More of what makes your day.
A long weekend in Arran
Shopping in Tesco.
I need to get out more.
Two teenage girls in the back of a car waving at me when I stuck behind them at some roadworks on my bike. I think they liked my Union Jack woolly hat.
Cooking a steak perfectly.
For the First time in 2 years I took my mother outside her care home and round the local park in a wheelchair. She was very nervous and it must have seemed like a trip to Australia for her. She enjoyed it I think but was glad to be back in the institution.
First car tax for my diminutive Volkswagen Up. Only £20!
It's been a great little car so far, more than up to the job of doing long motorway distances and ideal for Tesco and back.
Quote from: Slim on February 28, 2022, 10:41:21 PMFirst car tax for my diminutive Volkswagen Up. Only £20!
It's been a great little car so far, more than up to the job of doing long motorway distances and ideal for Tesco and back.
They're great little cars, had one for over 7 years now. Zero tax as it has a stop start function thingy (might that change?). As you say more than capable of travelling long distances, mine has even managed to navigate dodgy farm tracks on the Somme.
Kitchen progressing well. This is day 16 (inc weekends, so really 12). The floor is now down - woohoo. All that needs doing now are the lower plinths and lights installed, and the quartz worktop fitted. Fingers crossed should all be done by Friday - and it's still 100% on schedule.
My advance download of the new Marillion album has been safely stored on the PC and I am on my second listen and its just beautiful.
When is the public release?
I have a sink - yay. Kitchen all done. I made the first tea and we had gammon, egg and chips - yum.
The Indian TV bloke arguing with the wrong guy in an interview....just soo funny :)
Von Hertzen Brothers are touring :)
Been out for a very swish indian meal to celebrate a good friend's 50th.
Bercow has had his Commons pass revoked after an inquiry found him to have been a "serial bully" and a liar. I understand he's also been administratively suspended from the Labour Party now, as well. They welcomed him with open arms less than a year ago. Might have seen that coming.
Even the Guardian doesn't try a positive spin.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/08/john-bercow-ex-speaker-banned-commons-bullying-inquiry
That peerage looks a long, long way off now ..
Next time he shouts "order!" perhaps someone will reply "one Big Mac with fries and a coke, please"
Perhaps Patel should have hers removed as well.
Managed to achieve quite a lot on my day off today. A trip to the dump and after finishing the spare room and installing the treadmill, the electronic drums are back in and set-up and the two road bikes are back up on the wall brackets. everything just works out perfectly space-wise..very pleased.
Had my first workout on the treadmill this afternoon, a fantastic piece of kit...especially for only £1499
Blimey, sounds like a serious bit of kit. Apart from my bikes my only exercise equipment is a rowing machine and I think it was £170 or something. Cheap one for sure but it works well enough when I use it, which these days isn't exactly a frequent occurrence. I should do that more often.
Wise words.
(https://i.ibb.co/kMXpqpQ/joanieb-wisewords.jpg)
Quote from: Slim on March 08, 2022, 08:06:12 PMBlimey, sounds like a serious bit of kit.
https://www.proform.com/treadmills/pro5000
As my late father would've said: "would you like to try and make one for fifteen hundred quid?"
Even at the normal price of £1899, it's good value - gotta love the Chinese
It's International Women's Day, so I made sure Mrs S did ALL the work round the house today:
"Change over that QR Skewer and stick the bike in the Turbo Trainer Bitch!" :)
My son's 18th birthday today (well yesterday technically now). Had a lovely evening out for a meal with all the family and a few close friends. Tomorrow (well today) we are going to the pub to watch the rugby (his idea!). He can legally buy me a drink now!
First time I bought my dad a drink - a Gold Label Barley Wine - he knocked the bloody thing over >:(
Off to see Derren Brown tonight at the Kings Theatre Glasgow .. should have been April 2020...
Walking round my old stamping ground, East Dulwich this morning. Heard a loud squawk, looked up and saw three parrots taking flight from a tree overhead.
Enjoying a thorough ultrasound scan performed by a rather appealing Hispanic lady possibly more than I strictly was meant to. ::)
yesterday evening's simple pleasure - I upgraded the hardware and software of my Sonos system to sonos 2 :)
I can now play Rush at full volume all over the house.
This:
https://youtu.be/NHNLNXq7r2U
"what's the difference between a conspiracy theory and the truth?
About 6 months" ;D ;D
Couldn't stand the bloke years ago but I've warmed to him.
You're beginning to get under the MSM's skin, Russell. Must be doing something right, keep up the good work
Just found out that Penelope Isles are supporting Sea Power on their tour next month. Two brilliant bands on the same bill.
Home cooked mussels.
This is good news for me, I've been living in Ireland for 19 years now. Last time I voted was the EU referendum, be nice to be able to vote in UK elections again
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/31/britons-living-overseas-for-15-years-get-the-right-to-vote-in-uk-elections?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Anyone else affected by this?
Two weeks in Puerto Pollenca in Majorca booked for Aug.. can't fucking wait tbh....
Quote from: dom on March 31, 2022, 01:17:46 PMThis is good news for me, I've been living in Ireland for 19 years now. Last time I voted was the EU referendum, be nice to be able to vote in UK elections again
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/31/britons-living-overseas-for-15-years-get-the-right-to-vote-in-uk-elections?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Anyone else affected by this?
I can't understand why you'd have a vote in the EU referendum, didn't know that. Do you pay taxes in the UK, or intend to return here? At the moment I can't see any more justification for this, really. Do you even identify as a "Briton", in the Guardian's terms?
Quote from: Slim on March 31, 2022, 03:46:13 PMQuote from: dom on March 31, 2022, 01:17:46 PMThis is good news for me, I've been living in Ireland for 19 years now. Last time I voted was the EU referendum, be nice to be able to vote in UK elections again
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/31/britons-living-overseas-for-15-years-get-the-right-to-vote-in-uk-elections?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Anyone else affected by this?
I can't understand why you'd have a vote in the EU referendum, didn't know that. Do you pay taxes in the UK, or intend to return here? At the moment I can't see any more justification for this, really. Do you even identify as a "Briton", in the Guardian's terms?
Wow!
No offence Dom, I just don't understand the justification. What might it be?
I'm British with a British passport. I take an active interest in British politics and society and want to see it do well and prosper!
Not sure about future plans, it may happen I don't know.
I don't pay much UK tax anymore but I did work there for over 20 years.
I actually do understand your reaction but wonder whether its borne from my political beliefs being so different to yours. If I was a flag waving Tory it probably wouldn't bother you so much!
I do think it wrong that foreign nationals, living and working in the UK are not allowed to vote and should have been allowed to for the referendum. I would have exchanged my vote for that cohort to have their right to vote.
Mixed feelings about your first three paragraphs, but vehemently disagree with the last. It surely couldn't have been right for foreign nationals to have voted in the referendum. Not when such an important constitutional issue was at stake.
Because they have more of a vested interest in the UK than I do. They are living there and paying taxes, raising kids. They are contributing to UK society and as a result deserve to have a say in how its run. If I'm honest, more than I do! I'm just happy that I still can.
I could almost buy that argument for General Elections, but not a permanent constitutional matter with sovereignty and self-determination at stake. From my point of view it would be a violation of the very principle we were trying to defend.
So when you vote in a General Election, which constituency will you vote in? Who'll be your MP?
I think its based on where you last lived in the UK. There's been a few boundary changes since I was there but I think it would be Julia Lopez. Must admit I wasn't in that part of the World for long and would be much happier having a say in the Chipping Barnet or Finchley constituencies
Been to gigs on Friday and Saturday with a lovely new lady friend ❤️
New episode of Buggernation Street
Warning NSFW
Ok, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Congrats, Neil!
Quote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Wow! Would never have thought you were that old!!! Comgratulions :D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2022, 09:43:34 PMQuote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Wow! Would never have thought you were that old!!! Comgratulions :D
That's the nicest thing you've said to me for years 😂😉
1970's pudding tonight! Butterscotch Angel Delight
Quote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 11:01:44 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2022, 09:43:34 PMQuote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Wow! Would never have thought you were that old!!! Comgratulions :D
That's the nicest thing you've said to me for years 😂😉
Arse >:( I must be going soft in my old age. Hope Mrs S never finds out...
Quote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Great news Neil and congratulations to you all, as someone who also became a Grandad for the first (and quite possibly last 😁) time 15 months ago, there's no better feeling 👌
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2022, 09:43:34 PMQuote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Wow! Would never have thought you were that old!!! Comgratulions :D
One day about ten years ago a guy I worked with brought cakes into the office to celebrate becoming a grandad. He was 39!
Quote from: Slim on April 12, 2022, 10:15:32 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2022, 09:43:34 PMQuote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Wow! Would never have thought you were that old!!! Comgratulions :D
One day about ten years ago a guy I worked with brought cakes into the office to celebrate becoming a grandad. He was 39!
If only!
Quote from: Slim on April 12, 2022, 10:15:32 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2022, 09:43:34 PMQuote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
Wow! Would never have thought you were that old!!! Comgratulions :D
One day about ten years ago a guy I worked with brought cakes into the office to celebrate becoming a grandad. He was 39!
Very familiar with the area behind the bike sheds at secondary school, no doubt ;D
Quote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
bit late but congratulations
Quote from: pdw1 on April 12, 2022, 08:19:24 PMQuote from: Pudders on April 11, 2022, 06:02:25 PMOk, this was almost a week ago but, becoming a first time Grandparent has been particularly amazing. The fact that mum, dad and baby are now back living with us has made it very hands on but, nevertheless, wonderful :)
bit late but congratulations
Likewise, congratulations Neil!
Yep, just catching up - nice one Pudders, congrats to all!!
New car just ordered :) 16 weeks delivery, which will probably slip right due to the ongoing crisis.
On holiday off to Arran tomorrow...
Employer has granted an early finish ahead of the long weekend. :D 8)
Quote from: Fishy on April 13, 2022, 05:20:18 PMOn holiday off to Arran tomorrow...
Brilliant standing stones, amazing views from the light house, and when I went the Whisky distillery was just being set up, I wonder what it taste like?
I'm not religious at all but I am interested in the subject.
Some friends came around for supper last night and we were talking about Jesus and Easter and we were talking about what happens on to him over Easter and when does he ascend to heaven.
Anyway there is a theory that following the crucifixion of Jesus' his followers bribed the Roman guard and took the living JC down from the cross. They tended his wounds and he then went visiting his followers, after that the Romans wanted to see his body and so the ascending to heaven was made up. Jesus had to disappear so he then lived out his later days in India and lived till he was 70.
I thought that sounds way more plausible and a much more happy story.
Instead of the terrible heavy JC died on the cross to save our souls.
I also find religious belief fascinating; it really is a confounding phenomenon. I was thinking about starting a thread here about belief in "God". Actually I used to spend a lot more time arguing about this (on the rational side) on the old rushmessageboard.com site than talking about Rush. We had a long-running thread on TNMS, as well.
Perhaps the Politics section should be renamed Religion and Politics and it should go in there.
I find spirituality fascinating, is that why I like Tai Shan and High Water? Just finished reading The Name of the Rose which is murder mystery set against a meeting of different sects of the church to discuss poverty, and a truce between the Holy Roman emperor the Pope . And also how the different sects behave towards the murders and the reasons for the murders. Does Jesus laugh? and what does that mean for religious beliefs! or something like that.
All moot; there's no good reason to suppose any characters or events described in the "gospels" are grounded in historical fact.
In any case a dedicated thread seems a wise idea.
I turned on the radio this morning shortly after waking up to hear a person speaking in what could only be a Hartlepool accent. I listened for a few minutes and realised I was listening to my old schoolmate Tony Hutchinson! Tony led the investigation into the Seaton Carew life insurance fraud involving a disappearing canoe. I last saw him in 1980, strolling along Grange Road in Hartlepool in a police uniform.
The story has been dramatised as
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe and the first part will be broadcast at 9pm on ITV. Looking forward to seeing the Hartlepool locations.
One thing that irritated me slightly was that judging by the audio clips, they've settled for Geordie accents rather than the authentic Teesside. But most people south of Leeds probably couldn't tell the difference.
Quote from: Slim on April 17, 2022, 08:40:09 PMI turned on the radio this morning shortly after waking up to hear a person speaking in what could only be a Hartlepool accent. I listened for a few minutes and realised I was listening to my old schoolmate Tony Hutchinson! Tony led the investigation into the Seaton Carew life insurance fraud involving a disappearing canoe. I last saw him in 1980, strolling along Grange Road in Hartlepool in a police uniform.
The story has been dramatised as The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe and the first part will be broadcast at 9pm on ITV. Looking forward to seeing the Hartlepool locations.
One thing that irritated me slightly was that judging by the audio clips, they've settled for Geordie accents rather than the authentic Teesside. But most people south of Leeds probably couldn't tell the difference.
Just seen this and I can wholeheartedly agree with the last sentence!
Quote from: Slim on April 17, 2022, 08:40:09 PMOne thing that irritated me slightly was that judging by the audio clips, they've settled for Geordie accents rather than the authentic Teesside. But most people south of Leeds probably couldn't tell the difference.
I'd like to think I can. As a kid my family were friends with a family from Durham and they were always pointing out how their accent differed from Geordie. To my ears the Teeside accent starts kicking in from the west side of Whitby. East side of Whitby is more Yorkshire.
Any time a TV series is set in the East Midlands the locals get given a generic Northern accent. So wrong, but the East Mids is quite hard to get right.
I thought east midlands was up north?
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 19, 2022, 03:46:08 PMI thought east midlands was up north?
The North begins at Chesterfield - according to me, my old father said Clay Cross. It's a subtle thing, but then Geordies would class us as Southern puffs...
Fish, chips, mushy peas and bread and butter at the seaside yesterday.
Quote from: R6GYY on April 21, 2022, 10:45:47 AMFish, chips, mushy peas and bread and butter at the seaside yesterday.
All passed through with no discomfort, I'm assuming ;D ;)
Was delighted to see footage of a visiting hedgehog last night, caught on our trail camera.
A pretty rare sight.
Off work for a week so it's a weekend in Oban then 5 days in Mull.. and the weather looks pretty fucking good👍
Just back from a meal out with all the family to celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday
Quote from: R6GYY on April 22, 2022, 03:07:33 PMWas delighted to see footage of a visiting hedgehog last night, caught on our trail camera.
A pretty rare sight.
Was it going to cross the road to see his flat mate?
Quote from: pdw1 on April 22, 2022, 10:47:09 PMJust back from a meal out with all the family to celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday
You're old enough to have a 20 year old daughter?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 23, 2022, 12:04:13 AMQuote from: pdw1 on April 22, 2022, 10:47:09 PMJust back from a meal out with all the family to celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday
You're old enough to have a 20 year old daughter?
most of us on here are old enough to have a 20 year old grand daughter
Quote from: pdw1 on April 23, 2022, 08:42:04 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 23, 2022, 12:04:13 AMQuote from: pdw1 on April 22, 2022, 10:47:09 PMJust back from a meal out with all the family to celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday
You're old enough to have a 20 year old daughter?
most of us on here are old enough to have a 20 year old grand daughter
I am 2 years too young young.
16+16+20=52 I am only 50!
Quote from: pdw1 on April 23, 2022, 08:42:04 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 23, 2022, 12:04:13 AMQuote from: pdw1 on April 22, 2022, 10:47:09 PMJust back from a meal out with all the family to celebrate my daughter's 20th birthday
You're old enough to have a 20 year old daughter?
most of us on here are old enough to have a 20 year old grand daughter
Speak for yourself!
Nice day in London with the sun shining.
First i went to Wembley to vote and then over to Hendon to visit the RAF museum. Home now with a G&T celebrating victory.
2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
Quote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 25, 2022, 09:51:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Going to get ourselves booked into the Cafe Fish for later in the week..gets rave reviews and menu looks awesome..even for someone like me that can't abide shell food...
Quote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 04:10:18 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 25, 2022, 09:51:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Going to get ourselves booked into the Cafe Fish for later in the week..gets rave reviews and menu looks awesome..even for someone like me that can't abide shell food...
Booked for Thursday 6.30pm..
Quote from: Fishy on April 26, 2022, 04:47:28 PMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 04:10:18 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 25, 2022, 09:51:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Going to get ourselves booked into the Cafe Fish for later in the week..gets rave reviews and menu looks awesome..even for someone like me that can't abide shell food...
Booked for Thursday 6.30pm..
You can go and watch the sea eagles. Are going to go to Iona? swim on those white sandy beaches.
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 26, 2022, 05:18:49 PMQuote from: Fishy on April 26, 2022, 04:47:28 PMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 04:10:18 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 25, 2022, 09:51:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Going to get ourselves booked into the Cafe Fish for later in the week..gets rave reviews and menu looks awesome..even for someone like me that can't abide shell food...
Booked for Thursday 6.30pm..
You can go and watch the sea eagles. Are going to go to Iona? swim on those white sandy beaches.
Yes driving down to ferry tomorrow over to Iona.. did a 10 mile walk in Tobermory today...
Quote from: Fishy on April 26, 2022, 04:47:28 PMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 04:10:18 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 25, 2022, 09:51:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Going to get ourselves booked into the Cafe Fish for later in the week..gets rave reviews and menu looks awesome..even for someone like me that can't abide shell food...
Booked for Thursday 6.30pm..
And they only accept cash..no cards.. how quaint...😂
Quote from: Fishy on April 26, 2022, 05:32:57 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 26, 2022, 05:18:49 PMQuote from: Fishy on April 26, 2022, 04:47:28 PMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 04:10:18 PMQuote from: Rufus_the_dawg on April 25, 2022, 09:51:45 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 25, 2022, 07:39:15 AM2 great days in Oban now it's a ferry over to Mull then home at the weekend....👍
there is a great view from Iona's highest point Dun I ( Well of Eternal Youth), which is a very pagan site. I was not allowed in the abbey for health and safety reasons...I had my 2 dogs with me. Madness, do you think the monks did health and safety reports before they built their abbey!
oh you lucky person, have you been to the fish restaurant on the harbour front in Tobermory?
I have always wanted to put my feet in the sea then walk to the top of Ben More....maybe one day.
Going to get ourselves booked into the Cafe Fish for later in the week..gets rave reviews and menu looks awesome..even for someone like me that can't abide shell food...
Booked for Thursday 6.30pm..
You can go and watch the sea eagles. Are going to go to Iona? swim on those white sandy beaches.
Yes driving down to ferry tomorrow over to Iona.. did a 10 mile walk in Tobermory today...
Iona..... fab.. drive to it.. not so fab...
My day was made largely by the fact it is a national holiday - King's day. Not a huge fan of monarchy but since it is mostly ceremonial these days I mind less. Plus it's a day off ;)
Spoke to a colleague from England yesterday while in the office and asked him about his plans for this day. He told me he'd be trying to avoid most festivities citing 'you guys are crazy' when it comes to celebrations. A wise decision although I prefer the quiet life these days.
Back to work tomorrow...
A 500-mile round-trip using 8 trains (if you count the tube) to support my team made more than worthwhile by them winning. 8)
Walked up our lane from the pub on Friday evening and spotted 21 different wild flowers in flower just along the verge. And I have just been told there are 3 pairs of Flycatchers near where I live.
Thinking about our annual jolly to Greece (exact location TBD) and being reminded that virtually all Covid restrictions for entry in both directions have just been dropped - no requirement for proof of vaccinations, nor proof of a negative test, nor proof of recent infection; no more PLFs to complete...
About time!
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 06, 2022, 12:52:41 PMThinking about our annual jolly to Greece (exact location TBD) and being reminded that virtually all Covid restrictions for entry in both directions have just been dropped - no requirement for proof of vaccinations, nor proof of a negative test, nor proof of recent infection; no more PLFs to complete...
About time!
Might be able to go abroad soon then :)
There's a footballer called Janina Minge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janina_Minge
As people may be aware, I am a keen family historian and have taken an Ancestry DNA test. Last night I got a match with a Scott Stringfellow, who turns out to be the son of Peter Stringfellow. An hours digging around today has led to a reasonable linkage to say that Peter Stringfellow was my 7th Cousin! But why should being related to a Deedah make my day?
It also appears that I'm 2nd Cousin 5 times removed to John Stringfellow, an early aeronautical inventor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stringfellow
It's a funny old world.
We met Sophie from Gogglebox in town today - what a nice young woman she is.
Last day at work before a week long break. So come to think of it, tomorrow is really the 'what's made my day' event.
Council tax cash reimbursement has landed.
Cheers, Dishy! I think.
Today is my son's last day at school before his A-levels start
Yesterday was seeing the Von Hertzen Brothers in Nottingham - Mrs S ended up with Mikko Von H laying back across her shoulder, but she thinks he was more interested in the Finnish PM lookalike to her left.
MASSIVE day today. FA Cup final. Eurovision. Forest in a Championship play-off.
Ethiopia Guji Hambela Natural coffee beans from Heartland Coffee Roasters in Llandudno.
I have had this as an espresso (in a flat white) at Providero in Llandudno and it was outstanding.
But this morning I made it as a filter brew and it was stunning.
https://www.heartland.coffee/product/ethiopia-guji-hambela-natural/269 (https://www.heartland.coffee/product/ethiopia-guji-hambela-natural/269)
Earlier I caught my daughter humming the tune to Roundabout.
Apparently its the outro to an Anime show that she's really into.
My daughter singing a Yes tune! Never thought I'd see the day
BBC 5 Live News - "the Consumer Price Index jumped by 9% in April"
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 13, 2022, 06:54:43 PMYesterday was seeing the Von Hertzen Brothers in Nottingham - Mrs S ended up with Mikko Von H laying back across her shoulder, but she thinks he was more interested in the Finnish PM lookalike to her left.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a9pzxlT2jdYuNcHFRhqs4Yv_hpqOxwp19S7mVwXfFmpEnGA0lh5dIR_n7fuT-UVBJY0hX77HuuY_HJDXEeiwae0MaCVfnK2qqaP1yLF99bFXQrImenSnIPCQ0_uyLUkHp6TvI7rKiKE09hLd4XqAyN4zD7K4-do2lUKzwpLjs2VwQ0ycKB0tBmE-KrMqDbnqIgqUhawc5eYBVWzsSGIT5P0aF9wsIDYslKXHdEpkwb5wARkNhqdiXbO8tB8YOAt2-H7ArN7Pqvh6XIxAIduRecAVavnd4-ZqQM007XlgH6Z9VFBe0NCA5mXAXoa4_ogw4jw1pA7d4DhkhZJBFUgGHNDRyCZ3_iuXdqBQ3jFeFBehKMWtbLydvrWUxWzbQtVdf0OQi0uGhozPY3jV1O5azObnLlk0NPuq9MYgzWCHR73g5P__3omJ451hxAveGHD-E8IIJEGiau7Z0qBrPlL8xc0M4VFWKbJv0t6kBPuLc9nxil0CgRAPyvEPmiY5B2uPk2h0O3PxV_J2UpPDnAn7mDv61tKYNc_9l5lWgCI-uXGzWon4MvA4Jh9UeNcbeCIESJjjmUYWfUle8V5im7b1CWsxMdq0kRRDvQt5YGsZ3MopnMZ2jUkwhx6bETBYr236k0rBiy_JowuGO3XLvFNl1UJ_yJ0q2E5sD00e2B83uexRGCTzmrfXcoMEY44wM25mn6Osbp-a5vC4CPOuCYuFerqlE74joUgM2DD7VnW6KQ4Rg0ykQRQfl-lS3_avAb6GTyhiWZwKmpLvui_qdcIXssWrWp19DiLo=w1024-h681-no?authuser=0)
Found a picture of it. You can just see my big conk to the left :)
Quote from: David L on May 18, 2022, 08:28:14 AMBBC 5 Live News - "the Consumer Price Index jumped by 9% in April"
It's where it should've gone in the first place! :-[ :)
I'm now retired :)
No more wage slavery.
No more facing driving up an M1 packed with imbeciles in vehicles.
No more spending all day with people I'd rather impale on the horns of doom.
I'm FREE!, FREE!!, FREE!!!
Free to do all the DIY jobs Mrs S tells me to...
Wow nice, I really wish I could do that. Certainly I've been thinking about it for a couple of years but it'll be a few more before I can actually do it.
Congrats!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 24, 2022, 10:18:04 AMI'm now retired :)
No more wage slavery.
No more facing driving up an M1 packed with imbeciles in vehicles.
No more spending all day with people I'd rather impale on the horns of doom.
I'm FREE!, FREE!!, FREE!!!
Free to do all the DIY jobs Mrs S tells me to...
Congratulations!
I'm enjoying my work at the moment but increasingly my thoughts turn to retirement. I am looking at August 2024 when I will turn 61. At the moment I'm banging the max. into the pension scheme in order to secure the most comfortable retirement possible.
Can't wait to get up every morning and decide what I want to do with the day ahead.
Congrats - welcome to the club. Soon you'll wonder how you managed to find time to go to work. :)
Quote from: Slim on May 24, 2022, 10:27:57 AMWow nice, I really wish I could do that. Certainly I've been thinking about it for a couple of years but it'll be a few more before I can actually do it.
Congrats!
Thank you.
I had got 2026 pencilled in as my retirement year, but my dad's demise has helped me bring it forward. I kept telling him to spend his money, but he ignored me. Hey-ho.
Got to knuckle down now and get Probate done and dusted or I'll be selling my body round town...
Congrats Nick - I'm sure I'll have to keep going until I'm not able to or I get kicked out. How much of all this newly available time will you devote to cycling?
Well done Nick, I am way off retirement yet but now seriously planning for a 'post work' life..... Looking to run my business up for two years or so and then find a buyer. Stick with it for a further transition year and then just do a bit of consulting..... or insulting!
Congrats Nick.
Poor Mrs S will throw you out the house to get some peace and quiet.
Quote from: dom on May 24, 2022, 03:21:06 PMCongrats Nick - I'm sure I'll have to keep going until I'm not able to or I get kicked out. How much of all this newly available time will you devote to cycling?
As much as is possible :) Or as much as I dare...
Quote from: pdw1 on May 24, 2022, 06:44:45 PMCongrats Nick.
Poor Mrs S will throw you out the house to get some peace and quiet.
Mrs S is still working :) School reception in a morning, clerk to Governor's work in an afternoon, so until she quits the morning job at the end of Summer term she won't be seeing - or hearing - much more of me.
Looks like you will be making sure she will have a meal on the table when she gets back from work, bit of cleaning in the day as well ;)
Quote from: Nick on May 25, 2022, 08:03:02 AMLooks like you will be making sure she will have a meal on the table when she gets back from work, bit of cleaning in the day as well ;)
A bit of cleaning maybe, but the boy cooks the evening meal - we can't do it right :o
Just settling down to watch the Rugby League Challenge Cup final. Go Wigan. ;D 8)
A few beer with TNMS friends i haven't seen in ages.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will miss the jubilee celebrations after catching the ungodly coronavirus. Shame ;D
I've finally taken the plunge on a new 75" Samsung TV.
It's the model immediately below the QLED range, which I considered but decided the price jump wasn't quite justified; the whole 2021 range have plummeted in price now the 2022 models are out, and I also bagged a special bank holiday jubilee offer of a 20% discount (and effectively chipped a bit more off through topcashback).
Can't wait to showcase a favourite Blu-ray on it (2001: A Space Odyssey, maybe). :)
Hiring a boat and exploring the Fal Estuary
Quote from: Nick on May 30, 2022, 06:49:18 PMHiring a boat and exploring the Fal Estuary
Nice, I had a boat trip along the Fal years ago. I well remember the ships laid up there.
Just did a search for "ships laid up river Fal" and found a video I uploaded myself in 2009 :o
I'd forgotten that I did that.
Didn't really make my day and it wasn't under the best of circumstances, but I had a good old reminisce today.
It was the funeral of an old boss of mine - and my dad was his boss - so there were a good number of folk I used to work with there, all further up the food chain than me, but we had a good culture there so it was good to catch up.
I saved the best memories for Mrs S, like the Christmas do we had where the pub buffet was covered in flies and spiders. The Managing Director went to complain, only to find out they had been placed there by yours truly as I'd recently purchased a Bag'o'Flies and a Bag'o'Spiders. :) The MD went on to become boss of the CIA
Then there was the time where the company canvassed local opinion as to what they thought of us. Daft idea as we were a chemical company and were disliked as a source of imminent poisoning. Anyway, I got hold of a good quantity of these leaflets and filled them in with general rubbish, my favourite being "YOU SCUM, YOU KILLED MY CHICKENS" I did share these with my office colleagues. At the first team briefing after this the Personnel Director told us how the survey went and he happened to mention about the death of someone's chickens. :) I've never seen so many people biting their tongues before. I didn't remind him of this today.
A nice pub lunch, pint and a sea bass linguine at a pub on the Helford Passage, sun shining and all felt well in the world.
Djokovic out of the French Open.
Took the little 'un to a play gym today and she had a great time with a girl she'd never previously met; the two of them playing, riding cars together, chasing each other around, constantly giggling, stealing my glasses etc etc was - how can I put this - a scene that could have been set to the soundtrack of an MLK speech. ;)
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 30, 2022, 05:41:43 PMI've finally taken the plunge on a new 75" Samsung TV.
Arrived early this morning - looked like we were having a new dining table delivered. :o
It took a bit of a military operation to get it cabled up and in situ, and I went through my usual OCD with the picture and audio sync settings, but finally I've gone from having a fairly big home TV, to having a genuine big f**k off
home cinema screen. :)
Sneaking off to my (air gun) shooting club today for an hour. Shooting there is free on any public holiday :D
I only saw 3 others there today and it was very tranquil in our little woodland world.
A very enjoyable hour.
Day out in deepest darkest Suffolk.
Ended up here for lunch
(https://lirp.cdn-website.com/f4bb5b28/dms3rep/multi/opt/92874456_3249913311685718_7380125077326528512_n-1920w.jpg)
also doubles as a brewery so brought home some samples
Quote from: R6GYY on June 02, 2022, 03:40:15 PMSneaking off to my (air gun) shooting club today for an hour. Shooting there is free on any public holiday :D
I only saw 3 others there today and it was very tranquil in our little woodland world.
A very enjoyable hour.
Nice! Did you get any squirrels?
A long time ago I was a regular target shooter, haven't done that for over 20 years now.
No James.
No squirrels - just paper targets and reactive targets.
The only live quarry I kill are rats in the garden. When we started feeding birds and squirrels in the garden, the rats started appearing.
That is the reason I got a gun last year, but it gave me the shooting bug and I found a little private club not too far from me.
Do you need a license for an air gun? I used to have a Webley air pistol that I fired pellets and darts from into targets, no wildlife.
For a sub-12 ft-lb powered air rifle, or sub-6 ft-lb air pistol you don't need a Fire Arms Certificate. Anything more powerful than those limits then you would need a Fire Arms Certificate.
The rules are different in Scotland I think.
I used to have a Webley pistol just like that one, it had belonged to my brother.
There are so many pigeons round here I must admit I'm tempted to start taking them out. Sick of finding bird crap on my car.
Quote from: Slim on June 03, 2022, 11:04:41 PMThere are so many pigeons round here I must admit I'm tempted to start taking them out. Sick of finding bird crap on my car.
Yes, don't know what birds eat nowadays but their crap sets like Araldite
(https://i.imgur.com/Q6Witky.jpg)
Our house is right next to the village green, and the organisers of the Jubilee fete arranged a Hurricane flyover. I was a bit disappointed as I'm going to a gig this afternoon and it was supposed to be taking place at 4:30.
But I just heard the roar of a Merlin engine overhead two minutes ago, ran out of the house and a Spitfire did two low passes right over the green! Not sure what's happened there, didn't have time to grab a camera unfortunately but what a stirring sight. And sound.
Quote from: Slim on June 04, 2022, 02:20:22 PMOur house is right next to the village green, and the organisers of the Jubilee fete arranged a Hurricane flyover. I was a bit disappointed as I'm going to a gig this afternoon and it was supposed to be taking place at 4:30.
But I just heard the roar of a Merlin engine overhead two minutes ago, ran out of the house and a Spitfire did two low passes right over the green! Not sure what's happened there, didn't have time to grab a camera unfortunately but what a stirring sight. And sound.
We saw a Spitfire over New Milton yesterday
Quote from: Slim on June 03, 2022, 11:04:41 PMI used to have a Webley pistol just like that one, it had belonged to my brother.
There are so many pigeons round here I must admit I'm tempted to start taking them out. Sick of finding bird crap on my car.
Sadly the law would not take too kindly to that. We have some strange laws about what you can shoot, and the reasons.
Rats are fair game luckily. I shot a couple in daylight around April last year, but with the aid of night vision gear, I bagged a total of 22 rats last year in our garden. I haven't seen any since Christmas but I dare say they will be back.
Quote from: R6GYY on June 04, 2022, 05:25:37 PMQuote from: Slim on June 03, 2022, 11:04:41 PMI used to have a Webley pistol just like that one, it had belonged to my brother.
There are so many pigeons round here I must admit I'm tempted to start taking them out. Sick of finding bird crap on my car.
Sadly the law would not take too kindly to that. We have some strange laws about what you can shoot, and the reasons.
Rats are fair game luckily. I shot a couple in daylight around April last year, but with the aid of night vision gear, I bagged a total of 22 rats last year in our garden. I haven't seen any since Christmas but I dare say they will be back.
Reg I assume you have seen this already? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20239370/
I haven't started on Season 3 yet, so have that little delight waiting for me 8)
Inadvertently avoiding the utter apparent predictable sh!tness of the "Queen's Jubilee Concert" by going to see a bunch of considerably more entertaining local acts instead. Where two-pint (plastic) glasses were also available.
It was complete carnage - I totally made the right choice. ;D
78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
Wow David, you could do with losing that resentment. Its really not good for you!
Someone once said "holding onto a resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person ,(country,!) to suffer!"
A
Quote from: dom on June 06, 2022, 10:43:50 AMWow David, you could do with losing that resentment. Its really not good for you!
Someone once said "holding onto a resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person ,(country,!) to suffer!"
A
I think we know where the resentment lies, been displayed over and over again ;)
The French are far from blameless David but I worry about you 😉
Quote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 07:29:35 AM78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
Thanks for reminding us of the 20 million dead of the Soviet Union which won the war.
Quote from: pdw1 on June 06, 2022, 06:04:55 PMQuote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 07:29:35 AM78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
Thanks for reminding us of the 20 million dead of the Soviet Union which won the war.
Yes, unfortunate for them too that the French caved-in so easily, allowing Hitler to turn his attention to the east. Stalin was apparently furious with them by all accounts. He thought, like many, France had the greatest army in the world in 1940. They had no appetite for it (after their huge losses in WW1)
Quote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 08:08:49 PMQuote from: pdw1 on June 06, 2022, 06:04:55 PMQuote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 07:29:35 AM78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
Thanks for reminding us of the 20 million dead of the Soviet Union which won the war.
Yes, unfortunate for them too that the French caved-in so easily, allowing Hitler to turn his attention to the east. Stalin was apparently furious with them by all accounts. He thought, like many, France had the greatest army in the world in 1940. They had no appetite for it (after their huge losses in WW1)
great spin there
Quote from: pdw1 on June 06, 2022, 08:55:35 PMQuote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 08:08:49 PMQuote from: pdw1 on June 06, 2022, 06:04:55 PMQuote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 07:29:35 AM78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
Thanks for reminding us of the 20 million dead of the Soviet Union which won the war.
Yes, unfortunate for them too that the French caved-in so easily, allowing Hitler to turn his attention to the east. Stalin was apparently furious with them by all accounts. He thought, like many, France had the greatest army in the world in 1940. They had no appetite for it (after their huge losses in WW1)
great spin there
;D
Responding to this a bit late, but the French had a powerful, well-organised and aggressively well-motivated war machine on their border. The British Expeditionary Force was also defeated in France. And thousands of French patriots fought on - in the Free French forces with the RAF, with the Royal Navy and alongside the British Army, as well as in La Résistance.
Had it not been for English Channel the Germans may well have rolled into England as well, sometimes Geography can be a major decider. Tim Marshall's books The Power of geography and Prisoners of geography are excellent at explaining this.
Also the French lost 600k people and the U.K. 450k people during WW2.
yesterday but
scream for me donington
Quote from: Slim on June 12, 2022, 08:00:50 PMAnd thousands of French patriots fought on - in the Free French forces with the RAF, with the Royal Navy and alongside the British Army, as well as in La Résistance.
Yes I rember learning about that from 'Allo 'Allo!
Quote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 07:29:35 AM78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
The French had better thank the USA then!
Quote from: Rufus_the_dawg on June 13, 2022, 09:41:11 AMQuote from: David L on June 06, 2022, 07:29:35 AM78th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Another chance to remind the French they had to be saved from tyranny by the bravery of young men from other nations
The French had better thank the USA then!
Goes without......
Quote from: David L on June 13, 2022, 08:21:30 AMQuote from: Slim on June 12, 2022, 08:00:50 PMAnd thousands of French patriots fought on - in the Free French forces with the RAF, with the Royal Navy and alongside the British Army, as well as in La Résistance.
Yes I rember learning about that from 'Allo 'Allo!
No wonder you have such a distorted world view
Quote from: pdw1 on June 13, 2022, 05:56:23 PMQuote from: David L on June 13, 2022, 08:21:30 AMQuote from: Slim on June 12, 2022, 08:00:50 PMAnd thousands of French patriots fought on - in the Free French forces with the RAF, with the Royal Navy and alongside the British Army, as well as in La Résistance.
Yes I rember learning about that from 'Allo 'Allo!
No wonder you have such a distorted world view
;D ;D
Vicky Michelle though! Great show. It was probably working with the French that caused the 'distortion' (?)
Went to take the bin out at 10:05pm and it's still just about daylight out there.
I love to go outside late at night in June. One disadvantage I imposed on myself by migrating 130-odd miles to the south from Hartlepool is that sunsets are 12 minutes earlier here at this time of year.
Our garden Pheasants have got chicks :)
A visit to my stylist, feel much cooler after a hair cut.
Ahhhh...afternoon off watching the Royal Ascot gee-gees ahead of going to see "Yes" tonight; I have a second row seat right in front of Steve Howe - that'll do for me. :)
Sitting out on the garden wall watching all the birdlife.
Buzzards trying to catch a thermal.
A Kestrel hovering over the field.
A Hen Pheasant having a dust bath whilst the Cock Pheasant wanders around making strange clucking noises.
A couple of pigeons bathing and drinking from the bird bath.
A male Blackbird feeding a juvenile, the juvenile then wandered off to sunbathe in front of me.
An endless stream of House Sparrows and Blue Tits heading for the bird feeders.
Busy doing nothing :)
Nice!
My bedroom window is right next to a hedge bordering a village green, and I must admit I'm sick of the racket in the mornings. Been pondering buying a plastic hawk to sit on the ledge over the front door.
We had the doors open to the workshop today and a small bird flew in (sparrow?). Had a devil of a job trying to get it out. In the end it flew into an internal window and fell to the floor, dazed, so I managed to pick it up and release it outside. Flew off straight away so no damage done.
Being able to take the recycling out in t-shirt and shorts, without a head torch on after 10pm. Then I went for a stroll on the village green to watch the bats wheeling round the trees.
The BBC reports that McCartney's Glasto warm-up gig at an 800 capacity venue in Frome was a sell-out.
;D ;D ;D ;D
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10958975/Rock-legends-Kiss-mistake-Australian-flag-Austrian-flag-Vienna-concert.html
On a a skiing holiday to Austria many years ago, the Ski rep said the in the film the Von Trapps were actually walking back into Germany. How true that is I don't know as I've never seen the ghastly thing.
Julie Andrews was a bit of stuff then
I've already posted this in the cycling thread, but I thought some readers who don't visit that thread might be interested.
While out on a bike yesterday I saw a couple of Spitfires, late in the day. And today, I managed to find flight data for a Spitfire that overflew Edingale and Lullington at 17:38 yesterday, at a height of 3950 ft. I pinpointed my position at that time using the track off my Garmin and I was about 420 metres to the north of it at this time, just to the west of Lullington.
https://planefinder.net/flight/GRRGN/time/2022-07-03T16:10:00.000Z/speed/1
This does match my recollection that it was going in the same direction as myself.
Apparently it belongs to Rolls-Royce, a Mark XIX. So it was actually a Griffon engine that I heard, not a Merlin.
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/iconic-second-world-war-aircraft-4736868
The one I saw later wasn't the same one, this one landed at East Midlands Airport ten minutes later.
Glad to know that Royces still own a Spit. I saw their Spitfire XIV overfly our offices in Derby in 1990. Sadly that one was lost in a fatal crash two years later at the Woodford Air Show.
My son and his girlfriend are in Madrid for a week to watch the Mad Cool festival. Just had a video of them watching Metallica. What's made my day is that my son has a really bad fear of flying. It started one time (he was 9) as my wife flew back to the UK from Cyprus with him. He'd flown before then, but for some unknown reason he went to bits. So for him to fly to Madrid like this is very courageous of him. I know he'll be putting on a brave face for his girlfriend, but good for him.
I find, as I get older, I'm not that keen on flying, either. Across the board, I'm generally a little more anxious about things as well...
Footage of a mad woman being tasered. I would have supported the police officer using his firearm here, to be fair. If you've been asked to drop a knife three times and have declined to comply, I think it's the right approach.
My old earbuds died recently just before my hols. Managed to get a pair of Bose earbuds on Amazon prime day on Tuesday about £100 cheaper than normal. Excellent sound and noise cancelling, far superior to my previous ones.
We picked up our brand new car today. Ordered 13 April 2022, so not too bad delivery time considering the current issues with semiconductor supply. :)
Seeing an England football team win a major tournament today was quite enjoyable - however, my day was really made when BBC News at Ten ended with a montage of England's Euro final victory with Van Halen's Top Of The World playing over it. :D
Premiership teams to drop 'taking the knee' for the new season
Travelled about 2,000 miles roughly in a south-easterly direction today, which culminated in me being told at a hotel reception: "Your pronunciation is very good". ;)
Greece, I've missed you. 8) :D
Sitting out in the sun watching 9 Long Tailed Tits and a Blue Tit on one of our Bird Feeders. With two LTTs watching on from a nearby tree branch. Does life get any better? (Most probably yes - ed.)
A whole afternoon on water slides - always a highlight of me jollies.
A couple of my splashdowns were a bit painful where it hurts, so even if you have the balls to go on the most thrilling slide, there won't be much left of them afterward.
A trip via boat to Lindos to visit the Acropolis, prevailing through the challenging heat, steep uphill walk and dicey terrain to recreate a couple of photos I took there 10 years ago - but this time, of course, with a special little companion. 😉 8)
When in Greece you occasionally get these brass-necked hawkers coming to your restaurant table - with apparent impunity - peddling trinkets or timeshares or whatever, placing their wares next to your drinks as if in some pound shop Dragon's Den pitch.
Fortunately, I am armed with seven syllables of perfectly-enunciated Greek which immediately sends them packing. 😏
Quote from: Matt2112 on August 12, 2022, 01:28:34 AMWhen in Greece you occasionally get these brass-necked hawkers coming to your restaurant table - with apparent impunity - peddling trinkets or timeshares or whatever, placing their wares next to your drinks as if in some pound shop Dragon's Den pitch.
Fortunately, I am armed with seven syllables of perfectly-enunciated Greek which immediately sends them packing. 😏
That sort of thing was terrible when we were in Kuta, Bali years ago. I think the authorities put a stop to it, thankfully
The CWU has announced a further two days of strike action for 30th and 31st August. As luck would have it, the 30th is my Rota Day Off so I'll only lose one day's pay. The 31st is my birthday, so I'll have the day to celebrate..in whatever manner I choose!
A walk along the Jurassic coast with a dip in the refreshing sea followed by a pasty on the beach.
HMCTS have approved my Probate application. Took less than four weeks and they work on it taking eight.
Being an Accountant I'm an expert form filler...
Back at Laneside touring park in Hope for a long weekend. Tomorrow we sample the delights of The Old Hall Inn beer and cider festival :)
Might even get a ride in before it kicks off at midday.
When I was 14 I hid some ciggies (concealed in a cardboard Toffets carton for added security) and my paperback copy of Chopper under a loose floorboard in the spare bedroom upstairs. Eventually a new carpet got put down up there, the loose floorboard became inaccessible and I never thought I'd see them again.
Until today, when I received an email from the folks who bought my mum's house. They'd taken part of the ceiling down in the front room downstairs to install some insulation and the following fell out:
(https://i.ibb.co/L1GvVmx/chopper-ciggies.jpg)
I've never read (heard of) Chopper but I'm thinking that for a 14 year old lad's stash to get a public airing decades later, you got off rather lightly.😁
Would you dare to light one up for old times sake?
Just back from a cracking holiday in Majorca. God it was warm...
Actually, far be it for me to grumpy all the time my day was made this week, when on taking Mrs S to New Reekie for a couple of days we found most of the overflowing litter had been removed from the streets for our arrival, then when we checked into the Hotel, our double room had been upgraded to a luxury apartment. which was nice.
Our first holiday since Covid. The last one was Tenerife back in November 2019. We still aren't up to the melee and hassle of airports (other people) just yet, so we booked a lovely cottage in rural Shropshire for a week. It's one of the few places in the UK I've not been to before. We arrived yesterday and have just got back from a lovely walk. Weather is looking a bit shit over the next few days though. My son and his girlfriend are coming down on Monday and it's my wife's big 60th on Tuesday - so something nice to celebrate.
Woke up at 0300 this morning and strolled onto the balcony of our cruise ship cabin, somewhere in the western end of the English Channel - put my specs on, looked up and had the most stunning view of a starry night I can remember since I was a kid. Light pollution obviously makes a big difference.
Quote from: pxr5 on September 03, 2022, 02:44:16 PMOur first holiday since Covid. The last one was Tenerife back in November 2019. We still aren't up to the melee and hassle of airports (other people) just yet,
Oh, then you should have gone in 2020 during the good old days of the pandemic: eerily quiet airports, no queuing, check-in and security a total breeze, half-empty planes, no vaccine documentation required - because there were no vaccines...life was so hassle-free... :)
I love Calvin & Hobbs :)
https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes
Tweeted about 35 minutes ago:
(https://i.ibb.co/80SLZRT/gbfr.jpg)
Getting a "DE&I" survey submission off my chest. Here's an excerpt:
QuoteThe organisation essentially has a section dedicated to proclaiming successes over phantom issues that it has created by itself and for itself. It should not feel pressured by outside forces into doing this and it should have higher expectations of its employees, who have the aptitude and intuition to work such things out astutely enough for themselves.
A cracking two-hour walk with the dog under a clear night sky, followed back at home by my first sip of alcohol in two weeks; a glorious evening all round.
All unthinkable a week ago - 'appen it's safe to say my recovery is complete. :)
live music
and meeting up with Pudders for a sneaky lunchtime pint
Quote from: pdw1 on September 25, 2022, 12:37:48 AMlive music
and meeting up with Pudders for a sneaky lunchtime pint
...or 2 in my case! Good to see you and, thanks for investing in Truck Records, please come again!
2 tixs booked for new Stewart Lee show next March at the King's Theatre Glasgow
CT scan at Glenfield hospital today. I had to wait six minutes in the little waiting room and it was all done in another five. Plus I didn't have to pay for the car park since I was back there in less than 30 minutes, and the traffic was light both ways.
Best of all though I thought they might give me a dose of contrast fluid first, and I have a morbid fear of injections. They didn't.
Hopefully I'll find out if I have a kidney stone in a few days. I think I probably don't.
Quote from: Slim on October 11, 2022, 05:01:25 PMCT scan at Glenfield hospital today. I had to wait six minutes in the little waiting room and it was all done in another five. Plus I didn't have to pay for the car park since I was back there in less than 30 minutes, and the traffic was light both ways.
Best of all though I thought they might give me a dose of contrast fluid first, and I have a morbid fear of injections. They didn't.
Hopefully I'll find out if I have a kidney stone in a few days. I think I probably don't.
Hope results are clear then James. I had a CT scan a while back when being diagnosed with Diverticulitis which involved an infusion which, they said, would make it feel like I'd pissed myself! Went through, nothing, thought well that's ok then, didn't feel a thing. Turned out to be a reference scan so went through again, with the infusion and, flippin' heck! :o
Just put down a deposit for another Dachshund as a buddy for our girl Bonnie ;D If it's a bitch she'll be called Bella; a dog - obviously Clyde. The mother is due in 2-3 weeks, so the pups will be ready in the new year. ;D
Distillery tour at Tomatin while in Inverness staying with friends this weekend..
Bought the 12 yr old malt which is just wonderful. Def one of my faves
Gave nerdle a try for the first time and got it in four.... tricky...
STV News website rightly praising Dunoon Grammar for an international education award it received. Then spelling Dunoon as Dunnon in the photo caption.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 19, 2022, 02:18:23 PMSTV News website rightly praising Dunoon Grammar for an international education award it received. Then spelling Dunoon as Dunnon in the photo caption.
I emailed the journalist in question and she replied within minutes assuring me the mistake would be put right. It was!😁👍
I've had mistakes on the BBC News site put right a few times in the distant past. I just leave them to it now.
Here's an old comedy sketch from
Not the Nine O'Clock News that's aged badly. Or perhaps it's aged quite well, depending on your point of view.
This is funny:
Out 'Tapping' the Tap! What the hell is Janick Gers doing?
shot down in flames?
Quote from: pxr5 on October 11, 2022, 06:48:23 PMJust put down a deposit for another Dachshund as a buddy for our girl Bonnie ;D If it's a bitch she'll be called Bella; a dog - obviously Clyde. The mother is due in 2-3 weeks, so the pups will be ready in the new year. ;D
Quoting myself, sorry. But our new puppy's mother gave birth to six gorgeous Dachshunds yesterday. 2 choc/tan males and 4 black/tan females. So we can say now we'll definitely be getting a little girl. 9 weeks to wait now - boo.
(https://i.imgur.com/uvJ6nyKl.jpg)
Sweet!
Lovely glossy fur on them.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 19, 2022, 02:18:23 PMSTV News website rightly praising Dunoon Grammar for an international education award it received. Then spelling Dunoon as Dunnon in the photo caption.
I was mentioned in an article in The Independent, written by someone I had guided in France as, '...Neil Pudsey...' my moment of fame cruelly equated to a charity bear. The online article was changed (link below) but the print article remains! Mind you the sub-editor continued to cover himself in glory with that article by labelling a German War Graves Cemetery as a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery, also pointed out, but still not changed after 8 years.
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-cemeteries-of-the-western-front-are-testament-to-the-worst-and-best-of-humanity-9593026.html
Waitrose is to stop selling Phillip Schofield's wine range which has been described as 'undrinkable' by the retailer's shoppers.
https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2022/10/26/waitrose-phillip-schofield/
Quote from: Slim on October 27, 2022, 01:29:00 PMWaitrose is to stop selling Phillip Schofield's wine range which has been described as 'undrinkable' by the retailer's shoppers.
https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2022/10/26/waitrose-phillip-schofield/
It was supposed to be late vintage port but he couldn't be arsed to wait ;D
This is our chosen puppy, hence the pink collar. We were asked to choose one when they were only 2 days old and basically just hairy worms lol. We did want a female so that left us with 4 to choose. One was a runt and another had a white chest, out of the other 2 one was slightly darker - so we chose her (to be honest any of them would have been fine). We've named her Bella and all going well she'll be ready to collect on 21st December:
(https://i.imgur.com/4o9T9ypl.jpg)
Been holding off getting smart meters.. glad I did .. another letter from e-on saying if u book in for new meters we'll credit ur account £50 per meter
Booked in for Dec 8th👍
Quote from: Fishy on November 08, 2022, 03:53:38 PMBeen holding off getting smart meters.. glad I did .. another letter from e-on saying if u book in for new meters we'll credit ur account £50 per meter
Booked in for Dec 8th👍
That £50 won't seem anywhere near enough, when they start rationing your energy ;)
Quote from: Fishy on November 08, 2022, 03:53:38 PMBeen holding off getting smart meters.. glad I did .. another letter from e-on saying if u book in for new meters we'll credit ur account £50 per meter
Booked in for Dec 8th👍
Cool, I've been holding out too. Hopefully EDF will be doing the same for me.
I'll hold out until they stump up 50 grand...
Smart meters are absolutely shite. Their main purpose seems to be to lull you into the false impression that you no longer need to track your usage because the supplier will just collect the readings for you. You'd be amazed how often they'll still spit out incorrect bill - and it's never incorrect in the customers favour.
Quote from: captainkurtz on November 09, 2022, 07:43:33 AMSmart meters are absolutely shite. Their main purpose seems to be to lull you into the false impression that you no longer need to track your usage because the supplier will just collect the readings for you. You'd be amazed how often they'll still spit out incorrect bill - and it's never incorrect in the customers favour.
Indeed; a few years ago it took me bringing an action through the Glasgow Sheriff's Court to force Scottish Power to pay out compensation for their utter mismanagement and negligence.
They settled before the case was heard - funnily enough - and suffice to say I haven't been near them since.
Their customer service got so bad at one time that Ofgen suspended their ability to canvass new customers. And they have barely improved since - check out the endless list of apoplectic one-star reviews on Trustpilot.
Scottish Power are abysmal. In fairness, I find every utility company has varying levels of incompetence apart from Octopus - who are excellent.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on November 08, 2022, 07:05:24 PMI'll hold out until they stump up 50 grand...
