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Newcastle again today with dates between 1980 and 1991. Newcastle from Tyne Bridge Feb 80 J6779.jpg Newcastle 08578 Feb 89 J9790.jpg Newcastle 31260 down cable train Feb 89 J9792.jpg Newcastle 43076 Kings X to Edinburgh June 89 J09925.jpg Newcastle 3x Class 47 l e 18th Feb 91 C15587.jpg David

So you parked in a disabled space without a blue badge... It's not "theoretically" wrong it's WRONG. Full Stop. End Of. I am sick and tired of able bodied people using all sorts of excuses for parking in a disabled spot when they are not disabled and could park elsewhere and WALK a few yards. I've heard your excuse used so many times, and variants of it, when I've turned up with my wife in a wheelchair and needed the space. You have no idea of the problems you cause to people who genuinely need that space. Disabled spaces aren't "part time", just as Disabilities aren't part time (my wife would love for that to be the case!). Tell you what, you can have her disability and she'll take your good health and we'll park a bit further away and walk? Deal? No, I thought not! Please don't do it in the future. It is wrong. Please. (If people object to my tone in this post I'd suggest they try having to park in a BB space in any town in the country when they have a disabled person with them. They will find it difficult to do at the best of times. A survey was done of the (mis)use of BB bays in towns across the country, the average misuse of bays by non BB holders was 33%. That means someone who genuinely needs the space can't get one because of illegally parked vehicles at least a third of the time, sometimes far more.)

Again, I'm amazed at how quickly time passes here..... So much to read in such a short time, as I 'hope' to get some more shut eye before I have to venture out in the cold again to get to my temporary place of attendance in Berlin. I'm actually doing a training course rather than working, but so far the daily hours are far more than I would normally do at 'proper work' e.g. yesterday was 09:00 > 20:00, add the travel to and from and it becomes 08:00 > 21:00. It's a good job I like Berlin, not that I've seen much of it though. Simply being here is good. Hoping those who are not well are improving and of course an (early) morning to all.

one of our rescue cats suffered a heart attack the night before last, although he is still with us it’s not looking good for him but we are hoping he will pull through ‘Mike’ is our 12 year old Maine c00n who came to us as a short term foster but we decided to keep hold of him as we had him so long he became part of the family! rhe reason we had him for so king was he was unable to be fostered as he was constantly sneezing as the previous owner who bought him as a status symbol never bothered to get him inoculated and he contracted cat flu which he thankfully survived but then got cancer, again he survived that too but was Then kept in a box room with very little freedom the night before last I noticed his breathing was a bit shallow and he was sat with his mouth slightly open, he tried to jump off the windowsill and came a cropper as if his legs had just given away under him, we tried to put him in a warm room with us but he kept going back to the cold windowsill or tiled kitchen floor and laying down which is not like him at all my wife took him to the vet who as well as the heart attack (which is when we saw him breathing through his mouth) he has got fluid on his lungs and is anemic, the vet is doing his best to keep him comfortable and there is one more means of treatment open to us but if that doesn’t work it’s going to be kindest to have him put to sleep, by rights he really shouldn’t be alive anyway due to the neglect by his previous owner and we have (like Odin) given him so far an extra 9 months of his life nobody thought he would have He’s not the most affectionate of cats but certainly likes to show his dominance over the foster cats that come and go from the house, he’s still not managed to win round Lola but she tolerates him now, when young males come to stay he certainly lets them know he is the alpha male of the house, often I’ve heard him chirping at them as if keeping order! he’s certainly on the ball when it comes to security, every night we watch him walk round the house checking doors and windows are closed, anything untoward and he will come up to you and mioww and chirp until you follow him to where the problem is, prime example was my wife left a candle lit one night downstairs and he came into the bedroom and sat next to me, chirping, then bit my wrist (which is a Maine c00n show of affection) then kept nudging me until I got up and followed him downstairs to the candle, he did the same with a faulty charger which was smoking in a socket, like cat version of lassie! as I say he’s still with us but we will have to see what the next few hours bring as to what is best for mike

And my day has just got slightly better as I've won £30 on the lottery.

