View Full Version : Tell Me Something............Anything!
Is it just me? - ever since the National Alert system was used yesterday, I have not been able to read any emails sent to my smartphone. When I click on the blue envelope email icon it takes me to a BT page which says "Login to BT Email", and when I click on that message it says "Sorry! Please try again later!". It happened shortly after the alert and still continues.
Is it just me? - ever since the National Alert system was used yesterday, I have not been able to read any emails sent to my smartphone. When I click on the blue envelope email icon it takes me to a BT page which says "Login to BT Email", and when I click on that message it says "Sorry! Please try again later!". It happened shortly after the alert and still continues.
Mine seems okay. I assume you've tried re-booting the 'phone?
Thanks Martin - that is exactly what needed to be be done. So 'coincidence rather than causation'.
Even so, I had to type in "How to reboot a Samsung smartphone" into Google to find out how to do it. I'm a real numpty when it comes to these things!
Between the National Alert message yesterday evening and just now, I had received some 20 extra emails and 11 spam emails; all of which I deleted.
Thanks again.
I'm terrible for checking my e-mails, it can go a week or more. I associate e-mail with work so now I'm retired I forget I still need to check my personal one.
Pigmy Pony
15-08-2026, 21:33
I know I have an e mail address. I should check it out sometime, in case anyone's told me anything important.
hifinutt
18-08-2026, 17:36
Mine seems okay. I assume you've tried re-booting the 'phone?
ah dear old Bt , rang them a few weeks ago to set up BT account , hilarious !! set it up with wrong name , sent equipment and router , 3 days later cancelled everything and demanded everything back
2nd attempt . set up all over again ... ah they couldnt transfer my old landline account so they just cancelled the order and account !!!
3rd attempt set it up all over again and hoping just maybe it might be successful this time ... who knows
I'm terrible for checking my e-mails, it can go a week or more.
I have a permanent tab (for AOL) set at the top of the page on my laptop, and check it hourly. If I don't do that, emails quickly build up and become too much of a bollox to look through.
Marco.
I have a permanent tab (for AOL) set at the top of the page on my laptop, and check it hourly. If I don't do that, emails quickly build up and become too much of a bollox to look through.
Marco.
I've limited the number of places that can send me e-mails so it isn't too bad. Maybe 50 a week. Most of them are from Linked-In.
The ones that annoy me most are the leccy asking for meter readings. They actually expect you to send one a month which is never going to happen. They don't want to pay a meter reader to come out as that will eat into their vast profits, so they expect me to work for them for free. Total piss-take.
I've limited the number of places that can send me e-mails so it isn't too bad. Maybe 50 a week. Most of them are from Linked-In.
The ones that annoy me most are the leccy asking for meter readings. They actually expect you to send one a month which is never going to happen. They don't want to pay a meter reader to come out as that will eat into their vast profits, so they expect me to work for them for free. Total piss-take.
Get a free smart meter upgrade and never have to read a meter again. I don’t understand why it seems to be so difficult or why there’s a suspicion that smart meters will carry your daughters away. Smart meters can be checked if you’re suspicious or simply trusted for an easier life.
Get a free smart meter upgrade and never have to read a meter again. I don’t understand why it seems to be so difficult or why there’s a suspicion that smart meters will carry your daughters away. Smart meters can be checked if you’re suspicious or simply trusted for an easier life.
Had them out for that years ago. They can't install one inside since there's 'Insufficient access'. They can put one outside but in that case I have to pay £1000 to install their meter. More chance of hell freezing over.
Years ago the meter reader would come maybe 4 times a year. If they could do that then they could do it now. Why should I be expected to do his job for free? Next thing they'll be wanting me to do their accounts for them for free. Maybe clean their offices. It's a slippery slope.
Of course if you don't do their readings for them eventually they send a meter reader out just to check you're not robbing them. They rob you, that's the business model. Can't upset that.
Years ago the meter reader would come maybe 4 times a year. If they could do that then they could do it now. Why should I be expected to do his job for free? Next thing they'll be wanting me to do their accounts for them for free. Maybe clean their offices. It's a slippery slope.
Quite right, mate, stand your ground... I'm exactly the same with self-service checkouts in supermarkets! Since I'm paying for the service, I *insist* that someone scans my shopping for me. If they want me to use self-service checkouts, and do their job for them, then they can discount the cost of my shopping!
Marco.
