Early Risers.

[BoD]

I don’t think I ever saw one of my grandfathers.

There was only ever a blue fug in the corner where he sat and smoked his pipe.

[DaveF]

 

When I was very young Mum and Dad were both heavy smokers - over 20 a day each as was often the case then.

 

One winter Dad got bronchitis which wouldn't clear up.  I think I must have been about 5 then.  His GP suggested that to stop smoking for a while would help.  He and Mum decided they would both stop smoking straight away.  Apparently they did, I was always told they just put the remaining ones in the bin and got on with their lives, they both always said they never felt they wanted to smoke again.

 

I never smoked - like most ex smokers they would have smelt smoke on me and the hassle from them would have been more than it was worth.

 

David

 

Edited June 8 by DaveF

[PhilJ W]

Back in the 70's I was involved in the running of a working mans club. Although I was a none smoker I often went home reeking of cigarette smoke.

[polybear]

Bear here....

 

A busy day.  The anti-Hippo devices have been repaired successfully, and I've also managed to cross off numerous dross tasks from the list.  Further sh*d sorting has taken place as well, so a Tick has been awarded.

Buddy over the road asked me to take a look at his cordless hedge cutter a few days ago - it has a habit of not starting; giving it a clump would fix it though. I took it to bits, expecting to find a loose wire - nope.  Put it all back together again (with no spares left over...) and....it was just the same.  Poo.

So after a couple of days pondering I decided to take the blade mechanism to bits, clean & regrease/oil it and reassemble.  And.....it now seems ok 😁 - buddy over the road has it back and has reported that he's used it for 15 minutes with no issues.  Big Tick awarded.

 

The Big River delivered a set of spare car bulbs to keep in Mickey the MG;  I was less than 10 feet away when the doorbell rung so I was pretty quick opening the door, by which time it'd been dumped on the doorstep and he was closing the front gate.  So much for the "leave it with a neighbour if no answer" instruction.  T0ssers.

 

As for Harry the Honda, well it started just fine and Bear rode it (all of ten feet) for the first time in 29 years - the clutch is quite happy, so that's a Tick.  But I did think to myself "Jeez, did I really bomb thru' the lanes at Warp 5 on this?"  If (and that's a Big If) I ever do have another bike again it'll be a LOT lighter** and somewhat smaller than a 750, that's for sure.

 

(** Harry weighs a tad under a quarter of a metric ton).

 

As for giving Mickey a wash, well that never happened - maybe tomorrow.  Maybe....

 

BG.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Goodnight everyone 

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Firstly sorry to Puppers and the significant other but congratulations on your anniversary.

Here, a bit of an odd day. On returning home from our daily walk Hovis became increasingly reluctant to walk which is unheard of. In the end she just ‘flopped’ down on the grass verge. Fortunately we were only a hundred yards from home so SWMBO carried her. Hovis just seemed drained so SWMBO gave her a drink and brought her basket outside and we sat with her. She didn’t seem distressed at all but I got the vets number just in case. Slowly she ‘picked up’ but we didn’t want to leave her on her own and by now it was getting a bit chilly outside so we all went in for the afternoon. I would have liked to have mowed the lawn as with all the wind we’d had it was just about mowable but I decided bookwork inside would be more appropriate. Anyway by 5.00pm Hovis seemed fully recovered and I had done enough number bashing. Contemplated doing the grass but it would be a big job, Sydney needed fetching and most importantly I couldn’t be ar$ed. 
Had tea, took dogs for a final patrol, got a bath and fell asleep by 7.30. Woke up an hour or so ago, let dogs have a final sniff around the garden and so ends another day.

Could have done more but most importantly Hovis is fine.

Goodnight.

Edited June 9 by Erichill16
Spelling

[Gwiwer]

3 hours ago, tigerburnie said:

My maternal grandad smoked 20 Senior Service cigs a day all his adult life, in his retirement he drank a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky a week, can't remember his exact cause of death, but I do remember it was not linked to smoking or drinking, he was 92 when he passed.

There are smokers and smokers.  Notwithstanding those who survive to a very respectable age and do not have any smoking-related condition on their death certificate it is known and widely accepted that smoking certainly increases your chance of developing a number of very debilitating / lethal conditions.  

