Early Risers.

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a dull rock that promises 20c later, not far off that now in the garden.  Looks like 2 though, very overcast.

 

Archery round this evening, preceded by a chippy tea with a couple of the other archers, it'll be interesting to see if Mrs H's devastating form continues, she predicts not!  The glens are getting very overgrown now, it is a Dr Livingstone moment frequently if another group is shooting.  Whistles to the fore to warn of shooting if others are present, getting shot by one of these things could well be fatal.

 

Not sure what the day will bring other than shopping this morning for food supplies, 

[Winslow Boy]

4 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

Morning, from a dull rock that promises 20c later, not far off that now in the garden.  Looks like 2 though, very overcast.

 

Archery round this evening, preceded by a chippy tea with a couple of the other archers, it'll be interesting to see if Mrs H's devastating form continues, she predicts not!  The glens are getting very overgrown now, it is a Dr Livingstone moment frequently if another group is shooting.  Whistles to the fore to warn of shooting if others are present, getting shot by one of these things could well be fatal.

 

Not sure what the day will bring other than shopping this morning for food supplies, 

 

A man of leisure then?

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The foxes are well and truly back, the cubs 'toys' are again strewn around the garden. The little one is still the boss (in the absence of mum).

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Oh, I don’t know. Lucy has been pretty good at getting me to do what she wants (she has less success in that regards with Mrs iD). She’s even managed to train Schotty to retrieve her balls when she can’t be bothered to do so.

Lucy expressing, as she frequently does, aristocratic disdain for my feeble efforts (at something or other).

I reckon that if Lucy were human she’d be the sort of sultry redhead that would break hearts and break up marriages whilst manipulating everyone around her so that she ends up being pampered, showered with expensive gifts and living a life of sybaritic luxury.

 

I suppose I should be grateful that the price of having such a “high maintenance female“ in my life is merely the cost of numerous bags of “high value“ dog treats (“high value“ in dog trainer terms means those sort of treats, such as frankfurters and strips of duck breast, the dogs really, really go mad over and thus are used to reward good behaviours and obedience)

 

And I wouldn’t have it otherwise – I love her to bits!

You forgot one important detail, Lucy is female. They learn at their mothers knee that males are there to be manipulated.

[simontaylor484]

27 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

You've obviously never had a miniature schnauzer who's motto is - why do it yourself when you have an owner or when's the next meal please.

Dachshunds are very similar too

[simontaylor484]

Morning all 

Even more Scorchio here today. The nice breeze we have enjoyed has disappeared. The yellow thunderstorms warning misses us to the south no rain in the forecast.

 

Happy Anniversary to Mr and Mrs @Barry O

[PhilJ W]

Happy anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Baz.

[AndrewC]

Greetings from the holy land. Or more accurately, the boring borough which now has a large sink hole on the eastern edge of the heath. Hole-y land? Not surprising given the geology of the heath. Loads of chalk, clay, and artesian wells and springs. The western edge is fairly unstable (also due to chalk and clay mining) which is why the East Wickham open space has never been built on. Rotherglen road in Plumstead is frequently closed with smaller holes. One of the reasons the Romans built the Watling road where they did and established a village in Welling is due to the availability of spring water. 

 

Musical talent + me = 0. Recorder in school as most had to suffer. A year of violin. I sucked. Mandatory singing in a music class. I was asked to sing over the hills and far away. I have a good ear and minored in sound engineering but can't translate the sounds into actual music. 

In other news, burger all happening here. More meetings, more coffee. 

 

Enjoy the day. 

 

[iL Dottore]

26 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Happy anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Baz.

Indeed, “wot ‘e sed”!

[The Lurker]

Greetings all from Sidcup where the rain has cleared up in the last few minutes.

 

Happy Anniversary to Baz and Mrs Baz.

 

Elder Lurker was well enough to go back to work today, which is good news. 

 

In work news, I have my last team call with the being-made-redundant boss followed by a call with his boss (and therefore the person I'll report to going forward) to go through all I have going on and the priorities - and I think to tell her everything I do!

