SM42

I have semi successfully introduced pancakes with sugar and lemon juice to Poland. Vodka is not a normal accompaniment but it sort of works. Andy Who is rather relieved the bottle is empty

It was never this interesting in physics lessons at school. Such problems never seemed to present themselves in the school lab environment. Andy

I've got an A level in Physics Is it a problem related to levers and turning moments, or is it more to do with how light acts when passing through various lenses? Either way I might be able to remember something about either Andy

With the current state of industrial relations on the railways, planning anything that involves train travel more than two weeks out is fraught with the danger of there being little or no service on the chosen day Andy

The SM42 Penthouse is a hive of activity. The full set of in laws are expected in about an hour and Mrs SM42 is rushing hither and thither preparing dinner. I put the lamb in the oven earlier as Mrs SM42 was at the hairdresser ( she's been back half an hour hence the rushing about) and am now in charge of beer and vodka and both are at the required temperature so my work is done for now. I now have to try and remember entertaining etiquette Polish style. Andy

Strangely yes. How many do you want? I am hoping the original will turn up. In the to do list are a few 303 squadron Hurricanes using the Techmod decals. Airfix do, or at least used to, Jan Zumbach's Mk5 Spit RF-D ( which IIRC is also / was the BoB Memorial Flight livery) but the Mk1 Hurri kit doesn't give a 303 option . Also have 302 Poznanski squadron in the to do list . First up I need to finish the PZ L I started 5 years ago as a break from wagon kits. I think I'm gonna need a bigger house. Andy

It what happens between periods otherwise known as work. Or it is also sometimes called painting Andy

I do enjoy a send to all mess. Especially when people complaiin about all the useless emails they get from people replying all to ask people to stop replying all, by replying all. Hours of fun instead of work. Andy

I have this evening been looking over a 1/72 Revell kit for a Jagdpanther. I started cleaning prepping some of the parts last October and was doing a few trial fits. I didn't do too much else as modelling and beer don't mix too well, but I did notice the decal sheet has completely vanished. Whilst carrying out the above activity I was sat upon one of IKEA's least sensible office chairs It has a brake to stop it rolling about. This brake is released by sitting on the chair. Very easy to Davros yourself about but a pig to move once you stand up, or indeed if you are trying to vacuum round it. Another bright idea by someone who won't ever use one. Meanwhile Mrs SM42 has authorised a visit to my local model shop. Once again I shall test my best Polish and nodding politely as if I understand the rapid fire insect like sounds ( the reason there are wings and stings on some Polish letters) coming back at me. Andy

So have I Andy

00, EM or P4? On second thoughts you didn't see this. Move along please, nothing to see here Andy

Another weather warnings text has arrived for strong winds It advises to secure objects that may be blown away and avoid open spaces. Obviously being near trees buildings and power cables is a lot safer than being where nothing can fall on you and you've got a good chance of seeing things coming 🤔 Andy

I have just discovered a most odd occurrence. I have opened the drawer in the desk where I keep all my modelling tools and found one of my files stuck to the side of the super glue tube. Now the tube was stored upright and I am in the habit of cleaning any glue from around the nozzle before sticking ( or rather not sticking, that's why I clean up) the cap on. The glue left in the tube is still liquid and it appears, judging by the frosting, to have seeped out between the bottom of the nozzle and tube. I'm not sure by what mechanism this has occurred. It is most odd. Andy

Where on earth did I park the car Andy

I wish someone would hurry up and invent the flush toilet. Andy

Well I've been massaged and feel worse, but things should get better over the next few hours I'm told It was very difficult not to nod off. Andy

I think that happens in any industry when fellow workers are lost in the workplace, especially those where safety is consciously at the forefront of everything. I remember the day one of our signalman passed away at work Even the trains seemed to make less noise that day and there was very sombre mood amongst the staff of all departments. I think it makes people contemplate how vulnerable they are. Andy

I have come to the conclusion that those who design vacuum cleaners never actually use them In hard floor mode it acts like a broom pushing all the dirt into a neat line, rather than actually removing it from the floor. In carpet mode it deposits all the fluff trapped in the brush from the hard floor onto the carpet and then needs at least 8 passes to get it up again, if you can actually get it to glide smoothly across the carpet. Then of course the sections of the pipe and hose pull themselves apart Uprights are no better, pinging dust and dirt off into the distance rather than sucking it up. The crevice tool is about the only useful item and is much better on all surfaces but it takes a ridiculous amount of time to cover a room just using that Andy Who's had enough of vacuuming and he's only just started

The day has dawned grey with clouds scudding across the sky. It is a complete contract to the warmish sunny day we had yestetday We have family coming for dinner tomorrow evening so today is housework day. The dusting has been done just waiting for Mrs SM42 to finish the ironing and get out of the way and then the vacuum cleaner will come out to play. The first bluebottle of the year has now arrived in the flat. This afternoon I am going for a massage on my back. Later , If I can still move, I may reacquaint myself with the little tank I was building back in October and try to get it finished. A preliminary scout of the kit for an UAZ 452 has been made. Just need to decide which version to build. Van, minibus or ambulance. Andy

The foam, or something more substantial may be a better idea for the translucent wagon. With sides that thin, there is a risk of inward warping over time with handling, although the roof and underframe should mitigate this somewhat. I always brace the inside of my kit built vans just in case. I have very few RTR vans but they will also get the same as I get round to upgrading them. It's more of a challenge for the empty open wagon though Andy

We have answered the question as to whether the surviving partner should find someone new. It saves all that wondering and guilt to get this resolved while you can still talk to each other. I wouldn't want Mrs SM42 to be lonely if I go first. Whether she would take the opportunity, should it present itself, to find love again is up to her, but at least she has no doubt about how I feel about it. I have threatened to haunt her anyway. Andy

Interesting one with DVD was that it would always go off at the same place approaching Coventry on the up. As a regular ops departmemt Autumn duty at the time we were sent out to cab ride the first Coventry every morning and report any locations that caused problems with adhesion. I hadn't paid much attention to the DVD, letting the driver do his thing ) and enjoying my cushy number that guaranteed 2 hours overtime every day) until one driver mentioned that the supposedly random alarm will go off when we reach a certain point. Sure enough it did. Every day without fail, at the same place. We had our fair share of fantasists and those who would regale us with amusing stories. How much the latter had developed from the reasonably mundane but a little out of the ordinary into a you couldn't write it comedy sketch who knows, but most of them were plausible if not 100% true. Andy

Looking over maps of the motherland, I have decided that Wednesday's pass will be utilised by heading towards Inowroclaw. A veritable hub of freight traffic. I may stop off at other locations en route there and back to see what I can see. Thursday I have a half day pass, so I will check out my local haunts ( I may get chance to visit my local model shop on Tuesday too after getting my haircut. ) Friday sees the prospect of Mrs SM42 accompanying me to Czarnkow where there is a brewery amongst other things Unfortunately I will be driving so I will be unable to sample the wares, ( penalties for drink driving are severe out here. Even riding a bicycle under the influence counts against your driving liceence) but I could stock up for later. There may also be an old railway line to explore in the area too. For now though a nice cup of tea has arrived as an antidote to all that vodka. Andy

Oh yes A meringue concoction, a black forest style cake, cheesecake, chocolate sponge with cream and chocolate topping, plumb crumble sponge and another cream and sponge combo. All washed down with vodka. Andy

It is a mere short hop compared to where I am now. 6 types of cake at this evening's meal. Be rude not to have tried em all Andy