Early Risers.

[BSW01]

Good morning everyone 

A sunny but at 3C, it’s a cool start to the day here in the northwest corner of England. Thankfully, last night’s strong winds have died down to a slight breeze, so the trees are now barely moving. I’m up a lot earlier than usual as I have an 8:50am appointment at the surgery for blood letting for my latest PSA reading. My consultation with a ‘Christie’ nurse is in 2 weeks, so I’ll be left guessing until then. 
 

Once back from the surgery, the plan is to collect Ava and if the weather is still good enough, go to RHS Bridgewater and have a walk round the woodland area to blow the cobwebs off. We’ll obviously call in at the cafe for a drink and a slice, as it would be rude not to, then a walk round the garden centre to see what tempts us. 
 

Back later 

 

Brian

[polybear]

8 hours ago, BSW01 said:

Well I didn’t get much work done on Inkscape as I’d hope to do, as the monitor gave up on me, all of a sudden, the screen went black then smoke started to come out of the back, pah! At that point I switched off, left it 5 minutes and switched it back on, but nothing, double pah! 

 

 

It's the smoke that makes them work - let that out and you've had it.

 

1 hour ago, jamie92208 said:

Another hour was used trying to reduce the file size of an old Ordnance survey map that I've just bought.  Eventually I managed to crop it correctly to show just the bit of Keighley in 1909 that I need.

 

Bear finds that a free program called Irfanview is rather good for doing all sorts of cleverness such as that, and a lot more too.

 

Bear here....

Today sees Bear adding some Decorator's Caulk to the wallpaper joints in the corners of the H/S/L (it helps to disguise the joints rather well), followed by some wielding of Mickey the Miele and possibly various other cleaning implements as well (such as the dreaded duster) as Bear Towers hasn't seen such things for, well, "a while" and it's long overdue.

After that I need to start planning the position (height) of the H/S/L Dado Rail as I'm going for a 2-tone paint colour scheme; it'll need some pondering cos' the position of the handrail up the stairs needs to be around the same height as well.  Pah.

 

In other news....

The latest in the Saga - it seems the Home Secretary is less than impressed with the actions of The Boys in Blue as well; Bear suspects that someone got a new hole ripped into them for that little number and will be needing a very soft cushion to sit on for a while:

 

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/landlord-defies-police-and-puts-golly-dolls-back-up-behind-her-bar/ar-AA19HUIF?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=5e1825c6912d4989a924c3da11e38b71&ei=32

 

Bear gone.

[NGT6 1315]

Moaning awl. Looking sunny right now but the mornings can still be chilly hereabouts.

 

I'm currently having a few days off, which I don't mind one bit! I'm trying to get some things done around the house, and also have a few items to prepare for the next round of courses in Gotha.

 

Stay safe, everyone.

[Barry O]

Ey up!

 

Spent an enjoyable evening last night listening to a session by Steve Philips in his local.. the Grosvenor Robin Hoods Bay. Excellent music and great companions. It was blowing a hoolie when we came out to walk-on the hill...having to ... jog.. to make headway.

 

We are off to Whitby today.. either walking or by bus. Late lunch willbe taken in the Magpie.. hopefully they will have skate wings on the menu!

 

Stay safe!

 

Baz

[Erichill16]

Morning All,

Up early (ish) as I’m going into work to help with the deliveries. Next week the delivery driver is off on annual leave and I’m covering for him so having a refresher day.

Bit peeved at the moment as I consumed some wheat by accident on Monday. The colour contrast  between the list of allergens and the background on a packet of ‘Mashed Potato Smacks’ was very poor so I miss read the information.  Antibodies caused this misdemeanour will take about nine months to settle down to acceptable levels.  Turdycurses. 
As @grandadbob would say, bettergetamoveon. 

 

[PhilJ W]

5 hours ago, Ozexpatriate said:

I saw a coyote crossing the street in a neighbourhood near the high school the other day - I had never seen one locally before. Deer yes, but not coyotes. It was relatively close to me and we ignored each other.

 

Today a sign appeared at the entry to a creekside trail in a park >1km away (as the crow flies) inscribed with "You are entering coyote habitat" or some such thing. I was thinking that, at this point, the whole area is now coyote habitat, not just the creek.

They (coyotes) can be dangerous.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/girl-19-mauled-death-coyote-24766298

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Had another good nights sleep last night but the arthritis/sciatica reappeared this morning but Nurofen has dealt with that. Sunny at the moment but predicted to cloud over later with the possibility of rain..

[TheQ]

Had Currys been still there there's a good chance you still wouldn't have got the monitor you want. A lot of their stuff on the shelves now is demonstration only. You place an order and you collect later or they deliver.

