Early Risers.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Another bright and sunny start to the day here in the northwest corner of England, the temperature is currently 4C so quite a bit cooler than yesterday. I shall soon be setting off to complete the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix and I may also take a look in a couple of other shops to see what else is on offer. 
 

After dinner, I have to take Sheila for her pre-op assessment and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Her appointment is at 3:15 and will last approximately 45 minutes. Assuming she’s seen on time, which I doubt, it will mean we will be in the rush hour traffic on our way home, pah. That’s something I definitely DON’T miss! 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian

[southern42]

On 30/03/2023 at 20:31, Winslow Boy said:

 

Yep Pieris japonica. It looks quite large.

 

Thanks, again, WB.

A week later: On looking at it from the other side while driving past, yesterday, I thought I would have to get a pic of it - along with the daffs, of course ;)  On further investigation, I found out this variety is called "Flame". It is certainly colourful.

 

 

Polly

[southern42]

'morning all from red dragon land.

 

Yesterday, a bit of blue sky broke through at Betws-y-coed just before we left, the sun already down behind the mountains by then, though.

 

Not to worry, lots of it around this morning. Ideal conditions for doing some of the W word on my little orange boxes with flanged wheels.

 

 

Toot on the flute, next. I might have a go with the online metronome again or, maybe, the beatbox. Struggling a bit with the hay fever so I may have to do an eeny meeny miny mo <<Speelchekka didn't like that one!>> as to whether I do or not, first.

 

Take care. Bee   good. Think out of the hive box.

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a sunny former Brickworks. Innards now settled down. Off to Embsay this afternoon researching private owner wagons.  Return ferry not cancelled yet.

 

Jamie

Edited April 3, 2023 by jamie92208

[BSW01]

Whilst I was out this morning, Sheila had a phone call from the eye hospital asking if she could come in earlier? She of course said yes and so we’ll be leaving in about 20 minutes for a 1 o’clock appointment. This means I should miss the late rush hour traffic, huzzar!  

[New Haven Neil]

Eye I is back.  Dilated (oo-err) viewed, photographed, tested and pronounced OK for another year.  The drive to Stinky Douglas is about 40 minutes from here, so I allowed an hour - Onchan on the outskirts of SD was rammed, with tailback over a mini-roundabout that the morons were blocking to right turning (me) traffic. I was slightly late....

 

Was having a laugh with the 'young' optician, she was fresh out of Uni and in her first job when we came here and she first examined me, now she's in her 40's and has a family. Nice Irish girl, very thorough.  My astigmatism has improved yet again, the ageing process for once acting in my favour.  Left eye is less use, never was much good.

 

Had a couple of hours dossing about waiting for control over my irises to return, and dark shades were in use.  I hadn't realised how windy and cold it was out, until walking around Stinksville prom.  

[DaveF]

A glorous sunny morning, the sea is bright blue but there is a cold south east wind - you can't have everything.

 

Yesterday once again had e mails and phone calls and then the short drive to church for the Palm Sunday service.  Thisyear we started in the church hall with the blessing of the palm crosses followed by a procession out the back of the hall and along the road outside the church, singing on the way.  Then there followed the usual service in church.  For some reason I was given the privelege of carrying one of the dried palm fronds in  the procession.

 

When I got home I had a very welcome coffee and then sorted out the Beamish photos as you will have seen yesterday afternoon.  I had a simple lunch - meat pie, potatoes and veg and then carried on with the photos.  Later on I had a short walk having first taken some things across the road to the friends' house where the Ukrainians are staying.  They are moving into their own house shortly and I realised I had a few odds and ends they could have which I don't need.

 

Then it was just the usual music, TV and reading until bedtime.  During the night I woke with a sharp pain below my right shoulder blade, once I stood up and moved a bit it went off,  This morning there are some aches but less bad than for several weeks.

 

David

[Winslow Boy]

3 hours ago, southern42 said:

 

Thanks, again, WB.

A week later: On looking at it from the other side while driving past, yesterday, I thought I would have to get a pic of it - along with the daffs, of course ;)  On further investigation, I found out this variety is called "Flame". It is certainly colourful.

 

 

Polly

 

The common name for it is Forest Flame because when they start to put on new growth, the red leaf, it looks like it's alight.

