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I spent the evening at the MDMRC clubroom, talking with the club members and listening to whats going on. (Thanks for the Tea!) I think its fair to say that they are all completely astonished by the response to the events of the weekend. The members seemed to be in good spirits, and the messages, support and pledges have left everyone feeling very emotional, but the St. Neots club, the owner of the other damaged layout and Paul from P&D Marsh were certainly at the forefront of their minds and of the conversation, the concern for them being palpable. Peter addressed the members describing the events of the Saturday and of the subsequent response. He and the club as a whole expressed a great deal of gratitude to the staff and students of the Welland Academy, who have been extremely helpful and supportive as well as being absolutely distraught and disgusted that something like this could have occurred in their school, and to the Police, who have been incredibly understanding, and who are treating the incident very seriously. It is far too early for plans to emerge with respect to the donations. There are several ideas, but the club first need to take stock and arrange their working group. The plans will be communicated by the club in good time. What is apparent is the considerable weight of responsibility that these donations has placed upon the club, and it is clear that the sums involved are almost reaching a point of embarrassment, with the genuine concerns regarding how to distribute the funds and donated items without negative repercussion. My view remains unchanged, the donations have been made to the club for the club and for those affected. In a week (or less), the media circus will have moved on, and the club will be left with a legacy that perhaps wont be subject to quite as much scrutiny as feared. My experience of the MDMRC are that they are a tremendously generous organisation, but there should be no shame attached to spending a good sum of this money on the club and its activities, and I hope that they don't forget themselves when helping everyone else. I think a lot of good will come of this in the end - the story has touched a lot of people and the response shows that innocent hobbies like ours are deeply ingrained in the national psyche. Peter and some of the others still have interviews over the course of the week, and I believe that "The One Show" will be filming a feature on Friday, so the circus will keep rolling for a few days yet. Though frankly I'm surprised Peter is still able to talk! I hope he gets a well deserved break soon.

It's been a difficult weekend since getting home from Manchester on Saturday, Mum took a turn for the worst late on Saturday, and having sat beside her for most of Saturday night and all day Sunday / Monday morning, she eventually lost the fight at 2am Monday morning, going peacefully in her sleep. Yesterday after a little sleep myself, I managed to get almost everything sorted with the relevant people etc. I have a meeting tomorrow with the Funeral Directors, but Mum being Mum, it's all sorted and paid for, with just some final arrangements to put in place. You will understand that I am less bubbly than normal at the moment, but PLEASE, no actual post regarding this on here, as all I wanted to do was to explain why I will no longer be saying; after visiting Mum this morning, etc. Today I'm being taken out for the day, on the wife's instructions to have a break from paperwork and phone calls etc. David / Jintyman is bring down my now completed 47, and then we are off to Paul Chetter's / Pualiebanger, for a Royal Visit. Thank you in advance for all your support.

Good morning one and all By one of those mysterious processes, there is a pile of ironing that needs doing. My lack of enthusiasm for the task will be evident. Some gardening remains. There I may derive some fiendish pleasure by ripping out the last of the nettles, or what will be the last until the wretched things start growing again - usually as soon as my back is turned. Yesterday I made some modest preparations for a bout of m*d*ll*ng by purchasing two clear plastic boxes into which the components for the next project have been placed ready for the great day when I actually do something with them. It is no secret that the issue is one of confidence. As regards day to day confidence, my counsellor was extremely helpful and effective but even she had no luck with the m*d*ll*ng side. The solution is not obvious. Yesterday was aso one of those days when the frustrations of general practice became evident. For the third time I tried to book an appointment for my next hormone injection, the cornerstone of my cancer treatment. This time my attempt was succesful. I have the jabs every twelve weeks but let it not be thought that the surgery has the interests of the patients uppermost. Where I used to be able to book the repeat appointment on the day, the necessary bit of the system is now not opened up until much nearer the date desired, in this case not quite six weeks. The reason I was given this time is that there are more and more patients seeking appointments. I'm not sure I follow the logic. The practice with which I am registered is one of three in a group. Rather than a walk of little more than five minutes to get my jab, I must now get the car out and drive across town to the branch surgery, where at least there is somewhere to park. My appointment is too early - 9.20 am - to use my bus pass. When the nurse was based at the local surgery I could have had my jab and been out of there by just after 8 am. Let us see what happens next time I need to see a doctor. I half expect to be told that I should have put my name down at birth. Eton it ain't. Best wishes to all Chris

