Early Risers.

[Peter Kazmierczak]

Looks like tonight is the "switch-on" of Christmas lights around where I live. People up ladders etc. fixing the external decorations.

One of my daughters works in critical care at a hospital and recently had a patient who died after falling off a ladder whilst putting up their decorations. All very sad. So do please take care.

[PhilJ W]

One for @polybear

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Not done a lot today, though its stopped raining the garden is too soaked to do much out there. So a hot drink, a couple of biscuits and the soduku in today's papers is the order of the day.

[TheQ]

On waiting for SWMBO to phone duties.

 

Hmm, grass is so soggy, my wellie boots are sinking in..

Not a good time for the right one to split,  above the big right toe.

Dunlop only 8 months old..

 

New boots ordered, back to rigger boots. The old wellies will be retained for dry ground use. Not likely this year.

 

The leak in the garage roof is still there, i think the old asbestos may be getting porous. Sealant paint might be the next option should it ever dry again.

 

SWMBO just turned up some one gave her a lift home. Now been told she's out next Saturday as well.

 

Ben we're going to be on our own again.!!!

 

[Tony_S]

43 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Weather here is atrocious, got soaked going to the cafe, soaked coming back,

Having been lashed by wind and rain in Yorkshire recently and frozen in Essex while walking, Aditi and I have both upgraded our winter wear. So we have both purchased new coats.  I don’t really like walking with a hood up but my rather nice Merino woolly hat isn’t waterproof. I have just obtained a  waterproof and fleece lined “beanie” hat so hopefully my thinning hair will stay dry and my head warm. 
When we had Robbie I had to walk in all weathers. Then the clothing had to be warm but also to survive a soggy, muddy dog shaking himself all over me. 

[woodenhead]

So this Christmas it’s just Mrs W and I so a lovely lazy day with a turkey or chicken curry that I’ll knock up from the roast leftovers I am doing on Christmas Eve (turkey if I can get a half price one).

 

Still I love a chance to roast a big bird so I l’m basically doing a Xmas meal for the MiL’s birthday.

 

Now on the countdown to putting the sprouts on and we’re done. 😄

[DaveF]

I drove to North Shields this morning in the rain.  There is a very confusing set of varying speed limits, especially at one point where the sign on the left is missing, on the right it says 30 then a few lamposts further on is a small 20 reminder.  Also the driving seems to get worse - why can people not drive on normal roads without repeatedly crossing the central white lines and why when traffic lights turn green do they wait for nearly 15 seconds before moving?  Of course, I am perfect (no I'm not, just sometimes I am).

 

It was the town's Christmas Fair and free parking for the weekend so it was a bit chaotic, I drove a few hundred yards away from the shops and parked at the side of the road by some houses.  The Blyth and Tyne club Open Day was enjoyable, a small voluntary donation to get in, clean loos and a lot of good layouts.  The clubroom is huge as it is on the first floor of an Asda.  I met some friends, looked at some books and decided they didn't need new homes and then browsed Geoff and Alison's Contikits stand.  As I expected I found several things I "need" so I have railway bits for Christmas.  We also caught up on each others news and I made myself useful by keeping an eye on the stand while Geoff had a short break.  Gone are the days when I worked on a trade stand all day.  At one time Geoff and I had very similar daytime jobs in education, we've known each other a long time.

 

Back in the car I found my flask had kept my coffee hot but had also leaked, fortunately I had put it in a plastic carrier bag so no damage was done but the flask is now in the bin and I will buy a new one next week.

 

This afternoon I have checked the that things I bought work and put them away again.  Then I had a tidy up and sorted out a batch of photos with a view to putting them on flickr in due course.

 

Shortly I will get tea and then see if I can find anything on German/Austrian TV, if not it may have to be Midsomer Murders yet again or read and listen to music.

 

David

[southern42]

'afternoon all from red dragon land.

Windy. 8.8C

 

I had another dose of winterinfrontoft'fireonthematwiththebeatbox for my toot on the flute, this afternoon.  A few days ago, Line 1 of the song was doing alright and was good to warm up on. After several attempts, I eventually got to the point where I could continuously repeat line 2 in time with the beat, so it was beginning to look good. Another session, yesterday and this afternoon with beatbox still set at 29 beats per minute and 8 (slow) beats to the line, I managed to keep going with both lines continuously 7 times, each line played twice equalling 4 lines a go. So that is 32 slow beats x 7.  That length of play should get me towards the end of the song in stamina at least so it was quite reassuring. 

 

On this basis, if (a big IF, possibly) I keep this up, I should be able to get the first 6 lines up to speed by the end of the month - I won't say, 'year' cos that sounds so far away!