 

She has those calls with all of us . We hope to find out how she intends to actually run the team going forward.

 

In Sidcup news, I note that our Barclays has closed (sad news for Tetsudofan?) and will become not a wine bar but a starbucks. It will be almost next door to the Caffe Nero that has been there for a good 15 years or more. Sidcup also supports two Costas and a number of independent coffee places. And a place that sells bubble tea (whatever that might be). Gentrification? or an increase in the number of students at the dance/drama colleges?

[iL Dottore]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The foxes are well and truly back, the cubs 'toys' are again strewn around the garden. The little one is still the boss (in the absence of mum).

You forgot one important detail, Lucy is female. They learn at their mothers knee that males are there to be manipulated.

Indeed, but (and it’s a BIG but) of the four lady dogs* in my life: Lucy, Frida, Carina and Eileen, only Lucy has me at her beck and call. The other three - although in receipt of generous amounts of ear scratches, tummy rubs and treats - aren’t able to manipulate me like Lucy does…

 

More than once has Lucy awoken me at 3 a.m. - not because she needs a widdle (although she wakes me up for that as well - she’s a clever girl)  but because she’s heard a suspicious noise in “her” garden and absolutely, positively, must investigate immediately!
 

It might actually be easier to have a cat: if a cat were to wake me up at 3 am in the morning, I could simply say “you know where the litter box is, you know where the catflap is, now eff off and let me sleep!“  and turn over. (Slaves-of-Cats may disagree).

 

iD

 

*I’d say b1tches [hundinnen] but this correct term has been debased

Edited June 23, 2022 by iL Dottore

[AndrewC]

Oops. Missed this. 

 

Happy anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Baz.

[southern42]

@Gwiwer and All. Learning any music or instrument is a world unto itself! 

I was 9 when I had my first piano lesson. Up till then I could only play "chopsticks" I learnt from friends. Free lessons from primary school music teacher who pushed me through Grade 1 and 2 Examinations. I transferred to a private teacher, recommended by a friend. I was playing grade 7 scales by the time I was 14 but I reckon I was nowhere near playing at that level. One such piece was "The harmonious blacksmith" by Handel. I loved it but it was far too difficult in so many places, and I barely managed a 3-note trill, let alone the 5 to 7-note trills printed on the score.  Listening to the video (below) and watching the pianist, I can see how it should be played! I never had such luxury of hearing such music back then. I may have heard it once or twice on the radio afterwards...no Youtube and such like, of course, and recordings were several weeks/months worth of pocket money.  Now, watching it, I am thinking if only I had been given exercises similar to the ones I have been learning over the last 7 months on the flute, I may have made a better piano player.  Yes, we had scales and arpeggios (scales built on a chord) but they only went straight up and straight down. 

 

For instance, 2 octaves C major: CDEFGAB-CDEFGAB-C and C E G-C E G-C.

If I convert one of the exercises I play now (one octave) to C major I can see how much more dexterity is required when thought of in piano terms, or even playing guitar runs:

 

Up: CE CEF CEFG CEFGA CEFGAB CEFGABC (do re_do re mi_ do re mi fa, etc)

Down: CB CBA CBAG CBAGF CBAGFE CBAGFED CBAGFEDC (Do ti_Do ti la_Do ti la so, etc)

These to be played at 3 speeds (1 beat, half beat, quarter beat). Eventually even faster!

 

 

And for twists and turns, the same pattern going up the scale (and down again).

CDE FED EDC (do re mi_fa mi re_mi re do)

DEF GFE FED (re mi fa_so fa mi_fa mi re)

EFG AGF GFE (mi fa so_la so fa_so fa mi) ETC

And many more with varying degrees of complexity.

 

Guitar Chord progressions

Basic I IV V I (Chord 1,4, 5, 1) Three chord progression. 

D major: D G A D // D G A7 D

G major: G C D G // G C D7 G

 

Common ending (Cadence) : II V I (2, 5, 1)

D major: E minor A7 D

G major: A minor D7 G

 

Interupted cadence:  V  VI (It feels like it wants to carry on so it could be found at the end of a verse leading to a refrain, for instance)

D major: A7 B minor

G major: D7 E minor

 

One chord can continue over several bars or lines of words, etc before changing to the next, or there may be several chord changes between bars.