Quite right, mate, stand your ground... I'm exactly the same with self-service checkouts in supermarkets! Since I'm paying for the service, I *insist* that someone scans my shopping for me. If they want me to use self-service checkouts, and do their job for them, then they can discount the cost of my shopping!
Marco.
Have to confess I do use the self - checkout if I go in the Sainsbury. They always put the same two OAPs on the checkouts (never more than two open even at peak time Saturday). Of course all the other OAPs use the manual checkout so there's a lot of chit chat. And they stop scanning during the chit-chat, only resuming when the conversation dries up.
I don't mind waiting a minute or two but too often it just goes on too long. Lidl and Aldi, no problem. Their operators seem to have mastered scanning and chatting at the same time. Plus every single time I'm in there someone ahead of me in the queue will say 'You've only got a few things, go in front of me.' Never, ever had that happen in the Sainsbury.
Yeah, the bollox chit-chat: 'Oh that's a lovely tin of prunes you've bought', my dear, or some such nonsense...I'm there to get what I need, and get in and out ASAP!
No, you don't get that shoite in Lidl or Aldi - a quick 'hello' at the beginning and then down to the job in hand.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
19-08-2026, 10:03
Have to confess I do use the self - checkout if I go in the Sainsbury. They always put the same two OAPs on the checkouts (never more than two open even at peak time Saturday). Of course all the other OAPs use the manual checkout so there's a lot of chit chat. And they stop scanning during the chit-chat, only resuming when the conversation dries up.
I don't mind waiting a minute or two but too often it just goes on too long. Lidl and Aldi, no problem. Their operators seem to have mastered scanning and chatting at the same time. Plus every single time I'm in there someone ahead of me in the queue will say 'You've only got a few things, go in front of me.' Never, ever had that happen in the Sainsbury.
I get that happening all the time, in Tesco, Morrisons, Co op, everywhere. Maybe we're just nicer people in Chorley, or maybe I just look like I'm about to fall over.
Are you still wearing that adult nappy in public?:eek: If so, that would explain it.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
19-08-2026, 10:34
Are you still wearing that adult nappy in public?:eek: If so, that would explain it.
Marco.
What, you think I have it on show, like I'm some sort of geriatric Superman? No, it's more likely my repeated loud farting that moves things along.
Aye, that'll be it:D
Marco.
Maybe we're just nicer people in Chorley, or maybe I just look like I'm about to fall over.
A little from column 'A', a little from column 'B'?
I think what it is is that the normal people shop in Lidl and Aldi whilst Sainsbury is mostly the poxy students and the middle-class twats.
Although I dislike labels, some "middle-class twats" also use Lidl and Aldi...;)
Just check out some of the cars in the car park.
Marco.
Well there's bound to be a few. Not sure what counts as a middle class car these days though? In the past it used to be easy - Saab, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volvo, Mercedes. But with PCP now anyone can have anything until they can't make the repayments.
Dreadful way of 'buying' a car, as all it does is encourage people to live beyond their means.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
19-08-2026, 15:43
Dreadful way of 'buying' a car, as all it does is encourage people to live beyond their means.
Marco.
My thoughts too, though I have normally used finance to buy motors. But I'm not talking big amounts. Last payment on my van next month, the Volvo was paid off two years ago, and the bike's been mine 17 years now.
Might change the car next year, but only if we can do it without a loan.
Oh and I bought a second car a few weeks ago, but it was too good a bargain to pass on, and I paid cash for that too :)
Nice one, mate. Debt is your enemy, as it strangles your control on life.
Del got a new car recently (VW T-Roc, R-line), ex-demonstrator with 38 miles on the clock, and paid for it on her debit card. If you can't afford it, don't buy it!:exactly:
Marco.
walpurgis
23-08-2026, 17:42
Hello all.
It's been rather a long while, but thanks to some friendly encouragement from Marco and Barry I've decided to stick my face in here again.
I've been absent mainly due to a period of distracting personal circumstances which rather blunted my enthusiasm for everything.
I've missed the banter and chat and hopefully my life is now settled enough to get stuck in again and talk to everybody.
No doubt I'll bung something on my 'Deaf Row' blog soon.
Anyway, Hi again to everybody.
hifinutt
23-08-2026, 17:47
hi Geoff , good to see you. hope things soon improve
walpurgis
23-08-2026, 17:50
Thanks Phil. It'll be good chatting with folk again.
Hi Geoff,
Good to see you back again, you have been missed. Glad to hear things are now more settled for you.
