Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

It rained for most of the morning, but by dinner time it had stopped, but in the afternoon the sun came out and ended up hot and humid. Thankfully it was dry when I walked to the bookshop to place my book order, but the humidity was a little uncomfortable. We then had a heavy downpour earlier this evening, but it only lasted about 20 minutes. Still, all this rain has meant I’ve not needed to water the plants today!

 

Anyway, the underfloor flooring area is now complete, with the exception of a couple of very thin strips that are needed for one side. It turned out that the sleeper wall (L/H side) isn’t exactly parallel to the hall wall (R/H side) and the gap tapers towards the dining room from 50mm to 20mm over 10ft. Luckily there is sufficient wood in the offcuts for me to make this, but it will be in 3 separate pieces, 1 is in place, the final 2 are marked out ready for cutting tomorrow. 

 

The plan is to now store all my model railway items in large plastic boxes along the left hand wall. This will free up space upstairs and bring it all down to where it will eventually be used. Along the right hand side and the end wall will be a row of shelving, for storing everything else. 

 

Throughout this whole exercise, there has been no digging at all, merely getting rid of the rubble and levelling the ground afterwards. Working in this space today has highlighted the need for an extra light fitting at the far end of this space, this is verified in the last photo. So I’ll get that sorted whilst access is easier and before I put the shelving in place. 

 

As requested, below are some photos showing the work as it progressed, they are all taken from roughly the same spot. 

 

After the rubble clearance and the ground levelling. 

 

With the beams and beam supports (bricks or half bricks) in place. 

 

Finally, with the flooring in place.

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[The Stationmaster]

G'night all

[simontaylor484]

2 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Bet they don’t do MOTs though.

Another  friend of mine  worked for Truswells, John Marples.

Yes I remember him one of the fitters came when they took over H Brown's from stairfoot

[J. S. Bach]

3 hours ago, BSW01 said:

Good evening everyone  ...snip...

The plan is to now store all my model railway items in large plastic boxes along the left hand wall. This will free up space upstairs and bring it all down to where it will eventually be used. Along the right hand side and the end wall will be a row of shelving, for storing everything else.  ...snip...

Finally, with the flooring in place.

That does not look like a lot of headroom; less than four feet?

[Ozexpatriate]

3 hours ago, BSW01 said:

As requested, below are some photos showing the work as it progressed, they are all taken from roughly the same spot. 

5 minutes ago, J. S. Bach said:

That does not look like a lot of headroom; less than four feet?

Brian, that's a much bigger space with higher headroom that I had imagined from your verbal descriptions. Lots of useful (and dry) storage there now.

 

Much bigger than the Harry Potter bedroom (cupboard under the stairs) in my home, which for some reason* was carpeted by the builders.

 

* Cheaper than the hardwood flooring and more finished looking than plywood, exposed to the elements until framing then roofing was completed, (back in the days when it actually used to rain here).

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[Ozexpatriate]

As Britons awaken, today people in the US will prepare celebrate the 4th of July with beer in red, white and blue cans and fireworks. Locally with the dry conditions, fireworks are banned in many municipalities - even the professional displays.

 

I continue to find it curious to celebrate an enumeration of grievances. Most people don't get much further than the preamble, largely plagiarized* from the Virginia Declaration of Rights authored by George Mason, and adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention on June 12, 1776. What follows is pretty tedious stuff. My personal favourite is this one:

Quote

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

Which refers to the Quebec Act of 1774 which in large measure was intended to accommodate Catholic Québécois.

 

And this one doesn't really age very well:

Quote

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

 

The vote for independence actually occurred on July 2 and a "committee of five"** was delegated to draft the declaration.  They delivered their declaration, which was approved by the second Continental Congress on the 4th. It was then printed but not read publicly until July 8. It would not be signed until August 2, by delegates who were not necessarily the same individuals that voted on the 2nd or 4th of July.

 

The signers' names were not publicly released until 1777.

 

* The actual history of the editing process is quite fascinating. While Jefferson gets most of the credit, there are theories about whose hand (often Franklin's editorial style) are responsible for changes in the "rough draft".

 

** Which besides Jefferson included, John Adams (Massachusetts), Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Robert R. Livingston (New York), and Roger Sherman (Connecticut). 

 

Edited July 4, 2021 by Ozexpatriate

[BR60103]

We went on our longest trip in a year and a half.  We went to Sarnia (2 3/4 hours by car) to have chips under the Bluewater Bridge. My wife's parents lived there for a long while and the chips were an institution. We were a couple of hundred yards from the USofA. This was the first time we've had prepared food since I don't know when.  Also almost the first use of public washrooms.  The bridge looked as if it were under load restrictions -- usually not more than one truck at a time on it. No cars that we could see.

