Early Risers.

[AndyID]

8 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

Many thanks for all the 'words'. Not a pension just an ISA that had reached the end of its run.

 

The financial institution was saying go on line but three guesses what,  when you went on line you couldn't do it and get a message saying ring us.

 

So you ring them and you get 'we are extremely busy why not try on line'. Try again and again and again in the end after listening to this for 30 minutes I got through to a cockwobble who was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

 

Not wishing to knock our American correspondents, but really guys don't send your cockwobbles over here we are more than capable of producing our own. 

 

So in the end I decided just go with the flow and ended up making an appointment to speak to someone in person. Heaven help me if they are a chocolate teapot I'll just throw myself on the floor and scream and scream and scream.

 

Ps why is it that no matter when you ring up they are Always extremely busy. I bet you could ring at midnight and they'd still be extremely busy.

 

Some financial institutions are much better than others. I've used American Express for yonks and the level of service from their customer support people has always been excellent. A couple of weeks ago I sent an email to their CEO (the big boss) with a suggestion for a new feature on their statements. The guy sent me a personal thanks the next day!

[iL Dottore]

I’ve always been puzzled about the appeal of Marmite. I really wondered what the fuss is all about. So, being a fearless Gastronaut, I have gone and tried marmite* and to say that I was underwhelmed would be a bit of an understatement. My tasting experience certainly led me to conclude that it I had to have something savoury to spread on my toast, it would be Bovril, not Marmite. But de gustibus and all that…
 

It is a tribute to, shall we say, the “breadth” [ahem] of the British culinary repertoire that Marmite exists at all. All cuisines have their culinary oddities (donkey stew anyone?) but I think it is uniquely British to take the leftovers from the brewing process and convince consumers that such leftovers are a delicacy (I think brewery leftovers are used to feed livestock elsewhere).

 

There are numerous YouTube videos highlighting the “weird and disgusting“ foods found around the world (mostly, it would seem, made by Americans), Whilst I would not disagree that there are indeed a few local delicacies that would fit into the that category (deep-fried tarantulas anyone?), I think a lot of these videos are by people whose culinary horizons are incredibly narrow and rarely stray beyond the “meat and two [overcooked] veg” scenario.

 

What I find amusing is the number of totally normal British foods that seem to turn up in those “weird food” videos; totally unremarkable (but very enjoyable) dishes, such as steak and kidney pudding, fagg0ts in gravy, haggis, black pudding and even spotted d1ck!

 

The topic of YouTube food videos, and the various associated subcultures, would certainly make for some interesting doctoral theses. There is one guy who travels the world, trying out different, local, McDonalds’ specialities (He did an amusing reviews of local McDonalds only in those countries“ items comparing the local oddities of both Indian and Pakistani McDonalds); then you have those videos made by people who not only don’t know how to cook, but really have no place even being in a kitchen and, finally, you have those videos where the presenters really know how to cook, and can do so to a high standard (a very useful reference source/tutorial for when a cookbook isn’t clear about how you do something)

 

*I have an opened jar of Marmite with only spoonful missing, if anyone wants to finish off the jar for me, they are welcome. I opened the jar about 2 years ago and it seems as fresh (and as edible) as it was when first opened.

[AndyID]

18 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

I’ve always been puzzled about the appeal of Marmite. I really wondered what the fuss is all about. So, being a fearless Gastronaut, I have gone and tried marmite* and to say that I was underwhelmed would be a bit of an understatement. My tasting experience certainly led me to conclude that it I had to have something savoury to spread on my toast, it would be Bovril, not Marmite. But de gustibus and all that…
 

It is a tribute to, shall we say, the “breadth” [ahem] of the British culinary repertoire that Marmite exists at all. All cuisines have their culinary oddities (donkey stew anyone?) but I think it is uniquely British to take the leftovers from the brewing process and convince consumers that such leftovers are a delicacy (I think brewery leftovers are used to feed livestock elsewhere).

 

There are numerous YouTube videos highlighting the “weird and disgusting“ foods found around the world (mostly, it would seem, made by Americans), Whilst I would not disagree that there are indeed a few local delicacies that would fit into the that category (deep-fried tarantulas anyone?), I think a lot of these videos are by people whose culinary horizons are incredibly narrow and rarely stray beyond the “meat and two [overcooked] veg” scenario.

 

What I find amusing is the number of totally normal British foods that seem to turn up in those “weird food” videos; totally unremarkable (but very enjoyable) dishes, such as steak and kidney pudding, fagg0ts in gravy, haggis, black pudding and even spotted d1ck!

