Early Risers.

[Ozexpatriate]

4 hours ago, polybear said:

Heinz Jars in particular can be real b'sterds

This is where the thump on the rump of the jar really helps. You have to hold the jar in midair with the other hand. It wouldn't work trying to thump the jar on the countertop.

 

You can hear the lid pop as the contents slosh against the lid. The lid is still on but it dishes up instead being pulled down by the vacuum in the jar.

[AndyID]

13 hours ago, The White Rabbit said:

Afternoon awl,

 

Changing the subject a little, there's been a debate on another thread I follow about horseshoes. Triggered by a heraldic question, things moved on to whether they should be attached to buildings as amulets in the 'legs up' or 'legs down' position. We seem to have a majority in favour of 'legs up' but with a significant minority believing in a 'legs down' option. I wondered what ERs thought?

 

 

For the avoidance or arguments I weld three horseshoes together at their ends to make something that resembles the club symbol on playing cards.

[AndyID]

7 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Well worth the investment. I don't normally need such things but I do have a selection. I do have a couple of pairs of plier-type devices but my favourite is a 'sticky' open-weave synthetic mesh fabric. It works really well.

 

(I bought mine at a supermarket, but ones similar to this.)

 

Not something I would do with wine, but jars (like sauce, salsa, etc) respond well to a rap to their bottom with the heel of the palm while holding them securely in the other hand. The resulting pressure wave inside the jar helps loosen the vacuum seal.

 

 

I use one of those strap wrench thingies sold at Harbor Freight. Somebody must sell them in the UK.

[Ozexpatriate]

30 minutes ago, AndyID said:

I use one of those strap wrench thingies

Those are quite effective.

 

I'm assuming something like this?

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by Ozexpatriate

[AndyID]

19 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Those are quite effective.

 

I'm assuming something like this?

 

 

Yes, that's the thing. Harbor Freight sells a pair (large and small) for six bucks. My ability to grip is nothing like it used to be so I use them quite often. They substantially increase leverage too.

[iL Dottore]

14 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Snap - legs up.

 

Bear here......

Well the Doc reckons that Bear has snuffed the "Trapezius Muscle".  Turdycurses.  Pills prescribed, with no threat of The Big O mentioned as yet.  Now let's see if Doc knows his stuff......

Bear gone.

What, no physiotherapy?

Throwing “little pink pills“ at the injury in varying strengths only addresses the symptoms, not the cause. Depending on how “bu99ered up“ (medical term) the muscle is, rest and analgesia may be sufficient, but frequently a course of physiotherapy is needed to help things on their way.

 

I recently damaged my left shoulder and my GP sent me off for physiotherapy with instructions to take analgesia “as and when needed“ for the pain. We speculated whether or not the injury was a rotator cuff tear or something similar – but as the treatment would have been the same regardless of the underlying injury, we decided against having a CT scan done.

 

But, beware Bear! Physiotherapy is bloody painful – even though the end result (after a number of sessions) is one of relief and recovery. Interestingly, shoulder injuries are particularly problematic to treat - In some cases, according to my physiotherapist, some physiotherapy of the shoulder can only be done under anaesthesia. This is all down to how the shoulder joint is able to rotate, flex and extend.

 

This may be of interest: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Trapezius

[Grizz]

7 hours ago, polybear said:

Bear's Tip of the Day:

 

When pre-warming the Air Fryer do remember to remove the tongs from the tray beforehand.....

(Ask Bear how he knows.....).  Turdycurses.

 

Fortunately they were only a £1/£1.50 from the village Post Office so easily rectified - and the AF came out unscathed.

 
Grizz’s tip of the day….

 

When pre-warming the Air Fryer for the first time…..do remember to remove the instruction book from the tray beforehand.

(Ask Grizz how he knows……) Swearyswearyswearyswearywords 

 

There we were in the living room on Christmas Day, hunting through the packaging and other assorted Christmas Day détritus for the instruction book….whilst smugly unnoticed and unattended the Air Fryer was filling the kitchen with smoke…until finally the smoke alarm decided that it would wake up from its Christmas holiday day off and alert the whole neighbourhood that Grizz Castle was on fire (although the poxy little git has no problem alerting the neighbourhood every time Grizz grills bacon though! …..Oh Yes!)

 

I mean seriously…what sort of total fudge wit thinks that it is a good idea to put the Paper Instruction Book inside the tray inside the cooking bit that gets really hot? 
 

Probably the same sort of total fudge wit that didn’t check the tray before switching it on?…..ok….erm I’ll get my coat.  

 

 

[iL Dottore]

Good Morning All (I think)

Not A Good Night at Schloss iD. I was - quite literally in this instance - on “a bed of pain”. I was waking up every hour or so - Not Fun. I think yesterday’s workout at the Gym may have had something to do with it. So up at 04:00 for coffee, analgesia, a light breakfast and RMWeb. Now I can (just about) pass for human….

