Dave Hunt

I'd come round and help Bob but I'm part way through my second..... Dave

The most anti sportsman I ever knew was an RAF colleague who announced to the rest of the Squadron that he was starting Sports Anonymous. The idea was that if you ever felt like participating in any sporting activity you could ring him then he'd come and drink with you until the feeling wore off. The main drawback to Hippo's suggestion for a rugby XV would seem to be getting the team together. Since we appear to be spread across the scale/gauge spectrum, by the time the dates of Scaleforums, EM Gauge meetings, GOG shows etc. are taken into account along with Ally Pally, Warley and such, only about two weekends are free. Mind you, if we're trying to get a starting lineup for the Tigers, on present form the results would be the same whether there was a team there or not (makes mental note not to venture near Welford Road on dark nights anytime soon). Have a good night everyone. Dave

So you're posting through a medium then? Hat and coat time? Goodnight again. Dave

Only if following the tradition of the captain going down with the sinking ship I think. Dave

Have a good trip John and give Pete S my regards. Dave

What it is to be a Leicester Tigers supporter. Although I'm more than thirty years past any sensible idea of playing rugby again, I think that I'd probably get a starting place at Welford Road these days. Are you available next season GDB? Apart from that, I was a happy bunny today when a large pallet load of cut Russian birch ply was delivered, even though I had to manhandle it bit by bit fifty yards down to the shed. Fortunately it wasn't raining. All I have to do now is turn it into baseboards and then make a toy train set. Sadly I can't start that process for another couple of weeks but it looks good stacked against the walls. Have a good night everyone and remember to put your light sabres on charge for tomorrow. Dave

Thanks a bunch Bob. Looks like your mojo needs a retune...... Good luck for tomorrow Gloucester! Dave

Wow! If ever the phrase, "Wish I was there," was appropriate, this is it. Oh to be in Ogden a week today.... Dave

First of all, happy birthday to Stewart. Regarding vaccination, like GDB I had the full range of childhood diseases in the '50s, including measles and diphtheria, which nearly killed me, and spent a lot of time off early schooldays as a result. Fortunately my parents had a lot of support from my school and my teacher provided home study material so that I could keep up. When I applied to join the RAF many years later my medical history was so bad that at first the medics failed me out of hand and it was only through persistence and the help of my Dad's friend, who was a consultant cardiologist, that I eventually got accepted. Therefore, like Laurence B, Peter BB, Robert et al I find the attitude of anti-vaccinators annoying to say the least. In happier vein, the ready cut plywood for my baseboards is due to be delivered today but since I'll be away for the next week and a bit it will have to wait a while before being glued together. I'm not sure that my excitement level has reached that of the shed brigade but it's definitely on the rise. Have a good day/night or for Jamie whatever twilight era he is currently inhabiting. Thoughts and prayers for the afflicted. Dave

Amen to that from the other remaining Tigers supporter. Dave

Too right! Back in the mid '70s I went mackerel fishing several times off Cornwall using just pieces of cooking foil as bait and about the only limitation on catch size was how quickly you could get the hooks out of the fish and back in the water. Last year I tried it again and came back empty handed after several unfruitful hours. So, unless the fish have got a lot wiser...... Night night All. Have a peaceful and restful one. Dave

A bit like watching Leicester Tigers a few seasons ago................ Let's hope the 'Quins have their boots tied together. What about my badge? Dave

The Prisoner AKA Patrick McGoohan. Spent two nights in The Village for SWMBO's birthday in March and watched several episodes. Do I get a Smart*ss badge? Dave

Many years ago I had a small one-man band company called Pilgrim Models making 7mm locomotive kits and used the same business model as Hippo with the same result. Thank God neither of us tried to adopt 'modern' business methods. Dave

I don't know when, or if, you'll be able to read this Jamie but many congratulations. Seeing your granddaughter's name reminded me that I have an ex-colleague whose surname is Lancaster, then I realised that there are two others whose surnames are Green and Ayres (honestly) which, of course brought me back to you. Funny how the mind works sometimes isn't it (note for the Hippo and others of like minds - I don't need confirmation that mine often falls into that category). Not it much to report today except that my Dad had a panic attack at ten o'clock this evening and is now in a spare bed in our house. As they say in Bazland, "There's allus bl**dy summat". Have a peaceful night everyone. Dave

I think that May the fourth (be with you) is about Star Wars whereas Live long and prosper is about Star Trek - not that I'm an expert but my No. 1 son is fairly well up on it (honest). But.... Happy birthday K. Dave

And from level crossings to bridges. I suppose we could go the whole hog and start discussing acqueducts? Dave

As a finescale modeller (in my case S7) I detest inverted snobbery in all its forms and the sin of dismissal of anything other than the commentator's own standards accompanied by caustic remarks such as 'overweening pride' truly to offend. Such remarks seem to betray a less than inclusive attitude. I have no wish to start an argument and to that end will not reply further to any posts on this topic but as someone who has also modelled to N, OO and OF standards I find comments such as the above tiresome and totally unjustified for the overwhelming majority of finescale modellers. And for the record, I admire a great deal of OO layouts and models. Dave

