The Virtual Pub

Come Inside... => The Library => Topic started by: The Moan Ranger on September 03, 2007, 02:11:22 PM

Title: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: The Moan Ranger on September 03, 2007, 02:11:22 PM
There used to be a program on TV called "How?" that explained all sorts of things to you. Even in my dotage, certain questions spring to mind that no-one really seems to know the answer to.

On Saturday morning whilst watching some fellows cycling and running round a velodrome/athletics track, I wondered how fast I could do a lap on the trusty GSXR750. It was then I realised that most motor racing has a clockwise running order, yet athletics seems to be totally anti-clockwise.

WHY!

Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 03, 2007, 02:15:15 PM
 rubschin:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 03, 2007, 02:20:45 PM
(https://www.virtual-pub.com/SMF/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffreespace.virgin.net%2Fgreg.taylor1%2Fwatched_it%2Fhow1.jpg&hash=b3ad0042b08630a8bfa65616b888af0f3dc36cc6)
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 03, 2007, 02:55:31 PM
'Spect it's tradition ~ about the only thing we do well in this country. ::)
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Nick on September 04, 2007, 03:00:18 PM
Jack Hargreaves was a grumpy bastard!
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 04, 2007, 03:03:42 PM
Jack Hargreaves was a grumpy bastard!
How 'bout Bunty [snigger]
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Nick on September 04, 2007, 03:49:41 PM
Who?
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Pastis on September 04, 2007, 06:58:24 PM
It was then I realised that most motor racing has a clockwise running order, yet athletics seems to be totally anti-clockwise.

WHY!

Exactly. Why? Ice skaters do it anti-clockwise too but that no longer troubles me. Roundabouts are clockwise and I'm happy with that. On the promenade deck of a cruise ship there is no prescribed direction and whilst one has to avoid oncoming traffic during the early morning constitutional it does afford the opportunity of a friendly "Good Morning" or even a  eyes:.

There is a theory, albeit arcane and esoteric that the clockwise motion is constructive and the anti, destructive or degenerative. Take it with a pinch of salt, but give me clockwise anytime  lol:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Marmite the Cat on September 04, 2007, 07:56:16 PM
A thoughtful reply. Me? Clockwise? Anti-clockwise?

Hmmmmmmmmm

Let me think













I prefer clockwise










Usuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaly eyes:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 05, 2007, 07:42:02 AM
Who?
No How? doh:
Jack Hargreaves, Fred Dinenage, Bunty James and Jon Miller.  whistle:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 05, 2007, 07:59:55 AM
I met Jack Hargreaves a couple of time. Miserable old bugger ... thought he knew everything there was to know on any subject that came up. He "made his name" as presenter of "Out of Town" a programme initially on Southern ITV that had him sitting in a mock up shed discoursing on "Country Life and Pursuits" based on his personal experience as a "Countryman born and bred". The Prog ran for 25 years.
In truth he was a London born, failed veterinary student who managed to gain employment as a journalist and by some judicious share purchasing ended up a director of the new Southern ITV franchise. That particular outfit specialised in "Local Programmes" and "Country Matters" and as a director the boring old fart was ideally placed to ACT out his part without anyone daring to tell him the truth. From that he "graduated" to HOW!
I recall my father and I encountered him on one occasion in a pub, close to his home in the New Forest, where he argued with us about angling matters and when it was clear that he had lost the debate he stomped off. The Landlord told us that he was always argumentative, miserable and seldom settled his tab! The only reason he was tolerated was that his local "celebrity" drew extra customers.


PS Anyone interested in the old fart's sanitised biog can read the potted version at:
http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/outoftown.htm
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: tel on September 05, 2007, 08:35:36 AM
Jack, grumpy?

Next you'll be saying that Mr crabtree doesn't exist!
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 05, 2007, 08:41:25 AM
Jack, grumpy?

Next you'll be saying that Mr crabtree doesn't exist!