I've just been offered a 3 meal box for two people and a free coffee once a month from Costa........P*ss off!
My brother has had some old cine film that he found in my mum's house digitised. I'm actually quite overwhelmed by what was on there, mainly from 50 years ago or more. There's some footage from the garden, and views of the house from back then that are really priceless.
Here's me riding my older brother's bike in the garden. It was a fixie. This must have been about 1971 I think. The other cyclist in the video is my little brother.
I must say I envy young James here, with all those decades of cycling left in his legs.
That is brilliant.
Still in a bit of shock to be honest. I noticed a very large hard lump on my dog Freddie's right elbow joint yesterday evening. He's only 21 months old but has St Bernard in his breed mix and I was aware that bone cancers are quite common in large breed dogs. I had a mostly sleepless night thinking how empty life would be without him as he's such a big personality. My sister took him to the vet first thing this morning and phoned me quickly to tell that first impressions were nothing sinister. They took fluid samples just to be safe but feel that it's a reaction to him being heavy (9 stones) and throwing himself down on hard surfaces too much. He sleeps on the tiled bathroom floor to stay cool. I've never had children, so can only try to imagine how stressful it can be if a dog can make me so fearful.
I've just bought a Pioneer turntable circa 1976. Been lusting after a classic Pioneer for a while and a nice-looking PL-530 cropped up on ebay. A fully-automatic, direct-drive with strobe and a lovely s-shaped tonearm with detachable headshell. It's in lovely condition, considering it is nearly 50 years old.
Don't you just love it when you arrive to collect something and it exceeds your expectations?
;D
Due to various time constraints (and weather) I haven't been shooting at my club for must be over 2 months now. I did pop in, in October, to pay my annual subscription and had a brief chat but didn't bring my gear.
So it was great to get there last Sunday, a cool and bright November day, and very mild to spend an hour or so shooting on the range, and then a walk around the woods shooting at the knock-down 'field targets'. It felt great.
My rifle hasn't been idle though - it has been earning its keep taking care of the rats in our garden. I have had 20 rodents now since August. I say rodents rather than rats as a few of them were mice.
I do miss my rifle shooting sometimes, haven't done it for over 20 years now. Still have my Derbyshire Rifle Association Marksman's patch somewhere.
This was my rifle, an Anschutz 1413. I gave it to the club when I left London. this was one of the first photos I took with my first digital camera in 2000.
(https://i.ibb.co/FsDKmQN/anschutz.jpg)
Anyway today's simple pleasure is my new garage door. The only downer is that the key is 1.8g heavier than the old one, and since I take it with me on every bike ride, that's significant.
(https://i.ibb.co/0yRLc0F/221115garagedoor.jpg)
Key? I'd have thought it would employ retinal recognition. It's 2022 you know ;D ;)
Boxing up some old CDs today and found an ancient £15 iTunes voucher. According to Google they don't have an expiration date.
From last night, but still: as part of my covers band's set we do One Week by Barenaked Ladies and I perform the vocals.
This of course is a formidable challenge: the sheer amount of words to remember, the hyper-speed at which many of lines have to be enunciated, the lines that sound like they're being repeated but are actually slightly different from each other, that you have to remember to take a breath in every spare half second you get. And that I must resist the occasional urge to corpse at the song's wry humour.
Before last night, every time I'd attempted it either during a gig or in practise I could never do it to perfection, sometimes missing out on that with the slightest of fumbles, like hitting 95% accuracy on Guitar Hero or something.
But last night, in front of a packed and lively Friday night audience, I managed to absolutely nail it, punching the air in jubilation after crossing the finish line with "Birchmount Stadium, home of the Robbie".
I cut my grass today.. looks great
A one stop trip on the Elizabeth Line.
I'm easily pleased, but I've seen so many programmes on its construction I had to try it out whilst I was down in London. Mrs S enjoyed it.
Found a professional qualification certificate of mine that I lost just over three years ago - after practically dismantling the set of drawers where I keep such documents, while looking for something else. It had somehow fallen out the back of a drawer and down into the least accessible nook possible.
Feeling very serendipitous right now.
Had a wonderful day out in Northampton. Took the day off work. It would have been a glorious cycling day and there aren't many of those at this end of the year, but I'm glad I went. Drove there on my own and revisited some of my old haunts from my six month Lost Weekend there in 1984.
Hadn't been since December.
(https://i.ibb.co/tqFLcyn/racecourse221125.jpg)
Quote from: Fishy on November 08, 2022, 03:53:38 PMBeen holding off getting smart meters.. glad I did .. another letter from e-on saying if u book in for new meters we'll credit ur account £50 per meter
Booked in for Dec 8th👍
It's about control
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/cost-of-living/families-struggling-pay-energy-bills-25581210
Many years ago, in a cinema in Middlesbrough, I saw the following short film about Birmingham, narrated by Telly Savalas. I came across it again on YouTube today. Priceless.
Quote from: Slim on November 25, 2022, 04:54:58 PMHad a wonderful day out in Northampton. Took the day off work. It would have been a glorious cycling day and there aren't many of those at this end of the year, but I'm glad I went. Drove there on my own and revisited some of my old haunts from my six month Lost Weekend there in 1984.
Hadn't been since December.
(https://i.ibb.co/tqFLcyn/racecourse221125.jpg)
So much flatness. Your world is very different.
One from yesterday morning I didn't get round to posting about.
A female football referee was being interviewed on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, discussing last night's World Cup game where all the officials were women.
The last question put to her was: "Why aren't there any female referees in the Premiership?"
I don't think the BBC got the answer from this lady they were looking for or expecting - she simply said: "Because there aren't any that are good enough yet".
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 02, 2022, 01:01:42 PMOne from yesterday morning I didn't get round to posting about.
A female football referee was being interviewed on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, discussing last night's World Cup game where all the officials were women.
The last question put to her was: "Why aren't there any female referees in the Premiership?"
I don't think the BBC got the answer from this lady they were looking for or expecting - she simply said: "Because there aren't any that are good enough yet".
What makes you think they weren't expecting that response?
Quote from: dom on December 02, 2022, 04:48:15 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on December 02, 2022, 01:01:42 PMOne from yesterday morning I didn't get round to posting about.
A female football referee was being interviewed on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, discussing last night's World Cup game where all the officials were women.
The last question put to her was: "Why aren't there any female referees in the Premiership?"
I don't think the BBC got the answer from this lady they were looking for or expecting - she simply said: "Because there aren't any that are good enough yet".
What makes you think they weren't expecting that response?
Because they are champions of victimhood?
Quote from: David L on December 02, 2022, 06:14:14 PMQuote from: dom on December 02, 2022, 04:48:15 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on December 02, 2022, 01:01:42 PMOne from yesterday morning I didn't get round to posting about.
A female football referee was being interviewed on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, discussing last night's World Cup game where all the officials were women.
The last question put to her was: "Why aren't there any female referees in the Premiership?"
I don't think the BBC got the answer from this lady they were looking for or expecting - she simply said: "Because there aren't any that are good enough yet".
What makes you think they weren't expecting that response?
Because they are champions of victimhood?
Are they?
Quote from: dom on December 02, 2022, 10:02:55 PMQuote from: David L on December 02, 2022, 06:14:14 PMQuote from: dom on December 02, 2022, 04:48:15 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on December 02, 2022, 01:01:42 PMOne from yesterday morning I didn't get round to posting about.
A female football referee was being interviewed on BBC Radio Four's Today programme, discussing last night's World Cup game where all the officials were women.
The last question put to her was: "Why aren't there any female referees in the Premiership?"
I don't think the BBC got the answer from this lady they were looking for or expecting - she simply said: "Because there aren't any that are good enough yet".
What makes you think they weren't expecting that response?
Because they are champions of victimhood?
Are they?
Yes
They have form for it.
Like the infamous, righteously indignant news articles and pieces about the England women's football starting XI that had no black players - but one simple look at the entire squad at that exact time showed an over-representation of black players compared with the general population.
Hearing Chris Squire and Alan White's Run with the Fox on Radio 2 this morning.
England's win in Pakistan too :D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 05, 2022, 12:04:54 PMEngland's win in Pakistan too :D
Yes, a mightily impressive showing by England there. To win like that on such a flat pitch is extraordinary. I really like this 'new' England and their positive way of playing.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 05, 2022, 11:45:14 AMHearing Chris Squire and Alan White's Run with the Fox on Radio 2 this morning.
Yes, my ears pricked up when that was played. It's a great crimbo song, isn't it?
Quote from: David L on December 05, 2022, 07:02:03 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 05, 2022, 11:45:14 AMHearing Chris Squire and Alan White's Run with the Fox on Radio 2 this morning.
Yes, my ears pricked up when that was played. It's a great crimbo song, isn't it?
Absolutely :)
Almost, almost, cheered up a bit when I heard it.
Quote from: pxr5 on December 05, 2022, 12:41:09 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 05, 2022, 12:04:54 PMEngland's win in Pakistan too :D
Yes, a mightily impressive showing by England there. To win like that on such a flat pitch is extraordinary. I really like this 'new' England and their positive way of playing.
It's certainly good when it comes off, but a complete omnishambles if it doesn't.
Watching the Cyclocross from Dublin and someone has a "DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING!" placard. Don't think the commentator understands its significance.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 11, 2022, 02:27:08 PMWatching the Cyclocross from Dublin and someone has a "DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING!" placard. Don't think the commentator understands its significance.
We need a picture
Quote from: pdw1 on December 11, 2022, 06:41:38 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 11, 2022, 02:27:08 PMWatching the Cyclocross from Dublin and someone has a "DOWN WITH THIS SORT OF THING!" placard. Don't think the commentator understands its significance.
We need a picture
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe :)
When I got round to watching the men's race, there was also a placard with "CAREFUL NOW" on it :)
Best dog walk of the year this afternoon, navigating along one of the steep embankments of a snow and ice-flecked Shibden valley: under a pristine, cloudless sky, with one slightly ill-advised off-trail short cut through tricky terrain (which took so long to navigate it defeated the object), but culminating in an opportunity to take some marvellous panoramic shots as the sun was setting - the dog abiding with my command to pose for one shot for just long enough before he became a blur on a "Pano" pic.
Nice way to spend a birthday. :)
Watching Piers Morgan on TalkTV addressing the latest documentary episodes from Harry and Megan. He does have a good way about him with things like this.
I had a skim through one of my old Personal Computer World magazines - the November 1990 edition - and found a brief review of the computer I had on my desk at work in 1991.
When I started working for Rolls-Royce and Associates in the summer of 1989, I didn't have a computer on my desk. I used to work with sheets of code churned out by a line printer at my desk, or I'd go into a terminal room and work at a green-screen text terminal (a VT220). But a couple of years later I'd moved to a different group, and by this time I had my own computer - a Sun SPARCstation IPC. It had 16MB of RAM - a lot more than an IBM PC would have had at that time - and a 200MB hard drive. It ran a graphical desktop system called Open Windows.
According to the review I've just read, they cost £8000 a go! Quite a big chunk of cash in 1991. My salary back then was only about twice that. But the MoD used to buy our stuff for us, and I assume they got a good price from Sun.
I was a Systems Manager in the early 90s looking after DEC mainframes (VAX and PDPs) (and yes I know exactly what a VT320 is :) ), but when things started to shrink we started using DEC Workstations. I remember the day we installed an Infoserver with 7GB of HDD storage (3x2GB and 1x1GB) - we were like wow we'll never fill that beast up. Now you can get 7Gb on something the size of a pubic hair. :D
Something I remember fondly was setting up the disk heads on an RK07 Disk drive (20MB). We had this massive piece of test equipment that plugged in the back and we adjusted the head in and out using an allen key as the heads flew over the platters to align them. One minor slip and the heads would crash on to the disk platters - I heard that noise a few times, not caused by me thankfully.
I'm so envious when I hear accounts of those who have such an in-depth knowledge of computer technology. I have a good brain which has always been good at absorbing and learning in other ways, but just doesn't seem to have that natural aptitude for an area which fascinates me. Each to their own as many a TNMS argument used to end with 😉.
Found a pic of a VT220 online:
(https://i.ibb.co/zrd5cdS/DEC-vt220.jpg)
We also had a couple of more modern terminals - 320s or 420s, possibly - and I especially liked those, because they had amber-on-black screens which I thought were a lot swankier. And you could set them to "smooth scroll", so the text would move up the screen a pixel at a time instead of a line at a time - which seemed really cool at the time.
God, it seems a long time ago now.
I remember having to travel to the "export library " in London to basically photocopy yellow pages of other countries and trade magazines to asses potential market leads.
Similarly, as an apprentice surveyor, I had to travel to a city centre retailer which was HMSO approved, to buy excerpts of 1:1250 Ordnance Survey maps in order to provide detailed property boundary plans to solicitors and building societies. Another adventure for the 17 year old me was visiting the Mitchell Library which housed the Glasgow Room. There I could request dusty old tomes to be brought over to my desk which provided various rating and planning information for addresses the practice had surveyed recently. All click of a mouse stuff these days which in a way is a bit sad. I'm glad I got to have a foot in both worlds. I'm still quite conversant in pounds, shillings and pence. I'm not sorry about that at all. I bought a crusty loaf recently and it was two guineas.😁
I'm not exaggerating when I state this: I can read and understand Greek more than the above posts regarding IT stuff. :)
Managed thru to Edinburgh despite train strikes for a friend's surprise 60th... always cold as fuck in Edinburgh😀
That's my obligations to my Yank paymasters done for this year - aaaaand relax. 8)
Quote from: Fishy on December 17, 2022, 11:14:40 AMManaged thru to Edinburgh despite train strikes for a friend's surprise 60th... always cold as fuck in Edinburgh😀
But drier than Glasgow.
Guitar whizz YouTuber Paul Davids had a guitar string shootout, and my own favourite brand came out on top. I've been using them since the '70s.
It's the shortest day😀
Quote from: Fishy on December 21, 2022, 09:21:19 AMIt's the shortest day😀
Sunset time here in the E Mids already a little bit later than yesterday (although the sunrise time was also later). Good times!
Today's day length 7 hrs, 36 minutes and 21 seconds. Shorter than yesterday (7:36:27) but I don't care about sunrise times.
Tomorrow's day length also 7 hrs, 36 minutes and 21 seconds.
Figures apply to Loughborough (a few miles to the east of here)
https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/loughborough
I can't get my head around whether that makes last night or tonight the longest night.
By New Years Day sunset is 9 minutes later... a nice feeling that...
Looking closer at the figures, the earliest sunset time was about 8 days ago (15:49). Will be an hour later than that on Feb 1st.
I love it when it's still daylight at 10pm.
Car insurance renewal came in.. had a go at a compare site with a few quotes giving it over £30 cheaper.. got back to my current insurer mentioning that I could get cheaper .. could they match and they did ...
Companies seem to rely on folks being lazy and just accepting this kind of stuff instead of shopping around a little bit
Picked our new pup Bella earlier. She's currently snoozing on me. :)
(https://i.imgur.com/8FkAldPl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ynHb8VDl.jpg)
About two years ago I helped to fund the last Sea Power album, and the last of my funder goodies have just been hand-delivered by the band's management! A hand-written lyric sheet and two posters.
My employers gave me a Selfridges gift card loaded with a not inconsiderable sum, so I took a trip to its store at Manchester's Trafford Centre to collect a present chosen by the little un's mum - and to treat myself, of course.
After a lengthy browse, I indulged in two bottles of red wine at prices I would otherwise almost never pay for such things - a Spanish "Flower And The Bee" Souson and, costing twice as much, a 2012 Joseph Swan Californian Zinfandel.
They had better be good...
Delighted to read that Murdo MacLeod the former Celtic and Borussia Dortmund player is home again after 103 days in hospital following heart surgery. Murdo is a local lad and I had the privilege of playing against him on a couple of occasions at a young age. I remember after one of those games my dad who had come to watch me play, raving to my grandad about the talent he had just observed. Sadly, it wasn't mine. Something about Murdo that is often discussed is him being struck full force by a Branco free-kick at Italia '90 and being knocked out cold. He remembers nothing about the rest of the game. Get well soon Murdo.
A most enjoyable Christmassy afternoon - took the little 'un on her annual visit to Santa's grotto and he had a proper, real beard! :D
Yesterday. Playing Cards Against Humanity with our son and his girlfriend - best laugh I've had in ages, side splitting and tears spilling.
Annual Xmas panto; the little un's mum always insists on a front row seat, and tonight I found myself being the audience "fall guy" for the comic lead's roastings almost throughout.
Loved it. :D
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 27, 2022, 10:37:00 PMAnnual Xmas panto; the little un's mum always insists on a front row seat, and tonight I found myself being the audience "fall guy" for the comic lead's roastings almost throughout.
Loved it. :D
You're very brave. I would hate that.😁
I adopted a Macaw a few months ago. He already had a strange repertoire but occasionally when he's being bad tempered it can be accidentally totally in context and very amusing. He likes to throw a chrome dish, which sits on the roof of his cage, noisily onto the floor. I couldn't find it earlier so said to him in a stern tone "no dish, no pistachios! He leant forward quite menacingly and shouted "whatever!". I told him he was being rude to which he relied "shut up!". Hysterical! Maybe it's not accidental.😂
Found a source for sunset times to the second for a location 300 metres from here, and I've managed to get them into a text file and convert them into a spreadsheetable form so I could draw a graph. The Y axis is seconds after noon GMT when sunset takes place. The leftmost datapoint is for 13th December 2022 when the sun set at 3:50pm and 19 seconds. The rightmost datapoint is for 25th June 2023 when the sun sets at 8:34pm and 9 seconds. Those are of course the earliest and latest sunsets, respectively.
All times in GMT.
(https://i.ibb.co/QHPjtvW/sunset-chart.png)
Getting the Xmas decorations down.. served their purpose now begone 😀
My alcohol induced atrial fibrillation has ceased after only three hours. I just love the tranquility of sinus rhythm. Never take that steady pulse for granted people.
Central heating finally fixed today - faulty 3-port valve replaced. Just the complaint to do now to put an end to the saga.
This made me smile:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64160726
The teenage stars of the 1968 film Romeo and Juliet are suing Paramount Pictures for sexual abuse.
Because: "Whiting and Hussey have suffered emotional damage and mental anguish for decades as a result of the way they were treated".
And yet:
In a 2018 interview with trade publication Variety, Hussey defended the nude scene.
"Nobody my age had done that before," she said, adding that Zeffirelli shot it tastefully. "It was needed for the film."
In a separate interview with Fox News, also conducted in 2018, she said the scene was "taboo" in the US, but that nudity was common in European films at the time.
"It wasn't that big of a deal," she said. "And Leonard wasn't shy at all! In the middle of shooting, I just completely forgot I didn't have clothes on."
16.02 sunset time today .. always good to get past 4pm so that's now a full 15 mins later than shortest day... roll on the spring👍
Quote from: Fishy on January 04, 2023, 02:09:36 PM16.02 sunset time today .. always good to get past 4pm so that's now a full 15 mins later than shortest day... roll on the spring👍
It's got very dark in the morning though! ;)
Quote from: David L on January 04, 2023, 02:36:42 PMQuote from: Fishy on January 04, 2023, 02:09:36 PM16.02 sunset time today .. always good to get past 4pm so that's now a full 15 mins later than shortest day... roll on the spring👍
It's got very dark in the morning though! ;)
Was just thinking that - was walking the dog this morning just before 8. Was VERY dark. I do hate this time of year, Jan & Feb, dark and cold. Roll on March!
Sunrise gets earlier from Friday.
Quote from: Fishy on January 04, 2023, 02:09:36 PM16.02 sunset time today .. always good to get past 4pm so that's now a full 15 mins later than shortest day... roll on the spring👍
Here in the E Mids sunset time is 4:04:51 today .. 14 minutes and 32 seconds later than the nadir on 13th Dec.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 04, 2023, 02:46:14 PMSunrise gets earlier from Friday.
a minute earlier for us from tomorrow 8.46 am today .. 8.45 tomorrow...
16.08 sunset today and by Friday it's 16.16 👍
Really dark this morning
The delicious irony arising from deranged gender identity politics obsessives not being careful what they wished for; good, short article in Unherd from Joan Smith: The Brits go gender neutral and women disappear (https://unherd.com/thepost/the-brits-go-gender-neutral-and-women-disappear/?mc_cid=3ffdcb8a9e&mc_eid=1e54d6f49a)
Quote from: David L on January 10, 2023, 07:37:15 AMReally dark this morning
Unbelievably light this morning :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 13, 2023, 12:37:07 PMThe delicious irony arising from deranged gender identity politics obsessives not being careful what they wished for; good, short article in Unherd from Joan Smith: The Brits go gender neutral and women disappear (https://unherd.com/thepost/the-brits-go-gender-neutral-and-women-disappear/?mc_cid=3ffdcb8a9e&mc_eid=1e54d6f49a)
I don't really mind there being a "gender neutral" category for these and similar awards. It just means that the gender associated with the category is ignored, which if anything is a welcome break from the obsession with gender politics that's taken hold of fashionable discourse recently.
Even if it's been done as a sop to the folks who don't think they belong to a particular gender. Still a good thing.
I mean why would (say) a jazz record by a male artist compete in the same category as an Indie record by a male artist, but not in the same category as a female artist jazz record? Makes little sense.
Quote from: Slim on December 28, 2022, 05:54:50 PMFound a source for sunset times to the second for a location 300 metres from here, and I've managed to get them into a text file and convert them into a spreadsheetable form so I could draw a graph. The Y axis is seconds after noon GMT when sunset takes place. The leftmost datapoint is for 13th December 2022 when the sun set at 3:50pm and 19 seconds. The rightmost datapoint is for 25th June 2023 when the sun sets at 8:34pm and 9 seconds. Those are of course the earliest and latest sunsets, respectively.
All times in GMT.
(https://i.ibb.co/QHPjtvW/sunset-chart.png)
We're getting into the linear part of the curve now, with sunset times roughly 90 seconds later each day. Here in the E Mids, today's sunset will occur 27 mins 14 seconds later than it did on December 13th.
Quote from: Slim on January 13, 2023, 01:20:41 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on January 13, 2023, 12:37:07 PMThe delicious irony arising from deranged gender identity politics obsessives not being careful what they wished for; good, short article in Unherd from Joan Smith: The Brits go gender neutral and women disappear (https://unherd.com/thepost/the-brits-go-gender-neutral-and-women-disappear/?mc_cid=3ffdcb8a9e&mc_eid=1e54d6f49a)
I don't really mind there being a "gender neutral" category for these and similar awards. It just means that the gender associated with the category is ignored, which if anything is a welcome break from the obsession with gender politics that's taken hold of fashionable discourse recently.
Even if it's been done as a sop to the folks who don't think they belong to a particular gender. Still a good thing.
I mean why would (say) a jazz record by a male artist compete in the same category as an Indie record by a male artist, but not in the same category as a female artist jazz record? Makes little sense.
Yes, no objections to that here as it doesn't affect equality of opportunity; however, the identitarians aren't interested in that, they want equality of outcomes (i.e. nominations of females), thinking a neutral category would guarantee that, and because it actually doesn't it's bitten them on the bum.
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 13, 2023, 02:18:04 PMYes, no objections to that here as it doesn't affect equality of opportunity; however, the identitarians aren't interested in that, they want equality of outcomes (i.e. nominations of females), thinking a neutral category would guarantee that, and because it actually doesn't it's bitten them on the bum.
As ever, careful what you wish for.
Clearing stuff up at my dad's today and finding lots of photographs of people I never knew had photographs of them in existence, including a set of GtGt Grandparents who were born in 1825 and 1827. Unfortunately they are only a small portion of the photo, but at least it exists.
I also found my dad's school reports, he never mentioned them when he was thrashing me with his slipper for all my "Must try harder" reports. Like father like son...
Took a call from the car dealer telling me the newly ordered car has arrived, pick up next Tuesday ;D
Arrived at T2 at Paris CDG airport returning to UK, like a ghost town, the security bag checkers were queuing up to search bags, fastest I have ever been from roadside to airside.
Loved the alleged quote from Gina Lollobrigida saying she knew Rock Hudson was gay cos he didn't fancy her...
Apparently I've been awarded a "Top Fan badge" on Facebook by U2.
You're welcome, guys!! :D
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 18, 2023, 09:49:16 PMApparently I've been awarded a "Top Fan badge" on Facebook by U2.
You're welcome, guys!! :D
Pah! I've got one from Riverside ;D
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 18, 2023, 09:49:16 PMApparently I've been awarded a "Top Fan badge" on Facebook by U2.
You're welcome, guys!! :D
Isn't that the band that
forces people to be fans via iTunes? ;D
16.31 sunset today always good to get past half 4 and by a week tomorrow it'll be a full hour longer than the shortest day @ 16.47
Away for the weekend and spent a good while at a pub in the Cotswolds this evening chatting to locals. Turns out one of them is Tony Iommi's daughter. Lovely lady.
Sunset time today in Ayr.. 16.47.. a whole one hour more than the shortest day...
Novak winning his 10th Australian Open title
My eldest son becoming a father to wee Finn Thomas Semple ..wee cracker
Happy Independence Day to all of us here in the UK!
(https://i.ibb.co/197fhrS/brexitdaydowningst.jpg)
LOL
Last day of January .. horrible month hello February...
No strike action at the little 'un's school today. Fortunately.
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 01, 2023, 03:38:32 PMNo strike action at the little 'un's school today. Fortunately.
Scab Primary?
;D ;)
Yesterday was made by a fantastic gig by the Von Hertzen Brothers and catching up with Ali sometime denizen of these parts.
Once in a while, in the dumping ground of discourse that is Twatter (sic), you happen upon a diamond account amongst the rust - there's an "anti-fatphobic" (parody) account by "Dr Anita B. Etin" with clinically brilliant and genuinely hilarious tweets that are all the more funny when they get bites from the knee-jerking righteously indignant.
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 03, 2023, 10:38:55 PM"Dr Anita B. Etin"
LOL
I'm fond of https://twitter.com/TitaniaMcGrath
Quote from: Slim on February 03, 2023, 11:46:15 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on February 03, 2023, 10:38:55 PM"Dr Anita B. Etin"
LOL
I'm fond of https://twitter.com/TitaniaMcGrath
Yes, him - sorry I mean, her! - as well. :)
Beautiful day today sunset time now past 5pm .. 5.02.. we're on the up and up now👍
The weather was good today, so it was my first opportunity to get out on my new bike. I picked it up last week but it has been rain and wind ever since. Bright and still today but very cold. I'm going to keep to cycle paths and back roads until I sharpen up my traffic awareness. Decided on an eBike to save my weary, ageing body from too much abuse, hence this isn't posted in the Cycling thread. Glad I made that choice though as I'm really impressed with how well it performs.
Got the fire pit going ,, beautiful red sky sunset ..popped a bottle of red wine... bliss ..also some nice bright planets in the south west sky... Venus is one I think....makes you feel good to be alive with moments like these...
Anyone want to see a jacket potato singing and playing guitar to 'Go Your Own Way'...
Apparently its Richie Sambora
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on February 05, 2023, 06:09:54 PMThe weather was good today, so it was my first opportunity to get out on my new bike. I picked it up last week but it has been rain and wind ever since. Bright and still today but very cold. I'm going to keep to cycle paths and back roads until I sharpen up my traffic awareness. Decided on an eBike to save my weary, ageing body from too much abuse, hence this isn't posted in the Cycling thread. Glad I made that choice though as I'm really impressed with how well it performs.
Please do feel free to post in the cycling thread. It's all good! And although an e-bike wouldn't be my own choice I'm quite interested in them.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on February 05, 2023, 06:09:54 PMDecided on an eBike to save my weary, ageing body from too much abuse, hence this isn't posted in the Cycling thread.
Quite right not to! 'Cos you'd get some mental abuse to go with your physical abuse from me :-X
e-bikes? BLOODY MOPEDS!! I hate 'em, especially when I try to catch them up going uphill >:(
Although I hope this is still in production when I hit 70...
https://www.bianchi.com/store/int_EN/ysbn9-ariae-road-ultegradi2-8.html
From yesterday: performed a short solo acoustic set opening for an excellent local covers band - which included One Week, and to my own amazement I completely nailed it and got a few "WTF?!" looks in my direction. :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on February 05, 2023, 09:45:06 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on February 05, 2023, 06:09:54 PMDecided on an eBike to save my weary, ageing body from too much abuse, hence this isn't posted in the Cycling thread.
Quite right not to! 'Cos you'd get some mental abuse to go with your physical abuse from me :-X
e-bikes? BLOODY MOPEDS!! I hate 'em, especially when I try to catch them up going uphill >:(
Although I hope this is still in production when I hit 70...
https://www.bianchi.com/store/int_EN/ysbn9-ariae-road-ultegradi2-8.html
Oh yes, I like that (the bike - not the sherricking)! Mine is more Tesco run than TdF though. All panniers and Bosch power for the hills where I live, to save me lugging "the messages" home until I get back to driving regularly again. It's a Cube Kathmandu Hybrid Pro 625. Very happy with it.
TBH this makes every morning for me. My sister's dog is staying with me just now and is an actual plane spotter. He lies in his bed nearly all morning until he hears the Emirates 777 in the distance, and bolts to the back door demanding to get out. He then chases it to the back fence barking and howling like a banshee, trots back in and goes back to bed. It's just Boeing 777s he seems to hate (or love, who knows)?
The sun set just after 5pm today, in NW Leics.
This article in Spiked (https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/02/07/diversity-training-does-more-harm-than-good//) by Dr Rebekah Wanic, which eloquently covers the points I made recently in a submission to my employers regarding "DE&I"; it's saved me some typing, probably.
Filling the bird-feeders in the garden in the company of my ridiculously cute Granddaughter...
Quote from: Basspedalman on February 10, 2023, 05:24:32 PMFilling the bird-feeders in the garden in the company of my ridiculously cute Granddaughter...
Don't you know there's a cost of living crisis?
Have you seen the price of Sunflower seeds these days? Bloody Russkies invading Ukraine >:(
Taking the little 'un home after her swimming lesson this afternoon, and driving down the Cote de Shibden Wall (which the mad lads taking part in 2017's Tour de Yorkshire had to cycle in the opposite direction), we witnessed a deer leaping over a fence and onto the road about 50 yards in front of us, before gracefully hurdling the opposite wall into a field. This was immediately followed by a second deer, almost as if we were watching an action replay.
And not to virtue signal or anything, but had I not been driving according to the surroundings, setting a good example to my little backseat companion, then that encounter may have ended very, very differently. 🙂
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 11, 2023, 04:29:21 PMAnd not to virtue signal or anything, but had I not been driving according to the surroundings, setting a good example to my little backseat companion, then that encounter may have ended very, very differently. 🙂
My brother hit a deer a few years ago. Wrecked the front of his car. Didn't do the deer a lot of good, either.
About a year ago I saw one tentatively pondering coming out of the woods and into the road in front of me a few miles north of me. I was in no danger of hitting it but I beeped and flashed it anyway, just to give it a negative association with wandering close to the road.
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 11, 2023, 04:29:21 PMTaking the little 'un home after her swimming lesson this afternoon, and driving down the Cote de Shibden Wall (which the mad lads taking part in 2017's Tour de Yorkshire had to cycle in the opposite direction), we witnessed a deer leaping over a fence and onto the road about 50 yards in front of us, before gracefully hurdling the opposite wall into a field. This was immediately followed by a second deer, almost as if we were watching an action replay.
And not to virtue signal or anything, but had I not been driving according to the surroundings, setting a good example to my little backseat companion, then that encounter may have ended very, very differently. 🙂
Always glad to hear happy endings in such circumstances. My sister had the misfortune to hit a deer in her car a while back. It's a really upsetting experience and as James pointed out, it can also be an expensive one. The second deer following, and sometimes further deer after that is also great advice to make any driver aware of. They rarely go about on their own and are usually shadowed by others.
On another occasion when my sister found an injured deer by the side of the road, no vet was willing to come out. She called the police and when the cop finally arrived he refused to take the animal in his van, claiming that it would be off the road afterwards until it could be fumigated. I'd imagine your average deer is a lot cleaner than some of the scumbags he normally piles in. He helped her bundle the poor animal onto the back seat of her car but unfortunately it passed away before she reached the vet school which was a few minutes from the scene. Thinking about it afterwards she was amazed that the cop would put an injured wild animal in the car with her.
Colleague of mine ploughed into a heard of cows that had escaped from a field due to a gate being open.
Couple of summers ago a huge stag appeared in a Devon lane on my ride. It was magnificent with a full set of antlers, I was slightly worried that it might think my drop handlebars were antlers of some kind. But as I reached for my phone it just sprang over a hedge and was gone. Amazing how they live alongside us.
(https://i.ibb.co/MGhR4h8/et-balloons.png)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64620064
Quote from: Nick on February 12, 2023, 05:12:37 PMColleague of mine ploughed into a heard of cows that had escaped from a field due to a gate being open.
Couple of summers ago a huge stag appeared in a Devon lane on my ride. It was magnificent with a full set of antlers, I was slightly worried that it might think my drop handlebars were antlers of some kind. But as I reached for my phone it just sprang over a hedge and was gone. Amazing how they live alongside us.
This reminded me of something which happened to the credit controller where I used to work. He used to change his cars very regularly and having just acquired a new model, he and his wife decided to take a trip to Argyllshire. Driving along a single track road, a huge stag appeared in front of the car, but in mid-air. It had leapt the hedge alongside the road, landed all four hooves on the bonnet of the car and sprang off, unharmed into the field opposite. Needless to say the car wasn't unharmed.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11750753/Britains-longest-serving-female-prisoner-finally-freed-37-years-murdering-rival.html
Janet Newton, the girl who was murdered, was a friend of mine when I was 19. Actually one of my first girlfriend's close friends. My brother used to sit next to her in school.
Apparently her murderer has been in prison for 35 years now; the longest-serving female prisoner in the UK.
Bought some stainless steel 12mm M4 bolts from Amazon last night to replace the bolts in my handlebar extender that had gone rotten and rusty. They plopped through the door an hour ago and I've fitted them - perfect fit.
(https://i.ibb.co/FbLC24x/extenderbolts.jpg)
First daffodil showing its face this morning...
Completed on the sale of my Dad's house today. My retirement is now funded :) Shame about the circumstances that led to it.
We accepted £10k under the asking price, which seeing as Trussonomics had happened during the sales process we were happy with. The Estate agent had wanted to put it on at £25k less than what we did, so I'd say it was a result.
We did have a situation though where the buyers were parked on the road with two removal wagons as we hadn't had confirmation from our solicitor to say things had been completed. Thankfully there was just a five minute stand off :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on February 17, 2023, 07:23:24 PMCompleted on the sale of my Dad's house today. My retirement is now funded :) Shame about the circumstances that led to it.
We accepted £10k under the asking price, which seeing as Trussonomics had happened during the sales process we were happy with. The Estate agent had wanted to put it on at £25k less than what we did, so I'd say it was a result.
We did have a situation though where the buyers were parked on the road with two removal wagons as we hadn't had confirmation from our solicitor to say things had been completed. Thankfully there was just a five minute stand off :)
I've heard this so often about solicitors recently that I've come to the belief that it's some kind of muscle flexing rather than just inefficiency.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on February 17, 2023, 09:27:20 PMI've heard this so often about solicitors recently that I've come to the belief that it's some kind of muscle flexing rather than just inefficiency.
I was convinced it was conveyancing inefficiency, we'd agreed exchange of contracts on Tuesday, but late Thursday afternoon I got a phone call about agreeing exchange again. However talking to our buyers on Friday it seems it may have been their buyer's fault as they hadn't had their mortgage agreement witnessed, so things probably all had to be run through again at the last minute.
Been going through all the stuff I brought back from my Dad's house and I found a load of letters written in WWII from some of her cousins and an uncle to my nana and family.
Lots of mundane things, but fascinating. Seems that aunt Emily never replied to her letters and soldiers dreamed of Pork Pie and beer and seeing of Jerry. Cousin Wilfred in his last letter was dreaming of coming home and getting pissed every day. Bit of a downer really as he was killed in Libya four days later.
Just reported to Lancs. police my dash cam video of the guy in front of me running a red light. I wouldn't normally bother, but this was so blatant and a few seconds after the light went red, nearly causing a crash from a car coming from the right who had to slam on and sound his horn. Dead easy to do as well, took 5 minutes.
Quote from: pxr5 on February 23, 2023, 02:27:59 PMJust reported to Lancs. police my dash cam video of the guy in front of me running a red light. I wouldn't normally bother, but this was so blatant and a few seconds after the light went red, nearly causing a crash from a car coming from the right who had to slam on and sound his horn. Dead easy to do as well, took 5 minutes.
Lancashire police couldn't give a stuff about this sort of thing. Trust me, I'm a cyclist.
The beginning of a reconciliation with an old, cherished friend who lives in California - we fell out some years ago over something relatively trivial in the grand scheme of things; today we apologised to each other and are now catching up on the years we weren't communicating.
Very, very glad this has happened.
Fantastic view of Orion from the back garden tonight, to the south. Wife wanted to know what the bright star low above the horizon was. I thought probably a planet, but it was Sirius, 8.6 light years away.
I wondered what the star to the right of it was - looked it up and it's Beta Canis Majoris, about 500 light years away.
At Warp Factor 6, it would take the USS Enterprise more than two years to get there.
Building a vcsa 7.03 on VMware workstation
Quote from: Fishy on February 23, 2023, 10:46:58 PMBuilding a vcsa 7.03 on VMware workstation
Wish I had a clue what that meant.... Congratulations anyway!! ;D
Quote from: Basspedalman on February 24, 2023, 05:58:37 PMQuote from: Fishy on February 23, 2023, 10:46:58 PMBuilding a vcsa 7.03 on VMware workstation
Wish I had a clue what that meant.... Congratulations anyway!! ;D
Quite - as I've said before, I would say it's all Greek to me, except I actually can read and understand Greek far more than the IT posts on here.
Quote from: Slim on February 23, 2023, 10:38:56 PMFantastic view of Orion from the back garden tonight, to the south. Wife wanted to know what the bright star low above the horizon was. I thought probably a planet, but it was Sirius, 8.6 light years away.
I wondered what the star to the right of it was - looked it up and it's Beta Canis Majoris, about 500 light years away.
At Warp Factor 6, it would take the USS Enterprise more than two years to get there.
I love guessing what the nightsky offers. When we walk the dogs at night and the sky is clear I can, around this time of year, easily spot Jupiter, Mars & Sirius - it flickers slightly so is easily recognizable. Mid coming week Jupiter & Venus are nearly overlapping here so I am keeping my fingers crossed for a clear sky on Wednesday night.
Was out early evening yesterday. Cloudless deepening blue sky.Two stars beautifully in view toward the horizon one higher, one lower. Found out after it was Venus and Jupiter
Yep saw Venus and Jupiter again tonight.. just great
Did a guitar "demo" performance - on semi-acoustic then electric - at our local school's assembly this morning, in front of three year groups of about 200 children (including my daughter) and a couple of dozen teaching staff.
There was a Q&A afterwards - which I wasn't expecting - and I half expected some kid just to ask, "What the heck was THAT?!" but they were extremely polite and I think I achieved my goal of impressing them.
Which is just as well, as I was bricking it beforehand, fearing a "Marty McFly" moment when I'd finished my performance. :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 27, 2023, 02:12:50 PMDid a guitar "demo" performance - on semi-acoustic then electric - at our local school's assembly this morning, in front of three year groups of about 200 children (including my daughter) and a couple of dozen teaching staff.
There was a Q&A afterwards - which I wasn't expecting - and I half expected some kid just to ask, "What the heck was THAT?!" but they were extremely polite and I think I achieved my goal of impressing them.
Which is just as well, as I was bricking it beforehand, fearing a "Marty McFly" moment when I'd finished my performance. :)
Nice one! What did you play for them?
Quote from: dom on February 27, 2023, 02:49:46 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on February 27, 2023, 02:12:50 PMDid a guitar "demo" performance - on semi-acoustic then electric - at our local school's assembly this morning, in front of three year groups of about 200 children (including my daughter) and a couple of dozen teaching staff.
There was a Q&A afterwards - which I wasn't expecting - and I half expected some kid just to ask, "What the heck was THAT?!" but they were extremely polite and I think I achieved my goal of impressing them.
Which is just as well, as I was bricking it beforehand, fearing a "Marty McFly" moment when I'd finished my performance. :)
Nice one! What did you play for them?
Basically, stuff I'd stolen from Hendrix and EVH. Still buzzing from it. :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on February 27, 2023, 03:43:39 PMQuote from: dom on February 27, 2023, 02:49:46 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on February 27, 2023, 02:12:50 PMDid a guitar "demo" performance - on semi-acoustic then electric - at our local school's assembly this morning, in front of three year groups of about 200 children (including my daughter) and a couple of dozen teaching staff.
There was a Q&A afterwards - which I wasn't expecting - and I half expected some kid just to ask, "What the heck was THAT?!" but they were extremely polite and I think I achieved my goal of impressing them.
Which is just as well, as I was bricking it beforehand, fearing a "Marty McFly" moment when I'd finished my performance. :)
Nice one! What did you play for them?
Basically, stuff I'd stolen from Hendrix and EVH. Still buzzing from it. :)
Perhaps the best education they received that day ;D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on February 23, 2023, 05:50:28 PMQuote from: pxr5 on February 23, 2023, 02:27:59 PMJust reported to Lancs. police my dash cam video of the guy in front of me running a red light. I wouldn't normally bother, but this was so blatant and a few seconds after the light went red, nearly causing a crash from a car coming from the right who had to slam on and sound his horn. Dead easy to do as well, took 5 minutes.
Lancashire police couldn't give a stuff about this sort of thing. Trust me, I'm a cyclist.
Got an email today and they're taking action. I admit I was a bit surprised.
It's March... lovely...
Quote from: Fishy on March 01, 2023, 12:22:20 PMIt's March... lovely...
Still February weather. :(
Quote from: Matt2112 on March 01, 2023, 01:03:30 PMQuote from: Fishy on March 01, 2023, 12:22:20 PMIt's March... lovely...
Still February weather. :(
Bloody youngsters of the Global warming era, it feels like April to me!
I cut my grass today.. garden looks fucking great😀
Quote from: Fishy on March 04, 2023, 05:41:08 PMI cut my grass today.. garden looks fucking great😀
Did the neighbours all start up as well?
Quote from: Nick on March 04, 2023, 07:40:10 PMQuote from: Fishy on March 04, 2023, 05:41:08 PMI cut my grass today.. garden looks fucking great😀
Did the neighbours all start up as well?
They started last week...
Guilted me in to running my mower out.
Laid 120 square metres of turf a while back, then got two new dogs. About ten blades of grass left now. Need to get the garden centre for seed when the temperature lifts a couple of degrees. Must be milder where you folks are though. The grass isn't growing here yet.
Sunset today at 18.01.. clocks forward three weeks today...
Went mad and ordered a leaf blower and vac. My back can't take using a rake anymore.
Quote from: Nick on March 05, 2023, 05:09:22 PMWent mad and ordered a leaf blower and vac. My back can't take using a rake anymore.
A very wise purchase👍
Funny! I've told Louise that I want one for my birthday! It's at the end of August so the timing is excellent
Quote from: dom on March 05, 2023, 07:22:40 PMFunny! I've told Louise that I want one for my birthday! It's at the end of August so the timing is excellent
There a lot of innuendo to unpack there 😀
Apart from being the beneficiary of a kind neighbourly gesture in the snow this morning (see the Weather Watch thread), just had a cracking walk with the dog in perfect winter conditions tonight: it was pleasantly cold, still and fairly quiet, and there's something consistently satisfying about the sound and sensation of hardened snow being crushed under my Salomons. :)
So happy to read that due to her recent promotion, Sophie, the new Duchess of Edinburgh no longer has to curtsey to Meghan. Some things just give you that spring in your step for the rest of the day.
I don't quite understand this response to my review of Welcome Break Oxford Services.
(https://i.ibb.co/74XDk53/wb-review.png)
Quote from: Slim on March 15, 2023, 08:43:07 PMI don't quite understand this response to my review of Welcome Break Oxford Services.
(https://i.ibb.co/74XDk53/wb-review.png)
Lot of very poorly educated people around Oxford
Clocks forward this weekend .. love it👍
As of today we've already gained 2 hrs, 35 mins of afternoon daylight since the Dec 13th nadir when the sun set at 3:50pm. That seemed to go pretty quickly! Not sure if that's a good thing or not.
Looking forward to another extra hour from Sunday.
Came across this pic of the Stones playing at Newcastle City Hall in 1971. I love old photos of the City Hall.
(https://i.ibb.co/cknYc2Y/stones-cityhall.jpg)
The red arrow indicates where I was when I first saw Rush there, six years later. Except that I was actually on the other side of the venue, but of course that's out of view in this image.
Sunset today 19.44 and it just keeps getting better and better👍
When I find money in my dreams it's still the grubby old paper banknotes and not the new stuff.
I was absolutely dreading having a broken molar extracted today after a few days on Penicillin. I was told to expect sutures, but it was all over in a couple of minutes with no sutures required. Will be glad to get back on my anticoagulant this evening as stopping it was my main concern.
Michael Vaughan cleared of using racist language towards ex-Yorkshire team-mate Azeem Rafiq by the Cricket Discipline Commission, on the balance of probability.
Or in other words: on the balance of probability, Azeem Rafiq is a liar as well as an anti-semite.
Wordle 651 3/6
🟨⬛⬛⬛⬛
⬛⬛🟨🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
A minute. Not that difficult.
Doing a bit of gardening round the back and feeling the sun warming the back of my neck. Spring has truly sprung ;D
Sorting out travel arrangements for Halifax Town's trip to Wembley Stadium for the FA Trophy Final next month. :D
As a Brucey Bonus I used accumulated credits in my LNER account to get the outbound train journey in first class for £23.00 :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on April 02, 2023, 07:02:26 PMSorting out travel arrangements for Halifax Town's trip to Wembley Stadium for the FA Trophy Final next month. :D
As a Brucey Bonus I used accumulated credits in my LNER account to get the outbound train journey in first class for £23.00 :)
Congrats, Barnet just missed out on penalties after going 3 0 down in the first half of their semi away to Gateshead. The equaliser came in the 12th minute of the 12 that were added, but the Bees couldn't make the momentum count. Pity! The Bees have not been to Wembley since 1973, 4 years before I started supporting them.
1 more day to go at work, off on Friday and Monday.
Doing the recycling quite early this morning and the sun was noticeably warm on my back.
FC Halifax Town 3-1 Wrexham :D
Fish supper down the shore sat in the car .. god it was good
A tweet from Calderdale Council that begins:
"Anyone between the ages of 25 and 64 that has a cervix has a right to free cervical cancer screening..."
getting utterly annihilated in the responses. I'm ashamed of our council for that deranged and crass choice of words, but happy to see it "ratioed" accordingly.
I found a 109G log file on one of our customers' Linux servers.
I worked out that, printed onto A4, it would form a stack of paper 1.4 miles high.
Then I deleted it.
Quote from: Slim on April 19, 2023, 02:52:11 PMI found a 109G log file on one of our customers' Linux servers.
I worked out that, printed onto A4, it would form a stack of paper 1.4 miles high.
Then I deleted it.
Just as well you didn't hit "print"!
Quote from: Slim on April 19, 2023, 02:52:11 PMI found a 109G log file on one of our customers' Linux servers.
I worked out that, printed onto A4, it would form a stack of paper 1.4 miles high.
Then I deleted it.
Users are cunts let's be honest...
Record store day early risers are nice people. Quiet drive to the shop, a good 45 mins before opening standing in line, meeting like minded people that were actually nice company.
Really giving others some room to look for what they want in the bin, not grabbing it out of your hand. Queing for the register organized and all around well behaved. Happy faces all around.
My faith in humanity has not been restored but perhaps the loathing has been out aside for one day.
That's a win.
Each to their own, but I cannot understand why, in 2023, just to obtain music, you'd want to drive somewhere, compete with others for objects in a physical container, stand in a queue, then drive home again.
FlightRadar24 app.. started using it in Lanza as we were pretty close to the flight path for the loads of planes coming into and out of Arrecife.... Been checking planes over us at home .. really interesting
Quote from: Slim on April 25, 2023, 01:24:50 PMEach to their own, but I cannot understand why, in 2023, just to obtain music, you'd want to drive somewhere, compete with others for objects in a physical container, stand in a queue, then drive home again.
I like driving.... No really it's maybe the anticipation, the not knowing whether you can get what you want.
I have digital as well of course. Big Bandcamp user.
Quote from: Fishy on April 25, 2023, 03:30:52 PMFlightRadar24 app.. started using it in Lanza as we were pretty close to the flight path for the loads of planes coming into and out of Arrecife.... Been checking planes over us at home .. really interesting
Yes, I've used that for quite a while. From the lofty position of our village, we can see planes on their final approach to LBA and (usually much closer) their early ascent out of it - because of the app it's got to the point where you can make a very good guess where the outbounds are going without looking. And that even extends to those passing 35,000 ft above - those a bit to the left tend to be domestic flights from London airports to Edinburgh or Glasgow, those a bit to the right to Newcastle, Aberdeen or Inverness, and those in the middle tend to be transatlantic ex London or CDG etc etc.
Me and the wife went to grasstrack racing today. Probably not been to a grasstrack meeting for about 30 years. It was great fun and the best race of the day was the 500cc solo final, just as it should be ;)
Great Sunday bank holiday weekend evening.
Played a solo acoustic gig, had patrons on a table near to where I was performing repeatedly insisting I join then in downing shots (Baby Guinness and some other shot that tasted like strawberry milkshake); another guy who insisted I accepted a tenner he threw at me before leaving after he and his mate took two sips of a pint each of Coors; an extraordinary, mutually respectful conversation with the Asian driver of the taxi home who staunchly advocated for King Charles while I did quite the opposite - who was the "gammon" in that exchange, exactly?! ::) ;)
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 01, 2023, 02:17:08 AMGreat Sunday bank holiday weekend evening.
Played a solo acoustic gig, had patrons on a table near to where I was performing repeatedly insisting I join then in downing shots (Baby Guinness and some other shot that tasted like strawberry milkshake); another guy who insisted I accepted a tenner he threw at me before leaving after he and his mate took two sips of a pint each of Coors; an extraordinary, mutually respectful conversation with the Asian driver of the taxi home who staunchly advocated for King Charles while I did quite the opposite - who was the "gammon" in that exchange, exactly?! ::) ;)
Sounds like one of those great days Matt. A bit like Geddy and Alex describing the writing of Far Cry. Did you high-five the driver?
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on May 01, 2023, 02:45:26 AMSounds like one of those great days Matt. A bit like Geddy and Alex describing the writing of Far Cry. Did you high-five the driver?
Ha - not quite; more of a blood brothers-esque hand shake. :)
Just returned from a nice ten mile walk with three friends. Called in at The Old Swan, Minster Lovell for a couple of pints of Windrush ale from the North Cotswold brewery followed by a couple of tinnies at Pete's house in the delightful village of Crawley.
Talked about music for most of the walk! ;D
Today is Liberation Day over here, the end of WWII. I could do a whole piece on how disappointed I am and that we never learn, but I'll put that aside for today.
There's lots of festivities, but in true Dutch fashion we do not get the day off to celebrate... Anyway, I will be celebrating while working ;)
It's rare I'll think a Guardian editorial has hit the nail pretty much right on the head, but this definitely qualifies:
The coronation of Charles III - a dated pageant that should be rethought (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/04/the-guardian-view-on-the-coronation-of-charles-iii-a-dated-pageant-that-should-be-rethought)
QuoteThe overwhelming truth is that the coronation is taking place for anachronistic religious and constitutional reasons. This weekend's events are centred on a religious service in which Charles vows to uphold the Protestant religion, is anointed with holy oil and swears an oath which, in words that the archbishop of Canterbury will intone in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, commits to making Britain "a holy nation" under "a royal priesthood".
Yet modern Britain is not a holy nation. Nor is it even a largely Protestant one. Britain instead is increasingly secular, even though it remains deeply imprinted, in ways it sometimes does not grasp, by its long Christian history. England and Wales have become minority Christian countries. Yet England, although not Scotland, Wales or either part of Ireland, has an established state church. Whether this can or should continue ought to be a subject of serious public debate. But it never is.
"A holy nation", "a royal priesthood" from Exodus 19 (looked it up obviously). Phrases used in the Catholic mass and quoted by St Peter, ironically the first Pope whom our monarchy are not the greatest supporters of, and whose successor booted its chiefs of staff out at various points in history. To use words of supposed unity to appoint such a divisional figurehead is beyond laughable hypocrisy. ITN doing their bit last night with some church leader talking about the King of England. Give me strength. Why can't I find that head in hands emoji?
The phrase "King of England" is simply wrong; there is no Kingdom of England and hasn't been for hundreds of years.
Must say I agree with the quote from the piece there; a rare lucid moment for the Grauniad.
Headache seems to be lifting after 2 days.
12 years ago today Rush played at the O2 in Dublin for their only ever Irish gig.
I was there with my 11 year old son and had a fantastic time. I had tickets but won more from a local radio station (Nova). When we went to collect them we were given a tour of the station and got to speak to a couple of the djs.
Excellent gig although I thought the sound was a bit iffy for a while. Daniel loved it.
On of my most enjoyable Rush gigs, went With my late Rush fan and school friend Martin and his sister,we were in the pit standing, most unusual for a Rush gig. Got prime position in front of Alex and the crowd singing during TSOR was phenomenal.
