months

 

Unfortunately, my usual reviving and rewarding holiday (a luxurious, incredibly self-indulgent,long weekend in London) is certainly off the cards for the foreseeable future (or at least until the British government and, dare I say it, much of  the British public get their act together). Having said that, given the scenes of chaos reported at LHR due to the combination of Brexit and CoVID restrictions, I’m wondering if (when travel to the UK becomes possible again) if 1] LCY would be any better than LHR [in the past LCY was always better than LHR] or 2) Eurostar might not be a (pricier) option - albeit with longer travel time. Right now, however, it’s all academic.
 

I suppose that I could holiday somewhere in Switzerland, but - rather bizarrely - I have the very odd perspective that a proper holiday has to be taken outside one’s country of residence, location not distance being the key element (so travelling an hour to the Schwarzwald in Germany = holiday; travelling 3 hours to the Ticino ≠ holiday). 

 

Still, it is what it is. As the Ancient Greeks and Romans knew, railing against the machinations of the gods is a futile exercise. Short of a human sacrifice to appease the gods (and I have a long “short list” of suitable candidates ) one must soldier on.... So it goes....

 

Have a great day

 

iD

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from down ere. No BH forvus yesterday, it was a week earlier.  Howevercit got very warm, up to 31.  Not a huge amount got done but my parcel of MEK did arrive. I will have to get tonwork with it. That's one less excusecI can use to myself.  Then a frustrating tinecwaiting forcacparcel to be delivered. Despite 3 phone calls, the delivery company had not ru g me 30 minutes in advance like they had promised to do. Thevofficechad not communicated with the driver. I eventually found her and she put the parcel, a rolled up double bed mattress, in my car. It's now where it should be.  Why the nosey neighbour who got involved at one point, decided to enail the houseowner in Cicago, rather than ringing us, 300 yards away, I don't know.

 

Today is shopping day so that's to be done this morning. First though I need to go and let the hens out.

 

Regardscto all.

 

Jamie

[polybear]

27 minutes ago, chrisf said:

You don’t know how reassuring it is to learn that someone misses me.  I live alone.  The day will surely come when I do not surface as expected, someone will kick in the front door and find what is left of me.  Not for a while yet, I hope.

 

A shared concern;  when buddy next door moves on that'll be an added "risk" for this Bear, as he would spot all is not quite as it should be - albeit perhaps not for a couple of days though.  Fortunately there is a another good neighbour who walks past Bear Towers several times a day, so I must remember to ask her to look for signs that all may not be quite as it should be - such as curtains not opening - or closing....

 

Quote

I ventured into the jungle again yesterday, but only for long enough to water the hanging basket.  The best way of doing that appears to be to take it down, place it on the lawn, add water and hang it up again. 

 

 

Bear has used that very same technique on occasion. has chrisf also noticed the very same basket always seem to give the impression of being much heavier on the return journey though?  Weird.....

 

Bear is currently one hour ahead of schedule.  Time to get a wriggle on,

Edited June 1, 2021 by polybear

[Andrew P]

Before I cleanse my body and go for a walk, a quick look on here.

 

I seem to have spent most of yesterday asleep.

 

The plan was for a quiet day, but not this quiet.

Watered the garden first thing,

Half an hour tidying the POD.

Sat in the Garden chair with a chilled glass of water and fell asleep.

Woke up about half an hour later and I was burning.

So I moved to the summer house, as it was still partly shady.

Picked up a Model Mag and started to have a read through and fell asleep.

Then it was time for Lunch, a salad under the umbrella on the Patio.

A sit back in the SH and fell asleep.

Woke because the Sun was on my shins and feet and they were burning.

So I went indoors, sat in the chair and fell asleep.

 

Probably a combination of heat and over doing the last few days I suppose.

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Been up for an hour already, early to bed last night so awake a bit earlier. Farcebooks 'community standards' seem to be very strange. A day or two ago I posted a Wiki link in answer to a question raised about a motor racing incident where the driver was thrown from a car. I simply posted the Wiki biography of the driver (Cliff Allison) when someone asked if he survived (he did). Farcebook in their wisdom decided that it was against their community standards and deleted it! 

