The Friendly Cafe - Open for chinwaggin'

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 10:24 am

Addiction. You know it's bad for you, but you can't help yourself....My sympathies, Bruv!

Unfortunately, I get 'the terrible triplets'- 'X facktup', 'CoroNasty' and 'DeadEnders'!

I don't want your pity, but you could pray for me.....:wah:

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 1:31 pm

My thoughts will be with you, but prayer is a step too far............sorry.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 5:03 am

That's OK, Bruv. It would have seemed a bit odd if you had agreed, especially as I'm a Pagan!:wah:

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:18 pm

How cute !

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:41 am

That's very novel, G#Gill! Reminds me of 'minuscule' cartoons somewhat.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 12:39 pm

It threw it down with torrential rain all night. We have a flat roof and it sounded just like we were in a caravan in a monsoon ! Needless to say I had a rather disturbed night's sleep ! It rained until just after 11 am then it was just cloudy. We did have a bit of hazey sunshine this afternoon, and it still hasn't rained again. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed that I have a quieter night tonight !

:-3

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 12:51 pm

G#Gill;1488318 wrote: It threw it down with torrential rain all night. We have a flat roof and it sounded just like we were in a caravan in a monsoon ! Needless to say I had a rather disturbed night's sleep ! It rained until just after 11 am then it was just cloudy. We did have a bit of hazey sunshine this afternoon, and it still hasn't rained again. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed that I have a quieter night tonight !

:-3

And I waited all night for the promised rain. The news said that we got .01! This area is experiencing a terrible drought. Wish you could send us some of yours.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 2:30 pm

ZAP;1488320 wrote: And I waited all night for the promised rain. The news said that we got .01! This area is experiencing a terrible drought. Wish you could send us some of yours.

You are most welcome to as much as you like, Zap ! But I suppose we'd better leave a bit for our agriculture, and my dear hubby's garden flowers !

By the way, how are you ? Haven't spoken for ages ! I miss you

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:24 pm

G#Gill;1488340 wrote: You are most welcome to as much as you like, Zap ! But I suppose we'd better leave a bit for our agriculture, and my dear hubby's garden flowers !

By the way, how are you ? Haven't spoken for ages ! I miss you

I'm fine Gill. Thanks for asking. I've been traveling, almost 4 weeks this time. I'm anxious to go home for a week or so and then it's off to LAS VEGAS.:-6

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:28 pm

G#Gill;1487907 wrote: How cute !

That is sooo cute! Looks yummy too.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 12:12 pm

Hey, Zap, I always knew you had the wanderlust gypsy in you ! You deserve to be able to travel, having worked hard all your life - you've certainly earned it ! Just take care and come home safe ! :yh_wink :driving:

ZAP · Post by **ZAP** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 12:34 pm

G#Gill;1488452 wrote: Hey, Zap, I always knew you had the wanderlust gypsy in you ! You deserve to be able to travel, having worked hard all your life - you've certainly earned it ! Just take care and come home safe ! :yh_wink :driving:

Thanks! I leave tomorrow, get to my house about 5 p.m. and was invited to a Halloween party at 6. I don't think I'll make it . . . but I do love costume parties . . . let's see, what can I dress up as. I know, a gypsy! Thanks for the idea, Gill. :-4

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:57 pm

Ah, but ain't it s'posed to be Hallowe'en on Saturday ? Have you got a good witches outfit, or maybe a ghost or skeleton ?

I'm alright for a ghost - I just let my hair loose (it is white and I usually keep it in a pony tail) and let it fall over the edges of a brilliant rubber skull mask that I've had for years, and I get a white single bed sheet and drape that over my head and cover my body.

