Rant of the Day v2.

[Pontius Navigator]

An interesting story OFSO and not just about the camera.

The drawer is either incredibly full of its intended or rarely used. If the latter that opens up to other possibilities too

[ExSp33db1rd]

........the back of the drawer about 15 years ago

Ditto, just found a 1936 Zeiss Super Ikonta 2 1/4" square 120 size roll film camera, a 5x4 Speed Graphic press camera, a half-plate Thornton-Pickard wood and mahogany plate camera complete with fitted tripod. Can't find the black focussing cloth tho'. Valuable maybe ?

Aside ... Photographer using a half-plate camera like this to photograph a girls school annual photograph, put the cloth over his head to view the screen and one girl said " What's he doing that for" and her friend said " He's going to focus " " What ! all of us ?"

[tango15]

Here's a little tip for you, as told to me by a policeman neighbour and tried by myself on numerous occasions and found to work. If you are driving when it is quiet on the roads (yes I know!), and you approach the lights at red, drive slowly over the sensors and the lights will magically change. It doesn't work for all junctions, but does for most. It still works, though rather more slowly, even if there is a lot of traffic.

[Boac]

Ah yes, t15, but in its own inimicable way, the A23 in Crawley modified the system so that when you approached the green on that empty road (yes, at o'dark hundred it sometimes was) it changed to red as you crossed the sensors and gave the green to the completely empty side road.

[G-CPTN]

Retired-person's buspass expires this month.
Took bus into nearby town and walked across town to the library.
County Council have an 'outreach' service desk there - except it isn't operating due to Coronavirus, so I had to walk back across town and catch the bus back (at a time of day that I don't currently emerge due to the virus) - so a wasted risk.

[tango15]

Ah yes, t15, but in its own inimicable way, the A23 in Crawley modified the system so that when you approached the green on that empty road (yes, at o'dark hundred it sometimes was) it changed to red as you crossed the sensors and gave the green to the completely empty side road.

Haha! Well not for nothing is it known as Creepy Crawley

[OFSO]

'Ecologist' "expert" lady on Sky News just said ".... one thing the Covid crisis has done is that everyone (sic) is now focussed on the need to change to a low carbon society... "

Discuss. No, on second thoughts, don't.

[Rwy in Sight]

Well it seems her and GT got their wish - with all the negative impact upon economic development and standard of living. The good thing is that most don't like.

I might have said it before but here it is again: I would have thought that a standard question in each social impacting interview is "how you are going to benefit from us adapting your statement" or "how much you have adopted your ideas to your life". I still remember GT using a yacht with a very heavy carbon footprint, riding an expensive electric vehicle provided for by VIP and all those special treatments just for her. So not really an eco-friendly way of life

[Pontius Navigator]

Here's a little tip for you, as told to me by a policeman neighbour and tried by myself on numerous occasions and found to work. If you are driving when it is quiet on the roads (yes I know!), and you approach the lights at red, drive slowly over the sensors and the lights will magically change. It doesn't work for all junctions, but does for most. It still works, though rather more slowly, even if there is a lot of traffic.

Though many lights use radar but I expect the principle is the same. I have noted this at some road works too. The really annoying ones are road works with the far end quite visible and nothing waiting or approaching. Sod's law a police car will suddenly appear.

Then there are the road work lights that turn green for you but there is a stream of traffic still coming through. Your lights then turn red and you wait dutifully. More traffic at the other end gets a green and you get f'd over again.

[tango15]

With regard to road work lights, I was told by someone who installs them that if you do a sort of F1 tyre-warming manoeuvre - jerking the car from side to side - as you approach them, they will change if there's no-one at the other end. However, I suspect he was extracting the urine, as despite a number of recent attempts (and some strange looks from other motorists), it has failed to work

[Pontius Navigator]

T15, which raises another question. Just how close do you need to be before the radar 'sees' you? Do you need to go right to the Stop Here or stop comfortably far back to minimise the manoeuvring?

[tango15]

About 100 yards was the figure I was given, but apparently the radar sensor on top of the lights can be adjusted by whoever is setting them up, and it may be pointing too close to the ground, or too high. I believe that the people who set these things up now have to pass a DfT approved course before they're allowed to operate them, but from some of the examples I've seen, you'd never believe it!

[ian16th]

Trying to contact those nice people in the Pensions place in Newcastle and get them to pay our pittance into a different bank account.

Using the mail, is to be avoided as mail to/from SA is usually lost.

I'm willing to pay for a courier, but need a physical address.

Phoned them, get a recorded message. Most functions closed down by Covid. Change of bank account not on the options menu.

Used the last valid e-mail address I had, got the automated reply:

This communication channel is now closed and will not be monitored for queries.

Suggestions?

[G-CPTN]

Report a change in your circumstances, such as a change of address or bank details:-
0800 731 0469

[Pontius Navigator]

G CPTN, I suspect that will not work from overseas.

I found a possible solution that suggests a route you could try, try RAFA, or SSAFA.

[ian16th]

G CPTN, I suspect that will not work from overseas.

Yep, 0800 numbers don't normally work from overseas.

I found a possible solution that suggests a route you could try, try RAFA, or SSAFA.

Since the Durban branch of the RAFA folded, I've let my membership lapse.

But this has started the thought process of maybe finding the Welfare Officer of the Newcastle RAFA Branch. S/he might have a contact or two.

[Pontius Navigator]

Ian, true, but you do not have to be a member to seek their help. In fact I would think that people who are not members may be more isolated and therefore in need of help. RAFA use SSAFA as case officers.

[ian16th]

Ian, true, but you do not have to be a member to seek their help.

True, but I think it would help.

In fact I would think that people who are not members may be more isolated and therefore in need of help. RAFA use SSAFA as case officers.

[G-CPTN]

Just received notification about renewal of resident's parking permit.
Digital images of documentation (such as Council Tax bill) required.
I do not have a smartphone.
The alternative for those not technically savvy is to present to local service centres - ours is closed.
The Council has my address on record as a Council Tax payer - so they should be able to confirm my status.

Left hand/right hand?

[Rwy in Sight]

Make a digital photograph of the document and attached to the application G-CPTN