Mundane News

[classic33]

I had an appointment with a private surgeon this morning to examine my ankle for insurance purposes. He said he had expected me to be still using crutches from looking at my X-rays! Unfortunately he also said I had a 60 to 80% chance of developing arthritis in the ankle and needing further surgery in the not too distant future. Not exactly a lot to look forward to.

I had taken the Brompton and had a little seaside ride while I was there. I did about thirty leisurely miles, my first ride since getting a bad cold a few weeks ago. Some atrocious driving around the north coast, close passed galore and I came on the aftermath of two RTAs that needed ambulances. One car on car and one where a woman seemed to have been somehow knocked down while walking ON the pavement When are people going to take road safety seriously...

Got my ride completed and fish and chips eaten before it started to rain and back home now.

I snapped my right ankle in November 2000, it's still as good the one I didn't snap. And the leg is still the stronger of the two.

 

[PeteXXX]

STOP THE PRESS! Some important news to be shared on this most illustrious of threads. Hold on to your hats ......

Structural steel and rebar prices fall sharply!​

Latest data collected by cost consultant Gardiner & Theobald shows structural steel has fallen to around £1,000 per tonne in January, 31% down from last Spring’s peak price of £1,450 per tonne.

I don't need any, but at that price I might just order a few tons! MrsPete will be so surprised when it turns up 👍

 

[Mike_P]

Get a collectors piece before they all go.

Not as bad as April Fools Day 1974.

Can't imagine their will be a rush for these

 

[Speicher]

The newer sleepers would be pressure treated, not immersed for soaking like the older one's.

Either will have the preserving materials still in them, which will be why they haven't rotted evenly. If you want to get rid of them, what will you replace them with? If they are doing no harm, I'd be inclined to leave them be.

They were replaced with new ones, that are, as you say pressure treated. The ground from the field to my fence is sloped. the slope is very uneven, and at one point, just by my fence, very steep. So to prevent me falling down a sudden drop of about three feet, the "gap" has three large timbers, similar in size and shape to the sleepers put there about ten years ago.

Burning pressure treated timber releases toxic fumes into the air. So if they go in the black (landfill/incinerator) bin, that is probably worse than just letting them rot where they are.

 

[classic33]

They were replaced with new ones, that are, as you say pressure treated. The ground from the field to my fence is sloped. the slope is very uneven, and at one point, just by my fence, very steep. So to prevent me falling down a sudden drop of about three feet, the "gap" has three large timbers, similar in size and shape to the sleepers put there about ten years ago.

Burning pressure treated timber releases toxic fumes into the air. So if they go in the black (landfill/incinerator) bin, that is probably worse than just letting them rot where they are.

Were they ever proper railway sleepers, or just bought as "sleepers"?

If they were treated, the area around them would dead for a few inches around them. If they were bought as "sleepers", the area around them would be still growing.

The demand outstripped supply, which led to untreated timber being sold as sleepers. Particularly for raised plant beds.

 

[classic33]

Can't imagine their will be a rush for these
View attachment 683796

You never know. May not be worth much straight away, but I've seen some signs go for triple figures.

 

[tyred]

I snapped my right ankle in November 2000, it's still as good the one I didn't snap. And the leg is still the stronger of the two.

Mine is more than just snapped though. About six doctors stood around discussing my X-rays before emailing them to other hospitals for more opinions. More like shattered with about an eight inch plate and God knows how many screws holding it together. The surgeon who did the repair job said it will be 80% strength at best.

 

[Reynard]

Lovely supper of the last of the sweet potato, red lentil & coconut soup, then spaghetti & meatballs with steamed & buttered pointy cabbage on the side

 

[Reynard]

Anything here?
https://www.railwayherald.com/railtours

Not for today, but it looks like they may have been getting ready for tomorrow, as there's a "Stratford Flyer" pullman service from Norwich to Stratford-upon-Avon via March & P'boro. Ely has good sidings, and you regularly see coaches and locos laid up overnight.

Seems the bit I missed was the Stanier class "Black 5" loco (4932). I did see the class 47 diesel at the rear.

Will prolly get to see it twice tomorrow anyways.

 

[Reynard]

Oi!
Talk like that could earn you a day in the stocks, on market day.

It's 'orrible stuff, me old bean. Doesn't hold a candle up to any half-decent English Breakfast.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Oi!
Talk like that could earn you a day in the stocks, on market day.

Slave labour for the Yorkshirrrrr Tea plantations would be a far more likely punishment.

Anyhow, Yorkshire Tea comes out more orange than it would dunking Trump into hot water.

 

[Mike_P]

You never know. May not be worth much straight away, but I've seen some signs go for triple figures.

Suspect its just a vinyl overlay on the board - might be covering up an older sign

but then again there might be underneath

 

[tom73]

Can't imagine their will be a rush for these
View attachment 683796

Maybe they can collect them up and turn them into a massive art work on the Stray. Giving the keep the common folk off , preserve in aspic ladies that lunch nimby bunch. Something else to get in a twist about. How about a massive bike that really will make heads explode.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

How to plan a ride to have a tailwind (fingers crossed forecast doesn’t change)

 

[Jenkins]

It has been raining on and off all day having started while I was in Felixstowe on the bike. I am getting fed up of this wet weather. At least I got the bedding changed and the ironing done instead of going out and having a bit of fun.
I did manage to get out early on and get a basic card for my step niece's birthday on Monday, only to get a message from my sister this evening reminding me that it was an 18th birthday

Do we have any Kent residents looking in? I'm off to Brands Hatch both days this weekend and need to know if there's been enogh rain in the area to replace the MG Car Club meeting with the British Powerboat championship?