Early Risers.

[Winslow Boy]

3 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Morning, from a dry and breezy Rock - which IS the 'mainland' BTW, Mr Winslow! 

 

Poly, Debs isn't retiring in two weeks, just moving out of the DHSC freedom of information hell-hole job, to Fleet Management for the department of infrastructure - which includes....

 

 

...and...

 

 

...amongst other things!  

One hopes ' Oh man of indeterminate age' - don't want to be accused of descrimination do I, that you've done a quick once around the island on that 'pedallo' of yours to check that none of the anchours have dragged.

 

Last thing you need is to end up at the mouth of the Mersey. Just think of all those Liverpudlians coming over on their lilos to take advantages of you rich manxites.

Edited February 21, 2021 by Winslow Boy

[BoD]

3 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

Normally, I buy my sausages, black pudding and the like the day before I leave, storing them in the minibar. When I check out from the hotel on the last day, I ask them to keep the sausages etc refrigerated (which they normally can do). Then, when I pick up my luggage just before heading to the airport,  I pack the meats which will survive the few hours outside of the fridge quite adequately (especially when you consider that the cargo hold in an aircraft is not usually heated).

 

Haven't the rules changed since January 1st?

 

Or is that only if you get caught?

[Winslow Boy]

2 minutes ago, BoD said:

 

Haven't the rules changed since January 1st?

 

Or is that only if you get caught?

As they don't seem to want our scallops I don't think we should let them have our sausages.

[PhilJ W]

Hello again from Estuary-Land. I did hear somewhere that since Brexit English sausages cannot be taken into the EU. So the only way that Flavio can get English bangers to Switzerland is by air. Unless of course someone is able to smuggle them through France. There is an alternative route through Ireland where before the troubles the border was very lightly controlled and it was a smugglers paradise. It was said that cattle near the border was trained to walk backwards to confuse the authorities.

2 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Morning all,

  clearly my Zoom appearance needs some thought about lighting although erhaps being shadowy is not such a bad idea?  Problem is that the 'puter sits in a corner and all the light is either behind me or at an oblique angle and both power sockets at this end of the room are in use for 'putery things although there might be a spare space on one of the adaptors.  but that's just a first world problem so hardly a major concern.

 

 

1 hour ago, Sidecar Racer said:

 

 Mike , you could look at one of these , I have one as my puter is similarly

located , very handy in the evenings to light the keyboard and reduce spelling

errors . Having a flexible stalk means you can aim the light where needed .

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291947591360?var=590937498863&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=590937498863_291947591360&targetid=1139674279667&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045659&poi=&campaignid=12128858326&mkgroupid=122515169451&rlsatarget=aud-629407026705:pla-1139674279667&abcId=9300480&merchantid=113403285&gclid=Cj0KCQiApsiBBhCKARIsAN8o_4iS1whsIhWuU_8fGrWDMzKn9QMzp7VY0GGZ51tFxCOkhIyJ18nYeykaAueDEALw_wcB

I have an Anglepoise lamp on the rear corner of my computer table that seems to do an effective job.

[PhilJ W]

4 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

As they don't seem to want our scallops I don't think we should let them have our sausages.

They do want our scallops but now they are tied up in red tape and go 'off' before they get there.  

[sixoh8sixoh]

3 hours ago, New Haven Neil said:

Morning, from a dry and breezy Rock - which IS the 'mainland' BTW, Mr Winslow! 

 

Poly, Debs isn't retiring in two weeks, just moving out of the DHSC freedom of information hell-hole job, to Fleet Management for the department of infrastructure - which includes....

 

 

...and...

 

 

...amongst other things!  

Neil, I can't remember if I've asked you before, but does Mrs NHN know Jo Overty or Cath Hayhow, both at one time in IOM DHSC?

[leopardml2341]

More random editor clearing needed.

 

Lunchtime, then back to more summershed 'doings' - nearly had a 'grandadbob moment' earlier when my head came VERY close to making contact with the pointy end of a quick release clamp. Had it happened the air would have been very blue, as it was it became my cue to take a break.

 

it has been mentioned, and certainly this part of South Derbyshire seems to concur, that spring is awakening, noticed the first daffodil in mi garden breaking bud.

[sixoh8sixoh]

Very pleased to see the first hints of spring here too! First snowdrops and daffs flowering.

[BSW01]

1 hour ago, BoD said:

 

Haven't the rules changed since January 1st?

 

Or is that only if you get caught?

Switzerland aren't in the EU! 

[BoD]

19 minutes ago, BSW01 said:

Switzerland aren't in the EU! 

Yes, but we can no longer trade with them as if we were. Have we negotiated new arrangements yet?

[Tony_S]

I think GB sausages can be exported if frozen. 

 

[Tony_S]

Afternoon all. 

