Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a dark but mundane island.  7c but wind fore-guessed to go crazy again, ferries cancelled.

 

I feel sorry for the Steam Packet, as they have taken a lot of flak regarding the number of cancellations there have been, all blamed on the new boat being inappropriate for the task. In fact it has been the worst batch of windy weather at this time of year for a very long time, but the Manx Crabs don't let the truth blur a good moan (that they know nothing about).  The fact is the new ferry is a very good sea-boat, according to friends who have sailed on her, but there's no point in smashing it to bits in force 10 or more winds when they don't have to. #sigh#

 

Mate H is coming again this morning to talk railed machines, and other life mysteries.  Always look forward to his company, I think it gives him an escape from retired-man-and-wife life too.

[Erichill16]

Morning All,

Much  skipping recently for various reasons.

Good luck to those awaiting medical procedures and also those with results pending. 
Thoughts for those under the weather for whatever reason.

Robert

 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Dull here and it's dismal and damp as well.  It's been staining readily for a while and will continue to do so. It will become windier later, much windier apparently as somebody called Jocelyn is approaching.  7°C rising to 13°C.

A walk was managed around our local recreation ground yesterday and a couple of small trees had been uprooted and there was evidence of a lot of tree pruning and undergrowth clearance along one side of the park.   About time too as we'd noticed that some adjacent properties were being invaded by all the bushes etc.  A mile and quarter was managed without too much trouble.  It's two weeks since my hernia op and things are progressing well.  The incision site has healed nicely with just a couple of small scabs left on either side and I can bend over easily now without any pain.  Before the op  I even had difficulty tying shoelaces whilst sitting on the settee or armchair but it's not a problem now.  However I've still got to take things easy for a further 4-6 weeks so will have to avoid sit-ups or press ups for a while!  Actually I better check on that because I believe I might have to wait even longer before I start trying any of that stuff.  Hope @DaveF Dave's op goes as smoothly as mine did.

Looks like we'll be staying in this morning, The Boss doesn't like walking in the rain.

Camera wise mine are quite simple.  iPhone 8 plus, Canon Powershot SX280HS Compact, both only 12MP and a Fujifilm Finepix S9900W Bridge 16.2MP.  I do sometimes actually get some reasonable pics.  I've still got a Pentax P30N SLR and every now and then think about digging it out and buying some film just to try it for old time's sake.  However, having just done a quick Google of film and processing prices I think I'll give it a miss!

I've just been asked if I feel able to help with some domestic tasks.  I think I can probably manage to push The Shark around for a while.  Ibettagettamoveon.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited January 23 by grandadbob

[DaveF]

Many thanks for the good wishes for me, I shall be very pleased when the op takes place in mid February, it is a confounded nuisance at the moment as most things I usually do now cause at least discomfort or worse.  The next step is the pre op checks and tests next week.

 

Back in 1972 I used to drive 38 miles to work, in those days that was considered a long drive in the East Midlands.  It usually took 44 minutes - it shows how quiet the roads were then - and there weren't even any dual carriageways on my route.

 

As you know I too take photos.  I do use my phone which at the moment is a Samsung A34 if I am just out for a short walk.  I almost always cary a Canon Ixus 175 which has the equivalent of a 200mm zoom in 35mm film terms, it is also good for close ups.   It fits easily in my pocket and the results are more than acceptable.  It doesn't have a viewfinder which is a nuisance in bright light. 

 

Otherwise I use a Nikon D7200 with various lenses which produces excellent results.  I also have a D3100 which I use now and then.  Amongst older cameras which still work are a Nikon D80, and two older Canon Ixus.  One has a flat base which can be useful as I can stand the camera on a table for some close ups - usually to check details when I am working on models.  Even an old camera shows things up which I don't notice.

 

I find carrying the D7200 and lenses on a walk a bit heavy now so am thinking of buying something lighter, probably a bridge camera  - but will keep the D7200 for days when I stay near the car.

 

Over the years I've taken over 40,000 slides (pre 2003 all now scanned) and many thousands of digital photos - I've never tried counting them accurately but it is well over 60,000.  I also have scans of around 45,000 of Mum and Dad's slides and many thousands of their digital photos.  Then there are the few thousand black and white scans.

 

David 

[Gwiwer]

16 minutes ago, grandadbob said:

However, having just done a quick Google of film and processing prices I think I'll give it a miss!

I finally “went digital” when the cost per image of the slide film I had been using went over £3. Per shot. Duds included. 
 

There were not too many duds because you don’t snap willy-nilly at those prices. Shots were often carefully set up or, if opportunistic, were at least given as much thought as the situation allowed. It hrlps knowing the fundamentals of camera operation. 
 

Film plus developing and mounting became a prohibitive cost and extremely difficult to resource. Film wasn’t too hard to get and still isn’t but you can’t just walk into any and every High Street chemist any more. Mostly you have to find a photographic dealer. Processing was the sticking point. The last shop in town which offered the service was 30 miles away. They hung on as others closed their in-store labs and then they themselves gave it up and sent films away to a remote location.
 

