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Good Morning Mollie & Emptybox.


DOI was good, they are coming on, such a risk of injury though, ice acts the same as concrete when you fall on it, and the skates can cause serious injury of course.

I taped Top Gear then watched it, was going to watch Terry Wogan but didn't.

Glad your getting out more Mollie, it will do you good, don't overdo it though.

I really liked MSE Emptybox, but that file I mentioned which is a Windows file for doing the housework seemed to hog the cpu most of the time, the cpu was constantly on 100%, not all the file though, but all other events had to try and get cpu time as the file wanted it all.

Looking on the web showed that an awful lot of people are having the same problem.
I have it at work and it seems OK, I'd give it a try, just watch the cpu loading in 'File Manager' and see that your Puter's not running too slow.
I downloaded the Avast Pro which was ÂĢ30 but it said it would check the internet sites for me.

Just downloading an update for MSE at work at the Mo.

Hope you can get some work done this week.
Don't think I'll be too busy today.
Hicky
Evening.

Was busier than I expected at work.

My fruit peeling gadgets came, only tried the apple peeler, that worked fine.

Am at Docs tomorrow at 11.45, have a Funeral to go to at 2.30 so hope it doesn't run on.
It's going top be a busy day, don't think I'll get in the garden except for the birds.

Hope your OK Mollie.

And hope you managed to get some work done Emptybox.
Hicky
Evening Hicky and Mollie.

Dull windy and drizzly here. I did my accounts rather than going out.

Sounds like you'll be fully occupied tomorrow Hicky? But not in a way you would like?

 Watched The Birth of Britain on CH4, then Horizon on BBC2 about pain.

I'm using the free version of Avast antivirus Hicky. Does everything I want it to.
I might try MSE when I get a new computer in a few months time?

I was intending to buy a new computer this winter, but what with buying my guitars and the Wii etc, I think I'll put the computer off for a while?  
There's no hurry, as the ones I've got are working fine at the mo, but they're all P4 single core machines. I feel I'm missing out on all the multi-core excitement.

Have you been getting more fresh air today Mollie?
emptybox
Hi Emptybox.

I've used the free version of Avast on many Computers for years, and put it on many more as well.
Just thought the Pro version might offer a bit more, don't begrudge the ÂĢ30.

Have to lay off the food in the morning as well, not supposed to eat much before the Docs.

Have got an updated MSE now as well, have got it working properly, seems ok, have that and Avast running, will see how it goes.

Hope you've had a good day Mollie. xx
Hicky
Good evening both xx

Am finding it easier to post late at night at the moment, I seem to get a bad head in the mornings if i go on my lappy. It may be my meds. 

Emptybox
glad you managed to get those accounts done.
I too watched Horizon, very interesting this week. And I watched Birth of Britain, I have watched that every week, very interesting.
That is the trouble with buying a new pc, they are certainly not cheap.
Yes I got some nice fresh air today, but did feel a bit dizzy and tired when I got home,  so have to be careful not to go too far if I go out tommorrow.

Hicky
Glad your fruit gadgets arrived ok.
I hope your docs visit goes ok this time, I remember you saying they wasted your time last time and had to put it off till tommorrow. And hope you make it on time to the funeral after. You have got a busy day, hope you get time to get your brekkie out tommorrow.

Nearly bed time for me now, well reclining chair time, because I am still sleeping in the chair.

goodnight both xxx
M
Evening.

Quite nice day here, so i got some work done.

Unfortunately the ignition light in the van was coming on again, after not giving me any problem for a few weeks.
I tested with a multi-meter, and I think the problem might be that the alternator is giving occasionally too high voltages. It was reading 14.5 with the engine running, but occasionally spiking up to 16 or 17, then back to 14.5.
Reading up on that, it suggests the voltage regulator in the alternator might be on the way out? 
Think I'll need to take it to a garage, and maybe get a new alternator.
I'll see what it does tomorrow.
Suppose it's the best time for it to develop a fault? It would be more of a nuisance to have if off the road in the summer.

Hope your visit to the docs went OK Hicky?

