Early Risers.

[polybear]

Channel 19 ("Yesterday" Channel) tonight at 9pm:  Hornby and designing the Merchant Navy Loco.

[Gwiwer]

39 minutes ago, polybear said:

I do hope that's claimable on Dr. SWMBO's work expenses....

 

In theory yes it is because this is an international government event at which her presence has been requested.  Whether it is still requested at that price (plus sundry expenses like meals for the day and any taxi fares) remains to be seen.  Accommodation within the Scottish lowland city belt has been investigated and found to be fully booked, closed due to residual Covid-related problems or, where available, is away from adequate public transport links.  Or is in places I wouldn't wish on anyone such as Shotts, Paisley or Greenock.  

 

One advantage (to her) of travelling overnight is that in a Covid-infected universe she can at least have a cabin to herself rather than sharing an open-plan carriage with as many others as are aboard.  

 

His Furrship was recommended a different food to his preferred normal recently.  He has always been a fussy eater.  There is only one flavour of one brand he will normally eat.  When we viewed his forthcoming holiday accommodation the Headmistress cattery owner suggested something different which she assured us "95% of fussy cats will eat".  So it arrived today, a trial portion was offered alongside his regular brand and was snapped up almost out of the bag   All other attempts at a varied diet have been met with scornful looks, a plaintive whine saying "Surely you don't expect me to eat THAT?" and one pussed-off feline sulking in a fit of the grumps on the sofa.  We'll see whether this one really has made a difference over the next few days.  

 

It's time to hit the hay.  All that talk of overnight travel has caused a need to inspect the eyelids.  And to remember nights on the train to Cornwall which we hope to manage again soon.  This month we shall be driving down.  Once again so that Dr. SWMBO can avoid the (statistically very slim but of concern to her) chance of becoming infected on a train.  

Edited October 11, 2021 by Gwiwer

[pH]

14 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Or is in places I wouldn't wish on anyone such as Shotts, Paisley or Greenock.  

That is being very judgmental. Have you ever seen the west end of Greenock?

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

Tarpots was, and indeed is a pub, or it was last time I looked, Tony will confirm as its his local.

The Tarpots pub is located at Tarpots Corner on the A13. That part of Benfleet is sometimes called Great Tarpots. For instance that is the name of the library branch opposite the pub. Once upon a time there was a Great Tarpots farm there. The Tarpots name is allegedly from a time when tar/pitch was produced there for waterproofing ships. Essex shiplap clad cottages were not painted white  they were covered in tar.

As for the pub being my local it probably is the nearest but even after living here for over 40 years I think I have only been in twice. 
 

Edited October 11, 2021 by Tony_S

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-land. I made a sudden move, twisted my hip and it woke Arthur Itis up, fortunately he soon went back to sleep.

2 hours ago, polybear said:

Channel 19 ("Yesterday" Channel) tonight at 9pm:  Hornby and designing the Merchant Navy Loco.

And the preceding program on railway architecture. Most interesting was the Bristol (Brislington) tram depot, a remarkable survivor.

[Erichill16]

Evening All,

Fine sunny day here. Did some food shopping am and did a bit of bookwork early afternoon and managed to reconcile the bank statement with my ledger at the first attempt. That called for a walk down to the garden centre for coffee and a large slice of lemon drizzle cake. I’m getting to like lemon drizzle especially as the only other alternative down there is apple and cinnamon. 
Watched the news on TV while having  tea which included an interview with HRH Prince Charles regarding climate change. Apparently he doesn’t eat meat or fish on two days of the week and has no dairy products on a Monday. Best of all he’s converted his Aston Martin to run on ‘excess English white wine’, good for him!
Eye a bit better and I’ve found a tube of eye ointment that I didn’t use last time I had the infection so docs not been bothered. 
Anyway tomorrow is an early start, nephew to take to school, Sydney to look after and a bone density scan at the local hospital, so goodnight,

Robert

[tigerburnie]

When I bought my new car I insisted on it not having sat nav, the salesman told me I wasn't the first, he said the factory was surprised how many Brits ordered cars without it, I have blue tooth for my phone for hands free, I don't need anything else.