 

My late father smoked a pipe almost all of his adult life.  He tried giving up a few times but ultimately returned to it.  Pipe tobacco is not as noxious as cigarette tobacco as it is largely just leaf and not impregnated with carcinogenic chemicals.  He wasn't averse to the occasional cigar but never that I knew of did he smoke a cigarette.  He made it to 88 and whilst cancer was a contributory cause to his passing it was bowel not a smoking-related version.  He also enjoyed the occasional glass of whisky but seldom having much in the way of pocket-lining throughout his life it was always the "rough and ready" - he swore by Teachers and thought Famous Grouse was the best that Scotland could offer.  It was only ever a single glass on special occasions though.  I inherited his last (unopened) bottle of Grouse after his passing; there was also a bottle of Teachers which I declined.  

 

My first long-term partner managed just 28 years on this planet before lung cancer took her away.  She smoked 15 - 20 a day at one stage reducing to 10 or so with me as I have always been a non-smoker.  One day she couldn't catch her breath coming out of the shower ......... and never recovered.  

 

No-one else in my family has smoked other than my sister during her 18 months or som at university (course - and ciggies - abandoned) and my paternal grandfather who apparently had been a cigarette smoker but had ceased by the time I knew anything about matters.  

 

 

[Ozexpatriate]

3 hours ago, BoD said:

I don’t think I ever saw one of my grandfathers.

There was only ever a blue fug in the corner where he sat and smoked his pipe.

I had a similar experience with my paternal grandfather. He died when I was very young. I only vaguely remember him - nothing really distinct. My paternal grandmother smoked with him. I distinctly remember their smoking stands that they would place beside their easy chars. My grandmother died when I was 12. She was survived by her mother. Neither grandparent was "old" by today's standards.

 

A colleague from long ago had served in the Korean War in the USAF and was a heavy smoker. He had a multiple bypass surgery and his doctor forbade him to smoke. He quit cigarettes and by the time I knew him had 'negotiated' the use of a pipe - so long as he didn't inhale. I've lost touch and don't know if he is still with us. A terrific person.

[BR60103]

15 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

 So I smell a rat - what is the chance of them both  having their birthday on the same birthday long weekend? .

 

I believe it is 3 in 365.

 Over here it is referred to as "Official Birthday".  We have just kept Queen Victoria's  as it is a convenient weekend to begin gardening.

[BR60103]

We went to the Highland Games today. When we were leaving we saw te ticket prices and realized we must have been charged seniors rates.  Nobody said anything.

 

I thought I would smoke a pipe at university.  I usually never had all the required apparati with me at the same time.

 

[polybear]

Bear here.....

 

I could wash the Bearmobile today.....I know it'll feel good when it's done......can I be ar5ed though.....decisions, decisions.....

 

I do have plenty of alternatives though...still the Class 37 to fix, a repair to the bike cover, possibly fitting a different (better quality) chuck to the big Pillar Drill, maybe a bit of Token Juggling, a tap to fix in the upstairs loo....

 

ION.....

 

It seems that kitty kats must be micro-chipped from Monday, or the owners face being fined a monkey.  Rumours are circulating that @monkeysarefun has gone into hiding....

 

Bear gone....

[monkeysarefun]

32 minutes ago, polybear said:

Rumours are circulating that @monkeysarefun has gone into hiding....

 

Bear gone....

 

 

 

Nah, I'm checking in during the halftime break of the AFL, Sydney Swans VS Geelong at the SCG.  Geelong put through 5 unanswered goals in the first quarter but Swans fired up about halfway into the second and are now only 2 goals (12 points) behind. 

 

The big match is tonights Carlton VS Essendon Kings    @iL Dottore Birthday Long Weekend match at the MCG.

Sold out, so thats a tad over 100,000 that'll be attending.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,

Couldn't get to sleep, then eventually 3 hours short awake 2.5 hours sleep.

 

Ben the waking in a hurry Collie, was suddenly awake when I stood on one of his squeaky toys... So then we had to go out.

He happily wandered around wagging his tail.

Sunny, breezy from the west.

 

Low tide is around 08:30 , not that it matters as we are up on Black Horse Broad today.  The only effect of tide there is to raise and lower the water by about 6 inches. Except of course the broad entrance, it will be a hard paddle to get back out.

