tomparryharry

Good morning Folks, from a slightly grey, but quite sunny Newport. Roads here are clear, and the visibility is very good. After a weekend off, I'm back to the decorating today. This week sees our gas fitter arriving to change a boiler, then I'm into final niggles to finally finishing off. Have a great week folks, and stay safe. Cheers, Ian.

I'm still watching your progress over here. I like the idea of the profile roof sheets. Cheers, Ian.

Good morning Folks, from a decidedly wintery Newport. Visibility is good, and the M4 seems pretty clear. I don't think I'm going anywhere today, so I'll get back to making some 3-link couplings. Another cup of tea and some toast beckons. Keep warm & safe, everybody. Ian.

Most probably the printer didn't want to pay loyalties to the owner of the photographer/locomotive. I've had this one before, when other companies have used photos of my installation work without permission. Cheers, Ian.

Good morning from slightly grey, but sunny Newport. I've also trawled through the dog rehoming websites recently. I shouldn't do it really, it brings on a bout of depression. I specifically look at Staffies. A much-maligned breed, and by and large misunderstood and poorly trained. Some dog walking beckons, and in this weather, I'll try to get some photos of the deep lock on he Monmouthshire canal. Afterwards, it's back to decorating. Have a great Friday everyone, and enjoy. Cheers, Ian.

Things are looking up. Nice day out in Taunton. Cheers, Ian.

Don't give up, just because someone's opinion doesn't always match your desires. Good luck, and keep going. Ian.

Keep quiet! They might want the cheque back!

Good morning folks, A wet & miserable day in not-so-sunny Newport. The dogs are very firmly anti-rain, so only a quick trip to the garden. Decorating continues, and when I get the chance, over to Youtube for having a look over the shed building tutorials. Mrs Smith has asked for some chain maintenance on her motorbike, so that's a job between cups of tea. As I write this, it looked dull & miserable. However, it started to brighten up! The clouds have lifted slightly, and visibility much improved. Have a great day folks, and enjoy. Ian.

There are simple rules when using Aldi or Lidl. Both companies use a different packing technique which British find slightly different. Rule 1: Always use a trolley, unless you are positive you don't need one. Don't pack your bag at the checkout; put it back in the trolley, or basket. Take your basket or trolley to the large shelf, which is found behind the checkouts. This is a far less stressful operation, as you don't need to go rushing the packing. Rule2: Take your time! You will not die for that last tin of beans. You've paid for it. There is not a race. When Lidl first opened, I wondered why it felt 'strange'. Now I know. I had to educate Mrs Smith that the Modus Operandi is different. The fault, as such , is failure on the part of the retailer to educate his clients. "Why should we change?" I hear you cry. This is because that's how certain parts of Europe operate. We don't have tin boxes with glass fronts any more, or butter & cheese cut individually. For some reason, Tesco can't seem to have fresh bread on their shelves. As I eat bread, I prefer to have fresh. That's why I don't normally shop at Tesco. Cheers, Ian.

Good morning folks. Very grey day down here in Newport. a very easy day. so some dog walking, and some decorating beckons. Stay safe, everyone. Ian.

We were lucky. We were 'Dinkys'. (Double income, no kids). Plus, we both had pretty good jobs. At the time, there was rampant interest, but we managed to keep up. Once the rates came down, we kept going, and we managed to clear the mortgage early. Now I'm more or less retired, we've downsized a bit. My interest in models has resurfaced. But it has to be relaxing, and it has to be 'right'. Little wonder therefore, that you'll hear me banging on about quality & fidelity. Why not? Nowadays, I need my hidey-hole. Mrs Smith has her music, so naturally I'd like a layout to call my own for the first time in my life. Some of my stuff has been in storage for nearly 40 years, time to blow out the cobwebs! Cheers, Ian.

I do like that. That's what I call a 'layout sized layout'. Happy modelling, Ian.

