Early Risers.

[BoD]

3 hours ago, woodenhead said:

... and in about a thousand years we get hit by Jupiter

 

Don't worry. Humankind will have taken itself out of the picture long before then. One way or another.

[Gwiwer]

6 hours ago, TheQ said:

Fish and chips in Cromer.. Probably Mary Janes

Twas on the pier. I think Mary Jane’s is the one in town. We gave up on that after seeing the queue out of the door, snaking down the road and around the corner. 
 

4 hours ago, TheQ said:

One for Il Dottorre,

 A pub in Potter Heigham

Authentic Italian pizzas would surely suggest their size in cms not inches. There is little of authentic Italian origin there other than the concept.  Most pizzas are of an Italamerican style. 
 

5 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

Wollongong Fish market cafe would be the closest decent fish shop to here.

It’s perhaps not surprising in a place the size of Australia to find the standard fish species differs regionally. In Victoria it’s flake (gummy shark), in NSW it’s hoki. But I am surprised that only one fish is offered. Typically around Melbourne and most regional towns one could also get flounder (my preference), barramundi (too dry for my liking), blue grenadier and sometimes trevally. 
 

It comes down to what landed locally and that in turn is a factor of sea temperatures. Melbourne faces the cold Southern Ocean whereas other states are washed by warmer Pacific or Indian Ocean waters. 
 

Sausage should be a menu standard both battered and otherwise; the term “snag” or “snagger” is one I know more generically for thinner sausages often served at a BBQ, at Bunnings Warehouses and at polling stations when they are also known as “The Democracy Sausage”. Ask for snag and chips though and you’ll be understood. 
 

Shall we venture into the argument of what one calls a thick battered potato slice?  Cake (yes - that’s correct), Scallop (no - that gives you away as a New South Welshman) or sometimes by other names. 
 

No - I thought not. Let’s just understand that they are potato cakes and they go superbly well with flake, or with a sausage, or best of all a kransky (which is also a sausage but isn’t called a sausage) served in a small brown paper bag and laden with salt and red sauce (ketchup). 
 

I miss a few things about Australia. Kransky-and-potato-cake is one of those. 
 

 

[monkeysarefun]

2 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

But I am surprised that only one fish is offered. Typically around Melbourne and most regional towns one could also get flounder (my preference), barramundi (too dry for my liking), blue grenadier and sometimes trevally. 
 

It comes down to what landed locally and that in turn is a factor of sea temperatures. Melbourne faces the cold Southern Ocean whereas other states are washed by warmer Pacific or Indian Ocean waters. 
 

Sausage should be a menu standard both battered and otherwise; the term “snag” or “snagger” is one I know more generically for thinner sausages often served at a

The Hoki is listed under the $10 povo-pack special. Those of more substantial means can choose from the list of fillets in the middle of the menu - 

 

Crumbed or battered sausages, like  pickled onions, haven't really been a thing here, we seem to favour the afore mentioned Dagwood Dog/Pluto Pup/Battered Sav/ Dippy Dog style of quality comestible, preferably dipped in tomato sauce halfway up its length..

[The White Rabbit]

3 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

I searched and found this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluto_pup

Now my question, what's a corn dog?

Or do I not want to find out?

 

Thanks, intellectual curiosity satisfied. But my tastebuds have just voted to boycott them, whatever name they go under. I'm boring and don't eat deep fried Mars Bars either... 

 

 

Afternoon awl,

 

We do have a traditional butchers in the village and he does some very good sausages, premium meat and sometimes from rare breeds farmed 'responsibly'. Since sampling those, I've never been able to have 'chip shop' sausages or 'value' supermarket types. Partly taste, partly health and partly for ethical reasons - factory farmed meat turns me off faster than a lightswitch. It's ironic, as very often when buying from a fish shop, like Bear, I'd go for a non-fish option more often than fish. And very often pick the small serving options - I'm not a picky eater but they were usually quite sufficient to fill the inner man. The larger portions just seem to generate waste - it would be nice to hope that a small silver lining of the current problems might be that they concentrate minds and lead to less food waste. 

 

I won't claim to be too certain about this but when it comes to dog eyes and the stare, I think spaniels have a slight advantage over other breeds. Plenty of exceptions but if we're in the mood to make sweeping generalisations without supporting evidence ... they have my vote. 