We bought a new metal arch for the garden earlier this year and while Aditi mowed the grass I bolted the arch together. Aditi was suitably impressed by use of spirit level and tape measure to position the ground spikes. I was pleased that there was no sign of chest pains or breathlessness. Just back ache but that will soon go. 

[southern42]

5 hours ago, The Stationmaster said:

Morning all,

 

Fifty shades of grey in the sky at preseent but there are signs of a possoible break in the cloud off to the south. (I know it's the south because it's the bit of sky the sun passes during the middle of the day - on days when you can see the sun).  Cramp appears to have been much in vogue overnight as early this mrning it struck twice in my left leg and simultaneously in my right leg on the second occasion - and for once it wasn't caused by a cat lying on my foot

  clearly my Zoom appearance needs some thought about lighting although erhaps being shadowy is not such a bad idea?  Problem is that the 'puter sits in a corner and all the light is either behind me or at an oblique angle and both power sockets at this end of the room are in use for 'putery things although there might be a spare space on one of the adaptors.  but that's just a first world problem so hardly a major concern.

 

I note that as far as the ERbrains trust is concerned I see that The George in the Isle of Dogs is temporarily closed but hopefully will reopen once things are gradually unlocked.  As others might recall the indoor dining area could readily accommodate a larger party should the trust happen to expand in numbers. 

 

No big plans for today but I do need to do some careful photo illustration checking as well as guiding 'the designer' towards a relevant photo which ought really be included of the aftermath of the historically important 1900 collision at Slough (easy to find on the 'net) while although not quite so relevant there are also several  photos of the results of the 1913 collision at Yeovil Pen Mill on the 'net.  I think it might also be sensible to draft some captions

 

Have a good day one and all and stay safe safe

 

PS Thanks NHN for the view of Laxey - a fondly remembered spot on the IoM

 

Cramp, you say. 

So, maybe, I should own up.  Some of yesterday's ER Zoomers may have noticed, that a few times, about half way through and later, I left my chair - in other words, my screen was empty.  This was because the backs of both legs severely cramped up, leaving me struggling to un-cramp them . Walking around; crouching up and down; and massaging calf, back of thigh and knee, each time, eventually did the job.  A drink helped as well, probably.  Thankfully, I had no bother overnight.

So you have my sympathies, Mike.

 

 

Edited February 21, 2021 by southern42
Typo, not cramp. ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[tigerburnie]

Drink and salt help with leg cramps, so maybe Tequila shots??

[TheQ]

It seems to be spring here, the dawn chorus was loud, I opened the door to let Ben out he heard the noise and ran back to his bed.

The day however, "turned out nice again mother", beautiful sunshine, nice breeze a good walk..

 

We have got the best crop of snowdrops for many years.

 

Three more shelves installed, two more uprights installed, two shelves for them which will bridge over the TV are painted and drying.

 

The second piece of metal, was cut to size, trimmed to shape and made less lumpy. It's had a trial fit and just needs a little fettling, before wire brushing, zinc painting and top coating.

 

I now need to order some bolts to put it all together.

 

Time to go buy some

 

Edited February 21, 2021 by TheQ

[Gwiwer]

Afternoon all,

 

The roses have been pruned.  The lawns have been edged.  Weeds have been removed.  Ivy has been trimmed.  Soil has been raked over.  Pots have been tidied.  Paths have been swept.  There is method in all this madness.  We intend to have the place looking the best we can get it, and take "before" photos, in advance of New Neighbour plus children moving in next door.  If they leave things well alone and respect us and our gardens then all well and good.  If not then I shall also take photos of the "after" appearance and send both to the agent.  

 

We always approach new neighbours with open minds but we need them to understand that SWMBO is in a vulnerable place and must not have close contact with anyone except me.  She also  works from home and must not have young children - or anyone else - playing or making any sort of noise outside her window during working hours.  Similarly I have to minimise my contact with others to protect her.  We would also prefer that our g*****ing efforts are not trampled down by unsupervised (or even supervised) little feet.  Children must be allowed to be children but adults adopting the "No English" attitude if we have to discuss anything will not be accepted.  When Upon the Hill of Strawberries do as the Hill of Strawberries does.  Where ever you have come from and which ever language you speak.  We have been warned by their current neighbour that they are noisy and unreasonable.  We shall see how things go starting with a clean sheet.

 

The new iron has been initiated.  It seems to be hotter than its predecessor.  It makes my uniform nice and flat more easily and in less time.  

 

There is a chicken lurking in the kitchen which will shortly be placed in the oven.  I'm sure I can find some vegetabilia to accompany it.  There is also a nice bottle of Aussie Chardonnay in the fridge which needs emptying before I can recycle the glass.  

 

I am going to the kitchen.  I may be some thyme.  

 

 

 

 

[southern42]

13 minutes ago, tigerburnie said:

Drink and salt help with leg cramps, so maybe Tequila shots??

 

And not sitting in the same chair for 3 hours. 

