The RBS Computer System Strikes Again!
Or that’s what it looks like according to this article in the Guardian. Here’s the first part.
NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland customers have become the victims of another technical glitch that has resulted in many being unable to pay for fuel at Tesco‘s petrol stations. Reports of the problems spread on social media after customers’ credit cards were declined when they tried to pay for fuel.
I still meet people, who bank with Britain’s most accident-prone bank! Why?
Work Starts On A Bigger Overground
I found this article about work at Clapham Junction station to prepare for longer trains on the London Overground at the end of 2014.
You don’t hear or read many complaints about London’s newest railway, from passengers or even moans from staff. In many ways this is a tribute to the engineers and architects, who’ve turned a very shabby almost-derelict railway into a superstar.
There are a lot of lessons to be learned from how Transport for London has created the Overground, that should be applied to transport projects throughout the world.
In some ways , the stars of the line are the Class 378 trains. You rarely hear of train failures and the interiors still seem pristine after nearly four years of service. And now, because of their design, they’re being extended by the simple addition of a fifth carriage in the middle.
And of course they were all designed and built in Derby!
Gradually, the stations are being improved and in a few years, some of the grubbier will be up to the standard of the best.
On a personal note, as well as giving me a lot of transport options, in common with many others who live along the line, the Overground has probably contributed to the rise in the value of my house.
Engineers Will Be Engineers
Coming back from Ipswich last night, as the train sped through Stratford, I was reminded of a story from the time I worked for ICI at Welyn Garden City in the 1960s.
In those days staff travelled up to the major plant at Wilton on Teesside quite regularly. One of my tales is detailed here.
Usually, staff travelled from Stevenage, as the fast trains didn’t stop at Welwyn Garden City.
One day, the train staff announced on a trip down, that the train would not be stopping at Stevenage for some reason and passengers would have to alight at Kings Cross and get a train back.
There was quite an ICI contingent on the train, and one was a railway enthusiast, who knew the speeds and distances of the line.
He calculated that if the communication cord was pulled so many seconds after the train crossed the Digswell Viaduct, the train would coast safely into Welwyn Garden City station.
The plan worked perfectly and anybody who wanted to, disembarked safely at the station.
British Railways were not amused!
Why Is This Story Popular?
This morning, this story about the execution of Saddam Hussein, was second on the most-read list on the BBC News web site.
It’s still at number five!
Why? It was written in 2006!
Do People Prefer A Terrible Local Hospital?
This article from the Express and Star illustrates the problems of reforming local health services.
The problems that existed at Stafford Hospital have been well documented. This report from the BBC is typical of many I’ve seen.
One of the problems with hospitals with bad reputations either in the media or amongst medical professionals, is that no staff will move there, as they want to protect their professional reputation. There is a story about this from the Stoke Sentinel.
But those that want to keep Stafford Hospital going, have no right to use some of the abuse they have against Julie Bailey, who fought valiantly to expose the scandal of poor healthcare at the hospital. It’s probably lucky for Ms. Bailey, that she appears to be white. I suppose that is lucky for her abusers, as otherwise some of the language used would have probably involved a reference to the police.
An Excellent Use For Rats
I saw this story about rats being used for mine clearance in Mozambique first in The Times. But here’s the report with a picture from the Mirror.
The Gambian pounched rat used for the clearance certainly looks to be a bit bigger than your average UK rat. Good luck to the charity Apopo in their work!
The bad news is that the Gambian pounched rat is not a genuine rat, so those murophobics won’t be pleased, if something goes wrong.
Tan And Ollie
The BBC commentator on the Cardiff match at Arsenal on Match of the Day last night deliberately referred to Vincent Tan and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Tan and Ollie.
I was amused, but was the Cardiff City owner?
A Day Of Lots Of Misses And Rain
Yesterday was one of those days. I went to Portman Road to see Ipswich play Charlton.
I got there on time, but only just, as the journey to Liverpool Street was a succession of misses, buses and Underground trains. I had to skip lunch, as my usual pit-stop at Carluccio’s at Spitalfields was closed for New Year’s Day. The alternative of sandwiches from Marks and Spencer was also not on, as they were closed.
No Sandwiches
Luckily, I was able to get a couple of EatNakd bars from Boots, although after I’d bought them, I found that the Camden Food company had a bigger selection.
I was soaked, by the time I got to my seat and the rain was so bad, they’d had to move some spectators to a drier part of the stadium.
To say the match was ruined by the rain, would be an understatement. That makes it three out of the last four matches that I’ve seen, have been ruined by the weather.
To add to the misses, David McGoldrick missed a penalty, so the match was only drawn.
Coming back, I wasn’t as fast as normal to the station and as the match finished late, I missed the train and had to wait for forty minutes in the cold.
And then coming back from Liverpool Street, I decided to take the dry route to Barbican station to get a 56 bus. And as i walked to the stop, the bus I wanted roared past. So I had to take a 153 and then a 38!
It was not the best of days! It probably summed up my miserable Christmas. But speaking to others at the match, mine seemed to have just about this year’s norm. Next year, I won’t be here!
Cheering Myself Up!
I’ve just cooked myself two sausage, bacon and bean pies; one for tonight and one for the freezer.
Two Sausage Pies
This always cheers me up, but it would be so much nicer to cook one for me and one for an attractive, intelligent lady!
I’ve always done something practical, when I was feeling down at Christmas. I can remember at about 17, I painted the wheels of my car, a fetching shade of blue! And then, when I was developing software, I’d always fix a tremendous number of bugs at every holiday.
The trouble with programmers today, is that they don’t have that level of dedication.
The Ten Things That Annoy Me Most In This House
I’m getting increasingly annoyed with some of the features of this house.
1. The Front Door
It doesn’t shut properly in the wrong sort of weather and sometimes, I inadvertently leave it open. It also sometimes locks me out, when I say put something in the bin.
I’ve had three people come to quote to fix it, but I’ve never received a quote and it’s as bad as ever.
2. My Bathroom Cabinet
Virtually, every time I brush my teeth, I bump my head on it. In one case it did this when I got up from the toilet.
3. The Lack Of Handrails on the Staircase
I was trained in how to avoid accidents at ICI in the late 1960s and consequently, I always use handrails for safety. But I want them, in brass to match the theme of the house. People look at me, as if I’m mad, but I’m just safety and design conscious.
4.Poor Lighting Everywhere
Where I’m typing this is dark, unless She puts the big light on and every room has some of the worst lighting I’ve ever seen. One of the problems it’s not fixed is that I can’t find any lights that satisfy me. I’ve searched all over London and there is nothing.
5. The Mixer Taps In The Kitchen
If I’m washing up in the sink and want some cold water, it’s impossible unless I run the water to get it really cold. The spout is also so low, with anything in the sink, you can’t do something simple like fill a kettle.
6. The Small Fridge In The Kitchen
The fridge is just too small. But at least the one I bought, is better than the one that was supporting the work top, when I moved in.
7. The Lack of a Freezer In The Kitchen
I suppose I could have one if I had a small one in the fridge! But that would make the fridge smaller.
8. The Inaccessible Cupboards In The Kitchen
The idiot who designed these needs to be banned from any design or building work, for serious crimes against practicality and design.
9. The Inability to Control Temperature and Humidity
I’ve had a new control system and boiler installed and am running a big humidifier, but still the humidity won’t go anywhere near the value I want. There must be an expert somewhere, who can tell me what to do.
10. The Lack Of Lights In The Wardrobes
Try finding the right clothes in the dark.
And those ten, were just for starters!
The Anonymous Widower 