Author Topic: Tales from the Lock-Down  (Read 77935 times)

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #475 on: 15 May, 2020, 01:04:55 pm »
Yes, it's noticeable around here that a large number of the new cyclists ride on the pavements, while a similar percentage of new walkers occupy the middle of the roads and avoid the pavements - not, I think, because of the cyclists but because they think there won't be any traffic.

On a slightly different tack, there has been much talk and understandable, if opportunistic, exhortation about "pop-up" cycle facilities and improvements to cycle routes while the traffic was/is less intense.  Has anyone seen any single piece of evidence of this kind of thing happening - anywhere?

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #476 on: 15 May, 2020, 01:11:02 pm »
I went for a socially distanced walk with a friend last week. It happened by accident actually, we happened to bump into each other in the nearby park (grassy area, trees, no fences) (which was a bit more crowded than I'd like). So we walked and talked, one in the middle of the road, one on the pavement. He's one of those people who think's he's probably had it – I'm not so sure he has but he's continuing to be very careful anyway, in part due to #underlying condition.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Jaded

  • The Codfather
  • Formerly known as Jaded
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #477 on: 15 May, 2020, 01:11:47 pm »
My sister, wot are a violin teacher, has been teaching since lockdown via Zoom. This is awful but better than nothing. Tomorrow she's giving her first group lesson via Zoom. Six pupils and her, so that makes a total of 14 different lag times for audio and video. She's got the solution though; for the group playing, everyone will be on mute apart from her!  :D ::-)

This thread
https://macintouch.com/community/index.php?threads/remote-access-conferencing.970/post-27733
Has some points regarding Zoom and music teaching, and then some other suggestions.
It is simpler than it looks.

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #478 on: 15 May, 2020, 01:32:59 pm »
Thanks, I'll pass it on to her. I know she's sorted out the "original sound quality" feature but video latency remains a big problem. Not that there aren't others.
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #479 on: 15 May, 2020, 06:15:56 pm »
On a slightly different tack, there has been much talk and understandable, if opportunistic, exhortation about "pop-up" cycle facilities and improvements to cycle routes while the traffic was/is less intense.  Has anyone seen any single piece of evidence of this kind of thing happening - anywhere?

Birmingham has closed some parking bays to provide more pavement space outside some closed shops.

You might be thinking "but that's not a cycling facility", and you'd be right.  There's an emergency plan to have made some plans within the next three weeks or so, with further plans ready by September and into 2021.

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #480 on: 15 May, 2020, 07:53:35 pm »
My sister, wot are a violin teacher, has been teaching since lockdown via Zoom. This is awful but better than nothing. Tomorrow she's giving her first group lesson via Zoom. Six pupils and her, so that makes a total of 14 different lag times for audio and video. She's got the solution though; for the group playing, everyone will be on mute apart from her!  :D ::-)


yorkie

  • On top of the Galibier
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #481 on: 15 May, 2020, 09:21:47 pm »
On a slightly different tack, there has been much talk and understandable, if opportunistic, exhortation about "pop-up" cycle facilities and improvements to cycle routes while the traffic was/is less intense.  Has anyone seen any single piece of evidence of this kind of thing happening - anywhere?


York has a couple, Bishopthorpe Road is one way northbound for motor vehicles (bi-directional for cycles) past the shops to create extra space for pedestrians and Tower Street (which had the inside lane coned off for pedestrians to use whilst the bridge over the River Foss was being painted) has kept the cones, which have been repurposed as cycle lanes.


Others are in progress, it helps that the Deputy Council Leader/Transport Portfolio Holder is a Green Party councillor (and Cycle Campaign member!)
Born to ride my bike, forced to work! ;)

British Cycling Regional A Track Commissaire
British Cycling Regional A Circuit Commissaire
Cycling Attendant, York Sport Village Cycle Circuit and Velodrome

Davef

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #482 on: 15 May, 2020, 09:56:04 pm »
On a slightly different tack, there has been much talk and understandable, if opportunistic, exhortation about "pop-up" cycle facilities and improvements to cycle routes while the traffic was/is less intense.  Has anyone seen any single piece of evidence of this kind of thing happening - anywhere?