 

Music notation. Yes, I learnt how to read music.

But many guitarists do not.  They rely on the name of the chord D, Em A7 etc being given on the music sheet (me included).

 

As I said above, music is a world unto itself. It was playing guitar using chord names, that made it easier for me to learn the Indian flute as the music is written down in the alphabet and bar lines, accompanied by some punctuation (, ;).  And Liquorice Alsorts of rhythms - my starting level using 4+2+2 beats per cycle. All fun and games!  I am picking it up.  Hopefully, those like me who struggle to make a bit of music will have some encouragement from my bit of drivel.

 

When I watch this I just laugh with amazement that my music teacher ever thought to give it to me to play!

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2022 by southern42
typo

[petethemole]

Happy Anniversary to Baz and Mrs Baz.

 

It's just started to rain here. hopefully only a shower as scattered showers and sunny spells are forecast; the serious rain is tonight.

 

Now, a warning to owners of plastic garden chairs.  As I'm sure we all know, many plastics degrade in the sun.  Having had two of a set of four break already, I should have been more careful on Tuesday.  After lunch I thought I'd sit in the sun and maybe have a short eyelid inspection.  I leaned back in the chair....and slowly kept going as the chair back broke off with a crack and the whole thing tipped backwards, depositing me in the herbaceous* border.  Most disconcerting!  I went indoors, made a cup of coffee and had a nap, waking to find I was bleeding from a nasty scratch on one arm.  The chair was further dismantled violently and went in the bin.  Mrs mole was out at the time but I've warned her not to use the last chair of the set.  It's currently being used to put things on but I think I'll break it up.  We have folding canvas chairs.

 

* As in it has things growing in it, mostly common wild flowers (weeds), hardy perennials and ivy.

 

The shower didn't last as long as typing this (one finger speed).

 

Have a good day.

[DaveF]

Yesterday started well with two trips to the tip from the garage at the flat - they even take paint as long as you put it in the right end of the skip so that if it leaks it doesn't drip onto the staff at the site when they move it.  After that I finished the letter to go Mum's friends for whom I don't have phone numbers or e mail addresses - a surprising number of them for someone who was 97!  They have now been posted.

 

I recived a letter from the solicitor with some documents for me to sign for the probate application, so that has been done and posted.  It also confirmed that the required paperwork was done to make me the executor not the dead solicitor or the retired one.  There was also a letter from Mum's phone/broadband company saying I am due a refund so I have organised for them to send me a cheque.

 

It was then time for lunch, just salmon and new potatoes again.  Lovely on a hot day.

 

In the afternoon I talked to the estate agents, they then e mailed me the documents to sign so that my identity has been proved, they will now visit the flat early next week to do the photos and get it on the market.  I have printed off some relevant documents for them.  After that I rang Mum's bank to check on the progress in closing Mum's acount, they have checked there are no debts so the money will be released shortly.  Fortunately there is no need to wait for probate, it comes just under the bank's limit.

 

As it was very hot the greenhouse plants needed a lot of water at tea time, especially the tomatoes.  There are a number already at the right size, they are just showing a hint of starting to ripen so that is something to look forward to.

 

Finally as it was lovely and warmn after tea I went to the beach and sat watching the terns diving and the swallows and house martins flying in the dunes.  It was quite busy - at least 20% of the benches had someione sitting on them.  There were even people swimming.

 

David

 

[PhilJ W]

Hello again. I've just looked out into the garden, the foxes are nowhere to be seen but there's plenty of evidence of their presence. Last night I saw the vixen disappearing into the shrubbery with something in her mouth. This morning  there was the dismembered remains of a pigeon on the patio. No doubt the two instances are connected.

[iL Dottore]

Y'know, we had healthy, educational hobbies back in the 50's and 60's - like making models:

 

https://www.monstersinmotion.com/cart/aurora-vintage-model-kits-c-271_285/giant-gallows-aurora-model-assembly-hobby-kit-p-1674.html

 

So much kinder than Twitter or TikTok...

