Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The cold has come back with a vengeance, runny nose and an irritating cough. So its a hot milky drink fortified with something 40% proof out of a bottle. A few other things to do first though.

[polybear]

Bear here....

 

A final day at the Warehouse - lots of out n' about & van loading/unloading with a couple of the Guys; the three most-distant shops were visited, with the fourth aborted cos' we couldn't find a suitable unloading/loading bay (a very, very sore point with the Team at the moment.....).  Then a couple of runs to the Ebay Warehouse with stuff destined to be listed on the Shop, as well as loads of empty carboard boxes, packing, bubble wrap etc. for posting out stuff sold on the 'bay.

 

In the afternoon Bear diverted onto fixing one of the two large Vans; it's been restricted to "light duties" as it hasn't been possible to safely strap the 6ft roller cages into position as the rails to which loads are strapped have been pulling away from the sides of the Van.  Why?  Well, age for one - and also because the rails are secured to the timber sides (with thin composite either side) of the van (from new, by the Manufacturer) with 3/8" self-tapping screws....FFS....

 

Now they're secured with oodles of st. steel M6 cap head screws, 30mm st. steel repair/penny washers, spring washers and nuts.  They'll not fall off now (previously the steel rails were actually pulling away from the sides of the Van).  Oodles of Brownie Points awarded; the cost to the Charity was 100 st. steel screws (£15) from Screwfix** - Bear supplied the nuts, penny washers, spring washers & labour.  The Van is no longer on light duties; there is more to do on other rails (on both large Vans) but nothing urgent that is restricting the Van's use.

 

**Remember those cap head screws that Bear received yesterday that should've been mushroom head screws?  Well it turns out that they were too short anyway - hence the run to screwfix for longer ones (25mm instead of 16mm).  It's handy they did send the wrong ones anyway as this means I can claim return postage for a refund....Tick.

 

On the way home I went into one of the very few Plod Stations still open to the public to report yesterday's H&R....only to be told "You need to do that on-line now, Mr. Bear....."  FFS Mk. 2.  I hear a @PupCam Rant approaching.......

 

And finally.....

A slice of rather nice home-made Banana Cake today (from one of the sorting room ladies), with a choccy cake chaser.....

Huge Tick.....

 

BG

 

 

 

 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[Coombe Barton]

5 hours ago, TheQ said:

One wonders how many register as a student, get the loans which they otherwise could not get, buy cars etc and then go off to work, not attending university. Something they would not admit on surveys.

The fact they've paid for the course won't worry them, that chicken will come home to roost many years in the future..

It would seem from the lack of attendance of many on JCs courses that there may be many that do that.

Spot on with my suspicions as well.

[BoD]

23 minutes ago, Coombe Barton said:

Spot on with my suspicions as well.

I’m not sure about how sustainable (or desirable) the current model of higher education is, but I’m so grateful that when I went through Uni the course/tuition was free and I (just about) managed on a student grant - and it was a privilege to do so - not something to be abused.

 

 

[Winslow Boy]

2 hours ago, The White Rabbit said:

Evening all,

 

And 'tis a dark and gloomy one. More like April/October than June... 

 

I took these only two days ago. On a lovely June day... alas, where did summer go? 

 

I mentioned earlier about the patch of 'meadow' I've acquired, over six weeks it's transformed from a rather raggy, moss-filled 'lawn' into a colourful meadow. Too many grasses, I'll have to try and thin those out and get more wildflowers in but as it is, it's not a bad starting point. Much of the yellow is 'Birds Foot Trefoil' - apparently rather rare. There's lots of other flowers in there as well. I think I know the names of about half of them so far! 

 

 

 

The bees love it, as do the local LBJs. 

 

One (serious) question - when this is cut (August?) I will have an industrial quantity of grass and other cut material - if it's cut using a lawn-mower, will this chop the bits up too small for it to be of any use as hay or straw (whether for next door's hamsters or the lass round t' corner's 'field ornament'/lethal killing machine) - or even if it does, could it be of use to anyone else? I can use some myself as mulch/composting but only c 10-20% - I estimate there'll be enough for at least a dozen large bales and it's going to be a lot to 'rehome' in one go. I want to let it lie for a few days to let the seeds drop off for next year but after that...?

