Early Risers.

[iL Dottore]

15 hours ago, simontaylor484 said:

On a lighter note 

 

DDSF training continues 

I apologize for the squeaks.

 

She really is utterly endearing.

 

Sadly, after Lucy and Schotty go we’ll be too old for a puppy, but we will get a “senior” dog from a shelter (people mostly go for puppies and younger dogs, so the older dog often gets overlooked – sadly). We can then grow old together…

[pH]

We’re away from home just now. One of our sons is staying in our house while we’re gone. He’s just phoned. While he was picking some vegetables in the back yard this afternoon, a black bear trotted through the yard, basically nodded to him and carried on into the neighbours’ yard! We think it’s one that been around for a few weeks, but it’s obviously getting more confident.

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

 

A splendid evening was had with my GP friend. During our evening, I had I had a rather bizarre experience: I was bending over, head lower than my heart, filling the dishwasher; I then rapidly straightened up and in a second or two my head started spinning, I went all “woozy“ and started to lose control of my muscles. I called my friend to give me a hand, and he stuck a chair underneath me so I could sit down. He then whipped out a little gadget and took my PO2 and pulse, he then took off his Apple Watch , strapped it on me pulled up an EKG app, asked me to put my finger on the crown of the watch and took my EKG. Everything was ticketyboo (normal sinus rhythm).  We agreed that the diagnosis was transient postural hypotension!.

 

The whole exciting adventure lasted about 10 minutes and that included recovery time. Postural hypertension is not unknown as you get older and can be due to a combination of not drinking enough fluids and an aging cardiovascular system (as was the case in this instance). Whilst I can’t do anything about an aging cardiovascular system, I certainly was able to do something about my fluid intake: as we managed to finish a whole bottle of wine and several wee drams of whisky.

 

The whisky we enjoyed was a Japanese whiskey – which was very appropriate as an after-dinner drink as we enjoyed some Sushi (bought in alas, as I didn’t have time to make it) and some home-made Okonomiyaki (both Osaka and Hiroshima style) for a “ Japanese street food“ supper.

 

We then finished off the evening enjoying a Cuban cigar each. However, this nicotine related indulgence was slightly spoilt by the wrapper leaf on my cigar unravelling after I had cut the end off (a cigar is tightly rolled tobacco leaf with a tobacco leaf wrapper keeping everything firmly in place).

Now I don’t know how many cigar smokers there are on ER, but for those who do indulge in the occasional “dusky maiden“ (as Rudyard Kipling put it) I do have a question: have you noticed that lately cigars tend to tend to have their wrapping leaves come off the cigar once you cut the cigar for smoking it?

 

I know, first world problems!

 

A pleasant weekend awaits: no responsibilities, no tasks to complete and no company to entertain (which can be both a plus and a minus).

 

Enjoy the weekend!

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,

7.5 hours near solid sleep, not surprising after yesterday's drive.

 

Yes we've been up in Scotland for our annual visit to my parents.

The trip up took 11 hours not good when I've done it in 7.5 hours in the past,

Sitting in a traffic jam for Sutton bridge (A17) at 08:00 we were entertained by the radio womble saying the six month repair and repaint will be finished at 13:00.

On the A66, a broken down lorry on a two way stretch caused at least 1.5 hours delay.

 

On the M6 crossing the Solway firth, a white BMW was seen driving erratically, when I found a gap to get safely past, SWMBO observed the drivers head leaning against the door window, eyes opening and closing.

Some time later as we were approaching road works he went hurtling past in the lane that was closed shortly further on, sat bolt upright again eyes opening and closing.. somehow he didn't hit any thing.

 

Coming back I chose the A68 route, bad news, all the town's and villages in Scotland, on the A68, have had their 30 or 40 mph limits cut to 20mph, complete with extra cameras of course and there are a lot on that route anyway. We passed a lot of road closed signs in Jedburgh, luckily we went through before they were actually closed, it I think was for the big Jedburgh country show later.