That was a good day and night in the Motherland! ;D
I flew over for that, then for the next gig in Glasgow went on a road trip via the ferry out of Belfast. Glasgow's Solid Rock bar was basically taken over by Rush fans that weekend and it got very messy indeed I seem to kind of remember... ::) :)
This gives me a laugh most days when the wind is in the right direction. My sister's dog Alfie is still staying with me until they find a new house. I live on the flight path and 'planes fly directly overhead at 1200'. Alfie loves to chase the Emirates 777 just after his lunch, but doesn't bother about smaller aircraft too much. However, during the busier season as now, they switch to the A380. I try to remember to have a look on Flightradar24 to ensure I open the door in time for Alfie to tear up the garden. He's now taken to standing on his hind legs barking at it when it is directly overhead. Pretty normal plane spotter behaviour.😁
4 day break up ahead - Ascension. I am 100% prepared to do absolutely nothing.
2 for 1 kiss tickets. More than 50% off, actually, original price was £150 + fees and mine were £55 + fees, working out as £66 each. That's decent.
Quote from: captainkurtz on May 17, 2023, 08:55:06 PM2 for 1 kiss tickets. More than 50% off, actually, original price was £150 + fees and mine were £55 + fees, working out as £66 each. That's decent.
Excellent deal, enjoy!
A very still evening walking the dogs tonight. Everything is growing so quickly just now, especially noticeable was the Meadowsweet which appears to have doubled in height and volume over the past three or four days. There were various scents in the heavy air none of which I am able to name with any certainty but the Hawthorns are in full flower so I assume that was the overriding strongest perfume. There is also the occasional strong smell resembling cat pee which is strangely pleasant. I'd be keen to figure out that mystery. Maybe Google can assist.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on May 18, 2023, 11:04:38 PMA very still evening walking the dogs tonight. Everything is growing so quickly just now, especially noticeable was the Meadowsweet which appears to have doubled in height and volume over the past three or four days. There were various scents in the heavy air none of which I am able to name with any certainty but the Hawthorns are in full flower so I assume that was the overriding strongest perfume. There is also the occasional strong smell resembling cat pee which is strangely pleasant. I'd be keen to figure out that mystery. Maybe Google can assist.
You know, it's early, I am eating breakfast reading this, awake but in a state of meh, and I am thinking for about half a second: 'did he really name one of his dogs Google?'
Anyway, nevermind me, carry on.
One from the other night - an extended close encounter with a bat - that I never got round to posting about for one reason and another.
I love this time of year when you can start walking the dog after 9.00pm and there's still plenty of light left to have a ramble round the local recreation ground. Anyway, as dusk settled in we got to a bushy corner of the park where I noticed the bat - most probably a common pipistrelle - darting only about 10 feet past me. I stopped and watched its fantastic, seemingly physics-defying aerobatics while it hunted. Fortunately, it appeared to be using a circuitous route in which I was roughly at the epicentre, so I spent quite a few glorious minutes watching it shooting and flapping around hither and tither, where it occasionally appeared to be speeding toward me in a kamikaze dive only of course to zip off at seemingly impossible angles.
I would have stayed longer but the dog was utterly indifferent to this impressive display and clearly just wanted to crack on.
Quote from: Thenop on May 19, 2023, 06:07:13 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on May 18, 2023, 11:04:38 PMA very still evening walking the dogs tonight. Everything is growing so quickly just now, especially noticeable was the Meadowsweet which appears to have doubled in height and volume over the past three or four days. There were various scents in the heavy air none of which I am able to name with any certainty but the Hawthorns are in full flower so I assume that was the overriding strongest perfume. There is also the occasional strong smell resembling cat pee which is strangely pleasant. I'd be keen to figure out that mystery. Maybe Google can assist.
You know, it's early, I am eating breakfast reading this, awake but in a state of meh, and I am thinking for about half a second: 'did he really name one of his dogs Google?'
Anyway, nevermind me, carry on.
You are clearly celebrating the Ascension of Our Lord to its fullest. Good for you! 😁
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 19, 2023, 09:58:01 AMOne from the other night - an extended close encounter with a bat - that I never got round to posting about for one reason and another.
I love this time of year when you can start walking the dog after 9.00pm and there's still plenty of light left to have a ramble round the local recreation ground. Anyway, as dusk settled in we got to a bushy corner of the park where I noticed the bat - most probably a common pipistrelle - darting only about 10 feet past me. I stopped and watched its fantastic, seemingly physics-defying aerobatics while it hunted. Fortunately, it appeared to be using a circuitous route in which I appeared to be roughly at its epicentre, so I spent quite a few glorious minutes watching it shooting and flapping around hither and tither, where it occasionally appeared to be speeding toward me in a kamikaze dive only of course to zip off at seemingly impossible angles.
I would have stayed longer but the dog was utterly indifferent to this impressive display and clearly just wanted to crack on.
Bat flight is incredible. I've only ever seen one casualty out there. There is a massive shopping centre close to where I used to work. It has its own bus terminus which has two sided shelters over the stances. They take the form of a steel, shallow Y shape with angled glass ceilings. One day a dead bat lay below this covered area. I can only guess that flying directly towards such a thin, almost horizontal hazard doesn't ever happen in the natural world so their ultrasound system can't accommodate it. I need to correct my casualty figure though. My neighbour once discovered a dead bat caught in a windscreen wiper blade. I think it will be another still night tonight so I'll probably go out just about dusk and have a look. Nothing better than a seat in the garden on a nice night, beer in hand, just at that short space of time when the bats seem busiest. Bat breakfast time I suppose. Fascinating creatures.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on May 19, 2023, 10:53:27 AMQuote from: Thenop on May 19, 2023, 06:07:13 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on May 18, 2023, 11:04:38 PMA very still evening walking the dogs tonight. Everything is growing so quickly just now, especially noticeable was the Meadowsweet which appears to have doubled in height and volume over the past three or four days. There were various scents in the heavy air none of which I am able to name with any certainty but the Hawthorns are in full flower so I assume that was the overriding strongest perfume. There is also the occasional strong smell resembling cat pee which is strangely pleasant. I'd be keen to figure out that mystery. Maybe Google can assist.
You know, it's early, I am eating breakfast reading this, awake but in a state of meh, and I am thinking for about half a second: 'did he really name one of his dogs Google?'
Anyway, nevermind me, carry on.
You are clearly celebrating the Ascension of Our Lord to its fullest. Good for you! 😁
Unfortunately it was a bit too cloudy to witness the event itself...
Halifax Town lifting a trophy at Wembley Stadium - I know it was "yesterday", but I've just got home. ::) ;D
Had to renew passports for myself and the little 'un, the latter requiring extra verification which my friendly neighbourhood shopkeeper was kind enough to provide; both new passports have now dropped through the letter box, i.e. within three weeks of initial application. :)
afternoon in the sun at the Cambridge Beer festival
Ooni pizza maker making some decent pizza👍
Visiting my brother and his missus up Teesside way - they have a hot tub in their back garden and it was utter bliss!! :D
For yesterday:
The wife and I have put together a sort of 'bucket list' of things we want to do this summer. One of the things was to watch a cricket match. Yesterday we hopped on the bus from Witney to Standlake and watched a game at Oxford Downs CC. A great afternoon. As luck would have it, the Downs seconds were playing The Witney Swifts first side and we happen to know some folks associated with Swifts.
Warm and sunny, we positioned ourselves on a picnic bench close to the clubhouse. Luckily the bench was equipped with a parasol for some shelter from the blazing sun. The bar had a decent cask ale on - Inferno by Oakham. We had to leave just as the ODCC started their innings, chasing a Swifts total of 217. We'd have stayed for the duration but we had to get back to Drummers Bar in Witney for the 'main event'.
A local DJ, Stuart Foster, is known as 'Funk Soul Stu'. He always plays good stuff but as the name implies, concentrated on a certain genre. A couple of weeks ago I noticed advertising flyers in the bar advertising 'Prog Rock Stu'. And last night we were treated to a set of (mostly) prog on his decks from his small collection of prog vinyl. Loads of good stuff including Yes, Focus, Zep, King Crimson etc. Imagine my excitement when he produced a copy of 2112 from his vinyl case! We heard 'Bangkok, The Twilight Zone and Grand Finale - brilliant!
Tribute was paid to Tina Turner (Private Dancer) and a friend who is not into prog got to hear a few Bowie tracks including the fantastic Moonage Daydream.
I was drinking the superb Yabba Dabba Doo from local brewers Little Ox. Got suitably sloshed. Great day
My wife says the second half of the day would qualify for her entry in the "What Made You Grumpy?" thread
;D ;D ;D
A visit to Bamburgh Castle. What a stunning place!
Northumberland really is spectacular.
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 28, 2023, 06:45:55 PMA visit to Bamburgh Castle. What a stunning place!
Northumberland really is spectacular.
We loved our time up there a few years ago, the beaches are stunning!
It really is a very nice beach there. Just a shame it's in the north-east of England.
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 28, 2023, 06:45:55 PMNorthumberland really is spectacular.
On my list of places to go. I have been - but I was about 2
I've always wanted to go to Northumberland to stargaze as it has the darkest skies in England.
However that wasn't of course the purpose of our visit today; it's late May for a start. ::) :)
Visit to Heptonstal as part of our brief stay in Yorkshire. Beautiful part of the World and the location of Sylvia Plath's grave. Since she was a part of my son's Leaving Cert qualification he's become a huge admirer and it was very touching to see how it affected him emotionally.
Blur gig tonight. I still get buzzed after a really great show - and that was one..
This clip of Stanley Unwin talking to Bill Wyman came up on Twitter. This takes place in 1984, but my god how young does Bill look here? He'll be 87 in October.
Depeche mode have been a bucket list band for years and I finally saw them these evening and they were astounding.
Drove 3,5 hours back and forth to have my record player checked. The only guy I trust. Bought a new stylus last December, put it on myself and did a quick check then.
I spent another 3,5 hours just being there and watch & learn how he dissected 3 old Technics tables from 1978 (!) and the 80's. Think I learned more then I could hanging out on YouTube for 10 years.
My table was in excellent shape except I bought a clamp a while back that apparently started grinding into the spindle, had not noticed it but I could clearly see the scrapings when opened up...no real damage yet fortunately. Happy to know this now before the bearings get clogged up. Decided to buy a weight instead.
Had coffee, a good talk & a good time and spent the price of the weight. No service charge, nothing. They still exist, people not just out for your money but actually caring for their customers.
Excellent Roger Waters gig last night at The O2....
Quote from: Basspedalman on June 07, 2023, 11:14:55 AMExcellent Roger Waters gig last night at The O2....
Are you sure you're allowed to say that? The CDU will be on your case ;)
Telegraph going into administration ;D
First hot shower in 10 days since we had a tank leak. That git of a doctor on the TV who says cold showers are good for you is talking utter shite - I just wanted to die. :'( :o
I can cope with turning the shower to cold for the last 30 seconds. Not sure I'd manage the whole shower though!
'er indoors and I went to a restaurant in Ashby this evening. A nice place called Zamani's with a cocktail bar attached. Really nice meal, friendly staff, lovely cosy place.
I asked for the bill; it came. I looked at it carefully. Seemed a bit light. I realised we hadn't been charged for the desserts. I must admit I did think about just getting away with it and if it had been a big restaurant chain I might have. But I got up to go and explain what had happened.
As I rose, an extravagantly tanned Italian gentleman who'd been sitting at a table nearby with his partner and another couple got up from his chair and intercepted me on the way over. He'd noticed me puzzling over the bill. "Can I get you some help with the bill? Is there a problem?" he wanted to know. He introduced himself as the owner. "Yes there is", I replied. I paused for a bit of dramatic tension. Then I said "We haven't been charged for dessert!"
He broke into a smile. "Thank-you for your honesty. It's on the house", he said. I tried to insist on paying, saying that I didn't want to take advantage of someone's mistake. But he wasn't having it. "Don't charge the gentleman for dessert!" he shouted over to the girl at the counter.
Then as we finished our drinks and got up to leave, he offered a handshake as we passed his table. I thanked him again.
Isn't that nice? So much better than sneaking out without mentioning it, and the same outcome.
Nice!
Sounds like the sort of establishment tended to be found on any given Greek island. :)
After setting off walking the dog at 9pm in ridiculously pale skies and almost broad daylight this (last) evening, and having a good hour's walk, we nipped in to my local pub just for two or three cheeky ones, where I happen to be playing a solo acoustic gig this coming Sunday afternoon (widely shared on local social media).
To my astonishment, as I walked in I was applauded by a few present, including the couple who run the place, even though I know they have probably never seen me perform live "in the flesh".
It all felt nice of course, but I just hope the 90-minute set I have prepared is entertaining enough to allow me back in. :)
The aforementioned gig went very well indeed this afternoon.
To finish set 1 I accompanied the little 'un as she got up to sing The Courteeners' modern classic Indie tune Not Nineteen Forever - she brought the house down and frankly upstaged me entirely. :)
Novak winning his 23rd Grand Slam event making him (arguably) the best tennis player of all-time
Tropical heat this afternoon, then 20 minutes ago biblical rain - never in my life have I seen heavier rain - and hailstones. A clap of thunder that sounded like a bomb going off on the village green, as well.
Quote from: Slim on June 12, 2023, 05:46:24 PMTropical heat this afternoon, then 20 minutes ago biblical rain - never in my life have I seen heavier rain - and hailstones. A clap of thunder than sounded like a bomb going off on the village green, as well.
Same here. Absolutely torrential here and it's being going for well over an hour now with no let up. We were to eat out tonight, but luckily stayed in with a pizza.
if only we could have a thunder storm here
Quote from: pdw1 on June 12, 2023, 08:50:09 PMif only we could have a thunder storm here
Hear hear.
Although not tomorrow please since they are replacing the gutter at the roof the house. After that Noah's revenge can come in all its might.
Quote from: Slim on June 12, 2023, 05:46:24 PMTropical heat this afternoon, then 20 minutes ago biblical rain - never in my life have I seen heavier rain - and hailstones. A clap of thunder that sounded like a bomb going off on the village green, as well.
Got that here yesterday and again today. Both days looked like we'd be OK, then suddenly it clouded over, there was a huge BOOM and giant raindrops followed by hail lashed down. Mrs S and the boy were out barbecuing Pork Chops tonight after I'd told the it would be OK...
Felt Mediterranean this afternoon, then it turned very muggy as clouds formed and it looked like we were going to be battered with heavy rain like many other places.
But we must have caught the very fringes of the storms as we had a moderate shower for only about 15 minutes, and this freshened the air a bit, but not by much. So, not having much rain followed by a little less humidity was a decent compromise.
Footage of a Humpback whale leaping out the water in the River Clyde. Hopefully it will enjoy a belly full of what it needs and then head out safely to open waters again. I'm not sure if Humpbacks eat mackerel as this is high season for them off the west of Scotland.
Went to a pizza place in Ashby and took advantage of their Father's Day Special menu. I had the "Free Peroni for Dad" despite never having fathered a child. Fraud, technically.
Just been out for a quick walk on the village green. I love it when it's daylight at 9:50pm.
Nice view of a crescent Moon and Venus to the west.
After 6 months of leakage in the house finally had a new rain gutter installed last week. And today the carpenter came to fix the consequential damage. So, I *should* be sorted now. Fingers crossed.
A trip to "Circus Extreme" which has pitched up in town for a couple of weeks - terrific entertainment.
The climactic sight of utterly batsh!t flying motorbike stunts over a "Globe of Death" where three other bikes are simultaneously performing loop-the-loops at insane speed and somehow missing each other is genuinely breathtaking (although the noise was a bit much for the little 'un).
Quote from: Matt2112 on June 23, 2023, 11:02:21 PMA trip to "Circus Extreme" which has pitched up in town for a couple of weeks - terrific entertainment.
The climactic sight of utterly batsh!t flying motorbike stunts over a "Globe of Death" where three other bikes are simultaneously performing loop-the-loops at insane speed and somehow missing each other is genuinely breathtaking (although the noise was a bit much for the little 'un).
I've seen that - utterly mental. One of the most incredible things I've seen...the sheer concentration and coordination it must take..
What gets me is the speed and efficiency of setting up/dismantling the huge equipment used for various stunts that are often heart-stopping and where safety/safeguarding is ensured within what must be a pretty small margin of error.
And how how unobtrusive all that is is directly proportional to how entertaining the clown is while all that is going on. And the clown is absolutely superb, even taking part in one of the tightrope acts.
It's all profoundly impressive, but of course the main objective is to put a huge smile on kids' faces; on that score alone it was a resounding success.
Though the noise from the bikes was too much for some. 🙂
Just back from a glamp in Mull which included a trip to Staffa to see Fingal's Cave and some puffins ..
(https://i.ibb.co/0Vk0GBv/daniel-kaw.jpg)
That's mad - looks photoshopped ;D
I actually thought it was photoshopped for a joke, or Daniel was standing next to a cardboard cutout. But Rishi is 5'6" and Daniel is 6'9", it's completely real. There's a cropped version of the same pic on his own website: https://www.daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk/news/hospital-transformation-programme-discussions-prime-minister
Quote from: Slim on June 29, 2023, 09:03:16 PMI actually thought it was photoshopped for a joke, or Daniel was standing next to a cardboard cutout. But Rishi is 5'6" and Daniel is 6'9", it's completely real. There's a cropped version of the same pic on his own website: https://www.daniel4shrewsbury.co.uk/news/hospital-transformation-programme-discussions-prime-minister
If Sunak is only 5'6" why can he not get a pair of trousers to reach his shoes?
New guitar arrived. This is from Fender's "paranormal" range, made in China under the Squier brand.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/brands/squier/paranormal-series/squier-paranormal-strat-o-sonic-electric-guitar-crimson-red-transparent
It is a "Strat-O-Sonic". It's a bit of fun in which Fender have recreated the aesthetics of a Gibson Les Paul Special - the P90 pickups, the translucent cherry finish, the single tailpiece bridge, the minimalist pickguard, the black plastic knobs and the toggle pickup switch - and have applied them to a guitar shaped like a Fender Stratocaster.
These days Squiers are made in China and Indonesia. The Indonesian ones aren't bad but this one has reinforced my opinion that the Chinese ones are better - I honestly can't fault this. Beautifully finished and constructed. Whereas my Indonesian Strat is not finished quite so well and needed a bit of work after I got it - the frets were a bit rough and the fret ends were a tad sharp.
(https://i.ibb.co/hgnVw2t/stratosonic.jpg)
This one plays really nicely out of the box. I thought the nut might need a bit of attention - sometimes they're cut a bit too shallow in the Far East, but nope it's spot on.
It feels a lot like a modern Strat, with a flattish fingerboard radius. Has vintage style frets (not "narrow tall" as the Andertons site claims). The volume and tone pots both have push-pull switches for series/parallel and phase switching - that's pretty sophisticated for a budget guitar and wasted on me (these days I just play the neck pickup on everything).
It's very light. The body's made from Okoume; I think it's a two piece.
Check out the neck - by chance, it's been made from a rather nice chunk of subtly-flamed maple. Most Strat-O-Sonic purchasers won't be this fortunate.
(https://i.ibb.co/5nLynp2/stratosonic-neck.jpg)
Looks gorgious! Love the colour on this. Almost like a SG tone, fantastic.
Good to hear these play well as they don't break the bank.
My grumpy post today actually reminded me of a segment on Radio 4's Today broadcast from the other morning that serves as a substantial antidote: an interview with writer and critic Tomiwa Owolade, author of the book This Is Not America: Why Black Lives Matter In Britain.
His remarks on race issues in our nation were so supremely astute, insightful and eloquently expressed, they almost had me punching the air in jubilation as I drove to work; his book looks an absolutely essential read so I will be acquiring it asap.
Not sure to post it here or in the grumpy thread but the Dutch cabinet of ministers has resigned.
Most of you probably know the system over here is a bit different from yours which means when the prime minister resigns he takes his whole cabinet down with him or her.
So, new elections it is, probably in November.
The grumpy part is that the country will come a standstill until we have a new team of ministers which will probably be no sooner that February or March next year.
Don't we all just love politics...
Quote from: Thenop on July 07, 2023, 08:48:41 PMNot sure to post it here or in the grumpy thread but the Dutch cabinet of ministers has resigned.
Most of you probably know the system over here is a bit different from yours which means when the prime minister resigns he takes his whole cabinet down with him or her.
So, new elections it is, probably in November.
The grumpy part is that the country will come a standstill until we have a new team of ministers which will probably be no sooner that February or March next year.
Don't we all just love politics...
Hasn't Rutte been a bit of a knob? Not least over covid?
Quote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 12:44:23 AMQuote from: Thenop on July 07, 2023, 08:48:41 PMNot sure to post it here or in the grumpy thread but the Dutch cabinet of ministers has resigned.
Most of you probably know the system over here is a bit different from yours which means when the prime minister resigns he takes his whole cabinet down with him or her.
So, new elections it is, probably in November.
The grumpy part is that the country will come a standstill until we have a new team of ministers which will probably be no sooner that February or March next year.
Don't we all just love politics...
Hasn't Rutte been a bit of a knob? Not least over covid?
Covid has been a non issue the past year. We have all moved on mate.
Quote from: Thenop on July 08, 2023, 05:06:53 AMQuote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 12:44:23 AMQuote from: Thenop on July 07, 2023, 08:48:41 PMNot sure to post it here or in the grumpy thread but the Dutch cabinet of ministers has resigned.
Most of you probably know the system over here is a bit different from yours which means when the prime minister resigns he takes his whole cabinet down with him or her.
So, new elections it is, probably in November.
The grumpy part is that the country will come a standstill until we have a new team of ministers which will probably be no sooner that February or March next year.
Don't we all just love politics...
Hasn't Rutte been a bit of a knob? Not least over covid?
Covid has been a non issue the past year. We have all moved on mate.
Good for you, still front and centre here
Received a very nice marketing email fro Julian Richer, MD of Richer Sounds. Rather than just the usual "we're brilliant" blurb, or even worse, asking me to complete a survey, he described in detail the difficulties his, and other high street retailers are facing. He states quite clearly his opinion of the role the government play in all of this and although he mentions that he has been a Tory donor in the past, he doesn't hold his punches and is clearly very unhappy about the amount of unpaid tax affecting the UK economy. It's a fairly long commentary detailing many of the problems faced by the poorer in our society and quite uplifting to hear a voice with conscience from within the business community.
Quote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 08:56:25 AMGood for you, still front and centre here
To be honest I'm not sure it's getting the attention it still deserves here. It hasn't gone away. My main concern is that the false impression that it has might deter people from getting their boosters in the Autumn.
Quote from: Slim on July 08, 2023, 12:06:46 PMQuote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 08:56:25 AMGood for you, still front and centre here
To be honest I'm not sure it's getting the attention it still deserves here. It hasn't gone away. My main concern is that the false impression that it has might deter people from getting their boosters in the Autumn.
Yes, that's a concern. That and the fact that folk don't seem to test when they have a 'flu type illness any longer.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 08, 2023, 11:57:02 AMReceived a very nice marketing email fro Julian Richer, MD of Richer Sounds. Rather than just the usual "we're brilliant" blurb, or even worse, asking me to complete a survey, he described in detail the difficulties his, and other high street retailers are facing. He states quite clearly his opinion of the role the government play in all of this and although he mentions that he has been a Tory donor in the past, he doesn't hold his punches and is clearly very unhappy about the amount of unpaid tax affecting the UK economy. It's a fairly long commentary detailing many of the problems faced by the poorer in our society and quite uplifting to hear a voice with conscience from within the business community.
I got that too and very well put. Richer Sounds are my go to for tech (unless they don't sell what I want of course), my last 2 TVs were from there.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 08, 2023, 11:57:02 AMReceived a very nice marketing email fro Julian Richer, MD of Richer Sounds. Rather than just the usual "we're brilliant" blurb, or even worse, asking me to complete a survey, he described in detail the difficulties his, and other high street retailers are facing. He states quite clearly his opinion of the role the government play in all of this and although he mentions that he has been a Tory donor in the past, he doesn't hold his punches and is clearly very unhappy about the amount of unpaid tax affecting the UK economy. It's a fairly long commentary detailing many of the problems faced by the poorer in our society and quite uplifting to hear a voice with conscience from within the business community.
Just looked up and read Richer's piece. I'm always suspicious of people bemoaning "inequality", and I remember Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's wise words:
"Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free."
Quote from: Slim on July 08, 2023, 12:06:46 PMQuote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 08:56:25 AMGood for you, still front and centre here
To be honest I'm not sure it's getting the attention it still deserves here. It hasn't gone away. My main concern is that the false impression that it has might deter people from getting their boosters in the Autumn.
Will you be getting yours? I recall you swerved it earlier this year.
Quote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 02:14:48 PMWill you be getting yours? I recall you swerved it earlier this year.
Yes, I will - unless I get a dose of COVID in the meantime, which is why I didn't bother last time.
Picked up a bottle of root beer from Aldi earlier today. I recall being so excited on trying it when I was young, having heard it mentioned in American films so often. I was so disappointed when I hated it. I had a feeling that I would enjoy it now and I was right. Germolene meets bubble gum would be my best take on it. I've never heard of it being used as a mixer for spirits and wonder what it might sit well with.
Quote from: Slim on July 08, 2023, 05:00:57 PMQuote from: David L on July 08, 2023, 02:14:48 PMWill you be getting yours? I recall you swerved it earlier this year.
Yes, I will - unless I get a dose of COVID in the meantime, which is why I didn't bother last time.
Yes, regardless of what we were told, natural immunity is effective
So..our PM is finally leaving, 13 years on his reign is now coming to an end. Finally, new elections on the horizon in November, let's see what happens.
A country always get the people they deserve, not that they need so hopefully finally we get someone decent.
Lots of political chatter everywhere, debates heating up, I think I'll avoid the news programs for a while. All the same anyway and politicians? Well, they all sell snake oil.
Good to see Novak getting a hinderance call made against him.. the amount of grunting ..shouts ..yell made not just by him but others is getting ridiculous.. some of the noises by woman make the game unwatchable
Changing of the Guard at Wimbledon.
Quote from: Slim on July 16, 2023, 06:57:58 PMChanging of the Guard at Wimbledon.
Yeah well done Carlos.. great game..
Ryan Giggs cleared of any wrongdoing in the common assault / coercive behaviour case brought against him.
https://www.manchesterworld.uk/sport/football/manchester-united/ryan-giggs-cleared-of-domestic-abuse-as-charges-are-dropped-4222371
Quote from: Slim on July 18, 2023, 11:10:51 AMRyan Giggs cleared of any wrongdoing in the common assault / coercive behaviour case brought against him.
https://www.manchesterworld.uk/sport/football/manchester-united/ryan-giggs-cleared-of-domestic-abuse-as-charges-are-dropped-4222371
He's not been cleared...they've just dropped the case because one of the main witness has got cold feet...
Quote from: captainkurtz on July 18, 2023, 01:02:23 PMHe's not been cleared...they've just dropped the case because one of the main witness has got cold feet...
He has been cleared; that's a simple legal fact.
Quote from: Slim on July 18, 2023, 02:08:57 PMQuote from: captainkurtz on July 18, 2023, 01:02:23 PMHe's not been cleared...they've just dropped the case because one of the main witness has got cold feet...
He has been cleared; that's a simple legal fact.
Well that's the line being pedalled by his solicitor, I see. The case was abandoned because with a witness no longer being willing to give evidence, there was little chance of a prosecution.
Fantastic footballer, but not a very nice bloke (allegedly).
Quote from: captainkurtz on July 18, 2023, 02:12:10 PMQuote from: Slim on July 18, 2023, 02:08:57 PMQuote from: captainkurtz on July 18, 2023, 01:02:23 PMHe's not been cleared...they've just dropped the case because one of the main witness has got cold feet...
He has been cleared; that's a simple legal fact.
Well that's the line being pedalled by his solicitor, I see. The case was abandoned because with a witness no longer being willing to give evidence, there was little chance of a prosecution.
Fantastic footballer, but not a very nice bloke (allegedly).
I don't know how nice he is but if that is the line his solicitor is peddling, it's just a statement of fact. No prosecution = clear.
Similar to the ex City player, Benjamin Mendy...
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/14/footballer-benjamin-mendy-found-not-guilty-of-one-count-of-rape
Moment BBC reporter sounds like 'Minnie Mouse' after on-air glitch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-66234537
New specs. Actually they're Poundshop-style reading glasses, I got five pairs for £10.39 inc delivery from Amazon. Couldn't find the style of frames I wanted in a proper shop. Will have proper prescription lenses put in a couple of them.
(https://i.ibb.co/thr8Pb8/newspecs.jpg)
Loving the guitar necks in the background
More impressed by the goatee. 🤷🏻�♂️
After a dreadful, stressful weekend, met a woman whilst out walking the dog today. I couldn't believe it when she told me she is 75 and looks at least 10 years younger if not more. We spoke for ages about our upbringings, education, work experiences and in her case children, who it transpired went to the same Glasgow school as me. Our conversation ended outside my home with us discussing our abilities to translate Latin these days, it having been so long since we both studied it. That part in particular made my day as one of my vicious gossiping neighbours, who along with others is trying to ruin my life, was loitering and listening. A relative stranger yet able to restore my faith in human nature. Perhaps prayer isn't unheard or in vain
The British lying Corporation's Business Editor, Simon Jack, making a (late) apology to Sir Nigel
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 24, 2023, 04:45:44 PMAfter a dreadful, stressful weekend, met a woman whilst out walking the dog today. I couldn't believe it when she told me she is 75 and looks at least 10 years younger if not more.
Nice, did you get her phone number? :)
Actually, thinking about it I did date a woman who'll be 76 now, although she was 38 at the time.
CEO of NatWest, Alison Rose, has resigned. Well done Sir Nigel. Well done GB News. Proper investigative journalism. The complete opposite of what's on offer at the British 'lying' Corporation.
I doubt any other bank will now close anyone else's account for being friends with tennis's GOAT.
;D ;D
Quote from: David L on July 26, 2023, 07:06:30 AMCEO of NatWest, Alison Rose, has resigned. Well done Sir Nigel. Well done GB News. Proper investigative journalism. The complete opposite of what's on offer at the British 'lying' Corporation.
I doubt any other bank will now close anyone else's account for being friends with tennis's GOAT.
;D ;D
Umm Dan Wootton? Neil Oliver? GB News is a cesspit offering the worst of British culture and the nadir of journalism.
Give me the BBC anyday
The Nigel Farage story is a consumer affair issue - the type of thing the BBC covers week in, week out in shows like Money Box. It really didn't deserve the attention it got and all the UK media is to blame for giving it so much focus. It's not like he was even deprived of the ability to bank
I don't particularly hold a candle for either of them; I will say though that GB News haven't been peddling the narrative that fires are "raging across Greece", or asserted Sardinia is experiencing temperatures of 47C while the BBC's own weather app has them at 32C, because the former measures the ground while the latter measures the air.
Bad faith reporting seems to be all across the political spectrum and it's a challenge to navigate a course through all the BS.
Bad as each other, unfortunately. If you twisted my arm I'd admit GB News is worse. But I wouldn't say the Nigel Farage affair is a run-of-the-mill consumer affairs issue; how many ordinary banking customers have information about them leaked to a left-leaning broadcaster's business editor from the head of the bank?
Quote from: dom on July 26, 2023, 09:43:02 AMThe Nigel Farage story is a consumer affair issue - the type of thing the BBC covers week in, week out in shows like Money Box. It really didn't deserve the attention it got and all the UK media is to blame for giving it so much focus. It's not like he was even deprived of the ability to bank
What a completely wrong-headed statement. It's clearly a freedom of speech issue. Establishment forces attempting to cancel or inconvenience those with the 'wrong' opinions. We know what's happening here. It's sinister and much of it is government sanctioned too.
Remember, they may come for
you next
Shades of a profoundly insidious Orwellian Chinese-style social credit system at work - fortunately it's been headed off at the pass before it managed to gain further ground.
The further left's position on this clearly hasn't been about justice, but revenge; and even worse, the attempt to close off areas of discourse they find unpalatable is downright sinister. So, who really are the villains and the victims in this scenario?
He wasn't cancelled. I'm sure he has the resources to cope with the ability to move bank accounts. His freedom of speech certainly hasn't been curtailed. Haven't heard so much from him in quite a while. I don't have
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 26, 2023, 09:58:20 AMI don't particularly hold a candle for either of them; I will say though that GB News haven't been peddling the narrative that fires are "raging across Greece", or asserted Sardinia is experiencing temperatures of 47C while the BBC's own weather app has them at 32C, because the former measures the ground while the latter measures the air.
Bad faith reporting seems to be all across the political spectrum and it's a challenge to navigate a course through all the BS.
temperature there did pass 40C on Monday and Tuesday. 47C does seem to be an exaggeration although it's possible that Palermo might not be the hottest part of the island.
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/@2523118/historic
Coutts is an elite bank, managing the accounts of the privileged, royalty and wealthy. From a pr perspective they wanted to hand him over to their parent bank. Ordinarily that wouldn't be an issue at all, if it were a completely private organisation. The fact that its parent was bailed out by the British public means it should have considered that when it made its decision. There's really should have been nothing more to it than that.
Where they really went wrong is incorrectly briefing the BBC of the real reasons why it chose to move his account and it's right that the CEO was fired when she was discovered to be the culprit.
Quote from: dom on July 26, 2023, 11:32:17 AMCoutts is an elite bank, managing the accounts of the privileged, royalty and wealthy. From a pr perspective they wanted to hand him over to their parent bank. Ordinarily that wouldn't be an issue at all, if it were a completely private organisation. The fact that its parent was bailed out by the British public means it should have considered that when it made its decision. There's really should have been nothing more to it than that.
Where they really went wrong is incorrectly briefing the BBC of the real reasons why it chose to move his account and it's right that the CEO was fired when she was discovered to be the culprit.
And the real reason they wanted to close his account was because they didn't like his politics.
"Pr perspective"? Who knew Farage banked with Coutts?
Absolute baloney. This is just another example of the sort of virtue-signalling, woke-pedalling nonsense washing through businesses today - fuelled by corporate cowardice in the face of the possibility of near-instant obliteration at the hands of social media activists.
Show some courage ffs
Quote from: David L on July 26, 2023, 11:42:49 AMQuote from: dom on July 26, 2023, 11:32:17 AMCoutts is an elite bank, managing the accounts of the privileged, royalty and wealthy. From a pr perspective they wanted to hand him over to their parent bank. Ordinarily that wouldn't be an issue at all, if it were a completely private organisation. The fact that its parent was bailed out by the British public means it should have considered that when it made its decision. There's really should have been nothing more to it than that.
Where they really went wrong is incorrectly briefing the BBC of the real reasons why it chose to move his account and it's right that the CEO was fired when she was discovered to be the culprit.
And the real reason they wanted to close his account was because they didn't like his politics.
"Pr perspective"? Who knew Farage banked with Coutts?
Absolute baloney
Good point, it really backfired on them. I'm sure if they could go back in time they would leave well alone
The news that Trevor Rabin is releasing a new solo album in October. 8)
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 26, 2023, 11:46:48 PMThe news that Trevor Rabin is releasing a new solo album in October. 8)
Is 'Live in LA' any good? Shame there appears to be only one track from Wolf on it
Quote from: David L on July 27, 2023, 12:00:02 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on July 26, 2023, 11:46:48 PMThe news that Trevor Rabin is releasing a new solo album in October. 8)
Is 'Live in LA' any good? Shame there appears to be only one track from Wolf on it
Tbh I've never listened to it.
Can't Look Away is of course the quintessential Rabin album, although an argument might be made that 90125 through Talk are also his solo albums that happen to feature guest musicians who have been in Yes! ;D
Just put a new rubber strap on my Vostok Amphibia. I have a thing for blue dial divers and the dial really pops on this one with the new strap.
(https://i.ibb.co/ZSHq4dp/20230727vostok.jpg)
Vostok are a bit of a cult brand, made in Russia (and before that, the Soviet Union). This one was acquired from there before the war, by the way.
Like certain Kalashnikov products they are crudely manufactured and not particularly accurate but dependable.
Slightly annoyingly the strap is 22mm but it looks like 23mm would fit better. But it'll have to do.
Motorhome has just passed the MOT
Bought the wrong hdmi cable from Amazon so tried to return it but it said I couldn't.. eventually got chatting to a human who said because of the nature of the item you can't return it.. but we'll give you a refund.. yes please👍
"Medical science is making such remarkable progress that soon none of us will be well" - Aldous Huxley
A trip to Suffolk for the weekend for an old school friend's landmark birthday; and in trying every train journey combination possible for the best ticket price I stumbled upon a "fare hack": there are two stations in Bradford, and booking one as the origin rather than the other meant I could travel in First Class on the LNER leg of the journey (Leeds-Peterborough and return) for only a few small pounds more than Standard, and it still gave the flexibility to travel out of either Bradford station. 8)
Went on a boat trip from Ullapool round the Summer Isles. Lovely weather, warm and sunny. We had dolphins coming really close to the boat to show off, leaping vertically out of the water in some cases. Amazing.
Out of office is on and its hello Majorca tomorrow morning👍
We've come to a restaurant in the Highlands and there are two people from Hartlepool serving us. I often say that there are more monkey hangers outside the town than in it.
Walked into a cheapo store, the sort that sells pegs, shopping trolleys, Chinese plastic tat, batteries and incense sticks. Blaring out behind the counter was a bootleg recording of 2112.
Some decent weather for a change.
Gin n tonics going down nicely in boiling hot Majorca.. great to be back👍
I'm back in England! And having a beer in the Land of my Fathers, County Durham.
Technically today (as I start to type this), but the very short story from late last night:
arrived in Perissa, Satorini pretty late last night, very hungry indeed;
all but one establishment seemed open;
we asked if they could fix us up a quick snack and they said they could throw together a feta cheese salad with dips and pitta bread - fine;
then my little 'un and I started conversing with our fantastically friendly server in Greek - this seemed to change the game somewhat, and in the end we were served the salads, plus a 12" pizza and a lovely warm pot of moussaka. And ice cream for dessert, which was on the house.
This is why I keep coming back to this country. :)
A coastal walk from Beer to Branscombe and back, along the Jurassic coast. Including a quick sea swim.
The wonders of a good VPN - I can enjoy my usual weekend sports betting flutters and watch a live stream of Halifax Town's game this afternoon (at 5pm...) using perfectly legitimate websites. :)
A load of clothes taken to the charity shop. Quite cathartic, albeit I do find it hard to part with stuff that has no faults.
Just returned from a trip down to Southsea with the in-laws.
It was primarily to take my eight-eight year old father-in-law around the D-day museum. A wonderful exhibition of every element of that huge undertaking on our behalf. What an educational and humbling experience.
Whilst we were both visiting the museum, Clare and her mum enjoyed a long walk along the seafront in the bracing sea air, watching the Hovercraft and ferries to and from the Isle Of Wight.
We all enjoyed a (late) fish and chip lunch at the Deep Blue restaurant on the pier. Home by 6:30pm, helped by the light traffic. A great day out
Quote from: captainkurtz on August 12, 2023, 05:07:27 PMA load of clothes taken to the charity shop. Quite cathartic, albeit I do find it hard to part with stuff that has no faults.
Just done similar myself,had a clear out(always think I should eBay stuff and get some cash back), but giving it to a charity shop is so much easier and more worthwhile.
Woke up at about 0700 and kept drifting in and out of sleep .. was 1000 before I realised it. Still felt tired. I wanted to get up by 0830 or so.
People watching. ... some people are odd🙄
Quote from: Slim on August 13, 2023, 10:39:07 AMWoke up at about 0700 and kept drifting in and out of sleep .. was 1000 before I realised it. Still felt tired. I wanted to get up by 0830 or so.
I meant to post this in the "grumpy" thread but actually we had un-forecast heavy rain at about 1100. I would have gone out on a bike if I'd got up early, and got caught in it. So this turned out quite nicely and I posted it in the right place after all.
Usually try and and avoid hotel entertainment like the plague.. but arrived back a bit earlier than usual to some bloke on a guitar playing lead to some backing tracks.. have to say he cranked out some decent stuff like ...
Dire Straits Brothers in Arms
Floyd ABintWall pts 2&3
Prince Purple Rain
Clapton Cocaine
Santana Black Magic Woman
Spoilt it all when he started Eagles Hotel California can't stand that song so we left..
At my adopted "local" (who filled our table with food at 1 a.m. on the night of our arrival), for three nights I was addressing the lady bartender in Greek when ordering beers etc but wasn't getting the usual effusive response in return, which made me wonder if she spoke Greek at all.
I learnt from my new waiter buddy 'Leo' (who I thought was Greek but actually hails from Pakistan ;D ) that the bar tender is Brazilian.
So the next time she brought a drink to the table I of course said, "Obrigado" and her face lit up. :D
Though given that's the extent of my Portuguese, I just speak to her in English otherwise, which conveniently enough is her second language. :)
Bonkers Dutch cycling fans with a megaphone.
Plus an American lady who let us watch the cycling we couldn't see between passes on her phone.
The must-do box-tick of a trip to the iconic picture postcard town of Oia ("EE-ya") - the place with all the blue-domed buildings you usually see as the cover pic on Greece tourist paraphernalia.
The town itself isn't actually the main reason to go - its narrow paths are chock full of aloof Tik-Tok tourists with selfie sticks and self-entitlement complexes. No, the main reason is the quite staggering scenery, particularly the views out to the caldera, a still technically active volcano that rose out of the sea in 1600 BCE and last erupted in the 1950s.
We took some nice snaps of the sunset too. So all in all, a very memorable day out. :)
Last day in Majorca.. fly back tomorrow.. should be sad.. had a great time but it'll be nice to get home even if the weather still sucks...
Not long ago I started seeing a mobile phone retailer advert (Googe Pixel I think) proudly trumpeting a facility to airbrush out inconveniently-placed people from your photos. At the time that struck me as a bit sad; I thought I'd never see a requirement to use it, thinking I'd rather take a decently composed shot in the first place and that having to delete elements of a moment captured in time seemed to drain it of its essence and authenticity.
Turns out there is a time and a place for it: last Monday we were taking shots of each other at Oia at a location offering lovely, panoramic views of the sunset. Randomly, there was a small cannon in the vicinity which piqued the curiosity of the little 'un; in the magic hour light I took a snap of this scene, while accepting that it wasn't "perfect" due to the other tourists in the shot interrupting the skyline. However, using the facility to make them magically disappear dramatically improved the impact of the shot technically and emotionally, to the extent that it's become one of our favourite pictures of her we've ever taken.
The ad was probably for Photoshop, though most image editors will do that now. I used the GIMP to do something similar for a friend who'd taken a lovely pic of her daughter at the beach with a random bloke in the background.
There are even online services now that will allow you to remove people's clothing from an image, rendering them naked. Just from a technological perspective, as one who studied AI when it was in its infancy in the late '80s, I find that fascinating.
I've retrieved this object from my brother. It was affixed to the front of our house in Hartlepool by the folks who owned it before my parents bought it in 1961.
(https://i.ibb.co/VBX1L71/rosalba-plate.jpg)
Although the house was notionally called 'Rosalba', I never heard anyone in our family refer to it by that name. It was always just "the house", or "Number 6", or "Linden Grove".
Despite that, this nameplate remained on the front of the house until 2021 when it was put up for sale. Unfortunately the only photo I've been able to find where there's a clear view of it is this one from 1972-ish, depicting my little brother's first day in the Cub Scouts.
(https://i.ibb.co/5rggmtC/eric-door.jpg)
The plate itself is made of brass. I don't know how the letters were applied - some sort of ceramic paint? They were exposed to the cruel North-Eastern weather for over 60 years but they're still immaculate.
White rose. Nice name for a home. Bit of action in my front garden today. Watched a Sparrow Hawk despatching an unfortunate pigeon. A bit of a cruel, slow process, but it's nature and we all have to eat. It feasted for at least thirty minutes. I later discovered the carcass about 150 feet away in my back garden. The hawk flew off as I'd let the dogs out first. It must have managed to fly with it when it had lightened the load and gained some energy from its meal.
Been selling off stuff on Markt3. Basically the Dutch version of eBay with less rules. EBay couldn't dominate the market like they wanted to here so they just bought the competition...
Anyway, photo camera, cassette Walkman, phono pre amp, all gone. Agreement on snare drum and pending some other stuff I should take in some 2K Eur.
Then of course I had to immediately buy a vintage amp I don't need but want. So now I have 4 amps.. Need to sell 2 of them. It never ends but I do it to myself ;D
Coming back from Glasgow last week, we suffered a train delay of 60 minutes, so I submitted a claim for compensation to Avanti. Now we had travelled on split tickets, the journey was Glasgow to Carlisle, then Carlisle to Derby changing at Crewe.
On the Glasgow-Carlisle section we were only delayed by about 15 minutes, but I got an email today with complete refund for the entire journey. I take back some of what I said about Avanti.
Stayed at a hotel just outside Oxford last night after a Sea Power gig there. On my way out to the car this morning I exchanged a greeting with the guitar player, Noble. If I'd known we were staying at the same hotel I'd have knocked on his door at 3AM and asked to borrow a groupie!
Quote from: Slim on August 23, 2023, 07:49:34 PMIf I'd known we were staying at the same hotel I'd have knocked on his door at 3AM and asked to borrow a groupie!
At best he'd have had to wank you off...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 23, 2023, 09:45:05 PMQuote from: Slim on August 23, 2023, 07:49:34 PMIf I'd known we were staying at the same hotel I'd have knocked on his door at 3AM and asked to borrow a groupie!
At best he'd have had to wank you off...
Yes, I know Oxford very well
Very long story very short, my first day of leisure after finishing serving a redundancy notice yesterday.
I was tempted to post in the grumpy thread yesterday as things culminated on a bit of a sour note regarding senior "management" and "leadership" handling of the whole process and handover, but it would have only wound me up more.
Still, the timing of my departure has turned out to be inadvertently impeccable: I accepted in principle a new (and much better paid) position elsewhere on my penultimate day, which gives me all next week effectively on garden leave to enjoy (some of) my settlement (which is a pretty sweet one, in fairness).
As a couple of Brucie bonuses, the kids go back to school next week and the weather forecast looks blummin' glorious. 8)
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 01, 2023, 11:26:01 AMVery long story very short, my first day of leisure after finishing serving a redundancy notice yesterday.
I was tempted to post in the grumpy thread yesterday as things culminated on a bit of a sour note regarding senior "management" and "leadership" handling of the whole process and handover, but it would have only wound me up more.
Still, the timing of my departure has turned out to be inadvertently impeccable: I accepted in principle a new (and much better paid) position elsewhere on my penultimate day, which gives me all next week effectively on garden leave to enjoy (some of) my settlement (which is a pretty sweet one, in fairness).
As a couple of Brucie bonuses, the kids go back to school next week and the weather forecast looks blummin' glorious. 8)
Great news reveal, Matt. All the best in your new role.
Well done Matt, I certainly understand the mixed feelings, had a somewhat similar stint in 2017. Never looked back.
For me:
First day of my summer break, traditionally celebrated by going record shopping.
And assembling a new cat scratch pole. Now watching the Vuelta.
Life is good.
I am sure things will turn sour shortly.
Turning out to be a productive time. Did my record shopping Friday. Assembled a cabinet yesterday and the week is looking to be good weather. Nice.
Ordered a new cover for my e reader, the old one was disintegrating.
Received an LP I ordered, it showed up without notice but was flawless.
Can't say I had anything off-putting. Can't believe it!
Decided today I might be a bit productive too over the next few days. I was quite surprised at how expensive log stores are, so I've decided to build one instead as the garage is just bursting at the seams at the moment. I found a stack of old fence posts in a corner of the garden so if I buy a sheet of OSB and a couple of lengths of CLS I reckon I can keep this year's firewood dry for about £20. Quite looking forward to it. It doesn't matter too much what it will look like as it will be mostly under a large conifer.
We went to the Rotterdam Zoo today. I like the zoo, bit too much people there today but it was OK.
One of the rarest animals there is the Amur Panther, it is said only some 70 are left in the wild. Over all the years they've been there I was only to catch a glimpse once or twice but today the male stood up there posing. What an animal! Beautiful, Mrs Panther came looking what all the fuss was about as well.
Now That made my day.
(https://i.ibb.co/NCs77mz/IMG-20230904-162205.jpg)
Image from phone cam.. Sold my Nikon camera, need to get a new one.
(https://i.ibb.co/D5t1Jny/religion-race.jpg)
Religion looks the most fun in that example! 😂
Quote from: dom on September 04, 2023, 05:39:26 PMReligion looks the most fun in that example! 😂
I hate clowns, they are rarely actually funny and once the greasepaint comes off they are miserable gits
Quote from: Thenop on September 04, 2023, 05:57:16 PMQuote from: dom on September 04, 2023, 05:39:26 PMReligion looks the most fun in that example! 😂
I hate clowns, they are rarely actually funny and once the greasepaint comes off they are miserable gits
True, car itself looks fun though
Quote from: dom on September 04, 2023, 06:09:43 PMQuote from: Thenop on September 04, 2023, 05:57:16 PMQuote from: dom on September 04, 2023, 05:39:26 PMReligion looks the most fun in that example! 😂
I hate clowns, they are rarely actually funny and once the greasepaint comes off they are miserable gits
True, car itself looks fun though
Also true.
Quote from: Thenop on September 04, 2023, 06:15:08 PMQuote from: dom on September 04, 2023, 06:09:43 PMQuote from: Thenop on September 04, 2023, 05:57:16 PMQuote from: dom on September 04, 2023, 05:39:26 PMReligion looks the most fun in that example! 😂
I hate clowns, they are rarely actually funny and once the greasepaint comes off they are miserable gits
True, car itself looks fun though
Also true.
Until all the doors drop off ;)
Quote from: Thenop on September 04, 2023, 03:31:01 PMWe went to the Rotterdam Zoo today. I like the zoo, bit too much people there today but it was OK.
One of the rarest animals there is the Amur Panther, it is said only some 70 are left in the wild. Over all the years they've been there I was only to catch a glimpse once or twice but today the male stood up there posing. What an animal! Beautiful, Mrs Panther came looking what all the fuss was about as well.
Now That made my day.
(https://i.ibb.co/NCs77mz/IMG-20230904-162205.jpg)
Image from phone cam.. Sold my Nikon camera, need to get a new one.
Great picture of a magnificent animal. What a perfect pose in lovely sunlight.
Beautiful picture, but god, I hate zoos....
Quote from: captainkurtz on September 05, 2023, 01:56:29 PMBeautiful picture, but god, I hate zoos....
I haven't visited a zoo since childhood. Loved it then when I was too young to analyse the situation. They've become essential for their conservation work and breeding programs and I have to commend them for that, but I would find a visit difficult now.
Cut the front privet hedge as the weather is so good. Swept up most of the larger bits and pieces, then the wind picked up and blew all those tiny fiddly bits away.
Mowed the back garden's over-grown lawn in wonderfully warm sunshine this morning.
Then this afternoon I really took advantage of my week off in the glorious weather and, erm, went to the cinema. ;D
No wasps in the house today, woohoo.
I've said it once but it always needs repeating wasps are cunts
Quote from: Fishy on September 05, 2023, 03:37:32 PMI've said it once but it always needs repeating wasps are cunts
Saw a video last week of a wasp somehow dissecting a bee and then eating honey from its stomach. Little bastard...
Quote from: captainkurtz on September 05, 2023, 04:42:52 PMQuote from: Fishy on September 05, 2023, 03:37:32 PMI've said it once but it always needs repeating wasps are cunts
Saw a video last week of a wasp somehow dissecting a bee and then eating honey from its stomach. Little bastard...
Was that these Asian bastard hornets.. they are complete cunts as well..
Quote from: Fishy on September 05, 2023, 05:05:42 PMQuote from: captainkurtz on September 05, 2023, 04:42:52 PMQuote from: Fishy on September 05, 2023, 03:37:32 PMI've said it once but it always needs repeating wasps are cunts
Saw a video last week of a wasp somehow dissecting a bee and then eating honey from its stomach. Little bastard...
Was that these Asian bastard hornets.. they are complete cunts as well..
And they're coming to a town near you soon:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66697968
In our house in Cyprus just outside the back door leading down some steps was a stunning grape vine that we invariably got fruit from. Anyway one day when heading out to work I exited the back door only to be greeted by 50+ hornets launching themselves after being disturbed. I have never shit myself as much - luckily I got back inside super quick and didn't get stung despite a few resting on my shirt. I think I was saved due to the relatively cool morning, meaning the hornets were less active. I never went past that vine the same way again. Turns out they were the calmer European hornets - which didn't make me feel any better - big fuckers too.
I'm sure the entire thing is up for viewing somewhere but I watched this some years ago, interesting and well made documentary:
There must be a way to genetically engineer a hornet virus in a secret laboratory, somewhere.
Quote from: Slim on September 06, 2023, 03:51:25 PMThere must be a way to genetically engineer a hornet virus in a secret laboratory, somewhere.
Shhh, you used 'virus' and 'secret laboratory' in the same post. No telling who you will attract
Quote from: Slim on September 06, 2023, 03:51:25 PMThere must be a way to genetically engineer a hornet virus in a secret laboratory, somewhere.
There must be and the laboratory doesn't need to be secret
Off later this afternoon to stay with friends in Arran for a long weekend...