Another set of everyday trains at Radcliffe on Trent and Rectory Junction for this afternoon. Radcliffe on Trent 2 Class 20s down freight May 80 J6948.jpg Radcliffe on Trent Class 114 Nottingham to Skegness Jan 78 J5912.jpg Radcliffe on Trent Class 114 Boston to Nottingham working wrong line March 80 J6817.jpg Radcliffe on Trent Class 25 down parcels April 80 J6824.jpg Rectory Junction 47380 oil April 80 J6832.jpg David

Well, that looks a bit like a Fletcher cab, still needs a bit of fettling though. Buffer beam, drag beam, valances and buffers added to the footplate.

A lovely day in mainly sunny North Lincs, and the natives were friendly. Unfortunately we were without a duck, but the time flew by nevertheless. I also realised that the plan Clive used as the basis of Sheffield Exchange is one I had considered myself many years back. Lots of potential there, and I look forward to seeing the layout develop further. I decided on a different route home, to avoid the Lincoln and Newark by pass logjams, but it turned out to be so much longer that I saved no time at all. I never learn, and am now fatigued once again. Oh yes, PN happenings. We are back from pulllman to prosaic, and events witnessed from the Midland lines. Another Ivatt 4 is seen at the very beginning of the long journey to Yarmouth. and yet another WD on its way to Ferme Park.

Are you trying to make me cry? It will do nothing for my image you know...

Someone has moved the trolleys on Platform 2 further up, so our man now has a new vantage point, which he tested out on the approaching WD. I'll get another porter to come and sweep the platform. The glued down bloke is useless. Off went the WD to the safety of the slow line, leaving Grantham A3 Victor Wild free to roll through with the 9.47 Newcastle relief. Time for shopping, which is back on the correct day of the week, and then golf, on a gorgeous day.

Morning All, I didn't manage to drop in yesterday - Thomas went off on a school trip sailing in the Netherlands and the coach left the school at 04:00 yesterday morning. So we got up at 02:45 and I dropped him off at the school. In light of that, I decided to take the day off and did a few jobs around the house including finishing off my new baseboard. It is absolutely chucking it down this morning! Once again, we need the rain but it is certainly not a nice morning to be outside! Have a good day everyone...

Good evening everyone Well the day didn’t quite go to plan, I loaded up the car, even adding an extra bag of rubble which I collected from the garden. I then set off for the tip, only to find that it was temporarily closed whilst a full skips were collected and new empty ones dropped off. I was told to return in about 20 minutes, however, across the road there is a lay-by, so I parked up there and decided to wait where I could see the gates. That turned out to be a good move, because I only had to wait 10 minutes until the skip wagon pulled out and they opened the gates. So I set off and joined the queue and only waited a couple of minutes before there was a space. Then it was off to top up the fuel tank, that’s when I hit the heavy traffic and lots of road works, this delayed me by about 30 minutes. Once the tank was topped up, it was off to pick up the waterproofing solution, which happily turned out to be an uneventful occurrence. But by now it was getting late, so I decided to go straight home and make myself a muggertea, leaving the big orange DIY shed for another day. By the time I’d finished my tea it wasn’t worth doing much else before dinner, so I read the instructions for applying the waterproofing solution. I’ve now decided to start that job on Wednesday when I’ll have all day to get stuck in. So the afternoon was spent tidying up, taking a few measurements and generally just pottering about. After tea I sat down for about half an hour before heading of to the Quays. The water temp today was up again to 15.8C, quite a significant rise since last week! As the water is warming up my times are getting quicker, this week I spent just over 46 minutes in the water, completing 3 laps. Once home, I hung up my wetsuit to dry and then poured myself a bottle of Guinness Pale Ale, which really hit the spot. Goodnight all.

