Three score and ten no more, seize the day and do some modelling.

[durham light infantry]

I am still reeling from the news that Ken Gibbons has died suddenly. A thoroughly decent human being, top bloke, gifted modeller and champion of the micro layout. At 62.

With Pete Johnson going earlier this year, and some non modelling friends also passing early I am shaken. After nearly dying myself 3 1/2 years ago I thought I was good for another 30 or so years, but am I?

 

Let us take this as a clarion call. Get off our phones/tablets/laptops (apart from checking on rmweb!). Love those closest to you and lets get some modelling done. Don't hold back. Dive into that stash of unmade kits, build a micro layout, or just run some trains.

 

Do it for the Kens, Petes, Tonys, Iains, Roys, Normans, Teds, Johns et al.

 

But do it for yourself too, that three score and ten is not a given anymore.

 

[TEAMYAKIMA]

Having just hit 70 myself, I couldn't agree more. On a similar theme,I am currently on a rail fan trip in Argentina and for the first time in my life I have paid for a single room supplement and an upgrade to economy plus on the airflights. 

 

Why? 

 

Recently I researched every well-known religion and none of them told me that I would be able to take my money with me and so I'm spending whilst I can. The same applies with buying, using and enjoying model railways. 

[Enterprisingwestern]

7 minutes ago, TEAMYAKIMA said:

Recently I researched every well-known religion and none of them told me that I would be able to take my money with me and so I'm spending whilst I can. The same applies with buying, using and enjoying model railways. 

 

My religion does (tightyorkshiremanicus) so send it all to me!

 

Mike.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Always been a truth, we know not the hour, so use the time well.

 

Perhaps I was fortunate? Received the above message from our headmaster on the event of the third of four deaths from leukemia in my home town's school year cohort. This on top of three friends who had lost their mothers to breast cancer, and a fourth who lost his father in a DH test flight crash.

 

Never sat around twiddling my thumbs since.

 

15 hours ago, TEAMYAKIMA said:

Recently I researched every well-known religion and none of them told me that I would be able to take my money with me...

Quite so. It's faith you want, which defines the true treasure.

 

'Religion' has a proven record in provoking armed assaults of the sort we are presently so aware of. Religion's usefulness ends pretty swiftly once it extends past the point of the golden rule as a guide to personal behaviour, and going to the aid the helpless.

 

End of sermon.

[Michael Hodgson]

18 minutes ago, 34theletterbetweenB&D said:

'Religion' has a proven record in provoking armed assaults of the sort we are presently so aware of. Religion's usefulness ends pretty swiftly once it extends past the point of the golden rule as a guide to personal behaviour, and going to the aid the helpless.

 

When I was a lad it also told you which football team you should support.

[NBL]

21 hours ago, 34theletterbetweenB&D said:

Always been a truth, we know not the hour, so use the time well.

 

Perhaps I was fortunate? Received the above message from our headmaster on the event of the third of four deaths from leukemia in my home town's school year cohort. This on top of three friends who had lost their mothers to breast cancer, and a fourth who lost his father in a DH test flight crash.

 

Never sat around twiddling my thumbs since.

 

Quite so. It's faith you want, which defines the true treasure.

 

'Religion' has a proven record in provoking armed assaults of the sort we are presently so aware of. Religion's usefulness ends pretty swiftly once it extends past the point of the golden rule as a guide to personal behaviour, and going to the aid the helpless.

 

End of sermon.

So very true.

 

I've never been a religious person, yet someone's fanatical belief in religion killed a lot of innocent people and almost killed me leaving me with life changing injuries.

 

This happened when I was 35, 18 years ago.   I am a much better person now, more content with my life, and I have no hatred for the person who done that, only laughter as he'll have quicky realised heaven doesn't await with 72 virgins!

 

I agree with the OP, we never know when our tea is out so instead of spending your entire day venting on multiple forums about a handrail being a mm short, do some modelling and stop moaning.

[AyJay]

On the subject of our mortality and how much time we have left, I have come to the conclusion that time is not linear and that it speeds up as we get older (I'm in my upper 60's and for the first time when getting my haircut, yes I do still have my hair, was asked "are you a senior citizen?" To which I replied "yes" and paid the reduced price.)

 

I still think that I'm 25 though.

 

I digress...

Time is not linear.  Try this.  Whatever your age is now, think back to what you were doing when you were half your current age.  It took ages to get there, yet it does not seem all that long ago. Now try to remember what it was like looking ahead when you were young. Perhaps you thought "Next year is an eternity away". But now, blink and it's passed too quickly.

