Early Risers.

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I'd forgotten about these. They are used for harvesting reeds I think but definitely a two 'operative' job as otherwise the material gets trampled underfoot.

 

All rewinding is is a way of saying money or is that too cynical.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

It was sunny when I got up about 40 minutes ago, it’s now raining, pah! Thankfully it’s not heavy rain, but nonetheless, it’ll mean I’ll have to put a jacket on when I walk to the butchers shortly. Once back from the butchers, WE are going to the Trafford Centre, I’m not sure where or what Sheila wants to see there, but it could potentially be expensive, double pah! 
 

Back later. 

Brian 

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Harry has had 800 views in five days

One of them was me, so don't count that one.

[DaveF]

A fine sunny morning - until about twenty minutes ago.  More cloud is now rolling in from the west and getting darker grey by the minute.  It is expected to rain on and off all day starting soon.  I had planned on going out to a country park or Belsay Hall but neither are attractive in the wet so I'll stay at home yet again.  There may be a quick trip to somewhere very local for a breath of air, perhaps the park.

 

I know I did quite a lot yesterday, I started to feel sore about bedtime, it is going off a bit now.  I really must learn to pace myself a bit - but in my head I am still about 25 abd can do everything.

 

Sometime today I need to sort out a photo to send to someone making a video who needs some still shots to put in it.  If it doesn't rain much I might do some weeding, otherwise I'll do some model things.

 

David

[DaveF]

13 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

A little naughtniess today in that I ordered a ...one of those.....from Rails - had an e mail offering a Jinty for £125....in 7mm.....done!  It wasn't on the website, had to use the link from the e mail, I wonder if it was a regular buyer's premium offer before it went out to the wider modelling populace. I see it is on there now if anyone fancies a half price bargain.

 

 

I've just ordered one too.  If nothing else it could be a source of spare parts, it could also run with a few items of BR stock I have (most of my things are pre 1923).  Anyway, at that price it is a bargain.

 

David

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I will have to drop my prescription renewal off at the GP surgery this morning, I'm down to five days supply. The medication is to reduce my enlarged prostate and even after only taking it for less than two months the difference is noticeable, fewer nighttime trips to the bathroom for instance. Better get a move on then.

[Hroth]

3 minutes ago, DaveF said:

 

I've just ordered one too.  If nothing else it could be a source of spare parts, it could also run with a few items of BR stock I have (most of my things are pre 1923).  Anyway, at that price it is a bargain.

 

David

 

Rails also have Dapol 14xx locos for £125...

 

Much nicer than a Jinty!

 

(Hat, coat, etc...)

 

[PupCam]

12 hours ago, polybear said:

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.......

 

Grrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Coombe Barton]

12 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.

 

 

• They’re now entitled to a degree, so they think, because they’re paying
• many of them don’t realise that it’s difficult
• many of them have not been exposed to learning for and by themselves
• Not many of them realise that q qualification has to be earned, and is not given away free with cornflakes 

[The White Rabbit]

12 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 in turn 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.

 

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

... 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. .... 

 

8 hours ago, skipepsi said:

Please do not feed it to the horses.

 

Thanks all for the info and advice. Having had a look at the blue cross page, the horse option is definitely out. Several flowers on the naughty list are in the meadow and several other plants sufficiently close by to make it likely any hay wouldn't be free from them as well. 

 

I had a look a few days ago at https://www.rhs.org.uk/lawns/wildflower-meadow-maintenance - I'm doubtful I'm strong/healthy enough at the moment to scythe the lot myself but there are a couple of local groups which I'll approach in due course. I'll also see if I can interest any neighbours in the excess. I certainly wouldn't leave the material there. I should have some space for some of it to compost down, I've been doing that and digging some in with some of the cuttings so far.

 

I have heard the problems/cost of having mowers which collect the cut grass rather than eject it after cutting is why many councils have stopped participating in no mow May. The extra long cuttings in June don't rot very easily and clog the lawn/verges. 

