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02 heading purposefully towards Ferme Park, while A3 Enterprise is about to restart the Hull. and here's how things looked just a little while later.

Would love to do the beer fest but just didn't tie up with our plans. Yes many brewers are doing sour beers at the moment. I am ok with most but my other half isn't. I think I am OK missing the naked bike ride. Glad to not be missing the trains

Evening Graeme, You are well informed. I was told several days in advance that Thomas had been 'lamped', I rather wondered what that entailed. The evidence is below. Cheers, John

Chicken pie for dinner tonight - home made by herself and very good it was too although the broad beans she'd got at Tesco were not the best examples of their genre (but palatable enough although only the Good Doctor and I eat them in this house). The rainstopped late on this afternoon, more is promised for tomorrow. G'night all

The healthcare clinic called to set up an MRI for my dodgy knee. The nice lady apologized because it was a bit "far out". I thought she was going to say something like September but it turned out to be the first of August. Mind you it might take a while before I can see the tree knee surgeon.

Two locations in the north east today. A few more photos of Monkton cokeworks and around Seaham. Monkton coke plant 08808 and 03099 Aug 85 J8373.jpg Monkton coke plant 08808 and 03099 Aug 85 J8374.jpg Monkton coke plant 08808Aug 85 J8375.jpg Seaham 17th April 87 C8304 Long disused track at the harbour Seaham 17th April 87 C8305 Seaham railway to harbour 17th April 87 C8306 David

Evening all, First and foremost Happy Birthday to Baz, defacto keeper of the British Umpire Medal. And with thanks for the numerous messages elsewhere in support of events, and indeed non-events, Upon the Hill. Next it is necessary to record the fact that after a good two day's worth of blue air and torn hair that this is the first post to this or any other topic from the New Computer. Migrating Mac to Mac is alleged to be a simple process. It is not. It takes many hours, many instances of being driven round in circles and a large number of contrary instructions and pieces of allegedly good advice. 25-digit access "keys" that then required a password reset which in turn required a pass-code on my mobile which simply doesn't exist (because I don't use one) and that in turn required seeking a workaround which - you guessed it - required a password reset which required a passcode on the mobile ......... As of tonight I have some access to the intertubes though not to all my mailboxes. Some of those are set up by third parties for specific uses and in turn have to have access reset by those parties who are, of course, sending me messages I cannot access because I am waiting to hear from them ...... After six hours of struggling to comprehend what the heck Apple has been up to I finally have my music library working again though fail to understand why random tracks will not play because they are not authorised. I mean random tracks within a single album rather than a distinction between uploaded and downloaded. I have had to split the account into two Apple IDs in order to get things to work which will no doubt cause more problems down the track. The antisocial media sites seem to be working. I haven't tested any plug-in drives yet. SWMBO asked me during yesterday evening whether I would mind terribly if she spent the next several days in Penzance. A very last-minute thing and done to maximise use of her unexpected two weeks of now-annual-was-sick leave. Penzance? Mind? Do popes ...... in the woods? Are bears catholic? She deserves a break after all she has been through - and continues to go through in many ways - and departed this morning with my blessings. She is due back after a few nights there and a couple in Bath later next week. It's boys-own weekend again. Me, the cat, a rather decent bottle or four of Red Laughing Water and a quite good pizza delivered spot on time. I might have to visit Ford tomorrow if I get up in time on the grounds that Camborne is too far away and the Good Gentlemen of Sussex sell a number of items the Cornish Team doesn't. A good night to all from a Very Damp Hill. For two days I have been forcibly em-moistened in the name of duty and am finally dry. Outside at least.

Around this time the flow of coal to London really gets going, this 02 hauled train being one of the first of the evening and night shift. Not quite into the setting sun, but not far off.