 

I am now in my 7th month of retirement, yet after a lifetime of work, I still don't know what my 'purpose' in the world is? Perhaps I have yet to surprise myself, so far it's just been fixing up our home, I spend more time perusing the Screwfix website than I do this forum.

My Dad died when he was 77, the last 10 years he was slowing down noticeably.  But then he was a smoker, medically retired at 62.  I'm still fit and in good health, hoping to outlast everyone.

 

Anyway, my ramblings must stop. Martin Lewis is on now.   Bye for now.

[Mike Buckner]

On 05/11/2023 at 09:44, NBL said:

he'll have quicky realised heaven doesn't await with 72 virgins!

 

They're all aged 85 or over - and they're men

[MarkC]

Good post, Mike (DLI Mike, that is),

 

I'm 63 next month, and I'm wondering just when/how that happened...

 

Mark

Edited November 8, 2023 by MarkC

[Michael Hodgson]

22 hours ago, AyJay said:

I still think that I'm 25 though.

 

even when you have to crawl under the baseboard?

[TheQ]

Dad retired through Ill health at 53... He died 35 years later, having worked till 65, I retired earlier this year  1 Jan... Hopefully I've another 23 years at least..

[Enterprisingwestern]

1 hour ago, Michael Hodgson said:

 

even when you have to crawl under the baseboard?

 

I'm 70 going on 18 and use one of these;

 

https://www.leroymerlin.es/productos/ferreteria-y-seguridad/mudanza-embalaje-y-paqueteria/carretillas-de-mano/carretillas-fijas/transportroller-590-x-490-mm-400-kg-serigrafia-pa-87248722.html?src=clk

 

Shades of Eddy Murphy and Trading Places, but very useful!

 

Mike.

[Michael Hodgson]

4 hours ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

I'm 70 going on 18 and use one of these;

 

https://www.leroymerlin.es/productos/ferreteria-y-seguridad/mudanza-embalaje-y-paqueteria/carretillas-de-mano/carretillas-fijas/transportroller-590-x-490-mm-400-kg-serigrafia-pa-87248722.html?src=clk

 

Shades of Eddy Murphy and Trading Places, but very useful!

 

Mike.

I'm 72 and I have a similar aid.  Getting onto it is OK, but I find it difficult to get up again, especially since the knee replacement.

[Enterprisingwestern]

10 hours ago, Michael Hodgson said:

I'm 72 and I have a similar aid.  Getting onto it is OK, but I find it difficult to get up again, especially since the knee replacement.

 

Whilst not having deteriorated badly enough to need a replacement knee, mine have started waving the white flag, and with my arthritic shoulders coming into the equation, I can empathise with your plight, I'm sure a video of either of us returning to h0m0 erectus (rmweb evidently doesn't like the Latin word for man) after a session on the skateboard would be 200 quid fodder on candid camera!

I have thought of using car airbag mechanisms to assist, but I think one over aggressive catapulting could do even more damage, both bodily and layout wise!

 

Mike.

Edited November 9, 2023 by Enterprisingwestern
DeLatination.

[DaveF]

I'm 74 and still have generally good mobility but my neck and shoulders can cause arthritic problems and a finger sometimes seizes up which can be a nuisance when working on models.

 

I do find that I get a bit more tired, especially after a long walk.

 

Apart from that I don't feel as though anything much has changed over the years but I suspect that if I compared what I can do now with 30 years ago there would be a difference.

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

On 07/11/2023 at 19:59, AyJay said:

I'm in my upper 60's...

I still think that I'm 25 though...

I'm still fit and in good health...

Perfect illustration that age is just a number: while you have got your health.

 

The NHS medical practise I am registered with has a particularly entertaining doc. who takes care of the ageing. At our first encounter (50) I demonstrated my ability to perform a hand stand. And repeat at 60.

Timings have slipped slightly (mainly due Covid) so am yet to the have inspection for age 70. I can still do a hand stand: but the arthritis in my right index finger makes the balance a little awkward if the surface happens to be rough. I resigned from cartwheels a couple of years ago as a result...

[Hibelroad]

It's very true that you don't know what's around the corner so should make the most of every day. I was doing fine until my mid sixties then went into a rapid decline, fortunately some top NHS specialists and Macmillan nurses got me back firing on most cylinders but it is a wake up call and makes you realise you are not immortal. now I will be switching the computer off and getting some work done!  

[MJI]

My health plummeted at 59.11

 

So 60 was hell.

