Monday, March 01, 2010
Comments:
Steve: OK well done. I'd better come then. I was going to go to a lecture by the bloke who wrote that classical book tonight as there was a big ad in the Guardian but it was sold out.
Cycled both days at the weekend so flipping cold though.
Matt passed his driving test with just 2 minors (you can have 14).
nick: Is that the full test that Matt passed then, or just the theory? Well done in any case
Tim are you coming to the Julian Baggini debate tomorrow? I can meet you at Basingstoke station if you want, it's about 10 mins walk from the church
nick: Yes Tony is still going but don't let that put you off if you want to go. Generally between 100 and 200 there I think.
If he's driving your car that's good, saves me thinking perhaps I should buy one for him
Tim: How's the planning for Fri/Sat going then? Do I need a bike, or a car? When shall I say I'll be home? Etc?
Steve: Planning to bring my bike Thursday eve - can I get to your work Nick? I have Thurs PM off to allow me plenty of time to get there. If you are WFH I will get to Basingstoke instead. I will return home Sat afternoon as Paul is back from uni. If anyone fancies checking the state of the engineering works I would appreciate it. Last time I didn't have my bike else I would have been peddling to Woking!
nick: I will be in the office on Thursday so it's best if you come to my work. I've got the day off on Friday
I had thought of suggesting the submarine in Portsmouth (?) on Saturday but I imagine that depends on what time Steve needs to be back in Luton
From what I can see there is no engineering work on the Basingstoke line on Saturday. I think in the past you've probably been doing Sundays, which is generally pretty bad - they seem to have stuff going on most Sundays on that line.
Tim: OK, if we're doing the Sub Museum (Gosport) then I'll train it up on Friday, and cadge a lift back after to Hedgey, sound OK? Thinking about it, I'll sort us out some lunch.
nick: The play on Friday evening starts at 7.30pm
So far as I can see the trains leave Hedge End at .36, getting to Micheldever at .02 or Basingstoke at .15
So if you got the 18.36 then we could collect you at MD at 19.02 and go straight into town, or we could meet you at Basingstoke Railway station at 19.15 and walk to the theatre from there (it's about 10 mins walk from the station)
Or if you get the 17.36 we could do it all an hour earlier.
nick: Incidentally, I notice that google streetview now has a lot more pictures - shows my house, Steve's drive and some building work near Tim's house.
Steve: Excellent sky on my street!
What time is best tomorrow Nick? bearing in mind I have all afternoon to get there - I can't stand the stress of trying to finish on time.
nick: steve - did you get a picture of the sky on your street?
would about 5pm be OK for tomorrow evening?
I realised that my car is being serviced tomorrow which means I'll be bringing one of Lesley's cars, each of which is a bit small. Should still be able to cram your bike in though. Although weather for Friday is looking a bit rainy...
Tim yes I reckon 19.02 at MD should be OK - gives us about half an hour to get into town and park.
I was thinking of getting something to eat afterwards, pizza etc. if that's OK?
nick
Steve: Yep 5PM no probs, will probably bring the bike as it's my means of transport but will check the weather again.
Steve: OK the weather looks terrible, forget the bike idea then. I'll be there for 5 no problem, will spend the afternoon faffing in London on the way.
nick: friday's Basingstoke forecast has changed from "heavy rain" to "sunny intervals", so I guess it'll probably end up "severe heatwave"
I have the mini today but can fit in a bike I'm sure.
Steve: Yep looks like I will bring the MTB then, just checking the map (got lost last time). Lovely sun here currently.
BTW the adblock plugin for Chrome is so good it even hides the sponsored links on Google! Which is a pain when you want them so I dare say there is a workaround for this.
Steve: Yes good point, he's not come up with anything he wants. Was going to be a guitar now he's not so sure! I'll have another go.
nick: Re: opera - OK, when should I aim to be at yours then, assuming I'm taking you into Southampton?
nick
Tim: Shall we set off from here about 6:15 or so? There's a Saints home game which doesn't help. I guess we'll be here from about 5, so any time you like.