Aditi said people who she had been communicating with by phone or email said they thought she looked different to how they imagined. She wasn’t sure if this was a compliment or not! Tony

Did you at least have the opportunity to wag your finger at her? (Or was a different finger gesture the instinctive one?) I say this having had the opportunity to stare down a woman who launched her vehicle into a pedestrian crossing in front of me as I was crossing the road under a "walk" aspect on the traffic signal. Her reaction, on realizing her neglectfulness as I good-naturedly shook my head and wagged my finger at her, was priceless. It was clear that she would be more careful next time. (Not being damaged by her recklessness, I had the opportunity to be smiling at the time.) As distressing as the lack of pies, pasties and sausage rolls might be, I'm surprised that your enthusiasm for baking has not extended itself to the world of savoury pastries. Perhaps this is the sort of gentle nudge you need to free yourself from a dependency on the butcher (who also appears to be a baker)? (One would not be surprised to find tallow candles in his repertoire as well.)

You were with 81C?

Just in time to catch 5355 passing by with a freight train heading into the West Country.

Morning All I think I have found my soul mate 2 hours on the phone last night she sounds a dream lady here spoken word was making my body tingle . The little lad Zeus went for his jabs yesterday I must phone see if he is alright I was playing with him earlier in he day my daughter will have her hands full with him he's so hyper. looking forward to my date tomorrow and I will be partaking coffee with my prospective soul mate Monday at Costa Coffee how romantic can a man get with the pretty ladies.

Should be nice down Marazion today

Morning all. Having spent part of this morning looking at various weather forecast, like others have reported, I find wild variations particularly between the once reliable Beeb and the Met office. I can understand how market forces work with Supermarkets, broadband * etc. but it seems like they have started to apply this theory to weather forecasting. Our forecast is nicer, please use us. * sorry, Chris.

I think we need a Jealous icon Ian. I've just checked my UP roster. I saw that lead unit at Roseville on 9th January 2010. Anyway good morning (Or whatever it is wherever you are) to all and sundry. We hand Lunder and thightning in the night but no real rain. The local producers of liquid harvest are not happy at the lack of precipitation. A good day was had yesterday, a good lunch and then an afternoon watching steamy things running round a newly laid piece of trackage in good company. In the evening Beth and I went for a walk round the village that resulted in the consumption of a glass of Ricard and 3 glasses of wine at various houses. On our return, Paul, rang and we had a good long conversation with him. Things are looking up. The morning is now a mixture of cloud and sun but the temp is climbing into the 20's. Two jobs are on the list, one is to collet a trailer full of bark chippings from a friends outhouse and the other is to fit a new receiver head to the satellite dish. The latter task will allow us to have a TV working in the pare bedroom. Regards to all. Jamie

At last, someone else who uses the Old English spelling! I had a dodgy knee. The medics wanted to put an endoscope in to find the problem. I also had a shoulder problem for which I was recommended to a chiropractor. He took two X-Rays; one front to back, t'other left to right. The F-B indicated why I had a shoulder problem as the spine took a sudden change of direction about two thirds up. Looking at the L-R, he asked me if I had knee problems. My lower spine is not shaped as the classic 'S' but is flat at its lower end thus giving me knee trouble. I declined the endoscope investigation. In short, modern medicine can be too focused rather than holistic.

Good morning all, It was raining heavily into the small hours . So heavily in fact that it kept the security light on the shed on all the time so at about 1.00am I turned it off. I'll have to adjust the sensitivity. Still dull and dismal and more rain promised here at Aching Knee. Some domestic stuff to do first and then the day is mine own. Have a good one, Bob.

Good morning one and al l I hate having to depend on technology and not getting the service for which I pay through the nose, and read Rick's words with much interest. Yesterday I managed to get a document out at last, right up against the deadline, and can only hope it reached those for whom it was intended. An e-mail from BT got through overnight, telling me that my "new kit" - a router, not a baby beaver - will be with me on Monday. So will an engineer. In theory, then, I will be able to communicate with the outside world using both the electric wires of broadband and Mr Bell's telephone. Optimism? That’s not like you, Chris. What has annoyed me during this saga is the succession of blithe assumptions by BT that the problem has been fixed when it quite clearly has not. There is no substitute for going to see for yourself and the sooner they learn that the better. My broadband went down twice while I was typing this. I refuse to be beaten by electrickery and its evil friends. The good thing about computers and their kin is that when they will not do as they are told you have to use your brain to outwit them. Composition has therefore continued elsewhere. The minor matter of getting the e-mail on my mobile to work will have to wait. It was after all long enough before I noticed that it was kaput so a few more days won’t hurt. Meanwhile there is much else to be done – ironing and gardening being just two – and yesterday I finally got round to putting in claims for PPI refunds. I don’t think I was daft enough to fall for it way back when but nothing venture and all that. Best wishes to all Chris

