5 C

If we're talking classic Traffic cars then as a former Vauxhall man, I have to vote for the Senator 3.0 24v. Used by almost every force in the country in the 1990's (with the possible exceptions of Essex, Warwickshire and the Met), officers would recount that an 8 hour shift in a Senator was much less tiring than other vehicles on the fleet. Some would even find any reason to defect that other vehicle so they could take out a Senator. Started off sunny and cold here. Now it's just grey and cold. Forecast is for it be warm later with near record temperatures for this time of year. If it stays dry, I may mow the lawns.

I played the lead role in a school play (Wild Goose Chase by Derek Benfield) where Leslie Phillips had played the same role in the original stage production. Deciding how to play the character was easy - and great fun.

The discussion of screen wall blocks prompted me to take a Google Street View trip down memory lane. Unsurprisingly, many of the front gardens have been turned into SUV forecourts but a few lawns and borders still remain. I'm happy to report that none of the houses on the road now have the concrete monstrosities. In some cases though, including the one with the dodgy DIY job, the three course brick walls that supported them still remain as rather narrow raised flowerbeds.

During the 70's, we lived on a newish housing estate and several houses along the road had them in their front garden wall. One house had made a particularly bad DIY job of laying them. Not one block was straight or level and the associated coping stones snaked along the top, perched precariously on the less than sound "wall" underneath. In an effort to disguise how bad it was, some 12 inches to the foot weathering had been applied in the form of a brushed on cement wash. Inevitably this quickly flaked off, making it look even more of a mess. It was somehow still standing when we left in 1978.

I think the answer is more prosaic. A state owned bus building factory that's struggling for work and a skint state owned rail company that urgently needs some new passenger rolling stock (purely as a stop gap you understand). The rest, as they say, is history.

Ooh, I do enjoy a good "will it start ?" video. Something of a YouTube guilty pleasure of mine, with plenty of barn find/scrap yard/salvage auction offerings.

I think it's in the same category as left over wine (or LDC).

I guess that meant Penzance was out of the question?

It's a while since I did anything with consumer credit or credit card marketing, but IIRC the speculative sending of credit cards is not permitted in the UK so as others have suggested, it's more than likely to be a scam with you (and the bank) as the unwitting victims. I suggest a call to Santander and a check of your credit record, just in case someone's been having a good time at your expense.

The AFG plates and sticker are probably original too. AFG not a name I've seen around for many years since the demise of Nissan UK.

I worked a (mercifully) short contract for a company who had a reverse parking policy at all their locations, that was rigorously enforced. They'd had a fatality at one of their locations, which while not related to reverse parking, meant they were very vigilant on anything that happened in their car parks. Security would make tannoy announcements and "offenders" had to move their vehicle immediately.

I've done quite well on the exhibition front recently. In the last month I've done Tring (at Pitstone Village Hall) and Scaleforum on the same day, Pitstone being conveniently on the way to High Wycombe. A few days with my parents in Chorley meant I could squeeze in the Wigan exhibition on the Saturday and last week I managed GETS at MK. Today I had a choice of two exhibitions; both about 40 minutes away from me but in opposite directions. In the event I've not managed either but it's still a pretty good tally. Sadly two shows - Letchworth (Arlesey) and Warners (Peterborough) that I used to round out the year aren't happening this year. Not sure if I can face the NEC...

The whole boxed thing mostly probably appeals to collectors, driven by the whole "mint and boxed" approach. It's no doubt fuelled by the likes of the Antiques Roadshow whose experts point out to hopeful punters that their play worn piece would be worth much more if it were mint and boxed. For the ultra fastidious, the mere fact the box has been opened instantly renders the item non-mint. While it's useful to know whether something has a box, it's not a deal breaker for me and often makes an item cheaper. Boxes can be useful for storage (providing it's the right box, not always a given) but definitely not for transit. If I'm selling a boxed item, I'll always add additional packing to the original. It's only in recent years that manufacturers have got to grips with transit proof packing. Expanded polystyrene really doesn't cut it anymore.

The present incumbent also looks a real character: https://www.laramiecountywy.gov/_officials/sheriff/Bio.aspx

My first visit yesterday to the Wigan show yesterday and indeed any show on what might be described as the northern circuit. I normally visit those around the south and midlands. A great selection of layouts; some of which I'd seen before but well worth seeing again and plenty of new ones too. It was a bit difficult to gauge numbers as it's a spacious venue with the exhibition spread over two halls. Consequently, the aisles are wide so there was plenty of room to see layouts from all angles without having to muscle my way through a crowd for a decent viewing spot. The footfall seemed steady throughout the day with people still arriving as I was leaving around 3pm. Car parking presented no issues. I know AA signing is ridiculously expensive but I didn't spot any external signs or banners for the exhibition on my relatively short journey from my parent's to the venue. Thanks to @Tony Wright for some loco doctoring on a kit chassis and good to see @Barry O on the rather excellent Chapel-en-le-Frith. Being away from my usual haunts, it seemed odd not to spot the familiar faces I see nearer to home. Thanks to the organisers, exhibitors and traders for a great show. Well worth the journey and I'll definitely be back.

Morning awl, It's been several many months since my last post on ER's, although I have been lurking and popping in from time to time to catch up with the various goings on. My 3 month contract turned into 18 months and the work was all-consuming to say the least, so time for ER's and related matters was somewhat limited. Shocked to hear of AndrewC's sudden passing. Thoughts with his family and friends. I'll miss his updates from the boring borough. Good to see @Barry O at Wigan yesterday. My first visit to this show which I've combined with a visit to my parent a few miles away. Have a good day awl.

Maybe a subtle way of saying "In store cleaner to aisle number 3 for a wet spill please".

Mint sauce anyone?

Round here cash only takeaways - especially the fried chicken shops that spring up with alarming regularity - tend to arouse suspicion. Being a business that takes lots of cash in small transactions can have its uses. A few years ago one such takeaway was revealed to be a money laundering front for a major drug dealing operation.

My late grandfather was a big Abba fan and was nearly 70 when they played Bingley Hall. As someone whose musical fare stopped at Jim Reeves and Slim Whitman, his desire to attend the Abba concert raised a few eyebrows in our family. My uncle (who ended up taking him) said at the time "I think it's because he fancies the blonde". It looks a good venue and to be a great show. For me, the Stafford Exhibition will always be the Borough Hall in the 1970's. I can still feel the excitement of climbing the stairs to discover what delights lay beyond the doors. The fact it was practically opposite the mecca that was Bagnall's model shop, meant that for one weekend in April, heaven came to Stafford town centre.

C17 confirmed this morning as the aircraft being used.

I believe the racehorses will become the responsibility of Camilla. Apparently she is already an owner.

I had no idea there was an organ at London Bridge station.

The Royal flights this week of both the outgoing and incoming Prime Ministers and the family flight to Aberdeen, were visible on Flightradar 24 and were the site's most tracked flights at that time. I would imagine Tuesday's flight is also likely to be trackable.

There was at least one stop after about 3 hours for R&R, just outside Brechin if I remember rightly.