[TheQ]

This has just arrived in my works in box.

"Thank you for completing Understanding Global Career Framework for Employees - 5 Languages.  Please take a few minutes to share your feedback about this course in a brief survey, located  XXXX"

 

 Two minutes later this arrived in my in box..

 

Please be advised that you have been enrolled in the following curriculum: Understanding Global Career Framework for Employees - 5 Languages

 

Please be assured, with only 5 months to go, I shall have great joy in taking the micky out them for that one, when I fill in the survey this afternoon

[Dave Hunt]

Just popped in to say happy anniversary to Baz and Mrs. Baz.

 

Dave

[simontaylor484]

34 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Y'know, we had healthy, educational hobbies back in the 50's and 60's - like making models:

 

https://www.monstersinmotion.com/cart/aurora-vintage-model-kits-c-271_285/giant-gallows-aurora-model-assembly-hobby-kit-p-1674.html

 

So much kinder than Twitter or TikTok...

I do hope they make an N gauge version 

 

I am having trouble rating posts at the moment i keep getting the Sorry there is a problem message.

 

Rolo the dachshund is very protective of "HIS garden" woe betide any bird that tries to land there it gets chased away  here he I'd in full guard mode whole I do a bit of tidying up

[simontaylor484]

Not to be left out here is Pebbles the dachshund having a rest 

[simontaylor484]

O have been raking dead thatch out of the grass as can be seen on the photo of Rolo to the top left of his head. It's hard work this weather and the soil underneath is like bell metal I need to get it prepped for the next phase of overseeding once the last patch has grown sufficiently

  I dont usually water grass but the overseeded area gets a wet with grey water from washing up,like the other plants in tubs. I hate using potable water straight out of the tap for plant watering when there are folks in the world with not enough to drink. Also we are on a water meter.

I can't have a water butt because the fall pipes are next door on either side. Pah happen @Barry O could put some of that flood water in a box and post it to me 

[BSW01]

Happy anniversary to Baz and Mrs Baz 

[Gwiwer]

14 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

Ah the Tullochs.

Them's the ones!  And that is how I remember them - painted grim grey to approximate to the stainless steel finish of the younger cars they were then running with. They had originally been what I think was called Indian Red with a golden-yellow waistband as a NSW Government Railways livery.  Yes you can see how tiny those windows are especially upstairs; compare with the more recent car behind just in shot though even those were far more metal than glass.  Ghostly, heavy, hot and noisy.  No wonder Aussies arriving in London are so enthusiastic about our train with ironing boards where the seats should be - look what they have had to put up with!  

8 hours ago, chrisf said:

Flavio mentioned sultry redheads.  Been there, tried to do it, failed miserably.

Ditto.  Although I expect the sultry redheads I was attempting to liaise with might not have been Chris's first choice!  There have been a few but nothing much ever came of any of them in terms of lasting partnerships.  Despite a goodly number of years happily married were a sultry redhead of the appropriate size and shape and with the added bonus of a good West Country accent to present herself there might still be a flicker of interest 🥰

[TheQ]

not a red head but..

 

[southern42]

' afternoon all,

and

Happy Anniversary to Baz and Mrs Baz.

 

Another hot sunny day - shame I have the click n collect groceries to see to soon.

 

We were called to Betws to help out while the boiler testing was taking place on the 7 1/4" rails. I drove the diesel and ECS round to the platform but the place was devoid of passengers all morning.  The shop had a delivery of muddling kits that needed to be sorted, priced and displayed so little chance of a natter with staff, though I did help out where I could. Lunch time was fairly busy but died off again after 2pm  (probably went to the Beach!). A privately owned steam loco took over and I took the diesel back to shed. Another swap and Ray brought the Railway's steam loco into action. A few more rides later and it was time to pack up. After some hesitation - not as much as usual, I must admit - I decided to get into the cab and drive it the short distance back to shed. It took a few minutes to check where everything was, having not driven since last summer, but I was pleasantly surprised how quickly it all came back.

 

Time to go - CnC groceries due shortly.