Early Risers.

[Winslow Boy]

28 minutes ago, New Haven Neil said:

 

Unfortunately, although our vehicles aren't on DVLA, the do liaise with Fraggle Rock version of it (grey haired lady in a dusty office) nowadays. Pah.

 

 

A few years ago when in hospital in Greater Manchester (aka Wigan  Wrightington hospital) after some fairly gory hip surgery I discovered my mobile wouldn't call Fraggle Rock Patient Transfer to arrange transport and flights to get me home.  Useless.  Fragg-O-Com couldn't explain why this was. Shrug of shoulders.  My reply was less than polite, being left marooned unable to walk, away from home was no fun and that was not the answer I was looking for.  We still find their performance in the UK to be dodgy, and it's been a few years since I was up Catbells!  See 'hospital' above!

 

Now Neil if only you'd mentioned my name all that would have been sorted. I have connections aka The Family who work there.

 

I've always said it's not who you are but who you know.

[TheQ]

Evening Awl,

Deer dodging not required, just one red already dead lying in a field .

Several rats running across the roads.

One low flying barn owl...

 

One of our pear trees is in flower,. It's nearest apple tree  is also not far off flowering.

 

A fair amount of traffic on the roads tonight as well.

 

Since I'm muddling an RAF station, seco huts are required, they're made from prefab panels. So that's what I did, made a big stack of panels.. what i haven't got is windows 11, no I'm not joking, there are are 11 windows in this version of hut... 6 huts.. 

 

Need to find a supplier of tiny crittall windows.

 

 

[Adam88]

I remember parking in Keswick.  I once spent a week in Borrowdale and got used to going into Keswick for shopping and eating.  What I didn't realise though was that on market day, Saturday IIRC, the high street/market place was closed off for parking.  This was indicated by those signs which had a semi-circular hinged plate which when lifted up and latched showed that day's parking rules*.  Anyhow, on this particular day I drove up the high street without noticing that the signs had been changed over and was stopped by a traffic warden who wrote out and handed me a ticket - the shame of it.  I was to report to the police station and pay my debt to society.  That morning Keswick police station was heaving with fellow miscreants and harrassed desk officers apologising for traffic warden 'Hodges' who did this every market day until someone had turned up to cone off the market place.

 

* Incidentally, I've not seen any for years but they had them where I grew up to swap town centre parking from one side of the road to the other on alternate days.

Edited March 24, 2023 by Adam88

[Gwiwer]

Evening all.  A late check-in without having read today's posts.  

 

What began as a chilly but sunny day at the House of Fun went downhill from there after I got home.  

 

The joiners wouldn't go onto the little tiny rails (code 55) and then, when they did, the rails wouldn't stay joined together.  And then the joiners fell off or distorted.  And repeat.  And repeat.  After a good deal of air-blue and no small amount of sweaty paws the desired result was finally achieved.  

 

The skies opened, Thor visited most vibrantly and everything outside became wet. 

 

At which point I had intended to have a shower but it was time to await the Ocado delivery so shower was delayed.  As was the Ocado delivery.  The time-slot came and went with nothing but their standard "Your order's on its way - right on time" message.  Right on time it was not.  The driver usually calls if there's more than a few minute's delay and they won't get their in the hour-slot.  

 

So I wait.  Then it became time for Dr. SWMBO to come home but because of the then-wet weather she asked for a lift.  I wasn't able to offer because I was waiting for Ocado.  She finally made it home feeling less than well and extremely stressed.  We agreed it would be a fish & chip tea as it often is on Fridays.  The order was placed.  It was accepted with a delivery time quoted for 30 - 40 minutes.  It didn't appear.  

 

Ocado finally arrived 80 minutes late just after the driver had called to say he was running "about 10 minutes late".  A strange definition of "about" methinks.  And the fish & chips still did not arrive.  The app said "Driver at Restaurant" which usually means they're waiting for the food to be cooked and packed.  An hour after the "delivery due" nothing had arrived, the driver was still "At Restaurant" and we were getting very hungry.  

 

I had an appointment to deliver several boxes of magazines at 8pm, a time which was fast approaching.  As that hour came, went and no fish & chips were in sight I hopped into the car and drove to the shop.  There was our order.  On top of the counter.  Where it had been for well over an hour awaiting a non-existent driver.  I refused to accept it that old.  They said "Get a refund on the app" but there isn't a way of doing that once the food is cooked.  Oddly the shop device showed "Delivered" which it clearly had not been.  Despite being very busy they did agree to re-cook the order for me there and then without charge.  

 

So I came away with fish & chips, came home, ate them far too quickly and went straight back out arriving only an hour late with the magazines just as the destination was about to close for the night.  

