Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

13 minutes ago, The Lurker said:

That reminds me of walking the trackbed of the former Northampton - Market Harborough line which I did on a couple of occasions when I lived in the former. Near one of the stations, there were some wonderful raspberries growing. There were no nearby houses and I fondly imagined that they had grown in the stationmaster's garden. No idea if that's true of course but I can say they were delicious!

Makes you wonder as raspberries distribute their seeds in the same way as tomatoes. When I lived at Burnham-on-Crouch I sometimes used the Southminster branch were there was an embankment from Fambridge going towards Burnham. The bottom of the embankment was full of apple, pear and even a few plum trees where people had thrown cores and fruit stones from the trains.  

[simontaylor484]

Afternoon all 

The Glourious weather continues.

Rolo the dachshund is outside sunning himself in the garden. Pebbles the dachshund is laid on her bed after wearing herself out playing.

 

I have had to do a bit of rose staking myself this morning. There was a shoot coming off the triffid like climbing rose growing where I can't train it along the fence I got the secateurs out to bring it into line but noticed a load of rose buds developing on it. So an off cut of wood was found and it is now staked up.

My current plan is to let it flower this season then cut it right back to the base in the autumn.

 

[TheQ]

4 barrows compost now in raised bed, about the same left to do Saturday.

4 barrows ash now in shed area, probably twice that left to move.

1 barrow rubble moved, 

About 75% of grass and jungle mowed.

Ben took me for a long walk, nice breeze making it not too hot.

 

Latest from family, in the last few minutes,

my sister's have been to my parents to tell them about my brother.

He himself has been called for the first chemo tomorrow!!!

 

I was going to call today to let my parents know about our next visit up there, I think I'll leave it a couple of hours for them to digest the bad news.

[The White Rabbit]

Warm and sunny here, with the wind stopping it being too hot, though probably masking the strength of the sun for the unwary. Good views across the valley. 

 

My garden staking duties have been for ox-eye daisies, many of which are on a serious lean (Nazi party salute sort of angle) if they had their way. They do adapt and head back towards the sun, producing a stem shape which reminds me of what shipwrights call 'compass timber'. (💪 angle). But I try to keep them 'on the straight and narrow'. 

 

On the subject of fruit, our blackberries are either at the flowering or green fruit stage. As previously grumbled about, the redcurrants are ripening almost as quickly as the blackbird can scoff them. The strawberries are ripening and we've had some already, with some still flowering - they grow anywhere in the garden and if I didn't keep them under control, they'd take over*. This one decided one of our north facing walls was a suitable location...

 

 

* Serious offer - any ERs near Otley wanting any strawberry plants, PM me, we'll arrange some. 

[PhilJ W]

The young fellow, Alex has been round and cut my lawn weed patch for me for the grand sum of £20. He did the front weed patch as well. 

[NGT6 1315]

A'noon all.

 

Been out to Gotha for an exam and just got home shortly past 1500 hours. Need some coffee ASAP, but while I'm having one, may I regale you with some forbidden footage...

 

 

 

[Gwiwer]

18 hours ago, BoD said:

Goodness the blackberries are ripening. It must be Autumn.

Not here they're not.  Those are mulberries which fruit ahead of blackberries.  The bush is in a pot and being small manages a good crop in alternate years resting in the others.  This year it is presenting a bumper crop.  

 

Another very warm one Upon the Hill of Strawberries where urgent watering of the gardens took place immediately after lunch.  More may be required tonight.  In the meantime there are magazines to be read, coffee to be enjoyed and maybe a beer outside as well.  

[iL Dottore]

5 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

But not "Smoke On The Water"

Which bit? The riff (which most people play incorrectly) or the Ritchie Blackmore solo? Played properly, it's a damn good song and the solo isn't TOO impossible to master...

 

Apparently, "Smoke On The Water" and "Stairway to Heaven" have been joined by Wonderwall (Oasis) and Seven Nation Army (White Stripes) as Songs You NEVER Play In A Guitar Shop!

[Ian Abel]

HUMP day...

 

Yesterday another uninspiring day, slow work and nothing else planned for the after work activities. Suits me 🙂

 

Weather today by all accounts "delightful" (says who!!!) - 18 first thing, partly cloudy and a high of 29, the humidity is way down so pleasant air outside.

Bob, at least, seems to approve as he's relaxing outside watching for birds or chipmunks to stalk!

 

Carry on.