 

BTW, any volunteers with scythes welcome for the mowing, can part-pay in treacle tart and/or unmentionable detailing accessories! 

Coming to this late so apologies if the queries have already been answered.

 

You have really answered your question already in your joke about using scythes. This is the best way to cut this material. There are mechanical versions but they are for large areas.

 

A mower will by necessity cut the material into a mulch, which would be ideal for composting. So long as the mulch is not added in a thick layer it should compost quite quickly in a compost heap.

 

The important thing is the removal of the material as if it's left it will decompose thereby improving the nutritional value of the soil. This will inturn prompt the growth of more vigorous plants and grasses which will eventually dominate the meadow.

 

It might be worthwhile contacting any wildlife groups etc to see if they could advise in terms of alternative disposal.

 

One other possibility would be riding stables, but you would have to be certain that the material didn't contain anything toxic.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

Well, frustratingly, I’ve still not solved the problem with the industrial loco I’m building. There’s definitely a problem with either the coupling rods or the quartering of the drive wheels. I’ve had it running, but it’s very jerky, so it’s not right. When I built it I didn’t use a jig, I just used my eye to do the job! So I’m wondering if I’ve built the chassis a little out of square? Doh! So, my next plan is to completely dismantle the chassis and then rebuild it again, but this time I’ll be using a chassis jig to get the axles parallel and square.

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[pH]

Yesterday, we tried a “shrub” for the first time. It was the second type (non-alcoholic) described in this wiki entry:
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub_(drink)

 

Our daughter-in-law had given us a selection of fruit vinegars and recommended that we use them to try making shrubs. We used a peach-infused vinegar, and it was very drinkable. We’ve got black cherry and elderflower to try as well. (And if we don’t like those, an alternative use for them is in salad dressings.)

[TheQ]

Evening sorry mooring Awl,

Can't sleep just read a book cover to cover, now thinking about it.

Probably of no interest to you but.

 

It's about ( George) Christopher Davis, and his life.

When he qualified as a solicitor in 1871, he decided to take up a post in Norwich because he read an article in "The Field" about the broads  his family however were from Oswestry.

He at the time had a Rob Roy canoe, anyone into canoes knows that one.

Except for few years early on in his career in Newcastle, he otherwise lived and worked in Norfolk.

He wrote many books, most importantly " The Handbook of the Rivers and Broads in Norfolk" published almost annually from 1883 through to 1929. This book did much to publicise the broads as a holiday destination.

 

In the book about him, it mentions,

Several people who were the grandparents or great grandparents of people I know. 

A yacht built 1893 that now resides at my sailing club and is still racing.

Loynes hire boats in the 1880s, who became "faircraft loynes" and now trade as " Norfolk Broads Direct"

 

With that 

Time to try for some sleep.

[skipepsi]

6 hours ago, The White Rabbit said:

Evening all,

 

And 'tis a dark and gloomy one. More like April/October than June... 

 

I took these only two days ago. On a lovely June day... alas, where did summer go? 

 

I mentioned earlier about the patch of 'meadow' I've acquired, over six weeks it's transformed from a rather raggy, moss-filled 'lawn' into a colourful meadow. Too many grasses, I'll have to try and thin those out and get more wildflowers in but as it is, it's not a bad starting point. Much of the yellow is 'Birds Foot Trefoil' - apparently rather rare. There's lots of other flowers in there as well. I think I know the names of about half of them so far! 

 

 

 

The bees love it, as do the local LBJs. 

 

One (serious) question - when this is cut (August?) I will have an industrial quantity of grass and other cut material - if it's cut using a lawn-mower, will this chop the bits up too small for it to be of any use as hay or straw (whether for next door's hamsters or the lass round t' corner's 'field ornament'/lethal killing machine) - or even if it does, could it be of use to anyone else? I can use some myself as mulch/composting but only c 10-20% - I estimate there'll be enough for at least a dozen large bales and it's going to be a lot to 'rehome' in one go. I want to let it lie for a few days to let the seeds drop off for next year but after that...?