Although not as exciting as a whole new shed, I had a 'phone call yesterday about the wood I've ordered for baseboards and with luck it may be ready for delivery later this week. I've still got to see about the legs, though - those for the baseboards that is, not the ones attached to me, which are still sort of OK for someone of advanced years. Also yesterday SWMBO and I made efforts to restore the house to something like habitable standard after the invasion visit of the horde grandchildren but in the process found that the services of a professional carpet cleaner are required. Tip of the day - grandchildren and cream carpets are a combination to be avoided. A further ongoing chore is clearing up the drifts of cherry blossom (not shoe polish before some wag suggests it) on the front path that, like snow, look attractive until they start to go mushy and then tread into the house. My suggestion that this is not a job for someone with a bad back went unheeded so now my back is protesting about the treatment it has received. Bu**er. Ah, well, once muggercoffee is consumed it's on with the day. I hope yours is fruitful and pleasant, especially the shed brigade, and that those facing troubles find some respite and comfort. Dave

All is sweetness and light. Just SWMBO and me in the house, all other family members of various generations having returned to their own abodes, peace has descended and the Scottish water of life is sliding down a treat. The place still looks as though it has recently been the site of a minor war and tomorrow has been designated by high authority as Operation Sort Out The Mess but hey, when the Lagavulin 12 tastes this good tomorrow can damn well wait. Goodnight everyone, may peace and prosperity be your lot. Dave

Just went to print out a single sheet on my printer only to have it start printing 7 copies of a 26 page set of recipes that SWMBO had told it to do. What she actually wanted was a single copy of two pages but by podging buttons at random set in motion the aforesaid paper forest. The big problem was that I couldn't stop the printer; even switching it off didn't work as when it was switched back on it took up where it had left off but the print management section didn't show anything in the print queue. Fortunately No. 1 son, who is a software systems engineer, was on hand and managed eventually to sort things out but not before it had printed about sixty sheets. SWMBO is now taking lessons from No. 1 son on how not to screw up print jobs. Apart from that the day is going swimmingly. Dave

Well, it's miserable and wet in North Salopshire this morning but at least it's not blowing a gale. On Friday evening we had a beautiful, blossom laden cherry tree in our front garden; this morning there is a cherry tree with a few blossoms clinging to it whilst surrounding it and covering a large area of garden is what looks like a pale pink, soggy snowdrift. Today we (SWMBO, Dad, No. 1 son, two grandchildren and me) are supposed to be going out for lunch but SWMBO is coughing fit to bust and her voice has reduced to a croak so we'll have to see. This evening No. 1 son and offspring return to Derbyshire so relative peace will be restored here just leaving the wreckage of what was once quite a reasonable house to be sorted out. How small children can devastate their surroundings so quickly never ceases to amaze me. Mind you, once the cleaning up process is finished I may well be able to get in some decent workshop time. Whatever your plans are for today I hope that they work out and you have a good one. Dave

Collected SWMBO's car from the garage yesterday for the loss of a severe number of modelling tokens but at least its warning system has stopped complaining. Next will be new tyres as two of the present ones are down to 3.5 mm of tread so I'll have to keep an eye on them. And I've just had a complete set on my Passat. Cars eh? As an added bonus SWMBO and I appear to have developed colds which were probably imported from Derbyshire by one of the grandchildren. At least they don't seem as bad as the recent attacks of lurgy, just bl***y annoying really. Today is starting with gales and rain in North Salopshire with a forecast of more gales and rain followed by gales and rain. At the moment I'm trying to ignore it all with muggercoffee but the market calls. Chin up, as they say in Swaziland, full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes! With sympathies for all those who may have to cancel cricket matches etc. and envy of them that get to attend modelling events today - have yourselves a good time and go home lighter in pocket but greater in spirit. Bye for now. Dave

Very many thanks to all ERs who wished me a happy birthday. It's good to be involved with such a friendly and supportive group. After this morning's bulletin I was invaded by a horde of small dervishes masquerading as my grandchildren who thought that a good start to granddad's birthday was to jump up and down on him until SWMBO announced that breakfast was ready. Apart from lunchtime, a bit of playtime with the children and some coffee breaks I then spent the rest of the day in the shed working on the turntable for my imminent l*y*ut until the announcement of dinner. Steak, chips and all the trimmings accompanied by a few glasses of a rather nice Rioja (not Chianti as I thought earlier) followed by chocolate mousse and now a drop or two of some Jura malt that I received as a present and a pretty splendid day comes to a close. I hope that your day has been half as enjoyable as mine but thoughts and prayers if it hasn't. Have a peaceful night all. Dave

Sincere condolences to Big Jim. Since it's my birthday I'm being treated royally this morning and am opening cards whilst consuming muggercoffee in bed. Further bulletins will follow in due course. Have the best day you can. Dave