Edited April 3, 2023 by Winslow Boy

[BoD]

6 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

I hate the dilation but it is important, sight is precious

Double like and triple agree buttons hit with that.

 

Don’t know about you but whenever I have dilation it is, without fail, a cloudless, bright, sunny day.  
So much so that it can be quite painful and uncomfortable until I get home and can hide in a dark corner.

[BoD]

1 hour ago, DaveF said:

A glorous sunny morning, the sea is bright blue but there is a cold south east wind - you can't have everything.

I went for a walk along the seafront earlier and, despite that very cold wind off the sea, there were a few hardy souls with beach towels down and buckets and spades at the ready.

 

They weren’t proper Geordies though as they hadn’t stripped off to the waist.

[jjb1970]

I was engaged in the maritime equivalent of kremlinology today - trying to second guess Greek tramp shipowners. An exercise in futility alas. The Greeks are the best ship operators in the world and can make a profit from any ship in a way which is really very impressive despite all the old stereotypes. Everything they do has a logic, unfortunately it is a mugs game for outsiders to try and figure out what that logic is🤪

Edited April 3, 2023 by jjb1970

[Tony_S]

41 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

is a mugs game for outsiders to try and figure out what that logic

Aditi’s cousin was married to someone in “shipping” whatever that meant. When we met him he had been based in Greece fora couple of years.  Apparently getting death threats wasn’t unusual. They then moved to London and New York. 

[jjb1970]

I believe the word is 'passionate' to describe Greeks when they're interested in something........ 

 

I've had a love - hate relationship with them. Dealing with Greek shipowners is painful, they can dig their heels in over the most silly things, throw tantrums and behave in ways which might be politely described as unreasonable. Yet, they know what they're talking about, are as sharp as tacks and despite all the negatives I've always found once they finally make an agreement they are punctilious in honouring it. 

 

An oddity about ship classification many do not know is that when a ship is building the client of class is the shipyard, that switches to the owner immediately after transfer of ownership from the yard to their client. When I worked for LR, during construction (I was in design approval, so only really dealt with the yards) the Greeks were a nightmare. They watched the approval process like a hawk and would scream about every tee being crossed, every i dotted and the rules being applied absolutely. That's fair enough, rules are rules (however, it helps if those doing the shouting understand the rules). However, after handover they were notorious for throwing tantrums over 'pointless' rules, oh dear........

[Gwiwer]

Afternoon all.

 

A chilly return to reality awaited me this morning but all was well after a lunchtime bacon & tomato sandwich.  I have been, and may continue to be, distracted from normal duties here by the electronic paperwork now necessary in order to sell a house and by having Dr. SWMBO 300 miles away, suffering from anxiety, having completed (by now) her day of interrogation and presentation and having had to lodge with friend's neighbour (whom she does as last know) because friend's guest bed had been inhabited by mice over the weekend and wasn't in a fit state to be offered.  

 

I have also learned today that a good friend has suffered the likely loss of her own best friend (whom I vaguely know) after suffering a severe and heart-stopping asthma attack.  The result so far is that her friend is in ICU but with zero brain activity detected.  If today's tests are also negative they will face that most agonising of all decisions namely turning off the machine.  

 

We can only hope.  Friend knows I am always here to listen, talk and support.  

[Gwiwer]

13 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

They watched the approval process like a hawk and would scream about every tee being crossed, every i dotted and the rules being applied absolutely. That's fair enough, rules are rules (however, it helps if those doing the shouting understand the rules). However, after handover they were notorious for throwing tantrums over 'pointless' rules, oh dear........

Perhaps oddly and in a very different industry myself and most colleagues say the same about Italians.  We have four on our staff.  All very different in personality and character.  But all wanting i's dotted ... etc .... then wailing about "pointless rules" being applied to their apparent detriment.

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl, 

Door fitted ok, catch also fitted. Under stairs work now suspended for at least 10 days.

 

Most of the Grass mown, it went surprisingly well, grass / Alexander / jungle didn't block the mover exit once.

 

Found a new mountain to get past, those rabbits have been digging again.

Decided to use the spoil heap to help fill the raised bed, 4 barrow loads moved, maybe the same again tomorrow.

 

Long bath had..

[Ian Abel]

Moaning!!! PAH!!!

 

Friday evening, we enjoyed a happy-hour to celebrate an indictment. During the evening it rained, then we got hail, THEN THE SNOW STARTED.