 

BTW, any volunteers with scythes welcome for the mowing, can part-pay in treacle tart and/or unmentionable detailing accessories! 

Please do not feed it to the horses.

[Ozexpatriate]

On 12/06/2024 at 02:37, The White Rabbit said:

PB/CC's new Ministry of Justice

MINILUV?

[Ozexpatriate]

20 hours ago, polybear said:

hopefully I'll be able to visit a Station** in-Bear today and do it.  As for details, all the Plod need to do is a PNC check for name, address and insurance - takes seconds.

Sorry to hear about your damaged bumper.

 

I have had visitors this week and have been "about". One of my houseguests is recently retired from Queensland's finest.

 

On observing an the remainders of a collision (a three vehicle, VW beetle sandwich, all safely off the road) on a two lane road in a rural town, with a police car on the verge (lights flashing), the police car creating long tailbacks in both directions, my guest observed that Queensland police do not attend such events any more. So long as there is no need for medical attention and traffic is unobstructed, the presence of the police exacerbates the traffic while everyone has a look.

[BR60103]

The thunderstorm predicted for today (with possible tornadoes)  has started to make a little noise. (it's 10:30 at night now)

When I started university in Ontario 60 years ago, the tuition was $545.  Residence was $660.  (I think the figures are pretty exact).  Tuition included student fees. Residence was a limited number of places.

The university had pioneered a co-op program where students would alternate terms at school and in appropriate industry.  This usually paid enough to cover the fees and beyond. (Started in engineering and had just expanded to mathematics).

 

[Ozexpatriate]

Been about this week. Saw some MiGs.

 

MiG-15

 

MiG-17

 

 

 

MiG-23

 

MiG-29

[Ozexpatriate]

One of these too. Never seen one before, particularly close enough to touch.

 

F-117 Nighthawk

The 'equatorial' edges were removed from this aircraft. Not sure if this is because this material is still classified or they present a danger to observers. (Didn't get a chance to ask a docent - I did ask one how long it has been there - he said 'November'.)

 

Edited June 14 by Ozexpatriate

[Ozexpatriate]

Wouldn't have wanted one of these staring me down.

 

Business end of an A-10.

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a cliff top in BR where it isn't raining at the moment.  A small pink terrorist will soon be running around.  

 

Jamie

[polybear]

9 hours ago, BoD said:

I’m not sure about how sustainable (or desirable) the current model of higher education is, but I’m so grateful that when I went through Uni the course/tuition was free and I (just about) managed on a student grant - and it was a privilege to do so - not something to be abused.

 

 

 

Make the grants payable in small-ish stage payments, subject to certain criteria (such as turning up for Lectures ON TIME and still being there at the end; handing in work ON TIME and not using things like AI to cheat).  Fail any of these and your next payment is cancelled.  Simple.

 

9 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

Coming to this late so apologies if the queries have already been answered.

 

You have really answered your question already in your joke about using scythes. This is the best way to cut this material. There are mechanical versions but they are for large areas.

 

A mower will by necessity cut the material into a mulch, which would be ideal for composting. So long as the mulch is not added in a thick layer it should compost quite quickly in a compost heap.

 

The important thing is the removal of the material as if it's left it will decompose thereby improving the nutritional value of the soil. This will inturn prompt the growth of more vigorous plants and grasses which will eventually dominate the meadow.

 

It might be worthwhile contacting any wildlife groups etc to see if they could advise in terms of alternative disposal.

 

One other possibility would be riding stables, but you would have to be certain that the material didn't contain anything toxic.

 

Tarmac it.

Then put a Shed on it.  A Big One.  And a Garage.

 

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl again

Did get 5 hours sleep in the end followed by some indeterminate dozing.

 

Ben  the sleepy Collie didn't get up till I got my boots out. But he had a good snuffle about.

A somewhat damp patrol, !ight drizzle,  grey skies promises of intense soggyness later.

 

He's very by my side at the moment something to do with the BLT I'm eating between gerfingerpoken on this screen.

 

I can see Tesla going down a very deep hole, shares down, sales down , so the shareholders vote the musk $45-$54 billion pay this year...

 

To cut that meadow as hay you'd really need scythe mower.