When there's a knock at the door and a group of children stand there in all their 'terrifying' Hallowe'en costumes, I open the door and before they can shout 'trick or treat' .......................a chorus of screams erupts and the children are 'legging it' as fast as they can, away up the pathway to the comparative safety of the pavement and their waiting parents. I suppose one could say that the tables are turned ! :yh_rotfl My hubby quickly follows them waving a bag of sweets. This causes much laughter from the accompanying mums and dads ! Well it's a bit different innit ? :wah:

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 12:48 am

When kids come to the door shouting "Trick or Treat", I say "Trick" & chuck a bucket of water over them.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 8:07 am

Oh FourPart, you are norty !!!! :wah: Those poor children, half drowned just because they were threatening you, possibly with eggs on the window ! :sneaky:

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:23 am

They'd have a job egging my window - I'm in a tower block.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 1:53 pm

You could always pour the bucket out of the window....:wah:

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:22 pm

It may have been an olde very olde European tradition, Halloween, I mean, it may have been big once upon a time, but when did it creep up and push Bomb fire night off the agenda ?

Here goes..................when I was a kid we used to plaque our mother until she found some clothes suitable for making a Guy, so we could beg for pennies outside the local Co-op or station for a fortnight before November 5th. Then it was collecting stuff to make a bomb fire on the green at the back of our house, tidying loads of rubbish from the neighbourhood, loadsa fun.

These days they go up the super market and buy Chinese costumes and makeup, rubbish.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:29 pm

Bruv;1488548 wrote: It may have been an olde very olde European tradition, Halloween, I mean, it may have been big once upon a time, but when did it creep up and push Bomb fire night off the agenda ?

Here goes..................when I was a kid we used to plaque our mother until she found some clothes suitable for making a Guy, so we could beg for pennies outside the local Co-op or station for a fortnight before November 5th. Then it was collecting stuff to make a bomb fire on the green at the back of our house, tidying loads of rubbish from the neighbourhood, loadsa fun.

These days they go up the super market and buy Chinese costumes and makeup, rubbish.

Some of the old customs were good fun, and quite creative. We seem to be losing all that now, and it's a shame.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:39 pm

Bruv;1488548 wrote: It may have been an olde very olde European tradition, Halloween, I mean, it may have been big once upon a time, but when did it creep up and push Bomb fire night off the agenda ?

Here goes..................when I was a kid we used to plaque our mother until she found some clothes suitable for making a Guy, so we could beg for pennies outside the local Co-op or station for a fortnight before November 5th. Then it was collecting stuff to make a bomb fire on the green at the back of our house, tidying loads of rubbish from the neighbourhood, loadsa fun.

These days they go up the super market and buy Chinese costumes and makeup, rubbish.

I remember penny for the guy too! I recall standing outside our local co op for hours on end collecting money to get our parents to buy fireworks.

All my halloween costumes were home made, always a witch, easiest thing to do. We hid tonight, last year we were plagued by noisy teenage kids who hadn't even bothered to dress up. That's just taking the mickey if you ask me.

Straight after bonfire night we'd start planning for carol singing. December 1st we'd start and we'd target all the guest houses. The owners would invite us in and stand us in the dining room where we'd sing several songs at the poor diners, the owners tended to find a pot and take a collection for us whilst we were on the last song, we'd make a killing! We'd then also be plied with all sorts of cakes and sweets on the way out the door. Our parents looked forward to seeing all the goodies we'd bring home :wah:

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 3:01 pm

Betty Boop;1488551 wrote: I remember penny for the guy too!

You don't look old enough...........................smooze.....smooze.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:53 pm

I always used to expect fog as soon as 5 November was over and done with. I used to reckon that all the smoke from bonfires and fireworks just encouraged foggy weather ! :wah:

But it ain't 'arf bin thick fog these last couple of days - caused flight cancellations at our local East Midlands Airport. We've been warned that it will be just as foggy on Tuesday, but the weather will change a bit and it will shower the wet stuff instead of choking us with fog towards the evening !

Right that's the weather for the East Midlands of England for the next couple of days ! :p

At least we don't have the terrible choking yellow muck called smog that hit this country in the early 50's onwards. That caused an awful lot of deaths.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:20 am

The trouble with thick fog is that it tends to trap vehicle exhaust fumes and sewage smells at low-level, rather than letting them dissipate. Damn dodgy to drive in too, especially with the idiots who drive too fast, or unlit!