🤞

ION

I mentioned, a little while ago, about going round in circles, on the phone, between different parties. The outcome, at last, looks to be to my advantage and should be finalised shortly. So well done to all the ppl on the end of the phone lines getting to the bottom of it and getting the relevant parties to respond.

 

I have been wotzapped by li'l sis which reminded me I had forgotten about one of her presies she wanted me to order online! It will be done later... together with another item she now wants. She was pleased with the last lot so that is good. On my count, I have completed this year's family calendar which is ready to check through and order. *C* cards next on the list and a few birthdays to sort out. 

 

It feels I am just about coming up for some air...but a mugadecaf will suffice before getting dinner.

 

Take care. Be good. Don't let life runaway with you!

Polly

 

[TheQ]

Cars are often slow to move  off now due to engines automatically switching off when they stop moving. So you have to wait for the engine to start before moving.

[Gwiwer]

1 hour ago, Peter Kazmierczak said:

Looks like tonight is the "switch-on" of Christmas lights around where I live.

Ours was last night.  It was almost rained off.  The skies opened and heavy wetness was flung down.  I wasn't there at the time (but was some 30 minutes later) due to the need to collect Dr. SWMBO from a train.  

 

For the past week or so there have been cherry-pickers, scaffolders and the occasional ladder in use to erect and secure the lights.  I found it mildly amusing to note that in order to erect and display reds, yellows and greens that it was necessary to have a set of red, yellow and green lights provided for traffic control.  In fairness the streets are not very wide and could not safely accommodate a fixed obstruction and two-way traffic.  Delays were minimal at worst.  

 

It looks quite pretty now.  A fair number of folk were out last night despite the weather but fewer than hoped for.  The shops and cafes stayed open late but few were doing any business by 7.30 when I came through.  Most advertised that they would be open until 9 or 10pm.  I hope they found it worthwhile. 

[DaveF]

28 minutes ago, TheQ said:

Cars are often slow to move  off now due to engines automatically switching off when they stop moving. So you have to wait for the engine to start before moving.

I hadn't thought of that, now I drive a hybrid my car moves off as soon as I touch the accelerator (in fact before if I take my foot off the brake).

 

David

Edited December 9, 2023 by DaveF

[Gwiwer]

17 minutes ago, TheQ said:

Cars are often slow to move  off now due to engines automatically switching off when they stop moving. So you have to wait for the engine to start before moving.

Some recent ones do have stop-start technology but as to whether it is a blessing or a curse the jury seems to be still out.  

 

I haven't seen anything suggesting that it reduces pollutants and there is some evidence that it increases them marginally when those vehicles re-start.  It can be a nuisance to residents who happen to live in areas where stopping and starting is frequent.  Such as congested roads, near junctions or railway crossings.  I find it disconcerting on buses; it sounds as though they have broken down.  

 

When I have hired cars or vans with stop-start I keep the right foot lightly applied to the pedal when stationary to avoid the engine cutting out.  The get-up-and-go is fractionally quicker because I am not waiting for the engine to start.  

[Ozexpatriate]

6 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

We asked him how that worked and he said one was work and the other was his beliefs and he just kept them seperate.

Cognitive dissonance.

 

Everyone does it to some extent, but most people who value rationality will at some point get fed up with a paradox of that magnitude. Clearly he was intentional about it. A larger number hold cognitive dissonance without realizing that they are doing it.

[Ozexpatriate]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Another one seems to have reinvented itself as a bar/brasserie. It seems to be getting a greenhouse like front for a sheltered outside area on the pavement.

Reminds me of the "fern bar" trend in casual eateries in the US beginning in the 1970s.

 

The concept evolved into some large national chains - lampooned as a chain called "Chotchkie's" in the movie Office Space.

 

Edited December 9, 2023 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

6 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Firstly, it was supposed to be a Swiss company providing a fast service - turns out that it’s a German company with a Swiss website charging customers Swiss prices (i.e. very high) for work done at German rates.

...

p.s. I did look at getting a British company to do the work, but either they didn’t deliver to Switzerland, had huge minimum print runs (e.g. 1000 or more) or were four or five times the price of those companies that had good reviews, but unfortunately don’t deliver to Switzerland. 

The UK aside, it surprises me that there's this sort of different rates for different places inside the Schengen Area. Is it mostly because Switzerland is not in the EU?

 

All of your stories of 'not available in Switzerland' surprise me. It makes me wonder if (and I have some idea why not) the Swiss adopted the Euro and EU membership this might go away.

 

Seems like that sort of thing is a consequence of choosing to live in Switzerland.

[New Haven Neil]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

Aditi and I have both upgraded our winter wear.