 

A quiet day (work wise) awaits - but I have to work on my Japanese homework. Learning Japanese is quite an interesting experience - somethings (like モデル鉄道店 - Moderu tetsudō-ten: model railway shop) seem to “go in” quite easily, others not. I’m probably over critical, although I now have acquired some basic vocabulary, can distinguish between hiragana, katakana, kanji, sooji and romaji, know a few basic phrases and understand how the Japanese language is structured, I still feel I’ve made no progress… (and only 3.25 months to go…)

 

Finally, I have announced my retirement to the consulting group I work with and they are quite sorry to see me go and were quite complimentary about my contributions, saying of our clients “they actually rely on you and appreciate your contribution” 

However, I won’t be 100% fully retired as I do plan on doing a few hours of consulting each month (to get “cash for toys”*) which pleased them - the head of the consulting group saying: “we would be sad to see one of our safe pairs of hands disappear entirely from the books”

 

Nice feedback!

 

iD

* the Bentley and Learjet won’t fill themselves 🤣

[Grizz]

Mmmmmm…by looks of it someone left the gas on in Eastbourne this morning….😬

 

…..or maybe they didn’t find their Air Fryer instruction book either…

 

[jamie92208]

1 hour ago, Grizz said:

 
Grizz’s tip of the day….

 

When pre-warming the Air Fryer for the first time…..do remember to remove the instruction book from the tray beforehand.

(Ask Grizz how he knows……) Swearyswearyswearyswearywords 

 

There we were in the living room on Christmas Day, hunting through the packaging and other assorted Christmas Day détritus for the instruction book….whilst smugly unnoticed and unattended the Air Fryer was filling the kitchen with smoke…until finally the smoke alarm decided that it would wake up from its Christmas holiday day off and alert the whole neighbourhood that Grizz Castle was on fire (although the poxy little git has no problem alerting the neighbourhood every time Grizz grills bacon though! …..Oh Yes!)

 

I mean seriously…what sort of total fudge wit thinks that it is a good idea to put the Paper Instruction Book inside the tray inside the cooking bit that gets really hot? 
 

Probably the same sort of total fudge wit that didn’t check the tray before switching it on?…..ok….erm I’ll get my coat.  

 

 

We did the same with our log burner when we moved here.  The first time we lit it, smoke started coming from the top.  We discovered that the top is a flanged lid covering a tray where things like potatoes can be baked.  When opened it contained a semi melted brush, 2 packets of firelighters and some kindling..  fortunately  nothing actually ignited but the plastic handled brush headed for the bin.

 

 

Anyway good moaning.   The chatentevis now getting lighter and there is fist and mog around.  I will get my exercise for the day digging foundations, setting shuttering then mixing and pouring the concrete for the last  set of water tank foundations.  That shpuld do me for the day.  Lunch at lunchtime has been promised as we are off out to some expat friends for a evening  of drinks and nibbles.  It's in the village so there is no need for a designated driver.

 

Jamie

Edited February 16, 2023 by jamie92208

[jamie92208]

Talking of young ladies of our dreams I see the sad news that Raquel Welch has died aged 82.

 

Jamie

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Up early watching some cricket so eyelid inspection will be required later..apparently England are in a dry part of a very flooded kiwiland.

 

Stay safe..enjoy your day!

 

Baz

[TheQ]

Our new popity ping had its instruction book inside too. But I'd read some reviews before choosing this one and someone had remarked on that.

One oddity on this one, compared to any previous microwave, no door unlock button. It unlocks itself when the programme finishes.

When researching microwaves,  I came across a microwave air fryer, it was rejected because I never buy V 1.0 of anything, and also it required another deltic.

 

Mooring Awl,

5 hours sleep plus 1.5 hours sleep fairly good for me.

 

Both times I awoke right paw was not happy, but now it's just the normal change in the weather complaints from both paws.

 

As I type this as rumble rumble rumble, beep beep beep, has started,  an hour later than normal.

 

Some boxes to help accommodate excess clothing are due to arrive, but at the moment it's just shown as the default by 10pm.

 

Plans for today.

Remove rudder for the next step before completion.

Either top coat the centre console, or bring it into the house to get yesterday's new paint to set .

Maybe do more work on the jib club.

 

No movement from Ben the sleeping Collie yet. But I feel the need to move.

 

Time to get up..

 

 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Grey sky with the odd bit of blue here.  Rain and drizzle forecast but it may become drier and brighter later this afternoon.  8°C rising to 14°C.

Glad that I'm not alone in losing my grip as I get older but it seems that, as dear old ChrisF would have said, my forgettery is on the blink as well.  I have been informed by The Boss that we do in fact have one of the Lakeland jar vacuum seal poppers that Tony mentioned and she uses it regularly.  I will investigate getting something for screw top bottles, thanks for all the suggestions.