 

G'night all.

[Erichill16]

Ps.

Polybear,

Sorry to hear about the Bearmobile, it’s awful when something you look after carefully gets damaged by some inconsiderate a***hole.

Sympathies from a car enthusiast.

Robert

 

[J. S. Bach]

Night Owl from the Piedmont.

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone

 

the weather has been very kind to me today and stayed dry all day, although when I was doing some weeding before dinner, I thought I felt a few spots of rain, but thankfully nothing came of it!

 

The wooden sub frame for the cellar fireplace has been sanded down. This task revealed a couple of areas where a small amount of filler needed, so I filled applied some to these small areas. I then went and made myself a muggertea in mybthermal mug, to take to the workshop, by the time that was done, the filler was dry and then sanded. The 3 sections of wood are now stored in the cellar and will be painted on a day when I can’t do any work outside. 

 

I then turned my attention to the back garden spending most of the day weeding and dead heading. I did do a lot more weeding than I expected to do, but the back garden is looking a lot tidier now though! We still lots of roses in bloom and there are still dozens more buds waiting to flower. 

 

As the weather was mild and there was almost no wind, I decided to tackle another job I’ve been putting off due to the recent bad weather, that was removing the weeds that were growing in the gutter above the back bedroom. It all seems to have started with the stick of a f@#&%*g firework rocket lodged in the gutter preventing the water running away properly, thus creating a dam and once seeds got lodged there they grew quite big, grrrrrrr! I filled my green bag twice today, roughly a wheelbarrow full, so the green bin is almost full now. 

 

Once I’d finished in the garden, I spent the last part of the afternoon in the workshop, were I made another 2 roof beams. It was only after I’d come inside and locked up that I realised that I’ve only made enough beams for one roof section, so I’ll need to make another 6 at some point in the not too distant future!

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[Coombe Barton]

Still as a millpond, which is exactly what it is.

 

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2021/10/11/upwards/

[Coombe Barton]

Several hours of 524 errors trying to get in here

 

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[Gwiwer]

Morning all

 

[iL Dottore]

Good Morning All,

 

As my clients in America had the day off yesterday (Columbus Day), in a fit of self-centred solidarity I also took the day off…

 

Amongst the many things I did yesterday (but a fraction of what I wanted to do - ‘tis always thus), was to search for an old ER post of mine that I wanted to recycle elsewhere. One of the things I noted, apart from the absence of once prolific posters (some of whom - sadly - are now in the great model railway club in the sky) was how the tenor of ER posts have changed: pre-, peri- and post-pandemic. ER posts have gotten a lot more inward-looking, a lot more self-focussed (along the lines of “what I did on my holidays”) than they were before the pandemic. Pre-pandemic, there was a lot of erudite and informed opinion/experience posted, a lot of thoughtful commentary on others’ posts  (Jock97B is warmly remembered) and a wide range of topics covered - from collecting glass telephone wire insulators to anthropomorphised vacuum cleaners. And now? At the risk of sounding harsh, there’s an awful lot of “today I went shopping” and “I can’t do that because of the virus” sort of posts. There’s always been a degree of sharing of one’s daily trials and tribulations on ER, but now it seems to dominate the thread. 

 

In comparison, I have just started to take the “Night Mail” - which seems to be where ER once was - with a wide ranging field of topics discussed. Someplace to visit more frequently, methinks.

 

As the pandemic and associated restrictions ease, I wonder if the posts on ER will become less introspective and return to being as wide ranging as before the pandemic.

 

iD

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

I was going to write about what we are doing today but after reading ID’s  comments I perhaps should refrain from doing so.

No idea about the weather, it is still dark.