[iL Dottore]

6 hours ago, chrisf said:

Absolutely not, though I must compliment the honourable member from Basel on his vivid imagination! 

Oh, I don't know.

It's so, so... You (and it doesn't clash with your Rainbow boots)

 

p.s. I found your photo online from a set of photos from a model railway show

Edited June 22, 2022 by iL Dottore

[tetsudofan]

10 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

 

One final note: taking the train from Zürich airport to Olten (for my connection onwards) I boarded a brand-new SBB RABe 502, (the TWINDEXX Swiss Express). And much like a car fresh from the factory which has that unique “new car smell“ so the RABe 502 had a “new train smell” – something I have never ever encountered before (has anyone else?).

 

 

 

Not sure about "new train smell" but can relate to "train type smell"

 

Going back to many years ago when boarding one of the original Series 0 Shinkansen trains (the original Bullet Train) back in the 1970/80s you were always greeted by a particular smell caused, I understand, by the type of plastic used on the coach interiors.

 

Jumping forward some 35 years later whilst at the NRM at York I climbed aboard the Shinkansen Series 0 they have there ...... and I was greeted by the same smell!

 

Keith

[Barry O]

Well I visited thr Marie Celeste.tried to check in..no appointment shown I then asked at reception..ah yes..it is at 3pm (Iwas tole 2:30. With the usual Marie Celeste timekeeping (which makes Indian railway "ish" time look good !)

 

I saw the GP at 3:15, he did apologise for the fact that I had not heard from the Pharmacist  (who is only in 3 days week). He then took my blood pressure and weighed me. I must now take my BP every day for a week before having some blood tests. ( well make that 2 weeks as that is the earliest I can get an appointment)

 

He reckons I can move to the new meds after he talks to the Pharmacist and the local Diabetic care group tomorrow. Yippeeeddddooo.. only waited 6 months for that!

 

While I was there 2 GPs were in the Practice, two HCA and 6 very raucous admin staff were also present...with 4patientsattending in just over an hour. 

 

I have earned some brownie points though.i brought home bouquet of flowers for her indoors. It is our 43 wedding anniversary  tomorrow.. lummy two life sentences!

 

Baz

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Since the guy cut the weed patch this morning there has been no sign of the foxes. I have left the cubs 'toys' on the patio in case they come back though I doubt if they will. This Friday/Saturday I will be starting on the bug hotel (weather permitting).

[NGT6 1315]

45 minutes ago, tetsudofan said:

 

Not sure about "new train smell" but can relate to "train type smell"

 

Going back to many years ago when boarding one of the original Series 0 Shinkansen trains (the original Bullet Train) back in the 1970/80s you were always greeted by a particular smell caused, I understand, by the type of plastic used on the coach interiors.

 

Jumping forward some 35 years later whilst at the NRM at York I climbed aboard the Shinkansen Series 0 they have there ...... and I was greeted by the same smell!

 

Keith

I do concur that new trains have a smell not unlike that of a new car. So did our NGT10 trams when they were new (and when nobody imagined the kind of headaches they’d eventually give us due to iffy reliability!).

 

Though I also remember the 185 and 189 I inspected during an open day at Mannheim and the 401 I footplated on had a peculiar smell, even though none of them had been fresh from the factory at the time.

[BoD]

2 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

Not here they're not.  Those are mulberries which fruit ahead of blackberries.  The bush is in a pot and being small manages a good crop in alternate years resting in the others.  This year it is presenting a bumper crop.  

Ah, that explains it.

Do you have any pet silkworm?

[southern42]

9 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Great tips, Polly. I too suffer from both ennui and rountuits when it comes to playing guitar.

 

As I have quite a collection of guitars to choose from - would you recommend that I choose a guitar at random when I want to play or settle on one of my favourites (which may be easier said than done as my favourite guitar varies according to the mood I'm in - currently it's the Les Paul and the Telecaster...)

 

I can only speak from experience. I am no expert and no professional.

At the first Lockdown, I had a Muramatsu flute which I found difficult to play after breaking my arm some years ago. But I did have a small D fife in the drawer which I played when I felt like it - not very often.

 

Then we had the first Lockdown and plenty of time at home to dedicate to something - in my case the fife. I had two folk tunes I knew from memory. I played those but 'everyone' plays folk tunes and far better than I did. I came across a Soweto Lullaby and that was it! I learnt the lullaby, then another (Deep South American), and another (Welsh) and another, Pi's Lullaby. I bought another fife in a different wood because the other split years ago. An Irish tune took me to a flautist playing a plastic Yamaha C fife. I loved it and bought one! So, a mixture of fifes and different tunes on each.  A little and often for 18 months of so and thoroughly enjoyed it but I was not really improving.

