Early Risers.

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl Inner Temple Hare,

 

One hour later, ish, suddenly felt really tired at that point, yep another bad nights non sleep. So an instant eyelid inspection happened.

 

Before that I've patrolled the garden with Ben twice, been to the local farm shop for spuds (variety Nicola £5 for 25kg) and been to Tes and Co for essentials.

Passed the buy it before we bin it fridge shelves. Full of vegetarian and or expensive heavily promoted stuff like " Charlie Binghams"  pre prepared meals.

What may sell in London doesn't sell out here with our older population who know how to cook and don't follow food fads..

 

During the night I thought of something small I need to make for the boat... Can I remember what it was? No chance..

 

TIs clear blue skies here, but very windy and the temperature started dropping yesterday afternoon.. I've a muggacoffee to drink before taking Ben for his long walk.

 

time to... Err do now't

[iL Dottore]

Afternoon All,

 

Played some “work”- work catch-up this morning not much (although it did involve sending my clients - who made me work over the Christmas break - an invoice for gazillions of mudlling tokens ). I may move some work-like paperwork around a bit this afternoon.

 

@TheQ mentioned vegetarian food and food fads. Now, I love great vegetarian food - but it has to be properly vegetarian (no meat or dairy “substitutes”) so, if I may throw a small carnivorous (or more properly “omnivorous“) hand grenade into “Veganuary”, I offer the following premise: many vegetarians are still - psychologically - omnivores as they expect to be able eat meat products (burgers, sausages, bacon etc.) but made out of plant matter. Surely, I contend, a true vegetarian eschews all meat products - including “fake” meat. As evidence I offer the various cultures and religions of Asia that are truly vegetarian with nary a “fake meat item” in sight (one of my favourite breakfasts is very vegetarian: Malaysian Roti with Dhal and some fresh mango to follow).

 

Like the @TheQ I shun food-fads: whether vegan “cheese” (an oxymoron: highly processed, environmentally damaging and utterly disgusting) or gold-foil covered food (once restricted to dishes for major festive occasions in the Indian subcontinent [such as weddings] now embraced by chefs who really should know better but who want to remove a nice wodge of money from the culinarily clueless nouveau-riche).

 

Be it a traditional Cornish pasty, Nouilles fruits de mer or a nice plate of spaghetti olio aglio e peperoncino, give me traditional food (properly made, with great ingredients) - whether “Fine Dining”, “cuisine bourgeoisie” or “la cucina povera” - any day:

 

Time for lunch methinks!

[Erichill16]

25 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

 

Time for lunch methinks!

Lunch here too. Out on a walk with mil aka the walking encyclopaedia and just stopped for picnic. Wouldn't be tool cold here except for biting wind. 

[PupCam]

Morning (Pre-Munch) All!

 

12 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

Don’t talk to me about the current cost of building materials and for that matter the price of tradespeople. The new business premises are costing a fortune and taking and age.

 

It took us nearly two years to get a plasterer to actually turn up and give us a quote!     We accepted his quote straight away (well, it was the only one we'd ever had!) and I think 3 months before he could/would fit us in.  Still, 'tis done now

 

5 hours ago, chrisf said:

I send more than I get, but it is more blessed to give than to receive, is it not?

 

I'll have to take your word on that Chris as I'm not big on "blessings"

 

4 hours ago, Barry O said:

Getting 25mm by 48mmplaned would here has been difficult (and pricey). Most of it comes from Russia and is poor quality.

 

I long for those far-off days when you could go to a local building supplies or DIY shed and actually buy half decent timber.    It's all 6" lengths of offcuts comb jointed sticks which barely have enough strength to hold themselves together let alone provide any structural integrity to a construction!

 

3 hours ago, polybear said:

Bear's first step to becoming an Internet Sensation.....

 

OMG!   Not another Internet "Influencer" - can't wait

 

In the meantime

 

The crankshaft has been measured and photographed and the neighbour has got his Windy-gun on one of the big-end nuts.   It didn't stand a chance .......      Just got to break the taper now.   Where did that hydraulic press go?

 

The last of the chunks of old shed have now been cut into Mondog size bits.    I foresee numerous trips to the local Tidy Tip in the week ahead.

 

I think it must be Munchtime.

 

Toodle pip!

 

Alan

 

 

 

 

[TheQ]

BIG NEWS!!!!

Ben is now officially a sheep dog..

We walked down the the lane no problem, ( well I'm still hobbling )

On the return 'cos I can't manage the full route, there were 5 sheep in the lane, having escaped through the electric fence. 

Ben 50ft in front of me spotted them and immediately went into the sheepdog crawl. I let him crawl till they spotted him and turned slightly toward the field. I told Ben to "sit stay" and he did.

 

When the sheep stopped walking, I said "walk on" and Ben continued his crouching crawl. The sheep then continued to the fence. I said, "sit stay", Ben did. 

