[Les.]

RFID protection. Just ordered something very similar to the ones linked to by JAYCEEDEE, thanks. I called in at the Bank to see if they had anything, but nothing. You used to get simple credit card holder, cheque book holders and all manner of stuff, but today, NOTHING.

Virus protection. I visited the dentists today. A notice outside saying you may be turned away if any signs of infection (coughs etc.) and an instruction to apply their sanitiser gel located adjacent to the door, before entry. That is the first indication of any sort yet seen over here. No reported infections yet, but soon no doubt.

Les.

[Les.]

Bob, that looks smaller than most I looked at, but no measurements given, particularly thickness.

I still use a big leather wallet, so just want something small for the card and nowt else. I am thinking Planeman’s suggestion of kitchen foil is the way to go. I have a card wallet from the bank that just carries this card and a few store “discount” cards, though I think ONLY the Coop card actually does anything of use. I think the card will go in that with foil either side of it if I jettison a couple of the store cards. In fact I will pop in the bank tomorrow, on the off chance they have an RFID protected one.

So far only about 20 tests carried out over here, with no infections confirmed. It won’t be long! Tomorrow I will see if i can get some more goggles for when I use the brush cutter. The washable sort which I can get my glasses underneath. should be better than M/cycle goggles to wash regularly.

Thanks all, Les.

[Les.]

Ed, I thought that was obvious. They get together in a huddle, with or without the red stuff, and pass the virus around. Almost certainly the same thing in Iran. Their numbers still confuse me, but at least they are admitting to 237 deaths so far. Is Italy’s confirm to death ratio so high due to under reporting (and testing), or is it the age profile. If the latter, maybe the same pattern in Iran. A big loss of religious zealots could be good for Italy, but especially WOULD be especially good for Iran.

Changing subject entirely now. My contactless card arrived to day for shopping if/when things get bad here. I believe I need to keep this well away from ” info searching” devices, some sort of field protection pocket. Information please somebody.

Les.

[Les.]

Well, I have subscribed, but how confusing for an old man!

I used my existing user name, but told it was already taken, and my password, again already taken, likewise my email address, already taken. I changed them all, found myself logging in to paypal, wondering if it would work. After paying, I looked at my membership details, finding I was still OldLes with same email. I ASSUME original password. No doubt I will find out next time I log in.

Is it just me?

Les.

[Les.]

On reading his manual, it seems there is a network connection under a not yet knocked out knock out. But then he remembered he had an old laptop with accessible socket. His comments:–

”      An update, of sorts. It occurred to me that I had an old laptop lying around that used to run the internet via cable so, rather than faff about with access panels on the PC, I dusted the laptop off and plugged it into the router. Surprise! Exactly the same symptoms as the PC so it clearly wasn’t interference between the router and the PC that was causing the problem. Armed with this information I had a spirited conversation with MT who have finally conceded that it is a contention issue. Of course , they don’t have any immediate way of dealing with it and were less than impressed with my suggestion that I should only be paying 50% of the monthly charge as I can only use their service for 50% of the time. Apparently their technical people are now “looking into it” – whatever that means.     ”

I have suggested he goes into their showroom and make loud noises. Then demand a free “Mobile sim and dongle” to restore paid for access.

If no satisfactory result, cancel the whole damn shebang, land line included, and get a SURE sim instead. If they want their router back, I have a good spare worker here.

He sends his thanks for your replies.

Les.

[Les.]

Called in at pharmacy this morning for some “Fisherman’s Friend”. The woman in front of me was asking about hand cleanser. out of stock, all gone.

Out of curiosity, I asked if any N95 masks. No!. We only have the simple paper face masks, and they are no use. I gave her VFM’s lecture on EVERYBODY wearing them, and reducing the spread, thus being in fact effective. Went to butchers, bought a chicken, and ordered an ox tongue. We already practice WW2 recipes. Saw a freshly killed POLECAT on the road yesterday. Regularly find pheasant, rabbit, hares, and my pal hit a wallaby which we shared. Never had polecat, but decided things are not that desperate.

Les.

[Les.]

Well, other than stocking up on non-perishables, I have not done that much in preparation, but I do have some plans. Today I called in at the bank and arranged for a contactless debit card. My normal method is visit bank weekly or every other week, and draw out cash. Then pay everything in cash. I do have a credit card for off-island purchases, and very occasional local use. This way I can reduce contact with dirty coins and notes, and likewise keypads.

Edp, if you do actually rent over here for a few months, you won’t want to go back to “civilisation”.

If you want quiet, try Port Erin, or on the west coast, or up on the northern plains, that is most areas north of Ramsey.

I have a quantity of spray bottles, originally midge repellent, some of which I use for my own brand of midge repellent, others with iso propyl alcohol on my electronics bench. Tamara and I will each carry one of those for convenient cleansing. Plus plenty of vinyl gloves which can go in the hot soap and water after each use.

Edp, stay out of the glens if you are sensitive to the midges. They really are devastating!

Les.

[Les.]

