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Morning all. Today is always bitter sweet. I used to work as a 1:1 teaching assistant supporting a little girl who was rather poorly. Four years ago today she succumbed to her illness, aged just 10. However, in 10 years I think she lived more than a lot do in a long lifetime. Today always stirs up a mix of emotions, lots of sadness, yes, but also a range of happy memories about a child who was determined to live life to the full, no matter what. I have a 3 week old son who, one day, I will tell all about the inspirational little girl I once knew.

Edinburgh in the August 1987 for this afternoon, mainly in Princes Street Gardens. Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens 47633 up ballast Aug 87 J9156.jpg Aug 87 Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens 101333 Bathgate to Edinburgh Aug 87 J9157.jpg Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens 107429 to Edinburgh Aug 87 J9168.jpg Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens 47708 Glasgow to Edinburgh 18th Aug 87 Aug 87 C9016.jpg Edinburgh Class 107 Aug 87 J9173.jpg David

Since my warflat had returned from weathering by @toboldlygo I've been trying to pluck up the courage to fit the chains to my Humber Scout cars and attach them to the floor and sides inspired how @john dew did on his Granby layout. I knew they would be fiddley and I was right ! I used some Hornby R7200 articulated screw link couplings in the end for the shackles as I didn't like the Roxey ones previously sourced. Like John, I drilled 0.6mm holes in the sides to take pins to superglue the chain and to try to keep it tensioned. As most of my modelling, it doesn't look too bad to a blind man on a galloping horse. I've decided now just to fit chains and hooks to my warwell and have it running empty for now. Hopefully tomorrow will bring me something for @Trains&armour to shunt it with in the yard.

The Kent and East Sussex Railway in the late 1970s this morning. When I lived in Essex it made a very pleasant day out to visit the line - providing the Dartford Tunnel wasn't too busy. Some of the photos are seasonal, being taken on Boxing Day in 1979. Rolvenden Manning Wardle 17 Arthur and Hunslet 0-6-0ST 23 15th May 76 C2722.jpg Wittersham Road Terrier 10 Sutton arriving from Tenterden March 77 C3255.jpg Tenterden Hunslet 24 Tenterden to Wittersham Road July 79 C4629.jpg Tenterden GWR 20 and Terrier 10 Sutton le 26th Dec 79 J6724.jpg Tenterden RSH 26 and Terrier 10 Sutton 26th Dec 79 J6731.jpg Tenterden Bank RSH 26 and Terrier 10 Sutton Tenterden to Wittersham Rd 26th Dec 79 J6733.jpg David

