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Today we have another visit to Manchester Victoria, most of the photos are from March 1989 with one from earlier. Manchester Victoria bridge over R Irwell and Great Ducie Street Cl 101 in distance June 76 J5262.jpg Manchester Victoria 142032 18th March 89 C11682.jpg Manchester Victoria 150213 18th March 89 C11698.jpg Manchester Victoria Class 47 ecs for Manchester to Carlisle 18th March 89 C11709.jpg Manchester Victoria 37684 18th March 89 C11713.jpg David

Thanks for the very kindly and welcoming words, Nat. .......We did indeed "RTFM" and this is the result. .......and without profanity (Mum's a right one for that! ) or major blood loss. No, we were exhausted after the rescue team eventually found us, after four hours of intensive searching gosh, IKEA stores are not easy to make quick visits to!.....so, I found one of the helpful staff chaps and because of me being now less-abled and Mum being a senior (despite her having being well fed a Swedish lunch, was by then beginning to tire and feel miserable), he collected a trolley, lifted the item from warehouse and then accompanied us through checkout and to the car to helpfully load in.......super service, with a cheery smile and a laugh and joke too.

Sunday, nearly 10 o'clock and I'm only just on my first coffee; most uncharacteristic......I'm clearly not a true E.R at heart.

Afternoon all. We have checked out of the hotel but their foyer is cool and we don’t need to set off to he docks yet. It seems very warm out. I wandered over to the nearby Wilko store to buy some interdental brushes as the ones I bought last week don’t seem to have made the final pack. It was very warm, seemed warmer than the claimed temperature but it wasn’t exactly in the shade. I did listen to some of the test match yesterday. I had a text from Aditi’s brother who is in Leeds this weekend suggesting that he won’t be held up by Headingly traffic when he departs for home (near Kettering). When Raj first moved to Kettering as he was single then all the Indian “aunties” checking out his eligibility used to ask “Oh Doctor why are you so pale?”, code for, “are both your parents Indian?. His standard reply was “ perhaps because I come from the North”. Auntie “Kashmir?” Raj “Huddersfield” I may post something when we get to the USA, either with free WiFi or O2 non Eu roaming travel add on. £4.99 a day. I am not really likely to buy any ship WiFi. It is very slow and expensive. I managed to pay a card bill last night so no need to have access to finances. take care all Tony

I compensated for the lack of lunch by grilling a couple of rather large rib steaks this evening. It's sort-of our anniversary today. Technically it's on the 25th but as we are eight hours behind BST anything after 4PM here qualifies. MrsID is not a big fan of the Texas method of eating steaks ("just saw off the horns and clean up the a*s") and the steak has to be tender and juicy but there cannot be any "pink gravy" on the plate. It's only taken me about forty years to figure out how to pull this off. The steaks were so large we could not finish them, but nothing will go to waste. I'll convert what's left into deli-thin slices with the slicer.

Today's preserved railway photos were taken at Embsay on the Yorkshire Dales Railway on 11th April 1990. It's changed a bit since then. Embsay Hunslet Beatrice 11th April 90 C14287.jpg Embsay 11th April 90 C14288.jpg Embsay 11th April 90 C14290 Embsay Fowler H W Robinson 11th April 90 C14296.jpg Embsay ex BR Class 04 D2203 11th April 90 C14297.jpg Embsay Hunslets Spitfire and Monkton No 1 11th April 90 C14299.jpg David

A Mum and her Daughter: the former a nonagenarian, the latter with post-neurosurgical issues, a long overdue IKEA flatpack build and a Sunday afternoon........what could go wrong?

Cogan is the station that I first lived near to. I was only 2 when we moved form there to Bristol area so I don't remember it! Morning from deepest Cornwall. No sleeper to go and see this morning being a Sunday but was good to see it yesterday morning. Today we head East and after dropping bag at Exeter we plan to head to Barnstaple for afternoon beers then maybe meet up with my brother at Crediton or Newton St Cyres if hes up to going out otherwise back to Exeter to finish off the evening. Tomorrow we head home avoiding the Reading festival crowds by using the ex LSWR route back as far as Clapham Junction. Also far more comfortable seats that on the IET's. Its been good to be away from the heat back in the South East.