Have a nice day

Tony

[chrisf]

Greetings

 

It appears that I possess a copy of a chart-topping CD.  There are lots and lots of charts to be topped these days but Grace Petrie's 'Connnectivity' now sits proudly astride whichever chart it is that it is eligible to top.  I am looking forward to being in the much rescheduled presence of the artiste on Friday evening.  When I was talking about travelling to Uckfield yesterday I had not realised that it is the next day.  Oh dear, more thought needed.

 

As I will be at a meeting of the RCTS Hitchin branch this evening it is timely, though not very interesting, to report that my cheque for renewed membership is in the post.  Before the meeting Poorly Pal and I are due to visit our favourite refreshment outlet in Stevenage for the first time in ages: best arrive before 6 pm lest it be too crowded.  If Wetherspoons have a finest, it is one of them, but that's a good question.  'Spoons should feature in the trip to Uckfield should it go ahead.  I know two in London which are good for breakfast.  The one at Victoria station has generated some amusing tales in the past.  On one visit some years ago a couple of guys were raising merry hell because alcohol was not on sale until 8 am: 24 hour drinking my foot, mutter mutter, etc etc.  Come 8 am what did they order?  Fosters!  Oh dear.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl, inner Temple Hare..

5 hours plus 1.5 hours sleep and my back seems a lot better...

 

Ben the indecisive Collie stood halfway down the corridor and peered from a safe distance, before deciding it was safe for a splash and dash (back in)

 

As for 24 hour drinking just after 15:00 I followed a Berlingo converted for wheel chairs for part of the way home yesterday.. The only passengers in the back were vegetation waving around every time the vehicle changed direction, which was a lot as the car was wandering around the road and thrupenny biting corners... ... Hmm I wonder how many on here can't remember the thrupenny bit..

 

I see Ryan air have banned passengers who reclaimed money back from them via Credit cards due to covid causing no flying... Unless!! they repay Ryan air the money.?!!  I suspect that won't hold up in court, It's another reason for not flying with the leprechaun... Is that an insult to Leprechauns?

 

All the fuel stations around here seem back to normal and no limits in amount..

 

Just to upset a Bear.. we've got free Pizza tomorrow at work....

 

Time to get on with this weeks system which was handed over to me 5 hours late due to a power hiccup over the weekend, some computers tripped out some didn't all the units under test had to be rerun from the section of programme they were re running.. I suspect it was caused by the fact the other half of the factory is receiving LED lighting  at the moment.

 

 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

I have to do a bit of book balancing today and I need to add some items for sale on Ebay.  Exciting stuff?  Not!

 

It would appear that her indoors 3rd jab has left her with a genteel pain.. she did say she has been laid on it so that wouldn't help. 

 

Investigating solar panels for our home. Not sure if they really are as good as they claim to be. Any ideas?

 

More family history digging has been undertaken. Finally found a medical Doctor as well as several inn keepers. Family skills have been quite wide over the centuries. Not bad for a bunch of Norman's who spent many years as part of the Percy Hit Squad!

 

Mugatea to finish so..TTFN!

 

Bas

 

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a distinctly cool Charente but the yellow orb is on the up.  Yesterday was interesting.  I spent quite a bit of it helping the builder by taking barrow loads of earth from thecsite he was digging out to where Beth wants to make a garden feature.  Mike had to take quite a few phone calls then had to head off for 3 hours. Why is the interesting bit.

 

He did a job for an expat who paid his €7,000 bill with a UK cheque. He'd been renovating his house to sell up and move back to the UK.  The cheque bounced. Mike contacted him and he paid again with a French cheque. Mike took the precaution of alerting the bank about the previous cheque and asked to be kept informed. Yesterday the bank contacted him.  The cheque had bounced. The bank had done some digging and found that the man's house sale was due to complete at 15.30 yesterday at a Notaire's about 10 miles away. Mike was asked to meet a bank employee at the Notaire's office at 14.00.  He did.  The completion had been paused. Mike and the bank person then had to go to the Gendarmarie, who had been alerted by the Notaire.  Statements were taken and the miscreant turned up at the Notaire's to find Mike and the bank official there. Apparently  his face was a picture.  The money has not been transferred and Mike, the miscreant and the bank official all have to appear before an examining magistrate this morning in Sainte, about 40 miles away. If it all goes through Mike will get his money and the other parties will be paid their fees out of the sale proceeds.  The Gendarmarie may also be instructed to take action.  It's good to hear systems sometimes work quickly.