 

The topic of YouTube food videos, and the various associated subcultures, would certainly make for some interesting doctoral theses. There is one guy who travels the world, trying out different, local, McDonalds’ specialities (He did an amusing reviews of local McDonalds only in those countries“ items comparing the local oddities of both Indian and Pakistani McDonalds); then you have those videos made by people who not only don’t know how to cook, but really have no place even being in a kitchen and, finally, you have those videos where the presenters really know how to cook, and can do so to a high standard (a very useful reference source/tutorial for when a cookbook isn’t clear about how you do something)

 

*I have an opened jar of Marmite with only spoonful missing, if anyone wants to finish off the jar for me, they are welcome. I opened the jar about 2 years ago and it seems as fresh (and as edible) as it was when first opened.

 

One of the best was Anthony Bourdain who tragically took his own life a few years ago.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/08/us/anthony-bourdain-obit/index.html

[Barry O]

Ey Up! 

Cricket meetings went (I think) well. Home at 10pm.

 

We were "inspected"£for our roof solar panels. They will fit OK and, once we pay the deposit will be fitted in 4 to 6weeks. Great! Even the batteries are available. 

 

I have a day for me today. I will sort out my work bench, repair a couple of locos then.. play trains (a l9ng walkwas scheduled but it's chuckinitdarn...)

 

Stay safe!

 

Baz

 

 

[jamie92208]

4 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Can’t sleep so an early breakfast is being consumed.

while SWMBO was watching game show (Rise and Fall (probably best described as a cross between Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity get me out of here)) I thought to myself I don’t know anyone whose been on any tv quiz show. Has any ERs appeared on any such show ? 
 can’t sleep I may as well bore you with my day.

Robert 

 

Vey much not a reality quiz show but this ER did appear on Sale of the Century on Christmas Day 1976:  In uniform representing the British Police Force. I have ve some incriminating photos of me with t my arms around Linda Hooks and Angela Daniels somewhere. 

 

As to Id's question about waste products reused, the French have a much more civilised example. Low grade spirit and low grade grape juice from the  Cognac production process are mixed to produce Pineau de Charente, excellent stuff as any time of the day is Pineau time. 

 

Jamie

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from the old Brickworks.  Various friends were seen yesterday.I even managed to see a few trains.  Much the same today.  Ttfn. 

 

Jamie

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Wet and windy here and likely to stay like that for most of the day.  10°C now might reach 13°C.

 

9 hours ago, polybear said:

You left CRUMBS 😵😵. Hang your head in shame - and consider yourself duly b0llokked.  And pray that Big H doesn't find out.

 

Oh ye of little faith.  They were left purely for photographic evidence that a cake was there and I can assure you that they were then disposed of in a way that Bears and Hippos would approve of!

4 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

while SWMBO was watching game show (Rise and Fall (probably best described as a cross between Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity get me out of here)) I thought to myself I don’t know anyone whose been on any tv quiz show. Has any ERs appeared on any such show ? 

 ISTR that the late GordonS appeared on Eggheads.

 

The Boss wants us to do some some gardening!  No chance in this weather I (and my Back etc) are relieved to say.  Not aching quite so much at the moment and I want to keep it that way.

 

Soon be time for breakfast, I'm poaching eggs today as we seem to have a surplus.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by grandadbob

[jjb1970]

One of my favourite celebrity cooks is Paik Jong-won, he seems to stay within his own bailiwick and does shows on Korean food but they're very good. They're on Netflix and well worth watching.

 

There's a couple of restaurant chains associated with his name across Asia, I've no idea if he actually has anything to do with them or just licenses his name. Bornga is excellent and well worth visiting, Korean BBQ and the usual bibimbap and noodle dishes. They do excellent naengmyeon, Korean buckwheat noodles in broth served chilled. It's possibly an acquired taste but one of my favourite Korean dishes. Paik's Bibim is more of a canteen type offering specialising in bibimbap as the name suggests. It's OK but nothing like as good as the Bornga chain (admittedly, Bornga is a lot pricier).

[polybear]

9 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center (the hospital in Gresham) is very much in the news lately.

 

They (without a required waiver from the State Health Department) closed their "birthing center" aka maternity ward. All their maternity patients are being redirected to a hospital immediately across the river from downtown - anywhere in the vicinity of perhaps 45±15 minutes away in potentially heavy traffic.

 

It's quite the brouhaha. Legacy Mount Hood is the closest hospital for many eastside people who live in small communities in the foothills of the mountain and already have a long drive just to get there.