Thanks for replies. I have given him a link to the posts so he can read himself, without me transcribing. I know he had various discussions with MT, and they seemed helpful, but ultimately unsuccessful.

I already suggested direct connection, and he said no connector. I thought he meant on the router, but in fact he says on his computer. Back in late ’90s and early ’00s, we used to fit many network cards, but I don’t think I have seen a PC without network port in last 15 years. I will pursue that with him.

Cheers, Les.

[Les.]

Narrow boats and log fires.

When I first moved to IOM 32 years ago, I bought a Morso “Squirrel” for the (that) cottage. Dual fuel, it was very good. Fast forward to a couple of years ago. Via wives of USSR origin, I got to know a (VERY) wealthy guy, and when we were at his house for a Russian Christmas meal, I saw he had a Squirrel. I commented on it, and he told me he used to have a string of boatyard shops, and he supplied squirrels for fitment to very many narrow boats. I forget the details, but as i recall you have a removable hearth for use with coal/smokeless fuels, but just remove it for wood burning. I am sure, touring the Cut, you would see many wood collection opportunities.

On the security front, if you live in a park-able home (boat, caravan etc.) you are game for assault by the idiots, especially when tanked up at the weekend. I had a pal who had lived a sheltered life as a “skivvy” on a farm, with oft repeated promises of the title when the old woman who owned it died. Then one day, he saw it was B-S, so upped and away. He bought himself a boat and lived in that for a while. Regular problems when parked up. He then moved to a gypsy caravan (he had a horse), but found it was rather much the same. He still had the caravan when I first knew him, but had his eyes on a young woman with hareshorn lip problems, who had become domestic skivvy to father and brothers. They married, bought a house, but after about two years, went to live on a smallholding in NE Scotland (Mid Clith??). He is either still there, or passed on to the best of my knowl;edge.

Les.

[Les.]

Poste Restante.

Les.

[Les.]

The John Hopkins website was only absent for a couple of days, but the graphs were absent until this weekend. It is instructive to look at the log view again. There are three lines, total infected, total recovered and infections outside China. That last one looks like the total (= China only) from a couple of weeks ago. That is, still on an upward curve. Without the “China segregation”, it will stay on upward trend.

Now compare Italy with Iran. Italy. Italy 1700 cases, 34 deaths. Iran 980 cases, 54 deaths! Who do they think they are kidding. A simple pro rata calculation sats 2,700 cases in Iran! Here is a thought; What happens if it takes out all the OLD theocracy. Will the population regain (correction, GAIN) control?

We live in interesting times. Long may we continue to live in them.

A personal tale; an email from Daughter in Law yesterday:–

Yes lots on Vorona iris over here – it is frightening the children – Francesca asked me if she was going to die a couple of days ago and said she didn’t want to as she was only 9 and had only just got here whereas it was different for me as I would be dying soon anyway!! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry!

Went to get hand gel for us all today as hand washing seems to be key – all sold out already so managed just to get all of us a pack of anti bacterial hand wipes in WH Smith’s of all places . Let’s hope it’s all ok – I think you will be fine as island probably a good place to be and I think those who have worst outcome are 80+ with significant underlying med condition.

I sent a message of general reassurance for Francesca.

Les.

[Les.]

JayCeeDee, if you used the Trent and Mersey, you will have come past the house I was born in. Barlaston, N.Staffs. I was always playing by “The Cut” as a kid, fell in once at about 4 years, but my brother grabbed my foot and pulled me out. Off home and in the bath.

About one mile north of us was the Lock keeper’s house. A Mr. Moran. Twin daughters a few years older than me.  Pat and Maureen. When I was maybe 8 years, I used to “help” him. He had “company transport”, a small barge for maintenance purposes. No horse, he pulled it himself. I was tasked with holding the tiller, and ensuring he kept a straightish line.  So if any body needs “steering tuition”, don’t ask me.

Two years ago, I visited the old house, asking if I could have a photo taken outside, just over 70 years after the one of my mother, father, sister and an auntie. I was invited in, but declined. I was of course able to fill him in on the history of the place, former owners (we rented it) and where the various boundaries were. My mother used to rent a piece of ground from the nearby Pub, but I suspect as time went on, they lost track of it. Another neighbour to him now seems to have taken ownership.

But I am reminiscing again, time to stop.

Les.

[Les.]

If things start to show up over here, I will curtail our Saturday ride outs, stay at home or walk up the narrow lane that runs past the cottage (2 or 3 vehicles per week) and essential shopping will involve plenty of face coverage (scarf wrapped twice plus “neck sock”) plus M/C goggles which have my prescription lenses. Full ‘bike gear, but likely in the car. I have a small stock of tinned milk and other stuff, very full freezer, plenty of bread and normal flours etc., so we are in with a chance.

Les.

[Les.]