Good morning one and all The new Polo was put through its paces yesterday. Including a stop for breakfast it got me to Cogan station in under four hours and back from there in a little over three, including a much needed cuppa. Why Cogan? It has a very handy free park and ride facility with trains to and from Cardiff four times an hour. The purpose of my visit to Dinas Caerdydd was, of course, to march in the parade at Pride Cymru. The organisers made rather a meal of forming up the parade in tne "right" order which must have cost more per head than the £2 registration fee. I was supposed to be right at the back. Like that was going to happen! Once we were finally on the move it took two hours to negotiate the city centre and the crowds. It is an enjoyable way of making the presence felt. One report says that there were 15,000 of us, which is plausible. As I type this there is something on the news about the parade at Manchester Pride, which may well have been bigger. In the afternoon I spent a few hours at the festival, including speeches from the stage from the First Minister of Wales and other dignitaries and far too brief a performance from the South Wales Gay Men's Chorus. There was much direct sunlight and precious little shade but that was so much better than the torrential rain which washed out the Sunday session last year. Today I shall have a long hot wallow and spend the rest of the day quietly. Later I hope to phone a friend and obtain some wise counsel. I should also water the tomato plant before I forget again. Best wishes to all Chris

Spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon mostly under the kitchen sink. The faucet (aka tap) has a pull-out spray thingy and the woven nylon cover on the hose was disintegrating. I sent for a new hose. I mean, how hard could it be to install a new one? Well let me tell you....... It wouldn't actually have been such a PITA if I had done a little research on the interwebster first. But I'm an expert now and I'll be ready the next time.

Afternoon all, Happy anniversary Andy and Mrs Andy. Well done Debs and Debs' mum - result looks good but have you hidden any bits which were left over? Various plants watered here too including the running beans which seem to have got a bit floppsy despite being well drenched on Friday evening, must be the hot weather as there have been no forest fires near at hand (yet but the heath and commons fire season does seem to be running late this year). Must get on with piccy sorting and finishing off the last lots of posts for the light vessel tow back in May. But some ships might appear later today in that thread as minimal organising and very little editing is required for those. And here's something a bit different for you - the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head

Now you know there's more to it than that.

Morning all from a sunny Charente where it is going to be another warm one. Happy Anniversary to Andy and his other half. A very pleasant evening out last night at a local eatery. I had Moules Roquefort which were lovely. Son and heir insisted on paying. Wonders never cease. This morning we have been out to the market a d then I'm off to the shed with young Ryan to continue buildi g an Airfix Spitfire. Roast lamb is in the sliw cooker for this evening. Yorkshire Puddings are being threatened. An afternoon in and around the pool looks to be in order. The young ones have brought some small inflatables with them that just take a beer bottle to float round the pool. Not a bad way to relax. Hope that John and Sandy enjoy the day and pray for another sad day at Headingley for the Ozzies. Jamie

Muggertea 1 downed, sweepings from the bottom of the parrot's cage being consumed. Happy anniversary to Mr & Mrs AndyID, I took the opportunity to partake of a steak at the local pub in a gesture of solidarity. It sadly wasn't "a la Texan" cookbook. Best wishes to J&S for their Abbey trip. Like GDB and for similar reasons, I didn't watch the events from Headingley and so was pleasantly surprised by the fact the match wasn't all over in three days - long may that continue as it is, after all, test cricket. As for Hippo Hunting in The Marches, good of England's 23 to ensure that the Welsh team remain on top of the world rankings . Quite a bit to do following from my meeting at the local playing field with the chair of the Sports & Social Club in the way of scaled outline drawings to take to the next level of the project to refurbish / replace the 40-y-o facilities without disrupting their purpose - a decent challenge. Eventually of course they will need full architects plans but we can save some money before then. Other than that long term task, today will involve some gentle exercise including walking and perhaps even a small amount of cycling (if the bike's tyres will hold air), watering of green and other coloured things, barbecuing and perhaps a libation or two. Don't forget, wear sunscreen!

Good morning all, Sunny warm start to the day and it's going to get hotter. Breakfast of the cooked but not quite a Full English variety will be taken in about half an hour and after that "we need to go to Sainsbury's " to get some more food for tomorrow. (There is probably enough in the house to feed a small army) Mind you it is difficult because The Boss is catering for two veggies, (one has IBS) one vegan, one who is dairy intolerant and then a few of us "normal" people, Not sure how she does it all but that just shows the measure of the lady in question. Following on from the shopping trip I hope to visit The Shed to start putting right the wrongs I have committed down there. I will need to carefully negotiate the drop into the garden as the steps have been removed and I will have to "walk the plank(s)." I won't be watching any cricket as that would probably put a hex on England and the Aussies don't need any help from me. Have a good one, Bob.