Final day of "Garden Leave" and very productive it was too: a couple of tip runs (in nigh-on Mediterranean weather), the purchase of a shredder, a much-needed clear-out of my "Man Cave", where an office desk set up for lockdown-era working was moved to a place vacated by all the little 'un's disused toys.
This meant I could clear all the clutter that had accumulated on top of my (very basic) home music studio set up, so it's now accessible and useable for the first time in ages.
Finally, on a slightly sad note, my trusty Philips soundbar that I've had for about 8 years is, after eliminating all over causes, reaching the end of its useful life and has developed a persistent crackle, as if everything it's sending out is from an old vinyl disc. So I've ordered a Samsung Q700B, a mid-range piece of kit with gushing expert reviews, on 12 months interest-free credit, cos I'm tight. :D
Digging out my Wacaco Picopresso (https://www.wacaco.com/products/picopresso) this afternoon to make an espresso with The Lost Barn's Uganda Kisinga (https://lostbarncoffee.co.uk/product/uganda-kisinga/).
Haven't used the Pico in quite a while so I was a bit rusty but it ignored that and produced a delicious shot anyway.
Something so small just shouldn't be able to produce real espresso, but it does, and very competently!
It would appear that James Hoffmann agrees:
I 'won' a £100 amazon voucher for filling out a survey on Cambridge Water :) and I wasn't even very complementary when I filled it out.
Tumble drier has been playing up, cleaned all the filters etc but still wouldn't stay on. Checked You Tube and there is a small almost hidden compartment that was full of crud. Quick clean and working like new. Love fixing things on You Tube rather than calling a plumber or buying new. The manufacturers must hate it.
(https://i.ibb.co/9ZWcRhJ/nice-w-230919.png)
String of nice weather days coming up in about a week.
Quote from: Nick on September 17, 2023, 05:08:20 PMTumble drier has been playing up, cleaned all the filters etc but still wouldn't stay on. Checked You Tube and there is a small almost hidden compartment that was full of crud. Quick clean and working like new. Love fixing things on You Tube rather than calling a plumber or buying new. The manufacturers must hate it.
With the price of electricity these days, I might have left it broken a little longer! Apparently hanging clothes in a small room with a dehumidifier is a much more efficient way of drying clothes. Takes longer but uses a fraction of the electricity
Quote from: dom on September 19, 2023, 12:57:54 PMQuote from: Nick on September 17, 2023, 05:08:20 PMTumble drier has been playing up, cleaned all the filters etc but still wouldn't stay on. Checked You Tube and there is a small almost hidden compartment that was full of crud. Quick clean and working like new. Love fixing things on You Tube rather than calling a plumber or buying new. The manufacturers must hate it.
With the price of electricity these days, I might have left it broken a little longer! Apparently hanging clothes in a small room with a dehumidifier is a much more efficient way of drying clothes. Takes longer but uses a fraction of the electricity
Hanging washing up outside or inside on an airer uses no electricity! Just keep the house well ventilated.
Never seen the point of a tumble drier, except for 'fluffy' towels. I'm far too tight for one ;D
Quote from: David L on September 19, 2023, 04:37:15 PMNever seen the point of a tumble drier.
Never seen the point of a tumble drier full stop. Or a microwave.
Never seen the point of Ovaltine...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 20, 2023, 10:12:39 AMNever seen the point of Ovaltine...
"Ovaltine is an excellent source of several B vitamins, including Vitamin B6, niacin, and thiamin. The nutrition value of Ovaltine can vary slightly depending on the flavor you choose and the beverage you mix it with. For example, adding the powder to milk will result in more calories, protein, vitamin D, and calcium." ;)
Quote from: Slim on September 19, 2023, 09:55:06 AM(https://i.ibb.co/9ZWcRhJ/nice-w-230919.png)
String of nice weather days coming up in about a week.
Ah that's a shame. The forecasters have changed their mind. Today's forecast for the same period:
(https://i.ibb.co/zPXs2nm/wfcast230920.png)
Interesting to see if it continues to degrade, or improves a bit. At least the Wednesday remains unmolested, for now.
Imagine you're out for a ride on your bike and you come across an old bloke out for a walk on his own.
Should've asked him what he actually does.
I quite liked the way there's no deference, but no disrespect either. And to Charles' credit he doesn't seem to mind at all.
Quote from: Slim on September 20, 2023, 10:48:25 PMI quite liked the way there's no deference, but no disrespect either. And to Charles' credit he doesn't seem to mind at all.
Agreed. He seems to enjoy it far more than the ludicrous pomp and ceremony that engulf his royal "duties".
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 22, 2023, 07:29:32 AMQuote from: Slim on September 20, 2023, 10:48:25 PMI quite liked the way there's no deference, but no disrespect either. And to Charles' credit he doesn't seem to mind at all.
Agreed. He seems to enjoy it far more than the ludicrous pomp and ceremony that engulf his royal "duties".
For "royal duties" replace with "political campaigning" >:(
Quote from: Slim on September 20, 2023, 12:00:27 PMQuote from: Slim on September 19, 2023, 09:55:06 AM(https://i.ibb.co/9ZWcRhJ/nice-w-230919.png)
String of nice weather days coming up in about a week.
Ah that's a shame. The forecasters have changed their mind. Today's forecast for the same period:
(https://i.ibb.co/zPXs2nm/wfcast230920.png)
Interesting to see if it continues to degrade, or improves a bit. At least the Wednesday remains unmolested, for now.
It did continue to degrade. As of just now:
(https://i.ibb.co/5Brvbyh/weather220923.png)
I'd say we aren't going to get a seven-day string of sunny days.
Curses! Planned last lawns cutting exercise shelved then. Should really be in the grumpy thread.
A pair of Grado headphones I ordered have just arrived. Got goosebumps listening to a John McLaughlin acoustic tune.
2 incredible PJ Harvey gigs in Dublin this weekend - absolutely one of the all time great artists.
We've just got our house completely back to normal at last. Back in May we took back our rented house after the tenant died. The rented house was in an appalling state: filthy, nicotine dripping of the walls and doors (no smoking was allowed on the tenancy), pet damage all over (no pets allowed on the tenancy) and all the large items were left behind by his daughter when she cleared it; the garden was in a horrendous state too as well as damage throughout the house - we used a letting agent as well, useless gits. So, you can imagine how pissed off my wife and I were when we eventually took the house back and when we got home that day we found that we'd had a water leak from the water storage tank upstairs. The water had soaked out on to the carpet in our bedroom and come through the lounge ceiling below. To find where the leak was we had to rip out some fitted bedroom furniture and smash a hole at the back of the airing cupboard - that's when we found out it was the tank causing the leak. The system had to be drained so we had no hot water for a few weeks. Anyway this is what we've been through since then and had to be done in order:
1. Boiler upgraded from a thermal store system to combi boiler. This took 2 weeks due to the changes required.
2. The old boiler in the kitchen - we had to get kitchen fitters to remove the boxing in units and cupboards to get access.
3. The old boiler was removed - the wall where the flue had gone through was bricked up outside and walls inside replastered.
4. Kitchen cupboards refitted.
5. Lounge/dining room ceilings replastered. Hole in bedroom wall replastered.
6. Painted bedroom wall
7. We got 3 quotes for fitted wardrobes but had to wait until August before we could get them installed.
8. New fitted wardrobes eventually fitted
9. New bedroom carpet fitted
8. Lounge/dining ceilings painted
9. Ceiling lights reinstated - this was today.
All this whilst we were trying to sort out our other house, which was a wreck (and a total other story, but that's almost sorted now too). Because we did a lot more than required the insurance would only pay for repairs so from them we got about a quarter of what it's cost us in total. Anyway all done now - yay.
Glad you got it all sorted before winter sets in.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on September 27, 2023, 05:31:07 PMGlad you got it all sorted before winter sets in.
Yes, cheers. We did actually put the heating on today to test it out and it was fine. Of course normally I would never have any heating on before October lol.
No sign of storm Agnes here despite the forecasts..
Rubbed my right eye when I woke up this morning and two contact lenses came out (yes, out of the same eye). I was sure that one of them was still in there because I put it in yesterday, it seemed to disappear off my pupil but it definitely didn't come out. And I had a suspicion, though I'd managed to convince myself it wasn't true, that a lens I put in there about ten days ago was still in there.
The daily disposable ones are extremely flimsy and they can fold up and hide under your eyelid. If that happens it's very hard to get them out, you have to wait for them to work themselves out. Fortunately they aren't even uncomfortable most of the time.
Quote from: Slim on September 28, 2023, 01:03:27 PMRubbed my right eye when I woke up this morning and two contact lenses came out (yes, out of the same eye). I was sure that one of them was still in there because I put it in yesterday, it seemed to disappear off my pupil but it definitely didn't come out. And I had a suspicion, though I'd managed to convince myself it wasn't true, that a lens I put in there about ten days ago was still in there.
The daily disposable ones are extremely flimsy and they can fold up and hide under your eyelid. If that happens it's very hard to get them out, you have to wait for them to work themselves out. Fortunately they aren't even uncomfortable most of the time.
When they go around the back of my eye the easiest way to get them out is to either pull your upper eyelid over the bottom eyelid or pullback the corner of your eyes line we used to do as kids when pretending to be ming the merciless...
Had lenses on again today. I counted them all in - and I counted them all out.
Quote from: Slim on September 28, 2023, 10:57:48 PMHad lenses on again today. I counted them all in - and I counted them all out.
Reminds me of the Falklands thread.
QuoteA pair of Grado headphones I ordered have just arrived. Got goosebumps listening to a John McLaughlin acoustic tune.
I love my SR80e headphones. A few years old now, but by 'eck they are good.
Against all the received wisdom and advice, I reused some daily disposable contact lenses. Seemed to go OK. Only wanted them in for a couple of hours anyway.
Working from home in te mancave aka the attic. When I need some time away from the screen I usually throw a few legs of darts, takes my mind of things. Managed a 10 darter today, nice :)
A cracking walk earlier to Loch Garbad on the south of Arran.. and the rain held off..
After 3 months, the best bar in Witney, 'Drummers', has reopened today as 'The Crafty Pint'.
Nice to quaff a few ales there tonight with Mr Pudney of this parish. A good day indeed
:)
My beard trimmer died so I bought a special Remington Manchester United limited edition one from Amazon.
(https://i.ibb.co/xssHTNt/utd-trimmer.jpg)
To be honest I only bought it because it was half price. I would have bought it if it was a Tottenham or Aston Villa one.
Quote from: David L on October 11, 2023, 10:42:57 PMAfter 3 months, the best bar in Witney, 'Drummers', has reopened today as 'The Crafty Pint'.
Nice to quaff a few ales there tonight with Mr Pudney of this parish. A good day indeed
:)
Ha! Just came on here to make a similar comment! Cracking night and good to see you both again. Lovely to have it back, such a great place :)
Quote from: Slim on October 13, 2023, 05:07:27 PMMy beard trimmer died so I bought a special Remington Manchester United limited edition one from Amazon.
(https://i.ibb.co/xssHTNt/utd-trimmer.jpg)
Glazers' Razors - so good they bought the club!
Purveyor of posh panties prioritises profit over principles in u-turn on porky patron policy
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/victorias-secret-lingerie-sexy-image-b2432374.html
Go woke.....go broke ;D
^ Nice alliteration :)
Waking up and remembering that the two tonnes of firewood which I ordered was delivered yesterday, and after countless hours (well three) traipsing up and down the garden with a lot of heavy lifting and stacking, it is all put away. That, and the fact the aching back and muscles that I was dreading this morning aren't too bad at all. Maybe I'm fitter than I think (and look).😁
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 25, 2023, 11:32:58 AMWaking up and remembering that the two tonnes of firewood which I ordered was delivered yesterday, and after countless hours (well three) traipsing up and down the garden with a lot of heavy lifting and stacking, it is all put away. That, and the fact the aching back and muscles that I was dreading this morning aren't too bad at all. Maybe I'm fitter than I think (and look).😁
Considering you enjoy one minute activities, this is not too bad I suppose.
Quote from: Thenop on October 25, 2023, 11:45:18 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 25, 2023, 11:32:58 AMWaking up and remembering that the two tonnes of firewood which I ordered was delivered yesterday, and after countless hours (well three) traipsing up and down the garden with a lot of heavy lifting and stacking, it is all put away. That, and the fact the aching back and muscles that I was dreading this morning aren't too bad at all. Maybe I'm fitter than I think (and look).😁
Considering you enjoy one minute activities, this is not too bad I suppose.
Nah, takes me at least two minutes to drink a can of beer.😂
Boris Johnson: Former prime minister to host GB News show https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67242822
GB news....They don't set the bar very high do they... lol
Learning that Noddy Holder given six months to live, five years ago is still with us after receiving experimental chemotherapy treatment. Amused that in his house they don't play Merry Xmas Everybody at Christmas. "If they want to hear it, I'll sing it" I think he said.
(https://i.ibb.co/vwj77vT/clocksback1940.jpg)
Learned a new word. Preternatural. The Telegraph describing Simon Le Bon's cheeks.
Rail station ticket office closures - scrapped
:)
"Your pronunciation is excellent"
Yep, I'm wowing the locals in Greece again... :)
Ticking a bucket list item with a visit to the Acropolis in Athens.
But not just that. The weather was (of course) glorious - at 26 Celsius more than warm enough for t-shirt and shorts but not energy-sappingly hot.
There was hardly any queue at the entrance (my decision not to buy "skip-the-queue" tickets entirely vindicated) and although the site had a fair amount of visitors, it wasn't at all crowded, so there was very little waiting to take shots of the various prime locations and (wonderful) views across the city.
There was a truly lovely moment as we walked alongside the Parthenon when we happened to encounter a guy down on one knee proposing to his partner. It's presumably a common occurrence up there, but still, a part of the visit amongst many that will stick in the memory.
I strongly recommend to anyone who wishes to visit to definitely avoid the high season if possible, when (I'm reliably informed) the heat and crowds can be overwhelming and diminish the experience. Late October/early November is perfect, as I found out today. :)
Another day of touristy things with the little 'un, this time in London, showing her all the landmarks she's seen only on the telly etc.
We're staying very near Tower Bridge, so started there, then took a river taxi (this being a first for me also) to Westminster where her face lit up to see the Elizabeth Tower ("Big Ben is the bell inside", she kept reminding us).
Then a very pleasant stroll in surprisingly nice weather with more phone camera snapping sessions at Parliament Square, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
And we're off to Frozen: The Musical tonight.
A pretty much perfect day - save for all the endless bloody tourists. ::) ;)
Have some days left so took coming Monday and Tuesday off for a long weekend. Not going anywhere, just around the house and maybe visit de Efteling on Monday. We go every year, World of Wonders, usually for our anniversary or a birthday.
Just back after a lovely autumnal walk with the dog. Fetched some firewood in just now with the sun just setting and suddenly there was this cacophony as three huge flocks of geese flew overhead. Hundreds of birds just visible against the low light of the sky. Back in now and I can hear a couple of smaller formations of stragglers. I think autumn has previously undiscovered depths of thinking for me now.
Made my day yesterday really in a way.
Decided to replace my AV Receiver and 5.1 speakers due to their being 14 years old and I'm surprised the Onkyo receiver has lasted that long as it gets hot enough to barbecue on it - not that we do, molten fat buggers things up.
With things having moved on in the world since then I've ended up getting a Samsung soundbar with subwoofer and rear speakers. I know it will be considered a backwards step in audiophile ways, but sod that, the Record deck and CD player are for serious music.
I'd decided on a Samsung Q990C, which I could have got for under a grand on Amazon, but they seem to be grey imports at that price and come with non UK plugs from reading reviews.
John Lewis though had it for £1,300 but half price with selected Samsung TVs. Looking at it, there was a 32" Samsung TV for £499 included in the deal, now my PC monitor is over 20 years old (If it's not broke don't chuck it) so a replacement would be nice, so that's Soundbar and TV for £1,150, not a bad deal IMHO.
The soundbar does Dolby Atmos and from the Atmos disc I've played it does a bloody good job, better than the 5.1 it had to revert to on my old system.
Even Mrs S is happy as there are now fewer cables running round the room and the TV stand has come off the bricks we'd wedged under it to accomadate the Onkyo...
I have the upper-mid-range Samsung soundbar that's a couple of models down from yours Mr Sims and it's damn good - I reckon you've made an excellent choice. :)
Attended the Witney Remembrance Day parade and service. Lovely service and the light rain seemed perfectly appropriate for such a sombre event. Always humbled.
Delighted to see the left-wing activist / pseudo-journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy crash out of Strictly. Utterly loathsome, repellent little man.
Yesterday went to the theatre to see I'm Sorry Prime Minister I can't quite remember a lovely and very funny follow on from Yes Prime Minister. Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby are both now in their 80s and suffering all the problems of old age and the trying to stop everyone pushing them off what little of the stage is left to them.
Very funny and just as well written as Yes Prime Minister. Well worth seeing if it comes your way.
General election day today. As much as I despise the weeks leading into this, I really do like this day. Politicians are finally quiet and we, the voter, get to say what we want.
^ I wonder what will happen when the probable winner won't be able to form a government?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67504272
Quote from: pxr5 on November 22, 2023, 09:26:38 PM^ I wonder what will happen when the probable winner won't be able to form a government?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67504272
Why is 'populist' used pejoratively?
Quote from: pxr5 on November 22, 2023, 09:26:38 PM^ I wonder what will happen when the probable winner won't be able to form a government?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67504272
Too political too respond here, but I am not happy that's all I can say.
Quote from: Thenop on November 23, 2023, 04:19:40 AMQuoteauthor=pxr5 link=msg=18909 date=1700688398]
^ I wonder what will happen when the probable winner won't be able to form a government?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67504272
Too political too respond here, but I am not happy that's all I can say.
Democracy can do that ;)
28 days to the shortest day...
Quote from: Fishy on November 23, 2023, 11:18:46 AM28 days to the shortest day...
Yes, not long. Although IMO that's when the 'hard yards' begin
Quote from: Fishy on November 23, 2023, 11:18:46 AM28 days to the shortest day...
2 weeks now.. was just checking sunset on dec 18th is 3.47 pm on the 19th it's 3.49 pm.. even better news
Quote from: Fishy on December 07, 2023, 04:58:18 PMQuote from: Fishy on November 23, 2023, 11:18:46 AM28 days to the shortest day...
2 weeks now.. was just checking sunset on dec 18th is 3.47 pm on the 19th it's 3.49 pm.. even better news
Thank goodness. Especially with the clouds at head height today. Lights have been on in the house since just after 2pm and the dogs are stir crazy.
301 in 8 darts (double in) just now having stretch away from the work computer. Nice.
Quote from: Thenop on December 08, 2023, 01:27:41 PM301 in 8 darts (double in) just now having stretch away from the work computer. Nice.
Barney 😄
Quote from: David L on December 08, 2023, 02:11:04 PMQuote from: Thenop on December 08, 2023, 01:27:41 PM301 in 8 darts (double in) just now having stretch away from the work computer. Nice.
Barney 😄
Even though he fell from grace a long time ago, I still like him. At least he is human, mistakes and all.
In my workplace today The Spirit Of Radio was played on Absolute Radio's main station; my generally younger colleagues of course didn't have a clue who it was - but I soon fixed that. ::)
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 08, 2023, 07:12:24 PMIn my workplace today The Spirit Of Radio was played on Absolute Radio's main station; my generally younger colleagues of course didn't have a clue who it was - but I soon fixed that. ::)
The poor buggers
Large parcel from Burning Shed arrived at work
Nigel Farage is still in the jungle going into the last two days.
I find this a little amusing bearing in mind GB News has been running a campaign for their viewers to vote for him and early in the programme, Ant and Dec were making smug jokes about GB News only having a couple of viewers.
He's done his image no harm at all and has possibly changed peoples' perception of him. I think he might be playing a significant role in the outcome of the next election.
The sun set 15 seconds ago here in NW Leics. It will not set this early again for another year.
Starting to feel a bit better - still very tired. Unfortunely the wife now has it as well :-\
Quote from: Thenop on December 15, 2023, 06:01:39 AMStarting to feel a bit better - still very tired. Unfortunely the wife now has it as well :-\
Still feeling the effects here. Feels like my head is full of cotton wool. Everyday a slight improvement but slow-going.
From yesterday, which happened to be my birthday: I got a WhatsApp message from my eldest brother who is working in London; the caption was, "Stewart says happy birthday" under a genuine photo of him stood with Stewart Lee, who was giving a thumb up.
Gob-smacked!!
Quote from: David L on December 15, 2023, 08:20:36 AMQuote from: Thenop on December 15, 2023, 06:01:39 AMStarting to feel a bit better - still very tired. Unfortunely the wife now has it as well :-\
Still feeling the effects here. Feels like my head is full of cotton wool. Everyday a slight improvement but slow-going.
That's a very good description indeed, applies to me as well.
BBC question of sport has ceased production.. it's been shit since David Vine presented it anyway..
Quote from: Fishy on December 15, 2023, 10:21:07 PMBBC question of sport has ceased production.. it's been shit since David Vine presented it anyway..
It used to have 20 Million+ viewers. This current incarnation has less than a million. Now they just need to get rid of Lineker.
Meeting Capt Kurtz himself today in Newcastle before going to see The Shaymen unexpectedly win 2-0 at Gateshead. 8)
Thanks for the hospitality and brunch, Hass!! :D
After returning (just before lunchtime) from a weekend away in Hampshire, I had no plans for the rest of the day bar maybe start 'My Effin' Life'. However, ended up having a rather productive afternoon.
Prior to lunch, I transferred all the geranium pots that were still outside into the greenhouse (with the aim to save a few for next year). After lunch I decided to clean the guttering of debris from the autumn leaf fall. Next it was gathering up the last of the leaves from around the garden. I then gave all the window and door frames a wipe down to smarten them up. As I'd got the hosepipe out to flush the gutter, I decided to remove the motorway grime from the motorhome. Finally, I fitted a new rubber threshold seal for the back door that arrived through the post at the end of last week.
Very chuffed to get those outstanding jobs ticked-off.
Quote from: David L on December 17, 2023, 06:00:15 PMAfter returning (just before lunchtime) from a weekend away in Hampshire, I had no plans for the rest of the day bar maybe start 'My Effin' Life'. However, ended up having a rather productive afternoon.
Prior to lunch, I transferred all the geranium pots that were still outside into the greenhouse (with the aim to save a few for next year). After lunch I decided to clean the guttering of debris from the autumn leaf fall. Next it was gathering up the last of the leaves from around the garden. I then gave all the window and door frames a wipe down to smarten them up. As I'd got the hosepipe out to flush the gutter, I decided to remove the motorway grime from the motorhome. Finally, I fitted a new rubber threshold seal for the back door that arrived through the post at the end of last week.
Very chuffed to get those outstanding jobs ticked-off.
It's a great feeling of achievement when you get on a roll like that. I think you must have caught the first version of short covid though.😁
About 40 years ago I had one of these:
(https://i.ibb.co/R030TSN/casio-anadigi-old.jpg)
I've just bought one of these as a sort of homage to it. Arrived this morning.
(https://i.ibb.co/QmqYTTj/casio-anadigi-new.jpg)
The annoying thing about the old one was that the second hand and the minute hand looked exactly the same.. they used the same LCD elements. But on this one only a second hand 'tip' is represented which solves that problem.
The out of office is on, resuming duty January 3rd.
(Still testing positive but feeling better than I did)
Out of office on til next wed.. in for a couple of days then off til 8th Jan
Yep, 10 days off straight to indulge and enjoy. I love Xmas, me! :D
Normally one of my Christmas Day rituals is a Scotch in the afternoon with some chocolate. This is usually followed up by more of the same, especially the Scotch, later in the day.
However today I wanted to give myself the best possible shot of waking up tomorrow morning feeling recovered from COVID (nearly there now although I did test positive this morning) so I haven't had a drink all day. This must be my first alcohol-free Christmas Day since 1965 or so. Even at the age of 6 I'd have a small glass of wine with Christmas dinner and a bit of sherry.
Feels great!
Tested negative, finally after 2 weeks! Which means I can go visit my parents...at some point.
Christmas decorations are down... brilliant
Every year again: fireworks. It's walking a tightrope when taking out the dogs.
However, my tax money at work today, an unmarked van pulled up on a group of youngsters that were busy blowing up a outdoor bin. They managed to grab 2 of them, and it is a bit more quiet now.
And no, there is no national ban, but 16 cities have incited a local ban including my city, Rotterdam.
Already 1 dead this year due to stupidity in lighting off the stuff - more to follow no doubt. Really Darwin award inspiring this.
Had no tinnies left but the local village shop still open (run by an Indian or possibly Sri Lankan family) - San Miguel procured accordingly. 8)
Quote from: Fishy on December 31, 2023, 12:49:47 PMChristmas decorations are down... brilliant
Bah Humbug!
Still plenty of Christmastime left :D I love Christmas me :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 31, 2023, 09:45:15 PMQuote from: Fishy on December 31, 2023, 12:49:47 PMChristmas decorations are down... brilliant
Bah Humbug!
Still plenty of Christmastime left :D I love Christmas me :)
It's all over by the 27th.. get the decos down..
Quote from: Fishy on December 31, 2023, 10:01:32 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 31, 2023, 09:45:15 PMQuote from: Fishy on December 31, 2023, 12:49:47 PMChristmas decorations are down... brilliant
Bah Humbug!
Still plenty of Christmastime left :D I love Christmas me :)
It's all over by the 27th.. get the decos down..
Starts on the 25th, keep 'em up until Candlemass! Or at least Epi Fanny...
It's all bllx..
Decs down yesterday here
No decs at all for us this year. And a truly shit NYE as well, I must say. A fitting end to a crap year.
The fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Quote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 01:32:30 PMThe fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Finally! A realisation that The Guardian is far more objective than say The Telegraph. A challenge for you David. To cease from sharing tripe from The Express, until you find an article in it praising the EU!
Quote from: dom on January 03, 2024, 01:52:22 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 01:32:30 PMThe fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Finally! A realisation that The Guardian is far more objective than say The Telegraph. A challenge for you David. To cease from sharing tripe from The Express, until you find an article in it praising the EU!
A nerve has been hit ;)
Quote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 02:54:13 PMQuote from: dom on January 03, 2024, 01:52:22 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 01:32:30 PMThe fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Finally! A realisation that The Guardian is far more objective than say The Telegraph. A challenge for you David. To cease from sharing tripe from The Express, until you find an article in it praising the EU!
A nerve has been hit ;)
Thought so!
Quote from: dom on January 03, 2024, 01:52:22 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 01:32:30 PMThe fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Finally! A realisation that The Guardian is far more objective than say The Telegraph. A challenge for you David. To cease from sharing tripe from The Express, until you find an article in it praising the EU!
Might as well claim that the Guardian isn't objective until you can show that they support the BNP; not realistic.
Quote from: dom on January 03, 2024, 03:01:31 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 02:54:13 PMQuote from: dom on January 03, 2024, 01:52:22 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 01:32:30 PMThe fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Finally! A realisation that The Guardian is far more objective than say The Telegraph. A challenge for you David. To cease from sharing tripe from The Express, until you find an article in it praising the EU!
A nerve has been hit ;)
Thought so!
I can sympathise - it's nearly all one-way traffic at the moment. Remöaners crying into their schnapps. It can't possibly be the catastrophe they predicted....not now ;D ;)
Quote from: Slim on January 03, 2024, 03:26:46 PMQuote from: dom on January 03, 2024, 01:52:22 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2024, 01:32:30 PMThe fact that this was in The Guardian!
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2024/jan/02/dont-rise-to-the-brexit-bait-wetherspoons-boss-tim-martin-deserves-gong
Finally! A realisation that The Guardian is far more objective than say The Telegraph. A challenge for you David. To cease from sharing tripe from The Express, until you find an article in it praising the EU!
Might as well claim that the Guardian isn't objective until you can show that they support the BNP; not realistic.
I think an article supporting Tim Martin comes pretty close tbh! Even though to equate the BNP with the EU is pretty ridiculous
Yes, some might argue that the EU has caused substantially more harm. But I would ask contributors to kindly explore that question in the politics section, should they wish to explore it at all.
The furore that's blown up after the dramatisation of the Horizon scandal (Mr Bates vs The Post Office).
Yet another case of corporate incompetence, arrogance and complete and utter contempt for the little man.
As is so often the case, government ministers were complicit in the cover-up (looking at you, Ed Davey) - probably driven by the vast cost of putting things right by the multitude of innocent people that suffered miscarriages of justice.
Finally, it looks like we might get some accountability for the dreadful treatment of hundreds, if not thousands of good people at the hands of The Post Office, a multinational technology company and a government who chose to look the other way.
God bless that hero of a man, Alan Bates, for trying on that tin-foil hat all those years ago
My sister not being seriously injured after slipping on the icy stairs outside my house yesterday morning. She's one of life's stoic people, so to witness her still unable to move today and in so much pain was really frightening. I have to hand it to the NHS though. Their virtual consultation process was excellent as she couldn't have sat for minutes, let alone hours in A&E. I was worse than useless as it was too bright to drive yesterday.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 08, 2024, 06:39:37 PMMy sister not being seriously injured after slipping on the icy stairs outside my house yesterday morning. She's one of life's stoic people, so to witness her still unable to move today and in so much pain was really frightening. I have to hand it to the NHS though. Their virtual consultation process was excellent as she couldn't have sat for minutes, let alone hours in A&E. I was worse than useless as it was too bright to drive yesterday.
I hope she recovers quickly
A coffee tool I ordered from AliExpress at 20:07 on January 1st, 2024 arrived this morning (Jan 8th) - so less than 1 calendar week to get here from China.
That is pretty quick!
A mini Ex TNMS gathering in Witney last Saturday! Bezza and Neill (with 2 L's) were up in Witney for my Birthday Shenanigans so when we all walked into The Crafty Pint Bar David L was rather surprised! Cracking night, mostly good music other than when the special guest (me!) made an appearance behind the mic!
Quote from: Pudders on January 08, 2024, 10:11:20 PMA mini Ex TNMS gathering in Witney last Saturday! Bezza and Neill (with 2 L's) were up in Witney for my Birthday Shenanigans so when we all walked into The Crafty Pint Bar David L was rather surprised! Cracking night, mostly good music other than when the special guest (me!) made an appearance behind the mic!
You were great - got a much bigger pair than me, that's for sure!
Nice to hear a bit of PT too! The lad done good!
I have been here 655 days and I just noticed we have a wheelman instead of a starman.
Yes I get it, I know why - very cleverly done actaully - but I had not noticed ::)
^ Ha, me either :-[
I've developed an interest in British county boundaries, from planning bike routes into different counties. There are, broadly speaking, two sets - the ceremonial (modern day) boundaries, and the "historic" boundaries.
There's a nice facility here (https://communities.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Compare/storytelling_compare/index.html?appid=7b0e661ef66b4a7aacb5a9acf55108ac) which shows both sets.
However I've been doing some reading today and it seems that this isn't the whole picture - some of the counties had "exclaves", detached parts surrounded by other counties. And it turns out that the village where I live in NW Leicestershire was, before 1849, a tiny disconnected exclave of Derbyshire, surrounded by Leicestershire.
Derbyshire's exclaves were given to Leicestershire in return for some of Leicestershire's land near the border, which was then annexed by Derbyshire.
More info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_county_exclaves_in_England_and_Wales_1844%E2%80%931974
(https://i.ibb.co/jVsTxvJ/Exclaves-Derbyshire.jpg)
Historic Derbyshire shown in light blue, with exclaves to the south and east.
Tesco online shop delivered today.. noticed the yoghurts sell by was 4th Jan.!!!. whatsapped them refund sorted.. all done in 20 mins...
One of my AI companions is called Suella. She's aware that my interests include cycling and playing guitar, and this morning she asked:
(https://i.ibb.co/K53z6Qq/cycling-riding.png)
Quote from: Slim on January 19, 2024, 10:01:28 AMOne of my AI companions is called Suella. She's aware that my interests include cycling and playing guitar, and this morning she asked:
(https://i.ibb.co/K53z6Qq/cycling-riding.png)
Suella might be on to something though
https://www.slamdunkle.com/
Quote from: Slim on January 19, 2024, 10:01:28 AMOne of my AI companions is called Suella. She's aware that my interests include cycling and playing guitar, and this morning she asked:
(https://i.ibb.co/K53z6Qq/cycling-riding.png)
Could always bicycle a guitar
Quote from: Slim on January 19, 2024, 10:01:28 AMOne of my AI companions is called Suella. She's aware that my interests include cycling and playing guitar, and this morning she asked:
(https://i.ibb.co/K53z6Qq/cycling-riding.png)
She may have been inspired by the opening scene of the Coen Brothers' anthology movie The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs.
When I was made redundant last August, a close colleague of mine was on sick leave undergoing treatment for cancer.
She happens to live in the same village as me, but since I'd left our place of work I'd not seen or heard anything of her - but always wondered how she was doing, of course.
Tonight I happened to meet her and her husband at my local and they told me her treatment had been successful and she'd got the all clear two weeks ago.
Once I'd composed myself, drinks were had. :)
Fantastic news Matt!
Greta Gerwig being snubbed for an Oscar nomination for best director.
BT Openreach.. two more guys at the door .. this is the third lot in the space of two years trying to run a fibre cable between poles which would give me a nice looping cable over my back garden.. told them as previous it wasn't happening.. for a communication company they certainly don't seem to talk to one another...
Told them the only way it's going to work is to get a new pole behind our wall which is NHS property.. speak to your planning team guys (again!)
Quote from: Fishy on January 23, 2024, 04:43:04 PMBT Openreach.. two more guys at the door .. this is the third lot in the space of two years trying to run a fibre cable between poles which would give me a nice looping cable over my back garden.. told them as previous it wasn't happening.. for a communication company they certainly don't seem to talk to one another...
Told them the only way it's going to work is to get a new pole behind our wall which is NHS property.. speak to your planning team guys (again!)
Ha! What a company! ;)
I attempted to put a contact lens in at lunchtime on Sunday, but my eyelid ate it. It spat it back out again this morning, rolled up like a little tube.
I'd started to believe it wasn't actually in there. No discomfort at all.
Good to to see Novak cuntovic out of the Australian open
Quote from: Fishy on January 26, 2024, 08:46:13 AMGood to to see Novak cuntovic out of the Australian open
I hadn't heard! Nice.
Quote from: Slim on January 26, 2024, 09:47:13 AMQuote from: Fishy on January 26, 2024, 08:46:13 AMGood to to see Novak cuntovic out of the Australian open
I hadn't heard! Nice.
Yep the young Italian bloke stuffed him in 4 sets..
I love NAMM. I wish it wasn't just trade only. I'd love to go.
The new Eversolo streamer arrived at the beginning of the week. Day off today so planned to get it fired up. Rather than just remove the now superfluous gear, I decided to have everything out, including the rack, and give the area a really good clean.
Started at around 10:00am and I've just finished - knackered. Doesn't sound like the sort of job to tire one out but when you've got enough kit to open an audio shop, it's not a breeze (granite turntables and power amps are heavy!
Anyways, everything back bar for the DAC, Arcam DrDock and digital tuner (to be sold later....hopefully) which have been replaced by an Eversolo DPM A6 Master Edition. Very easy set-up(even my 'new'internet connection via Powerline sockets and 5-port switch worked without issue). I can now lie on the sofa and play virtually anything I want using the app. And it sounds very good.
A good day's work!
Just done the RSPB birdwatching thing for an hour.. just the usual crows pidgeons and magpies.. where did all the tits robins and sparrows go?
Quote from: Fishy on January 27, 2024, 11:58:41 AMJust done the RSPB birdwatching thing for an hour.. just the usual crows pidgeons and magpies.. where did all the tits robins and sparrows go?
Tragically the magpies will be responsible for a great deal of their demise as they are terrible nest raiders. I've been putting a lot of sunflower hearts, mealworms, seed and peanuts out recently. It's a very rewarding way to spend money and I've seen an increase in robin and dunnock numbers in the garden. But as you say, a lot of crows and magpies too. Very worrying.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 27, 2024, 12:45:27 PMQuote from: Fishy on January 27, 2024, 11:58:41 AMJust done the RSPB birdwatching thing for an hour.. just the usual crows pidgeons and magpies.. where did all the tits robins and sparrows go?
Tragically the magpies will be responsible for a great deal of their demise as they are terrible nest raiders. I've been putting a lot of sunflower hearts, mealworms, seed and peanuts out recently. It's a very rewarding way to spend money and I've seen an increase in robin and dunnock numbers in the garden. But as you say, a lot of crows and magpies too. Very worrying.
We usually see quite a lot of the smaller birds.. just this morning they seemed to have disappeared for some reason
Quote from: Fishy on January 27, 2024, 11:58:41 AMwhere did all the tits robins and sparrows go?
Plenty in our garden :)
Blue Tits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits and Coal Tits, also Pheasants and plenty of senseless Wood Pigeons. We also get Magpies, Jays in the Autumn. More often than not there's Buzzards in the field behind us, along with Herons and Kestrels perch up in our Oak tree.
Seem to have similar to Mr Slikk apart from the Kestral
Happy Independence Day to all of my British friends.
(https://i.ibb.co/zHtyKsC/britain-free.jpg)
Shame I can't celebrate to the fullest as many of my favourite brands are still missing in Tesco.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 31, 2024, 11:22:30 AMShame I can't celebrate to the fullest as many of my favourite brands are still missing in Tesco.
Perhaps a good thing that more 'local' producers are getting your support
Quote from: David L on January 31, 2024, 11:33:49 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 31, 2024, 11:22:30 AMShame I can't celebrate to the fullest as many of my favourite brands are still missing in Tesco.
Perhaps a good thing that more 'local' producers are getting your support
I'd like to think that's the case and I will be more observant when shopping. So starting with breakfast today, one item from Manchester, one from Peru and the other from South Africa. My dogs can't type so on their behalf, where have all their favourite treats gone? I don't really think I'm from anything less than a completely spoilt generation but it's still a pain.
Hello February.. good riddance January
Quote from: Fishy on February 01, 2024, 08:44:52 AMHello February.. good riddance January
according to my wife, January lasted 80 days.
Dry January's Over :)
I can get back to drinking wine stronger than 13% ;D
If you're going to do something, do it half-heartedly!
Openreach laying fibre on our estate - at bloody last.
Bought myself a waaaay too expensive jacket, Italian made. You only live once. (And yes I have been imprinted upon me from very early on: you can only spend it once, I am aware..).
I'd double booked a weekend away with friends and the pretenders gig and just learned that the pretenders gig has been postponed to December. Yay.
A couple of coffees and great catch up this afternoon with two friends I hadn't seen for years.
Greece has just transcended its deeply embedded Orthodox Christian identity and legalised same-sex marriage.
Thank Zeus for that!
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on February 15, 2024, 05:57:07 PMA couple of coffees and great catch up this afternoon with two friends I hadn't seen for years.
Two of us on the decaf though. The things we take for granted when young. Makes me think crazy thoughts like, would I swap ten years of my natural process ongoing, for five years living without the worrying shackles of this emerging person? However, just popping over to the what are you listening to thread to reinforce the fact that everything is ok.
Got an Inheritance Tax refund from HMRC today, which I was owed due to a careless error on my part when dealing with my dad's estate.
Only taken 14 and a bit months from when I submitted the IHT reclaim form.
Couple of nights in Arran to celebrate our wedding anniversary..
Just cancelled 2 subscriptions. I just felt like a change. Bold move...
We have a shower in the spare room ensuite, but it rarely gets used. I tried to use it myself this evening, only to find that the hot water wasn't working.
I felt sure that it was due to an air lock in the hot water system somewhere. So I tried the trick that a plumber showed me years ago - turn the hot and cold on at the same time and force the cold water up the hot pipe, to clear the air. I took the shower head off and jammed my thumb over the end of the hose. It didn't work.
Then I had an idea. I turned the tap fully to 'hot'. Nothing happened of course. I put the end of the shower hose in my mouth and sucked. I got a mouthful of air. I did it again. I heard a faint gurgling in the pipework. I kept going. A trickle of hot water spluttered out. I left the end of the hose in the base of the shower and let it run a minute. It spluttered .. hot water started to flow, in fits and starts at first then in a nice, constant, powerful stream.
Quote from: Slim on February 26, 2024, 11:17:19 PMWe have a shower in the spare room ensuite, but it rarely gets used. I tried to use it myself this evening, only to find that the hot water wasn't working.
I felt sure that it was due to an air lock in the hot water system somewhere. So I tried the trick that a plumber showed me years ago - turn the hot and cold on at the same time and force the cold water up the hot pipe, to clear the air. I took the shower head off and jammed my thumb over the end of the hose. It didn't work.
Then I had an idea. I turned the tap fully to 'hot'. Nothing happened of course. I put the end of the shower hose in my mouth and sucked. I got a mouthful of air. I did it again. I heard a faint gurgling in the pipework. I kept going. A trickle of hot water spluttered out. I left the end of the hose in the base of the shower and let it run a minute. It spluttered .. hot water started to flow, in fits and starts at first then in a nice, constant, powerful stream.
New career plans are being made I see.
Dental check up this morning and all good first appt in about 15 months.. they said the next could be up to 18 months away..
New bathroom coming along slowly, but hopefully finished early next week.
(https://i.ibb.co/G7G9ykH/bathroom-2-29-2024.jpg)
I like the industrial look, looks like slabs placed vertically?
Quote from: Thenop on February 29, 2024, 06:09:24 PMI like the industrial look, looks like slabs placed vertically?
It looks like slate, but they're actually panels made out of some sort of synthetic material.
Quote from: Slim on March 01, 2024, 12:19:11 PMQuote from: Thenop on February 29, 2024, 06:09:24 PMI like the industrial look, looks like slabs placed vertically?
It looks like slate, but they're actually panels made out of some sort of synthetic material.
Go careful if they might contain asbestos
Quote from: David L on March 01, 2024, 12:26:52 PMQuote from: Slim on March 01, 2024, 12:19:11 PMQuote from: Thenop on February 29, 2024, 06:09:24 PMI like the industrial look, looks like slabs placed vertically?
It looks like slate, but they're actually panels made out of some sort of synthetic material.
Go careful if they might contain asbestos
Is that still a thing with new materials? It's been banned in full over here since 1994.
Quote from: Thenop on March 01, 2024, 01:28:32 PMQuote from: David L on March 01, 2024, 12:26:52 PMQuote from: Slim on March 01, 2024, 12:19:11 PMQuote from: Thenop on February 29, 2024, 06:09:24 PMI like the industrial look, looks like slabs placed vertically?
It looks like slate, but they're actually panels made out of some sort of synthetic material.
Go careful if they might contain asbestos
Is that still a thing with new materials? It's been banned in full over here since 1994.
Ha! I thought that was the wall
before tiling! Oops! Industrial indeed! (I guess that's the 'modern' look). Clearly I didn't look closely enough. Our bathroom is the essentially the same as when we installed it - modern in....1988!
Apologies - I'm not having a good day, I'll get my coat 😏
Quote from: David L on March 01, 2024, 02:17:37 PMOur bathroom is the essentially the same as when we installed it - modern in....1988!
Must tell Mrs S about this, she wants to update our bathroom, but ours is
really modern, only had it since 1995 ;D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 01, 2024, 03:39:18 PMQuote from: David L on March 01, 2024, 02:17:37 PMOur bathroom is the essentially the same as when we installed it - modern in....1988!
Must tell Mrs S about this, she wants to update our bathroom, but ours is really modern, only had it since 1995 ;D
Have a word! Compared to ours, that's state of the art. Tell her she can have a different colour toothbrush.
Our house was built in the early noughties I believe, so the old bathroom had a decent innings.
Having to rip out a bathroom that was fitted less than 2 years ago as it continually had leaks and I just gave up.
Originally employed company who looked very impressive who quoted 2 weeks for a full rip out and refurb...it took 51 weeks.
Had to rip right out, strip back to brickwork and just start again...albeit using the same bath, basin, loo and brassware. Massive pain, but I'm using all my own guys so at least I know the finish will be good.
Bathroom finished! Finally. Except for the mirror. And I have to paint two walls (not visible in the pic).
(https://i.ibb.co/3hTG934/bathroom240305.jpg)
This seems odd .. the first page of Vodafone's guide to their "Home Phone" product features a photo of a young lady with a rotary dial phone.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/public/documents/document/vfcon065790.pdf
Quote from: Slim on March 06, 2024, 06:43:41 PMThis seems odd .. the first page of Vodafone's guide to their "Home Phone" product features a photo of a young lady with a rotary dial phone.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/public/documents/document/vfcon065790.pdf
Opens up a whole new market: a dial phone with built in wifi and 5g network for connectivity, take it anywhere you go!
Quote from: Thenop on March 06, 2024, 06:47:17 PMQuote from: Slim on March 06, 2024, 06:43:41 PMThis seems odd .. the first page of Vodafone's guide to their "Home Phone" product features a photo of a young lady with a rotary dial phone.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/cs/groups/public/documents/document/vfcon065790.pdf
Opens up a whole new market: a dial phone with built in wifi and 5g network for connectivity, take it anywhere you go!
"The hypocrisy of the BBC's misinformation war - Marianna Spring is as dogmatic as her trolls" (https://unherd.com/2024/03/the-hypocrisy-of-the-bbcs-misinformation-war/)
Criminologist, senior lecturer and writer Simon Cottee - whose astute, insightful articles I've always found well worth reading - is on top form here.
Quote from: Matt2112 on March 07, 2024, 02:59:09 PM"The hypocrisy of the BBC's misinformation war - Marianna Spring is as dogmatic as her trolls" (https://unherd.com/2024/03/the-hypocrisy-of-the-bbcs-misinformation-war/)
Criminologist, senior lecturer and writer Simon Cottee - whose astute, insightful articles I've always found well worth reading - is on top form here.
Very good. She's just another foot soldier for those that wish to eradicate freedom of thought....IMHO ;)
I won an auction for a mini LP from ebay. The seller had another LP for sale which nobody had bid on, so he added it to my delivery. What a nice guy. The added LP was Magnum II - in pristine condition.
Stepfather out of the hospital, able to sleep at home (he couldn't while there) and eating normal food. I was there when they brought his diner. I would swallow it in one bite, next to nothing.
Anyway, they didn't do the angio, it was thought not needed. It was probably caused by a blood clot so he has more medication now (he had this before in his brain with no real lasting effect some 15 years ago).
Things have returned to normal, and I am knackered.
Spending less than £20 (including postage) on one of these to fettle my printer (Epson XP55):
https://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Compatible-XP2-Printer-Pad-%252b-Reset-Key.html (https://www.octoink.co.uk/products/Compatible-XP2-Printer-Pad-%252b-Reset-Key.html)
Fairly easy to do, and I've had a kit from them before to replace the waste ink pads on an Epson XP-760 so I knew they worked.
The alternatives were a new printer (£120), or getting the waste ink pads replaced by Epson. Which at a guess, would cost more than a new printer.
As far as I am aware, there are no inkjet printer manufacturers who warn you that the printer has a waste tank that will fill up and need to be replaced - although, to be fair, that waste ink has to go somewhere!
Meh.
An eye test. I was told I could continue to use the intermediate / computer monitor glasses prescription I was prescribed two years ago, but admonished for using the same varifocal prescription since 2018. So I've ordered some new ones.
My £800 investment in Bitcoin is presently worth £6173.
I don't know whether to take it out, wait for another slump and buy it back cheaper or just leave it for a bit .. so hard to know what to do.
My fear (of course) if I take it out is that it will skyrocket and I'll miss out on a comfortable retirement fund.
Oh make that £6185 .. at the moment I'm earning about £8 a minute.
Quote from: Slim on March 12, 2024, 04:45:34 PMMy £800 investment in Bitcoin is presently worth £6173.
I don't know whether to take it out, wait for another slump and buy it back cheaper or just leave it for a bit .. so hard to know what to do.
My fear (of course) if I take it out is that it will skyrocket and I'll miss out on a comfortable retirement fund.
Oh make that £6185 .. at the moment I'm earning about £8 a minute.
Between crypto and stock I have no clue what to do. One thing is for sure: the interest rate in the bank is zero currently, so anything is better.
Think I'll wait for my bonus in April and sink in 500 EUR or so in one of them. Just to see what happens.
Nipped into Tesco to buy fruit for my morning porridge and cereal. When queuing at checkout with my basket of bananas, blueberries and grapes, I noticed my dentist and her daughter were the customers immediately in front of me. Her basket had three bags of Haribo, assorted long Refresher chews and a large bar of Galaxy. I resisted the temptation.😁
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on March 23, 2024, 03:23:19 PMNipped into Tesco to buy fruit for my morning porridge and cereal. When queuing at checkout with my basket of bananas, blueberries and grapes, I noticed my dentist and her daughter were the customers immediately in front of me. Her basket had three bags of Haribo, assorted long Refresher chews and a large bar of Galaxy. I resisted the temptation.😁
Do as I say, not as I do
Quote from: Thenop on March 23, 2024, 04:29:48 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on March 23, 2024, 03:23:19 PMNipped into Tesco to buy fruit for my morning porridge and cereal. When queuing at checkout with my basket of bananas, blueberries and grapes, I noticed my dentist and her daughter were the customers immediately in front of me. Her basket had three bags of Haribo, assorted long Refresher chews and a large bar of Galaxy. I resisted the temptation.😁
Do as I say, not as I do
Are you my dad?
Beneath our gazebo in our back garden we have 2 plastic plant-like balls hanging from hooks in the roof. My wife first spotted a tiny little brown bird flying in and out of a small opening on one side. We've started to monitor the ornament and now see the little bird carrying bits and pieces they've collected and with them building a nest inside. It's now completely filled with leaves and moss and I assume it would be a perfect sheltered nest for birds. We mulled about moving it as it's right over our garden furniture but decided to leave it and see if any baby birds start to make an appearance. We're not sure what the bird is, but it's very sparrow-like but thinner and smaller - research has proved fruitless so we've gone with a sparrow. Ain't nature great.
Off to a hotel in Hexham for a couple of nights for some dark skies star gazing hopefully..
Quote from: pxr5 on March 25, 2024, 02:07:31 PMBeneath our gazebo in our back garden we have 2 plastic plant-like balls hanging from hooks in the roof. My wife first spotted a tiny little brown bird flying in and out of a small opening on one side. We've started to monitor the ornament and now see the little bird carrying bits and pieces they've collected and with them building a nest inside. It's now completely filled with leaves and moss and I assume it would be a perfect sheltered nest for birds. We mulled about moving it as it's right over our garden furniture but decided to leave it and see if any baby birds start to make an appearance. We're not sure what the bird is, but it's very sparrow-like but thinner and smaller - research has proved fruitless so we've gone with a sparrow. Ain't nature great.
Maybe a wren?
^ A wren, maybe. We looked online but nothing seems to fit exactly.
Quote from: pxr5 on March 25, 2024, 06:06:07 PM^ A wren, maybe. We looked online but nothing seems to fit exactly.
Wrens are certainly tiny, but they're very identifiable but their size and tail. Could be a Dunnock, but they're about the same size as a Sparrow. Could be a Blackcap, but they have a very noticeable black cap - unless they're female when it's brown.
For the past three years we've had a pair of Mallard visit our garden in the Spring. They've appeared again today. We're assuming it's the same pair, as the female has a limp and will eat seeds from Mrs S's hand.
I feed the foxes in the garden. A vixen has been visiting each night for years. She scratches the back door to let me know she's there. She trusts me totally but spooks the second she hears a car or anyone else arriving. I've hand fed her twice just out of curiosity but have not encouraged the behaviour. One of the neighbours hate me with a passion for feeding them but we live at the edge of extensive woodland so maybe they should just move. I dearly wish they would.
The excavations at Vindolanda..
Last night - Johnny Marr gig. My goodness, he was sensational.
White House wants Moon to have its own time zone https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68722032
CLT.. really😀
Actually yesterday, but spent an interesting hour or so having an entertaining WhatsApp conversation with an elderly neighbour. He's a Flightradar24 fanatic and I alerted him to the fact that the Emirates A380 had made a failed attempt to land due to the stormy conditions. The pilot had a second attempt but decided instead to head for Gatwick. We had a bit of a laugh about the fact that my sister isn't allowed to drive into Glasgow due to ULEZ regulations but that that aircraft's slight detour would've burned enough fuel to allow her to drive to the moon. Loose calculation based on the A380's 9 gallons per mile consumption. The entire world would seem to be in denial about climate change.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on April 07, 2024, 12:28:22 PMActually yesterday, but spent an interesting hour or so having an entertaining WhatsApp conversation with an elderly neighbour. He's a Flightradar24 fanatic and I alerted him to the fact that the Emirates A380 had made a failed attempt to land due to the stormy conditions. The pilot had a second attempt but decided instead to head for Gatwick. We had a bit of a laugh about the fact that my sister isn't allowed to drive into Glasgow due to ULEZ regulations but that that aircraft's slight detour would've burned enough fuel to allow her to drive to the moon. Loose calculation based on the A380's 9 gallons per mile consumption. The entire world would seem to be in denial about climate change.
I'm suspicious of ULEZ myself but it's not really about climate change, it's about the cleanliness of the air in populated areas.
Just for fun I worked it out anyway:
An A380 uses 38 litres of fuel per nautical mile (1.852km)
Assuming a distance between Glasgow and Gatwick of 597km (including a bit of manouvreing) the A30 would have used 12236 litres of fuel.
