Jock67B

I'm with Peter, Andy, well worth the wait mate - all we need is 'smell-o-vision' to make it perfect!

Thanks mate,

Kind regards,

Jock.

Evening/Morning all,

Slightly less pain at both ends so far tonight so we await the middle of the night again to see if it gets sore again then! The correct order of taking all the medications I'm imbibing at the moment is only really possible using my mobile phone reminder page with each element allocated its precise time and an alarm call with the drug itemised. Keep a written list as well, and the hospital have me itemising blood pressure, temperature and weight twice daily (I have my own machines!) - this is so they can judge the side effects after two weeks and hopefully increase the strength. Hopefully the 36 doses are doing some good!.

Rather sad tonight to be saying goodbye and RIP to Sir Terry Wogan and Frank Finlay, and for such diverse reasons - loved listening to the Wogan banter on the radio whilst on the road early. For some stupid reason I liked the silly names he made up such as : 'Gatport Airwick' and that's one of the 'clean' ones! I was lucky enough to see Frank Finlay on stage as Iago opposite Laurence Olivier in a strange modern Othello at the National in I think the mid sixties! We do seem to have lost so many already this year?

Duncan, I hope today's work went well, and I truly feel (largely due to seeing what happened when my self-employed builder grandson had to have the open heart surgery and is still off work!) that going 'on the books' will offer you so much more security, even though you'll still doubtless have to work as hard. You've obviously given it lots of thought and we would like to wish you all the best in any new venture.

MickB, good news on the health front, and I hope that work doesn't prove too stressful tomorrow if you make it!

Peter(DD), many thanks for the news update on our Debs - I'm really struggling with the image of her as Dorian Gray however and I'm certain that Oscar would have a preference for an effeminate male!

John(CB), are you absolutely certain that you aren't trying to top the actions of our resident 'head banger' 'grandadbob'? Talking of whom, I hope that he's OK as we don't appear to have heard from him for some time. (PS, sorry Laurence, just seen your post!).

Ian(RH), I've never known a modeller as busy as you - with the good lady, and your various layouts, you must clock up more mileage than most on the circuit! I'm glad to read that you enjoyed the Erith show and I hope to see your handiwork in the YouTube 2016 video. I watched the 2015 one today and found it most impressive.

Chris, I have to agree about the late great Jeremy Brett as probably the best of Sherlocks on film - Joanna watches all such programmes, but he seems closest to the well drawn character in Conan Doyle's books. She always records those which star him on the Sky+ in the knowledge that I will normally be happy to join in watching it with her. I certainly can't take to the latest manifestation!

Best wishes to Dave(TG) in this week's task as the radiotherapy that 'Is' will have to endure can sometimes produce some nasty side effects. Good luck also to all the others who are currently recuperating, and let's hope that the 'white rabbits' day is trouble free for our commuters for a change! Fingers crossed that all our friends in the path of the next storm forecast escape too much damage.

Off to try to get some sleep now - hope to be back on again tomorrow after I've hosted a bit of a family meeting I've called late afternoon, which I will enlarge on tomorrow evening.

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night all (and Pete if he re-appears!)!

Lovely images Andy,

Especially the Black5 and the 'Mickey Mouse', both of which I had several footplate rides on when a youngster living by the Hurlford shed!mthanks for them mate. Don't forget to give us a clue when the North Road thread starts, for some reason your layout list at the bottom of your posts seem to have disappeared on my iPad!

Thanks for the kind words as usual,

Kind regards,

Jock.

Still feeling carp and lacking sleep, but well cheered up by the last couple of posts! I ended up putting together a CAT model of a self building crane with great grandson on Christmas Day ( Luckily I'd done some work wit them for real during one of my six month working in industry periods whilst at uni!). What was a shocking realisation was that it didn't seem that long since I was doing it with his dad and uncle (now 27 and 24!).

Kind regards,

Jock.

Looking forward to this one John, we had several 9Fs visit at Hurlford so I intend to have a couple of very dirty ones on display towards the end of the shed's life. Can't say that mine will be anything like as well done as yours but I'm sure to be inspired following your workmanship!

Kind regards,

Jock.

Love it Jeff!

It is going to look great when the greenery and walling start to appear.

Kind regards,

Jock.

