Another lockdown… another commute

[Headworx]

Yeah well, enough of the compliments. FYI the two aren't mutually exclusive and I had a banana for breakfast today while wearing my new watch.

You're welcome mate and aren't opposable thumbs a great thing for banana consumption once you get the hang of how they work? Now, if you'll only learn to peel them without using your feet

[Shutree]

A big problem I find is at home we have pathways around the garden next to concrete walls and it's very easy to scratch the watch against a wall.

Mine has an acrylic face. I had been wearing it daily for about ten years when I happened to be with a colleague who was meeting the then MD of Rolex in Hong Kong. This chap noticed my watch and told me it needed a service. He took it away and it was later returned in absolutely sparkling and as-new condition, all f.o.c.

I hadn't realised how scruffy it had become and I was well chuffed with the shiny watch as I left my house the next day. I walked out of my apartment buidling with a jaunty air and promptly swung the watch face along the rough concrete wall. I lived with those scratches for about ten more years before that watch saw another service. I had to pay for that one, which was a bit painful.

Years later I met an old guy who seemed to know all there is to be known about watches. He told me that there is no sapphire glass for that watch, they are not interchangeable and Rolex never made one for that model. Maybe I'll try the toothpaste.

[malmomike77]

He told me that there is no sapphire glass for that watch, they are not interchangeable and Rolex never made one for that model.

That is my suspicion too. Mine isn't Rolex but it does have sapphire glass and its been scraped, knocked, you name it - the FiL was amazed at being able to drop it in a glass of water and to try scratching it with sandpaper - nothing touches it - the bracelet is fairly well scratched, the glass untouched. I don't think you have sapphire glass Mendip - i may be wrong however.

[bsnub]

Maybe I'll try the toothpaste.

Polywatch is what you want to use. It is not expensive at all and works great.

[Mendip]

You're welcome mate and aren't opposable thumbs a great thing for banana consumption once you get the hang of how they work? Now, if you'll only learn to peel them without using your feet

You think I would let my feet close to food!!?

Years later I met an old guy who seemed to know all there is to be known about watches. He told me that there is no sapphire glass for that watch, they are not interchangeable and Rolex never made one for that model. Maybe I'll try the toothpaste.

That is my suspicion too. Mine isn't Rolex but it does have sapphire glass and its been scraped, knocked, you name it - the FiL was amazed at being able to drop it in a glass of water and to try scratching it with sandpaper - nothing touches it - the bracelet is fairly well scratched, the glass untouched. I don't think you have sapphire glass Mendip - i may be wrong however.

To be honest, when I said it was sapphire crystal I have absolutely nothing to back that statement up, so I guess it looks like acrylic. Would this also mean my 'new' Date-Just would have an acrylic face as it's a bit older than the Air-King? Is it easy to tell the difference without setting your FiL onto it?

Ain't that first scratch after a service a horrible feeling Shutree... a bit like brushing a hedge the first time with a brand new car. I'm glad I drive a 15 year-old Vigo at times. Oh, and that Cotes du Rone was about 8 quid if I remember correctly, and yes it was a lot better than the Diabolico stuff.

Polywatch is what you want to use. It is not expensive at all and works great.

Thanks Snub, I will search for some today. Seems like a better option than toothpaste.


Bella has kindly agreed to let me take a tube of toothpaste back to Thailand... who'd have thunk it? Mind I think it would be a quick way to lose a couple of fingers if I try it on Yogi. I was considering playing a 'family prank' but the Thai contingent in the household doesn't seem to share my sense of humour.



And a question for such knowledgeable members. I mentioned a few days ago that I was buying a new microwave for me mum as her present one seemed to have rust stains around the inside, where the sides joined the base. The new one arrived yesterday and as I removed the old microwave a load of water poured out from inside the frame somewhere (and over my feet). I'm really glad I spotted this because it doesn't seem safe at all... but where would that water have come from? I can only think accumulated from steam condensing over the years, but it seems like a bad design fault.

And another dilemma... an old mate wants to go it for a drink tonight and as much as I'd love to catch up I'm thinking of crying off. Covid rates are high and virtually no-one wears a mask from what I've seen. A packed out, cosy country pub seems like the prefect place to catch Covid and I'm flying in a week... just don't think it's worth the risk.

[Saint Willy]

And another dilemma... an old mate wants to go it for a drink tonight and as much as I'd love to catch up I'm thinking of crying off. Covid rates are high and virtually no-one wears a mask from what I've seen. A packed out, cosy country pub seems like the prefect place to catch Covid and I'm flying in a week... just don't think it's worth the risk.

Sound reasoning but you live like a hermit as it is...

[David48atTD]

Car Headlight cleaner to polish the acrylic watch cover?

[bsnub]

Thanks Snub, I will search for some today. Seems like a better option than toothpaste.

Polywatch is only for watches with acrylic glass. If you have a sapphire crystal, it will not do anything to it, in fact the only way you can polish a sapphire crystal is with diamond polish.

