well filled baps The Sheep Chronicles : These are the adventures of a Sheep, the Works Forecat and Naughty George,

[Barry O]

Yes the Heljan NEM Pockets are pretty useless.. too much uncontrolled "floppiness" and side to side movement when you don't need it.

 

Baz

[Dunsignalling]

3 hours ago, PaulRhB said:

A bbq bamboo skewer works quite well too if you just run the pointy bit over some coarse sandpaper to rough the end up a bit. Poke it in the knuckle and twizzle it round and they are a fair bit cheaper and easier to come by than the kadee plastic version. 

Also plastic knitting needles or the handles from cheap kiddies paint brushes.

 

John

[MrWolf]

42 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

It's not the most robust offering, leading to droop at that most inconvenient of moments. 

 

 

 

 

 

I do believe that there's a pill for that...

[NHY 581]

Morning all. 

 

Well, with a week to go before 'the big day' can I take the opportunity to say thank you to all who have contributed to the chaos, mayhem but above all the friendship, remote though it is, that makes the Sheep Chronicles the social animal that it is. 

 

2021 has been quite a year for all of us in so many different ways. We of course lost a good friend and fine modeller in Mick Bonwick and my thoughts are with his family for what will be their first Christmas without him.

 

On a personal level, I started the year with a dose of COVID and though most traces of it have gone, I still have a little something courtesy of it's visit. However, I was moved to receive a good many messages offering good will and support at the time and since. Thank you all. 

 

Shortly after that episode, I also found that I was diabetic. I'm glad to say I took the hint, made changes and we now have a healthier, slimmer sheep than 12 months ago so not all bad really. I'm just grateful it was spotted. Again much support and advice was offered and once again, thank you to all who contacted me and helped to quell the uncertainty. 

 

I also end the year as a pensioner, albeit one who considers that, for now at least, it will be very much a semi-retirement and an opportunity to try something different to the career that's kept me occupied for the last 25 years. 

 

Throughout all of this, I've been able to play trains. A few projects came and went but we approach this Christmas with Project X quietly evolving from an un-named bucolic East Anglian backwater to one powered by my first foray into the internal combustion engine complete with my first tentative steps into DCC and god forbid, auto uncoupling. Thankfully we also have a name. If all goes well in the world,  Ewe will be exhibited amongst the fine work of many esteemed fellow members of this erstwhile forum next April at the SWAG gathering in Taunton. 

It would be just a splendid thing to see as many of you there and be able to finally meet in person. In the interim, my thanks for the considerable amount of help and advice which has been so freely given. 

 

In addition, I have a number of other exhibitions already booked for next year (and some pending)  which will provide further opportunity to meet and chat. 

 

So I'll finish off by saying I shall endeavour to keep the Sheep Chronicles going. I see no reason to change.................other than to, ahem,  document the next chapter......

 

I'll finish then by taking the opportunity to extend, on behalf of The Works Forecat, George, The Mischievous Apprentice and of course Norman Lockhart ( who has been a bit quiet of late but I'm given to understand quite likes East Anglia and its caffs), the very best of wishes for the coming festive season. 

 I truly hope the current evolving situation doesn't unduly impact on too many of us, that we all have the Christmas we hope for  and that Santa brings ewe a little something in return for being the good sorts that ewe all are. 

 

Rob. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 18, 2021 by NHY 581
Naughty Elf

[KNP]

Merry Christmas, Rob and long may the Sheep Chronicles continue.

Here's to a Happy New Year.

[bgman]

Here's to a Happier EWE Year to you Rob and all of your flock.

 

G

[JustinDean]

Merry Xmas to you and your family Rob! 
 

Jay

[NHY 581]

Thank you chaps. 

 

I have had a bit of modelling time today and I'm having a tinker with a Bachmann wooden mineral jobbie. 

 

 

A work in progress. 

 

 

 

Rob. 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[MrWolf]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your flock Rob.

 

RW

[mullie]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and the family Rob, let's hope 2022 is better for you.

 

Thanks for an entertaining and informative thread.

 

Martyn

[The Johnster]

On 17/12/2021 at 10:03, Dunsignalling said:

Also plastic knitting needles or the handles from cheap kiddies paint brushes.

 

John

These have very stiff nylon bristles, and are useless for painting with, but excellent for sweeping out your flangeways.  

[The Johnster]

Have a Kool Yule, Rob, from the desolate wastes of Stacey Road and the sheep-infested mountain fastnesses of Cwmdimbath...  I'm not participating so much in 'Chronicles' deze daze as I am trying to limit the time I spend on RMWeb, which is interfering with the modelling and p*sses off The Squeeze, but good to hear you are thriving despite the virus and the Diabetes.  He was one of those ancient Greek types, wasn't he, along with Vehcles and Evelopes, Phidippides and his brother, Phidippidose...

[vaughan45]

Merry Christmas to ewe and yours. Thank you for an inspiring, entertaining and stimulating thread.

 

That wagon is definitely getting there, reminds me of an unpleasant layer cake I once ate (and later regretted eating).

[NHY 581]

More dabbling. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll source some transfers in the new year but that might do it for now.....

 

 

Rob. 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[NHY 581]

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[MrWolf]

It looks even better when seen in context on a layout.

[NHY 581]

Finally......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 4, 2022 by NHY 581

[JustinDean]

1 minute ago, NHY 581 said:

Finally......

 

 

 

 

 

That’s quite superb Rob. 
 

 

Jay

[NHY 581]

1 minute ago, JustinDean said:

That’s quite superb Rob. 
 

 

Jay

 

 

Thanks Jay. 

 

A few bits to finish off but I'm quite pleased with things as they are. 

 

Rob. 

[Alister_G]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Rob, look forward to seeing you at SWAG if not before.

 

Al.

[NHY 581]

7 hours ago, Alister_G said:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Rob, look forward to seeing you at SWAG if not before.

 

Al.

 

Morning Al, 

 

Thank you and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

I'm looking forward to SWAG. It will be good to catch up. Was it not the show in Staffs when we last spoke ? 2019 when I had Mutton there or am I going bonkers.......again.

 

Rob. 

[Alister_G]

32 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

 

Morning Al, 

 

Thank you and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

I'm looking forward to SWAG. It will be good to catch up. Was it not the show in Staffs when we last spoke ? 2019 when I had Mutton there or am I going bonkers.......again.

 

Rob. 

 

Yes that's right it was. A long time ago, now!

 

Al.

[Stubby47]

That wagon looks good, but.....

 

where the newer planks are I'd expect to also see newer boltheads.

 

Just sayin'.

 

Oh, and a Merry Xmas to you and yours, hope Tom gets his start date sorted soon. 

[AdeMoore]

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you and your family Rob, excellent modelling skills always on show in your thread here.

I don’t know how you find time to read all the replies here never mind reply to many! I had to drop to one notification a day otherwise my emails go mental! Great stuff here though always good humoured and supportive.

You intending to go to Edington? We may be in lockdown so maybe not!

Cheers

Ade

[Gilbert]

15 minutes ago, AdeMoore said:

Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you and your family Rob, excellent modelling skills always on show in your thread here.

I don’t know how you find time to read all the replies here never mind reply to many! I had to drop to one notification a day otherwise my emails go mental! Great stuff here though always good humoured and supportive.

You intending to go to Edington? We may be in lockdown so maybe not!

Cheers

Ade

Ade - according to UK Model shops site the show is off due to Covid - great shame - its an annual post holiday treat for me.

Chris

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/event/22878-SomersetandDorsetRailwayTrust_Exhibitio