Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

The weather today has been glorious, although it was a bit too hot for me really. But I was getting along quite nicely with the painting when my phone rang. It was Sheila informing me that United Utilities were t the door and they wanted me to move the car so they could fit a new stop tap. Whilst the work was being done, I pottered about in the cellar, as Sheila likes me to be on hand if anything needs to be sorted. Anyway, the work was done in an hour, but the hole is still awaiting back filling, as that is done by a different team, but will be done before Friday. Once done, I went back outside and continued painting. By the end of the day the inside of both windows has had one coat of primer, the outsides have had two coats of primer. Tomorrow, I’ll give the inside another coat and then I can start top coating. 

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[Andy Hayter]

26 minutes ago, BSW01 said:

Good evening everyone 

 

The weather today has been glorious, although it was a bit too hot for me really. But I was getting along quite nicely with the painting when my phone rang. It was Sheila informing me that United Utilities were t the door and they wanted me to move the car so they could fit a new stop tap. Whilst the work was being done, I pottered about in the cellar, as Sheila likes me to be on hand if anything needs to be sorted. Anyway, the work was done in an hour, but the hole is still awaiting back filling, as that is done by a different team, but will be done before Friday. Once done, I went back outside and continued painting. By the end of the day the inside of both windows has had one coat of primer, the outsides have had two coats of primer. Tomorrow, I’ll give the inside another coat and then I can start top coating. 

 

That so reminds me of a story from a friend who was working in Azerbaijan.  He tells of two workers working down the side of the street.   One was digging a hole.  A few minutes later the second came along and filled the hole in.  Intrigued, my friend asked what they were doing.  "We are planting trees" says the first.  "But the man with the trees is sick today" says the second.

[AndyID]

Probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I think this is fascinating. Unlike many other mammal species humans are unusual in that we have a very small genetic "spread". In other words, we are all very closely related to one another. This research might explain why that is.

 

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02712-4?utm_source=pocket-newtab-en-us

[jjb1970]

14 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I’ve never understood the rationale of going for the lowest bidder and then see the overall cost rocket past the highest submitted bid because of variation orders (a.k.a. “change orders” in my biz where CROs who bid stupidly low to get the contract then - whenever something even vaguely, remotely,  “out of scope” comes along - whack up the price via a CO).

 

 

It's a strange thing, everybody agrees it's not a good idea and leads to all sorts of undesirable consequences. The really telling thing is that outside the bubble of government procurement (and some large corporations which act like governments) many vendors aren't interested. I  mentioned Korean shipbuilders and their position that variation orders aren't worth the interruption to production, they're not unique but  it's a cultural thing in government where there's a  ridiculous focus on pennies to the point they don't notice the  £50 notes going up in smoke.

 

There's an old adage about nickel and diming yourself out of business.  Obviously cost is important and seeking value, but minimum cost is not synonymous with maximum value. Where this becomes particularly telling is balancing up front cost to acquire with through life cost, service support etc. 

 

People talk about the evils of private companies,  I would resolve issues with commercial shipowners and yards with a phone call. An issue would arise, it'd be discussed and a way forward agreed. When necessary I would do the work at my end and let the commercial people sort out payment stuff later based on a verbal agreement (which in England and Wales at least is a contract strictly speaking). Part of that is that people have genuine trust based on a history of working together but it's also true that people are kept honest by the consequences of breaking such an agreement.  Shipbuilding and class societies are actually much smaller worlds than people might think and if a yard or shipowner pull a fast one they''d find life a lot more difficult going forward. If the yard ripped off the owner they'd make a quick buck at the price of destroying a long term relationship. All parties recognised each had their own interests but had a shared interest in delivering a good product. With government contracts the same issues would drag on for months and they were convinced everyone was motivated by a desire to rip them off.

