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"IN 1859, after a series of disastrous gales in which many ships and lives were lost, Vice Admiral Robert FitzRoy of the British navy was given the difficult task of using available scientific knowledge to provide warnings of severe weather for the use of ships at sea.
To this end, FitzRoy organised a network of 40 weather stations around the Irish and British coastlines. They provided him with daily weather reports by telegraph, and although his forecasting methods were primitive by today's standards, by 1861 a system was in place. When gales were expected, warnings were telegraphed to ports and harbours around the country, and within 30 minutes appropriate signals were prominently displayed on shore to relay the word to passing ships. It was the beginning of shipping forecasts as we understand the term today.
The signals displayed were of a semaphore type, and were hoisted on a tall mast ashore to allow mariners to take note and exercise the necessary vigilance. If gales were expected from a generally northerly direction, for example, a black cone 3 feet high and 3 feet wide at the base, was raised upon the mast this was a "North Cone". If on the other hand the gales were expected from a southerly quarter, a "South Cone" was hoisted - a cone with its apex pointing downwards.
Other patterns had meanings which quickly became standard and widely understood; "a "drum" or cylinder, for example, was sometimes used to indicate successive gales from varying directions. At night red lights were used to indicate the relevant shape - a triangle of lights to form a cone, and four lights arranged in a square to indicate a drum. In all cases the signal was lowered when the wind dropped below gale force, provided no further gales were expected within six hours. A signal still in evidence after the wind had dropped, however, was to be interpreted as a sign that any abatement was only temporary. READ MORE
"Storm cones" continued in regular use at ports and coastguard stations around Britain until the early 1980s. They are responsible for the quaint phraseology heard until comparatively recently on British shipping forecasts which advised, for example, that "South cones are being hoisted". In general, however, the use of both the cones and the phraseology they engendered have died out with modern improvements in communications, although cones are still displayed occasionally by yacht clubs on a voluntary basis for the information of the casual passer by."
In a sad sign of the times we live in, apparently Ruth Jones of 'Gavin and Stacey' and Damon Allbran will be reading the Shipping Forecast tomorrow. I know, I'm a curmudgeonly old so and so...
I'm a bit confused GroveR, why would Glenn be playing bass on a Clash song? Are you confusing him with Paul Simenon, perchance? Legend has it that it was actually Topper Headon who played the bass on Rock the Casbah, but apparently he now says it was Norman Watt Roy...
Sidebar: I saw the Blockheads play at the Water Rats Kings Cross, what a band. Norman was incredible. I think he also played with Wilko Johnson.
Got to say, as soon as I saw Madsen preparing to come on I feared the worst. What does this bloke offer? As many others have said, Field going off, followed by Morgan (who were both very good), and then Smyth (who was decent), changed the game. But at least Madsen could have put himself about a bit, tried to tackle someone or something. With both Frey and Saito ineffective, we were clinging on and it really didn't help that Varane played like an idiot. I suppose you could say he's young and inexperienced, but Madsen doesn't even have that excuse.
Nevertheless, that first half performance was encouraging and we'd have all taken a point before the game etc. etc. etc. Bring on the Twotford.
Well I've got to say, that ChatGPT prediction is looking even more incredible. Four predictions in a row right, three results exactly right, and the Swans result only a goal out. Pretty amazing.
Must have been the question I asked ;-)
Here they are again:
Bristol City vs. QPR Bristol City has been inconsistent, but at home, they tend to be tough to beat. Given QPR’s recent improvement, a 1-1 draw seems plausible.
QPR vs. Preston North End Preston's form has dipped lately, while QPR’s recent home performances have been solid. Prediction: QPR win 2-1.
Swansea City vs. QPR Swansea has been strong at home recently. Considering QPR’s away record, this might be a tough match. Prediction: Swansea win 2-0.
Norwich City vs. QPR Despite QPR’s convincing win over Norwich at home, Norwich will aim for revenge. This could be tight. Prediction: 1-1 draw.
It's got us winning on Wednesday. Let's hope it stays true to form.
Interesting to note that ChatGPT got its first two predictions absolutely bang on:
Bristol City vs. QPR Bristol City has been inconsistent, but at home, they tend to be tough to beat. Given QPR’s recent improvement, a 1-1 draw seems plausible.
QPR vs. Preston North End Preston's form has dipped lately, while QPR’s recent home performances have been solid. Prediction: QPR win 2-1.
From my favourite Bowie album, maybe my fave album full stop, Hunky Dory, I've always loved this song, its lyrics seem pertinent...
Quicksand
I'm closer to the Golden Dawn Immersed in Crowley's uniform Of imagery I'm living in a silent film Portraying Himmler's sacred realm Of dream reality I'm frightened by the total goal Drawing to the ragged hole And I ain't got the power anymore No, I ain't got the power anymore
I'm the twisted name on Garbo's eyes Living proof of Churchill's lies, I'm destiny I'm torn between the light and dark Where others see their targets, divine symmetry Should I kiss the viper's fang? Or herald loud the death of Man I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought And I ain't got the power anymore
Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief Knowledge comes with death's release Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah
I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man Just a mortal with the potential of a superman I'm living on I'm tethered to the logic of Homo Sapien Can't take my eyes from the great salvation Of bullshit faith If I don't explain what you ought to know You can tell me all about it on the next Bardo I'm sinking in the quicksand of my thought And I ain't got the power anymore
Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief Knowledge comes with death's release Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah Don't believe in yourself, don't deceive with belief Knowledge comes with death's release Aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah, aah-aah...
Solanke is a bit of a revelation to me. I thought he was just a lumbering target man at Bournemouth, but he has flourished at Spurs and looks top class now.
Love this thread! This is a current favourite, not from the baroque era, but definitely with a nod to it: Schubert's Trio No. 2 in E Flat Major - 2nd mvt.
While it has its roots perhaps in baroque, it also feels so modern in its beguiling (apparent) simplicity. And the cello melody gets me every time. I just think this is wonderful. This particular version loses something of the precise rhythm but has such sensitivity I thought I'd post it:
The problem with the 'online safety act' is interpretation. Who decides what is offensive or abusive? It is wide open to manipulation by whoever regulates it to control and stifle open dialogue or dissent. As far as I'm concerned it's just another step down the slippery slope to totalitarianism.
Years ago a mate of mine said that the internet will probably go one of two ways: to an open and free internet that benefits everyone through open-sourcing technology, the sharing of ideas and so on, or towards totalitarianism. Governments, big tech and the legacy media corporations hate a free internet because they can't control it, manipulate it or profit from it. Despite its purported good intentions, the 'online safety act' furthers the latter scenario.
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