 

I have been doing some maintenance of the meadow, taking out unwanted plants such as thistles, cuckoo pint and docks. I don't want to use letting it grow/flower as a lazy excuse to do * all with the space. A nudge or two along certain lines, try and discourage the grasses and certain weeds and encourage the ox eye daisies and cornflowers. And various others. Worst case, we'll go back to having it as a raggedy lawn but a flower meadow is much more colourful. 

[jjb1970]

Belated anniversary wishes to GDB!

 

I have an extra night in Tokyo courtesy of Air China. The flight to Beijing was delayed so I'd miss my connection for Singapore, since the SQ and ANA direct options were fully booked the best option was to accept a hotel room and fly tomorrow. In fairness they were very helpful and gave me a preloaded visa card to sweeten too. 

 

However I had some splendid entertainment, a very Germanic sounding fellow started ranting at the Japanese check in lady and got really rather nasty. What do people expect staff to do, conjure another aircraft out of the ether? Well, she called the Air China airport manager out, who was a Chinese lady, something to be aware of is that although the Chinese also value courtesy they're quite pugnacious and if shouted at they have a tendency to shout back louder. Or in other words where the Japanese lady was letting this chap abuse her because of her cultural conditioning when Auntie Helen turned up she repaid him with interest and tore strips off him for abusing staff, informed him the check in staff were within their rights to call the Police and that the airline could refuse carriage based on him verbally abusing their staff. Cue him looking like a toddler with a slapped backside, it was really rather hilarious.

 

I had a nice time in Tokyo, I met up with a Singaporean friend and went for dinner last night. He was their maritime attache in London and is now their representative in Japan, lovely chap. He was educated in Japan and loves the country. An advantage of going for dinner with someone with local knowledge is he took me to a place which was excellent and not expensive.

 

I visited Yasukune Shrine and the attached war museum this morning, it's an interesting place and well worth a visit. It gets a lot of criticism both outside and inside Japan for glorifying the Imperial Army and Navy and giving a very sanitized view of Japan in WW2 but while it certainly gave a story which was sympathetic to the Japanese military it was really no more sanitized than military museums in other countries. They have some interesting stuff in the museum.

 

Home tomorrow then, then off to Sweden on Sunday, oh dear.....

[Gwiwer]

3 hours ago, TheQ said:

the BLT I'm eating

Really?

 

I know we don't (usually) discuss the hobby in here but scoffing the evidence in the form of a branch line terminus really is going above and beyond! 

[monkeysarefun]

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

 

Grrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhh !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No police? Sounds like an ideal pension scheme opportunity. .....

 

[Debs.]

1 hour ago, Coombe Barton said:

• They’re now entitled to a degree, so they think, because they’re paying
• many of them don’t realise that it’s difficult
• many of them have not been exposed to learning for and by themselves
• Not many of them realise that q qualification has to be earned, and is not given away free with cornflakes 

"Yesterday, I couldn't even spell enji...engy....enginear🤓

.....today I is one!"😇

[Debs.]

15 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

A little naughtniess today in that I ordered a ...one of those.....from Rails - had an e mail offering a Jinty for £125....in 7mm.....done!  It wasn't on the website, had to use the link from the e mail, I wonder if it was a regular buyer's premium offer before it went out to the wider modelling populace. I see it is on there now if anyone fancies a half price bargain.

Rails have some some super ways in to 7mm. scale these days.

They really are making it a more accessible scale for [even the beginner] modellers.

I see there are nice S.R Pill Box brakes vans for half price too.🤓

[grandadbob]

16 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

A little naughtniess today in that I ordered a ...one of those.....from Rails - had an e mail offering a Jinty for £125....in 7mm.....done!  It wasn't on the website, had to use the link from the e mail, I wonder if it was a regular buyer's premium offer before it went out to the wider modelling populace. I see it is on there now if anyone fancies a half price bargain.

 

AAAARGH!  Get thee behind me Satan.  I got that email, deleted it and have been trying to forget it and then you go and remind me.  I've now retrieved it from the bin and am thinking about it.  Thanks mate!

