Early Risers.

[PhilJ W]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

But the Railway Children has Jenny Agutter......

Game, set, match to UK.

 

10 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

Ah yes young Bear but the Aussies can counter JA with Tina Turner in chain mail as well.

But when Jenny Agutter appeared in a film set in Australia she wasn't wearing chain mail or anything else for that matter.🤪

Edited October 14, 2022 by PhilJ W

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

A bright and sunny start to the day here in England’s northwest corner. I will shortly go for a walk to the butchers for the weekly meat rations and a pork pie for my dinner. Then WE are going to the Trafford Centre, so that will be the whole morning gone before we get back home. 

 

There are are no plans for the afternoon, but that could always change. 

 

Our 1890’s house originally only had a gas supply, the meter was in small cupboard in the hall, close to the front door, it was moved outside (FOC) when the supply pipework was upgraded in 1992. An electrical supply was put in in 1935, the meter for this was in a separate cupboard next to the gas meter. When the gas meter cupboard became vacant, I removed the old cupboard, made a new larger cupboard and moved the electric meter into it, which gave us a few extra feet of room in the hall, which made it look a lot bigger. 

 

Back later. 

 

Brian

[southern42]

1 hour ago, New Haven Neil said:

snip...

 

Dom, I wouldn't bother with sound for that loco, just get a fly in the room....this, however...  FF to 2.40.

 

 

 

Oh. I don't know...a couple of roasting tins bashed together....

Edited October 14, 2022 by southern42

[PupCam]

2 hours ago, Andrew P said:

Had I know, I would have closed our road as well. Hahahahahahhaaaheheeeehehe. 🤣

 

Yes, I would have too - I know what I'm like🤣

 

2 hours ago, Andrew P said:

Unless of course you were on the AJ, then all would have been forgiven for wearing out our Tarmac. 🤓 👍

 

I'd still be heading for Guildford on the outbound trip if I had have been 🤣

 

2 hours ago, polybear said:

And another one bites the dust:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/another-russian-energy-boss-has-mysteriously-died-in-hospital/ar-AA12UOIx?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ed5bdc2ac55e435a9e0cf22495424eb3

 

It's almost more dangerous than living in Midsomer!  

 

Still, if they get short of storylines that's a whole new, rich seam ...

 

2 hours ago, polybear said:

Puppers wouldn't be visiting Al's Hobbies by any chance?  Can we expect a resurrection of "The Great Project" by any chance, can we?

 

Unfortunately not.    But now you come to mention it!

 

 

[Tony_S]

Just to prove I can read a meter I had to send off our electricity export reading today. Apparently this is needed as a confirmation of the smart meter reading. Only every six months so not a major chore but one day we may get some money for the surplus electricity we generate. Just to show how weird it all is they will send us a cheque even though they take payment from us for electricity we consume by direct debit. 

Edited October 14, 2022 by Tony_S

[Tony_S]

5 hours ago, Barry O said:

Sister drac wants a results sheet test morning and pre evening meal. This will be expensive!

Lancets and test strips are available on prescription here. Not so in some other areas though. Prescribing Committees and their decisions are a regional thing. The practice diabetic nurse even gave Aditi the test device as she said the one Aditi had bought was no longer supported. 

Edited October 14, 2022 by Tony_S

[iL Dottore]

Greetings from Covid land!

 

I’m beginning to get a bit worried about Mrs iD.

 

Ever since she tested negative for Covid (twice!) she has been behaving strangely – well more strangely than usual.

 

Yesterday afternoon she was seen going through the contents of a very thick (and very full) box file marked “iD’s life insurance policies“ and last night, whilst I was trying to get some sleep on my bed of pain™. I heard her going back and forth in front of my bedroom door with a squeaky hand cart and ringing a bell whilst singing out “bring out yer dead, bring out yer dead”

 

Either she is not very good in being supportive, or she knows something I don’t…

 

iD

[iL Dottore]

p.s. the 1/48 scale JU 87-B kit arrived today. And, as partly expected, the transfer sheet is missing a very notable part of the Stuka’s insignia 😡

[TheQ]

Afternoon Awl,

Stool suitably bodged, it ain't a comin apart again.