Evening/Morning all,

Still feeling rather unwell but I must be patient after only two days. As usual, I must say a big thank you for all the kind words which really do help me. Lack of sleep can get you down, but Joanna and I just watched a couple of repeat episodes of 'Mock the Week' which brought out some proper belly laughs - it is great to go off to bed with a smile on your face!

Things moving apace as my radiotherapy planning appointment came through for Friday next, and I hope to hear about the brain scan early next week.

As to the Peco (Pecorino according to auto spell checker!!) bulhead site, I haven't bothered to go and look as I'm sometimes known to speak my mind and the effect it's had on some of my ER friends is sufficient to make me shun it! Can I take it however that bullhead will now be available in Code75 - if so, I'll be glad that my illness has delayed my first order? I often visualise 'rivet counters' as lacking in self esteem who can battle in the media when they doubtless wouldn't say the proverbial 'boo to a goose' in real life. Why can't they all be like John(Killybegs) who counts rivets and attempts absolute accuracy in his own models but retains humility and happily shares his skills with anyone interested. Anyone who doesn't know what I'm getting at should check the recent pages on his 'Britannia' build in his 'Worseter' thread. Don also pointed out that Mike(The Stationmaster) with his exceptional knowledge, freely offered, is often pilloried for offering actual facts which are wrongly taken as opinions! Rant over!!

Duncan, you kept that signature event very quiet - I'd like to wish you a very Happy Birthday and very many of them. Hope you have a well earned celebration over the weekend!

Mick(NB), please wish 'Junior NB' many happy returns from her term time neighbours - hope she is fully fit again.

Peter(DD), lovely to see you posting again, you really have had some trying times of late. Hope things soon improve as I really miss your special brand of humour, liberally sprinkled with kindness and humanity.

Neil(NHN), I know you've been busy just lately, but as our regular oracle on topics mechanical and marine, I wondered what your take is on the Type 24 Destroyer debacle! Over a billion pounds each to make, and now breaking down frequently with a lot of the fleet in dock. The diesel generator engines (Wärtsilä 12v200) from Finland seem to be most at fault. Fewer complaints about the RR WR-21 Gas Turbines which also serve the complex high power electric propulsion system first used in US warships. I googled the Finnish engine and it looks good on paper - I read somewhere that Cummins have a connection with the company? Apparently the 'fix' will require cutting open the hull to shoehorn in a further unit at a cost approaching £1bn again! There seems to be some similarity in the efficiency of the system of tender in the Royal Navy with that of the Railway system of today?

To health, and best wishes to all who are poorly, and a great Sunday for the rest.

I hope the weather isn't as bad as predicted, particularly in N. Ireland and Scotland. It's almost embarrassing that we have spring flowers on show in the garden, although on the other hand, the lack of frosts has meant that there are still lots of leaves on the trees and plants like Christmas Rose(Helicrysum) haven't been 'triggered'!

Hope to be back on again tomorrow,

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night to all of my digital friends! G'night Pete if you manage to look in!!

Craig,

Lovely sharp images as always to enhance an informative post, thank you.

Kind regards,

Jock.

Evening Andy,

Quick visit as I'm still feeling a bit ropey. Glad I did, what a superb bunch of images, and all locos I love, especially the 'Jube' - really cheered me up mate!

Thanks and kind regards,

Jock.

Jeff,

Quick visit as still feeling a bit ropey, but cheered up by the images and I agree totally with Ben's comment! Also with John(Killybegs) - as many images as you like as far as I'm concerned,

Kind regards,

Jock.

Evening all,

Quick look in since I posted this afternoon. Much too early to tell but the headache is more of throb now rather than a piercing pain, and if I lie on my side, the pelvis isn't quite so bad either so who knows what tomorrow will bring. Thoroughly amused by Dave(rar)'s garage anecdotes - could probably write a book on the subject, or at least a handbook for people in young Dan's position!

Neil(NHN), I'm pleased that the funeral went as well as can be expected, although they are always emotionally wearing affairs. I love the touch of the drivers cap and replica smoke box door ring, and it is a measure of how much he was loved and respected that you are complying with his wishes about the scattering of the ashes.

Really weary now so off to sleep,

A repeat of my wishes from earlier and ,

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night to the Pete's if they reappear tonight, G'night all the rest of my digital friends!

