devonseasider

After a semi-enforced absence of 5 or 6 weeks I find I'm now 60-odd pages behind with this topic. The problem is that life just isn't long enough to read that lot and still find time to eat, drink, sleep & take tablets! I flicked very quickly through a few pages & spotted a picture of the delightful Ms Coleman, but have I missed anything else? Can anyone give me a quick summary of what's happened? PS have I ever mentioned that young Jenna-Louise & I went to the same school (as did the sadly missed "Sir" Jimmy Armfield in earlier times). Unfortunately, I left some 30 years before she started . . . .

"Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?". At least we know the answer to that question now . . . . Ironic that the Morrison's canteen must be on almost the same spot as the old 72A mess room.

G' morning Dave. Trying to do a bit of forward planning here, contrary to my usual seat-of-the-pants existence (New Year's resolutions & all that!). Is Bob Jones going to be with you or is his health still a "cause for concern"? Need to know whether to come over the Blackdowns to you or pencil-in the wife & dog for a walk on a beach somewhere & a few brownie points . . . .

Hmmmmm . . . . Unfortunately, it's not just the exhibition threads. Seems to have lots of issues with lots of things.

Tormouth Quay boxed up & ready to go in the car for the journey north over the Blackdowns & the Mendips. Fingers crossed for reasonable weather . . . .

PM sent.

Done.

Hi Steve. Hope it's warmer where you are than it is where I am! Look after yourselves. Oh, and good morning again Douglas if you should be reading this . . . .

Smug grin at this point from at least one of us . . . .

Good morning Douglas. What's a nice man like you doing in a place like this?

Anything to report, David ? Did the layout behave itself?

Just wanted to say a brief "thank you" to all visitors & exhibitors / traders. Hope the former enjoyed what was on offer and the latter were happy with the way we looked after you. Look forward to seeing you next year from the same, or the other, side of the controller. Saturday November 10th 2018. Best wishes to all.

Thanks for those Richard. For anyone wondering, layout details are as follows: photos 1 - 3 Abbey Light Railway photo 4 Streatwell Green photo 5 Tidworth photo 6 Feltham Road MPD photo 7 RNAD Achdalieu photo 8 Ernie's Halt photos 9 & 10 Invernevis

Thanks Steve. Pleased you enjoyed it. Good to hear things look to be on the up for you both. Make the most of your holiday - you deserve it!

Oh no, no and thrice no. Don't go that way, it's the long way round. Take the scenic route (and shorter 'cos it cuts off the corner). Left at Raymond's Hill / Hunter's Lodge, left again at Hawkchurch sign / Fairwater Head, straight on at crossroads, down, over stream & up, right at T-junction at end & you're just about there. Watch out for Spenc - if he's coming at you the opposite way in his bus you're stuffed!

A pretty good chance of getting a bacon & egg butty before I hoover up the leftovers!

Back home from setting-up the venues. Some layouts in place, remaining exhibitors arriving at crack of cuckoo spit in the morning. More importantly for some of you, bacon, eggs & bread rolls in place for early-bird breakfasts & Brenda paid us a visit about tea-time to show us her buns. Hope some of you will be able to make it through the lanes despite the best efforts of SatNav systems to send you into a farmyard. Come & say hello at an exhibition with a different "feel" to the usual.

Village Hall & adjacent school both have car parks - a bit more space available in the latter than the former. Pay desks in both buildings so it doesn't matter which you use. If they're both full someone will direct you to the overflow parking at the church, a very short walk away. There's also some parking at the roadside outside the hall & school. Hope you can make it - come & say hello if you do.

Unfortunately Horsebridge Yard has been withdrawn because of illness. In its place we're very happy to welcome John Cavell with "Crossways Wagon Works". For those of you who aren't familiar with it (probably the majority of you!) this is a most unusual model, the centrepiece being a fully-operational 0/09 dual gauge traverser.

Certainly is.

And don't forget its less-salubrious suburb, Only Just.

Not much of that left in Cornwall these days. It's all in Tesco in Seaton (almost bringing it back onto topic!).

Oi - just watch it, you. That's all I've got to say.

I think that's an appropriate comment for much of what happens in upside-down land . . . .

Dave - really don't know, sorry. Maria asked me a little while ago to give them some room for a small trade stand. I understand that Jess will be "manning" it, but no idea what sort of stock she'll be bringing. Also don't know whether it's a one-off appearance (they're very close by and one of our sponsors) or if it signals a possible return to the circuit.