Thetownend.com

Difficult to fill your day when in lockdown. So what are you up to?

I’m blanching heaps of veg ready for freezing - the excitement knows no bounds here!

Spending time with the family.

Will probably take the boy out for walk later and stay socially distance and try not to bump into any TEFers this time!!!

He’s had a few issues with his skin recently so has taken up a lot mine and the wife’s time recently. Plus we are both still working. I’m a key person (!!) and she can WFH

Box sets, box sets, box sets.

Will probably start on the garden etc.

Cant go anywhere because of the mrs, who is feeling perkier today

Netflix, playing a few PC games, fixing things round the house, watching old TV, chatting to old friends on Facebook.

Normal sort of day for me with or without Covid19.

Going out on a bike ride.

Going to a pub garden

I’ve barely left the house since Monday and starting to get concerned about my lack of excercise. On a day to day basis I average 15k steps a day via walking and gym.

I’m wanting to start going outside for lunchtime walks but obviously don’t want to endanger anyone so thinking of going to Battersea Park and back during the week. But what is the best way to replicate what I’m doing in the gym, weights etc. Obviously press ups and stomach crunches/sit ups are good but does anyone have any advise? Ideally I’d like to have a routine I can get into to help aid the mental side of it.

I don’t want to get into the habit of just watching tv and playing Football Manager the whole time! We’ve been keeping off the booze until the weekends to give us something to look forward to.

Waiting to hear from local charities as we’ve also offered ourselves up to volunteering to help people During this time.

I'm trying to keep to routine, but in truth working from home can help get me out the lazy far bastards life I've had since fucking up my knee.

the elliptical is right in the next room. I have no commute. replace commute with  elliptical - eventually anyway, not up to it yet.

but need to get out house and walk around a bit.

Just been out for a walk, through Kembrey Park then along the footpath by BMW and back again.
Not the most exciting of urban walks but it’s quiet with a few cyclists and dog walkers and someone even said good morning.  :)
Need to try and do this on a daily basis while it's still allowed.

Could do with catching up on ripping some CD’s and can multi task with that as well, or might just sit and watch the progress bar.

I’m used to working from home so this isn’t far from the norm anyway (going to gigs and football etc aside). With free weekends can spread the working week out a bit as well.

Will look in on distant friends via email. Old school!

I’m signing up for the Greek version of Rosetta Stone. Under €5 a month if I sign up for 2 years.

Will I be here in 2 years time is the question or will the virus get me first!

Have a look on YouTube for plyometric exercises. There are 100s for all parts of the body and generally you can do them with either just your body weight or basic equipment like a step or box.
That said, haven’t followed my own advice at all. Can’t find the motivation but it will be important to stay as physically and mentally healthy as possible.

Had a lie in left the house at 9.30am to pop to Sainsbury's . I only needed some friut and veg and a few odds but i knew if i didn't get their early, i had no chance. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people being so courteous well behaved. Shelves were still being stocked by staff but there was no pushing or shoving which was nice to see.

Letting some of my cows and calves out for the summer now that the weather is improving. Usually chat to some people who live close to the fields I use but nobody about this morning,message seems to be getting through. Also re watching episodes of Inspector Montalbano and looking longingly at the last two slices of bread, should at least lose some weight

I'm doing pretty much what I always do. A spot of gaming now and I'll be playing with my boy a bit later.

Tomorrow - back to work. Which also means that I will be doing what I usually do. Hoping for some MDMA relief next weekend, I'm not sure about the logistics of that yet, though.

Golf this morning (whilst I still can) - only 7 of us played which is normal & kept a goodly distance away from each other.
Was planning to antifoul the boat this pm but have decided to wait and see whether total lockdown occurs - it's bloody expensive paint !
Scrabble this evening, Mrs Scillyred (BA Hons) has challenged me (Oxford Poly Diploma) to a summer tournament !
Currently 2-2 as I managed a couple of lucky 7 letter words - bon't feel it is not going to end well for me  :(

You're lucky, my cows are still in and my boss has decided to sell the cows which should be going in about 3 weeks, fortunately it looks like i bagged another job or i will have to do relief milking

Working (from home)

Providing IT cover for the 600 staff at home who dont know how to click an icon to connect via VPN. It is quiet though hence being on here.

If you are prepared to part with some cash, I recommend Beachbody workouts.  Started with Insanity on DVD after seeing the late night infomercials.

I've just cleaned the conservatory roof. Got pissed on the Carling premier last night.

How much carling does one have to drink to get drunk on it?

I had 12 cans which is more than my usual Saturday night intake.  It's 4.7% so slightly stronger than your regular stuff. Also it's not gassy so goes downs treat. Groggy today.

Learning the language is a great idea. When we bought our place in Turkey we started to do Turkish lessons but that’s fizzled out. I know enough so say hello how are you etc and what words are for food and drink but that’s really about it. Clearly as you are there for the long(ish) haul this is a great opportunity to learn the lingo!

Currently on a train in Devon on a weekend break. Towns are bustling with people. Customers sat outside cafes in the sunshine. Toilet roll is readily available for sale in the shops, although food stocks do seem a bit depleted.

And in Thailand...

Last night thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of Bangkokians travelled to stay with family up country. Many departing from massive petri dishes (packed bus stations), taking with them whatever contagions they pick up.

Isaan is a poor region. It'll be fucked in a pandemic.

Whether it’s just an age thing, but if I learn a few words/phrases and then don’t actually use them I forget what I’ve learnt.

Currently anti bac wiping the whole house now have some  :suicide:
This isolation thing is boring, necessary but still...
Not really a gamer either  :crash: though could dust off the laptop and play silent hunter 3.
If the mrs leaves me alone  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Bit of a taradiddle this. Was at Ascot last year with number one son and after quite a few beers between us I mentioned to him that I always wanted to (try and) play bass guitar. Thought no more of it until Fathers day when one appeared on the doorstep and duly signed for. He apparently had bought it for me online one Friday night after once again having a few beers, then thought about it some more and cancelled the order. Obviously I thought it required sending back but lo and behold the company returned his money and here we are quite a few months down the road with no request for a return of said instrument. So now I have a bass guitar, and he is not out of pocket, the company has not chased him up and all is well.

This brings me on to what am I doing. Trying to learn how to play the bass guitar adequately. I have been using online You Tube videos and downloaded "tabs" and sheet music regarding scales/chords/arpeggios etc. etc. over a period of a few months but not really progressing much, so now is the time to up the practising and get to some sort of level. Never the intention to be in a group but would like to be able to play along with music and like many of us, now have plenty of time.

Proof that people are selfish morons.

That's like me. I have had to train staff on usiny office 365....

Seriously, these are teachers, grown adults, with degrees...

Why the fuck are you gallivanting about in Devon when you would have heard the warnings before you left.    Fucking Amazing.

I was made redundant at the end of 2019 after selling my boss’s cattle. Decided to have a go myself so spent my savings buying a small herd of my own, a truck and enough feed for the winter. Took on some casual work as well to keep me going so all this shit hasn’t come at the best of times. However watching cows and calves enjoying stretching their legs on a sunny afternoon brought a smile to my ugly mug 🤗  Hope your new job works out for you 👍

Astonishing, isn't it?

These people could literally be killing others with their actions, yet they fucking brag about it.

Didn't someone say they thought he was red ken the (bad) troll?

Check the front page of the daily mail hundreds/thousands walking along Brighton & Bournemouth sea front and cyclist in a London park! Crazy....

The parks in London are obscene. What is wrong with people!

That was me, no idea why, just seems odd that he has been away for a while and now this new nuisance has appeared.

Went out for a small walk earlier with my (nearly) 4 year old on his scooter. Spent the afternoon in the garden, did a 20 minute Joe Wicks video, now teaching him how to play Mario Kart on the Wii U.

I just fucking give up.

But grown adults who know not to go down the pub and are doing a crucial job currently. Slightly more important than a Pc monkey

Whether he is not, suspect this latest post is JAT (just another troll)

Frantically searching for an element for our oven which died 3/4 way through cooking lunch today!

I've just uploaded Championship manager 2000-01 to my computer, just going to play it now and then.

Chosen Swindon, not the best season's team to inherit, but got Fraser Digby back on loan, and after losing 4 and drawing 1 friendly without scoring a goal, i've just won the first league match 2-1 at home to Wrexham, Keith O'Halloran got them both. Michael Thomas (ex Arsenal/Liverpool) is playing as a defensive midfielder for me.

Just watching highlights of Leeds v Rangers 92/93 Champions League on BT Sport. It's easy to think that British football in the early 90's was all kick and rush and lump it forward, especially when one of the teams was managed by Howard Wilkinson. There's some great stuff being played by both sides though. Perhaps not surprising when you consider Leeds had Strachan, McAlister, Rocastle and Cantona in their side. What a player Ian Currant was as well...

Fair play to you. I would like my own herd but the set up costs are astonishing .
I was made redundant at the end of 2019 but fortunately i was offered 5 jobs and it now looks like a choose the wrong one as the herd is now being sold.
This other farm which has offered me a job is a big farm with a good reputation so hopefully it wont happen again. It's not a good time to be looking for another job.
Do you have a beef suckler herd ?

If it wasn’t for this PC monkey the staff and students wouldn’t be able to work from home.

Why would you expect them to know it’s complete functionality without any training?

I had training on it when it was introduced at my work and I’m pretty IT literate, hardly a radical policy.

Troll.

nobody is that thick

Oh they are. People everywhere today.

For some reason, I spent the last ten minutes watching Cam McGilp stream playing FIFA. He's not exactly chatty.

He has a bizarre accent.

e-sports are coming into their own at the minute... there was an F1 race earlier on the Sky F1 channel that was being advertised on the main sky home screen today, some drivers and sim racers... Bananas what a sports drought will do to a sports channel!

I'm a teaching assistant so back I to work today. Got roughly 20% of our kids in and no shortage of staff so should be a good day, all things considered.  Certainly glad I wont be in the house all day

I went for a solitary distanced walk  through Swindon Town Gardens yesterday afternoon, and was dismayed to see many benches rammed with people sitting and chatting, social groups close together, and kids playing close together.  What's wrong with some people?

I’m self isolating currently as both kids have/had a cough. Supposed to be working from home but difficult to fit in working (for both of us) alongside looking after a one and a three year old. Thankfully our head has seen sense so there are very few staff in school today for the expected 55 students.

first day of a proper routine as now into the 4th week of working from home. Missus has found some excercise routines so we did a 20 minute 'impact' class this morning. Its meant that I have to have a shower and get dressed, have breakfast etc before logging into work. Also planning to find a lunchtime walk where I won't be in contact with too many people.

I really do feel (well a smigeon) for people with kids at the moment. My sister has 3 young'uns and she is really struggling to keep them entertained. Her morning task everyday is to try and answer the question 'what are we doing today'!

some bloke whose name was something like John Wick is doing a free daily 30 minute exercise thing.

how young is young? we've put a timetable up for ours as if they are at school, but they're old enough for a structured day.

naturally I can hear them killing each other upstairs, Mrs B is not at work tomorrow so that'll stop :)

My kids are climbing the walls already.

5,7,10 I think.

I believe that they are doing on online PE lesson at 9, the Glasgow science centre is also doing daily experiments at 10am and they are also using virtual online art classes as well as some structured school work.

To be fair there is a lot of effort being put on by people on the internet at the moment. Can you imagine if we had this pandemic prior to the internet? There are only so many jigsaws you can complete!! :)

I'm working. At work. In a fucking hospital.

Good luck, stay safe. I know you're not frontline frontline but what you do helps keep them going. We all appreciate it.

I'm one of two network engineers, currently building a new RAS VPN solution. Never been so busy!

You guys are the fucking legends here Jayo. As Paul has said your work is absolutely vital and is so appreciated in these times. Stay strong and safe.

Love you man. x

Genuinely though. It's appreciated. My wife was dreading going in this morning, but she knew she had to. She wants to.

Cheers all, I'm "only" an IT guy but one of us needs to be here. My hands are fucking wrecked from washing :D

I had to stop my misses from going out this morning to get butter. We already have butter, she just wanted a different type.

My daughter had a bronchial infection earlier this year and has had pneumonia in the past. I'm on full fucking lockdown, asides from getting the necessities. Guests are also not allowed.

Fortunately for me I'm a freelancer and work from home anyway.

It doesn't matter if you are front line or in the background, your work is essential and very much appreciated, even if it is at the expense of your hand health!