Apologies due once again folks,

Still lots of pain but the new regime seems to be going in the right direction, so I'll have to be patient for another couple of days! I haven't had a chance to read all the posts but a very quick scan tells me that I owe heartfelt thanks for the supportive comments, which I really do appreciate. My oncology team and I are certainly trying to hit this thing as I've consumed 30 different medication items since 7.30am this morning! Only 6 more to go by 10.30pm tonight. I have a list, and warnings on my mobile phone to remind me. Hopefully I'll get more sleep than last night as I'm ready to doze off now. I really am struggling with concentration whilst typing this so I'll sign off and try to read some posts tomorrow.

Meanwhile, commiserations/congratulations as usual and best wishes for better health to those who need it. I note Pete(trisonic) appears to still be missing, hope he makes contact soon. That goes for Peter(DD) as well, although they appear to be suffering with the weather again.

Kind regards until tomorrow,

Jock.

Evening all,

Sorry, but I'm feeling really rough tonight, and a fairly lengthy visit to the hospital has left me exhausted and I haven't had a chance to catch up on here. Did however take the first of the new chemo tablets tonight, and I start a course of steroids in the morning which my oncologist thinks will help with the headaches. He has booked me for a brain scan (no jokes please!) and more radiotherapy.

Have to do the usual commiserations/congratulations and apologise for missing anything important. My thoughts are with you all, and I'll try to check in at some time tomorrow,

Good luck and kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete! G'night all!

Evening all,

Sorry to say that I've been feeling rather poorly today, with a lot of pain in my pelvis and left buttock. The headache is back as well so lots of questions for my oncologist tomorrow!

I simply haven't had a chance to read any posts on here today, and I've got an early start for tomorrow's appointment so it's off to bed for me I'm afraid.

I will try to post an update tomorrow night if I feel up to it, and catch up at the weekend.

Best wishes to all who ail, and commiserations/congratulations where deserved,

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete(if you've re-appeared)! G'night all my other digital friends!

Blimey Jim,

It's certainly never boring for you! Good luck for the rest of the week,

Kind regards,

Jock.

Morning Shaun,

Missing for a while through illness again mate, but another appointment Thursday to try to sort it out. Goodness, I've missed a helluva lot!

Brilliant workmanship all round as we've come to expect - I'm sure many of your followers have picked up several useful ideas, I certainly have.

Thank you, and kind regards,

Jock.

Morning all,

Stinking headache tonight, so that has been added to the list of queries for my oncologist on Thursday morning. Can't sleep so attempting to type a post after a busy day. I felt I had to read some Burns after last nights supper, and I was reminded of what a homespun philosopher he was when I read 'To a Louse' ( on seeing one on a lady's bonnet in church in 1786) :

'O wad some Power the giftie* gie us

To see oursels as ithers see us!' (*God)

Always raises a smile, and worth a read if you've got a copy with marginal translations!

Flavio, I'll be thinking of you on the 5th of Feb. I hope it's a post that you would really like, and that the hours/remuneration suit your lifestyle these days.

Ian(Abel), don't Hornby any longer do an on-line instruction/service sheet for their latest models? I can retrieve one for one of my models which is over 40 years old. I thought one came in the box at the time! Glad to see that Ian(RH) managed to do a great job with his photo tutorial - extremely friendly and informative!

AndyB and Donw, as to BT help, I used to resort to doing the line check from my PC at work, but now I've retired, I have the iPad to resort to if needed. I must say that this hasn't been necessary since the switch to fibre optic. I have to also mention that on the couple of occasions I've had to call for help, the engineers, although based in Mumbai, have all had a good command of English, and managed to solve the problem efficiently.

'lightengine', I'm with the cheap bulb theory - Joanna bought a couple of standard lamps for the corners of the lounge, each with five stylish little glass globes. At the point of sale, the assistant supplied her with bulbs to suit, including spares, from their Diall range. Several blew in a matter of weeks and so I replaced them with much more expensive ones from Phillips. They are still going after over a year! They are the little glass LED ones with two protruding wires.

Geoff, what great news on the eyes! Take good care of them.

AndyID, an impressive looking piece of kit and the gearing device looks very well engineered indeed. I recall you mentioned the modification to the ducting months ago. You really must try to post some pics of it in action! I've refrained from entering your competition as I have in the past designed drive shafts for racing cars (whilst at Weslakes!) with independent suspension!

Neil(NHN), Oh dear, not much fun for Deb's and you at the moment. I am terribly sorry to read about Jayne's descent in to depression - it must make you both feel very frustrated that you can't come up with a solution, but if she still won't seek professional help, there is little more you can do. Are her family aware of the deterioration? The funeral won't be much fun either, but what a compliment to you that the whole 'team' decided to postpone the 'event' to accommodate your situation! Thinking of you both, and hope you have a great party when this is behind you.