We took the long road back along Lake Huron. One beach town had very long backups heading into it. Luckily for us, they were in the other lane, making lft turns into town; another long line in the other direction. I don't know where they were all going to go.

 

[Ozexpatriate]

9 minutes ago, BR60103 said:

We took the long road back along Lake Huron. One beach town ...

 The term "beach town" on the Great Lakes makes me smile. (I did live close-ish to Lake Michigan for about seven years, the balance of my life has been on one side or the other of the Pacific Ocean.)

 

I guess Indiana Dunes State Park (the glacial moraine on the south shore of Lake Michigan) counts as a "beach" area.

 

Highway traffic locally (for the holiday weekend) has been an absolute nightmare.

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all

 

I did not sit up late to watch the film last night but retired to bed, safe in the knowledge that having the DVD will allow me to watch it whenever I wish.  I had already spent much of the day viewing DVDs but enjoyed some relief by viewing a music programme on BBC4.  Not for the first time I was struck by how quickly time passes.  On this occasion it was brought home to me by the sight and sound of a very young Tom Robinson performing his greatest hit, “Glad to be gay”.  Let no-one think that the phenomenon of the protest song is a relic of the 1960s.

 

As Ozexpatriate has reminded us, today is Independence Day in the USA.  If that ruddy virus will allow it to take place, there may be a remarkable event at Coney Island which in recent years has seen a world record constantly broken and reset.  It was a landmark in the history of competitive eating when Takeru Kobayashi became the first man to eat more than 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes.  Such has been the advance in human endurance that the record now stands at over 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes.  Some would like to see competitive eating become an event in the Olympic Games.  Somehow I doubt that it will happen in my lifetime.    

 

For yours truly it will be a quiet day.  There may still be one more strawberry to harvest and the task of ridding the jungle of its unwanted vegetation remains.  I paid more attention to writing this than to the weather forecast on TV so I have no idea whether or not it is expected to rain.  If ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris   

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a damp Charente.  It's raining again.  

 

We had a good day yesterday. An hour on the phone to Emily and her mums. She is becoming a little mix at times. She was sporting a bruise on her forehead. Apparently she had a paddybat nursery because she wasn't allowed something and threw herself onto the floor without checking where some furniture was. She got jo sympatjy from Rachel who picked her up that day. However her smile returned quickly.  I then did a couple of tip runs with the car then took Beth for a physio appointment. As it was half an hours drive away and was at 12.30 Beth suggested lunch out. This is a great step forwatd. A restaurant that we like was open and after the physioterrorist had done his stuff we went. Moules frites were enjoyed, plus a nice dessert and a half (litre) of red.  Our first meal in a restaurant for 18 months.

 

Various minor tasks, including eyelid inspections dealt with the afternoon and then we watched the gogglebox , including the football.

 

This morning will be a the market and meet friends for coffee. A pintard is thawing out.  

 

Yesterday we got an unexpected  invitation in our post box.  This is an invite to the postponed annual hunt feast. The centrepiece will be roast sanglier (wild boar). This invite has come out of the blue and we take it as a sign of acceptance by the village.  We will of course be attending.  

 

Like many others, I am glad that Dave Hunt's 00 collection has been bought. A very generous  gesture by Dave.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare,

5 hours broken sleep because of various aches and pains from slab shifting, then summoned by Ben the time to get up Collie, unfortunately that was 04:00.. 

06:00 Ben the I want out Collie took me outside, slightly cooler than yesterday but the sun is shining.

 

We've had no rain just distant Odin's hammer out to sea.

 

It appears there are people jumping up and down throwing beer around and socially undistancing on TV.. I believe that means no news for several days even on what is called a news programme whatever time that is on.

 

Today's plans are to loosely fit the rudder assembly, paint that and the underside of the keel. Both require the boat being hauled up on high, and additional blocks on the piles for safety.

Then left for some time for the paint to dry before lowering again.

 

The rudder is only loosely fitted because I need to to make some bearings to stop the rudder falling off / stop wear on the top of the rudder stock housing. The housing is capped with tufnol, the bearing will be a hardwood block with a  tufnol base, once fitted the tufnol faces will be lightly greased.

 

Time, I think, for a muggacoffee.

 

[Andrew P]

Its very wet around these parts so an awful lot of very naughty people must have washed their Cars yesterday, not guilty as charged in this household.

 

Earlier the normally well behaved gutters decided to over flow, such was the current down poring at that time, but all seem calm now outside and I may even be able to miss the next shower when I walk to the shop for the morning paper, and either a slab of LDC or a nice pair of Belgium Buns. 

 

Nothing special planned for today except watch the F1 at 6-30pm.

