Early Risers.

[BSW01]

 Goodnight all 

[PhilJ W]

Goodnight all.

[laurenceb]

Night awl

[leopardml2341]

Good(night)morning?

[TheQ]

Morning.. too early, good night..

 

 

[iL Dottore]

10 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

....I suspect this is all part of a plot by Captain Sinister to capture a cake aficionado and hold him to ransom and the cake is the bait. I have nothing to fear as bread pudding is in plentiful supply.

It’s Captain Cynical I’ll have you know, thank you very much (although it is gratifying to learn that my alter-ego has achieved a degree of infamy. Fame is great, but notoriety is even better!)

16 hours ago, grandadbob said:

Bloody cheek!  Anyone would think he was welcome here. 

I know they can be problematic, but I do find foxes to be very endearing Canids.  As a devoted dog owner, I do have a soft spot for most members of the Canidae family (I find Wolves beautiful animals, but the jury is still out on the coyote).  
Sadly, because they do have great personalities, I find brachycephalic dogs to be both disturbing and, on one level, repugnant. They have simply been overbred and inbred to the point where the desired breed look has created a genetically arid species with significant health problems (If you read any serious scientific analysis of the modern British bulldog you’ll be both saddened and angered to learn what the breed standards have done)

7 hours ago, Ian Abel said:

-25 first thing, it's now at the high for the day at -19! Wasn't a LOT of fun getting the various required comestibles, but it HAD to be done!

 

Tonight we're looking at -29 for the low and -21 the high tomorrow...

that's BLQQDY COLD folks, oh, didn't bother to add the wind-chill, at these temps it's irrelevant 

 

Hope your day goes well and tomorrow shines through

Are we talking Celsius or Fahrenheit? If it is Celsius, then indeed it is bloody cold; but if it’s Fahrenheit, then it really is bloody, bloody cold! 

6 hours ago, Dave Hunt said:

.....he bad news is that my good friend and well-known modeller Bob  Essery is suffering from fairly advanced Alzheimer's disease and is in a nursing home. What a bl**dy awful thing to happen to anyone, let alone someone who has done so much for our hobby...

I don’t know, and have never met, Mr Essery but I am well aware of all the good work he has done for our hobby and it is indeed sad news.  
Isn’t he a contemporary of Iain Rice - who seems to have dropped off the radar as of late (or maybe I’m just not reading the right magazines).

5 hours ago, polybear said:

...Dribble......

You can keep the lamb though ....

......Two problems there:

1.  Bear's wise to such amateur skullduggery.

2. No-one would pay to get Bear back......

1)  I see that Mr P Bear does not eat lamb, I see a distinct pattern emerging here: if it is furry and/or cuddly (Thumper, Bambi, gambolling lambs) it does not go on the dinner table.  So no lamb, rabbit or hare for dinner then? (what about wild boar?)

2)  I am most offended! All my skulduggery is incredibly professionally planned and executed.  And, should I wish to entrap Mr Bear (and why would I wish to do that and upset the current state of detente?),  then it wouldn’t be for the purposes of obtaining ransom money (besides, few could afford to pay the ransom I would ask for him)  but for the purpose of selling him on to a collector of curios, idiosyncrasies and the like.

5 hours ago, pH said:

Done!

 

And it’s snowing again!

Would you send me a quote for clearing the road to my Alpine Redoubt (snowplough and shovels provided)?

5 hours ago, Erichill16 said:

... I wonder if I’ve ever offended anyone, particularly when in rant mode and engaging fingers before brain. I know I upset some people last year, not on ERs though and didn’t get any warning but it did make me think before posting again....

You make a good point. Perhaps it’s a combination of age and (hopefully) wisdom, but it unless it’s a personal attack, I don’t get offended or upset by any of the posts on RMWeb (or even by the vitriolic posts often seen below the line in the comments section of the Guardian). If the post could be construed as “offensive“ (e.g. Martians are three tentacled, green scum that should be hunted down and exterminated) - I simply think: “what a ignorant and unpleasant pillock that poster is” and move on.

Unfortunately, there seems to be an increase in what I would call the “professionally offended“: people who seem to take a perverse delight in taking wilful and vindictive umbrage at even the most innocent of comments, if that comment doesn’t reflect their (often) incredibly narrow and restricted world view. I used the term “vindictive“ because frequently it would seem that the “professionally offended“ are not content with just “calling out“ someone who has posted something they disagree with, but do their utmost to make the life of that hapless poster untenable, up to and including getting the hapless poster fired from their job. A development of social media I find quite disturbing.