 

I have a very nice long Rohan coat, which is entirely waterproof.  Wearing it would have helped.....😖

[polybear]

2 hours ago, Peter Kazmierczak said:

Looks like tonight is the "switch-on" of Christmas lights around where I live. People up ladders etc. fixing the external decorations.

One of my daughters works in critical care at a hospital and recently had a patient who died after falling off a ladder whilst putting up their decorations. All very sad. So do please take care.

 

Bear is running his usual course on how to use a Ladder safely......fellow ER'ers welcome (just bring lots of Cake)

 

 

 

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

The leak in the garage roof is still there, i think the old asbestos may be getting porous. Sealant paint might be the next option should it ever dry again.

 

 

That's what happened to the Beary Shed; I did seal it (several times) with proper stuff but it never lasted long (if at all) so I bunged steel roofing sheets over the top.  Sorted.

 

49 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Some recent ones do have stop-start technology but as to whether it is a blessing or a curse the jury seems to be still out.  

 

I haven't seen anything suggesting that it reduces pollutants and there is some evidence that it increases them marginally when those vehicles re-start.  It can be a nuisance to residents who happen to live in areas where stopping and starting is frequent.  Such as congested roads, near junctions or railway crossings.  I find it disconcerting on buses; it sounds as though they have broken down.  

 

When I have hired cars or vans with stop-start I keep the right foot lightly applied to the pedal when stationary to avoid the engine cutting out.  The get-up-and-go is fractionally quicker because I am not waiting for the engine to start.  

 

The Bearmobile has an OFF button for such a gadget - though I have to press it every time the ignition is turned on.  I'm sure the battery and starter motor are glad I do....

[pH]

14 minutes ago, polybear said:

The Bearmobile has an OFF button for such a gadget - though I have to press it every time the ignition is turned on.  I'm sure the battery and starter motor are glad I do....

Rental cars from the bigger companies are usually the latest models. At one time, cars we rented in the UK all had the auto-shutoff feature. First thing to do when getting into a car was to find that ‘OFF’ button.

 

One Canadian city decreed that all buses belonging to the city’s transit system had to be shut off for stops longer than a few minutes, to cut down on emissions. When the increasing costs of replacing starter motors began to get significant the instruction was withdrawn.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land.The wind is getting up and its predicted to be a bit gusty tonight but should ease off by tomorrow lunchtime. The weather report shows the wind speed as 9 metres per second, a tad over 20mph. Now to see whats for dinner in the fridge. 

[pH]

And … it’s started snowing. 😠

[TheQ]

Currently gusting 64 mph coastal Wales and just north of that. Fraggle rock is not much less than that.

Cross here in Norfolk it's gusting 50...

[polybear]

18 minutes ago, pH said:

Rental cars from the bigger companies are usually the latest models. At one time, cars we rented in the UK all had the auto-shutoff feature. First thing to do when getting into a car was to find that ‘OFF’ button.

 

One Canadian city decreed that all buses belonging to the city’s transit system had to be shut off for stops longer than a few minutes, to cut down on emissions. When the increasing costs of replacing starter motors began to get significant the instruction was withdrawn.

 

Hire Cars in Kuwait are all fitted with a gadget that goes "Ding Ding.....Ding Ding......Ding Ding......" just as soon as you step over the 75mph (120km/h) limit**.  Now that would last about five seconds if I owned it.......

 

**Not that we ever did, you understand.....😉

[Hroth]

6 minutes ago, TheQ said:

Currently gusting 64 mph coastal Wales and just north of that. Fraggle rock is not much less than that.

Cross here in Norfolk it's gusting 50...

 

The Irish Sea coast has been "rather blowy" since late afternoon...

I can imagine things might be a bit queasy on Fraggle Rock!

 

[polybear]

ION....

 

I'd have the Lawyers all over this one:

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglplg07e74o

 

Cost for a new Funeral (the whole deal - cars, scoff, the lot) plus a large wedge for compo on top.

FFS

 

and.......

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67658234

 

"........staff at FIRE nightclub described the impact their work has, from "terrible headaches" to getting "four or five hours" of sleep a night."

 

Er, you're working in a NIGHTCLUB - just what do you expect??

 

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

The Bearmobile has an OFF button for such a gadget - though I have to press it every time the ignition is turned on.  I'm sure the battery and starter motor are glad I do....

When the time comes to buy a battery for the stop-start car, make sure you sit down or a standing beside something soft to fall onto before  he rings up the cash register!

 

 Some brands ( like Mada I think) don't use the starter motor for stop-start but use engine compression, basically similar to when you push-start a car...)

Edited December 9, 2023 by monkeysarefun