Early Risers.

[Coombe Barton]

... they’re still selling streaking outfits ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2021/07/08/is-orange-the-new-green/

[pH]

53 minutes ago, laurenceb said:

Our local bus co in the 80's& 90's (Stevensons of  Uttoxeter), used to list destinations alphabetically. Which was ok when they had half a dozen destinations, when they expanded changing the display on the 401 from Burton to Uttoxeter took longer & longer.... Eventually they did modify them too add more Burtons

The local rolls where I worked were generally alphabetic, but the ends of major routes were together in the roll. Since one route was Woodhall-Ashton, this was a good thing. 
 

One week, we worked a midday workers which travelled an unusual route, followed by a trip into the centre of town. On the first two days, at the terminus of the first run, a kid pestered the driver to let him change the board (manual winding). The driver said ‘No’ - somewhat forcefully. On the Wednesday, he decided to let him do it. The destination of the workers service had been ‘Bardrainney via Broadfield Avenue’. As the kid started to turn, I left to go to the corner shop. When I got back, he was still turning, and had more to go - our next destination was ‘Wallace Square’. We didn’t see him on Thursday or Friday.

[leopardml2341]

Goodnight all. 

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Another day where time seems to have evaporated. There seems to be a lot of traffic on RMweb this evening perhaps thats why? Time to tackle Farcebook, be back later.

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Odd day here, managed to get my hair cut and managed a couple of hours bookwork and have balanced them. Not much else done. Manager rang up to say he’s going to have to take Monday off due to a school bubble busting that includes one of his sons. Into the breach once more.

Goodnight,

Robert

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, simontaylor484 said:

I love John Buchans Hannay series i actually prefer Greenmantle which was the sequel to the 39 steps there was a further book the Island of Sheep. The Rupert Penry Jones version was on Drama earlier this week

I also like and have, John McNab and the 3 Gorbals diehards novels.  All good.

 

Jamie

[tigerburnie]

G'night all

[Ozexpatriate]

1 hour ago, brianusa said:

Here in WA, things aren't quite so bad especially West of the Cascades but we run our sprinklers every day as theres too much already invested in the garden!

1 hour ago, pH said:

Our water restrictions allow sprinklers only two days a week, 4AM to 9 AM - different two days for odd and even addresses. Spraying with handheld hoses isn’t restricted (yet).

I routinely run my drip feed irrigation and sprinklers on alternating days* and occasionally do some hand watering. The heat from over week ago devastated a lot of my plants.

 

* Actually nights at midnight.

 

The Governor of Oregon has instructed state employees to turn off the irrigation and fountains in state operated facilities.

 

There are no local restrictions otherwise, but everything feels like the end of summer - hot, dry and dusty. We're at (I believe) 24 days of zero precipitation and are now in the period where it does not usually rain until September. We may set a local record for consecutive days without measurable precipitation by summer's end.

 

Meanwhile much of the snow has melted on the mountain. Instead of white and sparkling on the horizon it looks like the ash grey slag heap that it is geologically and is blending into the haze.

 

Morning clouds have made the last two days very pleasant but the forecast for the week ahead is very warm.

 

Edited July 8, 2021 by Ozexpatriate

[simontaylor484]

I missed Mr Standfast and the Three hostages off the list of Hannay series novels 

 

that sentence has taken 10 minutes to write on my fire tablet instead of Hannay it insists of putting Hannah Montana in automatically 

[Adam88]

3 hours ago, polybear said:

 

 

Bear will see you and raise you....

https://www.statons.com/property/totteridge-green-totteridge-london-7/

 

 

I bet the kitchen doesn't match up to the famed new one being installed in Castle PB.

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

The weather has been really nice today, although it started to cloud over just after I had posted this morning. However, the sun won and managed continue shining, so it warmed up a little. There was also a slight breeze, so that was not too bad, but Charlie and I had to find a sheltered spot for spray painting. 