 

Pi's Lullaby took me to a whole host of Indian flute players and eventually to an online introductory course. All exercises, though I did learn one song from the Author's published book of 'instructional material'. All progressively graded exercises that have made me play in a whole new way! The author's courses demands dedication which with more time at home, I can put in.

 

But, to finally get round to your question, any other time I will just pick up what instrument/music I feel like playing at the time!  How else are we to enjoy ourselves and feed our musical desires when they arise? That or give all an airing. Wood fifes and bamboo flute all need to be kept from drying out or getting too moist so short sessions on each can be beneficial for them. This is true for guitars, I am sure - they like being played!  Little and often rather than not at all. My guitar did, once upon a time. Regular playing and working to improve some aspect of playing can be quite satisfying, sometimes exciting when you produce something you have not been able to do before. But sometimes, concentrating on one main instrument, especially if time is short, can be more satisfying. I guess it depends on the person or one's ability. We are all different and we must make music in our own way by making it our own and enjoying it.  Though I do have some awful OFF days! 😂

 

So, I can only suggest you get out there and play! Work it out for YOU! It will come!

 

Polly

 

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by southern42
word missing

[PhilJ W]

I spoke too soon about the foxes, they came back less than half an hour ago. They seem rather confused by the disappearance of the grass. I've put the now full green wheelie bin out for collection tomorrow, bin day. I haven't cleaned up the rubbish left by the foxes, just collected it in a pile, a combination of hay fever and Arthur Itis/Si Attica put paid to doing any more.  

[southern42]

One other thing on playing an instrument.  When I did an art course, pre-return to going out to work, I took home a tutor's catch phrase when starting a new piece of artwork: "Make it really ace!" Such was his encouragement and faith he had in his students, I cannot but try and apply it to most things I do!  Now, I have another catch phrase, from a flute tutor who simply says: "Play it nicely!" Talk about understatement but it seems to work with me!

 

So, the next time any of you get out your guitar/other music making device, and make music you know what to do!

[monkeysarefun]

6 hours ago, tetsudofan said:

 

Not sure about "new train smell" but can relate to "train type smell"

 

When I used to travel on the Sydney  trains from the 80s to the mid 90s there were still a large number of 1920s "red rattlers" carriages  in service. At least one brake somewhere on the train would be stuck on so my main memory apart from most trips being accompanied by a banshee squealing  the entire trip would be the powerful smell of hot brakes, probably asbestos. It's a wonder half  the population of Sydney is still here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by monkeysarefun

[Coombe Barton]

... Smooth as a mill pond - not surprising because it is (or was) a millpond ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2022/06/22/ever-upwards-and-a-new-threat/

[J. S. Bach]

13 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Good morning all ...snip... And much like a car fresh from the factory which has that unique “new car smell“ so the RABe 502 had a “new train smell” – something I have never ever encountered before (has anyone else?). ..snip...

Yes, but a brand new bus; it was its first day on the road in revenue service. Th driver was one that i knew and he told me that "even if the wheels fall off, he was not going to call in for a service call!". I recall that it had less than 2000 miles on the clock; the reason for that much is that buses are now driven to the customer's facility rather than hauled on a flatbed.

 

And then there was this one, it had ben delivered about twenty minutes before the photos were taken:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by J. S. Bach

[simontaylor484]

I wish I could play a musical instrument but i am absolutely hopeless at stuff like that. My brother got that talent as well as being more sporty I was more academic 

[Erichill16]

28 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

I wish I could play a musical instrument but i am absolutely hopeless at stuff like that.  

I’d also love to play the guitar but I was once in the school choir and my musical ability was such that I was told to mime. Ah well I’ve still got my air guitar to play.

It also reminds me of the time I was  having some physio and the physiotherapist said she’d not seen anybody with such poor coordination!

[BoD]

… she obviously hadn’t met me.

[simontaylor484]

11 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

I’d also love to play the guitar but I was once in the school choir and my musical ability was such that I was told to mime. Ah well I’ve still got my air guitar to play.

It also reminds me of the time I was  having some physio and the physiotherapist said she’d not seen anybody with such poor coordination!

Sounds just like me, my eldest is the same