 

Time finish this muggacoffee and then set off.

[PupCam]

Morning!

 

Many thanks for the good wishes aimed in the P & Mrs P direction, very kind 😀

I was in the process of replying to a number of posts but it all went pear shaped and I CBA to try again.   My comments would have been of little consequence so no great loss to society then!

 

I’ve been watching more TT action; amazing and scary stuff.

 

There’s a prospect of a good deal of Unspecified Pottering today - that’ll be alright then

 

TTFN

 

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Next doors daughter.. never met her in all the time they have lived there, was very loud last night, shouting, shrieking, slamming doors etc. So Baz is even less impressed with the whole family...

 

Her indoors was having nightmares so I am a very tired Baz.

 

But, lo an email from Lottery HQ.. I have won £30 and a free go! Result!

 

My parents smoked. One grandad smoked a pipe and used "War Horse" pipe tobacco.. which always gave me indigestion.

 

Dad died of lung cancer, mum died of liver cancer, grandad had a massive heart attack.

 

Time to drink my tea!

 

Have a good day.

 

Baz

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Blue sky and sunshine here at the moment but forecast to become overcast as the day progresses although it should stay dry.  12°C rising to 19°C. 

Rugby enjoyed yesterday afternoon and Bath pushed Northampton all the way even though they were down to 14 men for three quarters of the match.  However it was the right result as far as I'm concerned and that's another season over.

There is no lemon meringue pie left on the premises which is probably just as well as my sugar intake probably needs to be reduced.  Some good news received yesterday is that my diabetic retinopathy test was negative.  I'm not Type 2 (yet) )but as I'm very (too) close the medics keep sending me to get tested, fine by me, better safe than sorry.

Time was spent in The Shed and the O gauge plank has now been cleared of everything but the track.  The next stage is to dismantle it without breaking the layout below it but that will come later. 

Today there will be a bit of furniture shifting in preparation for the installation of our full fibre broadband which is  (at long last) alleged to be happening tomorrow.  I'm getting reminder messages every day so I assume it will actually go ahead.

First order of play today though is an appointment with egg, bacon and sausage, oh and this evening there is steak and mushroom pie to look forward to.  I would have liked the inclusion of kidneys as well but unfortunately The Boss doesn't like them.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited June 9 by grandadbob

[Hroth]

Wet, 12C and a strong breeze, with no improvement forecast through the day.

 

Grump!

 

ION

 

With regard to smoking, I never knew either of my grandfathers, they died before I was born, but I understand they were both heavy smokers. My maternal uncle died far too young too, he definitely was a heavy smoker and went through packets of Senior Service like there was no tomorrow.  Eventually, there wasn't.

 

Is it just me, or is RMweb being just as slow sitewide as it usually is here? 🤔

 

Edited June 9 by Hroth

[Winslow Boy]

Overcast here with no sign of blue like yesterday which actually turned out pleasant after the showery morning.

 

Off to 'foreign' lands i.e outside the borders of Greater Manutopea today. We haven't been for some time so looking forward to it especially the bacon, egg and sausage bap.

Edited June 9 by Winslow Boy

[iL Dottore]

On 08/06/2024 at 13:48, polybear said:

 

Actually I think you may have out-done even Bear.....not sure if I've ever had Pizza for brekkies.  Bear must investigate this legendary Pizza further, if only to please iD.....

Well, well, well, it seems that I have outBeared The Bear. 😄✌️🕺

 

I have had cold pizza for breakfast and jolly good it was too (although, admittedly, this was a homemade, all natural ingredient, pizza).

 

When you think about it, pizza is bread dough covered with toppings, so not really – in concept – too dissimilar to putting something on toast!

 

Many Panificeria where I lived in Bologna would sell cold pizza - this was not like a pizza* as you would get in a pizzeria, but rather a thick spongy bread dough covered with simple toppings and baked in large sheets. When cold you would order so many grams of “pizza” and they would cut it to size. Confusingly, this is also called focaccia in some parts of Italy.

 

One of the confusing (and wonderful) aspects of Italian food is its intense regionalism - which means things like one type of pasta having different names in different parts of the country or the same name being used for two different things - depending where you are.