High tide this morning:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/149940-the-rivet-police-part-1-dawn-raid/ https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/150030-the-rivet-police-part-2-banged-up-inside/ The story so far. After years of playfully browsing eBay, buying up all sorts of mismatched 00 gauge model railway track and rolling stock and putting it on parliamentary expenses, the chickens finally come home to roost in our hero's herb garden. Grassed up by person or persons unknown for crimes against finescale modelling, the charges are severe. They include TWO Evening stars, mixing Eastern and Western region coaches in the same train, getting the buffet car in the wrong position, running a DCC sound loco on DC , using foam track underlay and the heinous crime of Tracing (train racing). Our hero now faces seven year's hard modelling , the only prospect to get out early is to get up to exhibition standard, building from scratch. Then one day he gets a call from the Fat Controller, AKA Grouty, a man you don't cross lightly. The Fat Controller, AKA Grouty was the “Mr Big” on our wing and not much got done without him knowing about it. You could tell he had power and influence because he had a 55-inch TV instead of the usual 50-inch and a few more channels on his Sky box. As I walked into his cell he was carefully arranging two Land Rovers and an Austin Loadstar next to a railway bridge. He had a delicate touch for such a hard man. I tried to keep the conversation light and fluffy. “Nice layout Grouty, early 60s?” “Yeah” he said, looking up and smiling with pride, “West Coast mainline, Leighton Buzzard to Tring, August 1963” The obvious schoolboy error stuck out like a sore thumb. Before I could stop myself I blurted it out, instantly regretting it. “That’s a really nice Class 55 Grouty, but weren’t the mail coaches in the Great Train Robbery pulled by a Class 40 diesel? He looked at me with daggers. “You’ve been paying too much attention in class. Watch ‘yer mouth, comments like that make your nose bleed”. His mood changed back again to a more friendly demeanour. “What do you know about the Tri-ang Battlespace Turbo Car?” I thought for a moment. I was surprised. You had to be careful talking about the turbo car, even here. If the Battlespace Range was the forbidden Satanic Cult of finescale railway modelling, then the Turbo Car was its antichrist, since it resembled nothing ever made or seen on any railway. Anywhere. Originally it had the stock number of R666, but this was hastily reallocated to the articulated car transporter when the mistake was realised. Strangely enough the articulated car transporter was stocked entirely with blue Ford Anglias, foretelling the rise of Harry Potter over 50 years later. Looks like Eric Von Daniken was right in his book “Prophecies of the Tri-ang Hornby Catalogue 1962-69.” If the Rivet Police caught you with a Turbo Car in your eBay watch list it was 6-months minimum. They were getting increasingly clever to catch you out on eBay, posing as innocent 14 year olds "selling off their Grandad's collection". In the early days it was easy to spot these as it was "collection only" in some dodgy lock-up down at Heathrow, but lately they'd changed tactics and started hiring Airbnb's in Henley-on-Thames. You could get Turbo Cars occasionally on the dark web from international sellers with less scruples, but the trouble was smuggling into the country since they had specially trained sniffer dogs at all ports. “Hmmmmm. Heavily streamlined, totally propeller driven, 1966 to ‘73, vicious spike on the front, fastest thing that Tri-ang Hornby ever produced, clocked at scale speeds of over 300 mph. Literally blew everything away, including plastic people, plastic cows, plastic trees, plastic fencing, in fact anything that wasn't glued down. Why do you ask?” “A little birdie tells me you know about Eurostars." "I might do…." I replied cautiously. "Just speaking hypothetically, how would you take on a Turbo Car with a mk1 Eurostar?" I sucked in my breath through my teeth. “It’s a big ask Grouty, the only thing I've ever seen take on a Turbo Car is a 1974 4-6-0 over-geared Albert Hall with Magnadhesion on steel track. Those built-in magnets stick it like glue to the track round the bends where the turbo car has to reduce speed. The Turbo’s great on straights but rubbish round curves. It’s got a high centre of gravity due to the position of the fan motor.” I thought for a moment. “Take one on with a Eurostar? That’s tricky. Purely hypothetically of course, I'd drop the suspension by 3 mm to get ground effect downforce, I'll tape over the pantograph to reduce wind resistance, double motor it, and put in an overclocking circuit with two 12V Tesla Lithium-Cobalt batteries. When that baby hits a scale 88 miles an hour that’ll dump in an extra 24 volts and you’ll see some serious sh*t.” “What about the curves?” “Good point. I’d replace the built-in weights with depleted uranium, its nearly twice as heavy as lead. “Isn't that leefal?” “Only if it comes through the side of your tank at mach 5, in which case it bursts into flames” Grouty motioned trackpin to close the cell door and keep guard outside. He dropped his voice to a more conspiratorial tone. “We're digging a tunnel.” I gasped, I just couldn't believe it. “What, you’re planning to escape?!!” “No, a railway tunnel, we're knocking through to E-Wing, they've got a Turbo Car and we're going to take it on. “But nobody's won against a turbo car in over 40 years! “Exactly. We've got great odds for the Eurostar and I’ve got several big ones riding on this. I'm relying on you to bring this in for me, there’s a drink in it for you.” “Oh no Grouty, don't make me do this, I promised to the wife I’d go straight when I get out, strictly finescale modelling of Redhill to Ashford 1965 to 67” “Then we'll have to find some way of changing your mind” he said in a menacing tone. From under the bed he pulled out a long sock filled with something, for a minute I thought he was going to hit me with it. Out of the sock he pulled out a R343 battlespace rocket launcher and a R249 exploding freight car. He put the rocket launcher on one side of the layout and exploding car on the other, lined it up carefully and let all four rockets fly. They neatly straddled the exploding freight car, which promptly exploded. “That rocket launcher is yours if you help me out.” “I just can't, I really can't, I promised the wife.” I said. “I'll chuck in the R249 Battle Space Exploding car too?” “Alright I'll do it”. On the way back to my cell, pondering that every man had his price, I had a nagging uneasy feeling that grew and grew. All along I thought it was n-gauge Eric at no 52 who grassed me up so he could get closer to The Wife, reeling her in with promises of a layout a third of the size so she could now show off her collection of Princess Diana Franklin Mint memorial figurines in the newly renamed “Summerhouse”. I now had my doubts. How did Grouty know about my passion for Eurostars, was it him that got me banged up for all these years just so he could win against a Turbo Car? Only time would tell. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised , please DO NOT phone our helpline as they are quite frankly sick of old blokes like you banging on about how much better things were in the 70s, forgetting about the oil crisis, the three-day week, 25% inflation, closed shops on a Sunday, only three channels on the TV and above all, the Austin Allegro. THIS IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN AN ALL CAPS VERSION FOR THE HARD OF HEARING. In "Part 4 - The Race" our hero pushes a souped-up Hornby Eurostar to its limits - and beyond. With catastrophic results. "We must have more power! " "I'm giving it all we've got captain!" Stay tuned to this channel.... because I haven't finished it yet. (NB There originally wasn't going to be a part 4 or 5 but I'm having so much fun the story is taking on a life of its own. Sorry.)

