Happy Hippo

I have come to the conclusion that a certain Stationmaster will do any type of domestic chore or errand providing there is the bribe of good food during or after the excursion. Works with me as well! Regards Richard

My world fell to pieces this morning! I received this in the post:

High cloud but still a grey day here, and quite chilly. Looking out of the window I can see small trees in motion, and the occasional branch on the oak at the bottom of the garden is moving too, so around a 5, gusting to 6. I don't think I'll walk up onto the Wealdmoor today, as it's quite exposed (probably why it is called the Wealdmoor) and it will be distinctly chilly. In my dotage, I do try to avoid lower temperatures. The dog has been fed, and TIB delivered to the OGF, but apart from that there is no sign of stirring from the rest of the herd. I think a wallow in a warm bath would be preferable to mud, however glorious they claim it is in the song! Today's research is to find out when the GWR stopped fitting DC brake gear to their freight stock. This is partly academic and partly because I have some old Coopercraft kits in my moggling box. Regards Richard

The OGF gets them from the garden centre.... I believe they have a tree which you pick them from. I don't do the technical side as I'm not very bright, but I can lift and shift heavy things. Seriously, I think the latest batch of seed potatoes came from a neighbour who had over catered. Regards R

The sun is around somewhere, and we have a very pale blue sky: Temperature unknown, but it looks as if there is a bit of a nip in the air. Andy's talk about potatoes reminds me that we have two varieties to go into the veg plot, but I'll need to clear and prepare one of the beds to get them in. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I will do all the digging, turning composting and raking, whilst the Obergrumpenfuhrer will be responsible for administering both the big stick when progress slows, and positional accuracy of the seeds. The lawn also requires a haircut and the bald edge where the hedge was reduced will need an influx of grass seed. I have given up holding my breath for the delivery of my 42xx and 52xx locos, they will probably turn up in time for this Christmas. Don's talk about sleeping better when warm made me smile: I now have a vision of him with a bed cap and long woolly socks, encased in an green army down sleeping bag looking like a caterpillar. Lord knows what Yvonne would do if he sprang out looking like a Red Admiral! Enjoy the day Richard

And yet the cry is now to go back to 7.62mm! Not wishing to be gruesome, but the idea of 5.56mm was also to bog down your opponent with looking after the wounded. Sadly the type of opponent the armed forces are faced with in present combat operations just keep coming at you, and are not worried about their casualties, you need something that stops them quickly and effectively. As far as SLR was concerned, it was a semi auto clone of the FN rifle, which had an automatic capability. The Mod bought a few, but preferred the semi auto version as it required you to take aimed shots rather than the spray and pray technique seen in many films. We had a couple of FNs and their capability was enhanced by the fitting of the 30 round LMG magazine as opposed to the standard 20 round mag on general issue. I did like my SLR, and as Pete says the replacement was a real pos. Regards Richard

I've not had a chance to go through all the Easter messages after my trip away, so I do hope all is well in the land of ER. My Sunday and Monday were of a chilsome nature. having set up the air gun range on Saturday afternoon, I arrived on the Sunday morning to a balmy -7C. fortunately I had taken along lots of layers, including my old Army Long Johns. Now in 20 years of soldiering, I'd never used them, but I was glad I'd put them on, because the gentle breeze soon brought the temperature down. The good thing about this was that the ground remained frozen and refused to turn into a sea of mud. Monday was similar, although the wind had picked up, and managed to blow away the clouds just in time to let the sun come out and smile.......as we were packing up. Despite the weather and the lower than expected turnout, I had a good time. I can understand why some people enter the teaching profession: There is nothing that beats the look on a child's face when they achieve something new. They also seem to radiate an enthusiasm that seems to rub off on those around them. Mum and Dad, or perhaps Gran and Grandad all walk away with a big smile on their faces with their offspring chattering away and clutching their little certificate. Now if only I could get the same instant fix for junior railway modellers! Of course there is a down side: I am often asked what is a good starter rifle, and I point the prospective buyer towards the rifle we have so much success with. Well, the manufacturer of said gun was at the show, and offered me one of his deluxe versions, complete with a telescopic sight and all the various add ons for a price that it would have been stupid not to refuse. When I got home and confessed to the Obergrumpenfuhrer, she just smiled. However, I am left under the distinct impression that all future Christmas and Birthday presents will resume in Dec 2017. Telford weather today? It's trying to snow! All have a good day. Regards Richard

The Obergrumpenfuhrer has announced she is going to town in order to do some shopping. My credit card immediately burst into tears. It is looking rather grey outside, although some blue sky is peeping through. The sun is hidden behind clouds: My son is hidden under his duvet! I'm off to Kelmarsh in Northhampton, for two days of air rifle shooting. I'm not in the national championships which are running there but helping to run the junior range where we teach kids (and some adults) to shoot straight, sensibly and above all, safely. It is going to be chilly standing around on the firing point for two days. However it beats last year when it was driving rain! Now off to clean car, walk dog and pack bags (Not necessarily in that order) Have a pleasant Easter wherever you are Regards Richard