York has a couple, Bishopthorpe Road is one way northbound for motor vehicles (bi-directional for cycles) past the shops to create extra space for pedestrians and Tower Street (which had the inside lane coned off for pedestrians to use whilst the bridge over the River Foss was being painted) has kept the cones, which have been repurposed as cycle lanes.


Others are in progress, it helps that the Deputy Council Leader/Transport Portfolio Holder is a Green Party councillor (and Cycle Campaign member!)
My insider contact on our district council who I met for tennis this morning says they have been told by central govt that money is definitely coming are still awaiting definite details on how much and when.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #483 on: 15 May, 2020, 10:48:43 pm »
I have a home test kit and need to swab the back of my throat with a long cotton bud and then insert it into my nose - quite a long way!  I have till 7am to do it.
This is because two people where I had a temp job, became ill, everyone got sent home last Friday, those with cars got a drive through test Saturday and the results Mon, 2 negative and 1 positive. Those without a car, two of us, have had to wait till today for a home kit. By the time it's collected and I get the result, I'd have done two weeks isolation anyway. And as if being locked in my flat and stuffing things up my nose didn't piss me off enough, the agency are being shifty about whether there's a job to go back to. Yes I know, could be a whole lot worse, still...

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #484 on: 15 May, 2020, 11:19:06 pm »
Lockdown, 2am in the morning and we're driving slowly along the side of the road looking at each of the houses, undoubtably appearing highly suspicous to the Police Car that came up behind us, then swung round us, put on his blue lights and blocked the road.

Police Office walks over to us, stands 2 metres away and shines his torch into the car. Spotting our Nurses uniforms and equiptment his serious look turns to a smile & "Okay no problem, where are you looking for?" He also then helpfully escorted us to the address we were looking for.

Actually it's something we knew would happend at some point as we'd been seeing a lot more Police Vehicles on general patrol during the evening and small hourse over the last few weeks. I presume closure of the pubs, clubs and 24hr MacD's mean they aren't so tied up dealing with alcohol related (mis)behaviour.

Mrs Pingu

  • Who ate all the pies? Me
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Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #485 on: 16 May, 2020, 12:04:33 am »
I have a home test kit and need to swab the back of my throat with a long cotton bud and then insert it into my nose - quite a long way!  I have till 7am to do it.


The same swab? Eurghh!
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.

mattc

  • n.b. have grown beard since photo taken
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Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #486 on: 16 May, 2020, 09:19:20 am »
On a slightly different tack, there has been much talk and understandable, if opportunistic, exhortation about "pop-up" cycle facilities and improvements to cycle routes while the traffic was/is less intense.  Has anyone seen any single piece of evidence of this kind of thing happening - anywhere?
Lots of pictures online of stuff in That London.
I hear Manchester has already closed some roads in the centre.

I ain't seen none out here in the Provinces, lots of talk though! I might be in Oxford later, if anywhere does it, they will.
Has never ridden RAAM
---------
No.11  Because of the great host of those who dislike the least appearance of "swank " when they travel the roads and lanes. - From Kuklos' 39 Articles

T42

  • Apprentice geezer
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #487 on: 16 May, 2020, 09:49:23 am »
The Rector of Lourdes is appealing for a surge of pilgrims after two months of lockdown has put an 8-million-euro hole in takings.  To avoid any risk to their health, the faithful won't actually be allowed into the famous grotto with its healing waters, but will be able to stand on the far side of a river and peer in with binoculars.
I've dusted off all those old bottles and set them up straight

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #488 on: 16 May, 2020, 09:54:46 am »
So it'll be a miracle if they see anything at all?

Je prends mon gilet...

Mrs Pingu

  • Who ate all the pies? Me
    • Twitter
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #489 on: 16 May, 2020, 11:28:16 am »
We went to Lourdes once cos it was too wet for cycling. It was a ghastly crass shit hole. Every shop you walked past had piles of plastic jerrycans of water outside. Classy.
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #490 on: 16 May, 2020, 12:19:47 pm »
I have a home test kit and need to swab the back of my throat with a long cotton bud and then insert it into my nose - quite a long way!  I have till 7am to do it.