 

Yorkshire's still fairly green today. I wandered out earlier and thought about a few things. One of the more repeatable was that some things are late this year, presumably due to all the unusual weather earlier in the year. The trees are only just starting to go brown. And the climbing Boston Ivy on the side of the house is still verdantly green - normally by now it would be very red. I was 'shelled' when I walked under some horse chestnuts. Any temptation to loiter was banished by recollections of Sir Isaac Newton. As much as it would be nice to contribute to human scientific knowledge, I thought I'd be selfish. Or cynical. 

[TheQ]

Ah if genuine Italian it should be punto, oncia, piede, etc..

[simontaylor484]

I always wondered what a corn dog was. And as has been mentioned by others not something I would want to try.

 

Something I do like but havnt had for a long time due to cost reasons is a corned beef patty from the chippy.

I also love to open a tin of corned beef to have with chippy chips but due to cost that has gone by the wayside 

[simontaylor484]

Rolo the dachshund has a habit when you are sat at the table of putting his front paws on your thigh advising his snout to knock your arm to gain attention and to look into his eyes 

[Gwiwer]

47 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

Those of more substantial means can choose from the list of fillets in the middle of the menu - 

John Dory so popular it’s listed twice. Or so unpopular??? 🤔

[southern42]

19 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Evening.

 

I shan't comment about blue text moderation, as last time I pointed something out that was wrong in a picture I got put on close moderation for a week.  The comment from the mod would have been easy to have proved incorrect but it wasn't worth a complete ban for arguing.    And I was right....the manuf agreed it was an error.  Obvs touched a nerve.

 

One of those days today, two destinations planned, both found closed on arrival!  70 miles of fuel wasted.  Third destination was OK though, but caused consternation for us both.  Sizergh Castle - we both know we have been there, and have stamps in our National Trust book to prove, but had no memory of it at all!  As it was just the gardens we visited today, not the house, perhaps we only went into the house last time, and the cafe was obviously quite recent so unfamiliar.  Weird day.

 

Not sure what to plan for tomorrow that may be open!

 

You have to watch 'out of season' openings, here. 

A few years back we went down to the Talyllyn for a ride on the metals, then drove to Aberdovey for a meal. Closed. Closed. Closed. We ended up at the back of a pub, in low light as the usual upstairs lounge overlooking the estuary was closed on Mondays! On a beginning of term trip to Aberystwyth, after dropping student offspring off at the Halls, we walked along the prom. Many B&Bs and Hotels displayed 'Closed' signs. After our walk, we did find plenty of cafes, etc. open in the town. Whether that is still the case after the lockdowns I do not know.

 

Where we volunteer is open all year round except Christmas Day but many establishments and attractions are not. We used to frequent a cafe on the way back home, but post-Covid measures meant that, on reopening, they closed an hour earlier. Unfortunately for us, they still close at 5pm. Mountaineering and clothing shops still abound in the town, and the small groceries, bread shops, and novelty shops are still there; and the shops and cafe's within the old Station buildings still survive. The area is as popular as ever, though the number of visitors dwindles during the colder months, picking up during the usual winter celebrations and school holidays.

 

Talking of getting cold - Indoor temp. dropped again 17oC, now 18oC but I have done some cooking and making of mugadecafs.  Outdoors 9oC this morning, now 11oC and sun just poking its nose out. Toot on the flute more like a squawk from a hawk this morning!  Hands cold, flute cold! Woolly jumper, tomorrow! Avoiding putting the heating on as long as possible.

 

Keep warm.

Polly

 

Edited September 27, 2022 by southern42

[simontaylor484]

Whilst collecting Kieran from college I park in the ASDA car park. I nipped into the Timpson kiosk to see if they could fit me a new watch battery. I handed it over bloke behind the counter said "it's a Sekonda it will be £24.98." 

Simon says "I only want a battery not a new watch I will go elsewhere."

 

At first they called him Robin Hood now they call him Robin Bu99er

[polybear]

5 hours ago, Barry O said:

@Combe Martin..they are ok but don't lookup the "Bugs" you can buy in some Oz markets and fish shops then

 

Baz

 

The Burger Wagons (ok, their equivalent of) in S. Korea sell "Deep Fried Chrysallis".  I know of at least one Bear that'll pass, thanks all the same.....

