SM42

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

Mention of Looe, had Mrs SM42 pondering if perhaps we should visit Cornwall again one day " But it's such a long drive." She said with no sense of irony whatsoever. 🤔 Andy

Looe can get quite busy. Lots of people get days off in Looe Andy

This evening dinner, in honour of the SiL's birthday was finished off with chocolate brownie with raspberry sauce and ice cream. I make that a full house of cake at every meal today 😀 Andy

I find I make a nervous passenger with Mrs SM42. To combat this I look out of the side window and try to relax into a floppy attitude to help with bouncing if needed. Alcohol helps. I am nervous as every time I wash her car I find there has been an exchange of paint with some unfortunate object. I don't think it helps me that I get the feeling she seems to drive with more confidence than I think she has in reality when I'm in the car. Don't ask why I think this. It comes from knowing her for 17 years and I sense she is not in her comfort zone. I noticed a sudden up tick in bravado 6 or 7 years ago and I can't help feeling she does it cos I'm in the car. This occurred not long after she mentioned not having the same confidence as me when driving. I could be wrong of course and I'm being very unfair to her, or she might need new glasses. Regardless she is very good at driving home from parties. A talent for which I am grateful. Andy

Yes especially when I feign to overtake when in the motherland. She can see what's coming and gets worried. She doesn't know I've already spotted what's coming looking down the right side of the vehicle in front. It's quite funny when she starts shouting "No" and makes for the brake pedal she hasn't got. She gets her own back by telling me it's OK to pull out of a junction as the last car is about to pass. Oh how we laugh. Andy

Just to be true to tradition, my wedding ring is worn on the right hand, as that is where it was placed by Mrs SM42 in the church. It sometimes moves to the left hand too, but it was made for and fits on the right better. Not only do they drive on the wrong side of the road, they get married on the wrong hand too. 😁 Andy

My experiences with the opposite gender pre Mrs SM42 were few and far between. The usual teenage romance and being chased romatically by a work colleague ( not literally round the office,) but that was all one way traffic . I think she lives in the US with her wife now. Other than that I didnt really have confidence with women and as a result often got shot down in flames which didn't help with the confidence. However after getting married, I seem to have no trouble and find myself surrounded by women taking an interest in talking to me or spinning round the dance floor with me I also find it easier to start up a conversation too. Perhaps the wedding ring means I'm less likely to be after anything more than conversation or a good dance and Mrs SM42 has brought me out my shell too which probably helps. I don't mind the attention. Makes me feel young again and does my ego no end of good As a colleague once said, " you can look at them, you can talk to them, but you mustn't try to........" you can make up your own ending there. Mrs SM42 and I trust each other and we enjoy life as much as we can. That's all there is to it Besides, I don't think I could be unfaithful if the chance presented itself. I wouldn't be able to get over the guilt of betraying that trust. Anyways Mrs SM42 has announced I have at least a one day pass and maybe a second too, this week so I may go in search of disused railways and even a train or two Finally, just for the record Cake at breakfast and cake for lunch. Could life get any better? Andy

It also arrived several years late. A very similar fate may befall the inaugural Shed Aid project 😬 Less tunnelling and road closures needed for the Shed though. I forgot to add in my previous list of donations A piece of France Andy

I'm just taking stock on the Shed Aid pledges and it seems we have the following. 1. Roofing felt and the means to attach it but no roof to attach it to. 2. Enough fridge shelves to makes a bifold patio door. This could take a while. The Crossrail of sheds I fear but without the pecuniary frivolity Andy

To get an open frame look you might struggle in RTR. The only thing I can think of that might do it is an old Mainline tank wagon but the centre would be wrong. You may have to resort to kit bashing to get open frame look. IIRC the old Airfix (now Dapol) kits have a subframe or the Cambrian option as mentioned above buy that may require detail compromises elsewhere ( axle guards and boxes) It all depends on how detailed you want to be. Another option is to use any old RTR frame, cut out the centre and reconstruct with plastic strip the central ribbing. Whichever way you go, you'll need to consider how to add ballast weights for it to run satisfactorily. An expensive way to go could be a KR models Palbrick runner wagon. ( are they out yet?) Andy

If it was in the motherland, yes. Unfortunately the felt has not come on its hollibobs. Maybe Easter? First train set was a Hornby HST Still got it and what's left of the box. ( that'll add £100 to its resale value at certain emporia. ) It was an early victim if my attempts to correct the huge bolt holes on the front with the only filler a 10 year old SM42 had: Yellow paint. Hasn't run for years, probably the best part of 40 years. For getting felt in the local can I suggest The Olde Seven Stars. For getting punched in the local followed by an exit through a window I can recommend The Peacock. Lovely pubs round here. Andy

The fridge is set to 6c. A little cooler than it needs to be really. We have a choice of even temperature settings from 2 to 8. No champagne to chill though, but plenty of cheese. Have you also noticed that whatever the temperature the room is, it is always room temperature. Andy

I've got a half roll of roofing felt to donate to Shed Aid Andy

Wouldn't that be a greenhouse? Andy

We've got one half shelf. It is now residing on top of the bottom shelf which is the lid for the vegetable drawer. At least it is out of the way there. Maybe it's a spare shelf in case you have lots if champagne to cool down and thus the bottles can stand upright whilst still allowing a half shelf for the cheese. What you do with the now spare full shelf, who knows? Andy

The ongoing mystery at the SM42 Penthouse has reared it's head again. Last year Mrs SM42 cleaned the fridge freezer. On putting the various shelves back in, we now have a spare half shelf. It has no obvious place in either compartment and Mrs SM42 has no memory of where it came from. The instructions are silent on shelves, save to say there is a selection. Another attempt to find it's spot has failed this evening. In defeat, I've opened another beer. Andy

The cakes have been demolished. Various gifts have been delivered around the family. The car has been put away. Weather warnings are in force for high winds overnight and I'm heading to the fridge for a beer to make up for the no alcohol one I had earlier To top it all I have received wine, vodka, chocolate and two ballast wagons as belated birthday presents. Not bad for less than 10 hours inthe country. Andy

Ask the dog to fetch one for you? Andy

That's the M42, M40, M25, M20 E40 and A2 conquered. We are safely esconsed in the land of vodka and cake . Numerous doughnuts await at the in laws. I may be some time. Andy

The car is packed apart fto Mrs SM42's bags. They were not at the allotted RVP at the allotted time and thus have remained where they were left. There's loads of room left without them. Which is lucky as I'm sure they will double in number before we leave. Andy

We can keep a secret It's the people we tell that let us down. Andy

The dark art of fitting a quart into a pint pot is due tomorrow as we are off to the Motherland again We are travelling light, so I'm told From here it looks anything but. Andy

Eating cake can be rather tiring, can't it? Andy

Happy World Hippo day. What a nice present for @Winslow Boy Andy