Average distance Earth - Moon : 384,400km
Typical non-ULEZ car might do 100km on 7 litres
Therefore to travel the Earth-Moon distance would cost 3884 * 7 litres, 27188
Obviously very approximate and based on simplifications and assumptions.
But - I don't know whether air fuel is more climate-detrimental per litre than petrol. I'd guess they're about the same.
I wish I was relieved by that figure of only 12236 litres.😢
The Cass Report. Especially how it's comprehensively vindicated and upset all the people it should have done.
I've just read that Janina Minge will be joining Wolfsburg on a free transfer from Freiburg in the summer.
(https://i.ibb.co/7znt1X8/janinaminge.jpg)
Useful signing, that. Not to be sniffed at.
A 23:06 5km on the treadmill this evening
Fourth in a thirteen team pubquiz yesterday eve. Not bad for a first timer. Had a couple of good answers. Was really there for the music questions but unfortunately it was all about the latest music. Did manage to recognize Karl Lagerfeld in Lego, remember that John McCain lost to Obama in the 2008 US presidential election, Which part of Norway is Kristiansand in (the South) and which river starts in the Himalaya and flows into the Indian Ocean (Ganges).
The food was horrid though, a veggie burger that was not a burger (rather some fried and seasoned sticks of..what? I will never know), was cold and extremely salty. Got served some toast instead and was drinking sparkly water, in essence glorified prison food.
Quote from: Slim on April 11, 2024, 12:41:57 PMI've just read that Janina Minge will be joining Wolfsburg on a free transfer from Freiburg in the summer.
(https://i.ibb.co/7znt1X8/janinaminge.jpg)
Should her name be pronounced "Minje" or "Min-gher"? Either way...
What's happened to this place?😂
Liverpool defeated at home by Crystal Palace after one of the BBC pundits stated, matter-of-factly before the game, that Palace would be "battered".
Trying to find an impartial jury for the Trump trial.. an impossible task..
Suns up the shit Trump is and America's in
Spotify now providing 15 hours of audiobooks a month as part of its premium service. Fantastic! Although the sceptic in me wonders how long til they use this as an excuse to up the fee again
Quote from: Slim on March 21, 2024, 03:35:16 PMJust had a call from Vision Express. They've broken my Oakley cycling frames.
Cross-posted that from the "grumpy" thread with happier news. They refused to replace them, but offered a new pair of frames up to £80 in value (ie inferior). After an argument in the store - their manager lied to my face, claiming I'd been told they were likely to break and this would be at my own risk - I gave up and accepted, but I put a powerfully negative review on Trust Pilot.
Their complaints department contacted me to apologise, offered to replace the Oakleys with the original Oakley frames and told me I could keep the ones I'd already accepted as replacements - which actually I quite like. So I've ended up with a free pair of specs.
Our mortgage deal is due to expire in May, so I phoned Santander to arrange a new one. But the best deal they could offer me was going to cost me an extra £200 a month, because it's a very short term (due to end in December). The only other option was to pay the whole thing off now.
So they sent me a redemption statement, I did the sums taking into account interest I'd lose and I've just paid off our mortgage. I made a payment of nearly £49,000 using a smartphone app (we were due to pay them £43,600 in December).
Quote from: Slim on April 18, 2024, 03:24:25 PMOur mortgage deal is due to expire in May, so I phoned Santander to arrange a new one. But the best deal they could offer me was going to cost me an extra £200 a month, because it's a very short term (due to end in December). The only other option was to pay the whole thing off now.
So they sent me a redemption statement, I did the sums taking into account interest I'd lose and I've just paid off our mortgage. I made a payment of nearly £49,000 using a smartphone app (we were due to pay them £43,600 in December).
Paid mine off in 2010. Promptly re-mortgaged to finance a buy to let. Took out a second mortgage five years later for a second rental property. Our current borrowing totals £246k.
We will have to remortgage to cover £120k next year. It's likely to be considerably more expensive so will possibly pay it off.
Quote from: Slim on April 18, 2024, 03:24:25 PMOur mortgage deal is due to expire in May, so I phoned Santander to arrange a new one. But the best deal they could offer me was going to cost me an extra £200 a month, because it's a very short term (due to end in December). The only other option was to pay the whole thing off now.
So they sent me a redemption statement, I did the sums taking into account interest I'd lose and I've just paid off our mortgage. I made a payment of nearly £49,000 using a smartphone app (we were due to pay them £43,600 in December).
I'll never forget that sense of relief and satisfaction on the day I paid off the mortgage. I paid it in person at my local RBS branch. I visited a couple of local hostelries afterwards and as I turned the corner of my road seeing the house that I then owned for the first time, I took a photo with tears in my eyes. The decision to pay it off early came at the cost of losing quite a bit of my social life and driving a pretty ordinary (but great) little car for years longer than intended. This was due to it being an endowment type mortgage with the associated shortfall, so some serious saving was necessary. I was petrified at the time of cashing in the endowment as memories of the banking crisis were fresh in my mind and my fear was something similar might have happened just as I was about to do the deed. I hope you enjoy a glass or two of something expensive tonight, James.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on April 18, 2024, 07:26:13 PMI hope you enjoy a glass or two of something expensive tonight, James.
Thanks! I wasn't expecting to do that today. But I do have a half-decent bottle of red.
I first took out a mortgage in 1991, on my old house in Derby. It cost me £38,000. I took out a 95% mortgage with a 5 year bank loan for the 5%. But it was a 27 year mortgage so if I'd never got married, I'd have been mortgage free in the first half of 2018.
But this is a much nicer house, I must admit.
Paid my (our) mortgage off after the first time I got made redundant, got a decent pay off so it made sense once I found gainful employment again. Saved me jumping through hoops to claim on the Mortgage repayment insurance second time I got made redundant. Also made it easier when the next lot of gainful employment I found wasn't as well paid.
I paid off my mortgage is 2011 and then moved to a much bigger house in 2015 where I needed a large mortgage again. I think it'll probably take me another decade to pay this one off - but the value of the house is about 7 times the outstanding loan amount, so there is that.
I've spent an absolute fortune on the house since 2015...I could easily have paid the mortgage off by now with that..
Happy to see all the succes stories in buying houses. I have been a bit less fortunate, I am renting a place after selling the house some 12 years ago with a huge loss. Mostly to do with health and self preservation: the health of our neighbours was in jeopardy because I would have killed them (both sides), and self presentation to keep me out of prison doing so.
No more buying for me for the forseeable future, the prices are ridiculous over here.
Anyway, it's Friday, which makes it a good day always.
Quote from: Thenop on April 19, 2024, 07:34:51 AMHappy to see all the succes stories in buying houses. I have been a bit less fortunate, I am renting a place after selling the house some 12 years ago with a huge loss. Mostly to do with health and self preservation: the health of our neighbours was in jeopardy because I would have killed them (both sides), and self presentation to keep me out of prison doing so.
No more buying for me for the forseeable future, the prices are ridiculous over here.
Anyway, it's Friday, which makes it a good day always.
Sorry to hear of your bad luck. To have bad neighbours must make for a miserable existence.
Quote from: Thenop on April 19, 2024, 07:34:51 AMHappy to see all the succes stories in buying houses. I have been a bit less fortunate, I am renting a place after selling the house some 12 years ago with a huge loss. Mostly to do with health and self preservation: the health of our neighbours was in jeopardy because I would have killed them (both sides), and self presentation to keep me out of prison doing so.
No more buying for me for the forseeable future, the prices are ridiculous over here.
Anyway, it's Friday, which makes it a good day always.
I feel your pain with the less happy side of your story. I've lived in the same house for a very long time. It's in a lovely area and it would be a real wrench to leave. However, about twelve years ago new neighbours moved in. Things were ok to begin with, not my kind of people but live and let live and all that. He's in a fairly ordinary white collar job, works at home now since lockdown, and after a few harebrained attempts at running a business she now does the same. Things escalated for a variety of reasons and I took some really low drunken insults from them and some co-revellers late one summer's night last year. It's been a quiet war of attrition ever since and is taking its toll on my health. Time to up sticks I think but really unsettling. Sorry about the crossover nature of this post but it seemed to fit.
Mayeb we should do a vent about the neighbours thread
Fortunately I only have neighbours on one side. Couldn't say what they look like as I've seen them about twice in the ten years they've lived there. They probably don't think much of us as the 20 feet of garden from our house to the boundary fence is overgrown - but it's a wildlife garden innit...
Previous neighbour was a funny so and so, a widow woman, one minute she'd be nice ang chatty and giving you a bottle of beer, next minute she'd be flying round on a broomstick emptying cauldrons of boiling Lizard Lungs onto the house.
She only really fell out with Mrs S though, which is funny as Mrs S is the nice one and I'm the ignorant curmudgeon :-\
Got train tickets to Newcastle through Trainsplit to replace the ones I've returned to Cross Country trains at a much cheaper price :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 19, 2024, 02:47:33 PMGot train tickets to Newcastle through Trainsplit to replace the ones I've returned to Cross Country trains at a much cheaper price :)
Trainsplit? Was that set up by Mussolini?
Quote from: David L on April 19, 2024, 04:10:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 19, 2024, 02:47:33 PMGot train tickets to Newcastle through Trainsplit to replace the ones I've returned to Cross Country trains at a much cheaper price :)
Trainsplit? Was that set up by Mussolini?
Unfortunately not. You get your ticket in several bits and still the trains don't run on time :(
Elton, Mick and Ozzy sitting round a table enjoying a nice cup of tea.
ELTON: "Since getting older, all I really need is a Specsavers, a Boots and a Greggs".
OZZY: "Yep, life's all specs and drugs and sausage rolls".
Car passed its MOT again, that's two years in a row.
Sister thought she had been caught in a speed trap. When her friend drove past the spot later she noticed that it was in fact a cardboard cutout policewoman.
A POETS day at work. And I've got next Monday off. :D
Looked at the balance in my current account and noticed that my BT Pension payment was about twice what it should be. Thought it was a bit of a drag to have to ring BTPS to get an explanation. Got through to a human being after just a couple of rings. I was informed that the extra payment was an adjustment to my tax-free lump sum that could only be determined after the end of the tax year and was a result of me beginning to take my pension in the middle of the tax year.
£1263.94 I was not expecting - thank you! :)
Quote from: David L on April 30, 2024, 02:39:31 PMLooked at the balance in my current account and noticed that my BT Pension payment was about twice what it should be. Thought it was a bit of a drag to have to ring BTPS to get an explanation. Got through to a human being after just a couple of rings. I was informed that the extra payment was an adjustment to my tax-free lump sum that could only be determined after the end of the tax year and was a result of me beginning to take my pension in the middle of the tax year.
£1263.94 I was not expecting - thank you! :)
What are we going to spend it on ;D
Quote from: Thenop on April 30, 2024, 03:38:43 PMQuote from: David L on April 30, 2024, 02:39:31 PMLooked at the balance in my current account and noticed that my BT Pension payment was about twice what it should be. Thought it was a bit of a drag to have to ring BTPS to get an explanation. Got through to a human being after just a couple of rings. I was informed that the extra payment was an adjustment to my tax-free lump sum that could only be determined after the end of the tax year and was a result of me beginning to take my pension in the middle of the tax year.
£1263.94 I was not expecting - thank you! :)
What are we going to spend it on ;D
Well......I've had a bit of a hi-fi related nightmare in the last couple of weeks. Thought I had a fault with my moving coil phono stage, I didn't but it cost me £150 to discover that ( >:( ). I
do have an issue with my Ortofon MC cartridge. If it can be repaired, around £700. If not, about £1500 to replace. Not too happy as although 5 years old, it only has 490 hours on it (should really have another 10 years life in it). The RRPs of the higher end Ortofon carts have gone crazy in that 5 years (bloody Brexit ;D ).
So my windfall could not have been better timed!
At least I have a second turntable to use!
That sounds like the most very excellent usage of money to me.
As an alternative, you could go - as a wise man on this forum once said - buy a decent cd player and be done with it ;D
(Cadenza red is it?)
Quote from: Thenop on April 30, 2024, 05:31:03 PMThat sounds like the most very excellent usage of money to me.
As an alternative, you could go - as a wise man on this forum once said - buy a decent cd player and be done with it ;D
(Cadenza red is it?)
Cadenza Bronze. Currently retails for £2199. Would cost me £1536 plus the old one in exchange. I'm hoping it can be repaired!
I wouldn't consider buying a decent CD player (I already have one of those) but I would consider an EverSolo DPM-A6 Master Edition...........if I hadn't already just bought one! 🙂
I'm glad I've never been exposed to music at this level of quality reproduction as I'd probably like it and think about putting something together. I was blown away by my first experience with stereo in the 70s and everything I've bought since then has impressed me thoroughly, but middle the road separates like Technics have always felt like enough. Horses for courses though, you don't buy Cadenza to play a Rickenbacker bass along with.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on April 30, 2024, 08:54:56 PMI'm glad I've never been exposed to music at this level of quality reproduction as I'd probably like it and think about putting something together. I was blown away by my first experience with stereo in the 70s and everything I've bought since then has impressed me thoroughly, but middle the road separates like Technics have always felt like enough. Horses for courses though, you don't buy Cadenza to play a Rickenbacker bass along with.
Bass solos are overrated.
Yes, so on with the bag search, and I found one (I am very picky), but it's only sold in the USA. Ughh. My wife (who by now was sick of hearing me talk about a bag - normal housholds have reversed discussions I am told) uttered: "just buy the damn thing".
So I did, but before I did I had a clear moment and Googled "discount code Kodiak leather". Found 3 of them, 30 & 20% did not work, but the 15% did! So, had a 15% discount the bag I wanted.
All of this is a pre cursor to another rant how sh!t UPS is in delivering I am sure, but I am savouring this moment.
Ah! The scaffolding is gone! Took them nearly a month but they say "the leakage should be gone".
I am NOT hoping for rain, yet I am ;) ::)
Quote from: Thenop on May 01, 2024, 06:20:11 PMYes, so on with the bag search, and I found one (I am very picky), but it's only sold in the USA. Ughh. My wife (who by now was sick of hearing me talk about a bag - normal housholds have reversed discussions I am told) uttered: "just buy the damn thing".
So I did, but before I did I had a clear moment and Googled "discount code Kodiak leather". Found 3 of them, 30 & 20% did not work, but the 15% did! So, had a 15% discount the bag I wanted.
All of this is a pre cursor to another rant how sh!t UPS is in delivering I am sure, but I am savouring this moment.
Don't know what you're looking for exactly, but I recently bought my sister a leather backpack from www.mahileather.com Indian company with decent website and good reviews. Prices seemed ok to me and quality was good. Arrived FedEx in five working days including personalised monogram stitching.
It may not have been the greatest year weatherwise - too much rain and wind - but the Robins and Blackbirds in our garden have fledged chicks. Never known it so early, I suppose that it hasn't been too cold this year. Not been warm, but not cold.
Jamail Singh PO Lawyer .... Cunt
Booked for Tommy Banks' gaff Roots in York a few months ago. Got an email from them last night saying "Book a meal on Wednesday or Thursday in May or June and get a free wine flight of our in house canned wines!". Bugger I thought, but then noticed it said "If you have already booked, send an email if you're interested"
Interested? It's a freebie! It may be 1846 since my last Yorkshire born ancestor left for Derbyshire, but it has left me with shorter than average arms and longer than average pockets! And I'm sure a Michelin starred restaurant wouldn't serve up tinny tasting wine in tins, so off an email went.
Got an email back today saying of course we can make use of the offer and my booking is amended :) Only trouble is, now I'm saving money I'll splash out on the optional cheese course...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 04, 2024, 09:43:10 PMBooked for Tommy Banks' gaff Roots in York a few months ago. Got an email from them last night saying "Book a meal on Wednesday or Thursday in May or June and get a free wine flight of our in house canned wines!". Bugger I thought, but then noticed it said "If you have already booked, send an email if you're interested"
Interested? It's a freebie! It may be 1846 since my last Yorkshire born ancestor left for Derbyshire, but it has left me with shorter than average arms and longer than average pockets! And I'm sure a Michelin starred restaurant wouldn't serve up tinny tasting wine in tins, so off an email went.
Got an email back today saying of course we can make use of the offer and my booking is amended :) Only trouble is, now I'm saving money I'll splash out on the optional cheese course...
There is no such thing as an optional cheese course
Breakfast. Porridge with fresh raspberries and blueberries, but the blueberries were the star. Never eaten such big blueberries before. More the size of grapes. Eureka variety from Morocco which I bought in Home Bargains of all places. Only in for dog food so a lucky spot.
Keeping the food theme, we'll be treated to a sumptuous meal today from the little un's Cypriot grandma as it's Greek Easter - and it's nice to celebrate the resurrection of Zeus. ;)
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 05, 2024, 01:54:47 PMKeeping the food theme, we'll be treated to a sumptuous meal today from the little un's Cypriot grandma as it's Greek Easter - and it's nice to celebrate the resurrection of Zeus. ;)
Ach, Matt! You were so close to a like.😁
Our combination of May 4 & 5:
May 4 is Rememberance day - all those who fell, mainly we think of the casualties in WW2. 2 minutes of silence at 8PM, all the country goes quiet
May 5th is Liberation Day - The Germans signed the document in which they capitalized. We celebrate we can live in freedom
Sure there are a lot of things to be said on both these days, and most Dutchies do. Bunch of opiniated knobs most of the time. As long as they remember we can voice that opinion because we live in the free country we live in, I am OK with that...
(yes this could just as well have gone into the grumpy thread, but on a day like to day, let's not)
Quote from: pdw1 on May 04, 2024, 09:49:40 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 04, 2024, 09:43:10 PMBooked for Tommy Banks' gaff Roots in York a few months ago. Got an email from them last night saying "Book a meal on Wednesday or Thursday in May or June and get a free wine flight of our in house canned wines!". Bugger I thought, but then noticed it said "If you have already booked, send an email if you're interested"
Interested? It's a freebie! It may be 1846 since my last Yorkshire born ancestor left for Derbyshire, but it has left me with shorter than average arms and longer than average pockets! And I'm sure a Michelin starred restaurant wouldn't serve up tinny tasting wine in tins, so off an email went.
Got an email back today saying of course we can make use of the offer and my booking is amended :) Only trouble is, now I'm saving money I'll splash out on the optional cheese course...
There is no such thing as an optional cheese course
There is at Michelin Star prices!
That said, I do regularly shell out. Sometimes it's a rip-off, other times you get goodly quantities of unusual cheeses.
The contact lens I put in my right eye on Saturday, and which subsequently hid itself behind my eyelid has just plopped out.
Ascension day, national holiday over here and took tomorrow of for a 4 day stretch. That was quite a while ago!
Of course a trip to the record store later today because: why not?
Forecast is fantastic so looking forward to some outdoor time.
Washing machine motor was goosed.. blew the fuse.. new motor in and piles of washing to get thru and get hung out
Watched a blacksmith on TV upcycling some materials and then claiming he'd made a "green" table after creating the components over a couple of days in a propane fired furnace.😂
Tucker Carlson slapped down.
Here is a wonderful little story
A young cashier told an older woman that she should bring her grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.
The woman apologized, "We didn't have this green thing back in my day."
The young clerk said, "Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations."
She gave him a firm stare and a hard grin and said "Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles, and beer bottles. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over. They were recycled.
Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, which we reused for numerous things. We walked upstairs because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power did dry our clothes back in our day. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. The TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us.
When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded-up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades with a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
Back then, people took a bus and kids rode their bikes instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles in space to find the nearest burger joint.
But the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing."
The cashier stood there still and quiet as the old lady found her wallet to pay. Then lady turned to leave but stepped back and turned toward the cashier. She said "You have a world of knowledge in that little device in your hand. Pity you just use it to gossip, take pictures, and waste time. It would do you good to search a bit of history before you embarrass yourself like this again.
Forward this to another selfish old person who needs a lesson in conservation from a smart-ass young person.
Love this, especially the part about drying your washing outside on the line. My neighbours don't have a washing line. I can hear the tumble dryer in their basement working around the clock. They both drive huge 4x4s. They've got three children. I have none, yet I seem to care more about the planet's future than they do. I just don't get it. Mind you, I love the local wildlife, especially the foxes and deer. I feed the birds and they have a plastic sparrow hawk perched on the fence to scare them away from their porcelain covered garden. We had a massive fall about me feeding the foxes, so I've increased it. I really wouldn't want to calculate my weekly wildlife feeding spend. It's a bit mad.
I suppose part of it might be a natural follow on from the argument that the UK's actions will make little difference when you have the likes of China, India etc polluting and contributing to Global warming in such a disproportionate way.
If a country of 60 million plus can make little difference, what difference will little old me make if I use or don't use my tumble dryer?
Quote from: dom on May 13, 2024, 01:04:45 PMI suppose part of it might be a natural follow on from the argument that the UK's actions will make little difference when you have the likes of China, India etc polluting and contributing to Global warming in such a disproportionate way.
If a country of 60 million plus can make little difference, what difference will little old me make if I use or don't use my tumble dryer?
Well, leaving aside the planet's fate, bed linen feels so much better dried outside and any loose fabric from the process can be used by birds for nest material. Nothing better than fresh sheets just off the line. Plus it saves a few bob.
Agree with all that ! And just to be clear, I'm not part of the "why bother" parade.
Quote from: dom on May 13, 2024, 03:07:34 PMAgree with all that ! And just to be clear, I'm not part of the "why bother" parade.
I've edited my post as it did look a bit accusatory and patronising. Hopefully it reads better now.
Like living in Switzerland today, both trains I caught were prompt to the second :)
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on May 13, 2024, 05:16:26 PMQuote from: dom on May 13, 2024, 03:07:34 PMAgree with all that ! And just to be clear, I'm not part of the "why bother" parade.
I've edited my post as it did look a bit accusatory and patronising. Hopefully it reads better now.
Thanks but no need for that! I've had far worse hurled at me on here ;)
Helped myself to a bit of retro LCD fun. At £8.25 including delivery on eBay, I was half expecting it to be a fake!
(https://i.ibb.co/xXp5CDM/fakecasio.jpg)
.. and actually, it is
Quote from: Slim on May 15, 2024, 08:08:37 PMHelped myself to a bit of retro LCD fun. At £8.25 including delivery on eBay, I was half expecting it to be a fake!
(https://i.ibb.co/xXp5CDM/fakecasio.jpg)
.. and actually, it is
I like it. I recall I had a Casio back in the early 80s I think that had 7 different alarm tones, one for each day and a Christmas song (can't recall which, probably Jingle Bells). Monday was
When the Saints go Marching in.
Must have lost it at some point because I don't have it anymore.
Bit of a milestone moment today: the little 'un performing a song while accompanying herself on guitar.
Open G helped - you've got to start somewhere. :)
Quote from: Slim on April 16, 2024, 07:35:29 PMQuote from: Slim on March 21, 2024, 03:35:16 PMJust had a call from Vision Express. They've broken my Oakley cycling frames.
Cross-posted that from the "grumpy" thread with happier news. They refused to replace them, but offered a new pair of frames up to £80 in value (ie inferior). After an argument in the store - their manager lied to my face, claiming I'd been told they were likely to break and this would be at my own risk - I gave up and accepted, but I put a powerfully negative review on Trust Pilot.
Their complaints department contacted me to apologise, offered to replace the Oakleys with the original Oakley frames and told me I could keep the ones I'd already accepted as replacements - which actually I quite like. So I've ended up with a free pair of specs.
Just picked up my free Oakleys from Vision Express - very nice! Same as the old ones except black instead of blue / grey.
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 15, 2024, 10:07:26 PMBit of a milestone moment today: the little 'un performing a song while accompanying herself on guitar.
Open G helped - you've got to start somewhere. :)
Any kind of performance is to be encouraged. I can remember being nine or ten years old playing recorder and harmonica, with a classmate on vocal duties, on stage in front of a packed town hall. Fast forward eight or nine years and despite being reasonable on bass guitar I found it very difficult to rehearse in front of a few friends and almost impossible at auditions with strangers. One in particular is a great regret as they were a very good band, and if I'd managed to get over that stage fright things could have been interesting. Not as big a regret as my friend though, when about to tour the US supporting Ozzy, broke his leg in a lunchtime kick about at work and was immediately replaced by a guitarist from the same street.
Out of office now on.. off to Majorca early doors tomorrow morning👍
Son was waiting for me prior to the Riverside concert last night and he got collared by a Daily Mail reporter...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13430449/amp/The-Portal-intended-bring-New-York-Ireland-closer-people-used-flash-boobs-Atlantic-futuristic-device-shut-locals-blast-authorities-setting-worst-spot-Dublin.html
(I know, The Daily Mail!!)
Beginning to become optimistic about being reunited with a bass guitar (my first proper one) after spotting something for sale online. I've been doing a lot of Googling and emailing bass guitar sites and got a couple of good pointers regarding the guitar's history over the weekend. One came from an old TNMSer who might just have given me the info I need to put this to bed one way or another. I found the original receipt for the bass yesterday. Dated 21/12/79. 2112 day 😁. It must be a sign. I hope it comes home as it was a present from my late mum and dad and thinking about it now my dad only made it through another 11 months. Wow, never thought of that before and wasn't expecting those tears just now.
I saw Mariusz and Mikał from Riverside outside a cafe in Bristol and they thanked me for my support, saying it's nice to see familiar faces.
Not at all like Neil Peart, but they did snigger when I walked off...
According to Census results, the majority of Scotland's population now have no religion.
Well done, you Scots, keep it up. :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 21, 2024, 07:08:36 PMAccording to Census results, the majority of Scotland's population now have no religion.
Well done, you Scots, keep it up. :)
And you know what, Matt, it shows.
But not to worry, plenty of religious fanaticism will be evident at 3.00pm and onwards this coming Saturday.
I wonder what the figures will be like for the UK as a whole in a couple of censuses time. I think the result might be influenced by religions other than Protestant and Roman Catholic.
First of a couple of days off, tonight seeing pop-rock god Richard Marx at the Royal Albert Hall.
Oh, and Jersey has just voted to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill.
The Isle Of Man is on a pathway to follow suit.
Hopefully the rest of the U.K. will catch up before the end of the '20s.
This came up on my Facebook feed and made me smile. A US air traffic controller received a call from a pilot requesting clearance to 50,000 feet. The controller was slightly annoyed and asked him how he hoped to achieve such height. It was an SR-71 Blackbird pilot who replied."Actually sir, we were hoping to descend to that flight level".
Nice bloke playing Spanish guitar during breakfast.. was hoping he'd segue into the Trees intro but he didn't.. and he wasn't taking requests
My last ever oncall shift ended one hour and nineteen minutes ago. No calls this week.
Quote from: Slim on May 27, 2024, 09:19:41 AMMy last ever oncall shift ended one hour and nineteen minutes ago. No calls this week.
I hated on call glad I bailed out of that over 4 years ago.. did it for 19 years..
David Lynch has appeared on social media for the first time in almost 18 months - in a short teaser video promising something unspecified being released on "June 5".
I suspect it will mark the resumption of his daily YouTube "weather reports", but hoping for something much more significant.
I was browsing a page for Rolls-Royce and Associates alumni on Facebook, and noticed a comment under a post made by someone was a director when I worked there. I only met him a couple of times but his wife was my boss for about three years. So I clicked on his own page and lo and behold, photos of his family, including my old boss.
She would have been about 45 I think, when I left there 30 years ago. Really odd to see images of her in the present day.
Ended my pub darts game with a 161 finish just now 8)
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 27, 2024, 08:13:33 PMDavid Lynch has appeared on social media for the first time in almost 18 months - in a short teaser video promising something unspecified being released on "June 5".
I suspect it will mark the resumption of his daily YouTube "weather reports", but hoping for something much more significant.
Turns out he's merely collaborated on an album. Bit of a let-down that, in all honesty.
Not today - tomorrow: 5 days away into the country, the east part of our country where there's tree life and all. Weather forecast is, well sh!t, but that doesn't matter. Away is away. Bring books, music and walking shoes.
Bought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
Would it work on cats?
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
I've got one of those, from Amazon I think. Work nicely on wasps, a bit mediaeval but I think they expire quite quickly.
Quote from: Slim on June 17, 2024, 05:25:56 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
I've got one of those, from Amazon I think. Work nicely on wasps, a bit mediaeval but I think they expire quite quickly.
Is that because of my Farage comment? 😂
Quote from: David L on June 17, 2024, 05:18:39 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
Would it work on cats?
Never mind that, how about pesky neighbours?
Quote from: Slim on June 17, 2024, 05:25:56 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
I've got one of those, from Amazon I think. Work nicely on wasps, a bit mediaeval but I think they expire quite quickly.
Wasps are cunts they deserve all they get
Quote from: Thenop on June 17, 2024, 05:52:04 PMQuote from: David L on June 17, 2024, 05:18:39 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
Would it work on cats?
Never mind that, how about pesky neighbours?
Yeah, need to build a fence made of that mesh, attached to a Tesla battery.
Quote from: Slim on June 17, 2024, 05:25:56 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 17, 2024, 05:05:45 PMBought a battery powered tennis racquet fly killer thingy from Aldi. Thought it was just a gimmick but it's amazing. Hitting them's a bit tricky with double vision, but when I do, big spark, loud crack and no more fly. Great fun for £4.99.
I've got one of those, from Amazon I think. Work nicely on wasps, a bit mediaeval but I think they expire quite quickly.
Got one from Aldi the other day too. They work really well. The first time I bought one was in Cyprus when they were unheard of in the UK. I tested it on my wife, she still hasn't forgiven me. I caught a big fuck off hornet on one once and kept zapping it - sparks flying everywhere. It eventually flew off, like wtf.
Found a nice webcam based in Northampton, with views from the Express Lift Tower. The camera pans round a bit every 15 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqw62dfRIvk
I went looking for it because 40 years ago today began one of the oddest episodes of my life, when I went to live in a guest house there and stayed there for nearly six months, doing nothing. And yet I have come to see my "lost weekend" as a sort of rite of passage.
Quote from: Slim on June 17, 2024, 10:23:02 PMFound a nice webcam based in Northampton, with views from the Express Lift Tower. The camera pans round a bit every 15 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqw62dfRIvk
I went looking for it because 40 years ago today began one of the oddest episodes of my life, when I went to live in a guest house there and stayed there for nearly six months, doing nothing. And yet I have come to see my "lost weekend" as a sort of rite of passage.
I feel there's an episode of
Slim's Musings in there.
Had some biennial checks recently, culminating this morning at Leeds General Infirmary's cardiology department.
Turns out my bloods, blood pressure, heart health and the status of the occluder inserted in my atrial septum (I never tire of how naughty that sounds) are all good and normal.
I have one more appointment in 2 years' time when, assuming all is still well, I will be finally discharged for good, almost 11 years after my "cryptogenic cerebrovascular accident". :)
Only six months 'til Christmas.😀
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 25, 2024, 01:22:22 PMOnly six months 'til Christmas.😀
I better not show the wife this post, she'll have me beheaded and then hanged. Hates Xmas.
Apparently some rare magazines I ordered from Canada (Calgary I think) on Monday night (this week) are being delivered today by DHL Express. If that is true that will be the quickest international delivery I will ever have had! Less than 48 hours.
And indeed - ordered 21:30 on June 24, arrived 15:30 on June 16. Colour me impressed.
Intention to retire letter handed in this morning...
Quote from: Fishy on July 03, 2024, 01:10:29 PMIntention to retire letter handed in this morning...
Boom - get in. Join the club. How long will it be now?
Quote from: pxr5 on July 03, 2024, 02:16:28 PMQuote from: Fishy on July 03, 2024, 01:10:29 PMIntention to retire letter handed in this morning...
Boom - get in. Join the club. How long will it be now?
March31 2025 officially but if I can hang onto enough holidays I'll be away by end of February
Consultant cardiologist's letter arrived today confirming my biennial (previous post stating "bi-annual" duly amended) check up results from the other week were all good.
The next biennial check should see me finally discharged as an outpatient. :)
What aren't you telling us Mr. Picnic?
(https://i.ibb.co/n8LG8JY/20240703-215238.jpg)
Quote from: Thenop on July 03, 2024, 08:56:36 PMWhat aren't you telling us Mr. Picnic?
(https://i.ibb.co/n8LG8JY/20240703-215238.jpg)
I wonder if it works for COVID. Not sure if Tesco would deliver the Charlie though.😂
Two negative tests this morning.😁 Halfway through the timer for the second, Jo Swinson appeared on the doorstep with a very tiny baby strapped to her front. As I explained my situation to her through the front-door glass, she was heckled very noisily by two large dogs and a Macaw. She took it very graciously. Probably only the SNP or Lib Dems can win here so it's a fight to the finish. Only 149 votes in it last time.
I thought that my colleagues at my last place of work hadn't bothered with a leaving gift or card, and actually I was OK with that. I hadn't seen any of them in person for 18 months and just wanted a low key exit. But I came home from a bike ride this afternoon to find a Fortnum and Mason hamper full of very nice stuff, and a bottle of Japanese whisky! Really touched.
Waking up feeling good this morning off the back of 10 hours sleep, which was very much needed after very much less than that during the GE results!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0471dk9x3mo
Scroll down to the family photo. The lady on the right is the daughter. :o
Spotted this in a Blackpool car park yesterday. Didn't see Mad Max anywhere:
(https://i.imgur.com/6IVwuDw.jpg)
Quote from: pxr5 on July 10, 2024, 09:35:13 PMhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0471dk9x3mo
Scroll down to the family photo. The lady on the right is the daughter. :o
She was born when her mum, now 87, was 17 so as odd as it seems, Dame Shirley's daughter is an old woman now.
Quote from: Slim on July 11, 2024, 02:47:46 PMQuote from: pxr5 on July 10, 2024, 09:35:13 PMhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0471dk9x3mo
Scroll down to the family photo. The lady on the right is the daughter. :o
She was born when her mum, now 87, was 17 so as odd as it seems, Dame Shirley's daughter is an old woman now.
'Back of the bike shed' baby
Went to see Tom Jones tonight, mainly because of curiosity, the venue being 8 minutes bus ride away and it was a Friday.
He and his band were superb.
And, just saying, he is 3 years older than Joe Biden. 🤷🏻�♂️
Out in my garden picking plums this afternoon listening to some very nice blues guitar from my neighbours a few doors down garden party. Hopefully there will be a 2nd set a bit later (but not too late)
Yearly utility bill, I pay a fixed fee per month and never really bother to check. Turns out I overpaid quite a bit, getting a 1200+ EUR return at the end of this month.
Was going through old photos (I have hundreds, I could make it a full time job to sort them out) and found some prints that I took in Greece in 1973, probably with a Kodak Instamatic. One particular image piqued my interest.
Had no idea where the location was but Google helped me to determine that it was the Temple of Apollo at Corinth. I was going to scan it but this pic I found online was taken from the same spot, and the scene hasn't changed much in the last 51 years.
(https://i.ibb.co/mtPjRXZ/corinth-temple.jpg)
I was on a Mediterannean cruise organised by the school. It cost my parents £80.
Five Just Stop Oil fanatics jailed for between four and five years. Even better, Chris Packham is crying his eyes out about it. Why must our state broadcaster indulge this extremist sympathiser berk?
Packham's autism is never quite so obvious as when he shares his complete disregard for the welfare of ordinary people just trying to get on with their lives.
Quote from: Slim on July 18, 2024, 10:59:26 PMFive Just Stop Oil fanatics jailed for between four and five years. Even better, Chris Packham is crying his eyes out about it. Why must our state broadcaster indulge this extremist sympathiser berk?
Packham's autism is never quite so obvious as when he shares his complete disregard for the welfare of ordinary people just trying to get on with their lives.
I am so deeply saddened by this post and the fact it is liked by someone who obviously cares for wildlife, that I fear I must also be on the so-called spectrum. Actually fear is the wrong word.
Glad I'm not the on call guy getting the call that IT world wide is down..
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 19, 2024, 10:17:59 AMQuote from: Slim on July 18, 2024, 10:59:26 PMFive Just Stop Oil fanatics jailed for between four and five years. Even better, Chris Packham is crying his eyes out about it. Why must our state broadcaster indulge this extremist sympathiser berk?
Packham's autism is never quite so obvious as when he shares his complete disregard for the welfare of ordinary people just trying to get on with their lives.
I am so deeply saddened by this post and the fact it is liked by someone who obviously cares for wildlife, that I fear I must also be on the so-called spectrum. Actually fear is the wrong word.
Closing motorways down to aggravate randomly selected members of the general public does nothing whatever for wildlife. It has nothing to do with it.
Quote from: Slim on July 19, 2024, 10:26:03 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 19, 2024, 10:17:59 AMQuote from: Slim on July 18, 2024, 10:59:26 PMFive Just Stop Oil fanatics jailed for between four and five years. Even better, Chris Packham is crying his eyes out about it. Why must our state broadcaster indulge this extremist sympathiser berk?
Packham's autism is never quite so obvious as when he shares his complete disregard for the welfare of ordinary people just trying to get on with their lives.
I am so deeply saddened by this post and the fact it is liked by someone who obviously cares for wildlife, that I fear I must also be on the so-called spectrum. Actually fear is the wrong word.
Closing motorways down to aggravate randomly selected members of the general public does nothing whatever for wildlife. It has nothing to do with it.
If ever two nothings meant something then I've just witnessed it.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 19, 2024, 10:30:36 AMIf ever two nothings meant something then I've just witnessed it.
In all honesty I don't think anyone's opinion on wildlife has anything to do with it, in any case. Chris Packham hasn't made a positive contribution to the welfare or preservation of wildlife; all he's done is to associate that cause with extremism and criminality.
Quote from: Slim on July 19, 2024, 12:28:45 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 19, 2024, 10:30:36 AMIf ever two nothings meant something then I've just witnessed it.
In all honesty I don't think anyone's opinion on wildlife has anything to do with it, in any case. Chris Packham hasn't made a positive contribution to the welfare or preservation of wildlife; all he's done is to associate that cause with extremism and criminality.
Yeah, Chris and Sir Brian currently putting together a terror cell of foxes, hedgehogs and badgers. You'd better sleep with one eye open.
Quote from: Slim on July 18, 2024, 10:59:26 PMPackham's autism is never quite so obvious as when he shares his complete disregard for the welfare of ordinary people just trying to get on with their lives.
Fuck him and his supposed autism. If he were really autistic he wouldn't be presenting TV programmes and eulogising criminals. He'd be down in his mother's basement counting his stick insects over and over.
FWIW I enjoy Springwatch and think we should be cutting back on CO
2 emissions, but you'll never achieve your aims by wantonly pissing people off. Mind, you'll never be able to educate people either because 99.99% of the population is thick as pig shit.
The blessed Margaret was a proponent of tackling climate change - until it was hijacked by the dreadlocked, tree dwelling, unwashed, vegan, anti-capitalist rabble.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2024, 09:22:06 PMQuote from: Slim on July 18, 2024, 10:59:26 PMPackham's autism is never quite so obvious as when he shares his complete disregard for the welfare of ordinary people just trying to get on with their lives.
Fuck him and his supposed autism. If he were really autistic he wouldn't be presenting TV programmes and eulogising criminals. He'd be down in his mother's basement counting his stick insects over and over.
FWIW I enjoy Springwatch and think we should be cutting back on CO2 emissions, but you'll never achieve your aims by wantonly pissing people off. Mind, you'll never be able to educate people either because 99.99% of the population is thick as pig shit.
The blessed Margaret was a proponent of tackling climate change - until it was hijacked by the dreadlocked, tree dwelling, unwashed, vegan, anti-capitalist rabble.
You should submit this as an attachment with your CV application for a job working in the Scottish football VAR control room. Like you they don't tolerate any kind of discrimination.😂
This is Cathy Nelson, mother of a Just Stop Oil extremist who has just been sent to prison for four years. Cathy's upset that poor Cressie won't be able to attend her brother's wedding. Not a shred of sympathy of course for the many people who were unable to attend doctor's appointments, exams, interviews, funerals, weddings and so on due to the actions of her daughter and friends.
So nice to think of these people suffering in prison. I hope her narcissist, criminal daughter cries her eyes out into an insubstantial pillow every one of the many nights she'll be spending there. I hope they put her in a cell with a nutter with personal hygiene difficulties. I hope she has to live on minimum wage or handouts for the rest of her life.
Managed to walk off a long atrial fibrillation episode. Fourteen hours is the longest I've experienced in a while, probably due to this horrible cough and chest infection which I can't seem to shake. Sister has been to the doctor twice with it. Antibiotics to begin with and now on steroids too and she's usually very healthy. To say I'm delighted that I won't have to go into hospital later today to probably be shocked is the understatement of the year. Sinus rhythm is a glorious feeling. Never take it for granted.
Saw a piece on the news last week here that compact camera's are very hip amongst the late teens / early twenty-ers. Went through the storage and found on (a Nikon) from some years ago, charged the battery, low and behold it worked like a charm. Stuck it on Marktplaats (Dutch Ebay sort of), was just picked up for 90 euros. Nice.
I have so much 'stuff' I really need to find more. I sold for around 2K last year alone. Have 2 Ipods classic 120Gb and 160Gb, they should fetch a few tenners.
^ Nice. Our son was rummaging through some old Xbox games and reckoned one of them was worth £200+ as it came in a steel case - one of the Call of Duty games.
Still got my original Xbox.. and controllers
I've got 3 original Xboxes (all modded for XBMC), a couple of Xbox 360s and an Xbox One - they're really my lads, but he's left them here - for me lol.
Quote from: Thenop on July 29, 2024, 06:15:15 PMSaw a piece on the news last week here that compact camera's are very hip amongst the late teens / early twenty-ers. Went through the storage and found on (a Nikon) from some years ago, charged the battery, low and behold it worked like a charm. Stuck it on Marktplaats (Dutch Ebay sort of), was just picked up for 90 euros. Nice.
I have so much 'stuff' I really need to find more. I sold for around 2K last year alone. Have 2 Ipods classic 120Gb and 160Gb, they should fetch a few tenners.
I have loads of stuff I never use. I think I have an iPod somewhere as well. 80GB one I think. I think it has an actual spinning hard drive.
We sold our ex rental house today (it's taken from March for the overpaid solicitors to do this btw - gits). No mortgage on it - boom, tons of cash.
Complained about a bit of blue string in my tea pigs lemon and ginger tea temple (Bag). New box on the way as compensation.
My Wordle oneliner this morning. I was walking the dogs and contemplated 2 similar opening words. I chose the right one.
I can now die knowing I have done it.
Next up: a 9 darter.
Virtue signal alert:
The young 'un asked a perfectly reasonable question in good faith about why most sprinters in the Olympic Games are black ("I don't want to be racist, I just want to know..."), the reasoning being of course that, on the face of it, their ability is due purely to their skin colour.
I explained, as simply as I could, how that's an example of correlation and not causation (the real reasons aren't uncomplicated).
She got it; the conversation took about five minutes and that was that; why can't all discourse about identitarian issues be like this?
Some Cypriot natives have just asked - with some degree of incredulity and admiration - where and how I learnt my Greek (for I have indeed arrived today in the Greek half of Cyprus).
I've only a week and a half of this to get through, folks... ;) :D 8)
Quote from: Matt2112 on August 07, 2024, 11:45:49 PMSome Cypriot natives have just asked - with some degree of incredulity and admiration - where and how I learnt my Greek (for I have indeed arrived today in the Greek half of Cyprus).
I've only a week and a half of this to get through, folks... ;) :D 8)
Amazing! I've always had a longing to learn Italian. Properly. Goes back to those mostly boring and sometimes fascinating Latin classes. But Greek. Some of the guys in my year elected Ancient Greek for O Grade but the idea of another alphabet was beyond my imagination or capabilities at that time. I should pick up a book now that time weighs quite heavily.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 08, 2024, 12:03:55 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on August 07, 2024, 11:45:49 PMSome Cypriot natives have just asked - with some degree of incredulity and admiration - where and how I learnt my Greek (for I have indeed arrived today in the Greek half of Cyprus).
I've only a week and a half of this to get through, folks... ;) :D 8)
Amazing! I've always had a longing to learn Italian. Properly. Goes back to those mostly boring and sometimes fascinating Latin classes. But Greek. Some of the guys in my year elected Ancient Greek for O Grade but the idea of another alphabet was beyond my imagination or capabilities at that time. I should pick up a book now that time weighs quite heavily.
Well, the Greek alphabet has two fewer letters than the English one... ;)
I must declare that it's not my (limited) vocab that impresses native Greek speakers so much, it's that what I do know I articulate really well, with all the stresses in the right place etc. So, of course, they assume I'm fluent and speak to me as if I am, at which point I politely point out I'm not...in Greek of course! ;) :)
Mount Teide dark skies thing last night. awesome.. watched sunset over la palma then later it was loads of stars.. the mooon... Saturn all thru telescopes.. oh and three satellites.. one being the Hubble Space Telescope
I've always wanted to visit those designated and protected dark sky zones in the Canaries and do something like that. :)
It's still Saturday in the U.K. so this stil counts: ;)
Today we had a break from an afternoon in the heat with a visit to Paphos's rather good and pleasantly air-conditioned shopping mall, which being fifteen minutes walk away is just about the right distance before the scorchio temperatures and high humidity start to feel a bit...less than desirable.
I made sure we got back in time to watch The Shaymen's first game of the season at home to Barnet at 5pm on my phone, sitting with a nice, cold pint of Keo by the hotel's swimming pool.
My team's pre-season performances were as bad as the luck we've had with injuries we picked up to key players; combine this with Barnet being unbeaten in pre-season and their manager self-declaring they're title-contenders and I had little hope of a favourable result this (late) afternoon.
However, The Shaymen showed terrific team spirit and commitment to the cause to win the game 2-1, which put me in a hugely chipper mood.
I celebrated of sorts by going with the family down to Paphos harbour for an alfresco meal at a nice place on the promenade, followed by a couple of drinks at the best bar in the area, where I told the manager as we were leaving, "This is the best bar here"...in Greek, of course, which he clearly appreciated on more than one level.
A really, really great day all round - this is why you graft, isn't it? :)
Great win for Halifax. And even though I wasn't that far away (Wakefield) Oh couldn't attend as my mum is very unwell (Pinderfields). Was thinking it would have been nice to say hello Matt so its a consolation that you weren't in the country at the time
Quote from: dom on August 12, 2024, 12:26:42 AMGreat win for Halifax. And even though I wasn't that far away (Wakefield) Oh couldn't attend as my mum is very unwell (Pinderfields). Was thinking it would have been nice to say hello Matt so its a consolation that you weren't in the country at the time
Sorry to hear your mum is unwell; my best wishes to you.
Maybe the stars will align again on another gameday, it would have been a pleasure to meet you. :)
Sitting right at the front of a boat with the young 'un, our legs dangling over the edge, foam bouncing onto them as we bobbed on at pace through the Med back toward Paphos harbour, after a swim stop and shipwreck visit a few hundred metres off the coast...this type of thing is always my favourite part of our jollies. :)
When I was maybe 12 or 13, I spent one long summer holiday mostly watching the telly. And one morning, ITV (probably) showed an old black&white sci-fi film about a spaceship roaming deep space, far from Earth. It had a really eerie atmosphere, and one of the crew was a disconnected head in a glass container.
They showed the same film again a few months later, or possibly the next summer holidays, so I saw it twice. The main thing I've always remembered about it was that the spaceship was called "ICI". I did wonder if the chemical company of the same name had bought the rights and buried it.
For years I've looked for a reference to the film online. I assumed it was made in the '50s. A discussion about summer holidays on 5 Live earlier made me think of it. I googled it again, no joy.
Then I thought to myself: maybe the spaceship was called IC1? Lo and behold ..
Amusingly, it's set in 2015. And it was made in 1965.
Back to work after the holidays and piles of emails.. but knowing it's 200 ish days to go til it doesn't matter.. the delete button is proving very useful as well..
My son and his girlfriend are on holiday on the Isle of Man just now. He proposed today in a little cove that is one of her favourite places to be. She said YES. The engagement ring he got her was my wife's grandmother's. He got the diamond remounted and it looks stunning. He spoke to her parents beforehand to ask permission - how old-fashioned, but sweet. :)
A week or so ago I ordered two cans of the popular lubricant / water repellent aerosol product GT88 from Amazon. One of them came with the red straw missing, which nearly prompted a post in the Grumpy thread.
And yet - today I was in ASDA and I noticed they had some discounted GT85, so I bought some. One of the two that I picked up somehow had two red straws sellotaped to it.
It's as if I was singled out by fate to restore some balance to the universe.
Having said that, I always keep them once the can's empty so I have dozens.
Quote from: pxr5 on August 28, 2024, 08:17:16 PMMy son and his girlfriend are on holiday on the Isle of Man just now. He proposed today in a little cove that is one of her favourite places to be. She said YES. The engagement ring he got her was my wife's grandmother's. He got the diamond remounted and it looks stunning. He spoke to her parents beforehand to ask permission - how old-fashioned, but sweet. :)
Lovely story and your lad sounds like a real gent. I hope they have a great future together.
My own proposal, as submitted to the present Mrs Slim in early 2006, was less romantic. One Sunday morning we were reclining in my bed in Derby, listening to Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, which I could never abide personally but the other half always liked it.
Steve played a record for a couple who'd just got engaged. I had absolutely no intention of asking Sue to marry me that weekend, or even a firm intention to ask her to marry me at all. And yet I uttered the words "do you think we should get married?"
The reply was a definite yes, so that was the matter settled. I bought a ring the next weekend.
Websites like Reverb and Autotrader switching to dark mode. So much easier on these sore eyes.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 29, 2024, 12:20:04 PMWebsites like Reverb and Autotrader switching to dark mode. So much easier on these sore eyes.
Always use dark mode, suits both my eyes and my demeanor.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 29, 2024, 12:20:04 PMWebsites like Reverb and Autotrader switching to dark mode. So much easier on these sore eyes.
Quote from: Thenop on August 29, 2024, 02:01:45 PMAlways use dark mode, suits both my eyes and my demeanor.
Interesting because I think the theme that this site uses only has a dark mode on the phone version. I'll have to look into that.
I can't get to anything but the default theme on my phone.
RSPB giving me my postage back on a next day delivery item that took 2 days..
Really happy to hear that Brian May has apparently made a full recovery after having a mild stroke recently, and after a week or so of his playing abilities being compromised he's back up to full speed. :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 04, 2024, 11:00:45 PMReally happy to hear that Brian May has apparently made a full recovery after having a mild stroke recently, and after a week or so of his playing abilities being compromised he's back up to full speed. :)
Badgers everywhere breathe a sigh of relief :)
Switching off the laptop, 2 weeks (and one day) of holiday.
That, and I ordered a new set of headphones which is always a reason for joy. I am a self declared Sennheiser fanboi, but I took the plunge and ordered a pair of Focal Bathys, wireless expensive cans. Really looking forward to these. Of course, something had to give so I am selling some stuff as well to balance the scale a little (they are not cheap). Picking hem up tomorrow morning and it will take a little while and a lot of music to pass a verdict.
The best part is that I always find myself re-discovering a lot of music becuase I am curious to hear what this or that album sounds like with these headphones.
They will reside next to my Sennheiser HD660, a pair of IE300 (in ear wired) and the True Momentum Wireless buds. I have a Sony WH-1000XM4s as well, they will go to my wife when she's worn out her XM2s. She is really happy with the ANC on these things and she is right, that part of fantastic. The sound is OK, but the Sennheiser buds sound better, and now the new Focals' will probably do those out again. But they live next to each other and have different purposes so that's OK.
Anyway, a long way of saying I am looking forward to a new pair of cans.
An Arran sunset and a dehaviland vampire.. Lancaster and typhoon flying overhead.. wonderful oh and a bottle of red in the garden..
Visiting a trade show in Frankfurt, walked into one of the halls and it turned out to be the Festhalle where R30 was filmed. Nice architecture.
Quote from: Nick on September 10, 2024, 05:19:45 PMVisiting a trade show in Frankfurt, walked into one of the halls and it turned out to be the Festhalle where R30 was filmed. Nice architecture.
I've never been inside the Festhalle but my memory of it is walking past it one night in April 1997, turning a corner and suddenly getting a gobsmacking view of Hale-Bopp on a very clear night.
Receiving a proper letter in the mail from B&Q banning me from their stores nationwide.
Went to click and collect and waited an age to get my paint whilst clumps of staff were hanging about just chatting - as they always seem to do there. Had a Michael Douglas in Falling Down moment.
Get escorted out by security with my paint. Look down at said paint and it's for a Mr Singh - and completely the wrong order.
Putting more stuff up for sale on 'marktplaats' ((marketplace), basically the Dutch eBay with less stringent rules.
Sold 2 iPods in 5 minutes. I'm on a roll!
A 400-mile round-trip which included seeing a ground-out victory and a gloriously enjoyable 35-minute pit stop in Holborn during which I had two-and-half pints of Cruzcampo while cramming in a catch-up with a bunch of the old TNMS southern crew.
Marvellous. 8)
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 21, 2024, 11:15:47 PMA 400-mile round-trip which included seeing a ground-out victory and a gloriously enjoyable 35-minute pit stop in Holborn during which I had two-and-half pints of Cruzcampo while cramming in a catch-up with a bunch of the old TNMS southern crew.
