Early Risers.

[Oldddudders]

Morning all

 

F1 quali was better than Melbourne. But not much. The C4 presenter is a waste of space, adds no value whatever.

 

Early evening I heard what sounded like a mini-explosion, thought I had mis-heard. Then a knock at the door revealed a lady in her 40s who introduced herself as the farmer and explained she'd installed a crow-scarer. She said it should shut off overnight, and in truth I didn't hear it after about 19.30, which is fine. It started again about 7.40. She gave me her phone number in case it misbehaves.

 

Sunny start but it will cloud over later, and be wet by teatime.

 

Hope your day pleases.

[Gwiwer]

First launched in 1936, Pete, it then ran to Croydon Airport, but by 1938 that changed to Addiscombe Black Horse. By your era it was only running to Thornton Heath garage, later cut back to Streatham garage. By 1970 it stopped running north of Charing Cross.

 

Edit : Duncan beat me to it!

 

 

"Only" being a relative term.  West Hampstead to Thornton Heath is right across London north to south and about 15 miles through all sorts of traffic.  Even in Pete's day that would have taken about 90 minutes end to end through the daytime.  15 miles might not seem a lot but when you are running buses every 5 or 10 minutes and a round trip takes three hours that's a lot of resources.  The 59A was withdrawn in 1972 by which time it was cut back to a Whitehall - Streatham Garage operation.  The 59 itself had been Sundays-only since 1949 and was another cross-town marathon from West Hampstead or Camden Town to Chipstead Valley, the latter deep in leafy Surrey countryside.

 

Greetings one and all.  A grey start to winter with the hourglasses adjusted gave way to a comfortably sunny afternoon.  With the Good Lady head-down in her PhD studies opportunity was taken to cary out a not inconsiderable amount of work in the hobby area.  Tomorrow it's back to the Palace for a seven-day stint.

 

Hoping to hear from Jock soon even if indirectly.  All the best to our other sick and suffering.

[Barry O]

Hey up!

Ed cold still progressing despite a curry and two together nctures last night.

I now hav my scoring laptop so will try and score the England final today.

 

I have some indoor umpiring to do as well later today so I will be busy.

Have a nice day.evening all.

 

Baz

[roundhouse]

We used to take the 414 from just south of South Croydon to meet relatives at Gatton Point, just before Redhill. Funny how bus numbers take you back to childhood. Always liked going at the front on top.

Mal

 

Its the 405 these days.

 

last night we sailed out at Merstham station and took that bus to just South of that place. Despite the train being late we just made the connection with the bus.

 

An excellent day yesterday touring numerous hostelries and breweries. Beavertown Brewery near Tottenham Hale station had a ten minute wait in a queue stretching outside into the car park so we got two rounds. It wasn't cheap as there is a £2.50 deposit on each glass. Luckily we didn't need to queue up again to get the deposit back.

 

Back into London and we visited a beer fest going on in Spitalfields Market.

 

A quick drink in a german beer bar near Liverpool sStreet then time to go home leaving the remaining group of friends to finish off in Croydon.

 

Modelling this morning. Lord Beaverbrook now has a coat of matt varnish and now drying.

[jamie92208]

Morning all from a damp village.  My typing is being somewhat hindered by  black ball of fur who seems to think that my hands should be rubbing his head or now his tummy.   If I type he pushes his paws, with claws out.

 

The nearest trolleybuses to us were in Bradford and silent was the word.  I once went from the western edge of Bradford at Thornton to Leeds and changed from trolley to motorbus at Thornbury, the boundary.   The contrast between the silent trolley and the rear engined Atlantean that seemed to be trying to shake itself to death was very apparent, especially when it was idling at a stop.

 

Yesterday went well with a good breakfast at church to start.   Then after lunch I went to the clubrooms to load the car with 3 more boards, two control panels and assorted stock and wiring crates.  I then went to see Tony.  He's not well and in a lot of pain but is till modelling in his wheelchair with a tray attached to it. 

 

One of the 6 wheel bogies on my clerestory diners had decided to fall apart so he was sorting that out.  He had his iron, flus, tools etc on the tray and soldered the errant white metal side frame back on with the wheels all in alignment, whilst I made tea for us and chatted.  By then he'd had enough and his hand was shaking too much so I reattached the bogie to the coach and he then lubricated all the bearings.  We had a good natter and it seemed to cheer him up but it's not easy to see such a good modeller and friend like that.  He's finishing off the locoshed doors and then wants to do the Stationmasters House that I've had the plywood cut for. 

 

Anyway back home after a couple of hours, car unloaded and then an evening doing not a lot and reading.  