 

 

Edited June 14 by grandadbob

[Oldddudders]

On 17/04/2024 at 21:55, Debs. said:

Hello Early Peeps!👋 

It's been a while, nearly a yonk; so just dropping in to confess to doing a bit of r**lw*y muddling.....so blame BazO for leading me a'stray!🫣...."My name's Deb and I'm {still} an E.R"🤓 

On the workbench is a Grumpy Gronk and a Suzie Sulzer.....both being given voice with new tech!🙉 

Henceforth "Ratty" and "Grumpy"🥰 

Best wishes,

Debs.

Sherry and I are infrequent visitors here these days, but I happened to see your signature, and we are delighted to see you are still full of vim and vigour! Bravo! 

[Debs.]

4 minutes ago, Oldddudders said:

Sherry and I are infrequent visitors here these days, but I happened to see your signature, and we are delighted to see you are still full of vim and vigour! Bravo! 

What a joyous and kind message to read, bless you both!

All care and warmth,

Debs.🥰

[New Haven Neil]

2 hours ago, Hroth said:

 

Rails also have Dapol 14xx locos for £125...

 

Much nicer than a Jinty!

 

(Hat, coat, etc...)

 

 

Already had one of those funny things for years.  Paid a lot more than £125 for it though.....  :-(

 

 

 

[polybear]

3 hours ago, Hroth said:

 

Rails also have Dapol 14xx locos for £125...

 

Much nicer than a Jinty!

 

(Hat, coat, etc...)

 

 

Shame on you......

 

1 hour ago, grandadbob said:

 

AAAARGH!  Get thee behind me Satan.  I got that email, deleted it and have been trying to forget it and then you go and remind me.  I've now retrieved it from the bin and am thinking about it.  Thanks mate!

 

 

 

You saved forty quid on a Cab Fare yesterday....that makes a 7mm Jinty eighty-five quid.....

 

p.s. Belated VSBAW's to you both.....

Edited June 14 by polybear

[Hroth]

5 minutes ago, polybear said:

You saved forty quid on a Cab Fare yesterday....that makes a 7mm Jinty eighty-five quid.....

 

Very curious arithmetic..... 🤔

 

You obviously haven't been attending @Coombe Bartons lectures... 🤪

 

 

Edited June 14 by Hroth

[polybear]

Bear here.....

 

Tools sorted following yesterday's van fix.  Tick.

The wrong screws from Ebay were repacked and a neighbour took them to the Postie Office for me.  Tick.

Washing done.  Tick.

Never heard from the second viewer for Harry the Honda - either he's (a) lost interest, (b) didn't see my message, (c) too bluddy rude not to let me know one way or another, or (d) hoping I'd give out my full address** to a complete stranger so he could nick Harry (good luck doing that one....).

New (fake) Ink Cartridge fitted to the Printer - which failed to be recognised.  Poo.  Another was ok.  I'll not be buying from them again (Stinkyink; not the first time I've had problems with them either).

 

Police Accident Report completed on-line; apparently it should be done within 24 hours, not the 50 it took me.  Well if (a) 101 had been open, or (b) they do it at Police Stations then I would've been in time.  At least the on-line system worked well - but took 20 minutes to do.  And yes, I will give evidence in Court (some hope of that happening though.....).

 

Din dins scoffed; now I need to do an Insurance Claim....that's on-line too......

At least my excess is only fifty quid - and I have free excess cover with Go Compare.

 

ION.....

 

The delivery arrived as promised, so that's another Tick.

 

BG

 

 

[polybear]

8 minutes ago, Hroth said:

 

Very curious arithmetic..... 🤔

 

You obviously haven't been attending @Coombe Bartons lectures... 🤪

 

 

 

£125 - £40 = £85........

 

Pass the Cake.....

[Debs.]

23 minutes ago, Hroth said:

 

Very curious arithmetic..... 🤔

 

You obviously haven't been attending @Coombe Bartons lectures... 🤪

 

 

As his alter-superego is "Typoman"🦸‍♂️, his arithmetical lectures are perhaps best taken with a punch of silt!😊

[New Haven Neil]

@polybear Try  The Cartridge People - never had an issue with theirs in a Canon Pixma.