Tim: Nick, forgot, can you keep me a ticket from last night? Cheers.
Coincidentallyish to what you were saying last night, I saw a mini reg ELL4S this morning.
nick: OK I still have the tickets so I'll keep hold of yours and let you have them
Reviews of the opera we saw seemed disappointed with "orient express" setting too
Two stars out of five from The Guardian "the change of location adds nothing beyond a stylish veneer and a bundle of inconsistencies"
Three stars from Telegraph "update is puzzling"
I also read somewhere else that the Pedrillo character is played by the "Go Compare!" singer, thought I recognised him
Steve: Checked again, nothing on Matt's list I'm afraid. I have the 1st off so any email/blog arrangements may be better before then.
Had 20 mins on the rowing machine yest. Pretty monotonous and hard to co-ordinate. Didn't go mad but still ache today a bit. Hopefully get longish ride in tomorrow can we use summer bikes yet???
Tim: Things are a bit up in the air at this end. Me mum's in hospital, some bowel-type problem, could be serious, should have more of a clue in the next day or two. So I'm playing it by ear at the moment, best pencil me out for the weekend.
In other news, I bought a cheap NetMD player on ebay mainly for its power supply, so I've got my HiMD back in working order.
nick: I was keeping an eye on gmail's spam detection to see how well it did. In the last month I had about 400 emails, 219 of which were flagged as spam - and only two of those were not real spam.
The two false positives were mailshots that were sent to me by companies that I'd bought stuff off, so they were a bit junk-mail but not what I'd call spam.
In the 180-odd that weren't classified as spam, no false negatives at all.
That seems pretty good to me.
Tim: "We" as in the support dept?
Quick update, me mum's having an op today.
And, breaking news - Simon Singh wins appeal.
Steve: Hope the op goes okay then and we'll see you sometime.
Yes Support dept is what I meant. Also check this design for a mains plug out!. It's handy having Paul who surfs a lot more than I do.
Tim: Does anyone want one of these tall CD racks I've got? I'm having a storage rethink, and one (so far) is going spare. Probably you'd only want it if you're looking to cram a load of CDs in a big cupboard or spare room. 2m tall, 45cm wide, 20cm deep. 13 shelves, 35 cds per shelf. The shelves are vey height-adjustable, eg for DVDs, but not deep enough for much else. I just thought I'd better ask before shoving it in the garage where it will start getting dirty.
Tim: The op's been delayed a bit, no news yet.
I've seen those plugs before. Look promising, if they're robust enough.
Steve: No thanks on the shelf things. Long-term I would think even I will rip CDs and put them out of sight. Lossless ripping of course with some sort of network music player that plugs into the hi-fi.
nick: Probably not interested in the shelves, thanks. Am mostly ripping stuff and listening via PC/ipod these days, which means CDs are being archived in the attic.
How's your mum tim, any updates?
And what's the latest on Matthew (who was quite ill over the past week)?
Steve: Matt not good at all, antibiotics not doing anything, one side of his neck is about a half inch out (swollen). Been back to the doctors today for tests for glandular fever and infection.
BTW Paul does have a race (time trial) starting at Preston something near Dummer Sat if you are around. I was thinking we come up Sat morning and leave Sat evening. If you're not around don't worry. Just Paul and me.
nick: Sorry to hear about Matt but at least the NHS is on the case, I suppose
Preston Candover, that'll be. Yes you're welcome to come, obviously. Let me know what times and I can organise food
Steve: Ok will say we'll arrive before lunch Sat, he needs to be there for about 2:30PM - setting off 15:45, finishes 90 mins later? We would stay for the evening and leave around 10? Great stuff - I'll have someone to chat with during the waiting times!
nick: I know how much you liked "Absent Friends" so some of these caught my eye
Hi de Hi at the Haymarket (not too hopeful about this one, tbh)
The Anderson/Wakeman Project at the Anvil, complete with "hilarious anecdotes" (not sure about this either but could be persuaded if someone else is interested)
The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard at the Old Vic. Think this would be good
nick: I think this would be one of my Desert Island Discs - feels like it's part of my life somehow. Not sure I would have liked the bloke, but I did like some of his music. This one I just can't listen to without getting caught by the rhythm - it is so relentless. And I love the jangly guitar sound that runs all through it, plus Anne Dudley's lovely strings which come in towards the end.
