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Lest we forget. Tim

Anywhere warm and sunny gets my vote....... Its that time of year again...........so medals taken out of the box, green beret dusted off and it's off to Plymouth Hoe for the annual service of remembrance. I was very fortunate in a way, I left with everything I joined with, two arms, eyes, legs, there's quite a few I know who didn't. I suppose in the end it all comes down to luck, I'm no hero, not brave, just lucky. After the main service, hundreds of ex RM meet at the RM memorial overlooking the Sound, to have our own, smaller more personal 'do'. Old comrades are slapped on the back, hands are shaken, and we silently note how the backs are a little more bent, the hair greyer, and the skin a little more wrinkled. Then comes the command, and as a man we snap to attention, the years fall away and we pay our utmost respect to those that fell, were maimed physically and mentally. And we will remember. PER MARE PER TERRAM.

Another look at the V2, but from a different gantry by the look of it. and the last still life image. I know some people do like shots of the layout without any shopping, and I didn't fancy doing some of this one, so here it is, just as the camera saw it. A quick question. Would a feature in a magazine concentrating on the kind of images I've been showing for the last few days be of interest? We are all used to the "normal" articles, very much train focused as they are. So, might something like this be worthwhile?

Back to Teesside this afternoon for photos taken in April and May 1993. Grangetown BSC 258 14th April 93 C18467 Grangetown Junction 60052 down empties 14th April 93 C18472.jpg Grangetown Junction 37426 empty potash to Boulby 14th April 93 C18477.jpg Grangetown Junction 56087 steel empties 14th April 93 C18497.jpg Grangetown Junction 156454 Middlesbrough to Saltburn 8th May 93 C18520.jpg Grangetown BSC 37506 8th May 93 C18523. David

This morning we have some more photos from the Tanfield Railway from 1980 to 1990. Marley Hill RSH Cochrane Marley Hill to Sunnside Aug 80 J7089.jpg Marley Hill RSH 38 Aug 82 J7694.jpg Marley Hill turntable 28th May 89 C11904.jpg Marley Hill Hudswell Clarke Irwell 16th April 90 C14358.jpg Marley Hill RSH Progress demo freight 28th May 90 C14471.jpg Sunniside HL 2 and Hudswell Clarke Irwell 30th Aug 87 C9072.jpg David

Our 19 month old grandson barfed in the car yesterday. Today, just for an encore, he did it again. Fortunately, both times he managed to direct it onto himself and his carseat, missing the actual car seats. However, with that, and the antiseptic wipes used in the cleanup, the new car smell (we've had it two weeks) has gone completely.

In a small Midlands town ... https://johncolby.wordpress.com/2019/11/10/in-a-small-midlands-town-one-sunday-morning/

I reckon California... https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/california-great-yarmouth Mooring Awl, inner Temple Hare, 6 hours solid sleep, I'll try for more,. I'm heading for the sailing club at 09:00, for crane meetings followed by the Rememrance flag lowering.

I suspect that were it not for antibiotics considerably more than 50% of current ER's would no longer be with us (including me.)

We were in the final stages of stocking the motor homw when there was a large crash adn the refrigerator door landed on the floor. The ring part of the lower hinge had split from the door. There was no help from any dealers (late Saturday afternoon) but since I had the bit, I decided to do what I could. I think it's back together with some black epoxy and a screw that goes into ... nothing? It's downstairs curing now and will be reinstalled (we hope) tomorrow morning before we set off. The shelves will be removed.

He was most reluctant to move and objected very vocally. It isn’t really an option to make the bed around him as he would have ended up inside the duvet cover. Instead he is now settling onto temporarily clean linen which I am sure he will manage to groat up while I am asleep

Still up on his gantry, but not the really dodgy one, our chap spots a clean KX V2 heading his way with a Class C for Dringhouses. We are nearly at the end of our latest infrastructure tour, the hotel from on high being the penultimate view.

We went to Normandy in June and the most touching thing for me was talking to a British veteran in the German cemetery, he said "None of these in here should have had to die, we were all just lads."