 

Spinny thingy finished, tested and... Failed..

 

Took some time to work out what the problem is, had to look at some videos of the main model I've copied the ideas from to see what was wrong. I now need to take all the mechanics apart, cut one bit of metal, join that bit to a different bit, and put it all back together again. Not difficult, but time consuming, so that will have to wait till next week.

 

Car failed mot, track rod ends and welding. So we won't get the car back till Monday, estimate 2 good express locos.. The car is going to be replaced next year, but starting to need welding is a good indication it's time for it to go.

 

SWMBO has organised a lift for her weaving tomorrow, as your truly probably won't be back from musical boats.

 

[polybear]

4 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Morning, from a damp dull rock that is 11c.

 

NHN also a bit dull, 4th Covid jab to blame I suspect, just a generally achey shakey feeling a little this morning.  Nothing to shout about, it's better than the last one that had me under the weather for a couple of days.  The jabbery was very quiet, these are timed appointments (10 to a slot judging by the number of cubicles) to a mass jab centre in the Big City, I went early as I had completed other duties in town, expecting to be sent away.  Nope, just two other people in front of me.  Could be the reason for an upturn in CV - folk getting blase?

 

Dom, I wouldn't bother with sound for that loco, just get a fly in the room....this, however...  FF to 2.40.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

 

Ah yes young Bear but the Aussies can counter JA with Tina Turner in chain mail as well.

 

Let's see now........T.T:

 

 

Or J.A:

 

 

Now then, unless you're into some sort of chain mail bondage fetish......

Bear rests his case.

 

1 hour ago, Tony_S said:

 Just to show how weird it all is they will send us a cheque even though they take payment from us for electricity we consume by direct debit. 

 

Cynical Bear suspects that it's cos' electronic payments are instantaneous, whereas cheque payments take time in the post plus the time taken for the recipient to get off their ar5e and pay the cheque into their bank accounts - which could be weeks in some cases.  The result?  The leccy company get to hold onto the money - and get the interest - for longer.  Dastardly, or what?

 

Bear here.....

A morning spent working on the chassis jig mods., followed by caulking the corners of the newly painted loft hatch surround then installing the shorter loft ladder - which is a vast improvement....but......

The ladder is steeper than I would ideally like (84 degrees) - not a huge problem, though not ideal; the ladder length is adjustable but if I go to the next adjustment it'll mean the bottom of the ladder will be up against a door frame again.  Turdycurses.  One way around it would be to secure the fixings in the loft to a timber batten - this will allow the ladder to go to the next adjustment but move the ladder feet away from the doorframe a little.  Ponder mode engaged.....

On the subjuect of AF costings, I went to read the leccy meter just prior to cooking today's din dins, only to discover that the meter is calibrated to the nearest KWh - which makes it pretty  hopeless for measuring leccy use accurately over a short time period (such as 15 minutes). That'll be T.C.'s again then.

[iL Dottore]

I think that @polybear definitely needs to take a very cold shower and go lie down in a dark room.

 

The mere initials "JA" are sufficient to work him up into a frenzy....

[DaveF]

 

Today has again been busier than expected so I'm only just getting around to posting about Thursday.  It's taken me until now to do jobs and sort out the photos I took.

 

Once again it was sunny yesterday, hardly a cloud in the sky but very cold, 4C when I got up.  I went to the usual Thursday Communion service at the end of it I was given a piece of paper with the dates when I am to do the readings, which of course do not always coincide with the dates on which I act as server (which is about alternate weeks).

 

After the service I went home and made a picnic and headed out for the day.  I had a very pleasant drive to Belsay Hall (English Heritage).  The single track road I use for part of the way has been resurfaced and the verges tidied, so there is no longer a six inch drop if you need to go onto the verge when a car comes the other way.  I did have to stop in one field gateway to wait for some horses which were coming towards me.