Ey up! Looks like another nice day com8ng up. Some of us are in shock. Ha'way the Lads...SAFC win 3 matches in 7 days... I just hope that Joe and others can geind out a win for England. Over today (and possibly tomorrow). We shall see. Chris, glad you enjoyed the Pride march. No report from Dr Eldest Herbert regarding the Manchester one. Have a great day (Happy Anniversary Mr &Mrs AndyId!) Positive thoughts to all who ail! Baz

I omitted wishing Happy Anniversary to Andy and Mrs ID and hope you have a great day. In other news Shed visiting has been put on hold as I will need to stand outside and cut wood etc and it's too flippin' hot, dusty and dirty in the garden at the moment - that's my excuse anyway. No BBQ here today but I do have some nice looking fillet steak which will be introduced briefly to a smoking hot pan later. C.Arnivore.

Morning, we too have sunshine in the far north, gentle breeze means a gentle day I think, SWMBO had a better night, so that meant I got some sleep as well. Might go somewhere out of the way with the camera taking wildlife pictures, have a nice dayyyyyyyyyyyyy. oooops,forgot Happy Anniversay Mr and Mrs ID

Morning All Sunny and bright here . Off out today to Dorking for lunch with a new date. Better get a move on can't be late Cas Anova

Morning all. Looks like it is going to be a warm one. I hope it doesn’t get too warm as the train set I play on can sometimes be temperamental if it gets too hot . We should be busy too, what with the weather forecast and it being a bank holiday and all that. I hate having to do my song and dance routine to entertain the crowds if the trains stop running. Have a good bank holiday weekend.

Mooring Awl, inner Temple Hare, A very poor nights sleep too hot in the bed, too cold on the bed, the duvet was being moved on and off all night. This has given me a headache so it's pink pills with a bacon and mushroom toasties, being followed by a Muggacoffee.. My sympathies with BSW01, there are no standard size doors in this house, the internal doors are a standard width -1/4 inch but 3 inches short, however the house is not quite verticle any more, so some have different diagonal measurements. I've replaced the strange variety of doors upstairs, those were just hard work to make / modify, it's the four outside doors that get expensive. The quote for the 5ft wide 8ft high round topped front doorway was over £3000 some years ago and that was just for a standard plastic door and infill. The house really requires something more impressive / in keeping with the house's 1906 build date. At the moment it's a cheap Nasty aluminium framed double glazed sliding door with failed runners and the failing round topped glass pane above. The back door has been previously "packed out" width ways , as the space is wider than normal, it's got an infill glass pane above it . The outside toilet, which is inset into the house, has a very small undersized door.. The conservatory door is very short but a standard width, it will be replaced along with the pre war single glazed conservatory. When I have time.. First retirement task? On to today's task, which is more jungle clearance, this time near the trailer parking area. 3weeks ago I laid a spare mast on top of the boat trailer, yesterday when I went for a trailer measuring, brambles of over 4 ft length were growing over the mast. Once the area of jungle is cleared, then that of the trailer park will be re cleared. Allowing landscape fabric to be laid, prior to having the slabbing finished... Much of the Awake periods last night were spent thinking of technical details of the trailer rebuild, it would be expensive if I get it wrong.. The first part of new axles and wheels need to be ordered on Monday. Changing bomb trolley axles and wheels to those matching the layout trailer.. Time to.. Get a second Muggacoffee before work start..

I'm pretty sure I'll forget too. I was feeling slightly strange by 4:30 today then I realized I'd forgotten to eat anything for lunch

It would appear that the Aussies have caught the English disease - and have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. And after all that hard work 'The Q' deserves a little treat I think

I knew I was right not to watch the cricket! No curse of GDB striking today!

Afternoon All Absolutely great to have Debs right in here again, and still showing your inimitable humour - you have a pretty good idea from posts, PMs and messages via John just how much you've been missed. John, hope you and Sandy manage to visit Hailes Abbey and also enjoy it. And to everybody else, heneric greetings. Again, an ER this morning, as we were off to two car boots, then two charity shops - both car boots were rammed with sellers, and buyers who were not buying much. Now having a rest while 30747's niece gives her a tutorial on her tablet. Regards to All Stewart

Mid day update from NEHerts (no, it ain't a new hunting ground for 81C ) - It's more than warm. Green stuff has received a dose of Adams Ale delivered by my fair hand. Bicycle now operational but after a mile or so on it, I discovered my legs / knees aren't currently in sync with its demands. I did however check out a location where I might just get a good shot of The Milky Way tonight if, unlike last night, the cloud stays away. I love Tony's brother-in-law's answer to the Indian population of Kettering! Debs, did your mother push the IKEA trolley too? Now off to do as instructed by Nat and hope the squash doesn't run out - hope you all enjoy the day.