We managed the return drive from NYC yesterday -- time about 11 hours. No weather problems until nearly home. Both border crossings on the trip were quite brief. SWMBO had entertained ideas of seeing the Rockefeller Christmas tree lit. That happened tonight and was on television. Show started at 8 and lasted to 10. We turned it off with the first "musical" act. The RV has been emptied and was back to storage by 1:00 today. Laundry was finished by supper time. I may have mentioned before: My father went to an RCAF reunion dinner. The menu list concluded "and one brussels sprout".

Next up is a colourful Welsh favourite, '414! 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr For me, Regional Railways has got to be up there in the ranking of most attractive liveries to grace a Class 37, so it was only a matter of time before one made its way into the fleet! 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr Like many others, I bought the original Bachmann Class 37/4 release of 2003, the classic 37429 in Regional Railways - only problem was the body being the wrong shape! So I waited for many more years until buying a later release, the 37422 'Robert F Fairlie', which came out a couple of years back. The challenge here however, Bachmann had covered it in their awful factory brown weathering and it looks nothing like the generally-clean RR livery I remember! 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr So I set to work with the enamel thinners, gradually wiping off the weathering, which lifts pretty easily - just be careful to only expose the printed lettering to a second's worth of thinners at the most, otherwise it'll peel straight off! The difference is pretty stark however - 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr Which Regional Railways-liveried loco to choose? It had to be 37414 'Cathays C&W Works 1846-1993' - I saw it just once at Didcot but it was the loco that seemed to feature in RAIL Magazine a lot at the time, so kind of a celebrity in my own mind, and what a looker it was! Fox Transfers number decals and etched plates were added, before coating with Railmatch matt varnish, before my own layers of more subtle weathering would begin... 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr A small range of browns and dark greys were applied neat to the bodysides, before being wiped off with a thinners-soaked cotton bud to just leave dirt in the recesses and lower bodyside that would typically avoid the washing plant brushes, while the rest of the body is generally clean, with the odd rust mark as per the real 37414. 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr Finally, the lower bodysides and roof was coated in dirt shades, including the bonnet which has the classic dirt accumulation on the top! 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr As with many Class 37s, the real 37414 has unfortunately fallen by the wayside - it was withdrawn all the way back in 2000 and after flirting with potential preservation efforts, it was finally scrapped in 2009. At least this way it will live on for the future on my new Didcot layout! 37414 by James Makin by James Makin - Account 2, on Flickr All in all, a great fun project and so satisfying to salvage Bachmann's ruined 37422 and strip back the 'distressed' finish to find a gem underneath!! Cheers, James

A proper dull and dreary day up here today, someone forgot to turn the light on and it's almost dark again, after dropping SWMBO in Montrose I sat in a bird hide dodging the rain(and a list of "chores to do if you're in") not much about, slightly rare up here Little Egret dropped in for a feed. The ponds are old salt pans that get re-filled with sea water on a big tide and are full of shrimps and sticklebacks that the birds like to eat, being salty they don't freeze to easily either.

Hi all, I've been talking to Steve Flint and the team in the RM office this morning regarding the topic. He's given me a copy of a response to a letter voicing the same concern in the September 2019 Issue of the Railway Modeller, which I've attached below. I'll pass the feedback onto the RM Team

Greetings from the boring borough. Chilly start but a very nice sunrise earlier this morn. Still coughing up my lungs. SWMBO overheard a woman in the chemist yesterday complaining that her cough/cold has gone on for 5 weeks so far. If that's the case I've still got at least 2 weeks left. Blergh! Little of note otherwise. Time to start decking the halls and all that stuff. The next 3 1/2 weeks are going to be quite busy. Work is work. Not really enjoying being a box ticker instead of an actual doer. We'll see what happens in the coming months. coffee to hand, enjoy the day

Good morning all, Dry with a bit of frost and the sky was quite red earlier however sunny periods are forecast with some strengthening winds later. Feeling rather carp after a very fitful night's sleep. Decided to have a lie in but the postie decided that I didn't need one and got me up at 7.05. He is forgiven as one of the two parcels he handed over was the one I've been waiting over a year for. It will have to stay in its box for a while until I can get down to The Shed, being extra careful that I don't slip on the frosty steps into the garden. (The frost stays there most of the day.) ISTR in the dim and distant past, well, about the early 90s, visiting Portsmouth Navy Days and standing on the ski ramp of the Ark Royal and (I think) the other light carriers Invincible and Illustrious were both there as well. I've got some photos in an album somewhere so will have to check. Our nephew was serving on HMS Manchester (Type 42) at the time. We had a few more ships then. Apparently once again I "need to get a move on." Not sure why as I have no intentions of going out anywhere - apart from The Shed. Have a good one, Bob.