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:37 am

Yesterday was my first day in my new job - and it was thick fog. The kind of weather I hate most on the bike. It's scary. The number of cars out there with no lights on, driving at speeds you wouldn't believe - suddenly appearing out of the murk. On top of that, it makes the ground wet & treacherous. A certain amount of moisture on the road gives better grip (a bit like licking your finger to turn a page), but it the moisture from fog seems to be more dense & slippery. I don't know if that is actually the case or if the other conditions just give that psychological impression.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:43 am

FourPart;1488704 wrote: Yesterday was my first day in my new job - and it was thick fog. The kind of weather I hate most on the bike. It's scary. The number of cars out there with no lights on, driving at speeds you wouldn't believe - suddenly appearing out of the murk. On top of that, it makes the ground wet & treacherous. A certain amount of moisture on the road gives better grip (a bit like licking your finger to turn a page), but it the moisture from fog seems to be more dense & slippery. I don't know if that is actually the case or if the other conditions just give that psychological impression.

It may be somewhat more slippery in fog than in rain. When it rains, there's falling water to continually wash the crud off the road surface, whereas in dense fog all that crud tends to form a slippery 'emulsion' that isn't removed; in fact it slowly worsens as vehicles deposit more oil particles....

Watch out for fallen leaves too!

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 2:44 pm

And watch out for wet drain covers, usually just where a biker wants to go in the road. Also you'll notice those damn plastic white lines on the road, a bit 'ridgey' under motorcycle wheels, particularly in the wet. When I rode motorcycles (a few years ago now :wah: ) I used to bless these town planners. Who the heck decided to put inspection hatches (ironwork) just where motorcyclists would need to travel. They are so slippery for two wheeled vehicles - but not very noticeable in cars. Have you noticed how they seem to congregate at busy junctions ?

I have always said that anybody who wants to drive a car should have to master the motorcycle first ! Riding on two wheels is probably the best way, if not the only way, to get to appreciate different weather conditions and road hazards (not noticed in a car).

You soon get to realise just how slippery a road is in icy weather, or how slippery a road surface can be if a vehicle has spilled some diesel. That scenario is quite common at traffic roundabouts where a vehicle perhaps goes a little too fast around the curving road and diesel splashes out of a not very tightly screwed up fuel cap ! Those situations can be death traps to the unwary biker !

Also a car driver would have knowledge of the various hazards for two wheels while they are not as susceptible in their four wheeled car. It would make car drivers respect bikers a lot more.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 1:11 pm

You soon get to realise just how slippery a road is in icy weather, or how slippery a road surface can be if a vehicle has spilled some diesel. That scenario is quite common at traffic roundabouts where a vehicle perhaps goes a little too fast around the curving road and diesel splashes out of a not very tightly screwed up fuel cap ! Those situations can be death traps to the unwary biker !

Been there, done that, and got the scars to prove it! Spilled diesel is as slippery as black ice on two wheels....I think that drivers caught with insecure fuel-caps, or leaking fuel tanks should be fined if caught!

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 6:01 pm

Smaug;1488807 wrote: I think that drivers caught with insecure fuel-caps, or leaking fuel tanks should be fined if caught!

I think they can.

Very true about manhole covers (or inspection covers, to give them their PC term) - especially seeing as the most common place to find them seems to be in the centre of the lane (where a biker should be) on a bend. Even worse at this time of year when they can also be concealed by wet leaves. Even on the Theory Test one of the questions refers to why you should not ride across a yellow painted bus stop in wet weather - the correct answer being that the painted stripes can make the surface slippery.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:42 am

FourPart;1488824 wrote: I think they can.

Very true about manhole covers (or inspection covers, to give them their PC term) - especially seeing as the most common place to find them seems to be in the centre of the lane (where a biker should be) on a bend. Even worse at this time of year when they can also be concealed by wet leaves. Even on the Theory Test one of the questions refers to why you should not ride across a yellow painted bus stop in wet weather - the correct answer being that the painted stripes can make the surface slippery.

If drivers can be fined for insecure fuel caps/leaky tanks, then well-and-good!