Bon voyage, Tony and Aditi.......`looking forward to the travelogue pictures.

Hi Debs Good to see you back. You have been very much missed by the people here. In theory as both of you being female means that you will read the instructions rather than hide them and ignore them as do the males of the species apparently do if we are to believe the gender behaviour stereotypes. Now with my nursey hat on (not that I ever had to wear one) if you are in Britain then it is supposed to be a scorcher today ( anything over 20c is a scorcher to me and im allergic to ultraviolet light) with temps reaching 31c. Make sure you drink additional fluids (not alcoholic ones though! ) in addition to the 3litres we are supposed to consume daily. Don't forget the sun cream and hats either. Keep yourself safe people! Dehydration is not pleasant and can be life threatening. Nat

The ultimate decadence this morning - bacon butties and coffee in bed; mmmmmmm......... Then later on a barbecue at a friend's place in sunny, warm weather with a gentle breeze. Following on from yesterday's rugby and a very enjoyable evening's drinks and nibbles at another friend's allotment, a pretty good weekend really. Happy anniversary to the AndyIDs - hope it goes a little more smoothly than ours did! I hope that 81C keeps the energy levels up to match the frenetic love life he's having!! And that the piratical pachyderm's energy levels are sufficient to cope with the grandhordechildrens'. I know that mine struggle to cope these days. Have a good day everyone. Dave

I'm determined to get on today, so a quick couple of images follow. Another of 60010. and 60039 arriving with the 6.40 KX - Grantham.

There's always sleepers to see on the railway; they keep the rails apart

If you're like me, you'll have forgotten the important points by the time you need to do it again. I know I should write them down, but I'm always sure there's no way I'll forget, so I don't.

Absolutely , i am Knackered, that is. Much brambles, cleared, Too hot, it is.. Bonfire after, since wind was, away from Neighbours newly re thatched house. Various items, cleared, from under brambles, Old wooden planter, deconstructed , compost / soil recovered. Home made Chinese spare ribs and vegetables eaten, Can of cider, being consumed. Bridge to far, on TV, End of film, may be, to far, eyelids may be inspected.. LA Tonkinois, arrived, has not, amazon, informs they are working with carrier Carrier, I think has lost it.. Message.. End of..

Good morning everyone Up late this morning, but then we have had breakfast in bed. Muggertea No2 is being consumed and nice s gone,I’m off to strip and sand the front door. To be honest, for what I paid for the bespoke front door was only about £50 more than buying a half decent off the shelf door (which would have been made from Pine anyway) but it is made of Ash and was well worth the little extra. Andy ID. Happy anniversary Back later.

I think so, although I didn't see it . . . obviously!. . . . the main road through Ryhope to Sunderland last Saturday. . I took Granddaughter and her mam . . DD1 . . to do some shopping. Asif it din.t cost me enough! Anyway, i did the crime so I'll pay the fine. Special thought for those in need of it.. Goodnight everyone . . .Sleep well John

A last look at Seagull before she disappears into the gloom, and away to the north. but don't be sad, as there will be another A4 to look at in a short while. Dominion of Canada with the Up Nottingham. Bit moth eaten, this one.

Yes indeedy, the first time we've seen the layout since January - and it showed from time to time. We had a day troubleshooting all the little jobs which there is never time for at shows, then a day running the sequence and ironing out any more faults which became apparent. I had a few new items to bring along and made sure at least some were photographed. Here is Shotover, complete with ACFI gear, working a down service at the north end of Grantham station. This K3 has come my way in return for some carriage building. It's Bachmann but with cab and chassis by Tony Wright. 4466 Herring Gull has also returned to the layout as part of a trade. This was a Grantham locomotive for much of our period, so it's very much at home. Here it's on shed with long term resident 4479. Most of what photography I did otherwise was across to the up side yards, which was where most of the goods stock starts the sequence of movements. Here a J2 (Graeme King) awaits the off with a freight to New England. Fordson tractor in a rake of loaded wagons; in the background the cattle wagons would be against the cattle dock, were it in place. Moving slightly left, over the top of some stabled carriage stock, the photographer has captured a cut of tank wagons with an NER special cattle wagon behind. Was that kit ever released? The LNWR van at right angles to the rest shows where the end of the maltings building will be placed. Pictures from today, with buildings in place; looking over an O4 awaiting the call to High Dyke and the rear of the shed building, we see a rake of empty wagons with some loaded Appleby Frodingham iron ore hoppers behind. The south end pilot is also in evidence. Lastly the Lee & Grinling maltings building which always repays study, with NER and GN vans and an LBSCR open in front. There's to be some scenic work in the next few weeks so I imagine those railings will be attended to. Finally something else new, but you'll have to look at my thread to find out about it.

