Early Risers.

[TheQ]

Salisbury Oh I be know new Sarum, number 8 bus from where I used to live, An Aunt lived in the grounds of the cathedral and a great Aunt just outside, some years later, GEC paid for me to stay in Sailsbury while I did about 3 months work at Boscombe Down. 

Edited November 29, 2022 by TheQ

[DaveF]

6 hours ago, TheQ said:

Mooring awl, 

 

Dangerous places..

Manchester ( UMIST?  it was a long time ago).. The only Open University used place, where the introduction briefing at the beginning gives you dire warnings not to walk alone at night between various bits of campus, women always to walk around in groups, not just twos..

 

Hmm Still failing Low ACV.. Though less bad than yesterday, it's still stuffed, need to let it run, to complete the rest of the test.. That'll be two hours wasted though..

 

 

 

 

Thinking of dangerous places, I lived in Manchester from 1968 to 1972 while I was at University.  Initially I was in a Hall of Residence, then in a flat on Dickenson Road, near Platt Fields.

 

We were told always to escort girls home in the evening, never let them go alone.  In those days girls were not allowed to stay in a men's hall overnight but it was allowed if there was no way for a girl to get home safely...

 

I was once threatend by someone with a knife near my flat, but after a few moments he decided it wasn't worth it.  However I do remember a time when someone living in another flat in the building let someone in who got into my flat and stole my girlfriend's purse.  Neither of us were amused, the culprit was never caught.

 

The only other time I've been threatened with a knife was when I was about 6 years old by a slightly older child.  He ran away when I hit him.

 

Edit  The flat mentioned above was a semi split into 4 flats/bed sits in quite a run down condition.  I've just looked it up, it is now a well maintained semi, valued at around £400,000.  In 1970-2 I paid £3-50 a week rent when I was there and £2-50 in vacations.  How times change.

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by DaveF

[AndyID]

5 hours ago, southern42 said:

 

Are "girl", "laddie", "mate", "you chaps", "you guys"... any better? 😲

🤣

I remember them all, in turn, among others! I doubt it will get any better, whatever the next substitution. 

 

Calling a black adult male "boy" is extremely demeaning. It is a hangover from the days of slavery in the US. Some say it's even more offensive than the N word.

 

https://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/15/understanding-why-you-dont-call-a-black-man-a-boy/

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by AndyID
Link

[New Haven Neil]

Well the ride was rid, and we only got a little wet.  Chilly but heated handlebar grips are a wonderful invention.

 

Went right down south to the Sound, aka Lands End, about 70 miles all told.  No ethnic minorities were insulted, hopefully.

 

Chippy tea night, having s sitty-down (there's posh) with friends so looking froward to that now too.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Arthur Itis kept popping up all day today, Nurofen has sent him packing. When I was a union rep. I often visited Manchester where the union (GMB) had a training centre at Whalley Grange. The training centre was a former none-conformist seminary. We were warned not to venture out on our own and the area itself looked very run down with many derelict buildings. A few years later the area had been transformed and looked quite smart, gentrified in fact. Another fact was the new residents were Moslem and the GMB have sold the building and it is now an Islamic centre.

[simontaylor484]

Afternoon all 

 

Another flying visit just to prove I haven't shuffled off this mortal coil 

Life is particularly difficult at the moment but i do try to drop in from time to time

[AndyID]

I worked for ITT in the 80s and on business trips we were obliged to stay at Sheraton hotels as they in the ITT conglomerate. On one trip I had to go to Hartford in Connecticut. I'd never been to Connecticut before and I thought it would be quite nice - sort of New Englandy.

 

The Sheraton I was staying at was surrounded by an an eight foot high chain-link fence with a security guard at the gate 😀

[polybear]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

This is the best I can do. Click on the small image. 
https://dailytelegraph.pressreader.com/article/281835762714333

 

 

I can see it now........