I find it strange that although I now have much more time to do things on the DIY front I actually get less done than when I was at work. I can only surmise that this is because now it is so easy to say "That'll wait until tomorrow" and I pour myself another pint! Thirty odd years ago when we moved into this house our next door neighbour was a lovely old guy named George. I can remember coming home from work and looking over the garden fence in the summer and George would be sitting in a deckchair, pint in one hand and cigar in the other. "What are you doing George?" says I. "Gardening boy, just gardening" was the reply. I like to think I have learnt from him.

Just heard on Tim Lihoreau's programme on Classic FM that Rod Stewart is his "person of the day" for his very generous contribution. It's heartening to hear this. A classical music programme, a rock star and a model railway club all in the one sentence.

Afternoon from a sunny Surrey. Bern busy fitting insulation to the walls inside the shed. Over half way doing do. Roof sheeting also ordered but still can't make my kind up on the exterior wall cladding material. Treated timber decking is cheapest but many say I should be using shiplap to keep the rain out but a friend has used timber decking and his shed is fine after some years plus decking is treated. I would lije to use recycled composite material but it's dearer than what I am looking at. Been to see bank as they reckon they could do home insurance a lot cheaper and it dies look that way so if I do decide to change then that will be a £400 saving each year but they could not come up with a better way to make more from my savings than I am currently doing. Time for beer before meeting my other half at the station then more beer.

Good morning everyone Once again the sun is shining and the sky is blue, but there are a lot of grey clouds that keep obscuring the sun. Breakfast and muggertea No1 consumed and after I’ve given the school run a few minutes to subside I’ll set off to complete the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix. One of the items on the top of the list is beer, as my stocks are getting a bit TOO low for my liking. Once home, I’ll have a tinker about with the railway plan, as I’ve had a couple of ideas for a few modifications. After dinner I will be making red velvet cakes for tomorrow nights tea, we should have had James and Amelia round for tea tonight, but he’s had to cancel due to a doctors appointment, so that been re arranged for next Tuesday, after that there’s nothing else planned. Im in full agreement about how I fitted in work before I retired, but I think I now take my time more, as I don’t have to rush to get stuff done like I used to. Enjoy the day, back later

Muggertea 1 downed and ERs digested. Compare to the tales above, my yesterday was nothing. I spent a while rigging solar powered lights around our patio, erecting more trellis (although I slipped and crushed one or two of HRH’s apparently favourite plants). Lunch passed with ???, must be a diet! Afternoon was spent erecting daughter’s new gazebo - bl@@dy hell, big, complex and flimsy. To give you an idea, it covers an area bigger than my model railway and could easily accommodate a family of five - perhaps she is considering ejecting her kids? Today will see further erecting as there is a structural roof to complete, a stroll to see our visiting fishmonger and even a trip out to take No1 grandchild to his golf lesson. Tomorrow I plan to cut grass at our previous residence whilst SWMBO does much conversing with her hairdresser and daughter who is also being re-barnetted concurrently - think Sybil from Faulty Towers . Must also “flash up” the two-wheeled steed as it needs a new certificate of roadworthiness, as does my normal chariot, which is booked in for a Thursday. Clearly I shall need a little rest before Stoke Mandeville on a Saturday. How in heaven did I ever find time to work?

Bus on a bridge? Old hat!