 

The last point can almost become self fulfilling.  Many years ago I was given a side job to look after a new hospital energy centre and electricity feed as I was based in London and it'd be good experience (my real job at the time was originating renewable energy projects). I was told to remember it's the  NHS, we're not a  charity but look after them blah blah blah. After a while I was told if they're determined to hang themselves give them the rope, it was the job from he'll and sucked in more of my time and gave me more headaches over what was in reality a two bit work package than huge multi-GW projects that were my real job. It was so bad they couldn't tell me how many MW they needed and refused to let me talk to their facility engineers. How are you meant to plan a power supply arrangement if the customer won't define their power need?

 

I thought it was like a horse seller with a  customer who needs a  horse but decides they want a pig. The seller will try to persuade the buyer and explain why they need a horse but eventually it will get to a point of 'OK then, the pigs are over here.....'.

[AndyID]

2 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

It was so bad they couldn't tell me how many MW they needed and refused to let me talk to their facility engineers. How are you meant to plan a power supply arrangement if the customer won't define their power need?

 

Gordon Bennett! I admire your restraint. I've had to deal with some ridiculous contract situations but that one would have pushed me right over the edge. The Norse/Celt would have emerged and resorted to violence 😆

[Ozexpatriate]

5 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

Still Going Up ...

Regions vary, but the overall trend is upwards.

This evening, FLOTUS, Dr. Jill Biden tested positive for CoViD-19. Recently, so did tennis commentator John McEnroe. (He returned to the booth today after being isolated.)

 

My Autumn booster (and flu shot) can't come soon enough.

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by Ozexpatriate

[monkeysarefun]

6 hours ago, Barry O said:

It has been refreshingly warm today. I much prefer warm days to cold damp ones. Only complaint is when it goes abovec45C as it can get a tad gloopy.

 

Night awl

 

Baz

 

PS no news from these insultants..pah!

 

Rocket Scientists are made of sterner stuff.

 

Here's a  bunch of Brit boffins in big baggy pants blowing things up in our backyard.  No cowering in the shady bits for them!

 

Bonus - features a who's who of 1950's RAF paraphernalia

 

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[AndyID]

3 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

This evening, FLOTUS, Dr. Jill Biden tested positive for CoViD-19. Recently, so did tennis commentator John McEnroe. (He returned to the booth today after being isolated.)

 

My Autumn booster (and flu shot) can't come soon enough.

 

 

Lady along the road who is in her 70's told MrsID she is not going to get a booster shot. She said she has enough immunity already. And she is a retired nurse 🙄

 

I'm confident the latest versions of the virus will recognize her political allegiance and be careful not to infect her.

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2023 by AndyID

[Barry O]

2 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

 

Rocket Scientists are made of sterner stuff.

 

Here's a  bunch of Brit boffins in big baggy pants blowing things up in our backyard.  No cowering in the shady bits for them!

 

Bonus - features a who's who of 1950's RAF paraphernalia

 

 

Erm.. how can I break this to you?  I was... a rocket scientist......

 

Baz

Edited September 5, 2023 by Barry O

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a rock that is 15c at this early hour (relatively) and it looks as if it may be a cracker.  Autumnal condensation dampness but the air smells fresh as a result.

 

Bike ride arranged, an 'Extraordinary Old Fart Gathering' as it isn't Friday - there will be much confusion.

[jamie92208]

It's about 20 here and going to be in the 30's again today.  Most of yesterday afternoon was spent in the pool once Beth had finished making 5 jars of plum chutney.  Various things to do today some G work this morning. 

 

Regards to all. 

 

Jamie

[monkeysarefun]

28 minutes ago, Barry O said:

Erm.. how can I break this to you?  I was... a rocket scientist......

 

Baz

I know! I posted  the video as  a tribute to you and your  ilk, lapping up the  heat.

Edited September 5, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[jjb1970]

Many years ago I was on a container ship which was used to do environmental testing of a containerised point defence surface to air missile system. The idea was that container ships could be given their own self defence capability if necessary during a war, based on lessons learned after the Atlantic Conveyor unpleasantness. We all had to sign the official secrets act, however the secrecy and cloak and dagger stuff was somewhat undermined by the two most fwd hatch covers being empty save for a single container on each, helpfully branded with the name of the defence contractor and one of which had a radar antenna. Made worse by the fact the crane drivers could see the vertical launch tubes in the launch container (it was basically a containerised VLS). I found it all rather funny.