[Andrew P]

Forgot to say;

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

[Barry O]

WHITE RABBITS!

 

yes we are now in flaming june.. hopefully the cureent blue skies and comfortable temperatures will stay with us for a good while longer.

 

We are off to Swalwell Cricket Club today (turn left up the hill at the Metro Centre) for Durham/Norrhumberland Over 60s v Yorkshire Ridings Over 60s. I hope we have a nice day!

 

In other news... my arms and face are already turning a brown colour.. will see if it washes off after my mugatea.

 

The M1 was ok yesterday from Sheffield but there were some complete doilums in Leeds City Centre. Obviously their navaid was not working as several tried to go down roads with a no entry sign guarding them. Ooops!

 

Time to finish my tea then get ready for the rest of Tuesday

Stay safe, enjoy your day if you can...

 

Positive thoughts to all ERs and especially to any who are unwell. Hopefully we will get positive news from @gordon s shortly.

 

Baz

[leopardml2341]

Yay, the first day of my holiday.

 

Shower time then breakfast and today's first task on the agenda is a supermarket trip to replace depleted food and beer stocks. Then:

1. Some prep for decorating the entrance hallway
2. Paint first coat of emulsion in said hallway
3. Some metal bashing
4. A bit of garden tidying
5. Derusting the well deck of mi narrow boat (a task first started just prior to lockdown 1)
6. Remove the broken water tank level sensor (and look for alternatives)
7. Sterilise the drinking water tank
8. Second paint coat

......and I thought I would take a holiday

 

Have a great day folks.

 

 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner temple Hare,

6.5 hours but broken by several large awake periods don't feel rested at all.

 

I've neckache from working under the boat yesterday, sitting on the ground, but head tilted at an angle to get under there, that's leading to a slight headache..

 

Ben the Alarm clock Collie was not doing his duties this morning, he was snoring in his pit until I moved..

 

Dry 100% blue welkin this morning, absolutely no wind at the moment, though with the heat later, a sea breeze will pick up later.

 

Very quiet roads this today and the car park mostly empty, I did hear someone talking of a nearby accident, the diversion dumps you off on the NDR, but gives no clue as to how to get you back on route. The other side of work from where I come.

 

Forepaws are somewhat stiff, they were awoken at work by sanitiser in all the minor abrasions caused by the weekends work..

 

The wind forecast for the 3 Rivers Race  is now a Northerly 12mph which is very good direction and strength, but for the competitors, that means the journey from Acle to Potter Heigham is 4 to 5 hours of tacking every 30 seconds.. hard work... . This also means any sea breeze on that day will add to the breeze not reduce it.

 

 The first of the two major systems this week is going suspiciously well, first, the test equipment didn't need manual adjustment.  Second, the readings so far are well within limits...

 

Time to ... carry on measuring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dave Hunt]

The great family get together went well and was enjoyable albeit tiring. No. 1 son and tribe went back to Derbyshire last night whilst No. 2 and DiL went off to an undisclosed location to celebrate their anniversary leaving us with granddaughter Leila. We are now left to sort out the resulting mess and to try to turn the house and garden, plus Dad's house where the No. 1s were sleeping, back to habitable standards. First of all, though, is a visit with granddaughter to Attingham Park. 

 

Have a a good day one and all.

 

Dave

[New Haven Neil]

Good morning.

 

Once again toastie outside, with a breeze keeping it pleasant.  19c currently heading upwards.

 

I'm a bit broken after yesterday's 75 miles on the bike, mostly down small bumpy lanes.  I'm not sure how much longer I will be able to ride, so make the most of any good weather.  Riding in the cold and damp is no longer an option, Mr A Ritis says so.  It was a struggle to arise this morning! 

 

Baz is one of those good guys that keeps an eye on anyone missing. He kicks my electronic backside when I need a nudge too! 

