Early Risers.

[Sidecar Racer]

6 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

 

They asked what my qualifications are and how old I am. "I'm a fast jet pilot aged 75," said I. Apparently there are no openings at the present time.

 

 Try finding a vacancy for Coffin repairer , still looking after 56 years .   

[Coombe Barton]

It's not yet nine - and I'm "ready for Christmas" if there is such an expression. Christmas has become solo time - buy choice - I've had plenty of invitations. I'm more fortunate than a load of people who are struggling to even afford anything.

 

I still carry memories, of course, but I have plenty to do to move along my own path. 

Right, end to this introspection. Please have a very good Christmas and New Year.nLetb the memories come, and may they be good.

[PupCam]

Evening All!

 

7 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

 

Tomorrow’s events will be in the lap of the Deities of Choice until test results are known.

 

 

 

 

I first read that as "Deltic of Choice".   Hmm, let's start with Pinza!

 

6 hours ago, The White Rabbit said:

That strikes a chord with me. I recall someone who knew the system fairly well once said if voting changed anything, we wouldn't be allowed to do it. There are many things I could (but not here) say about the British system and my utter disillusionment with it. Suffice to say I am thinking very seriously about emigrating and that's due to the political establishment's behaviour and the harm it has caused my family and I over the last 30 years. Personally, I'd like to see legislation which means if fewer than 50% of eligible voters vote for any of the candidates (rather than spoiling their papers), the election is null and void, with the position remaining vacant until the next election.  

 

Whilst I generally agree, there would need to be something in place to  make sure that new (better🤞)  candidates were found, found speedily and properly elected so that business could proceed as normal albeit in a different direction.     Positions remaining vacant for any length of time is probably worse than positions being occupied by "sub-optimal" candidates.

 

6 hours ago, 45156 said:

Muck skipping has happened, as this thread is going faster than I can keep up = especially as the laptop keeps getting hijacked to deal with 30747's State Pension claim - on Tuesday, we had the usual phone run around, as she's paid her voluntary contribution, and the cheque has been cashed - we never managed to find a way to pay online - it was there, but wouldn't work - and her extra pension was not showing on her NI account.  So you call the DWP helpline as per the DWP webpages, and after a couple of blind alleys, you get to an option which sounds about right, choose it, and it gives you a contact number for HMRC, and then cuts out without any more options.  RIng that HMRC number, and get 55 minutes of the same boring music, which is only one phrase repeated, punctuated by the please continue to hold, and your call is important ro us.  Eventually, we got an answer, and the guy said "it can take a few weeks to post, but I can sort it now" - and he did - when the call ended, we revisited her pension forecast and it was correct - but the timescale of the process, and the time on hold - if we were paying for the call, it would have cost over six quid.

 

If only I could visit my pension forecast ........

 

In Other News

 

The last tricky bit of machining on the focuser base, the rebate for the focus spindle mount, has been completed.  Tricky because the base is an awkwardly shaped and slippery customer to hold firmly and in the correct orientation.   Still, more cunning use of flat plates, vertical slides, angle plates, clamps and bolts got it done in the end.   Photos may be posted at some point.

 

And now as the witching hour approaches I bid you a Happy Christmas as being happy is one of the most important things in life.   I'm off to track Santa!

 

Night All!

 

Alan

 

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, Ozexpatriate said:

In many US constituencies*, there is a run-off election of the top two candidates, should no candidate reach the 50% threshold.

 

* Voting is run by the states and each may have their own rules for how the election is run.

 

The law of unintended consequences intervenes here of course as it does with literally *any* approach to voting. The run-off does ensure a majority vote.

Bet those Georgians got sick of voting over the last couple of years.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

4 minutes ago, PupCam said:

 

 

And now as the witching hour approaches I bid you a Happy Christmas as being happy is one of the most important things in life.   I'm off to track Santa!

 

 

 

Realtime Trains have got it sorted for you!