Duncan, good luck with your two exams - I'm sure you'll sail through!

Best wishes to all our ailing friends and a trouble free 'hump' day, and rest of the week to everyone. I'm hopefully off to sleep now, musing as I do on the fact that yesterday was ninety years to the day since John Logie Baird demonstrated his first 'television' in Soho, London!

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete(if you're back with us)! G'night all!

Jeff,

Moving apace now - very impressive!

Kind regards,

Jock.

Morning Derek,

That image of the bridge, overgrown roadway and stone walls is absolutely beautiful, made the more so by the two characters 'putting the world to rights'!

Well done as usual,

Kind regards,

Jock.

Evening/Morning all,

Only managed to read the posts since last night, and once again I'm really choked by many of the comments- fear not, I don't intend to throw the towel in for a while yet.

The 'Burns Supper' went down very well, topped with whisky gravy. I used to have my Haggis shipped by 'Red Star Parcels' from my favourite butchers in Dunbar (even to Redruth station several times!) but they closed long ago. I searched on line and the product of Simon Howie's butchers from Perth seemed popular and good value so I ordered one. The packaging had a lovely comment on the 'Chieftan of the Pudding Race' - 'Haggis is a thoroughly democratic dish equally honoured in castle, farm and croft. The ingredients give a touch of romantic barbarism so dear to the Scottish heart.' I rather like the sentiments, attributed to someone called 'Lindsay', but I'm not sure which one?

Mick(NB), many happy returns to you and 'junior' on the relevant day. I must say that I'm unaccustomed to hearing of defeats for your beloved Hawks - is there an obvious reason?

MickB, really sorry to hear that you are feeling so poorly - really miserable whatever the cause. I hope the medics come up with a solution soon.

Chris, best of luck with your intended visit to 'Poorly Pal'. It really is frustrating when you don't know how your kindness will be received.

Ian(OD), my joy at celebrating our 'National Poet' is tinged with sadness when I contemplate the memories that the date must bring to you.

Robert, is the puss named 'Parsifal' like the eponymous character in Wagner's opera - billed as a 'blameless fool'? I guess you'll have to study it for a while to decide!

Mal, I hope you enjoyed your feast as much as we did tonight - begs the question, why don't we have this more often during the year? The whisky infused gravy was just perfect tonight (good guess?) and to finish with Cranachan was a pleasant palate cleanser. I washed mine down with 'The Balvenie' which stood up well to the spiciness of the main dish!

Rick, what a shame that you drove all that way to be greeted by such an ice-cold welcome. Is this an ongoing situation as it must be very upsetting for Sharon? As a lot of your life, certainly at work, is spent 'getting on' with people, and the testimony to this ability from the Taunton modellers that you met last year, makes her attitude more difficult to understand.

Dick, you too are finding family politics rather awkward at the moment. We are very lucky that at this moment we have no issues with any of ours, or indeed their chosen partners. I'd wager you find it more difficult than the local politics you were involved with until recently.

Dave(TG), lovely images of 'The George at Stamford' - like Ian(RH), it has been many years since I ate or drank there. I stayed once whilst on a course with Citroën which was held between there and Peterborough. Must say that the service matched the beauty of the building. I too am old enough to remember the main A1 running through the heart of the town - some may remember my tale about choosing a 500cc BSA Gold Star motorcycle for a mercy dash to see my poorly grandmother in Dumfries. That bike was fast but completely unsuited to the traffic jams there and in the other towns the road once passed through,

I do hope that everyone nursing an ailment, however trivial, will soon be mended. Best wishes for a good week, especially to our poor souls who have to commute.

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete! (if you can read this!). G'night all!

Evening/Morning all,

I must start with a big thank you to all who have 'mentioned me in dispatches'! I do however have to apologise for not having had time to read any of today's posts yet.