[iL Dottore]

2 hours ago, BoD said:

 

Haven't the rules changed since January 1st?

 

Or is that only if you get caught?

It used to be that you could import up to 2 kg of meat products (basically sausages, black pudding and porkpies) from the UK. But I have just checked the Swiss customs website and we are no longer allowed to import any meat products from the UK. However, we can bring in up to 20 kg of fish! I wouldn’t be surprised if there will be some enterprising Irish businessmen who will find a way of, quite legally, acquiring British food stuffs to sell on to the modest but profitable British Expats in Europe market.

 

Reading various news items, one cannot help but get the impression the EU has instructed -through its various functionaries - that every country’s customs and excise department has to be as obstructive, bureaucratic, inflexible and unyielding as they can possibly be. Not only to “punish” the UK; but also, and more importantly, to hold the UK up as a terrible warning to those countries in the EU (such as certain eastern European countries and certain southern European countries) who are currently more than unhappy with Brussels and how it has completely mismanaged the vaccination situation..

According to my German friends, von der Leyen was a God awful minister in Germany, and being kicked upstairs to the EU bureaucracy in Brussels hasn’t improved her abilities.

 

I had better stop here as it could get “political”.

Edited February 21, 2021 by iL Dottore
Typos

[Ian Abel]

Happy birthday, a bit late sorry, @chrisf

 

 

Moaning all...

 

Thanks to @Barry O for organizing the Zoom meeting, my apologies for being "en retard". If I'd bothered to actually READ CAREFULLY the time, I'd have been on time <sigh>

 

Rest of the day taken up with walking Whitney, some relaxation as we were still recovering from the results of our second job, and preparation for our evening murder investigation!

Investigation successful, all four of us agreed on who the next suspect to be cleared was, so on to the next "episode".

 

Still tired and somewhat achy but both on the mend we think this morning...

Will accordingly be another slow day around these parts.

 

-7 and cloudy first thing, supposed to hit -1 and possibly some light snow later.

 

Enjoy the day.

[polybear]

28 minutes ago, iL Dottore said:

Reading various news items, one cannot help but get the impression the EU has instructed -through its various functionaries - that every country’s customs and excise department has to be as obstructive, bureaucratic, inflexible and unyielding as they can possibly be. Not only to “punish” the UK; but also, and more importantly, to hold the UK up as a terrible warning to those countries in the EU (such as certain eastern European countries and certain southern European countries) who are currently more than unhappy with Brussels and how it has completely mismanaged the vaccination situation..

 

 

The EU? Snidey?  Can't imagine they would be that petty at losing.  Oh, hang on a minute.....

https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/1384445/european-union-dutch-border-ham-sandwiches-lorry-drivers

[Barry O]

Had a strange sort of day.. went for a walk with her indoors.. lots of snowdrops already in flower near us.. the Bluebells in our front garden are shooting up..

 

 

Next door pumped the water out of his trenches today.. the concrete doesn't look flat and shows signs of cracking already.. the "dwarf" wall which will be built upon it is going to be of an interesting size.

 

He reckons his mates little digger will get the tree roots out pdq.. yes .. really! After that he is digging the foundations for the "conservatory/Diner" which is to the maximum size allowed to not require planning permission. But a chance phone call with a planning manager reveals they have to include the size when submitting the plans for the big extension.. He thinks it will be greater than the 20% allowed so will" watch out" for it all. A site visit will be undertaken apparently prior to permission being granted...

 

I have put some fresh pig (with salt added to its skin. potatoes, mushrooms, onion and sweet peppers in the oven, Broccoli await cooking and the Yorkshire pudding mix await adding to the Yorkshire pudding tray.

 

Now to go off to prepare for my visit to the LGI tomorrow.. the visit will include an ECG, blood tests, an MRI and a "six minute walk test" (should get me to costa and back in the Jubilee wing) All in the name of science.

 

 

Baz

[Barry O]

@southern42  I find Indian Tonic water helps with cramp...

 

Baz

[leopardml2341]

3 minutes ago, Barry O said:

@southern42  I find Indian Tonic water helps with cramp...

 

Baz

Though for some reason the 'full fat' version seems to be more efficacious than the supposedly 'elfy' stuff.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. A very good Zoom chat yesterday, I hope that in future even more can join in. I was trying to read the spines of the books behind Tony, I managed to read a few. There was a news item about a week ago about lockdown causing a surge in demand for second hand books. Not to read but to fill the bookshelves used as a backdrop when doing Zoom meetings, you order by the metre. I have plenty of books anyway, about 6,000 at the last count. 

[Coombe Barton]

Been stripping panelling, support battens and the remnants of 40+ year old wallpaper from walls. However the skimming plaster hass, in parts, indicated that it is past it's sell by date and is also forming piles of debris on the floor.

I had expected that.

But now to treat myself with roast duck bits and roast vegetables for supper. The cherry sauce I made too much of last wee=k will also be employed.