Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

32 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

I just wish we could have a break from the wall to wall grey skies. 

That sunshine I mentioned a little while ago, it's gone now.

 

England should expect to see *some* sunny skies - once the lawn tennis season is over. (I've not seen a lot of sunny games broadcast, though there were a few.)

 

For extra insurance, send the cricketers abroad, and whatever you do, don't wash the car.

 

Edited June 13, 2022 by Ozexpatriate

[The White Rabbit]

29 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

A bit of advice please folks.

Some weeks ago i dropped some forms off at the GP's for signing to release a pension for ill health early retirement. (Sadly the pension provider won't accept the certificate provided by OHU originally)

We have asked what is happening with the forms several times and keep getting fobbed off, my Mrs thinks th checkpoint Charlenes are getting fed up of us enquiring. I'm getting sick of it its making me really anxious 

Has anyone in ER land got any suggestions 

 

Is it any GP or a specific one? Or someone else? If it's a particular person, maybe there's a problem with availability cos they are off doing something else. (Even if it is this, it's not good enough as you're supposed to put cover in place for such things). I think I'd be asking exactly why there's a delay and if no-one can explain, make a complaint.

 

If necessary/possible, maybe get your MP involved? Or are you in the constituency that's getting a by-election? The media might be more interested than usual, though that can come with a cost. A threat to go public might help though. 

 

31 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

I just wish we could have a break from the wall to wall grey skies. 

 

We're supposed to have one later this week, together with higher temperatures. 

[Coombe Barton]

... I have had more exciting times ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2022/06/13/accelerating-cases-still/

[simontaylor484]

It's Wakefield that has the by election, We have Mrs Balls as MP.

 

Now I hope there is something called Karma coming to these low life's 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-61789947

[Gwiwer]

45 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

I just wish we could have a break from the wall to wall grey skies. 

Today has been mostly sunny.  Much of the next week is forecast similarly with the promise threat of 30C later.  I'll be ready with the short-sleeved shirt and the usual wishful-thinking about uniform shorts.  

 

6 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

accelerating-cases-still

It does seem to depend where you are.  I get that there are far fewer tests being recorded which can skew statistics but there are many areas still white on the map (fewer than three cases reported in the past 7 days) and many more still with numbers falling.  Most of those where there is a rise are recording only tiny upticks; the big exception (without much surprise) is around Heathrow which has often shown far higher rates of infection than anywhere else nearby.  Still wary - still not worried.  

 

In other news we have arrived at the Horse Chasing season.  Royal Ascot gets under way tomorrow.  Yours Truly may be required on vox humana amplificata at the House of Fun.  It's been a few years since I worked a crowd but I reckon I've still got it in me.  It appears we have also conjured up some extra trains from somewhere for the week.  Not a bad effort when we claim to be so short of them that we have to choose between short ones running per the published timetable or full-length ones less often.  Let's see what tomorrow brings.  Ladies' Day on Thursday is always the Big One with, in previous years, champagne breakfasts taking place on the platforms from as early as 6am.  I'm sure they regret those a little later when they can't get to the toilets through a packed train!  

 

Another day of feeling a bit below Par, possibly even as low as Polmear (Cornish joke), but with a marked improvement after a respectable fried sea-bass*, chat potatoes and crispy veggies with a glass of Chardonnay tonight.  

 

* Yes I know there's no such thing; all bass come from the sea but that's what it said on the label.  

[BoD]

Maybe I’m in a low mood tonight but is it just me?

 

Perhaps it’s to do with covid.  Or soshul meeja.  Or Mr Putin.  Or any other number of things but I feel that the world is a much less kinder place. A less nicer place to be.  The whole place seems a less tolerant.  Nobody cares for other people or their point of view. Whereas it used to be live and let live today it seems to be you are with us or against us.  From the very top of society to the bottom.

 

At least we can come into RMweb (mostly) and ERs (specifically) and it is a friendly, supportive place.

 

I probably just need a drop of the malt.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Just a few minutes ago I heard a scratching outside. It was the fox cub again scratching on the patio door glass. He's not so little now, almost fully grown and looking very sleek and healthy. Only thing is that the window cleaner came round this morning and washed off all the muddy paw marks.