Morning All, We have a very cold morning today. It was -4°C at home, although it is a slightly warmer -2°C here. Sorry to hear about your wedding ring, Neil. I'd be devastated if I lost mine. My ex-wife lost hers (while we were still married) but I managed not to loose mine. I wear mine all the time - except when I am working in the garden or doing anything electrical. Many years ago, a colleague had a very nasty workplace accident involving a wedding ring and a high current supply, so I always remove it. I'll leave details to the imagination! Have a good day everyone...

Bonjour from somewhere near Ouisterham. Up at stupid o'clock and breakfasted. Just 290 miles left to do. I did manage to see the two carriers which was a good sight. Photos will have to wait till I get home. Have a good day to one and all. Jamie

So you parked illegally in a disabled space and are proud of the fact you got the person charged with enforcing these rules sacked. Well done. I assume you'll be aiming to have the entire Police service closed down too - or do you only object to laws/rules when they suit your purpose?

Mystery sort of solved. I need to get a move on as The Boss is going out for the day shopping with Nicki. As NIcki is picking her up I couldn't see how this affects me but apparently it does. I have been warned not to slip, fall over or collapse whilst she is out on pain of severe retribution. I'll try to comply.

Good morning one and all Yesterday I received my flu jab. By good fortune I caught an earlier bus than was strictly necessary and Nurse Jane did her bit 25 minutes earlier than the booked time. I can’t bring myself to refer to her as the “practice nurse”! Roundhouse, I note what you say about getting these jabs at the chemist. What happened with me was that I received two simultaneous letters inviting me to contact the surgery for an appointment, so I did. Would I have been seen 25 minutes early at the chemist? Who knows? The next stop was the bank. I have ordered a modest quantity of Swiss francs to top up the supply that I have. I could just as easily wield my no-fees-overseas credit card and may well do so when the occasion is suitable – charging my bar bill to the room, for instance. That was a bit of a shock to the system last year! Blame Erdinger Weissbier, which is very moreish. I also withdrew some cash over the counter from a human being, which was a pleasant change indeed. I wonder if my friend Harry has thought of that as a way of cutting back on his use of technology? The ironing did not get done yesterday. It will have to wait until I return from a village near Peterborough where I will be having lunch with a friend today. Best wishes to all Chris

One has been working cutting sleeper strip and crossing noses for the latest 7 mm scale model railway exploits. I'll start on the wing rails this afternoon. Like John (CB) I am able to mention this without fear of awlful retribution because I only use Debs's Specialty 31.5 mm gauges for my track construction. So this message is an advertissyment(sic) for a fine product. (I have no connection with the above manufacturer except as a satisfied customer.)

Morning All I was out early to drop a neighbours son in Aldershot the lack of local buses and routes means a 10 minute car journey takes an hour on the bus he was sitting his HGV theory test which he passed came back after collecting him later via the flat to see the estate manager some good news about the roof they are fixing it tomorrow, I've the contract sitting here to be sign that can go back to the Solicitors Monday, slapped #rse will be pleased but the new year is a more realistic date to move the 23rd was possible and words like take the p!ss were mentioned I doubt if the removal company would want to do it then (they can't). Must get on enjoy your day A Cabbie Stop Press just found a lady who does stewarding on mainline steam.

I hope you find it, but if not then buy a very cheap replacement (actually buy several, without Mrs NHN knowing...). Then if you lose the first you have back-ups, so you'll not be in the doggie house again. It might be an idea to wear the rings in rotation, so as to get them marked/scratched etc. in unison. If in ten years time your ring suddenly became pristine Mrs NHN might smell a rat.....* (*One way out would be to say you've used your modelling skills to polish it all up. Only then you'd no doubt be presented with a box full of jewellery for similar treatment. And then her friends jewellery....). Risky strategy.