One more moonscape. And one from the archives to hopefully up the standard somewhat. I think it is brightening up a bit, so hopefully I can get some more done later.

When the Obergrumpenfuhrer was a small child, she went to an auction at Ball and Boyd's in Llandudno. There she bid for and won an old doll's cot. After many years of happy play, it was stored and was then used by our daughter for her dolls. It was then stored again. Now the Obergrumpenfuhrer is just finishing the refurbishment of this to give to our granddaughter as a Christmas present. (It was she who started doing the sanding in the conservatory after the Christmas decorations were put up: I'm glad I was not on the receiving end of the first class rollocking she gave herself.) My contribution was to clean up the round slides. "How did you get them so shiny so quickly my dearest?" "I have my ways." (And a lathe) But this cot must have been quite old when it was won at auction, and the fact it's still sturdy enough to be played with says a lot for the longevity of old fashioned wooden toys. I wonder how many of the 2019 version of X Box will still be played with in 50+ years time?

To do what exactly?

Good something from a still very wet NEHerts, Yesterday's trip to the old place was pleasant even if rather tiring for the chauffeur but we survived so that I can spend today dipping my hand into the stash of modelling tokens as my elder grandchildren purchase gifts for their family. I noted last night how aged are little group is becoming and that a number of the congregation admitted to shouting at the haunted fish tank just as I do. There must be hope for me still . I know John (Combe Barton) has had a tough year but his photo posted yesterday shows a little light shining over him - how nice given the precipitatings that seem to be the endless accompaniments for the rest of us. I have noted with some concern the parallels (not small metal ones) between those avowed followers of the "senior scale" and the present First Lord of The Admiralty, the latter who (according to The Times) is planning to cut six "two star" admirals from the stone frigate known as HMS Whale Island before the SoS for Defence does it for him. That article indicates we have presently 43 Admirals, probably more than the number of bishops (excluding our Bill) and certainly more than the number of ships that could sail! I trust that the pannier tanks at least will survive any cull. In this season of "something or other as long as it is profitable", I give you a reworked set of lyrics for "Silent Night", other varieties of course being available. Pannier tanks, Prairies too, Mid Chrome Green, black won’t do, Flowers and Birds, Castles and Star, Halls and Saints all journey so far, Chocolate and cream for ‘ere, Chocolate and cream for ‘ere. Anyone for another mince pie?

Ey up! We also uave "lots to do" but..once done the day is mine! Off out with our fully recovered youngest Herbert on Monday night. This could be great or a disaster.. (he buys me loadsa craft beers...) Been fixing items which can be sold on an auction web site after Christmas. Very few are mine but they are nice. I shall shortly be geabbing the day by its nether regions and kicking itinto action. Anyone else having serious problems with Hermes? So far three items have bwen "lost" by them.. one being a replacement for another item they lost last month..problem is they are "cheap" to use. Right, time for a mugadecaff and ..hey ho its off cleaning we go... Baz

Good morning all, Very dull with lots of dark clouds but not raining at the moment. There is even the threat of some sunny periods later. Enjoyed the rugby yesterday although I suspect at least one Tiger supporter here didn't. Taxi job for the girls completed successfully last night although the torrential rain and amount of traffic made the couple of miles on the A3 interesting. Apparently the 50 mph limit doesn't apply to certain "drivers." I use that word loosely, maniacs would be a better description. I was discharged from duty when I got them there as they said they were quite happy to get a cab home. I was quite happy to let them! As Christmas is nearly upon us I've just heard the dreaded words "We've got lots to do today, the house is a complete mess and needs sorting out!" This is not true as The Boss has spent the last couple of weeks "sorting things out" but I suppose I better humour her, especially as she's just asked what I'd like for breakfast. Have a good one, Bob.