 

When things go wrong they all seem to do so in combination.  I was lucky to avoid a cockwomble driver on my way home who reversed at speed from an unlit driveway right across the road before turning his / her car lights on and nonchalantly driving off as though nothing was amiss.  

 

Finally at 22.30 o'clock I have got around to Friday Drinks.  Somewhen after I would normally be in bed.  At least I don't have a silly o'clock alarm call tomorrow.  

[Gwiwer]

14 hours ago, jamie92208 said:

We are stuck in a queue of ships waiting toget into the docks at Hull.  I may be some time.

I hadn't realised Hull was at all popular!  

[skipepsi]

The only popular part of Hull is the road out.

[PhilJ W]

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Getting ready for my brothers funeral next Tuesday, everything cleaned and pressed and waiting. I'm wondering if my slow puncture is the same problem as @polybear had with his car, the valve and not the tyre itself, time for the soapy water test.

44 minutes ago, Adam88 said:

I remember parking in Keswick.  I once spent a week in Borrowdale and got used to going into Keswick for shopping and eating.  What I didn't realise though was that on market day, Saturday IIRC, the high street/market place was closed off for parking.  This was indicated by those signs which had a semi-circular hinged plate which when lifted up and latched showed that day's parking rules*.  Anyhow, on this particular day I drove up the high street without noticing that the signs had been changed over and was stopped by a traffic warden who wrote out and handed me a ticket - the shame of it.  I was to report to the police station and pay my debt to society.  That morning Keswick police station was heaving with fellow miscreants and harrassed desk officers apologising for traffic warden 'Hodges' who did this every market day until someone had turned up to cone off the market place.

 

* Incidentally, I've not seen any for years but they had them where I grew up to swap town centre parking from one side of the road to the other on alternate days.

The answer is simple, task traffic warden Hodges the task of coning off the market place.

[Adam88]

8 minutes ago, PhilJ W said:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Getting ready for my brothers funeral next Tuesday, everything cleaned and pressed and waiting. I'm wondering if my slow puncture is the same problem as @polybear had with his car, the valve and not the tyre itself, time for the soapy water test.

The answer is simple, task traffic warden Hodges the task of coning off the market place.

 

I would tend to agree but I imagine that it was more than Hodges' job was worth.

 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[Winslow Boy]

8 minutes ago, Adam88 said:

 

I would tend to agree but I imagine that it was more than Hodges' job was worth.

 

 

What's a traffic warden? We have civil enforcement officers aka money making £%&#£& - you can guess the last word.

[BSW01]

Good evening everyone 

 

On my way back from the butchers this morning it started to rain, thankfully I was almost home and also that it wasn’t heavy! When I went to the Trafford Centre I did call into to Waterstones, but I didn’t see any books that I fancied reading, so I left empty handed. 

 

Once back home, I decided to watch some of the ‘Hornby’ programs as I’m way behind with those, I got 2 watched , one either side of dinner. When Sheila finally came to sit down, I made us both a hot drink and we sat and watched last night’s ‘Question Time’. 

 

Just after we’d had dinner, Sheila was looking out of the back door window and spotted a brimstone butterfly, she got quite excited by that. However, this is about the time of year when the come out of hibernation and they usually hibernate in holly bushes. When have one in the garden and there are some on the school field behind the workshop, so it’s not really surprising, but it is an indicator that spring is definitely here. 

Edited March 24, 2023 by BSW01

[BSW01]

Goodnight all 

[BR60103]

We tidied the garage today. Weather was nice and Dayle decided that it was time to bring the reindeer in. So we had to clear out the space they summer in. And move some shelves and things around.  Tomorrow we get ice.

 

When we were outside Boston, Ma a few years ago there was a commuter train from the town into the big city. But parking required  using a phone app and Dayle doesn't do those. Since we had a rental car we didn't want to chance a parking ticket.  And there was no ticket seller or whatever. Maybe buy a ticket on the train?

 

[monkeysarefun]

State election day, there's a more interesting choice at the accompanying sausage sizzle than there is at the ballot box.

 

(Newton is where the hipsters hang out and Pauline is our Nigel Farage in a frock)

[iL Dottore]

Good morning all,

 

Wandering around YouTube (as one does, as one does) I came across the following a wonderful combination of music and talented dog training. Definitely something to put a smile on your face in the morning.

Not only is the whole routine done with great humour, but I also like the soundtrack. I think that the video will appeal to both dog lovers and former/current military people.