There were similar problems with post in the UK when they brought in the strict size weight rules. Various club magazine producers mailed them out, having had them weighted and approved at their local post office. Then had reports from around the country of some post offices wanting to charge extra to the receipiant. They had a panic at work wanting the temperature meter that I was intending to cal today. So yesterday they set someone else on it... It takes me about 4 hours for a pre adjust cal... I had to show him how to do some of it this morning... That's 7 hours he spent on it so far....

Ey up! Tried to wish you all goodnight bbut no RMWeb available. I am off to Peterborough with Shap. Shame you can't make it Mr &Mrs GDB. Kingzance..our paths will cross at the Show. Peterborough is ok to get too if you live close to the ECML but crosscountry takes ages. Two of my second hand items with new motors were tested at the club last nigh..fine! So one should be visiting Shap during the weekend. Two aircaft carriers in dock at the same time..ooh err..but do they both leak?? Still feeling less than 100% but hey ho just getonwithit! Off to sort out seats for the yorks v lancs T20, buy some LED light strips, post a parcel and do some accounts. Then i need to transfer some money to Gabe. Busy day coming up. Today should be a JDI day for all ERs. Positive thoughts to all who ail or are missing Baz

Have you read "Boys, Bombs and Brussels Sprouts" by J. Douglas Harvey? It's an account of an RCAF pilot's experiences in the UK during WW2. He mentions a pub in Yorkshire which they would visit by rowing a boat across a river near their base. In the 1970s, I worked with the granddaughter of the landlord of that pub, and she said he had strong memories (both good and sad) of the Canadians.

Evening all, Tesco duly visited without let or hindrance either in the shop or going to.from (apart from some temporary traffic lights protecting some roadworks round the corner from us - absolutely nothing has been touched on the site since last Wednesday!). Another evening, another quiz show, and another win - the golf club this time and we got 136.5 points with the runners up on 126 so a respectable margin particular so after a disastrous round on sport which saw us get 1 point out of the 6 possible. Slightly better prize than last year with some wine (a small bottle) among various other comestibles plus some useful pretty boxes and the food was a considerable improvement on last year as well. We need to take care because having retained our crown this year if we can manage it next year we'll have got a hat trick of wins there. KZ to note I shall hopefully be doing the Ally Pally show as might several other ERs - on the Saturday.

Pictures tonight are of the Talisman approaching, the loco being 60002. Very rarely seen during spotting hours that one. Nice views, but pigs to photoshop.

We went to collect a parcel from the sorting office. The nice lady said it is taking 48 hours now for undelivered packages to get through the system for collection. Then we went to Sainsbury to get the items we forgot to get yesterday. There will be probably another trip tomorrow to get stuff forgotten today. This is nothing to do with Christmas shopping, just normal stuff. Sainsbury had their Christmas music selection including one tune I had never heard before “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas “. I wonder who requested that. Tony

Don't you just love Solicitors you get an email from them stating please see the attachments, what bloody attachments.

It's the musical element I'm featuring - with unusual instruments

its your round...

Well my memory was nearly right. It was actually 28th August 1989. All 3 carriers were present along with 3 Type 42 Destroyers (Manchester, Birmingham and Gloucester) 4 Leander Class Frigates (Achilles, Andromeda, Charybdis and Hermione) Hunt Class Minesweeper (Middleton) RFA Tidespring Royal Yacht Britannia and a couple of Dutch and German ships. There were others but I haven't got photos or they were too far away to identify. According to Wikipedia at that time we had about 6 Type 21s, 15 Type 22s, 12 Type 42s, 14 Leanders, umpteen minesweepers and about 30 subs. How times have changed.

Mooring Awl, Inner temple Hare, 1095/685 6 hours only interrupted by wake up and roll overs plus unspecified semi dozing, good sleep really. Cold but not frosty very damp, but very dark. Ben definitely didn't want out. Working in Electronics all my life, I've never worn jewellery of any sort except my medical tag around my neck under my Shirt. We were forbidden to wear metal framed glasses in the RAF radar buildings / vehicles. No more shows for me this year, one day I'll make Peterborough, it's a similar distance to Spalding. But at the moment I have to much on. The next show for me normally is a small one just south of Norwich, early next year, but I've found no trace of it looking ahead. It has been a disappointment for the last two years, which was sad because it was good before then. With not being in yesterday, I don't know if the boss processed the results of the cross check run I left going on Tuesday, So I have to go investigate that, then there are 3, 1 G ohm resistors to measure, and another temperature meter. Time to... Check the company spam first.