Then I said "walk on" and Ben approached closer. The sheep forced their way through the fence and back to the flock. I told Ben to "sit stay" on the grass bank before the field . The flock walked away to the middle of the field.

 

Good doggy..  he got some doggy sweeties for that...

[Gwiwer]

21 minutes ago, PupCam said:

5 hours ago, Barry O said:

 

 

I long for those far-off days when you could go to a local building supplies or DIY shed and actually buy half decent timber.

Those days are not yet gone. Not only do they meet your description here but they are on the “High Street” as well!  
 

https://www.alsfordtimber.com/branch-locator/twickenham?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkOmqhtKV9QIVBM53Ch1tXwQVEAAYASAAEgImrvD_BwE

 

Added to which we have a choice of three tool shops if one includes Screwfix. 
 

Postage to PupLand might be an issue.  
 

58 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

give me traditional food (

Not turkey bacon then?   Something I first encountered travelling through Dubai and a Muslim land where pigs are not eaten. 
 

It’s ok. At least it’s not the vegan “facon” 

[TheQ]

19 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Those days are not yet gone. Not only do they meet your description here but they are on the “High Street” as well!  
 

https://www.alsfordtimber.com/branch-locator/twickenham?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkOmqhtKV9QIVBM53Ch1tXwQVEAAYASAAEgImrvD_BwE

 

Added to which we have a choice of three tool shops if one includes Screwfix. 
 

Postage to PupLand might be an issue.  
 

Not turkey bacon then?   Something I first encountered travelling through Dubai and a Muslim land where pigs are not eaten. 
 

It’s ok. At least it’s not the vegan “facon” 

Beef bacon is also available out there, not as close to the real bacon as the turkey variety.

[Coombe Barton]

One for ID - Guardian review of plant burgers

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jan/03/the-best-and-worst-supermarket-vegan-burgers-tested-by-max-la-manna

[polybear]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

(one of my favourite breakfasts is very vegetarian: Malaysian Roti with Dhal and some fresh mango to follow).

 

Is that with chips? 

 

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

.......or gold-foil covered food (once restricted to dishes for major festive occasions in the Indian subcontinent [such as weddings] now embraced by chefs who really should know better but who want to remove a nice wodge of money from the culinarily clueless nouveau-riche).

 

Ah yes, clowns like "Salt Bae" - a clueless customer recently posted a scan of his bill, the service charge alone was the best part of £5K....

https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/londoner-outraged-after-being-handed-21835106

Apparently he's ripping off those in Saudi now - not a bright idea methinks, cos' they might not take it so kindly...

 

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

OMG!   Not another Internet "Influencer" - can't wait

 

I can see it now - "The Wisdom of Bear...."

 

1 hour ago, PupCam said:

In the meantime

 

The crankshaft has been measured and photographed and the neighbour has got his Windy-gun on one of the big-end nuts.   It didn't stand a chance .......      Just got to break the taper now.   Where did that hydraulic press go?

 

 

Three legged puller?

[Coombe Barton]

Amazon are now excelling themselves in the 'annoy the neighbours' offers. Previously they've offered a euphomium and a trombone.

 

Today it's a sousaphone.

[Dave Hunt]

For a change, today is sunny in North Hipposhire so we packed a flask of coffee and went for a walk at Dorothy Clive Gardens. To our surprise we only saw four other people the whole time we were there - abour two hours. Mutterings are being heard from the management about Christmas decorations being taken down in the near future but I think I've managed a delay for a couple of days. This afternoon I'm being allowed down to the workshop so byeeeeee.........

 

Dave

[PupCam]

1 hour ago, Gwiwer said:

Postage to PupLand might be an issue. 

 

Indeed!

 

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Three legged puller?

 

Only if they are asymmetric wonky legs

 

48 minutes ago, Dave Hunt said:

 Mutterings are being heard from the management about Christmas decorations being taken down in the near future but I think I've managed a delay for a couple of days.

 

I've just this very second been instructed to provide engineering support" for such an operation.

[Coombe Barton]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

Three legged puller?

Is that a dating app from the Isle of Man?

[iL Dottore]

3 hours ago, PupCam said:

…OMG!   Not another Internet "Influencer" - can't wait

He’ll be a legend in his own lunchtime….

[PhilJ W]

2 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

One for ID - Guardian review of plant burgers

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jan/03/the-best-and-worst-supermarket-vegan-burgers-tested-by-max-la-manna

I notice one described as a mushroom and chestnut burger. At least it doesn't claim to resemble meat (which it doesn't). 

[iL Dottore]

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

BIG NEWS!!!!

Ben is now officially a sheep dog..

We walked down the the lane no problem, ( well I'm still hobbling )

On the return 'cos I can't manage the full route, there were 5 sheep in the lane, having escaped through the electric fence. 

