BR traction instructor

We have a 2022 plate ID3 and can't identify with the previous post at all. We have done over 30,000 trouble free and cheap miles (we pay 27p per kWh for our electric now). Our Michelin Cross Climate tyres have done over 20,000 miles (the original non Michelin tyres were nowhere near as good...only managed 10,000 miles) and are about to be replaced with another set of similar Michelin at around £140 per tyre fitted (took me 5 mins to Google the tyre size and book the car in). We couldn't wish for better non-polluting, reliable and economical motoring. BeRTIe

...this Sulzerfest freebie is unlikely to be matched...miss it and weep! BeRTIe

...you might just be surprised 😃 BeRTIe

...it is easy to be become mired in the seemingly endless cycle of world issues and problems of the here & now...getting out into the amazing scenery & history of these isles breaks that depressing reality for us and serves as a constant refresher of spirit. Sharing a few pictures hopefully also gives a lift to those reading this thread. BeRTIe

Scottish castles, distillery lunches and lard burning sums up today pretty well. An outing in lovely Autumnal sunshine to Caerlaverock castle nr Dumfries via Annan B roads started our day. A pleasant explore of the ruins and abandoned first attempt due to sinking into the Solway set us up for our favourite tearoom lunch in that of the tastefully appointed Annandale distillery. Arriving back in Silloth in warm afternoon sunshine meant car washing duties and a third consecutive 90 min cycling circuit of the Solway plain to help make my clothes fit better after the indulgences of our recent Jersey & Norfolk hol. BeRTIe

Three nights in Cromer with outings to Brancaster, Walsingham, Blakeney and Sheringham are completing this holiday...the weather forecast says head towards home tomorrow... BeRTIe

...email Phil/Jennie at SLW and ask for their associated release to be resent to you. BeRTIe

SLW customers for the new class 25s should check their mailboxes. BeRTIe

Best race that I've seen in a long time 👍 BeRTIe

Following an afternoon with the red squirrels on Brownsea we have foxes in the garden at our B&B...luckily the Jersey red wine is an excellent accompaniment during the wait for them to come and socialise... BeRTIe

Arriving back into Poole past The Haven hotel and chain ferry, heading straight for Brownsea island, the red squirrels and a cream tea. Our Condor Voyager catamaran heads back to the Channel islands... BeRTIe

Walking Bouley bay to Rozel bay to Fliquet bay/St Catherine's breakwater today was quite sufficient in the heat and saw us heading for the loungers beside the hotel pool for the afternoon... BeRTIe

Walking Gorey pier to St Catherine's breakwater to join a 3hr rib trip to a reef off the French mainland generated a decent appetite for us earlier. Staying on the bus through to St Helier on the return, to find a decent Italian accidentally treated us to The Falcons and Red Arrows practising for tomorrow's airshow across the seafront... BeRTIe

Making good use of the island bus services today to create a mix of scenic coastal walks and cold cider opportunities... BeRTIe

Departing Poole, past Brownsea island and the Sandbanks chain ferry, for Jersey on the catamaran. Phew!!...somewhat warm on the island... BeRTIe

Tranquil service stops/shaded canal walks belie a lot of motorway/A road miles to reach our Channel islands departure on the south coast. A last minute booking for Jersey required an intense hour of making sure that sailing availability matched that of a hotel on the island. The first leg was 200 milesish to reach an overnight with parents in the Staffordshire Moorlands, the second 200 miles down to the south coast ready for our crossing. The Caldon canal Leek arm nr Denford. Relaxing al fresco full English at The Cotswold barn cafe nr Stow with friends from Bollington, holidaying nearby. No waiting to charge nr the M4 crossing. Checked in and taxi down to the harbour for the evening...

Perfect early cycling conditions today... BeRTIe

More frequent visits from family with young children recently has seen calls for some sandy beach time. This has seen us start investigating suitable stretches locally. A Sunday morning stroll through the dunes at Mawbray produced probably our best option... BeRTIe

06ish departure from Silloth earlier towards Borrowdale, in The Lakes. Parking at Stonethwaite 07ish and climbing Great Crag towards Watendlath before turning left towards Rosthwaite, for a brunch stop, then a scenic last mile back to the car along the beckside path... BeRTIe

Modified Rumney 9ft tippler underframe with a 4 segment modified Mainline hopper body destined to be one of the first pair of five diagram 1/161, 1/162 P4 variants for Mostyn. Removing the hopper side detail means less razor saw cuts/segments (4 against 6) but it will need replacing with T section brass. A slight compromise when dealing with moulded plastic hopper bodies, as against sheet brass is the relative overthickness. This may dictate 1.2mm angle brass for the hopper top section, as against 1mm but these wagons will be formed amongst diagram 1/163, 1/166 ex ironstone hoppers with thinned resin hopper bodies, so will fit right in. BeRTIe