I'm afraid I still feel rough tonight, but at least it is partly my own fault because I decided this morning that I felt well enough to do some proper cooking Morrocan style. I made four trays of home prepared vegetables (butternut squash, sweet potato, green and red pepper, courgette, red onion, fresh chillies, garlic, fresh coriander etc.) which were first cubed and roasted with a drizzle of olive oil. Each tray then had a good measure of vegetable stock, liberally laced with 'Harissa' paste and seasoning. Three of the trays were cooled and frozen for future use. Whilst the fourth bubbled away in the oven to produce a nice vegetable tagine, a couple of turkey breast fillets were cubed and tossed in a plastic bag with 'Ras el Hanout' and then lightly fried in a little olive oil. Two bowls were prepared with a bed of cous-cous, topped with the tagine and the turkey cubes scattered on top! The appreciative noises made by Joanna would suggest I did well, but I now realise that I've overdone things a bit! The pain was minimised by consuming some 'Thatcher's' 'Old Rascal' Somerset cider which my eldest daughter brought me on Boxing Day - if the cap fits! Tomorrow night should be easier with the traditional 'Burns Supper' including whisky gravy!

Yesterday morning, I was shown true kindness as Joanna called from No1 grandson's house to say the L H Rear tyre had punctured, but son-in-law Alan was there to put the spare on. I phoned my old garage and spoke to the Service manager, a former fellow director, who said I should come straight there! His top man was on hand to effect a repair (she'd picked up a screw in the centre of the tread!) and place the wheel back on the car. He checked the tyre pressures, topped up with winter screen-wash and replaced the driver's side wiper blade whilst Joanna and I had a coffee and caught up with all the garage gossip. It was lovely for me as I had worked closely with this man and his brother for almost eighteen years. I also trained his son in selling over the last three years or so that I was there, and it was good to see how well he had turned out. He did take the opportunity to 'pick my brains' on a couple of issues that had just arisen, and it gave me a real 'kick' to be able to advise him! When it came to settling up, my former fellow director choked me by refusing point blank to charge - saying tongue in cheek, that he'd already put it through the sales department internal account like I used to when I worked there! People shock me with their kindness at times.

My body still seems quite confused as it gradually washes out all traces of the previous chemo treatment. Anxious now to start on the new drug, side effects or not, as an increase in pain levels would suggest that the tumours are growing at the moment.

Hope Mal coped with his recent 'dose' of chemo, and I'll try to catch up with him, 'Is' and others over the next couple of days. Commiserations/congratulations as deserved to everyone else - I hope I haven't missed anything of great importance.

Thought of Pete(trisonic) today with a news bulletin showing someone walking thigh deep in snow at Sea Isle City, NJ - are you near there mate, I know it is a big area?

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete! G'night all!

Evening Jeff,

Apologies to you and everyone who has suffered a rash of ratings! I've suffered some serious health issues since New Year's Eve, and some pretty bad news on Thursday. There is a long post about this in Early Risers, and I put a reference to it in Lunesrwe Asylum. I'm not sure how long you intend to be in Cumbria but it's good to be looking in here again for 'cheering up' purposes - glad the good natured banter is as high quality as usual! Look forward to the next phase with interest.

Hope dad is in good shape when you return my friend,

Kind regards,

Jock.

Evening all,

I regret that today has again been packed with family issues and the occasional drama, and I've been unable to get on here until now and I'm rather too tired to type a post now. I'll save the news until tomorrow, but I noticed poor Andy's post about the demise of Saffie. No matter how much you expect it to happen past a certain age, it still comes as a shock! I'm certain that all three of you will be very upset - as I've said before, the extent of your grief is measured only by the depth of your love. Condolences to you and the two ladies Andy, perhaps a good lunch with a couple of drinks as a celebration of Saffie's life would help you all come to terms with it? You are in our thoughts my friend.

Must try to get some sleep now and try to spend some more time on here tomorrow - I did notice a couple of lovely supportive comments for which I'm extremely grateful, and I'm determined to catch up tomorrow! I hope we haven't had any other major dramas in my absence and offer the usual generic greetings either way. Not looking too good for Pete(trisonic) weather wise - hope you've got the hatches battened down. I must say your post would suggest you are well prepared for it!

Kind regards,

Jock.

G'night Pete! G'night insomniacs!

Morning Andy,

Got some tough news at the hospital today (fairly long post #112820 on ER's) so I've looked in here to cheer myself up! Love this layout mate, and really great to see steam appearing in your creations again. The weathering really is convincing, reminds me very much of the condition of the steam locos at Hurlford in the late fifties/early sixties - very realistic!

Tired now, so I'll catch up with Pencarne hopefully tomorrow, apologies for all the ratings,

Kind regards,

Jock.