 

Perhaps I am being uncharitable, but it seems to me that many of the “professionally offended“ are the sort of people who, before the advent of the Internet, would be the sort of people who wrote long, angry and often incoherent letters in green or purple ink to the local council, the newspapers, their MP and so on. Such “green ink“ letters invariably ended up in the circular file!

And on that sombre note, I bid you an enjoyable Sunday

[jamie92208]

Good moaning to  one and all, i suspect that it's rather cold outside. Last night I had to nip over to the shed after the street lights had gone off, and the dark sky was spectacular with a fabulous star filled display and the milky way very clear.  I got some more joinery done in the afternoon. Two mortices and 3 tenons have now been cut for the new gate timbers.

 

Very sad news about Bob Essery, a good friend over many years. I will be thinking of him everybtime I reach for one of the many reference books that I use. Sadly hecwas thecmain carer for his wife who cannot see well. Whatca curse this dreaded thing is.

 

I'm now watching the cricket, great to see it on terrestrial  TV, though I suspect that England may have problems.

Later on we will be heading for the market and then are planning on joining a Zoom service at our old church in Gildersome. I maybeven be able to spend some time in the shed later on.

 

Jamie

 

Root just out. . Not good news.

[chrisf]

Good morrow to you, Valentine

Curl your locks as I do mine

Two before and three behind

Good morrow to you, Valentine

 

The above is not the Valentine rhyme that I sought.  The mighty Google is for once stumped and baffled.  Never mind, it will have to do.  Not for me was the happy sound of a greetings card landing on the doormat.  I had to make do with one of the magazines to which I subscribe.  How fortunate I am that postie takes all the health risks, real or imagined, in delivering it to me in its polythene wrapper.  I must have been feeling particularly liverish yesterday, for I took an almost fiendish delight in combing the pages for mistakes.  In one particularly fascinating article, entitled “Trains that went backwards … and other odd manoeuvres”, the profusion of expressions such as “I think”, “it seems likely” and “I suspect” leads the reader to the disappointing conclusion that the article is less than definitive.  I think it was the late Donald Boreham, sometime Secretary of the Model Railway Club, who once wrote that the best method of research was to publish what little you know in the sure and certain knowledge that someone will not only know more about it than you do but say so.  The captions have their fair share of avoidable errors.  Why, for instance, do I read that a set of coaches is in chocolate and cream livery when it is as plain as a pikestaff from the photo that they are wearing blood and custard?

 

On the last fodder run I forgot once again to buy a bottle of wine to go with the steak that I chose for Sunday lunch.  I must therefore make do with Erdinger weissbier.  What a shame.

 

Best wishes to all

 

Chris

[Ozexpatriate]

23 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Are we talking Celsius or Fahrenheit? If it is Celsius, then indeed it is bloody cold; but if it’s Fahrenheit, then it really is bloody, bloody cold! 

Does it matter?

 

Ian is particular to use Celsius for the benefit of ERs. Either way these temperatures are somewhat moot:

 

-19°F == -28°C

-21°F == -29°C

-25°F == -31°C

-29°F == -33°C

 

In this range it's much of a muchness. -40° is the same on both scales. With the jetstream where it is, Minnesota might as well be in Canada. (Having lived in Chicago), many would assert that it is in the "Great White North". (Nine months of winter and three months of rough sledding.)

 

Ironically I am further north than Ian, (ever so slightly) with a current temperature of -1.1°C.

[Ozexpatriate]

2 minutes ago, chrisf said:

On the last fodder run I forgot once again to buy a bottle of wine

Chris, perhaps it suggests a personal 'problem' on my part, but this, I cannot comprehend.

 

I recently encountered a relatively inexpensive Californian (Monterey County), Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèrdre (a grape combination much loved in Oz as the "holy trinity") in my local supermarket. I'm not sure exactly how many bottles have made their way home but I enjoyed opening one this evening with some penne arrabiata.

[jamie92208]

16 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Chris, perhaps it suggests a personal 'problem' on my part, but this, I cannot comprehend.

 

I recently encountered a relatively inexpensive Californian (Monterey County), Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèrdre (a grape combination much loved in Oz as the "holy trinity") in my local supermarket. I'm not sure exactly how many bottles have made their way home but I enjoyed opening one this evening with some penne arrabiata.

And we of course are surrounded by vineyards, though most of the produce becomes distilled white wine. However the local vintner does produceca rather nice Merlot at €1.80 per litre. It's a hard life.

 

Jamie

[Ozexpatriate]

1 minute ago, jamie92208 said:

... we of course are surrounded by vineyards, though most of the produce becomes distilled white wine.

Jamie, I am exceedingly jealous of your proximity to artisanal Cognac. Unlike you, my choices are confined to the 'mega-brands' that export in volume.