Good Morning All, With so much on ER to wade through since my last visit, I can (ashamedly) only offer my generic commiserations and compliments to all as appropriate. I have been absent for quite a while - not for any nefarious or unfortunate reason, but because I was up to my neck in the preparations form my Dog Club's "Dog Fun Event" (I did the artwork for advertising and the event "stations", the catering and the shopping for the catering). The event (yesterday) went well. We made about £400 profit, after all the expenses were deducted (mind you, if we had to pay for everyone's time put in, even at a risory £5/hr, we'd probably be about ten grand in the hole... But I suppose that's par for the course for any sort of volunteer staffed event - such as a model railway exhibition). Feedback was positive and it's likely we'll do it again next year. For me, the only real disappointment was that we didn't shift as much as I had hoped on the catering side. We were abundantly provided with cakes (about 15), made about 12 litres of soup (1/2 vegetable, 1/2 gumbo soup) and had 25 each of Bratwurst and Cervelat for the grill; unfortunately we shifted only about 50% of the cakes, 40% of the soup all the Bratwurst, but only 2/3 of the cervelat. Drinks (coffee, soft drinks and - believe or not - a mammoth TWO teas) sold well. In perusing the various posts, I noted many comments about the self-serve tills at the supermarkets, unfortunately this appalling idea has also spread to Switzerland. As a point of principle I never use the damn things, apart from the impact on jobs (something as an underemployed entrepeneuer I am quite sensitive to), the self service tills have absolutely no impact on the prices I pay. So why, to coin a phrase, should I get a dog and then bark myself? Interestingly enough, at the "trade only cash and carry" I use (courtesy of having my own company) there are NO self service tills.... I wonder how much of this move towards "self-service" services is dictated as much by cultural issues as by financial ones? Certainly, "serving other people" doesn't seem to be regarded as highly in the West as it seems to be in Asian cultures (I was amazed by the level of service offered in Japan). Business has been quite quiet as of late, and as I don't expect it to pick up until the New Year, I'm wondering how to occupy my days in the interim... On my list are Work on my model railway (but without a deadline for my model making..... Meh!) Pick up the guitar(s) again, knuckle down and finally get a couple of songs down 100%, including mastering the necessary effects pedals to get the right "tone" (but again, without a deadline or a band to play with...) Kill things on my PS4 Of course, taking care of the Wolfpack is always the priority.... Anyway.... Stay Frosty Guys, Talk Soon iD

We wonder if he'll get better when he's turned to face forward, so he can see what's coming in the way of hills and corners. He's a bit too light for that yet.

I was prone to upchucking in the car which might have something to do with why my dad liked to buy new cars. (MrsID is similarly afflicted. There's a little ranch between the highway and here that we call "Upchuck Farm".) I blame my problem on dad's Bulwark Cut Plug.

Evict the cat? Surely you jest! We make the bed around her. She is the one who must be obeyed and is in charge. Brian.

What a lovely suggestion, Baz.......a temporary lifting of the ban on discussion of 'certain' subjects might even be arranged.

Good morning one and all, with special thoughts to Jamie and Beth and to all others in distress. I was a bit late getting to Tolworth yesterday. St Pancras 'Spoons seemed to be having problems with the service of breakfast - sluggish at best. It was no help that one lady gave my table number instead of hers. She was clearly anxious about something. It turned out that she was due to walk in the Lord Mayor's Show procession, representing the Worshipful Company of Educators. I told her of the excitement that came from marching in the parade at Pride In London a few months ago. I hope she felt better but I'll never know. To Tolworth, then, via the lift at Vauxhall SWR station and on arrival an almost immediate brief encounter with GDB and 81C. Later a man recognised me from when I used to go in the Ian Allan shop at Waterloo. It took a while for the penny to drop but it turned out to be John Scott Morgan. A long time ago now he and I used to talk about his schooldays in Acton, where he attended a private school called St Francis that those of us who went to Derwentwater school called St Fanny's. Much later, Bill and I gathered in the Surbiton 'Spoons for a pint. We were joined by Paul Tasker who is Prickley Pear Products and the world was duly put to rights. Another late night home, another taxi from the station and so to bed. Today I really need to crack on with the seasonal greetings cards, initiate the laundry and cook toad in the hole, which makes a change from steak. As for the week ahead, i have no idea why I wrote "Archie" in the diary against next Sunday but I'm sure I will find out eventually. Be of good cheer Chris