As long as it doesn't affect the ability to turn it off and back on again! :)

Couldn't get one on line for a couple of days, so spent 2-3 times as much to get one from a couple of miles away. Took it apart this morning, then fitted and tested the new one. Now on the way to work.

Computer says no....

Can any wannabe economists advise please? I keep hearing about how important it is to keep the economy going. I am currently receiving refunds for event tickets & travel I had booked for this spring & summer. Also I am currently not spending as much as the Winchester is closed. Therefore my bank balance is quite healthy. By not spending as much, does that mean all I am doing is not feathering nest of the fat cat (excuse mixed metaphore) remote shareholders, but keeping the money local & thereby helping small business in my vacinity?

How about giving the money to charity.  A lot of people will be struggling.

Good idea. I'll do that.
I hear there are plans to help the self-employed to be announced today. Good stuff. Fully deserved for those who have always honestly filled in forms and paid their dues to the govenment, the same as PAYEers do.

Has this account made any posts that *haven't* been active trolling?

That's a valid pint Paul

I appreciate a good troll, depending on how they go about it.

Some can be very intelligent and witty; with a creativity that you just have to admire when you realise you've been suckered in.

Ours are rather bland, though, and also rather too obvious. It takes the right amount of subtlety otherwise people just see right through it straight away. It makes one wonder why the trolls on the TEF even bother - they are woefully ineffective.

:D

Dunno. Reg has been running rings around you guys for ages.

As I've been saying for months. He doesn't fall into the ineffective category I suppose.

Government has relaxed the rules around HGV's: the 9 hour daily driving has been increased to 11 hours. The 4.5 hours driving before a 45 min rest has been increased to 5.5 hours and the daily rest period has been decreased from 11 hours to 9 hours. Also the number of continuous driving days (Before a weekly rest period) has increased from 6 days to 7.

I'm struggling to sympathise with the ordeals home workers are facing....

I picked up my first bass agreed 39. Formed a band and still playing.  My method was to learn songs, never bothered with scales and the like.  I can now play quite a few songs.  If it's just you then pick songs you like and get on YouTube, off you go!

Any questions, just ask.

Yes, listening to the struggles of Parents in their efforts to parent their children for more than a few hours is interesting. Parenting experts have never been so popular on radio phone ins

Agreed. Bassists dont need to learn scales. Just play the root note of whatever chord your guitarist is playing, no ones listening to you anyway ;-)

Guitarists however, practicing scales is what makes you good!

I apologise if I have offended you or anyone else. I am merely projecting my point of view. I understand that might be uncomfortable to some & imbalance the groupthink in this forum.

The account of your fish supper and related exploits had the hallmarks of a low level, and not particularly adept, troll.

Looks like I'll be working from home now. Got a few jobs lined up, clearing the loft and garage, a bit of painting.

I’d be on the road again tomorrow as an essential worker. Enjoying a rather nice Aussie red right now after a 12 hour stint. Be rude not to on my birthday.

Happy birthday LL.

I’m a Tory remember, cash only 😉

Advised that payments should be card only in these Coronavirus times! :)

Take an IOU, it is after all the Labour way to do things 😁 low key this year big big one next year assuming I make it 🤣🤣🤣

Just as an FYI I’m kind of political party agnostic! ;)

Is it the big 60 next year or am I being too nice now :)

The way I play they do!

Off to work shortly. Deliveries won’t get delivered by themselves, yet, give it ten years and they might be.

Are you a postie LL?

I operate a ‘don’t tell him pike’ operation.

Chang's already got the job of shit Reg.

Taking my son out for a quick walk whilst I’m still able to. Plus his skin could do with a bit of sunlight.

Be interesting to see how many people are out.

Just been out to take the dog to the vets,  no change here, still no end of knobheads wandering about,   some probably justified,  but it seems no matter what is said some will continue to do as they please.     Must say didn't see one police officer,  until they start to enforce it I can't see it changing.

hmm - male escort then! ;)

Seen a few people out but all singular, couples or families. No groups

Having a good day so far. Sun is out, went into town to go to the bank, checked my PO Box, bought some plants and compost (have no idea when the garden centres are still open), went to the bakery and bought cakes. Back home and taking the dog down to our small, semi private beach. Think I understood correctly that only going to organised beaches was a no no.

Did some work for clients early. Walked to local stores and chemist to get exercise, which is permitted under the laissez-faire lockdown. Everyone kept their distance and were very polite and friendly. No knobheads except for me. Saw one Policeman but he was in his car and played no attention to me despite my nakedness. Going to start my veggie Covid Stew next which I will maintain for the coming week. Just add bits and water everyday to top-up. Making a rhubarb crumble from the allotment which I got in yesterday. More work for colleagues later and then beer.

I'm intrigued to see if the experience of the past few months and the coming ones will have significant change on some behaviours of people.  The number of people who will have had a taste of working from home for starters, which in turn could fundamentally change the amount of traffic on the roads or commuters using the trains.  I doubt it, but it should. 

Over here, broadband seems patchy due to the sheer scale of the country, and everyone is very individualistic/anti-govt being involved in too much.  That has been turned on it's head right now - people may be open to a big change in Healthcare for example.  States trying to outbid each other to get PPE delivered - shows the single biggest benefit of a National Health Service - cost control.

I've barley stepped beyond the front garden for the best part of 4 weeks.  Been to get food a couple of times, but I've had to remember to turn the car over to avoid the battery going dead.  Spent less than $40 on petrol in the past couple of months, which is unheard of in a place where a 20 mile drive the shops seems ordinary.

Will be interesting to see how it effects attitudes toward climate change as well, the action needed to combat it and attitudes toward the risk of delay.

Run, work, wander up the green grocers, work, telly.

Repeat. Every day. For the next 12 weeks.

Social impact of this is going to change the way we live forever.

I was supposed to be getting a new car delivered this week, but the dealership is shut. Now car-less for the foreseeable

Annoying, especially considering the nearest shop is an hour round trip on foot and small, but could be much worse I guess

Same thing happened to my Spanish neighbour, he’s called Carlos.

where you living these days Dave?

North wroughton. An hour walk is probably stretching it, but to get to the Tesco and back is a good 45-50 minutes. There’s a co-op that’s a bit closer, but also pricier

I walked to said co-op this afternoon, and then been for my allotted exercise this evening over the m4 and wichelstowe. I don’t think it’s entirely in the spirit of the rules, but observed full social distancing rules throughout and only passed about 3 people on both walks anyway

That's a fair old walk to Tesco and quite a hill to climb on the way back just wondering if Sainsbury's bridgemead would be easier

yeah, I'd stick with the coop!

Sorry, I meant the little Tesco in wroughton! In the ellendune centre

I think the co-op in old town is probably about my limit for as far as I’d walk for a big(ger) shop

And Waitrose I guess if we run out of quail

Thanks for the input gentlemen, I will persevere and hopefully be a slightly better musician when this is all over.   :nod:

Could always get the bus.

It’s an option, but one id rather avoid if possible

I'm eating a shit load less, mainly as my partner now listens to me when I say what an adequate portion size is (pun intended) and doesn't want to cook too much food for the sake of it. I've lost almost 10lbs in 2 weeks so far.

We both have this week booked off work, a great time for it, but in the grand scheme we're not complaining one bit!

I’m back in work tomorrow after having today and yesterday off before we got the go ahead to go back in. Pretty glad really as I’m bored shitless at home.

there's 2 co-op in wroughton though right? the one by the traffic lights ( close April 4th) and the one further down the same road sandwiching the ellendunr

Ohhhh shit yeah. That’s a touch

And a little Coop in Wichelstowe. Just go over the footbridge from Wroughton and keep going straight.

It took me a while to realise you're not talking about keeping chickens.

Just been offered a job that helps take away *some* of the concern over money. Eggs in more baskets and all that.

Great news Flash.
--
I'm trying to find out what the bloody hell keeps locking me out of my work account. I can't see any mapped drives left. Nothing in credentials. Bugt I have 2 Windows machine, one running a further 2xVM. And admin rights are restricted on the 2 main machines. FFS !

Opposite I’m putting on weight because rather than taking home made salads and fruit to work I’m eating in the work canteen on the basis that our food will go further if I’m eating at work...

It’s alright, our holiday was cancelled anyway!!

Ah shit yeah! I’m sorted 😎

Got told last night that we're moving mail at a higher level than Christmas. So, so busy these past two nights at the central distribution centre.

I work for the post office, the unions FB page is full of branches complaining of ppl still going out to do passport applications etc as well as Ebay parcels and cards. None of which are exactly essential. No wonder the mail centres are busy.

I'm now at home for the foreseeable. Gonna have to dig the paintbrush out.  :(

Did I read somewhere that B&Q are open

B&Q are shut from today

Coincidence with McDonalds shutting? ;) :D  :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick: :popcorn: :hug:

I'm an airline pilot.  :plane:

I did wonder how they would be allowed to stay open with all the bored people looking to get oir of the house over the week end

The snack van in the car park was still trading

Walked the dog today and caught sight of my first hoopoe.

had to Google that. very distinctive looking

Pornhub premium free for all for all you pervs

They made an appearance in Swindon not so long ago.

https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/16831926.rare-hoopoe-bird-ruffles-feathers-in-west-swindon/

How do you know that??.    :ty: :ty:

Saw an article online :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

We must have read the same article.

thanks for sharing said article, it's interesting

Amazed there hasn’t been any sort of ‘vital parcels only’ communication from the government.

Do you really need your wine rack delivered at the moment, Karen?

I am on day 7 of quarantine and was wondering if anyone had any porn sites they'd like to recommend other than:

Xvideos

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Ass parade

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Asking for a friend..... :D

haha PV - you perv!!

I saw it posted on FB it made me chuckle!

yeah yeah ;)

Judgement: Overruled

:D

TBF There are at least 3 or 4 2 of those I had never even heard of!

I am hearing so many browser bookmarks being updated as we speak..... ;)

I had to head out to cash a cheque so tried the local post office (with Halifax you can cash cheques at the PO). Very disheartening to see on the glass separation that they were selling face masks for £2 and even more ridiculous hand sanitiser for £8 (EIGHT) pounds. I'm assuming its not a litre container either. 

Sub post office ?
Proper PO branches cant get any PPE for staff let alone sell it

Yeah its a little one at the back of a small convenience shop.

What’s a cheque?

Further to the adult entertainment listings, the BBC website has a guide to masturbation should any of you lot need a guide/reminder.

It does fulfill Lord Reith's remit of guiding, informing and entertaining to a greater or lesser degree but I think that's what he would have wanted. (I can't do links but it's in the 'This Country' section.)

Dusted and vacuumed the house, put some washing on, tidied the garage, washed the car. I need to get back to work  :)

Enjoying a beer on the balcony while my wife pops out to collect some groceries.  I am slightly at risk with Asthma so haven't been out at all for a week and then only for a quick trip for supplies.  Still it's in the mid 20's and sunny, no need to complain.

Corona cuisine: after my breadmaking efforts were universally (well, by my missus) hailed as a success, this encouraged me to try making my own of other staples. The kitchen now looks like raucous students held a graduation flour bombing party in it and tonight's dinner has been labelled "The Great Pasta Disaster". Didn't think it was too bad for a first effort, albeit a little stodgy, but it was, apparently, "like trying to swallow a soggy brick". I don't think she's a fan

My daughter decided to make us Jammie Dodgers.  She won’t be allowed back to Uni.

I've been walking our new dog roughly 3 times a day, in between that I have been working, drinking, wanking, playing games, and trying to get time awway from my partner.

She says she isn't the affectionate type but get so ruddy needy when I want to do my own thing haha.

Hit Lidl early. Virtually empty, mountains of stock, annoyingly unable to process card payments so cash only.

Restoring an old stool - well, repainting it tbh - got Panic by The Smiths blaring! Sun has just come out. Reading tweets that the EFL wants to void the season so clubs can get on with selling STs for next season. Will there be a next season?

Really want to have my grandson over but Mrs Audrey is, understandably, wary having had severe pneumonia a few years ago.

The fuck is this going to end?

I've heard the saying that you can't polish a turd, but painting one is a new one on me !!.

Bored. Cut the grass, touched up paint on the fence and went for a bike ride. Was meant to be going to Brixham today for the weekend ☹️

Start the day with some virtuous, online work, then off on a beautiful, quiet walk in the Surrey Hills with my adorable border collie, a quick browse here (and there) and then turning my attention to some routine admin inc. securing replacement supplies of wine. 