Only yellow marker paint on the ballast for the turntable

Portland does have an expat, Australian pie maker - Pacific Pie Co in Southeast Portland. I do like their sausage rolls. Sadly I find their meat pie fillings to be too dry - or at least drier than I prefer, and like many pie shops, pie fillings are hit or miss as to what is available when you walk in. To appeal to the locals their standard menu is not that of a "standard" Aussie pie shop menu where you would routinely find steak, steak and bacon, steak and onions, steak and kidney, etc. A curried samosa pastie is really just a samosa with pie/pastie crust.

There's a distinct lack of anything like that around here. We used to be able to get Scottish pies in Kearny NJ (a lot of mill workers from Scotland had emigrated there) but despite the fact that everyone here claims to have at least one Scottish ancestor they've failed to catch on in North Idaho.

Good progress was made today. I did some modelling and Neil soldered a shedload of bus droppers and supplied power to GS and NM, as well as fitting the reversing loop module. First, my bits: A crude engine shed was converted from the Bachmann tin barn by the simple expedient of dremmelling 20mm off the 8 square section brass legs. Maybe somewhat unlikely but it appeals to me. The finished article will have the far side extended down to ground level (with old sleepers) to make a full height wall for workbenches, tools and stores to be piled against. There will also be an awning rigged up outside over the adjacent track under which "tent" the line's mobile crane truck and runner will live. A small bothy will be supplied for the crews to brew tea and eat their sandwiches. I also noticed today that the Hornby resin coaling stage has the footsteps broken off but I have some in the spares box so will replace these at some point. It and the tin shed will be subject to some severe weathering mayhem in due course. Second, a timber trestle bridge. I finally got around to building this. It's my first scratchbuilt model in at least 20 years and I'm moderately happy with how its turning out. For now the leg assemblies are just placed loose under the two longitudinal baulks that support the rails. You can see in the last pic that the nearest assembly is leaning... I need to remove this track piece, shed the Peco sleepers and use some small section timber and chairs (I have a stash in the bits box) to extend the sleepers outwards beyond the ends of the leg main members, otherwise as it is now it looks odd. Neil's wiring work today included installing the Tam Valley reverse loop module for the turning triangle. This is an idiot proof installation: Two wires from the DCC bus to the input terminals and two wires from the output terminals to the ISOLATED section of your reverse loop or triangle. That's it. The widget does everything else and locos can be driven around a loop without stopping and with no polarity "clicks" or pauses. As the loco enters the reverse loop or section the green/red lights will flip indicating job done.

Good evening everyone Well today’s shopping trip to the Trafford Centre wasn’t very forth coming. I was looking for a replacement data lead for my digital camera but was unable to pick one up, in the end I ordered one from the company of strong ladies. On the way home I called at the butchers and as I was pulling up to park a car almost reversed into me until she suddenly looked up and saw me there! Then to make matters worse, there were no pasties, pies or even sausage rolls left , the lady who almost reversed into me bought all that was left . So I had to settle for a ham sandwich for dinner. After dinner both sheila and I did some reading followed by a spot of eyelid inspection. I suspect the activities of the last couple of days has caught us up. Goodnight all

Just a few pictures of a model of the Launch Umbilical Tower in 1/400 scale I made a few years ago. The Saturn V is a Dragon model. This is my tribute to those magnificent people that worked to put a man on the moon before 1970. I still quite can't believe that there are still people who refuse to believe in this brilliant achievement. Especially given the plethora of scientific information available on the web nowadays. I'm really enjoying the event and there has been some great stuff on the TV showing a load of previously unseen footage of the event. A picture sourced from NASA showing the real Apollo 11 en route to Pad 39A. My take of the Launch Umbilical Tower as copied from the picture of the real thing behind. Outside shot in the garden. The plane going over was just a lucky coincidence as I took the shot. All the way from Cape Killarney! This is where I live in Southern Ireland. A night shot - the tower has been stuffed with a set of cheap LEDs run from a battery. The light shines out of small drilled holes in the tower. I was a young boy in 1969 and the Apollo moonshots dominated our lives. It was an exciting time to be alive during an era full of hope for the future. We were a lot less introspective back then and all of us thought we'd be living on the moon by now. What a wonderful achievement - the benefits of which we have been living off ever since.

