Martino

…and a very early BA 747 in the background. Still waiting for the strike to end?

Following my move to the US I acquired a 2005 Mustang convertible (after a Honda S2000 in the UK) which I thought was pretty large. The locals used to refer to my ‘little mustang’!

A Ruby Throated Hummingbird, remaining still for a moment.

In the back yard (well, mountainside!) the other day. White Tailed Deer fawn. Jasper, Georgia, USA.

Some recent late afternoon photos from up here in Jasper, North Georgia, US.

I model 15mm/ft for outside in the garden. The last railway, which although British was located in Florida, had resin buildings that suffered from acute fogging of the plastic ‘glass’ in the windows. I replaced them all with microscope slides and no further problems. ….however once you’ve cut the slides to fit they become incredibly sharp. Don’t ask how I found out ;-)

We’ve got a patch of barren hillside by the house, where we had some of the encroaching trees trimmed - what they call Vista Pruning. Earlier this spring I emptied a bag of native, wild flower seeds over the area. I thought I’d just be feeding the birds, but now the plants are starting to bloom. Not many so far, but hopefully they’ll self seed so that each year they’ll expand - if the deer don’t get them first!

Pretty much what was said earlier. However….. “If you do not know where you come from, then you don't know where you are, and if you don't know where you are, then you don't know where you're going. And if you don't know where you're going, you're probably going wrong.” ― Terry Pratchett, I Shall Wear Midnight

One would hope so, but regrettably dear Sir, it invariably is Gha- ridge. ;-)

It’s surprising how much modern British English has crept into common usage in the US. Thankfully the pronunciation of ‘garage’ as ‘garidge’ has not. US English has indeed evolved separately from British English, as has Australian, New Zealand, South African and other Englishes. Much as Latin American Spanish is different from Spanish Spanish. Same with French French and say, Québécois or the French spoken in Louisiana. English is a living language and although it pains me (as a 70 year old) to hear ‘my’ language changed, it’s inevitable. I’d suggest that even Brunel would have difficulty with modern English. Indeed, I’d suggest that we 21st century folks would have problems living with Victorian English. Of course not needing maths these days is saying we don’t need maps as GPS does everything. The trouble is if you don’t have an appreciation of map reading, you won’t know when the GPS gets it wrong. Same with maths, if you don’t have some idea of what the correct outcome should be, you’ll never know when the automatic system gets it wrong. As for regional dialects, there is and never has been anything wrong with them. They are just evidence of the rich cultural differences in human beings.

Putting on ‘Serious Hat’ (no, not a stovepipe). It is important to teach correct facts both to children and to correct ‘incorrect stories’ innocently told by adults. It’s like correct spelling and grammar. Many say we don’t need that but it’s vital to permit correct communication. I see so many plainly wrong stories told on forums (not this one obviously) in good faith but they spread inaccuracies and we need to correct these so that history remains accurate.

Indeed, the one and only.

Up until 6 months ago I lived near a USAF base in the US (I’m told the largest such base in the US) that as well as being a live firing area for the USAF is also home to various special forces groups from the Army, the USAF Special Forces folks and a USN Explosive Ordinance Destruction base. Sudden, very large, detonations were not uncommon. Even at miles distant you were surprised by their impact both in sound and physical ‘shake’ terms. They were not in any way expected, even though you should be expecting them.

“What’s that spider on the garage floor? Closer look…… It’s a Devil Scorpion! Not fatal but may give a nasty sting. Best avoided. Check any shoes left in garage before inserting feet!

White-tailed deer doe yesterday.

It’s from 7 years ago, but still makes me snigger.

A Ruby-throated Hummingbird on our deck recently (in Jasper, Georgia, US).

Thank you Barclay and 33C. Yes, it’s not a big issue just causing a drop off of modelling mojo. I’m sure it will pass.

Thanks Schooner. Yes, I do have enough room, but I used 45mm track and have no 0 gauge stuff. I suppose I could try a 45mm track/16mm in the basement. That’s a good thought, and could go outside in the summer. That’s a good idea. I’ll have a look at the Layout design sub too. Many thanks.

I still have the urge to model. However I suppose I’m confused as what to do. I had a 16mm/ft garden railway at our last house. 10 years old and based (very loosely) on a fictitious 3’ gauge light railway in Bucks. We decided to move to a house up a mountain in Georgia (USA) and there’s nowhere on our steep sided land that obviously lends itself to a garden project. I have a large basement and thought of resurrecting my 00 gauge stuff. Mostly diesels and some steam based around the mid ‘60s WR. The models are all themselves products of the ‘60s and ‘80s/‘90s - so not really suitable for DCC operation. Having done the garden thing with radio control DCC, i can’t bring myself to go back to analog control. ..and anyway I essentially just have locos, very little rolling stock and it’s all old, old, old. If I did recreate an outside set up, where we are would keep running to just during the summer. Every plan I come up with seems a bigger problem than the last. It’s just depressing my interest in modeling and railways.

What about garage? Always used to be gararge in my day, now apparently garidge…….

After nearly the same amount of time in the US I get “what’s you name?” Martin Marty? No Martin Mardin? Martin Marin? Mar Tin ! Oh, mart’n. NO MAR TIN! And to add further insult to injury, my full name is Martin Owen, so I am constantly called Owen as no one can believe I have a first name as a second name. Often called Owen Martin. …and once we’ve established that Owen is the last or family name they insist on adding an S, making it Owens. Arrrggh!

Exactly as British Airways did in claiming to be 100. Yes, there was a British Airways but it was merged into Imperial to form BOAC. BEA came later and then in 1974 BEA merged with BOAC to become BA. So, not really 100 years of British Airways.

My memories are of DMUs being stabled in the east end sidings. There was inevitably a 61XX shunting parcels vans in the two sidings leading to the parcels bay. Mostly Warships, Westerns, Hymeks and Brush 4s on the main line expresses, some slowing to call at Slough on the down main. Blue pullmans of course. Later in the 60’s Warships double heading on the Cornish Riviera and Royal Train movements. A steady stream of DMUs on the relief lines, the parcels railcar with steam hauled freights (Various GW locos, black 5s and 8Fs, plus 9Fs. , along with Hymeks. One afternoon during a boring English lesson (the English room was in a corner of the building and had windows all around two sides) a big loco was parked on the parcels/down main sidings. I could only see the tender and the loco safety valves were lifting. After school I wend down to the fence and it was a 9F. I noted in my book that it was 92220, although I noted ‘looked black’. I’d like to think I recorded it accurately but after nearly 60 years I somehow doubt it! The Dolphin loop was gone during my time there.

Thank you very much Nick and Stationmaster. That’s perfect info in both cases. Looking at a period between Sept ‘63 and around ‘66. That’s corresponds with my early years at Licensed Victualler’s School (shown on the map) and before all Steam was gone, and everything was painted blue! Once again, very many thanks.