Editor:  "Jeez, we can't publish that - the PCC will slaughter us; gerrim' to raise the choo choo up a foot or so and take the bluddy picture again......"  🤣

 

59 minutes ago, TheQ said:

GEC paid for me to stay in Sailsbury while I did about 3 months work at Boscombe Down. 

 

Bear's usual haunt was the Red Lion Hotel; we stayed once at The White Hart Hotel and I did stay above a non-smoking Pub in Town (that was in the days when you could smoke in Pubs) a few times - as a non-smoker it was quite a nice place.  The other regular haunt was The Highpost Hotel (they had a pool, plus it was closer to Boscombe) but that was out of town so not so useful for Restaurants.

 

I recall one night in the Red Lion at about 3am - I heard a key rattling in the lock of the bedroom door, then the door opens and some bloke walks in - which kinda focuses a Bear's attention at 3am....

I called out to him - he does an about turn and walks out again without a word; I stuck my heard out the door to see the Night Porter walking down the corridor - he turns and apologises and says "just checking for empty rooms, Sir".  Like b*llox he was - he wanted a crafty snooze for a couple of hours.  I didn't get much sleep after that, for some reason.🤬  I had words at reception the next morning....

 

One of the guys from another company we worked with (Leonardo) walked into a Hotel room to discover a couple of the staff "going at it hammer n' tongs"......🤣

 

32 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Well the ride was rid, and we only got a little wet.  Chilly but heated handlebar grips are a wonderful invention.

 

 

Bear had heated gloves - at least they were when I used to stop half-way to work and wrap the paws around the cylinder to defrost....

 

In other news.....

A bit of caulking where the coving joins the ceiling - the coving is ready to paint now (or at least will be when the caulk has gone off).

 

And finally.....

Here's a way that Bear hasn't heard of before - I image falling off into the wash would'nt be funny:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63791372

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

FIst and mog all day - still persisting now, and forecast to be continuing until this evening - very cold and dank.  Bewdley did not happen as the road is over high ground, and as it was foggy here, the chances are that it would be worse before it got better- if indeed it did get better.

 

Instead, it was a day of moving and splitting logs, then going up to the loft to find a few things that 30747 wanted, and which we both knew were up there, and also where.  Also to reassure 30747 that the loft ladder that we bought will fit the space - she was convinced that she knew better than the builder who measured up and helped to choose the model online from here.  He was due to come tomorrow, but has hit problems with this week's job, and will still be there for most of this week - we've agreed 15th December instead.  We have almost finished the first Wentworth puzzle - something that we both enjoy, and which helped to keep us sane during the lockdown.

 

Fodder run tomorrow, whoopiedoo - then subject to no fog, Lily's delayed day out - might be Bewdley, or could be Croft Castle.

 

On here is a lot more fun than watching a load of men and women using sewing machines which is today's teletorture.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

[TheQ]

Trouble with the High Post was the heating didn't come on until the key fob was put in a slot on the wall.. was ******* freezing in the rooms till the heating had been on for some time...

Used the White Hart a few times, 

 The Red l;ion once or twice

Tried the Antrobus Arms in Amesbury once.. was a right dump then, never went back.

These were about 1995...

 

 

[Ian Abel]

Chewsday.

Quiet yesterday but a nice evening with friends, including an Indian take-out, not done that in a while so it was well received.

 

Today, slow, and waiting for the potential storm that's been forecast. So far, about an inch or so and the snow is quite light, supposed to pick up later, we'll see!

 

-4c first thing with snow just starting as I retrieved the newspaper, high only of ZERO forecast but it's still -3c at 11AM so not sure we'll reach the heady warmth of ZERO 🤪

 

Carry on.

[Coombe Barton]

... And of course from the powers that be, not a lot. ...

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2022/11/29/sounds-of-the-season-2022-23-03-mixed-again/

[polybear]

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

Trouble with the High Post was the heating didn't come on until the key fob was put in a slot on the wall.. was ******* freezing in the rooms till the heating had been on for some time...

 

 

The trick was to use the handle of your toothbrush in the slot instead - that would push the button down and put the power/heating back on...