Ben 50ft in front of me spotted them and immediately went into the sheepdog crawl. I let him crawl till they spotted him and turned slightly toward the field. I told Ben to "sit stay" and he did.

 

When the sheep stopped walking, I said "walk on" and Ben continued his crouching crawl. The sheep then continued to the fence. I said, "sit stay", Ben did. 

Then I said "walk on" and Ben approached closer. The sheep forced their way through the fence and back to the flock. I told Ben to "sit stay" on the grass bank before the field . The flock walked away to the middle of the field.

 

Good doggy..  he got some doggy sweeties for that...

Good Doggy indeed. I am impressed.
Schotty would have simply barked his darn fool head off - despite being a Border Collie mix. 

“Working dog” are not words he recognises.

[iL Dottore]

2 hours ago, Gwiwer said:

…Not turkey bacon then?   Something I first encountered travelling through Dubai and a Muslim land where pigs are not eaten….

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

Beef bacon is also available out there, not as close to the real bacon as the turkey variety.

I’ve tried both - I can’t say I found them more than edible, but to be fair I’ve only eaten these things on holiday as part of the breakfast buffet - so probably not top of the line items.

[iL Dottore]

2 hours ago, Coombe Barton said:

One for ID - Guardian review of plant burgers

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/jan/03/the-best-and-worst-supermarket-vegan-burgers-tested-by-max-la-manna

Not a terribly impressive line up…

[Sir TophamHatt]

Good afternoon!

 

Coming to the end of a long set of shifts at work - only two days left.

 

Have been very good at community relations with the work colleague.  After we both got called in for an hour and 30 minute meeting last week, since then it's been pretty good.  They have backed off and let me do my job when I'm on the busy desk, I have assisted them when they are on the busy desk.  So that's pretty nice.  I hope this puts me in better stead though as I applied to be the team manager!  I think it has been earmarked for someone else though.

 

Great to read Christmas and New Year has generally been pretty good for most people

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Watched the final episode of 'Murder, they hope' not as bad as the other two episodes but still not as good as the first series IMHO.

2 hours ago, TheQ said:

BIG NEWS!!!!

Ben is now officially a sheep dog..

We walked down the the lane no problem, ( well I'm still hobbling )

On the return 'cos I can't manage the full route, there were 5 sheep in the lane, having escaped through the electric fence. 

Ben 50ft in front of me spotted them and immediately went into the sheepdog crawl. I let him crawl till they spotted him and turned slightly toward the field. I told Ben to "sit stay" and he did.

 

When the sheep stopped walking, I said "walk on" and Ben continued his crouching crawl. The sheep then continued to the fence. I said, "sit stay", Ben did. 

Then I said "walk on" and Ben approached closer. The sheep forced their way through the fence and back to the flock. I told Ben to "sit stay" on the grass bank before the field . The flock walked away to the middle of the field.

 

Good doggy..  he got some doggy sweeties for that...

He must have been trained to be able to do that. Admitted going into the 'sheepdog crawl' is natural behaviour but answering your commands comes from training. Just as well Ben is trained as many dogs would have attacked those sheep which could have had dire consequences for both sheep and dog(s).

[simontaylor484]

Good Afternoon 

 

The last day of the school holidays youngest has been finishing off homework he has been doing a little bit each day as he gets pains in his hands when writing.

 

@TheQ you managed to herd sheep without saying " come by"  wow

 

I wouldn't be going to Salt Bae 30k on wine buddy L I bought my first house for that.

Is the English translation Dick Turpin.

 

 

The cynical side of me is wondering about the level of these people going on the Tom and Dick with covid. Are they all genuinely sick or are there some skivers amongst them with Beer flu or let's have a few days off over xmas.?

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

Three legged puller?

Sounds like a lucky Manxman   

[grandadbob]

Operation Decs Down eventually commenced at 10.25.  Everything including Shark deployment was completed and packed away by 13.15 and Brownie points have been awarded.  After lunch I watched Albert Finney’s portrayal of Churchill in “The Gathering Storm.”  ( yet again) Nearly watched “The Train” but I’ve seen that even more times.  Tea and mince pie taken whilst doing that but I now need to find something else to watch….or do.

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

Here is my latest acquisition - a rather nice hand made tenor Ukelele (my dog has fleas - guitarists and uke players will understand) by Barry Vernon - the same maker as one of my dreadnaught guitars.

 

I fell in love with it yesterday, and managed to contact the seller, and to negotiate a discount, so went up to the antique centre where I picked it up this morning.

 

All posts have been read since yesterday, and as usual, the warmest of greetings are on offer to the ailing and the celebrating.

 

Regards to All

Stewart

 

 

Edited January 3, 2022 by 45156

[Andrew P]

Like many others on here.

 

Dec's down, and then put back UP again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In to the Loft.