As for drain covers (manhole), it's also pretty common to find them on 'the racing line' too. If you should find yourself on one in wet weather, my advice is not to try controlling the slide ACROSS the cover;-let the bike sort itself out. If you 'steer in', when the tyre leaves the slippery manhole cover, the tyre grips again, and the resulting 'kick' can launch you out of the saddle. I've always let the bike sort itself out (wet or dry manholes), and I've never come off on one yet (though there's always a first time....!)

One of the most dangerous things I've ever experienced was running over a large, flattened cardboard box on the road;-the whole thing slid sideways as I passed over (I nearly DID 'pass over', I can tell you...!) it, taking me with it (I ran over it on a blind corner....).

Proves the old adage of "you may know the corner, but do you know what's round it....?.

The best bet, of course, is to avoid 'em like the plague,though this isn't always possible. Another 'rule of thumb' that I have is that the greater the shine on a road surface, the less grip there is (wet OR dry). Shine (and therefore lack of grip) can be down to many things; melted tar (in summer), Old polished granite chip surface (even in dry weather ), Wet road surface, or black ice (in winter). In the countryside, spilled corn or hay can be treacherous too ( I've had 'ring-twitch' a good many times because of the above list!).

I hope this advice is somewhat helpful FourPart, though I don't doubt that you know most of it already.

Stay safe buddy, especially at this time of the year.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:30 pm

Interesting advice for all new bikers. I expect, like me, smaug has many years experience as a biker and experienced ALL weathers.

I certainly have, through necessity as I had a Vespa motor scooter first then progressed onto Honda motor bikes - We lived out in the country in a small village with very intermittent bus service, so getting motorised two wheels was essential. I was an 'L' driver for a couple of years so there was no point in me getting a car. My hubby had a small van as well as his Honda, but we worked in totally different directions so I needed my own transport.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:21 pm

Getting into work this afternoon was a nightmare. Absolutely peeing down, and Marcus doesn't like the wet. When it's raining, anything less than 4k revs & the engine cuts out, so in nose to tale traffic, with all the traffic lights against you it's a major battle to keep the engine running by high rev clutch control, coupled with manual choke control, then using the start button on the go or, failing that, bump starting it while it still has the momentum & whilst making a turn, just hoping that you have the momentum to complete the manoeuvre.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 6:32 pm

I can't stand machines that are touchy like that. Perhaps that's why the previous owner got rid ? Unless you bought new, then surely it would still be under the warranty and you could chuck it back at the retailer ?

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 6:41 pm

Just had a thought, FourPart, is your journey to work on a bus route, in case the weather is so bad it would not be a good idea to travel on your motorbike ?

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 6:38 am

I'm not sure about whether there even is a bus route that goes near there. Even if there were it would mean having to go into town to get another bus (and quite probably further changes). The journey into town alone takes about half an hour, in good conditions. Then it would have to be a different bus line, as Southampton is not actually part of Hampshire, so the buses need to cross County borders. All in all, a bus journey would probably take in the region of about 2½ - 3 hours, as opposed to 40 mins by bike. Then there would be the problem of getting home. Bear in mind my shift doesn't end until 22:30 - or later if there happens to be an emergency - which, by the very nature of the job, is not uncommon.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:47 am

Sounds like 'own transport' is the only sensible option, FourPart. And probably the cheapest.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:36 pm

Smaug;1488957 wrote: Sounds like 'own transport' is the only sensible option, FourPart. And probably the cheapest.
Definitely the cheapest. The bike gets about 31kpl (approx 88mpg - better efficiency on long runs, but most of my use is stop-start inner city usage). A fill up is generally about 10 litres, so that's about 175 miles for a tenner. Using the bus would mean at least 2 buses (maybe more) at no less than £2.50 per bus, each way. Total journey distance about 8 miles each way, so about 22 runs per tank.

Still, I've got an interview for another job next week. If I get that one it'll mean working in the City Centre, where the bus will be most practical, although more costly.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:44 pm

FourPart;1489071 wrote: Definitely the cheapest. The bike gets about 31kpl (approx 88mpg - better efficiency on long runs, but most of my use is stop-start inner city usage). A fill up is generally about 10 litres, so that's about 175 miles for a tenner. Using the bus would mean at least 2 buses (maybe more) at no less than £2.50 per bus, each way. Total journey distance about 8 miles each way, so about 22 runs per tank.