 

Anyway, shopping to do this morning then some more muck shifting.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamie

 

 

Edited October 12, 2021 by jamie92208

[grandadbob]

Good  morning all,

Dull and dry here with the chance of a few bright spells followed by some rain.

Late up by my standards, so much so that The Boss brought me a cup of tea in bed.   That's the second day running,  I wonder if she is trying to soften me up for something.

The printer is still dead and we suspect a faulty cartridge so a call will be made to their help line to find out if they are as helpful as they advertise.

Before that however some exercise is needed along with some bread so a walk up the road  is on the agenda.

Have a good one if you can,

Bob.

[45156]

12 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

Forgot to add you never had these problems with a 2 quid AA road map backed up with A-Z area maps or similar. 

No and though I have a satnav in the car, it lives in the glovebox, and is almost never used, as I still use just the solution described above, which works well for me.

[polybear]

9 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

..........and a large slice of lemon drizzle cake. I’m getting to like lemon drizzle......

 

We are Bear.....resistance is futile......

 

9 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Ps.

Polybear,

Sorry to hear about the Bearmobile, it’s awful when something you look after carefully gets damaged by some inconsiderate a***hole.

Sympathies from a car enthusiast.

Robert

 

 

Many thanks EH; I'm expecting further news today, though I've no idea what the resolution could be.  Up until now they've been excellent, so telling 'em to get stuffed and go elsewhere probably isn't a bright option as it'd only backfire on me.  Turdycurses.

 

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

In comparison, I have just started to take the “Night Mail” - which seems to be where ER once was - with a wide ranging field of topics discussed. Someplace to visit more frequently, methinks.

 

Bear "does both".  A bit like having your cake and eating it....

 

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

I see Ryan air have banned passengers who reclaimed money back from them via Credit cards due to covid causing no flying... Unless!! they repay Ryan air the money.?!!  I suspect that won't hold up in court, It's another reason for not flying with the leprechaun... Is that an insult to Leprechauns?

 

Most definitely.  I see that MSE have reported them to the CAA as a result; as for Michael O'Leary he's just a [censored]

 

1 hour ago, TheQ said:

Just to upset a Bear.. we've got free Pizza tomorrow at work....

 

 

Bear now upset....

 

 

12 minutes ago, jamie92208 said:

He did a job for an expat who paid his €7,000 bill with a UK cheque. He'd been renovating his house to sell up and move back to the UK.  The cheque bounced. Mike contacted him and he paid again with a French cheque. Mike took the precaution of alerting the bank about the previous cheque and asked to be kept informed. Yesterday the bank contacted him.  The cheque had bounced. The bank had done some digging and found that the man's house sale was due to complete at 15.30 yesterday at a Notaire's about 10 miles away. Mike was asked to meet a bank employee at the Notaire's office at 14.00.  He did.  The completion had been paused. Mike and the bank person then had to go to the Gendarmarie, who had been alerted by the Notaire.  Statements were taken and the miscreant turned up at the Notaire's to find Mike and the bank official there. Apparently  his face was a picture.  The money has not been transferred and Mike, the miscreant and the bank official all have to appear before an examining magistrate this morning in Sainte, about 40 miles away. If it all goes through Mike will get his money and the other parties will be paid their fees out of the sale proceeds.  The Gendarmarie may also be instructed to take action.  It's good to hear systems sometimes work quickly.

 

 

First Class 

I do hope that he gets whacked with a very large fine as a minimum.  Taking away his right to live in France as well would be even better.