Ey up! Off to create havoc..no to umpire a match in Masham today. It is an Over 60s game so should be nice. Bit of gardening completed yesterday along with a tiny bit of muddling. Seemed like the world was fighting back at me so I had a bit of eyelid inspection time. That sorted the world out so I managed a bit of a paperwork tidy up. Enjoy whatever you do today, and hoping all who ail have a good day. Baz

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, A much better nights sleep, 5 hours solid followed by three hours of: wake up find a more comfortable position, sleep for half and hour wake up etc Yesterdays work went well, and I left the equipment runnning something automatic, which will also keep it happy for two hours this morning once I've moved a switch.. I collected a new lawn mower battery on the way home and realised I hadn't run the motorbike for a while and it's MOT is due, It tried to start but insufficient charge, but it did start 2 hours later after running the charger. So when I get the chance.. eerrr next week some time, I'll have to drop in and book the MOT, for the following week with a Saturday pick up. It will get more charging tonight. unfortunately the garage has no power for a while, once I get the new workshop area organised and wiring fitted, then power will be restored. I'll also look at putting a link across to the new tin shed to allow a trickle charger for the lawn mower.. After work.... today go home look after dog, Wednesday, go home via car window replacement place. Thursday go home Via big orange Shed, Friday be home prompt, as I have to Go to the MRC to prepare layout for the weekend open day. Saturday prepare and load up layout at home then go to MRC pick up the rest of it, later take layout to hall. Sunday.. Open day. Monday bank holiday, which may include a trip to the MRC to put things back and I suspect SWMBO will want to go shopping somewhere. Tuesday back to look after dog, Wednesday BOOK MOT!! Thursday no plans yet, Friday go to sailing club, pick up equipment for the 3 Rivers Race and briefing, Saturday -Sunday 3 Rivers Race awake for 36 hours...!!!. Monday a day of rest Yippee.. Time to... go turn that switch...

Good morning all, A sunny start here and a fine day is expected. Day 2 of window replacements should see the ex railway room being done (unless they change their minds again) along with the back bedroom and/or the bathroom. Apparently some new curtains are needed so me and my measuring device are required. I believe that the only reason I am being involved is that if they are wrong blame can be apportioned to the correct department. i.e. ME! Have a good one, W.H. Ippingboy.

(The reply editor is still suggesting text from about Easter.) This is one of our national holidays -- Queen Victoria's Birthday or nearest preceding Monday. The 24th of May is the Queen's birthday and if you don't give us a holiday We'll all run away. It is a very useful holiday as it marks what should be safe gardening weather for the summer. It has been retained as the current monarch's official Canadian birthday. Next Friday would be Victoria's 200th birthday -- I've only seen one small mention of that. No fireworks tonight, but there were some behind us last night -- not visible but audible. We went to see a play of The Neverending Story today. Neither of us has read the book, although I've seen it in stores. Interesting presentation (second preview, so I shouldn't say anything about it) using a lot of puppets.

Well the G word duly took its place but having erected a tit box (stop sniggering - it came from the RSPB) I was then tasked to erect an insect box which provides a suitable home for bees of the non-honey kind. Her ladyship's tool shed was the chosen spot but this involved considerable jungle clearance because she wanted the area around it dealt with before the bees or whoever take up residence. So the G word very definitely became the J word accompanied by the B word as those blackberry thorns can't 'alf scratch and some red liquid (only a smidgeon) appeared on my arm to confirm that. So two bonfire piles later I finally got round to mounting the insect box in the appointed place, which turned out to be not exactly suitable so I'll probably have to move it later in the week.

