MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Tizer]

Kev and Ian, sorry I didn't get back to you earlier when you'd been suggesting `motor bike' but we were otherwise occupied here with the heaviest and most prolonged rain storm we've seen in the UK. Water was spouting out everywhere from pipes and gutters and road drains that couldn't cope. We live on the side of a low hill and the road was like a river. It was like a tropical rain storm.

Kev, regarding your latest object, is it something that connects into your smart leccy meter. I'm sure I've read about it somewhere recently but can't remember what it does! Could it be to do with domestic electric car charging?

[Big Kev]

Nothing to do with smart metering, much more simple than that. Think of the multiple devices you would plug into your laptop; mouse, keyboard, monitors, power supply etc and what would make that easier.

[Stanley]

Having only one cable to connect?

[PanBiker]

Gender changing multi port hub, USB, HDMI, etc...

[Big Kev]

Having only one cable to connect?

That's it, everything plugs into the box and there's one usb-c lead that plugs into the laptop. I have one at home and one in the office. Makes life a lot easier,.
Sold as a docking station.

[Tizer]

Just make sure you don't order a `docking station' from NASA by mistake!

Talking of NASA, I watched Sky at Night and they had a panel answering questions from a live audience. One person asked whether it was wise to be relying on private firms and individuals to fund, develop and build the space vehicles which are intended for taking people or robots into space. I'm with the lady astrophysicist who said no and gave a number of reasons why it's best to keep it under government control. One of those reasons is that the technology in many cases overlaps with military requirements so there are security implications. Another that it's easier to ensure the safety of people shot up into space and also safety of those here on Earth when such things might get out of control.

In passing, she mentioned that companies come and go, get taken over etc whereas the government endures even though its composition changes but through controlled procedures.

I was surprised that no-one mentioned the elephant in the room - Boeing. NASA has got itself dependent on Boeing for much of the engineering projects yet the company is on the brink of collapse. It's share price has plummeted after the recent spectacular airliner safety failures and those astronauts stranded up there until February and it's faced with a strike by tens of thousands of employees. Biden has pushed Boeing to agree to a wage rise of something like 70% over 6 years but it isn't all certain yet. All this sets a poor example for relying on the private sector.

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Stanley]

I see no rush of suggestions. I shall knock it on the head at dinnertime if we have no takers. Clue, it's a tool used in boiler maintenance......

[Gloria]

Is it for cleaning out the insides of the fire tubes….it’s a guess?

[Stanley]

You are so close Gloria, not cleaning but you're right about the tubes.

[Tizer]

For checking the pressure in the tubes?

[Stanley]

Not for measuring Peter. They are a tool for a specific job that has to be done on the tubes......

[Big Kev]

Tube expander?

[Gloria]

Is it for reaming out the tubes?

[Stanley]

You were so close Gloria! But we have to give it to Kev. Yes, its an expander for making the tubes a tight fit in the end of the boiler.
Next object?

[Stanley]

Where is it?

[Stanley]

I thought you'd have been all over this one!

[Big Kev]

Is it the one in Spitalfields Market in that there London?

[Stanley]

Yes it is! Susan sent me the pic yesterday after she saw it....
Now give us the next object!

[Big Kev]

Where is it?

IMG_20240921_174056~5.jpg

[Tripps]

Knowing your routine - I'd say Lytham?

[Big Kev]

Knowing your routine - I'd say Lytham?

That didn't last long

[Tripps]

Where is this? Not searchable - I took the picture.

SS.JPG

[Big Kev]

Seaton Sluice near Whitley Bay?

[Tripps]

Correct - well done.

Coldest day I've ever experienced in England.
It was one of the locations used in the TV series "Vera".