 

Locally, the vineyards (a little north of 45°N and about the same as the Charente-Maritime) are internationally known for their pinot noir. Perhaps not coincidentally, Beaune (Bourgogne) is at 47°N. There are plenty of fabulous red wines made here but distilled white wine is not their focus.

[jamie92208]

8 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Jamie, I am exceedingly jealous of your proximity to artisanal Cognac. Unlike you, my choices are confined to the 'mega-brands' that export in volume.

 

Locally, the vineyards (a little north of 45°N and about the same as the Charente-Maritime) are internationally known for their pinot noir. Perhaps not coincidentally, Beaune (Bourgogne) is at 47°N. There are plenty of fabulous red wines made here but distilled white wine is not their focus.

Yes Michael, the artisanal cognac is lovely. Our local vineyard/distillery doescit'svown but that isn't a patch on Jean Balluet's which is rich dark and creamy. Mostbof the other nearby producers send most of their output to the big three in Cognac, but there are other independent producers around.technically our garden is within the cognac designation. One of the farmers in the village still produces his own, as well as a really rough rosé that he brings to BBQ's, he also brings some fruit juice to make it drinkable.

 

Jamie

[Barry O]

Ey up!

I hope everyone is well.

 

Been very busy with various things.. next up an experiment in the use of a certain higher level of technologu.

 

The mighty SAFC won... lummy...

 

We have a new ER who may or may not visit us soon. Welcome @Gabe.

 

stay safe!

ttfn as mugatea awaits.

 

baz

Edited February 14, 2021 by Barry O

[TheQ]

Mooring Awl again, Inner Temple Hare,

Four hours sleep, pink pills, 1.5 hours sleep.

 

The pink pills were required because I stepped off the step stool yesterday, unfortunately I was two steps up at the time, a wave of pain went through my spine, it subsided, and I thought I got away with it.

However, during the night it reminded me even while not moving.

 

Ben the alarm clock Collie, dragged me out at exactly 06:00, while he enjoyed a good snuffle around, I didn't, it's very cold , with a strong wind.. it's 37mph, SSE, -1C which is a feels like of -9C, the inspectors of aquatic vegatation in form us it will reach a magnificent +1C later with increasing winds.

 

Unfortunately I have to work on the landrover later, but first work on shelving to the left of the door will commence with the trimming back of a bit of the cupboard, Ben won't like that due to the noise, he also won't like his safe cage having to be temporarily moved..

 

They are reporting that the over 65s and the clinically vulnerable are the be vaccinated next, that would mean many in group 6 are being moved up to join group six to be done next.. that would bring my and SWMBOs vaccination dates forward which we'd like somewhat..

 

Time I think to add heat to bacon..

 

 

Edited February 14, 2021 by TheQ

[polybear]

1 hour ago, iL Dottore said:

1)  I see that Mr P Bear does not eat lamb, I see a distinct pattern emerging here: if it is furry and/or cuddly (Thumper, Bambi, gambolling lambs) it does not go on the dinner table.  So no lamb, rabbit or hare for dinner then? (what about wild boar?)

2)  I am most offended! All my skulduggery is incredibly professionally planned and executed.  And, should I wish to entrap Mr Bear (and why would I wish to do that and upset the current state of detente?),  then it wouldn’t be for the purposes of obtaining ransom money (besides, few could afford to pay the ransom I would ask for him)  but for the purpose of selling him on to a collector of curios, idiosyncrasies and the like.

 

 

Cute and cuddly doesn't help, but it's equally a question of taste and texture.  Having spent many years going on company business trips (Hotels, Restaurants etc., often with others) there were times that Bear would end up in a restaurant not really "my thing".  I did learn that in such situations steak would be my default get-out if nothing else suitable presented itself on the menu, however given the choice then I'd not normally eat a steak - and certainly never spend my own money on one.  Plenty of mustard helps though....

 

3 minutes ago, TheQ said:

The pink pills were required because I stepped off the step stool yesterday, unfortunately I was two steps up at the time, a wave of pain went through my spine, it subsided, and I thought I got away with it.

However, during the night it reminded me even while not moving.

 

 

Bear's done that trick, numerous times.  I'll learn, one day....

The best was forgetting I was standing on a "Youngman's" platform when doing a ceiling; I stepped off - sideways - and did a great impression of a T-I-M-B-E-R moment as my fall started vertical and ending with me horizontal lying on the carpet, with no stumbling action in between.  Luckily I got away with that one, but it could've been pretty unfunny in retrospect

[polybear]

2 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

I am most offended! All my skulduggery is incredibly professionally planned and executed.  And, should I wish to entrap Mr Bear (and why would I wish to do that and upset the current state of detente?),  then it wouldn’t be for the purposes of obtaining ransom money (besides, few could afford to pay the ransom I would ask for him)  but for the purpose of selling him on to a collector of curios, idiosyncrasies and the like.

