philmayfield 6,240 Posted October 27, 2022 Report Share Posted October 27, 2022 My wife used to teach in nearby Renerth so she understands the language but I don’t take her everywhere with me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,751 Posted October 27, 2022 Report Share Posted October 27, 2022 Daughter told me yesterday that her car, a Citroen DS3 'D Sport' Petrol 1.6, has a message on dash to top up oil. So she bought oil but struggled to read the dipstick and was worried She'd overfilled it. Decided to go over to help out and to save the potential hassle of removing the sump plug, I looked at local Halfords and so on for some sort of pump but nothing suitable. Then remembered that I had a 'Trico' 12 v screenwasher pump sitting on the shelf in the garage. It's been there for at least 40 years. I think I took it off a Simca 1100. IIRC, it works on the 'peristaltic' principle. Whatever...it was about to finally fulfil its destiny and 'come in handy one day..' Quick check showed it still worked when held onto the conveniently spaced contacts of a 4 AH sealed lead acid battery. Sadly the metres of small bore green plastic tubing which was in the way for years has disappeared. So, down to B&Q. Their 'off the reel' 5mm (internal) tubing fits the pump perfectly, but was looking likely to be too big to feed down the dipstick hole. Fortunately their 3mm pipe fits inside the 5 mm, solving that problem, so bought 2m of the 5mm and 1m of the 3mm. Daughter isn't daft and knows the 'remove, wipe, replace, remove, read' way to read a dipstick. When I looked the problem revealed itself. The dipstick is exceptionally difficult to read and even with over 50 years of fiddling with cars, I struggled. I ended up having to 'swab' along the stick with kitchen paper to confirm the oil I thought I could see... It's basically a long coil spring which seems designed to hide the oil on its surface. Eventually decided that she'd overfilled by a couple of inches on the stick and used a bit more than a litre of fresh oil. Not prepared to risk that, I rigged my lashed up pump. As expected, only the 3mm pipe would pass the dipstick hole, but, after priming the system by sucking on the pipe, I fired up the mighty Trico... It took about a minute to get going but once the oil stream was fully through the pump it worked steadily. Took about ten minutes to pump about 1/2 litre of oil out. Checked again and concluded that the stick was now reading midway between Max and Min. Switched engine on and ran for a couple of minutes...No warnings, so decided to leave it at that till she gets it properly serviced. The oil in the car was smelly and very black...much more than I'd expect and I'm not convinced the oil was changed, or changed properly, at last service...unless it's a particularly dirty engine.. Still..can relax now. Binned the fiver's worth of plastic pipe, but will endeavour to clean out the little Trico tomorrow . It may come in handy again in another 40 years ...... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oztalgian 3,371 Posted October 27, 2022 Report Share Posted October 27, 2022 5 hours ago, philmayfield said: I too went to the barber’s today. In Blidworth. Don’t ask why Blidworth? Its a long story! There was a chap in the chair chatting with the barber and I honestly couldn’t understand a single word he was saying. He was obviously a local but it was just like being in a foreign country! Phil, Don't you know that Bliduth is in't north, that is why you could not understand them. Luckily there are very few colliers left, if they spoke in pit-talk I could not understand them and I was born in the village. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted October 28, 2022 Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 I've forgotten the last time I popped the bonnet on my pap-pap, think it's a sign that cars are now (fingers crossed) more reliable. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 5,091 Posted October 28, 2022 Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 Some years back, i had a 'check engine' light come up on the dash. Called the dealership (where we had all the services done) and made a later appointment. Went to my bowling league, and was telling a friend about my engine light. She said, take your car to Auto Zone (parts store) and ask them to check your car. I did, the guy took out a hand-held device, plugged it in under the dash, and said, your petrol cap is not fitting properly. Bought a new one for less than $5, and cancelled the dealer appt. Heaven knows how much the dealer would have charged, and most likely would tell me some expensive thing needed doing! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IAN FINN 827 Posted October 28, 2022 Report Share Posted October 28, 2022 Thats why they call them stealerships katy. They would have sold you a new ECM. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,909 Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 On 10/27/2022 at 5:47 PM, philmayfield said: I too went to the barber’s today. In Blidworth. Don’t ask why Blidworth? Its a long story! There was a chap in the chair chatting with the barber and I honestly couldn’t understand a single word he was saying. He was obviously a local but it was just like being in a foreign country! I know how you feel Phil. Here most of the locals speak in dialect which i dont speak, i can just about get the gist but thats all. Those who know me speak either in Italian or English. My next doors neighbours mother always spoke to me in dialect and she never rembered when i told her i didnt speak Piemontese. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 5,235 Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,530 Posted October 30, 2022 Report Share Posted October 30, 2022 The weather has been incredibly mild in Nottingham this past week, a bit wet at times too (but we needed it!) Last evening we were at a friend’s birthday party and amazingly, for the end of October, we were sitting outside in their garden, til 2 am. Admittedly they had a fire-pit going but nobody needed a jacket on. Brilliant night, lots of champagne, wine and Lebanese food, but I was pleased the clocks went back as we’re not used to such late nights these days! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,279 Posted October 31, 2022 Report Share Posted October 31, 2022 I mentioned a few weeks ago how Mansfield had gone downhill...........well yesterday i gave it another try to see if it was just a bad day............and NO it wasnt....... Parked in a different parking place which i thought would be nice and near a long row of fairly new premises.........Parking machine took my money without giving me 1'20 in change.....ah well i thought not even the price of a coffee........the row of shops leading into the shopping centre were all closed permanently............bit more lively in the centre except that what was the old Coop was also still closed and boarded up which depressed me since i had some good times working there a few times in the 90s with some great lady store detectives..... Decided i'd had enough so went for a coffee before heading home..........worst thing i could have done.....one person being served by a really miserable lady who didnt know how to smile........and was so slow at serving the only customer with two different types of coffee....after about 10 minutes a lady joined the Queue behind me..........after another 5 minutes she said to me ''blimey you bin waiting long''?.........told her'' been here since friday afternoon''.....At least she laughed and it was the only half nice thing about My visit to what was once a lovely friendly place.... Eventually got me coffee drank it quick and headed home.........Mansfield? never again'' 2 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hey Arnold 88 Posted October 31, 2022 Report Share Posted October 31, 2022 14 minutes ago, benjamin1945 said: Eventually got me coffee drank it quick and headed home.........Mansfield? never again'' @benjamin1945 I worked for a company in Mansfield for a couple of years in the early '90s. Thankfully I've never had to go back Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,909 Posted October 31, 2022 Report Share Posted October 31, 2022 Benjamin thought about you this morning, you always say “ plenty of heyups” when you go for your coffee. Well this morning when we went for coffee and took 3 dogs , there were more people about than usual and everyone who went into or came out of the bar was someone we knew, very unusual at that time of morning but it was nice. There are lots of strangers who once lived around here that have come “ home” for “ Tutti Santi” ( All Saints) to pay respects to lost loved ones. It’s also a bank holiday including tomorrow. It has had a knock on effect the bar had run out of brioche and had to serve pastries instead. The local supermarket had run out of bread and was so packed that people couldn’t get what they wanted. So I suppose most have relatives staying for all saints services tomorrow. I hate shopping every day but why do they leave shopping until the last and can’t find what they want. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,909 Posted October 31, 2022 Report Share Posted October 31, 2022 Lizzie it’s the same here. Alex has been sitting outside most days. The dogs love it and they sit watching for cats and ignore them they’re too comfy. James was saying this morning that they had a group who hadn’t booked last night but wanted to eat and although the restaurant was full to capacity the only place they could sit was outside . They didn’t mind so sat outside and had 18 dishes with truffles. Truffles , truffles and more truffles are quickly getting scarce. The problem is you spend a couple of thousand to buy them to serve and sometimes you’re left with them because either people don’t want or don’t know what they are or even don’t want to pay the price. Then you buy a couple of hundreds worth and run out. So really you never win. James has rung all his suppliers and there isn’t one truffle to be seen. The other night we ate at James’s and were talking to a German couple . They are touring Italy and made a detour to pass Alba ( famous for white truffles) they did have truffle shavings on their food and when James had shaved a few they told him they would tell him when to stop! This weather is unbelievable but nice, makes you worry about how the winter will be. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LizzieM 9,530 Posted October 31, 2022 Report Share Posted October 31, 2022 It’s 50 years tonight since my first proper date with the young man I would eventually marry. We’d met fleetingly a few months earlier in the Flying Horse but he was just passing through Nottingham on business and I was in a relationship with someone, but he made sure he got my phone number! Out of the blue he rang me and we had that first date at The Chateau, Wilford Lane and those 50 years have flown by so fast, so much has changed in this World we live in but I’m pleased I went for that Berni meal that night and as far as I can remember, Halloween was just an American excuse to dress up in those days. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alpha 176 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 On 10/31/2022 at 10:14 AM, benjamin1945 said: I mentioned a few weeks ago how Mansfield had gone downhill...........well yesterday i gave it another try to see if it was just a bad day............and NO it wasnt....... Parked in a different parking place which i thought would be nice and near a long row of fairly new premises.........Parking machine took my money without giving me 1'20 in change.....ah well i thought not even the price of a coffee........the row of shops leading into the shopping centre were all closed permanently............bit more lively in the centre except that what was the old Coop was also still closed and boarded up which depressed me since i had some good times working there a few times in the 90s with some great lady store detectives..... Decided i'd had enough so went for a coffee before heading home..........worst thing i could have done.....one person being served by a really miserable lady who didnt know how to smile........and was so slow at serving the only customer with two different types of coffee....after about 10 minutes a lady joined the Queue behind me..........after another 5 minutes she said to me ''blimey you bin waiting long''?.........told her'' been here since friday afternoon''.....At least she laughed and it was the only half nice thing about My visit to what was once a lovely friendly place.... Eventually got me coffee drank it quick and headed home.........Mansfield? never again'' Hey Ben, you certainly know how to turn a place around! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Annesley Red 80 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 On 10/27/2022 at 10:13 PM, Oztalgian said: Phil, Don't you know that Bliduth is in't north, that is why you could not understand them. Luckily there are very few colliers left, if they spoke in pit-talk I could not understand them and I was born in the village. Im fro Annzlee and I think I need subtitles when I speak lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,279 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 28 years since my Mothers passing couple of days ago........so a trip to Bulwell Cemetery was in order this morning...........took flowers for Mam and Dad plus Grandma and a Son..Granddaughter..and Nephew..........couldnt afford to take flowers to the rest of my family buried up there...reckon about 30... Don't make me sad but brings reality into my life and also feel they know ive been......... 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RadFordee 68 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 @benjamin1945i used to quite like Mansfield back in the 80's as an alternative to shopping in Nottingham or Bulwell, it had a good variety of shops and a great market back then as well (loved a good market back in the day). I think Mansfield is like a lot of former mining towns. The closure of the pits spelled the begining of the end for them and saw them rapidly go into decline. Very sad for the folk who still live there. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,279 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 34 minutes ago, Annesley Red said: Im fro Annzlee and I think I need subtitles when I speak lol My Dad and Granddad spoke a bit of Annzlee @annesleyred.....both from Bulwell but worked on the Railway...catching the train ''Dickie Dido'' to Annesley for about 30 years......... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Sparrow 10,386 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 1 hour ago, benjamin1945 said: Railway...catching the train ''Dickie Dido'' to Annesley for about 30 years.. Crikey! That must have been a s l o w train! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,529 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 Had my car serviced yesterday. Only done just under 2,000 since last year; that's less than during the lockdowns. Must be connected with getting old. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,617 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 @Cliff Ton you’re not old! You obviously still do more walking than driving…. and that’s good. Perhaps the next meet up should be in Ely - that would boost your mileage! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,279 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 The Lamb hotel Margie?.....that would get my memories jogged........in a very nice way..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 7,617 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 Only been in the Lamb once, Ben - it is a very old pub! So who did you entertain there back in the day? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
benjamin1945 16,279 Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 Just the once Margie...........about 1973........... Had business with a VG shop in Sutton nearby...Mr Painter........ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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