Jamie, I'm glad to hear there is a clear therapeutic plan for Beth's abscess and thank you for sharing. I am even more glad to hear that Beth is responding to the antibiotics. Best wishes for all your ministrations tomorrow (Sunday). Like Tony, I had a nasty experience with an abscess. My son was a newborn and with all the excitement/distractions, the abscess was quite advanced when I had it seen to. Upon examination, my GP immediately marched me across the street to the hospital where it was surgically lanced and drained, but a serious infection had taken hold. I was admitted and in a delusional raging fever for several days while they experimented with different antibiotics to find one that would knock down the infection and prevent sepsis. My most notable memory of the hospital stay was a tornado warning. (This was in the Chicago suburbs.) All the bedridden patients (including me) had to be wheeled into the hallway, since the rooms had windows. No tornado touched down. Of course, all's well that end's well, but it was a sobering thought that had there been no antibiotics, my son would never have known me.

As her indoors was involved in the Birmingham bombings be aware that you are causing some people with real memories something you,as a person, may never have experienced. It was neither fun or clever. Having been involved in the Falklands. Gulf war 1 and Kosovo if you ain't seen the elephant.. say nowt... Baz

Special thoughts to Jamie tonight. Otherwise it has been a long, cold, wet and somewhat boring day of writing up minutes (which invariably takes hours), preparing a magazine piece and caring for SWMBO. She spent the day in front of the tv and persuaded me to join her at times. I can watch about a minute of daytime tv lower-budget output before becoming terminally bored and seeking a more productive way of life. I am now required to evict the cat in order to make the bed and no doubt remove a job lot of his furs from the naked duvet. Ah well. C’est la vie as they say in a nearby country. Sleep well. Or as best you can.

Evenin' Been quite for a few days as we're on a long weekend away. What used to be called a dirty weekend, now at 60 and some it's just a weekend...... Met Baz today, which was nice, at Newcastle show, which wasn't that great, but OK. Baz's clubs layout was good though (Chapel-en-le-Frith). Wasn't a planned visit, we're in Ambleside, it just 'happened'! Sorry M'lady, mentioned those things.

You are not wrong. I think that ordering a meal on ones phone while sitting near the kitchen where, in theory at least, it will be prepared is a ridiculous idea. Yesterday was the first time I have had a problem with service in the Barrel Vault. Up to now it has usually been almost instant, even last Thursday teatime when the place was more than wedged. A friend of mine is becoming anxious about how much he uses his phone. I have reminded him that it has an off switch. Strangely I have not heard from him since. Chris

Just seen the Dakota and three accompanying Spitfires etc. passing over on their way to Dover to drop their poppys. Very impressive. Keith

I think I will stick to using my moisture meter!! 20% does appear to be the recommended maximum for firewood. I am pretty sure that there is a California in Berkshire. I seem to recall seeing signposts to it when I lived in Wokingham in my youth. Yesterday was a pretty carp day, as I didn’t sleep well for the second night in a row. Not much decorating got done. I had a good night last night, so progress is being made. My warped length of skirting board is now somewhat straighter, so it has successfully been fixed to the wall. Skirting boards now complete at last. It is a beautiful sunny day here so far, so some outside work is planned. I have a supply of old painted wood intended for the woodburner, so I will use my power planer to remove the paint, as they don’t recommend using painted wood in it.

There is a newly established memorial to The Merchant Navy on The Hooe which I hope to visit at some time. I would be very obliged if you could doff your beret on my behalf to the very many that memorial finally represents. Thanks in anticipation.