 

By Saturday morning we made the dubious distinction of reaching the THIRD SNOWIEST WINTER on record. Currently at 89 and a bit inches.

It was some very wet heavy snow, 6-8 inches around the area, clogged all the plows and our street weren't cleared till after 1pm.

Minneapolis proper was and still is a mess. 

They only cleared snow-emergency routes over the weekend and won't start sorting out the regular residential streets till today.

 

Saturday news of Jemma being STUCK in a hotel near Mar Blarch, having arrived at Heathrow at 6:30am, they got the crew hotel, and about an hour later she came down with either a stomach flu or food poisoning!!

NOT a happy camper. That has put her on "out sick" and waiting to feel good enough to then get a deadhead back home!

 

Saturday evening a Zoom happy-hour with friends in Arizona - they are re-thinking when to return here, waiting to hear there is NO MORE SNOW!!! Could be a while.

 

Sunday services for Palm Sunday went well though the street around the church were nuts parking difficult and some impassable. Most unusual, but due tot he snow being so heavy and wet, harder to clear quickly. Also, resulted in a lengthy departure after the services, grid-lock for 20+ minutes, such a mess.

 

Was sunny most of Sunday afternoon and the snow started to recede some. Hopefully, with warmer weather forecast, it will possibly disappear EVENTUALLY!!

 

Today, working, of course.

Weather a mild -1c getting the newspaper, high overcast and a high of 3c expected. Supposed to be 20c for a high by next Saturday!!! GOOD GRIEF 🤯

 

Carry on.

[AndyID]

56 minutes ago, Ian Abel said:

Moaning!!! PAH!!!

 

Friday evening, we enjoyed a happy-hour to celebrate an indictment. During the evening it rained, then we got hail, THEN THE SNOW STARTED.

 

By Saturday morning we made the dubious distinction of reaching the THIRD SNOWIEST WINTER on record. Currently at 89 and a bit inches.

It was some very wet heavy snow, 6-8 inches around the area, clogged all the plows and our street weren't cleared till after 1pm.

Minneapolis proper was and still is a mess. 

They only cleared snow-emergency routes over the weekend and won't start sorting out the regular residential streets till today.

 

Saturday news of Jemma being STUCK in a hotel near Mar Blarch, having arrived at Heathrow at 6:30am, they got the crew hotel, and about an hour later she came down with either a stomach flu or food poisoning!!

NOT a happy camper. That has put her on "out sick" and waiting to feel good enough to then get a deadhead back home!

 

Saturday evening a Zoom happy-hour with friends in Arizona - they are re-thinking when to return here, waiting to hear there is NO MORE SNOW!!! Could be a while.

 

Sunday services for Palm Sunday went well though the street around the church were nuts parking difficult and some impassable. Most unusual, but due tot he snow being so heavy and wet, harder to clear quickly. Also, resulted in a lengthy departure after the services, grid-lock for 20+ minutes, such a mess.

 

Was sunny most of Sunday afternoon and the snow started to recede some. Hopefully, with warmer weather forecast, it will possibly disappear EVENTUALLY!!

 

Today, working, of course.

Weather a mild -1c getting the newspaper, high overcast and a high of 3c expected. Supposed to be 20c for a high by next Saturday!!! GOOD GRIEF 🤯

 

Carry on.

 

I was skiing at Alta in Utah a few weeks ago. They have received 823 inches of snow this season and it's still coming down.

 

It had all melted here by last week but we got another dusting yesterday. I drove back from town in a short-lived blizzard.

[Coombe Barton]

... Annual leave, so doing the domestic thing. And getting quotes for kitchen units. All I can say is - ‘ow much!!!!???? ...

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2023/04/03/zoe-still-downwards-more-dropping-of-analytic-data/

[Tony_S]

It is my nephew’s (the one who lives in Zurich) birthday today.  Apparently all he wanted for his birthday was an electric flyswatter and some history books. His partner had already done that but thought he would like an Indian cookery book. We have been reading reviews and had a good chortle at one of the recipes in a book published by the Dishoom restaurant, Bacon Naan Rolls. 

[TheQ]

37 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

It is my nephew’s (the one who lives in Zurich) birthday today.  Apparently all he wanted for his birthday was an electric flyswatter and some history books. His partner had already done that but thought he would like an Indian cookery book. We have been reading reviews and had a good chortle at one of the recipes in a book published by the Dishoom restaurant, Bacon Naan Rolls. 