One of those days. Most of this morning was taken up dealing with Dad's car accident of yesterday, due mainly to getting handed round from pillar to post by insurance idiots people and waiting for 'the agent you need to speak to who is on another line at the moment' to ring. Then after passing all the details to one agent being passed on to another one from a different department and having to repeat the whole process. "Surely," says I, "Your colleague who just asked all these questions will be able to give you the answers?" to which the reply is, "I'm sorry sir but since you are dealing with the claim on your father's behalf I have to go through it again." It seemed simpler just to go along with it rather than waste more time trying to introduce logic. Then we were told that one of our friends is under investigation for the Big C and has had to cancel a lunch date she was organising for us and some others as she will be undergoing some rather invasive investigations that day. And following his accident Dad has decided not only that it will be wise for him to stop driving but also to move from his house into some sheltered accommodation which, whilst being something SWMBO and I have thought for some time would be a good idea, is going to involve us in a lot of work starting tomorrow or Wednesday. There was a bright spot, though, when I managed to take myself off to the workshop this evening and get some baseboard building done, which leaves only about a couple of hours work (and a fair amount of clearing up) before I can get some Templot patterns sorted out and start laying parallel metal strips. And on that bright note, have a good night one and all. Dave

One to go with the tie and bobble hat...….

retiring meant I had more time for modelling umpiring... and boy there is a lot of umpiring to do! Baz

Plan for today: finish Mugocoffee; wait for garage to call and arrange to pick up Dad's car; visit estate agent to see what is available ( if anything) at the local sheltered housing complex; finish constructing baseboards; start cleaning up workshop, which is covered at all levels in sawdust and shavings. Amendment to plan: garage has just called to say that, contrary to what insurance idiots people told me yesterday, that I will have to take car in to them for assessment but the earliest that can happen is 10th of June! Then there may be a further substantial delay before they can book it in to be fixed! I saw red and was about to start trying to get something sorted out more quickly but SWMBO has pointed out that since Dad has decided to give up driving it really doesn't matter and I can save myself some aggro and heartbeats by just accepting things as they stand. She has a point, of course, but I'm still annoyed that the insurance pillocks people basically either lied or are so incompetent that they don't know what goes on in their own system - maybe both. Amended plan now is: finish baseboards; visit estate agent; arrange appointment with solicitor re selling Dad's house etc.; start workshop cleanup. l love it when a plan comes together. Maybe one of these days it will happen. Have a good day all and thoughts for those who are less fortunate. Dave

Chewsday. Nothing to report from Moanday, there you have it! Today will likely be a repeat of yesterday, exception, it's the one day the Mrs works, so I'm on my own to scavenge for lunch in the fridge. 9 this AM, expecting 16 for a high and rain off-an-on all day, though it's been dry so far. Carry on.

Q, I thought that was your stomach rumbling what with there being no pie van or sandwich deliverer!

I've seen many a cricketer who didn't think running was for them; an idle afternoon's fielding in the slips, dropping or missing the ball if the batsman was good enough to edge it, taking the p*ss out of said batsman and various teammates, a hearty tea, and then a few attempts to hit the ball when batting, which if they connected, tended to go well over cow corner. All followed by a few pints in the local. There's a lot to be said for it.

Whilst trolling through the hundreds of pictures I taken looking for a particular one I came across a picture I took back in March 2017. At the time this represented the entire motive fleet for Little Muddle, and that had been increased by one with the addition of the brand new Hattons 48xx!!!! Here is a reminder Well, since things have moved on a pace so I thought it would informative if I updated that picture. So with Ken hanging out the side of the Squadron Leaders RE8 here is the latest version hot of the press.... How all these loco's crammed into Little Muddle must have been a nightmare for the Station Master to deal with.... Don't look to closely but the fireman on 2322 has lost the working end of his shovel, I knocked it off getting loco out of storage....

Got home after 3 weeks in hospital for a bone-marrow stem-cell transplant, with most of it in isolation as an anti-infection procedure. Feeling better than I have for months, although the procedure has left me somewhat weak, for now, but things will improve or so I'm told. Progress will be under close scrutiny. Life is good.

