The White Rabbit

My name vill also go on ze list... Not this am but yesterday tea was bacon sarnie time, no doorsteps but decent bread and bacon with some camembert and pesto. Piddling down today, so various inside odd jobs done and more time allocated for cooking. An onion omelette had for lunch, accompanied with a few triple cooked chips, some runner beans and a glass of white. As Jamie might say, 'it's a hard life'...

Elsewhere in the statute book, that's described as a conflict of interest and all sorts of punishments are decreed, right up to permanent removal of cake scoffing privileges. It might make sense if your surname/family name is Janus but for simple peasants like myself, it just seems like there's one law for the lords and one for those who shovel the *. Further comment could get me into trouble... Here it's been dark - sunny - dark - sunny (ad infinitum) like some giant toddler's been fooling around with a dimmer switch all day. Not to mention playing with the watering can. A good day for landscape photography, you can get some great frames in dramatic lighting conditions. And soaked. And frozen to the marrow. And - a day or two later - a streaming cold. Achoo! So I resisted temptation to suffer for my art and did a few jobs at home. A little cooking, some DIY repairs and ordering some things/upgrades to replace various bits which have conked out. Like phones, printers, gutters, waterproofing and sealant. And a few seeds were sown, veg/salad and flowers. Chives, cress, lettuce and aubretia, alyssum and snapdragons. Many, many yoghurt pots filled...

As quite a few of us know, the trouble with being awake in the dark hours is it's too much of an encouragement to think ... Last night, my 'specialist subject' was alliteration, with a side order of tongue twisters. For some reason I woke up with a mental picture of a dozen or so assorted bears feeding from a cattle feeding trough of baked beans, so, thinking about menu options when dining out: Bear's bargain baked bean barbeque bowl bonanza. Bear's beef bearnaise butty blends baba, boiled brisket & brandy butter. (Best not try that at home folks...) Better biscuits baked by Bear, blessed by Barings Bank brainy boys. And potential business/GmbH slogans? Bare bears bake baked beans by brewing better bowls. Bear's brilliant before breakfast beer bouts backed by bubbling bowels. By balking brilliant badinage, bantering bears bait baffled barracking bandits. Bad bears boil beans by burning bonfires, baulks bearing bubbling bowls, barring beefy blows by belching bears, baffling better bears' brilliance? At which point - thankfully - it was back to snoozy-land.

I've found the thin ones are useful kneeling mats. Not thick ones as the edges can dig into your shins but the 'weedy' ones are useful for weeding, whether kneeling on flags or damp grass. So mine take a circuitous route to the recycling!

Welcome back Bear. I had toad in the hole recently (I'm having to deal with a few things atm and many days are blurring into one another...). The way I do it isn't laborious, just mix the batter a couple of hours ahead of it going in the oven, brown off the sausages (from a local butchers, with a high % of meat) then add together and place in a hot oven. Cooked but not excessively crispy, it's a traditional style. (And yes, I know other opinions are available, I remember the last round of comments about YP)! Adding sausages (or other meat pieces) does seem to help the batter cook. Maybe about ten minutes prep and then about half an hour doing it's thing in t'oven. The thought of an air fryer being used to make tea is a touch 'peculiar'. I'm not a tea drinker but ... hmmm ....

Snap... I don't think I had any specific reaction to codeine but I didn't like it, was very happy to stop taking it. It's difficult to be certain whether you are feeling grotty due to the drugs - or due to other factors - or a combination of both. So far, after my surgeries, I've felt considerably better than medical science suggests I should have and have been able to walk (and talk!) and do more than official doctrine suggested I would at that particular time. I was able to come off painkillers a lot earlier than the doctors anticipated. What annoys* me is that where it really counted - deep inside me - my body decided it was going to 'sulk'. And not heal the way the rest of me suggested I should have. No address given for a 'PX' form either, pah & TCs in spades... Fingers crossed you do not suffer from such capriciousness. It would be easy to sit in a corner and sulk, though the weather today has helped steer me away from such negative thoughts. The first of the garden daffodils are out, rather earlier than anticipated, and it's been relatively mild. A certain amount of gentle G-word activity has been done. Two robins have been making themselves known, I think they must have a nest close by as I've heard a lot of territorial warbling. Some earth-turning has been done and both robins have been showing a considerable interest in this. Much Pecking under the Bush could be the name of a garden railway station... Though I think I might be holding out my cap and cadging for a tip, in view of all the work I've put in and no bill sent in. No cheques, no credit. And no contributions of dead bifurcated earthworms and regurgitated woodlice please, my local branch of Nat West won't accept them and give you all sorts of funny looks if you try. It's strictly coin of the realm chaps, preferably guineas rather than rusty 1890s pennies... * That's a major understatement, made in consideration of RMW's rules about Anglo-Saxon language in pursuit of excessive honesty...

