Guius

The library has sent the wrong book obviously, the one required is 'Successful Cocaine Smuggling' by Charlie Snow. Guy

Thanks Sir Douglas what a cracking website. Guy

I would be very pleased if I had produced that standard of Dave, spot on. Guy

What material are you going to use as a baseboard Knuckles? Guy

One thing I would suggest you do is check your construction is level (if you haven't done already) a long spirit level would be ideal, other wise a piece of straight timber with a short level on top, this is to stop the boards wobbling. (If not all at the same level you could use some wood/ply 'packing' pieces between board and bracket) It'll be easier to keep the boards square at the front and fill the triangular gaps that appear at the back against the wall later. I know what you mean about the squareness of old houses, I don't think brickies know what a square is for! Guy

It's a good start, I would have done the same as you given the location, gallows brackets off the wall then tied together with stringers. No legs, then, to get in your way and easy access to the underside. Guy

The trouble here in South Cumbria is, if we get temperatures below mid 20's in March it can play havoc with the pineapple crop later on in the year. Of course the yams and mangos are a little more forgiving I'm glad to say. And don't get me started on the late banana harvest! Guy

Just an observation on the foregoing Knuckles, I would say 'enjoy the journey as much as the destination'. By this I mean take pleasure from all aspects of your project - if you can, - don't rush individual jobs and be prepared to re-do aspects of the build as you 'get your eye in'. As a young fellow you've bags of time to do the layout of a lifetime that most of us aspire to and enjoy your modelling when and where you can, that would, perhaps translate into taking pleasure in the small things that you can achieve regularly and often. Best of luck and happy modelling Guy

Look on the bright side, you've certainly left your options open and there are plenty of other scales to have a go at in the coming year! Best wishes Guy

And did you make any headway with your colleague regarding this bone of contention? Guy

Hit the nail on the head there gismorail, the expense of having 6 switches sat on the shelf in 100 odd shops (600 switches worth of cost tied up) apposed to, say 100 switches in a low overhead, central warehouse on 'call off' from on line customers. Maplin simply can not compete unfortunately. It will be a sad loss to many modellers if it does go under, me included. Guy

I wonder how many children (and adults) that have been sent home, or not gone to school due 'safety considerations' who then go on to play out in the snow now require hospital treatment as a result. Schools, who are only interested in the safety of their charges while on the premises and therefore liable, see snow as a potential blizzard of incoming compensation claims from the torrid ranks of ambulance chasing type solicitors and shut their doors at the first flutter of winter snow. And who can blame them ? Unfortunately the queues at A & E departments up and down the country, will be swollen by children who should have had a safe day in school. Guy

Cold with very little wind but not a single snow flake has fallen up to now (thankfully) Guy

Curling might be quiet fun to do but, to watch, Oh Dear. It should be renamed synchronised sweeping up. I think I would rather model G.W.R. Well, perhaps that would be taking it too far ! Guy

Excellent modelling Gerry, you've certainly got a good eye for detail and proportion. As #3 very appealing to operate and watch I think. Please keep us up to date with any developments. Guy

Window frames look good too Dave.

Sorry to hear that, as many other contributors have said, modelling is a great stress buster. Perhaps just make your self 'have it' for half an hour and I'll bet you'll notice a difference in your stress markers. Guy

Didn't this outfit scoop up a lot of disgruntled Ryan Airways pilots/staff in order expand their operation recently? Guy

It's just a pity foxes and badgers couldn't be a bit more 'pro-active' on this front in this country, if they get their act together I'll pay good money to watch! Oscar Wild (I think) got it about right - "The unspeakable in pursuit of the uneatable" Guy

The truly utilitarian solution to this problem would be to 'recycle' the drunken yob by harvesting his organs and there by doing the greatest good for the largest number of people. I think 'The Moral Maze' has tackled this one. Guy

This subject is very topical it would seem, Sally Magnuson has just had published a novel based around Icelanders being taken as slaves to Algeria by Barbary raiders. (courtesy of BBC Radio 4 Women's hour this a.m.) Guy

Quiet disturbing. Reminds me of a joke about the 'Outback toilet', which consists of two sticks - one to hang your trousers on and the other to beat the dingo s back. Guy

Thanks for posting, a tale worthy of C. S. Forester himself. Many slaves were taken in raids from Cornish coastal villages over a long period by Barbary Corsairs and I wonder if any Cornish genes have been discovered in North Africa as a result. Guy

To keep up with current affairs, both national and global events, to be informed and abreast of a range of topics along with some comedy and drama you can't beat Radio 4. I thoroughly recommend it. Guy

There are a few problems with expecting drivers and their vehicles to keep to a minimum speed, some vehicles whilst being capable of 60 mph, are very uncomfortable at such a velocity, I'm thinking of my trusty old mk III Landrover as also many vintage cars/vans/ steam wagons & c. Secondly, compelling drivers to exceed a speed at which they consider themselves or their vehicles to be safe would not be morally correct or enforceable in common law I would hazard a guess. Guy