 

Yesterday, you may have not noticed my absence.

But...

4.5 hours sleep go to sofa hoping for another couple of hours before departure...

No, SWMBO gets up soon after to see her brother off... Who isn't leaving for 2hours...

They leave, some time between 04:30 and 04:45.

 

I get up 05:00, breakfast get ready etc, depart at 06:00.

Dawn around that time, mostly sunny on the way up.

This gadget says journey time 4:15, I allow 6 hours plus 1 hour and a bit meeting time up there. time take to get there... 7 hours.....

 

Heavy traffic, One road closed for road works, a large section of motorway coned down so they could cut the grass on the central reservation,  then an accident on the M62, sending cars off on some weird route across country, being me, I took the opposite way across country, me going North instead of south.

Then west to join the A1(M)

Eventually I get to their home which is on this road...

You can imagine what it's like on a school holiday with grockles wandering along it,

They seem most astonished that a car has the temerity to venture down there while they are walking along the river.. ( road is access only)

A quick chat and change of clothes, then we get in a big black car following a hearse. Down the same width road a bit further along.

 

At least for the hearse most of the tourists were more respectful, standing aside as the cars squeezed down the route. futher along near the World's End pub ( yes that one on Pete Goss's model railway), a scaffolding lorry had previously been asked to move in to a small gap to let us through.

Then on to the crematorium, for the non religious service of remembrance.

 

Well attended the crematorium was packed with about 100 in attendance, a short distance away , there was seating for about another 150, in "The pavilions" https://pavilionsofharrogate.co.uk/ with live streamed video. 

One sister and various people gave remembrances of his life.

After the service, as we left the rain started.

 

We all decamped to the pavilions where there were tables, food and drinks for 250 people. All John's favourites foods ( and mostly mine).

After some chats with various people, the choir of about 20 people which John's wife sings with, did a piece of half a dozen songs all versions of John's favourite pop songs except the last one .

Which was..

"We're Not Brazil, We're Northern Ireland!!!"

 

Yep John is from a Scottish Presbyterian family, who supported Glasgow Celtic, and Northern Ireland football teams,  confused? I certainly am.!!!

 

Driving back. Journey time 5 hours in heavy rain all the way. Where there was the accident earlier, it was coned down to to two lanes and they were replacing central barriers.

 

Arrive home at 22:45, after about 450 Miles driving and the events of the day.

 

 

To say I'm knackered is an understatement, today will be pottering around and not doing much except loading washing machine or dryer..

 

 

 

 

[PupCam]

Morning All!

 

10 hours ago, BSW01 said:

Well I didn’t get much work done on Inkscape as I’d hope to do, as the monitor gave up on me, all of a sudden, the screen went black then smoke started to come out of the back, pah! At that point I switched off, left it 5 minutes and switched it back on, but nothing, double pah!

 

As @polybear indicated, smoke is what makes electrical & electronic devices work.  Ergo Electricity = Smoke 😀  

 

Once the smoke has been released there's no longer any "electricity" left to operate the device.   This is a big problem on old British classic cars and motorcycles that use Lucas electrical equipment (nearly all of them then) but the problem can be mitigated to some extent with this product but it's not cheap and has the limitation it's for positive earth equipment only ...

 

 

56 minutes ago, Erichill16 said:

 Antibodies caused this misdemeanour will take about nine months to settle down to acceptable levels.  Turdycurses. 

 

 

 

Oh no!  Very sorry to hear that.  I think something stronger than TCs is applicable here!

 

In Other News

 

Yesterday was spent with more Pampas Grass wrestling.   6 bags to the tip yesterday, probably another 20 to go then ☹️

Puppers' only has a limited stamina these days and it's extremely tough stuff so little and often over a period will be the way.

 

In the afternoon I thought I'd circumvented the Beeza pushrod problem with a combination of a thicker rocker box gasket, a thinned pushrod lock nut and selective assembly.   An initial assembly looked like there was still clearance of both inlet and exhaust however following an unusually late session in the garage yesterday evening when I'd done battle with the pushrod tower nut and seal and nipped everything up tight all of the exhaust valve clearance had got up and walked off!    TCs aplenty.

 

This morning I will be disassembling the Beeza's valve gear and looking for Plan B ....

 

TTFNQ

[jjb1970]

Evidence that Singapore is as parochial as anywhere, from the CNA website today:

 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ship-boarded-singapore-ivory-coast-cote-cote-dlvoire-success-9-3411036

 

A classic parrot headline.

[tigerburnie]

1 hour ago, Barry O said:

Ey up!