Post as little or as much as you see fit - it will be good to chat again. :)
Hi Geoff,
Great seeing you here, mate. Totally understand why you've been absent, and glad things are better for you now:)
You're one of the people who make AoS 'tick', so get stuck in as only you can.
Marco.
walpurgis
23-08-2026, 19:38
Thanks guys, the encouragement is welcome.
I'll need to update the equipment line-up in my profile, much has changed. Maybe not all for the better! :eek:
Good to see you back Geoff.
southall-1998_mk2
23-08-2026, 22:15
Welcome back buddy!
S.
walpurgis
24-08-2026, 09:57
Cheers guys.:)
Beobloke
24-08-2026, 10:38
It's our Silver Wedding Anniversary today - can't quite believe Mrs. B has put up with me for 25 years!!
https://i.ibb.co/3yB4GF9Y/Wedding.jpg (https://ibb.co/QFrpzH3j)
Congratulations Adam, here is wishing you all the best for the next 25 years. :)
Good to see you back, Geoff.
And congrats Adam!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Welcome back Geoff, congratulations to Adam (and wife).
Pigmy Pony
24-08-2026, 14:32
Good to see you back again Geoff.
It's our Silver Wedding Anniversary today - can't quite believe Mrs. B has put up with me for 25 years!!
https://i.ibb.co/3yB4GF9Y/Wedding.jpg (https://ibb.co/QFrpzH3j)
Happy anniversary, Adam. Nice pic... Yes, she's suffered you and your turntables for a quarter of a century!:wowzer:;)
Hope you and Mrs B have many more anniversaries to come. It's Del and my 36th anniversary this year. You can't put a price on finding your soulmate.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
24-08-2026, 17:24
Happy anniversary, Adam. Nice pic... Yes, she's suffered you and your turntables for a quarter of a century!:wowzer:;)
Hope you and Mrs B have many more anniversaries to come. It's Del and my 36th anniversary this year. You can't put a price on finding your soulmate.
Marco.
I saw them both at a Maverick show 2 or 3 years ago, Mrs. B didn't look like she was suffering... maybe Adam's worn her down over the years :)
walpurgis
24-08-2026, 17:30
Welcome back Geoff
Ta mate!
walpurgis
24-08-2026, 17:31
Good to see you back again Geoff.
Thanks Steve.
walpurgis
24-08-2026, 18:21
I've been watching the re-runs of 'Portrait Artist of The Year' on Sky Arts channel.
I quite enjoy it, but most of the painters seem to work from photos of the sitter taken with mobile phones.
As a reasonable painter in my younger years, to me, that's not proper art. It seems more like transcription of an image and more akin to draftsmanship. I'm not suggesting it shouldn't be done, but I just don't see it as real portraiture.
Anybody have views?
I would imagine portraiture to be the most difficult to do for an artist. To do it from life usually takes several sessions, so as not to tire the sitter. Whereas if a photo is taken of the sitter the painting can be done in less time, yet still allow the artist to put his style on the painting.
I never tried portraiture, but I did win a few drawing certificates at school.
No comment? Do you have a favourite portraitist? I think my favourite is Lucian Freud - simply for his no nonsense 'warts and all' style.
walpurgis
25-08-2026, 18:21
Velasquez painted faces that seemed almost alive.
I might have another bash at painting sometime, but it'll probably be 'impressionist' in interpretation unless I wear my specs :).
walpurgis
25-08-2026, 18:22
I like Vermeer.
I do too.
I like Vermeer.
I certainly like his 'informal' portraits of women going about their domestic duties, rather than commissioned portraits of sitters.
I'm not really into portraits of people, so I'll stick with Louis Wain:)
Marco.
I'm not really into portraits of people, so I'll stick with Louis Wain:)
Marco.
Which of his works do you prefer Marco: Wain's realist cat portraits, or his anthropomorphic "Beatrix Potter" cat drawings and paintings?
I like both, but the latter is what I like most.
Marco.
I certainly like his 'informal' portraits of women going about their domestic duties, rather than commissioned portraits of sitters.
I don't know. This one is mint and was probably commissioned although no-one knows:
https://i.ibb.co/dszd9V47/1665-Girl-with-a-Pearl-Earring.jpg (https://ibb.co/gbB51fZ6)
Most authorities say the portrait was not a commission, rather it was a study by Vermeer. It certainly doesn't follow the usual rules of the time for formal commissioned portraits: the direct gaze and slightly parted lips being an example.