As one of the comments says, "The magicians of my youth are gradually fading away"
Steve: Matt is still quite ill I'm afraid, possibly a bit better but still a wreck so won't be bringing him tomorrow! Reckon we'll arrive 10:30.
Was your update prompted by McLaren's death by any chance?
Finished Ask the Parrot - very good as expected. Just started Perfecting Sound Forever by Greg Milner which is going to be a winner I think.
nick: Any dietary requirements for Paul? Lesley is doing various stuff but I don't know if it needs to be tailored with specific proportions of carbohydrate/protein etc.
Lesley's mum and Ken are coming tomorrow too so they will be around in the afternoon.
Yes, the Stark books seem all to be good reads. I don't think he's as good as Elmore Leonard though - I'm (re)reading "Gold Coast" on audiobook at the moment and it is such good writing. And funny - I laughed out loud quite a few times on the way in to work
Steve: I wouldn't worry too much about diet, I'm assuming pasta is fine. Although I think he said he is giving it up at some point!
I did laugh when the parrot finally talked though.
nick: Reminds me of a joke we heard at a warm up to a gig
Woman buys a parrot from a pet-shop; owner says "It's a nice
bird, although you might want to be aware that its previous home
was a brothel. But it's well trained and doesn't swear at all".
When she gets the bird home, she removes the cover from its cage,
and the bird looks round and says "Hmmm, nice place"
The woman calls her daughter who comes to see the parrot. It
looks at her and says "Hmmm, pretty girl"
Then the husband comes in to see. The parrot looks at him and
says "Hello, Bernard"
nick: Footage of the Iceland volcano eruption on youtube. The question is, what's the music? Surely Steve would know
nick: re: Barbican this Sunday.
I still aim to bring my bike, with its new pedals that look pretty solid.
Took me a while to get the old ones off - needless to say, I'd worked out in my head which way you needed to turn them to unscrew, and spent a while hammering at them before realising I had got it the wrong way round.
nick
Steve: Yes I have my MTB here ready! Can start as early as you like. Weather looks promising so far. No route in mind but I have decent and free maps.
Tighten towards the front of the bike. But yes we've all done it.
nick: I'm sure we could get something to eat, those of us who've been cycling will deserve it anyway.
Tim you'd best just say what time you can be there so that we can arrange to fit in and meet you.
Tim: Oh great, no trains between Eastleigh and Basingstoke so it's a 2 hour journey via Guildford. Or, I might drive to Basingstoke and catch a train there, do I just park over the road Nick? Either way, how about if I arrive Waterloo 4:30 pm? I should have flexibility.
Steve: Sounds like the typical weekend travelling I have when going to/from Hampshire. Can you then make it over to my office as it is near the Barbican and we will already be there getting cleaned up.
Nick bring spare clothes and a towel I suppose if you want a shower - I have gel!
nick: Tim, you could park at Basingstoke - there's a multi-storey opposite, which is probably easiest. Can't remember how much it costs on a Sunday.
Steve, looking forward to sharing some gel with you
Tim: Yes, that's the one I was thinking of, and if you can't remember how much it costs then it can't be disastrous.
Steve, might have to ring you from out in the street.
nick: Just a reminder for Tim - another science and faith talk tonight, this one on Global Warming, from a Cambridge professor whose "research
group is currently investigating the internal structure
of volcanoes in Iceland"
8pm, within easy walking distance of Basingstoke station
Tim: I've got a cold, would be coughing all the way through it (as my work colleagues can testify), sorry.
