Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

At the hairport now all the way south to collect neighbours who have been to the other big city across. 

[PupCam]

In honour of Andrew and the new Young Pretender who has adopted the greeting,   Good Moaning! 😀

 

13 hours ago, polybear said:

And finally.....

It seems that "Kiwi" are to stop importing Shoe Polish into the UK because of a significant drop in sales - no doubt caused by so many people either wearing trainers or wearing slippers whilst working from home;

ex. Forces types may wish to stock up.....

 

13 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Apparently the "Go To" Brand for the Household Cavalry it seems.  I guess "Buy British" isn't high on their priority list.

 

Not if Kiwi are to stop importing it ......

 

9 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

This is a bit of an iconic picture here, the result of a ship taking out one of the supports of Hobarts Tasman Bridge one night in the mid 1970s. The driver of the left hand car only hit the brakes because his wife screamed when the taillights of the cars up ahead just disappeared.

 

Am I the only one that can hear a tiny Michael Caine voice in my head shouting "Hold still!  Hold still! Hold Still! Nobody move!"

 

Which led me too ....

 

 

 

 

And of course

 

 

3 hours ago, polybear said:

Does anyone happen to know if it's still possible to be able to release the handbrake on one of those strange cars that has a switch for a handbrake (rather than a lever) if the ignition switch is totally off?

 

3 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

I ended up growing to like electronic handbrakes, much to my chagrin after ranting about how awful they were. I don't think you can do anything without power, but once I got used to it on the Golf and the A6 they worked extremely well, they both had anti-roll functions for hill starts and applied automatically when switching the car off if you forgot.

 

I don't know if electric handbrakes are "controlled" by the ignition switch or not.  

Presumably if the battery is flat you are up the Creek one way or another ....

 

In Other News

 

We've been for a bracing blow around Puppers Magna (other village names are available) this morning which must have done me some good.   Certainly done me far more good than the "Sitting on my Ars* all over Christmas" did!

 

I may have a slight clear-up in the garage shortly followed by some re-familiarisation with a BSA big end and conrod.    Need to press on with the Beeza re-build as I'd quite like to have another go on it!

 

TTFNQ

 

Alan

[BoD]

1 hour ago, DaveF said:

It seems to be thought that walruses this far south are vary rare, or is it that they are not rare but that very few go into harbours and get seen? 

Schrodinger’s walrus?

[polybear]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

I don't know if electric handbrakes are "controlled" by the ignition switch or not.  

Presumably if the battery is flat you are up the Creek one way or another ....

 

 

And presumably it would make recovery more of an issue in the event of breakdown/accident/recovery following theft if that's how they do work?

 

In other news.....

Newel Post sanded - didn't take long; a couple of small blobs of filler added to some indents on corners - they are about to get sanded and after that I'll be calling Time regarding further work on the staircase.  Then it was planning the boxing in of the radiator pipework and a cover for the Consumer Unit; the latter is a PITA because of the size & shape required (the leccy mounted it on a board and the whole lot is close to the front door frame) - the last box was a piece of poo (some Bozo working for the Council Contractors did the work) and it went it the bin at the start of the H/S/L refurb.

The next job is to haggle with Plusnet though....

Bear gone.

[jjb1970]

On the dangers of marine mammals I remember the leopard seals in Antarctica, they're one of the most dangerous beasts anywhere. They have immense strength and can be rather aggressive, not to be approached. They can also move very quickly. I remember once being on the ice shelf a good height above a ledge at more or less sea level with a leopard seal relaxing in the sun, it was 20m plus height below us. My motorman was with me who was a bit bonkers and said 'watch this' and threw a huge lump of ice (and it was huge, a good few Kg) at the seal. The seal jumped up, grabbed it in its jaws and threw it back at us, it was actually very impressive.

Another animal (well, lizard) with a turn of speed which can be surprising is the monitor lizard. I think because they are usually very docile and slow moving people get complacent. Usually they ignore people but if they get upset they can move very fast indeed. And they can accelerate from looking like they're comatose to a sprint in the blink of an eye.