Other than that we had a good run back, but with extra stops due to the heat. North of Lincoln, I found a layby sheltered by trees for an eyelid inspection as driving into the sun for hours made them very dry and tired.

5 miles from home, Ben suddenly sat up and started looking out of the windows.. he knew.

 

Cheapest petrol, Jet garage at East Heckington on the A17, 183.9 though we didn't need any at the time.

Most expensive, BP 205.9 we avoided that by refueling at supermarkets.

 

As for MPG, our last trip up was just at the time of the introduction of E10 petrol, our car really didn't like it and MPG plummeted into the high 20s at times. Come the next service the garage had to do a lot of fuel system cleaning and clean the EGR valve. This time MPG was about 40MPG, not bad for a heavily loaded car near the speed limit.

 

Plans for today,

Go to Tes and Coes to stock up on salads and fresh foods.

Mow the jungle.

Find an old battery electric drill to donate parts for SWMBOs electric spinning wheel. Once taken apart then I can workout how to mount the motor and controls.

 

Time to get some breakfast..

 

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a warm Charente.  The blonde tornado is due to depart this afternoon butbis currently gaving her left big toe sorted out by nurse Nanna after tripping on a stone step on her way back from getting the chickens up.  They fly this afternoon from La Rochelle.  It's been a fabulous week. Not a lot of spare time now as a play morning has been decreed.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamir

[TheQ]

Jackpot!!!

Couldn't find the old drills, they have been put away somewhere, but did find a broken parkside battery jigsaw.

After many screws removed, the case was removed to find a standard 785 motor, but it's in the same motor can. It's the more powerful version of the 775, had I had to buy an electric motor it would have been a 775 . Not only that, there is a pwm motor controller in there as well.

 

Interesting Chinese version of Watts on the specs, if you want to buy one. Watts = Amps * Volts, this is an 18V motor that flat out draws 2.6A so 2.6*18 = 46.8W, what do the Chinese rate the motor at? 300W..

Edited July 9, 2022 by TheQ

[grandadbob]

Good morning all, 

Cloudy start here but very warm.  It should be sunny later with temperatures rising to 28°C.

Looks like yet another day of doing nottalot.  I did eventually venture into The Shed yesterday evening for a while but the muddling mojo is still missing so I just pushed some buttons and played with the toys briefly.  Might do the same again today.

KitKats have been my favourite confection since childhood and there is always a pack or two in the fridge.  These days though only the two fingered ones as I'm trying to reduce my intake of chocolatey stuff.  Regrettably they're not quite as nice as they used to be since Nestlé changed the recipe a few years ago to make them "healthier."  Also on the "like to scoff"  list are Bounty, Mars, Lion, Double Decker and I could add more but am starting to drool. 🤤

Having taken tea to The Boss earlier she's now up and about and muttering the usual "timetogettamoveon."  "For why" I ask myself, I'm not rushing to do anything today.....except have another muggatea.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

Edited July 9, 2022 by grandadbob

[Gwiwer]

9 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

And (in NSW at least), bacon. Also your choice of either of the two sauces - tomato or BBQ.

How could I forget bacon?  And sauces, yes. And usually a “burger bun” not a brioche-style thing. 
 

Good morning all. An overcast one so far but with the promise of more hot and sunny weather to come. 
 

The parrots are squawking, the toast is toasting and I shall soon be off for a walk through Bushy Park. But first - Beconase up the snozzle, drops in the peepers and an Allocan down the cakehole. Hayfever is also out to play. 
 

Avagoodun. Stay sun-smart. 

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Splendid day umpiring yesterday at Escrick Park. A timed game played in good spirit. My colleague tucked in to red wine, beer then port with lunch, then beer with tea.. I had a glass of red on my return home.

 

My game today is just too far away to walk to.. I will, no doubt, be a bit tired to walk back (my phone pedometer app generally gives me walking 4 miles in a cricket match..Sister Drac was impressed!).

