brianusa

Perhaps thats the solution - He has been known to perform miracles! Brian.

Sorry to read your rants, Ian. We have just had a CVS take over a local pharmacy but up till now no major changes have occurred. There is still the same staff which means that most things haven't changed prices have not gone up and now they even deliver! Perhaps it won't last! Brian.

What an atmospheric picture! Even at my tender years then, I can relate to it very well. Everybody looks well fed- a lot different from the pictures we saw from some other countries in Europe. Well dressed also, fur coats even and lots of shiny shoes. Only a couple of smokers amongst those who follow the British tradition of table sharing. Even a Grandma Buggins or two; (hands up if anyone remembers Grandma Buggins!) The British Restaurants really didn't deserve the reputation they got as they fed a lot of people and contributed mightily to inning the war.

Surely this is not the same thing that has plagued OO models over the years. In spite of all the improvements in electronics, it never seems to go away in OO trains and really having to do it yourself to improve running is certainly off! It was bad enough at early prices but not so when todays are more expensive. Brian

I was very young then, Phil; all that I recollect is that they were big and black! Brian

Never had that kind of trouble! I drove my fathers car, he was a policeman and all his police buddies knew the car well. Once I drove it miles away: where did you go last night? Oh, not far! Thats funny, so and so saw it In Torquay! Doesn't always pay to have a dad who is in the police! Brian

Sorry Ken, I chucked out the package as well. I like veggies also, just not the imitation fillers. Brian

Just had my first and last 'imitation' Mexican food. It was ghastly! Never again will I eat plant based anything. You have to be crazy to eat such rubbish. I'm all for animals and their well being but this is not the answer. Brian.

Happens to us all - just as long as you don't mumble! Brian.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<GWR all over former Southern territory still grates a bit, especially here and at Exeter Central...>>>>>>>>>>>> Half the potential passengers are not likely to have any knowledge or interest of the usurper. A train is a train which takes you somewhere and its colour is immaterial. But as an age old Southern spotter on Central, I know what you mean and in those days there was a shedful of foreign locos just up the line and busy station tracks at Central Brian.

In the heady days post WW2, a number of LMS locos appeared in Plymouth, let alone West of Bristol. Some even had names although most I believe were Black 5s whose numbers seemed to travel far and wide. Or perhaps there was just a lot of them - I never was too interested in foreign locos! Brian.

Always good to see a Yelverton heading. Mostly they're places I've never heard of or visited but Elfordtown was right on my doorstep years ago. Its a big leap these days though! Brian.

Due to my inability to climb ladder any more, we have a handyman come in and help us out. Every Autumn we have him change all the batteries irrespective of their beeping or not, just to obviate that task to which you relate. Happy New Year. Brian.

Gorgeous day to end the year! Clean white snow, sunshine and blue skies. Munching on F & M Christmas cake with a cup of tea! Doesn't get aby better than that in GH. So its nearly all over and we can redevote our worries to covid or politics or other worldly problems that beset us throughout the year. Don't worry, sadly most will return before the last mince pie has been digested! So a Happy New Year to all. Brian.

Forgot C/Cards. none have arrived anyway. No bills either Brian

I hope the holidays were good for you, Alex. Happy New Year and I have to say your efforts of Yelverton have given a lot of pleasure culminating with the finished station. Or is it finished? Brian.

This could be the view from our back deck, complete with trees. It will save me posting another. Even the depth of the snow appears the same while the deck rail could have been built by the same guy who built ours. Not really! All snow is supposed to go away soon as the temp rises and all turns to rain in the 40sF. Thats enough snow for me; we haven't had the US mail delivered for the duration. What happened to "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night", etc, etc, etc? Hopefully the grocery orders will show up! Brian.

Snowed all morning and six inches or so on the rear deck. Our cat is not impressed but valiantly goes out and plays in the snow. I am certainly not impressed but we don't have to go anywhere! Happy Boxing Day and hope you all enjoy the leftovers! Brian

My annual visit to Granby Jctn to see what's happening. Hi John, Merry Christmas! Lookin' good as usual, I don't know where you find the time especially at this time of year. Not much 'training' for me as I fell and broke my hip. Can't reach over the layout for a while as I'm still hobbling around. Lot of snow your way and its supposed to come this way soon so I'm not venturing out - don't want to make it worse! All the best for 2022! Brian.

Thanks but it does come to me eventually. Usually in the middle of the night! Merry Christmas Brian

Weren't the Glums on the Jimmy Edwards radio show with Dick Bentley and June Something or other? Brian Radio - the thinking mans television! Or should that be, ''thinking persons"?

Wot - no pilchards? Nadelik Lowen, ha blythen nowydh da! Brian.

So do we but GH encased in the December gloom and has been for ages now. On top of which our weather for Christmas is snow and with a temp of around 0C, portends even more gloom and darkness as we stay indoors for the festive weekend. Here, it'll be all over Friday night anyway! Merry Christmas!( If anybody objects to the word Christmas - thats your misfortune!) Brian

On a more serious note, we watched "The Holly and the Ivy" with a cast of 50s British actors. It one of TCMs annual films this time of year; not for the Rudolph set but worth a view. This morning it was snowing, the first of the season, not exactly blizzard conditions but perhaps an omen. Brian.

This whole scenario is mindful of another similar incident in another scale. The prewar O Hornby Princess with an accentuated sloping firebox. AFAIK there was not the uproar that this version has caused and even now they are in great demand at a high price in spite of the unfortunate F/B slope! I suspect O gaugers are/were more easily satisfied. Brian.