Hope you are improving Mollie?
emptybox
God Evening Mollie & Emptybox.



Hope your still OK Mollie.Good to have you posting again.


It's been a Sunny but cold day here.
Was OK at the Docs, going to get a chest Xray.
Did some lung tests, only about 55%, not very good.
She gave me a inhaler to test to see if it can help at time when I'm short of breath.
She thinks it's from smoking for so many years, probably damaged the lungs.

Had a Funeral to go to at 2.30, My O/H's Sister died last Sunday, been ill off and on for years and was taken bad, nothing they could do, was just giving pain relief for the last couple of months.
A lovely service and burial, and later at a lovely place, lots of family & friends turned up.Had to go and get a new suit this morning, tried the one I had on and it wouldn't fit.



About your Alternator Emptybox, the voltage across the battery should be higher when it's being charged anyway, 14.5 sounds fine, don't think Alternators have voltage regulators, they are AC 3 phase units that have rectifiers to convert the voltage to DC.
The regulator is the Battery as far as I know, that's why you can't disconnect the battery while the engine is running, you will blow the lot, think the Alternator output voltage is about 30 volt.
Is the battery connection good?, check the connection, but not whil the engine is running.
The ignition light shows the difference between the battery voltage and the Alternator voltage, a bright light means a difference of 12 volt.
If you meqasured the voltage on the battery leads you can't have a differential, if the voltage was over the 12/13 volt then it means the battery was being charged and the ignition light couldn't come on.
Hicky
Last edited by Hicky
HI Hicky.
Sorry about your sister-in-law.
You'd said she was ill, but it's always a shock when they go. Be bad for your OH, I would think.

Pity about your lung function test. Hope the inhaler helps.

I don't really understand car electrics Hicky. I was just going by what it said on the web.
I'll check the connection in the morning though.
But if the ignition light keeps coming on then I will contact the garage, because I think too high voltages can cause problems with the electrical system.
Also I don't want it to conk out and strand me somewhere. 

Going to watch a programme on Five about Gladiators in a minute, but there's not much else on.
emptybox
Hi Emptybox.

I can only imagine the voltage getting higher if it's not clamped top the Battery well, unless the battery is at fault.

In the old days the Dynamo that charged the battery was DC and the regulator controlled when the voltage was high enough to connect to charge the battery, when you were on tickover it was disconnected form the battery, but with Alternators the output is so great that it is always connected to the battery, and has to be, but the oputput can run all the needs of the car, the battery is only ever used for starting or parking, or when the engine is off.
If the voltage was showing 16/17 volt peak, not sure what that is meaning.

I'm watching 'The Gypsy Wedding, then Shameless.

Hope you are OK Mollie, lovely to hear from you again. x
Hicky
Good evening all

Emptybox
Sorry to hear about your van problems. As you say, you don't want to conk out in the middle of nowhere. So you had best make sure you have your mobile with you, and fully charged when you go out in the van.

Hicky
You must be exhausted after today.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your SIL. I am sure it has been a very difficult time for your OH.
I hope the inhaler helps improve your breathing.  Is it a blue ventolin one?  I have one of those, and my OH does too, he was given one after he had a bad cold and cough. It did help me when I had brething problems. It is best that they do send you for this chest X ray to check things out. They told me I should of had one of those years ago, and then I wouldn't of been treated for the wrong problem for 10 years! 
Did you have to blow into one of those tubes at the doctors? The hospital gave me one of those to take home.

I am feeling a bit better again today. Head not quite so bad.

I too watched Gypsy Wedding, and watched the programme about Betty Driver, Can't believe she is age 90, and sitll working on Corrie regularly.

goodnight all  x
M
Good Morning Mollie & Emptybox.

Yes, it was a sad day, nice ceremony and burial, an awful lot of family there and friends.

Haven't got the inhaler with me but I'll let you know what it says when I'm home, you take a big breath and press the button then hold in the air for 10 seconds, do this twice.
Last 3 hrs.
Tried it this morning at 5.30 was a lot easier walking form the car to the office, not panting at all.
They are going to get me the 12 hr one that you take twice a day.
It could help me gardening anyway.