It has to be acknowledged that an underlying anxiety for the health of family and friends down the track is somewhat detracting from my enjoyment of the moment.

Wine deliveries are a struggle currently.

My wife ordered a paddling pool for the kids.

Looking forward to seeing my water bill.

With the bitterly cold wind forecast for Sunday I don't think you need to worry

I live in Thailand.

It's the hottest time of the year here (which is approximately fucking hot degrees Celcius/Fahrenheit). I may be moaning about the water bill, but I'm looking forward to cooling down in it myself.

Wow lucky chap!!

Stuck at the checkout with someone who doesn't know what they are doing  ::)

Now they are doing a cash count.  :suicide:

I've been longer at the till than I have getting the shopping.
Finally, the trolley hardly wanted to move in the shop, get the bastard next to the car and you can't stop it from moving. I hate shopping  :(

I had the till closing as I approached then had to go and join another long one

Doing my bit by lifting my family's spirits by stubbing my toe and causing myself an indescribable amount of pain.

It amused them immensely. I'm glad to be doing my part.

Currently locked into moondance on Facebook. If you're an old raver like me cheer yourself up and get on it.

Listening to echoes rising - Paul Hardcastle on YouTube

I got a beerwulf torp pump thing for my birthday last year, and have 16 subs for it. Pulls a proper pint, head and all

More expensive than tins, but makes up for the lack of pub availability right now

Is that one of those krups things dave?

One and the same

It is a bit expensive to be fair - works out about £7 for the cheapest barrel, which gets you 4 pints. They have a huge range to chose from tho and does pour really nice

Since Lockdownish started, get up at 6 for a run. More a speed wobble in truth.

As it’s Saturday, I think, I’m having a well earned lie-in.

Prepping for Saturday steak night. Lamb ruby from my curry book for in the week and veg prepping for tomorrow’s roast. Then finishing my accounts tomorrow for the bean counter early next week.

Fillet medium rare LL? Don’t forget to decant the red early, assuming a Malbec?

We have recently got into Californian red Zinfandels, excellent with steak. Very similar to Malbecs if a little smoother on the palate.

I’ve been to California but don’t remember too much of the wines over there. Never really bothered with yank wines or even Zinfandel. I’ll need to broaden my horizons a little PV, thanks for the tips!

Cheers PV, like a Malbec so will give those a go too

We found it in Miller & Carter a few months back, normally we have a Malbec but TBH this is even more to our tastes, softer and smoother and great with red meat or even to drink on its own.

Not that many out there but our Tesco (when it has some alcohol) stocks one called Carnivor. Worth a go.

Is anyone drinking more alcohol than usual or is it just me?

I am drinking about the same but thats partly due to lack of availability down here. I drink no more than 3 or 4 pints in a week normally at most.

I have a beer order coming from Belgium on Monday though so that could change next week!

1 week down 11 to go......

One week in, and how long can I keep the kids occupied....

For me the worst thing is not being able to pop out for another 11 weeks to the local shop to pick up anything that we don't have, the wife too is on shielding too.

With the cupboards having enough food to last just about til the nest Asda delivery we have enough basics but if we fancied anything different at all we can't pop out and get it.

As for not seeing anyone else for the next 11 weeks thats fucking easy, I am part hermit anyway!

I am finding it mentally hard. For me, it is a mind fuck.

Less for me. Hardly touching a drop. Just don’t fancy it.

Drinking is a pub activity not a home one for me.

Don’t really see the point at home, especially as I couldn’t be arsed getting off the sofa every 5 mins once the seal is broken

Same here.  I'm off alcohol & caffeine.  Both give me mood swings which I can do without at the moment.  And I sleep better as well.

Blended Australian brand. 19 Crimes. The Uprising, is my choice from their little range. Will decant for a few hours only.

I’m actually getting sleepier in the evening doing nothing all day. Fall asleep almost instantly and, hopefully, wake about 5 for a dump etc.

I'm drinking about as much as I usually do. Taking it easy in the week and hammering it at the weekend.

Cutting down neighbours overgrown bushes/trees that hang over the fence and ruin the look of our garden.  Guy at the back of me always insisted they had to stay,  wildlife lover and all that crap,  bloody 8-10 foot high, even called the police when I tried to cut the overhang on my side.  Just found out he passed away earlier this week,  wouldn't wish it on him, but Christ have I enjoyed swinging that chainsaw about this afternoon.  Daylight through our kitchen windows now for the first time in years.

Signed up for Britbox last week because I wanted to see Season 2 of This Life. Definitely recommended but don't bother with This Life 10 years on because it didn't have what the first two series did.

It's also got Our Friends in the North which I think is the best tv I have seen, along with The West Wing. Anyway, last four episodes tonight and then I can cancel the subscription with no charges.

As an aside, I was looking through some Bristol music-based websites regarding local bands from the early '80s. Does anybody recall Slow Twitch Fibres or Juan Foote 'n the Grave?

Convincing myself that the Star Wars prequels aren't actually that bad as I put the Disney+ membership to use. My other half says lightsaber swooshy sounds are like nails on a blackboard for her now. I guess I feel the same about the annoying noise that greets her when Love Island comes on. The compromises you make in a relationship....

I also now regret being shit at DIY and gardening. I did though build a Java program that simulates football games but there's a Swindon team in it and they ALWAYS win so it's rather pointless.

Also discovered some beers from a brewery in Newport called Tiny Rebel. Very nice. Helping me go insane quicker but I'll take it.

Dog is having a fucking blast with his really long definitely-only-once-a-day walks around the park.

That my friend in several seasons, as you will know and all Town fans should know, is called therapy  ;)

RE: Discovering new beers, one of my cousins...his brewey has recently had a batch of his beers picked up by Beer52. Bullhouse is the name, from NI. Some nice stuff, El Capitan is a go-er.

No bonfires please.

Tiny Rebel did a tap takeover at The Tuppenny in Swindon. Their Stay Puft salted caramel porter is possibly the best thing I have ever tasted.

Been clearing my garage out and reorganizing it. Trouble is I have nowhere to take all the crap, so it's all sat in the garden  :)

Few bits of DIY....


Working from home during the week...home based anyway but food service industry has taken a battering....so very quiet.

I've got beers in but without football and the lads/pub my mojo for that has gone.

It's all a bit shit.....

Playing music as loud as I fucking want. Can't imagine I'm louder than the rest of Wood Street on a normal Saturday night.

It's a beauty, that's for sure.

'tis fucking lovely.

Got bladdered Friday. Far more reserved yesterday. Basically eating shit loads and reliving my my youth listening to rave music most of the time.

You may have cleaned/tidied it, but wait until you want something you know you've got,  bet you won't be able to find it.

Went on a 6 mile walk this morning, and then spent two and half hours building the last of our Ikea furniture from when we moved

I think I’ve said it already, but this global pandemic is doing wonders for my health and general wellbeing (aside from the threat of an untreatable killer virus)

I unclogged the Dyson.

Ventilator or Hoover?

:D Genius

with a bit of sticky tape and reversal of the motor.....🤔

Who needs a Dyson engineer when you've got sticky tape.

Sunbathing. It’s gorgeous today.

It snowed up here in Warwickshire for about a minute earlier today.

Have been binge watching tv shows, baking loads of bread and using the home gym as much as possible to try and keep sane!  Don’t know about others but this whole work from home for all has brought out all the dickheads where I work, trying to prove to the world that they are actually doing something!

Preparing for the first of 3 back-to-back video meetings. Anyone else having the pleasure of the daily calls on Teams/Zoom? At first I was OK with it but now I'm starting to dread the slight awkwardness when there's a lull in conversation and then everyone starts to talk over each other, then a silence and repeat. The bigger meetings with more people have to be run with a chair more rigidly, which is better but still has the annoying moments. And of course the people not muting the mic can get fucked.

Still prefer it to sitting in the office mind, I'd quite happily work from home permanently and would mean I could move somewhere nice for a fraction of the price.

Did a virtual pub crawl with some mates on Zoom the other night. Worked ok, only the free version so could only do 40 mins at a time, just restarted the meeting

Running this morning heading towards Moulden Hill, cyclist passed close by and was given a lungs and nostrils fill of waccy. Could still smell it in the air when he was 50m away. Just praying he wasn't also viral shedding. eek.

yeah but voice only thankfully. Works OK for us, but we only have a smallish team (7 people), and we're all used to this way of working anyway.

yesterday clogged Dyson.

today Xbox one controller headphone socket.

the Dyson was far more difficult.

yup, daily standup.

last week was PI planning, we follow SAFE which means lots of teams simultaneously planning a 12 week period. fine for us plebs who stick to our team.

 less so for those trying to coordinate across teams. so many Skype meetings..

A normal working week for me. Quiet roads so ain't fussed as long as people keep away from me

Today is the first day of my wife working from home.  (She's a divorce lawyer.  She'll be busy soon.  If anyone needs advice I'll pass on her details!) The 2 kids also being at home.  4 of us in a small terraced house.

Tomorrow is 14 days since Ive worked.  14 days since I was running a gig with the great unwashed.  I don't seem to have any symptoms so I am quite happy.

And In response to the question in the forum subject, Im doing cock all.  Again.  Except reading a book about a soul searching for its abandoned body and a boy's search for his friends corpse in a South Korean massacre.

Cheery stuff.

Little goals mate, I have been out once in the last 14 days but that was to Swindon a week today, so I am hoping that I can last another week with no extra symptoms then I will be as happy as I can be with another 11 week sheilding left.

The wife has always worked from home but shes busier than ever now with all her clients doing videos of fitness instructing via zoom or facebook so she has to organise that, its a bit mad at the moment.

Yeah, sorry to hear you've got to have 12 weeks.  All for the best I guess.  The little things on the other side are going to be massive pleasures, just going out for a coffee or anything like that.

Ive been to the shops but Im feeling really weird about going out running or anything.  It feels wrong.

It's not wrong, it's essential. Exercise is vital to both your physical and mental well being. Just maybe don't go running through the middle of Sainsburys!

We booked a trip to Iceland yesterday in the hope its sodded off enough by February to actually go.

Bit of a risk given no cancellation insurance for obvious reasons, but the flights were dirt cheap.

Always wanted to see the northern lights a cloudy sky.

What Paul said. Being cooped up, becoming less fit and in poorer mental health is a terrible health outcome in and of itself. There's a reason there's an exception for exercise, and unless you're super high risk or in a really difficult area, a sensible, socially distanced walk should be as close to zero risk as you can get. 

I am still doing exercise, just not the running.  I did have a stupid plan that lasted a couple of days of doing 10k a day until the 5th of May (5th of May being the next day I have work booked in for.  Obviously it will be cancelled) that lasted 2 days.

Im now back using the garage to do HIIT sessions.  Which is enough.  Ive kind of fallen out of love with running.  I've done the limit of what Im going to do so unless I can work out some other target that really attracts me the garage it is.

can I borrow your right knee Sax?

Good idea Batch. We're thinking of a winter break at the start of next year. I'm beginning to think we may have quite a lot of holiday to carry forward into next year so taking advantage of the cheaper flights could be beneficial. Of course its a risk as we don't know how long this is going to go on but surely to goodness we'll be somewhere back to normal by Q1 2021?

Yeah sure, thats the only good one Ive got.  The left has an unrepaired ruptured cruciate ligament.

That's fair enough, each to their own and all that, but please make sure you're also getting out for a walk at least. Seeing some sky and getting some air is just as important for (mental) health as the fitness

Just went out for a walk around the park - adhering to the 2m rules etc.

There were 2 Police vans patrolling the park. Its so weird to see that!!

Today I have been mostly in a place where none of this happening.
Where Messrs Branson, Martin and Ashley are at the head of a new breed of philanthropic altruists, where people cough only to cover up farts, where the majority of hand wringing is done under a tap and not online.
So, just landed in Nottingham. A few beers ahead of the short trip to Mansfield and a glorious 3-0 victory to follow on from the 5-0 thrashing of Walsall at the weekend. The GP scoring all 8 of them.
And yes, most not importantly, we do win the league.

Anyway, back to the mixture of worry, down in the dumps and trying to carry on.
Hope there can be some long-term positives once this is all over.
Austerity off the table for good for one, whatever the circumstances.
Most people are decent though and it shouldn’t take a crisis for people to look out for each other.

Right, enough of that bollocks.
I’m off to spy on the neighbours and grass up anyone who is lingering outdoors.