Morni g just, from a snowy Cheyenne. 6" of the white stuff overnight but the world has not ground to a halt. Trains are running past at regular intervals and UPS have delivered the new UPS and other gizmos for the hotel wifi and we are in touch with the world again from our room. Washing and drying has been done and 16 loco nu bers were collected whilst waiting for machines to finish. We are now trying to sort out our baggage allowances for the flight home. We got free fkights to Paris from Denver with American Airlines points. They have bomed us on BA via thiefrow on a 747 and a airbus 319. No one can tell us what our allowance is. The phones are still out so I can't even have fun talking to a customer service agent. Anyway it' getting near lunchtime so we will no dou t be walki g over to the diner next door. By the way another 8" of white stuff is expected tonight. Jamie

Disaster... The pie van is on holiday, and the sandwich deliverer has failed to turn up. There will be many hungry in here by dinner time.. Plans for this weeks further work have just gone out the window as both service and production want to extend the cal on their systems. Leaving me with not a lot major to do for the rest of the week. I've an hour left on the current system. Then it's time to start looking for minor stuff.

Morning all. It is sunny here, nice blue sky and supposed to be getting warmer soon. Aditi is hoping to schedule some sitting in the garden instead of gardening in the garden later today. Yesterday was sorting out travel arrangements for Aditi’s Californian uncle. He had told us all he would be coming in July to see MiL. So he has announced he is coming in August, staying for 5 days and flying to Amsterdam to join a cruise with his wife and in-laws. I have been asked for advice. I have given my advice. It does involve us getting up very early one morning and taking Uncle to Southend if he accepts it but we shall see. I have been given the job of listening for the postman this morning. Aditi has a “parcel out for delivery”. She wants to put some devices in the pear trees to trap codling moths. Our pears are very nice but require cutting open to avoid the meaty bits. Tony

If it's anything like round here, there will be plenty of properties available in sheltered housing. And yet they keep building more. Count your fingers when you come out. The terms and conditions for most of these properties are draconian. We were lucky to find one for my Dad to rent as the owners could not sell. Maybe worth having an informal chat with the warden/manager first rather than an estate agent.

https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/05/20/sandys-chemo-day-146-of-147/

Evening. No snow in Fraggle Rock, its a nice sunny day, where things basically went to plan - most unusual. I'll pay later no doubt. O Gauge track on its way. Some points also here.....big, aren't they!

Morning(just), been a busy old morning, SWMBO at the docs first then collect eggs from farmer on the way back, then garden bits and bobs before it started raining again. This retirement job doing thing is under discussion on a "G" word forum I moderate on, "Manyana" effect, putting off things not urgent, I pointed out that Ive been doing that all my life lol...…………………….

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Breakfast has been had and tea drunk, not a lot else to be reported. Dave, check out the Hanover Trust*. They provide sheltered housing from warden controlled independent housing to care homes. My grandfather spent his final years in one of their warden controlled apartments. I have put my name down with them for when the time comes when/if I can no longer live independently. *Other similar organisations are available.

Why? Who are we to call for a stop? Why would you want their funds through this appeal to be limited? There's nothing for the club to be embarrassed about so I really don't think it is for us, or anyone else, to put the club under any pressure to stop the money coming in. Let's leave the management of the appeal to those who launched it.

Evening all. Survived the annual visit to Chelsea Flower Show member's day. 9 hours of teeming throngs of asshats people. I swear it gets more crowded every year despite the tickets selling out ever faster. Still, my 14th time and it is really a pretty grand day out. Bank account relatively undamaged, so that is a good thing. Tomorrow my knee gets to spend the day recovering, then 4 days in Brussels is on the agenda. That's about it from here. Enjoy the evening.

This in the Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7052557/Police-arrest-four-teenage-boys-model-railway-wrecking-spree.html " Four boys - one aged 16, three aged 15 - have been arrested and bailed over the model railway vandalism Well-wishers have donated more than £80,000 to Market Deeping Model Railway Club in two days Sir Rod Stewart has donated £10,000 and said he 'feels the club's pain' while fellow enthusiast Pete Waterman has also donated and said members' had 'lost their life's work' and would be 'heartbroken' by damage Mr [Pete] Waterman said he had donated to the club's appeal, although declined to say how much. He added he would invite them to have a prominent role at the Warley Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC Arena in Birmingham that he is president of, set to take place in November." Nice long article, very understanding to the situation and the people involved; exhibitors, shops, lives and to the hobby.

rumble rumble rumble... rumble rumble rumble.... rumble rumble rumble.... Yes the new AC in the outer lab is being commissioned... we have cold air coming out of Donald Trumps Nappy... I suppose that's better than the hot air that normally comes out of the other end... Meanwhile I have a resistor to cal, this one's from Saudi is it warming up or cooling down?

