jamie92208

Another short video about the Colne Valley Viaduct. It shows the launching girder moving forward to build the next span as it crosses the Grand Union Canal. A narrow boat goes under near the end. A rather nice juxtaposition of 200 years of progress in transport technology. Jamie

Good moaning from the Charente. It's a tad cool but fortunately not frosty. The plum trees are in blossom so we don't want a frost at this stage. I like my plum jam, plum chutney and plum crumbles. An expedition to buy a new strimmer may take place this morning and a tip run this afternoon. Not a lot else to report for the time being. Jamie

Aren't children wonderful. Jamie

That happened on another occasion. A certain most wanted murderer,namely Donald Nielso, the Black Panther,kidnapped two officers at gunpoint and made them drive him several miles. Th car eventually stopped and the officers tackled Nielso during which the shotgun went off. The three of them tumbled out of the car outside a chip shop where a group of miners wearing boots were queuing. The saw the fight and thought that it was their job to fight with Nottinghamshire's finest, not some little twerp from Yorkshire. in. Mr Nielson was remarkably subdued when he was booked in. Later the next more the two officers were taken to see the Chief to be congratulated. The staff officer tried to reprimand them for their appearance. Their replies have not been made public. Jamie

I suspect that the heads pans wilbe done at the same time. Jamie

I mowed thousands of them yesterday. Jamie

Round here we call them Tarquins and most of them are Brits with false accents. Good moaning from a sunny Charente. Shopping g was shopped and the sun shone so after lunch the tractor was brought out of the shed and the big weed patch was mowed. A 2 hour job but very pleasant in the sun. Several butterflies of various varieties plus some large beetles were seen. There was even a lizard on the Mairie wall. No Robins yet. Today we are off to colllecct some firewood that a friend is disposing of. Then who knows what else the day will bring. Jamie

Simon has just posted a video showing progress on the Colne Valley viaduct. It's interesting to see the temporary support for Dominique on the south side of the canal to allow them to place the first proper segment on the abutment. Jamie

Use of the word Posh, by our French friends and neighbours surprised me but use it they did in it's usual meaning. In this case to describe a new inhabitant of the village. They had no idea of the origin of the word and laughed when I explained it to them. My grandparents, who worked in India were definitely Starboard out and Port home. Jamie

And much more Importantly,but ever stated,it provides a means of identifing the vehicle and the registered keeper. Where would my former colleagues plus all the parasitic companies that charge for parking, be with our Vehicle Excise numbers. Jamie

Good moaning from a sunny Charente. It was sunny yesterday afternoon so I took advantage of it and mowed the weed patches near the house. If it stays like this the lawn tractor will be in action this afternoon. In the meantime there is the supermarket to visit and the petrol cans to be filled. Jamie

Waterloo has certainly been used in the relatively recent past. Belive that a bit of electrification up Acton bank is going to be done so that IET's can terminate at Ealing Broadway then reverse at Acton. It would also give a vital electrified. Ink to Euston. Jamie

My shed isn't posh though it does have water and leccy. It'just big, VERY big. Jamie

A bit more tunnelling news. Emily is getting g into her stride as she goes north from OOC. Now at 149 meters And up to 8.5 per day from 5 last week. Cecilia has now only got 39 metres to go to finish so expect a breakthrough soon. Sushila and Caroline are now both over half way through their drives towards the Greenford area. They need to be finished and lifted out before Emily and the other one get there as all four machines are going to be taken out via the same shaft. Jamie

Let alone one of my favourites, fly pie. Jamie

At least you live in a country where you can switch things off at the plug. The French don't do switched sockets. You have to pull the plug out. Jamie

No it all seems a bit strange. There has been almost continuous works for the last couple of years but no apparent reason. The sidings at Ruffec are alongside a huge distribution centre for Leclerc's but the chef du gare said the work was nothing to do with that. As to the Angouleme Limoges line I thi k that they are trying to get the Region to make a substantial contribution. Jamie

That's what we had last night as well. 800 g of mussels €4.60 at the market. Very nice they were as well. Jamie

Good moaning from a grey and overcast Charente. We went out to a Brocante, car boot, yesterday and spent a whole €7 on some eg plants and two vanilla pods. Then we went on to the market. Pascal had naturally enjoyed the rugby result from Saturday. Not a lot else got done during the day except the jigsaw that I'm working on. It's coming on at last after a slow start. French class restarts this morning g then some shed time I think. Ttfn. Jamie

I know there are quite a few guitar fans on here. This has just been released in aid of the Teenage cancer Trust. A fabulous extended version of Going Home that Mark Knopfler has put together. What can only be described as a galaxy of guitarists, the late Jeff Beck., Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, Ronnie Wood, Joan Amatrading to name but a few, with father and son Ringo Starr and Zak Starkey on the drums, turn the volume up and enjoy. Jamie

Another video just posted re the progress with the Burton Green, green tunnel. Some real progress. The old GCR(I think) bridge has been demolished and they are well on with the tunnel at both sides of the temporary bridge. Jamie

Yippee, Florence is back in death in Paradise. Jamie

I got out on Thursday last week, 14th March. I went over the Ruffec to see how Andy was getting on after his knee replacement but he wasn't allowed out to play by the boss. Before I called In I went to Ruffec station to see how the work in the yard was coming on. The three non electrified sidings have been completely renewed and all the old sleepers and rails are stacked up for disposal. This is the north end. The sleepers are in the background at the right. The new footbridge makes a good vantage point. This is the view looking south and for a Brucie bonus I needed one of the Europorte G1000's no 1025. 1029 was the other. This is the view looking north from the footbridge. The long running loop rejoins the main line just before the recently renewed crossovers. The remaining electrified siding joins the loop just out of shot. And here is one of the G1000#s As I drove down into his village to see Andy I missed seeing a class 186 on a northbound car train by a few seconds. I was about 200 yards too far away to get the number as it went across the road. Then after commiserating with the invalid I headed down to Luxe and spent a pleasant afternoon sitting in the afternoon sun reading an Inspector Morse book as there were virtually no trains till at 16.40 27086 came north with the regular tankers and steel train. Next the northbound local went past followed by 22287 running light engine. Not many trains but a pleasant afternoon. Jamie

Photo found, this is the view from the steerers position on a cruiser stern narrow boat. It's a long way down and your feet are well above the level of the side panels. And one would be tree surgeon with a head for heights. his elder brother wouldn't come out of the cabin. Jamie

Yes please for piccies. Jamie