Ian, Since I've given up working, I just have no idea what day of the week it is. I used to be able to keep my diary in my head, but now I have to rely on my filofax. (I refuse to try and use my smart phone for such...it takes to long for my fingers to type in the required data). I came home and had lots of fun cutting out paper baseboard patterns and joining them together to work out the optimum space I have to erect a portable end to end line in my conservatory. Richard

Well, I am now the official 'Duty Brain Donor' for ERs today. Went to the bank to find it shut. Went to collect my prescription from the Doctors surgery: Shut! Is somebody playing tricks with me I asked? No you foo,l it is Good Friday, so anyone with any sense has shut up shop and started their Easter Break early. I went on into Newport and picked up the stuff for my friend: A 1:13 scale concrete building. (He in the meantime is having a whale of a time in Lafayette, La, playing with various helicopters) Thank goodness it was only a platelayer's hut, otherwise a hernia would have been on the cards as well. It was good cardio vascular exercise getting it back to the car. Still, as you all know, revenge is a dessert best served cold, so I think I might stand it outside and pass waste bodily fluid over it so it has that authentic aroma when he comes to pick it up. Hippo Easter Richard

The sun is out here, with quite a bit of blue sky; what little breeze we have does carry a chill with it, especially in shodows or shady spots. There is more of a build up of fairly high cloud to the south west, so it's safe to assume it will cloud over later on. Tasks for today include going to the doctors to collect a repeat prescription; Paying in at the bank, which makes a change from withdrawing from the bank, a visit to our local model railway shop to pick up some bits for a friend and to buy in some bits for myself................. Well, it wouldn't be right to let such an opportunity pass by would it? Sadly the shop will close when the current lease expires and they will just be dealing with stuff by mail order or over the internet. Once home I have domestic tasking in the shape of floor washing and cleaning the conservatory. It is at times like this that I'd specified a much smaller conservatory. Still looking on the bright side, I do have a small work table in there for the 4mm stuff, so the mess is probably all mine! Regards Richard

Passing clouds: sounds like a stage act where the performer smoked a cigarette then blew it our through their a*se. Richard

One of the problems we have with the NHS is that it was spawned as a part of the beginning of the welfare state and this has burgeoned into a monster that sucks up money more efficiently than a Miele vacuum cleaner. When the welfare state system was introduced, I believe the creators honestly didn't appreciate the birth of a welfare dependent society, where it is deemed quite acceptable in some circles of society to rely on the state to support them from 'cradle to grave' without them doing one iota of work to support such a system. They also didn't see the advances in medical science that would see people surviving illnesses or defects and conditions that in those days were deemed killers. So many more people are surviving, and as the average age before expiring is increasing, the system is working far beyond it's original specification. Neil is spot on with his comment about ruination of a good service with these changes. You get people used to one system, and then change it for something else! Until I started talking to my wife about the new 101 number, she didn't have a clue about it's existence. Overall, the NHS is a unique and wonderful organisation, but it's treatment of 'clients' varies drastically across the country. When my father had his first stroke, the ICU/CCU care he received was outstanding. The physio/rehab was extremely poor: but is was easy to see that it was a(sadly) typical case of too few staff, running themselves ragged trying to do too much with too little. Conversely, the NHS did their best to kill my mil after her breast cancer op with a x 10 over prescription of medication, and recurring bouts of of the various stomach bugs that seem to live in hospital wards these days. they would not release her until she was well.....every time she got better, she picked up another bug. in the end the hospital put the ward under isolation, which did cure the problem. However, my mil is now terrified of hospital, and has refused to go back in. Generally we seem to have stopped using that little known part of the brain which is called the 'common sense zone'. This has resulted in our ability to breed a nation of idiots who are incapable of making rational decisions regarding the use of the telephone for emergency/non emergency use. In fact some of them seem incapable of deciding anything unless there is a rule or regulation telling them what to do. and don't start me on consultants: Mine decided to cancel my appointment in early December last and I've still not recieved a revised date over 3 months later! (So I have been poking outpatients appointments with a big sharp stick this week) I don't know whether to bang my head against a brick wall in frustration, or to go and lie down in a darkened room. Perhaps we ought to rename this thread ERs 'Early Ranters'. Regards Richard

Ian, Don't believe wiki, or any other source: This is the truth as witnessed by generations of the Army,Royal Marines and members of the Royal Navy. Maundy-Thursday (0930-1630) used to be the regular working hours of the RAF. Friday-Sunday being their normal weekend. Hope this clears up any confusion. Regards Richard