I remember the happy days when I had my annual cheakup and flu jab and booked the next one on the way out, nowadays they can only book about 5 weeks ahead. Progress or what! Mornin awl

Gareth’s contribution (Trains4U) is very uplifting. Well said, Sir! Embarrassment is a reasonable response to so much money, but it is not a penny too much. I wish them well in recompensing those who suffered losses, and then taking and making something memorable for themselves. Stressful events of this unprecedented order deserve to be rewarded.

Evewning all, Well we had a most interesting day in east Londo conducted by a friend who had arranged a little tour for us but had not let one what we would be seeing where. Thus the first stop at Shadwell was wholly mysterious until we arrived at Sidney street - to not only confirm that the siege is well and truly over but that the entire street has been very unrecognisably redeveloped; Tower Hamlets Council have very appropriately named a block of community housing flats 'Peter House'. Our second trip on the FLTR took us into the Isle of Dogs where a most excellent pub lunch was enjoyed at a real, genuine survivor from the past, pub complete with original local folk still using it. We then rejoined the DLR to proceed to Bow Church and hear teh history of the Bryant's match factory girls and thehpossible origin of the word 'strike' in the context of the withdrawal of labour. then off back to our friend's house in Northfields for a cuppa and home via Paddington All in all a good and interesting day out.

Many thanks to Joseph and Phil for the advice concerning getting my Dad into sheltered accommodation. There isn't any Hanover Trust property close enough to us but there is a flat available for sale in a nice little development in the centre of town that is recommended by some friends of ours whose mother/MiL lived there. I took Dad to see it today and he liked it so he put in an offer that has been accepted. Obviously I'll get the agreement with the operators vetted by my solicitor before letting him go ahead and have an appointment to start that particular ball rolling on Friday. I have power of attorney for Dad and he wants me to take care of all the procedures for buying, selling, moving, selling the surplus furniture from his present house etc. as well as selling his car once it is repaired and getting a mobility scooter so it looks as though the next few months will be interesting for me, in the sense of the Chinese saying 'may you live in interesting times'. However, I did find the time to finish my baseboards today and hope that once the dust has settled to be able to start making some track. There's also a week on Fraggle Rock with SWMBO in August for our golden anniversary to look forward to so hey, ho on we go. I think that a small libation of Scottish distilled water is in order. Have a peaceful night all. Thoughts and prayers for those with troubles. Dave

Ah, fourfought and planning - good man!

You flew so quickly that you arrived before you departed. Crab Air time management is second to none!

I wonder about that too and sometimes think I must have just imagined it as there can't have been enough time! Dave

It's the worst fear I have as someone who exhibits, some ways worse than theft as that may be recoverable without items being damaged. Its definitely gotten the attention of modellers around the world and I know I'll be even more vigilant than I already thought I was about what I leave at a venue overnight. Sad that it comes to this, but also good to hear Trains4U's post that the club members are already working hard to figure out how to make good come from this. I made a small donation as much as a Pay it Forward type gesture to make sure those affected who lost their models know that the rest of us in the community worldwide care and are aware of their suffering. A far greater loss would be if people quit our fabulous hobby because of an event like this. Model Trains are a way to bring people young and old together, seeing such senseless vandalism just makes me sad. All my best to the members of the MDMRC and all exhibitors who were impacted by this weekends events. Cheers, Stephen Gardiner Toronto, ON, Canada