... Scarlet, and Crimson with rage.  A point has broken, so must be dug out thus destroying all the track leading from it, then replaced and ballasted again.  I tried to fix it by soldering a 'jump lead' to the following rail, but did the wrong rail (should have been the inner), and cut the wire too short to move it to the correct one.  My, how I laughed on realising.

There is plenty of 'real life' going on around me to keep this problem in perspective, but why ballast its replacement when it could happen again?  Dazzled by the scenery on the D.E.M.U. 'Show-case' layouts, I realise my 'modelling clay ballast' looks rubbish anyway, needing 'texture' however fine.  Struggling to see 'opportunities' from this shambles, compared to other layouts there is space to add a 'tram-way' siding down the middle and stage a few more wagons to give the atmosphere of Mr Kevin Lane's 1980 'Guildford Shunt', with the hard-standing up to rail level made from cork sheet.

If I can get some over-time to pay for the replacement permanent way I might have something to report after Christmas.  Now I am off to make the first strawberry jam of the season and try and forget.  Meanwhile, have a look at @Alcanman 's masterpieces 'Craiglang', completed in just two months, or 'Springburn Yard' as examples of how to do things properly...