Regrettably, it was MY insurer who would not repay the excess, as the other driver did a runner, and also the CCTV was not clear enough to trace the offender's registration.

Evening all from a ferry in Pompey. I eventually arrived here after an eventful journey. I took the A15 over the tops to Little Bytham. Unfortunately someone had left a pothole somewhere south of Waddingto. I didn't see it and ended up changing a tyre in a muddy fueld gsteway. Very cold indeed. The farmer came past in his tractor and said that he'd seen several cars having the same thing done over the past fortnight. Tgen a welcome cupoa with Tony Wright, before headi g for Pboro to be relived of several modelling tokens for a new tyre. I did have a coupke of hours on Didcot and a short time st Eastleigh. Morridons voucher was cashed and saved me a fiver. Now departing so off to try and get some pictures of the two carriers. Regards to all. Jamie

Unfortunately we got the news we didn’t want earlier, the different meds hadn’t worked and Mike deteriorated over the afternoon and had a couple of further heart attacks so the kindest thing to do was have him put to sleep so as not to prolong his pain, my wife and kids managed to make it over to the vets to say goodbye, my eldest lad who like belonged to is absolutely devastated as can be imagined the vet said Mike was also very weak but my wife said he managed to shuffle himself over to his carry crate and try and get in it to come home with them but unfortunately it wasn’t an option with him being so ill rip big fella, hope the extra time you had with us was a happy one

I'll be down on 24th Dec. How wide is your chimney?............................ It will be wider after I arrive!

Hah.. even later check-in for me, on this fine BIN day. Took the BINs to the appropriate spot last night, however, since I was up at "o' crack sparrow" to retrieve Jemma from the airport it wouldn't have matter as I could have placed them there first thing No movement on the client server access front - received an email with "here's what I'm using", dutifully applied it and still no go! As in the past, I'm sure after several more days of sitting with my thumb up my arse staring at the ceiling they will EVENTUALLY determine there's some network setting preventing my access - the error message DOES suggest that as one possibility. However, I'm just guessing that they didn't bother to check that even though I included a very obvious screenshot of the error with includes said "suggested problem". Tonight off to choir rehearsal which will be "extended". I'm also in our schola, and as we're singing at a reconciliation service Sunday afternoon, we are rehearsing for THAT after the regular rehearsal - will be a late night Good thing we have a happy hour to take on extra fuel before hand -5 and overcast retrieving Jemma from the airport, expecting partly sunny and high of 2 the balance of the day. Enjoy.

I think that applies globally. Postal workers are a different species for sure. Having said that, pulling into the parking lot at Bexleyheath station in the morning you can hear the music and usually singing blaring from the open windows of our local Royal Mail depot. They are a great bunch there. The UK doesn't know how good we have it with regards to a postal system. Canada Post seems to randomly process letters through the digestive tract of a not so nearby moose. It isn't unheard of for a letter to take 6 working days in the same town. If you live in a newer neighbourhood, forget door delivery. You have to schlep to a near by "super box" and pray that it hasn't been vandalised, or the idiot has actually put your mail into your slot. Parcel? Tough sh*t. Off to the depot near the airport that operates on banker's hours.

There's an additional fee if you want the attachments too.

Ah the sleigh and train of tables was for a sort of Christmas party.... Nibbles and schlur for free.. the food arrived half an hour late, that what was meant to be hot wasn't and they've run out about 3/4 the way down the queue of people.. Since I was not expecting it had my sandwich anyway.. Good job they don't make beer here..

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A tad chilly this morning and it is just warming up. It got cold very early last night, I even had to scrape the ice off of the car last night before going to the club. Bank statement arrived yesterday, WFA was on there, about 2 weeks earlier than usual. Thats all for now, be back later.