 

4 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

Whilst collecting Kieran from college I park in the ASDA car park. I nipped into the Timpson kiosk to see if they could fit me a new watch battery. I handed it over bloke behind the counter said "it's a Sekonda it will be £24.98." 

Simon says "I only want a battery not a new watch I will go elsewhere."

 

At first they called him Robin Hood now they call him Robin Bu99er

 

Sekonda?  Cheapo run-of-the-mill watches.  I wonder what his reasoning was?  Bear uses one of these to remove the watch back:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153387529185?hash=item23b69bf3e1:g:NKkAAOSwL-9cbWhm&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoFqmQwp+jjQLW2/kxQJ7fi/t6INwxTbLDIgg+1vGE2mTBKUyfm2k5bgDjeqUs4ZpSXGkwBfpH7xrs7OisL9OnR6l0FPZhEsoPwVo8dUSfQDS2J8Frzaglp61rqbZZFqcA6rL3oQcUYgo1HGBENNibbvExfhz1o1p8IJBiWwELyFuXVcCg9lijymYZuZxcwCW5pVFRkxXvnHYfGDoO6EcImU=|tkp:Bk9SR97dg_vvYA

- whilst some watch backs (not that many) have backs that are screwed on and need Jewellers Screwdrivers (which are often needed to loosen battery retainers anyway.  A decent watch battery (something like Renata) is often only a couple of quid and it's job done.  I've only ever been beaten once - one watch needed a press tool to refit the watch back.

 

In other news.....

I discovered more cardboard boxes in the loft than I realise I had - many boxes had boxes inside boxes.  I reckon I had something like the best part of 150, which perhaps a tad too many for just one Bear.....

Culling has been severe, with more to do; I still have "rather a lot" - but I came up with the cunning plan of flat-packing the boxes and storing them inside a much larger box - seems to have worked well. 

[iL Dottore]

37 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

Whilst collecting Kieran from college I park in the ASDA car park. I nipped into the Timpson kiosk to see if they could fit me a new watch battery. I handed it over bloke behind the counter said "it's a Sekonda it will be £24.98." 

Simon says "I only want a battery not a new watch I will go elsewhere."

 

At first they called him Robin Hood now they call him Robin Bu99er

Out of curiosity, I searched the Internet for prices for replacing a Sekonda watch battery and the standard price is £24.95 – pretty much across the board. For anything more exotic or luxurious you are looking at £50 or more (a lot depends on whether or not the watch is supposed to be waterproof or water tight).

 

As my workshop is pretty extensive, I can usually change the batteries on most of our battery powered watches without a problem – although we do have one or two watches that require a special tool for removing the back. And I am really not sure if it’s worth my while to invest in specialised watch repairing tools.

 

It seems that for the foreseeable future high(er) prices will be the norm for pretty much everything. With the price of energy going through the roof, the lingering consequences of the Covid pandemic, the war in the Ukraine and the pound tanking, I think that it’s going to be a very difficult winter for many people in the UK - especially those on fixed or low incomes.

Edited September 27, 2022 by iL Dottore
Typo

[polybear]

When the big river is selling both casio and sekonda watches from a tenner upwards it'll get to the point where many will just bin a watch rather than have a battery fitted

[PhilJ W]

56 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

Whilst collecting Kieran from college I park in the ASDA car park. I nipped into the Timpson kiosk to see if they could fit me a new watch battery. I handed it over bloke behind the counter said "it's a Sekonda it will be £24.98." 

Simon says "I only want a battery not a new watch I will go elsewhere."

 

At first they called him Robin Hood now they call him Robin Bu99er

My watch is a Citizen Eco-drive, I bought it a couple of years ago when its predecessor gave up the ghost after about 25 years. The best thing about them is that they are self charging and you never have to replace the batteries. They are expensive to purchase but given the £25 cost of replacing batteries they are a bargain.

[Kelly]

11 hours ago, Barry O said:

Ey up!

 

 

 

I hope @Kellyis progressing Welland that @Natalie is also OK. Two more ERs I have met face to face. Nearly all of the ERs I have met so far are very nice, friendly people and we are all slightly"nuts"  which, to my mind is the way to be.

 

Enough of my drivelling.. Time for my mugatea...

Now then, hopefully @chrisfwill pass by shortly..

