I feel this entry might be slightly disjointed. It is potentially a huge subject and it is a case of not knowing where best to start. I did think of using the title “What’s black and white and read all over?”

Hornby Scenics Medium Black and Medium Light Grey gravels mixed + Maroon (not Red) Morris Minor Traveller

Ballasting all the visible trackwork with Blue Poppy Seeds is becoming just a distant memory and it is time to stop making excuses and get on with some more scenery.

Hornby Scenics Fine Grey gravel with a sprinkling of Gaugemaster Coal

I did make a start with the coal yard and found that I could make an acceptable surfacing by mixing Scenics fine gravel with wall paper paste spread using a stainless steel spatula.

I used the same technique for the road over bridge

The hardboard lift out section of road was surfaced with mix of Scenics fine grey gravel mixed into a paste with wall paper adhesive and trowelled into place with a spatula.

Good – wall paper paste plus fine gravel was the way forward. However what gravel to use? The Blue Poppy Seeds used for ballast have a natural variability and I wanted to use a scatter material at the sides of the track with a similar variability. I also wanted a material that could be easily replicated. The layout is quite sizable. Whilst I would expect differences in perhaps colour along the way I wanted the overall appearance to be generally similar. Hornby Scenics seemed to offer a solution – they are readily available (at a price) and appear relatively consistent in size and colour.

What if I tried some of the medium gravels and say mixed the colours? Well I think we have seen the answer at the top of this Blog – far too coarse and loud. Another approach was needed.

I remember reading somewhere – probably here on RMweb that all the materials that you need are in and around the house.

So a solution – almost unlimited quantities for free! More details next week then