 

I'm always a little reticent to PM people I don't really 'know', but do so on occasion where it looks like a little support would be appreciated.  I don't like to push my way in to people's lives, I feel a bit guilty doing so sometimes.  I do worry about those of our friends on here who are on their own though, and will always respond and have a chat on PM or e mail should anyone feel the need. 

[jonny777]

Dry and sunny again in North Somerset. Temperature heading towards the 20s again. 

 

Ocado delivery came early again, and so I was way-laid for a while. I now have the ingredients for Italian style chocolate ice cream a la Nigella Lawson, but that will have to wait for SWMBO to vacate the kitchen because there would be no ingredients left before I could tip them in the bowl, otherwise. 

 

Yesterday, I sat outside contemplating the garden and decided the virginia creeper could do with a trim before it took over the shed roof. It would be a quick job for which standing on a garden chair should suffice - I mused. 

 

Everything started well and the plant was getting a decent haircut, when there was an almighty 'crack' and I fell backwards onto the grass but with one foot in the pond, the chair rolled right into the pond and the frogs must have had a fright. 

 

One leg of the chair had snapped, but I seem to be unharmed and did what I should have done in the first place - used the step ladder. Oh well, another of my nine lives wasted; although having counted, I seem to have had way more than nine already. 

 

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Another beautiful sunny day with no clouds visible. I was up late this morning, I must have been really tired as I didn’t wake up until 8:30! Anyway, now that breakfast is but a distant memory, I shall tackle the first task of the day, water the plants, in this weather it isn’t a difficult task! Then I shall head back to the cellar and start cutting and fitting more plasterboard, today I shall be leaving the cellar doors open!

 

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

 

Brian

[PhilJ W]

Hello again from Estuary-Land. Not be doing much outside today, hay fever has reared its ugly head. Still plenty to do indoors though, might even include the M word. 

[simontaylor484]

Morning all 

 

Rolo the dachshund is going to the vets this morning his booster jab and he is having his front left paw looked at as he appears to have hurt it somehow he keeps licking it and won't let us look at it. Youngest earned his pocket money yesterday gardening we strimmed the back garden as it would never have dried he raked it all up then binned into garden bin then did a load of weeding.

 

Think I may relive a bit of my childhood by watching a bit of Bagpuss on the i player round about 1pm would be the sort of time I remember it been broadcast. 

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

The pic didn't calm down the bloomin' editor so every post means an extra click - just one click, that's all it takes.  You could maybe build a song around a phrase like that ?

 

The lad did a pretty good job yesterday and after he'd collapsed in a heap I had a go round various peripheries and one important bit (the route to the management's potting shed) that he'd missed.  All looks quite impressive now but of course Charlie the cat is thoroughly discussed with the removal of a number of his hiding places.  This week's weather will no doubt reduce a lot of it to dust bowl status except the shady areas but we'll have a good crop of hay with all the sunshine.

 

Like Neil I'm another one who is rather reticent when it comes to PMing folk unless there is something specific to discuss (such as a lunch!) but we're all different and it take s all sorts and Baz does a great job on keeping intouch with folk which is really appreciated.

 

No plans for much today although my ear is again being bent regarding 'tidying' the study so i think I can guess where my energies are likely to be exerted .  fortunately it is currently pleasantly cook indoors and there's a little breeze flowing through the house which helps keep the temperature down.  th awning above the french windows in the living room will be deployed later before the sun gets too far round.

 

Have a good day everybody and stay safe should you happen to venture out among the lemmings of clearly limited brainpower.

[New Haven Neil]

Editor full of old post again - from yesterday!

 

26c in the garden now, I'm looking at the grass that really is too long, but the hay fever it will cause is just too much to contemplate today.

 

I had a brief walk to the shop, and really need to go further to get things moving, but I may drive into the bright lights of Ramsey for a change of scenery - there are only a few walking routes in the village, the next 'stage' of loops so to speak is too far for me.  2 miles I can do, 4 not.

[leopardml2341]

4 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

 

I'm always a little reticent to PM people I don't really 'know', but do so on occasion where it looks like a little support would be appreciated.  I don't like to push my way in to people's lives, I feel a bit guilty doing so sometimes.  I do worry about those of our friends on here who are on their own though, and will always respond and have a chat on PM or e mail should anyone feel the need. 