Have got to ring the surgery when it opens, they left a message yeasterday.

For the breathing tests I had to use the inhaker, then after a few minutes blow into a 25mm round tube attached to a machine that measured pressure and duration of breath, after a few goes had to blow into another gadget that measured the force I blew.

Glad you are feeling better, any improvement is a bonus.
Roll on 10am

Hope Emptybox can get some work done this week if the conditions are OK.

Catch you later, don't think I'll be too busy today, Famous last words.
Hicky
Afternoon.
A nasty windy, rainy day here.

Hope the inhaler helps your breathing Hicky.
Panting is never good.........no unless yer a dug.
Hope they don't work you too hard today.

I tried the battery connections this morning, and they seemed fine and tight. Then I turned the engine on, and the ignition light stayed on, so i tested with the multimeter, and I was only getting 12 volts at the battery.
So it seems when the light is off the alternator is working and charging the battery as normal, but when the light is on it isn't (which is more or less what you said ).
Anyway I phoned the garage, and I'm taking it across later today. Unfortunately they say they might not have time to fix it till Friday, so I might be without the van for the rest of the week.
But if it's not charging the battery, there's no point in running around with it. 

I've got one customer who wants a job done this week, but I can probably take a few tools in the Jag. I can put the cuttings in a big bag, and collect it when I get the van back. 

Glad you are improving Mollie, and your head is not as bad.

ETA: Typically, when I took the van across to the garage, the light refused to come on, so I couldn't demonstrate the problem to them.  I hate it when that happens. 
He gave me a lift back home in the van, and still it behaved itself.
They say they'll thoroughly test everything, but it will be difficult to tell, if there are no symptoms, but it's probably the alternator at fault.
emptybox
Last edited by emptybox
Good Evening Mollie & Emptybox.

Haven't used/needed the inhaler, and for Mollie, as she knows these things it is called a Samamol CFC-Free inhaler 100 micrograms Salbutamol Sulphate.
It's called a 'Reliever' and it's Blue.

Was busier than expected today.
There's nothing more than faults that are not constant.

Hope they can find whats up with your van, it's strange one, if the Alternator fails the light will just stay on.

According to the weather forecast it's 9 deg tomorrow, might get some more work done in the garden if it is.

Will test the inhaler again, it might let me get more work done.

Hope Mollie is OK for a wee post tonight.
Hicky
Good evening both

Hicky
glad to hear the inhaler helped you walk easier from the car to the office today, and as you say, it would be good if it helps you breathe easier when you are gardening too.Yes I too have the same blue inhaler.I was told just to take it when needed, because It helps ease symptoms. I also had another purple one (salmeterol) that has some steroid stuff in it. That is the preventive one,  that stops you getting symptoms. That may be the one they are getting you, you take that twice a day, and it was very effective. I havent needed either though since i had my op, and have been taking all these meds by mouth. I seemed to need inhalers  most when I had a bad cold/cough. Hopefully you will feel a lot better with these two inhalers to control your breathlessness.

I hope you arent too tired after your busy day at work today.
Maybe you can get to enjoy a bit of a lie in afer you busy week so far?

Emptybox
What a nuisance about your van, how typical that it doesn't play up, just when you wanted it to, at the garage.   Hope you can manage to sort that job out ok without your van. And hope the garage can find and fix the problem without too much cost.

Looks like we have a fair amont of rain to come according to the weather forecast.

Not much on tv again tonight. I did watch the Pineapple dance studio show though, that is quite light hearted. 

Goodnight both xx
M
Good Morning Mollie & Emptybox.


They are having a rough time in Oz, that Huricane is bad, 185mph wind, heavens.
Glad my lad isn't over by that area, but bet the whole place is suffering.

I will have to see how things are with the inhaler to see what differnce it takes.

Have to pick a form up from the Docs to select when and where to get the Xray.
Will go Friday morning and can my my meds from the Chemist and get brekki in Morrisons.