Mike, We found it very sad that my father in law attended all his friends funerals, but none of them attended his! At the rate acquanitances of mine are dropping, I'm going to have to get an overcoat, as I'm getting a bit too senior to stand there in just a suit like I did in the olden days. Regards Richard

And a local school named after him as well. But oddly, considering Webb's fame as both a swimmer and locomotive engineer , they don't have a swimming pool! Regards Richard

Ashers, In your unique situation it is probably limelight! Regards Richard

It's late and I'm getting confused. From my understanding Bachmann announced the 64xx with two bunker variations. This would allow both the 64 and 74 xx classes to be modelled in their entirety. Mike, The Stationmaster, has spoken to Bachmann, and it would appear that it will only be the earlier curved cab backed version that will be produced, which will discount the 74 xx class. Dave (BCP)has also spoken, and has it confirmed that Bachmann will also be doing the 54xx variant. this will need a different chassis because of the bigger wheels.....plus differing buffer planks as the buffers on the 64/74xx and the 54xx were at differing heights (64/74 top of plank, 54 centred). As for doing the one version to avoid it looking like a 8750, well that is laughable...................To all those of a non Western allegiance, all panniers look the same. It is only the copper cap polishers who would notice the sublime difference between each and every pannier. Following Bachmann's logic through to it's natural conclusion would mean they wouldn't manufacture a 15xx because it looks the same as another late version taper boilered pannnier which class escapes me for the moment. However, I am confident that after the Ally Pally show, they will have received such an ear bashing over their myopia, that they will immediately make amends by announcing a double framedBird class by way of a penance. I shall now retire to my bed and sleep confident in the fact that Bachmann will take the honourable course of action. Regards Richard

Don, Was that because of the early arrival of the Easter bunny? It does remind me of my father (a stroke victim) who in a similar situation said: 'I've had two strokes, but the rest of them (men)in here weren't quick enough'. Then Beast wrote: 'The male is still chewing in the corner of the garden, the female ran off when I tried to quietly open the back door to get a clean shot - not through windows.' I should hope not, .243 would make a mess of the window! Meanwhile in Horton we are still getting flickers of snow, but the cloudbase has risen and the light levels are up to 'quite bright'. Regards Richard

I need a clear out! I went into the workshop this morning and decided to sort through the 4 mm stuff. I gave up when I realised the true scale of the operation. It is so bad that I've unearthed some Bachmann wagons that I cannot ever recall buying! Of course the weather doesn't help as I cannot stack stuff in that convenient place, just outside the door. Perhaps it is time to give up on the trains and take up a more consumptive hobby, like turning the workshop into a micro brewery, or even better a distillery. It is failing to snow here, but we are just getting large flakes of very wet stuff that is melting on impact. The ditch at the front of the house has filled up, and typically is unable to drain away as the drain at the end is.....frozen up! Knowing how bad it is just a few miles down the road I wonder how we can get these quite dramatic local variations in the weather. If you have to go out on the road today, please take extra care. Regards Richard

All those who thinks Ashers makes a good headmaster say AYE! Regards Richard Who is now standing outside the head's office, awaiting the cane!

Work? Shifts? Pray, what are these? And whilst we are at it, could some kind soul explain what a weekend is to a mere mortal of infinite leisure?? Regards Richard

My father's mother was a farmer's daughter,and I've always shown an interest in the various forms of agriculture, but my farming ends with having kept bantam hens! The reason I get on so well with the farmer is my son was at primary school and showed an interest............by the time he was 11 he could drive tractors and trailers, knew how to lay fences and all sorts of other things. during school holidays, he was always 'up the farm'. I've got permission to walk the land with the dog: I keep an eye out for suspicious activity, fly tipping, vandalism and the like, so I'm still always welcome, even if my son is now 27! The sheep are owned by someone else, and are overwintered on the farm, so I don't know what their future holds. The young bull being a pedigree will have the next nine months or so with mother, then will be off as a stock bull. Since he is not related to any of the herd, apart from his mother of course, it's probable that he will remain on the farm as new blood. Beast's comments are appreciated, my worry was my pictures were not as well framed...............my excuse is I was trying to stand on a wobbly gate, and the subject was more important than the surrounds. I must keep an eye out for the buzzard that likes to sit on the hedge and refuses to fly off when you stop the car for a closer look. Regards Richard

I've just managed to get my camera to download some pictures I took of some new arrivals. i cannot hope to compete with Beast for quality, but they have a certain beast about them (literally) The first is one of the twins born on Sunday. One of each, shown here with mum. The second is mum and son. he was born this morning and is a pedigree Hereford. Again, shown with mum, who was making all sorts of grunting noises. She was not happy that the dog was in the yard. There are more due this week, but although the lambs were bang on time, young Bully was nearly a week late! Regards Richard