brianusa

Good to see Christmas has arrived at South Brent. We should all be so lucky to live in this fairy tale place ( at least the station and environs) A Merry Christmas to every good GW boy and all those others who won't be as lucky! Brian

Shame isn't it! Boxing Day was the time to lay with your toys, visit the rels, eat more ham, turkey or other bird of choice, get more presents and generally indulge heartily Brian

Christmas finds Donner und Blitzen resting in our garden before the great trek on the 25th. Santa Rudolph and the presents are off to the left! A Merry Christmas Brian.

I was sixteen when I fell off a BSA Bantam in some tram lines. That was the only motorbike I ever rode! Brian

Rising bollards? Traffic calming? Only in England! It would seem that the inventors of the roundabout now are more interested in slowing traffic now, instead of keeping it moving and what with cameras all over, a motorists lot is not a happy one. Ask the man who hit one! Brian.

This is the usual us -v- them that crops up every now and again. Encroaching civilisation has a lot to do with it, city dwellers don't like to see dead wolves lying around whether shot or poisoned. Ranchers on the other hand will quite happily show gory pictures of dead lambs and sheep after attacks by dogs and wolves. So the wolf lovers have a hard time sadly as the wolves are magnificent animals and deserve their range but unfortunately its the same range that the sheepmen need to raise their flocks. Brian.

l'll be all right - I'm going to "duck and cover"! Or is that for something else? Brian

Along with the yeti, abominable snowman or whomever, earthquakes are news fodder, every little shake brings up "the big one"! One day it will happen. In the meantime stop the sensational headlines, its been centuries since the last one! Brian

I think I've figured out the reason for the missing words in a recent post! Its not 1941 any more! Brian

I was only six at the time and living in England but I remember hearing 'The have bombed Pearl Harbour'! Who were these , I thought and soon found out when they invaded Hong Kong! The war was a game for me; I pleaded for an aeroplane for Christmas which my Dad produced; he made it out of wood but it wasn't a bad representation. I kept it for ages! I was pretty good at aircraft rec also and bought those books with black silhouettes. I later learned from a movie that a flight B17s were intercepted over Hawaii, another famous incident of American nonchalance when they switched off the radar and went home. Little did I know I was to live near Hamilton Field, the base of those B17s, years later! Brian.

If treading on racial toes is taboo, where does that leave guns? Another subject to avoid in spite of the published picture, forums thrive on controversy but if it is too controversial........................... So as Michael asks about the weather in GH; we are encapsulated by the typical PNW gloom, the blue waters of the harbour have turned grey to match the clouds and the general outlook. The weather girls* forecast more of the same with perhaps lowland snow as an added attraction. Very much Englishy winter weather, cold and damp but thats why we moved here to escape the summer heat in California. Suppose we could discuss Christmas but for my wife's and my injuries, not much will happen. We'll just stay home, have our Christmas dinner and goodies and appreciate what we have out of life. As Tiny Tim was wont to say on Christmas Day, "God bless us, everyone!"** Have a good one! Brian. * Sexism? ** God?

Mainly because people enjoyed it. Flavio's English Grandma, Combe Barton's Dad and me, for starters. The woes of the world were enough for most people of the time, hence the popularity of shows such as this along with radio comedy which most herein can remember and relate to. PC and the troubles of this/todays world were happily unheard of! Brian.

Good for Granny! Although in my youth, I quite enjoyed it. Music was well known and the lyrics understandable. Not PC in todays environment but what is?* Most music today consists of the latest noisiest performance accompanied by dazzling light shows and boobs. Not exactly a big draw for those who aspire for better, but there are precious few alternatives to view even with umpteen channels to choose from let alone streaming, etc. * It would seem most of what I like or enjoy these days is either banned, prohibited or protested to by some organisation I never knew existed. A lot of the names I grew up with have similarly been dealt with by those who have little knowledge of what happened before their first birthday, who feel justified in dispensing their own brand of 'justice'. Usually damaging or destroying property irrespective of what others might think. A miserable response! Brian.

A lot of readers may be in the same position. My tinplate layout is in the same situation being fixed to the walls, so sadly I am faced with a similar decision. In my case, the man with a big power saw will reduce the baseboard etc, to more manageable pieces and so to the dump! The trains and accessories, both British and American, have a certain value but will it be enough to go through the selling experience with all that entails. Not something to be wished for at any age! So the whole thing may follow the baseboard to the dump as well, not that it will concern me then, as many trains have gone this way before. I have some lovely trains but it doesn't pay to be sentimental over their fate! Brian.

The same old news items are repeated constantly until they become background noise. Covid doesn't bother me unduly, The Russians have been blustering ever since WW2 and even though they occupied Crimea, nobody seemed concerned - except perhaps the Crimeans! China blusters as well, but they know only too well what even a few well placed rockets can do! N. Korea just blusters! Anyway even if something dreadful occurs, you can't do anything about it. If one does'nt get you, the other one will! Brian

Thats sad, unless they are your favourites; then enjoy Brian.

I like my cars traditional, round black on white gauges, round headlights and side lights. No neon surrounds, front or back that add little to the design; in fact it detracts rather than improve. There is too much emphasis on 'tech' in todays cars and while it may satisfy some, I have no need of the more mundane information available. Engine lights! Problem is you can't get a 'stripper' these days, they're all 'loaded' with gadgets and expensive. Brian.

New one this year! Giving Tuesday!! No particular "Giver" or "Givee", some charity perhaps; hopefully someone who deserves it! That leaves the rest of the week for others to think up further excuses. Brian.

Respected British reporter, here for 14 years but now returning to Great Britain. Very fine descriptions of life in the US from a foreign point of view especially by someone from England, by his accent. I could have said the same things myself, both good and bad with perhaps more emphasis on the bad, having been here for a much longer while. We shall miss him on'tv but there are a couple more that show up infrequently who have a similar viewpoint. They would, wouldn't they! Brian

Good news for Lucy. A lot depends on whether one has a pet or not. If the pet is yours, you give it all the love and attention it deserves, but what happens when its time to go? Someone has to wield the the fatal needle, not a pleasant task the best of times especially if they are pet friendly and no doubt worse things behind the scene! Better not think about that!but someone has to do it! Brian

All that recent sympathy for small animals applies to turkeys as well. raised just so somebody can eat you .... what Thanksgiving? Brian

Our Christmas goodies just arrived. 95 Pounds for treats! Brian.

Simple explanation. Vaxers smart - get a jab, Non vaxers stupid with stupid excuses. Without getting into religion, using it is a poor excuse anyway! Brian.

Classic FM has cut me off! Listened to them for ages and all of a sudden I can't access their website. Ostensibly to comply with UK copyright. Tried to get in but no luck! Others must have the same problem so any advice? Brian.

The holiday season is a gold mine for these operators. Kids and Christmas, Santa, et al. They all have to do well in view of the recent disastrous seasons. Hopefully they will all benefit this year. Brian.