 

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

[Barry O]

Isn't it wonderful that ae can have loads of rain, thunder and lightning etc and afterwards the birds still sing merrily.

 

Family are visiting today so a bit of tidying up to do. PAH! I was asked to umpire a Yorkshire U14s game but family comes first.

 

Apparently great joy was had in the kickball last night. Not sure what happened and I don't really care.

 

Case numbers continue to rise around here. The ONS are now showing the %of jabs done per local area. One hot spot around here has less than 25% of the adults living their as having had a jab...

 

Have a good Sunday! Well done @Dave Hunt for the very positive gift.

 

Stay safe!

Baz

[iL Dottore]

On 03/07/2021 at 10:07, New Haven Neil said:

…..One wonders what people are trying the achieve by injecting botox into their man-pods, or perhaps it is better not to wonder...most odd...

Yes, it’s best not to speculate. It’s probably one of those vanity things - like the Georgian “ladies of distinction” who used powdered white lead to get that fashionable “pale” look.

 

Quite frankly, I wouldn’t go near botulinum toxin (from which botox is created) unless I really, really had to (it does have some non-cosmetic medical uses). It’s an irreversible acetylcholine (neurotransmitter) receptor blocker and it is estimated that a kilo of pure botulinum toxin is enough to wipe out all life on Earth.

 

Why you’d want anything like that near your man spuds is beyond me… 

23 hours ago, Rugd1022 said:

Morning all, tis a bit wet out or as the late and much missed Stanley Unwin might say ''it'll be moisty milo of the wetty rainyfied from the sky in heavenlo, oh yes indeedy, lovely mode''. Or something!

Stanley Unwin, a much overlooked comic raconteur I‘d say (I think his style of humour more that of a raconteur than a comedian).

 

One of his best appearances was in one of the early Carry On films (I forget which one), when Kenneth Williams acts as Stanley Unwin’s interpreter for the rest of the Carry On gang…

14 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

I just finished watching it, I've seen Death on the Tyne and I hope the third in the sequence, dial M for Middlesborough might be televised soon.

What channel? Do tell.

 

Mrs iD loves her British Krimis and in the absence of new episodes of Midsommer Murders, McDonald and Dodds, Death in Paradise and the like, we have to take pot luck on the repeats (which never seem to be broadcast in sequence) as to whether or not we’ve seen the episode…

11 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

..A good friend works in healthcare and says the same thing; once in healthcare you are never off duty. ..

Very true, although nowadays it has to be if there is no other option (my basic training may still cover the essentials but I’m way out of date with everything else).

 

Having said that, I did recently “bandage up” and then take to A&E an elderly neighbour who had an argument with a kitchen knife…

10 hours ago, Pacific231G said:

…After whatever you call the main meal of the day when it's at 4.30 PM, a rather splended lasagne followed by an excellent trifle,…

I’d call it “High Tea” (with a light supper in the late evening). And whilst trifle is traditional, lasagne is not (and, btw, well done on using the plural. Lasagna - singular, Lasagne - plural. Correctly said, it’s lasagne pasticciata or lasagne Modenese, etc. But the singular is used in common currency- a bit like data and datum). 

I am led to understand that a “High Tea” is Scottish in origin and - traditionally - involves sandwiches, a number of hot dishes and plenty of CAKE (but not necessarily LDC, probably a Dundee cake or similar).

 

I wonder what other ERs would consider suitable for a “traditional” High Tea (I’d love to learn about the regional variations)

4 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

 The term "beach town" on the Great Lakes makes me smile…

But isn’t the term Lake a bit of a misnomer here? Aren’t they - correctly - inland seas?  And are only called lakes because they are fresh water?

 

I was, reluctantly, dragooned into watching the England-Ukraine match yesterday and, for the game being played at this level, I didn’t think it particularly exciting football. Still, it keeps the lads in Big Beemers, Bling and Bleach Blonde Babes and that’s the important thing!

 

Enjoy your Sunday!

iD

Edited July 4, 2021 by iL Dottore

[jonny777]

Dry and bright in North Somerset, but not for long I suspect; as it has gone rather dark and threatening behind the church (this is in no sense an anti-Anglican comment) which is where most of our thunderstorms come from - the south (the Mendips) basically. 

 

We had some heavy showers yesterday, but today is planned to be the annual street party. Somehow, I don't think it will be partying in the street for too long. I am delegated to provide sausage rolls - which will need to be in the oven later, and have a couple of bottles of Veuve-Clicquot  Cava in the fridge. 

 

Now it is all down to the rain gods, or more precisely - potential instability and orographic uplift. 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

'Twas rather damp earlier but now not so much. However more rain is forecast with possibly heavy thundery showers along with some sunny spells.  Glad I washed the car yesterday!  