This morning I've been fiddling around with buildings. I have mocked up temporary view looking north up Borough High Street towards London Bridge using some of the buildings I've made to get an idea of how it will look. The roads, pavement and bridge are just rectangles of grey card. The vast majority of the buildings are incomplete and some aspects are only temporary card place-holders. There are structures to be straightened up and final positions established, as well details added. So still a lot to do.

Ha! Nicki has just picked up Chris to go shopping and I offered to buy their lunch! Can't go down The Shed yet as I've just been advised that more parcels are coming today and the flippin' repeater for the door bell has packed up.

One more look at Sir Murrough. and shortly afterwards another knight, Sir Walter, starts away towards home.

Good call sir. Silicone rubber rings are quite popular as a substitute for people who feel the missing ring (or want to be seen wearing one) without the dangerous conductive (electrical and heat) effects. They are also less dangerous with rotating equipment since they will stretch and not sever the finger. My commiserations gents. Changing a tyre in the wet is a tedious thing. My friend (whose basement room we are jointly decorating as befits the Olympian Hiawatha) has a compressor in his garage. My tyre pressure warning is, for now, a thing of the past, without having to stand on the apron of the petrol station feeding quarters into a slot and trying not to drag the heavy rubber hose over my paintwork. I have a minor first world problem to share from my day today. Yesterday I completed inking and sealing all my seasonal greeting cards intended for the antipodes. Instead of using the "International Forever" stamps (a present value of US$1.15) I decided to use up some interesting, regular first class "Forever" stamps (value of US$0.55). Each envelope was carefully stamped with two first class forever stamps and a five cent stamp bringing the total to $1.15. Even though I was confident that they would all pass muster (not too big, not too fat, not too rigid, not too oddly sized, and under 1 oz)* I dutifully took my bundle to the Post Office. Even though the US Postal Service has pretty specific guidelines, (and sizers) their employees often make remarkably variable decisions about postage.** * I have been informed (sometimes inaccurately) that my mail has contravened one of each of these at some point ** One year at the branch close to home I was told that bulky "pop-up" cards with an enclosed circular letter had to be sent at package rates (absurdly expensive for a small envelope) instead of excess postage letter rates. My preferred branch near my old abode told me that office didn't know what they were talking about and charged me "normal" excess postage letter rate. The person at the Post Office counter informed me that I had a problem, saying that this very day, the international rate changed to $1.20. Of course this was easily solved by the purchase of additional five cent stamps, and solved for less than a dollar. What is funny/ironic is that had I chosen the "International Forever" stamps (already in my possession) I would have been spared the hassle. Furthermore I cannot find anything online indicating that the Postal Service has increased the international rate - there is a USPS page indicating a rate increase on January 26, 2020. I am now left with a mystery. Was the USPS employee misinformed? Has the USPS not made an online announcement of the rate change? Signed, perplexed at the post office.

That is dramatic news indeed. It will send a very real shiver through operators and leasing companies alike. The cost of what appeared to be a trivial overtaking accident at low speed is obviously enormous. People in high places, including the Department, should be sitting up sharply.

Well, if we could be permitted to stray back on topic briefly... (as noted earlier, the incident occurred on the goods line, not the depot, so depot working had no relevance to it). The HST power car (43300) is not written off, yet. Simply requires a new cab and negotiations are ongoing with the leasing company as to if it's to be repaired if wanted for further use (and it was previously said to be one of those destined for MML). Rest of the set thought to be undamaged. The 800 on the other hand, IS written off. Driving Trailer, twisted frames; some coaches, end collision damage. Full set to be taken to Wolverton and completely stripped. Bodies, bogies, bar couplings (or whatever you wish to call them), gangways, dampers, springs, etc all scrap. Recovered components transported back for reassembly into a new set shipped from Japan.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. AGM went well and then we retired for tea and mince pies. Still looking for a venue/date for next years show which will probably be later in the year (Oct/Nov) and likely as not a one day show. Thats it for now, be back later.