I had keyhole on my knee to tidy up the chewed up cartilage they told me I might need replacement surgery for arthritis, but when they got in the bones were fine, I watched it on the monitor, sadly the shot cartilage in my spine is a different story and I am now two inches shorter than I used to be and running(metaphorically) bone on bone which can be a tad sore. Playing sport to keep me fit wasn't actually an accurate prophecy at all, though to be fair they didn't say fit for what?

As far as I understand these modern dating technologies, photographs can be supplied and some people even use ones of themselves.

Well, the various sea weed and pine cone users seem to have reached a major decision...no rain after 12 noon here! Fingers crossed. .time for a brunch then off to the ground for 11:45 to prepare for a 1pm start. TTFN Baz

Mooring Awl, Inner Temple Hare, not too bad a nights sleep so far, I may try for more. Ben the Border Collie demanded his patrol, it had just stopped raining, but there are lots of black clouds still around. Bramble clearing today weather permitting, A BLT has been consumed, Muggacoffee to follow, Ben has just Bulleid SWMBO to get up... Time have that coffee..

Our chauffeur parks all the cars either in or just outside the old carriage house. Visitor parking is restricted to the courtyard, although we have had occasion to use the orchard for overflow parking when necessary. One would never park on the ornamental lawns.

I wonder if I can get my boss, To write some words and toss, Some poetry in for the day, That is the world metrology day, the head metrologist for our company .. That is in the Usa, does demonstrate for the many, My boss that is in the UK, demonstrates for the few, To those that sit, taking a pew, The science of measurement Is demonstrated with intent. Afternoon awl, After 4.5 hours of bramble clearance, rain stopped play, I was getting knackered anyway, SWMBO has been sorting her end of the railway shed, I have the feeling that when back in there I head, her end will have grown .... And I will. Moan... That rain was then followed By noise from above it hallowed a dry thunderstorm, much to Ben's distress, He ran to his mistress. Time to.. Have my tea, And have my leave of thee...

Mmmmm

Morning all, And the s*dding Editor has had to be cleared yet again, I think he's taken up residence for the rest of this month. In the light of a 'good' weather forecast herself put out the washing a couple of hours back, it's still there having had a slight additional t rinse from the very brief shower that passed a little while back. Presumably so brief taht it wasn't worth mentioning among the no rain forecast for today? Yet oddly the same mob's radar shows the shower now it has passed (hadn't bothered to check it previously - I believed the forecast). And talking of forecasts I'm wondering about 81C Bob's dream lady. Going back a long while there was a lady on the switchboard at Reading whose voice was enough to turn a young man's heart to very serious wishes and intentions. However when you dropped in of an evening with the wires (telegrams for non-railway folk) the visual reality offered a level of disappointment without parallel in the western world as her looks would have made the average weightlifting Russian female look gorgeous. Just a little hint to Bob not to be build up his hopes and ambitions too far although I do hope he isn't disappointed. Generally I have found the Mac to be ok but Mrs Stationmaster experienced some difficulties with her MacBook yesterday. I suggested pressing the reset symbol only to be told that it wouldn't work - so I duly clicked on it and thereby restored the thing to full working order. I'm told we're off to Tesco shortly as we need 'a few things' and there are some prescriptions to collect so our journey probably counts as 'necessary'. we already have the cod and oven chips plus a tin of mushy peas for this evenings and I have mushrooms in stock for lunch plus there is plenty of cream on hand (I only need two dessert spoonsful) and the supply of whole grain mustard is a long way from exhausted so all ingredients are in stock. Have a good day one and all

There is no evidence that 835 carried the chocolate livery. Most if not all of those so finished had enclosed cabs. I have pictures of 835 circa 1914 and later with an early belpaire boiler but no enclosed cab. Those locos that received the brown livery are listed in the RCTS and IIRC, 835 is not among them. This is my 835 which was spray painted with a very elderly tin of Precision Paints pre 1928 which is darker than their current pre 1906! For some reason the colour on the boiler is darker than the tank sides! Since this photo was taken she has been finished off with whistles and buffers:

Morning all It is raining here. My niece is having a bouncy castle arrive soon (she lives near Kettering) as part of her birthday celebrations. It isn’t raining there at the moment. The level of excitement was noticeable even over a phone call. As ever though Aditi’s brother seemed totally relaxed about everything. We are going over to Enfield later this morning, the plan is to arrive at lunchtime. Assuming none of the roadworks are flooded that shouldn’t be too difficult. Tony

Ey up! Wet patches on roads and pavements coupled with threatening skies does not bode well for cricket today. Enjoy your day! Baz

Thanks for that but in my case it seems to be a local problem. What started as a bit of discomfort ended with a lot of pain followed by considerable amounts of fluid in the knee's bursae. I'll see what the expert advises but I have a nasty suspicion I'll need a joint replacement if I want to stay as active as I have been in the past.

I am not too sure about someone parking on their own lawn. I quite often look out the back window to see these two in our back garden eating the lawn.

For the number of RMs I have, I'd have more letter size paper than I would ever use...………….

Visited one the cottages this afternoon and realised that the end one is owned by Jim Riddle, you know, the chap that is always standing at the end of Platform 2 with his hands in his pocket. Apparently he is a railway buff and collects memorabilia which he keep's in his shed at the bottom of the garden. Well if I need any signs I know where to go now....!

My brother used online dating services after his first and second divorce. His current wife was one of the few who were absolutely honest it would seem. The English language department (not the students) at the last college I taught used to reply to the classified ads dating section in the broadsheet newspapers. They would then snigger amongst themselves at the replies. I wondered sometimes if another group of lecturers were sniggering at their efforts. Tony

The Terrier and Mutton........top name for a pub methinks..

Was it ever thus! Even today, there are ladies (and no doubt gentlemen too I assume) whom one could describe as "having a voice for radio". It is rare to find the combination of a stunning looker with the perfect voice. I can recall a certain French chantresse who went by the name of François Hardy in the 60s and 70s - a rather delightful little package that poor me could only drool over! Finch & chimps & mushy bees - a lovely meal that we do not have as SWMBO doesn't approve of the green bit. Although the nearby town has a goodish friery, it isn't in my top 5 of the UK's best F&C outlets. Still no rain / electrical storm here although it is darkening somewhat so I will be pressure washing the patio set and slabs for the next hour or until rain stops play....

One forecast that I looked at earlier was predicting fine weather but is now predicting thundery showers whilst a second has swung the other way. Neither agree with the rainfall radar and its predictions. I feel a Victor Meldrew moment coming on.

And this........ 32650 running round its train at Hayling Station. Photo Roger Gallienne

Today I looked at the layout. I then looked at the weather which has continued to be very wet. I looked at the wine rack and decided that as it was Friday a large glass of Red Laughing Water would be in order. After which I wasn't in an ideal state to play with some very sharp-edged toys indeed and put them away for another day!

Persisting down outside with a bit of thunder and lightening thrown in for good measure.

Using the first one of the previous post, cropping can change the impact of a picture. Which, I think, is better for it.

After an excellent Italian meal ( accompanied by a bottle of very nice Sardinian wine) I need some sleep. Three different weather forecasters with 3 different forecast means tomorrow may see..no play, the cricket hokey cockey, or, full 100 overs match. Pah! Goodnight All! Baz

Congratulations and commiserations as required. Well folks what is life without computer for days and then when you get access find that there is no internet and therefore also no television. The numbeer of pagez in a fu daze is ginormouse so apologees if my scimmin has mist some veye-tal , important, entertainin ore distressin feetures. Eye promis 2 reed the nects fu daze if I hav akces 2 a computa. Positives -GD likes the N-gauge recently built for her in a wooden gun-case … the idea just pick up the case and you have everything, track, controller, stock and cars, the last two in a divided box permanently fixed to the lid of the gun-case that appropriately supports the lid level when open It is however quite heavy. Popped round to see Andy P's latest a few days ago. Cheers, Peter