brianusa

I watched 'the music from Vienna' and if it was the same one as was recently on PBS, we enjoyed it a lot! Anything with Wagner on the bill is enough for me; in fact the whole show contained some of my favourite music! Brian.

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Very nice but what about the tarp? The ones I've seen are a bit sloppy which lets down the overall effect. Brian.

Come and wee over here, Andy, wee'll take all you can spare. No rain in weeks and none to come anytime soon. Reservoirs in sunny Calif are drying up - looks dodgy! Here in WA, things aren't quite so bad especially West of the Cascades but we run our sprinklers every day as theres too much already invested in the garden! Brian.

This is also happening here in the Seattle area on I5. Early morning is a dangerous time to be driving under bridges. The SPD have caught one miscreant but there are copy cats already as the rocks are still flying! Brian.

Here in GH we are lucky to have very soft water, so soft you can use it straight in car batteries. (if ever you need to do that any more). It comes from deep wells in the area and is extremely cold, so much so you don't need ice in your favourite libation. Brian.

You can't fault the Beeb and others for non inclusivity these days; integration is obvious and plentiful although in an historical context is not quite PC. Jane Austen's inspiration programme 'Sanditon' is doubtful in having so many minorities in its citizenry considering the period. Brian.

A most interesting track plan. Tavvy was well endowed with facilities especially a T/T which must have been used very rarely in later days after the 4-4-0s left it to the tank engines. Could make a great model! Brian

PBS is the main outlet for British TV over here. Current selection BBC Antiques Roadshow about four years old, Midsommer Murders, older, Father Brown with umpteen repeats, very old, Vera, old. Death in Paradise, old, although the lead has been shuffled off and Keeping Up, As Time goes by, Summer Wine, Yes Minister; all on a Saturday night. We watch them but is there nothing new on British TV? American network TV is a disaster. Brian.

Progress in signaling is obviously a good thing as semaphores have reached a noble old age. Those that are sorry to see them go are mostly railway enthusiasts, while nobody else cares or even knows of. So let them go and be glad that a few will still be around for while yet. This same scenario is played out whenever it may happen on the railway, be it signals, stations or signal boxes. We all are fortunate that such relics can still be found on preserved lines. Brian.

But, hang on, isn't the Sutton Branch a GWR branch? Yes it is! But the LSWR very cleverly dug a tunnel from Friary Station, under Jubilee Street, which gave them access to North Quay as well as GWR. Its a shame that this old ad can't be restored; they do it quite often over here! Its been there ever since I can remember! Brian

Keith, having driven many times on Sutton Rd over those timber* lines - definitely narrow gauge! Somewhere in the 15"/20" range and mainly used to manually push loads of timber into the various track connected sheds, if I remember correctly; which usually I don't, Used a slip close by with a friend with a boat at one time, fishing in the Sound. *Timber or Lumber, I can never remember! Brian.

True enough, It would appear hospitals all over the world have similar problems. Its a wonder we all survive; still they must be doing something right! Brian.

Whoever does the job, the rehab is the worst part. I've moved parts that haven't been moved in years for which pain is the constant reminder. Pass the Tylenol! Brian.

You could be deader than a dodo in between! Surely the much vaunted NHS could do better. Recent problem: Go outside. Fall down. Break hip. Call EMT. Go to hospital. Go to bed. Wake up, hip fixed. Now the long rehab begins! A little less than twelve hours, all on our insurance for which we pay a hefty premium but its worth it for the service. Brian.

Geoff Endecott's video around that time. Brian. This article has been getting on for nearly ten years now. An obscure little branch line in an industrial area of Plymouth known only to those who know the area or those who enjoy such lines. Plymouth is fortunate to have such history in its railways, but surely its drawing to a close, as is this topic. (What am I saying?)! Brian.

Sadly most of us are concerned about the outcome of scans which can be life changing. I prefer not to worry as it puts one at a disadvantage right from the start. Instead accept whatever the outcome brings and start immediately to fight it off, rather than give into it. I have had a couple of instances where worrying certainly would not have helped and in the end, there was no cause for worry as it was a simple procedure. Unfortunately, some can imagine the worst and sometimes it turns out that way but positive thinking, not worrying, believe it or not is a powerful weapon in these circumstances or any other dire situation. Brian.

Can't believe you do all this work all by yourself! My 'tool kit' consists of a screwdriver and a pair of pliers, and I have problems with that! Brian.

The UK is probably doing the right thing, its only those of us who are aging just like the signals that need replacing. But we don't get replaced! Brian.

Opened the downstairs windows for the first time in a while. Nice cool early morning breeze which will air out the house which has been shut up for the duration. Brian.

Another of my dreaded days. GH has officially decided to limit fireworks to one day only but knowing the locals that won't make any difference to those exercising their rights to free expression. So soon the banned fireworks sold on tribal land will fill and foul the air, breaking the law to the delight of those celebrating by upsetting many people, their babies and their pets. Its fire season with a drought also - happy holidays! Brian.

Its just past midday and 82 old degrees in the shade. I have spent the last day or two indoors with the A/C doing its thing admirably. The cat hasn't budged either! Don't suppose any of us will venture forth until the temperature subsides, although its going to be around the eighties this week. Brian.

John produced some of the best pictures for various books which happily included those of the GWR. My favourite author as well and I bought many of his books on his name alone. I was never disappointed! Brian.

Surely there was nothing past the scrap yard where Cl.66s were the last to visit a while back? Also there is a video with a Bubble car or something which went as far as it could! All over now! As to fairs, both Anderton and Rowlands and Whiteleggs fairs used to come to Tothill Park years ago. See the trains from the dodgems Brian.

Wise words! My layout was constructed almost before the bloom of youth had left. Or so it seemed, as the bloom of youth wore down to the wrinkles of old age making it virtually impossible to perform maintenance beneath the baseboard. Luckily it wasn't needed very often but now forget it; which might mean the end of running toy trains as we knew it. Recently a broken hip really put the kibosh on running any trains which means I am confined to that comfy chair and a nice cup of tea! Brian.