 

The variety and diversity of Italian cuisine is utterly amazing, it’s a pity that in Britain, this is mostly reduced to spag bol (which is actually an English dish), lasagna, (maybe) risotto and pizza…

 

*originally invented in Naples as a way of using the left over bread dough once the Baker had finished making his daily breads. it was very simply left over dough rolled out and then smeared with some crushed tomatoes, some olive oil and a little bit of Rosemary. NO PINEAPPLE WAS INVOLVED!

 

Edited June 9 by iL Dottore
Forgot word

[NGT6 1315]

Moaning awl. Sunny with a breeze here.

 

Things have remained busy re FiL. He had to be taken to A&E for a few hours yesterday as he had been dealing with nausea and vomited what had looked like old blood, which of course required investigation. While no acute cause could be found, it apparently had to do with the now-drained liver abscess, which in some way caused the nausea as well. It's only possible to treat the resultant symptoms, though, as further surgery of any kind would be too risky at this point.

 

He actually seems surprisingly chipper considering what he's been through, which does surprise me. That being said, I know him to be quite perseverant. 

 

Stay safe, all of you. I've certainly seen how fragile anyone's health can be...

[DaveF]

I rang 111 last night, after discussion they decided I am having a bigger IBS flare up than usual, I have been given instructions to rest for a few more days.  They also made an appointment for a GP at my own surgery to ring me at 09.00 on Monday to discuss matters.  Apparently I could have eaten something not quite fresh which would make the symptoms worse, so all the opened stuff in the fridge has gone - i.e. some milk and the Buttery stuff.  I was also reminded to avoid anything "ready made" as far as possible.

 

So this morning I got up at 09.00, have made a phone call and have one e mail left to write.  Then I will sit and watch TV or read.

 

It is showery here and will rain later so I am not missing much by staying in.  I rang someone at church last night to say I would not be there today, they have arranged for someone else to do my jobs.

 

I do begin to wonder if at nearly 75 I sometimes try to do just a little too much some days instead of pacing myself and spreading things over several days.

 

David

 

 

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, Hroth said:

Is it just me, or is RMweb being just as slow sitewide as it usually is here? 🤔

It does seem a bit slow this morning.

[grandadbob]

V...e....r...y       s....l.....o.....w

[PhilJ W]

59 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Well, well, well, it seems that I have outBeared The Bear. 😄✌️🕺

 

I have had cold pizza for breakfast and jolly good it was too (although, admittedly, this was a homemade, all natural ingredient, pizza).

 

When you think about it, pizza is bread dough covered with toppings, so not really – in concept – too dissimilar to putting something on toast!

 

Many Panificeria where I lived in Bologna would sell cold pizza - this was not like a pizza* as you would get in a pizzeria, but rather a thick spongy bread dough covered with simple toppings and baked in large sheets. When cold you would order so many grams of “pizza” and they would cut it to size. Confusingly, this is also called focaccia in some parts of Italy.

 

One of the confusing (and wonderful) aspects of Italian is its intense regionalism - which means things like one type of pasta having different names in different parts of the country or the same name being used for two different things - depending where you are.

 

The variety and diversity of Italian cuisine is utterly amazing, it’s a pity that in Britain, this is mostly reduced to spag bol (which is actually an English dish), lasagna, (maybe) risotto and pizza…

 

*originally invented in Naples as a way of using the left over bread dough once the Baker had finished making his daily breads. it was very simply left over dough rolled out and then smeared with some crushed tomatoes, some olive oil and a little bit of Rosemary. NO PINEAPPLE WAS INVOLVED!

I am not into pizza as @polybear but I do have one if I fancy it. It was fortunate that I spotted the 'proper' pizza in the reduced cabinet and having tried it from now on thats the only pizza for me. One thing stood out from the usual mass produced pizza was that after it was cooked it was still moist, most of the other pizza's I have tried tend to be very dry. Incidentally I baked it in the air fryer, the recommended time in a fan oven was 11 minutes, In that case I set the air fryer to 7-8 minutes, two thirds of the time recommended as the air fryer is quicker than a conventional fan oven. I cook other items in the air fryer and two thirds of the recommended fan oven time is just about right (at the same temperature).