 

@The Q yes that is a long trip. Despite the Queen of Hearts declaring UDI Scotland roads and the routes to it are pretty poor. I travelled backfroman office in Lossiemouth  via our then office in Aberdeen once.. itseemed to take forever..and it rained allthe way..

 

Time to..drink my tea and geronwithit!

 

stay safe!

 

baz

 

[PhilJ W]

A lot of fruity language here but very apt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKrLBPmRsrM

 

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Weather here just as GDB described, whats more the forecasters reckon there's ten more days to come. The fox cubs are sunning themselves in the garden, last night they were making quite a racket, someone had given them a piece of meat and they were fighting over it, well two of them were when the smallest one nicked it from her siblings while they were fighting. Interesting item on the BBC Breakfast about the sport of blokarting, a smaller form of sand yacht. I'm a bit too old for it but I can see my friends lad taking to it.

[simontaylor484]

Morning all

 

@Barry O I have done a similar journey Kinloss Aberdeen Home it does seem to take forever especially the last 60 miles from Scotch Corner. I would have used the A9 buy there were snow problems so I had to stick to the coast road A96? Then onto the A1.

 

@iL Dottore it's a while since I have had a decent cigar I used to buy them in Tenerife/Dominican republic I can't justify the UK cost 

[Tony_S]

Morning all. 
It took about 8 hours to get home from Devon yesterday but we did have a couple of stops on the way. A brief stop for at Taunton Services and then a longer stop at Stourhead for a late lunch and walk round the lake.  Much of the M3 in the opposite direction was stationary due to something that requires a lot of emergency vehicles with blue lights to deal with. 
It didn’t take long to empty the car and settle down at home. Did need to open a few windows as  it was still quite warm at 8pm. 
Tony

[grandadbob]

I must be getting (more) forgetful.  Just realised there is rugby on the box and have  missed New Zealand v Ireland and having seen the result it makes it more annoying.  Aussies v England next and I hope I don't have to suffer the way I did last week.

Edited July 9, 2022 by grandadbob

[New Haven Neil]

Morning, from a LPT attack survivor.   2 more days....🤪

 

Still sunny in S. Wales  most unusual.

 

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

A bright and sunny start to the day here in England’s northwest corner. I shall shortly be heading off to collect Ava who, once again will be spending the day here with us. I suspect that she’ll continue with her latest sewing project, although this hasn’t been confirmed. As for me, we’ll I'll just sit on the sofa and not get involved, as if I do I’m usually told to stop interfering, so a little bit of retail therapy may get done today! 

 

Back later. 

 

Brian

[Welchester]

3 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

Good moaning from a warm Charente.  The blonde tornado is due to depart this afternoon butbis currently gaving her left big toe sorted out by nurse Nanna after tripping on a stone step on her way back from getting the chickens up.  They fly this afternoon from La Rochelle.  It's been a fabulous week. Not a lot of spare time now as a play morning has been decreed.

 

Regards to all.

 

Jamir

 

I've never flown from La Rochelle, but often been there to collect or deliver passengers. It's a lovely airport, but the temptation is always to miss the exit from the dual carriageway and head straight for the Île de Ré.

Edited July 9, 2022 by Welchester
Edited for clarity

[jamie92208]

28 minutes ago, Welchester said:

 

I've never flown from La Rochelle, but often been there to collect or deliver passengers. It's a lovely airport, but the temptation is always to miss the exit from the dual carriageway and head straight for the Île de Ré.

It's just 60 miles from us and is a lot better drive than the 90 miles to Limoges.  Poitiers is actually a bit nearer and only an hour away but the services there are far fewer.  

 

Jamie

[PhilJ W]

Should have mentioned this earlier but when I went to Tess Coes yesterday the price of E10 had gone down by 3p a litre.