Now, that’s what I call a short walk!

Went for a thirty minute jog round the Town Gardens this morning, which is about all I can manage these days, but I would like to do two runs as in pre-virus days.

The missus is a nurse now working in a COPD ward, and I do hope she'll be safe and protected there.

Bizarrely the bloody useful corner shop over the road from us has a sign saying that because of Coronavirus they are closing from 2nd-29th April. Don't really understand that, they seem to be doing great business currently.

Weathers been better today (despite the bloody cold wind) so resumed the family walks - vital for getting out of the four walls of our living room.

If anything like mine staff will be worried and have decided to stay at home.

Writing instructions on how to zoom on google chrome and other browsers.

Being asked to google search an image.

Yep...

Cheers for that Bob, made me chuckle.
Forgot  that the Walsall game should have been Saturday.
Was going to that with Saga tours. Ho hum

Not the Gillingham Saga tours I hope!

Of course.

A minor thing I noticed earlier were notices outside the park saying that because or Coronavirus all dogs were to be kept on leads. Not really sure why in a large park, but needless to say the % of dogs on leads during my 40 minute walk was 0.

I read something that said that dogs should be kept on a lead if anyone in the house has symptoms. Im right by a huge open park so mine is normally off the lead.

I always was lead to believe that dogs should always be walked on a lead

Bandido Burritos have opened and are delivering, so all is right with the world yet again

I feckin love a burrito. Got a fajita kit here ready to go, just need to defrost the chicken thighs and get some peppers. All mexican food is great and also a good excuse for me to put fistfulls of coriander with everything.

Is the Belarus Premier League being televised anywhere?

Bit of status quo on this morning relieving my stress.

It’s been a bit status quo every morning

... Again and again.

Why? It doesn't transmit dog->human or human->dog? Sounds like someone just making up rules for the sake of it.

The only thing I could think of is if a human has the virus and could transmit it to another human via the collar on the dog? I.e the dog not on a lead could run away to another human that might then get into contact with that dog's collar?

The dog could be an infected surface.

Hmm, sounds tenuous. You shouldn't be grabbing a strange dog by the collar anyway. Like I say, sounds like someone just making rules up for the sake of it

I am merely the messenger. It was on the BBC.

We don't usually see many people out when we walk the dog aym so I let him run around.

Sure I get that, was criticising the made up rule, not you

I didn't mean really by grabbing the collar, a lot of people are very affectionate to dogs and so 'say hello' by going down to the face rubbing the neck etc.

Ah OK, see what you mean.

Vital information with regards to dogs

I'm re-learning basic French,  using a free site Duolongo . It's something to keep the brain active, or so it is said.

Italian for me

I fancy learning Gaelic or Welsh.

useful

:)

4D just learn the word Heddlu, thats all you will need.

I'm 59% English/Welsh and 41% Irish/Scottish. It's a calling  :)

From my DNA test I am 70% English, 25% Welsh, 3% German (specifically from Nuremburg apparently!) and 2% Danish! of that 70% English 95% of that is from Wiltshire!

Do the police tell you all this after arrests nowadays?

You are in a far better position to tell me, I am not allowed out of the house.

Don't forget to clap, cry, be thankful, bang a saucepan at 8pm for our NHS and all keyworkers.

Your mum is so strict

I know it’s well intentioned and it’s a nice sign of gratitude, but this whole ‘clap for carers’ strikes me as very similar to  ‘thoughts and prayers’ in terms of response

And you are almost funny. My mum is dead, thanks for asking.

I've never been a fan of clapping on xx minutes of a football match for whatever reason. But if it helps some people.

Make it to the end if you can, it's worth it.

https://youtu.be/QdWOptGFfjE (https://youtu.be/QdWOptGFfjE)

Just do whatever the fuck you like. When you say in terms of response, there is not a lot most people can do (given restrictions socially) so whatever response will have my support. If you have a better suggestion then please do distribute your idea.

At the end of the day 'thoughts and prayers', sometimes is the only thing some may have; if that is what they take comfort in then there is really no fuss knocking it.

Although I get what you mean from the Facebook people who fall into the category of "What's up hun" "Inbox me" "thoughts and prayers". A great example on Family Guy covered this once with... 

'FB Post: I have syphilis.
Jenny commented: Thoughts and prayers. 
Jenny liked this post.'

But those types are the exception to the rule.

Anyway, I'm off to bang my saucepan (not a euphemism).

I love jeselnik, he nails it

I get it helps some people, but I’m worried it will overshadow lack of any practical help. Although I see today the government have written off £13bn of NHS desk - not sure what that actually means in practice but can’t be a bad thing

So that's where all the money's been going.

Yeah I definitely see your angle mate hence the usual social media types noted above. I think it just aids an awareness that there are people still working hard and most at home can't practically do anything (maybe writing to their MP). It's funny though, other countries do this kind of stuff and several go "oh that's awesome". We do it and it comes under scrutiny.

I assume it means the NHS has £12bn less debt now?

Thats one massive desk.

Instead of banging a saucepan, would it not be more productive simply to stop voting in Tory governments?  It's happened 4 times on the bounce now.  And the result has been that frontline NHS staff are having to put themselves at risk because the government couldn't be bothered to prepare for a pandemic.  Heathcare staff in Germany don't seem to have the same problem.  Watching Johnson 'clap the NHS' outside Downing Street last Thursday turned my stomach, as does the 'NHS' badge that Hancock wears on his lapel.

I'll be honest, I didn't like the clapping last week. It feels a bit like "raising awareness" for charidee. It's nice to show appreciation, but like you say, actually funding the poor fuckers properly would be a million times more useful. That said, if one person who its for appreciates it then maybe it's worthwhile.

Either way, I'll probably do it (quietly, I'm still British) this week. But I'll also give as much money as I can to causes that need at it this time, especially as my outgoings are pretty low right now as I can't go to the pub. Obviously not everyone can, but plenty could and digging into your pockets would be the most useful thing you could do with your hands this evening (and wash them, perhaps)

I didn't fucking vote for a Tory government myself. I'm pretty certain you are intelligent enough to separate the two things. Showing visual public support and being pissed off at our government are separate. Ffs. I'm increasingly seeing people trying to make the "clap for key workers" a political thing. Expected better from yourself tbh.

I can't stop Johnson/Hancock/Rees-Mogg/Gove from being complete cunts but I can understand that banging a saucepan or clapping can be separated from politics when it's a show of fucking support. You can do what you want - it doesn't have to be a clap, it can be a quiet moment alone. Just don't put a political slant on it.

Calm down.  It wasn't a pop at you.  Just exasperated that we've arrived at a point where millions will stand on their doorsteps every week to show support for the NHS while society as a whole repeatedly votes in political leaders with a track record of running the service down.

Still eating the week end curry.... which in all fairness is getting better each day.

Why does all this need to be political.

Fuck me Ardiles,  do you really think Corbyn would have done a better job ?, I shudder to think where we would be with that  prick at the helm. Anyway, couldn't care less about the politics at the moment,  just wish everyone well,  keep safe,  going to put my saucepan back now,  good turnout in our street,  in fact better than last week ......... it's catching on !!!.

NHS staff going in to work without the correct protective equipment or access to testing facilities could not be any more political.

Yes, I do.

 :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

It doesn’t matter whether another politician would have done better, the fact is that the government have fucked up big time

Whether they get held to account by an inquiry or the next election is by the by - it doesn’t change the reality that we are behind the game because of their inaction

I'm happy to be in a minority here.  Very happy.  Showing support visibly & audibly for the NHS & its staff is laudable...but only if you're also then prepared to make it known that the politicians that have failed those staff - and they have - need to up their game.  Otherwise, your support is noisy, but pointless.  The penny has even dropped with the right wing press - that the political leadership in this country is well behind where they should be and where they need to be.  Coronavirus was not an avoidable catastrophe, but the government's response to it most certainly was.

Same, just finished tuesdays. Marinating by the day

Indeed. Yet my point still stands that these two things can be separate. We are all aware that putting anything of responsibility in the UK electorate's hands is quite anything but sensible. Best to keep it simple. It's not like we're asking the public to decide on our trade and economic future (a la Leave/Remain), just to clap, acknowledge or bang whatever.

I'd be one of the first to hold government to account for their misgivings. I would do the same if it was a Labour, Lib. Dem. or Green government. I don't necessarily agree with you that it would be better under any other government but dick measuring really isn't the time or place right now. Only hindsight can truly give us that information as it emerges.

Should they? Would they? Could they? Etc, etc. Yes, these are all things that should be talked about and enquired with when the time is right. But to not be able separate this and allow it to be standalone is seemingly a typically British thing; to associate everything with politics.

I can't wait to see the day when PMQs only major issues of concern are why Stoke Newington doesn't have a composting service but Enfield does.

#BangMyDrum :soapy tit wank:

Want to come round tonight and help me fucking finish it? I have Stella in the fridge (and beer in the garage boom boom) otherwise I’ll end up looking like Ghandi by Sunday.

Yeah, and Home Secretary Abbott too.
I love this "the electorate got it wrong" angle from some people. They should step back & listen to themselves! Haha

Ardiles is spot on. The only part I'd disagree with him on is that this was unavoidable. It's humans treating animals terribly that caused this and that was of course avoidable. Many viruses come from the human treatment of animals. Like all the other distruction of the planet and environment, it's down to humans.  For instance TB here in the UK, the Badgers are blamed with was due to British farming.

I will avoid a political debate here but I will say the shite coming from the mouths of Boris, Raab, Gove, and Hancock in the last fortnight trump's anything Abbott has ever said. They are not a black socialist woman though are they?
It's like people have forgotten the pleas from NHS staff from the last decade. This virus is just confirming how poorly prepared we are. They warned us for years they were struggling. A Labour government would have helped them more. Not cheered and laughed as they cut them to the bones.

Would Corbyn have been a better PM overall? Maybe - maybe not. We will never know.

Would the NHS have been better prepared had Corbyn been PM? Of course they fucking would have been. He's a hardcore socialist, funding the NHS and other public services is what he and his ilk are all about. There would also have been a response ASAP once it was aware there's a problem. Again, it's what socialism all about.

I don't expect people to necessarily believe that Corbyn would be the better PM overall, and maybe Boris would be better in some other situations, but you'd have to be massively partisan to not see that socialism is what is needed in times like this. Even the Yanks are calling out for assistance with health care all of a sudden.

*Bracing for banal, trollish response.

I agree with all of that TBH.

Like I said before, I am not in favour of any political party but would you like the job in this predicament? I bet most wouldn't. He was in a lose lose situation.

Just thoroughly cleaned he bedroom. Tumbleweeds of dust!

Fuck me, we’re slobs!

That's a fucking shit excuse. That's like me getting a job as a pilot under false pretences, crashing the plane because I don't have a clue what I'm doing and then turning round to the judge at my subsequent manslaughter trial and saying "Huh, bet you wouldn't have done any better".

Leaving this thread, like I have the political one  :bye:

Fuck would I vote for you to fly a plane.

Aye, cos' you never (sic) do that ey?  ;)

I’ve drank many beers from my beer machine. Just like in a pub kind of maybe

About two hours after posting that I threw up in my kitchen and tried to clean it with cat litter

Safe to say this morning hasn’t been great

Just cooked a mushroom bhaji for part of tonight's meal. I'm the only one in my house who eats mushrooms so its all mine. Very pleased with it for a first effort. Will also be making a chicken Madras later.

Please put a how to up Arriba, I love a bhaji  :)

Go to "Latifs inspired" on YouTube. Some cracking content on his page. Thats where I'm getting it all from

https://youtu.be/ySmZXLg-Y1Y

My cricket club should be playing our first game of the season today.

Instead, it's being simulated on Ashes Cricket 2017 and being live streamed on Twitch. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

So you don't recommend it then ?.

Good man  :)

Went for a run for the first time in about 3 years. Did 5 miles so very happy with that. Got back and had a soak in the bath and read my book. Had lunch in the garden and then lay in the hammock, read my book and had a snooze.
Now I'm going to eat some crispy duck, prawn gyōza and duck bao, drink red wine and watch Ozark. Didn't even have to use my AK either, which was nice.

Virtual grand national anyone?
Think tiger roll will get it. I've got Jett in the works sweepstake. But not betting otherwise.

Done absolutely nothing today. Weather not good. Bored shitless. Fucking Oxford tosser won The Chase!