Most of the Australians we meet on cruises are really pleasant and friendly. However while we were in the queue to get boarding cards and check our passports, a very cross Australian man insisted on pushing into our queue claiming he had waited longer than us and he was a priority boarder. The Cunard lady wasn't having of it and sent him back to his own queue. He hadn't been waiting longer anyway. Some people caused delays not a having valid Esta or credit cards that didn't work. The staff were very very patient. We actually arrived a few minutes early, were called right on schedule and on board really quickly. I can still post as we are still in 4G range of Southampton. We are going to dinner soon. Tony

A beautiful sunny day in the South Hams and you probably weren't expecting to see Battle of Britain class 21C149 Anti Aircraft Command on a down express. Please God let me have the coaches in the right order.

In between watching yesterday's cricket, I finished off the DJH A1 recently-featured. I always leave the motion to the last! Perfect, high-speed (and slow) running from the new DJH motor/gearbox combo. Why build an A1 when Bachmann makes one RTR? I wonder why that question keeps being asked of me...................................

Another request for the "groan" emoji please administrators!

Will they be confined to the poop deck?

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Happy anniversary to Andy and Mrs. ID. No need to worry about getting up late Debs, its 'Lay-in Sunday' for many ER's. The latest edition of Bylines arrived on Friday and I see that they have Chris back in harness. Quite a few other interesting items as well including some interesting self propelled hopper cars used by Fords in their Dagenham plant.

The rest are up the coast in Cromer. A rather pleasant little weekend break of which more anon but the sheer volume of people in Cromer (which was exceeded by those in Sheringham) has meant undue jostling and waiting for people to move anytime we set foot outside. Tomorrow we return to the Hill of Strawberries whereupon I hope to catch up on recent events hereabouts.

Well, playmates. After a long period of activity - with attention focussed on all things LMR - Grantham has emerged from its latest hibernation. Grateful thanks first of all to Jonathan & pressgang and Tom who helped get the basic layout set up on Thursday evening. Behind, it's the turn of the Shap boards to be stacked and stored. By Saturday morning, the layout was functioning with visiting stock emerging. As is often the case on these weekends, we were devoid of the prestige sets so here the rival 10.00 Scottish express (Shap's new 'Royal Scot' set) deputises for the 'Flying Scotsman', albeit with the addition of Jonathan's new all steel brake van and Jesse's triplet set-to-be. A sign to gladden the hearts of all wagon enthusiasts (ie Jonathan). The rather excellent meat / fish train (depending on which way the wind is blowing) takes centre stage with a chokka full yard behind (all four 'big four' represented). Graeme (Mr. 3279) observes the passage of the Junior Scotsman, and with good cause ... ... for this is his latest exquisite creation, given a welcome run out, substituting as a restaurant triplet set. And so to today, with layout now adorned with signals, the customary running session, once round the schedule. Barry and Craig bravely braved the main control panel. Here, the loco change on the afore-mentioned Junior Scotsman proceeds. Jonathan, as per normal, shuns the spotlight in the background. If I be permitted a moment? My new Nottingham Quint set, still devoid of underframe detail and interiors, but having at least gained some lettering on one (this side), stands in platform 5, with Atlantic at the business end, awaiting departure with the 3.0pm service through to Burton - just as per the Cawston photograph that first inspired me to create the set some ten years ago now. Well, you can't rush these things. Layout is now intended to stay set up for a couple of months so there may be the odd update as we make our way through a still sizeable to do list.

Is this better then.

Misty's back...….. I call this picture 'PreTrees'

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. The package I was expecting had arrived at the sorting office on Thursday, however duty was payable on it and I received a grey card. I went to pay the duty on line by Paypal only for a notice to come up transaction invalid. So I tried to pay with my bank card with the same result. When I went to my e-mails the notification from Paypal was there confirming payment? I paid the duty (again) and I am going to cancel the Paypal payment. I think the second payment from my account didn't go through as I aborted it before the process finished.

Tony I hope the weather will be a bit lot better for you than it was when we went down Southampton Water 10 days ago - And a lot better and clearer than it was when P&O's 'Aurora' overtook us a week ago yesterday off Portsmouth (the Spinnaker Tower is just about visible on the extreme left of the photo in the murk astern of her) - But despite the weather all was well in the dining room with the table ready laid for dinner which would be begin to be served exactly one hour after I took that photo of the Aurora. Serviette folding of the day being the candle shape - which coincidentally was one of the ways our steward used to fold them when he had worked for both Cunard and P&O.