Read an interesting article on the gauge of railways, and it comes down to the width of a horses bum. The short version. The standard railway track is 4 foot 8.5 inches. They adopted that as it was the standard width of axles on carts. The axles on carts was determines by the width of grooves on tracks and roman roads. Their width was determined by the width of roman chariots from when they invaded. Roman chariots axle width was based on the two horses used to pull the chariots. The wheels are two horses bum widths apart. So standard railways around the world have tracks 4'8.5" apart because that's how wide two roman horses bums were.
Interesting thread. Summer 25, I'll be taking my usual week on the upper Wye. I'm hoping it's not as dry and hot as the last few years. Not been great for grass growing for the animals. What are others doing?
Mixed. Dropped the car off at the garage on Tuesday. 2 new tyres and a battery. Often, Mrs Remote will follow me in her car to fetch me back. Mam at the stage where she can't be left alone. It takes an age to get her in the car, so rather than drag her out, I decided to walk back, it's only 1.5 miles and it's a pleasant stroll along the river weaver. Anyway, 1.5 miles was probably a bit much. Add to that 4 hours fishing yesterday and it's a bit sore this morning. Stitches due to come out Saturday morning. That'll be the acid test. My leg and foot is quite colourful. Been told to keep it dry. Struggled in and out the bath when the compression bandage was on. Wrapped the dressing in clingfilm so I could get in the shower yesterday. Its an adventure. Hoping to do some tractor driving this afternoon.
A week in France at end of June. Trying to sort out cattery dates for our moggy so we get 2 weeks in Poole in July. I was scheduled to have an op for the weak muscle condition around my eye, in May. Now brought forward to April so if all okay will look for a late deal in May. Malta, Croatia or Montenegro. I have had 2 previous ops on this eye which didn't work. Done under local anaesthetic but I'm so squeamish about anything done to my face (how do you improve perfection anyway?) that they couldn't finish the ops so the ops didn't work. Now they are going to put me out or make me watch another England game as a natural sleep inducer. Should have been done last October but then the roof fell in on the ICU at Bridgend so they had to move all the intensive care patients into the eye clinic. Now fixed so op rescheduled. I've edited this one Sparks to remove my blooper!!!
Don't mock the afflicted. I was wondering how long my 'summer 25' comment would last. Just thought I'd test the boundary of the scope of the thread.
I see what you did there Sparks. Working hard to keep long time posters in check. What are your plans this summer? Going back to the woods to see if the 69'ers return?
We're off to Dubai and then Abu Dhabi! On return, Prediction League admin off to Garda for a week in his mum's new car/**** machine, before back to uni. Mrs FfB and I will take delivery of cat early May,....then Venice at the end of the month. Mrs rides her bicycle to work but she's very happy to gaze at SM through the window. All in all, I'm a good boy!
I am actually Bluey - not just for the native wildlife though. Got my usual cottage in deepest Bucks off an old mate who owns it, but actually lives in the "big house" on the estate - what it is to have money eh? Initially got it for a fortnight at the end of June. He has just told me it wouldn't be used for the week following so would we like to stay on? I said "well if you insist".............. So that's three weeks of Red Kites, Squirrels, Jays and Green Woodies in our adopted garden which the dogs (four legged) also think is wonderful.
