bbishop

Some stupid idiot has just ripped the CD player out of his computer. Luckily he had just finished copying a batch of portfolios for the South Western Circle. Just off to tonight's Prom, Sibelius 5, buying padded envelopes en route. Bill

So Mick, that makes me feel terribly old. I last signed the Act 40 years last month, when I started full time employment for the Post Office. I've still got my copy somewhere. In present day numbers, that is half a life time ago. Sh1t. Actually that was the fourth and final time I signed the Act, the previous three times were for holiday jobs. Bill

Andrew, Have you bitten off more than you can chew? Bill

Ian, Model & Tool Supply was by Raynes Park station. Home of O Gauge was along the Kingston Road, beyond the Junction Tavern. Bill

Dick, The shop was originally owned by Charles Covey, initially in Peckham and then Raynes Park. When he retired to the Isle of Wight, Nick purchased the business, renamed it to Home of O Gauge and actually moved it along the Kingston Road to where the post office used to be, which was slightly annoying because it was my nearest branch. When Nick retired, various things happened (not to be discussed on a public forum) and I was not alone in deciding not to enter the premises again. By then I had moved. Then it shut. Bill those of you who know a certain person will understand why my post has been edited

Back from the Prom - a rather disappointing Elgar 1. Oh well, Test match starts tomorrow. I have acquired Nick's backscenes, so tomorrow's task is to paint the top three inches blue. Bill

This post is aimed at Debs, but of course someone else may be able to help. A friend has a thirty year old Myford ML10 lathe. The ½ horse power motor has just about given up the ghost and Nick has to resource a replacement. It's an imperial lathe and he can reduce the power to say a third of a horsepower. Anyone got any ideas? Bill

And so to page 2800! Yesterday's prom was Mahler 9, wonderfully correct for the special day, especially as the music gently faded away into oblivion and then the Prom audience waited 30 seconds before clapping. Tomorrow is Elgar 1, completely different kettle of fish, although the two symphonies were composed concurrently. I've spent today repairing Höchstädt after the Tinkers Park exhibition. Most of the damage seems to happen during break down. Ho hum! Höchstädt was next to Bad Obing at Tinkers Park, another Spur Null layout. Discussions were held, tape measures were wielded, and plans are afoot to connect the layouts together. So whilst they will both be exhibited separately, a largish venue could accept a 35 foot by 16 foot "U". Good to watch, fun to operate and the stock will get a decent run. Bill

Nah, I'm only 5' 7". Bill

So I've been following your various skills with some amazement, speaking sentences backwards indeed! But now you have touched on my particular skill, namely being able to read upside down accurately at speed. Very useful at meetings. Indeed, I once costed a proposal before the project manager had finished his presentation - unfortunately for him it had a negative NPV. Cycled up to the Prom this afternoon. Odd bits of Richard Strauss, really not my favourite composer, but the first half ended with his Four Last Songs - an utterly bewitching work. The second half was Elgar 2, beautifully played. Whilst Elgar is assumed to be the most English of composers, this is a very unenglish work; composed in 1911, it is very much a precursor of the Great War. Then cycled through the parks to Charing Cross to catch the train home. Bill

Talking of music ... Yesterday was interesting. I met Bob Perrat at 2pm in The National Gallery to collect some trees for Höchstädt (Bob is distribution manager for Ceynix Trees), then in easy stages to the Royal Albert Hall for Mahler 5 (the adagietto was used in Death in Venice). "What's in the holdall, sir?"; "Trees"; "Thank you, sir". Home about 11:30, then into the garage to plant said trees on Höchstädt. Checked this morning, stuck down and effectively block certain scenes so that Joe Public can only see the perspective that I want him to. Operating session today, then breaking down for Tinkers Park this weekend. Back to the RAH for Elgar 2 this evening - it's a nice day so I will use the bike. Bill

Dominic, Absolute desert for model shops. The only place worth visiting is Ian Allen in Lower Marsh. Waterloo Road, past the station towards the Old Vic traffic lights. Right into Baylis Street, then Lower Marsh is the semi pedestrian street straight ahead. Ian Allen is about the second shop on the left. Mainly books, with a small selection of British outline ready to run. Drink - back across the lights, next left into Cornwall Road, under the railway, right into Roupell Street, past the battered Citroen, the Kings Arms is 100 yards on the right. Bill edited because I can never remember the name of the pub, always refer to it as the Kings whatsits

Dominic, There is a J D Wetherspoons top end of Whitehall - Lord Moon of the Mall. Good variety of beers and cheap grub. One of the best pubs is The Harp in Chandos Place - east side of National Gallery, aim at Edith Cavell, walk along William IV Street, Chandos Place half left. Can't help with photography. Bill

Cat, Not a bin in sight! Where were you caterwauling? Bill

Dominic, Are you staying in London? If you are interested in an ER meet, I'm coming up town on Wednesday afternoon - to collect trees! Bill

Guys, Under no circumstances am I climbing that signal ladder. Bill

Mike, How is The Station Cat getting on? No photographs of Lichtenstein bins yet! Bill

Pete, Keep the avatar, then we will know who you are. Bill

Pete, What a sh1tter. But in any service, there are some who don't want help from "amateurs". I've met a few in the ambulance service, but most crews appreciate my assistance. Small problem this morning. Toothpaste in white tube, shaving cream in black tube; at least this morning I got minty cheeks because I have done it the other way round in the past. Bill

Barry, Batting can be driven by the leading eye, rather than the leading hand. An example is right handed Graham Thorpe; a good club cricketer batting right handed, test cricketer when turned around. Whilst I could bat either way, I was better right handed and found out I was left eyed, so I was batting the correct way. But then I only bowled right handed, yet preferred to throw left handed. Bill

Dominic, Very nice indeed. I'm still hoping for Silberlinge in Spur Null. Tony, Ye gods, still able to type? Bill - my pc has given up on the "reply" button.

I doubt if Tony S will post again tonight. Bill

My views on flying align with Ian - avoid if at all possible. However, au contraire, I have equally no interest in cars - learnt to drive in a Marina hatchback (strategically placed matchstick for reversing around the corner) and presently potter around in a Vectra (mutual agreement to 65mph maximum). Mind you, the Marina could climb, my father taught me hill starts on about a 1 : 3 gradient. Bill

Yeah, it's very cruel of these companies not to provide every single rtr option that any punter thinks (s)he might want to acquire. Try modelling German O Gauge - I'm eternally grateful for anything and everything that is supplied! Bill

Mike, I'm sure you are correct about the validity of Eurostar tickets to Centraal. I was staying in Ste. Catherine so the Pre Metro made sense. Tony, every northbound "domestic" train will stop at Centraal - but not for long! Bill