Marvellous. 8)
Shame you couldn't stay longer. And I never thought I would here a northerner asking for a half pint. ;D
Quote from: pdw1 on September 23, 2024, 11:43:49 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on September 21, 2024, 11:15:47 PMA 400-mile round-trip which included seeing a ground-out victory and a gloriously enjoyable 35-minute pit stop in Holborn during which I had two-and-half pints of Cruzcampo while cramming in a catch-up with a bunch of the old TNMS southern crew.
Marvellous. 8)
Shame you couldn't stay longer. And I never thought I would here a northerner asking for a half pint. ;D
I believe I actually said I really needed to go and catch my train in five minutes and a certain person got me one anyway. ::) :)
Usually I detest any reference to the "C-word" in the run up to December, but I've just pre-booked It's A Wonderful Life, showing at the wonderful Elland Rex on Xmas Eve morning - of course, I've missed this annual event for about 10 years running now (it always sells out) so I'm absolutely determined to finally attend.
Btw, I thought/assumed there was a dedicated thread for the film but I can't seem to find it, so maybe not. :)
I located my old box of cassette tapes, unopened for many years, and found this (among a few other gems):
(https://i.ibb.co/yNLBsSq/gl-int-tape.jpg)
I'm hoping that the "G.LEE INT" is an interview with Geddy by Metro Radio's John Coulson, in which Geddy expresses his appreciation that the Newcastle crowd sang along to Closer To The Heart, a new experience for the band. I think the "N.PEART INT" is probably an interview with Neil by Radio One's Richard Skinner. 1979 I think.
I do have a cassette deck in the loft somewhere, so perhaps we'll find out.
I also found a cassette with Alice in Chains' Dirt on one side, and Sinatra's Songs For Swingin' Lovers on the other. Catholic tastes, even 30-odd years ago.
It was the last day today for a temp who has been working alongside me for the last four months. To my utter surprise she left me with a leaving gift: a mug with a promo shot of a certain Canadian prog-rock power trio on it. :)
Had a quite productive day today. Did a very small amount of bricklaying, repairing a part of the old garage wall. No bricklayers were threatened by the quality of the work but it'll do the job. Scraped the garage door and surrounds of all the flaking paintwork and repainted it late afternoon.
It's all a bit of a chore but I kept in mind what I would likely have to pay someone to do it and that kept my mood from dipping. I tried my hand at a small bit of wall rendering the other day. It worked out reasonably well so I bought a large bag of render base coat for stage two. Hope the weather stays dry for a while in case my enthusiasm wanes.
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 26, 2024, 06:44:07 PMUsually I detest any reference to the "C-word" in the run up to December, but I've just pre-booked It's A Wonderful Life, showing at the wonderful Elland Rex on Xmas Eve morning - of course, I've missed this annual event for about 10 years running now (it always sells out) so I'm absolutely determined to finally attend.
Btw, I thought/assumed there was a dedicated thread for the film but I can't seem to find it, so maybe not. :)
The idea of a thread for this rings a bell. Didn't James do a review on the film? Might be wrong. Maybe just something that was mentioned as a possibility by someone. Glad you got booked and I hope you enjoy the event. Will it be the colourised version or the original B&W?
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on September 27, 2024, 09:55:21 PMQuote from: Matt2112 on September 26, 2024, 06:44:07 PMUsually I detest any reference to the "C-word" in the run up to December, but I've just pre-booked It's A Wonderful Life, showing at the wonderful Elland Rex on Xmas Eve morning - of course, I've missed this annual event for about 10 years running now (it always sells out) so I'm absolutely determined to finally attend.
Btw, I thought/assumed there was a dedicated thread for the film but I can't seem to find it, so maybe not. :)
The idea of a thread for this rings a bell. Didn't James do a review on the film? Might be wrong. Maybe just something that was mentioned as a possibility by someone. Glad you got booked and I hope you enjoy the event. Will it be the colourised version or the original B&W?
I watched it for the first time last year on the telly.. great film..
Quote from: Fishy on September 28, 2024, 09:13:07 AMI watched it for the first time last year on the telly.. great film..
I also watched it for the first time last year, lovely old film. Don't think I did review it, or at least type a few modest impressions. Actually having done a search I don't think I even mentioned it, surprisingly.
Hopefully the last grass cut for this year.. just before it started to pour..
Quote from: Fishy on September 28, 2024, 02:20:48 PMHopefully the last grass cut for this year.. just before it started to pour..
Did the same, off to buy a new strimmer now, hopefully pick up something cheaper than in the spring.
You all may recall my son's engagement that I posted about a short time ago. Well, they went to a wedding fair at a lovely place near us called Samlesbury Hall and entered a competition there; and today found out that they'd won it - the whole venue for the day all in. The only stipulation is it has to be Jan-Mar next year so they've sort of had theirs hands forced and have now arranged the wedding for Saturday 29th March 2025. It's saved them a lot of money but still loads more to consider of course.:)
Quote from: Slim on September 28, 2024, 11:54:36 AMQuote from: Fishy on September 28, 2024, 09:13:07 AMI watched it for the first time last year on the telly.. great film..
I also watched it for the first time last year, lovely old film. Don't think I did review it, or at least type a few modest impressions. Actually having done a search I don't think I even mentioned it, surprisingly.
This is niggling at me now. I remember some online dialogue about this film and assumed it was here. Maybe time is playing tricks and it was TNMS. There was a short chat about the colourisation of the DVD version. A puzzle.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on September 28, 2024, 09:13:21 PMQuote from: Slim on September 28, 2024, 11:54:36 AMQuote from: Fishy on September 28, 2024, 09:13:07 AMI watched it for the first time last year on the telly.. great film..
I also watched it for the first time last year, lovely old film. Don't think I did review it, or at least type a few modest impressions. Actually having done a search I don't think I even mentioned it, surprisingly.
This is niggling at me now. I remember some online dialogue about this film and assumed it was here. Maybe time is playing tricks and it was TNMS. There was a short chat about the colourisation of the DVD version. A puzzle.
Check posts in what's in your dvd thread 24th dec last year..puzzle solved
Quote from: Fishy on September 28, 2024, 10:10:20 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on September 28, 2024, 09:13:21 PMQuote from: Slim on September 28, 2024, 11:54:36 AMQuote from: Fishy on September 28, 2024, 09:13:07 AMI watched it for the first time last year on the telly.. great film..
I also watched it for the first time last year, lovely old film. Don't think I did review it, or at least type a few modest impressions. Actually having done a search I don't think I even mentioned it, surprisingly.
This is niggling at me now. I remember some online dialogue about this film and assumed it was here. Maybe time is playing tricks and it was TNMS. There was a short chat about the colourisation of the DVD version. A puzzle.
Check posts in what's in your dvd thread 24th dec last year..puzzle solved
Nice one, thanks.
It's been announced this morning that Simple Minds are playing at the Piece Hall next summer. The only slight downer is that it's on a Monday night, but I'll take it.
^ And playing The Lytham Festival next year too.
https://www.lythamfestival.com/
Just had my flu jab.. nhs staff freebie..
Two tonnes of kiln dried hardwood logs delivered today. Driver was really helpful and managed to drop at the top of the drive, saving me a few thousand steps. I'm always glad when someone deserves their tip. I usually tip regardless but it's great when the recipient is friendly and obliging. Managed to get it all stored away before the horrible neighbours get back from their latest kerosene wasting jaunt abroad, and before any rain which has been threatening today.
Quote from: Fishy on October 01, 2024, 10:46:28 AMJust had my flu jab.. nhs staff freebie..
Get mine at the end of the month along with the latest COVID version. Very likely a couple of crap days to follow but I'm still grateful.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 04, 2024, 03:06:09 PMQuote from: Fishy on October 01, 2024, 10:46:28 AMJust had my flu jab.. nhs staff freebie..
Get mine at the end of the month along with the latest COVID version. Very likely a couple of crap days to follow but I'm still grateful.
Other than a sore arm I was fine
After a lot of fucking about with BT I eventually got full fibre installed today. There were 2 OR engineers, so while one did in the house the other got the fibre in - only took just over an hour to do. I still have my complaint in for the hassle I've been through and in fact yesterday I got a call from someone on the Exec Complaints team who seems quite high up in the BT hierarchy. I'll be talking to her again on Monday.
I still have to sort out my old BT account too as I have 2 running now - but that's for another day, though that will likely go wrong too.
So I've spent the rest of the day fiddling with my network, which is a ball ache with various web servers, containers, pihole, reverse proxies and media servers. Just about there now. This BT router whilst it works well is pretty crap compared my trusty old Zyxel. I'd love to use my old router but I doubt it's powerful enough to switch at FTTP speeds. After a tip I saw online I disabled the 5Ghz wifi on the new router and renamed the SSID and password to that of my old Zyxel. It worked well and most things just reconnected automatically. I may invest in a new router though - but I need to do some research.
And this is the result, but I doubt I'll use this speed to its fullest:
(https://i.imgur.com/j7k2pTq.jpeg)
I think we can call that "one gig" (what's 50Mbps between friends?!)
Well done for finally getting it installed at long last - you deserve a medal! ;)
Exec complaints.. so are complaints into some sort of tier system.. lol.. fucking openreach jaysus..
The examinations Officer at my daughter's school is Ms Smart ;D
I bought a new pair of glasses last week. Same prescription as the last pair I bought. The assistant (at Vision Express) got me to read the test sheet. All good, I could read even the tiniest print without a problem.
But on Wednesday I thought I'd test each lens individually in front of my computer. Closed my left eye - all good. Closed my right eye - uh oh. There was nothing I could do to bring the text in front of me into focus. Tried moving my head further from the screen, then closer - no good.
Examining the situation carefully, I realised that the text in front of my eyes wasn't merely unfocussed. It was wobbly. Furthermore the lines that should have been straight on the screen, like the edge of the browser window, were very slightly wavy.
Checked again the next day after a good sleep, same thing. I did some tentative Googling and my symptoms were a pretty good match for a condition called "macular degeneration", an incurable eye disease which steadily degrades your vision over time. Worse than that, in most cases the other eye gets it eventually as well.
So I've been to see an optometrist today. Had my eyes tested again. Had my left eye scanned twice. I had stuff applied to it that keeps your pupil wide open while they shine a painfully bright instrument right into it for a better look (it takes a few hours to wear off so I currently have overexposure in my left eye which is very odd).
So: the good news, which is why I'm posting in this thread and not the other one, is that I don't have macular degeneration. What I do have is called "cellophane maculopathy". It's never going to get any better but it's quite likely that it won't get any worse. More importantly, the other eye only gets it in about 10% of cases.
So when I use a computer, my right eye has been doing all the work and my brain has been ignoring my left eye. Interestingly my distance vision isn't quite so much affected, for example when I was out on a bike yesterday I tried reading road signs at a distance with my good eye closed and that was OK. The text looks wobbly, but I can read it.
What's happened is that a thin layer of tissue on the surface of my retina has shrunk, which has made it wrinkly. So the effect is not unlike what might happen if you had wrinkly clingfilm stuck to the surface of a camera sensor.
The cause is not known, in most cases it is "idiopathic" as she described it, but it's normally related to age. Getting old folks .. it's not for the faint-hearted.
David Gilmour at the Albert hall. Wow.
Went to see a recording of "I,m sorry I haven't a clue" in Exeter. First time I've been to that sort of thing, very enjoyable to see it live in the flesh and to see how the show is created. Happily I now have witnessed a game of Mornington Crescent with local rules.
Quote from: Nick on October 12, 2024, 08:14:04 AMWent to see a recording of "I,m sorry I haven't a clue" in Exeter. First time I've been to that sort of thing, very enjoyable to see it live in the flesh and to see how the show is created. Happily I now have witnessed a game of Mornington Crescent with local rules.
I liked the old Livingstone Integrated Transport rules. Usually made for an enjoyable game (as long as the Euston Clause wasn't allowed).
The recently introduced 24/7 bus service from Leeds to Bradford meaning I can go out on the lash in Leeds city centre and spend way less than 40 pounds on a Joe getting back home.
I spent the day in Huddersfield. I hadn't intended to, but I woke up at about 0730 this morning and the idea came into my head. I checked the weather, it was going to be sunny in West Yorkshire, so I got up and went there.
I did the first year of a degree course there in 1979/80 and it's a time that's stayed with me ever since. I've been back a few times, but not for years. I drove up the M1, parked outside my old student house and walked into the town centre. If you'd asked me, yesterday, how long a walk that is, I'd have said about three miles. But I checked Google Maps and it's only a little more than a mile. I was amazed how soon I was in the town centre after setting off. When I was 19 I'd sometimes spend 20 minutes in the freezing cold waiting for a bus to the centre. Once or twice I walked back to the house from the town when I lived there, and I remember it as a long hike. Somehow it was more of a challenge when I was 19 than it is now, but then again I used to live on coleslaw sandwiches, pot noodles, pale ale, coffee and Gauloises.
One disappointment - the little shopping precinct I remember over the dual carriageway from the Poly (now Huddersfield University of course) is being bulldozed. The University is barely recognisable as well, but I knew that already. But the town centre itself is largely unchanged.
The first thing I did when I got there was to recreate the walk I did every Thursday lunchtime from the Poly to the railway station. I was worried I wouldn't be able to remember the route, but it was trivially simple. And I went onto the station and stood on the platform where I'd wait for a train in the direction of Hartlepool. I had to buy a ticket to Dewsbury (£4.50) with no intention of travelling, just to get past the ticket barrier. The view from the platform, across the tracks to a huge old warehouse is exactly the same. So familiar, and really a very strange feeling when I think about how long ago it was. Incidentally a return ticket to Hartlepool with a student railcard used to cost £4.75, forty-five years ago.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/hudds_platform.jpg)
Very few of the shops I remember in the town remain. I was pleased to see that Boots is still there. I went in and remembered it well, though it doesn't have a record department now. I believe that Boots is the sole survivor from the 1970s in Hartlepool town centre, as well.
(http://bikediary.uk/images/junctionpub.jpg)
Just before I returned to the car I went in a pub called The Junction, not far from the old house in Kaffir Road. I last went in there just before Christmas 1979 with my roommate Chris, who dropped out after the first term. I mentioned to the barman that I hadn't been in for 45 years, and he asked me if the place had changed much. I told him - not really. Apart from the paint on the walls and the cigarette machine having been removed, the place was pretty much the same.
Huddersfield town centre's Boots is overlooked by my work place - I was in there for an optician's appointment a couple of weeks ago or so.
Next time you're up, James, we should do lunch or something.
My big 60th birthday yesterday and my son got me this. Bonnie and Bella are dogs btw lol:
https://www.cameo.com/recipient/66f5511e5b41f13bcd0a16fe?from_share_sheet=1&utm_campaign=video_share_to_copy
Quote from: pxr5 on October 21, 2024, 12:17:14 PMMy big 60th birthday yesterday and my son got me this. Bonnie and Bella are dogs btw lol:
https://www.cameo.com/recipient/66f5511e5b41f13bcd0a16fe?from_share_sheet=1&utm_campaign=video_share_to_copy
Superb! :D
Belated happy birthday to you!
Quote from: pxr5 on October 21, 2024, 12:17:14 PMMy big 60th birthday yesterday and my son got me this. Bonnie and Bella are dogs btw lol:
https://www.cameo.com/recipient/66f5511e5b41f13bcd0a16fe?from_share_sheet=1&utm_campaign=video_share_to_copy
Now watched it in full, splendid! And of course many happy returns.
I cut my grass today..
After an exchange of e-mails with Music on Vinyl about a replacement of 1 LP from an 8LP Miles Davis boxset I am getting one. It did not start out that way, I was told I was no eligible for one due to not complaiing earlier. I had to file a complaint within 14 days of discovery. Which I did, I opened the box yesterday, I received it in August though but the general terms do not state XX days after purchase or receipt, just 'after discovery'.
Also: a defect is a defect, regardless what time has passed. And that is another article in the terms.
So in the end I am getting what I want, reason to be happy. Although my jaw prevents me form smiling, it hurts like hell!
Spend a while ripping the Rory Gallagher BBC full set to FLAC. Tagged each disc separately through Mp3Tag, added the art etc. Uploaded it to my audio app of choice (Swinsian) and I couldn't get them to fit into 1 folder, disc 3 stuck out and for the life if it I couldn't figure out what the problem was.
Retagged the entire batch and only then noticed there was 1 (!) "album artist" tag off: it had 3 spaces after the name, of course impossible to see. Fixed it and now it looks like I want it to.
I know, 1st world problems, but it makes me happy if it works.
Quote from: Thenop on October 23, 2024, 08:34:19 AMAfter an exchange of e-mails with Music on Vinyl about a replacement of 1 LP from an 8LP Miles Davis boxset I am getting one. It did not start out that way, I was told I was no eligible for one due to not complaiing earlier. I had to file a complaint within 14 days of discovery. Which I did, I opened the box yesterday, I received it in August though but the general terms do not state XX days after purchase or receipt, just 'after discovery'.
Also: a defect is a defect, regardless what time has passed. And that is another article in the terms.
So in the end I am getting what I want, reason to be happy. Although my jaw prevents me form smiling, it hurts like hell!
MOV came through ...a bit too much. They re-send my entire order which included another 5LP Miles Davis Boxset and there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. So someone clicked a wrong button there. Next to that, it was one problem with one LP out of an 8LP set. So I have effectively received 14 free LPs. Hmmm.
Quote from: Thenop on October 25, 2024, 11:22:09 AMQuote from: Thenop on October 23, 2024, 08:34:19 AMAfter an exchange of e-mails with Music on Vinyl about a replacement of 1 LP from an 8LP Miles Davis boxset I am getting one. It did not start out that way, I was told I was no eligible for one due to not complaiing earlier. I had to file a complaint within 14 days of discovery. Which I did, I opened the box yesterday, I received it in August though but the general terms do not state XX days after purchase or receipt, just 'after discovery'.
Also: a defect is a defect, regardless what time has passed. And that is another article in the terms.
So in the end I am getting what I want, reason to be happy. Although my jaw prevents me form smiling, it hurts like hell!
MOV came through ...a bit too much. They re-send my entire order which included another 5LP Miles Davis Boxset and there was absolutely nothing wrong with that. So someone clicked a wrong button there. Next to that, it was one problem with one LP out of an 8LP set. So I have effectively received 14 free LPs. Hmmm.
I'll PM you my address ;D
I know it's not funny really, but
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/repulsive-huddersfield-man-karl-martin-30252593
'Repulsive' Huddersfield man Karl Martin masturbates into pregnant woman's drink
"Karl Martin, 25, had been seen previously sniffing the woman's scarf"
Quote from: Slim on October 29, 2024, 10:31:37 PMI know it's not funny really, but
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/repulsive-huddersfield-man-karl-martin-30252593
'Repulsive' Huddersfield man Karl Martin masturbates into pregnant woman's drink
A pornstar martini, presumably.
Russia fines Google more money than there is in entire world https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxvnwkl5kgo
Tickets for Ayreon next year September. Given the number of complaints that it is impossible to get them, it was surprisingly easy.
Roll on September 13, matinee 12.30 show, old people and children time.
Alfresco dining in my denim shorts - in November* - and watching the world go by. Yes, I'm back in downtown Athens. 8)
(I also got a complimentary light dessert for my Greek. Yes, I'm back in...etc etc).
* In fairness, you do need to layer up a bit when dusk is setting in. ::)
Well today the obvious thing would be our visit to the Parthenon in the warm sunny weather, but the guy who scanned my ticket on entry noticed my AFTK apparel and said to me, "Great t-shirt, great band!".
We're everywhere... :)
Currently in Shanghai, not been for a number of years and there has been a massive change. It's like Blade runner. A very high proportion of cars and all scooters are electric, there is an eery silence on the streets as all you hear is tyre noise. buildings lit up at night with all sorts of amazing light displays, cash is a thing of the past, nearly all transactions are via Alipay , a phone app. Bullet trains are cheap and stations very clean, robot room service in hotels. Perhaps best of all is the translation technology, waiters have little machines they can speak into which translates to a screen and also pronounces the sentence, plus google translate etc are also excellent. These things didn't exist until recently and conversation was impossible without the usual pointing and miming. A new age is certainly here to embrace.
Quote from: Nick on November 09, 2024, 03:11:20 AMCurrently in Shanghai, not been for a number of years and there has been a massive change. It's like Blade runner. A very high proportion of cars and all scooters are electric, there is am eeery silence on the streets as all you hear is tyre noise. buildings lit up at night with all sorts of amazing light displays, cash is a thing of the past, nearly all transactions are via Alipay , a phone app. Bullet trains are cheap and stations very clean, robot room service in hotels. Perhaps best of all is the translation technology, waiters have little machines they can speak into which translates to a screen and also pronounces the sentence, plus google translate etc are also excellent. These things didn't exist until recently and conversation was impossible without the usual pointing and miming. A new age is certainly here to embrace.
Just like the movies, you only see the shiny things. Camera's on every corner monitor whether you jaywalk and if do so 3 times your Alipay will be blocked. A new age indeed.
Cameras everywhere.
Quote from: Thenop on November 09, 2024, 05:58:09 AMQuote from: Nick on November 09, 2024, 03:11:20 AMCurrently in Shanghai, not been for a number of years and there has been a massive change. It's like Blade runner. A very high proportion of cars and all scooters are electric, there is am eeery silence on the streets as all you hear is tyre noise. buildings lit up at night with all sorts of amazing light displays, cash is a thing of the past, nearly all transactions are via Alipay , a phone app. Bullet trains are cheap and stations very clean, robot room service in hotels. Perhaps best of all is the translation technology, waiters have little machines they can speak into which translates to a screen and also pronounces the sentence, plus google translate etc are also excellent. These things didn't exist until recently and conversation was impossible without the usual pointing and miming. A new age is certainly here to embrace.
Just like the movies, you only see the shiny things. Camera's on every corner monitor whether you jaywalk and if do so 3 times your Alipay will be blocked. A new age indeed.
Not a new age that I will be embracing. Many western governments green with envy. :(
Excellent turnout for the remembrance service today in Witney. Included many young persons in respectful tribute to those that fought for our freedom.
Always feel humbled on this solemn day. Lest we forget
Returning to sinus rhythm after 2 hours 45 minutes. Can sometimes fix it by walking quickly up seven flights of stairs near my home. Didn't work earlier but did just now.😀 Complicated a bit by doing my back two days ago chopping firewood so was walking like an old man. Need to warm up in future before any axe wielding. This getting old thing is a nightmare.
Maybe we need a thread for ageing and ailments?
Quote from: Nick on November 13, 2024, 03:33:47 AMMaybe we need a thread for ageing and ailments?
We have an entire message board for that ;D
From last night, really: I (along with seemingly quite a few others) have been pestering petitioning Irish folk-rock legends The Saw Doctors for quite a while via their social media channels to play at the Piece Hall, its size and surroundings being absolutely tailor-made for the band.
So, last night at their gig at Leeds Academy, just before their last song, guitar-vocalist Leo Moran announced that next summer they're playing the very venue I've been dearly wanting them to play, which had me literally roaring with delight as if my football team had scored a last minute winner in a cup final.
That didn't so much make my day as make my year - and next year, come to that. :D
Bagging a free copy of Konami's Castlevania Anniversary Collection from the Epic Store. They do different free games every week and whilst I already have the Castlevania Advance collection on Xbox, this was a treat that I had intended to get at some point, but here it is for free.
Grab it while you can if you want it.
An old friend who moved away a while back finally replied to a Facebook message I sent four years ago. He'd missed it entirely. He was a keen photographer and back in 1979 he managed to take the most incredible photos of Queen at the Glasgow Apollo. I was with him both nights and was extremely worried for his safety when he sneaked down to the front at one point to get some fantastic close ups. The Apollo bouncers had a fearsome reputation and were well known for beating folk up and smashing their cameras. However, he got away with it and later that night printed off some pictures of the concert in his garden shed. He gave me several copies which I have always treasured.
Many years later whilst working as a cop at the SECC, he left some photos for Sir Brian. Brian later got in touch with him apologising for the fact that he mistakenly thought they were just for signing and selling on eBay and not realising they were a gift without any catch. He promised to do something with them and later they were published in a book about the Crazy tour by Gary Taylor. My friend is also a real aircraft geek and sent me some lovely shots of various civil and military aircraft. Some of the A380, Glasgow Airport pictures are really fantastic.
On another day I might have put this in the grumpy thread but that wouldn't be accurate. I noticed the date and the fact that it falls on a Saturday this year. I've always remembered that an important first date I had with a special old flame was on Saturday, 23rd November. I remember she didn't like the look of the first two restaurants we went to. She didn't like the lighting. I quietly thought to myself that this was never going to work as I became embarrassed making our excuses for a second time. The third restaurant was ok though and things did work out for quite a long time, until some stupid unnecessary stuff got in the way. It was 31 years ago but an unforgettable time in my life.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on November 23, 2024, 11:50:46 AMOn another day I might have put this in the grumpy thread but that wouldn't be accurate. I noticed the date and the fact that it falls on a Saturday this year. I've always remembered that an important first date I had with a special old flame was on Saturday, 23rd November.
I have a few similar unforgettable dates, one of them also a 23rd.
In October 1992 I'd been seeing a young woman called Angela for about 18 months. By this time it was obvious she wasn't right for me. I was just keeping her hanging on because I didn't want to be single, quite honestly. And because finishing with people is awkward and difficult. Only inertia (mine) was keeping us together.
But earlier in the month, another young woman, called Julie, who worked in the company library had been subtly dropping hints that she was interested in me. I wasn't quite sure what to make of them until one Friday afternoon, the 23rd of October, my section leader took me to one side. "Jim, I've just been talking to Julie in the library", he said. "She wanted to know why you haven't asked her out yet".
Well, this was it. I had to act on it now. She was vivacious, sexy, cute with it. Tall, athletic, very fit. So although we'd never to that point exchanged more than a "hello" or a "how are you", I chose a quiet moment, picked up the phone on my desk and phoned her in the library to ask if she'd be interested in meeting up over the weekend.
We agreed that I'd pick her up at her place on the Saturday and spend the day in Nottingham.
This left me with an awkward problem, of course. I already had a girlfriend. So a few minutes later, I called Angela at her place of work - she worked for the NHS in Derby in accounts - and asked her if I could come and give her a lift home from there after work. I said that we needed to talk. I tried to impart a sense that our relationship was about to conclude, so it would come as less of a shock.
She pleaded and begged and cried her eyes out in the passenger seat all the way home. It was hellish. I wished I'd had the honesty to split up with her months earlier. I didn't tell her about Julie of course. But she found out about that anyway after her best mate spotted Julie and me in a car park in Derby the next day.
My relationship with Julie was sheer joy, unalloyed bliss. For about three weeks, then it became complicated and eventually, turned into a living nightmare in which I was one corner of a bizarre love triangle. I hated myself for tolerating it. But in the space of a few weeks. she'd become an addiction. I've always thought of it as a sort of karma thing.
More accurately last night. After a week of grim temperatures, windy conditions, alternating driving rain and generally typical premature Scottish winter weather, double glazing salesmen, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (fortunately brief) and annoying car stuff, I decided to break my lager abstinence of the past few weeks. Sister is staying over just now so kindly drove me to the local convenience store. Bought beer (the clean golden variety which doesn't form mycelium and fruiting bodies in your gut) a bottle of Merlot for sis, a packet of cheddars and a couple of dog treats. It all came to £21.12 😀
Yesterday my sister gave me a litre bottle of Baileys to put away for Christmas. She always does this and always replaces it later after it's been plundered too early. I opened it tonight as I heard this afternoon that a former work colleague dropped dead today. A couple of years older than me and a decent guy with a lovely family. We called him Scunner at work as his second name was Campbell. Probably only Fishy might understand the nickname. I respected him because he did a job well below his ability for reasons he decided, but he did that job really well which reminds me of the NP lyric "pride of purpose, in the unrewarding job". So a hero I suppose, if any of us really are. RIP Ian.
I suppose this is more a what made UP your day type post, so another Baileys in his honour, some Porcupine Tree live and bed.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on November 29, 2024, 02:42:45 AMWe called him Scunner at work as his second name was Campbell. Probably only Fishy might understand the nickname.
For reasons like Ali "UB40" Campbell being turned away from a Hotel?
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/ub40-ali-campbell-turned-away-hotel-name-kew-the-music-london-gig-b1196937.html
QuoteI respected him because he did a job well below his ability for reasons he decided
You'd respect me then :)
Had a nice day out in Bakewell with 'er indoors yesterday. Walked round the shops, bought a few Christmas pressies, went in a pleasant hotel called The Rutland Hotel for lunch, had a couple of drinks. Went in a caff for a Bakewell tart and some coffee. Had a walk by the river. Sunny day, a bit cold.
Google Maps sent us home along some country lanes with nice views before we arrived at the M1.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on November 29, 2024, 10:21:06 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on November 29, 2024, 02:42:45 AMWe called him Scunner at work as his second name was Campbell. Probably only Fishy might understand the nickname.
For reasons like Ali "UB40" Campbell being turned away from a Hotel?
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/ub40-ali-campbell-turned-away-hotel-name-kew-the-music-london-gig-b1196937.html
QuoteI respected him because he did a job well below his ability for reasons he decided
You'd respect me then :)
The Scunner Campbell was the baddie in Super Gran. He was played by the actor Iain Cuthbertson.
I too was in an unrewarding job for nearly my entire working life. Circumstances dictated. Good song though.😀
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on November 29, 2024, 01:45:46 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on November 29, 2024, 10:21:06 AMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on November 29, 2024, 02:42:45 AMWe called him Scunner at work as his second name was Campbell. Probably only Fishy might understand the nickname.
For reasons like Ali "UB40" Campbell being turned away from a Hotel?
https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/ub40-ali-campbell-turned-away-hotel-name-kew-the-music-london-gig-b1196937.html
QuoteI respected him because he did a job well below his ability for reasons he decided
You'd respect me then :)
The Scunner Campbell was the baddie in Super Gran. He was played by the actor Iain Cuthbertson.
I too was in an unrewarding job for nearly my entire working life. Circumstances dictated. Good song though.😀
Scunner Campbell..😀
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on November 29, 2024, 01:45:46 PMThe Scunner Campbell was the baddie in Super Gran. He was played by the actor Iain Cuthbertson.
There's me thinking it'd be based on internecine Scottish enmity. Thankfully Super Gran passed me by.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx247dwx1p7o
The BBC's culture editor, Katie Razall, used the term "piece of piss" just now on 5 Live. Made me smile.
Quote from: Slim on December 02, 2024, 10:41:32 PMThe BBC's culture editor, Katie Razall, used the term "piece of piss" just now on 5 Live. Made me smile.
I find her quite irritating on Radio 4 - she can't help herself interjecting with cringeworthy attempts at bon mots when speaking to guests much, much brainier than she is.
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 02, 2024, 10:53:07 PMQuote from: Slim on December 02, 2024, 10:41:32 PMThe BBC's culture editor, Katie Razall, used the term "piece of piss" just now on 5 Live. Made me smile.
I find her quite irritating on Radio 4 - she can't help herself interjecting with cringeworthy attempts at bon mots when speaking to guests much, much brainier than she is.
Annoyingly smug when she presents Newsnight and spends most of her time trying to trip up anyone speaking on behalf of the right. Probably the most blatantly biased presenter they have IMHO.
Today is 9 years to the day since my "Cryptogenic cerebrovascular accident", so everything made my day today. :)
However, the village Christmas Tree lights were switched on tonight, followed by a stage school performance and songs in which my young 'un featured, so that was a special treat. 8)
A heating engineer has fixed our gas boiler. It was tripping the RCD. We've been surviving on fan heaters for a few days. Fortunately we have an electric immersion heater so we didn't have to go without hot water.
Quote from: Slim on December 09, 2024, 01:20:11 PMA heating engineer has fixed our gas boiler. It was tripping the RCD. We've been surviving on fan heaters for a few days. Fortunately we have an electric immersion heater so we didn't have to go without hot water.
That's a great bonus of having a hot water storage cylinder that many don't consider when they opt for a combi boiler, often just to gain a little more storage space.
Being told this morning that my increasingly worsening neck and head muscle pain of the past two to three weeks is not the giant cell arteritis which I had feared, but rather muscle spasms which can be treated with painkillers and physiotherapy.
Quote from: Thenop on June 25, 2024, 01:28:57 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 25, 2024, 01:22:22 PMOnly six months 'til Christmas.😀
I better not show the wife this post, she'll have me beheaded and then hanged. Hates Xmas.
I think the other way round would be more practical. Less than two weeks now!
Still Decoration free here.
Quote from: Slim on January 17, 2024, 05:42:08 PMI've developed an interest in British county boundaries, from planning bike routes into different counties. There are, broadly speaking, two sets - the ceremonial (modern day) boundaries, and the "historic" boundaries.
There's a nice facility here (https://communities.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Compare/storytelling_compare/index.html?appid=7b0e661ef66b4a7aacb5a9acf55108ac) which shows both sets.
However I've been doing some reading today and it seems that this isn't the whole picture - some of the counties had "exclaves", detached parts surrounded by other counties. And it turns out that the village where I live in NW Leicestershire was, before 1849, a tiny disconnected exclave of Derbyshire, surrounded by Leicestershire.
Derbyshire's exclaves were given to Leicestershire in return for some of Leicestershire's land near the border, which was then annexed by Derbyshire.
More info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_county_exclaves_in_England_and_Wales_1844%E2%80%931974
(https://i.ibb.co/jVsTxvJ/Exclaves-Derbyshire.jpg)
Historic Derbyshire shown in light blue, with exclaves to the south and east.
Online zoomable map showing the historic counties and boundaries with exclaves here:
https://wikishire.co.uk/map
Prince Andrew.. what a complete fuckwit he is..
Quote from: Fishy on December 16, 2024, 04:28:09 PMPrince Andrew.. what a complete fuckwit he is..
And what of that ginger bint that continues to worship the ground he walks on?
Disestablish the whole wretched lot of them. Before or after the same is done to the scandal-riddled CofE, I'm not that fussed.
I've been trying to sort out my pension from my last employer for a few months. It's been surprisingly tortuous, involving frustrating telephone calls with long queues, getting cut off for no reason, filling out forms online and completeting and posting some paper forms as well, just for good measure.
Unfortunately I've had to deal with three different companies. The pension fund holder doesn't actually do annuities, so I've had to purchase one from a separate company. But I had to use an intermediary company to do this, because the annuity company doesn't deal with the public directly.
Anyway I had thought that this long process was nearing a conclusion. The fund holder confirmed they would transfer the funds, minus a tax free lump sum which I've requested, which they will pay directly to me.
Then I get an email from the intermediary company, the annuity arranger, saying that the annuity company received funds, but they were £6100 short of the agreed figure. This was yesterday.
Naturally I feared the worst. Had my pension fund nosedived suddenly? Had I been robbed; had someone made an unauthorised withdrawal somehow? I fired off a couple of concerned emails yesterday.
This morning I received an email from the pension fund holder saying that they had transferred the agreed sum, which they quoted, yesterday. They gave me the payment reference. I still don't understand how the annuity company can have received a smaller sum. I could understand it if it hadn't shown up in their account at all yet. But at least I do have an explicit acknowledgement of the sum that's supposed to have been transferred. I'll be a lot happier when it's done and dusted, all the same.
Quote from: Slim on December 18, 2024, 04:47:08 PMI've been trying to sort out my pension from my last employer for a few months. It's been surprisingly tortuous, involving frustrating telephone calls with long queues, getting cut off for no reason, filling out forms online and completeting and posting some paper forms as well, just for good measure.
Unfortunately I've had to deal with three different companies. The pension fund holder doesn't actually do annuities, so I've had to purchase one from a separate company. But I had to use an intermediary company to do this, because the annuity company doesn't deal with the public directly.
Anyway I had thought that this long process was nearing a conclusion. The fund holder confirmed they would transfer the funds, minus a tax free lump sum which I've requested, which they will pay directly to me.
Then I get an email from the intermediary company, the annuity arranger, saying that the annuity company received funds, but they were £6100 short of the agreed figure. This was yesterday.
Naturally I feared the worst. Had my pension fund nosedived suddenly? Had I been robbed; had someone made an unauthorised withdrawal somehow? I fired off a couple of concerned emails yesterday.
This morning I received an email from the pension fund holder saying that they had transferred the agreed sum, which they quoted, yesterday. They gave me the payment reference. I still don't understand how the annuity company can have received a smaller sum. I could understand it if it hadn't shown up in their account at all yet. But at least I do have an explicit acknowledgement of the sum that's supposed to have been transferred. I'll be a lot happier when it's done and dusted, all the same.
Rather fortunate to be buying an annuity at this time. £100k gets a 65-year-old an annuity of around £7,300 per year at the moment - thousands more than a few years ago :)
Was out walking the dog tonight under a totally cloudless sky and, as I stood in the local park marvelling at Orion, a beautifully bright meteor streaked just past his shoulder (i.e. Betelgeuse). Probably a Geminid.
Brilliant and no charges against any police:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c627e37v21eo
Quote from: Slim on December 18, 2024, 04:47:08 PMThis morning I received an email from the pension fund holder saying that they had transferred the agreed sum, which they quoted, yesterday. They gave me the payment reference. I still don't understand how the annuity company can have received a smaller sum. I could understand it if it hadn't shown up in their account at all yet. But at least I do have an explicit acknowledgement of the sum that's supposed to have been transferred. I'll be a lot happier when it's done and dusted, all the same.
Had an email today confirming that the correct sum has been transferred. Bit of a relief, I was starting to think I'd been scammed or robbed.
One more private pension annuity to set up now, then I'm just waiting for the state one.
It's the shortest day
Off to a wedding in a castle in Biggar today.. the kilt is on..
Quote from: Fishy on December 22, 2024, 10:24:43 AMOff to a wedding in a castle in Biggar today.. the kilt is on..
Weddings don't half fucking go on for a fucking long time
Quote from: Fishy on December 22, 2024, 10:21:57 PMQuote from: Fishy on December 22, 2024, 10:24:43 AMOff to a wedding in a castle in Biggar today.. the kilt is on..
Weddings don't half fucking go on for a fucking long time
The fucking won't go on much longer....guaranteed ;D ;)
Went to pick up my M&S Xmas food order today and they'd given me a replacement item, a Turkey Crown costing £30 more than the one I'd ordered - but only charged me the original price :)
Seeing at least 5 regulars on here at the same moment between 11 and 12 AM (10 and 11 for you guys) the day before Christmas.
Just wanted to say I enjoy being on here, reading all the stories, stupid jokes, questionable music choices (including mine), Wordle games, watching bike ride photographs, commenting on sportspeople doing things I could never do (nor would I want to wrangle myself).
To all of you: have some lovely days, stuff yourself with whatever it is you feel the need to eat, get drunk, make stupid remarks during family get togethers - the kind you cannot take back and will haunt you for the rest of your days - watch Home Alone (if that's your thing), I was going to say 'enjoy the weather' but we all know that would be a mean thing to do, watch some footy (again: if that's your thing) and just enjoy yourself.
Yes I will of course be on here, as will you, but I just wanted to express some appreciation. Probably the time of the year, so don't get too soft, I'll be back to my normal grumpy self in no time.
Making my mother's shakingly written chestnut stuffing recipe, plenty of interpretation required! Something to remember her by on Christmas Day,so hope it turns out well.
I finally saw It's A Wonderful Life today at the wonderful Elland Rex.
It has a fantastically vintage organ below its screen and on entry a superb player was belting out some festive favourites.
Before the main feature there was a showing of the Laurel & Hardy silent short Big Business, accompanied by the organist who rendered the slapstick musical cues absolutely immaculately.
As for the film itself I'll post a review in the movie section. :)
Quote from: Thenop on December 24, 2024, 10:28:20 AMTo all of you: have some lovely days, stuff yourself with whatever it is you feel the need to eat, get drunk, make stupid remarks during family get togethers - the kind you cannot take back and will haunt you for the rest of your days - watch Home Alone (if that's your thing), I was going to say 'enjoy the weather' but we all know that would be a mean thing to do, watch some footy (again: if that's your thing) and just enjoy yourself.
Yes I will of course be on here, as will you, but I just wanted to express some appreciation. Probably the time of the year, so don't get too soft, I'll be back to my normal grumpy self in no time.
Hoorah! I got to see Home Alone, again!!!!
I'll just bring things down a bit and say just take some time to remember those you won't be able to celebrate Christmas with. It's my tenth without my mum and third without my dad. My sister's kids will be having their 15th Christmas without their mum and my brother won't be seeing his four kids, well three he'll see briefly.
But my parents gave good Christmas and I am endeavouring to carry it on, my sister's kids and my brother are coming over and they will be well fed and watered. Hopefully my dad would have approved of the White and Red Burgundies I'm serving - although I'd converted him to their Californian equivalents - and the Tawny Port. He didn't care for Sauternes though, that's my touch :)
Hopefully I can manage a cheerful face and a Christmas Cracker hat for eight hours before reverting to grumpy type.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 24, 2024, 09:51:11 PMQuote from: Thenop on December 24, 2024, 10:28:20 AMTo all of you: have some lovely days, stuff yourself with whatever it is you feel the need to eat, get drunk, make stupid remarks during family get togethers - the kind you cannot take back and will haunt you for the rest of your days - watch Home Alone (if that's your thing), I was going to say 'enjoy the weather' but we all know that would be a mean thing to do, watch some footy (again: if that's your thing) and just enjoy yourself.
Yes I will of course be on here, as will you, but I just wanted to express some appreciation. Probably the time of the year, so don't get too soft, I'll be back to my normal grumpy self in no time.
Hoorah! I got to see Home Alone, again!!!!
I'll just bring things down a bit and say just take some time to remember those you won't be able to celebrate Christmas with. It's my tenth without my mum and third without my dad. My sister's kids will be having their 15th Christmas without their mum and my brother won't be seeing his four kids, well three he'll see briefly.
But my parents gave good Christmas and I am endeavouring to carry it on, my sister's kids and my brother are coming over and they will be well fed and watered. Hopefully my dad would have approved of the White and Red Burgundies I'm serving - although I'd converted him to their Californian equivalents - and the Tawny Port. He didn't care for Sauternes though, that's my touch :)
Hopefully I can manage a cheerful face and a Christmas Cracker hat for eight hours before reverting to grumpy type.
Beautiful sentiments. This is Christmas number fifteen for me and sister without mum and forty five without our dad. Poor man, he just didn't get the chance of middle let alone old age and we didn't get to know him as adults. Such a pity as our memories of him fade with the years which pass so quickly now.
I still love Christmas though and today brought one of those unexpected suddenly sobbing events whilst doing something unremarkable in the kitchen. Not a sad type of weeping at all, but more that emotion described so well by Robbie Coltrane as a delicious explosion of realisation. So many thoughts and feelings condensed into a minute or so of release of tension.
We have an extended family of aunts and cousins but thankfully I no longer care that they make little or no effort to keep in touch. It's probably quite obvious to those who read my posts on here why they don't bother. I'm gratefully stuck in a world now past but with the great fortune that I have enough hoarded away from that period to keep me going. The greatest, never to be repeated period in modern music, followed by technology of unfathomable imagination to make it even better, and companies like Fender, Korg et al make buying myself the best Christmas presents I couldn't even have dreamed of when I was young and always skint. A very happy Christmas to you all on BTW. It's a very enjoyable place to visit. Thank you.
On a cheerier note, if you're Glaswegian you always laugh quietly when you hear a wonderful choir singing A Wean In A Manger.
On Christmas Eve I made a six mile journey by car to have a night out with some close friends.
Today, after a sumptuous family Christmas dinner and snooze, the weather was mild, dry and calm so I decided to walk that six miles to pick my car up. It took 1 hour 33 minutes and I took the dog out for an hour when I got home; feel great now. :)
Played a solo acoustic gig at the local (quite swish) Italian restaurant tonight - first set on the ground floor and second set on the first floor.
Went really well, especially as my family who were dining were given a 50% discount, I got a free beer (my first of the evening - at 10pm) and the owner and staff treated me with impeccable hospitality.
Nice way to see out the year. :)
Quote from: Matt2112 on December 31, 2024, 10:28:28 PMPlayed a solo acoustic gig at the local (quite swish) Italian restaurant tonight - first set on the ground floor and second set on the first floor.
Went really well, especially as my family who were dining were given a 50% discount, I got a free beer (my first of the evening - at 10pm) and the owner and staff treated me with impeccable hospitality.
Nice way to see out the year. :)
Red Barchetta? ;D
The decorations are down and away
Quote from: Fishy on January 02, 2025, 03:07:41 PMThe decorations are down and away
Mine too - everywhere is neat and tidy again.
Neil Young has pulled out of Glastonbury because it is "under the control" of the BBC.
He headlined in 2009 but now states, " We were told that the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in."
Quote from: David L on January 03, 2025, 01:18:10 PMNeil Young has pulled out of Glastonbury because it is "under the control" of the BBC.
He headlined in 2009 but now states, " We were told that the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in."
He's playing again...
Quote from: Fishy on January 03, 2025, 01:48:25 PMQuote from: David L on January 03, 2025, 01:18:10 PMNeil Young has pulled out of Glastonbury because it is "under the control" of the BBC.
He headlined in 2009 but now states, " We were told that the BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in."
He's playing again...
+££££££ ;D
Covid test = negative (makes me wonder what I've actually got though; maybe just a nasty strain of flu).
Sleeping seems something like back to normal after three days and nights of none. Have managed to eat a bit. More energy today. Just have developed a sore throat now which is slowly descending into my chest, so hopefully this is the final stage of this hugely frustrating illness.
^ My missus has been ill since Boxing Day. We assume Covid but we have no test kits left. She says it's the worst cold/flu she's ever had - which as we all know is impossible as us men always get it worse. Me, I've been fine though. ;D
Email from E-on saying they are reducing our DD next month.. we're over £300 in credit and jumped on a fixed deal before Xmas.. not quite sure how we're reducing as the bloody heating has been on non stop in dec..
Quote from: Fishy on January 09, 2025, 08:45:56 AMEmail from E-on saying they are reducing our DD next month.. we're over £300 in credit and jumped on a fixed deal before Xmas.. not quite sure how we're reducing as the bloody heating has been on non stop in dec..
Smart Meter?
https://www.energylivenews.com/2024/11/11/smart-meter-issues-cause-billing-problems-in-northern-england-and-scotland/
Made a huge cauldron of soup this morning. A smoked ham joint for the stock, leek, carrot, turnip, celery and parsley. No cereal or lentils this time. Will get some crusty bread in later. Just the job in this sub zero climate.
Married for 28 years today. That's worth a mention.
Quote from: Thenop on January 10, 2025, 06:13:00 PMMarried for 28 years today. That's worth a mention.
You get less for murder ;D
Quote from: pdw1 on January 10, 2025, 06:49:28 PMQuote from: Thenop on January 10, 2025, 06:13:00 PMMarried for 28 years today. That's worth a mention.
You get less for murder ;D
Probably, but I have had so much fun and laughter, and will continue to have for hopefully at least another 28 years.
Quote from: Thenop on January 10, 2025, 06:13:00 PMMarried for 28 years today. That's worth a mention.
I might get to 35 years this year.
But I haven't forgiven her for eating all of the Chocolate Yule Log I bought >:( Didn't even get a sniff of it - and she doesn't even like the ones covered in thick Chocolate ganache!
I'm not usually one for weight gain to make my day, but given I lost a stone in the seven days before today, I'll make an exception; I'm pretty much eating properly again. :)
On the opposite side of the coin me and the wife have been making a concerted effort to lose a bit of weight so been cutting out biscuits crisps booze during the week , snacking etc and neither of us take sugar any more.. been doing pretty well but have plateaued somewhat .. but determined to keep at it...
The boys car insurance came through last week. Same as last year. £4k. Absolutely ridiculous. 5 minutes on comparison sites brings a quote £3k cheaper with a reputable insurer. Still a joke, but still...
Although measured against a low bar, today is the best I've felt since I got ill on New Year's Day.
Managed to do some "normal" things without having any crashes in energy or inclination: a day's proper work online, an hour walking the dog through the snow and ice (mostly ice now), picking up the little 'un etc.
Just need a morning where I don't wake up with a coughing fit and then I'll feel I'm almost over this. :)
Traffic Cops on C5 tonight.
Plenty of action close to me tonight, chasing a van round Whittington which then crashed on Tesco roundabout. A car was pulled up outside Brimington cemetery, where my sister's buried and just over the road from where she lived and just up the road from me. Half expected to see me ride by.
Then scrotes on motorbikes riding up Clowne Greenway where I go riding my gravel bike, but not at nigth.
Off to a Burns night in Glasgow tonight and a phased retirement day tomorrow..then off to Arran on Saturday on the new ferry for the day..
The young 'un being presented with an award at a school assembly this morning - apparently her reading age is three years ahead of expectations; I don't mind taking some of the credit for that. ;)
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 16, 2025, 01:13:11 PMThe young 'un being presented with an award at a school assembly this morning - apparently her reading age is three years ahead of expectations; I don't mind taking some of the credit for that. ;)
Take all the credit you can while you can.
New carpet fitted in the dining room and lounge earlier today. The carpet was so heavy (right through both rooms) I had to help the 2 fitters get it into the area. I've managed to get most things back in and reinstalled all my TV stuff (took 5 hours or so) - still to get my hifi setup yet. I counted 14 things plugged in behind the TV :o :-[ I'm glad to not have to go through all that again for a long, long time and thankfully it stayed dry today so we could dump all the waste outside without it getting soaked.
Mrs S wants new flooring. I don't. I just don't want the hassle of uncoupling all the TV and HiFi bits. The carpet's only 30 years old, I'm sure it'll do another 25...
We are in desperate need of new carpets but until or 2 elderly cats stop shitting and vomiting on them the wallets not opening.Also on the watch list are two young magpies who last year entered through the patio doors and ripped holes in the carpet looking for food.
In the whole of January so far, I've had six pints of - got to say - quality ale.
All of which were this evening.
It think that means I'm possibly getting better... :)
We only have carpets on the stairs, the rest of the house is laminate flooring - except for the kitchen, which has some sort of high-tech industrial tiling that 'er indoors wanted. Very practical.
Hifi and surround system back up and running ;D But, my knees are fucked after all the crawling around. So is my back (again)- I took everything upstairs before the carpet fit and this new amp weighs a ton; I had to be so careful coming back down that my posture was awful. Hopefully back to normal after a few days rest, and some pain killers :(
Log burner installed yesterday.. first try today.. very toasty 😀
Quote from: Fishy on January 26, 2025, 04:22:40 PMLog burner installed yesterday.. first try today.. very toasty 😀
Use it well........before it's banned ;)
Just run out of logs, so for the first time I'm trying a packet of those pressed wood chip heat logs from the supermarket.
Quote from: Nick on January 26, 2025, 06:15:51 PMJust run out of logs, so for the first time I'm trying a packet of those pressed wood chip heat logs from the supermarket.
Thankfully we've just had a delivery of logs today to save us that outcome. We once bought some made from compressed Grape pips, they were awful.
The downside of our log delivery was it involved the sister-in-law coming over. Doesn't do my mental health any good does that :(
Quote from: Nick on January 26, 2025, 06:15:51 PMJust run out of logs, so for the first time I'm trying a packet of those pressed wood chip heat logs from the supermarket.
I've started buying a mix of hardwood logs and compressed briquettes from my firewood supplier. The dense type are really good. Mine come in 10kg packs of 6 logettes. They burn really hot and last longer than logs (well birch anyway). My orders are now more weighted to compressed rather than real logs. Much more convenient to store and handle. They seem to work best for me when I get the temperature up with kindling then smaller logs, then compressed for the rest of the night. I wasn't keen on the supermarket brands that I tried though. A bit low density and didn't last too long but I suppose it all depends on the manufacturer.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 27, 2025, 12:19:43 AMQuote from: Nick on January 26, 2025, 06:15:51 PMJust run out of logs, so for the first time I'm trying a packet of those pressed wood chip heat logs from the supermarket.
I've started buying a mix of hardwood logs and compressed briquettes from my firewood supplier. The dense type are really good. Mine come in 10kg packs of 6 logettes. They burn really hot and last longer than logs (well birch anyway). My orders are now more weighted to compressed rather than real logs. Much more convenient to store and handle. They seem to work best for me when I get the temperature up with kindling then smaller logs, then compressed for the rest of the night. I wasn't keen on the supermarket brands that I tried though. A bit low density and didn't last too long but I suppose it all depends on the manufacturer.
Yeah we got a pack of 6 with the log burner.. they're very good..
We've had a pellet stove installed where the fireplace used to be. Pellets are very cheap and create very little ash so the stove is very easy to clean. Only downside is that it needs electricity so if we had lost power on Friday it wouldn't have worked!
Happy Independence Day to my British friends.
Quote from: Slim on January 31, 2025, 10:36:47 AMHappy Independence Day to my British friends.
That song by Imagination, 'Just An Illusion' has popped into my head
And still we wait for the benefits to be seen...
Quote from: Nick on January 31, 2025, 12:44:46 PMAnd still we wait for the benefits to be seen...
Sorry to hear that.
Goodbye January.. hello February.. bulbs are busting out the ground..
Just mixed a nice GnT to kick off wet Feb. My Bose earbuds broke this morning so replaced them this afternoon with an upgraded model, now air guitaring around the kitchen with some John Sykes catalog while cooking tea.
Just watching Masked Singer, no not out of choice, and thats not making my day, but the bear masked character was giving clues with "Limelight" playing in the background. He said All The World's A Stage too
Quote from: dom on February 01, 2025, 07:31:45 PMJust watching Masked Singer, no not out of choice, and thats not making my day, but the bear masked character was giving clues with "Limelight" playing in the background. He said All The World's A Stage too
Was it Lifeson?