 

Baz

 

Natalie and myself are doing OK thanks. We're both tired from a busy weekend at SCaleforum. That and in my case trying to get the moving out of my flat finished off (including getting the washing machine today as Richard's decided Friday was a good day to die!).

 

I saw ChrisF briefly at Scaleforum, though I didn't get chance to talk with him.

[TheQ]

Many Casio's have 4 screws holding the back on, mine has, it's easy to change a battery..

 

Letters have arrived from our surgery offering onsite covid jabs, somewhat better that a 30 mile round trip to the nearest vaccination centre.

 

Car mot and furtle booked , drop the car off on the way back from the chest heart / aorta scan.

 

Ben better watch out.... SWMBO has just received a book on...

 

 

 

Doggy fur spinning...

[pH]

7 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Apart from pineapple and ham in the Pizza Hawaii (which probably never originated in Hawaii) …

‘Hawaiian’ pizza was invented in Ontario, Canada:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_pizza

[iL Dottore]

5 minutes ago, TheQ said:

Ben better watch out.... SWMBO has just received a book on...

 

 

 

Doggy fur spinning...

Assuming that SWMBO will not be shearing Ben for his fur, I assume this involves collecting shed hair, spinning it into yarn and then weaving yarn into cloth.

 

Given how Lucy sheds her red-gold hair, it just might be worth my while to collect it and see if it can be spun into yarn and then made into cloth. A light weight pullover made from Lucy’s hair would be a wonderful memento of her.

[TheQ]

I've forgotten Lucy's breeding, please let me know, there's a list in the back of the book on what breeds are suitable, and what proportion of hair to mix with wool.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. @Kelly I misread your post above at first and I thought you were referring to Richard himself and not his washing machine! A sigh of relief all round. 

4 minutes ago, TheQ said:

Ben better watch out.... SWMBO has just received a book on...

Doggy fur spinning...

I'm sure some ER's can provide plenty of dog hair. Especially those with long haired dogs and a vacuum cleaner.

[Tony_S]

We have been to St Ives today. We didn’t meet the man with 7 wives but we did meet up with some friends. They live near Grantham and it was a convenient place to meet up. 
Tony

[iL Dottore]

My body’s electromagnetic field plays absolute havoc with battery powered watches and even managed to fry a rather expensive Apple Watch (see https://www.cureus.com/articles/91933-measuring-the-electromagnetic-field-of-the-human-brain-at-a-distance-using-a-shielded-electromagnetic-field-channel for an interesting paper on human electromagnetic fields).

 

As a result, I buy very cheap battery powered watches to wear when I am doing mucky things or  when there is a strong possibility that a watch could get bashed whilst wearing  (very cheap mechanical watches are basically useless, cheap battery powered watches do keep time). For most other times, and especially for formal and business wear, I wear Mrs IDs wedding present to me – which is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust (you don’t want to know how much it cost to get it cleaned and serviced after 20 years of wear).

 

Buying extremely high quality items and hanging on to them for absolutely forever is definitely the philosophy of both Mrs ID’s family and Mrs iD herself (a philosophy I have come to appreciate and adopt). In fact, I don’t think that there is much in the house that is newer than 30 years old – with the exception of some audiovisual gear and, of course, our work computers.
 

We also have some furniture from Mrs ID’s family that has been in her family for several generations and I inherited some nicely veneered 1920s tables and wardrobes from my Great Aunt.  Somehow I doubt that our grandchildren and great grandchildren will be inheriting many IKEA wardrobes and dining room tables!

 

Interestingly, if you avoid what is fashionable (and of course those items that only the very, very rich can afford - such as an original Chippendale) British antique shops are a very affordable source of extremely high quality home furnishings. A lot of items are of  timeless design and will certainly last a lot longer than something from Ikea (with the added bonus of not having to assemble it yourself using incoherent instructions and a teeny tiny Allen key).

[Winslow Boy]

I think Timpsons offer or used to a life time guarantee for the battery. I'm not certain how that would work to be honest.

[iL Dottore]

19 minutes ago, TheQ said:

I've forgotten Lucy's breeding, please let me know, there's a list in the back of the book on what breeds are suitable, and what proportion of hair to mix with wool.

She’s a Vizla mix.

[J. S. Bach]

9 hours ago, TheQ said:

One for Il Dottorre,

 A pub in Potter Heigham..

 

Those prices are quite close to what I pay here (when converted to US $).