 

1 hour ago, The Stationmaster said:

Like Neil I'm another one who is rather reticent when it comes to PMing folk unless there is something specific to discuss (such as a lunch!) but we're all different and it take s all sorts and Baz does a great job on keeping intouch with folk which is really appreciated.

 

Difficult one isn't it, because often it's the people who really need the support that don't/can't ask for it - in my experience, most cases are in the can't category because people don't want to be a burden to others. It really is a great dichotomy, and that's what 'did for me' nearly 5 years ago now - even SWMBO didn't realise!

 

Following my breakdown, I subsequently trained as a mental health first aider in order to try to help others, but even now it can be difficult to reach out if I need help myself. Sadly stuff like that doesn't really go away, you learn a lot about yourself though and somewhat perversely I'm really grateful that I had the experience of that breakdown, that I came through it and for be help and support of others which has led me to be where I am today - alive and reasonably well

 

One thing I did learn, is that for me at least, it was easier to confide in 'strangers' cos there's little risk of repercussion.

 

The really big lesson I learned through all of this was just three words:

 

'tolerate the uncertainty'

 

These have been life changing, anyway enough of 'me'.

 

My suggestion would be just a quick enquiry about wellbeing, it usually makes someone's (who doesn't feel worthy of help) day - it gives worth to their self and you never know might be just what they need even if you don't get a reply.

 

2 hours ago, jonny777 said:

It would be a quick job for which standing on a garden chair should suffice - I mused. 

Everything started well and the plant was getting a decent haircut, when there was an almighty 'crack' and I fell backwards onto the grass but with one foot in the pond,

Now, who either:

1. Didn't do a risk assessment or (like me)
2. Did a risk assessment and ignored the outcome

Elf and safety dear chap, elf and safety

 

Glad you're uninjured though.

 

My list of jobs not going to plan, hence a visit to ERs for some respite.

[jonny777]

3 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

 

 

Think I may relive a bit of my childhood by watching a bit of Bagpuss on the i player round about 1pm would be the sort of time I remember it been broadcast. 

 

You may have seen it over the weekend, but there was an hour long programme about Oliver Postgate on the BBC. It was very good, and included lots of archive footage (including Bagpuss). 

 

I can't remember which channel, BBC2 or 4, but it will be on the iplayer. 

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all.

I was trying to remember what I had said I was going to do this morning but fortunately Aditi asked if I still intended to paint the trellis alongside and over the front door. So I did. I wasn’t happy with the first ladder I selected but the second one was fine. We used to have a rather splendid climbing rose over the door but it died a few years ago. Aditi had an online chat with a rose nursery yesterday and has ordered a replacement. I did the “up a ladder” task, Aditi will do the digging and soil preparation. 
Tony

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where it is hot and sunny. I am awaiting the return of the other Lurkers from up north. It is also very windy here- the parasol blew out of its stand and on to the lawn. I have closed it for a while and come indoors but expect to venture out again shortly. Have a good day all 

[simontaylor484]

8 minutes ago, jonny777 said:

 

You may have seen it over the weekend, but there was an hour long programme about Oliver Postgate on the BBC. It was very good, and included lots of archive footage (including Bagpuss). 

 

I can't remember which channel, BBC2 or 4, but it will be on the iplayer. 

No I didn't see it i generally dont watch BBC channels anymore unless there is something I really must see. They have destroyed local programming on tv and radio and still pay the so called talent megabucks and waste money on shows like I can see your voice.

[simontaylor484]

The youngest is out in the garden doing some more weeding if he keeps it up much longer he will be bankrupting me with his pocket money he is earning 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just remembered that the sheets and pillow cases that I'd washed last night were still in the machine. Went to get the large dryer out and in doing so I dislodged a heavy wooden box that landed on my foot. OUCH! but the pain didn't last long and everything was soon back to normal but I expect to have a big bruise in the morning. Luckily I was wearing some thick felt slippers that must have cushioned things a bit.