Sasquatch

Come to think of it I'm not at all surprised when I consider that the price of a small steam loco which has doubled in price within 2 years, 207 quid for a class 2 is way beyond most people's pocket. Prices have doubled but income has not! I fear that this is the start of an avalanche and am glad that I can scratch build!

Thank goodness for scratch building!!!!

Talk about having a bad day. This Hattons closing down announcement is going to be a real blow to my hobby. I'm in the process of changing banks (because my old bank is kicking me out after making an automated decision over my faultless credit situation). So as I'm getting frustrated trying to activate another card everything on my wish list at Hattons has sold out in the past hour! Add your choice of nasty four lettered word here

Totally shocked! As an expat this will be a huge blow to my hobby as Hattons are the only people I trust and have been a cost-effective way of supporting things on a very tight budget. Very sad about it too because I wrote my first ever check out to Hattons over 40 years ago! Let's hope that all the staff find reemployment promptly! Or someone steps with a takeover.

Getting back on topic (before we scare all the youngsters away) The new farm house is looking more the part. There’s well over 150 bits been added since Last time along with the usual paint job. Windows have been finished with a varnished wood effect (white primer, burnt orange and burnt umber oil and Liquin) The top left window hasn’t been fixed yet and is set deeper in the wall for demonstration purposes I’ll get around to further details and more weathering effects once I’ve finished tackling the very fine glazing those Grandite Line window moldings

Sounds like we’re both on the same page Like I’ve said “Humans ran around eating raw food for millions of years” So on that basis anything processed, artificial, synthetic or genetically modified can’t be good for you, modern medicine included. When I was taking all the prescribed drugs walking up that mountain wasn’t an option. Now I feel like going up there in the snow with nothing more than an omelette and a hot cuppa! Talking of which Bobo is looking at me in full anticipation Regards Shaun

Couldn’t give up Gorgonzola not after everything else It would be much quicker to list the things I do eat than that which I don’t. Then there’s the list of things in moderation and I have to admit that I do like chocolate which is my food of choice for treating hypoglycemia🤫

That's very unfortunate regarding your eye Chris. My endocrinologist recons my high cholesterol is inherited, I think that decision is a shot in the dark personally having not given any DNA samples to prove it. I'm prepared to take baby aspirin, something that is proven to work. My grandfather for instance did very well on it following a heart attack in 76. He was from a generation who fought their way through their youth on bacon sandwiches, woodbines and stress, then following that ate every hot meal cooked in beef dripping for 20 plus years and who's knowledge of nutrition extended as far as eat your greens! We'll see what my next cholesterol sample throws up after cutting out all the grains, alcohol, seed oils etc. We eat lots of fresh farm eggs, that will give anyone a high result but isn't it about a healthy balance. Having said that I'm feeling guilty after buying a family size pack of breakfast sausages last time I went shopping. By accident of course! (As a type one diabetic I need the protein!) Incidentally My doctors have both lectured me about not taking the statins, but neither of them praised me for giving up the grains, something which has been much harder than quitting smoking and probably just as much if not more so beneficial. Regards Shaun.

Yes, it is Chris! The windows can be set as deep into the wall as required. If clad in brick it is about correct for a cavity wall and probably wouldn't be too far off for an old stone Yorkshire farmhouse. It definitely makes for a stout construction and looks more solid than say a Ratio goods shed or Wills engine shed. Regards Shaun.

Were you on any medications at the time? I had the same issues from statins! It got so bad that I couldn't get out of the chair and don't understand how sitting about getting bored and stressed was helping to reduce the risk of a heart attack! Besides there's no proof that the statins do that either!! Shaun.

The whiskey was hard but we did get brandy for the hot coffees and rum for the rum balls over the hols. We haven't given up cake either, just made some from almond and coconut flour! Amazing... Regards Shaun

Sorry, I might have misled you there a bit J. We're OK with meat and dairy just stopped eating grains! Apparently, before money came into being wealth was measured in goats. This led to much over grazing and eventually starvation in Northern Africa and the Middle East. Those who found their way to fertile valleys such as the Nile and Euphrates became enslaved. These numerous poor souls were fed on bread. The latest science proves something that I had been saying for ages, "That humans ran around for millions of years eating raw food and have not evolved fast enough to do otherwise". That latest finding has shown any type of grain will be broken down by the digestive system into a very low form of LDL cholesterol which our livers have not evolved to removed efficiently from our bloodstream. After decades of toxification we inevitably get sick! So, no wheat, barley, oats or rice! We usually start the day with a pasture raised egg based cooked breakfast, have fruit and nuts for lunch and alternate between big salads and such meals as chicken tacos or even a full roast turkey dinner, just no Yorkshire puddings! We've also taken to drinking Kombucha and will soon start on correcting the balance of gut microbes by making our own Kombucha. As a side note I'm very proud that my last HBa1C was in the normal range for the first time in 35 years! The graph on my insulin pump seems to stay quite flat in the normal range all day. Skiing will keep you very fit. I have an Italian friend in Ashland who regularly climbs Mt. Shasta and skis back down. His idea of excitement is getting lost up there. I learnt long ago never to jump in the creeks during early summer, it's enough to make you sterile! The bigger picture of the water table in the mountain behind us (about the same height as Ben Nevis) is that last year the creek almost stopped running. There were a few days in September when it actually became just a few muddy puddles on our property but was still running at about two gallons a minute or less up the road through the culvert. The west coast having been hit twice by the pineapple express last year which filled most of California's lakes coupled with the heavy rains which never seem to fail in the North of Oregon I'm hoping it will be our turn next! We need it! Now I'm going to get back to finishing off that farmhouse roof. Before it snows! Best regards and may you have a happy and prosperous 2024. Shaun.