[Ozexpatriate]

20 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Another day of feeling a bit below Par, possibly even as low as Polmear (Cornish joke)

Separately from Cornish place names, I find the notion of subpar open to misinterpretation.

 

As a 'normal' word, being "below equanimity" / "below average" makes sense as not a good thing. Ironically in the modern (post 19th century) golf context "subpar" is a good thing - but even a golf commentator describing a player's subpar performance is open to confusion.

 

Glad the fishy dinner helped.

[Barry O]

Skinless mice.are tinned plum tomatoes (they do have the right shape).

 

A cake in a cake is a breadcake filled with a fishcake (two potato scallops with fish in between, battered, then deep fried). And is claimed to be food of the gods.

 

@BoD warren I reckon you are correct on all counts. The s0d you I am ok attitude is strong at the moment  (it is causing havoc with discipline in cricket at the moment). But let's all keep going tryIng to help others especially ERs(of which we ha e a fair few missing currently).

 

Bas

 

 

[polybear]

Bear is currently watching "Scouting for Toys" on "Yesterday" (Ch. 19) - the prices being paid for Matchbox Cars at a Vectis Auction are just nuts.  £10K for a breakdown truck, anyone?  Now if I were a collector I most definitely wouldn't want to be seen on telly as it's asking for a break-in.  The owner of the collection made £400K.  Bluddy Hell.

There was also some guys showing their G-Scale Garden Railway - and talking prices.  Another target.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

.  It seems I have 21 days to listen to it - I've no idea what happens to the file after that

There is an option to renew if no one else has reserved it on our County system. 

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Congratulation to GDB and the Mrs and also to Gemma.

Not been around much today but not much has been accomplished.

Like a few on here at the moment a bit , we’ll er, deflated.

Hospital appointment tomorrow and more work towards the move.

Goodnight All,

Robert

[J. S. Bach]

25 minutes ago, Barry O said:

 ...snip... A cake in a cake is a breadcake filled with a fishcake (two potato scallops with fish in between, battered, then deep fried). And is claimed to be food of the gods. ...snip...

Bas

 

 

Mmmm, sounds good.

[J. S. Bach]

10 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

Evening All,

Congratulation to GDB and the Mrs and also to Gemma.

Yes, I will add mine to the list.

[BlackRat]

Blue skies, wall to wall sunshine and ….…ice cold beer.

 

Well we are in Gran Canaria!

 

Olé

 

nite all. Stay safe.

Edited June 13, 2022 by BlackRat

[monkeysarefun]

12 minutes ago, J. S. Bach said:

Mmmm, sounds good.

Theres an awesome British cooking channel called Kays Cooking, check out her version.

 

 

 

Woke to a sore throat and 2 stripes on my COVID test, so its a week lying in the sun working from home in isolation for me. Checked out the forecast, every day cloudless and 19 or 20, just like winter should be so I'm glad I picked the right week to get the plague.

 

.  My growing tame bird army which has expanded from Maggies and Lorikeets to include a Butcher bird and 2 Currawongs will be happy at least since they'll get afternoon  feeds for the week.

 

In return I  can send them to the shops for milk and Mars Bars.

Edited June 13, 2022 by monkeysarefun

[PupCam]

1 hour ago, simontaylor484 said:

It's Wakefield that has the by election, We have Mrs Balls as MP.

 

Now I hope there is something called Karma coming to these low life's 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-61789947

 

What vile life forms.  How could anyone do such a thing?   Unfortunately I suspect that there are very many similarly vile life forms.

 

And going back to your earlier GP question Simon.   I spotted this when looking at your link.   I can't say I'm surprised .....

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61759641

 

Night Awl.

 

Alan

[Tony_S]

2 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

A bit of advice please folks.