These last few messages are interesting. Bare with me. In Dec 2001, I fell off the ‘bike at about 10mph (not the 60+ everybody expected) and broke my L. hip. A flexible pin was poked up the neck of femur and I wandered around with two crutches, then 2 sticks, then 1 stick finally discarding all aids after 9  months. ( telescopic stick helped when I got back on the bike in the July 2002. Later my dentist suggested I should consider glucosamine, in case my bones were weak, and somebody else suggested buying from HEALTHSPAN. I did take their glucosamine, but have since concluded it did nothing and stopped it. However, they did send out a questionaire which they followed up with individual recommendations, though by then I had already settled on my supplement diet. Summing up, currently it is a magnesium tablet (following advice here or in forerunner forum), zinc and a “hair and nails” supplement. After the bone density scan when you were all voting for or against Brexit, my GP added a Calcium tablet which includes Vit “D”. Add in my prescribed BP stuff (Amlodipene and Ramipril) and that is me done.

OK, now back in time. Easter 1991, back in UK, I had a STINKING cold, not my first. January 2000, I had a similar one. Other “normal” colds from time to time.

About 3 years ago, a bad cold started at 9:00am on a Saturday, so I stayed home instead of usual ‘bike ride. COMPLETELY cleared before bedtime!: this was my first cold for about 10 years!  About 12 months later, another lasted less than 24 hours, and a year later, whilst visiting UK, yet another and that lasted a full 30 hours. Not the former one week, dragging on with bad “snot” for another week or more.

Does this all tie in with my zinc supplementation from about 2005?

I will not be stopping this one!

From Healthspan, their zinc, 15mg PLUS 80mg Vit “C” is £10:45 for 360 tablets, or £8:45 if you place a standing order.

Les. Addendum, sorry Edp, I HATE sulfide. I was brought up on sulphur, and dammned if I am going to change to suit the Yanks!

[Les.]

A different question, so I thought a separate message. What happened to the Spanish flu after 2019. Did it just die out, or did we all develop immunity so that it is no longer a problem.

I had wondered about this, but yesterday talking to Tamara she reminded me that her grandfather died from that epidemic. He was (or had been) a General in the Russian Navy. When the flu’s chaos  started to spread, and the red Army came to Odessa, many of the aristocracy left the area for sanctuary abroad. He however caught it and died as a result, Feb 1920. He was 67 at the time, so I guess it took older ones first like the present pandemic.

Les

[Les.]

I have been opening the link to the john Hopkins university site with the coroavirus statistics daily since VFM linked it here about one month ago. Did the same this morning as usual, no problem. This afternoon my pal visited (not been here for a couple of weeks with the cold and windy weather and his asthma). I showed him the site with all its numbers and graphs, then said that I would update it to see what changes since this morning. It would not load. i tried leaving it, and again later. I just tried again, and got a log in request. It looks as if it is now closed off to us simple folk.

[Les.]

As you probably all remember, I have mailing list of around 90 mostly old motorcyclists to whom I post out weekly with details of a Saturday morning meeting place, where between 5 and 15 turn up. Anyway, I sent out a special message today and headed it “Time to panic”  posting out VFM’s link from this morning’s message from the US virologists and the link to the daily figures.

Three replies  “Is a pan-demic a new 250cc Honda?”

The second rather more sensible. His wife employed as a pharmacist at our hospital. All very hush hush, nobody is telling them anything. I think she is worried.

The third from a pal with ongoing medical issues.  — I have self isolated myself as far as possible. Just keeping my head down, going out as little as possible.

Have I been foolish on another front? I had a visitor today from the UK who bought some oscilloscopes off me. I did not spot any coughing from him! Must wash his cup thoroughly!

Les.

[Les.]

I have been meaning to return to this with a final report. We tried many times with numerous linux versions, from Ubuntu 8.04 onwards. We found NONE that would work properly with the old laptop, generally the internet being the no-go area, which basically makes it pretty pointless. It would mostly have been used off line to display stuff downloaded to a ‘phone, but sometimes it could have been online. Hey Ho!

I have also scrapped the T61 Lenovo, but managed to buy a Lenovo L512 in excellent condition for just £70 delivered!

Cheers all. Les.

[Les.]

Jukebox, yes, those b*ggers are back. I saw a couple this morning. Within a couple of weeks there will be at least 40 of them just below us, mating etc before they go quiet (the ducks anyway, drakes remain a nuisance). There is a wet patch just above and behind me, into which they will go “paddling” (no, sorry PUDDLING is the correct term) and black sticky goo will run down and block my drains with what I refer to as “duck jelly”. It has given me major problems these last 20+ years, it took me until about 8 years ago to fully recognise the problem. I chase them away on sight now. Les.

Les.

[Les.]

I continue to watch the John Hopkins reports daily, and was rather surprised yesterday to see the big FALL in new cases. Today, more than made up for yesterday. The little graph has been amended a few times in how and what is shown, but now there is a linear graph, a logarithmic one and a daily count. Yesterday the Log version looked very wrong, today corrected. With a few more days, a best straight line fit may lead back to day zero, when the first case was found, then add a few more days back should accurately pin point actual Day Zero of the infection.

It will be interesting to see how “Wet Markets” are reviewed, replaced, then monitored over the next 10 years.

How many more Chinese “Leaders” heads will roll, and how far up the tree will that reach.

Les.

[Author]

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