Good morning all, Looks like it may have been raining earlier but we now have blue sky and the hint of sunshine. A fine day is forecast. To Tolworth went I yesterday in the company of Bob 81C and we started off with an excellent breakfast at the Ace of Spades Cafe around the corner from the show. Just as well really as the show catering was non-existent due to some sort of booking c#ck up. As mentioned by Chris we saw him briefly (no actual bumping into involved) and saw Bill several times on one of our many circuits around the show. Some excellent layouts on display. The only downside was that I "bought" a Southern H2 briefly but it was then discovered to be damaged and then immediately refunded. Fair play to the trader (Roxley Models) who pointed it out when he was about to fit a decoder for me. Unfortunately it was the only one he had. Got home in time to watch Gloucester v Saracens which the latter won but it was a somewhat scrappy game. Today's rugby will have to be recorded as we're going to Nicki's for the day. Have a good one, Bob.

We could always use the site of New Zealand sidings in Lancaster. Good morning all from a quite bright Charente. Once again thanks for all the thoughts and concern. The first parts of the cunning plan have worked well. I'm off train watching in about an hour and after picking Joan up should get to Beth at about 2pm. Fingers are crossed. I like the idea of a moisture meter, I may well invest in one. At the moment our logs are stacked on pallets and I have to remember the provenance of each pallet load. Here they say that timber must have been felled at least 2 and a half years before it's burned. What we burn is mostly oak. We tend to use a mix of offcuts from the barrel naking industry and logs bought from neighbours in the village. However we have ash, sycamore, fir, pine and plum from our garden. I try to not use too much of the pine and fir at the same time. It's very different from just turning on a gas boiler. Regards to all. Jamie

Lerwick maybe? It's not all that far from here.

This one's for Q; I'm going to try to calibrate my firewood. It seems that the moisture content should be less than 20%. For the carp stuff I'm burning that equates to greater than 3.3M ohm between two pins 1.25 inches apart driven to a depth of 5/16ths of an inch in-line with the grain. (I suppose I could buy a moisture meter but why should I when I've got a perfectly good DVM ) EDIT: The bit I "calibrated" seems to be sufficiently seasoned. My DVM says it has infinite resistance (it only goes up to 99MΩ)

It is curious that there are so many places named "California" in the UK. The origin of the name "California" is shrouded in some mystery. The etymology has its very own Wikipedia page. It's worth a read or at least a quick skim. It appears to be a reference to a fictitious island from a novel Las sergas de Esplandián first published in 1510. Many people forget (or did not know) that the current US state of California was known as Alta California to the Spanish, (officially a province of New Spain in 1804) which along with Baja California had previously formed the province of Las Californias. Permanent European settlement in Las Californias began 153 years before Alta California was ceded to the US during the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo in 1848. Permanent European settlements in what would become Alta California did not begin until 1769, in part to prevent Russian incursion. The Russians would open Fort Ross in 1812, north of the future Spanish settlement in Sonoma where there would later be a mission and presidio. North of Las Californias, Fort Astoria was constructed in 1811. (It was named for it's owner, the proprietor of the Pacific Fur Company - John Jacob Astor.) During the war of 1812, assets of the PFC were sold to the British Northwest Company and the location was claimed as a British possession and fort renamed Fort George at the end of 1813. Even further north the Spanish established the Nootka Sound settlement of Santa Cruz de Nuca in 1789 - in the presence of competing fur traders from Britain and the US leading to the Nootka Crisis. The history of European settlement on the west coast of North America (Drake's New Albion) is a bun fight of commercial and colonial interests from the Spanish, British, Russians and the Johnny come lately colonizer, the nascent United States. Interestingly (and different from most land grabs by European colonial powers) there was rarely any armed conflict between the protagonists in the region.

Afternoon awl, I arrived at the sailing club to find the flags already at half mast? It turned out a club member had died. So the flag control got more complicated... 10:59 flags to full mast. 11:00 flags down silence and last post. 11:02 flags back up 11:03 flags back to half mast for club member. Prior to the above we had the crane lecture, mostly on the fitting of the ball hitch adaptor to make it pin hitch. After it was off home and marquee roof fitting, that only took an hour. However fitting all the bungy bobbles to hold it on took nearly another hour. After that six side panels were fitted. This took nearly another hour, by which time my back was screaming at all the reaching up to attach things. So now it's just the end panels to be fitted, but reaching up to the peak was beyond my back today. Meanwhile SWMBO and the hippy were clearing more jungle. The hippy is now with us till Wednesday due to the floods, not because they are actually flooded up there , but some access roads are doubtful at the moment. Dinner and a long soak in the bath has been had, a Muggacoffee is on its way then, it's settle in for the evening...

