andyram

Amber asleep just before 9pm tonight so going in the correct direction. Some pictures from the last few days have been downloaded onto the laptop. I have resized a couple to share on here. Starting with two pictures from yesterday - 6960 Raveningham Hall at Bishops Lydard. Then the pair of 7F's on shed at Minehead today. Finally a strange pair of creatures on Minehead station.

Evening all and many thanks for the good wishes. Amber drifted off to sleep just before 9pm last night, strange bedroom syndrome probably accounting for the delay. She was tired from the long day and a generous bout of playing on the adventure playground at the pub where we had our evening meal. Some of our Somerset regulars may recognise the name of the Raleghs Cross Inn which was our venue last night, and only three minutes drive from where we are staying. Today we went to Minehead and had a stroll around the shops, including the WSR gift shop. We enjoyed an ice cream on the station platform whilst one train departed behind an unknown locomotive (I was too far away to see). The Manor and 4F were in the yard along with both 7F's. 53808 was in steam and was moved to stand by the water tower resulting it being alongside 53809 - a perfect photo chance. As yet I have not managed to link the laptop up to the wifi so no chance of uploading the pictures yet. I will do so when I can. Lunch was taken in the Hairy Dog Inn in Minehead, a nice carvery accompanied by a pint of Cornish Tribute. Upon leaving the town we were stopped at the level crossing whilst 6960 Raveningham Hall ran round the train. So plenty of steam sightings but no ride yet. That is planned for Wednesday because the Taunton MRG building at Bishops Lydard is due to be open that day and i am hoping to see the Bath Green Park model. A good day today - just a shame about the wet weather, ironic really as we had such a hot week last week as school was finishing. Thanks for all the tourist advice. The walks sound great, but not sure the girls really fancy those. The Tropicquaria is very much on our list of places to go. We are not sure whether we can make a day out of it so may combine it with a visit to Watchet and the harbour as I do not think they are far apart. This may even be tomorrow's plan - hopefully I can convince Sarah that dinner or a snack in the station buffet would be a good idea and I can tick off another station. One note from home - my brother has started to expand his social life again since his marriage split. A note on Facebook today suggested a massive headache and ringing in the ears. He either has a hangover or has forgot the alarm code (he is house sitting for us and getting some personal space into the bargain). Take care all. I hope to post photos soon.

That hay fever strikes when you least expect it.

Then again it is difficult to tie a knot when things are stiff.

Evening all. I have missed a few days so have returned to far too many posts to catch up on. As a results I will send the generic congratulations, good wishes and commiserations. My apologies for not being around, but work exploded during the final week of term with a multitude of parent issues. The day's seemed to be never ending. Thankfully the end of term has now been reached, but with mixed results. Some of the parent issues are ongoing which may mean that I will have to pop in more than usual during the break. I also finished the term in pain after aggravating my old Achilles tendon injury during the staff v school leavers football match. Today Sarah, Amber and I have headed off down to Somerset for an early break. That was not straight forward as the over head traffic signs brought news of traffic chaos on the M5 around Bristol, with news of delays stretching between junctions 13 and 15 and more around 21 and 22. The thought of sitting for hours, in a hot car, with a restless four year old did not appeal so some quick thinking ensued. We left the motorway at junction 12 and contrived an alternative route through Bath and onto Taunton. Yes it added miles to our journey and meant the 3 hours 5 minutes predicted by the Sat Nav became 5 and a half, although there was an 45 minute stop in there. We finally pulled into Bishops Lydard station car park at 1.45. A well earned tea and cake was consumed and some pennies spent in the gift shop. We watched the 2.35 service depart behind 6960 Raveningham Hall before driving onward to our holiday let. We are very happy with the accommodation - a lovely newly decorated barn conversion on a working farm not far from Watchet. This evening has seen a lovely pub lunch consumed - hopefully the recent tensions will start to ease. (They may ease quicker if my dear daughter will go to sleep). I took a couple of photographs today which I will post if the wifi holds up. At present my IPad connects five, but the laptop will not. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Explains the population increase.

Nasty waste of helium

Really think that sounds like something you would get in a pub toilet machine!

Ha anyone ever said anything funny on here?

Lay All Your Love On Me - Abba

Exceptional circumstances putting LE out of action.

After posts like this I wish I could add multiple ratings as I would rate it "agree" and "thanks" at the same time. There are many people out there who have this blissful misconception that teachers arrive at school at 8.45, then leave at 3.45 - doing nothing until the following day. Oh and don't forget the 13 weeks holiday per year. I really would like to put some of these people in the classroom and watch them drown in the whirlpool that is the life of a modern teacher. As for today I managed to wing it successfully and the children produced some good work. After our recent geography work about Whitby, the children were tasked with writing some persuasive sentences and producing some tourist guides for the town. They wrote some good stuff this morning and were managing to ignore the heat and get stuck into the design work on publisher. None of them finished so that is part of tomorrow sorted. Tonight I have around 120 sports certificates to write out. Sarah is off to a playgroup committee meeting so hopefully Amber will sleep so I can get the work done!

Add a bit

It will be interesting to see how the former Johnstone's Paint Trophy fairs in England this year now that Under 21 Premier League and Football League teams have been invited.

You turning into a detective?

Great to see this excellent layout alive and kicking.

Morning all. A quick check in over breakfast before heading into school to start the final week. If the children were tired last week I hate to think how they will be today especially with the Mercury rising towards 26 degrees later. I am quite enjoying the cloudy and fresh start this morning. Another set of great pictures Polly, I have really enjoyed the collections you have posted recently. I was also quite impressed with NHN's garden railway photos last night. As someone embarking on their first garden railway project I can only dream of achieving such standards. Chrisf I do hope that you can shake off that irritating cough soon. And so I start the week pretty weary and underprepared. The time I had blocked out for planning for the week disappeared to Sarah's Avon yesterday. Amber woke up and came into our bed early so that prevented any late night planning. I will be winging it for part of the day - but I suppose you can get away with that so late in the year, the children do not produce their highest standards at this part of the year. Since Amber decided to toss and turn and spread out all over our bed I was in her cabin bed last night - not the most comfortable night. If I got five hours sleep that was it Enjoy your day - I may check in later.

Evening all. A rather late post tonight. The day has been a hot one, and a busy one. Sarah's rhinitis has really flared up today. She has not felt well all day. Today was also her day for collecting all of her Avon books. I have played the caring husband and done the pick ups for her. It took three separate trips out and a total of five hours to complete. I feel like I have done another day's work! Last week of term begins tomorrow!

You agree?

Seasoned with a

Great to see Scotsman back and running well. Some may argue it was worth the extra time and money spent on it!

68080 was in service on passenger trains again today. It is seen here awaiting departure from Skaleby West as Standard 4 80120 arrives with a works train.

Hand on your Heart - Kylie

This looks like a nice garden railway I look forward to seeing more.

Just read this thread. I think everyone has various intense periods of modelling, other periods where the interest wains and less is done and periods when the interest goes completely. I had ten years or more when I had no layout and no place for one. During this time I built up an extensive collection of locomotives and rolling stock. This was stored away until such time as space became available. In the last 7 years I have flittered from one project to another. Four years ago my daughter was born and I thought my modelling would come to another end. Instead I ended with some unexpected inspiration and built my Skaleby West layout in just nine months. Since then I have hit a long barren spell and have done very little. I have lacked inspiration for a while. My current project is crawling along and I am struggling to be inspired by it. I am sure that will change soon. Like others have said, keep your stock you never know when your interest will be reignited. Incidentally - for a one day job that micro is great work.