Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

Good morning, from a rock were it is pleuting but is 8c.  Mrs H taken for the bus as I have to collect her from work at 4pm to do the 'big shop', which is best done nearer her work than home.  Oh dear.  Not even any trains to look at outside her work at this time of year, all tucked up warm and cozy.

 

My tasks for the day are few, which is just as well as I had a very disturbed night and am a little out of sorts.  No doubt a Dysoning will be expected and dust level reduction undertaken - with a wood burner on the go every evening in winter dust is a given, you just have to live with it.  Gas heating here, well any really, is a very expensive commodity, and despite having just had a 26% increase, is due to be increased again.  We use it as little as possible, the wood we burn is all windfall from friends with land.

 

I see we have a new ER, welcome AJ, to this caring corner of the world.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

I thought someone was knocking on the front door at 6.30 but I must have been dreaming. As I was awake I made some tea. Not a lot happening otherwise today. 
@chrisf Hope you have a great time .

Tony

 

[BoD]

Morning all

 

I have god a heavy code.  
Just  in time for Christmas. Blast.

I’ve already done a couple of lateral flow tests and they confirm that, so far, it is just a cold.

Hope that they are correct and it also stays that way.

 

Have a safe and enjoyable trip @chrisf

[polybear]

10 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

 

 

 

Not so sure about the alternative sound track  but the loss of such gems as Chigley/Camberwick Green/Mary, Mungo and Midge/The Pogles/Barnaby the Bear etc. etc. marked the "Beginning Of The End" in this Bear's book; I'm sure that increases in crime, drugs, ASBO's etc. etc. can all be traced back to that loss 

 

9 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Well, if Waitrose fail to provide on Christmas Eve and FedEx lose the turkey between Danbury and here tomorrow we still won’t be going shopping. I wouldn’t be surprised to get an invitation to a fourth Covid vaccine soon either. 

 

The aforementioned friend of Bear who has been invited to a fourth jab (as she had treatment for The Big C earlier this year) spoke to the local GP Surgery - who were most confused and had to investigate further....

Well it now seems that the fourth jab isn't a second Booster but a 3rd "Primary" jab; it's unclear if the mix is different/stronger/more of etc. but she's still waiting....

 

9 hours ago, PupCam said:

Milton Keynes - it's better than  Basingstoke.....

Isn't almost everywhere .......

 

 

Except Stevenage.....

 

9 hours ago, PupCam said:

Hey @polybear remember those!

.................. me neither.

 

Bear's most impressive "normal" pay rise (not linked to promotion etc.) was back in 1992; I'd heard stories from the other lads that their pay rises had been atrocious - so I was expecting the same as I'd been off sick (with a busted spine - don't do it, it hurts....) for around a year.  However, I was on the "job based" rather than "career based" grading structure (don't ask - I haven't a clue either) and that scheme pay rise had been negotiated a year or so earlier by the Union, and was directly linked to the rate of inflation - which was the best part of 6% in '92....

As the HoD gave me the letter (on the day I returned to work) he explained why it was much higher than the rest of the Dept. and mumbled that "...I'd have little to complain about.....", to which I responded with ".....and I thought it was because you appreciated me more when I wasn't here....."

And he had a total sense of humour failure (mind you, he had very little to start with anyway)

 

9 hours ago, PupCam said:

An item of almost (but not quite) as much use as a chocolate fire guard in many establishments in my and I expect the Bear's experience.

 

 

The dreaded Amex Card....

Bear spent ten nights in West Wales carrying one of those.  And how many establishments accepted it on the west side of the Bridge?  Two - the Hotel (begrudgingly IIRC) and Costa Coffee sorry, Costa Packet.

Dumping them was the best thing they ever did.  Shame it took so long.

 

Strangely, I do have my own Amex - a British Airways version, cos' I get Air Miles with it. I find that I can now use it in most places for routine shopping etc. as well as with many on-line purchases.

 

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

I've been to Basingstoke several times ........I quite enjoyed the experience! 

 

Hang in there GDB - help is on it's way.....

 

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

Major domestic deep cleaning tasks all completed but I have been advised that it will be necessary to give the place another dusting and Sharking tomorrow morning before our first guest (son Steve) arrives.  NIcki, Darren & kids won't be arriving until Saturday morning.

 

 

Bear predicts that on Boxing Day GDB will survey the damage and think "Now why did I bother? "......followed by SWMBO saying "GDB - can you just give the place a quick....."

 

In other news:

I wonder just how much money is wasted on this obsession with being called a "City"?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59758549

 

Right, Bear had better get his furry ar5e in gear....