I do have an original Mr Crabtree Book and yes I have been fishing, on the Avon near Ringwood, with Bernard Venables (who wrote them).
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: tel on September 05, 2007, 08:53:32 AM
Never fished Ringwood, never really had any appeal for me. Have fished some other parts of the Avon though. I think a barbel is about the only coarse I haven't caught. There are some good doubles in the Wandle just across the road from my office.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 05, 2007, 08:58:52 AM
Never fished Ringwood, never really had any appeal for me. Have fished some other parts of the Avon though. I think a barbel is about the only coarse I haven't caught. There are some good doubles in the Wandle just across the road from my office.

Only reason I fished the Avon in and around Ringwood was that we ran a pub there for several years.
Frankly never caught much there but that is not what I go fishing for. It's the peace and quiet that attracts me  more than the fish.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: GROWLER on September 05, 2007, 09:07:01 AM
Never fished Ringwood, never really had any appeal for me. Have fished some other parts of the Avon though. I think a barbel is about the only coarse I haven't caught. There are some good doubles in the Wandle just across the road from my office.

but that is not what I go fishing for. It's the peace and quiet that attracts me  more than the fish.

I think most 'fishermen' would agree with that statement. ;)
A nag and B&Q free day sounds bliss to me.

Growlers new hobby, only I don't need all those rods and associated shite.
 I GOT TEETH AND BIG PAWS! eveilgrin:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Nick on September 05, 2007, 09:27:16 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9GpXB2FROo&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9GpXB2FROo&NR=1)

 drumroll:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: tel on September 05, 2007, 03:01:08 PM
If nothing else Hargreaves did give some kind of insight into country life, there wasn't anything else around on TV.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Nick on September 05, 2007, 03:09:43 PM
A mate of mine wrote a weekly "country column" for a magazine. "As I walked through my garden today I was thrilled to see the petunias bustling with bees and my senses were overwhelmed by the scent of...etc."

Her garden contained three bikes and an old fridge. She got it all out of books from Beeston Library noooo:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 05, 2007, 03:17:35 PM
A mate of mine wrote a weekly "country column" for a magazine. "As I walked through my garden today I was thrilled to see the petunias bustling with bees and my senses were overwhelmed by the scent of...etc."

Her garden contained three bikes and an old fridge. She got it all out of books from Beeston Library noooo:
lol:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 05, 2007, 03:42:19 PM
And just where do you think I get my articles from?


Just read above  lol:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Darwins Selection on September 07, 2007, 11:51:28 PM
... motor racing has a clockwise running order, yet athletics seems to be totally anti-clockwise.

It is the opposite in the Southern Hemisphere.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: GROWLER on September 10, 2007, 06:37:19 PM
Sorry to meander back ONTO to topic, but WHY when the newly opened Burbo Bank off shore wind farm that has a total of 25 turbines, were only 4 of them actually turning today, when it was dead windy too?
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 10, 2007, 06:54:40 PM
Frequently, so the Wind Farm "Authorities" tell me they have to stop the turbines because (i) they need maintenance or (ii) there is simply too much wind.
When they "sold" the advantages to the locals over here people genuinely thought they would be getting cheaper electricity. When I pointed out the stupidity of this thought process in the village magazine I was vilified and threatened. When proved right no-one mentioned it. When I asked the question you posed and printed the answer I got (see above) people in the street told me how wrong I was to make that public. People will believe what they want to believe but the simple scientific fact is that the turbines will never produce a steady constant flow of electricity and no matter how many of them we build we will ALWAYS need an alternative supply of power and that alternative will ALWAYS have to be kept on standby to take over at a moments notice.
Maybe when we learn how to store electricity the way we can store gas the turbines may have some use but until then expect them to be not working far more than working.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Nick on September 11, 2007, 12:33:56 PM
Nuclear
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 11, 2007, 12:45:00 PM
Nuclear

The only sensible alternative at the moment.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Nick on September 11, 2007, 12:47:33 PM
Till they get Fusion sorted. Till then they can bury the waste in Wales or Scotland evil:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 11, 2007, 01:26:02 PM
Nuclear
Indeed... job done.  happy088
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Bar Wench on September 11, 2007, 02:06:03 PM

Maybe when we learn how to store electricity the way we can store gas the turbines may have some use but until then expect them to be not working far more than working.

Excuse my stupidity, because no doubt this is a stupid question. But how do electric storage heaters work then?  redface:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 11, 2007, 02:08:42 PM

Maybe when we learn how to store electricity the way we can store gas the turbines may have some use but until then expect them to be not working far more than working.

