Phil Bullock

Eso es una vergüenza vamos a beber un poco de cerveza para usted en Burton Phil

Ah....he did seem to rather enjoy himself David It was nice to have a less pressured show at which we could engage with the general public Shame there isn't a Blue Pullman at Toddington....oh, hang on, diesel gala at the end of July... see us there Cheers Phil

Te echamos de Mike! Vuelve pronto Phillipe

Look forwards to that Paul Which day are you over - Do you want some operating time? Phil

Keep taking the tablets Rich! Hee hee - they are the dogs whatsits for sure.... Phil

We were at the Stow show this weekend - just a short video teaser... Phil

Like the greasy cranks - how did you do that please? Phil

Sorry to hear that Tim - that is one of the worst am afraid, also got SWMBO's Dad Grieving is tough and is different every time - with my Mum I saw it coming and could prepare, with my father I got a phone call in Milton Keynes to get to Aberystwyth PDQ - but before I could leave there was another call, no need to rush... A coronary took him, walking down the High Street, the staff in Hughes and Johns Shoe Shop on the corner (Now Habitat I think) did their best to make him comfy but there was nothing to be done. So much grief for what hadn't been done or said rather than as with my mother and cancer - a bit more time to prepare. My father still fishes with me - I caught a salmon in the Ystwyth just where he said one ought to be - and my mother will always be with us in many ways. I hope my children will feel the same. That's what marks us isn't it? Its what we leave behind.... Phil

And BSO ! Phil

Forgive me for going factual but cancer is a disease that will afflict 1 in 3 of us. It comes in many forms - some of which are deadly, some more indolent and we are more likely to die with them rather than from them. Essentially cancer is a disease of ageing - ie somatic - rather than familial - genetic. Although all cancer is genetic in that its changes in our genes - translocations, deletions - that give rise to this horrible condition, its the insults we throw at our body that causes the changes. Go back a few centuries and it was much rarer - because the population often did not live long enough to acquire these genetic changes. Factors? Nature - what we are born with Nurture - how we treat our bodies Luck - self explanatory There is much we can do to reduce risk...don't smoke, eat well, protect ourselves when out in the sun are probably the easiest - but there is still no guarantee of immunity. Its a highly emotive subject...I have a cousin who I used to fish with with my father and grandfather when I was a lad, he is afflicted with bowel cancer and probably going to succumb as recurrent disease is rampant despite chemo and surgery. He came fishing on the Wye for two days last Autumn and I suspect that will be the last time - but they were wonderful days. The Wye Valley was at its best, and he caught some fish. I shall treasure those moments - just as I do those I had with my dear Mother, who I tucked up in bed one Wednesday night knowing the end was near (breast cancer) intending to see her again at the weekend but you can guess the inevitable... But I had already come to terms and said goodbye. My trouble is perhaps I know too much, which makes me seem unfeeling sometimes. But that is far from the case. Experience has shown me that strength of mind is vital to keep going...so do whatever is needed for that when challenged. Short term and long term goals are also important. Mum kept going as long as she wrote a diary - once that stopped she lost heart. But always remember if the Big C comes knocking you may ask about survival rates - if so, they will be based on historical data and therefore your chances of survival will be better - wont they? Of course they will! SWMBO has a 92 year old Aunt who has survived the test over the last few years... Phil

Ah don't worry Martin its already doing the rounds up there! And thanks for the kind comments Malcolm - please come and say hello when you are at a show. You are at the business end of the Wye - I frequent further up the valley around Builth Cheers Phil

Beware of terminology here chaps! Most standard mk1 so's are TSOs and seat 64. SO seats 48. Without books in front of me would not want to comment on which SO or TSO worked with catering vehicles. BSO also used for catering eg in Cathedrals express. Phil

Great idea! Seeing your Wye Valley avatar are you local? Cheers Phil

Evening Paul I go back and look at the videos myself from time to time.....thank you for being such a keen and constant supporter even though we are narrow gauge Usually looking for what looks good and what is not so good in the videos..Once the current crop of shows are out of the way it will be time for another video, should be plenty of power that hasn't been seen before appearing And James has gone and brought a GoPro so some new angles should be available too Have asked Toddington if they want us at their diesel gala this summer - last weekend in July - why not think about coming down for the weekend? Theres a rumour D832 might be the guest loco although getting hydraulics on lorries is always something to be done carefully, And of course it will be great to see you at Burton too - the layout should be on top form as it will only have been at the Stow show two weeks before Cheers matey! Phil

The infamous tractor incident - further evidence has now emerged! These images were supplied to the police by an anonymous public spirited rail enthusiast with a brown hat and beard who happened to be present at the time of the incident. The first image is just before the impact - the observant will note the tractor's steering wheel has become detatched and the driver appears to be looking for it over the hedge. Police now wish to interview the two individuals at the scene - presumably they arrived in the red mini 829 BOR. Police also arrived somewhat late - their reason for the delay was they had to wait for 6 buses and a herd of sheep to cross the bridge in the opposite direction first. Police also wish to interview a Mr C Penfold as part of investigations in to perjury and wasting police time in making false accusations! Hee hee Phil

Thanks Ray You have to hope the perpetrator is apprehended Phil

See Beast's post here...http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111202-abbotswood-stolen-tractor-incident/ Any closer to the edge and there could have been a much more serious incident to deal with We wont be going for a prototypical recreation.... Phil

Many thanks Mark and Martin - knew the answer would be out there Phil

That's great Rich! Looking forwards to hearing how you get on - another DCC sound layout on the circuit has to be good.... Hanging basket liner is the dogs whatsits for embankment cover isn't it? Kind regards Phil

Dig for coke? Phil

Last time I went past Avenue there was significant activity on the site .... housing perhaps? Phil

Seen a fair few blues around over the last few days .... when rain has stopped None stayed long enough to be interrogated but my assumption would be they are Holly Blues this early in the year? Phil

Wonderful stuff!!!! But D6327 in Brum - its not unheard of, is that why you chose to model that loco? Cheers Phil

Many thanks Paul - wonderful stuff!!! And of course I posted the wrong link above - should have been http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=TMC+Bachmann+gulf+tanks&view=detailv2&&id=0CED455C6549B189BA2864611AF45FEF8B849FFD&selectedIndex=4&ccid=yzeg8h%2bh&simid=607999643048609428&thid=OIP.Mcb37a0f21fa165bfb6abefb2c3e8428fo0&ajaxhist=0 Cheers Phil

See the spull chickers been at it again Rich!!!!! Phil