Smiffy2

So that's two each for the LNER, LMS GWR and BR, only the one for Southern. Presumably the T9 will be next. Or is it Locomotion first?

Postman's just called, a Terrier in Maunsell green from ebay and a delivery of wagon kits from Dapol for me to make when I'm in France in a couple of weeks. I haven't made a Dapol kit for about 20 years - the moulds seem to be the same, but the metal wheels and proper couplings are an improvement. Looks like fun.

They are sorted today (to make sure that no ballots have been put in the wrong boxes) and then counted later. Whether that will be Saturday or Sunday I'm not sure - probably Saturday.

'morning. Nice day - so far. Shopping this morning, picking grand-daughter up from school this afternoon, waiting for deliveries. Voting this evening then up all night at the count. Oh frabjous day...

Cheers Ian, looks like the pen will be tomorrow afternoon at the earliest. I understand cost efficiencies, but it wouldn't hurt too much to prescribe a back-up, surely? In France the same medication is prescribed in disposable pens (I had to buy some when I managed to leave my spare vials in England) and it wasn't expensive, but I could probably buy a new pen over the counter, which I don't seem to be able to do here.

That's what counts for bad around here? You should try a football or F1 forum... I've been meaning to post that my reception as a clueless chimp has been courteous, helpful and patient to a degree I couldn't have hoped for!

Damn! Insulin pen broke, so now urgent scramble to get a new one - needs an emergency prescription.

G'morning all. Weather sunny, though the forecast is for showers later. Overslept... Great day yesterday with grandsons, lots of nice pictures from new lens, the littlest is getting better by leaps and bounds, we just have to wait to see what the long-term damage will be after a terribly difficult birth. Fly in the ointment - my insulin needle emptied the contents of last evening's injection into the palm of my hand - the seal on the ampoule seemed to have broken. It meant that I effectively didn't get any insulin yesterday, and I feel a bit iffy as a result, which is probably hypochondria. Seems to be working OK with a new ampoule. Not sure what will happen today - election stuff probably. That and actually making a decision about a new garden hose, which is taking far too long. We toyed with the idea of an Xhose (the ones that expand when you turn the water on) but they get poor reviews, then we looked for a coiled hose as ours (Lidl) has given up the ghost, so I went for the Hozelock version of the same and was about to order it from Amazon when Julie decided we would go to B&Q to get one - ignoring that fact that B&Q is more expensive, and that I refuse to go to Sutton B&Q which means driving over to Croydon...

These Loco Workers all appear to get their work clothes from Luftwaffe Surplus stores... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OO-gauge-1-76-LOCO-WORK-GANG-x6-FIGURES-suit-Hornby-Bachmann-/191185141652?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item2c8385bf94

I've just been dithering about buying a very nice Dapol Terrier in Southern (which don't seem to appear very often) for 70 notes. That looks like a right bargain now... (I bought it).

Ah! I'll look for it. Many thanks.

Cheers, Neil. Did you use the varnish on bare wood or over paint?

G'morning everybody. I hope you all had good nights. Lovely day here so far, was having a cup of tea and a read in the garden at midnight, with the stars and roving cats for company. Problem of shutter and door paint possibly solved - paint and then yacht varnish. Thinking about that one. Off in a minute* to see grandsons in Bermondsey, which is always a treat. *After 9.30. Otherwise we're Twirlys.

I had a panic this morning. I drove Julie and GD to drop off at school, then home. Then about 10 my car alarm went off. It continued to go off at irregular intervals for a few hours. I phoned an ex-mechanic friend and he gave me the number of a company specialising in fixing such things - with the great name of Sounds Alarming! Arrangements made for the car to go in for diagnostic tests on Wednesday, but until then I was to leave it unlocked, which is a bit worrying because our drive is directly on to the pavement and we're going out all day tomorrow. About 1 I realised that I'd left my phone in the car. Then it gradually dawned on me - the phone makes a ping when I get an email or a notification on Facebook. One quick test showed that was the cause! The phone was triggering the alarm. I called Sounds Alarming and he said, "That'll do it..." Could have told me earlier... but on the other hand I reckon that's saved me about £70. About the same as that Dapol Terrier I've got my eye on... And on Wednesday I get my old age pension.

Hard to find! My eye... This man appears to have no shame.

It would be more effective than French paint...

That tooth sounds like one of mine, Ian, but I lost it. It's over another gap, so chewing gets interesting! Glad you saved it. My excellent dentist (Romanian I think) saved another one, though. Can I ask a question of the French ERers? Our front door and wooden shutters need painting, south facing, lower Normandy. The French paint I used last time (3-4 years ago) has failed completely. Bare wood showing. Yet I've been told that where exterior paint is concerned to use the indigenous stuff as it's formulated for local conditions. I think that's merde and am aiming for Weathershield or similar (I'll go to a pro paint shop and get their advice). And advice or recent experience?

I despise B&Q, especially Sutton, where their bag-checking (even if you haven't been through the self-checkout) manages to get the idea that you're a potential thief across very nicely...

Been drilling holes in plates. Nasty job, and it's 28º in my shed and I have to do it with the door closed because of the noise like a cat on a blackboard. I hope Julie doesn't sell any cake stands this week...

He's also got some sprung buffers for 99p. He should have stuck them on the pugs and charged £15.

Good morning everybody, even though it isn't light yet... Woken up at 4 by grand daughter - having discarded bedding and nightdress because she was too hot, she's now cold and needs a grown up to sort out the duvet. She's back to sleep in seconds, I'm awake for the day... Not even a decent dawn to photograph with lovely new lens! Settling down with coffee and Shackleton's 'Weathering Locomotives' until it's time to warm up the croissants and embark on the school run. Have a good day, all.

I might do Brewster...

I slept a little late as well, probably due to a curry, pastis in the garden, several beers and sitting up watching rubbish TV! Lovely morning but day holds problems. Amazon want to deliver my new lens, but granddaughter is stopping over tonight and somebody has to go shopping - Julie is out at Merton Abbey Mills all day... Breakfast from the freezer?

Julie tells me that the leftovers from my windfall may well be going towards a Silhouette cutter. The day gets better!

A shock. Letter from Scottish Widows telling me that they've been underpaying my annuity and a cheque for £1488... Totally unexpected. That means that nice 35mm lens I've been looking at and probably a new mower when we get to France, and a grand left over. I think the phrase is 'cushty'.