Good afternoon from the Hill of Strawberries. Where we put the Wait in Waitrose. Yesterday's shopping trip to Fortnum & Mason's and Liberty's saw us negotiate for planet space with the rest of our species. The train was filled, the tube was filled, the streets were filled and Fortnum & Mason was - well we tried to get in the doors but were unsuccessful. We walked up to Liberty's which was just about accessible at street level though we found much more room inside. Nothing was liberated however and I was advised by SWMBO that this was "just a looking trip". We queued for 15 minutes for a table at the in-store café (which all things considered wasn't that long at all) and enjoyed a rather good afternoon tea. We then took the bus back towards Waterloo in order to enjoy the illuminations and experienced some of TfL's (Transport Failing Londoners) Christmas Cheer. The bus displayed Waterloo as its destination and the announcements said the same. It was full with a good number standing so possibly 80 on board many of whom were struggling with children, buggies, bags and packages. Halfway along the Strand the bus pulled up and the announcements changed to "This bus terminates here". As few made any move the driver confirmed that by turning off all the lights and we were left to make out way downstairs in the dark. I asked the driver why this was happening as the destination still showed Waterloo - he ignored me and rudely turned his back. So 80 or so people were summarily dumped in the street only to watch the driver pull away, turn on the lights and pick up a load of passengers at the next stop. Quite why the driver acted as he did will need to be looked at because a complaint went straight in to TfL via their "tell us" app. Merry Flipping Christmas from the Red Bus People. Grrrrr. Today has been one of three halves. A quiet breakfast gave way to a lovely sunny stroll into town in order to top up supplies. The Wait in Waitrose began with the queue for trolleys. It was then a case of everyone for themselves inside with aisles choked with shopping humanity. I joined a till queue with eleven people in front - all seemed to be the same sort of length - which moved incredibly slowly. As I got closer it became apparent that the operator was checking closely that every single item had scanned. Nothing wrong with that in theory but it did slow the process down somewhat. Three trolleys ahead of me a woman with two teenage daughters was attempting to purchase many bottles of gin and a small amount of food. Her card was declined. She insisted on holding everyone up while she transferred funds from another account. There was still not enough. She promptly grabbed both daughter's phones and demanded their access details in order to drain their accounts too. All very frustrating and rather sad. After an additional ten minutes wait she was finally able to pay but left us feeling rather sorry for her family. What sort of person does that? Let alone does it in a very public place? Domestic engineering has occupied the afternoon and now it is time to sacrifice a cluckbird. The House of Fun awaits in the morning. I have a three-day week which is at least a short break from the usual proceedings although trains will be exchanged for car and a 75 mile drive each way.

The horsedrawn float is now done, details in the blog: This brings the GWR fleet at Farthing to six vehicles, which form part of our christmas decorations this year. Merry christmas everyone!

Time for the annual trip to the Dean Forrest Railway for the Santa Special. Sadly no 4575 this year though. The BR Class 14 on the other end was western region are least...

A great Xmas to you, Tony, and everyone else as well! Do you remember the 'experts' commenting on Stoke Summit? The clot at Wigan who said that there should be a calling-on arm into the sand drag at the end of the Down slow. Which railway would signal an illegal move? Or the dopey signalman (yes, a real one) at Wells who said the Up distant was far too close to the tunnel. I whipped out my book of prototype shots and explained to the chump that it was the inner distant (the outer one, a colour light, being at the other end of the tunnel). 'Ah' was his response. Or the bloke at York who complained that all Stoke Summit was was trains going past. 'Look, there's one, and another - and another'. He also complained that he couldn't get near enough to it to complain! I shook his hand, which astonished him. Or the twerp who complained at Nottingham, with half an hour to go to close, that we were taking trains off. 'They should be running until the show closes he opined'. 'But the ones we're taking off, won't run again' I said. 'The sequence takes 40 minutes to complete, and we only have 30 left. Not only can you not see them because they're in the fiddle yard, but you won't see the ones we take off running on the front again. There will, however, be trains running right up to the close'. 'I'm complaining to the exhibition manager'. 'Do so (and under my breath, you plonker)'. There are many more.......................... One day I'll write a book about exhibiting! Regards, Tony.