 

A very quick scan of the 'net suggests that Management thought they'd stick their oars in and start changing things in the Maternity Unit, with the unsurprising result that they p1ssed off plenty of Doctors in the process, many of which told them to p0ke it and walked.

Result?  Not enough Doctors to run the unit.

Rule 1:  If it ain't busted, don't fix it.

 

2 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

Some financial institutions are much better than others. I've used American Express for yonks and the level of service from their customer support people has always been excellent. A couple of weeks ago I sent an email to their CEO (the big boss) with a suggestion for a new feature on their statements. The guy sent me a personal thanks the next day!

 

Amex are less well liked by many retailers in the UK - it seems they charge higher rates and are slow to pay the bills to the retailer, with many refusing to take them.  So what did the bean counters at The Great Empire select for a suitable Business Card for it's Employees who travelled regularly?  Yep, you guessed it....

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

*I have an opened jar of Marmite with only spoonful missing, if anyone wants to finish off the jar for me, they are welcome. I opened the jar about 2 years ago and it seems as fresh (and as edible) as it was when first opened.

 

A certain Bear used to collect numerous examples of the little plastic heart shaped pots of the stuff when travelling on business - the more discerning Hotels used to have them at brekkies and a good collection could be obtained by the end of the week.  I found them useful when going on Hols to far flung places such as Venice.

I did note that it tends to thicken and go darker with age, but the taste never varied and it never poisoned me either.  Excellent stuff.

 

5 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

Oh ye of little faith.  They were left purely for photographic evidence that a cake was there and I can assure you that they were then disposed of in a way that Bears and Hippos would approve of!

 

You're off the hook.  Just.

 

5 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

 ISTR that the late GordonS ......

 

 

And much missed too - his Eastwood Town thread was excellent, though sadly a shadow of it's former self after the previous website hosts trashed all the photos 🤬.  May the Fleas of a Thousand Camels infest their Ar5eholes.  Yes, Rant.  A big one too, though you may have guessed that already.

 

Bear here (you may have guessed that too).....

"The Paw" appears pretty good even after yesterday's Filing Fun, so it looks like Lining Paper Day today; if all goes well then there should be no problem finishing the last of the walls, which will result in A Very Big Tick and a slice sorry, make that wedge of LDC later.

 

Bear gone.

[polybear]

In other news....

 

I see The Orange One is to be hauled in front of the Beak.  Charges?  Being naughty with his Taxes apparently, which is classed as a Felony - which I think means rather naughty.  Could be entertaining.

 

Also Ms. Paltrow has been cleared of fault in the Skiing case, which I'm rather pleased about - I did think it all sounded somewhat iffy.  She gets $1 in damages - and he gets a bill for her legal fees, which are reported to be rather a lot (hundreds of thousands of $).

It's also been revealed that the skier originally tried to sue her for $3.1M but that case was dismissed, so he tried again for $300,000.  For someone with "life altering brain trauma" he sounded ok in the witness box, though I accept that's not always the best guide.

[TheQ]

Daffs we got.. lots of em, here are a few

[TheQ]

A lot of primroses too.

Edited March 31, 2023 by TheQ

[TheQ]

This lot got beaten down by last night's rain

[TheQ]

[AndyID]

15 minutes ago, polybear said:

In other news....

 

I see The Orange One is to be hauled in front of the Beak.  Charges?  Being naughty with his Taxes apparently, which is classed as a Felony - which I think means rather naughty.  Could be entertaining.

 

 

One reason I post here is to stay well clear of political commentary regarding the USA. Seems I was mistaken.

 

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by AndyID
usual typhoo

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl 

A poor nights sleep, 2.5 hours, then several about 30 minute bits.

Ben the i want out Collie cut my intention to get more sleep, so we went on patrol... In the rain...

 

After breakfast following the various comments on daffs, I set out to photograph a few of them. The previous owners of this place must have really loved them.

 

Daffs grow wild round here, they are spread along the country lanes and the bridel paths.

They are interspersed with primroses, celandine, broom, dandelions , and anything else that likes flowering.

 

Plans for today,

Build a pull out drawer that will go under the shallow end of the stairs.

[southern42]

17 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

17 hours ago, southern42 said:

I would be delighted to know what sort of bee it is,

Buff-tailed Bumble Bee Bombus terrestris

 

Thanks, Rick. I am totally delighted! I never knew there were varieties of bumble bee! It is the largest bee I recollect ever seeing. Would it be a queen, drone or worker?