Tim: Absolutely. I'm 4 days into the cold, don't think it will last much longer. Big Coughing is (for me) usually the last stage.
Steve: Yep although took me by surprise this week - one of the guys here mentioned it! We are heading out west along the Thames so should be fine. Trains will be busier though.
Ordered a set of Bruckner's 9 but it arrived damaged so waiting for the 2nd attempt any day. And you really should try Prokofiev's piano concertos - they are excellent.
nick: Good job on the organisation yesterday Steve. Got home last night about 12.30am so was a bit tired!
Not sure about next Saturday yet - I think I may try and get there but wouldn't be staying; L+E are less likely but I'll confirm
Steve: OK good if you can make it - bring the bike! I have to pick Paul up from a ride at Oxford late afternoon FYI.
Bike scheme def up and running here but as I don't commute seems a bit bad to make use of it. A few people here seem keen.
Tim: It's nearly too late, sorry, but there's a Storm Thorgerson exhibition in London until Sunday
http://www.ideageneration.co.uk/generationgallery.php
Steve: Concert review HERE
Did a short ride last night - really good, how are you boys getting on with training regimes?
Tim: I'm planning to get the bike out of the garage Saturday, clean some of the mud off and replace an inner tube. Then put it back in the garage, most likely.
nick: Well done for prompting, Tim
Fridays I can make:
May 28
Fri 4 (half-term week, Mon is a bank hol)
Fri 18
I think Steve was favouring Fri 4th but can't remember exactly...
Steve: 4th June looks good for me - I will book it. 11th also good but too near the World Cup methinks.
When you get back I can't do the weekend as P has a ride on Sunday 4th July where he needs help (12 hour one). But I'm happy to book say Monday 5th & 6th off.
Steve: Also D is at camp the 1st week of August. I could take this week off but may have to ferry Matt to RAF 3rd 7 6th. So of you fancy doing stuff for an extended weekend 31st July shout.
Steve: Point of practicality here, I would prob not have my car so can we get to the ferry with our bikes? Can we train it to Southampton easily from Hedge End?
Tim: No, you have to change at Eastleigh from Hedge End, and wait 20 mins. It's just as quick to go to Portsmouth from here (that's a possibility?), or from Basingstoke to Southampton.
I've booked the 4th.
Steve: I also have the 4th off. Would come down 3rd for a decent start Friday BUT will we hit peak-time issues with bikes to Portsmouth?
Steve: Nope I won't be getting Spotify, lately I can't listen at work due to 100s of interruptions and we may have to kill it to save bandwidth. And they don't have everything and they've annoyed me with their adverts.
Tim: Er, I wouldn't have thought we need to go in the rush hour? I'm only going to last a few hours in the saddle, even if we take it easy. Nick is, I meant to say.
Tim: Also, if we go to Ryde Pier we could make use of the train at the other end to Shanklin, and do a circular route down there, or cycle Shanklin to (or from) Ryde.
Steve: OK good stuff on the planning, I would think Nick can do about 50-60 miles by then so don't worry about him. Sounds like you have it all under control in the planning dept.
Tim: If you guys want to do a few extra miles, I could train it back from Shanklin to Ryde and wait for you there.
nick: I have booked 4-Jun off as well.
Problems with plumbing at the moment: I replaced anti-scale chemicals at the weekend but because the old ones were VERY old, bits of them got into the boiler and meant that hot water didn't work.
Plumber came and said new descaler was required - recommended magnetic one, but after research I decided to keep the chemical device (consensus seems to be that there might be something in the magnetic idea, but evidence is mixed, and definitely not as good as "ion-exchange" chemical technology.
Asked plumber to fix drippy shower, which he did by putting in a new valve thing. But when I tried shower, you turn the mixer tap to hot, and it just keeps turning until it unscrews completely and comes off in your hand (without the temperature changing).