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/173912-metcalfe-modelling-miscellaneous-memories/#comments I have a couple of MDF laser cut kits waiting, hope to have a go at them later this year if a couple of other things can be dealt with so I can focus on modelling. So at the moment, I'm trying to pick up some tips and see how others get on with them before making a start.

Morning awl, Positive vibes to Bear Towers, been there myself (mainly 'thanks' to the NHS) and I'm very glad things are improving. Perhaps the cure is one of those prescriptions pharmacists can't fulfil, but - like Jerome K Jerome's case - is one of those which need taking elsewhere? An hour muddling or fighting the evil machinations of CC every eight hours. One dish of pizza (and curly fries?) every lunchtime Two helpings of LDC every evening Twelve really dirty jokes every 24 hours A few friends, worthy of the name One comfy bed sharp at ten. Also, fingers crossed for Dave, more best wishes that way too. And - while I won't claim I fit the motoring homepage's description seen earlier of 'playful and beautiful' 😉, I did see an article earlier which was a bit more cheerful (and less political!) than most of the news, brought back some memories: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/14/he-always-deseeds-my-tomatoes-17-little-gestures-that-make-you-feel-loved - a little bit of solace goes a long way.

I've heard of that being done the other way, with Japanese ideograms or Chinese characters printed on a T shirt being used to say something derogatory about the [Western] wearer.

Or to put your foot down?

How much earth is in a hole one foot deep by two across by two long? Is it legal for a man to marry his widow's sister? There are five people in the room and five pieces of LDC on the plate. How can you give a piece to all five and yet have one piece remain on the plate?

Some random thoughts this pm, partially 'inspired' by ERs: https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2013/04/12 Valentine's Day tomorrow. Two cards arrived today. However, https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1989/02/12 How to train a Bear... speak softly and carry a big umbrella. (As I believe T Roosevelt might have said...). Have a pocket full of pizza. Don't get knocked over in the rush... and put not your faith in AI's listening abilities - or my ability to write alternate rhymes! Bear would have been welcome to share - and I must apologise for getting his fur wet - I asked for sunshine! AI, pah. Mr Raymond Luxury Yacht (please pronounce as 'Throat Warbler Mangrove')

There's always Arthur Jarrett's fate: http://montypython.50webs.com/scripts/Meaning_of_Life/12.htm (text only - no graphics...). Morning all. I didn't eat the salmon mousse but feel like I did. A quiet day I think ...

Yes, from what you've said previously, I doubt any of the Metcalfe kits would work for you in this project without massive adaption. I prefer to scratchbuild in plasticard when modelling for myself but have quite of bit of experience with Metcalfe kits - perhaps more relevantly, various photos of the end results. Hope they are of use, if only to help you decide not to do it like that!

Sorry to hear that news. Hope things improve and you feel better asap. And get some 'justice'. It's not much better this end either - one of my friends has had a very bad weekend - his dog is not in a good state with a poor outlook and they face 'that' trip to the vet tomorrow morning. Which hasn't made this weekend very cheery. Grumpy Rabbit atm...

Or would that be an ecumenical question?

I don't know about the historical accuracy ( @MrWolf, @KNP and others might comment?) but there's https://www.artitecshop.com/en/vehicles/h0-187/ready-made/motorcycles/ and https://www.artitecshop.com/en/anwb-roadside-assistance-motorcycle-sidecar-with-f.html - very nicely detailed but two snags I see, they are 1:87 scale (though a touch of forced perspective if you used them close to the back of a layout?) and not cheap.

The first for me - with the second, it looks too much like a missed connection. And a bit crowded, the first has a more spacious feeling.

