Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

36 minutes ago, AndyID said:

 

This one missed out.

https://news.yahoo.com/arrogant-driver-parked-outside-school-144915386.html

Dad was on his way home from work. He had a motorbike, a BSA  Bantam. He had just parked outside Woolworths, when a motorist pulled along side and said “oy, sonny, shift that bike so I can park”. Dad was not a large person so I suppose the driver thought he was a young person.  As Dad ignored him, the man got out and laid his hands on Dad, while he was removing his helmet, revealing that he  was not young and not tolerant of being grabbed.  The man left quietly. That parade of shops was the site of a couple of other incidents for Dad. One was the incident when after had bought a new small rucksack to take his stuff to work. He had just left the shop when someone grabbed his arm from behind. He assumed he was being mugged  and put the man down and restrained him. The next thing was the shop manager coming out asking if he could have his assistant manager back, as it was all  terrible mistake. The shop assistant had forgotten to remove a security tag. Mum was mortified as one of our neighbours had seen it all and Mum was embarrassed that Dad might get a reputation for brawling in the street. My aunt saw the other incident. A car knocked Dad over in the service road outside the same shops. The driver wound his window down and laughed at Dad, telling him to move quicker next time. Dad hit him suggesting he should move quicker to avoid another thump. Actually the driver was lucky Auntie Florrie didn’t join in. 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Tony_S

[PhilJ W]

More on air fryers.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/martin-lewis-issues-air-fryer-26798861

Another cheap means of heating food is a slow cooker and used in conjunction with an air fryer and micro you can get the best result. I used all three to prepare my Christmas dinner. The meat (venison) was cooked in the slow cooker, the roast veg (potatoes/parsnip) in the air fryer and the other veg in the micro.

[TheSignalEngineer]

14 hours ago, Barry O said:

Barrow has lots of very large gulls.. not as big as the ones at Windscale who live in the storage ponds

Do they come with two heads and three legs or just glow in the dark?

Edited May 5, 2023 by TheSignalEngineer
Fat finger syndrome

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[Ozexpatriate]

I was feeling slightly discombobulated earlier - being the creature of habit that I am - because I couldn't get my walk in today.

 

With thunderstorms yesterday, I was awoken by thunder this morning. (There was no violent storm happening but I am well aware of the 'if you hear thunder, stay indoors' warning). After checking weather forecasts and weather RADAR, and about an hour of elapsed time, I decided that it was safe and found my raingear. No sooner had I passed by the house next door than I heard thunder again and gave up.

 

I'm quite sure that it would have been uneventful, but walking about for an hour, often near tall trees seemed foolish, or at least slightly more foolish than my estimation that things were 'safe', which of course they were.

 

I've since caught up with my cousin who has returned from her cruise and things are back on track.

[monkeysarefun]

5 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

 

When humans dine al fresco, magpies land nearby and sing delightfully for their supper. (Or at least did so for me on my last trip 'home'.)

 

 

 

 

 

The ones here  just turn up and stare at me until I feed them.

 

 

 

 

If Im inside they just stare at me through the window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[AndyID]

2 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

 

 I'm keeping a low profile.

 

Maybe you need to do some urgent shopping?

[monkeysarefun]

10 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Very little in the news here. People may find that unsurprising but big royal events are normally covered with great gusto in the US.

 

Mind you I don't watch the morning infotainment programs that feed on celebrity/lifestyle/gossip, and with the Writers Guild Strike, late night shows are in reruns.

 

There was a nice story on the King's grandmother* on CNN online the other day.

 

* Not the one you might guess (Princess Alice of Battenburg).

 

 

No news here other than "should our Republican-supporting PM be at the coronation?", Royalists accuse him of hypocrisy. Of course if he didn't go they'd accuse him of disrespect. Oh, the other news is that Nick Cave is invited  as part of the Australia mob. He's going - not for Royalty-support but out of amused curiosity apparently.

 

Overall the mood is pretty much that King Charles  being 74 or whatever,  its  like when they send the night-watchman in at the cricket.

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[monkeysarefun]

 Things other than gulls that have stolen food from me:

 

Kookaburras.

 

 Most parks and reserves have   free gas BBQ facilities scattered around, Kookaburras have learned what these are for and will lurk in trees nearby. They have become expert at swooping and stealing sausages and chops from BBQ plates or the table  when your back is turned, or even when not

 

 

 

 

Goannas.

 

These are monitor lizards that can get to 2.5m long. I was holidaying on an island in the Whitsundays having lunch when  2 arrived, climbed onto the picnic table  and tried to steal the food. Its hard to argue with them so we had to find somewhere else to eat.

 

  Have been known to enter shops and restaurants in search of food. (Not my picture).

 

[monkeysarefun]

16 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

. Only one item in the news until the weekend, two days to go and its getting a bit tedious

 

Try  the BBC Pidgin section.

 

https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/world-65471324

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[jjb1970]

1 hour ago, monkeysarefun said:

 Things other than gulls that have stolen food from me:

 

Kookaburras.

