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Took SWMBO for her face to face assessment for PIP on Monday. She has serious mobility issues following a stroke compounded by falling breaking her hip plus dislocating her elbow. Having read some of the horror stories re these affairs, it has to be said that everything went very smoothly. Phoned up on Thursday for a copy of the report which arrived this morning. Report is very fair, even if the boss isn't happy at seeing her limitations recorded in balck and white. Providing the DWP case worker doesn't ignore the matters raised she will qualify for Standard Rate Benefit for both Living and Mobility. Now in wait and see mode.

Went to attack some of the shrubbery that has rapidly expaned only to find that the electric chainsaw has given up the ghost. The chain keeps jumping off the drive cog and the adjusting screw is knackered. Now waiting for a pole variety to be delivered so some of the bushes can be reduced to a size more fitting to the small garden they are trying to over run. The hedge trimmer enabled me to fill a large builders supply bag (the 4 handled kind) which has been deposited at the local recycling centre. It looks like several more trips will be required once all the offending greenery is cut back. Now to attack a bottle of "Proper Job" by way of reward!

I was born in what at the time was one of the houses (belonging to my Grandparents) that overlooked the fields to the east of Acle. We had a view across the marshes that took in the Acle straight and the railway line as far as the bend. On a clear day you had a good view of the now demolished Power Station at South Denes. Modern developments in Acle will have obscured the view.

Trip to Garage and Post Office undertaken yesterday; it took all of 1 minute to change the tax class of the replacement vehicle! Proved it's worth this morning with a trip to the doctor, much easier for the patient to climb in and out and plenty of space in the back for the walking aids. Mike

Frustrating day thanks to the DVLA. Was due to be picking up a Zafira from the local garage today at 2pm as I need something that SWMBO can get into without a major struggle and accomodate her walking frame following a fall that broke her hip. Salesman phoned at 11am to apologise that as the previous owner was on the Mobility scheme, the vehicle can only be taxed at a Post Office which delays things till Monday. You can apparently claim tax exemption online but you can't rescind it. Which overpaid halfwit came up with this scheme? Mike

The XL was initially purchased for my RSD 12. It has been moved to the RS3 as that will be a better fit on my version of a Chicago Fork. My understanding is that the XL has a stay alive built in and that was the reason for trying it, rather than the extra amp in motor current. Like others I have used HO decoders in O scale without frying them.

The RS3 is the Atlas Trainman and it is the XL version of the V4. The sound file is the latest version and sounds fantastic. It probably needs the master volume winding back for use at home I do have a Weaver RS3 with the single Pittman motor and chain drive, which is slowly being worked on. It has a QSI Titan in it at present, but having heard the Loksound one, I suspect that will change when funds permit. There is also a RSD 12 which needs chipping.

Here are two of my O Scale Alco's; an Atlas QSI fitted RS1 and a RS3 that is currently being fitted with a Loksound V4.

Nick, Have pinged an email to them; am awaiting a response.

Richard, Thanks, it gives me a start point for finding replacements Mike

Can anyone help with the specification of the screws that hold the wiring tags onto a Dapol Pannier chassis? Disaster struck when the plastic box holding the removed bits fell off the workbench and broke, enabling the carpet monster to swallow the screws. Many thanks Mike

On a different topic, I've just had a text from the Blood Service to say my donation last week has been issued to Hammersmith Hospital. Not seen this before, but nice to know it's being used.

The GW item is a wheel press for quartering wheels such as Maygibs. The other item looks like a press for securing Brooke Smith rivets into sleepers or crossing timbers. There is/was a similar tool that you use to punch the rivet holes in the crossing timbers

The bottom line of all this devolution talk is what will it cost us taxpayers? The cynic in me suspects that all local (at which ever level that is decided to be) politicians who get more powers will all decide they need a massive pay rise to compensate them for the extra responsibility. That won't of course include providing improved services to the bill payer!

Jerry, Thanks again Mike

Jerry, Many thanks, I've got a Bachmann 37 which has 2mm FS wheels. I will use that for track testing, and have a look at the Farish products. May I enquire as to whether the same advice pertains to the Dapol Pannier? Thanks Mike

Hello, Has anyone had the wheels of a Dapol 45xx reprofiled, and if so were there any issues in reassembly? I'm coming back to 2mm/N due to domestic circumstances (serious reduction in space for a layout) and can see benefits in each standard given the existance of Finetrax. I would like to go FS, if I can get a kettle running without too much fiddling. My previous efforts predate the Dapol 45xx and 57xx. Many thanks Mike

Fortunately the 7 day forecast was accurate with a nice sunny morning as I had to move all of the furniture out of the through lounge onto the patio and lawn so a new carpet could be laid. The fitters were in and out in 40 minutes. The moving process was then reversed. My back is now telling me that I'm getting old! There is still 45 kilos of rock and sand and 45 gallons of water to be put back into the fish tank; Ouch!

Warm and sunny in Shenfield. Just back from getting some new trainers for SWMBO. Typically she didn't didn't mention the need till 9pm last night, and then wondered why I didn't deem it to be an urgent matter at that time of night! Happily I was able to find two suitable pairs in the shop, and one pair is already being put to use.

Sunny in Shenfield. Need to pack my kitbag ready to referee my last 11 aside game of the football season. It's between two veterans teams who play because they enjoy it so it should be a good day out. It will be a nice break from lifting the lounge carpet prior to a new one being fitted. With two households in one, making space for everything is proving challenging!

Have prevented a family crisis. Got to Sports Centre earlier today to referee a Futsal game to find I couldn't open the boot of my Corsa. Kit was rescued by folding down the back seat. Most of the time this would have been an inconvenience, except that Dad's taxi has been booked by daughter to take her, boyfriend and luggage to Stanstead on Saturday. A trawl of the internet suggested an answer and after removing the boot trim, the issue was found to be a dodgy connection to the microswitch that unlocks the boot. I've spent the evening making sure that it still works, and it means that I don't have to chase round trying to find a garage to fix the issue in the next two days.

Dry but dull morning here. Having to adjust to a more hectic homelife. Our eldest daughter has moved in with her boyfriend. Her office is moving from west to central London early next year. As the lease on their flat was expiring, they decided not to renew, and to move home prior to buying their own place in east London which will be convenient for both of their offices. Friday was spent driving a van round the M25 carpark to collect their possessions. The original plan of her collecting the van was shelved after the M25 was closed on Thursday evening due to an accident. An accident in the same spot on Friday meant a 1 hour trip home became over 3 hours. Greeted this morning with a 6.45am request for a lift to the station. The next few days will be taken up with sorting out boxes of stuff whilst she works out what will be move on to her next home and what can be taken to the tip. My layout plans look like being restricted to a small test plank for a while!

Taking a break from soldering up a Slaters 16mm slate wagon. Delighted to report that the tabs and slot were in the right place and a job that I thought was going to be a right pain, proved to be quite simple. Have to agree that not all such kits are as good.

Car taxed for another year. Have to admit that the online system is simple and quick which is surprising for a .gov.uk enterprise. Busy sorting out kit before setting out to referee a Veterans football match. Given the two teams involved, I better find my copy of the Queensbury Rules!

Good day at the office; car returned having passed the MOT without incident/expense. Having gone ouit and purchased suitable spanner, the tap installed, tested and no leaks. Fiddly job but no real problems, so I'm happy. Hopefully SWMBO will feel the same when she gets back.