[Bob Williams]

GPO should have hired some Khaki Heavies Richard. I was around at the time…😄

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Great news Graham, really happy for you. We would miss your acerbic wit and (sometimes)  intelligent contributions on these pages. 🤗😆

Stay well and have a better Christmas in 2020.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Yes it was Map Reading for my generation of Khaki too, but we began using “observation and evaluation” as Steve has it, just before I left*. In fact Map Reading was an exam that was a subject in Classes 3 to 1 of the ACE (Army Certificate of Education). There were several other possible subjects including English and Maths (which were compulsory), but the ACE was changed in (IIRC) 1970 or ’71, to the Education Promotion Certificate, and was a lower standard due to declining literacy and numeracy in recruits. I passed ACE1 almost straight after joining, but the pay did not catch up for over a year. However the back pay gave me a very good Leave of 3 great weeks! The original ACE 1 was recognised as a GCE equivalent.

That was at the time when the Army actually had Pay Parades, when we lined up alphabetically to receive an actual pay packet, by marching to a table when your name was called, saluting, receiving the packet, announcing “Thank you Sir!”, executing a perfect Right About and marching off. The alphabet was reversed at every Pay Parade, which was great for blokes like myself and my mate Johnny Zamorski, lol!  Absolute BS. That changed to once a fortnight, then to being paid into a bank account. I remember that an Army Bedford RL carrying a great amount of cash for pay, was attacked by some unfortunate hijackers in Southern England once. The back flew open and out jumped half a dozen Khaki Heavies with pickaxe handles, proceeding to lay about them with malice aforethought. Ambulances had to be called to the would-be hijackers and serious injuries were inflicted. It was a different time, with different ways of dealing with miscreants…

*I spent my last 11 months in the wonderful summer of 1976, working with a retired Major in command of a civilian Transport Group, so was not involved in any real military stuff at that time. I drove all over the UK in either a Bedford RL or a LWB Landrover with trailer, delivering exercise equipment, blank ammo and pyrotechnics to various camps and Exercise areas. The best time I ever had: my own boss, no military clothing, was never bothered by anyone, as all officers and NCO’s believed I was civilian. I tried to see how far I could go, wearing a very loud Hawaiian shirt, cut down Levis shorts, boots and an old Far East ‘jungly’ Bush hat. It was bliss to an anti-authoritarian rebel such as myself! Had to change away from barracks of course. Ate in a Civvy Mess restaurant, lived in a bungalow with two more idiots.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Only 12 for me after a 404, OK now. But no worries Lee, don’t let it interfere with Work. That’s bread and butter, we know you can eventually sort it. Have a healthy, prosperous and safe 2020!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Ed P wrote:

Line of Sight? Possibly finding the ‘Reverse Slope’ or ‘Military Crest’ positions. The exercise itself is performing a topographical cross-section.

That’s correct and the best explanation from Ed, wasbit. Spotting and then using a reverse slope to conceal forces from an enemy, is a military tactic.

Ed, your father was a L/Sgt at a time when several regiments had that rank. To the best of my recollection, the DCLI was first amalgamated with the Somersets, then all Light Infantry regiments were amalgamated into the Light Infantry as one regiment, after disbanding the Durham Light Infantry. in the mid-2000’s, the Rifles were formed from several regiments, including (IIRC) the L.I., Devon and Dorsets, Royal Green Jackets, Royal Gloucs, Berks and Wilts.

L/Sgt was and is, equivalent to a Corporal, with two stripes, but as I said before, the rank is only retained today in the Foot Guards and the Honourable Artillery Company. There have been some really unusual rank titles in the British Army, mostly wiped out in all the amalgamations and shrinkages of numbers in the Army.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Rock on Graham, get bloody-minded with them! Better news THIS year I hope.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Happy and healthy 2020 to all of us, not forgetting Graham (WoF) currently battling with his cardiac issues in hospital. Good wishes Graham, get well soon, we are all rooting for you.

Returned from granddaughter’s New Year party earlier, which is the reason for the late response to this topic. Met all my GD’s in laws and found common ground with her partner’s granddad: similar ages, similar working background, knew my old Notts village well and drank in the same pubs a few times, long ago. He even pronounced it as locals do. We stayed in a really nice hotel, the Tulip Queen, Sleaford. Reception in the pub/restaurant, key card entry to 2 doors then the room, which was really nice. £69 for the night with full English breakfast, only fault was the TV which was a good Philips 40″, but no BBC channels due to it being Freeview and the atmospheric conditions messing with the channels.

Ate too much party food as usual, paid for it later as usual!

Have a great year Forumites, all the best to all.

And my team starts the year with a win, 4th in the championship. CumonUreduns!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

As he had the rank of L/Sgt, I assume your father was in the Guards Ed. That would be Foot Guards, as opposed to Household Cavalry, but could have been The Honourable Artillery Company. If the ranks are still as applicable as they were when I left HMF in 1976, those were the only remaining bodies which still used that rank, although I would have to research other regiments from your father’s time, to be certain it was the case then.