So had to have plumber back again - says it needs a new thermostatic valve, which he's had to order, so not sure when that'll come.
At least hot water works, so we can have a bath.
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Steve: OK well done. I'd better come then. I was going to go to a lecture by the bloke who wrote that classical book tonight as there was a big ad in the Guardian but it was sold out.Cycled both days at the weekend so flipping cold though.
Matt passed his driving test with just 2 minors (you can have 14).
nick: Is that the full test that Matt passed then, or just the theory? Well done in any caseTim are you coming to the Julian Baggini debate tomorrow? I can meet you at Basingstoke station if you want, it's about 10 mins walk from the church
nick: Yes Tony is still going but don't let that put you off if you want to go. Generally between 100 and 200 there I think.If he's driving your car that's good, saves me thinking perhaps I should buy one for him
Tim: How's the planning for Fri/Sat going then? Do I need a bike, or a car? When shall I say I'll be home? Etc? Steve: Planning to bring my bike Thursday eve - can I get to your work Nick? I have Thurs PM off to allow me plenty of time to get there. If you are WFH I will get to Basingstoke instead. I will return home Sat afternoon as Paul is back from uni. If anyone fancies checking the state of the engineering works I would appreciate it. Last time I didn't have my bike else I would have been peddling to Woking! nick: I will be in the office on Thursday so it's best if you come to my work. I've got the day off on FridayI had thought of suggesting the submarine in Portsmouth (?) on Saturday but I imagine that depends on what time Steve needs to be back in Luton
From what I can see there is no engineering work on the Basingstoke line on Saturday. I think in the past you've probably been doing Sundays, which is generally pretty bad - they seem to have stuff going on most Sundays on that line.
Tim: OK, if we're doing the Sub Museum (Gosport) then I'll train it up on Friday, and cadge a lift back after to Hedgey, sound OK? Thinking about it, I'll sort us out some lunch. nick: The play on Friday evening starts at 7.30pmSo far as I can see the trains leave Hedge End at .36, getting to Micheldever at .02 or Basingstoke at .15
So if you got the 18.36 then we could collect you at MD at 19.02 and go straight into town, or we could meet you at Basingstoke Railway station at 19.15 and walk to the theatre from there (it's about 10 mins walk from the station)
Or if you get the 17.36 we could do it all an hour earlier.
nick: Incidentally, I notice that google streetview now has a lot more pictures - shows my house, Steve's drive and some building work near Tim's house. Steve: Excellent sky on my street!What time is best tomorrow Nick? bearing in mind I have all afternoon to get there - I can't stand the stress of trying to finish on time.
nick: steve - did you get a picture of the sky on your street?would about 5pm be OK for tomorrow evening?
I realised that my car is being serviced tomorrow which means I'll be bringing one of Lesley's cars, each of which is a bit small. Should still be able to cram your bike in though. Although weather for Friday is looking a bit rainy...
Tim yes I reckon 19.02 at MD should be OK - gives us about half an hour to get into town and park.
I was thinking of getting something to eat afterwards, pizza etc. if that's OK?
nick
Steve: Yep 5PM no probs, will probably bring the bike as it's my means of transport but will check the weather again. Steve: OK the weather looks terrible, forget the bike idea then. I'll be there for 5 no problem, will spend the afternoon faffing in London on the way. nick: friday's Basingstoke forecast has changed from "heavy rain" to "sunny intervals", so I guess it'll probably end up "severe heatwave"I have the mini today but can fit in a bike I'm sure.
Steve: Yep looks like I will bring the MTB then, just checking the map (got lost last time). Lovely sun here currently.BTW the adblock plugin for Chrome is so good it even hides the sponsored links on Google! Which is a pain when you want them so I dare say there is a workaround for this.