The same swab? Eurghh!
Yes, and it was Eurghh!
Courier has just been to collect it, after shouting Covid test from the landing for all my neighbors to hear.  The process was supposed to be that they move 2 meters back, I place it outside the door and go back inside - the reality was I opened the door and he took it out of my hand, wearing gloves, but no mask and no distance.

Mr Larrington

  • A bit ov a lyv wyr by slof standirds
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Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #491 on: 16 May, 2020, 12:55:28 pm »
The Rector of Lourdes is appealing for a surge of pilgrims after two months of lockdown has put an 8-million-euro hole in takings.  To avoid any risk to their health, the faithful won't actually be allowed into the famous grotto with its healing waters, but will be able to stand on the far side of a river and peer in with binoculars.

Homeopathic miracles!  They're the future!  Free with every red mercury-powered 5G bat control module!
External Transparent Wall Inspection Operative & Mayor of Mortagne-au-Perche
Satisfying the Bloodlust of the Masses in Peacetime

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #492 on: 16 May, 2020, 02:22:01 pm »
Lots of pictures online of stuff in That London.

There's quite a few road closures and pavement widenings, but the only bit of cycle infrastructure in London that exists is a half-arsed isolated bit of cycle lane down a short section of one side of Park Lane. Lots of noise about more, but reality is a disappointment.

(TfL put out a press release 10 days ago implying they'd already installed one on Euston Road. Not a single cone has been laid AFAIK)

There's a more substantial bit in Leicester that's doing the rounds.

Edd

Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #493 on: 18 May, 2020, 04:30:35 pm »
"I try and keep my kid away from people but they just aren't giving us space" says the lady chatting to her friend and their husband (and kid) whilst standing in the middle of a cross isle between vegetables and bread in a large supermarket

Mrs Pingu

  • Who ate all the pies? Me
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Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #494 on: 18 May, 2020, 08:08:03 pm »
Do not clench. It only makes it worse.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #495 on: 18 May, 2020, 09:59:14 pm »
Good thing that pandemic's over and it's now okay to greet your friend you haven't seen for a while with manly hugs in the supermarket...   :facepalm:

Most people seem to have given up on face covering, too.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #496 on: 21 May, 2020, 04:18:06 pm »
I've given away a bicycle!
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

quixoticgeek

  • Mostly Harmless
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #497 on: 21 May, 2020, 04:22:33 pm »
I've given away a bicycle!

One I Love Me Jacket™ to Wow's place, nurses in white suits, to Wow's place.

J
--
Beer, bikes, and backpacking
http://b.42q.eu/

Cudzoziemiec

  • Ride adventurously and stop for a brew.
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #498 on: 21 May, 2020, 04:52:58 pm »
Some of my neighbours round the corner are well into the Thursday weekend session. Two guitars and a drum set (all acoustic, thankfully!) in the garden, playing what might be generally described as 60s stoner rock. Beer is in evidence, as is that scent of the stoner rock, and they're actually playing quite well. Plus, if I want to listen, I can hear them in the garden, if I go inside to work, I can't.  :thumbsup:
Riding a concrete path through the nebulous and chaotic future.

Wowbagger

  • Former Sylph
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Tales from the Lock-Down
« Reply #499 on: 21 May, 2020, 04:55:33 pm »
I've given away a bicycle!

One I Love Me Jacket™ to Wow's place, nurses in white suits, to Wow's place.

J

It's a bicycle with a history.

A nice little 24" wheel steel-framed Nottingham-built Raleigh that we bought for our daughter for her 10th birthday. She had been in possession of it for about an hour when she came off and lost her front teeth. I found her teeth but it took half an hour and by the time we got her to the hospital they had died. However, they shoved them back into the sockets and they stayed there for the best 17 years until one of them broke.

Cost of bicycle: £120 or thereabouts.

Cost of tooth implants when she was 27: £5000 or thereabouts.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.