[AndyID]

Looks like it's going to be 25C high/10C low all week here and we've more rain which we really needed.

 

I'm trying to organize the Equinox meet of the North Idaho Fiat Spider Owner Club but the other guy's Spider is in the shop 😄

 

(It has some electrical lurgy which isn't a huge surprise because it was a salvage rebuild after being written off due to an engine fire.)

[TheQ]

Of bikes, one went past me yesterday as I was cutting back brambles coming from the farmers side onto our front garden 6ft wide strip of jungle.

Was it a motor bike? was it a motorised bicycle? I don't know, it was of in between old appearance . The rider had shorts, T shirt, no gloves, no helmet, no numberplate, but was leaving a trail of Two stroke ...

 

Mooring Awl,

Another poor nights sleep, 1/2 hour long awake. 4 hours and that's it unless I can get some more before the whirling dervish appears.

 

Ben the  I want out Collie requested out very early today. He enjoyed chasing Mr Squirrel again. Very heavy dew, the only clouds being con trails, it quite warm too. 15C ..

Left knee, right ankle and forepaws are not happy.

 

I've just had a huff of disgust and the look that tells me Ben thinks I didn't give him enough of my breakfast.

A sausage sarnie.

 

The awake times were again thinking of building the unmentionable unit, I'm narrowing ( literally) down the shape and the appearance. The plan is almost there there will be a lot of hinges...

 

Time to research French canal boats...

 

 

[polybear]

8 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

During the past 18 mons or so  with three trips to the hospital for three different things, I have to say the treatment from the NHS has been marvellous, but (there usually is one) recovery in a hospital is impossible, too noisy for a start.........

 

When Momma Bear was in UCH (in a 6 bed bay with a corridor running at right angle to it, with a desk and phone at that end) there was a situation where a Doc was phoning someone to say that "sadly we lost **** last night etc".  It didn't help that the person in question had the same name as Momma Bear (who was at the furthest end of the bay - which of course wasn't that far away, being only 3 beds on each side).

I did mention this to one of the Ward Sisters some days later - who gave me the standard "this is a hospital blah blah blah etc." but I did think that such calls would've been better made from a Nursing Station, or even better an Office.  There are some things that people really don't want to hear, despite knowing they happen.

 

8 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Pools of fish in fact. I am not surprised about them no longer selling carpet. The final quote for the supply and fitting was ridiculous. The furniture price and delivery was fine. 
Has the bear cave been furnished from that business?

 

In the distant past, though not for quite a few years now; I've not been to that town for a long time now as it's a place that I'll do my very best to avoid now as it's been going downhill fast and by all accounts has rather a lot of undesirables (from nearby Hotels....) getting up to mischief; Buddy over the road's Sister was threatened at knifepoint for money one morning a few months back as she came out of Lidl - fortunately someone in the shop spotted that all wasn't as it should be and came out to check what was going on, at which point she made as fast an exit as her Mobility Scooter would allow...... 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

The sun is shining and it's warm.  A very hot day is forecast, now only 18°C but might reach 31°C.

Nicki arrived in Turkey over 2 hours late and in a thunderstorm.  At one stage the pilot thought he might have to divert but went for it and got them down safely.  Nicki is not keen on flying and I suspect that that won't have helped.  However the sun is now shining so that  should keep her happy.

In view of the weather I will be staying under cover.  The Shed will be visited until it gets too hot down there.

Have a good one,

Bob.

[DaveF]

A fine sunny cool morning here.  The forecast is for a high of about 19C with a NNE breeze setting in, so it might be quite pleasant.  It is forecast to be warmer inland so I don't think I'll travel far in that direction today.

 

I woke early and made a cup of tea, then went back to bed and read until it was time to get up.  The groceries have come, apparently all is correct but the jam tarts are all strawberry instead of mixed, I suspect a picking error but it really isn't important, they will still be fine with a mug of tea in the afternoon and they have fewer calories than (big) slices of cake.