Steve: Yes good point, he's not come up with anything he wants. Was going to be a guitar now he's not so sure! I'll have another go. nick: Re: opera - OK, when should I aim to be at yours then, assuming I'm taking you into Southampton?nick
Tim: Shall we set off from here about 6:15 or so? There's a Saints home game which doesn't help. I guess we'll be here from about 5, so any time you like. Tim: Nick, forgot, can you keep me a ticket from last night? Cheers.Coincidentallyish to what you were saying last night, I saw a mini reg ELL4S this morning.
nick: OK I still have the tickets so I'll keep hold of yours and let you have themReviews of the opera we saw seemed disappointed with "orient express" setting too
Two stars out of five from The Guardian "the change of location adds nothing beyond a stylish veneer and a bundle of inconsistencies"
Three stars from Telegraph "update is puzzling"
I also read somewhere else that the Pedrillo character is played by the "Go Compare!" singer, thought I recognised him
Steve: Checked again, nothing on Matt's list I'm afraid. I have the 1st off so any email/blog arrangements may be better before then.Had 20 mins on the rowing machine yest. Pretty monotonous and hard to co-ordinate. Didn't go mad but still ache today a bit. Hopefully get longish ride in tomorrow can we use summer bikes yet???
Tim: Things are a bit up in the air at this end. Me mum's in hospital, some bowel-type problem, could be serious, should have more of a clue in the next day or two. So I'm playing it by ear at the moment, best pencil me out for the weekend.In other news, I bought a cheap NetMD player on ebay mainly for its power supply, so I've got my HiMD back in working order.
nick: I was keeping an eye on gmail's spam detection to see how well it did. In the last month I had about 400 emails, 219 of which were flagged as spam - and only two of those were not real spam. The two false positives were mailshots that were sent to me by companies that I'd bought stuff off, so they were a bit junk-mail but not what I'd call spam.
In the 180-odd that weren't classified as spam, no false negatives at all.
That seems pretty good to me.
Tim: "We" as in the support dept?Quick update, me mum's having an op today.
And, breaking news - Simon Singh wins appeal.
Steve: Hope the op goes okay then and we'll see you sometime.Yes Support dept is what I meant. Also check this design for a mains plug out!. It's handy having Paul who surfs a lot more than I do.
Tim: Does anyone want one of these tall CD racks I've got? I'm having a storage rethink, and one (so far) is going spare. Probably you'd only want it if you're looking to cram a load of CDs in a big cupboard or spare room. 2m tall, 45cm wide, 20cm deep. 13 shelves, 35 cds per shelf. The shelves are vey height-adjustable, eg for DVDs, but not deep enough for much else. I just thought I'd better ask before shoving it in the garage where it will start getting dirty. Tim: The op's been delayed a bit, no news yet.I've seen those plugs before. Look promising, if they're robust enough.
Steve: No thanks on the shelf things. Long-term I would think even I will rip CDs and put them out of sight. Lossless ripping of course with some sort of network music player that plugs into the hi-fi. nick: Probably not interested in the shelves, thanks. Am mostly ripping stuff and listening via PC/ipod these days, which means CDs are being archived in the attic. How's your mum tim, any updates?
And what's the latest on Matthew (who was quite ill over the past week)?
Steve: Matt not good at all, antibiotics not doing anything, one side of his neck is about a half inch out (swollen). Been back to the doctors today for tests for glandular fever and infection.BTW Paul does have a race (time trial) starting at Preston something near Dummer Sat if you are around. I was thinking we come up Sat morning and leave Sat evening. If you're not around don't worry. Just Paul and me.