Breakfast has been consumed and very nice it was too. Just egg, bacon, tomato and toast, don't do the Full English any more (apart from special occasions) as I am trying not to have to buy new trousers with a bigger waistline. Re Hermes Baz, I've never had a problem with them. We've had the same little Chinese guy for 2 or 3 years now and he is excellent. Will always try to find a neighbour to leave stuff with if nobody in - it's usually me! TBH we must be very lucky as our postie is great and all the other couriers who deliver here seem to actually take some care in what they do with the stuff. Muganotdecaff now and then I have been asked to take the Dyson upstairs and make a start........ ........"Yes dear, I did hear you but I haven't finished my coffee yet!"

I got mine yesterday and wasn't expecting it until January, disappointing I got it early without being told by Hatton's thus they will be getting a strongly worded letter from me in due course to show how angry I am...seriously considering returning it to have it sent back to me in January as promised.

Good afternoon from a brighter Surrey than earlier. Been in the shed laying the first four turnouts in the new fiddleyard. It will soon be ready for wiring to commence. Maybe out this afternoon for beer but waiting to hear from others otherwise its back into the shed.

Morning all. We may go for a walk later. Preferably not at sea level as all the rain going out gets trapped by the flood gates until low tide. We will probably go to Hyde Hall and look at the winter shrubbery. Aditi is busy studying the British Isles this morning. John (CB) sent an Ordnance Survey Quiz for her. She didn’t get all the answers correct so as she believes testing should be formative she is studying. I didn’t know there are some new map symbols. The quiz did rate her as an excellent geographer though. Our next planned holiday event is probably next Saturday in Enfield, unless of course we need to go shopping but I suspect that would only be for something like milk. Tony

Morning all. A day away from ER again and so much happens. Two bits of good news: It's stopped raining The days are getting longer albeit very slowly. Planning to do some wood butchering later, assuming the rain stays away. Hope the day brings lots of good things for everyone.

Morning all from a still windy part of The Charente. Last night was a first. As we had been advised to close our shutters we did so. We thus spent our first ever night in the house with all shutters closed. The winds were certainly strong. As it's getting light I will be setting off to look for damage in due course. The only thing I can see us that the telephone/internet wire is hanging a bit low. Fortunately all that needs is a ladder and a couple of cable ties to sort out. I'll do it when it's properly light. Apart from that we will be heading for the market as usual. A turkey has been ordered. Regards to all. Jamie

some pic from yesterday at Kings cross 43112 by john brace, on Flickr 43112 by john brace, on Flickr 43006 by john brace, on Flickr 43006 by john brace, on Flickr 43112 by john brace, on Flickr

Well, intrepid follower, you are going to have to make do with odds and ends until after the 25th of this month as the railway room is being used to store certain wrapped items..... Including one for me that will be appearing on these very pages after the seasonal event...... 2322 passing over Overbrook viaduct

Solstice greetings and Yule Blessings to all ERs. Pete

Wait until January, then you can make a sign which reads: "Big Leccy Bill? Ha Ha - "

Same web cameras, The water level is high, it's level with the top of the quay heading. and down at Potter heigham bridge that should be land behind the moored boats It's a good job it's out of season, the tin shed top right is a boat hire company, there should be land round that as well.. Oh and it's low tide......

Peckett to Fox Walker. Tom has done a wonderful job. With some fettling of the printed body, and the invalidation of the Hornby warranty with a saw, we have a fit ....

After BR steam finished on Tyneside in September 1967 I began to explore my local area for something else to observe and photograph. The NCB line to Ravensworth Park Drift Mine, near the Team Valley Trading Estate, was a short cycle ride from my home at the time in Gateshead. When I first arrived on the scene the usual working loco was a cute little 0-4-0ST (Peckett no 1748 of 1928), in a clean light green livery with the NCB number 66 and named 'Charles Nelson'. The following three pics were taken in 1968: No 66 propels its train of loaded coal wagons towards the viaduct over the Trading Estate. This area is now covered by the car park for 'Retail World'. No 66 starts the run over the viaduct. The loco propelled the wagons whichever direction it was travelling. The viaduct crossed the main dual carriageway of Kingsway. There is now no trace of it, although remains of the approach embankments can still be found. More to come, including the next loco to arrive on the system and some views of the regular crew. But feel free to add any pictures which fit the brief! Trevor