Edited July 9, 2022 by PhilJ W

[simontaylor484]

Asda have cut their diesel price by a couple of pence other Rob dogs have put theirs up to 1.99.9

Theiving barstewards 

[PhilJ W]

Tess Coes compare their prices to other local outlets and undercut them by up to 2p. They do have a 'floor' below which they will not go however which means that they might only be a penny or less cheaper than other outlets. It sometimes will take a day or too for the price to be adjusted.

[BoD]

4 hours ago, grandadbob said:

I must be getting (more) forgetful.  Just realised there is rugby on the box and have  missed New Zealand v Ireland and having seen the result it makes it more annoying. 

 

Ditto, ditto and ditto

 

4 hours ago, grandadbob said:

Aussies v England next and I hope I don't have to suffer the way I did last week.

 

Better end result but much the same suffering.

[DaveF]

Yesterday I was ready to go out for a drive at just after 10, with the flask of coffee, sandwiches, biscuits and the all important can of Coke (the real stuff, not low sugar).  It was quite sunny so I decided to head off in the direction of the A696 to Otterburn.  I usually avoid Ponteland by using some single track roads just to the north, I saw about 2 other cars so it was very easy.  On the way I stopped in a lay by on Raylees Common which has good views northwards.  At Otterburn I had a look in the Mill but didn't find anything to buy - as it is summer most things are full price.  There is a new little gift shop which had some rather nice coasters, so they have replaced some faded ones on my coffee table.  Then I headed back east on a minor road to the small village of Elsdon where I had a walk round and took photos, including the Pele Tower and the castle mound.  It's a little bit too remote for me to want to live there but it always looks very nice.

 

I stopped for lunch in the little car park at Battle Hill, overlooking Elsdon, before driving a short distance east to the top of the hill to look at Winter's Gibbet where William Winter, who lived near Elsdon, was hung in 1791 for murdering a local woman.  Harwood Forest on the north side of the road is still closed due to storm damage.

 

From there it was a very pleasant drive heading roughly south of east to Bolam Lake where I took advantage of Northumberland's Country Park car parking system where the first hour is free, which was long enough for a short walk.

 

Even the A696 wasn't busy, once on the more minor roads there were hardly any cars about so it was a lovely drive.  For those who do not know Northumberland it is quite an "empty" county.

 

I hope no one will mind the photos below.

 

 

The A696 at Raylees Common looking north

 

 

Elsdon church

 

 

Cheviots from Battle Hill

 

 

Winter's Gibbet looking east.  The flag has replaced a carved head wich "disappeared".

 

David

 

Edited July 9, 2022 by DaveF

[southern42]

Guess what! I’m watching varnish drying again. After another leaky (and hence discarded) transfer, I have just given my diy set a jolly good soaking this time - 3rd coat.

I shall have to look for another brand of acrylic spray like the last one - this one is gloss. The previous one from an online seller was discontinued (shame because it worked) and replaced with the one I am now using which is not working as well even though it says it is waterproof. It should be now!!!!  🤞
 

Mugadecaf has been earned methinks.

[TheQ]

Further investigation of the jigsaw reveals the gear box which converts roundy roundy, to uppy downy, has an 8 toothed cog on the motor output, and a 60 toothed cog on the uppy downy.

60/8=7.5

Max chat on the motor is 20,000rpm

20,000/7.5=3000rpm

Wool spinning you need 1000 - 1500 rpm.

Silk spinning you need up to 3000 rpm.

A bit of electronic control and we're there.

 

Unfortunately the big cog spun on a fixed 6 mm pin + bearings, = 10mm.

I need the output shaft to spin with the big cog, so the pin has been knocked out. , I await the bearings ( ordered) before drilling out the fixed pins hole to fit a bearing.

The new shaft will be Loctited into the big cog.

Took the advantage of the order, to get the new top and bottom bearings for BMs rudder.

 

Discovered I have been volunteered to PAT test 15 slow cookers at the sailing club, which have been donated to a charity, to help people not able to afford to run a full cooker.