The excitement is mounting here at GDB Towers!  One bin lorry due as well as a Sainsbury's delivery (with only one perfectly acceptable substitution) but....wait for it... a parcel from Widnes containing seven little wheeled thingies is imminent.  It is currently at the DPD depot in Croydon and they have have informed me that is it due for delivery today.  Now waiting for a time slot.

Time for some porridge.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

[New Haven Neil]

Morning from a damp but not raining rock. 8c, official guess is to reach 11.

 

Norra lot on the agenda today, I have a gear linkage upgrade for the bike so may fit that, and if it is dry by then give it a quick run to test setting it, involving a coffee somewhere of course.

 

Otherwise a day of general pottering is prescribed.

[polybear]

9 hours ago, The Lurker said:

Wouldn’t it be easier to empty or even move the safe?

 

The OP mentioned there was a suspicion that Ms. Gold digger has her own key.

 

4 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Those are quite effective.

 

I'm assuming something like this?

 

 

Bear has two of those straps - one to turn the lid and the second to stop the jar from turning whilst you're turning the lid....

I do find they need care though, as when using two straps it's all too easy to tip the jar sideways.

 

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

What, no physiotherapy?

 

 

The last time the dreaded Big P was mentioned to Bear by a Doc was back in 1993/4 when I was recovering from a busted spine (T4) at the time; she went onto say that "by the time you get the appointment you'll probably be dead......".  I suspect the waiting list might be a tad longer now.

 

She went onto recommend a nearby Osteopath, who worked wonders; sadly she went and emigrated to NZ.  Poo.

If I'm not showing signs of significant improvement in a week then I'll give the Big O a try (there's one in the village - no idea if she's any good or not though).  That's one of the big problems when choosing an O or P - who are the good & not so good ones?  Another Poo.

 

Bear here.....

Today sees Bear MIUABGA - bits n' pieces methinks.  At least the snooze last night was much improved over the previous two nights, so maybe the Docs' sweeties (Diazepam - as a muscle relaxant apparently) are useful.  We'll see.

Bear gone.

[polybear]

11 hours ago, polybear said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BRIX-2121-Frost-JarKey-Openers-Transparent/dp/B017HAJ1M8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

Bear has just discovered that the above link is £6.48 - but if you selected the blue colour from the same link it's £4.99 - and you don't need Prime for that one.

[grandadbob]

And I now have a time slot so at 11.11 I will be eagerly awaiting a delivery of toys.

In other news grandson Joe along with two young lady friends has just touched down in Hawaii.  He's having a few days away from UBC as an early 21st birthday present to himself.  Oh to be young again!

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Last night just after I'd gone to bed there was a bit of a kerfuffle outside. Three or four very drunk young women were trying (not very successfully) to keep each other upright. Eventually a couple of them fell onto the BIN bags that I'd put out before going to bed. This morning I noticed that a pink sack had burst open. 🥵 I hope that they enjoy their hangovers. As for the gold digger having a key, I'd forgotten that my brother had a burglar alarm and my nephew has now changed the code. I have a jar and bottle opener inherited from my parents. It is a ratchet device that fits across the lid gripping the sides of the lid with a lever attached. It is very effective if sometimes a bit fiddly to use on small caps and lids.

It works in a similar way to this but uses the ratchet to grip.

[Compound2632]

6 hours ago, AndyID said:

I use one of those strap wrench thingies sold at Harbor Freight. Somebody must sell them in the UK.

 

6 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Those are quite effective.

 

Or a strapping wench. But often it's enough to release the pressure by lifting part of the rim just a little - there's a tool for this too - the lid remains perfectly useable.

 

29 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Three or four very drunk young women were trying (not very successfully) to keep each other upright.

 

They were so far gone one couldn't tell how many...

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

 

Thankfully the overnight rain has ceased, so after collecting Ava a walk in the woodland area of RHS Bridgewater is definitely on the cards. After that, we’ll head to the cafe and have a drink and a slice. Then it’s back home for dinner. Charlie’s calling round after dinner and he and I will then head for the workshop, which will leave Sheila and Ava to themselves, I suspect they’ll watch a film this afternoon. 
 

Tonight we’ll open a bottle of wine and toast Sheila’s birthday. 
 

Back later 

 

Brian

[jamie92208]

By the way @New Haven Neil, your question yesterday about the translation of rock is that it is le rocher.

 

Jamie

Edited February 16, 2023 by jamie92208

[Tony_S]

10 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

restaurants didn't want to drop posh sounding French terms a

The first place came across the term “amuse bouche” was in Kennebunkport. 

[grandadbob]

  Iron Rock? 

[Tony_S]

I suspect I have a chain and/or strap wrench out in the garage. Probably for undoing Volvo oil filters. I don’t do that sort of thing anymore though I suspect it wouldn’t be difficult on the Fiesta, the engine in that looks like an engine. The Evoque oil filter needs a special tool. It isn’t expensive and is easily available as Toyotas use the same type of oil filter. I have no intention of doing it myself though.