 

Well, I have had a fun packed day here at BSW01 towers, after I had dropped Sheila off at her Zumba class, I called in at the big orange DIY shed to get the lamp holders. I then called at Sainsbury’s for a couple of things I couldn’t get on Monday, then collected my book I was back home for 11:30. I then sat down with an iced tea and made a phone call to the pension provider and had a very informative discussion, so I will be getting a few quotes from them. I will then compare these with other providers before committing myself to an annuity. 

 

I had just put the phone down and begun to read my new book, when I got a message from Charlie saying he was on his way. He actually got here about 20 minutes before Sheila got back from her catch up with her Zumba friends over coffee. He had finished constructing the model at home and was now ready for the next stage. So, I showed how to clean up joints and also how to use model filler, as there were a few gaps that needed filling. I left him to that whilst I had my dinner, Charlie had already eaten before he got here. By the time I had eaten he had applied the filler and sanded it down and was ready for painting. I had bought a large spray can of primer, so I showed him how to use that and between us we applied 3 coats. This paint is fast drying and in 15 minutes after the final coat, he was able to start applying some top coat. He had just about finished when it was time for me to take him home. It’s been really nice seeing and working with him and whilst chatting to during our painting session, he has decided to make this is a regular thing for a Thursday afternoon, great stuff. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[BR60103]

Mr Bach:  What system is your roll sign for?

 

I have a pair of Toronto rolls.  The Streetcars (until a few 4 decades ago) had 2 rolls -- one for the route and one for the destination. The cars that replaced the PCCs didn't have a wide enough opening, so they changed the routes to numbers and made everything one sign. I still don't know what all the routes are and they're all 5xx series.

When the second subway opened in 1965 there were two U-shaped streetcar routes from Broadview Station to Dundas West Station.  These two signs were sewn into the linens beside each other to cut down on cranking. I think most of the rest were alphbetical.

The current streetcars have electronic signs that don't photograph well.

There was a little chart in a pocket by the driver's seat listing the signs for that car.

[BR60103]

Today was my wife's visit to her sister in hospital. She's been there 4 months with a throat problem (started with difficulty talking; she now has a tube for breathing and one for feeding). We hadn't seen her for a year and a half until last week -- we now have our full shots and development tme. Only one visitor at a time and only 2 people on the list. And make an appointment.

We have moved into wet weather and today was thunderstorm. The trip down is 75 minutes in good weather. I parked and stayed in the car doing the puzzles from the papers. It really poured while I was sitting there.

SIL thinks she may be able to move back to her apartment, but she also knows that she will be going to a care home.  She's about 87.

 

[chrisf]

Greetings one and all, with warmest thoughts and fingers crossed for Gordon S.

 

I appear to have triggered some interest in destination blinds.  Quake in fear if you will, gentle readers, but there are many strands to this topic!  One which used to fascinate me was the different way of describing some turning points between depots and between eras.  At the northern end of route 630, for example was “Harlesden College Park”.  This was also displayed as “Harrow Road Scrubs Lane” and the rather bewildering “Nr Willesden Junction”.  The latter begs the question of what is meant by “near”.  Rather better known in its day was “Tottenham Snells Park”, aka “Tottenham Spurs Ground”.  The blinds on trolleybuses did not lend themselves to being arranged in alphabetical order but whether the order was one of ease of winding is a moot point.  Some displays covering shuttle workings did not need to be changed at all and were known as “lazy blinds”.  Oh, what fun!

 

At the risk of straying close to forbidden territory I was relieved to hear an announcement yesterday from those who rule us.  It now appears that travellers who are double-jabbed will not have to endure quarantine on returning home from countries on the amber list, which is most of them.  This means that I may well get to Morocco in November after all, and to Switzerland over Christmas and New Year.  It was quarantine issues which scuppered that trip last year.  Fingers crossed, I think.

 

As I type this there is a discussion on the radio about the wearing of ties for work.  Back in 1987 I worked in Kensington, which placed me well for attending a gig in Chichester one Friday night.  I went to work dressed more suitably for the gig, ie in slogan-ed T shirt and jeans, than for the office.  My line manager was a bit prim and proper and I wondered what she might say.  “Are you warm enough?” she asked.   

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris   

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a Charente  where it's  not actually raining.  The water butts are full and stuff is growing like mad.  Normally we stop cutting the grass late June as it gets too hot.  The sunflower fields are starting to look lovely. 

 

I did the ironing in the morning and without my usual music to dull the pain, as I was listening for the phone in case the garage rang. I had noticed that young Shapps was due to make an announcement , so put BBC parliament  on the tele.  My pain got worse, I had Gove and Rees Mogg for an hour before Shapps came on.  The phrase from the Soldiers song from Iolanthe came to mind about More than mortal man can comprehend.  Anyway the announcement  eventually came but unfortunately  doesn't yet cover those of us who have been jabbed in foreign parts. We need to wait patiently it seems.

 

The car was fixed but not till the afternoon.  Several modelling tokens were expended but it is working well, and more importantly, stopping well.

 

The G word has been uttered. I suspect strimming and more hedgd cutting will be the order of the day.  We are going out to  a restsurant for Fish snd Chips tonight with some friends.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

[polybear]

7 hours ago, Adam88 said:

 

I bet the kitchen doesn't match up to the famed new one being installed in Castle PB.

 

Oh I dunno, that place is a pretty tough Gig to follow.  Bear is wondering how much fun he'll have sliding down the curly wurly banister.....

Imagine the upkeep on that place - keeping it clean, grass cut etc etc.  Must cost a fortune.

 

17 minutes ago, chrisf said:

At the risk of straying close to forbidden territory I was relieved to hear an announcement yesterday from those who rule us.  It now appears that travellers who are double-jabbed will not have to endure quarantine on returning home from countries on the amber list, which is most of them.  This means that I may well get to Morocco in November after all, and to Switzerland over Christmas and New Year.  It was quarantine issues which scuppered that trip last year.  Fingers crossed, I think.

 

Though the Great Ar5ewipes were keen to point out that an amber country could quite easily become a red country whilst you are out there. 

 

In other news:

Bear has the last decorative end panel to fit, which will require planing first as it's a few mm too wide.  Then I need to temporarily re-hang the cooker hood back on the wall (all the fixings are already there) in order to measure the clearance above the worktop up-stand so I can order a glass splashback, which will take several weeks to deliver apparently as I quite fancy a decorative one rather than a piece of plain coloured glass.  The last main job still outstanding at the moment is the cutting and fitting of the decorative cornice mouldings which fit on top of the wall units; there's also the wall tiling, the wall unit plinth mouldings, some wallpapering, two door frames, some skirting....

Beam me up, Puppers.....

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl Inner Temple hare,

A much better nights sleep of about 6 hours....

 

A very despondent boss yesterday after the interview with the guy who came for a visit.. Yes the guy would make a good deputy... With several years training, no way could he take over in just about a years time.. Also this guy seemed to give the impression that to get promoted you had to keep changing jobs.. The Head / Deputy Head of lab posts here needs a long term commitment even after 5 years you won't have learnt it all..

 

The Boss said had I been 10 years younger I'd have got the job..

 

Going home yesterday just north of Effin Clown town, the heavens opened the heaviest rain I've seen in years, it went from dry roads to an inch or two of water running down the roads in seconds. Cars dropped to 30mph or less, as you struggled to see out of the windscreen with wipers on maximum.

 

This mooring, on Ben the I need reassurance Collie's patrol, it was very misty and everything still dripping wet..

On the roads on the way in were piles of sand and gravel washed out from the verges..

On the local radio only thing on.. something happening on Sunday,,, I switched to Classic FM..

 

Current shunts today, the "working set" I'll not get them all done but a good few.. This will be followed by a trip to Tes and co or there will be a distinct shortage of rabbit food for next weeks lunch boxes..