 

Edit - I've just worked out that having taken advantage of some offers on the shopping I got a total discount of 18.8%

 

The e mails have been glanced at and deleted, now I just have to decide what to do today - probably not much as I was very tired last night, it turned out I had walked nearly 4.5 miles yesterday. - but that includes walking round shops, to and from the hospital and in the house and garden so it wasn't all in one go.

 

I've just spoken to my usual garden/fence man on the phone and he will call on Thursday evening to give me a price for the work on the paths etc.  Usually he is quite reasonable and always does a good job.He's been doing things for me for around 35 years now so he must be getting near to retirement, he now has a young man working with him who is also good at the job.

 

David

Edited September 5, 2023 by DaveF

[tigerburnie]

48 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

When Momma Bear was in UCH (in a 6 bed bay with a corridor running at right angle to it, with a desk and phone at that end) there was a situation where a Doc was phoning someone to say that "sadly we lost **** last night etc".  It didn't help that the person in question had the same name as Momma Bear (who was at the furthest end of the bay - which of course wasn't that far away, being only 3 beds on each side).

I did mention this to one of the Ward Sisters some days later - who gave me the standard "this is a hospital blah blah blah etc." but I did think that such calls would've been better made from a Nursing Station, or even better an Office.  There are some things that people really don't want to hear, despite knowing they happen.

 

 

The doctors and nurses were the worst for making unnecessary noise at night, it didn't quieten down until around 2.00 am when they all got their heads down for a sleep 

[skipepsi]

11 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

How did you's ever manage to  acquire an empire!?

Violence, intrigue, deception but also advanced weapons... 

[PupCam]

Morning All!

 

22 hours ago, PupCam said:

Whilst I might agree with some aspects of the sentiment of a large impoverished and over-taxed populace I don't believe the atrocious situation the country currently finds itself in with regard to water quality, (lack of) investment in water infrastructure to meet the current and future needs are linked.  They are two completely different aspects.   The question that goes along the lines of "Where the heck has all the money gone over the last 30 years?" is a rhetorical question because we all know very well where it's gone, never to be seen again!     That of course is a summary of fact but I fear I may soon cross the line in to topics which must not be aired here so I'd best stop right there .....

 

Mrs Puppers  informed me that Feargal Sharkey has just been interviewed* on the TV news about this topic.      I like Feargal Sharkey ..........  

 

 .............. but I'd better stop now!

 

* this is an earlier, longer interview

 

22 hours ago, PupCam said:

I had instructions from SWMBO that went along the lines of "Can you get your train working so Junior Puppers can have a go when he comes next week for the last time before he goes back to school."     I should point out,   the "train set" is but a Dapol 08 running up and down a couple of metres of track as a test bed for my snazzy, automatic sound operation controller which is currently being developed.    A rootle about in the shed revealed an unused length of  uPVC facia and a rootle about in the study revealed a turnout  so now we have a more complicated test track.    Just need the engine driver to turn up now!

 

Mrs Puppers is collecting the engine driver as I speak.      Looking forward to a day of railway indoctrination of a young mind  fun!

 

Back latter.

 

TTFN

Edited September 5, 2023 by PupCam
Added link - For enquiring minds and not a discussion topic (here)

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Another bright, sunny start to the day here in the northwest corner of England, the temperature is currently 18C and we are told it could get up to 27C later. Like yesterday I’m hoping to get the undercoating finished and also like yesterday, I’ll do some gardening in between coats of paint. I forgot to mention that I harvested my first crop of raspberries yesterday, they were delicious too! 
 

Anyway, unfortunately the workshop won’t paint itself, so I best getonwithit. 
 

Back later. 
 

Brian

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I was watching the Breakfast show on BBC this morning and they were doing a piece on water pollution, specifically the illegal dumping of untreated sewage in rivers and streams. Apparently most of the water companies have been doing it and covering up what they are doing. Naturally they have been ordered to clean it up but they are saying that to do so they will have to increase their prices.What sticks in my throat is that the government is allowing them to do so. This is Railtrack all over again, money that should have been spent on maintaining the system has gone on shareholder dividends.