 

Spent an enjoyable evening last night listening to a session by Steve Philips in his local.. the Grosvenor Robin Hoods Bay. Excellent music and great companions. It was blowing a hoolie when we came out to walk-on the hill...having to ... jog.. to make headway.

 

We are off to Whitby today.. either walking or by bus. Late lunch willbe taken in the Magpie.. hopefully they will have skate wings on the menu!

 

Stay safe!

 

Baz

Did Mark Knopfler drop in for a jamming session?

Guitar Stories Mark Knopfler SkyArts1 - YouTube

[pH]

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

They (coyotes) can be dangerous.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/girl-19-mauled-death-coyote-24766298

Well, yes, but as the report says, that’s the first known fatal attack by coyotes in Canada. By that standard, pigs and cows (for example) are much more dangerous.

[monkeysarefun]

2 hours ago, polybear said:

The latest in the Saga - it seems the Home Secretary is less than impressed with the actions of The Boys in Blue as well; Bear suspects that someone got a new hole ripped into them for that little number and will be needing a very soft cushion to sit on for a while:

Now I do hesitate to get involved in this but the news angle  regarding this story down this part of the world takes on a rather different  bent, and shows  put-upon  landlord Christopher  Ryley in a somewhat alternative  light... Perhaps your home secretary needs to do a little bit of research before she sticks her oar in?

 

 

 

Edited April 12, 2023 by monkeysarefun

[Barry O]

22 minutes ago, tigerburnie said:

Did Mark Knopfler drop in for a jamming session?

Guitar Stories Mark Knopfler SkyArts1 - YouTube

Unfortunately no he didn't but the music was good anyway

Ba

[jjb1970]

Mark Knopfler is a brilliant guitarist, I've never thought much of his singing skills but he can play a guitar. The famous live performance of 'Sultans of Swing' from the 'Alchemy' album/concert is one of those few legendary performances that really does deserve its status, remarkable.

[Tony_S]

16 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

Mark Knopfler is a brilliant guitarist, I've never thought much of his singing skills but he can play a guitar. The famous live performance of 'Sultans of Swing' from the 'Alchemy' album/concert is one of those few legendary performances that really does deserve its status, remarkable.

His singing on his and Emmylou Harris’ “All the Roadrunning” album seems to suit the songs well. 

Edited April 12, 2023 by Tony_S

[Tony_S]

35 minutes ago, monkeysarefun said:

Now I do hesitate to get involved in this but the news angle  regarding this story down this part of the world takes on a rather different  bent, and shows  put-upon  landlord Christopher  Ryley in a somewhat alternative  light... Perhaps your home secretary needs to do a little bit of research before she sticks her oar in?

 

 

 

The extended version of the story has circulated here too and also that this has been going on for some time before the police were involved. 

[pH]

24 minutes ago, jjb1970 said:

Mark Knopfler is a brilliant guitarist, I've never thought much of his singing skills but he can play a guitar. 

On one track of the Sonny Landreth album “South of I-10”, Knopfler is listed as providing ‘background vocals’. To me, that’s a bit like hiring Michelangelo  to paint your skirting boards. 
 

(Great album, by the way: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_of_I-10)

Edited April 12, 2023 by pH

[PhilH]

I feel a bit of a fraud belonging to ER’s. Firstly I’m not a particularly ER these days…I don’t usually switch the tv on till around 9pm, then usually either get sucked down the YouTube video rabbit hole (‘just one more…’) or a couple of films or something. Then, of course, it’s stupid o’clock in the morning, you know the rest.

 

Secondly, when I retired nearly ten years ago I made a decision that wherever possible retirement was going to mean just that, ie retiring from doing stuff I don’t want to do. So I get people to do all that, ok, it costs money,the kids won’t get quite so much when I start pushing up daisies but it lets me get on with stuff I want to do. So no diy, decorating, working on cars etc., just doing mainly what I want to do. Not for everybody but suits me just fine. Some might call it lazy, I can’t argue with that, but we’re all different. The amount of energy people on here have to do that work stuff wears me out…..
 

On that theme, today will be more printing, painting models, planning and prepping for my next diorama and a walk down the road to spend time with 2/3 of the grandkids. That’ll do nicely.

 

Enjoy your day!

[Tony_S]

43 minutes ago, PhilH said:

Firstly I’m not a particularly ER these days

Same here, but it is nice to keep the ERs in other time zones company!

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all.