However it's my understanding horses are very picky on what it is suitable to feed them. Owners go to great lengths to have nearly pure grass , many common plants do horses a real nasty. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/horse/poisonous-plants-horses-should-avoid#:~:text=The most common poisonous plants,%2C privet%2C laurel and rhododendron.

 

Leaving it long before cutting just means collecting it up for disposal, or having large lumps of rotting mess on the grass.  I suspect many councils that have fallen for "rewilding" of verges with seeded meadow plants will soon find tougher stuff will over run the verges. Alexander, nettles, brambles.

 

Time to get suited and booted, its museum time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[polybear]

Bear here.....

 

A long snooze after the last four days, unsurprisingly.  Tick

This morning MAY see another person arriving to view Harry - though he hasn't confirmed yet......

Harry has had 800 views in five days, with 10% of those "Watching"; no bids as yet though....

 

Today sees a driving lesson with Bertie the Bosch (W/M) - deep joy.  DX Express are also delivering (hopefully) a parcel (a small sealed L/A Battery) around lunchtime as well - second time lucky....

 

I've also a visit to the Postie required - to return those (wrong) screws they sent.  I was hoping they would've said "don't bother returning them", but sadly not (probably would've only cluttered Bear Towers even more for the next X years though - I don't use M6 x 16mm St/Steel Caphead Screws (100 off) every day of the week (though I suspect Puppers may have willingly taken a few off my Paws).

 

Right, time to wriggle - just in case that viewer does appear....

 

BG

Edited June 14 by polybear

[polybear]

5 minutes ago, TheQ said:

I can see Tesla going down a very deep hole, shares down, sales down , so the shareholders vote the musk $45-$54 billion pay this year...

 

 

That's F. Obscene; he's one Guy I'd love to see sharing a Cell with The Orange One for the next Fifty Years.

[BoD]

17 minutes ago, polybear said:

Make the grants payable in small-ish stage payments, subject to certain criteria (such as turning up for Lectures ON TIME and still being there at the end; handing in work ON TIME and not using things like AI to cheat).  Fail any of these and your next payment is cancelled.  Simple.

When I said it was a privilege I did not mean that further or higher education should be seen as such but that, as the first on both sides of my family to go to uni,  I sure as hell was going to make the most of it.

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Quite cloudy at the moment with the hint of something bright trying to break through.  Patchy cloud with sunny intervals and scattered, possibly thundery, showers all on offer to day and it will be breezy.  14°C rising to 21°C.

 

Many thanks for all the anniversary good wishes yesterday, it is much appreciated.  @Barry O  Baz, I don't know either how she has put up with me for so long.  😁

 

We had a great time and enjoyed a really nice lunch at The Deby Arms on Epsom Downs near the grandstand.  Gemma's boyfriend travelled up from Stroud yesterday for a few days by rail.  Got to Paddington - no problem.  Tube to Victoria - no problem.   Victoria to Epsom Downs - Problem.   They terminated the train at Belmont, two stops short!  Cue a phone call and Steve had to go and rescue him which meant we were a bit late for our booked table however the pub staff were very understanding and accommodating.

After the meal we went back to  Steve's house and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening there.  There were two types of cake on offer, a chocolate one and lemon one and both were sampled.  I suspect blood sugar levels may have risen a bit so will have to cut things down for a while.  Slight problem there as I added a walnut cake to yesterday's shopping order.  Oops. Chris and I were driven both there and back by Nicki which was handy, saved me £40 in cab fares.  Yep, all in all an excellent day out

 

One or two domestic tasks to do this morning along with some admin work and I need to put some petrol in the car.

However, breakfast is imminent, a bit late today.

Have good one,

Bob.

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

Make the grants payable in small-ish stage payments, subject to certain criteria (such as turning up for Lectures ON TIME and still being there at the end; handing in work ON TIME and not using things like AI to cheat).  Fail any of these and your next payment is cancelled.  Simple.

 

 

Tarmac it.

Then put a Shed on it.  A Big One.  And a Garage.

 

You know I'm getting a bit worried about you PB. Not only are you a bit of a Philistine when it comes to the living green stuff but you seem to have some weird fixation about garages.