nick: Sorry to hear about Matt but at least the NHS is on the case, I supposePreston Candover, that'll be. Yes you're welcome to come, obviously. Let me know what times and I can organise food
Steve: Ok will say we'll arrive before lunch Sat, he needs to be there for about 2:30PM - setting off 15:45, finishes 90 mins later? We would stay for the evening and leave around 10? Great stuff - I'll have someone to chat with during the waiting times! nick: I know how much you liked "Absent Friends" so some of these caught my eyeHi de Hi at the Haymarket (not too hopeful about this one, tbh)
The Anderson/Wakeman Project at the Anvil, complete with "hilarious anecdotes" (not sure about this either but could be persuaded if someone else is interested)
The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard at the Old Vic. Think this would be good
nick: I think this would be one of my Desert Island Discs - feels like it's part of my life somehow. Not sure I would have liked the bloke, but I did like some of his music. This one I just can't listen to without getting caught by the rhythm - it is so relentless. And I love the jangly guitar sound that runs all through it, plus Anne Dudley's lovely strings which come in towards the end. As one of the comments says, "The magicians of my youth are gradually fading away"
Steve: Matt is still quite ill I'm afraid, possibly a bit better but still a wreck so won't be bringing him tomorrow! Reckon we'll arrive 10:30.Was your update prompted by McLaren's death by any chance?
Finished Ask the Parrot - very good as expected. Just started Perfecting Sound Forever by Greg Milner which is going to be a winner I think.
nick: Any dietary requirements for Paul? Lesley is doing various stuff but I don't know if it needs to be tailored with specific proportions of carbohydrate/protein etc.Lesley's mum and Ken are coming tomorrow too so they will be around in the afternoon.
Yes, the Stark books seem all to be good reads. I don't think he's as good as Elmore Leonard though - I'm (re)reading "Gold Coast" on audiobook at the moment and it is such good writing. And funny - I laughed out loud quite a few times on the way in to work
Steve: I wouldn't worry too much about diet, I'm assuming pasta is fine. Although I think he said he is giving it up at some point!I did laugh when the parrot finally talked though.
nick: Reminds me of a joke we heard at a warm up to a gigWoman buys a parrot from a pet-shop; owner says "It's a nice
bird, although you might want to be aware that its previous home
was a brothel. But it's well trained and doesn't swear at all".
When she gets the bird home, she removes the cover from its cage,
and the bird looks round and says "Hmmm, nice place"
The woman calls her daughter who comes to see the parrot. It
looks at her and says "Hmmm, pretty girl"
Then the husband comes in to see. The parrot looks at him and
says "Hello, Bernard"
nick: Footage of the Iceland volcano eruption on youtube. The question is, what's the music? Surely Steve would know nick: re: Barbican this Sunday.I still aim to bring my bike, with its new pedals that look pretty solid.
Took me a while to get the old ones off - needless to say, I'd worked out in my head which way you needed to turn them to unscrew, and spent a while hammering at them before realising I had got it the wrong way round.
nick
Steve: Yes I have my MTB here ready! Can start as early as you like. Weather looks promising so far. No route in mind but I have decent and free maps.Tighten towards the front of the bike. But yes we've all done it.
nick: I'm sure we could get something to eat, those of us who've been cycling will deserve it anyway.Tim you'd best just say what time you can be there so that we can arrange to fit in and meet you.
Tim: Oh great, no trains between Eastleigh and Basingstoke so it's a 2 hour journey via Guildford. Or, I might drive to Basingstoke and catch a train there, do I just park over the road Nick? Either way, how about if I arrive Waterloo 4:30 pm? I should have flexibility. Steve: Sounds like the typical weekend travelling I have when going to/from Hampshire. Can you then make it over to my office as it is near the Barbican and we will already be there getting cleaned up.Nick bring spare clothes and a towel I suppose if you want a shower - I have gel!
nick: Tim, you could park at Basingstoke - there's a multi-storey opposite, which is probably easiest. Can't remember how much it costs on a Sunday. Steve, looking forward to sharing some gel with you
Tim: Yes, that's the one I was thinking of, and if you can't remember how much it costs then it can't be disastrous.Steve, might have to ring you from out in the street.
