I have had a couple of messages from some friends and contacts asking why I 'have been sat on my arse instead of updating my layout...'

So a few lines to update these souls desperate for my failures and misadventure....

My layout is, as of right now, none existent. Or more precisely, stores up against the wall of the living room.

This is simply because we are in the process of house hunting, as (thank god) I have found a new job, (or more specifically, applied for and got the job I did 10 years ago, in the same place. Some people have suggested this is a step backward, but [a] I really enjoyed working there, and [ b] there are zero jobs for someone of my background locally)

However, my new job is approx 100 miles away, so we need a new home back in Sheffield, and the entire current home is upside down as we start the process of pre-packing, and my layout was one of the first casualties.

On the plus side though, it does mean as it's no longer fastened against the wall, I can lay it out when the missus goes to her mums for a fortnight to ballast the rear sections of the track

Although...house hunting has caused slight conflict, in that my criteria for moving has included either a cellar, spare room or large garden shed space for the sole purpose of my layout. Apparently I'm not being helpful......

In other news, next weekend (12/13 May) is the annual Cleethorpes Model Railway show, which always has some nice displays, and serious bargain hunting. Now if only I can find some money to hunt with......hope to see some of you there, it's a great day out, and only 3.50 entry. (Try the chocolate cake, I know the women who makes it and it's worth the day out just for that )