Edited December 23, 2021 by polybear

[simontaylor484]

13 hours ago, polybear said:

Ouch...but rather impressed at the speed of the recovery.  I wonder what the gravel rash is like though:

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/video/viral/motorcyclist-crashes-during-overtake-attempt/vi-AAS2ncz?ocid=msedgntp 

Think of a tomato going through a tennis raquet

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit late on parade this morning, my Wi-Fi hub was dead so no internet. So I got on to Virgin Media and they spent twenty minutes trying to find the fault. It was then that I noticed that my computer was still on charge. I normally switch it off (if it is on) when I finish with my computer. A quick check revealed that I had switched off the hub instead .  Now off to run a bath, be back later.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Another dull but dry (at the moment) start to the day. As soon as I’ve finished breakfast I’m heading out to the butchers and then the Trafford Centre. That will be the last time I go out (apart from putting the bins out later) until after the festivities are over, so what I can’t get today, we will have to do without. 

 

I forgot to post a photo photo of Ava’s sewing last night, so here it is. 

 

It’s not bad for a first attempt, naturally, she’s very pleased with it. 

 

Back later. 

 

Brian

[Tony_S]

41 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

It was then that I noticed that my computer was still on charge. I normally switch it off (

I did when in phone support mode often ask “Are you sure it is turned on?” For some reason it seemed to annoy people but often it was the reason some peripheral or computer was dead. Always worth asking. Out BT Homehub has very obvious led lights on it. 

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

I'm sure that increases in crime, drugs, ASBO's etc. etc. can all be traced back to that loss 

I usually date it back to “Eastenders” being broadcast. 

[Pacific231G]

Morning all

This morning's LFT was once again negative- I'll do them daily till Boxing Day- so fingers crossed for Christmas but, according to Zoe, infections are still shooting up in the Borough of Ealing . All shopping has been done and the fridge is groaning but nothing that can't be frozen if any of my family test positive.

After seeing a bit of our local star yesterday we're back to another dull day of heavy cloud and it looks like from tomorrow we'll be getting some rain almost every day for the next fortnight. I sometimes wonder how astronomy ever got going in Britain. 

 

[Pacific231G]

7 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

I usually date it back to “Eastenders” being broadcast. 

Leave it Aaht!

I thought the public service purpose of Eastenders was to cheer us all up with the knowledge that, however rotten our own lives might get, those of the residents of Albert Square are so much worse. Within the BBC it was often referred to as "The Glums".

[Barry O]

Been to the Butchers. A queue (2 people allowed in the shop at any time.. face masks on) at 07;50. Pork, Beef and loadsa bacon purchased,. Two stand pies obtained...

 

Her indo0rs is en route to Didsbury to collect Dr Eldest Herbert  (for your own safety avoid the M62 for a while .. she takes no prisoners!) . Youngest Herbert will be with us tonight for tea (may be a chines e take out or a Curry ringitandbringit.

 

A local umpire has been protesting that he has been "forced" by  the powers that be (who ever they are) to have a jab but he is still refusing it. If he does become ill I have suggested that he doesn't need to ask the NHS for help as he isn't trying to help them.. he is less than amused(!).

 

Time to make youngest Herbert's bed up, then its coffee time and time to wait for DPD.

 

Baz

 

 

[Barry O]

6 minutes ago, Pacific231G said:

Leave it Aaht!

I thought the public service purpose of Eastenders was to cheer us all up with the knowledge that, however rotten our own lives might get, those of the residents of Albert Square are so much worse. Within the BBC it was often referred to as "The Glums".

I thought it was to dissuade everyone to move to the Eastend???

 

Baz

[Pacific231G]

5 minutes ago, Barry O said:

I thought it was to dissuade everyone to move to the Eastend???

 

Baz

That wouldn't be hard!

[simontaylor484]

5 hours ago, AyJay said:

Morning! Just gone half past five. The missers is getting ready to go turkey hunting in Sainsbury’s and I’m pondering what revolting film / rowdy record to play while she’s out?  It’s only one day, you would think that everyone was stocking up for a siege or the end of the world!!! 

A lot of the supermarkets are shutting Boxing Day too as a thank you to staff for their efforts during the pandemic 

 

But your right with the siege mentality I always wonder how much goes in the bin

[woodenhead]

Did my Christmas veg shopping on Sunday - it's all in the garage keeping cool.

 

Bought the turkey on Tuesday once numbers for the big day were confirmed - it was 7 then 5 now three, so small 4-8 turkey purchased.  There weren't many small ones left on the shelf that day, but lots of big ones plus a ridculous number of crowns.

 

I used to be one of those panickers who would over buy for that one day the shops were shut, never had the same panic over Easter though - I imagine I knew the chocolate would see me through.

