brianusa

Since covids onset, my wife and I have lived like hermits (perhaps not quite!) to avoid the dread disease which has turned out to be simple and successful. We had the necessary shots, jabs and whatever's, both of us remaining healthy throughout. Still haven't been to a restaurant yet or the movies, etc. Soon now though! If theres any good movies to see these days; those with acting instead of action! Brian.

Had to hire a new cleaning lady as the last one moved away. We usually hire them from a local agency but they ran out of help, fortunately this one is the wife of our gardener who comes from South of the border. Getting our house painted, same colour, new trim, at a good price, which means substantially lower than the last painters! Rain stopped play but they reckon another day should see it done. The house has held up well over the years but it will be nice to see it refreshed and clean. What with the recent new roof and driveway it should be good for a few years! Brian.

Interesting results! Since most of this type of train ends up on basic train set curves, it makes a big difference when run on sweeping curved track. Research such as this can lead to great fun with the most humble train set and a big change from the usual big boys trains seen herein. Brian.

Perhaps a visit to the Swiss version of Home Depot would have been in order first and a new one purchased? Brian.

WADR to our Euro friends, cold breakfast is not on!😟 We usually find that bacon and eggs is usually available upon request these days, no doubt a concession to non Euro visitors. In fact the last time we were offered a fair representation of a FEB with 'cooked' meats. Much better! We shall come again sometime. Lest anybody think we need to have fish and chips everywhere; not so, as we like to try different dishes, just not for breakfast!😋 Brian.

Lost a reply again. Where do they go? Brian.

I dunno! Growing up during WW2, as a child there were some good times. We were lucky to escape the bad times although Plymouth was devastated. Kids of my age managed to have fun in spite of the wartime conditions. We were all aircraft spotters in those days and we could tell some German planes by the sound of their engines, probably names that are familiar to this day. We could tell the difference between a Dornier and a Heinkel or Junkers which seemed to make up the Luftwaffe over England. One of the big attractions was picking up shrapnel and we must have collected tons of the stuff. If you see the movie Hope and Glory you will get the idea although Adolph missed our school!🙄 Brian.

On my tinplate layout, I run a mixture of Hornby and American trains and accessories. It would be difficult to try this with scale models, although some US trains are close to, if not scale. They all happily run together on the same layout. After a long hiatus, I am finally able to return to the train room and run trains after my 'Hip op'. The track is a bit dirty but most things seem to work. The batteries in the US locos need charging and other things will no doubt show up but a least its not so bad as I feared!🙂 Brian.

It looks very much like we have heard, we will probably have to live with it. Probably a good idea considering how many different variations are emerging. It is doubtful it will please the anti everything's, but at least you are free to use a mask if desired. Its glorious weather in GH today and at last warming up so forget covid, Ukraine, elections; time to get some fresh air! Brian.

Re things medical; This is the first week that I was able to return to the train room after my hip surgery. Haven't run a train for a year ...... Thats how long its been; feeling much better now!🙂 Toot Toot! Brian.

The profession is a bit strange these days, UK need helpers, meanwhile UK sends medical professionals to Australia. US needs help also - hires Indian doctors and staff which means the NHS now also is in need which means arranging medical staff from Africa or elsewhere. NZ is probably in the same boat so has to pick from the same labour source as everyone else leading to a worsening situation. Perhaps they hire those Brits from Australia. And so it goes!🙂 Brian.

Never did find out why you can't get 'new potatoes' in the US. Found out a lot about Gal Gadot though! Brian.

For the first time, I noticed This Day in History, that annoying selection of pictures of the day, Gal Gadot is featured. She must have some claim to fame. Also I suffered a missing post - it was pretty harmless, no nudity or political content; I wondered if 'new potatoes' are available in the US as we haven't seen them in the markets. Also due to our recent injuries, we have resorted to frozen dinners, Some aren't bad, some quite good these days. A far cry from the meat and two veg in an aluminium tray of yore! Brian.

Or perhaps the dreaded killer hornet who calls the PNW home! Brian.

Truly artistic photography, Cap'n. Great picture!😀 Brian.

I have read this topic from beginning to end and have this feeling, I've read it all before. Sure enough, there have been many references over the years with similar opinions expressed. Not much has changed, pricing continues to be a challenge for some and time spent is another that matters when travelling with family and children. Distance of travel is another as kids get bored and tire easily in spite of perhaps a Thomas available. From a US aspect which is not dissimilar to the UK, it's better to have a "big" steam engine which looks the part rather than an industrial or even a diesel! A unique destination also helps; wineries are big here as most were rail served. Put in a kids playground and you can get an hour or so's turnaround time or perhaps on to the next one!😃 Like heritage railways everywhere, prepare to spend money or 'big bucks', nowhere is cheap anymore! Brian.

As for books, I do like a lot of pictures to get over the boring bits. Brian🙂

It would appear that legs are the new criteria for harmless debate here. Forget the country is in a bit of a mess, Putin is making a nuisance of himself, Ukraine is being slowly obliterated, Yemen is still in ruins and yet the topic is whether the Labour deputy can distract Boris as she crosses them at Question Time. Or whenever! Surely our government is better than this! Brian.

Lovely London views which I've not seen in quite a while. Nice weather as well! Brian.

As both of us are non cits, we don't get all the 'bumpf' that comes with that honour. Lovely day in the neighbourhood as Mr Rogers might say. Heading toward Summer at last so we can finally turn down the heat and open the windows to let some fresh air in. The tourists are beginning to show up and in their infinite wisdom the city burghers have decided to rip up the streets in order to install another roundabout in an awkward situation. GH must have the most roundabouts in a city of its small size and sadly most locals haven't got the hang of using them correctly. Hence more problems!😠 Brian.

As a third railer it's a treat to see the Southern modelled complete with concrete in abundance. Although not much at Friary, trips to Waterloo and elsewhere always generated excitement, standing on the platform at Surbiton witnessing North Foreland speeding by one day; and electric trains were always different. Was it that long ago?😔 Brian.

Time to turn off the local news then! Thats where ours seem to be most prolific.😠 Brian.

Interesting project John, Most of us have had similar experiences to your point motor; mine happened to be in a cutting where loco overhang carved its own path in the scenery! After a touch of paint and dust, it's barely noticeable. Good to see your lovely layout🙂 Brian

Those lights invariably light up at the worst possible time. Drive home, put the car in the garage and then call the AAA. At least you are home and safe! This has happened enough times. Early on it happened frequently but after many useless trips to the dealer, who never did find anything, we gave up and just kept on going. The car is over twenty years old now; occasionally the light still comes on now and again!🙂 Brian.