My car insurance expires tomorrow. Received a renewal notice on November 19th quoting a renewal premium of £327.31 (a reduction from last years £372.31) and a confirmation that as I pay by direct debit if they don't hear from me they will automatically renew the policy on the renewal date. Good, I thought, no need to contact them. Yesterday received another reminder again stating that as I pay by direct debit there is no need to contact them as the policy would automatically renew. Foe some reason I thought I had better contact them to ensure that all is ok. I'm glad I did. Phoned them and after a few minutes being told that my call is important to them I Finally got through to human being. The fun and games then started..... First of all was told that the renewal premium in amount of £327.31 was incorrect and it should in fact be £427.31. It was blamed on a typist error. £427.31 was the premium to be paid. Next I was told that they do not have my card details therefore, despite them stating this in their two letters. Asked why they did this said that they are aware of the incorrect wording of the letter but they have not worked out the way of amending the wording on the letter template. Seeing that I was getting nowhere I ask to be transferred to a superior or his manager. No can do he says, they are busy dealing with previous days problems. All he can do is send them an email to ask them to contact me within 48 hours. No call received today, see what the next 24 hours brings. What is scary about this episode is that if I had not contacted them yesterday I could have been driving the car tomorrow illegally and without insurance. And, you may ask, who is the company behind all of this Micky Mouse activity ? It's Mercedes-Benz Insurance authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Took out the insurance two years ago when they offered Gap Insurance for the new car for the first year and things went smoothly until now. When I first purchased the policy Mercedes Benz Insurance used to operate out off Mercedes Benz UK in Milton Keynes but it now operates out of Princes Risborough as a stand alone operation. Have got a funny feeling that the insurance side of the business has been out-sourced to the new outfit..... Keith Had a chat with the Financial Ombudsman this morning who seemed, in a non-committal way, surprised at what I told them.

Afternoonall, Ozxp while I've never been to the USA I have seen 'Men In Black 2' several times so can quite understand why staff in the USPS behave rather oddly. And sorry Baz that I won't be seeing you this weekend at Peterboro' but Red Leader has me noted for a future occasion should one arise - notwithstanding my having to say 'no' this time round. In news nearer to home Charlie was allowed out this morning and promptly headed for next door's garden where he duly managed to vanish. He eventually returned to our front garden a v couple of hours later and has since been trying to work his way back into the management's good books - he appears to be succeeding. His mother seems to have no interest in going out and seems to recognise a nice cosy indoors when she has found one. In a rather unusual piece of entertainment we have received a pamphlet from one of the various Parliamentary candidates addressed by name to members of this household - except me. The question of course is why wasn't I included as we are all on the voting register and the exclusion is obviously not an alphabetical matter. So is it because they are sure I will vote for them or is it because they didn't think it worth bothering because they know I have a habit of spoiling ballot papers in Parliamentary elections? Or are they just plain inefficient? No quiz night tonight but we're having bangers and mash so that's a very good reason for not going out although I'm not sure if it's smog or smeg style (both are more than acceptable as far as I'm concerned). Hoping the ailing are getting on recovering and that Jamie has had a good trip across France amidst the strikes.

Modbury was at the Warley exhibition at the NEC last weekend. I didn't manage to take any photos whilst there except a couple of quite dark ones just after setting up on Friday afternoon which really aren't suitable for sharing. Therefore this afternoon I posed a few shots to capture the look of the layout in it's current state (i.e. the state it was in at the NEC). "Buffalo" no. 1601 drawing a passenger train of 6 wheeled coaches and a low siphon slows to exchange tokens with the signalman at Modbury Signal Box. "Buffalo" no. 1601 heads a down 6 wheeled coach passenger train (with low siphon) into the platform at Modbury. As above looking back along the train. A view across the platform ends to the Cattle Dock. One of the recently added platform oil lamps can be seen at the top of the ramp. One of my new 3 plank wagons can be seen on the mileage siding behind the dock. It also appears that one of the cattle has become loose and is playing silly devils in the wagon! A general view of the Goods Shed (now complete with sliding doors) and Cattle Dock. The recently added platform oil lamps provide a little more interest to the sparse platforms I think. "Buffalo" no. 1601 draws into the down platform, while Metro Tank no. 615 waits for the road to Newton Abbot with a train of 4 wheeled coaches. A view across the station as the train of 6 wheeled coaches departs for Plymouth. Thanks for looking. Ian