[The White Rabbit]

4 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

... Another animal (well, lizard) with a turn of speed which can be surprising is the monitor lizard. I think because they are usually very docile and slow moving people get complacent. Usually they ignore people but if they get upset they can move very fast indeed. And they can accelerate from looking like they're comatose to a sprint in the blink of an eye.

 

Reminds me of a Calvin & Hobbes strip: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=AVuO3k8K&id=01600C285145FC024031824B1D92CFD5F3D3547F&thid=OIP.AVuO3k8KqeN2MN5vM_9n3wHaCU&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2F736x%2F52%2F48%2F32%2F524832ee2cebb00ef7488d8ff99137ef--calvin-and-hobbes-comics-hobbs.jpg&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.015b8ede4f0aa9e37630de6f33ff67df%3Frik%3Df1TT89XPkh1Lgg%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0&exph=188&expw=600&q=the+trouble+with+tigers+calvin+hobbes&simid=608048446317138404&form=IRPRST&ck=738D9F6AB3B5C3209F2BA4C1064785F4&selectedindex=50&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&sim=15,0

 

When I was living in Wales, the house was about 50 yards from the beach and during autumn - spring there weren't many people about and I often took the air there. One day I came across a seal which was lying in a cluster of boulders, surprised both of us. It didn't seem obviously injured or distressed so I left it alone. It stayed a few hours before returning to the sea. 

 

I'm pleased to say that after a couple of tricky moments with the TV - Thunderbirds are go! I hope I'm not tempting Fate but it seems to work OK (though slightly different to 'normal' on account of the strange set-up we have). Fingers crossed it continues to behave and none of the other components go pop. Thanks to everyone who offered advice or information. 

 

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Its AGM at the MRC tonight but I'm not sure as to whether I will go or not. Arthur Itis is grumbling away after keeping quiet all week, probably because of the high pressure ridge crossing the country.

[New Haven Neil]

I was blaming my aches today on the surgeon's manipulations yesterday, but you may well be right, Phil, pressure changes do cause ructions to damaged joints.  10c here still, local will be breaking out shorts.

[Gwiwer]

Afternoon all.

 

I believe a hoolie blowed last night but I was more or less asleep through it.  It had eased to a light air by the time I left for the House of Fun at 04.45 but was raining lightly.  

 

The now-usual bus was very much later than it should have been and was full (at that time of day!) including standees; typically I have been one of around a dozen on board so something must have been amiss somewhere.  

 

Once more returned to the Hill of Strawberries the afternoon has become dry and bright, afternoon tea is being enjoyed and some writing is about to occur.  Beyond that it has so far been a slow start to the new year.  

[PupCam]

I thought I might try and track down some BSA reference material.  The books by "Rupert Ratio" are well regarded.    

 

Luckily my bike is a pre-unit single and not unit construction but, if this was the hardback edition then I might still be tempted 😉 but for the softback?  

 

I think I'll leave it ....... 🤣

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2023 by PupCam

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

I thought I might try and track down some BSA reference material.  The books by "Rupert Ratio" are well regarded.    

 

Luckily my bike is a pre-unit single and not unit construction but, if this was the hardback edition then I might still be tempted 😉 but for the softback?  

 

I think I'll leave it ....... 🤣

 

 

 

I had the Haynes manual for my BSA bikes. I was able to dismantle and put back together a Bantam and a C15. When we had the car ones we seemed to have a car with different bits to the ones in the Haynes photos. 

[PhilJ W]

Hello again from Estuary-Land. Just had dinner, toad in the hole, something that I haven't had for yonks, just a few green veg to go with it to keep the carbs down. Still blowing a hooly outside but the wind is predicted to drop.

[Coombe Barton]

... warm air is being gentled into the room. (Please note, poetic licence still in force). Other than that, the bum has been on the sofa. Read that as you will. ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2023/01/04/sounds-of-the-season-2022-23-39-still-downwards-but-quite-slowly/

 

[polybear]

3 hours ago, PupCam said:

I thought I might try and track down some BSA reference material.  The books by "Rupert Ratio" are well regarded.    

 

Luckily my bike is a pre-unit single and not unit construction but, if this was the hardback edition then I might still be tempted 😉 but for the softback?  

 

I think I'll leave it ....... 🤣

 

 

 

 

Available from the Publisher for twenty five notes.....

