brianusa

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

They might have been used on the Liskeard & Caradon after its acquisition by the GWR although more likely the 19xx or 20xx saddle tanks. Doubtful if there were special buffers on the CMR! Interesting era and well documented. Brian.

I'm sure I see a couple who could pass every day, otherwise they're good imitators! Perhaps on their way to a model railway show! Brian.

Hello, great weather we are having in good old GH which is about all thats happening. Not a lot of family history; my grandparents used to tell of a Spanish naval uniform from Napoleonic times hanging in a closet. Presumably from a Spanish sailor who stayed on in Cornwall after the war. Dad's family came from the liaison of the milkmaid and the Lord of the Manor in South Devon so our family is comparatively short lived Brian.

A lot of cars have shrunk over the years from the glory days of the fifties and sixties. For sheer size a lot of high end GM products were hard to beat; my '66 Olds was huge, shiny dark blue with huge whitewalls and white leather interior with a trunk/boot big enough you could sleep in and a big V8 to move it. Got about 9mpg around town but it was so cool it was worth the expense! Brian.

Always a pleasure to see your work, Alex! Brian

Agree, Phil. If you take the trouble to visit a show prepare to enjoy it, not criticise it unduly! I used to seek out that what was of interest and hang the rest. I don't know how much I have missed over the years! What's with all the smelly folk? It seems they haven't taken a bath since the last time this topic was on these pages! Brian.

When my wife and I were first laid up, all the friends and rels told us the very same thing. They had the furniture sold and us in the retirement home! However, we're still at home and thanks to home therapists visits looking after ourselves, driving again and almost back to normal. We have recently hired a part timer who comes in a couple of hours a week and does the heavy lifting and other odd jobs, paid for by the state. No doubt there are similar situations back in the UK. Worth investigating! Brian.

A retina detached a few years ago and the optician lasered it. No ill effects since. Brian.

The ILS, with big plans, had one of those and remained unused until they both died. Then nobody wanted it! Brian.

Welcome to the club! Brian

We have forced air heating which uses natural gas and the thermostat set at 75F. Soon the weather will start to warm and it will be turned down a bit. Like many, we have changed out our bulbs and the bill comes to about just over $200 a month; which we can live with. At our age its worth it! Brian

Also, Buddy Rich was well known in the swing era for excessive drumming. Good though! Brian.

Recent posts on the Ukraine situation have been very good at keeping to the point, no off the top comments to rile anyone. Nor should there be as it would seem we are all on the same side! Moderator comments would normally be observed but in this instance of worldwide importance, their absence is apparent which must be appreciated due to the worry and confusion normally associated with acts like we are witnessing. So while we sit calmly at at the keyboard, these comments may help somebody not so lucky, who is caught up in the destruction and rubble that was Ukraine! Brian.

The last para says it all! As one ages, its inevitable that one loses older friends and acquaintances; just check the membership of your various clubs, etc. One I belong to loses one or two a month and sadly that rate exceeds annual renewals. Relatives may indeed be the worst offenders in not calling or contacting. I have some cousins that I keep in contact with but other than that its Christmas or a birthday card. and these are the people I grew up with. Websites such as this are not the answer, nobody knows nobody and likely as not due to distance, might never know, except for a few lines every day and the chance to get something off your chest maybe. But these are just passing conveniences where a card or a few lines would be more appropriate. Certainly not a substitute neither are the more modern Zooms, etc, that many discovered during the recent covid situation. In this day and age, perhaps its impossible to relive the past, so go out and have a pint with someone; at least it will be a face and not a souless keyboard. Brian.

No Highway (in the Sky) with James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, Glynis Johns, et al, really could have used a more realistic aeroplane; then it would have been a really good movie ! Brian.

Spent a while looking for muck and grime, John - couldn't see much! As I remember, it was a bit grimy in your period of operation although it returned to normal with demobbed railwaymen quite speedily. Then for a while most express locos at least were kept in pretty good shape. Brian.

Snow on the ground here also in GH. Won't last but unusual..............darn cold as well! Brian

Thanks for trying, PC. I shall endeavour to find what they found. Otherwise off to the shop whose owner must groan when he see's me and my car coming! But he's pretty good and finds all the old oddball parts, most of which can still be found in the Ford parts bin! Its turned into a classic now, in good shape and low miles, so I'd like to hang on to it. Brian.

Its my '97 Lincoln so perhaps old age and they just droop. I reset and they're OK which I can live with, but my wife may have trouble. Brian.

Tend to agree, Mike. I had a similar problem with seats that didn't want to adjust and that turned out to be some chip or other. Brian

To all you car mechanics! Both the side mirrors on my car will not hold the preset position to which they were adjusted. The battery is good and after resetting they stay OK for quite a while. Any ideas what I am letting myself in for before I take it to the repair shop with my credit card! Brian.

Paraphilia. Good word - had to look it up! Brian.

Only in America indeed! Even after living here for a long while now, it is still amazing to read what goes on even in your own town. Its currently catalytic converters that are stolen, sometimes right out of dealers lots , even in peoples driveways. There are regular gun battles, windows are shot out and sometime people are killed. A car is stolen every night. Police forces are not up to strength due to a liberal council but there is hope of a new Mayor and Council. The latest is thieves are crashing thorough shop doors and stealing the contents which incudes new cars on dealers lots and mass stealing where a gang will dash though a store stealing what they may on the way! Fortunately, all this is not in GH but in Tacoma, big city across the bridge which has a more diverse populace. Brian

Only in America! Brian.