Just had to look that one up...

They give you the recipe, but will sell you the kit for one bacon naan roll...

£18!!! With optional extra of a vegan sausage?!

[45156]

Afternoon/Evening All,

 

Oxfam this morning, then rush home as 30747 had to see the fangmeister, with a suspected lost filling, but after a good check, she was happy to be told that it was just something that she had eaten which had caused a bit of roughness, but the filling may need to be replaced at her next inspection.

 

Much skipping has again ensued, with the usual apologies on offer, and sincere greetings and commiserations.  Main reason for going AWOL is the working out the monthly outgoings, as I mistook the chancellor's statement about the energy price guarantee, and foolishly thought that it meant the energy bill support - so was hoping to salt a bit more away - it was only when Shell emailed the new prices for gas and electric that I got the message.  Still, it's all sorted now.  Then we spent a great part of the weekend binge watching

 

At yesterday's car boot sale - a big fat nothing, as it was cancelled due to a muddy field.  So we went to the Ludlow flea and antiques market, where I managed to obtain a near pristine copy of the 1951 Trains Annual - meaning I only need five for a complete set of Trains, Trains Illustrated, Locospotters, and Railway World annuals and yearbooks.  The dealer wanted £8 for it - I offered £6, and he responded with "for a tenner, I'll throw in this lot"  This lot was a full volume of 1952 Trains Illustrated, and priced at a tenner themselves - it would have been churlish to refuse.

 

Islay malt fans - a quick heads up - Morereasons are offering Smokehead for £26 a bottle  - gentle it isn't.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

 

 

[iL Dottore]

Mrs iD and I spent a pleasant holiday in Malta one September (we always booked our holidays at the end of the summer season after the school holidays were over, but things were still open [no crowds]). After flying into  the main airport at Valetta, we had a helicopter transfer (in an old, and I mean old, Mil Mi-8 [and noisy as hell]) from Malta Island to its neighbour Gozo. After landing, we had a car waiting to take us to our hotel - the Ta’ Cenc (here’s a fairly recent review by the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/malta/gozo/hotels/hotel-ta-cenc-and-spa/).

 

As hotels go, it was pretty pleasant with the breakfast being rather good (I the other meals must have been okay but I don’t remember anything being outstandingly good or outstandingly bad for that matter). What became a very enjoyable routine at the hotel was going to the breakfast buffet and stocking up our trays, then returning to our trullo to sit on the trullo’s garden patio and breakfast in the company of some of the local cat colony who had adopted us for the duration. Although I am not a cat lover, per se, I do enjoy the company of cats and the three or four cats who “adopted” us were most endearing (and very well behaved).

 

The hotel, pool and bar were very enjoyable, although in September the pool first thing in the morning was pretty chilly (as I found out the hard way)

There’s really not too much to do on Gozo, apart from hiking, visiting churches, going down to Victoria (the capital of Gozo) and enjoying trips around the island by boat. And, of course, just relax with a good book or two (and catch up on sleep).  This was perfectly fine for us, as we thus managed to avoid the entire disco Inferno /club/cheap pub scene of Malta island at night.

 

If @polybear goes to Malta on holiday, I’m sure he will have a good time, but it IS worthwhile being aware that there are four species of snakes which are indigenous to Malta (one day there was a snake in the hotel swimming pool, which sort of delayed the daily dip)

 

[New Haven Neil]

Mrs NHN had two professional visitors from Malta to demonstrate some data protection stuff to (Govt. department) a couple of years ago.  Two very pleasant young women, who were the model of professionalism all week......until it rained.  They were dancing about in the pouring rain, laughing and joking, having a whale of a time.  Apparently rain in summer was somewhat unique!

 

We took them out for a meal at the end of the week, they were very good company and certainly gave a good impression of Maltese folk.  I also sailed with a Maltese officer, who was an absolute gentleman, had a right handful of a name, Laurence Attard-Montalto.  AKA Monty to us!

[Tony_S]

Matthew went to a Geography Conference for students in Malta during the Christmas holidays.  The delegates were housed in a Scout hut. There was no heating. One day there was  an excursion to Gozo. I don’t think Matthew or his friend Wendy fancied the look of the sea so sat in a cafe all day planning the next conference. That was in Seville.