Cut the grass.  Emptied the chiminea so we can burn more logs outside this evening.  Spreadsheet modelled a company car vs car allowance decision.  Had a Swindon pang at 3pm.

Walked down to the supermarket to get a few things , a lot less people about than I expected with the weather which is good.
It seems a lot of idiots seem to be out in London though judging my the photos doing the rounds.

My misses popped out for some sundries earlier.

In addition to the essentials she bought back some smoked salmon, blue cheese, and crackers, all of which I look forward to treating myself with. It also made a good opportunity for a rendezvous with a friend (only one), which means she was also able to bring back some ecstacy.

That's what I'm doing now.

Out helping the old and infirm this afternoon.

Are you one of the 750k volunteers?  Either way, fair play to you.

Good man.

nice one

Today I decided to do 10000 steps on my patio, it really wasn’t very interesting!

Jeez, your garden has one hell of a slope.

Nah, just helping out locally.  Picking up stuff etc. No biggie.

Good on you. Walked the dog at Coate Water earlier today, fully prepared to just turn round and go home if it was busy but encouragingly there weren't loads of people out, few walkers,runners and cyclists but far from busy and everyone being sensible about keeping distance. Let's hope that's a wider pattern

Belarus Premier fixtures:
Sun   05/04/20   
Energetyk-BGU   12 : 00 Minsk      
Smolevichy-STI   14 : 00 Vitebsk   
Isloch           16 : 00 Slutsk

I'm going to support Slutsk this season.

I'm drinking every night at the moment. Combined with eating a lot of chocolate and not always knowing what day it is, it feels a bit like Christmas, but with nicer weather and the lingering threat of a deadly virus.

Well done mate, i'm sure you're making live easier for a lot of people.

we've been shopping for a couple of old ladies. We've also had random acts of kindness left on our doorstep. Bread, beans etc. Not sure why i'm not that decrepit yet

Bored shitless here. Curry didn't turn out as well I would have liked >:( Getting drunk on the last few cans of Carling premier I have left and listening to Doc Scott streaming live.

People who turn into nasty cunts when they've had a drink....shouldn't drink.

That is all.

Quite.

If you can't drink... don't drink. I have a problem with tequila. For some reason it turns me into an utter fucking prick (more so that usual). So my solution?... I don't drink the stuff.

Other than that, I'm a happy drunk.

I endured a pretty vicious, hateful, uncalled for lambasting from someone who I worked for last summer at the start of the feb.  Not given a chance to reply, argue or refute the allegations.  I was later told this guy has a history of it and has been sparked out by one of the directors of the firm before for being rude, leering and disgusting with the girls in the office on a do.

He shouldn't drink, I wont drink round him and if he starts to play up again Ill leave.

But yeah, if you get nasty when you drink, dont do it.

Doesn't everyone have nasty streak to them when they're drunk at some point?

Maybe not all the time but I can't think of anyone who hasn't been a bit of a cunt at one time or another when pissed.

We all have our moments.

But some people seem to have such moments more frequently then others.

And I think they'd be cunts regardless of the drink or not.
The biggest cunts I've ever encountered were that without a drink inside them. Booze just makes people braver and lose their inhibitions.

I know an American bloke who's a fucking lovely person. New Yorker, would do anything to help anybody if he could. He's certainly helped me a lot of the years.

But he turns into a massive fucking prick after a few beers. It's Jekyll and Hyde stuff. I found myself having to distance myself from him becasue of it, which is sad.

Judge Jules now live if anyone's interested

Heard a load of loud music from my flat in Devizes earlier, so went for a wander to see where it was coming from.
Ten minutes up the road I found a chap had put his DJ equipment up on some scaffolding, the speakers, lasers, disco lights shining on houses - the lot.
The whole street were dancing in their gardens, kids having a ball, and the nosey ones like me that went to have a look what was going on all keeping their distance.
A couple of police cars turned up, I assume to disperse a crowd or had received a noise complaint, but after seeing what was going and when the DJ said hopefully they put their lights on, they truly obliged and helped light the street even more for a good ten minutes.
It was pretty surreal and I’m glad I went and had a look to be honest, it put a smile on my face.

I actually find the cooking process of a curry as enjoyable, if not more than, the eating.  The smells, the tasting as you go, usually it’s my wife running the show and me chopping and dicing.

It has been a gorgeous day today, so been popping out onto the deck/balcony to enjoy some beer and wine, after some earlier mowing of the lawn and squeezing in a board game with the family.  I am very happy in my own company so I find myself enjoying this a little.  I’ve only been past the front garden once in three weeks now.

Also said hi to the new neighbours who have moved from Dallas but originally from S Korea.  Their little kids keeps shouting hi from their deck.

Me and the Mrs can't do that together. Just ends in argument. We just let the other one get on with it.
I'd gladly stay in even though I'm bored. For safeties sake alone I'd be happy with it.

Did you find them? How much did they cost? What sort of shop sells them? Are you a pervert?

Enterprising.

I am doing Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock's five home exercises.

Walked up to barbury castle today, was good.

Saw a yellowhammer (apparently) on the way back too.

Yellow fucker

Was Barbury Castle deserted apart from you?

Isn't Yellowhammer the codename of the contingency plans against project fear, but some have been used in the current circumstances?



Discouraging groupthink since 2020

Not totally deserted, but very few people there. Saw one family having a sit down, and two other couples whilst I was there (one of which were on horseback)

There were a few cars and a van parked up outside the entrance though, on the science museum side

Gave the outside space a damn good cleaning today to prepare for the period of better weather. We only get the sun until about 2/3 so going to have breakfast outside and may take the laptop out for work if the internet signal will function ok outside.

No trip to Devon?

I was in the garden earlier and spotted a plane flying overhead. I pointed and almost said "iron bird"  :)

Haha I know the feeling. We are on the Gatwick airport flight path and generally we get a plane over the garden every 45 seconds or so. Now it’s nothing and it’s great to be able to hear birdsong rather than bloody great jet engines!! That said we did see a plan earlier and the wife and I had a similar moment that you had! :)

No that was a long-planned excursion.

Great win for us Slutsk. Now 2nd in the table!
Sun   05/04/20   Energetyk-BGU   
2 - 0
Minsk

Smolevichy-STI   
0 - 1
Vitebsk   

Isloch   
2 - 3
Slutsk

We are the Slutsk, we are the Slutsk, we are we are we are the Slutsk!!!

No fish and chip supper in a local pub?

Chips? Pub? How common are you?!
The fish was served with a ramekin of beetroot spears & a papaya coulis.

Now I know you're lying...no such thing as beetroot spears.

#Rumbled

Beetroot cut into the shape of spears. You're right, there's no such thing. How about giving us a few days off from your banality.

Its similar down here, during lockdown all of my neighbours are listening to some very loud but some great Ska music throughout the day time.

Whether they want to or not.

Haha. Good man. Are you familiar with the annual march of the mods events in Devon?
Was due to attend the Torbay one end of march but sadly got cancelled.

Absolutely, my old band were due to play there as they did every year. Cracking scene and right on my doorstep.

I have been asked by the a BBC documentary maker to take part in a documentary about managing a band, specifically a huge ska band with a large brass section and pitfalls of that, I managed a 10 peice ska band for about 6 years, I will be interviewed by Phill Jupitus.

Unfortunately the recording was due to start in May but that has been temporarily cancelled due to Covid19.

Will post up when its complete!

Nice one. Will look out for that

Had a bit of an all weekend bender with my flatmate. Now feeling a bit depressed from the social isolation. Jesus, I even miss the fuckers at work.

Mrs Bogus handed in her notice today. Not brilliant timing, particularly as she’s not got anything lined up, but her boss was a bullying psychopath, so can’t say I blame her. Mental well-being is more important than being emotionally bullied each day - wife rang her boss practically in tears earlier to try and explain and her boss just laughed

Should be alright for the time being with my wages and dipping into savings, but applied for pause on my mortgage and loan anyway to be on the safe side. Received confirmation from Halifax about mortgage being paused within 2 hours - guess as it’s government underwritten they’ll hand it out to anyone

Garden Project May need to take a back seat for a while though :/

Well I thought the #Rumbled might be slight nod in the direction towards at least some form of dry humour. We're you only brought up on a diet of slapstick? Your comment was shitter than Ginginho's but at least he made up for it.

Very likely your 'Valid Pint's' have more head than Lola Ferrari and yes I'm aware that your slug is a "very clever" banal play on words.

#AlanisFuckingMorisette

I fucking hate bosses like that. Tossers

Her former boss laughed when she was mentally vulnerable? what a cunt. I know money will be a worry but I think you sure had it spot on

My first instinct when reading Dave's post was 'that is reckless as hell' but then I remembered when I was in that situation and didn't have the courage to walk and just lived with it for months and month on end.

Takes some doing that.

A tip of the cap and best of luck to Mrs. Bogus!

Any mileage in naming this wonderful company?

What Batch said.

Different circumstances, but I can relate to Mrs Dave's situation having also resigned a job late last year without having another lined up first.  Complete respect for what she's done.  There will be times where it feels like stepping in to the abyss...but it also sounds like the first step towards a better future.  Well done, & very best of luck.

I was in similar position and let it go on for a couple months, then walked. See him at a do after i left and he tried to shake my hand, soon got told to fuck off

Life's to short and precious to tolerate cunts if it's getting to you. Fair play to those who walk. Takes bottle but right thing to do.

That’s absolutely shit reading what Mrs Bogus is going through. I don’t get how people can behave like such dickheads.

I work for an American Bank, not one of the big Corporates and you can really tell. Since we’ve had to work from home for the past month their communication and well being towards staff has been top class. There is constant communication from senior management praising the effort of staff, that actually sounds like it has come from the heart. There have been countless well being type mails where people can seek help if they are struggling during this crisis, it really seems like they are putting their staff first.

Today as well as giving a one off support bonus of a week’s wage for 14,000 of the more junior staff, it was also announced that if staff want to contribute towards Covid19 charities the firm will match the contribution up to a maximum of 2,000 dollars. Having worked for another American bank that couldn’t have given 2 shits about staff it makes a huge difference the way my current firm are going about it currently.

Thanks all. I’ve only really been hearing second hand, but it’s been months of

- asking Mrs B to do something then shouting when mrs B does the thing the way it’s asked,
- showing mrs b up to superiors at the same time for things she’s not done,
- screamed at her and told her to fuck of
- laughed off any concerns or serious issues

Sounds like a massive psychopathic cunt. It’s a shame, because she likes the work and the things the company actually does, but can’t put up with it anymore

I hate dicks like that. Might just be me but if that was my wife I'd be buying a mask and a 2,1 metre bat (social distance violence)

Well maybe not that far, but I'd certainly make myself known to him. Otherwise he'll find a new target.

Is it a large company? will she get a HR exit interview?

I know burning bridges is as bad idea company wise but a calm and l precise reason for leaving is fair enough.

It’s quite small but does have a HR department, and will be giving an exit interview. I’ve told her to not hold back in it

My wife used to have a boss like that who was just a woman hating bully. Heartbreaking to see her come home and trying to hide her unhappiness. I’m sure some of these arseholes get off on the power of making people miserable. As Sutton said it was hard not to want to take it further and made me so angry.

That and doing a massive shit on his desk just before she finally leaves the building for the last time.

After eating fajitas and drinking scrumpy the night before

Have you ever met him Dave?

Nah. It’s a she too, for what it’s worth. By the sounds of it though she’s bounced around places before

Could she have not reported a grievance in the first instance? Your wife's (ex) boss would have had a line manager?

https://www.sporcle.com/games/tags/swindontown

I only got 9 of the top 20 all time Town goal scorers.

I got 10 out of 11 of the Premier League goalscorers

Didn’t have any confidence that higher ups would have taken it seriously. Similar has happened previously and no improvement.

Ultimately the boss gets the numbers in, which the company requires to continue to achieve its funding. Central office don’t really seem to care how that’s done

Blimey, we’ve had some dodgy goalies!

I am guessing she wasn't part of a union.

I am also guessing, apart from the people, she didn't really like the job and/or pay?

Wasn’t part of a Union

Liked the job, liked the people she worked with, couldn’t put up with the emotional bullying any more. It wasn’t a decision made on a whim

If she is honest/frank at the exit interview, which she is going to be (and good for her), if the HR person is any good they will deal with it as a grievance being raised, as Mrs Dave is making them aware of a serious issue that needs to be dealt with irrespective of the fact Mrs Dave is leaving.