 

I recall one December in the early/mid 90's - so before N.I. had calmed down - the Hotel Owner at the time ("Enzo" IIRC) received a call to ask if four guys would be admitted to the Nightclub (which was on the end of the Hotel) as they had a policy of no groups of unaccompanied guys.  Enzo gave the ok, as they'd phoned in advance.....

That evening, four guys turn up in a cab - dressed as Primary School Kids - grey shorts, long socks, ties, caps - the works......🤣  It was obvious they were Pongos (there was a lot of Army around at the time).

The Nightclub Bouncer took one look and said "No Chance"; they pointed out that Enzo had given the ok, so Enzo was summoned.  Enzo appeared and confirmed he had - but hadn't realised they'd be turning up in fancy dress.  Enzo looks at the Bouncer, who says "they're trouble!" so Enzo says "sorry lads - Bouncer has the last word".  So off go four very p1ssed off Pongos in another cab - which wasn't cheap.

It seems that at 2am that cold December morning all Hotel and Nightclub Guests were standing out in the car park whilst Bomb Disposal, The Police and MP's searched the Hotel following a Bomb Scare; amongst the guests were the Tornado Trials Team from Warton.  Meanwhile, a certain Bear - who was working with the Team - was all snuggly wuggly in bed in The Red Lion, following a nice scoff in the Italian in Town.....😁

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by polybear

[polybear]

This museum has just been featured on the TV News - looked quite interesting; they had loads of toys that a certain Bear remembers fondly:

https://museumofbrands.com/

Notting Hill, London

[TheQ]

Tooth brushes aren't any help on the first time in on any evening....

I was trying to think what pub had an arch in the frontage when I doing the list, so l looked up pictures of the pubs you mentioned and the Red lion was it.

The White Hart was used when out of season,  it was out of our budget otherwise.

 

Thinking about it it must have been 6 months or slightly more I was down there.

 

There were 16 systems to be updated,  the first the spare was sent down there, we arrived on the Monday morning unpacked it, set it up,  did a quick test, to check it was working, and that was the first day, then 4 days were spent updating the system, with me checking each bit, calibrating it and signing it off.

The second week the system had a full calibration, then it was packed and sent off. 

Meanwhile a team had been stripping a system out somewhere and sent it to us, receive the updated system, they'd install it and recalibrate it, then move on to the next site.

 

Surprisingly the entire programme went to plan..

 

 

[grandadbob]

Evenin' each,

Late here today as I've been a busy Bob and it's taken me a while to catch up on here. 
Went to Tesco's yesterday as The Boss wanted something that apparently could only be obtained there.. She found that and a couple of other things,  I bought a train set!!! 😂  🚂  Only a cheapo thingy for going around the bottom of the Christmas Tree.  Never done that before but it's got a light and sounds and ....wait for it... it makes me smile! 

The garden centre was visited today and some more lights were bought for the tree as "we" didn't like the old ones much.  Decorations have now all been put up - Shock! Horror! Disgusting! It's far too early! Shouldn't be allowed!  Some, maybe most of you,  might say.  We don't care, we always get ready for the festivities by my birthday which is on Thursday and that is when we at GDB Towers (and other family residences) declare Christmas open.  

Had a couple of emails from Liverpool telling me that one of my pre-orders for unmentionables has been processed but they don't yet know when they'll receive a couple of others.  Never mind.  These are all a present from me to me, to wrap or not to wrap? That is the question.

Wasn't very hungry tonight so only had a snack (beans on toast) but a glass of Shiraz seemed to work with it. 🤪

Now turning the TV off to avoid hearing any more about a round ball game that I believe, according to the news and at least half the country's population,  is the most important thing going on at the moment.  Pardon me if I disagree.

Ah, there seems to be a drop more wine left in the bottle....not for long.

Cheers! 🍷🍷

 

Edited November 29, 2022 by grandadbob

[grandadbob]

Just had another email from Liverpool, my other order has now been processed!   More wrapping....or not. 