Excuse my stupidity, because no doubt this is a stupid question. But how do electric storage heaters work then?  redface:

The electricity runs through cables that are inserted between layers of bricks. These bricks get hot and retain the heat which they then release during the hours when the electricity is turned off. They store heat not electricity OK?
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 11, 2007, 02:10:02 PM

Maybe when we learn how to store electricity the way we can store gas the turbines may have some use but until then expect them to be not working far more than working.

Excuse my stupidity, because no doubt this is a stupid question. But how do electric storage heaters work then?  redface:

The electricity runs through cables that are inserted between layers of bricks. These bricks get hot and retain the heat which they then release during the hours when the electricity is turned off. They store heat not electricity OK?
Don?t believe him Wenchy ? he is trying to embarrass you!  noooo:

They have great big Duracell batteries in them.  happy088
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 11, 2007, 02:11:32 PM

Maybe when we learn how to store electricity the way we can store gas the turbines may have some use but until then expect them to be not working far more than working.

Excuse my stupidity, because no doubt this is a stupid question. But how do electric storage heaters work then?  redface:

The electricity runs through cables that are inserted between layers of bricks. These bricks get hot and retain the heat which they then release during the hours when the electricity is turned off. They store heat not electricity OK?
Don?t believe him Wenchy ? he is trying to embarrass you!  noooo:

They have great big Duracell batteries in them.  happy088


Unlike some I have never lied to Wenchy.
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 11, 2007, 02:12:32 PM

Maybe when we learn how to store electricity the way we can store gas the turbines may have some use but until then expect them to be not working far more than working.

Excuse my stupidity, because no doubt this is a stupid question. But how do electric storage heaters work then?  redface:

The electricity runs through cables that are inserted between layers of bricks. These bricks get hot and retain the heat which they then release during the hours when the electricity is turned off. They store heat not electricity OK?
Don?t believe him Wenchy ? he is trying to embarrass you!  noooo:

They have great big Duracell batteries in them.  happy088


Unlike some I have never lied to Wenchy.
A liar, moi?  eeek:
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Snoopy on September 11, 2007, 02:13:23 PM
Quote
A Simple Guide to Electric Storage Heating

Storage Heaters     |     Boilers     |     Electric Underfloor     |     Heat Pumps

There are three main types of electric storage heating, all of which rely on using cheap off-peak electricity to store heat in an insulated container of water or bricks. This stored heat can then be gradually released into a home during the day. Dry storage heating systems tend to be less responsive than central heating systems with a boiler and radiators, and all electric systems have a reputation for being relatively expensive to run. Cost should not be a major issue for homes that are well insulated, although - as with all systems - care needs to be taken on how to use them most effectively.

A fourth type of system uses a Ground Source Heat Pump, where heat from the sun is naturally stored in the ground surrounding a building, and electricity is used to pump this heat into the property.

Taken from the National Energy Web Site at: http://www.nef.org.uk/energyadvice/storageheating.htm
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Barman on September 11, 2007, 02:17:28 PM
Quote
A Simple Guide to Electric Storage Heating

Storage Heaters     |     Boilers     |     Electric Underfloor     |     Heat Pumps

There are three main types of electric storage heating, all of which rely on using cheap off-peak electricity to store heat in an insulated container of water or bricks. This stored heat can then be gradually released into a home during the day. Dry storage heating systems tend to be less responsive than central heating systems with a boiler and radiators, and all electric systems have a reputation for being relatively expensive to run. Cost should not be a major issue for homes that are well insulated, although - as with all systems - care needs to be taken on how to use them most effectively.

A fourth type of system uses a Ground Source Heat Pump, where heat from the sun is naturally stored in the ground surrounding a building, and electricity is used to pump this heat into the property.

Taken from the National Energy Web Site at: http://www.nef.org.uk/energyadvice/storageheating.htm
Oh but they would say that wouldn't they?  ::)
Title: Re: The "Why?" thread.
Post by: Bar Wench on September 11, 2007, 02:40:19 PM
Ahhhhh.

Everyone lies to me.  sad24: