Steve Williams

If looking for a nickname for these locomotives, 'Chipmunks' seems most appropriate: https://www.flickr.com/photos/12a_kingmoor_klickr/14803934888/

Following Mom's 90th. birthday celebrations a couple of weeks ago, have just come back from taking her for a couple of night's away at Cartmel, in the Lake District. Very lucky with the weather. Only a few, very brief, internittent showers, otherwise, pleasant sunshine. More importantly, she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Living at Little Haywood, you would be familiar with Ingestre Hall Sherry. Have taken many a group there for Art Courses since 1975

I've just bought one of those. Very impressed with the image quality.

Reminds me of school trips. :-)

I have a real aversion to ANPR cameras. It's like clocking-in periodically so people know what you are up to. More and more car-parks are using them as well, rather than barriers, which results in some very sharp practices. Whereas, with a barrier, you know exactly what the score is and what you owe, and duly pay to get out. I notice that some motorway service areas are using them now as well. I really don't believe that anyone should be permitted to use this technology except the Police, and even with them, sparingly. Congestion zone excepted.

Blimey, I miss a day and so many posts, so little time. Had a family 'do' for Mom's 90th birthday yesterday. I think she is in better nick than me. Then a quick detour into Brum to drop son and heir, plus girlfriend off at station. The new cladding on the side of New Street station doesn't half cause some glaring reflections when driving.

Oops! I missed that one :-)

They also used to have them on some of the trains that ran into Liverpool Street station. Certainly that was the case in the early 1970s. I happened to get in one by mistake, in a train from Billericay, and it wasn't until I was practically at Liverpool Street that I 'twigged' why I was getting odd looks.

I believe proof readers do / used to read upside down. It forces one to concentrate on what is being read.

Well I do have some Welsh in me. The odd thing is that if someone were to say a word backwards, I would not, so easily, be able to recognise it and then say it forward. However, if the word is spoken normally, I can retain the information long enough to pronounce the letters backwards. The closest I have been able to come to explaining the process, is like a radar scanner which rotates and highlights a blip. Before the blip fades, I have recorded it in reverse. For example, if I heard the word 'electricity', I would say, phonetically 'yer tis ert keller'. Yes, my wife thinks I'm odd as well! ;-)

I have a copy of her book 'Period Railway Modelling - Buildings'

Deb, I didn't know you have synesthesia. I have often wondered if I have a mild form as certain numbers and days of the week, I see as a particular colour. On a completely unrelated tack, I have, since childhood, also been able to say most words backwards, virtually instantaneously.

I haven't a clue what they are or what they do, BUT, I'm always impressed by neat wiring.

I think some already are, judging by their antics.

Well back home after a few days in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games. Very enjoyable and so lucky with the weather. Had tickets for the Netball and the Velodrome. Was pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed the Netball. It is much faster than Basketball, and the players are much nicer to look at. Am now a convert! Highlight of the visit must be watching Laura Trott win gold in the 25k Points race in the Velodrome. Was very impressed with the entire experience. Everyone very friendly and First / ScotRail (not sure how that relationship works), had so many staff on duty, it was almost impossible to get on the wrong train, or subsequently go wrong when heading to venue due to the number of 'Clyde-siders'. Stayed in Edinburgh and used the train to Glasgow, as it was cheaper than getting a hotel in Glasgow, where the prices had gone through the roof. Used the old A7 route from Carlisle to Edinburgh on the way there and back, which is quite a scenic route, having made an overnight stop in Carlisle on the way up. Interestingly, we stopped off at Hawick on the way up for a bite to eat. Pulled into the main car-park where I couldn't work out if it was free or whether I needed to pay. I asked a rather attractive lady who was just getting out of her car, who not only informed me it was free, but also asked me if I was looking for the town centre and gave me directions plus advice on where to eat. At this point another lady came over and offered advice and gave me a booklet all about the town. She was one of the town's 'Greeters'. I was well-impressed. On the way back home, we stopped off at Selkirk, where the parking was also free. I think a lot of English towns could learn a lot when it comes to encouraging visitors, rather than ripping them off with exorbitant parking charges. Drove just over 650 miles in total and averaged 68 mph on one tank of diesel, so was very pleased. Am not likely to be able to catch up on all the ER news (please feel free anyone to precis major events). I did notice that Debs was back though. Welcome back Debs.

