But First : Hip Hip (???) Hooray
A phone call from Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital yesterday afternoon invited Mrs fbb to two pre-op appointments today prior to reporting at 0730 on Friday for the operation. There are a few hurdles to overcome if she doesn't pass all the tests, but God willing the carpentry will be done sometime on Friday. Above is the famous "Exeter Hip" which will be installed! Looks terrifying!
It is not yet clear how this will affect the old man's domestic and blogging availability BUT mini-blogs may be necessary until things happen or have happened or continue to happen.
Further bulletins will be posted on the fbb mansions gates as necessary. 
Well, they won't; but fbb will let his loyal readers know how things progress.
More About Rebuilds
The former "carriage roads" and their associated buildings were swept away in the 1980s rebuild. The Great Eastern Hotel and the rest of the Liverpool Street frontages remained intact.
A new entrance in "sympathetic style" is provided, again on Liverpool Street.
A similar style of entry is also provided on to Bishopsgate, round the corner. Both entrances lead to a mezzanine walkway ...
... with steps, lifts and escalators down to the concourse level.
Unlike on the unrebuilt station all the platforms form a neat in-line line (with the slight exception of 17 which is set back a tad) ...
... entrance walkway left, gate line right.
Cross the road from the Liverpool Street entrance and there is the rather mundane building for the Metropolitan line station, also serving Circle and Hammersmith and City services.
The Met line was built on the "cut and cover" principle and wherever possible they did not cover. That is because trains were steam hauled and it was desirous that the smoke should escape to avoid asphyxiating the cash customers!
The station had a siding for parking a spare loco ...
...and a proper signalbox.
The signalbox is still there, but out of use.
As built, the station had an iron and glass overall roof similar to others on the line ...
... but once steam gave way to electric there was money to be made.
fbb will reveal how in tomorrow's blog.
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They certainly weren't expecting it!
On that same day two of Jesus' followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him. Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?”
They stood still, with sad faces. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have been happening there these last few days?”
Then Cleopas and his chum recounted the events of the crucifixion and their anguish at the empty tomb!
Then Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, how slow you are to believe everything the prophets said! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?” And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets.
Still they didn't twig! Jesus (a k a "The Stranger") joined them for supper at Clepas' pad. As was traditional they asked the guest to break the bread and give thanks for the meal.
He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. They said to each other, “Wasn't it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
THEN they twigged!
(From Luke's Gospel Chapter 24)
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Next Liverpool Street Mini-blog : Thurs 21 Apr
Good news for Mrs fbb!
ReplyDeleteWhen I had one of mine replaced 5 years ago, I was up and about, walking on crutches on the 4th day, and have not looked back.
I hope all goes well.