 

I had a good walk at Belsay round the gardens and woodlands, there is still a lot of refurbishment work on the buildings so almost all my photos are of trees and other plants.  The scaffolding around the Hall is beginning to come down. There weren't too many people about and there were a lot of birds calling to each other in the trees, but hiding from humans - apart from two noisy wrens.   The croquet lawn was being tidied up for the winter and having a top dressing applied.  On the way out I looked at the shop, somehow several things were bought, including ginger wine and a big box of fruit jellies - just for visitors (believe that and you'll believe anything).

 

Then I decided to go to Bolam Lake for my picnic, it's only about 10 minutes away.  I parked, once again using a free 1 hour ticket and had lunch listening to and watching the birds in the trees.  After lunch I walked along the south side of the lake and round to the north side and back, I was back at the car with 10 minutes to spare.  The autumn colours are starting to develop.

 

On the way home I stopped at a garden centre and bought a new broom (the plant type) and some herbaceous plants.  I noticed that most people seemed to be buying Christmas decorations.  There's a good choice of garden centres locally - I think there are at least 6 within a 30 minute drive.

 

 

Belsay virginia creeper by the croquet lawn

 

 

Trees by Belsay Castle

 

 

Bolam lake autumn colours beginning to develop.

 

David

 

 

 

 

[BSW01]

A few pages back, there was some talk about gas meters and bills. I used to work in the gas industry and know a little about gas metering and it’s calorific value etc. So here’s a little bit of information about gas and how your bills is worked out. I’ve deliberately left out the calculations, as they can be very complex. 

 

The calorific value of gas is dependent on a number of factors. 

 

1   The pressure at which the gas arrives at the meter supply point.

2   The ambient temperature near the meter supply point. 

3   The atmospheric pressure near the meter supply point. 

4   The altitude above (or below) sea level of the supply and meter. 

 

These factors are particularly important to gas users that use large quantities of gas at pressures higher than normal domestic pressure, as the volume correction factor will rise considerably. On large users, there will be an extra bit of kit close to the gas meter that records the gas temperature, the ambient temperature, the gas pressure and the atmospheric pressure. It will then calculate the correction value and display this, along side the un-corrected value.  

 

However, to most domestic users, these factors will only have a minimal effect, due to the very low pressure, typically between 12 - 15mb at which the gas arrives at most premises. It will have slightly (for that read minimal) more effect on houses the higher they are above sea level. 

 

If you look closely at your gas bill, it’s probably at the back in small(ish) print, you will notice something called volume correction, which is typically around 1.02222, ours is 1.02264. This figure is derived using the all above criteria and is then used to calculate your final bill. 

Edited October 14, 2022 by BSW01

[J. S. Bach]

7 hours ago, NGT6 1315 said:

 ...snip... Note the company graphics and lettering have been modified since that video. ...snip...

Reminds me of the Norfolk Southern "R" line behind my house; diesel-electric and at least twice as many cars and a mid-train helper usually about 2/3 the way back.

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

 

Let's see now........T.T:

 

 

Or J.A:

 

 

Now then, unless you're into some sort of chain mail bondage fetish......

Bear rests his case.

 

I suspect that Bear is showing his age.

 

Tina Turner couldn't 'alf belt them out as well.

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Greetings from Covid land!

 

I’m beginning to get a bit worried about Mrs iD.

 

Ever since she tested negative for Covid (twice!) she has been behaving strangely – well more strangely than usual.

 

Yesterday afternoon she was seen going through the contents of a very thick (and very full) box file marked “iD’s life insurance policies“ and last night, whilst I was trying to get some sleep on my bed of pain™. I heard her going back and forth in front of my bedroom door with a squeaky hand cart and ringing a bell whilst singing out “bring out yer dead, bring out yer dead”

 

Either she is not very good in being supportive, or she knows something I don’t…

 

iD

When the extent and effects of what we then still called "Coronavirus" were first becoming felt, and long before there was any form of medical protection, Dr. SWMBO had one of her anxiety trips and was utterly convinced that this was how the human race was going to end - one by one and then hundreds by thousands simply dragged into the street for the cart with the cry of "Bring out yer dead" ringing through the lands.  

 

She still has a strong feeling that this will end up being the case; nothing I have managed to say or do has yet reassured her adequately that we are not all about to be terminally infected and pop our clogs in an uncontrollable wave.  

 

Numbers seem to be falling sharply now which ever set of statistics you follow.  Which is broadly in line with what this un-trained (medically) humble servant suggested would happen.  There has been a small spike aligned with "back-to-school" just as there always is.  Ask any parent - everything "goes around" in the first week or two of term.  And then it falls away.  It might well come back again as Autumn drags itself into Winter but we don't yet know.  At least we have the option of protection these days.  I for one have had all four shots offered and - to date - have not recorded a positive test.  

 

Speaking of Dr. SWMBO she is due back from Oz on Moan-day at a time somewhat before any small brown birds will have broken wind.  I am booked into Heathrow's Business car park, which is the cheapest option, from 4am 😬 but will be using the live flight radar to track her inbound and won't leave here until she is about 15 minutes from landing.  That should be 5.15am but non-stop from Perth WA it could be an hour either way given an on-time departure.

 

She has endured severe rainfall in the past two days and has been cut off - though safely above the water - at the Dragon-in-Law's as all roads out are under water.  They hoped to have one road open by today.  Her friend's home in Maribyrnong has been flooded almost to the ceiling.  If you follow the BBC's news footage they showed a picture of a badly flooded road - Maribyrnong Road - which dips slightly through the course of a waterway.  The creek at the bottom trickles along much of the time un-noticed, dries out in summer but currently is in full spate around half a mile wide and several metres deep across the road.  Tram services along that road have also been suspended until further notice! 

 

So it's the final weekend of "Boy's Own At Home" and I have a few cunning plans.  The place must be cleaned and tidied to within an inch of its life by Sunday night but that doesn't stop me playing tonight and tomorrow.  So play I shall.  The inner 20-year old may be released one last time. His Furship has been advised to expect some nocturnal departures and arrivals.  Of me.  Just me.  Myself and I.  Only.  😇

[simontaylor484]

Afternoon 

Copy of an unmentionable magazine purchased. Has some good looking models in it (no not THAT sort of publication) its initials are RM.

 

Just started reading a new book,a follow up to the Hiram Key. It's all about The relationship between Knights Templars,Freemasonry and the Early Church leadership of James the brother of Jesus at odds with the commonly known Pauline Theology.

 

It's not a light read, not knowing much about Masonry (other than being able to lay bricks)  doesn't help.

The information on the Templars is interesting. Whether I believe what they have to say about it all will be interesting. I am waiting for a link to the Oak Island money pit to come up.

 

My interest comes ftom studying Theology at A level. I will be passing the book on to my Dad when I have finished it.

 

The Book is called The Second Messiah.

 

No he isnt called Brian and he hasn't been a naughty boy.

Edited October 14, 2022 by simontaylor484
Added title of book

[Gwiwer]

5 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

Has some good looking models in it (no not THAT sort of publication)

Try including "Modelling" in your list of hobbies / interests on any antisocial media platform and see what sort of response you get!

 

In the few moments between creating an account - quite some time ago now - with my personal profile details added and adjusting the settings to "Friends Only" meaning the Greater Cyberverse cannot (or cannot legitimately) see anything about me I found something like twenty hitherto unknown people suddenly wanted to be friends.  

 

If their own details were to be believed - which I suspect would not have been the case for at least most of them - they too were into "modelling" and very clearly displayed sufficient information that I might take notice.  Quite apart from the not altogether unattractive but probably stolen images of unclad young females one or two made it very apparent that they understood terms such as "back-to-back dimensions", "feeler gauges" and "flange depth".  🤯

 

All were swiftly blocked.  I wonder where they are now.  Not.  

[Ian Abel]

POETS. Jury out as to whether we'll take advantage!

 

Yesterday, all items addressed save the tree/shrub trimming at the rental, landscaper running late, may be here today or tomorrow.

 

Greeted with THIS, this AM, and why many locals refer to this place as MinneSNOWTA;

  

 

Doesn't "count" as it's not a measurable amount to be recorded, but it's still SNOW. 1-2 inches about an hour north of us. It'll all go away by noon here, and even though we've a few days of colder weather, next Thursday-Saturday it's supposed to reach 21C again.

 

Little planned for the weekend, I WAS going to get the garden railway loop sorted for Halloween running, but weather may discourage that.

Also, been informed I get to help take the pump out at the cabin Sunday, so that p!sses away half of Sunday anyway 😒

 

Kits, accumulation thereof.

I've got the following that need attention, EXCLUDING anything railway related, of which there are several, mostly goods vans

1) Completion of a started 1/24 Revell Phantom II

2) 1/100 Doyusha Concorde

3) 1/12 Tamiya Texaco Marlboro M23 F1 car

4) 1/32 Tamiya F14A Tomcat

5) 1/24 Revell London Routemaster Bus

 

Maybe will get to some/one this winter?

 

0C light snow first thing, overcast most of the day expected with 6C for the high, back down to 0C overnight.

 

Carry on, enjoy the start of the weekend.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Just went to get out of the chair and Arthur Itis caught me unawares so a couple of Nurofen have been deployed. I have had a bunion for several years now. Though it looks as if it should be painful as it turns my big toe inwards it does not usually worry me. However I've purchased a device called a bunion sleeve which I'm going to try out. 

[PhilJ W]

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

p.s. the 1/48 scale JU 87-B kit arrived today. And, as partly expected, the transfer sheet is missing a very notable part of the Stuka’s insignia 😡

You can get after market transfers with the required insignia, check out decals on e-bay. Though the more conscientious traders will not deliver to countries where the insignia is banned. 

2 hours ago, polybear said:

 

 

Let's see now........T.T:

 

 

Or J.A:

 

 

Now then, unless you're into some sort of chain mail bondage fetish......

Bear rests his case.

then.

Indeed TT can sure belt them out. As could Meatloaf, in the news today his 'Bat out of hell' album was the best selling debut album in the UK charts.

[Gwiwer]

Hagrid has passed away 😭

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63261204

[polybear]

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I think that @polybear definitely needs to take a very cold shower and go lie down in a dark room.

 

 

With JA? 🤣

 

1 hour ago, Gwiwer said:

She still has a strong feeling that this will end up being the case; nothing I have managed to say or do has yet reassured her adequately that we are not all about to be terminally infected and pop our clogs in an uncontrollable wave.  

 

 

Surely a very good reason to go out in a blaze of Glory in this Bear's book.  Quite how that fits in with the finer technicalities of loft ladders hasn't quite been figured out just yet.....

 

Bear here......

Much more work on the chassis construction jig this afternoon - including converting some parts of the jig from something called "Peefour" to "DubbleOw" 😉

Also the first coat of varnish on the MDF base was applied - so Bear can be wafted to sleep tonight whilst riding on a wave of fumes....

 

In other news.....

It seems that a certain someone has been evicted from their prime address in The Big City mere days after moving in - hopefully they've still got the carboard boxes to repack their stuff in.  I've a sneaky suspicion that his SWMBO is gonna be a bit p1ssed.

 

 

[iL Dottore]

I just received a “ping” from my BBC News newsfeed: Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) has just died - aged 72.

 

72 is far too young nowadays.

 

His talent as an actor - whether in serious drama (Cracker) or more lightweight material (like the Harry Potter films) was undeniable and I always enjoyed his work.

 

We’ve lost so many great actors from that generation: Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Richard Griffiths, Robert Hardy, John Hurt…

 

The world’s a poorer place…

[polybear]

5 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

Hagrid has passed away 😭

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-63261204

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..............................🤣

Bear was listening to him just this very afternoon whilst working in the muddling room.  72 is no age at all.

RIP Hagrid.