Mended the hose connection in the garden, needed WD40 to free it, thats ok now, filled the birdbath and fed the birds.
Got to get more decking gear now to carry on with my project, will have to wait till tomorrow or the weekend.

Hope your van will be ok Emptybox, any word from the garage?

Very Sunny here today, not too cold either.
Hicky
Hi Mollie and Hicky.

The morning wasn't bad here. A sprinkling of snow overnight, but nothing much.
I went out in the car to do that job. It was pruning ivy on a wall, and I ended up with a huge bag of ivy cuttings, that I left at the house.

On my way home I got a call on my mobile, from the garage, to say the van was fixed already.
In fact I'd only just got home, when the guy pulled up in it.
They must have fast tracked the job, because they originally said they wouldn't have time to fix it till tomorrow?
I had to give him a run back to the garage, and he said that the alternator had been filled with muck, which they'd cleaned out, and they'd had to replace a wire, but I don't think they had to replace the alternator, so looks like I might have been spared major expense.
I'll have to wait for the bill to be sure, because I don't think he was the one that worked on it.

The alternator is on the underside, in that van, so I guess it's prone to picking up all the muck from the road in this bad weather?
Not sure what wire they replaced, but I guess it could have been nibbled by a mouse or a rat, as it was sitting idle all the time the snow was here? Or could have just corroded, I suppose?
I haven't looked under the bonnet yet, because it was pouring with rain by the time I had got the van back home.
I just went straight from the garage, back to the job I was on this morning, and picked up the bag of ivy cuttings, before it got too wet. So that is still in the back of the van at the moment.

That really is bad luck for Australia, to be hit by a typhoon, so soon after all the floods?
Bet you're glad your lad is in a different part Hicky?  

Glad you got your hose working. Bet the birds enjoyed their bath.

The weather's pretty wild here just now, with very high winds and rain. Not going to be a good night.
emptybox
Good evening all.

Yes Hicky, they certainly seem to be having a lot of bad weather in Oz this year. I found the climate very harsh when we lived there, but it seem to be extreme this year.
Glad you managed to fix the hose. At least the weather was ok today for you to go into the garden.
It was nice here too today, but the weather forecast for the weekend here doesnt sound so good though.
Hope you can get the forms and meds sorted at the docs, then enjoy your brekkie out.

Emptybox
Glad they got your van sorted so quickly.  Fingers crossed the bill wont be too bad now.
Sounds like the bad weather that is due here soon has started there already. I can here it getting windy here too now.

Did anyone watch Just Collins in Japan? Interesting, but rather weird.

Goodnight all xxx
M
Hi Mollie & Emptybox.

Got the form from the Docs, and Meds, and Brekki.
My Cherry stoner came as well, mor fun, but it works great.

Hope they have fixed your Van Emptybox, maybe a wire was causing the problem/bad connection, the dirt in it wouldn't help either, but wouldn't effect it working.

I watched the show, building a Replica Roman Villa, hard work eh.

Still windy here, not too bad, not like OZ.

Saw a bit of Collins in Japan.

The Form from the Docs was to take to a local Hospital to get an Xray, don't need an appointment, might go this afternoon.
Hicky
Hi Hicky.

That's a good system with the X-Rays. Means you can go when you like.
Hope the result is OK

Hope your son is still fine in Oz? Has the cyclone passed by yet?

Rain and wind here all day. Have hardly poked my nose outside.
The neighbour rang the doorbell and pointed out that I had a loose slate that was flapping a bit in the wind, so I moved my van out of the way, just in case a slate came through the windscreen.
I doubt if it'll come down though. When the weather improves I'll maybe get the ladders out and push it back into place.

Hope you are not affected by the winds Mollie?
emptybox
Hi Emptybox.

Have to go and see the Doc or nurse after a week to see the Xray results.
Think the Oz Cyclone petered out because of the dryish land it passed over.
But my lads at the other end of the Country now, down by Sydney more.

Loose slates are usually nailed down aren't they, seldom fall, unless a few come loose that might leave thngs more exposed.

Hope you are OK  Mollie, best keep out of this strong wind.
Hicky
Good evening all
Hicky
glad you got the x ray sorted out ok today. I hope the results are ok when they come in. I bet you enjoyed your brekkie in Morrisons after.
Do you need to have that inhaler twice a day now, or has your breathing improved?
My OH once got offerred a job in canberra once, but we decided not to move there. It is a strange place he said... no character , just government buildings mainly, and a few hours drive from the coast. But it is good that your lad is getting to visit a lot of different parts of the country whilst he is there.

Emptybox
gosh, you do seem to be having your share of house problems lately, What a nusiance that one of the slates is coming off now. Dont you go climbing a ladder in these winds, far too dangerous. Can't you just let the landlord know about it, and get him to send someone out to do it?  That is what you pay your rent for.

Yes it has been very windy here too today, I only went a short walk with the dog, then had to come back, unusually for me, I cannot cope with the cold winds. It makes my throat seem worse. When I go out my legs have felt so cold, that my OH has bought me some ski trousers. He got them reduced from over ÂĢ50 to ÂĢ15. They feel nice and thick and warm, and look good with my ski jacket. So I am all set for a ski now.   The only thing is that I can only manage a short walk at the moment, and we dont have any snow anyway.

Goodnight all
let's hope the weather improves a bit soon.
M
Hi Mollie.
Sounds like you are all set when the snow does come?

The slate is poking over the gable end, which is why the wind is lifting a corner of it. Probably just pushing it back into line is all that's needed.
I've been waiting over a year to get a felt roof over dormer windows replaced, outside window frames painted and a faulty double glazing unit replaced, so I wouldn't want to wait for the landlord to do anything.
She did react quickly to the plumbing crises, but I wouldn't think a loose slate would get any priority?
When I took over the tenancy  she said that as part of the agreement she had to get a mains smoke alarm fitted, but nothing has been done about that either.  (we've got a couple of battery ones)

I've really been enjoying Phil Spencer's Relocation Down Under over the last few weeks.
They've got some fantastic properties there, even if the weather is more extreme than here.
He was looking for properties north of Sydney today.
emptybox
Evening Mollie.


I only use the inhaler now and again, I don't use it every day.
Will see how it goes.

My lad is happy wherever he is, he wants to do his Masters Degree now, will take a few years though.
He probably needs it for the Job he's after, he has high hopes.

It's good to get out if you can, the fresh air is always a bonus, that Ski Jacket will keep you warm, don't forget the Scarf as well.

Hope this wind dies down tonight, forecast says only a 5mph wind tomorrow.
Hicky
Hi Mollie and Hicky.
A dry day here, and much calmer.

I got the long ladders out and had a look at that slate. I pushed it back so it wasn't sticking out. It's still loose, but it's held with a nail, so shouldn't fall. However if the wind keeps moving it up and down, it might eventually pull the nail out, but it would have to also move the slate above it which overlaps.
The next time there's high wind I'll see if it's still flapping, and if it is I'll inform the landlord. Just to cover myself incase it falls on the neighbour's car or something.

I also got the steps out and pruned an apple tree in my garden.

I had a look under the bonnet of the van, and it looks like they might have fitted a new alternator after all. Certainly the casing looks all shiny and new, and even if they had cleaned the old one up, I doubt if they would have cleaned up the casing?
Hopefully it's a reconditioned one, to keep the cost down.
The wire they replaced is a thin exposed one, so could easily have been nibbled through.
I notice the belt is still squeeking, so they obviously didn't think that was important  (I did mention it to them before-hand).

That's forward thinking of your son Hicky, wanting to do his Masters. Will be good for his career in the long run.

Did you manage a short walk today Mollie?

I notice the snowdrops are starting to come out in my garden.
emptybox
Last edited by emptybox
Hi Emptybox.


I thought the slate would have a nail holding it, but it's amazing what the power of the wind can do.


Most engine parts are reconditioned these days, new is very expensivem the reconditioning is done by the original makers probably and they only keep the case, the rest is replaced.

Maybe the thin exposed wire was the one that comes from the battery warning light, if that was damaged and the Alternator had gone then the damaged wire could have been trying to put the light on but a bad connection on that damaged wire could have stopped the light going on.