“Vice” does indeed mean that he was serving as a replacement, possibly temporarily, for another PTI. Your dad must have been a very fit soldier, probably noticed in his own Regiment for some athletic activity. Very few soldiers outside the Army Physical Training Corps are asked to fill a position within the APTC. Having been an Army athlete myself, I know how hard it is to be placed within an APTC post (even temporarily) if you are not a serving APTC soldier. I never wanted to  be in the APTC, as I enjoyed my time and work in the AAC, but I was fit enough and knew many people from the APTC school at Blandford Forum. The APTC is a very small body in terms of numbers, but I recall my main PTI with respect and admiration: a man who rewarded effort with a rare compliment, gave great encouragement and motivation, but detested lack of effort. At 35+, he could still manage a mile in a little over 4 minutes.

Your pride in your father is enhanced, I hope.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Wheels-Of-Fire wrote:

The graphics have moved on a bit. The procedure I had last week was displayed on a 60 inch UHD OLED screen. The video is mostly taken at 12 FPS but they switch up to 22 FPS for recordings, you can hear the ticking as frames are shot. Another improvement is with chest x rays. You no longer have to wait for a porter to wheel you to the machine, it comes to you. Looks like a large sit on mower but then the top unfolds like a cartoon transformer and it becomes a remote controlled x ray machine. Stand well clear everybody please !

…And that is what happens when one of us Geeky Forumites goes into hospital! WoF Checking out the medical tech while being exposed to it.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I recall last Christmas and being in Grimsby hospital right up to Christmas Eve. What I didn’t need was the gathering tension as I waited for Pharmaceuticals to get up to the Ward with all the meds I would need to take back with me. By 1530 the Physio’s, nurses, surgeon and doctors had all done their bit and I was officially discharged, but the Pharma people were dragging their feet. In the end a staff Nurse went down there herself and bullied them into giving her the stuff. Phoned my son to come up and drive me home, got back at (IIRC) 0930-ish. But I could see the on duty staff were getting the place ready for those staying. I knew that I would have had good care and good food, had I been forced to stay in, the staff were great and the food had been invariably good.

But being in over the holiday is definitely krappy: my sympathies Graham. Get well and get home soon young man!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Here’s to a good recovery Graham and no aftershocks! Reminds me that I have not had a walk for two days, I mean one of my 3-milers. Had so much else go wrong, your ticket trouble has reminded me to look after my engine.

Have a much better 2020. And Steve is right, it does sound like Sci Fi. All the older books told us we would have flying cars by now, lol. We don’t need another reason not to walk! All the best, Bob.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

All went well at dear daughter’s. Smashing meal, mostly cooked by SIL, who has a parallel with our son, in that they both brought up two children alone after first relationships broke down. That meant that they both had to learn to cook and run a house. He made something I have never had before: chestnuts and Brussels, sliced and cooked together. That was delicious, as was the rest.

Called at our son’s on the way home, they will be here tomorrow for a meal which will be a buffet as our place is too tiny for a big spread. Chicken goes in tomorrow morning. New Years Eve will be the big one at Granddaughter’s new house, when we meet all the new in laws.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Off to my daughter’s for Chrimbo dinner. She always overfeeds us, so I will probably have to snooze later. House is up a long path and right into farmland, so peaceful. It is very sunny atm, so might have a good walk nearby instead of a snooze, there are some lovely countryside walks. Better take me walking boots! Have a great day everyone. I’m thinking of a mate whose missus passed away last month, he’s on his own and depressed. I messaged his daughter and she is taking him dinner: he won’t go to hers. I have been FB’ ing him all week. It’s an unhappy time for people on their own.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Anyone who likes brandy should try Asbach Uralt:     http://tinyurl.com/y9f9xvvw

Note the line:   ” …the German brandy that is a perennial favourite, especially among British ex-servicemen. ”

I know. I was that squaddie! IMHO, superior in taste to the French stuff.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
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[Bob Williams]

Anaerobic compounds I believe Ed. Lots of these, such as Methane, Benzene, Selenate, Cresol, Benzoic acid. The atmosphere of gas giants like Jupiter is full of these, and others we may not even have imagined yet. Many more must have existed in great quantity when the Earth was young, until around 3.6 billion years ago, Stromatolites were built from bacteria and created Oxygen, the gas that we and other forms of life use to breathe and live. Oxygen was of course toxic to the first, anaerobic forms of life. There is speculation that uncontrolled pollution could lead to the reduction of oxygen in the atmosphere and a growth of anaerobic bacteria.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Today I received the USB 3 external case and installed the Seagate 2TB spinner. It is technically the best Chinese piece of kit I have ever bought, I believe. Well made, goes together accurately and simply, works from the first press of the on switch. I have already  backed up my system and installed pics and music for streaming. My only caveat is that the on/off switch and cable connections are both at the front: I like to hide cables behind the monitor, but it’s not a problem. Very pleased with the case and the faster read/write speeds: –

http://tinyurl.com/tsmjped

I know some will say that I could have a smaller, SSD case and SSD disk, well I have a 2.5 case already, currently being used for a temporary purpose. I have plans for that when the temporary usage is done.