It is one of my favourite Vermeer portraits.
Today we spent a full four hours shopping for food.
Why? - well my partner is a very good judge of meat and vegetables, and not only that she has a good memory of the shops and supermarkets that sell products that meet her approval, as well those that charge the least.
She also sends certain dry goods to Africa as they are both more expensive and of inferior quality there, than here. So we visited five separate supermarkets as well as three small shops. Spent a small fortune, but we have enough for ourselves for a month, as well as a lot to send to Africa.
Can easily think of better ways of spending a Saturday: such as listening to music, but at least SHMBO is happy.
Pigmy Pony
13-09-2026, 12:29
Today we spent a full four hours shopping for food.
Why? - well my partner is a very good judge of meat and vegetables, and not only that she has a good memory of the shops and supermarkets that sell products that meet her approval, as well those that charge the least.
She also sends certain dry goods to Africa as they are both more expensive and of inferior quality there, than here. So we visited five separate supermarkets as well as three small shops. Spent a small fortune, but we have enough for ourselves for a month, as well as a lot to send to Africa.
Can easily think of better ways of spending a Saturday: such as listening to music, but at least SHMBO is happy.
Well that will have earned you some brownie points :) and really, giving up half of your weekend isn't such a big deal when you're retired. This is what I tell myself whenever I'm called upon to do stuff I don't wanna do.
Surely postage to Africa must be a killer though?
Sounds like my (and Del's) idea of hell, Barry, as we're the 'run in and get shopping done, ASAP' types, so the idea of trudging around 5 supermarkets, with all the faff that entails, is a total anathema.
However, if Happy's happy then that's cool, and regardless, it's good doing things together and spending time with each other as a couple, as it builds relationships.
Do you have a butcher's near you, or do you rely on supermarkets for meat? We always use our local butcher, both for quality and price, as it's surprising how much you can save without all the packaging:)
Marco.
Well that will have earned you some brownie points :) and really, giving up half of your weekend isn't such a big deal when you're retired. This is what I tell myself whenever I'm called upon to do stuff I don't wanna do.
Surely postage to Africa must be a killer though?
It is not just dry goods she sends, there is other stuff such as clothes, shoes (especially trainers), electrical goods: irons, hair dryers, curling tongs etc. that is also sent, even children's dolls. Essentially anything that is either unobtainable, costs less here than there, and is of much better quality than what is available locally.
You would be surprised the amount of rubbish the Chinese send to Africa: we get the best stuff, but they don't.
As regards postage, all the stuff to be sent is carefully packed, either in shrink-wrapped bundles for the clothes, in stout cardboard boxes for the dry goods, or in strong suitcases for the more vulnerable items. We know someone in the shipping business, so it is all collected and packed in a shipping container. So shipping costs are by volume not weight, and we always get a good rate.
It takes about four months to sail to Cameroon, and on arrival it is unloaded to be restored in another container near our home there for subsequent sale.
Happy has been doing this for years, it's her business. I don't have any part of it, apart from doing some driving.
Sounds like my (and Del's) idea of hell, Barry, as we're the 'run in and get shopping done, ASAP' types, so the idea of trudging around 5 supermarkets, with all the faff that entails, is a total anathema.
However, if Happy's happy then that's cool, and regardless, it's good doing things together and spending time with each other as a couple, as it builds relationships.
Do you have a butcher's near you, or do you rely on supermarkets for meat? We always use our local butcher, both for quality and price, as it's surprising how much you can save without all the packaging:)
Marco.
Yes we have a local butcher but we don't use it regularly. Happy is very choosey about the meat she buys. If for example we need minced beef, I would buy the ready minced beef they have for sale, but not her. She will pick out a portion of beef, tell them the weight she wants, and have them mince it up for her. The extra effort probably annoys them, but they never show it.
The only other time I shop there is to buy venison or wild boar sausages, which I like.
Del's pretty much the same in that respect, and at the butcher nothing is pre-packaged, so it's always the case of getting the butcher to weigh out how much meat you want in advance of buying it.
Being discerning is always a good trait:)
So how often does Happy cook? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the pics you post are of meals you've made. We could do with a pic of something Happy's created from scratch [like a nice African curry], with the meat and/or veg she's bought:cool:
Marco.
Most of the pictures I've posted here have been of Happy's dishes.