That said, it is down to how seriously they take it and how ballsy the HR person may (or may not) be

Bullies are cunts

Constructive dismissal?
Could go to tribunal if you wanted to push it.

Tomorrow, at 8.00pm, I want everyone to get to their front doors and join me in a clap for the Chuckle Brothers.

I get that people will be justifiably doing this on Thursday, but, on Friday, you are all invited to join me in a clap for Ted Mould.

Saturday and Sunday are free at the moment.

I meant Ted Moult, of course.

In my experience, raising grievance as you leave tends to get dismissed as ‘bitter former employee’. I really hope that isn’t the case for Mrs Bogus.

When I was serving in the RAF in Oman, Ted Moult was part of an ‘entertainment’ group to help keep our peckers up.

Fuck know what his credentials were. Topped himself with a shotgun, I believe.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MBPWJfq4dDA

I think he was Brain of Britain or something similar.

Immortalised, if that's the word, in HMHB's 'D'ya ken Ted Moult'.

Preferred this one  :)

https://youtu.be/q6MVWRqRnr0

After some fucking 3 long days this week of 12-14 hours driving shifts I actually got home early today after an 8 hour shift. If tomorrow goes to plan I could fuck off at lunchtime. However, if a fat carrot of a job is dangled in front of me then all bets are off.

Just had a nice 5 mile walk along the Kennet and Avon. Superb evening for it.

Often walk my dog down the Kennet... usually from Theale to the Cunning Man pub in Burghfield. Despite being close to the M4 and the Reading - Newbury rail line its very peaceful

There's a 10 day ban on the sale of booze in Bangkok.

THERE'S A 10 DAY BAN ON THE SALE OF BOOZE IN BANGKOK.

THERE'S A 10 DAY BAN ON THE SALE OF BOOZE IN BANGKOK.


Sent the misses out for supplies.

Why? What does that achieve?

It's Songkran.

It's probably to stop people getting pissed up and partying. People are less likely to do so if they're sober.

Not that it will work. Every fucker's just going to stock up instead.

Cunning Man used to be one of my out of town irregular Sunday night pint haunts. Forgotten all about it til you mentioned it.

It will stop underprepared people from partying. Serves them right, the spontaneous bastards

Just been to Tesco. Have to applaud what they are trying to do but some people just don't seem to either see, or understand the directional arrows and basically just do what they want. That said, the shops are nicely stocked now and people don't seem to be panic buying as much anymore.

Just had one of those rare asda deliveries.
Plenty of substitutes but all in all everything covered.
Keeps me in another week so thankful for that.

Good stuff! :)

Give it a couple of hours and that will change. All the supermarkets near me apparently have queues round the blocks. The shelves were just starting to fill up a bit as well. We have fuck all food in the house bar cat food typically.

I had to queue for 25 mins to get in to our local Tesco this morning.  Huge, snaking queue that doubled back on itself after 400 metres or so.  But all very orderly and well-natured.  We really do queue magnificently well in this country.

I think that the arrow directions in the aisles are a bit much.  Some people are observing them, but most aren't because they can see that it's not practical - particularly when the shop is much less busy than usually anyway.  (The long queues are more to do with the staff operating a 1 in 1 out system.  Once you're in, it's fine.)

The only way a Supermarket or any shop can achieve that in any way is if it is specifically built with "sealed aisles ". So once you go in you have to follow the aisles all the way around in a predetermined route to get to the checkouts.

Even then it is still difficult to maintain because if Ardiles forgets to pick up his lettuce from aisle 1 but only remembers at say aisle 10, he's got to go against the flow of shoppers.

This is where a store, to maintain the status quo could use their "Here to Help" concierge style workers to go and collect the item we forgot to pick up; while we wait like a pensive kid in the Lost & Found tent.

I'm going to get lit up (when the lights go up in Swindon).

Fortunate to be able to work from home during the lockdown, and was given permission to work today as well so I can avoid the pointlessness of a four day BH weekend. I'm more pleased about being able to work on a bank holiday than I ever expected to be :)

I was going to take the missus and her axe out for a spin in the wheelbarrow, but apparently that's not allowed now! Fucking nanny state.

Four welcome days off now for me. Will be working my way through my lager selection. Cooked a curry for later and doing a BBQ tomorrow.

Pool is blown up and the kids are splashing around. 3 different types of marinade have pork and chicken getting tasty for the bbq later, beers and ciders in the fridge. What I would give to go to a beer garden today however.

tbf you've def earned it. Whereas I've been sat on my fat arse anyway, albeit while working, so the prospect of being sat on my fat arse for another four days but without any work to do doesn't enthrall me

:D you owe me a new keyboard, just spat coffee all over this one

We are going thru the drawers decluttering. 3 full recycle boxes of paper rubbish. 3 black bags of stuff and the bin half full. Only a week and a half till bin men visit  :suicide:

TBF should have been done ages ago , when tip open :Ride On Fatbury's Lovestick:

Hopefully the scrap man still working as have a load of metal,filing cabinets on the drive.

Patio was painted midweek and now enjoying a couple of cold ones in the sun. Cheers!

The USA doesn't observe these two days of Easter as any sort of National Holiday, which is weird when you consider the religious extremes here and how fucked off Fox News has been about churches being closed for Easter.

I'd happily sit at home on 80% of my wage and do nothing. My lad's like you though. Working from home. He's struggling with it. Goes for long runs every day to keep sane.

When are the shops open this weekend? I only have 3 beers in the fridge  ???

Doing much the same, get up early so I can get out onto the trails with the dog before every bugger's up and about, and so I can get back and get showered etc before our work conf call meeting to kick off the day. Best time of the day. Always is, lockdown or not.

Just got up, another night shift tonight then 4 days off. Hopefully the public are heeding the advice, too many out and about last night

Toiling in the garden.

Getting my roots done.

 :)

Kiss FM on. Chiminea lit and lager flowing.

Friday is booze day. Couple of beers around lunchtime, a bottle of extra dry Asti Spumanti with dinner, and now tucking into a gorgeous Portuguese Red which was recommended to us by Oz Clarke at a Portuguese wine tasting back when we could be sociable!

Virtual cheers everyone!

If you're around the area (although I think you're nodnoL aren't you?), Bin Ends adjacent to the Bear of Rodborough is a handy little winery and does tastings as well as some nicely discounted bottles.

Oooo my parents live in Rodbourgh I must pop in next time I can leave the house

He lives in Bulgaria?

Making a home made green curry  :pint:

Yeah bamboo, we’re Battersea. We generally try and support local businesses but our recent wine orders have been from Majestic - had some vouchers and discounts etc and they have a great range (including ‘bin ends’. Last time we just went in and told the bloke what we liked and he gave a brilliant selection, including wines from Macedonia and Slovenia. Variety is the spice of life etc!

Im back from working.  Out of the blue last Wednesday I got a request to fill in a Non Disclosure agreement followed by a phone call.  The following day I went and trained for an hour and as of Monday I was working from 7.30 to 3.30 with a 1 hour 40 minute drive each way, 5 days a week.

Very glad to have found something to do.  It's in a role set up running a site that is supporting the NHS in its hour of need and have 5 days a week for 3 months.  Cant say anymore than that obvs.

Bloody knackered but pleased to be doing my bit, pleased to be getting paid so I don't have to rely on handouts and pleased to now be having a couple of beers at home!

Great news Sax - congrats

Sounds fantastic Saxondale! Top work and fair play to you.

Good stuff Nasher

Chuffed for you mate

Nice one sax.

Thankyou all.  I'd love to say it's all altruism.  But Im making decent money!  I did volunteer for the NHS as well though so the intention was there.

Whats the latest status over there Mex?

Selfish cunt!

Got offered a bit of part time work his week at GWS, which is good as looks like I will be furloughed next week.

Guilty as charged.

I’m not sure, but if you’re furloughed I don’t think you’re allowed to take another job?

I thought that, but there was a thing on R4 at some point when I had it on that said you could. Maybe Woman's Hour or You and Your's they were talking about options for people.

I wasn't listening particulary intently at the time tbh.

I haven’t actually been furloughed yet though, it’s likely to happen at the end of this month. But from the research I done, as long as the part time job was in different hours to my full time job, I would be okay anyway.

Yum yum

Yep would just be like any time if you took on a second job. So contractually treat it that way.

But hey, I know nothing, I'm not an expert, don't know anyone else that may be privy to the information and am not capable of observing and absorbing any information outside of a fixed remit of my own supposed limited capabilities.

Oh and nice one, it's good to have some good news stories around too :)

Congrats Sax. Glad you've found something to tide you over.

Slutzk fans being kept on their toes with a noon kick-off today. Come on you Slutsk!!!

Belaurs Premier League Champions-elect.

which channel/IPTV channel could one watch this?

Bet365 if you create an account, fund it & place a bet.

Watch out as k.o. times look like they are GMT.

cheers!

Just getting stuck into the Mythos. Well hot, too. Listening to Eagles of Death Metal version of Duran Duran’s Save a Prayer!

About to make a venison burger. I also have a bottle of Malbec on standby  :)

Could be worse, sunshine, two tone on speaker , local beer.

Bbq ready for tonight. Prepping some lamb Shanks for tomorrow and the thatchers is approaching drinking temperature. You can take the boy out of the west country....

Took dog out for a leisurely stroll earlier, bit of lunch, now sat enjoying the sun in the garden with the missus, trying to put off cleaning the windows

Reading a belting book about the New York music scene, 1973-77. Love Goes to Buildings on Fire.   Should be listening to the New York Dolls to accompany it, but it's the Drive-by Truckers instead.

Stay safe all.

Just prepared a marinade and slathered it all over a leg of lamb ready for tomorrow’s meal of Kleftiko.

Listening to TMS replaying the Headingley test last year. Better times will come again, but replays of the old ones are pretty good in the circumstances.

Walked around Coate water earlier. Water was very clear which I've not seen before. Some huge carp were basking in the sun. Dropped my phone yesterday and cracked the screen (a first for me)  so looking for a replacement handset and listening to old skool rave tunes.

My home poker group had our first online private party session.  Added Zoom as the chatroom.

Slightly surreal.  Only one of of us had ever played online before.

Normally we major on sport and personal abuse, but no sport now.

You can also watch on Ladbrokes and SkyBet too  :soapy tit wank: It's like watching a match played behind closed doors though...

There are a load of games on tomorrow too.
All streams here: (no accounts or payments etc needed)
https://socceronline.me/

3rd BBQ of the year this pm, and we've been sat round the chiminea all evening.  I can't remember another April like it.  Summer has come early this year.

We had our second barbeque this evening. Weber barbeques are great bits of kit.  Cooking a turkey on it tomorrow.

COBB are pretty decent bits of kit too. Enjoy.

It’s my birthday.

I’ve squashed 3 wasps.

Happy birthday you old git!!

It's Yuri Gagarin Day. Vodka.

pulled lamb and beer can chicken so far this week.

going to try brisket at some point.

recommend proQ smokers if you don't want to get ass raped by Weber

Day 34 for me and for the first time I’m starting to feel fed up. I live alone and can’t go out. Not going mad or anything but really starting to miss human interaction

How are pre-Columbian artefacts treated in mesoamerica? Revered? Ignored?

It's true what they say about needing a purpose in your day as life soon becomes very boring, fatigue sets and it can become difficulty to self motivate

Just done the rounds of feeding the stray cats in the village. Must be around 20 of them - all shapes and sizes.

Good on you. Combines exercise and purpose too. Erm, you're not fattening them up for a BBQ or anything are you?

 :)

https://youtu.be/2fQbv_l-OJA

I live on my own, as does Quaggy I believe. I'm sure there are others on here too. Keep your pecker up Mex. Think of the celebrations in Spain when this is all beyond us to a degree. I don't think we'll ever forget it of course, but when it becomes viable, I want to go and visit/revisit several countries, celebrate with them and document it too.

As connected as everything is right now with social media and the like, it’s got to be tough going through all this living alone. All the best

Slim Jim was on "celebrity" tipping point yesterday
Paired up with Glen Matlock

Finding it increasingly difficult to get motivated to do any work. I need a break from being in the house. A trip to a pub would do it.

Been busy in the kitchen. Converted some roast belly pork into Chinese sparerib pieces for tonight to accompany sweet and sour veggies. Made some beef burgers from rough minced dark offcuts of rump and sirloin from last year. Made some minced lamb kofta burgers and meatballs and used Fridays excess Mediterranean marinade for some diced chicken breast pieces. All now in the freezer except the belly pork, oh and some of the kofta meatballs are cooking through in some chopped tomatoes for tomorrow nights supper with pasta. Time for a beer me thinks.