 

 Most parks and reserves have   free gas BBQ facilities scattered around, Kookaburras have learned what these are for and will lurk in trees nearby. They have become expert at swooping and stealing sausages and chops from BBQ plates or the table  when your back is turned, or even when not

 

 

 

 

Goannas.

 

These are monitor lizards that can get to 2.5m long. I was holidaying on an island in the Whitsundays having lunch when  2 arrived, climbed onto the picnic table  and tried to steal the food. Its hard to argue with them so we had to find somewhere else to eat.

 

  Have been known to enter shops and restaurants in search of food. (Not my picture).

 

 

I love monitor lizards, the first time we saw one we did a bit of a runner thinking it was a crocodile or something but for the most part they seem oblivious to humans and as long as they're not provoked they just let the human world go by them. They sometimes wander into food courts here, it's funny that reaction seems to divide almost 50:50 between terror and amusement. A lot of Singaporeans seem to spend their lives in air conditioned malls and office buildings and are oblivious to just how much wildlife there is on the island, another part enjoys going outside and seeing all the wildlife. Monitor lizards are very common, a lot of the time they just lie in the fauna and are very difficult to see even from close up.

[jjb1970]

8 hours ago, The Johnster said:

 

I suspect the chimps probably think the 'bos are lazy feckless sex-obsessed hippies living on benefits, and the 'bos reckon the chimps are power-structure obsessed fascists.  Anthopomorphising animal behaviour tells you more about the anthropomorhising humans than anything about animal behaviour...

 

Sapiens, having developed technology at the cost of having to work it's *rse off to pay for the comforts it provides, and involved in wars, crime, and other unpleasantness, is arguably less intelligent than dolphins, which get to play around  and socialise all the time and seem generally not to be stressed out much about it.  If a dolphin could operate a model railway, I'd want to be one.

 

For all I love the natural world and the various life forms that we share the planet with, I also think we should recognise that the natural world is quite a brutal place. Chimps can be vicious to each other, ditto dolphins. I think the difference with humans is that the non-human world tends to find a stable equilibrium and a balance with resources, a complex mechanism of predators, resources and habitat. One of the most baleful consequences of human actions has been to disturb that.

[Hroth]

5 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

The ones here  just turn up and stare at me until I feed them.

 

 

 

 

Feed me, or the keyboard gets it.....

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a damp Charente. Various things are due to happen today.  First  a techy. is due to arrive to Install fibre.  We are moving the Livebox into the living room from the corner of the kitchen to get better wifi coverage.  Some baking is to be done, some friends are due for a meal tonight and the beekeeper is due at the same time as the friends.  No doubt some domestic engineering will be  suggested. Should be a busy day. 

 

Jamir

Edited May 5, 2023 by jamie92208

[NGT6 1315]

Moaning awl. There’s not even a coffee maker here!

 

A BBQ might be in the cards this weekend if the weather holds. Elise has voiced an interest in a trip to the garden centre too, so that’s what might be up tomorrow. Well, if we‘re there in time, we might avoid the mad rush I expect there to be on a sunny weekend.

 

Ta…

[AndyID]

My viewing of Attenborough's "Wild Isles" has been rudely interrupted by a rather impressive thunderstorm. Some of the lightning was right on top of us. There was almost no delay between the flash and the bang.

 

The weather is more like July or August at the moment.

[jjb1970]

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/dished-up-by-3d-printers-new-kind-fish-fry-2023-05-03/

 

Delightful....I can't wait for all food to be made this way🤪

[TheQ]

The Aussie magpies were obviously former relative of Ben in another life. I know that stare...

 

Mooring Awl,

Couldn't sleep brain wouldn't shut up. Eventually got 4.5 hours came down stairs felt rather warm. Checked the thermostat found it was set to on... But temperature was 22C, played with it and got it set to 17C, it must have got knocked when we were moving stuff around yesterday.

Then I got another hours sleep. I'll check the thermostat again shortly.

 

Some of the things that popped into my brain were about Radar, so I've just reread the info online it would be easier if brain could remember the info in the first place but it was nearly 50 years ago I learnt it the first time.... This is just general info on radar that a visitor may ask .

 

As for banned words, try talking about the Norfolk broads on an American ( sailing ) website. 

Added the that on leaving the Horning going down river the first side water way is...

Cockshoot dyke..

 

I've got to take Ben on patrol,  SSS,  get breakfast, make lunch, polish shoes and get blazer, black trousers, white shirt,  tie into presentable condition and on me. Before making and exhibit of myself .

https://www.radarmuseum.co.uk/

Oh and Ive got some more radar documentation found in the great house sort out to deposit in the museum archives.

 

Time to move..

 

 

[iL Dottore]

11 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

Further on the Neanderthals, they actually had bigger brains than modern humans and by the time the Cro-Magnon came along had been around about 250,000 years, we have only been around for 40,000 years.

There’s been much speculation about whether or not the Neanderthals were killed off by H Sapiens or were outbred by H sapiens who interbred with the Neanderthals (obviously, according to the DNA evidence). Probably both - given our species’ penchant for either (a) killings things and (b) mating with anything even vaguely suitable….