Traditional April weather today, showers and sunny spells. We will be having a short trip to the pharmacy today so Aditi can collect a asthma puffer. Then possibly a small amount of shopping. We are going to Enfield on Saturday for MiL’s birthday. Aditi has been asked to make a dessert (apple crumble ) and a birthday cake. Hopefully the Kettering contingent will be Covid free by then and able to enjoy the cake with us. We have finally finished the apples we picked at our friends house in Norfolk last year so apples are on the shopping list. On Friday, we will be going out for a pub lunch in Stock (nothing like the one in Grays) with some friends. This is quite a lot of socialising for us! 
I suspect we may be asked to do some dog sitting when we return from the pub on Friday. Our neighbour’s grandson is having his Army passing out parade at Pirbright. Neighbours are able to go. Their daughter, granddaughter and daughters friend will attending but will be coming from Wales via Essex. Dogs will be left here. It could be a long day out for the humans so I suspect I could be asked to let the dogs out. I really don’t mind. The chihuahua is really easy to look after. I am not sure if the mountain dog/Labrador will stay here or will be going to the parade. It is the granddaughter’s emotional support service dog. I don’t know if that qualifies for an army guest pass. 
Tony

Edited April 12, 2023 by Tony_S
Don’t know what day it is!

[grandadbob]

 Good morning  A'noon all,

Slapped wrists for me as I'm late on parade today, reason for that is that I was late to bed watching recorded TV and then got up late.  This meant that breakfast was late etc etc.

Bright and very breezy here with the chance of some showers, possibly heavy, later.  11°C  and unlikely to get any warmer.

A walk to loosen up The Back has been undertaken via Asda as we were running low on milk.  Only managed a mile before giving up...so has The Hip as well as The Back now.  Pills have been deployed.

I tend to agree with Phil about getting people in to do things, particularly decorating although I have tackled the odd small job  recently .  Although I am quite capable of doing these jobs I can't stand decorating.  Anything like PB's  undertakings would definitely be sub contracted.

Soon be time for lunch, ham rolls today.

Have a good one,

Bob.

 

 

[DaveF]

A sunny morning clouding over now - and I have to go out later so I expect it will rain.

 

Yesterday began with the grocery delivery, everything came but the salmon was in a different pack with more fish, of odd sizes for no more money.  Then I went to the beach, got out of the car and hurridly got back in to find my hat as the wind was very cold.  I had a nice walk along the promenade, I am keeping my fingers crossed as I did not get so much pain and only had to stop twice.

 

I came back home and sorted out yet more photos, by then it was time to go to the dentist.  I was able to park outside the door and was seen a couple of minutes early, nothing needs doing except another clean and polish by the hygienist to try to help deal with a gum issue - it's been a problem for many years, as I get older dentists seem more and more keen to try sort it out.  On the way home I bought some new plastic pots to grow this years tomatoes in the greenhouse, the old ones have cracked - but they are over ten years old.

 

I was home in time for coffee after which I did more photo things.  In the afternoon I tidied up less hardy fuchsias which spent winter in the greenhouse and then got the moss of the greenhouse floor between the slabs and finished the cleaning jobs so it is ready for the rest of the plants to go back in once it is a bit warmer.  The young tomato plants and sweet peas are now in the greenhouse.

 

I put out the wheelie bin ready for morning but it became very windy so I had to rescue it later on as it was off down the road, it spent the night by the front door and went out again just before the bin men came this morning.

 

It doesn't sound much for a day but I never seemed to stop.

 

David

[polybear]

51 minutes ago, Tony_S said:

It could be a long day out for the humans so I suspect I could be asked to let the dogs out. 

 

 

[polybear]

2 hours ago, Tony_S said:

The extended version of the story has circulated here too and also that this has been going on for some time before the police were involved. 

 

I suspect then that these latest goings-on may well attract the attention of the Brewery - who I'm sure will be less than happy.

 

2 hours ago, PhilH said:

So no diy, decorating, working on cars etc., just doing mainly what I want to do. Not for everybody but suits me just fine. Some might call it lazy, I can’t argue with that, but we’re all different. The amount of energy people on here have to do that work stuff wears me out…..

 

It wears this Bear out too...there's only so much DIY in a Bear, and mine has pretty much disappeared.  Fortunately the very worst of The Great H/S/L Refurb is well and truly history and I reckon I'm on the last 25% or so.  Hopefully.  After that it's just the usual maintenance kinda stuff, with no "Great Projects" outstanding.  YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...........

 

In other news....

A morning spent wielding the Caulking Gun, which involved the services of The Ladder of Death.  Now done, but there will be some more to do once the walls are painted.  I also had some fun removing the old Sticker on the Green Wheelie Bin (which proves I've paid up for it to be emptied every fortnight for a year) - for several years I've merely been putting a new sticker on top of the old one, but have noticed that they've started to crack and break away so needed removing before the latest one went on.  Should be easy enough, right?  Wrong - they were stuck to the bin like they'd been welded on and needed the services of a Stanley Blade Scraper to get them off.  New words were learned.

BG