brianusa

That does seem a lot! Brian

Lovely picture of Bodmin, rom a modelling point of view although probably not with the gentry living above the station. Convenient for catching the train to London for the directors meetings though! Brian

Must have Garibaldis; order packs of them by the dozen! Brian

Quite possibly most have seen many films of concentration camps and the carnage involved, courtesy of TV programmes that relate to the second WW, of which there are many. Viewers seem to have a morbid interest of what went on and become inured to the same images that are constantly shown over and over again in the various related shows. Its all history now and thus belongs in the past! But I suppose, historians now and in the future will continue to explore WW2 and its impact on the world and its peoples. Brian

There was a time when I didn't think I would ever defend LCs but looking back, they served their purpose quite well. In those days, a quick stop, eat, pee and out again and on your way. Not a place to linger! Brian.

Way back before motorways, the six hour trip to London required many stops. Morning coffee, lunch, cups of tea, afternoon tea and so on. Usually taken with at familiar pubs or cafes of the period. Long gone now as are t heir successors, Little Chefs, etc so we are left with services fare, good or bad. Same here, a lot of fast food restaurants are closing including a local Dennys (which is no great loss!) which is being replaced by the inevitable pancake house! On a good day, perhaps London is accessible these days, and sometimes I yearn for the slow lane where you could actually drive with the window open like we used to! Brian

RMers are not the prime audience for CTM unless they are fond of sobbing women giving birth with each episode in Poplar which is in the East End tended by a bunch of nuns and midwives. We have yet to see this show in the US; can't wait!

Lovely work all round. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to wander around the station area in its last years. Sadly, didn't really appreciate it all then, so thanks to the quality modelling I can visualise it once more. Brian

Of all the Panniers shown herein, rarely are the early variety featured; 19xx, etc or the saddle tank conversions. Possibly too early for those with date specific layouts but would add to the motive power variety. Brian.

I am lucky enough to have both on my layout. The Compound was only $300 ( the sole reason for its purchase ) and while the County was a bit more, it represents the crowning achievement of my Hornby collecting, being of GW persuasion. I have tried not to like modern trains; too many to afford, and have been sorely tempted many a time. But with all my US trains, I have sufficient! I am at last thinking of returning to the train room after an extended absence due to my broken hip. Hopefully it will tolerate a little more action now and theres work to be done on the layout, if I can manage it! Brian.

This is a bit like the aftermath of the 2ndWW. For a while some wouldn't purchase German or Japanese products but soon realised the benefit of mostly quality goods. All those cameras, also cars especially which virtually killed off the British motor industry. Brian

Good luck on the real railway, Nick. Brian.

Love my marm on a hot buttered English muffin. "English muffin" - don't ask!! Duerres by choice, otherwise its Robertsons which is just one better than the store product! They need to bring back the G000y which used to be included in every pot. It was very good then! Brian

It's easy to avoid the diner/'bar and grill' chains if you know where to look. Restaurant veggies are a rarity. Americans aren't keen on vegetables which is probably why although Asian food is popular. The most you can hope for is Runner Beans, fresh or out of the can or broccoli, usually overcooked! Mushrooms are an 'extra'! Brian. Foodies day! As to the future King Charles III and his Queen, many have softened their view toward Camilla from a virtual usurper to a distinct possibility, apart from your octogenarian! As they are now well past retirement age it would seem a good idea to give the job to the Cambridges. Both younger and fit for the job, lots of experience, cute kids and popular. My UK PP also shows me as a subject of our present Queen to whom I shall remain loyal until she dies. After that, who knows, maybe she will outlive me? Brian

Dear doc, as most herein are British or Anglo inclined, this post was written for those those who are aware of British food.; not to insult the rest of the world! Indeed the comment about PW rationing is valid, as I can readily attest to. Since coming to the US years ago I've had plenty of time to sample some of the worlds best food here and abroad from 'hamburgers and 'chips wiv everything' to fine dining establishments world wide. Incidentally, some in London are the best IMHO. As for wine, its a personal taste and if you want to pay for the best then go for it! Enjoy! As they say over here! Brian.

A bit of food! How true, a bit indeed!! Restaurants that deliver dinner plates containing more decorations than edibles are not on my go to category. The first thing I do is remove the flora which makes space to eat on as I rather like a plateful overflowing; then what do you do with the decoration; no ashtrays any more, so let it quietly fall under the table? Most like a meat and potato and a couple of veggies so are not particularly interested in the decorative side of haute cuisine be it carved carrots or some sauce draped over the plate. As for wine, the cheaper the better - I'm no wine snob Brian.

Thats a shame - Facebook is losing users for the first time, apparently! Brian.

Its come to the stage where we don't watch US network shows ever. They used to be quite good and entertaining but since they evolved into those that Michael quotes, theres not much to encourage viewing. Even the News is peppered with medical ads, so many in fact one would assume they are only watched by the aged with a need for over the counter medicine. Due to all the ads, real news is minimal but the BBC fills in the gaps. The 'courtship' shows are an excuse to show bare boobs on the ladies and the 'hunks' are obligated to have beards, and bare chests (not so interesting!) Tattoos abound! Brian

Doomed from the start! Although I don't see the point of conserving patch jobs! Brian.

Now soon begins the discussion of whether or not to return Lode Star to the main line again; 2999 needs a friend around the same age and the Edwardians have been neglected long enough There's always C of T though! Brian.

Rode it once as a child many years ago; the one and only time we went to Paignton Zoo Brian.

On Netflix last night was The Edge of War. Interesting time but missed the point to some extent. Most should know the sequence of events leading up to Chamberlains letter waving! Brian

For those who are interested in the great PNW, and they must be legion. As Michael writes "No storms here. Even a system that was supposed to bring a little rain tomorrow is breaking up and we might see a little drizzle interrupting our very unseasonal, brilliant sunshine. Blue skies prevail again today." It has indeed been a longish, dry spell so far for January; the car is extra dirty which is a rarity so off to the car wash which will ensure the weather will change for the worse. All the government problems have not halted GHs quest for more roundabouts. These are not the kind familiar in the UK and elsewhere, but little circles that busses and trucks have trouble maneuvering around. They keep popping up and three more have just sprung up. In such profusion, the biggest problem is that some still don't give any turn signals leaving you waiting while the opportunity to merge slips by! This has been brought to my attention as I have started driving again after hip surgery and a prolonged rehab. Its been a while now but theres still more to come but at least its a start! Another year and and another tax valuation but at least the house is appreciating nicely. The taxes are supposed to improve roads but all we get are roundabouts while traffic gets worse. All I have to do now is to be able to be able to run the trains - I still can't get down and get under! Brian.

Hi Doc, good for Lucy! Brian.

Although my boyhood was long gone,, I always liked "Zulu" As well as WW2 films, prion conflicts are just a interesting, even more so as they are history in the strictest sense; what you read about in books. Well acted and beautifully filmed, it was a stand out movie. Brian.