 

[Grizz]

Evening All

 

Hopefully you are all either already enjoying your festivities or a preparing for them.
 

As I write this I shouldn’t in fact be here writing this…..I should actually be enjoying our Danish Christmas with the rest of our family. However sadly as at least one of them has got some lurgi or other and as I have a chronic incurable lung disease with no desire to end up in hospital on a ventilator, I have opted to stay at home, avoid this germ fest and make the best of it here by watching TV. 
 

So far I have enjoyed watching a couple of episodes of Porridge, The Dam Busters film and now, unless I can be arsed to hunt for something else, I am going to watch Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry. 
 

Glædelig jul til jer alle.
 

ATB Grizz

 

 

 

[grandadbob]

Christmas song from two lovely young ladies who I can (and do) listen to time and again.

 

 

 

[grandadbob]

Forgot to mention earlier that before the rugby I watched my favourite Christmas film, Scrooge with Albert Finney. The other day I watched the old Alistair Sim version which I really like as well.  Got Patrick Stewart's offering recorded but will pass on George C. Scott.

Bah,  Humbug! 

[monkeysarefun]

Well Christmas morning has dawned with a crisp layer of fresh snow on the tops of the koalas, frosty breath making little clouds in the air etc etc.

 

Nah just kidding, tis going to be 32degrees, with moderate bushfire danger and a UV index of extreme. Chance of thunderstorms in the  afternoon.  First really proper Christmas Day weather for about 2 years.

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Despite my scepticism tomorrow’s dinner is prepared.

SWMBO, who is a bit under the weather, is now asleep in bed with Hovis as I post this drivel. 
Tomorrow will be ‘interesting’ as we’ve been invited to bils with mil for breakfast which begins at 10:30 or more like 11:30 knowing bil. Then mil is coming  back with us for lunch which I’m guessing won’t be needed until teatime at the earliest. I fear a very, very long day but thankfully I’ve got plenty of Old Speckled Hen to keep me company. The conversation should be riveting.

Goodnight.

 

[grandadbob]

The day just got slightly better.  There was £15million up for grabs on the lottery tonight......er no...didn't get that but have managed to win £66.  That'll buy a couple or three bottles of something.  😀

[Gwiwer]

3 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

Touch of the clumsies. That's two cereal bowls I don't have to wash up. And I haven't had a drink yet.

Definitely a day for the clumsies.  

 

I argued for some time with the Sellotape as I often do when gifts must be wrapped.  I also argued with the wrapping paper which refused to stay neatly wrapped around anything.  

 

Neither of the above was directly involved when I went to pick up a small part of Dr. SWMBO's Christmas present which promptly declared gravity to be stronger than the coefficient of friction and slipped onto the table not 5cms below but terminally smashing in the process.  And covering numerous items in glitter and goo from what had, until moments before, been a snow globe.  

 

Cleaning up took quite some time; three books on the desk are damaged and one paper map is a total loss.  Luckily they are still in stock at the supplier meaning a replacement has been ordered.  

 

And all before I touched anything stronger than coffee.  

 

It's time to de-light the Hill of Strawberries, check the stockings, carrots and cookies and turn in.  There was a tradition maintained while my father was alive of waiting until midnight fora hot mince pie from the oven and a glass of something suitable but neither of us is prepared to sit it out for the sake of it these days.  Maybe next week when the year changes.  

 

Merry Christmas however you mark the day.  

 

[Ozexpatriate]

Based on the condition of the sleet/slush in front of the mailbox, neither Friday nor Saturday has seen a USPS mail delivery. Most unusual. There may still be a delivery as conditions improve during the afternoon*. Mail is supposed to be delivered today.

 

It's about 4°C and the rain has stopped for the time being.

 

There will not be any mail delivered on Monday - not for Boxing Day (which is not a holiday) but for the Christmas Day holiday.

[PeterBB]

11 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

 

Some unkind British expats have vouchsafed that British embassies, consulates and missions remain firmly entrenched in the age of the White £5 Note…

And I certainly remember seeing some of those ... but unfortunately not mine!.