[polybear]

For those it may interest:

 

But Tesco* is entering the battle this week, offering one-litre of Baileys for £10 from Thursday 1 December. The offer is for Clubcard members and gets a discount from Tesco's usual price of £21. The deal runs until Monday 12 December and is available online and in stores, including Express.  You can buy a maximum of six bottles per person

 

[PeterBB]

On 28/11/2022 at 12:26, Tony_S said:

We have had an invitation to visit San Francisco for over forty years. Aditi’s uncle keeps asking when we are going to visit. Every time we think we have settled on a date he informs us he won’t be there! Anyway by now he lives in Saratoga but family members who stay get the guided tour of all the San Francisco area sightseeing places. He did the same to Matthew too who had very nearly booked a flight. This is why Matthew and I had a holiday in a Houston. He decided on Texas as California wasn’t available!

I too had a guided tour of SF when back-packing courtesy of John Pettit of the Yellow Cab Company and a visit to his fantastic top of the range luxury flat (cannot remember what they are called at present).  Alos had a tour with Chief Menig of Culver City PD and of course saw the Batman telephone.  At the other end I also visited a Salvation Army homeless hostel and walked trough some areas in New York that people subsequently told me I was 'lucky'.  All these came via friends of a friend and I considered myself to be extremely fortunate. Absolutely loved it.  Time - mid 60s using a 99-day Greyhound Ticket so also saw 'the Hippies'.

[New Haven Neil]

Posh sitty-down chippy tea with friends scoffed, it was yummy.

 

Mrs NHN's headhunting scuppered, deemed 'too valuable' in her current role for the trans-departmental same-grade transfer.  She's not gutted, as she enjoys her current work and is in the same office anyway, but being the motive power gaffer's managerial assistant would have been nice!  C'est la vie, or as the French say, that's life.

[PhilJ W]

 

3 hours ago, polybear said:

And finally.....

Here's a way that Bear hasn't heard of before - I image falling off into the wash would'nt be funny:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63791372

I wonder how many didn't make it?

2 hours ago, polybear said:

This museum has just been featured on the TV News - looked quite interesting; they had loads of toys that a certain Bear remembers fondly:

https://museumofbrands.com/

Notting Hill, London

I like the H-D 3-rail.

Edited November 29, 2022 by PhilJ W

[pH]

Is this now the true spirit of the Christmas season?
 

I’m actually quite disappointed to see this on this particular bakery. Every evening, they give away to charities items that have reached their ‘sell by’ dates that day. A friend of ours used to collect from them each day and distribute to families in a low-rent apartment block. This notice doesn’t seem to fit too well with that.

Edited November 29, 2022 by pH

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Lamb hot pot for dinner tonight and very tasty it was too. No sign of Arthur Itis this evening thankfully. Now to get going on Farcebook.

[Tony_S]

5 minutes ago, pH said:

Is this now the true spirit of the Christmas season?

About 5 years ago Greggs ( a chain of bakery product purveyors for our overseas readers information ) had the a nativity scene with the baby replaced with a sausage roll on their advent calendar. 

Edited November 29, 2022 by Tony_S

[Ozexpatriate]

16 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Churchill had the right idea “In War, Resolution; In Defeat, Defiance; In Victory, Magnanimity; and in Peace, Good Will.” and with mammoth US investment (via the Marshall Plan) the western allies really did achieve the ultimate victory

Churchill was sent packing by the British people during the Potsdam conference. His sentiment was laudable (like most of his speeches) but he had nothing to do with the immediate post-war era being confined to being 'in opposition' in parliament - other than the partnership he and FDR cultivated bloomed into the "special relationship", even when in new hands.

 

Demonstrably the Marshall Plan was a self-interested one by the US. By propping up new democratic governments in the countries that lost the war, prosperity and allies were created - far better than the traditional European approach of periodic, regular warfare contesting continental hegemony since the wars of the reformation.