 

Bear here.....

Staircase done, finished, completed - apart from painting......

 

Then it was time to do battle with Plusnet - who actually rolled over and surrendered with little no argument; the existing contract (£36.56/month for 36Mb plus phone line and anytime calls - which was a pretty reasonable deal 18 months ago for a Bear not wishing to risk losing the email address) was soon to become £41.75 without a contract.  The cheapest similar deal was with Now Broadband - but 60Mb for £28.99/month.  As soon as I mentioned this Plusnet offered £27.99/month for 59Mb (so an upgrade on the existing service) plus a £75 voucher (actually a Mastercard with credit on it) thrown in for good measure; the deal is fixed for 2 years as well.  That'll do.

 

Still haven't got around to colour schemes yet.  Turdycurses.

 

In other news......

A friend has asked Bear to look at a Car on a Dealers Website that's up for sale (a 2014 C1) - looks very nice from the pictures and very low mileage for the year (under 40K - but the dealer wants good money for it as a result.  Downside (isn't there always one)?  It's Black ............and anyone that's owned a black car will know exactly where Bear is coming from on this one.....

Now as to whether or not common sense will kick in or not remains to be seen - this is a car for her daughter that'll share the same drive as her own car (an Aygo - so basically the same car); she previously decided that an ideal car for dear daughter from the same dealer wasn't suitable because it was the same colour as her own - and "they" decided they didn't want two cars the same colour (and model) on the drive.......

 

And finally......

An Actor in the USA (Jeremy Renner - Avengers) has managed to run himself over with his own 6.5 ton Snow Plough - fortunately he survived (though somewhat bashed up), though I'm not altogether sure how....

 

 

 

Edited January 4, 2023 by polybear

[Winslow Boy]

29 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

Available from the Publisher for twenty five notes.....

 

Bear here.....

Staircase done, finished, completed - apart from painting......

 

Then it was time to do battle with Plusnet - who actually rolled over and surrendered with little no argument; the existing contract (£36.56/month for 36Mb plus phone line and anytime calls - which was a pretty reasonable deal 18 months ago for a Bear not wishing to risk losing the email address) was soon to become £41.75 without a contract.  The cheapest similar deal was with Now Broadband - but 60Mb for £28.99/month.  As soon as I mentioned this Plusnet offered £27.99/month for 59Mb (so an upgrade on the existing service) plus a £75 voucher (actually a Mastercard with credit on it) thrown in for good measure; the deal is fixed for 2 years as well.  That'll do.

 

Still haven't got around to colour schemes yet.  Turdycurses.

 

In other news......

A friend has asked Bear to look at a Car on a Dealers Website that's up for sale (a 2014 C1) - looks very nice from the pictures and very low mileage for the year (under 40K - but the dealer wants good money for it as a result.  Downside (isn't there always one)?  It's Black ............and anyone that's owned a black car will know exactly where Bear is coming from on this one.....

Now as to whether or not common sense will kick in or not remains to be seen - this is a car for her daughter that'll share the same drive as her own car (an Aygo - so basically the same car); she previously decided that an ideal car for dear daughter from the same dealer wasn't suitable because it was the same colour as her own - and "they" decided they didn't want two cars the same colour (and model) on the drive.......

 

And finally......

An Actor in the USA (Jeremy Renner - Avengers) has managed to run himself over with his own 6.5 ton Snow Plough - fortunately he survived (though somewhat bashed up), though I'm not altogether sure how....

 

 

 

 

Dear Bear any chance of some piccies of the Great Hall, Landing & Stairs refurb as I'd like to see the glass inserts you've have chosen. I'm mulling over whether to switch the palin's for the Staircase Installation Project or SIP's.

[New Haven Neil]

Black cars - pah!  We buy on condition and price, colour doesn't really come into it within reason. Our last 2 cars by chance were both silver - not a bad colour for showing muck.. This time....both black!  Mine especially was a 3 y/o with only 8k miles, so was a really good buy, (ex-motability) but....black, and we live in the country.....oh well. 

 

Previously I had a metallic DS brown B-Max, really good for not showing dirt, but really poor at going up hills - gutless 1.4 16v. When I mashed my left foot I had to get an auto, the i30 has been a great buy, but.....black.

