brianusa

49 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

Clutch repair is expensive. A *lot* of labour is involved. The last time I had a clutch replaced it cost me several times that amount.

The last car we had with a clutch was a '73 Mustang 2.  Autos ever since.

      Brian.

18 minutes ago, polybear said:

 

No icing, no cherry, contaminated with nuts.  You've been robbed.....

 

 

But no LDC 😭

 

 

Or Steptoe and Son.  Or Love Thy Neighbour

At the risk of being non PC, I have to admit that me watching such forbidden programmes is hardly going to offend the offended -  what you can and can't watch or listen to!!.  As their list grows, the tail starts wagging the dog!   Apologies to dogs everywhere!🙂 

     Brian.

Without delving into the library, a good start might be the 19xx/20xx saddle tanks of the era which were around then and before some were converted to Panniers.. 

   Brian

7 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

My current PT regime (for my dodgy hip) is being administered by a nice physiotherapist (with “steel thumbs of terror”) in person. We are masked and we use hand sanitiser, but PT still goes ahead.

 

Same here!  Comes twice a week for an hour or so, same anti covid deal and neither of us has succumbed as yet!🙂

      Brian.

9 hours ago, Pacific231G said:

 

There is though an irony in this. We are almost undoubtedly the most environmentally destructive creature that has ever evolved on this planet but we're also probably the only creature that's ever begun to care about the effect it's having.  

There's not  a lot more that can be done to save the planet as theres not enough government support from anyone so far.  It's all very nice that there are some who feel by their protest that they are going to change the world but no matter how many stick themselves to the street, or march in protest, nothing will change.  There's just not the collective enthusiasm from everybody; and its got to be by everybody - or it doesn't work!  A goodly proportion of the population doesn't even understand the situation especially from 'the poorer' countries.

But we are all vulnerable, some of us older ones will miss THE END, but what about our children's children and their children who will be stuck with THE END and what it will bring! They will never know what a wonderful world it was as they continue on to THE END!😟

     Brian

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

Does CB Jnr have a favourite make for behaving itself for as long as possible?

 

In other news.....

Paws up all those who'd like a workshop like this?

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1973944275962764

 

That's more like it....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-61047164

 

Just been watching Bojo in Kyiv - I bet his Security Bods were brickin' it, what with Bojo being surrounded by lots of guys clutching big guns.  Unless they were our own Special Forces in drag, of course....

Good for him, he's had some bad static recently! At least he had the intestinal fortitude to go whether or not it makes any difference!

    Brian

2 minutes ago, Compound2632 said:

 

I think that's missing the point. She's the finance minister's wife. That really doesn't look good.

 

But then you're looking at us from the vantage point of a nation founded on the principle of not paying British taxes.

Not really, those folks are the very ones who upset people.  The recent hrh and Epstein are the extreme while if Joe Blow gets away with out paying taxes, he gets quietly cheered on.  As mentioned the US has always been reluctant to pay any taxes and still is; hence all the political hassles!🙄

    Brian.

13 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Not so sure that's quite in the spirit of the game somehow.  I have visions of a Bear with purple paws for the next 5 years.....

 

 

Yup.  Only with an obscene amount of money chucked at it.

 

S

 

Bear here....

Well it seems that the Wife of a certain holder of the UK's purse strings is a tax fiddler, sorry, financially adept at dodging UK Tax whilst technically breaking no laws.  Now where's that ANGRY emoji.....

Yep, that's a Rant.

 

 

It would seem that half the UK gets upset if some naughty MP or other notable gets something for her/himself!  Trips to see relatives was a real dinger.  Boris's parties elicited indignation and now theres somebody evading taxes.  As though its not done in polite society!🤣

There would be a lot more of these goings on if only folks knew how to get away with it.  You don't have to own half the islands in the Caribbean  to be eligible, even then theres no guarantee you won't get caught.  Fame is no excuse as some have found out!

     Brian

Thanks Keith for the maps!  Never realised there was a runaround loop as the books would have it either an up  or down train would drop off the relevant wagons in the correct sidings.  I often wonder what was done with them then.  Were they shunted by the loco, by horse, or did they wait for the next train?  Presumably then perhaps shipped to Horrabridge to await the branch train?

Interesting stuff!🤔

      Brian.