nick: Just a reminder for Tim - another science and faith talk tonight, this one on Global Warming, from a Cambridge professor whose "researchgroup is currently investigating the internal structure
of volcanoes in Iceland"
8pm, within easy walking distance of Basingstoke station
Tim: I've got a cold, would be coughing all the way through it (as my work colleagues can testify), sorry. Tim: Absolutely. I'm 4 days into the cold, don't think it will last much longer. Big Coughing is (for me) usually the last stage. Steve: Yep although took me by surprise this week - one of the guys here mentioned it! We are heading out west along the Thames so should be fine. Trains will be busier though.Ordered a set of Bruckner's 9 but it arrived damaged so waiting for the 2nd attempt any day. And you really should try Prokofiev's piano concertos - they are excellent.
nick: Good job on the organisation yesterday Steve. Got home last night about 12.30am so was a bit tired!Not sure about next Saturday yet - I think I may try and get there but wouldn't be staying; L+E are less likely but I'll confirm
Steve: OK good if you can make it - bring the bike! I have to pick Paul up from a ride at Oxford late afternoon FYI.Bike scheme def up and running here but as I don't commute seems a bit bad to make use of it. A few people here seem keen.
Tim: It's nearly too late, sorry, but there's a Storm Thorgerson exhibition in London until Sundayhttp://www.ideageneration.co.uk/generationgallery.php
Steve: Concert review HEREDid a short ride last night - really good, how are you boys getting on with training regimes?
Tim: I'm planning to get the bike out of the garage Saturday, clean some of the mud off and replace an inner tube. Then put it back in the garage, most likely. nick: Well done for prompting, TimFridays I can make:
May 28
Fri 4 (half-term week, Mon is a bank hol)
Fri 18
I think Steve was favouring Fri 4th but can't remember exactly...
Steve: 4th June looks good for me - I will book it. 11th also good but too near the World Cup methinks.When you get back I can't do the weekend as P has a ride on Sunday 4th July where he needs help (12 hour one). But I'm happy to book say Monday 5th & 6th off.
Steve: Also D is at camp the 1st week of August. I could take this week off but may have to ferry Matt to RAF 3rd 7 6th. So of you fancy doing stuff for an extended weekend 31st July shout. Steve: Point of practicality here, I would prob not have my car so can we get to the ferry with our bikes? Can we train it to Southampton easily from Hedge End? Tim: No, you have to change at Eastleigh from Hedge End, and wait 20 mins. It's just as quick to go to Portsmouth from here (that's a possibility?), or from Basingstoke to Southampton.I've booked the 4th.
Steve: I also have the 4th off. Would come down 3rd for a decent start Friday BUT will we hit peak-time issues with bikes to Portsmouth? Steve: Nope I won't be getting Spotify, lately I can't listen at work due to 100s of interruptions and we may have to kill it to save bandwidth. And they don't have everything and they've annoyed me with their adverts. Tim: Er, I wouldn't have thought we need to go in the rush hour? I'm only going to last a few hours in the saddle, even if we take it easy. Nick is, I meant to say. Tim: Also, if we go to Ryde Pier we could make use of the train at the other end to Shanklin, and do a circular route down there, or cycle Shanklin to (or from) Ryde. Steve: OK good stuff on the planning, I would think Nick can do about 50-60 miles by then so don't worry about him. Sounds like you have it all under control in the planning dept. Tim: If you guys want to do a few extra miles, I could train it back from Shanklin to Ryde and wait for you there. nick: I have booked 4-Jun off as well.Problems with plumbing at the moment: I replaced anti-scale chemicals at the weekend but because the old ones were VERY old, bits of them got into the boiler and meant that hot water didn't work.
Plumber came and said new descaler was required - recommended magnetic one, but after research I decided to keep the chemical device (consensus seems to be that there might be something in the magnetic idea, but evidence is mixed, and definitely not as good as "ion-exchange" chemical technology.
Asked plumber to fix drippy shower, which he did by putting in a new valve thing. But when I tried shower, you turn the mixer tap to hot, and it just keeps turning until it unscrews completely and comes off in your hand (without the temperature changing).
So had to have plumber back again - says it needs a new thermostatic valve, which he's had to order, so not sure when that'll come.
At least hot water works, so we can have a bath.