[malmomike77]

can only think accumulated from steam condensing over the years, but it seems like a bad design fault.

Yes, some Microwaves don't vent well. I always leave my door open for a while after use to let the steam out and air circulate.

[Topper]

Mendip, maybe I missed something.....

Why do you wear a watch when you're at home in Thailand? Simplify your wear and tear on your time pieces by not wearing one. I haven't worn a watch since I moved to the PI. Should I need to know the time, I simply ask my wife, since she's constantly got a phone in front of her face.

[Mendip]

^ No, you didn't miss anything Topper, I just like to wear a watch I guess.

I never took that Air-King off... the great thing about a Rolex is that you don't have to worry about anything. Although in saying that I'm starting to see the folly of wearing it for building work and I'm gonna start looking after my watches a lot better and the Date-Just will be very protected. I ordered some of Snubby's Polywatch today so I'll see what I can do with the Air-king.

Are Australian waters a potential option?

Australia to see 118 oil and gas project starts by 2025 - Offshore Energy

Not with the tax they charge, no!

In fact Australian waters are one of the least favoured waters for many contractors... depending on the rates of course. For the type of vessel I work on to carry out work in Aussie waters most of the marine crew have to be changed out for Australians... pretty much all apart from from some key positions such as skipper, first mate, chief engineer, etc. I once reliably heard of an an argument between an established ship's cook and the Aussie cook that also had to come on board when the ship worked in Australia (all unionised of course). The Aussie cook complained because the established cook had make bread... and apparently that's the job of a baker, not a cook. Yeah, call the union! He was serious as well and the bread went overboard.

Nah, I hope not to work in Australian waters... but never say never of course.

Sound reasoning but you live like a hermit as it is...

And I always thought I was quite sociable!

I'm not risking a crowded pub but I'm sure we'll meet up for a drink somehow... I prefer a lunchtime pint anyway.

[Saint Willy]

Or a lunchtime pint that rolls into dinner time

[Reg Dingle]

I'm not risking a crowded pub but I'm sure we'll meet up for a drink somehow... I prefer a lunchtime pint anyway.

You said you learned how to use Teams on the boat.

Get online on the lash with him. It's the new normal.

[Mendip]

FFS... are you in the bath?

This is a family thread!

[Saint Willy]

FFS... are you in the bath?

This is a family thread!

FFS you spent way too long looking at that pic to figure it out.

[Mendip]

That post has amazed me.

I didn't realise northerners took baths!

[Joe 90]

That post has amazed me.

I didn't realise northerners took baths!

Dills a wannabe notherner

[malmomike77]

Are you saying that coz Dill is all wrinkly? i think its becoz he's getting old

[baldrick]

and I'm flying in a week... just don't think it's worth the risk.

even fully vaxxed , don't risk it - getting a positive PCR is a pain and fcuks all plans

[Reg Dingle]

I thought that said fully waxed.

[malmomike77]

You know its funny that, when i see Baldrick i always associate the name wth a waxed arse crack, fishnets and a margarita.

[baldrick]

I thought that said fully waxed

should bendy mendy try waxxing ? he might get more action from the wife

what was it that gets said about hairy northern monkeys ?

[Mendip]

There's been a lot of untoward insinuations made on this thread... but I ain't from up north. That's a step too far.

[Stumpy]

Better pack up and hurry home Mendy. The Omicron Covid strain is on its way.

[Mendip]

^ You're not wrong Stumpy, but I can't leave until my 15 days after vaccination is up. This new Omicron is a real worry... if things close down again over the next week I have no idea when I'll get home. Fingers crossed.

To be honest I've had enough now and want to get moving. It's great of course to see my mum and at 85 there's obvious worries every time I leave, but my home is in Thailand now.

I'm remembering why I first left the UK all those years ago... my work always finished around this time of year and who wants to spend the winter off in the UK? Today it's been windy and cold all day long. The crows loved it.



Also I can feel the weight I lost slowly coming back on. I can't understand it because I'm eating healthy but the weather is limiting exercise I guess.

A little snack for my tea!



I've also noticed that I'm farting like a trooper since I came back to the UK. They're real wiffy too... it must be all the boiled veg my mum's feeding me on. Bella doesn't know if she's coming or going... my mum keeps sticking her out in the garden, poor thing.

Another thing... I don't really get the opportunity to wear my new Charlie Harper bowling shirt in a wintry Somerset. Roll on my Bangkok quarantine!



I've had a strange request from my mum... since my Grandad died in 1989 she's been keeping his favourite line of plants going by taking cuttings every few years. Now she wants me to continue the line, and wants me to take a few cuttings back to Thailand. No problem I guess... but will these grow in the tropics?



Oh well... one week to go... one more week of watching abysmal TV every night and sneaking slugs of whisky in my tea. I won't miss the UK I must admit.