 

Does this mean that Bear could be reported to the Mods and chased off ER?  Now that would be a despicable way to try to protect possessions of cake - I'm sure there is a clause in the Geneva Convention against such behaviour, perhaps in the same section as shooting unarmed POW's?  As for not upsetting the current detente, that's comforting to know - or is it yet another cunning ploy to try to get Bear to drop his guard?

As for being sold to a collector, would that not be akin to placing Bear in a Zoo?  Whilst that may have some attraction (let's see now - living rent-free, no bills, someone comes in every day to clean, free food....  ) it does have significant down sides - such as some know-it-all deciding that Bears exist on a diet of seal blubber (so no cake) and hobbies just don't feature.  As for holidays and freedom, forget it.  Such a trick on behalf of Captain Cynical can only be described as a War Crime,  surely?

 

On a brighter note, Bear did spy a Salted Caramel Cake on special offer in the Co-op yesterday that was calling out for a good home - it happened to fall into Bear's basket as he ambled past the shelf (ably assisted by a Bl00dy great paw) so that it to look forward to.  Incidentally, they also had one of their  special offers on, consisting of two Goodfellow's Pizzas (a Margherita and a Pepperoni), a bag of McCain Frozen French Fries, two frozen garlic baguettes and a tub of KitKat ice cream - all for a fiver.  Since the (big) Margherita normally sells for £4-20 alone (daylight robbery - Bear can get two of his favourite - though sadly smaller -  Dr.Oetkers Margherita's for that) then it's not bad at all.  Those all took a tumble out of the freezer too, strangely.

 

Bear does seem to have collected quite a few varieties and makes of frozen pizzas in recent weeks, all being on special offer.  That's din dins sorted for today

[leopardml2341]

Mornin'

 

A bit early for a Sunday though. Cuppa decaff tea in hand, hopefully to be followed by some more shut eye.

 

Sadly my 'bleughness' continues so yesterday I attended a Covid test centre - result awaited and last night's planned meal with SWMBO cancelled.

 

Temperature on the rise here, 5 degrees forecast rising to a distinctly sub-tropical 12 tomorrow, that and a reasonable breeze suggests a good day for laundry.

 

Make the most of your day everyone: see you later.

Edited February 14, 2021 by leopardml2341

[jonny777]

Another cloudy, cold and windy day in North Somerset, but temperatures are not quite as low this morning and seems to have reached 0C outside. 

Yesterday, I had increasing areas of itchy skin on my legs and back. They have subsided this morning and I wonder if that was another vaccine related reaction? 

 

Ah yes, Valentine's Day; the day for which supermarkets are eternally grateful, as it allows them to sell off gift stock they have left over from Christmas - and if that doesn't work, there is always Mother's Day. 

[Mike Bellamy]

As reported yesterday, we went for our jabs - now I have a very sore arm but she's fine with no problems. The same always happens with the flu jab - mine hurts like hell for a couple of days but SWMBO no reaction at all. However I did manage to bring a bit of humour into the process as the nurse was asking a series of questions about my health - 'Any headaches'? - response 'Yes she's sitting over there' !

[Barry O]

We are missing @chrisfthis morning.  I hope he is ok.

 

Thanks for the responses guys and gals. If you are an ER and haven't had a pm from me please let me know.

 

Baz

[Erichill16]

2 minutes ago, Barry O said:

We are missing @chrisfthis morning.  I hope he is ok.

 

Thanks for the responses guys and gals. If you are an ER and haven't had a pm from me please let me know.

 

Baz

He’s posted, two hours ago!

[Erichill16]

12 minutes ago, Mike Bellamy said:

However I did manage to bring a bit of humour into the process as the nurse was asking a series of questions about my health - 'Any headaches'? - response 'Yes she's sitting over there' !

Reminds me of the time my grandad was admitted to hospital after a stoke. One of the questions the nurse asked him was ‘what’s your fathers first name? He replied’ Give over lass, not even my mum knew that!’ 
Always cheerful, even after his stoke.
 

[polybear]

Bear has received a "Valetine's Day Special" email (the discount code is "LOV15"), inviting me to 15% off......a Hippobag......

So c'mon lads......buy that special one in your life a Hippobag........

See you in A&E.

[chrisf]

17 minutes ago, Barry O said:

We are missing @chrisfthis morning.  I hope he is ok.

 

Thanks for the responses guys and gals. If you are an ER and haven't had a pm from me please let me know.

 

Baz

 

Hiding in plain sight ...

 

Chris