Still, I've got an interview for another job next week. If I get that one it'll mean working in the City Centre, where the bus will be most practical, although more costly.

Not to mention warmer and safer!

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 5:38 am

Much safer:

Man killed in Southampton bus crash named - BBC News

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:34 am

FourPart;1489088 wrote: Much safer:

Man killed in Southampton bus crash named - BBC News

Safe if you're on the bus, as opposed to under it!

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 6:51 am

It would be interesting to find out what happened and who's fault it was (if anybody was actually to blame). My mother always used to complain bitterly when she read of accidents on the road. There never seemed to be any 'follow up' report, unless of course the accident was a 'fatal' and there was an inquest. She was interested to find out the exact location and have reasons for the accident published, so that she could be aware whenever she ventured along that particular piece of road.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 1:39 pm

Yes, having a useful 'follow up' could be beneficial in forewarning motorists of hazards in that particular area.

Post by **LarsMac** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:38 pm

most accidents are simply two people not paying proper attention, and having an unfortunate incident. Sometimes only one person is completely at fault.

Unless there was a specific condition of the street or road, or something in the infrastructure. A follow-up would be unnecessary and possibly intrusive on the parties involved.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:57 pm

LarsMac;1489226 wrote: most accidents are simply two people not paying proper attention, and having an unfortunate incident. Sometimes only one person is completely at fault.

Unless there was a specific condition of the street or road, or something in the infrastructure. A follow-up would be unnecessary and possibly intrusive on the parties involved.

I was thinking more of the hazard warning aspect, as opposed to going into detail over any previous accident(s). Bringing up details of previous accidents could indeed be distressing for anyone involved in a previous happening there, especially if it was a 'fatal'.

Post by **LarsMac** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:32 pm

Sure. you're right, there. If a particular stretch of road, or intersection has problems, or a high number of accidents, there should be an analysis, and reports to alert people if the hazard. We do see something like that down in Denver, or Boulder. In Denver a couple of intersections have been identified as being particularly hazardous, and a stretch of the expressway has been known to flood after troublesome rainstorms. Studies are underway n how best to resolve the problems, and signs have been posted prior to entering the areas.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 11:32 am

LarsMac;1489229 wrote: Sure. you're right, there. If a particular stretch of road, or intersection has problems, or a high number of accidents, there should be an analysis, and reports to alert people if the hazard. We do see something like that down in Denver, or Boulder. In Denver a couple of intersections have been identified as being particularly hazardous, and a stretch of the expressway has been known to flood after troublesome rainstorms. Studies are underway n how best to resolve the problems, and signs have been posted prior to entering the areas.

A good hazard report could save lives at the hazard 'hot-spot'. We could do with reports like you guys get 'over there'!

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 4:56 am

There used to be 'black spot' signs at areas of frequent accidents, and most drivers understood what these signs meant. I believe that nowadays they have been replaced by a sign with an exclamation mark on it.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 12:10 pm

If motorists take care when they see these 'exclamation' signs, it may save them making one (an exclamation) themselves......!

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Nov 10, 2015 5:37 pm

I seem to remember something about the Black Spot signs being done away with because they apparently ended up somehow increasing the number of accidents & drivers blaming their own incompetencies on being the cause of a known Black Spot.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 11:41 am

Accidents are more usually a result of human error, as opposed to machine failure. Conditions can play a part in this, but we as drivers must accept the 'lions share' of the blame. It's not the road that's dangerous (usually), it's us, and our failure to adapt to the hazards and conditions.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 7:00 am

We went on a day trip to Norfolk yesterday. We definitely picked the right day to go as it was sunny all day and although there was a bit of wind, it was not cold until the sun was going down. We made tracks home then. Apparently the promised rain did not arrive till the middle of the night in the Midlands. Yes, it was a very enjoyable day and it may be the last trip before Springtime arrives !

On leaving the coast, I found myself wishing fervently that I would spend the autumn of my years in a lovely bungalow or cottage on the coast of Norfolk. Alas, unless we come up on the Euromllions or something of the sort, I doubt very much whether my wish will ever come true ! :-1