Ed: is the NH3 detection used for fishfarts? SORRY, couldn’t resist that; “Stop that you naughty piscatorial polluters!”🙄😆

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

The Jamesons, YES. I get one every Chrimbo, takes me at least 3 months to drink it.* Usually our New Years Eve ends with just SWMBO and I having an Irish coffee, lovingly made by me. Triple measure of Jamesons, 1½ teaspoons good coffee, 1 or ½ spoon of Demerara sugar to taste, add boiling water, let it settle, stir briskly, add fresh cream.  This year we are invited to a party at gdaughter’s new house, staying in a good hotel nearby. First time out at New Years for a while. I will let someone else make the Irish this year!

*a double once a week, sipped slowly. No water, no ice – if you wanted whisky-flavoured water, buy some cheap Scotch!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Ed P wrote:

Salt is much maligned, and small amounts are essential to the processes of cooking. As someone who has always had a below average blood sodium level I need some salt in my foods! I do accept that the majority of people veer towards too high a salt level in their diet, but please do not force it on everyone otherwise all foods will taste as b-awful as low salt Heinz Baked Beans. Ugh!🤒

I feel that disgust Ed! I have taken to adding a little Clover spread and a small dollop of Heinz Ketchup to the beans when heating them. Seems to bring back the original taste, and I am a Beanzaholic!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
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[Bob Williams]

All true BL and I sympathise with you and all Hammers supporters, having been a “guest” in the East End for a few days in ’66 after the Final. Not that I had much choice, they collared me after discovering I was AWOL, and said I was to stay as long as I wanted. Had a great time.

Very few gentlemen of Martin’s stature left in the game now. I was just reading something from my niece, a dyed in the Red Wool Forest fan. Apparently the latest owner Mariakis is not happy with yet another manager’s choice of players. Too many second-rate Portuguese and other foreigners: he thinks that more Academy players should be used.  Niece knows this from her granddaughter, a Forest Junior Red, been playing for them for a couple of years and looks set for the women’s first team, scores goals for fun in the Juniors. The lass was with two more young players outside Marinakis’ office waiting for medals and a few words from the owner, when she heard all this. Someone inside noticed the door was open, then shut it.

Forest fans have been disillusioned for years, especially since Nigel Doughty died, after putting £100 mill of his own money into the club:     http://tinyurl.com/wvmbldk

Yet still the home games are a lock out every week. Forest fans are masochists! Our only consolation is that Derby are below us.

That’s a guy who was such a great supporter as well as an owner, used to stand on the Bridgford End with the fans. He was born in Park Village, which I think is in Camden Town. The club was already in trouble then, Cloughie should have really been asked to move on before booze affected his judgement and led him to spend money on some krap players. David Platt spent even more millions the club didn’t have, on a few Italians who would not have kept a place in Serie B.

When Marinakis came he immediately made the club solvent, put a lot of millions from his billions into the club. Unfortunately he has had bad advice about players. According to my niece, who is only 7 years younger than me and a fan since then, the team is not good enough for the Premiership. Results recently bear that out.

Until Cloughie came, Forest had very few managers. After he left, we had more than any other clubs. I hope the revolving door shuts soon.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

I took the opposite view for a while, although I do like the Chrimbo screen. I was in Bah! Humbug! mode until this Chrimbo screen came up, it actually almost put me in a festive mood. Then I got better…

I may have mentioned before that I am a Humanist and an atheist, therefore I have no truck with religion of any flavour. So I usually count this season as Yule, which occurs every year at the Winter Solstice. This year that is tomorrow, December 22nd. I shall be in my local wood, a large area of ancient forest, tomorrow at sunset, with some like-minded Humanist friends. The forest is composed of old English trees: Oak, Elder, Beech, Birch, Whitebeam, Chestnut and Horse Chestnut, even a few surviving Ash and Elm. No songs, hymns or chants, just a pleasant discussion, surrounded by trees that were old when my great granddad was placed in his Staffordshire grave. There will be some liquid refreshment, I am led to believe…

The missus thinks I am bonkers, but she is also an Atheist and a Humanist. Consequently, neither of us should believe in celebrating the myth that is Christianity. But SWMBO still puts up the tree, the trimmings, and multi coloured lights flashing in our windows. Well, that really means that I actually install all this krap, under wifely dictatorial direction.

BAH! HUMBUG!      

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

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