 

Polly

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

We've had some overnight rain, but it must have only stopped a short while ago, as the arbour roof was still dripping when I looked out of the back door window about 30 minutes ago. Today will see me completing my usual Friday tasks, ie, a walk to the butchers and a visit to the Trafford Centre. Today I’ll be going to the TC on my own, as WE are going again tomorrow, but taking Ava with us as well. 
 

Back later.
 

Brian

Edited March 31, 2023 by BSW01

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A few grumbles from the arthritis/sciatica but they're not as bad as they have been. A bit windy outside at the moment but dry. Now for that muggatee.

[Winslow Boy]

 

3 hours ago, AndyID said:

 

Some financial institutions are much better than others. I've used American Express for yonks and the level of service from their customer support people has always been excellent. A couple of weeks ago I sent an email to their CEO (the big boss) with a suggestion for a new feature on their statements. The guy sent me a personal thanks the next day!

 

Couldn't agree with you more on that. Here we are going through a whole rash of branch closures as we have been 'told' that it is 'better and more efficient' for us to it on line. Which is fine so long as it works and as my example clear shows there are times it doesn't.

 

I had noted you earlier comments about letting people know if something can be improved upon. This is something of a campaign for me as well as if people don't do it then how do the companies know - focus groups and surveys only tell them so much. What I do hate is where you can tell its just words and they have no intention of following it up. 

 

Anyway off to battle another day of officialdom.

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

Vey much not a reality quiz show but this ER did appear on Sale of the Century on Christmas Day 1976:  In uniform representing the British Police Force. I have ve some incriminating photos of me with t my arms around Linda Hooks and Angela Daniels somewhere. 

 

As to Id's question about waste products reused, the French have a much more civilised example. Low grade spirit and low grade grape juice from the  Cognac production process are mixed to produce Pineau de Charente, excellent stuff as any time of the day is Pineau time. 

 

Jamie

 

So how much did the get for you or didnt you make the reserve price?

[jjb1970]

Listening to customers is one of the indicators of a good business (or organization). The British are very bad at it, we like to rant to friends about the indignities we suffer but just nod politely when faced with poor service (the classic example is restaurants). The modern evolution is to rant on social media and whip up the equivalent of virtual lynch mobs on Twitter etc. As much as I favour honest feedback (emphasis on honest, and I am just as enthusiastic about positive feedback) I also think if people lack the you know what to complain directly then I don't support them ranting on the Internet and trying to review bomb businesses.

 

It's something other cultures are much better at. 

[jjb1970]

On complaining, I've just had a call with Air India. I have a couple of flights to London with them, they have had a very aggressive promotion campaign on flights from East and SE Asia to Europe with some excellent fares (S$3300 business class semi-flex). They're not the best airline but ultimately the value of business class is short circuiting a lot of the hideousness of ground handling and being able to stretch out on board in a lie flat seat, which AI do provide, but the outbound flight on the second booking was cancelled twice. To be fair, they offered me acceptable alternatives, but today they cancelled again and the replacement they offered included an 18 hour layover in New Dehli coming home. Which was enough for me to cancel, when I called them I explained that cancelling and rebooking acceptable alternatives was one thing, but an 18 hour layover went too far, and wasn't acceptable service. The ticket office lady took it very well and processed a refund efficiently and logged it in their system.

Weirdly, the other flight to London with them in April has been the complete opposite (so far, touch wood), booked and all on track. One thing Air India do well is food, Indian food flies well anyway, and they do it very well.

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, southern42 said:

 

Thanks, Rick. I am totally delighted! I never knew there were varieties of bumble bee! It is the largest bee I recollect ever seeing. Would it be a queen, drone or worker?

 

Polly

That one is a worker.  You do see the others but not so often foraging as this one is. Queens have a darker tail; the worker tail can be almost white. 

[Gwiwer]

4 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

 

I’ve always been puzzled about the appeal of Marmite

 

In other words it has, in your case, what “Advertese” might call a “Negative Appeal”. 
 

Certainly it divides the species into lovers and haters. More so than other savoury spreads seem to do.  
 

I belong to the former sub-species having always been very partial to the stuff. I defended its honour for 17 years in the Land of Vegemite. It is an encoraging sign that the worst of the Wuhan Wooha might be behind us in that both brewery waste and the required glass jars are once again available in a range of sizes. Both were very restricted in supply for a year or two. 
 

Sadly I cannot offer to relieve you of your jar but I am happy to confirm that it lasts in good condition almost indefinitely.