 

The turkey is set for three meals: the roast on Saturday, + chips Sunday and leftovers into a curry on Monday.

[simontaylor484]

How do

 

Firstly @chrisf enjoy zomerzet 

 

Still nowt from Hermes the retailer haven't had a response either 

 

Parcelforce are due with some car parts from Germany that have come quicker than a parcel from Manchester 

[PhilJ W]

Hello again from Estuary-Land. No internet problem now, what caught me out was the TV which is also on the Wi-Fi was working, only two red lights were showing on the box. I realised afterwards that the TV is also connected by cable and the red light was an indicator of that.

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

I did when in phone support mode often ask “Are you sure it is turned on?” For some reason it seemed to annoy people but often it was the reason some peripheral or computer was dead. Always worth asking. Out BT Homehub has very obvious led lights on it. 

The (amber) light on my home hub was out but the TV still working confused me.

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,

Now straightening my back....

Spent part of this morning fitting a new solar panel to charge the starter motor battery on the motor boat.

Did it work?    Yes.

Did it charge the battery?   No.

The battery was showing 12.4V the minimum allowable level is 12.60V, below that it shuts down in case there is a short..

The battery is now in the shed on the clever battery charger.

On leaving, a postie van, a FedEx van, and a Asda wagon all outside 1 small building.. The building?

 

 

The only public toilets open for miles around...

 

 

After that it was,. Since you're passing Tes & Coe and the doctors (I wasn't) ..

1hour ish spent waiting in the dispensers queue, about half of those ahead of me, got sent away empty handed, or told to go into the doctors itself..

About half an hour waiting in the queue to escape Tes ,& Coe... Mask wearing 100%.

 

Got back SWMBO and Ben were out for his walk... That allowed the importation of a bottle of amber liquid without comment...

 

Time now to check eyelids for leaks...

 

 

[Barry O]

Parcel has arrived.. flowers for her indoors delivered by Hermes.. that wasted my day then!

 

Dr Eldest Herbert on his way.. fridge door is now padlocked.. 

 

Baz

[polybear]

2 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

But your right with the siege mentality I always wonder how much goes in the bin

 

In Castle Bear?  Diddly Squat.  I can't even remember chucking away "good" food - certainly not this year.  

 

As for cr@p like Albert Square - I'd be interested in crime rate statistics since the program first started......

 

In other news....

Bear's fun revolved around removing the curtain rail and wooden batten from the lounge wall, then removing the paint surrounding where the wooden batten was - as the decorators 30 years ago didn't understand what masking tape is for....

Fortunately this time the paint stripper worked pretty well; cris-crossing the paint with a stanley knife makes the PS work much better - though it's not a technique you could use on a surface that needed to remain unmarked.

 

NNN from next door called with a chrimbo card and a box of posh mince pies 

I'm now waiting for a visit from Nurse Covid, for yet another routine test.  After that I think a flying visit to the Co-op is in order - I only want milk and nanas; both could wait until tomorrow but I suspect that the hoards will be in there panic buying, so I'd rather steer clear of that silliness.

[Brian D]

3 hours ago, Tony_S said:

I did when in phone support mode often ask “Are you sure it is turned on?” For some reason it seemed to annoy people but often it was the reason some peripheral or computer was dead. Always worth asking. Out BT Homehub has very obvious led lights on it. 

 

I find that unresponsive or misbehaving "tech" usually responds to turning it off, waiting a few seconds and then turning it back on again at which point all is usually well but I'm b#ggerEd if I know why. 

[Barry O]

4 minutes ago, Brian D said:

 

I find that unresponsive or misbehaving "tech" usually responds to turning it off, waiting a few seconds and then turning it back on again at which point all is usually well but I'm b#ggerEd if I know why. 

Or tap it with a suitably sized "tapping mallet"  - 

 

Baz

[J. S. Bach]

2 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Or tap it with a suitably sized "tapping mallet"  - 

 

Baz

                       

A spike maul?

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2021 by J. S. Bach
To add some information.

[Tony_S]

22 minutes ago, Brian D said:

 

I find that unresponsive or misbehaving "tech" usually responds to turning it off, waiting a few seconds and then turning it back on again at which point all is usually well but I'm b#ggerEd if I know why. 

It can be quite difficult knowing quite why something happened. Being able to replicate the fault is usually the start to a solution. Because things go wrong, really important systems have a lot of redundancy built in, for instance something is monitored by 4 separate systems and go or no go depends on agreement between them. But that is for moon shots not home computers or other home tech. 
Turning it off and on reboots a system to start conditions. If a fault doesn’t survive a reboot and doesn’t reappear most people are happy. 

Edited December 23, 2021 by Tony_S