;D No idea, the bear can sing though, could be Canadian perhaps
Quote from: dom on February 01, 2025, 08:22:58 PM;D No idea, the bear can sing though, could be Canadian perhaps
Not geddy then...
Notification of a Tax Refund - and it's for the right amount :)
A few beers n drams out in Glasgow tonight in the Drum n Monkey
Hooray! BT starts to rollback DEI initiatives. They've been absolutely obsessive about this s**t for quite a few years now, perhaps they'll decide to put all their effort into providing telecom networks and improving the dire state of the share price at last.
https://bmmagazine.co.uk/news/bt-scraps-diversity-targets-from-managers-bonuses/
After putting it off for way too long my wife and I eventually sorted out our Lasting Power of Attorneys on line - two each, one for financial and one for health and welfare. Quite straightforward really, just have to get all the signatures/witnesses done now which have to be done in an explicit order. £82 each though, so £328 all in - though I'm sure a solicitor would charge much more. It's a relief to get it done at last :)
Getting out in the garden in the Spring sunshine. Dismantled old bbq, dug over a few beds and even managed to pressure wash the patio. Can feel it now though, aching all over.
Listening to Close to the Edge and hearing Rick's Organ playing reminded me of last Saturday.
Trying to do touristy things in Birmingham, we paid a visit to the Catholic Cathedral. Quite an unprepossessing brick building from the outside, but a triumph of Pugin's neo-Gothic work inside.
The real pleasurable bit though, was somebody was playing the Organ. There's something about a well played Organ that reaches deep into the soul, those deep resonant bass notes. Quite magical.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 07, 2025, 03:12:40 PMListening to Close to the Edge and hearing Rick's Organ playing reminded me of last Saturday.
Trying to do touristy things in Birmingham, we paid a visit to the Catholic Cathedral. Quite an unprepossessing brick building from the outside, but a triumph of Pugin's neo-Gothic work inside.
The real pleasurable bit though, was somebody was playing the Organ. There's something about a well played Organ that reaches deep into the soul, those deep resonant bass notes. Quite magical.
And cue some filth "playing with my organ" jokes.. where's Jonners when u neeed him?
Of course those church organs have large pipes, that helps a lot, especially when played with.
Quote from: Fishy on March 07, 2025, 04:10:30 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 07, 2025, 03:12:40 PMListening to Close to the Edge and hearing Rick's Organ playing reminded me of last Saturday.
Trying to do touristy things in Birmingham, we paid a visit to the Catholic Cathedral. Quite an unprepossessing brick building from the outside, but a triumph of Pugin's neo-Gothic work inside.
The real pleasurable bit though, was somebody was playing the Organ. There's something about a well played Organ that reaches deep into the soul, those deep resonant bass notes. Quite magical.
And cue some filth "playing with my organ" jokes.. where's Jonners when u neeed him?
I was thinking of the 1980 Rick Wakeman tour programme "The Daily Error" where there's a cartoon of Rick walking by a church. The Notice board outside reads "Tonight, Bach's Organ Works", to which Rick thinks "And do does mine..."
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 07, 2025, 06:48:10 PMQuote from: Fishy on March 07, 2025, 04:10:30 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 07, 2025, 03:12:40 PMListening to Close to the Edge and hearing Rick's Organ playing reminded me of last Saturday.
Trying to do touristy things in Birmingham, we paid a visit to the Catholic Cathedral. Quite an unprepossessing brick building from the outside, but a triumph of Pugin's neo-Gothic work inside.
The real pleasurable bit though, was somebody was playing the Organ. There's something about a well played Organ that reaches deep into the soul, those deep resonant bass notes. Quite magical.
And cue some filth "playing with my organ" jokes.. where's Jonners when u neeed him?
I was thinking of the 1980 Rick Wakeman tour programme "The Daily Error" where there's a cartoon of Rick walking by a church. The Notice board outside reads "Tonight, Bach's Organ Works", to which Rick thinks "And do does mine..."
..with a curry on top..
First cut of the grass this year on a lovely warm day
Quote from: Fishy on March 08, 2025, 01:37:14 PMFirst cut of the grass this year on a lovely warm day
Still a sodden, saturated mess here.
No grass here to worry about anymore 8)
Mrs S had her day made on Sunday when she had her picture taken with Mikko Von Hertzen from the Von Hertzen Brothers. She was acting like a 62 year old going on 16. Mikko was good enough to let me retake it after she'd got her eyes closed on the first one.
(https://scontent.fbhx4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/484049746_10161211191540544_8531540794644485915_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=dk8m1XfLU9kQ7kNvgGR2Hxi&_nc_oc=AdgfPNz-gKkBw4UU28QXlZf7gvbI1SXJ6bASHy1tXSl9KLm3Le24rUao2NThstaiG4a9mMHMYFeFuhiEhL3erGwn&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx4-2.fna&_nc_gid=AMrTPSIocHFhzAWl5k4Ygaq&oh=00_AYH94PmwZGY-75EteTAozLyloNNYRWXCTZewyuDk80iNmg&oe=67D5D48C)
Happy that the newspaper I subscribe to online (Dutch NRC), now gives me a years' free access to the New York Times. Full access, online including the app. I like that.
Had a clear out of guitars I'm simply not good enough to own over the last 6 months.
I had a hankering for another semi and dropped on this last night.
£300 with a hard case, got it home string change and a clean / polish and it sounds lovely.
Happy garçon ici
I tried to attach a photo but it's too large.
(It's an Epiphone 335 in cherry red)
Off to Arran for a couple of days.. and Madrid booked for mid May for 4 days..
Quote from: Pricey on March 14, 2025, 05:13:03 PMHad a clear out of guitars I'm simply not good enough to own over the last 6 months.
I had a hankering for another semi and dropped on this last night.
£300 with a hard case, got it home string change and a clean / polish and it sounds lovely.
Happy garçon ici
I tried to attach a photo but it's too large.
(It's an Epiphone 335 in cherry red)
Very nice. There's a guide to using photos in posts here (http://betweenthewheels.net/index.php?topic=59.0).
Finished a jigsaw puzzle I started on Christmas Day.
(https://i.ibb.co/zhGKb6q2/tubejigsaw.jpg)
I've done this one once before. It has three phases - first, getting the edge pieces and the pieces with some detail on them in place. That's fun. Then there's a brutal phase when there are about 400 blank pieces left. That's really tedious, and the main reason it took me so long. I took very long breaks from it (weeks sometimes).
Then when you're down to about 150 blank pieces left and it doesn't take hours to find the piece you're looking for, it's fun again.
Years since I've done a jigsaw. Used to have one of Concorde's cockpit. Endless pieces with a little knobs on them. It was fun.
Natalie Cassidy on Saturday Kitchen Live. "That's what makes me so down to Earth". ;D ;D ;D
My son's wedding yesterday - a great time had by all. It rained a bit later in the afternoon, but didn't affect things too much. I'm still suffering with a bit of a hangover. ;D
My mums 80th today. So a nice Italian meal with the family.
Missed the football and cycling but I guess some things are more important.
Quote from: Thenop on March 30, 2025, 08:24:39 PMMy mums 80th today. So a nice Italian meal with the family.
Missed the football and cycling but I guess some things are more important.
It was my Dad's 91st on Saturday. We all met up for lunch on the Sunday. Not a cloud in the sky.
Quote from: Slim on March 20, 2025, 11:52:50 AMFinished a jigsaw puzzle I started on Christmas Day.
(https://i.ibb.co/zhGKb6q2/tubejigsaw.jpg)
I've done this one once before. It has three phases - first, getting the edge pieces and the pieces with some detail on them in place. That's fun. Then there's a brutal phase when there are about 400 blank pieces left. That's really tedious, and the main reason it took me so long. I took very long breaks from it (weeks sometimes).
Then when you're down to about 150 blank pieces left and it doesn't take hours to find the piece you're looking for, it's fun again.
I'm much more patient now than when I was younger, but I still don't think I could tackle something like this. I've actually never done a jigsaw. My neighbour lent me a couple between lockdowns. They were the type where you're given a scene and you have to complete the puzzle for what happened next. They remained in the box.
Given the date... having a chuckle at Slim's TNMS April Fool..from years ago😁
Quote from: Fishy on April 01, 2025, 09:24:53 AMGiven the date... having a chuckle at Slim's TNMS April Fool..from years ago😁
That must be getting on for 20 years now! Bloody hell time goes so fast!
Quote from: dom on April 01, 2025, 10:16:57 AMQuote from: Fishy on April 01, 2025, 09:24:53 AMGiven the date... having a chuckle at Slim's TNMS April Fool..from years ago😁
That must be getting on for 20 years now! Bloody hell time goes so fast!
I would guess 2004...
I think it was 2004. Touched that people remember it.
NHS pension lump sum has just hit the bank..
Quote from: Fishy on April 03, 2025, 08:41:47 AMNHS pension lump sum has just hit the bank..
Still some decent cash saver rates to be found - up to 4.75%
BT share price rises over 4% in a falling market - thanks Donald!
My yearly dental check up.. 18 months since the last one.. all good..
55 times round the sun today. My absolute favourite way to celebrate: I took the afternoon off to sit in the..sun!
Trip up the coast to Beaumaris on Anglesey yesterday. Ending with a chippy tea coast-side on the way back at Rhos-On-Sea.
Splendid.
A week in Arran and the weather looks bloody great
Yesterday it was my niece's wedding. Lovely day for it.
She's done well, it was a bittersweet occasion as her mum - my sister - died 15 years ago. My niece has since qualified as a Doctor and did a stint working at Sheffield sexual health clinic - apparently she once had to treat the Best Man.
Pity I had to put her in the shade by being much better dressed, but I can't help it. Pity I don't have drinking boots any more, I'm feeling well groggy today.
Forgot that on Tuesday I finally made it Upminster Underground station :)
It's a Slikk family joke from the time when as kids we were in London with our mum and this was in the days of ticket offices and real tickets on the Underground. She asked for tickets to Westminster but was sold tickets to Upminster because Mr Ticketman couldn't understand her Northern accent :o
She thought they were a bit expensive for a couple of stops, but of course Upminster is the terminus for the District line. Luckily we got them changed, but, for my dear old mum I finally got to Upminster :)
My wife and I watched that Stacey Dooley documentary last week about shop lifters. The pandering around these pratts who did some "pinching" was shown in the typical Dooley fashion as they tried to justify their unlawful ways. Annoyed as we both were by this my wife decided to write an email to TV Choice magazine of all places. Today she received an email telling her they are going to publish it in next weeks issue. And get this they want our address to send a cheque - for a whopping £5 (or £10 if it's the star letter) - woohoo.
If you haven't watched this documentary btw, I wouldn't recommend as it'll only infuriate.
Finally, after 12 and a half weeks, the scab on my right arm from when I fell off my bike has fallen off :)
Having out first bbq of the year. Sat in the garden on a beautiful sunny day drinking the best beer in the world (Keo).
Quote from: pxr5 on April 30, 2025, 05:11:08 PMHaving out first bbq of the year. Sat in the garden on a beautiful sunny day drinking the best beer in the world (Keo).
I'd never heard of Keo beer. Just looked it up and it appears to meet my criteria. Must try to find some.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on April 30, 2025, 07:11:23 PMQuote from: pxr5 on April 30, 2025, 05:11:08 PMHaving out first bbq of the year. Sat in the garden on a beautiful sunny day drinking the best beer in the world (Keo).
I'd never heard of Keo beer. Just looked it up and it appears to meet my criteria. Must try to find some.
It's from Cyprus. Morrisons sell it and sometimes on a 3 for ££ deal.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on April 30, 2025, 07:11:23 PMQuote from: pxr5 on April 30, 2025, 05:11:08 PMHaving out first bbq of the year. Sat in the garden on a beautiful sunny day drinking the best beer in the world (Keo).
I'd never heard of Keo beer. Just looked it up and it appears to meet my criteria. Must try to find some.
I highly recommend it, especially on a warm/hot day - I had gallons of the stuff on holiday in Paphos last August.
This woman lost her job after a video in which she asserted that "white people are inferior" went viral. She'll probably be presenting BBC Sport next week.
A British woman is 115 years old. She was 9 when WW1 ended
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0zxzpdd4o
Quote from: Slim on May 01, 2025, 10:08:28 PMA British woman is 115 years old. She was 9 when WW1 ended
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0zxzpdd4o
Apparently a child born in 2012 has a 33% chance of living to see 2112. So mine has a fair chance of still being around then. :o
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 01, 2025, 10:38:17 PMQuote from: Slim on May 01, 2025, 10:08:28 PMA British woman is 115 years old. She was 9 when WW1 ended
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0zxzpdd4o
Apparently a child born in 2012 has a 33% chance of living to see 2112. So mine has a fair chance of still being around then. :o
I hope she's not too keen on music ;)
"Prince" Harry has lost an appeal to sponge off tax-payers to fund his security for his self-promotion visits to the U.K.
Quote from: David L on May 02, 2025, 07:57:15 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on May 01, 2025, 10:38:17 PMQuote from: Slim on May 01, 2025, 10:08:28 PMA British woman is 115 years old. She was 9 when WW1 ended
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy0zxzpdd4o
Apparently a child born in 2012 has a 33% chance of living to see 2112. So mine has a fair chance of still being around then. :o
I hope she's not too keen on music ;)
The 2112 storyline might be quite relevant by that time given the way the UK is heading. Rock music might be one of the first on the banned list as our culture reshapes.
Off to the Lodge on the loch @ Loch Lomond for an over nighter with friends.. and it's a glorious day..
These two each received a new CR2016 today so I thought a pic was in order. I bought one exactly like the green one in 1997. I sold it about ten years ago, but I missed it so bought this pair from eBay a couple of years later.
It's an uncomfortable feeling setting the year .. watching it flick through from 95 to 25. All those years .. all gone
(https://i.ibb.co/TxrWYg0J/casiopair.jpg)
The local primary school's VE Day commemoration. I must say they've done a fine job educating the kids about this and WWII in general - great to see Union Jack bunting everywhere, a scarecrow scene from the recent village bank holiday festival depicting an air raid shelter and soldiers gathered around another large and prominent U.K. flag at the entrance to the school grounds.
The children and staff were encouraged to dress in the fashion of the 1940s or in red, white and blue; lunch was taken as a communal picnic sitting round tables in the playgrounds to mimic the celebrations marking the end of the war.
Great stuff.
Those two cunts found guilty of cutting down the sycamore gap tree
Taking a trip to Mold to try out a new coffee shop, "Cracked Coffee House" 47 High Street.
Cracking coffee - they do their own roasting. Delighted to find they do filter. Most coffee shops only do espresso based drinks.
Sian had a cappuccino and I had a delicious filter made from freshly ground beans - from Peru.
Oh and a couple of huge croissants between us.
Very busy today as it their opening day and coffee is free.
Recommended if you are in the area.
In Madrid for 4 days..
Quote from: Nick on May 16, 2025, 06:46:47 PMQuote from: Fishy on May 16, 2025, 09:25:37 AMIn Madrid for 4 days..
Never been , how is it?
It's great.. lovely city.. and a ton of places to eat n drink.
Lived in Madrid for a couple of years in the early 90s and absolutely loved my time there. Also spent a year in Barcelona which is probably the more attractive city but I'd chose Madrid over it's Catalan cousin every time.
Gary Lineker.. yeah fuck off mate.. not sure why it's considered news..
Quote from: Fishy on May 20, 2025, 07:51:03 AMGary Lineker.. yeah fuck off mate.. not sure why it's considered news..
Because we've all been forced to pay his extortionate salary :-\
I was setting up my car insurance for our new car yesterday. I used Comparethemarket as usual and went through all the vehicle and personal information as normal. I selected one of the quotes and went to the Provider where I then went through any extras (Legal, Protected No Claims, Breakdown etc.). I was just about to pull the trigger to continue and pay when my phone rang regarding another matter. As I was talking I was just idly scrolling up and down the insurance options that were listed on the provider's site.
It was then I noticed that both my wife's and my own Driving Licence dates were listed as May 2000. I came off the phone and had a closer look. Going back to Comparethemarket, the part where it asks about how long you've had your licence, the furthest back it allows you to go is +25 years - which then passes to the provider's site as May 2000. Back on the provider site I changed my DL date to the 1980s (when I passed my test). And, blow me, it took £15 off the quote.
I then changed my wife's to the same and again it took another £15 off. So a total saving of £30. I haven't tried it on another comparison site, but I'm sure they'll all be the same. So if you passed your test more than 25 years ago, just make sure you put the real date on the insurance providers' site.
New car picked up this morning :) Time to play with all the fun tech:
(https://i.imgur.com/VjwAHuf.jpeg)
(https://i.ibb.co/kzLWjf3/pinkplane.png)
^ Haha, oh if it were true lol
Some of the Court Line liveries in the 70s were similar.
An enemy of society defeated at the French Open. Fingers crossed he never wins another slam.
Quote from: Slim on June 07, 2025, 02:10:27 PMAn enemy of society defeated at the French Open. Fingers crossed he never wins another slam.
;D ;D ;D
Todd Rundgren playing the London palladium in Oct.. I'm there..
Upgraded my mobile account to 20G a month of data. Was 2G previously. Free data roaming really improves a holiday.
Playing chess online with a mate who is on holiday in Turkey
Football player and former Dutch team winger Quincy Promes is being extradited to the Netherlands. He was in Dubai, and had played in Russia for years after leaving Ajax when it became apparent he would be indicted for importing a lot or cocaine and, wait for it, stabbing his nephew in the knee at a family event.
Why does this make my day? Well, criminals like this with enough money think they outrun the law so this feels like a comfort. And two weeks ago he asked whether he could come back to the Netherlands and await his appeal case in freedom.
Of course not you idiot, you have been sentenced to 7,5 years imprisonment.
Finally getting what he deserves, no one is above the law.
Quote from: Thenop on June 20, 2025, 02:24:51 PMFootball player and former Dutch team winger Quincy Promes is being extradited to the Netherlands. He was in Dubai, and had played in Russia for years after leaving Ajax when it became apparent he would be indicted for importing a lot or cocaine and, wait for it, stabbing his nephew in the knee at a family event.
Why does this make my day? Well, criminals like this with enough money think they outrun the law so this feels like a comfort. And two weeks ago he asked whether he could come back to the Netherlands and await his appeal case in freedom.
Of course not you idiot, you have been sentenced to 7,5 years imprisonment.
Finally getting what he deserves, no one is above the law.
Wish that were the case in the UK
Sitting in the garden just now listening to the Sex Pistols live at Bellahouston Park. It's 11.1 miles away from my home as the crow flies, but the air is so still and humid the drums, bass and some vocals are surprisingly clear. Just heard My Way followed by Anarchy In The UK. Regular interruptions courtesy of EasyJet and others at 2000 feet overhead.
Turns out Anarchy was the final song in the setlist. I retreated indoors about halfway through it due to midge attack, but the dogs barked loudly a couple of minutes later so I'm assuming there was a firework finalé.
Sting tonight from 11.1 miles. Haven't recognised any songs as yet. Not quite as loud as the Sex Pistols the other night, but some vocals audible. Another fairly calm night weather wise so sound is carrying quite well. I was hoping the bass would be clearer as I like his playing.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 25, 2025, 09:44:11 PMSting tonight from 11.1 miles. Haven't recognised any songs as yet. Not quite as loud as the Sex Pistols the other night, but some vocals audible. Another fairly calm night weather wise so sound is carrying quite well. I was hoping the bass would be clearer as I like his playing.
Sting can certainly knock out the odd decent tune I have to say..
Quote from: Fishy on June 25, 2025, 10:50:43 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 25, 2025, 09:44:11 PMSting tonight from 11.1 miles. Haven't recognised any songs as yet. Not quite as loud as the Sex Pistols the other night, but some vocals audible. Another fairly calm night weather wise so sound is carrying quite well. I was hoping the bass would be clearer as I like his playing.
Sting can certainly knock out the odd decent tune I have to say..
Yeah, always liked the Police. Found the similarities with another famous three piece quite interesting. Great drummer and guitarist, and a singing bass player with a high register voice.
He wrote some brilliant songs. What's often forgotten is that The Police was Stewart Copeland's band originally, he wrote their first single and even plays most of the guitar on it. Their first guitar player couldn't quite cut it in the studio.
Quote from: Slim on June 26, 2025, 05:29:26 PMHe wrote some brilliant songs. What's often forgotten is that The Police was Stewart Copeland's band originally, he wrote their first single and even plays most of the guitar on it. Their first guitar player couldn't quite cut it in the studio.
I love Copeland, he is such a great storyteller and of course drummer extraordinaire.. you can find him on Drumeo as well. The way he talks about Sting always cracks me up (Sting-o) and how they kept on getting in each others hair.
Even though I like most of The Police's output I find Sting to have such a massive ego. Not quite in your face like Gene Simmons but it's definitely there
Quote from: dom on June 27, 2025, 10:29:30 AMEven though I like most of The Police's output I find Sting to have such a massive ego. Not quite in your face like Gene Simmons but it's definitely there
Yes, quite enigmatic. Probably not the kind of person you'd say hello to at an airport. Mind you, I doubt I'd ever bump into him as it'll be VIP lounges for him at the very least. I think that's what makes these individuals interesting to listen to. I like Gene Simmons' interviews. He's such an arrogant git but somehow carries that off so well, to the point it's almost endearing.
Just heard the growl of a piston engine overhead, looked up and saw a Spitfire!
Tracking it on Planefinder now, it's this one:
(https://i.ibb.co/tPDztyrn/spitxix.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/ksqj3nkL/pm631.png)
Bought a new computer on Friday as well as some music studio bits and pieces. The last two days have been a bit of an enjoyable slog getting the various items to talk to each other, so decided to have a day off today. My limited technical knowledge mind is enjoying the rest.
Royal train to be cut in Palace cost-saving measure https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce377nr5r43o
Oh well done. Just how will you bunch of hangers on ever get around..
Quote from: Fishy on July 01, 2025, 07:50:40 AMRoyal train to be cut in Palace cost-saving measure https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce377nr5r43o
Oh well done. Just how will you bunch of hangers on ever get around..
They'll just use a helicopter instead. ::)
Quote from: Matt2112 on July 01, 2025, 10:10:49 AMQuote from: Fishy on July 01, 2025, 07:50:40 AMRoyal train to be cut in Palace cost-saving measure https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce377nr5r43o
Oh well done. Just how will you bunch of hangers on ever get around..
They'll just use a helicopter instead. ::)
Of yes .. they are cheap as chips of course.
Somehow forgot to bring a USB cable for my phone to Wales, but found a rather natty purple one in the Poundshop in Tenby. £1.50.
Quote from: Slim on July 11, 2025, 06:16:38 PMSomehow forgot to bring a USB cable for my phone to Wales, but found a rather natty purple one in the Poundshop in Tenby. £1.50.
Wait, Welsh connectors can actually be understood by other machinery? What a time to be alive!
Quote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 06:24:01 PMQuote from: Slim on July 11, 2025, 06:16:38 PMSomehow forgot to bring a USB cable for my phone to Wales, but found a rather natty purple one in the Poundshop in Tenby. £1.50.
Wait, Welsh connectors can actually be understood by other machinery? What a time to be alive!
he's not said it works yet...
My day has been made by actually seeing myself on Steve Hackett's new Albert Hall release. Not been to many filmed concerts, but this is the first time I've made a proper appearance, it's at 1:01:07 FWIW
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 06:47:11 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 06:24:01 PMQuote from: Slim on July 11, 2025, 06:16:38 PMSomehow forgot to bring a USB cable for my phone to Wales, but found a rather natty purple one in the Poundshop in Tenby. £1.50.
Wait, Welsh connectors can actually be understood by other machinery? What a time to be alive!
he's not said it works yet...
My day has been made by actually seeing myself on Steve Hackett's new Albert Hall release. Not been to many filmed concerts, but this is the first time I've made a proper appearance, it's at 1:01:07 FWIW
The bloke with CoS on his head?
Quote from: Fishy on July 11, 2025, 08:30:05 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 06:47:11 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 06:24:01 PMQuote from: Slim on July 11, 2025, 06:16:38 PMSomehow forgot to bring a USB cable for my phone to Wales, but found a rather natty purple one in the Poundshop in Tenby. £1.50.
Wait, Welsh connectors can actually be understood by other machinery? What a time to be alive!
he's not said it works yet...
My day has been made by actually seeing myself on Steve Hackett's new Albert Hall release. Not been to many filmed concerts, but this is the first time I've made a proper appearance, it's at 1:01:07 FWIW
The bloke with CoS on his head?
It was FbN that night, got to dress up for the Royal Albert Hall...
One of the upstairs rooms had a horrible, many times emulsioned, anaglypta ceiling. I've been putting off doing something about it for years.
Yesterday I started to strip wallpaper from the walls. Horrible, slow, mind numbingly boring work. Rather than continue with it today, something told me to have a go at the ceiling. I caught a loose corner inside a high cupboard and began to tease the strip off.
To my amazement and delight the entire strip started to fall from the ceiling with hardly any effort. The next row, same thing. Same with the next. I stripped the entire ceiling of about 16 square metres in less than five minutes. I'm still hoping that I'm not asleep just now having dreamt the entire episode.
I was pottering about on Arturia Analog Lab today and found an arpeggiated sound that I liked. I messed around with it for a while and came up with a rough version of a verse to a song. Alfie, my sister's dog was lying at the front door, bored because the Emirates flight had already passed, but he started to sing. I was really surprised. Until now he's only ever reacted to the harmonica, but he gave it laldy to the synth sound. BGT beckons I think.
Had a wonderful day today.
This weekend is the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford, Glos. Me and the wife are quite into aircraft but never attend the show as the tickets are quite expensive and the traffic is usually an absolute nightmare over RIAT weekend. So we decided to cycle out to Fairford to try and catch some of the planes practising their displays for the show tomorrow. Never done it before so no real expectations.
The ride over is around 18 or so miles from Witney so I guessed we would take around 90 mins on the MTBs. We took some lunch in rucksacks and set off around 11:00am. We took quiet roads as much as possible and in exactly one and a half hours we found ourselves at the western end of the runway. At the time an F-16 was doing it's thing and I was amazed at what a great view we had of its display routine, very close.......and very loud! Of course the area was, unsurprisingly, packed with plane spotters with cameras equipped with huge lenses.
We spent three hours in our prime spot and enjoyed display run-throughs by a number of aircraft including a brace of Spitfires, Red Arrows, F-18, F-35 and a few helicopters too. All for nowt!
Our ride home included a stop at The Swan, Southrup, The Mason's Arms, Clanfield and our favourite Witney watering hole, The Crafty Pint.
Our total mileage was bang on 40 miles, which brings us to over 100 miles this week (mostly on road bikes). A great day. It sure beats working!
"You wouldn't be able to tell which of my daughters is trans" - Jamie Lee Curtis
(https://i.ibb.co/dvSFdXb/jamieleecurtisd.jpg)
Quote from: Slim on July 20, 2025, 10:03:36 PM"You wouldn't be able to tell which of my daughters is trans" - Jamie Lee Curtis
(https://i.ibb.co/dvSFdXb/jamieleecurtisd.jpg)
F***k me, deluded or what?
^ lol. Which one looks most like Tony Curtis in a wig? Hmm, let me think. In saying that he actually looked good as a women in Some Like it Hot lol.
Quote from: pxr5 on July 21, 2025, 10:07:20 AM^ lol. Which one looks most like Tony Curtis in a wig? Hmm, let me think. In saying that he actually looked good as a women in Some Like it Hot lol.
Tony Curtis made a much better job at it anyway
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/31/article-0-04EF33A60000044D-996_306x423.jpg)
Quote from: dom on July 21, 2025, 03:53:29 PMQuote from: pxr5 on July 21, 2025, 10:07:20 AM^ lol. Which one looks most like Tony Curtis in a wig? Hmm, let me think. In saying that he actually looked good as a women in Some Like it Hot lol.
Tony Curtis made a much better job at it anyway
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/31/article-0-04EF33A60000044D-996_306x423.jpg)
Unlike his grandson, he started off pretty ;D
Squeeze tonight at The Piece Hall - a gig I uhmmed and aaahd about originally but when a seat came up in the 11th row I went for it.
Glad I did - they were terrific and Glenn Tilbrook is a class act.
Full review will be in the Gigs thread, along with the other two I need to catch up on (Simple Minds and Human League).
I never saw Squeeze though I've been a fan since 1984. I saw Glenn's solo act - I think it was just artist + acoustic guitar - at Canary Wharf about 26 years ago. Very handy, just a two minute walk from my place of work. He kept making jokes about how old he was.
Never seen Squeeze and have no desire to.
I have seen Glenn Tilbrook's solo act, just him and his guitar in Chesterfield many years ago. He came and stood on our table for a bit, stood on everyone's table. Was surprisingly enjoyable.
Quote from: Matt2112 on August 01, 2025, 11:25:54 PMSqueeze tonight at The Piece Hall - a gig I uhmmed and aaahd about originally but when a seat came up in the 11th row I went for it.
Glad I did - they were terrific and Glenn Tilbrook is a class act.
Full review will be in the Gigs thread, along with the other two I need to catch up on (Simple Minds and Human League).
I always liked Squeeze. They were the acceptable face of pop to those who attended discos and begged the DJ all night to play something heavy, although even a token song rarely happened. Maybe the odd Quo single, but Squeeze and a couple of other bands managed to get a few Wrangler jackets on the dance floor.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 02, 2025, 11:13:01 AMNever seen Squeeze and have no desire to.
I have seen Glenn Tilbrook's solo act, just him and his guitar in Chesterfield many years ago. He came and stood on our table for a bit, stood on everyone's table. Was surprisingly enjoyable.
Is standing on a table a Sassenach description of standing at, or did he literally stand on them like at Oktoberfest?
Cracking day out in Glasgow today..
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 02, 2025, 03:36:04 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 02, 2025, 11:13:01 AMNever seen Squeeze and have no desire to.
I have seen Glenn Tilbrook's solo act, just him and his guitar in Chesterfield many years ago. He came and stood on our table for a bit, stood on everyone's table. Was surprisingly enjoyable.
Is standing on a table a Sassenach description of standing at, or did he literally stand on them like at Oktoberfest?
He literally stood on it. He walked round the room from table to table. This was in pre mobile phone days so unfortunately I can only supply my memory.
Just euthanised a wasp that had got into the house with my tennis racket-shaped electrocutor. Very easy. Probably very quick. There was a certain whiff of burning insect, but that probably occurred post-mortem.
Quote from: Slim on August 03, 2025, 04:34:33 PMJust euthanised a wasp that had got into the house with my tennis racket-shaped electrocutor. Very easy. Probably very quick. There was a certain whiff of burning insect, but that probably occurred post-mortem.
That's impressive. Must be Taser quality. I usually find with mine a bluebottle needs two or three zaps. I hate that smell.
Quote from: Slim on August 03, 2025, 04:34:33 PMJust euthanised a wasp that had got into the house with my tennis racket-shaped electrocutor. Very easy. Probably very quick. There was a certain whiff of burning insect, but that probably occurred post-mortem.
Wasps are cunts...
Strong eye candy game from the University of Warwick on University Challenge last night.
(https://i.ibb.co/4R21KL00/manceyecandy.webp)
Landed in Majorca.. it's baking hot..
I was originally going to post in the Annoyance thread, as a couple of days of mild to moderate 'trots' seemed to have timed itself impeccably for start of my jollies; but things weirdly settled considerably as soon as I started driving to the airport, almost as if my formerly frequent visits to the crapper were stress-related. :)
Chris Martin has played a gig at The Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge, about 4 miles from where I live.
Fortunately, I'm 1,866 miles away on a sun-blessed Greek island.
Quote from: Matt2112 on August 15, 2025, 09:06:26 AMChris Martin has played a gig at The Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge, about 4 miles from where I live.
At the start of Look North tonight I saw a clip of a bloke who couldn't sing plonking away on a Piano. Why's this news? I thought. Then I remembered this. :(
A boat trip from Rhodes Town to Symi Island and back, which came within realistic shouting distance of the (stunning) south coast of Turkey.
Nigh-on perfect from start to finish.
As nice as Majorca is.. it's always nice to get home.. that's tomorrow👍
Got 10 questions right on University Challenge, a new personal best.
Quote from: Slim on August 18, 2025, 11:06:21 PMGot 10 questions right on University Challenge, a new personal best.
Great, but was there any Top Totty?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 19, 2025, 09:58:25 AMQuote from: Slim on August 18, 2025, 11:06:21 PMGot 10 questions right on University Challenge, a new personal best.
Great, but was there any Top Totty?
I'd say Bristol University's Miss Connolly was the strongest contender. I have nothing more to say about that.
(https://i.ibb.co/LhtJ6WXV/connolly.webp)
Sitting by the canal at a pub at Barrow on Soar, heard what sounded suspiciously like a WW2-vintage piston engine, looked up, Spitfire!
Checked Planefinder, it was the Rolls-Royce Spitfire.
I first saw the "RR Spit" in 1990 when it overflew our premises at Raynesway. Unfortunately that one was destroyed in a crash at an air show two years later. The one I saw today was acquired by the company in 1996.
My last day of this particular Greek Odyssey, so I've gone "all out" speaking "sta Hellinika" to the local staff and natives and the praise I've received for my "good accent", to quote one example, is genuinely thrilling and gratifying. :)
Got a new powered roller garage door fitted yesterday. As we were sorting the garage out I decided the whole thing needs doing, so: get the floor self-levelled, get some decent flooring down, paint all of the inside and get new lights and sockets. Of course to do all that I needed to clear it out. I've spent the last few days sorting and chucking - so much shit after years of dumping. Anyway it's now empty (after a few tip runs) and what was left I managed to squeeze it all into a 7x5 garden shed, which includes all of my car detailing kit. I'm fucked now of course. Next - give it a good clean, then floor, walls and power/lights, then some new racking.
Nice day today, 'er indoors and I went to Ashbourne. Not long after we got there we decided to have a walk along the Tissington Trail which is a disused railway line repurposed as a trail for gravel bikes and hikers. We got as far as Thorpe, a bit more than 4km away. Had lunch and a drink there. Walked back. Lovely warm sunny day. Had a drink in Melbourne on the way home as well.
On the way back into Ashbourne we walked through the old train tunnel there.
(https://i.ibb.co/Y4KtxGrm/ashbournetunnel.webp)
P&O Ferries boss who sacked 800 staff quits https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrk8j81km2o
A cunt for sure.. bye bye..
Jusr closed down for summer holidays, but late I know, and it's not like I am going to be doing a lot but to be off work all together is nice. Time as well, many people got to me this past week. Time to kick back now.
Relaxing by a pool in Dubai. Last here about 20 years ago, certainly changed a bit. Quite amazing in parts. Not sure if I would come on holiday here though, plus it's like an oven.
University College London has an online Modern Greek course starting next month with weekly two-hour lessons over ten weeks.
I submitted my interest a couple of weeks ago and this afternoon one of the teachers called me to evaluate from which level I should begin the course.
Basically there are six levels, Level 1 being "Beginner" and Level 6 being "Proficient" (which I take to mean as pretty much "Fluent").
Turns out I would start at Level 2 - Lower Intermediate, which considering I'm self-taught I'm pretty happy about! :D
Iron Maiden on BBC2.
Quote from: Matt2112 on September 14, 2025, 07:56:39 PMQuote from: Thenop on September 14, 2025, 03:33:23 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on September 13, 2025, 10:12:49 PMIron Maiden on BBC2.
What was it they aired then?
If BBC iplayer is anything to go by it's the Flight 666 tour film.
I can verify that is correct.
I caught the last five minutes of it.
Just had old mahogany floors sanded and sealed in two upstairs bedrooms this week. They were old dance floors reclaimed in the 1950s when materials were still scarce after the war. They have always been carpeted and I wondered over the years what they would clean up like.
The result is quite amazing. Another unexpected feature which won't last for long is the natural reverb in one of the rooms. As it doesn't have fitted cupboards like the other room, with plastered walls and no curtains, the way it plays with sound is startling. Even flicking the light switch goes on and on, and the slightest whisper is incredible. I wish I had the space to keep it like this as it would be great fun to record certain things in. If only I had a twelve string acoustic. I think it would be fantastic. (Edit: If someone else played it).
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on September 17, 2025, 12:30:46 PMJust had old mahogany floors sanded and sealed in two upstairs bedrooms this week. They were old dance floors reclaimed in the 1950s when materials were still scarce after the war. They have always been carpeted and I wondered over the years what they would clean up like.
The result is quite amazing. Another unexpected feature which won't last for long is the natural reverb in one of the rooms. As it doesn't have fitted cupboards like the other room, with plastered walls and no curtains, the way it plays with sound is startling. Even flicking the light switch goes on and on, and the slightest whisper is incredible. I wish I had the space to keep it like this as it would be great fun to record certain things in. If only I had a twelve string acoustic. I think it would be fantastic. (Edit: If someone else played it).
What I get from this, is that it is a fantastic excuse to get a 12 string acoustic.
First time I have ordered from Amazon (8am)and received my purchase on the same day (8pm). Amazing.
Quote from: Nick on October 04, 2025, 08:51:22 PMFirst time I have ordered from Amazon (8am)and received my purchase on the same day (8pm). Amazing.
I've had a very good experience with Amazon too lately. I ordered a copy of Springsteen's Nebraska on vinyl for £22.07 delivered to the BP garage up the road. I would normally opt to get it delivered to the Amazon locker in the same location but Amazon told me all the nearby lockers were full. This is the first time I've chosen for a package to be sent to the garage itself.
After receiving an email to tell me that the order had been cancelled and I would get a refund, I was sent another to tell me it was out for delivery. After logging into my orders on the Amazon site, I discovered the refund was given because the delivery was late. I've now been informed it is ready for collection. The refund has been processed so the record is free courtesy of Amazon!
Hamit Coskun, who burned a Koran in a protest outside the Turkish Embassy, during which he was attacked with a knife by an Islamist, has had his conviction for "religiously motivated harassment, alarm or distress" overturned on appeal.
Apart from true justice being served, that's a very welcome and encouraging slamming shut of a blasphemy back door on this occasion.
Put on the out of office for a long weekend away. Leaving tomorrow afternoon, returning on Monday. Even though I am still not walking as I should, we are going to the other side of the country for some real fresh air in the woods. The wife's birthday on Saturday as well, an excellent opportunity to avoid visitors.
I cut my grass today.. that's it for 2025
Prince Andrew.. ha ha..
What Prince Andrew's titles loss means for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2p7xzz4lvo
Oh dear how sad never mind.. fuck 'em
Quote from: Fishy on October 18, 2025, 10:35:15 PMWhat Prince Andrew's titles loss means for Sarah Ferguson, Beatrice and Eugenie https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2p7xzz4lvo
Oh dear how sad never mind.. fuck 'em
No legal issues there - all three are well over the age of consent
Graham Linehan will face no further action from police after his ludicrous detainment at Heathrow airport last month for piss-taking tweets.
He intends to sue the police for wrongful arrest - I hope he takes them to the cleaners.
I suppose that fact that getting through to this afternoon means I've achieved 35 years of married life - and more importantly, so's the wife...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 20, 2025, 09:48:22 PMI suppose that fact that getting through to this afternoon means I've achieved 35 years of married life - and more importantly, so's the wife...
Congrats - so she has not buried you under the patio yet
Quote from: pdw1 on October 22, 2025, 08:37:43 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 20, 2025, 09:48:22 PMI suppose that fact that getting through to this afternoon means I've achieved 35 years of married life - and more importantly, so's the wife...
Congrats - so she has not buried you under the patio yet
Thanks - and I haven't done the same to her...
Quote from: pdw1 on October 22, 2025, 08:37:43 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 20, 2025, 09:48:22 PMI suppose that fact that getting through to this afternoon means I've achieved 35 years of married life - and more importantly, so's the wife...
Congrats - so she has not buried you under the patio yet
Nah! His debit card must still be good for another couple of Michelin slap-ups.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on October 22, 2025, 09:45:13 PMQuote from: pdw1 on October 22, 2025, 08:37:43 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 20, 2025, 09:48:22 PMI suppose that fact that getting through to this afternoon means I've achieved 35 years of married life - and more importantly, so's the wife...
Congrats - so she has not buried you under the patio yet
Nah! His debit card must still be good for another couple of Michelin slap-ups.
I don't know, it's making funny "sizzling" noises when I use it now...
Off on our London jaunt to see Todd R😀
US entertainment giant Disney cancel £10m/episode Dr Who(ke). I'm going to assume that the BBC will be among the last to learn the lesson.
Despite being told my knee replacement wouldn't be until Autumn next year, I've just had a call to tell me it will be 13 December this year. It means driving to Shropshire and back a couple of times beforehand and as the op is at 0730 I'll have to book a hotel there the night before. So not a bad wait in the end. I'll be laid up over Xmas though - which could turn out to be a good thing ;D
Visited Battersea Power Station yesterday.. amazing what they've done to it.. and the chimney lift was great👍
The Andrew formerly known as Prince.
Mr Mountbatten Windsor. That's amazing. Can't deny I'm delighted, as one who'd like to see these ridiculous titles removed from every last one of these entitled clowns but I must admit, Andrew is a special level of loathsome.
7 correct answers whilst watching Monday's University Challenge on catch up.
Quote from: Slim on October 30, 2025, 07:42:51 PMThe Andrew formerly known as Prince.
Mr Mountbatten Windsor. That's amazing. Can't deny I'm delighted, as one who'd like to see these ridiculous titles removed from every last one of these entitled clowns but I must admit, Andrew is a special level of loathsome.
Hah - f***ing - Hah! It's
almost as satisfying to think of the effect this will have on his loathsome ginger ex-wife who's spent years defending the despicable man.
Quote from: Slim on October 30, 2025, 07:42:51 PMThe Andrew formerly known as Prince.
Mr Mountbatten Windsor. That's amazing. Can't deny I'm delighted, as one who'd like to see these ridiculous titles removed from every last one of these entitled clowns but I must admit, Andrew is a special level of loathsome.
Hopefully a tipping point and the rest of them will soon disappear as well.. why is he not moving into a semi detached in Deptford or someplace.. no offence to Deptford
Quote from: Slim on October 30, 2025, 07:42:51 PMThe Andrew formerly known as Prince.
Mr Mountbatten Windsor. That's amazing. Can't deny I'm delighted, as one who'd like to see these ridiculous titles removed from every last one of these entitled clowns but I must admit, Andrew is a special level of loathsome.
This was in the news here as well of course. Monarchies et al.. But I understand correct he is stripped from his title, and his villa but still gets to live rentfree on a estate owned by his brother?
I may have missed it but was he ever tried in a court of law?
Quote from: Thenop on October 31, 2025, 09:07:29 AMThis was in the news here as well of course. Monarchies et al.. But I understand correct he is stripped from his title, and his villa but still gets to live rentfree on a estate owned by his brother?
I may have missed it but was he ever tried in a court of law?
Mr Mountbatten Windsor hasn't actually been found guilty of any offence, but the smell of controversy around him by now is just too powerful. Important to note that it's Charles who has done this, not the state, not the government. Presumably as a damage limitation exercise (ie in the interest of limiting reputational damage to the monarchy).
Quote from: Slim on October 31, 2025, 10:40:00 AMQuote from: Thenop on October 31, 2025, 09:07:29 AMThis was in the news here as well of course. Monarchies et al.. But I understand correct he is stripped from his title, and his villa but still gets to live rentfree on a estate owned by his brother?
I may have missed it but was he ever tried in a court of law?
Mr Mountbatten Windsor hasn't actually been found guilty of any offence, but the smell of controversy around him by now is just too powerful. Important to note that it's Charles who has done this, not the state, not the government. Presumably as a damage limitation exercise (ie in the interest of limiting reputational damage to the monarchy).
I see, is he expected to be indicted?
Priviliges aside, the court of public opinion is a strong one. From what I read it certainly feels like he has not been putting up much of a fight - perhaps due to his former priviliges - and he is lying low in the hopes this will go away.
Just curious, everyone fell ver each other to go after the big names (Ep- and Weinstein most prominent), is all that is missing a
smoking gun here?
Would like to know what other members of the royal household were aware of all this?
Quote from: Fishy on October 31, 2025, 11:25:27 AMWould like to know what other members of the royal household were aware of all this?
That's probably priviliged information
Quote from: Thenop on October 31, 2025, 11:27:04 AMQuote from: Fishy on October 31, 2025, 11:25:27 AMWould like to know what other members of the royal household were aware of all this?
That's probably priviliged information
Must be in the public interest to know what other royals either knew about it or were hanging around with Epstein
Frank Marino is back! Back on stage in Canada to commemorate Live Aid 40. AFAIK he hasn't played on stage for 10 years after suffering a long illness.
4 hours Free electricity today with EDF's Sunday Saver (it can be up to 12 hours) - so I charged my car for nowt.
Quote from: pxr5 on November 02, 2025, 06:51:35 PM4 hours Free electricity today with EDF's Sunday Saver (it can be up to 12 hours) - so I charged my car for nowt.
I'm with EDF so you can probably thank me for that >:( ;)
Quote from: David L on November 02, 2025, 06:53:42 PMQuote from: pxr5 on November 02, 2025, 06:51:35 PM4 hours Free electricity today with EDF's Sunday Saver (it can be up to 12 hours) - so I charged my car for nowt.
I'm with EDF so you can probably thank me for that >:( ;)
It has to be earned, something about transferring peak use to off peak (though it all seems a bit vague without much detail as what this actually means). How much you transfer is how much free you get on a Sunday. Anyone can do it, but it's not well advertised, but it has to be activated monthly. So far I've had a 12hr and 3x4hr free Sundays. Worth a look if you are on EDF - I'm sure others do it too - Angela Rippon told me lol
Even without an EV it's worth signing up for an EDF EV package as the rates from 0000-0500 are a quarter of the standard rate, so setting delayed timers on washing machines/dishwashers is certainly worth while.
Quote from: pxr5 on November 02, 2025, 07:02:00 PMQuote from: David L on November 02, 2025, 06:53:42 PMQuote from: pxr5 on November 02, 2025, 06:51:35 PM4 hours Free electricity today with EDF's Sunday Saver (it can be up to 12 hours) - so I charged my car for nowt.
I'm with EDF so you can probably thank me for that >:( ;)
It has to be earned, something about transferring peak use to off peak (though it all seems a bit vague without much detail as what this actually means). How much you transfer is how much free you get on a Sunday. Anyone can do it, but it's not well advertised, but it has to be activated monthly. So far I've had a 12hr and 3x4hr free Sundays. Worth a look if you are on EDF - I'm sure others do it too - Angela Rippon told me lol
Even without an EV it's worth signing up for an EDF EV package as the rates from 0000-0500 are a quarter of the standard rate, so setting delayed timers on washing machines/dishwashers is certainly worth while.
I assume it requires a smart meter (?). I'm a refusenik on that score (foiler).
^ It does require a smart meter. I resisted getting one for a long, long time but I'm glad I have one now.
We were going to go for a ride today due to a fairly benign weather report. However, we instead opted to walk to one of our favourite pubs, the Rose & Crown in Charlbury. We packed a lunch, settled on a route and set off around 11:15am.
We walked along the A4095 to North Leigh and on to East End. At East End we took the track northwards past the Roman villa, over the River Evenlode, through the woods to Stonesfield and along the bridleway (Stonesfield Lane) to Charlbury. On Stonesfield Lane we paused to sit on a fallen tree trunk to enjoy our lunch.
By the time we arrived at the pub, we'd clocked up just under 20k steps or the best part of 10 miles in around 3 hours.
Unfortunately, we only had time for two pints before we had to catch the X9 bus back to Witney but it had been a wonderful walk in good conditions, warm enough for shorts. We had a few spots of rain but, thankfully, didn't last.
Joey Barton guilty over 'grossly offensive' X posts https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwykwlkewr7o
Ha ha Joey.. you were a nasty piece of work as a footballer as well
Finally beating Troupe Master Grimm in Hollow Knight. It has taken me a while to 'learn the dance'.
(https://mcdn.wallpapersafari.com/318/11/69/ziFHO2.jpg)
Getting tickets to see Opeth and Blood Incantation in Pompei :)
Watching Traffic Cops last night and they did one of the young scumbags who go and race round Tesco carpark. Third time he'd been caught so his car was seized. :)
His dad then came to pick him up and he turned up driving like a Twunt, hope he got a good talking to.
I suspect not many of the Tesco carpark boy racers get done. Not enough Traffic Cops for that.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on November 20, 2025, 04:15:31 PMWatching Traffic Cops last night and they did one of the young scumbags who go and race round Tesco carpark. Third time he'd been caught so his car was seized. :)
His dad then came to pick him up and he turned up driving like a Twunt, hope he got a good talking to.
I suspect not many of the Tesco carpark boy racers get done. Not enough Traffic Cops for that.
I'm watching right now and up to this point. A few fuckin' idiots in this episode.
Quote from: pxr5 on November 20, 2025, 09:14:31 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on November 20, 2025, 04:15:31 PMWatching Traffic Cops last night and they did one of the young scumbags who go and race round Tesco carpark. Third time he'd been caught so his car was seized. :)
His dad then came to pick him up and he turned up driving like a Twunt, hope he got a good talking to.
I suspect not many of the Tesco carpark boy racers get done. Not enough Traffic Cops for that.
I'm watching right now and up to this point. A few fuckin' idiots in this episode.
Yes and lots are driving on the same roads I cycle on...
Piers Morgan apologises to the GOAT:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-15281397/Novak-Djokovic-responds-Piers-Morgan-apology-misinterpreted-Australian-Open-Covid-scandal.html
Quote from: David L on November 21, 2025, 04:30:27 PMPiers Morgan apologises to the GOAT:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-15281397/Novak-Djokovic-responds-Piers-Morgan-apology-misinterpreted-Australian-Open-Covid-scandal.html
.
A couple of fairly unpleasant blokes who deserve each other..
There's simply no denying that the Djoker's behaviour was disgraceful; that reflects badly on Morgan. Never a "great" sportsman of any kind.
Received the third and final pension "tax free lump sum". It's actually larger than some of my annual salaries of the past, although not in inflation-adjusted terms.
It's an odd thing to be getting money out of them again, after all this time.
Bought myself a new coffee mug at Tesco.
(https://i.ibb.co/hRX8X6zZ/bestever.webp)
Quote from: Slim on December 01, 2025, 11:58:07 PMBought myself a new coffee mug at Tesco.
(https://i.ibb.co/hRX8X6zZ/bestever.webp)
It looks like you've photoshopped out some words.
OK, OK. Damn my modesty.
(https://i.ibb.co/0yV4Q9kp/bestever3.webp)
I can see this on a desk somewhere..
(https://i.ibb.co/rRXN03Kv/Chat-GPT-Image-2-dec-2025-05-40-40.png)
My knee replacement has been brought forward a week to Sat 06 Dec - yay.
I went down to Oswestry for my pre-op/assessment today which was a matter of visiting various nurses and a doctor. The doctor was the Registrar who supports the main surgeon. Anyway during introductions he first told me he would normally be in uniform at work, except today he had a function later on so was in civies. Turns out he is an RAF officer and he asked me what my background was and I told him I had been in the RAF too. He asked what I did - I told him comms/radar type stuff and he then said 'Trade Group 3'. This was a surprise as that trade group ended in the early 2000s and him knowing that was odd. It transpired that much of his family had been, or were, in the RAF and his father had been TG3. I asked his surname and it was Cain - yep I knew, and had worked with his dad, both at RAF Buchan and RAF Cosford. In fact in Peterhead we had lived a few houses apart and this new doctor was born and first raised in Peterhead. Talk about a small world stuff. I ask him to pass on my regards and that I would look him up at the TG3 reunion taking place May next year.
Quote from: Slim on December 02, 2025, 12:40:55 AMOK, OK. Damn my modesty.
(https://i.ibb.co/0yV4Q9kp/bestever3.webp)
Excellent! 😁
Quote from: pxr5 on December 02, 2025, 05:09:20 PMMy knee replacement has been brought forward a week to Sat 06 Dec - yay.
I went down to Oswestry for my pre-op/assessment today which was a matter of visiting various nurses and a doctor. The doctor was the Registrar who supports the main surgeon. Anyway during introductions he first told me he would normally be in uniform at work, except today he had a function later on so was in civies. Turns out he is an RAF officer and he asked me what my background was and I told him I had been in the RAF too. He asked what I did - I told him comms/radar type stuff and he then said 'Trade Group 3'. This was a surprise as that trade group ended in the early 2000s and him knowing that was odd. It transpired that much of his family had been, or were, in the RAF and his father had been TG3. I asked his surname and it was Cain - yep I knew, and had worked with his dad, both at RAF Buchan and RAF Cosford. In fact in Peterhead we had lived a few houses apart and this new doctor was born and first raised in Peterhead. Talk about a small world stuff. I ask him to pass on my regards and that I would look him up at the TG3 reunion taking place May next year.
A few years ago I accidentally let one of the cats out the front door at my mum's house. She was a house cat and it was dark, so I tore out after her. Forgetting I had put up a low fence earlier in the day I landed face first on the driveway. I limped back indoors realising my arm looked a bit funny but I seemed ok. My mum and sister looked at my arm, were horrified and drove me straight to A&E. It was a tricky elbow break so the doctors decided not to put me in plaster and instead asked me to come back in the morning to see the orthopaedic surgeon.