Unless the buildings are lit, then (IMHO) you don't need to go for much detail inside. I'd suggest an 'impressionist' approach rather than 'Pendon' style. I've modelled basic interiors for the station building and waterside pub on mine and can only see a rough outline. Things like fireplaces, large pictures, ticket racks, the public bar, barman/maid, tables and settles show up. The train register on the signalman's desk (and the open paperback perched on the arm of his armchair). I did put beer taps and a few glasses in place - I can just see the former if I shine a torch in through another window, can't see the pint glasses. Or the ticket dating machine or coal scuttle. But depending just how big your windows are, you might be able to see a bit more - try it and see... Not all of the above is pictured on RMWeb - if you have a look at the Metcalfe thread, especially the post re the coaching inn (c a third of the way down the first page) and the cafe/pub (c a third of the way down the third page) then depending on the size of your windows, it might be a useful comparison to see how much you might be able to see of the interior. With the latter, that big bay window did let more light in, though only to that alcove - not the main part of the 'dining room'/bar/snug. 2D pictures of 3D objects can be useful if the viewpoint is restricted - for instance the shop and cafe windows in the red brick corner diorama on the second page. Likewise the images I did of flower vases in front room + bedroom windows and books/toys at a child's bedroom window. Saves a lot of time and fiddly bits.

Yes, I thought it had been a while since I'd seen a post, wondered if it was just me being dozy. I did think I'd check this evening but. All the best for a speedy recovery. Thoughts with Neil's ex-colleague's family. My sympathies are firmly with the 'bash it out of the way' approach. But then I've worked with a serving fireman and an ex-fireman. They are up there with lifeboatmen, mountain rescue and other SAR personnel in my book. Three successes today, a tradesman came round to arrange some repairs, the quote is less than feared and a couple of matters he fixed whilst here in a few seconds. Left me feeling a bit daft but that's specialist knowledge/experience for you. Two deliveries came earlier - one was predicted to be Wednesday and another Wednesday/Thursday. The latter was advertised as being 2-3 working days - it was actually more like 2-3 hours. And free delivery! Nice work fellas... And one recent furry friend meeted and greeted, she's getting very friendly with us. It's not cupboard love either, the way some of our four legged acquaintances are, as they know they're about to get a treat or a bone. By chance, the times we've met her, we haven't had any food of any description in our pockets, so she must like us for ourselves. All in all, a better Monday than many I've had.

Morning all, Our CH is currently a tad noisy, it makes me wonder if some urgent unscheduled work will be necessary shortly. An engineer has been contacted and he's putting a visit asap in the diary. On preliminary investigation, it looks like a valve needs replacing rather than anything more substantial, so fingers crossed it won't be a multiple deltic bill. Saw https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/05/cook-gas-induction-hob-electric earlier - discussing the experience of a convert from gas to electric. (Some might say 'traitor')! I generally favour gas for cooking, especially grilling or frying but an electric oven does have attractions. For some things I prefer it over a gas oven. In an ideal world (and if money - and space) were no object, I'd like one of each in the kitchen. Then again, if those sort of wishes are being granted by someone's tame genie, I have a list of other things before we get to kitchen equipment! Time to gedamoveon, bye for now....

Or being more polite/tactful than the usual term for them used round these 'ere parts? As their drivers seem to 'take the P', then we miss it off when using their name. Sadly, the cap fits... We certainly don't get a six day postal service round here (a decent sized village, not in a remote area). Smaller parcels, including a recent certain item from Camborne, are usually delivered by the ordinary postie - or his mate in a van who gives the 'bagman' a lift to the end of the road and then does parcels while his mate does the letters. The ordinary posties - in our experience - have generally been very good, just let down by their management, IT and some staff at the local delivery site. I can't think of a single occasion when we've had a problem when it's not been down to one or other of those factors rather than postie him/herself.

To continue on an Australian theme, there's one picture I've been wanting to post for a few days since the comments about the size of the country. A bit late to the party, sorry but I have it now...

Seen recently:

One example being to drink the toast 'to the king!' while waving one's glasses over a dish of water - a symbol of support for Bonnie Prince Charlie (or his father) i.e. the king over the water (in exile).