1093 and some timber.

There is a bit of California in our place

We never had a family car. Neither parent ever held a driving licence. Dad drove in the North African Desert during his National Service but they never asked him for any documents to prove he could steer a Jeep across miles of open desert! Mother never drove - and neither did either of her parents - until in her late 70s when she decided it might be a beneficial skill to have in emergency. She obtained a Provisional and placed L-plates on my sister's car ......... which she wrapped around a tree two minutes later writing both vehicle and tree off while attempting her first ever right turn. It was her last and that was the extent of her driving career. So I grew up in an environment where any car trip was a rarity. My sister was dreadfully travel-sick and couldn't safely take the bus the five-minute ride to or from school. I was better and managed up to around half an hour before feeling squirmy. But in cars it was different. If friends were taking us anywhere we were both dosed with Marzine and provided with sick bags. We have both grown out of that particular embuggerance. Me as I got older and enjoyed my hobby of bus travel; ever-longer trips were found to be bearable and ultimately quite safe. My sister wasn't free until she started driving for herself. I can't blame any of that on Dad's Balkan Sobranie or what ever brand of s**g ?("insert the name of a bird similar to a cormorant) he was able to afford that week. Simply because we were never all together in a car where he could smoke nor did we often venture far by bus meaning the pipe remained unlit, though was perfectly legal in those days, in case he needed to deal with child emergencies.

Morning all. The Hill of Strawberries is a crisp cold but sunny place today and contains a still-protesting cat and a pain-managed much more active SWMBO. Speaking of ‘spoons, various, if anyone happens upon the Twickenham branch do let me know. The usual sloppy service and cheap ales exist but I’m often happy to make the trip for a sociable pint. Not next Saturday though because there’s a game on. In an establishment known as the William Webb Ellis non-followers might find the environment a little challenging! I too have had issues with the speed, or lack of it, of service at St. Pancras. It seems to be a brand thing. Usually quicker to take a seat and order via the app, I find. I shall now vanish into cyberspace for an hour or so following which, and once the roads re-open, SWMBO has indicated a wish to “do” the charity shops. Thoughts with all today for what ever it means to you and yours.

Morning all, grey and sombre day here, my son is a serving member of the forces, I usually attend his parade, but not this year, he's on the outskirts of London and I'm close to the outskirts of Aberdeen, a trip too far this year, he ran a remembrance half marathon yesterday, a bit different. I'm off to Perth to collect SWMBO who is celebrating her birthday this morning in Edinburgh with the daughter and then returning for tea and cake(again) at the daughters before we return home again, life is run at 100 mph these days it would seem.

Morning all. It is now quite sunny. We are off to Enfield for lunch at Aditi’s sister’s house. Tony

Knowing our son had chosen the local trampoline park for his weekly trip out with his PA ( when asked to choose by SWMBO), this evening I asked him where he wanted to go next Tuesday, to encourage him to converse. His answer had me in stiches... "Hogwarts".

Afternoon all. Not been around for a couple of days. The firework display went well. No injuries* and a well appreciated display. 48 weeks till we start prepping for next year's display. Might have recovered by then - it certainly is hard work. * technically not quite true. We use stiff single strand copper wire as the fire control lines. Whilst twisting a pair together I managed to get the wire to go into my thumb. Ironically the only cake that didn't go off was that one. I'm thinking the connection was probably interrupted by a layer of blood.

Morning All Sunny and bright Just spent the last hour catching up, had a good day out at Tolworth, the show was good as GDB and I pre-emptied the catering an excellent breakfast was devoured in the café just round the corner from the show the layouts were good knocked spots off Wycrail last week and we bumped into most of the usual show goer's for this area that we know. not doing much today the first load of laundry has gone in with 2 to follow if the day allows. Dog sitting tomorrow I hope it's not p!ssing down as he gets moody if he doesn't get walked he won't go out in the rain and will pull you back to the house after a dump. I'm going to ready myself for 11am and watch the march past, nice that they have got good weather today for the occasion. Enjoy your afternoon I think I will get a pub lunch T.Hinkin-Ofmebelli

Undoubtedly it is the economic mainstay of the town and immediate area but they do it with class and respect. A beautiful town reborn from the rubble. The town as a whole merits a VC.

Fortunately I can do mine under cover. Hope you get it sorted. Jamie

Is it time we had an open ERs meeting somewhere in the UK? ??? Baz

Good evening everyone Well the rain held off until late afternoon and then it started to rain, thankfully only lightly, but never the less it was yet more rain. It didn’t take long before we once more started to get puddles in the back garden. However, I’d got all I needed from the workshop and so I didn’t get wet. Progress ghastly been made on the MERG kit mountain and I’ve managed to complete (or modify) 7 of the kits, as well as doing a couple of washing machine loads too! Tea tonight was a chicken curry, but as I’d got the sauce out of the freezer it was only a case of cooking the rice and the chicken and then adding the sauce. This was followed by another glass of Malbec. Jamie. I hope all goes well with Beth’s operation and also with John’s widow. Goodnight all

From the trenches in the first world war but from the other side. Sketches by my wife's grandfather.

Yesterday, it was my privilege to be present at the official launch of Hatton's O Gauge A3s at the firm's base in Widnes. They're proving very popular, particularly at the price of £750.00. A happy husband and wife take delivery of PAPYRUS from one of Hatton's staff. And another happy customer tests his current guise FLYING SCOTSMAN. All the models tested ran superbly. A full report will appear in BRM. Mo and I stayed overnight in Chester, and this morning we walked into the centre of my home city. In Frodsham Street, there's a proper camera shop, which I always visit when I'm in Chester. They had on sale a demonstration Nikon 60mm Micro lens for the fantastic price of under £400.00! Current new prices are well over £500.00. I've used my old Nikon Micro lens for many years, but it's not compatible in every way with modern digital LSRs. So, I bought this new one, and I've tried some experiments with it attached to the front of the D3. By fiddling (don't ask me how!), I've managed to get the minimum aperture down to smaller than F50! Which means that at a foot's distance to take a shot like this, everything is in sharp focus. It's my ancient Nu-Cast B16/3, out because I'm completing the same type started by Roy Jackson. Yes, I know one should never make a model of a model, but after nearly 40 years it's a reasonable reminder of how the bits fit. Believe it or not, this is an N Gauge van, by Sonic Models. The lens was an inch from the subject matter! There is absolutely no chromatic aberration, nor any distortion whatsoever. What a lens! The problem is, of course, that any specks of dust look like small (or large) stones! I've tried a layout shot, and the results are reasonable - with room for more experimentation. B&W, in many ways, is more redolent of the time. By getting in close and not exploiting the minimum aperture, the principal subject matter is sharp whilst background detail is nicely understated. I know some readers are going to be aghast at my spending nearly £400.00 on just a lens, but it is part of my professional equipment, and, on first experience, worth every penny!

The first school I worked in had a head of chemistry who liked blowing things up. The head of biology really disapproved and this just drove the chemist to greater bangs. He had one of those plunger detonators as used in every cartoon explosion. Eventually he had to stop as the local police got a bit stressed especially after they mistook the accent of a New Zealand colleague when he phoned in a warning about a planned explosion on the school field. This was in the 1970s.

Evening all. Thanks for all the good wishes. Yes I am looking after myself and have now had a wizard idea. First a glass of Scottish Medecine in memory of John. Then a good nights sleep and no early start for the nurse in the morning. Then off to La Rochelle and have some lunch on the station and do some train watching. Then scoot along to the airport to pick Joan up. Then off to the hospital and hopefully bring Beth home. On that front she is now on a proper ward and the ancess is responding to antibiotics. If the improvement continues then she will be discharged to go back Thursday to have it drained under local with the aid of an X ray. There is however one thing worrying us. Apparently the abcess is on a lympg nose that shouldn't exist according to the Dr's text books. I've told the kids that this is the final proof that their mum is an alien... see how supportive I am. Regards to all other ER's. Jamie