Apologies for not replying sooner. Three months ago, we made a drastic refinement to our diet by giving up all grass-based food which has left me feeling twenty-five years younger and I have the same energy like when I was in my thirties working 60-70 hours a week. First, all the upset stomachs went away, and a sort of cleansing took place. This was followed by a general feeling of well-being and we both started sleeping better which in turn led to a clear head (no more foggy brain syndrome), I then tried quitting all prescribed drugs without any problems. Food has become more interesting and tastier. Bog roll consumption has diminished considerably, there's no beer in the house of course but most importantly I can focus and am not depressed anymore, in fact it's quite the opposite!!! Mrs. S. has lost 15 pounds and is looking a lot younger too😏. Chris. Unfortunately, we haven't had any snow yet not even on the mountains which could become a problem later in the year when there's no snow melt. They have however forecast snow for tomorrow. Terry, A cold and wet Aussy summer. You are kidding right? Julian. Mince pies and port. 'Spose it's only once a year right! Did the guy who consumed these delights leave any hobby related items under the tree? we actually made our own mince pies with an almond/tapioca flour crust! They didn't last long and so forgot to leave one out for you-know-who, hence no hobby stuff!😞 Regards Shaun.

Here's 42152 climbing out of Bradford Exchange in colour with a couple of repainted corporate MK1s bringing up the rear. 42152 was a regular engine at Bradford and hauled the last steam passenger service out of the station to Leeds and back. This must be a Leeds service too, as it's on the GNR lines! Most old photographs I've seen of Fairburns on the L&Y lines have exLMS porthole stock in the rakes, Have a prosperous and productive New Year Graham. Regards Shaun.

A start has been made on the next building. This one’s actually for Queensbury, it will occupy the empty spot at the bottom of Brow Lane. ( I was never going to be happy with the Mossy Bottom farm house!) Same proven scratch build construction of embossed plastic stone/brick stuck to foam board. A Happy New Year to you all Shaun

A very Merry Christmas to you all from Oregon. Quite warm and very damp! Shaun

All the very best Sasquatch

Yeah. I did and it melted! Squatch

How about a little good news. After years of frustration using the new laptop with it's awful windows11 and lack of an SD port I have had a go at fixing the old trusty Hewlett Packard. The wireless assistant had stopped working, something I've tried countless times to fix before, but don't ask how I managed it this time, just cleared out all the old networks etc. , rebooted and here we are! Because it's still windows 7 I'll just stick to using it for the forum and see if I can edit videos for YouTube. Great!

Anyone wishing to remember Adrian or celebrate his delightful modeling skills should post here…

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Adrian or more commonly known to most RMweb members as Westerham Station. Our online community has missed Adrian’s exceptional modeling skills and never failing encouragement over recent months due to illness. Sadly I learned of his passing on the 18th having received a message from his son Simon. Adrian was gifted with being able to turn various household items into beautifully crafted convincing models, his passion for modeling Kent depicting it as the garden of England shone through in the captivating images he shared with us on various threads of the forum. So, I’m sure you will all share in thoughts and prayer for his family while finding time for your own hobby over this holiday season. May you Rest In Peace Adrian.

It is with great sadness that I received a message from Adrian’s (Westerham Station) son Simon this morning informing me of his fathers passing on the 18th. Adrian was an exceptional modeler and full of delightful encouragement. He will be sadly missed and our thoughts should go out to his wife and family especially at this time of year. Regards to all Shaun

Great stuff Terry. Fantastic that you had some quality time with your son. Must fly my son over in 2024 ( it’s been 10 years). Looking forward to seeing how the J54 turns out, have also fancied converting one!

That’s Mavis, she’s a part time barmaid there when she’s not making webbing for the troops at Arkwrights mill or doing AARP duty. Tonight’s a rare night off and she’s having a couple of drinks to calm her nerves before her Canadian date shows up! Mrs Sasquatch recons I did that in record time probably due to not having a computer on the table. So watch this space. Things might get busy Regards Shaun

The exterior. No guesses as to where this will be placed in the mill town Just the lighting left to do! Squatch