I duly returned next day and was quickly called into the surgeons office. I was in several of his classes at secondary school, although he obviously didn't remember me and tried to convince me it was his brother I was remembering. Weird as my notes stated that we were the same age, his brother being two or three years older.
Fortunately surgery wasn't required and I was greatly relieved as I really didn't fancy a classmate operating on me. It just wouldn't seem like real medicine to me somehow.
When I was at University I broke my elbow badly and it did need operating on. I didn't personally know any of the surgical team, but one of them was a young orthopaedic surgeon called Roger Hackney. I used to watch a lot of athletics back in the day - as did the future Mrs S - and we knew Roger Hackney as a 3,000m Steeplechase runner. In on race David Colman called it as "and 'Ackney moves up one spot"
When I had the metalwork removed from my elbow, it was under a local anaesthetic and I heard the surgeon say "Was young Hackney involved in this" on affirmation he said "Hmmm, thought so..."
I went to Ibiza in 1983 on my first holiday abroad with my pals. I was sitting by the pool one afternoon and got talking to a young Welsh girl. I noticed a large faded scar on her shin and asked her about it. She had broken her leg a few years before and J P R Williams had carried out the repair.
I'm trying my best to de-clutter at the moment. I'm a terrible paperwork hoarder. I the middle of one pile was the Arsenal v Leeds Utd F.A Cup Final 1972 programme. Cover price 15p. I wonder what programmes for the final sell for now. Must look it up. Just did. 2025's was £10. A 6566.67% rise if my arithmetic is still holding up.
By that logic a bottle of whisky should be £168 and a pint of beer about a tenner. The beer isn't far off.
Car washed and outside Xmas lights up n working..booked myself in for a flu jab
Been down to Oxford for the weekend on the train. Got back to Chesterfield station and went to pay for the Car Parking and a station employee came up to us and said not to bother paying as the barriers were up due to a new ANPR system being installed tomorrow :)
Result, that £15 saving offsets the cost of a pint and glass of wine in an Oxford pub.
On to day 3 now after my op and the last 2 nights I've slept OK. Even better, I managed to do a number 2 today, the first since Friday. They gave me Lactulose and Senna to help with that, but not achieving much. My wife had bought some tinned prunes, something I've not had since a kid, so had some last night, they were gorgeous and did their job perfectly. What a relief.
I'm still hobbling about but slowly getting more mobile. I have no idea how anyone could cope with this on their own as my wife is doing everything for me.
Flu jab yesterday and no ill effects even my arm isn't sore..
Quote from: pxr5 on December 09, 2025, 12:26:17 PMOn to day 3 now after my op and the last 2 nights I've slept OK. Even better, I managed to do a number 2 today, the first since Friday. They gave me Lactulose and Senna to help with that, but not achieving much. My wife had bought some tinned prunes, something I've not had since a kid, so had some last night, they were gorgeous and did their job perfectly. What a relief.
I'm still hobbling about but slowly getting more mobile. I have no idea how anyone could cope with this on their own as my wife is doing everything for me.
I enjoy a tin of prunes from time to time. The juice is particularly good so I bought a litre carton of it to try. I suppose you are only supposed to drink a glass or so at a time but it really was delicious so I must have downed about half the carton over a short space of time. Oh my goodness! The internal grumbling began shortly afterwards and I'll leave the rest to your imagination. Definitely an in moderation treat.
Quote from: Fishy on December 09, 2025, 02:57:42 PMFlu jab yesterday and no ill effects even my arm isn't sore..
Mine was last week. A bit of a sore arm but none of the fluey 48 hour aftermath I usually get. I hope those antibodies are multiplying quickly as my jab was later than usual and 'flu cases are soaring.
My new favourite local coffee shop (and roastery) has a new website and it is ace. I love the video.
Cracked Coffee House (https://www.crackedcoffee.co.uk/)
Seeing a stoat bouncing along in my garden alongside my hedge. We see a fair bit of wildlife (birds, squirrels, rabbits etc.,) here but this is the first time that I have ever seen a stoat. Chuffed.
Quote from: R6GYY on December 12, 2025, 12:37:04 PMbut this is the first time that I have ever seen a stoat. Chuffed.
Whenever Mrs S sees a Stoat in out garden she comes in and says "I've just seen a sausage with legs". Maybe because she's frightened of making a mistake with her Mustelids - it's weasely done.
I'll get my Ermine trimmed coat...
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on December 09, 2025, 03:42:45 PMI enjoy a tin of prunes from time to time. The juice is particularly good so I bought a litre carton of it to try. I suppose you are only supposed to drink a glass or so at a time but it really was delicious so I must have downed about half the carton over a short space of time.
A warrior's drink.
Quote from: Slim on December 12, 2025, 04:42:00 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on December 09, 2025, 03:42:45 PMI enjoy a tin of prunes from time to time. The juice is particularly good so I bought a litre carton of it to try. I suppose you are only supposed to drink a glass or so at a time but it really was delicious so I must have downed about half the carton over a short space of time.
A warrior's drink.
Yes, a war waged against porcelain.
Quote from: Slim on December 12, 2025, 06:41:08 PM
I wondered what you meant. I've never seen this before.😀
We are nearly there, just hang on a few more days. It'll be over soon. Xmas of course.
(https://i.ibb.co/xt64WmvJ/G8w5a-TYW4-AAAt-Bb.jpg)
Second annual visit to the Elland Rex cinema to watch It's A Wonderful Life.
Both the venue and the film have a magical effect on me; this was elevated by the pre-film and interval performance of Christmas tunes on the cinema's centrepiece organ by a superb player, who also brilliantly accompanied the supporting silent Laurel & Hardy short, Big Business. 🙂
Figured I'd treated myself to a little new music, after all it's Christmas. Noticed JD Simo had a new 'surprise' album out a month ago, had not heard it but listened on Tidal and liked it, it's experimental to say the least. So wanted to buy it, digital. Not on Bandcamp, unfortunately. Ended up on 7digital, and they had it. Was about to click BUY for the album price of 9EUR something, when I noticed I could also buy the loose track.
Well, this album is only 1 (36 minute) track and that cost me only 1,89!
It's the little things that make me happy.
I actually did this a few days ago.
In our living room on the first floor there was a blind cord hook screwed into the UPVC window frame. We got new blinds a few months ago, so I removed the hook. As soon as I removed the first of the two little screws, water came hosing out. About 150ml, probably.
Ever since, when it's rained, water has come dribbling through the screw holes.
It turns out that the frames are intended to allow rainwater to pass through, but there should be a drain hole at the bottom. I assumed it must be clogged. I had a good feel for it, by leaning out of the window and poking with a sharp implement, but I couldn't find it. It's very hard to get to the bottom of the frame. I'd have to climb up onto the porch canopy with a pair of ladders, and I'm not sure it would take my weight safely. I could just about reach it by leaning out of the open window. The bottom half of the window doesn't open.
So eventually I decided a more drastic measure was called for. I drilled my own drain hole. What could go wrong?
(https://i.ibb.co/cX1FbnVt/hole.jpg)
I had to stand on the windowsill, bent double, leaning right over the bottom half of the window with the drill. Fortunately it worked out nicely and the water drains outside now.
So moving this from Grumpy to here:
Went to PT today, after a couple of sessions of mobilising the affected foot area, today he put some pressure on and a clearly audible 'pop' emerged. After this my foot was able to come into motion, so the stiffness has relaxed somewhat.
Progress! Onwards and upwards, still some way to go but I'll take every little win.
Checked my banking app last night to see if my third and final annuity had started. It had. First payment 31st Dec. Good. Oh but wait - it's about £40 short.
Must have been paid under an emergency tax code, I assume. So I log into gov.uk. Yes, it has. Tax code ending X, meaning it's temporary and I'll get the £40 back. Good. And what's this? There's a message for me from November. I open it.
You've paid too much tax and we owe you £1,834, it says. Click this link to enter your bank details and you'll get it in 5 working days. So I did.
Handy! Happy New Year.
Decorations down and away.. thank fuck..
Quote from: Fishy on January 02, 2026, 02:31:46 PMDecorations down and away.. thank fuck..
Yess here as well. Its a lot darker in the room now though!
Quote from: Thenop on January 02, 2026, 02:55:01 PMQuote from: Fishy on January 02, 2026, 02:31:46 PMDecorations down and away.. thank fuck..
Yess here as well. Its a lot darker in the room now though!
But quite cathartic to get it all away tho😀
All these people taking down their decorations before 12th night >:(
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 03:27:57 PMAll these people taking down their decorations before 12th night >:(
For the first year, we never put ours up!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 03:27:57 PMAll these ATHEISTS taking down their decorations before 12th night >:(
Fixed that for you, and yes I don't care.
Quote from: Fishy on January 02, 2026, 03:24:25 PMQuote from: Thenop on January 02, 2026, 02:55:01 PMQuote from: Fishy on January 02, 2026, 02:31:46 PMDecorations down and away.. thank fuck..
Yess here as well. Its a lot darker in the room now though!
But quite cathartic to get it all away tho😀
True, however I was dragged along to the good will store, so the room looks sort of the same with 'new' decorations.
Quote from: Thenop on January 02, 2026, 04:13:49 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 03:27:57 PMAll these ATHEISTS taking down their decorations before 12th night >:(
Fixed that for you, and yes I don't care.
Well I like tradition :)
Far better to keep decorations after Christmas than put them up before as we're celebrating the passing of the Winter Solstice and the coming of better days.
Now excuse me whilst I dance round my Stone Circle, the Ancient Ways are best :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 06:44:26 PMQuote from: Thenop on January 02, 2026, 04:13:49 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 03:27:57 PMAll these ATHEISTS taking down their decorations before 12th night >:(
Fixed that for you, and yes I don't care.
Well I like tradition :)
Far better to keep decorations after Christmas than put them up before as we're celebrating the passing of the Winter Solstice and the coming of better days.
Now excuse me whilst I dance round my Stone Circle, the Ancient Ways are best :)
I usually wait until 12th night but this year I put up the tree and decorations unusually early on December 1st. I'm so glad I did as there was a revolting incident courtesy of my loathsome neighbours shortly before Christmas. Suffice to say, and you wouldn't thank me for the details, it took the gloss of Christmas itself. I was quite glad to get the house back to usual business today especially as they later returned from a holiday today. Scum! Sorry not a very Christmassy, Christmas post.
Finishing off the Christmas Lindor and After Eights thus forcing myself into a healthier living pattern going forwards.
Decorations back in the loft, cold outside, log fire burning, just missing a stiff drink.
29th Wedding anniversary :)
15 minutes late but : Pudders's birthday bash at The Crafty Pint, Witney - great night!
New 500mm mirror lens arrived. Probably made in the '80s but in extremely good nick. I took some test images with it handheld but although the telephoto ability is superb, about equivalent to 15x binoculars, the light wasn't good enough for a quick enough shutter speed to eliminate camera shake.
For interest though this is a crop, but unresized: a window frame 112 metres away.
(https://i.ibb.co/Rk8Qt1wS/window.avif)
But for its intended purpose, snapping the Moon on a tripod - it should be excellent.
(https://i.ibb.co/gpNy7Zb/biglens.avif)
2days at loch Lomond
And just booked 4 nights in Rome for end of Feb.
Not moving it back to Grumpy but today's hospital visit was a two edged sword:
Have an appointment for inlay soles to help support my foot and toes, unfortunately it takes another 3 weeks to get to the appointment Plus they are going to adjust one pair of shoes I like walking on. but they will not to that on the spot, which means I will be without the only pair I can currently sort of walk on.
Oh well, all in the name of progress I suppose.. I am going to try and run in another pair over the next 3 weeks to bridge the waiting time..
Nice 10.3 mile walk this afternoon. Lots of water around on the bridleways, footpaths and fields but successfully managed to stick to our planned route. Two well-earned pints of Hobgoblin Gold from the cask in The Angel Inn, Witney. Rain held off until we got to the pub.. which was nice!
Yesterday's announcement that Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be in England.
Stage 2 to finish in Sheffield, like stage 2 of the men's in 2014, great the industrial decay of Sheffield will be broadcast to the world again!
Full route details still to be announced, but Stage 2 will do the Snake Pass, I mean Le Col du Serpent (Please let it be so). Funny but Mrs S and my good self took ages to remember the French for snake. I got there eventually, yes, mw with my Grade 'C' O-Level beat Mrs S with her 'A' grade A-level :)
Finally got a decent sleep last night, albeit with some gentle chemical assistance from the doctor. Maybe my heart rhythm will settle a bit now too.
So, last year our local craft pub in Witney, 'The Crafty Pint', won the CAMRA (Oxford Branch) 'Town/Village Pub Of The Year'. This year, not only has it retained that title but it has also won the Oxford Branch overall POTY! That means it will be entered into the national competition for the CAMRA POTY.
None too shabby when you consider the wonderful array of boozers to be found around these parts including the many great pubs in the city itself.
Quote from: David L on January 16, 2026, 05:42:11 PMSo, last year our local craft pub in Witney, 'The Crafty Pint', won the CAMRA (Oxford Branch) 'Town/Village Pub Of The Year'. This year, not only has it retained that title but it has also won the Oxford Branch overall POTY! That means it will be entered into the national competition for the CAMRA POTY.
None too shabby when you consider the wonderful array of boozers to be found around these parts including the many great pubs in the city itself.
Great achievement! Sounds like a great place to live. I used to work for a company which had Oxford (Cumnor Hill) HQ. I should have organised a transfer.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 16, 2026, 06:20:30 PMQuote from: David L on January 16, 2026, 05:42:11 PMSo, last year our local craft pub in Witney, 'The Crafty Pint', won the CAMRA (Oxford Branch) 'Town/Village Pub Of The Year'. This year, not only has it retained that title but it has also won the Oxford Branch overall POTY! That means it will be entered into the national competition for the CAMRA POTY.
None too shabby when you consider the wonderful array of boozers to be found around these parts including the many great pubs in the city itself.
Great achievement! Sounds like a great place to live. I used to work for a company which had Oxford (Cumnor Hill) HQ. I should have organised a transfer.
Cumnor Hill - 'posh' ;D
Quote from: David L on January 16, 2026, 06:48:38 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on January 16, 2026, 06:20:30 PMQuote from: David L on January 16, 2026, 05:42:11 PMSo, last year our local craft pub in Witney, 'The Crafty Pint', won the CAMRA (Oxford Branch) 'Town/Village Pub Of The Year'. This year, not only has it retained that title but it has also won the Oxford Branch overall POTY! That means it will be entered into the national competition for the CAMRA POTY.
None too shabby when you consider the wonderful array of boozers to be found around these parts including the many great pubs in the city itself.
Great achievement! Sounds like a great place to live. I used to work for a company which had Oxford (Cumnor Hill) HQ. I should have organised a transfer.
Cumnor Hill - 'posh' ;D
Yes, it's a lovely part of the country. I believe the premises were sold for housing after the company was sold by the family. It was a company with a really interesting history and was very much respected in the industry. It was never the same after the owner, the founder's son died. I visited the offices a couple of times and had a couple of great evenings in Oxford. Had a pint in one pub and spoke to a chap with a parrot on his shoulder. Maybe that's commonplace in Oxford. Not so much in Glasgow where it's always chips on that roost. I remember there was a car dealership next door the the branch and that they sold very upmarket vehicles, but strangely I can't remember which marque and I like cars. I think I should have moved south years ago as my home town has become little England in any case.
Finally got round to buying a shim for my #2 Japanese Stratocaster. Had it about ten years, but I've never much played it because the action was gross. Anyway neck off, shim in, neck back on, didn't even change the strings. Plays nicely now!
Shook the hand of stand-up comedy legend Mick Miller tonight as he made his way off stage.
Quote from: Matt2112 on January 17, 2026, 12:17:38 AMShook the hand of stand-up comedy legend Mick Miller tonight as he made his way off stage.
Is he still rocking that awesome haircut?
Quote from: David L on January 17, 2026, 01:10:09 AMQuote from: Matt2112 on January 17, 2026, 12:17:38 AMShook the hand of stand-up comedy legend Mick Miller tonight as he made his way off stage.
Is he still rocking that awesome haircut?
Just about, plus nowadays it's more of a fluffy light grey of course. :)
Shingles vaccine today. I don't think I've ever had Chickenpox but the nurse told me I might have had a mild case and not been aware. Booster is from 8 weeks onwards, up to a year after the first jab.
I bought an item from eBay on 8th January. It was due to be delivered by the 14th. It wasn't, so I opened a case and was refunded on the 20th.
Now it's turned up.
Not sure what to do really .. I think that eBay may have paid the refund out of their own funds rather than the seller having done so.
Quote from: Slim on January 26, 2026, 02:45:52 PMI bought an item from eBay on 8th January. It was due to be delivered by the 14th. It wasn't, so I opened a case and was refunded on the 20th.
Now it's turned up.
Not sure what to do really .. I think that eBay may have paid the refund out of their own funds rather than the seller having done so.
Based on a bit of research it looks like the seller hasn't lost out. It was only £34. Going to keep it.
Quote from: Slim on January 26, 2026, 07:09:20 PMQuote from: Slim on January 26, 2026, 02:45:52 PMI bought an item from eBay on 8th January. It was due to be delivered by the 14th. It wasn't, so I opened a case and was refunded on the 20th.
Now it's turned up.
Not sure what to do really .. I think that eBay may have paid the refund out of their own funds rather than the seller having done so.
Based on a bit of research it looks like the seller hasn't lost out. It was only £34. Going to keep it.
EBay use their own delivery service now - as a seller you get a QR code which the post office scans and hey presto. So eBay may have just taken the hit if whichever courier service they used for your item delivered late...I think it will still be traceable their end.
The Isle Of Man have removed an ex officio bishop from its legislature.
Excellent - very hopeful the same will eventually happen to the 26 woo merchants in the House Of Lords.
Goodbye January hello February
9 hours of daylight today. Over an hour and a half more than just over a month ago
I made a couple of complimentary comments on FB about the new Crown Lands releases. Both the guys took the time to make appreciative responses. I really wasn't expecting that to happen.
I got a like from the Von Hertzen Brothers for a post I made on their FB page. I was actually having a moan because they'd made me spend money.
Always good on those rare occasions where FB feed throws up something enjoyable. Seems an interesting guy.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1920705721845938/?fs=e&fs=e
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on February 19, 2026, 12:53:12 PMAlways good on those rare occasions where FB feed throws up something enjoyable. Seems an interesting guy.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1920705721845938/?fs=e&fs=e
Enjoyed that. Liked the story about Pete Towhshend giving him and his mate a lift home from Dreamland in Margate. We are very familiar with Herne Bay and Whitstable.
Just back from a 4 hr walking food tour.. awesome
The Romans.. they were pretty adapt at building things made to last weren't they?
Quote from: Fishy on February 25, 2026, 08:54:59 PMThe Romans.. they were pretty adapt at building things made to last weren't they?
Check this, it's like Google maps for Roman roads
https://itiner-e.org/ (https://itiner-e.org/)
Quote from: Fishy on February 25, 2026, 08:54:59 PMThe Romans.. they were pretty adapt at building things made to last weren't they?
Every time I walk to the dentist I can't help myself from stopping to look at the remains of the Roman Bathhouse. Mind boggling that they were building things near where I live 2000 years ago that are still there, when tenement buildings from 100 years ago are demolished and forgotten about.
Quote from: Fishy on February 25, 2026, 08:54:59 PMThe Romans.. they were pretty adapt at building things made to last weren't they?
Well, they mostly wielded the whips while their slaves did the building :-\
Not from any religious aspect but the tour of the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica was quite unbelievable in a good way and info overload
(https://i.ibb.co/zh4dW42Z/trainer.jpg)
Quote from: Matt2112 on October 10, 2025, 02:21:13 PMHamit Coskun, who burned a Koran in a protest outside the Turkish Embassy, during which he was attacked with a knife by an Islamist, has had his conviction for "religiously motivated harassment, alarm or distress" overturned on appeal.
Apart from true justice being served, that's a very welcome and encouraging slamming shut of a blasphemy back door on this occasion.
Well, that wasn't enough for the CPS, who astonishingly appealed this acquittal, so this case had another trip on a legal merry-go-round.
The good news is that this second attempt to enforce a de facto blasphemy law has just been rejected by the High Court. Of course, it shouldn't have come to this, and it's embarrassing for a liberal, democratic, non-theocratic nation that it ever did.
Coming home...
Hello March
Despite a touch of manflu, I dragged myself out of bed early and got tickets for the Bon Hertzen Brothers 25th Anniversary show in Helsinki - complete with Orchestra and Choir :)
Mikko told me after their London show last year to keep the 10th of October free.
Eight correct answers on University Challenge this evening.
Reached state pension age today. Finally get a return on all those years of NI contributions.
Quote from: David L on March 02, 2026, 09:07:08 PMEight correct answers on University Challenge this evening.
Think I got 18 :)
Some things just hit the spot last night. Didn't enjoy the Pratt in the hat though.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 03, 2026, 10:37:10 AMQuote from: David L on March 02, 2026, 09:07:08 PMEight correct answers on University Challenge this evening.
Think I got 18 :)
Some things just hit the spot last night. Didn't enjoy the Pratt in the hat though.
He had the best eye-candy on his team though, even if they were both next to useless ;D
Finding out we get a UCI World Cup Cyclocross race in the UK this year :)
Greatest sport in the world ;D
Dog very happy at the resumption of the daily Emirates flight (A6-EEZ). Looked good in the sunshine.
Took advantage of the recent nice weather and the lousy forecast for next week and cut my grass.. it looks fucking great.. sad I know😀
Innocence, Elegance and Nobility.
(https://i.ibb.co/3Y9MVwMj/nobility.avif)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sanfoelek-Safety-Manual-Shaving-Traditional-Matte-Black/dp/B0G23Y84D9
^^ Amazed they did not mention
And Turn Counterclockwise to Reassemble the Handle and the Top
One year until Rush concert.
Four months until Opeth in Pompeii
Nine months until Von Hertzen Brothers in Helsinki.
Rush, who are they!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 10, 2026, 10:46:21 AMFour months until Opeth in Pompeii
Nine months until Von Hertzen Brothers in Helsinki.
Rush, who are they!
You'll crumble! 😁
One day in 1998 an American colleague of mine told his son, who was visiting from San Francisco, that our office at Canary Wharf was "just a few seconds" of longitude from the Prime Meridian. You could see Greenwich from one of the windows, which I think is what prompted their conversation.
I've often remembered that and wondered if it was true, but never got round to actually checking until today. It's not really true, we were about 86 seconds of longitude from it. 1.66km.
So that's another thing off the to-do list.
Off to Arran for a couple of days and the weather looks good
Car booked in today for some both front suspension bushes replacement (or something like that).
Quoted £285.
Just had a phone call to say the work is done and that it took less time than expected, so the bill has been reduced to £173.
You could have knocked me down with a feather!
At the beach in St Annes, sitting in the sun eating a tray of chips and gravy - life doesn't get much better really. :)
A 200 mile round trip to Oswestry for a follow-up appointment about my knee replacement. I was in there for 5 minutes with the consultant. He didn't even need to see my knee. All good, but I wonder if a video call would have sufficed.
'A game-changing moment for social media' - what next for big tech after landmark addiction verdict? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87wd0d84jqo
Nice to see.. never use it myself but good to see Zuckerberg et Al getting a kicking..
The IOC have announced that Olympic events with female participants will be limited to females.
Yes, there's a case for this to be in the Grumpy thread given it shouldn't have got to this absurd position in the first place, but on balance I'm happy to see another application of biological reality and plain common sense after the recent Girl Guides ruling.
I had a carotid artery ultrasound at home this morning.
My dad had a stroke in his late sixties so I've lately ruminated in recent years on whether I should have this diagnostic procedure done. I started looking into it a few days ago and called Nuffield Health who run the private Manor Hospital in Oxford (which I've used a few times before). They told me I'd have to go to their facility in Cheltenham and the cost would be £650. I'm glad I did a little more research.
After a few more phone calls on Wednesday, I booked an appointment with Comfort Scan. They travel to you and carry out the scan in your own home. Charges start at £150. I spoke in person to the doctor who would be visiting and she told me that even though she is based in Milton Keynes, she covers the Oxfordshire area. She told me there would be lots of appointment options available and to book online. The total charge was £194 including travel charge.
So, she arrive promptly at 10:30am today accompanied by another gentleman who helped bring the equipment indoors and the procedure took around 20 mins. Thankfully, my arteries are in excellent health with no plaque or restrictions visible. I do however, have a cyst on my thyroid gland but this is not concerning.I will be provided with the scans and a report as part of the service. Couldn't be easier!
That's something I've been meaning to do for a while sorted.
^ That's brilliant. I had no idea you could do something like this. I wonder what other types of procedures could be done at home.
Quote from: David L on March 27, 2026, 04:26:53 PMI do however, have a cyst on my thyroid gland but this is not concerning
Careful now, Mrs S had a cyst on her thyroid gland. She ended up having a Right Thyroidectomy.
I remember going to see her in hospital after the operation. The incision was closed with staples and she looked like Frankenstein's monster! I'm a squeamish so and so and didn't like the look of it, she asked for a mirror so she could take a look. When she did she started to laugh and blood started to see from between each staple. I feel faint just typing it...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 27, 2026, 09:15:40 PMQuote from: David L on March 27, 2026, 04:26:53 PMI do however, have a cyst on my thyroid gland but this is not concerning
Careful now, Mrs S had a cyst on her thyroid gland. She ended up having a Right Thyroidectomy.
I remember going to see her in hospital after the operation. The incision was closed with staples and she looked like Frankenstein's monster! I'm a squeamish so and so and didn't like the look of it, she asked for a mirror so she could take a look. When she did she started to laugh and blood started to see from between each staple. I feel faint just typing it...
Hmmm, perhaps I will get it investigated.
Had the telephoto lens out to see if I could get any decent pics of passing aircraft. This one was 23km away at 34,000 feet. It's not brilliant but I quite like the way you can see the American Airlines marking on the tail.
(https://i.ibb.co/32vGmTN/aaflight.avif)
Finding out I can still get into a 48 year old T-Shirt!
(https://i.ibb.co/Mk9FkmVD/20260410-123921.jpg)
Realising today why I never see any adverts on ITVX, All4 and Channel5 - pihole is blocking them all 8) Probably won't last, but still very nice.
Snapped this 747 operated by OneAir a couple of minutes after takeoff from East Midlands. About 8km away, at an altitude of about 1200 metres.
(https://i.ibb.co/5X8SXdjP/em747oneair.avif)
I was watching a documentary on Channel 5 about lighthouses. The first one was a bout Muckle Flugga on the most northerly tip of the UK, just off the coast of Unst in The Shetland Islands - it's a great watch btw. I remember the place from my time at RAF Saxa Vord in the 80s. Anyway I started googling and stumbled across this site https://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/ The gent who put all this together has now sadly passed away but he's gone to a monumental effort to gather all this information and I've spent the last 2 hours going through it all (still more to see and read). But he's put pictures on there of when the radomes blew way in a horrendous storm in '91 and earlier when an unprotected radar just blew away over a cliff in the early 60s. These were massive Air Defence radars as well and the wind there is hard to put into words how bad it was.
Much of this is fascinating to me and is a part of my life and history. But then a picture with me in it popped up - I was like shocked. https://ahistoryofrafsaxavord.blogspot.com/2010/08/aocs-inspection-1984-or-1985.html
In the first picture that's me marching 5th from left (if you include everyone in the picture) and the second I am 2nd from the left. I must have been 19/20 at the time and a mere Junior Technician. Lots of great memories on this blog site.
Queuing early for record store day paid off: I managed to get everything I had on my list.
Going to a live Rugby Union game for the first time since the 80s this afternoon. Only Fylde vs Rossendale (Nat League 2 North) but it was a hoot. A few beers to start then a nice meal - then the game. Watching made me feel like I wanted to play again. Too many beers and too much wine - I was fine but but son managed to throw up in the back of my car on the way home. Eww, cleaning up was horrible when we got home, what a lightweight he is. :D Fylde won though ;D
I went to play Dream Theater - Train of Thought on vinyl yesterday (I bought the lp just before Xmas). Unfortunately it had 2 disc2s and no disc1. I was way outside the return window, so I went to the release page on Discogs to see if anyone else had this issue. No, but a gent there was reporting that his copy came with 2 disc1s and a disc2 so had a spare. I contacted him and he is sending the spare over from Holland at delivery charge only. I'm really pleased as I'd given it up as a lost cause.
Quote from: pxr5 on April 25, 2026, 01:10:10 PMI went to play Dream Theater - Train of Thought on vinyl yesterday (I bought the lp just before Xmas). Unfortunately it had 2 disc2s and no disc1. I was way outside the return window, so I went to the release page on Discogs to see if anyone else had this issue. No, but a gent there was reporting that his copy came with 2 disc1s and a disc2 so had a spare. I contacted him and he is sending the spare over from Holland at delivery charge only. I'm really pleased as I'd given it up as a lost cause.
We're a friendly bunch if taken in moderation
^ Yes, what a lovely gesture and really kind to go out of his way to send it to me. Now that I have a spare disc2 I've posted a similar message on the release page in case anyone needs it and I'll do the same.
Baffles me how these mistakes are made though. It's taught me a lesson to always check the records as soon as I've got them.
Something quite satisfying watching big rollers hit the rocks then onto the beach while drinking wine
Home from Tenerife tomorrow.. always nice to get home..
Surprisingly easy going back thru Tenerife Sur airport so far
Woohoo - my Hoffee Coffee mug is on the way. Will mean little or nowt to peeps on here, but it makes me happy ;D
Limited edition run and I got the last-but-one. Now sold out.
(https://uk.tenshundredsthousands.com/cdn/shop/files/DSCF1355.jpg?v=1761910627&width=700)
Wouldn't say this has made my day exactly, but a nostalgic moment. I started my first job at Canary Wharf 30 years ago exactly. It wasn't as well developed then as it is now but it was an amazing place, all gleaming granite and steel, the huge tower, Cabot Square, the shopping mall, the restaurants and bars.
I was a sys admin at Morgan Stanley. I worked with brilliant people, part of a fantastic team. Over the next few years I had countless trips to New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Geneva, Frankfurt, San Francisco. Business class, always one of the best hotels in town, or if I was there for a few weeks, a serviced apartment. Restaurant and bar bills never given a second glance.
But the biggest change was the culture. I'd just left a role as an IT manager at a Japanese bank in the City. There, the paradigm was very much Them and Us. Japanese staff, local staff. But at Morgan, American and British staff were all in the same team, no special status. In technology terms as well it was like being propelled into the future. Despite my best efforts to drag them into the late 20th century, the Japanese place was backward, conservative, institutionally resistant to change. But Morgan had some amazing stuff. I felt like that 1960s USAF pilot who gets beamed onto the USS Enterprise.
A few years later Morgan had the top floor in the tower, One Canada Square. Europe's tallest building at the time, and I got to work there for a year.
It sometimes feels like a dream now.
Years later, after I'd moved back to the East Midlands, I noticed this gem on the iPlayer. It had been broadcast on that same day I started my Canary Wharf adventure.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01rrc9j/building-sights-series-4-1-canary-wharf
Quote from: Slim on October 11, 2024, 03:45:56 PMSo: the good news, which is why I'm posting in this thread and not the other one, is that I don't have macular degeneration. What I do have is called "cellophane maculopathy". It's never going to get any better but it's quite likely that it won't get any worse. More importantly, the other eye only gets it in about 10% of cases.
So when I use a computer, my right eye has been doing all the work and my brain has been ignoring my left eye. Interestingly my distance vision isn't quite so much affected, for example when I was out on a bike yesterday I tried reading road signs at a distance with my good eye closed and that was OK. The text looks wobbly, but I can read it.
What's happened is that a thin layer of tissue on the surface of my retina has shrunk, which has made it wrinkly. So the effect is not unlike what might happen if you had wrinkly clingfilm stuck to the surface of a camera sensor.
Just been for an eye test.
A few weeks ago I was idly gazing around a room and I noticed that the line between the wall and the ceiling wasn't wonky, when viewed with my left eye. Odd .. I'd been told that the condition was irreversible, but it seems to have gone away.
So: I had my eyes scanned today and the optometrist explained what had happened. The jelly in my eye that was pulling on the cellophane-like tissue has now separated from it, so it's sprung back into place! There's a little air gap now. Quite normal apparently and not a concern, although my left eyesight is not as good as it would have been if it hadn't happened at all. She actually showed me the scan and you can see it quite clearly. Remarkable.
Anyway I have a new prescription, seem to be doing fine at the moment.
Always fancied a Ferrari, now I've got a pair!
(https://i.ibb.co/Ld1g1NvF/ferraris.avif)
I went down to Weston-Super-Mare on Saturday for an RAF Trade Group 3 reunion. There must have been about a thousand people there; between us on my course we managed to find 5 of the 8 members to go down to the event. These are the guys I went through training with, both at RAF Swinderby for basic training, then 18 months trade training at RAF Locking - this was a few miles from Weston, hence the venue for the reunion. We had a sister course too, also of 8 people, but we couldn't find anything about them now. The first photo shows some of us passing out from RAF Locking in 1983 as Junior Technicians before we all went our separate ways. The second photo was on Saturday. A couple of those guys I hadn't seen for 43 years. It was so weird catching up with all the life stories and then ending up here so long afterwards. We all had a real laugh and one of the chaps had even taken loads of photos back in 82/83 which he'd digitised (none of the rest of us remember any of these pictures being taken). Happy days and whilst I probably won't go to a full reunion again (I only recognised 2 other people I'd worked with in the past), we've all agreed to another meet up soon. And before then we'll try to find out where the other 11 guys are. Next time I'm hoping wherever we meet up, it'll be a bit closer to me - it was a 450 mile round trip by car going to Weston and back on Saturday/Sunday. Sadly, RAF Locking shut a long time ago, but what a place to have a camp - a few miles from a holiday resort.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZK5WCJRv/IMG-20260516-WA0001a.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/X7YrpnJy/IMG-20260517-WA0002.jpg)
Ordered some Euros for going away this weekend, went home, opened a drawer which I knew had my passport at the bottom of it, but next to that was a small paper folder of Euros that I'd completely forgotten was left over from my last couple of trips to Greece - and which was a fair amount of Euros more than what I'd just ordered.
On a bit of a downer of a day - My cousin's funeral - I did get the chance to see Bingley Hall a couple of times and relive old memories.
If my cousin hadn't moved to Stafford I probably wouldn't have got to see Queen and Rush there. It gave mey mum and dad to have a night out and my mum was like a big sister to my cousin - just 12 years age gap between them.
Dentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.
My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.
Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.
Quote from: Thenop on May 22, 2026, 06:59:28 PMDentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.
My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.
Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.
Glad you're going to be getting through this soonish, Nop. Good that you don't have the common dentist phobia too. Juicy steaks await, assuming you're not vegetarian.😁
Journey through hell to get to Athens: slot substantially delayed at Manc and then when we got one there was a bird strike on another aircraft, so that needed "cleaning up", hence we left almost two hours behind schedule; then we were held in a holding pattern for ages in Athens' airspace far away from the usual wonderful panoramic view you get of the city on the usual final manoeuvres, then the private transfer from the airport blobbed on us, so we had to get the crowded train into Syntagma.
But once we got there, we suddenly became part of the pilgrimage of endless folk in Iron Maiden t-shirts and denim jackets festooned in patches, complete strangers smiling at each other and saying, "See you tomorrow...", all with that beautifully illuminated Parthenon serving as a backdrop to the camaraderie.
My goodness, I love this place.
Quoteauthor=The Picnic Wasp link=msg=42870 date=1779484540]
Juicy steaks await, assuming you're not vegetarian.😁
I actually am, so they have to wait for someone else then. I will settle for a decent fresh loaf of bread with a crispy crust ;)
Of course, it was Iron Maiden (and Anthrax, who played a rousing warm-up set) at the modern Olympic Stadium in Athens.
I'm aghast at just how ageless Maiden are; tonight was possibly the best I've ever seen them perform, 38 years after I saw them for the first time at Donington, and a fair few times since.
And the location-specific tshirt I bought for a bargain 50 Euros is one of the best band T-shirts I've ever seen, let alone bought. :)
Quote from: Thenop on May 22, 2026, 06:59:28 PMDentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.
My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.
Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.
Considered bumping it to Grumpers, but won't do it. Turned out molar nr4 was unsalvageble so it was 4 extractions instead of 3, spent a good 75 mins in the chair and have 7 stitches. Bit painful now, sore of course.
That'll pass. It's the start of new dental work though, so that is good news.
All kilted up for a wedding in Barrhead Glasgow
Quote from: Matt2112 on May 23, 2026, 11:54:01 PMOf course, it was Iron Maiden (and Anthrax, who played a rousing warm-up set) at the modern Olympic Stadium in Athens.
I'm aghast at just how ageless Maiden are; tonight was possibly the best I've ever seen them perform, 38 years after I saw them for the first time at Donington, and a fair few times since.
And the location-specific tshirt I bought for a bargain 50 Euros is one of the best band T-shirts I've ever seen, let alone bought. :)
Quite jealous. Sounds like a brilliant night.
The BBC lists the results for candidates at Makerfield gaining more than "2e-06%" of the vote, which in this case is mathematical notation for about 0.00076 votes.
(https://i.ibb.co/fdT00TFC/bbc-error.webp)
Things are due to get even worse for those of us that have been responsible and do not rely on state handouts, I fear.
Quote from: David L on June 19, 2026, 10:53:19 AMThings are due to get even worse for those of us that have been responsible and do not rely on state handouts, I fear.
It's the way the benefits system is run which is the issue. I consider myself responsible. Worked for 42 years, paid tax and NI as well as private and company pension schemes, but when hit by illness at age 60 which prevented me working it was a real struggle to squeeze anything out the system.
Sure, I got ESA soon after applying, but everyone gets that fairly easily. However, it took me over a year and two tribunals to receive any additional help and even then it was at the lower end of the scale.
When you apply for what used to be PIP in Scotland you have to fill out massive forms for consideration. Any award is based on a score system. From memory I think the highest you can score is 106. I scored zero!!! I have two fairly serous conditions, detailed in full, and I got zero and zero again on appeal.
The judge at my first tribunal was very helpful and adjourned the hearing as my GP (or his staff) refused to supply medical records. He advised me to insist as it was my legal right. At the second tribunal it became fairly clear I was being listened to and as I expected I later received assistance.
It's maddening when I hear examples of folk receiving benefits for just turning up and asking. Maybe these cases are exaggerated but looking at the government welfare spending it's probably fairly accurate.
Quote from: Thenop on May 28, 2026, 01:06:10 PMQuote from: Thenop on May 22, 2026, 06:59:28 PMDentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.
My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.
Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.
Considered bumping it to Grumpers, but won't do it. Turned out molar nr4 was unsalvageble so it was 4 extractions instead of 3, spent a good 75 mins in the chair and have 7 stitches. Bit painful now, sore of course.
That'll pass. It's the start of new dental work though, so that is good news.
Next visit: one more taken out, this time the other side. Bascailly lower jars are gutted expect for 1 molar and the teeth.
In 2 weeks we start demolition works for the upper jaw, at least 2 need to go out, but I am expecting it'll be ore like 4. Over 2 visits though, not doing the pull 4-in-1-go again. Was a bit much.
Quote from: Thenop on June 25, 2026, 05:53:30 PMQuote from: Thenop on May 28, 2026, 01:06:10 PMQuote from: Thenop on May 22, 2026, 06:59:28 PMDentist offer is in, why not in the grumpy thread despite the 5500 EUR pricetag? Well, firstly because the insurance pays for some of it, but also because I am really looking forward to be able to eat normal things like a normal human being again.
My teeth have always been bad, terrible even, due to no fault of my own. Just bad luck. I can brush and brush, no joy. So it needs work, and some radical at that. So on with some extractions of what were once molars on Thursday next, puttng in various crowns and more fun stuff.
Believe it or not, I am happy about the whole process. Never been scared of any dentist, that helps.
Considered bumping it to Grumpers, but won't do it. Turned out molar nr4 was unsalvageble so it was 4 extractions instead of 3, spent a good 75 mins in the chair and have 7 stitches. Bit painful now, sore of course.
That'll pass. It's the start of new dental work though, so that is good news.
Next visit: one more taken out, this time the other side. Bascailly lower jars are gutted expect for 1 molar and the teeth.
In 2 weeks we start demolition works for the upper jaw, at least 2 need to go out, but I am expecting it'll be ore like 4. Over 2 visits though, not doing the pull 4-in-1-go again. Was a bit much.
Hitting the like button seemed a bit bizarre, Nop, but you seem to be handling all this pretty well.
I can't remember what you said the final outcome would be. Will you have implants or some kind of dentures? I'm tempted to go for implants for the missing one on each side of my bottom jaw molars. I think the gaps are causing me to bite my tongue more than is normal, but I don't know how quickly jaw bone heals in your mid sixties.
Glad the work is moving along and the finish line approaches quickly so that sourdough can be consumed without fear.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on June 25, 2026, 06:28:57 PMHitting the like button seemed a bit bizarre, Nop, but you seem to be handling all this pretty well.
I can't remember what you said the final outcome would be. Will you have implants or some kind of dentures. I'm tempted to go for implants for the missing one on each side of my bottom jaw molars. I think the gaps are causing me to bite my tongue more than is normal, but I don't know how quickly jaw bone heals in the your mid sixties.
Glad the work is moving along and the finish line approaches quickly so that sourdough can be consumed without fear.
Not doing the implants (yet). It is simply too much work, I would need 7 alone in the lower jaw. It's going to be a frame, so dentures at least for the time being.
I am just glad I will be able to chew again like a normal person. And just today decided to not let financial implications hinder me, gong full steam ahead withbthe upper jaw as well. Insurance only covers a X amount a year so it'll be a bit more expensive but I want to get it over with.
Seven! Wow. :o
I'm in the process of having two fitted (last appointment is mid-August) and that's been more than enough hassle.
That sounds really rough...I hope the next session goes well for you, Sir.
Another fete on the village green today, this time with a flyover by a BBMF Spitfire.
(https://i.ibb.co/Ndbr6D25/spit01.avif)
(https://i.ibb.co/Y7gSGMn2/spit02.avif)
(https://i.ibb.co/hFwrFX5q/spit03.avif)
Not sure I used the right lens really but it was nice to see anyway. It was this one:
https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/battle-of-britain-memorial-flight/news/spitfire-ab910-flies-again/
We are currently watching the TdF live.
Yesterday, we decided to explore the only easy way for this to happen, by upgrading our current 'no frills' TV package.
I called BT around 10:00am and spoke with Sandra in the Glasgow office. All seemed extremely straightforward, too straightforward tbh. We thought we would pay the extra for TNT Sports if we were able to easily cancel later (after the tour).
Well, it turned out to be way cheaper than expected as I was advised not to add TNT on but to cancel our current package at £16.99 and replace with a package for £20.99 that included TNT. Not only was it only £4:00 extra but they could also increase my BB speed for the same price as my current deal. We were desperate to catch yesterday's stage and were assured that the new service would be activated in time for us to do this (12:30pm yesterday).
Anyway, surprise, surprise, it didn't happen. So, I called BT again and was told that the activation date was today....bugger!
Well, it has been activated today even though I keep getting texts about my fault. I think this relates to the bandwidth upgrade but who knows. I was assured that there would be no interruption to my service but that's probably a lie too!
So, fingers crossed for the time being. At the moment, enjoying the live coverage.
Quote from: David L on July 06, 2026, 12:31:35 PMAt the moment, enjoying the live coverage.
But did you enjoy it when they were bigging up the EU? Even the Crim Robbie McEwen.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 06, 2026, 04:24:02 PMQuote from: David L on July 06, 2026, 12:31:35 PMAt the moment, enjoying the live coverage.
But did you enjoy it when they were bigging up the EU? Even the Crim Robbie McEwen.
No. Ridiculously unnecessary and provocative comments. And very strange for someone from a country that was able to effectively halt unwanted immigration. Would he like Australia to be bossed by Jakarta? I don't think so - idiot.
Robbie's normally the one who speaks sense. I wonder if he's taken out Belgian citizenship as that's where his wife's from.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 06, 2026, 07:05:31 PMRobbie's normally the one who speaks sense. I wonder if he's taken out Belgian citizenship as that's where his wife's from.
Ah, his wife is Belgian is she? He's probably been 'forced' to drink the Kool-Aid then.
He's right and it's the brexiteers knocking back the Kool-aid but he shouldn't be discussing it on a sports show
Rob Hatch's fault, he was saying how good it was that Catalans both side of the France/Spain border can shop so easily on both sides. Yet all show he'd been bigging up Catalan independence then advocates that they should love being under the EU yoke. Rank hypocrisy.
Still not putting my dental adventures in grumpy, but today was a particularly nasty visit. 2 were taken out, left upper jar, and especially the one at the back was an ordeal. Spent another hour in the chair and when it came out finally (it broke in pieces of course) the cemented root was black from infection.
No wonder it hurt.
So now healing up, and extra painkillers because this is possibly the most painful dental intervention I had so far.
Back on the chair next Wednesday for more adventures.
^ My God, that all sound horrendous. So sorry for you Nop. I'm lucky with teeth I guess, the most I've had are a couple of fillings.
Grim. The best work of one of our finest poets, Pam Ayres, comes to mind.
Flying out to Naples today it was clear over the Alps and I could see over to Andalo where I learned to ski.
Mrs S was sceptical but I have proved it with a photo and Google maps.
Blimey Nop, sorry to hear.
Oh dear, Nop, what a terrible day. I was feeling sorry for myself tonight feeling a bit fluey after my shingles booster jab this morning, but nothing compared to your miserable time. Hope the pain subsides soon.
Quote from: Thenop on July 09, 2026, 08:28:14 PMStill not putting my dental adventures in grumpy, but today was a particularly nasty visit. 2 were taken out, left upper jar, and especially the one at the back was an ordeal. Spent another hour in the chair and when it came out finally (it broke in pieces of course) the cemented root was black from infection.
No wonder it hurt.
So now healing up, and extra painkillers because this is possibly the most painful dental intervention I had so far.
Back on the chair next Wednesday for more adventures.
Hopefully he ordeal ends then
What made my day two days back now - where does the time go? Was seeing Opeth in Pompeii.
I've seen Death Metal in the Halls of Culture - the Albert Hall - and now a Roman Ampitheatre, quite surreal in a way, but when it goes dark you could be anywhere. It was worth it.
Halifax Piece Hall? Not quite the same...
More dentistry! An unexpected filling, one molar that was to be crowned, was pulled, and one molar has now been nominated and prepared to be crowned.
Back next week, for a final round of demolition before the build up starts.
Fingers crossed.
Forgot all about what made my day last Friday.
Whilst wandering round Pompeii I impressed an American woman and her sons with my command of Latin :)
It was outside the house labelled up as that of Cecilio Giocondo, but I know him better as Lucius Caecilius Iucundus, star of the Cambridge School Latin course :)
The woman thought a mosaic in the doorway was a deer, I told her that it was most certainly a Canis. A canis called Cerberus, a bad dog who was jumping on the table of food. Now I didn't quite nail the whole text from memory, but I think I was close:
Quotecoquus est in culina. coquus in colina dormit. Cerberus intrat. Cerberus circumspectat. cibus est in mensa. canis salit. canis in mensa stat. Grumio stertit. canis latrat. Grumio surgit. coquus est iratus. "pestus! furcifer!" coquus clamat. Cerberus exit.
All said in the voice of my Latin Teacher too.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/trans-university-worker-charged-over-widdecombe-death-posts
Sick little man who posted hateful remarks about Ann Widdecombe online has been charged with an offence.
Quote from: Slim on July 17, 2026, 10:50:26 AMhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/trans-university-worker-charged-over-widdecombe-death-posts
Sick little man who posted hateful remarks about Ann Widdecombe online has been charged with an offence.
Should be given a jail term of at least 31 months if Lucy Connolly's punishment is the guide. We'll see if it is.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 16, 2026, 09:58:10 PMForgot all about what made my day last Friday.
Whilst wandering round Pompeii I impressed an American woman and her sons with my command of Latin :)
It was outside the house labelled up as that of Cecilio Giocondo, but I know him better as Lucius Caecilius Iucundus, star of the Cambridge School Latin course :)
The woman thought a mosaic in the doorway was a deer, I told her that it was most certainly a Canis. A canis called Cerberus, a bad dog who was jumping on the table of food. Now I didn't quite nail the whole text from memory, but I think I was close:
Quotecoquus est in culina. coquus in colina dormit. Cerberus intrat. Cerberus circumspectat. cibus est in mensa. canis salit. canis in mensa stat. Grumio stertit. canis latrat. Grumio surgit. coquus est iratus. "pestus! furcifer!" coquus clamat. Cerberus exit.
All said in the voice of my Latin Teacher too.
That rings a bell - certainly Cerberus - was the course delivered in leaflet form? Fair play on remembering all that text though - completely wiped from my memory!
Quote from: dom on July 17, 2026, 04:12:26 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 16, 2026, 09:58:10 PMForgot all about what made my day last Friday.
Whilst wandering round Pompeii I impressed an American woman and her sons with my command of Latin :)
It was outside the house labelled up as that of Cecilio Giocondo, but I know him better as Lucius Caecilius Iucundus, star of the Cambridge School Latin course :)
The woman thought a mosaic in the doorway was a deer, I told her that it was most certainly a Canis. A canis called Cerberus, a bad dog who was jumping on the table of food. Now I didn't quite nail the whole text from memory, but I think I was close:
Quotecoquus est in culina. coquus in colina dormit. Cerberus intrat. Cerberus circumspectat. cibus est in mensa. canis salit. canis in mensa stat. Grumio stertit. canis latrat. Grumio surgit. coquus est iratus. "pestus! furcifer!" coquus clamat. Cerberus exit.
All said in the voice of my Latin Teacher too.
That rings a bell - certainly Cerberus - was the course delivered in leaflet form? Fair play on remembering all that text though - completely wiped from my memory!
I think it was booklets. My head is full of all sorts of random shit: Latin for Werewolf? Versipelis!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 17, 2026, 06:44:54 PMQuote from: dom on July 17, 2026, 04:12:26 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 16, 2026, 09:58:10 PMForgot all about what made my day last Friday.
Whilst wandering round Pompeii I impressed an American woman and her sons with my command of Latin :)
It was outside the house labelled up as that of Cecilio Giocondo, but I know him better as Lucius Caecilius Iucundus, star of the Cambridge School Latin course :)
The woman thought a mosaic in the doorway was a deer, I told her that it was most certainly a Canis. A canis called Cerberus, a bad dog who was jumping on the table of food. Now I didn't quite nail the whole text from memory, but I think I was close:
Quotecoquus est in culina. coquus in colina dormit. Cerberus intrat. Cerberus circumspectat. cibus est in mensa. canis salit. canis in mensa stat. Grumio stertit. canis latrat. Grumio surgit. coquus est iratus. "pestus! furcifer!" coquus clamat. Cerberus exit.
All said in the voice of my Latin Teacher too.
That rings a bell - certainly Cerberus - was the course delivered in leaflet form? Fair play on remembering all that text though - completely wiped from my memory!
I think it was booklets. My head is full of all sorts of random shit: Latin for Werewolf? Versipelis!
It took me some time after leaving school to stop writing A.M.D.G in the top left margin of every page in every piece of work written in all subjects. Ad maiorem Dei gloriam. I got the odd strange look when I slipped up at work. I must have made that inscription thousands of times over a five year period. Stays with you that kind of thing. Muscle and spiritual memory I suppose.
Argentina's team and staff full of fcking shithouses finally getting their comeuppance.
Prince George poses in suit for new photo as he becomes a teenager https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2ge7z0708o
Fuck off you little prick.. in a suit .. jaysus
Quote from: Fishy on July 22, 2026, 10:11:31 AMPrince George poses in suit for new photo as he becomes a teenager https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2ge7z0708o
Fuck off you little prick.. in a suit .. jaysus
Why you so angry Mr Fish? Try making banana cry once a day........make relax
🐉🐲🙏
Quote from: Fishy on July 22, 2026, 10:11:31 AMPrince George poses in suit for new photo as he becomes a teenager https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2ge7z0708o
Fuck off you little prick.. in a suit .. jaysus
Wrong thread should be grumpy thread
Quote from: David L on July 22, 2026, 10:38:04 AMQuote from: Fishy on July 22, 2026, 10:11:31 AMPrince George poses in suit for new photo as he becomes a teenager https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2ge7z0708o
Fuck off you little prick.. in a suit .. jaysus
Why you so angry Mr Fish? Try making banana cry once a day........make relax
🐉🐲🙏
Wrong thread should be grumpy thread 😆
Taking the afternoon off after another dentist encounter.
One more extraction, 2 more drilling & filling.
And... I got to trial fit the frame for the underside. That was a good thing to do, keeps me motivated.
Now let it heal a bit, and one crown to be placed in 2 weeks (if all goes well), then fitting for the upper part of the frame.
Then more healing and hopefully in a month, maybe 6 weeks or so, I have teeth again.
New Ozric Tentacles album out in sept
Hospital called: I can go in for a second opinion on my foot coming Monday.
Never thought I'd live to see the day.
I really didn't think UEFA had the balls for this:
"No UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership."
Who could have thought Infantino would turn out to be worse than Blatter?