Oh right, I thought it was you... I'd like to see one of her curries though, or something traditionally African:)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
13-09-2026, 18:40
Oh right, I thought it was you... I'd like to see one of her curries though, or something traditionally African:)
Marco.
Nothing too spicy mind, nowt worse than looking at a picture of a hot curry, unless there's a glass of milk in the shot.
Pigmy Pony
13-09-2026, 19:05
It is not just dry goods she sends, there is other stuff such as clothes, shoes (especially trainers), electrical goods: irons, hair dryers, curling tongs etc. that is also sent, even children's dolls. Essentially anything that is either unobtainable, costs less here than there, and is of much better quality than what is available locally.
You would be surprised the amount of rubbish the Chinese send to Africa: we get the best stuff, but they don't.
As regards postage, all the stuff to be sent is carefully packed, either in shrink-wrapped bundles for the clothes, in stout cardboard boxes for the dry goods, or in strong suitcases for the more vulnerable items. We know someone in the shipping business, so it is all collected and packed in a shipping container. So shipping costs are by volume not weight, and we always get a good rate.
It takes about four months to sail to Cameroon, and on arrival it is unloaded to be restored in another container near our home there for subsequent sale.
Happy has been doing this for years, it's her business. I don't have any part of it, apart from doing some driving.
Ah, I thought it was just stuff donated to family and friends, didn't realise it was a business. Sounds like she has her head screwed on :)
So are you saying that the products China sends to us is the good stuff? Blimey.
Though I doubt China is alone in these practices, companies would have us believe they all work ethically. Truer to say their goal is to maximise profits within the legal constraints of the country they're dealing with. Years ago, the printing company I worked for did all the carton work for a certain proprietary medicines company I shall not name, and one of their products (can't remember the name but it was some kind of "tonic"), destined for Africa, came with enclosed literature which differed markedly from what we would find at our local Boots. Claims of hightened alertness, better sleep, improved libido and sexual performance, resistance to disease and longer life. None of these claims appeared on the UK version.
Forty years on I'm sure it will have all changed, but it won't be because these companies have grown a conscience.
Nothing too spicy mind, nowt worse than looking at a picture of a hot curry, unless there's a glass of milk in the shot.
Lol, I'm sure Happy would get the balance right.
Btw, on another subject, where are your comments on the food thread? You said that you'd comment more, but that has patently failed to materialise...:spank:
Marco.
Nonsense - I commented on the steak and ale pie Del made for you.
Anyway, I don't see any reason to comment on everything you eat, as often it is not to my taste: and I don't see the point in being negative, so in that situation it is best not to comment at all.
The post was directed at Steve, daftee!:D
[You will see I quoted him above].
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
14-09-2026, 14:27
Lol, I'm sure Happy would get the balance right.
Btw, on another subject, where are your comments on the food thread? You said that you'd comment more, but that has patently failed to materialise...:spank:
Marco.
Alright, kitchen-head, you are correct, I did say that. Note to self: must do better :o In my defence, funeral-related crap has been living rent-free in my head lately. I have however managed to play a few tunes and post about them, which you are welcome to comment on. A deal to be done here ;)
No worries, matey. Hope you're not stressing out too much about things.
Marco.
One of my favourite programmes on TV is BBC1's 'The Repair Shop'. Regardless of what is being repaired or renovated, be it clocks, watches, furniture, upholstery, books, ceramics, cameras, bicycles, jewellery, and even soft toys and dolls - I'm always amazed at the skill of the respective members.
This time, and of direct pertinence to AoS, it was the repair of a Leak SL25 stereo power amplifier and a Leak Varislope 2 Stereo preamplifier. Amusingly the name Leak was never mentioned (strange as in the past they have been); the equipment was simply referred to as "a 1960's amplifier".
https://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/4995957-5ccd2b4b-leak-st50-el34-push-pull-amplifier.jpg
https://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/5963218-1aea7ef0-leak-stereo-point-one-and-leak-st50.jpg
https://www.radiomuseum.org/images/radio/leak_h_j_london/varislope_2_stereo_321058.jpg
Neither item was working properly. In the case of the power amplifier, the valve sockets needed cleaning and two of the EL34 power pentodes has become 'soft' and needed replacing. With the preamplifier, two of the series capacitors had become leaky, so were replaced with modern, smaller, and better equivalents.
Good to see such classic equipment being repaired.
Pigmy Pony
17-09-2026, 07:54
:birthday:Happy birthday to Bev (Ninanina) Hope you're well, we miss you :)
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