Today I will be mainly eating, drinking, nattering and watching some sport on TV.  A light cooked breakfast of just bacon, egg, tomatoes followed by toast and marmalade will start my day shortly.

Son Steve is paying a visit at lunchtime for a catchup chat and to deliver a new(ish) phone for The Boss.  He, by the way,  is somewhat off p!ssed.   He bought a brand new Land Rover Defender three weeks ago.  Last week whilst waiting at traffic lights a Deliveroo moron on a moped weaved through the traffic and his big box on the back scraped Steve's 2 offside doors.   Shot off before Steve could get his number.  (or his hands on him which is probably just as well)    Barsteward.  Repainting is going to cost several hundred tokens. 

After lunch Rugby, Cycling and F1 will be watched at various intervals.

Tonight I will spend my usual couple of minutes in the kitchen cooking fillet steak while The Boss deals with the other stuff.  This will be accompanied by a South African blend of Shiraz, Grenache ,Cinsault and Mourvedre from The Naked Wine stable, half a dozen bottles of which were delivered unbroken by Yodel yesterday.  I hope it's as good as their advertising blurb says it it.  Mind you I've never had a bad wine from them.  (although I am no oenophile, I just know if I like something (or not)

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited July 4, 2021 by grandadbob

[Erichill16]

Morning All,

I think Sydney may be disappointed as the special he was wanting to see is running an hour late and it may be difficult to arrange seeing it whilst out on his morning patrol. 
Not sure what else is on the agenda  but Sydney will be going home sometime, the bookwork needs attention and I want to watch the F1 this evening.

Later,

Robert

[New Haven Neil]

10 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

Are the Mercury arc rectifiers  still in use at Laxey(?) section feeder station?

 

No unfortunately, taken out of service a couple of years ago - I posted somewhere recently about them.  We had a look around the last weekend they were in...err...arc.  All new solid state rectifier building in Laxey next door to where they were now.

 

A damp start here after gentle rain, but looking as if it will stay dry for archery at noon.  SOme new targets to shoot at which always stirs up the order, as some of the older types are 'too used' to some targets and find them easy to shoot - new things and moving the bosses around reveals the true skilled intuitive archers. One old boy in particular (who regularly is known to, er, bend the rules) is heading for a fall today we think.  Last week he was complaining there was 'no competition' when he actually was being beaten until the last target by Mrs NHN who scored a PB - he's a terrible sexist - so she is after his scalp today!

[polybear]

13 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Son Steve is paying a visit at lunchtime for a catchup chat and to deliver a new(ish) phone for The Boss.  He, by the way,  is somewhat off p!ssed.   He bough a brand new Land Rover Defender three weeks ago.  Last week whilst waiting at traffic lights a Deliveroo moron on a moped weaved through the traffic and his big box on the back scraped Steve's 2 offside doors.   Shot off before Steve could get his number.  (or his hands on him which is probably just as well)    Barsteward.  Repainting is going to cost several hundred tokens. 

 

Ouch.  Hopefully not a metallic colour?  Bear purchased a new Rover 214 back in '93 and it had a bl00dy great run in the paint down the passenger door  (missed during so-called PDI, for which they charged 300 notes...).

It took 3 goes to get the colour match (silver metallic) - they had to paint the entire left side of the car in the end....

 

In other news:

 

No jealousy now, but Bear has a working sink - with working Hot AND Cold Taps

Just like wot they've got on Downton Abbey....I can do posh things like fill the Kettle and get a cup of water.....

No LDC (Co-op are still in the doghouse), though a wedge of SCC will definitely feature during today's proceedings.

[leopardml2341]

Morning all.

 

A bit of brightness around today so some tidying of the garden may be called for. Also have some kitchen repainting to do, but neither until a cuppa has been consumed.

 

Stay safe, sane and well, see you later.

[JohnDMJ]

Good Morning Awl, and, although the latter is still true, the veracity of the former may be considered dubious!

 

Rain again this morning has obstructed my plans to cut the hedge at the front and side of my domicile (mains powered hedge cutter!) but I may later acquire a pair of secateurs to at least recover the twigs overhanging my neighbour's garden. Forecast suggests swimwear might be an appropriate dress code for this operation!

 

Elsewhere:

 

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Stanley Unwin, a much overlooked comic raconteur I‘d say (I think his style of humour more that of a raconteur than a comedian).

 

One of his best appearances was in one of the early Carry On films (I forget which one), when Kenneth Williams acts as Stanley Unwin’s interpreter for the rest of the Carry On gang…

 

IIRC, that was Carry On Regardless which featured the hapless Gang under the guise of the "Helping Hands Agency". Also, ISTR that SU billed himself as "'Professor' Stanley Unwin"!

Edited July 4, 2021 by JohnDMJ