I still have the Minolta Dynax I enjoyed using at that time but it hasn’t even been looked at for around 20 years.
 

I’m now on my third generation of “bridge” digital, my third iPhone and swear by (and occasionally at) the EOS7D Mk1 which is itself long in the tooth now but was recommended by a semi-pro photographer friend and has served me very well.
 

“Everyone is a photographer now” is not true. Everyone with a smart phone can take pictures. Some are really good. Many millions are not really worth keeping. One still needs to understand how a camera works - even when using fully automatic mode - to really craft good pictures. And having the “photographer’s eye” to see the potential and capture the shot also helps.
 

In other news it’s wet, windy and foggy. I might just curl up on the sofa with His Furship. 
 

 

[jjb1970]

I had a walk around the cruise terminal today, I like walking there at lunchtime as it's nice to see the sea and there are nice views of some of the anchorages as well as ships visiting the cruise terminal and the vehicle carrier terminal of Tanjong Pagar. Walking along the covered path (a lot of walkways here have awnings, when its wet they keep you dry and when it's sunny they protect you from the sun) I saw three rats scurry across the path. Part of the rich wildlife of the country (there's loads of rodents in Singapore). It made me think about why rats have such an image problem, I think they're nice looking animals, seem to be quite clever in their own way and don't bother people. Considering a lot of other wildlife which gets much better press despite being a lot more hazardous to people or no cuter it seems rats always get a raw deal.

[Smiffy2]

G'morning from Carshalton-sur-Mer, where the whelkmen are resolutely staying in their beds (or 'stinking pits' as they are known) due to it being the feast of Saint Punta, patron of coracles and independent betting shops.

 

Emmaus have delivered the patio table and chairs I bought yesterday - to be dismantled, painted and taken to France. Quelle joie.

Ocaaado later, then Son One and the Girls for a visit (like every Tuesday).

And setting up the £40 guitar.

 

Took a heavy painkiller (Naproxen) last evening, so back and foot behaving themselves at the moment.

 

Second mug on the horizon...

 

Have a good day, all.

[Gwiwer]

I was going to add these to the previous post as evidence but the uploader objected and offered only black squares. 
 

I have re-captured them as screen-shots in case the problem was within the metadata 

 

Pussycat

St James’ Park and London Eye

 

It’s Dawlish, Jim, but not as we know it 

 

[New Haven Neil]

The Whelkmen are back, yay!

[DaveF]

I slept well last night (for me) and woke a few seconds before the alarm.  It was much better without the wind noise.  A lot of people must have woken early today as a lot more houses than usual had lights on, perhaps all the pensioners were making a cup of tea and then going back to bed.  I'm not sure why but a lot of the houses near me are owned by older people, but other roads nearby have mainly young people in the houses.

 

It's dull and feels damp, I am waiting for the wind to come back - up to Force 9 is foecast but only a yellow warning like much of the UK.  The rain will start soon.

 

The groceries came nice and early, nothing missing, no substitutes and all long dated.  The driver had time for a short chat about the weather and health matters.  

 

I did think of going out but have decided not to bother, I'll keep myself occupied at home continuing to work on photos and a model.

 

David

Edited January 23 by DaveF

[Tony_S]

39 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

Considering a lot of other wildlife which gets much better press despite being a lot more hazardous to people or no cuter it seems rats always get a raw deal.

We used to have a couple of pet rats. They were definitely “cute”. I think one of the things that rats do that makes them unpopular with humans is the prodigious weeing especially when it spoils food storage. And I suppose the gnawing too. The most common negative remark about our son’s rats was along the lines of “those tails are horrible “. 

[Tony_S]

30 minutes ago, DaveF said:

did think of going out but have decided not to bother,

I looked out, had absolutely no intention of going out, and don’t think I need to.  Unless it is to sort out the recycling for tomorrow’s collection. 

Edited January 23 by Tony_S

[iL Dottore]

13 hours ago, Ohmisterporter said:

She asked a young doctor who was being trained up what it meant and he told her the mass was cancerous. First time the C word had been mentioned and never used by any of the consultants or specialists. Perhaps their greater experience has taught them to avoid using the word, or perhaps the young man made a mistake. We will find out in the fullness of time no doubt.

Stay safe all.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

 

Only yesterday I was talking with a colleague about informing patients about diagnoses. She said that, as a young surgeon, she was very blunt when informing patients (e.g. "you have X") but with experience came the wisdom that - for most patients - it was best to gradually introduce them (for want of a better term) to their diagnosis. A blunt diagnosis, for many, can be psychologically devastating. 
 

The important thing is not to remove hope, but also keep expectations realistic. Quite a difficult balancing act.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a positive outcome. We are fortunate in 2024 that there are so many treatment options (for all kinds of disease and injury) that were unavailable and unknown even just 10 years ago. 