11 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

While the "Neanderthal football fans" comments are indeed funny, they are likely misinformed and probably based on fallacy.

 

It is illustrative of 'human' nature that the "natural superiority" of H. Sapiens is assumed - based purely on imagined illustrations of Neanderthal brows projecting a lack of intelligence.

 

I wonder if the Chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) and Bonobos (P. paniscus), with territories north and south of the River Congo respectively, think each other is stupid. We share 98.8% of their DNA.

From things I’ve read about what scientists have been able to extrapolate from the analysis of Neanderthal DNA it would seem that Neanderthals had numerous biological advantages over H sapiens. (I’ll see what I can dig up [well, not literally])

11 hours ago, The Johnster said:

The site won't let me write H O M O Sapiens, which is just ridiculous, I'm a grown up and can even wipe my own *rse these days!  I mean, come on... this is no doubt an automated censor, and not the action of our moderators, who are entirely reasonable and rational human beings that I have no argument with whatsoever and do not in any way hold responsible for this nonsense, of course!

I also find it absurd that common scientific, medical and colloquial terms are automatically censored. I guess that someone, somewhere, is absolutely terrified that if they allow the unrestrained use of scientific and medical nomenclature, then the blogeratti and the twittersphere will go into meltdown over the lascivious, vice-ridden, moral cess-pit of RMWeb allowing the use of “offensive” words - such as the correct scientific term for humanity (interestingly, I don’t remember H sapiens and the like being censored back in rather more straight-laced and puritanical early 60s)

[Gwiwer]

Happy Flora Day. 
 

It is almost 7am in Helston and the crowds are gathering. 
 

Uniquely it is on the 5th this year. 
 

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

@TheSignalEngineer  they dont have extra heads or legs but they are very , very large.. as in Albatross size. The ponds glow in the dark, the seagulls don't. 

 

Good morning from a grey North West Leeds Highlands. 

 

Was accused of being a nimby for objecting to a hair-raising £10million Road scheme near here. The council have said it will make travel less easy, slower and increase pollution..  they think this will force people to use bicycles or walk more...erm Leeds is a city built on hills. Its downhil going into the centre and its a very long upward drag out of the centre,. I would imagine none of the council employees or elected members have noticed this.

 

@monkeysarefun..ozzie magpies are very noisy and can be very dangerous in nesting season.. the ones here are very curious too.. but just eat the fat balls in the bird feeders in our garden. And remember .. one for sorrow, two for joy, three for for a girl, four for a boy, five is a wish and six a kiss, seven is a bird you must never miss...

 

And Mr Albineses visited the boatyard in Barrow this week. I hope he was suitably impressed by the sheer size of everything.

 

Right, time to brew the tea and charge off into the world!

 

Stay safe!

 

Baz

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Barry O
Spellung

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Several shades of grey in the sky but there is a chance of sunny spells along with showers later which may develop into thunderstorms.  12°C rising to 19°C.

Don't think I'll wash the car then.

Not a bad night's sleep but up early with an aching Hip and Leg so pills already deployed.  I'll need to pay a visit to Asda as I'm running out of Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

It seems that there will be lots to do today as we have visitors on Sunday for a barbecue so the usual mutterings of "thisplaceisinamessweneedtodosomethingaboutit" have been heard.  The BBQ and garden furniture will also have to be uncovered and de-cobwebbed but I'll probably leave that until tomorrow.

Soon be time for breakfast, porridge or  Shredded Wheat?

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited May 5, 2023 by grandadbob

[DaveF]

I'm sitting here with a mug of tea looking at RMWeb while debating when to get some breakfast.  Once again it is cloudy but the rain has stopped. It might reach 12C today.

 

Today might involve shopping and hopefully a walk if I can get the stiffness out of my body, I think it is damp weather though I'm not sure why my left elbow is so painful.

 

Having loked at a couple of news websites I think I will avoid them for a few days except perhaps for headlines. 

 

There are plenty of magpies round here, right now they are going around looking for nests to raid which is what you would expect at this time of year.  Yesterday a crow was walking along the road, it decided cars had to give way to it and they did.  The garden has lots of visiting birds - great tits, blue tits, goldfinches, dunnocks, house sparrows, blackbirds and wrens.  They seem to be finding things to eat as I am not feeding them. I'm not sure if any are nesting.

 

David

Edited May 5, 2023 by DaveF

[polybear]

Bear here.....

Danglin' mode enabled....

edit: Though a quick look suggests that a brief period of architrave fun may be possible beforehand.

 

In other news....

Well into the first half of the game and early scores indicate the current Champions are getting somewhat of a kickin'...no surprises there then.....

 

And finally....

Bear remembers when such things were designed & built in the UK....now we're having to resort to using French stuff.  Dangle your heads in shame, all you successive inhabitants of The Big House that destroyed the UK Aircraft Industry 🤬.  Yep, Big Rant.

 

Bear gone.

Edited May 5, 2023 by polybear

[Hroth]

10 hours ago, Barry O said:

not as big as the ones at Windscale who live in the storage ponds.

 

A Windscale Herring Gull....

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-48832481

 

(Actually not, but too good to pass over...)