My, you have been busy !!.

Sanding skirting boards by hand. Fuck me, my hands are torn to shreds.

Probably best to use some sanding paper instead then

That's where I have been going wrong then. Thanks for advice Mr D.

Any time, mate. I'm like the TEF's Tommy Walsh, me

I have, haven’t I? The bastards will miss me when I am gone.

More Tommy Walker  :)

No, lost me there, sorry?

Pinball wizard  ;)

Christ, there's one for the teenagers! :)

Still fucking cooking...

I’m a key worker so it’s been nice to have 4 days off. Spent most of the first 3 replacing the fences in the garden that took a battering over the last couple of months, today i chilled this morning and took the motorbike for a short cruise after giving it a service. Unfortunately back to work tomorrow.

I'm back to work tomorrow, have enjoyed 4 days of rest and really would be more than happy to be sat at home on 80% of my wage until this is over.

Can’t wait to get back to work tomorrow. Four days locked in with the family was more than enough. Empty roads and earning money.

Back to working from home tomorrow.  This is nothing new for me per se as I have been working from home 1-2 days a week for the last 4 years. I miss the office and all that goes with the office environment. 

My missus and I have been told to go for swab tests this morning in GWH.  We both have really bad coughs, and feel ill. She is a nurse in a coronavirus ward, and if we're both negative she can go back to work next week.

Hope you're both okay, normy.

Fingers crossed for both of you.

Hope it all goes well for you both.

Thanks guys for your good wishes.  We get the results on Thursday, hopefully.

Fingers crossed for you both.

As everyone has said, fingers crossed for you and Mrs Normy.  If you do have it, hope it's mild symptoms and you're over it as soon as possible.

Good luck Normy.

Apparently the GWH are only allowed to test 8 people a day. That is ridiculous!

Which trusted sauce is this from please?

Upto you if you want to believe it or not. Not sure how long tests take, but is legit.

Is this like your rumour of schools being closed until December?

Just passing on information. Not trolling. Not saying it is 100% correct, but what I have heard.

Haven't some larger online platforms clamped down on that kind of activity?

Is that why you post on here?  :)

Given Swindon is reporting 187 cases and 44 deaths, I think we can confirm that something isn't being done right.  Otherwise Swindon is actually dealing with Ebola and not Covid-19.

Typical. Always one pandemic behind everyone else.

I’ve been strimming today - no, not rimming. Refilled 3 times and carried on until I ran out of cord. Covered head to foot in all sorts. Nothing worse than hitting a giant dog turd with a strimmer.

Getting him in the mouth by same dog turd?

We have both tested positive for the coronavirus, but so far not too bad, mostly terrible coughing.

Get well soon

let us know if you need anything Normy.

hope it's coughing and that's the end of it

Get well soon Normy.

Look after yourselves Normy. Hope you are both back to normal very soon fella.

Hope you both feel better soon, fingers crossed for both of you!

Thanks again you guys.  I'm determined to watch live football again (one day.)

Make sure you self isolate. Not self imolate.

You don’t want to get them confused!

Do post an update every now & then when you can manage it.  Thinking of you both.

Get well soon to you and your mrs Normy. 

It's not a brilliantly produced video but a lot of people on Twitter (including JK Rowling) have said following the advice from this UK Doctor have found that what he says about lying on your front and the breathing exercise has really helped:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwLzAdriec0&feature=youtu.be

Best wishes to you both Normy

Hope that's as bad as it gets Normy,     Stay Safe.

Crap. Hope it doesnt get worse

Just had my daily Irish lesson  :)

Snuck off down the beach for an hour this morning. Only a 5 minute walk from our house and with no tourists is always likely to be deserted - as it was.

These simple things make you feel so guilty, though. At least we have a firm date to look forward to when restrictions will be eased.

Feckin’ hoors melt!

Don't see why that should make you feel guilty. Although it does make me feel jealous :)

"Gaire Mile Maith Guth" is about all I know - and that's spelled horrendously so you may not even know what I mean. (Thanks a million)

Oh and "Caca Milis" is another phrase - meaning delicious cake.

Taim fear  :)

Pogue mahone.

I've been taking a daily walk around coate water. I've lived 5-10mins walk away from there for 12 years but have been there more in the last fortnight than I have in all previous years. My bad, I will continue to visit more often after this. I really appreciate how great it is when it's quiet like now. Anyway, a bird shat on my shoulder today so hopefully that's some good luck coming my way 8)

Was it a German bird????

Always liked Coate Water - especially the wooded bit past the pitch and putt.

Just called me Charlie Dimmock. Building a planter out of old decking.

And no, I haven't got my tits out, but the way this lockdown is going, I also will need a bra.

soapy tit wank. No, just a pigeon.


Everything growing fast by the day. Bluebells, lambs in the fields next to it.  The water is also clear which I've never seen it like in all my years visiting. Some absolute monster carp in there I've been fortunate enough to spot.

Haven't been back to Coate Water since the day I left Swindon at the turn of the century.

Used to love going to the paddling pool as a kid on the bus from Gorse Hill back in the 70s during the summer.

Nice walk around the lake on a clear day, must have been round it a hundred times in the past.

How busy is coate?? It’s within ‘long walk’ territory for me, but I’ve always assumed it would be relatively rammed so haven’t bothered going there

The council ruined the paddling pool to save money. Now a splash park and a shite one at that. The pitch and putt now neglected too. Would be nice to hire a boat but that was scrapped years ago too☹️
It's quiet. Very quiet, particularly during the week.

Not good, all about cost cutting I guess by the council, such a shame, used to love Coate. Would go every Saturday morning to pitch and putt as soon as it opened at about 8am, have a round in the quiet with my mate, good times.

My Nan lives within walking distance from Coate. Spent so much time there as a kid. Spent a lot of time there getting pissed up and stoned as a teenager as well.

Nah, it's quiet, although I'm usually there early morning, but even mid-morning Sat it was OK, and people largely being sensible about keeping their distance as well. Apart from the odd bellend who "has" to stop and gawp on the bridge which makes it difficult to get past and maintain distance.

Coate Water is a nice stroll, as is Lydiard Park. Do both fairly often.

Your nan?  :)

Noice, cheers guys. Will try and pop there at the weekend

Loving your work, sir!

It’s still lovely. I go running round it once a week.

Uninteresting fact: my Grandad helped design the diving board and my Dad has the blueprints for it.

I had holiday jobs working in the cafe/kiosk at both Lydiard and Coate when I was a teenager.  Great jobs.  I lived pretty much on the other side of town from Coate, but used to cycle there along the disused railway track from West Swindon.  Vividly remember being there on day of the disaster at Hillsborough.

The track behind Mannington that comes out in Old Town?

That's the one.  The ride was about 5 miles, and my Mum was happy enough letting me go that far knowing that most of it was along cycle/footpaths.

One end comes out in that small trading estate in Old Town (Central?) the other will take you to Bassett really. There’s a footbridge over the M4.

Don't think it actually crosses the M4
It ran Northwest to the old Moredon power station
God ime bored

I'm painting the front door at the weekend. Fancy seeing who's dry's first?

I used to walk my dog at the back of Mannington. If you turn right just before you get alongside the side of John Lewis, go under the bridge, go right and keep on, past the small farm, you come to a pedestrian bridge over the M4.

Agreed Aud. I think knees up is thinking about the 45 cycle route which runs from barnfield up to moredon, top end of Akers way.
There is also a cycle/foot path that runs from Mannington up to Blagrove. I cycled it today.

Just reminded me of the TE in the past with that monicker. Oh thats what the user name refers to. Derr

Mill lane ?
Theres a Waitrose there now

When I was cycling using the route (late 1980s), I was using the section from Mannington to Old Town.  It would be interesting (to me, anyway) to know how all these routes were affected when West Swindon was built on a previously rural area in the 1980s.  Fascinating (again, for me) to think that at the time of our 1969 League Cup win, areas like Rodbourne and Greenmeadow were bordered by countryside.

I found the Haydon Wick Domesday project 1986 entry interesting in that regard.

iirc it talks of lost farmland and the probability the village would be engulfed by Swindon within 10 years.

When this old Tory boy moved aht tha smoke in 1963 to Marlowe Ave, you could walk all the way to Wanborough without virtually crossing a road. I suppose for the bad lands the other side of the railway line the same could be said for west Swindon and obvs recently north swindon and as Ardiles mentions Rodbourne and Moredon with the addition of Greenmeadow and HW. Still the Eastern expansion as well as Wichelstow will in twenty years time be talked about in general terms a I have laid out. The key word is progress.

I used to cycle the route Ardiles did too from my home in Toothill. Either to my cousin's house in Lawn. Or my nan's in Park South. I loved it as I only had to cross 2 roads to get there.

The other road mentioned by Audrey which leads to the motorway bridge I remember too. The first farm you came to had a very angry farmer who would chase us and had a gun( we named him shotgun farmer) so of course boys being boys we used to go there deliberately to get chased by him. He was a crap shot, unless he missed deliberately

You mention Wichelstow.
Built on a flood plain, whatever became of Terry King and frag?

I used to walk from the new(ish) apartments where PMH was down a path that went right down past Mannington and through Blagrove into Windmill Hill. It was a nice little walk, not sure if it was an old railway line or anything?

That path was created in the 80's as an exercise trail. Had some equipment along the path at different points originally.

Occasionally, I'd walk to games (again, as a teenager) from home in Freshbrook and used to use that path.  It took just over an hour each way.

In normal times it’s my lunchtime walk...so I’m glad to hear it’s still of some use’

It used to be our cross country athletics route from Commonweal and for that reason I initially hated it. However, when Carrefour opened and I got a Saturday job there, I cycled to and from Old Town and it became a great thoroughfare again.

I hope my well-wishers on here will be interested in a brief account of the progress of this weird virus.

Mrs normy had been nursing coronavirus patients up to Friday 10th April, and had symptoms on the 11th of high pulse rate and a persistent cough. Next day, she felt unwell, coughing,  dozed all day, and didn't want to eat or drink.

My symptoms began that night, when I woke up with a continuous tickly cough, which continued non-stop. Despite that, next day I jogged my usual route round the Town Gardens, but then the cough got worse. I was very tired and weak, and had a poor appetite.

Mrs normy rang GWH about getting tested, and was told we both had to go there next day. My coughing got so bad that I could not sleep at all that night.

Had the swab test next day, Tuesday, but my cough was slightly better and I didn't feel too bad, got a little sleep.

Meanwhile Mrs normy was still feeling very ill and weak and had no appetite. She could not taste anything, and seemed more ill than I'd ever seen her before.We were told about the positive results which she was sure we would get.

Next day, Thursday, I only had a small occasional cough, and a normal appetite, but Mrs normy was still not eating and dozed nearly all day, while I had to do the necessary  housework. I felt good enough to exercise, so walked 30 circuits of the lawn about a half hour. I cooked lunch but Mrs normy left most of it,then went to sleep again all afternoon.

That's up-to-date.  It's an anti-climax for me, for which I'm very grateful, I feel normal again. Mrs normy still feels quite ill. with no energy, it'll take time to recover.

We speculate that Mrs normy received quite a big dose of the virus in the hospital, and she passed a small amount on to me, to create the lesser symptoms. Just as well, as I'm 78 and had been self-isolating for a few weeks.

Best wishes to all in the Townend from both of us.

Best wishes to you both

Normy, if you need anything dropped off, collected etc, Or an errand run, feel free to direct message me and I'll help in any way I possibly can.
Hope you're both well asap.

Take care normy. Like I have said previously, I genuinely worry about peoples mental health after all this. I know of people who have been infected, recovered and just haven't been themselves after.

My sister has had a rough time the last couple of weeks, no test but all the symptoms, luckily she's ok and back to work at the hospital. Hope you're both on the mend normy.

Good news Normy, keep us all informed,  Stay Safe.

Thanks for the update Normy, that doesn't sound pleasant at all! Glad you are both on the road to recovery now. Pretty soon you'll be smashing marathons for fun fella!! :0

Take care, you two.

Really good to hear you're through the worst of it, Normy.  I hope your wife starts getting back to normal as quickly as possible.