Evening All It has taken two days to get fully caught up with the goings on hereabouts, and some threads haven't been visited at all this week - all down to jobs domestic, and to painting the kitchen. We finally finished the job this afternoon - though 30747 has some idea that the walls and ceiling need two coats to get a good depth of colour, so there may be some revisiting tomorrow. Anyway, I proffer the usual generic greetings, birthday wishes, and commiserations as required. Apart from the painting, we visited the local antique centre, and were pleasantly surprised to find that a lot of new dealers have taken over some of the stands, and as a result, the place has improved almost out of all recognition - I picked up mint copy of "Last Years Of The Big Four" which has been professionally covered with librafilm for a fiver. No LASAR now as the shop's shut for the holidays until 2nd January - no doubt as 30747 is also on holiday, something will "need to be done" - She has bought an old sewing box off eBay, which is very nice, but has been restored a little too much, so I suspect that the paint stripper, steel wool, rubber gloves and goggles will be getting an outing. Oh, and Lily's ears have now been treated by the specialist, and we await results - cost to our insurer £977.51 - I was in the wrong profession. Back tomorrow (hopefully) Regards to All Stewart

Wood butchering (see earlier) completed, not as disastrous as expected but a compound mitre saw costing the thick end of £200 should really perform better. OK, so it's 2 or 3 years old but it hasn't had that much use however if I choose a preset cut angle I really would expect it to be somewhere close. Managed to sand a bit of mi thumbnail and thumb away with the belt sander, but no real damage i.e. it doesn't hurt. Hope everyone is well and has survived the slightly longer daylight

They managed to lose a pair of shoes ordered by Mrs SE last month. Got misdirected somewhere and no trace. Only going from Bradford to the Dark Peak, takes about an hour to drive on a good day. Any road up, visiting rescheduled for later date without need of car. Boys are coming over for Christmad so using the time I would be sitting in a traffic jam to tidy the railway room for an operating session later in the week. Track cleaned and points tested. Only problem one set of points in fiddle yard may be a bit distorted. Not a big problem as they are usually run over trailing but some things derail if propelled over them. Will put the level on them tomorrow to see if they need tweaking or replacing. Then it will be empty the mini Dyson and see if there is anything to reclaim from the Carpet Fairy.

Good afternoon (I'll type this again) I went to bed early last night and Lady Horsell texted me she let me know what her intentions were it was very late when the light went off I can't remember the last time I felt this happy we continued this morning amongst doing house work, so I its Milk Tray and a bunch of roses to buy tomorrow, Enjoy your day I.M. Overde-Moon BTW there's a tax scam just appeared in my email be careful

There's not an awful lot you can do about the water level in a tidal inlet! Maybe I should post a photo of that area at low tide for comparison.

We went to the flicks about a month ago. We were going to buy the tickets online but the cheeky blighters apply a surcharge for the "convenience".

Same here. If we get any more rain, we will be cut off. As it is most local roads are closed and the remaining open roads all have long lengths of puddle up to 9" deep. I need another 4x4, Went over the old bridge at the bottom of Ludlow town centre on Friday afternoon. If I had seen the river beforehand, I might not have chanced it.

Well, That's my last night shift ahead of Christmas out of the way. I can safely say that life seems to have caught up with me and two consecutive 12hr nightshifts have left their mark. I used to do this week in and week out with no apparent issues but no more it seems. I'm a tired sheep. So, a day on which I had hoped to potter about with some time spent modelling will perhaps inevitably need rejigging.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a lot to do today except to get bread and newspaper. The Christmas crush will be horrendous at Tess Coes if you can find somewhere to park. A couple of days ago some numpty parked their car in the trolly bay, the registration was noted by the trolley collectors. Tea to be drunk, be back later.

That's a nice image, but I'm guessing the water level is not supposed to be quite that high.

The 2019 winter solstice will arrive here at 20:19 tonight - a little over 90 minutes from now. Happy Yule / Solstice / Sol Invictus, etc to you all. With the heavy overcast we've been having (on the banks of the atmospheric river) for the last few days at the dark end of the year, it's nice to think that brighter days are ahead.