Hi Folks, Still a stunning afternoon here in very sunny South Wales. Took the dogs out along the Monmouthshire canal today, but a route not normally taken. I'll need to get some photos, as one lock has a single drop approaching 20 feet, very impressive. I ordered some spares from Bachmann, and lo & behold, they have literally 'overnighted' me. It was only a piddling amount, but, spares are spares, and the service thus far has been first- rate. So, instead of Tuesday night television carp, I'll be putting a 56xx tank back together. Much talk of inclement weather later, so stay safe everyone. Cheers, Ian.

Sorry, I also mis-read the title. If Mainly Trains are back in business, that will be good news. Too much negativity in recent times. Can the OP alter his title to reflect the fact that 'winding up' is highly misleading? Nonetheless, good luck for your future. Cheers, Ian.

Good morning one and all. Brilliant blue sky this morning, although I suspect slightly colder. Some dog walking first, and then:- Arrgh! Decorating! Actually, it's my fault. I promised some decorating before I could start on a new railway shed. Problem is, I can't remember just 'how much' decorating. Have a great day folks, and enjoy the weather. Ian.

I did a couple of years at Tenterden on sub-contract. The waitrose shop never had any food when I went there. The chippy up towards Northiam was always pretty good, though. Ian.

They do bake fresh bread locally: That's the problem. Once baked, it takes a holiday to the Azores, Faroe (to get the shipping forecast), Rockall, Dogger & German Bight. Then, a quick trip to Ipswich, then to our local store. Let them eat cake.... Ian.

Thanks Peter, I shall watch your progress with interest. I'm in a slightly different position to you. We have a large earth bank at the rear, which lifts up the level some 3 feet. I'm currently pondering over whether to dig down slightly, or raise up the floor level. I do know that some civil engineering is on the cards, so a cement mixer is probably going to be my next purchase. For those who are 'into' this sort of thing, there are some excellent tutorial videos on Youtube, which will take you through the process of shed building. The one thing is to get some fairly solid rules in place. Do that first! If it's your railway room, then it's 'your' railway room. It's for relaxation, then it's not the washing & drying room. The real upside is that my 'plot' is identical to our neighbour, which is some 12 feet in depth. width is about 30 feet wide, but I don't think I'll get away with that much. We shall see. Security! I'd guess we could fill a book on this. Any ideas? Cheers, Ian.

Good morning from a grey, but dry, Newport. Good walking weather in prospect, so the dogs should enjoy it. Have a good week everyone. Spring is upon us, and a good dose of sunshine is a welcome tonic. Ian.

I do like Tesco. On the days when I'm bored, I go to try to find some fresh bread there. You never know, I might get lucky. So far, no luck. The Isle of Wight branch always, always, get fresh bread. At least, that's when it gets loaded on the lorry. By the time it's been to Mozambique and back, it's still good for the pigeons. Never mind. I can always take my own, and pretend.... I do like Tesco..... Ian.

I did go to Cheltenham, for a dare. I've also had a close encounter with Tewkesbury. Ian.

Good afternoon folks, It's a lovely afternoon here in South Wales, and a trip on the Monmouthshire canal (towpath) beckons. Afterwards, to cure a c&ck-up of my own creation. I've just re-motored a Baccy 56xx, and it now goes faultlessly, but in the wrong direction. Curses! Out again with the soldering iron... Have a good afternoon, and enjoy! Ian.

The loud bangs heard on the Isle of Wight can sometimes be attributed to the village of Godshill. Every now & again, they put some C4 in, to dislodge the compressed teabags in the 'Godshill teapot'. Cheers, Ian.

Reading-Cardiff. Chatting to a nurse, who had just joined the train. TTI approached. "Do we stop at Didcot"? enquired nurse. "Oh yes love, we stop at Didcot". I knew we stopped at Bristol Parkway.... Whoosh! as we passed Didcot, really getting along now. Here comes the TTI. .. "Why didn't we stop at Didcot?" "Sorry love, but we are stopping at Swindon". By now, I kept quiet...I went to the buffet, and got her a can of pop. Whoosh! Passing Swindon. Our travelling nurse is by now really teed off. Oh look! Here comes the TTI. I didn't know a nurse could swear that much, being such a nice girl as well.... Ian.