The recent references to odd and not so odd modellers, reminds me of a comment made to me at the recent Trent Valley show which went something like this: " You know when you think about it, we are really quite normal, and so is X & Y. I would have no worries about introducing any of you to my wife". Perhaps that should be considered the ultimate accolade in the 'normality stakes', being passed suitable for introduction to a person's 'other half'.

Worcs. is next Tuesday. Back on Sept. 1st as well, I believe.

But much easier to draw curves!

I was using slate and chalk at Infants school in the mid 50s.

Many Happy Returns Jock. On the question of Chiropractors. I had been suffering with lower back pain for a long time and in desperation had several sessions with one. Shortly after I developed Sciatica. Don't know if there was a connection or not. Not unrelated to back pain, I went and had a PSA test some months ago. Two reasons. Firstly, I had never had one, and secondly, back pain spreading around to the front in the lower abdomen / groin area can, I believe, be an indicator that all is not well. At the time, my back pain was spreading all over the damn place. Fortunately, test came back at 1.2 which I understand is spot on. I am not sure how often one is supposed to have these tests, that is something I intend to ask the Doc next time I visit (anyone here happen to know?) The importance of keeping an eye on things was brought home to me last week. My usual pattern in a morning is a quick trip into Redditch for a Costa coffee and a read of the paper, then the crosswords. There are a number of us who are 'regulars' in a morning - it's a bit like an unofficial club. One elderly gentleman (aged 88 but looks a LOT younger), has just been diagnosed with inoperable Prostate Cancer. I had quite a long chat with him about three weeks ago, where we compared aches and pains (this seems to be the case as one gets older, rather like making a noise when bending down). He said then that he had a nagging suspicion something was wrong but didn't know what. His response is very much along the lines of 'well I have had a good innings, as long as I don't linger'. I fear my response in such circumstances would not be nearly as stoic. Well no Costa this morning as am off to daub some canvasses this morning. Painting is going to be interesting today as I managed to slice the index finger of my right hand and slice the top of my thumb off on my left hand yesterday, whilst using a craft knife. I haven't done that for years. Clearly, it was the wrong time of the month for me!

It doesn't say it. Andy questions how the poster squares with NMRA's statement that it is an organization for 'scale model railroading'. His perceiving of a potential mis-match is raised because he perceives that the poster is promoting / advertising the NMRA as being about operations with purchased RTR equipment. Ergo, the clear implication is that the two are mutually exclusive. Incidentally, I don't find the poster in the least confusing and for the life of me, can't find anything contentious in it at all. Am I missing something?

So the clear inference is that, the use of RTR equipment, precludes membership of the NMRA on the grounds that it is for 'scale model railroading'. Looks like most of us are buggered!

Phil, This the website for CEO e.mails: http://www.ceoemail.com

Completely agree with the sentiments regarding taking the trouble to praise where appropriate. Some months ago I had cause to do my Mother's shopping at Sainsbury's. Not having a clue where anything was, I didn't waste time aimlessly wandering around, but grabbed the nearest employee. In all, I probably made use of four or five members of staff, all of whom couldn't have been more helpful and pleasant. Being someone who has no qualms about complaining, I also like to balance things out and e.mailed the CEO, praising the staff and asking him to pass on my appreciation to the Oldbury branch. The following day I had a very nice e.mail from him, thanking me for taking the trouble and assuring me that both my thanks, together with his own, would be sent to the store. More recently, I had cause to complain to 'Dreams' about a part that was missing from a bed we ordered, but more annoyingly the initial response from Customer Care in dealing with the issue. Again I e.mailed the CEO and within a couple of hours on a Saturday evening, I had a personal response plus copies of e.mails forwarded to his senior staff. I had further e.mails direct from the senior staff as late as 10pm, and also the following day, where I was advised that one of the staff had calendered a note to contact me in the afternoon to ensure all was resolved. The part was duly delivered and I promptly e.mailed the CEO and senior staff concerned, advising them that the matter was now resolved and expressing my thanks for the way they had subsequently 'swung into action'. I also pointed out two errors in the instruction booklet with regard to assembly, that they may like to take up with the German manufacturer! Result - I was happy and they were happy that they had resolved an issue to a customer's satisfaction. Sometimes when dealing with matters on the 'phone I get the distinct impression that I am the only one that day who has treated the employee like a human being. It invariably pays dividends as they are more inclined to go that extra yard to assist you.