 

The first shunt has warmed up,

 

Time to get on with it..

 

 

 

 

[Barry O]

As Chris said, thiughts are with @gordon s and his family.

 

Route destinations.. all electronic round here allowing to see the famed destination "NIS"  ie Not in Service.. generally appears wgen you really do beed the bus.

 

I remember a couple of destinations which always made we wonder where they were "Intake" and "Decoy".. both in Donny I think.

 

Sunny with fluffy clouds here this morning. @Dave Hunt the idea appeals.. but I would need to talk to our neighbours over the road and provide blast protection.. pendine blocks may damage the grass...

 

Herself is off volunteering today. I need to go to the butchers for supplies.. hopefully pork, lamb and mint and meat and potato pies will be procured.

 

I have a date for another scan followed by 13 weeks of another type of tablet. This clinical research is great but why do I need to be scanned at 08:00 on a monday morning? Still it makes it easier to fast before the scan and blood letting. I donated 600ml of my precious blood for the Covid antibodies test this week as part of the UK testing system. I have loadsa the right antibodies. Great!

Stay safe! Have a great Friday!

Baz

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

A bit dull here but there is a hint of brightness and sunny spells are forecast followed by scattered showers some of which may be heavy and thundery.  Good Oh.  Glad that the gardening that was requested after the visit to the garden centre was done yesterday morning.

A phone call was made to the cancelled party venue and I was informed that they should be getting an insurance payout within 4 weeks and will then be able to refund our deposit so that's a glimmer of hope.  At one time I thought there was no chance at all of getting a refund.

Abbie & Joe visited yesterday for lunch and brought Nicki with them which was a surprise bonus.  They also brought cream doughnuts which of course endeared them even more to me.  I did mention in a whisper that I'm trying to lose weight but that didn't stop me eating one.   My weight loss has been very slow but I am now under 14 stone for the first time in about 3 years.  We had a great lunch and they stayed chatting for for about 3 hours.  Joe was very impressed with my latest toy.  I in turn was impressed with the photos of the flat he will be sharing with one of his current flatmates when he returns for his second year at University in September. 

Nicki has to go into hospital in a couple of weeks for a major op so Abbie will take over the running of the household.  This won't be a problem as she's a great organizer and a good cook but of course there is back up from here if required.  They also gave us good news about Gemma who had been worried about her exams but she did well and exceeded her own expectations.  

After breakfast we will be venturing out for a walk and to get some magazines for The Boss.  After that I will hobble down to The Shed and play with stony stuff and glue.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

Edited July 9, 2021 by grandadbob

[Andrew P]

Good day to to all.

 

The Sun is out the Sky is almost a bluie hazie colour and I'm hopeful of a nice day ahead.

 

I need to cut the lawn today. I've been putting it off as its covered in clover and birds and bees are loving it, but it must be done as its now getting out of hand.

 

So time for a shave and shower, then I might, just might, throw myself outside for a short walk before breakfast.

 

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

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Bright and sunny, but there are a few grey clouds that look quite threatening. Sheila is off to get her haircut, she should have had it done 2 weeks ago, but it was cancelled due to someone in the shop having to self isolate, which eventually turned out to be a false alarm! I shall head to the butchers very shortly for the weekly meat rations, followed by a visit to the Trafford Centre for a few more supplies. This will probably be the last time I do the butchers and Trafford Centre on a Friday, from next week I shall do them on a Thursday morning, before Charlie gets here in the afternoon, leaving Friday free for DIY projects. This afternoon I shall be making a batch of curry sauce, as we have James and his new partner coming for tea on Sunday, unfortunately, Amelia will not be with them as she is self isolating, due to a class mate testing positive!

 

Positive thought for Gordon and his family. 

 

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

 

Brian. 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Woke up this morning with a sore arm where I was jabbed yesterday and stiff joints thanks to Arthur Itis but he's now gone. A bit of a fodder run today and thats all so a bit of the M word might get done. Muggatee ready so I'll be back later.