Some weeks ago i dropped some forms off at the GP's for signing to release a pension for ill health early retirement. (Sadly the pension provider won't accept the certificate provided by OHU originally)

We have asked what is happening with the forms several times and keep getting fobbed off, my Mrs thinks th checkpoint Charlenes are getting fed up of us enquiring. I'm getting sick of it its making me really anxious 

Has anyone in ER land got any suggestions 

Initially ask the practice manager by email, telephone or letter where is your document and what is the problem. Only ask the receptionist for the name and contact details of the manager. If that fails look to see if the practice had a complaints procedure. 

[andyram]

Evening all and I will add my congratulations to @grandad bob and many happy returns to Gemma.

 

Today has been spent stuck in front of the computer at home clearing more marking and dealing with countless messages including learner enquires and a case of persistent plagiarism. The learner may have trotted our plenty of excuses but has used up almost all of her warnings across multiple assignments. She is very much in the last chance saloon.

 

This afternoon saw a call from Sky with the promise to send out a replacement cheque by Wednesday. I will not hold my breath. I followed this up with a call to CISAS who act as the regulator for broadband providers. A claims form has now been sent to open a case against Sky. I have nothing to lose so I will fill it out and send it off when I find some time later in the week.

 

 Meanwhile, at Pride Park, the American chancer has proven to be a total timewaster and has walked away. The uncertainty and worry grows again.

 

Night.

 

Andy

[Winslow Boy]

2 minutes ago, andyram said:

Evening all and I will add my congratulations to @grandad bob and many happy returns to Gemma.

 

Today has been spent stuck in front of the computer at home clearing more marking and dealing with countless messages including learner enquires and a case of persistent plagiarism. The learner may have trotted our plenty of excuses but has used up almost all of her warnings across multiple assignments. She is very much in the last chance saloon.

 

This afternoon saw a call from Sky with the promise to send out a replacement cheque by Wednesday. I will not hold my breath. I followed this up with a call to CISAS who act as the regulator for broadband providers. A claims form has now been sent to open a case against Sky. I have nothing to lose so I will fill it out and send it off when I find some time later in the week.

 

 Meanwhile, at Pride Park, the American chancer has proven to be a total timewaster and has walked away. The un

certainty and worry grows again.

 

Night.

 

Andy

 

Just a quick piece of advice and you may already do it so please ignore if you do but keep a copy or a record for telephone calls of any paperwork as documents have been known to 'get lost'.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Well my early morning delivery, was initially put back until mid to late afternoon, then again to early evening and finally late evening. The package finally arrived about 8:30 this evening, I’m not impressed at all. So the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix was completed this morning after all, albeit a little later than I usually do so. 

 

This afternoon, I spent a couple of hours writing to the developers of the old cinema at the bottom of our road, expressing my objections to their proposal to turn the cinema into apartments. It’s not that object to the idea of apartments, it’s the fact that, from the start, they’ve not planned in enough parking spaces, meaning at least 25% of the residents will have to park the cars on the neighbouring roads, depriving those residents of parking!  I was very careful with my wording as, although I really wanted to say what I thought, but made a conscious effort not to be rude. As usually happens once I start writing something like this, what I planned to be a few short lines, in fact ended up as quiet a long letter.  However, I got in all I wanted to say, without, against my better judgment, resorting to obscenities, but they have been left in no doubt as to what my feelings are towards this proposal. Hopefully, I won’t be the only one who’ll voice their displeasure, but as yet I’ve not had chance to talk with our neighbours about this matter. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[Tony_S]

22 minutes ago, andyram said:

She is very much in the last chance saloon.

Plagiarism seems to be very strictly dealt with at some levels. When Aditi taught in higher education anyone plagiarising had to resubmit the assignment and the mark was capped at the pass mark. Matthew got really worried once when he checked some work for his PhD and it got a high plagiarism score. What had happened was he had already submitted it and it was compared with his own work. He did work that out for himself but was a bit worried at first. 
Also interesting was that there were a lot of Chinese students on the masters course Matthew did in Utrecht. They had a completely different view about plagiarism to the usual western academic opinion. They didn’t consider it wrong at all. 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from a slightly warm (557º R) Piedmont.

 

EDIT: It reached 100º yesterday, so actually 569ºR ! Not so bad, that is only 3º warmer!!

Edited June 14, 2022 by J. S. Bach