 

What’s interesting about freestyle heel work to music is that this can only be achieved by having a good, solid, partnership between dog and handler - which requires a lot of patience and can only be achieved through reward based training. Basically, you reward the dog for performing a desired behaviour and when you have a suitable number of desired behaviours, you put them all together to form “a dance“.

[jamie92208]

I did remark to a fellow passenger that the queue was usually for people toget out of Hull. From ell, ull and alifax good lord deliver us as the saying goes. I di once hear a very amusing tale by a home office pathologist who said that whenever he found a certain sphincter torn he knew he was in Hull. JAMIE

 

 

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by jamie92208

[Barry O]

2 hours ago, monkeysarefun said:

State election day, there's a more interesting choice at the accompanying sausage sizzle than there is at the ballot box.

 

(Newton is where the hipsters hang out and Pauline is our Nigel Farage in a frock)

Lummy!  I thought they were free!!

Baz

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Some nasty person stole the heat out of our suitcases! It's flipping cold!

 

Loads of phone messages including one to set up my eye appointment.  Pah!

 

Super plank next door is STILL hammering and banging ..and he now has 2 vans.. it will be part of one of his tax dodges no doubt.

 

Today involves getting my brain into something like UK time, collecting a prescription, buying some bacon and possibly.. a pork pie.. a thing of great beauty.

 

Stay safe

 

Baz

Edited March 25, 2023 by Barry O

[jamie92208]

Good moaning from a former pit village. We arrived safely yesterday morning after a drive of about an hour. Definitely a route to be considered for the future. Coffee consumed and car unpacked then off to pick up young Em from nursery. A quick walk back towed by a little warm hand and a running commentary made the long journey worthwhile.  Fish and chips for tea then bedtime stories to read.  An evening spent watching the first 2 episodes of Better on iplayer.  Now a good day ahead.  Some timber to buy for a grandpa job then eldest son and family are due to arrive  followed by a family pub lunch.  Not a bad day in prospect.  Jamie who has discovered that if I don't hit the return key the formatting doesn't go haywire. However the shift key adds an extra blank line below.

 

 

[grandadbob]

Good morning all,

Wet and windy start here but we now have now blue sky and a bit of sunshine along with the clouds.  A windy day forecast with sunny spells along with scattered showers which may be heavy at times.  9°C rising to 14°C.

Rugby watched and enjoyed last night, I suspect Warren will be pleased with the result.  Two matches today, first up my team Quins are visiting Saracens so that may well be hard work.

More domestic tasks are "essential" according to Management.  Friends from next door are coming in for food and drinks tonight so that could  will end up being a very enjoyable time.  

Steve starts his 2 day, 4 train trip home from Italy today.  Hope it runs as smoothly as the journey out, especially when he gets to Paris.

Breakfast shortly and then "essential" tasks.  Can't wait.

Have a good one,

Bob.

Edited March 25, 2023 by grandadbob

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl,

4 hours solid sleep, 3 hours sleep with the odd wake up and turn over..

 

Ben the alarm clock Collie will be happy tomorrow as we get up an hour earlier.

He cut short today's patrol, not sure why,  it's very sunny out there, but blowing a hoolie.

 

Much searching for windows 11 x 6 of the right type, eventually packs of 8 x 3, 2 x packs ordered.

 

Not surprised people want to get out of Hull, it's cold and wet in the river, the towns name is Kingston.

 

Big piece on youths gathering in the streets on TV... That's because in days gone by most of these 16-18 year olds would have been in work.. come home knackered, and only gone out on a Saturday night.

Now they laze around uninterested at school and then wander around in the evenings...

 

Plans for today,

Fit trim to under stairs cupboard, 

Fit last reinforcement to under stairs.

Maybe work on console table.

 

But first 

Time for a muggacoffee.

[Erichill16]

Morning All,

Didnt sleep very well due to rain hammering on the soon so got up and had breakfast at 4.00 am and now in a quandary, another breakfast or just a coffee. Depends on where we’re taking dogs and the chance of lunch out. I suppose I’d better get up and find out from SWMBO, who’s making a cake for mil, what the plans are.  

 

[Gwiwer]

Good morning. 
 

Shirt of the Day …..

 

[Winslow Boy]

1 minute ago, Gwiwer said:

Good morning. 
 

Shirt of the Day …..

 

 

Maybe it was a false positive I'd try it again just to be sure.

[jjb1970]

My memory of Kingston upon Hull is doing my lifeboat training there. At one time engineers were excused and we remained in our warm and comfortable engine rooms until some hardy roughneck swung the boats out and got them ready for launching. Then some lunatic changed the certification requirements. If you think the town is bad, try rowing a minty old lifeboat around the river mid winter with a crew of other engineers muttering about the indignity of it all.