[polybear]

11 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Why am I doubting that it’s an artisanal pizza, made with real San Marzano tomato sauce, real mozzarella, funghi porcini, prosciutto cotto, cooked in a wood fired oven? 🤣
 

I think you may have had a lucky and narrow escape there, @Winslow Boy

🤑

 

Napolina Pizza Base

Co-op Tomato Puree

Lidl Tinned Chopped Toms.

Lidl Grated Mozzarella

Tesco Stilton Cheese

Occasionally an egg in the middle

And maybe some bits of smoked ham bunged on top (the cheap stuff in a packet).

And to finish it off, some of Bear's very own home-made Chilli Oil.

And a Miele Oven, no less.

 

What's not to like? 😃

 

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

Forgot to mention earlier that before the rugby I watched my favourite Christmas film, Scrooge with Albert Finney. The other day I watched the old Alistair Sim version which I really like as well.  Got Patrick Stewart's offering recorded but will pass on George C. Scott.

Bah,  Humbug! 

 

Bear's favourite is the Muppet version.  True class.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Today has been quiet and relaxing, totally different to yesterday high was busy although not so noisy. Sheila Ava and I spent most of the day either chatting or reading, but always relaxing, but either way, it was most welcome. Vickie Ian and the rest joined us late afternoon and we enjoyed even more chatting. She also brought us a lemon and almond pavlova that she’d made this morning. We had a slice each after tea tonight and very nice it was too, This was followed by a nice bottle of Zinfandel 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[PeterBB]

10 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Hmmmmm, tempting, very tempting!

A slight diversion in MR ( PS don't let Debs know).  Young son had purchased wooden locomotives that fit his young son's Brio.  At the push of a button they have sound!  What this means that in the not too distant future sound will become obligatory for MR if the youngsters are to 'stay' in the hobby.

[BSW01]

[Tony_S]

21 minutes ago, polybear said:

And a Miele Oven, no less.

Well, they do have a special pizza oven tray so you may as well use it. Specially useful avoiding soggy bottoms. 

[PeterBB]

5 hours ago, pH said:

 

At one time we lived in a house near Cambridge, a previous owner of which had worked at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. As you say, we had quite a few plants not generally available in garden centres.

When our school moved in the 50s it was to the horticultural gardens of one John Innes so there were some 'unusual' plants still around.  There was a really impressive library b building that I know has since been demolished as they modified the school yet again inlater years.

 

Enjoy your Christmas and pray for a better 2023.

 

Edited December 24, 2022 by PeterBB

[polybear]

Bear here.....

A day of sorting finances and paperwork - now done, fortunately.  Various cards were delivered to neighbours; NNND presented Bear with a box of choccies - very nice (the choccies aren't bad either 🤣) and in return I gave her a box of nice Bikkies, courtesy of the Co-op.  The Co-op had rather a large amount of food that I suspect (unless there's a late rush) may well end up wasted 😡 - they had loads of bread being sold off cheap; Bear scored a posh loaf  - well it was Warburton's and had the word "Farmhouse" in the name so that's pretty posh to this Bear....).

I also saw Buddy over the road for an hour or so - I donated the four bottles of Stella to him, which he was rather pleased with.  Tick

Best wishes to all fellow ER'ers for a good one - may Santa be kind to you and all goes smoothly.

Bear. 

Edited December 25, 2022 by polybear

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Not much fuss from Arthur Itis but the eczema is on fire. The spicy risotto for dinner last night is the chief suspect. Sausage and chips was todays dinner. 

[PhilJ W]

Christmas wishes to all ER's

[jjb1970]

Happy Christmas all!! 8am here and a very pleasant bright morning outside, 26C. Christmas is a holiday here but it's like a regular British public holiday, all the shops and attractions are open, the nearest thing to Christmas is the lunar New Year which is late January this time.