 

Appears to be a nasty virus totalling my energy production.

 

Mentally 30, phyically 90, really 60, but lungs 20 hahahaha.

 

Appears that my avoid smoke worked. Unfortunatety diseased coworkers screw you up.

[TheQ]

In the military, keep fit they say, do sport they say ..

What they don't say is sports injuries ( and others) return to haunt you years later..

Knees painful.. too much volleyball, too much leaning out sailing.

Lower Back painful, baseball injury.

Left elbow knackered , volleyball and sailing,

Neck and right ankle painful sometimes, car crash.

 

Luckily none of the above stop model railways , but I need a tall stool with back rest to show a layout and have to have a workbench comparitively high, as bending forwards over a table is painful on the back.

Baseboards hinge up or are removable to work underneath, I don't normally do get under anymore.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2023 by TheQ

[25081]

On 03/11/2023 at 16:21, durham light infantry said:

I am still reeling from the news that Ken Gibbons has died suddenly. A thoroughly decent human being, top bloke, gifted modeller and champion of the micro layout. At 62.

With Pete Johnson going earlier this year, and some non modelling friends also passing early I am shaken. After nearly dying myself 3 1/2 years ago I thought I was good for another 30 or so years, but am I?

 

Let us take this as a clarion call. Get off our phones/tablets/laptops (apart from checking on rmweb!). Love those closest to you and lets get some modelling done. Don't hold back. Dive into that stash of unmade kits, build a micro layout, or just run some trains.

 

Do it for the Kens, Petes, Tonys, Iains, Roys, Normans, Teds, Johns et al.

 

But do it for yourself too, that three score and ten is not a given anymore.

 

Hello - I am Ken's brother Graham - firstly many thanks for the kindest of words re Ken - what makes it worse is the fact I and his mate Brian were with him the day before and he seemed perfectly ok , his usual quick witted self and we were talking about the fact that we needed to make a start on some of the many layout idea's we've been talking about for years -I myself am retiring from work at the start of next year at 59 one of the reason's being the number of people I know of in the last few years who have suddenly passed away - not elderly people either ; would never have thought the reaper would come calling for Ken so soon  - personally am convinced the after effects of covid or the vaccine has something to do with it - just too many people nowadays suddenly passing away or having strokes and what makes it worse they've been in good health too - I know for a fact Ken was shocked upon hearing Pete Johnson had suddenly passed away - a couple of years ago he was stood next to Ken at Crosby show when Ken was awarded the worst scouse accent of the weekend award , best of it was Ken was'nt even a scouser ,he was a Glosterian - I bet Ken would never have thought he would be heading the same way before the year was out .

In the last few years Ken had started modelling Belgian prototypes and had been showing his Veldvoort layout - think it was Ken's way of having a break from the way this country was heading post Brexit - Ken always hated injustice and was never afraid of telling anyone if he thought they were wrong - as for his British outline modelling he had recently shown his Wirral based idea called Rivacre - this was a small industrial idea bringing back memories for him of going on the Wirral Railway Circle's Ellesmere Port Docker railtour of the mid'70's - had some newspaper pictures to show him next time he came round of his mum,dad and me joining the tour at Ellesmere Port - unfortunately he will never get to see them - other idea's he was wanting to get done were a Settle to Carlisle idea,a West coast overhead idea and going back to Wirral again Liscard and Poulton on the Seacombe branch and he'd also been getting a few bits together to do a model of Seacombe itself - it does'nt end yet ,he'd been going on for years about doing a model of Liverpool Central High level as when he was young he'd remembered seeing trains in there .

Ken was already building and showing layout's in the early 70's when he was at Wirral Grammar School - he went on to join Merseyside Model Railway Society with his dad - one member who I suppose was his modelling mentor was Jim Sullivan - Ken always liked the OO layout High Cross that Jim was involved with - somebody else who had a lot to do with Ken's interest in model railways was Gerry in City models in Liverpool ,another decent person who always gave customers a warm welcome and had time for people just like Ken did

Still can't believe it

RIP always Ken      

Graham

x

Edited November 22, 2023 by 25081

[durham light infantry]

 

[LNER4479]

I read that poem out at the funeral of my travel buddy in June this year. He was five years older than me but he should have retired a lot sooner than he did - he wasn't short of cash.

 

Almost exactly a year previously, we were on an epic North American coast-to-coast trip together. He wasn't a well man but was determined to make the trip.

 

Carpe diem - and do at least a little bit of railway modelling each day