2 hours ago, gwrrob said:

 

There's quite a few in this book too St.😁

 

https://ttpublishing.co.uk/product/cornwall-transition-from-steam-rc-riley-archive-vol-6/

The cover alone is brilliant as are its contents.  Two big engines in great condition along with the usual lineside paraphernalia long gone from today's railways.  Excellent series!

     Brian. 

13 hours ago, iL Dottore said:

uestion - comfort! I am far too old for last minute-economy flight-hostel holidays.

Thats you and me both, doc!😩

     Brian.

Usually for this kind of venue a special occasion is required, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  The Princess Hotel in Victoria is one such big expensive place just over the border in BC and well worth a visit for afternoon tea, priced similarily!

       Brian.

Most of my morning seemed to be in front of a PC but recently I found time to do other things.!  Suddenly my morning is back to normal - it's lunch time already.  But thats OK, its back😌 although I hadn't a clue what it was all about even after such an extensive explanation..

Such things are beyond me!

       Brian.

Sorry team, but 'weathering'  doesn't do it for me!  Perhaps it's just this example, it does appear overdone a bit!

      Brian

After the trains, the RHS gardens are a main source of interest.  The relatives are in the mix also!  This one is particularly lovely!

     Brian.

On 18/03/2022 at 13:26, wiggoforgold said:

Today I cycled the whole route of the line from Tavistock to Marsh Mills (except for the bit round Yelverton which is on private land). Sad that the stations, particularly Bickliegh and Horrabrige are no more and it has to be said Gem Bridge is a shadow of the former Walkham viaduct.

This is the entrance to station road at Yelverton today.

 

Thanks for the picture Alex; this is close to the spot referred to in my previous post; never thought I'd get to see this entrance once more!  Looks about the same after all these years!

  Brian.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< I like all the seasons, one of the reasons I chose to stay in the UK.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

One of the reasons we moved here to the PNW which has a climate similar to the UK, from the Bay Area, which was providential considering the water problems in Calif.  these days.

    Brian.

3 minutes ago, tigerburnie said:

Access difficult on here today, many timeouts occurred, we had a nice walk round Forfar Loch in the sunshine, chilly breeze but nice to out in the sunshine, the wildlife definitely think Spring has sprung, even a few native flowers beginning to show. I like all the seasons, one of the reasons I chose to stay in the UK.

35 minutes ago, Ozexpatriate said:

This sort of royalty tat goes back donkey's years. eBay is full of teapots and assorted paraphernalia from the coronation of HM the Q in 1953, and looking at a couple of them, I was quickly offered china trays and teapots from the Coronation of George VI R. in 1937.

 

And these were mostly the "posh" ones - like Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, etc. Wherever they exist so do the cheap knockoffs.

 

H.L. Mencken said it best:

Often paraphrased as "taste".

Royal souvenirs are in the same class as holiday souvenirs.  Made for the occasion, taken home, stored and forgotten!  Except of course, anything to do with railways; coffee cups  from various lines visited which  are used every day!

   Brian.

As a Yelverton regular from day one, may I reminisce (on topic!).  In the last years of the war, I would accompany my mother, knowing of my interest in all things Great Western, on the train to Yelverton.  There we would walk up the driveway (ably modelled by Alex) and through the gate to the main road.  Here there was a hillock (mound) by the wall where we would sit and have a picnic with a fine view of aircraft landing a few feet over our heads.  Mostly Spitfires with D Day stripes which dates the adventure. 

Harrowbeer is going back to nature now but I learned to drive there: runways make for good practice with plenty of room!

    Great article on the area and as usual, the modelling!

           Brian.

4 hours ago, toboldlygo said:

I hope you don't blow a 15a fuse and go searching for the fuse wire  

And what is a pep' pipe, pray?

   Brian

Nice to see Mum waving to the driver; hope she got a response for the kids sake!

Brian.

I am always amazed by the way ERs manage to so much home repair.  I wouldn't/couldn't do half of what is accomplished by some, so we have to pay the plumber, carpenter, roofer, whomever, to arrange a visit and fix whatever needs fixing.  The average house call seems to be around $75 & up, a plus extra time.  Recently they've been jacking up the price $19 or so for petrol as the real price rises uncomfortably high  our house built in 1993 already has a new roof, two outside paint jobs, a new driveway and path.  Basic plumbing and electrical; things like that.  That doesn't include such niceties as inside paint and wallpaper, etc!  Once upon a time, I thought I could do such things but the results were'nt that inspiring and with so much mess, it was never tried again!

    Brian