The masters course for my lad is very expensive, but he has found one that he can afford
Hicky
good morning all

Emptybox
hope that slate is ok now, yes good idea to tell LL just to cover youself if it does move again. Typcial landlord, they are quick enough collecting the rent, but not seeing to stuff that needs doing. Sounds like you need to remind about the smoke things too.
Hope your van bill isn't too expensive.
I saw that Phil Spencer show, it is interesting, but he does seem to tell you all the good things and none of the bad things,. There is a show on in the mornings on bbc1 at 9.15am, called Rolacation Down under, and they do tend to show you more of thngs that went wrong for people moving over there, and how expensive it really is to live there.

Hicky
hope the rain held off a little this weeeknd for you to get out in the garden.
Glad to hear your lad is able to a Masters, as it is going to help him job wise. It is good for him that he is seeing so much of Australia whilst he is over there.

I went a walk with the family and dog on the seafront yesterday, it was increditble windy, and then we went to the pet shop, I overdid it and did not feel well when we got home, so need to take it easier today. They have gone to the woods with the dog now, but I have reluctandly felt I should stay at home, but at least I have found "Something for the Weekend" to watch. I like the recipes on that.

have a good sunday both. xxx
M
Good Afternoon Mollie.

Rain has stopped but wind is back.
Don't think I'll be doing much outside today, maybe look after the birds.

Have ordered the plastic vine wire kit for the Fig tree's, you get the 3mm cord, tensioners, and vine clips to hold the vine to the cord.

You overdid it yesterday Mollie, you take it easy, let them do all the work.
Hicky
Hi Mollie and Hicky.
Pouring with rain here, but at least it's not windy.

A little fresh air is good for you Mollie, but not a howling gale.  
Better just to stick to going out in good weather, and take it easy otherwise?  

Just going to have my lunch, then I'll go out for my weekly shop.

Phil Spencer obviously loves Oz, so I suppose he gives a rosy gloss to life down under, but their houses do seem much more modern and spacious than the average Brit home?
emptybox
Hi Emptybox.
You would wonder how he could owe that much.
It was a bad period for selling houses though.

Bad news about Gary moore, didn't know him myself, but it's a young age to go these days.

Only had a Beef Sunday Roast, very nice anyway.

Got a gadget for slicing tomatoes, a gadget for making veg, like carrots into thin squares 2msq.
Will need a seperate room for all my gadgets soon.

Loved the dancing.
Hicky
Good Morning Everyone.

Happy Monday again.

Dry and little wind this morning.
Was woken at 4.30am this morning by a Helicoptor flying around.
Was getting up at 5.15 anyway.

Tehy must have pretty good camera's if they can see into a cab and watch what the driver is doing with his hands and see what he is eating etc.
And all that from 1,000 feet away, the mind boggles.

Roll on 10am. Food, glorious food.

Hope you are OK Mollie, take it easy if the weather isn't so good.

Hope you get a little work done Emptybox, if the weather is OK up there.

Hoping not to be too busy today.
Hicky
Hi Hicky.
As you say, there are definitely some girls in that photo.
Wonder if it was a Nuts Challenge, or just a nuts challenge?

The weather is decidedly not good today. High winds and very heavy rain again.
I could hardly get any sleep because of the howling gale.
The slate on the roof seems to be OK though.

Wonder what the helicopter was doing, waking you in the middle of the night? 

Had a short powercut overnight, and when I came down this morning, although the power was back on, the phone and internet was dead.
However, plugging an old phone directly into the socket seemed to work, so I rebooted the router, and the internet came back on. Phew!
My wireless phones were still not working though, but another 15 minutes of fiddling about, and disconnecting and reconnecting seems to have got them working again.
No idea why the phones and router didn't just come on again automatically after the powercut, as they would usually have done? The phone line goes through a surge socket so it shouldn't be affected by power surges, and the surge socket is still showing a green light.
Anyway everything seems to be working now, although the internet seems a bit slow. 

Hope you are feeling OK Mollie?
emptybox

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