[grandadbob]

Stillhaven'tgottamoveon.  Taking my time over another muggacoffee. Before long I expect to be chastised!

Further to yesterday's post and the windy weather I did a full site inspection and as far as I can see I'm glad to say we have no roof damage and apart from upturned chairs and a couple of tears in the covers of them and the table nothing else amiss.  Gorilla tape has been deployed to repair the covers but they are several years old now and have got so many taped repairs I think it's about time I bought some new ones.  The ties that came off the table legs weren't broken so the wind must have been strong enough to lift the table off the ground to release them.  It's a glass top table with metal legs and quite heavy.

Hmmm,  I'm getting a "look",  I suspect that words of "encouragement" will be heard shortly! 😂

Edited January 23 by grandadbob

[PhilJ W]

8 hours ago, jjb1970 said:

 

I was on a ship once where the chief engineer decided to make a point by jogging in his safety boots and leaving a couple of people with all the gear behind. He was a serious runner and did have the gear but decided to demonstrate nice gear is nice to have and not essential. 

Just his safety boots?👀

[tigerburnie]

My current camera rig

My rig by tigerburnie, on Flickr

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a bad night last night, seven and a half hours with only one callout from bladder control. Quite mild this morning but now the wind is getting up and it's raining quite heavily. Waiting to hear from the car dealer as to when the car I'm considering is ready for inspection. I will be getting my near neighbour and friend Martin who is a motor mechanic to inspect it with me and unless he says no I'm definitely having it.

[Hroth]

Its bucketing down at present with wind speeds a mere 17-21 mph.

 

However, from 2pm, its going to double and more for the next 18 hours, before falling back exhausted to 20 mph around 9am tomorrow morning.

 

Mind you, this is the opinion of the BBC weather app, which is about as useful as a chocolate fireguard.  Looking out of the window is more accurate!

 

[Sidecar Racer]

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

The ties that came off the table legs weren't broken so the wind must have been strong enough to lift the table off the ground to release them.  It's a glass top table with metal legs and quite heavy.

 

 

 You were luckier than some .

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-68052337

[grandadbob]

@Sidecar Racer I saw that on the news last night Mike and was quite relieved that ours hadn't suffered the same fate.

Rain has paused for now but due to start again in about an hour.  Quite breezy out and the wind seems to be increasing so Jocelyn is possibly jostling for space.

The Shark was wielded and I seem to be in the good books.  (for now)  Now thinking about lunch and instead of my usual cup a soup and sandwich I think I'll have some beans on toast for a change.

Not sure what I'm doing after lunch but there are three or four options available.

 

 

Edited January 23 by grandadbob

[Ohmisterporter]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

I'm so sorry to hear that.

 

Only yesterday I was talking with a colleague about informing patients about diagnoses. She said that, as a young surgeon, she was very blunt when informing patients (e.g. "you have X") but with experience came the wisdom that - for most patients - it was best to gradually introduce them (for want of a better term) to their diagnosis. A blunt diagnosis, for many, can be psychologically devastating. 
 

The important thing is not to remove hope, but also keep expectations realistic. Quite a difficult balancing act.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a positive outcome. We are fortunate in 2024 that there are so many treatment options (for all kinds of disease and injury) that were unavailable and unknown even just 10 years ago. 

 

Thanks for that insight iL Dottore. The word that Kath was puzzled by is pheochromocytoma which we have looked up and found no mention of cancer in any form; and with surgical removal there is a good chance of full recovery. I am not saying cancer is not there just that it is not written in terms that an average person would fret about.

Stay safe all.

[iL Dottore]

31 minutes ago, Ohmisterporter said:

 

Thanks for that insight iL Dottore. The word that Kath was puzzled by is pheochromocytoma which we have looked up and found no mention of cancer in any form; and with surgical removal there is a good chance of full recovery. I am not saying cancer is not there just that it is not written in terms that an average person would fret about.

Stay safe all.

Hi Geoff, this link may be informative: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pheochromocytoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20355367

I find that the Mayo Clinic website has very good, factual and understandable explanatory pages on different diseases.

 

The Mayo Clinic website is one of my "go to" websites when I need to translate medic-speak into layman's language. Not only are they clear and concise (as far as is possible) but they don't "talk down" to you.

[jjb1970]

A most excellent dinner of bibimbap tonight made by Mrs JJB, one of my favourite comfort foods. Served with the egg yoke raw and plenty of gochujang. 

[iL Dottore]

1 minute ago, jjb1970 said:

A most excellent dinner of bibimbap tonight made by Mrs JJB, one of my favourite comfort foods. Served with the egg yoke raw and plenty of gochujang. 

Funny you say that, the consultant's dinner last night was at a Korean restaurant - disappointingly mild 😢

[jjb1970]

Mrs JJB likes her kim chi fully weaponized........ I love Korean food, wonderful.