Good evening everyone Well it’s been sunny for most of the day, with just the occasional bit of cloud, but it has been a bit cooler than earlier in the week. The mystery of James’s no show yesterday was that he’d forgotten that he was coming, but that even if he’d remembered, he’d have had to call it off as he’s been ill all week, with suspected noro virus. He did enquire about when he could call round next, but with Sheila’s impending second cataract operation looming, we said it would be best if he kept away until he been clear of infection for at least 4 days and so we’ve arranged for him and Amelia to come round next Friday. Vickie and Ian also called round this afternoon and stayed for a while before exchanging Christmas gifts, by the time they went it was quite late, so we decided to have an Indian takeaway. This was followed by a bottle of merlot. Goodnight all

I know the green blobs but I'm with Aditi on the other two And for those of a curious disposition this what we're talking about https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/guides/ordnance-survey-quiz-2019/?fbclid=IwAR1C-nBwbCLAYct3JkSZRMnfFykUdgT20ZPaRy5Qogc3hufbEyrZbcK1-Dk

Afternoon all, Tesco duly visited and navigated fairly well although the checkout queues were long - but moving well in the one I chose. No suffering in the shop from dithering a r souls but one half baked motor vehicle driver decided to conduct his vehicle along a very obvious footpath for some totally unfathomable reason which might potentially be linked with 'seasonal good cheer' because it defies any other explanation. Anyway we went from me 'going out for the 'papers' ti o us going out 'for a few things we still need' - the same will probably happen again tomorrow because one of said 'things' had sold out within just over an hour of the shop opening (it is not essential anyway, I think). In the true spirit of Christmas (???) today we had to clean the tops of all the wall units in the kitchen. Why today I'm far from sure but I presume that's the first sign of spring and its cleaning as we're past the shortest day (more or less). Enjoy the rest of your day one and all.

Afternoon Awl, 5 more drawers constructed, adjusted and installed, the bottom of the top tray of the toolbox was installed as well.. Tomorrow the side of the top tray needs to be installed, some reinforcement to the tray, then the central tray divider / handle support. After that, the 3 doors/ lids need making, before starting finishing work, sanding/ painting / varnishing. SWMBO took Ben for his long walk, the farmers been cutting the hedge brambles, hence more tennis balls returned than went. Ben is playing with his hedgehog again.. I think it's time to enter snooze mode....

Good morning everyone The sun was shining when we got up earlier, but it has gone a bit cloudy now. We’ve had our usual Sunday morning lie-in with breakfast in bed. Now up with muggertea No2 and about to do a few small jobs for Sheila, these are mainly cleaning some of her jewellery and earning brownie points at the same time! After that there’s not a lot planned, but that may well change. Enjoy the day, back later.

Mooring awl, inner Temple Hare, Almost 7.5 hours sleep so a good nights sleep, some Amber liquid may have had something to do with it. Ben the confused Collie got me up, took me to the back door, but didn't want out, he reckons I should be going to work, I don't normally get three days in a row off. Computers, one of my first tasks working for Marconi, in 1989 was to trundle round various RAF updating computers, by fitting 5 MB Winchester drives.. Other than that, how about the 920B from Marconi Elliott, which I did some work on (electronic not programming) , transistors and 8k memory, which filled a good part of a room, then 20 years Later I worked on the 920 ATC which fitted in a small box, for those interested. http://www.computerconservationsociety.org/software/elliott903/more903/Manuals/index.htm I then went on a programming course (Ada) for it's replacement, which was based around a 680016, but as usual with such projects it didn't go into service, while i worked for the company. The picture down river from the sailing club. Not very helpful but, in an hour I'll check again at https://www.horning-sailing.club/webcam.php?camera=club_down to see the soggyness level. Time to think about getting a Muggacoffee.

I had to go and buy a usb flash drive this afternoon. The 32Gb ones I had were adequate until now but the latest map update for my car was 33Gb and so I needed a 64Gb. Just under £12. Somewhat less then memory used to cost for computers even a few years ago.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Had another chat with my niece this evening, no change with regard to my brother who's still waiting to go into Barts for his op. We spoke mostly about an accident my niece had yesterday. What she thought was a bad bruise turned out to be a broken collarbone. This morning she could hardly move her arm and was in some pain so she took herself down to A&E where they put her arm in a sling and gave her some painkillers. Looking for a new jacket for next summer, the type of jacket I'm looking for (gilet) seems to be very hard to find so I had a look at the internet and found a company at Rayleigh Weir that stocks just what I'm looking for. There's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight but as its persisting down at the moment not much chance of seeing it.

Or even something like this Clive? When choosing what to run at random, I though of you. Do these things look any better in black and white? Nope. Still looks like moonlight to me. Still, a sunny day forecast for tomorrow.