bluebottle

I rather think that Mick's post was a deadpan way of saying that at normal viewing distances the two locos might as well be considered identical - ? I'd be happier to trainspot a layout depicting the Waverley line, where I could differentiate between a D-30 and a D-11/2 without having to put my specs on!

The only resolution I've ever managed to keep is not to make any resolutions...

Emily celebrated her second birthday yesterday; here she is blowing out the candles on her cake, with a little help from Daddy Richard.

Yes, the excellent picture taking us to the lineside makes all the difference! As H. C. Casserley often remarks in the Observer's "Railway Locomotives of Britain", when stuck for "Additional Identification Features", "Most easily identified by Number Series"! TBH, the only GWR Castle I've ever seen is Caerphilly Castle, when it was in the Science Museum. The experience was enlivened by a former fireman who had brought his family to look at "his" engine and said many interesting things about it in a lovely Welsh accent. It still makes me chuckle to remember his initial remark: "Oh, I wish I had a pound for every shovelful of coal I put through that hole there!"

I'd need more of a clue than that; could be anything from a Manor to a King, depending on how far away it was...

Apres moi les delboy's...

Better news on Emily's case. An X-ray showed that her lungs were clear, and pneumonia was ruled out. I gather that the probable cause of her distress was the common one of a virus infection being followed by a bacterial infection. In paediatric medicine, of course, something that an adult's system can deal with is a more serious business for a 2 y-o. Blood and urine tests were carried out, and she was allowed to be taken home, with advice on basic care, medication (ibuprofen) etc. Just as well; Emily panicked every time Helen or Richard moved away from her: "MummyDaddy not go!" Thanks for friendly/supportive responses.

Worried this morning. I was expecting Helen to pick me up so that we could do some shopping at Rotherham Parkgate. When she hadn't arrived at the appointed time, I phoned, and was told that she was just getting ready to take Emily to the hospital, the GP having diagnosed possible Pneumonia. Helen was her usual calm and efficient self, so I didn't delay her with unnecessary chat. I'm sure that Sheffield Children's Hospital will take good care of Emily, and I'm busying myself with housework and getting Christmas cards sorted out for the neighbours.

I do hope the poor little doggies have been fitted with willie warmers!

At my age, I'd have difficulty getting my hands on an 18-23 y/o blonde female, let alone one resembling a famous French actress!

The loss of two axles was one of the mutations I was thinking of - though perhaps an ill-advised cross-breeding with a Fowler dock tank is another possibility.

Are there available any G scale locos that don't look like the mutant offspring of a Holden Decapod?

How unlike the life of my own dear next-door neighbour ...

Formerly popular men's T-shirt slogans I haven't seen lately: "I FEEL LIKE A NEW WOMAN!" and: " YOU'RE AS YOUNG AS THE WOMAN YOU FEEL!"

According to Wikipedia, the name "Santa Claus" comes from "Sinterklaas" - imported to the US by Dutch immigrants. I like to think that it came to us from German-speaking areas such as the Eastern end of Switzerland's Valais canton. Riding the train from Visp up to Zermatt, I used to enjoy the beautiful mural of the Saint on a gable end as the conductor called out the name of the imminent station stop, St. Niklaus: "San-naclaus" sounded a lot closer to "Santa Claus" than does"SinterKlaas". And of course, I already knew that "Father Christmas" dates back to the time of the English Civil War, when Papist Saints were out of favour.

And is Father Christmas (whoever he is) an Englishman? That's the impression I got as a nine-year-old relocated from Midlothian to South Yorkshire.

Judging by the obesity of the man as shown in photos of the time, he'd have a helluva job getting under the baseboard to solder up the wiring.

Don't worry, Dick; my mention of Wikipedia was meant as a leg-pull. Anything an editor adds to Wikipedia should be backed up by reference to a reputable published source; otherwise it would be queried, and, if not supported in a satisfactory manner, deleted.

If I edit the relevant Wikipedia article to incorporate that information, can I quote you, Dick?

Ah, a golden oldie! I remember the class wit telling that one (with a different bogeyman, of course) while I was in the first form at school, followed by a chorus of - "Ooooh, that one's got whiskers on it!" Happy days!

Ye'd want an awfy sair heid for that money!

No valve gear? Bo-ring! That's one of the most interesting features of a steam loco!