[The White Rabbit]

I've had five cars of my own in my life - I tend to make things last. The first four were red - not a conscious decision, just the way things worked out. There were other priorities. The fifth (now sold) was silver. It was the most disappointing car of all, despite being the most expensive (by far). But given the colours on the market and the probability of four in a row over 25 odd years being the same ... and then a different colour and I have all sorts of problems. It makes me think. 

[Tony_S]

52 minutes ago, polybear said:

and anyone that's owned a black car will know exactly where Bear is coming fro

The “shows all the dirt’ is only a problem if it bothers one. I’m not. I do clean the pigeon and gull poo off though. That shows up nicely against the black paint. When I bought my car I did have a look at the colours available for new ones and I was quite surprised to see there were other colours, not just black, silver and white.  A neighbour has the same car as I do but hers is such a dark blue it looks black, until it is a sunny day. 

[polybear]

25 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

Dear Bear any chance of some piccies of the Great Hall, Landing & Stairs refurb as I'd like to see the glass inserts you've have chosen. I'm mulling over whether to switch the palin's for the Staircase Installation Project or SIP's.

 

Bear can do that.....I may be some time though......

 

23 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Black cars - pah!  We buy on condition and price, colour doesn't really come into it within reason. Our last 2 cars by chance were both silver - not a bad colour for showing muck.. This time....both black!  Mine especially was a 3 y/o with only 8k miles, so was a really good buy, (ex-motability) but....black, and we live in the country.....oh well. 

 

Previously I had a metallic DS brown B-Max, really good for not showing dirt, but really poor at going up hills - gutless 1.4 16v. When I mashed my left foot I had to get an auto, the i30 has been a great buy, but.....black.

 

Bear has had a silver car (Ricky the Rover - a most excellent car) - great for still looking clean even when dirty; not so great when it needs to be colour matched in a paint shop though.....

[monkeysarefun]

Growing up in the pre-airconditioned 60's and 70's it was incredibly rare to see a black car here. At least locally made Fords Holdens or Chryslers. It was thought completely insane to have one given the temperatures they could achieve inside  in the Australian sun. You saw the occasional  imported black  Jags, Mercs and so on which were presumably air-conditioned, though 70's European air-conditioning was the equivalent of being blown on lightly by the wings of a passing fly in as much as the effect it had in summer here.

 

Black was  offered by the manufacturers, usually called Amethyst or something to fool people into thinking they weren't getting a black car but I remember in the early 80's when I was shopping for my first car I saw a LOT of caryards with a LOT of 60's and 70's Australian cars in and don't think I ever saw a black one in any of them.  Also red was  pretty rare too, since it tended to turn a chalky pink in the sun here. 

Edited January 4, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[New Haven Neil]

IIRC red is least colour-fast, errr, colour.

 

The dog sheet brown B-Max never looked dirty, but it wasn't the most exciting colour.  Nice car, if it had had an engine worthy of the name.  The slidey doors were handy in car parks for putting the shopping, aged persons, motorbike frames in, etc.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. My car is is a charcoal grey colour, does tend to show up the bird poo. The rain washes it off. The best car I ever had was a Nissan Prairie, it was painted bright red but didn't show the dirt. It was ultra reliable as well but was written off when a truck rear-ended me.

[polybear]

31 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

Also red was  pretty rare too, since it tended to turn a chalky pink in the sun here. 

 

That seems to be a regular occurrence in the UK too

[Tony_S]

32 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

Also red was  pretty rare too, since it tended to turn a chalky pink in the sun here. 

We had two red Vauxhalls. They went chalky pink even in our Essex sunshine. We had a red Renault. That was fine. When we first had 1970s and early 1980s cars it wasn’t so much not showing the dirt as disguising the rust. The paintwork on Aditi’s 2012 Fiesta still looks new, despite infrequent cleaning (apart from windows and lights of course). 

[The Lurker]

Funnily enough it is now time to change our car - we’re going like for like because that works well on the finance - but the new one will be “Portimao Blue” whereas the last one was black. Like Tony I have not been too bothered about the dirt.

 

over the years I have had two red cars, one a Datsun Sunny, and the other a BMW 3 series- and neither faded.