jamie92208

Actually the type of train detection woul interest me. Obviously the diveunder will be in wet ground so will it be axle counters as used in wet tunnels, or more conventional means. Jamie

As the seafarers would say, self loading cargo to platfirm 1, freight to platform 2. And somebody's got to say it. They were all dying to get in. Jamie

I did think that it was appropriste to be sitting in a former French nsval base on Trafalgar Day. There was a statue to a French Admiral that mentioned his many victories over Les Anglais but only managed to name 1 in 1810. Jamie

Sorry to see that Keith. Maybe you'll have to rebuild it in steel. And the same in other Latin American countries. El Salvador abolished their currency and noe use the almighty dollar. Nicaragua uses dollars and in Costa Rica you paid in dollars but got change in Colones. Anyway we're back from The Prefecture. Very efficient and they cealtvwith all 3 of us together rather than making Beth and I wait for an hour. Then a lovely meal on the harbourside in thecsunshine, a nice walk round and a nice journey each way. Jamie

As far as I can remember the coffin trucks were double deck. I have the book about The Necropolis Railway so will have a look and check. ISTR that the coffins were laded from the opposite side to the mourners. Jamie

Grey sqirrel tails used to carry a bounty of one shilling, I was told by an old bobby. Paid out at the local nick. Re licensed premises visits, they coukd be a very useful way of keeping certain landlords in check. I must admit that one night, when I wasn't in the best of moods, I visited one fairly isolated pub and the landlord told me porkies about his licence. I had noticed all the parked cars outside so turned to the drinkers and toldcthem why the landlord had annoyed me, then quite gently said, "You all know the drink driving laws, whose feeling lucky tonight" We then parked opposite the pub for a while. It made me feel a lot better. Vertical farming has been around quite a long time. 20 years ago the force stables had a set up thstvprovided fresh grass through the winter. That's not the typevof grass younst the back are sniggrrring about. Brian, I hope that young Max is OK. Here it is a tad breezy, a shutter started banging during the night but has now been secured. Anyway, today we are off to La Rochelle to give our fingerprints and the other stuff needed to get our residence cards. Regards to all. Jamie

Good afternoon from a rather grey, damp and cool Charente. To start with we are in Leeds and as I was going into town one day I noticed that the demolition of Doncaster's Monk Bridge works had opened up a new view of the remains of the approach viaduct to what was Leeds Central Station. Some of the view has been obscured by new build now. As far as I know it is used as a car park by Leeds Commercials who operate out of the old NER roundhouse on Wellington Street. Next we are at Paddington with a view that has also changed. No HST's now and I think that the Heathrow Express units are on their way out. The 360's were working the Heathrow Connect services though. Then we boarded our HST for a trip to Taunton to knock off the Berks and Hants route. This 59/1 was in the station at Westbury. Together with one of my old friends 59204. The above photos were taken on 23rd March 2006. Now we move forward into April and a 158 heading into Leeds as it exits Marsh Lane Tunnel. Jamie

Most shunting moves are now controlled by a brakeman over the radio to the engineer, often riding on the front car or loco. This includes passenger trains doing back up moves. There was some sort of comms failure on a push pull train I was riding in Chicago and that went the last few miles into Union Station with the engineer in the loco riding backwards and a conductor calling the signal aspects for him in the corridor connection of the front coach. Jamie

I believe that soup is to be made. Jamie

Adverts this morning for Rotita ladies clothing and Gymshark mens clothing. I don't think the former would suit my figure as well as they suit the lady in question and I have no use for the latter. Jamie

I seem to remember there was a soft drink with that name. They used to advertise on the boards round the finish on ski runs. Very appropriate if you didn't stop in time. Anyway, good moaning again. It's groundhog day or seems like it. I am yet again awaiting the attentions of the fair Veronique. I got to the shop yesterday to find that I'd got the day wrong on the calendar and the hairdessers is closed on a Monday. However the day was not wasted. Various jobs got done and in the afternoon I spent 2 hours cutting the grass, hopefully the last time this year. I then had a successful time in the shed while Beth was on the phone. Anyway i will be away soon after breakfast and attempt to carpe diem. So I will bid you all á bientot. Jamie

And here is the young lady in question. Jamie

Farmer Copley's my grandaughter has just been taken there and ended up with a pumpkin nearly as big as she is. I'll try and post a photo. Jamie

Good evening. The planets must have been in line tonight. I've just spent an hour and a bit over in the shed and lo and behold most of the valve gear has gone into place. The valves even move. The rocking levers are in place and I've even attached, loosely, the first die block and lifting link. It needs a lot of cleaning up but I'm rather happy with this. The apparent curve in the slidebars has been exaggerated by the lens . My plan is to keep this unit together and build the rest of the valve gear onto it. I now need to get the unit installed in the frames and get them all straightened up. However after several months of effort there is at last some light at the end of the tunnel. It's probably a train coming the other way but things are moving. Jamie

Good afternoon. A quick update before I head out to give the grass a final cut for the year. It's going to start raining tomorrow. We are at Colton Junction in early 2006 probably February. It turned out to be a busy afternoon. Firstly a Freightliner 66 went south towards Church Fenton, Light Engine. Probably heading to Midland Road depot in Leeds. Shortly after two trains arrived together. A EWS coal train with York built hoppers and a 158 heading south for Leeds and beyond. Then a Freightliner set of coal hoppers. And a lonely light engine heading north up the Selby diversion. Then another 158 heading south. And finally a 325 heading north. Quite a variety in a short space of time. I doubt that I would see so many coal trains now. Jamie

You could always recreate that famous photo of IIRC the Swindon open day when they made tea in loco tenders steam heated. At least it's a useful use for tenders designed to go behind Swindon built locos. Jamie

Yes I must admit that I thought of the War of the Worlds. Jamie

Good morning. Up fairly early today as I'm off to have my hair cut by the fair Veronique. That's a good thought. We did get our photos taken yesterday, eventually in Beth's case. The market was visited and we sat outside and enjoyed thecmorni g sun under a cloudless sky whilst having a coffee. Eyelid inspection after lunch then a cluck bird was roasted and eaten. Over an hour on a video call to Martin and Katie then ensued and a good catch up was had. Not a lot on the agenda for today apart from programming a bedroom heater. Regards to all. Jamie

Yes that is possible but obviously only if the charity is big enough to be VAT registered. Jamie

On the su ject of food, the experimental batch of sticky biscuits got fi ishedclast night. She's planning another batch now that will have to be quality controlled. It's a hard life. Jamie

I've just realised thst the westbound double stack train is on track 2 which takes it over the 1900's line over Sherman summit rather than the 1950's built No 3 track which has a 55 mph limit rather than 79. This doesn't happen often as most westbounds get sent along the gentler grades of No 3 track. The stack train must be what us known as a 'god' train with the highest priority. Normally you only see Eastbounds coming over the hill. Jamie

That wasn't Kiko's was it. Jamie

Great to see the first rails of the diveunder in place. Thanks for the updates. Jamie

I have just gently interrogated the ayatollah and she also referred me to the Good Food Guide. The current set of reject biscuits are due to be disposed of this evening. Jamie

In Yorkshire, the inability to make decent Yorkshires that rise is classed as grounds for divorce. Beth made lovely ones in the UK but struggled with them over here. No 1 son and fiancee made some good ones when they stayed. Eventually the recipe was handed over and included 4 eggs. I will attempt to extract the relevant official secrets. However I dare not use the thumbscrews or rack as she us currently experimenting with a sticky biscuit recipe and it is my terrible task to help dispose of the rejects. Jamie