I do not have Corona, and don't know anyone that does, but this lockdown started just as my own personal tragedy unfolded, and I have to say, I'm struggling. Usual methods of distraction, or sources of happiness are off limits, so it's just me and my better half trying and failing to look after one another. I've been eating and drinking my emotions, which has only made me feel worse, so I'm hoping a health kick will help both mentally and physically. I am a terrible runner, but hoping I can nail 10k runs as a staple by the end of summer.

That's interesting, Sippo.  I have become over-emotional, and  feeling like bursting in to tears, in the last few days.  Mrs normy says that's common, post-virally.

I cannot recommend running enough if you're feeling down/anxious.  Ironically, feeling low often squashes the impulse to get your running shoes on & leave the house.  But I always come back from a run feeling brighter than when I went out.

Hope you manage to manage your personal situation one way or another.  Easy to forget that everyone has other stuff going on in their lives as well as the immediate Coronavirus threat.  And one doesn't help the other.

I do find my daily walk really does refresh the mind. Pop on a humerous podcast or music and walk for an hour and I always come back feeling good and in a positive frame of mind. I do think being active is key, I know its really tough at the moment with lockdown but getting out at least once a day surely must be good for ones well being?

If your wife is a nurse, like mine, there are people to talk to at the GWH. Please use it.

Mental Health is a big issue.

Agreed podcasts are brilliant. And exercise helps.

Unfortunately I had a breakdown in Asda a few weeks ago as they didn't have fresh veg. I got frozen which is just as good. But at the time, I felt like a failure to my wife and kids. I knew they wouldn't care, but it felt like I was useless despite it not being my fault. I was slowly getting better, but now I feel like I am slowly going backwards.

So pleased to hear you are, by the sounds of it, past the worst of it. Hope you and your missus continue to recover well

Absolutely it will. Aside from Mo Farah and Usain Bolt we're all terrible runners so don't worry about that, but just getting out and getting some exercise will give you a massive endorphin kick which will help you mentally as much as it does physically. If you're not used to running, please take it steady at first - do Run/Walks to start off with (e.g. 30 seconds running, 1 min walking for 20 mins is a good place to start). The Couch25K app is great for helping you to ramp up. (Apologies if you know that already!)

No words. Absolutely gutted for you mate.

echo what JJ said.

don't really have any words

Same here. Sorry to hear you're suffering

Same here, it's hard to imagine how bad it is for you. I hope you can feel like running as others mentioned, it always makes me feelbetter.

Thanks for posting your update Normy.  Have been hoping for good news about you and your mrs (as I'm sure many other people have been on here) so it was good to know that, although it sounds grim, it seems like you're over the worst.

It's also positive to know that at 78, you sound like you have fought it off pretty well (although also sounds like you must be in decent nick with all that exercise). That gives encouragement to all of us worried about parents and grandparents.

Hope your wife feels much better soon too.  Cheers

Great to hear Normy, glad you and the wife are on the mend.

I have a similar(ish) story to you.

I got an increasingly bad cough that would not go away, lost all appetite and had a headache from hell, my temps were running in the late 38s for a day but I felt on top of things, being on the most vulnerable list I have religiously been taking my temps 4 times a day, and still am just in case.

The cough was constant, the headache relentless but the temperature and slowly worsening breathing was the major concern for me as most of my problems are chest related from previous pulmonary embolisms that have left massive scarring on the lungs.

I had this for about a day which was a week ago Saturday the 4th April, this was 12 days after my last going outside of the house so the 14 days from catching until peak seems about right. I took stronger doses of paracetemol to calm my temps just as the wife was on the verge of phoning for an ambulance as it lasted almost a whole day and my breathing was not great, luckily for me!

I spoke to my doctor and asthma nurse and they say that they are 99% certain I have had the disease and that no testing kits are available in South Somerset for the next week or more to check it, and of course when I can get tested it will have disappeared from my system anyway. So I can fully understand the limitations of testing at GWH of just a couple a day.

I still have been left with vertigo, a chesty cough and slight breathing issues but nothing like I was expecting, luckily for me! my taste comes back for a few hours then goes again and thats on and off over the week since the awful day when it seemed to peak in me, my doctors thinks I am one of the lucky ones that has a natural immunity to this or that my immune system was luckily strong enough to cope, after my cancer treatments that does surprise me though!

Anyway just sharing my story, I have told only a few people this (and a couple of TEFers) as I feel it not bad enough to warrant any worrying or concerns really.

Yes I feel fine now, I am nowhere near 100% and constantly tired and cant concentrait on anything but  glad it wasn't any worse really!

There are many thousands that were not as fortunate, including my uncle may he rest in peace.

Wow Peter, you really went through it!  Thank you for sharing your story, I think it helps to get sympathetic support. I hope you continue to improve, with my very best wishes.

Thanks Normy you too, luckily far more people get over this than succumb to it. Lets hope we have broken the back of this and can get back to closer to normal asap.

Bloody hell JJ, look after yourself, mate. We need you for the online comms when BCD games start up again :)

:D I seem to have got away quite lightly and for that I am glad!

I think the first BCD will probably have 10k+ subscribers so won't need my comments!

I reckon there must be thousands of people who have had a mild dose of it and never knew.

I’ve sown some seeds for peppers today. I am the angel of death when it comes to horticulture so I’m not expecting much.

Of course it will. Game's not the same without them! If only so someone can argue the toss as to whether that's what we're actually watching :)

Millions

Audrey mentioning doses bring a whole lot of unwanted images into my head

One thing I’m proud of never having!

Although there’s hundreds of things I’m certainly not proud of over the years - some trivial, some not.

As with Normy, thanks so much for sharing.  I think it's really important that we get to hear some positive news and recovery stories.  It did feel like if you were over 70 or had a serious health condition, it was likely to end very badly so it certainly helps (helps me anyway) to know that people in that group are getting over it.  Does still sound grim though.  Hope you're fully recovered soon.

A day late but for those interested, the link below has good info on the old railway line. I think this was posted on the trains thread before but in times of isolation it is a good read.

http://www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/

This PDF contains photos from Moredon to Chiseldon section in particular.

http://www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/gwsfinal.pdf

There is also footage of the train ride from Swindon station to old town, along what is now the path but I can't remember where I saw it.

https://youtu.be/Dt9uW3k_tEU

Thanks Rusty, I am not in the "very old" range yet still 54 but do have serious health issues. Yes we do need more "fighting it and getting back to normal again" stories, far too much dwelling on the bad things.

It was different to that video but similar. Footage of the entire journey. I'd not seen that one before so thanks for that.

Was it with this train?

(http://www.swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/thelastone.jpg)

The very last train to Swindon Town station in 1972. Rather than the last service train in that video?

No idea what train it was. I just recall watching the whole journey shot from within the train between the 2 stations. I'm gonna have to try to find it I think.

So glad you’re feeling better. Similar to my story where my temperature had been running in the high 38’s for two days aided slightly by maximum paracetamol dose up to yesterday. Now back to normal without paracetamol and hopefully will stay that way. Hadn’t considered vertigo but certainly when I get up to slowly make my way to the toilet I am a bit wobbly and light headed and wondered what might be causing that. Like yourself I was discussing calling an ambulance but my wife knew the correct answer was to remain home unless breathing became an issue. I continue resting in bed with a cough which appears to be bringing out some muck but understand it can be  a long recovery process from here.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=294746268112143

My eldest brother was a fireman, and I remember him coming home dirty, and talking about what hard work it was keeping the fire going up by Rushey Platt.  About 1950 I think.

Lovely nostalgic film, it cheered me up.

Glad you're improving mate, yes the vertigo is the worst part for me, been with me 2 weeks now.

That's the one. Not the entire journey, so I was wrong there but that's definitely it. Nice one, thanks.

It's strange how that route looks like in that old clip without trees which now cover a lot of the route especially by Westlecott Road.

Inspired by Captain Tom, I feel I should be doing more than sitting on my arse watching programmes about border guards and crab fisherman.

I have no particular skills and there are not many things at which I excel. However, I have always been quite successful at knocking one out so I am proposing a "Wank for the NHS". Every time I hit my target, I will donate £1.00 which should raise enough money to buy a truckload of ventilators by the time I can go out and get a coffee.

Anyone prepared to give me a hand in this enterprise?

I need to keep up my 0.074 posts a day ratio somehow, so here’s my piece on what I - and all of us - should be but are not doing today.  Thanks to the Adver for carrying it.

https://twitter.com/liampw/status/1251415780564107265?s=21
https://twitter.com/liampw/status/1251415781818142721?s=21

That was brave.  I can't imagine what you have been - and are going - through.  Thanks for the link.

A very touching story.

I’m baking bread whilst listening to Arabella by Arctic Monkeys

I read this in the Adver earlier.

Just don’t know what to say other than I am so, so sorry.

I saw this earlier on the adver site too. Thanks for sharing and so sorry for your losses.

Stay strong and thanks for sharing this.

Snaffling a smoked streaky bacon and fried egg sarnie.

Saw this earlier via Twitter. Didn't imagine it was someone on here. So sorry for your loss, reading the piece brought a lump to the throat. FWIW, you've done an excellent job of paying tribute to both of them.

 thankyou for sharing. a finer written tribute I couldn't imagine.

thinking of you all today.

Well put.  Very moving.  All the best Liam.

Thoughts are with you,  you wrote an amazing article in difficult times,  very sad time for you but I'm sure everyone on here will be shedding a tear for you.   Stay safe mate.

Downloaded the Strava app and went for a bike ride yesterday to test it out. Today I'm going to ride the old Trainline path we've discussed recently. Been many years since I've been along there.

Getting gardening gear on, ready to spend a day in horticultural mode.

oh no ...

strava leads to segments
segments lead to the dark side ...

(it's a great app really)

First impressions are it's a good app. Think I could get into this now. 15k today. Enjoyed going down the old trainline path but it was so busy. Had to stop start a few times.

That route has been like Piccadilly Circus for weeks now. Please avoid it.

Slutsk are back top of the Belarus Premier League.



*discouraging group think since 2020

It’s Easter here - no idea why it’s different to the UK, but there you go.

All movement banned for 2 days but the dangling carrot of a May 4 start of lifting restrictions. The Greek government has set out how and when segments of daily life will resume.

I’ll send Boris a post it.

Because of the Greek Orthodox church.

Eastern Christianity recognises a different date for Easter because they follow the Julian Calendar, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar which is widely used by most countries today.

Don't know why but my immediate vision  when I read that was  Charlie Dimmock.
Crackin nips, as big as walnuts :toocool:

I just took Mrs normy to be admitted to the GWH , she was not improving, and her breathing was poor.

Shit. I hope she's back home and well soon, Normy.

Hope she starts to get better soon mate!

if there is anything you need shopping wise just pm and I'll do my best to get it to you (probably tomorrow).

wishing Mrs Normy all the very best .

Best wishes Normy

best wishes mate

Wishing your wife all the best, Normy.

Best wishes

Fingers crossed for you wife Normy, stay strong.

All the best to your wife and you, Normy.

Thank you and others for your kind thoughts, Batch.  I can shop myself now.

OMIG, hope it all comes good mate. Fingers crossed.

Very very best wishes

All the best to you Normy, she’s in great hands.

Thinking of you and your wife, Normy.  Imagine you are sick with worry and still getting over your own symptoms too. 
Are you ok?

Hope all is well Normy and she's back home soon.

you know where we are if we can help.

I'm sorry to hear that, normy. Fingers crossed she's home safe and sound soon.

Yes good luck to you both.

Hope she gets better soon, fingers crossed for you.

mrs normy has not improved during three days in the hospital.

I have developed a dry cough again, and fear that the virus has not left me yet.

:( Thoughts and prayers with both of you.

So difficult to know what to say other than just want you to know we’re thinking of you both and just hope things improve as soon as possible.

Best wishes Mr and Mrs Normy from me. Get well soon

All the best to you and your wife.

Hoping you both get through this and recover swiftly.

How are things Normy? Hoping for good news for you both

mrs normy came home yesterday, only a slight improvement so far.  Coughing  and breathing still a problem. She has a sick note for a fortnight.

I still have  a cough and feel a bit nauseous and weak sometimes. Otherwise, OK.

Thanks for the enquiry Stfc

Great news. Hopefully she'll be back to 100% soon.

Good news

Great to hear of improvement, normy.

Good to hear she's improving, hope that continues. And yourself too.

Sending best wishes & positive thoughts, Normy.

Thanks for taking the time to write the update Normy.  Sounds awful but hopefully the worst is over and you'll both see improvements soon.  Sending you both my best wishes.