 

Today I'm off to collect the last boards from the club shortly before church then if the weather clears will do some carpentry on the drive.

 

Hope to hear from Jock soon.

 

Also will try and listen to the T20 final.

 

Jamie

[Andrew P]

Morning all.

 

Still no news from Jock or his Family so I hope that's a good sign.

[Simon G]

We went to Seefeld on our honeymoon.

So did we! A week there and then a train to St Wolfgang for the second week.

[andyram]

Morning all. A little grey and wet again this morning but hopefully the weather will improve as it did yesterday. I also hope that we hear some positive news about Jock soon. His return to hospital is quite a concern.

Great to see some more fantastic pictures from our friend in the Staffordshire Moorlands. It really does appear a beautiful part of the world. Despite not living too far away I have to confess that I have only sampled the area around the Churnet Valley Railway or the old Blackbrook Zoo.

 

Here in Derby we are emerging from another night lacking in sleep. Amber couldn't sleep because of the scratching. She ended up sitting with us whilst we had our late Saturday meal. She also joined us in bed to watch Match of the Day. She drifted off before it ended, but was awake periodically during the night. The spots seem to be scabbing over now and she is not ill with it, just irritated!

Today is one of Sarah's Avon collection days do we will be out in relays collecting books. She will probably go to the church service this morning. In the afternoon I am hoping to get stuck into school paperwork. After failing to make progress over the last two days I can feel the stress levels building.

 

Enjoy your Sunday.

[Killybegs]

I used to catch a number 1 bus to and from school. I always thought it rather special that Bristol had Bristol buses. Just as it was being a County as well as a City. I could, if I chose, catch a number 2 instead. Nothing like being top of the list!

[emt_911]

Morning all. It's sunny outside but forecast to be wet later. The van might not get washed, I'll just have to see.

 

Ian (OD) - I have to agree with you about F1 qualifying. I'll have to see what the race commentary is like but I feel that I'll end up following it online.

 

Really hoping for some good news from Jock.

 

Not a lot planned for today except watching/following the GP.

 

Have a good day everyone

[Coombe Barton]

I used to catch a number 1 bus to and from school. I always thought it rather special that Bristol had Bristol buses. Just as it was being a County as well as a City. I could, if I chose, catch a number 2 instead. Nothing like being top of the list!

 

 

The Number 2 bus in Bristol is now powered by ex-human waste gas.

 

http://geneco.uk.com/News/BioBusSecond.aspx

 

Appropriate number.

[Tony_S]

Morning all.

Sunny, not too warm.

We are off to Enfield today to see MiL. We will need to go via the shops as she asked us to bring some yoghurt, "biggest size,plain,full fat".

Aditi has made a birthday cake for our nephew who will be in Enfield today. Aditi wasn't quite sure whether it would still be celebrated as his other Gran died yesterday. But Aditi spoke to her brother in law and they will come round to MiL's for cake. I think the yoghurt is to accompany the lunch not the cake.

Tony

[Coombe Barton]

We'll shortly be starting to pack up prior to the journey north. Hope that we'll hear from Jock in the interim.

[Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71]

Mornin' all,

 

Best regards to those that ail.

 

Low cloud swirling rays of bright sunshine misty sort of start in The Moorlands. Smashing circuit of the weekend route to start the day....

 

 

....the Endon brook snakes away towards Cheddleton shortly to join the River Churnet....

 

 

 

....the River Churnet flows left to right through this scene, half a mile or so from its meeting with the Endon brook...

 

....the present limit of the Leek arm of the Caldon canal with the feeder from Rudyard lake supplying water to keep the canal topped up...

 

Feathered ones provided for

 

Church duties beckon

 

Enjoy what you do

 

Dave

Edited April 3, 2016 by Torr Giffard LSWR 1951-71

[Happy Hippo]

I think yesterday's efforts at Church Stretton went down well.

 

I borrowed my friend's van ant took my stuff and TRMG's Stokesay Junction down to set up on Friday evening, so it was a gentle start, just having to turn up and put the stock on the track, and deploy my warning notices about engines being a tad on the warn side.

 

'But don't children try to grab at them?' asked one of the stewards.

 

'Only the first time!'

 

In fact during the day I found all the children well behaved and thrilled that they were able to go hands on and do some simple driving tasks.

 

no fongers wer burned and I found them all incredibly polite.

 

Perhaps I ought to have some driver certificates to hand out?

 

Two comments from visitors stick in my mind (both from ladies).

 

'This is the best layout at the show'.  I explained that it was not a model railway as such but a demonstration of 7/8ths scale modelling.  

 

But the good lady was quite insistent:  'But this is the only one that I've been allowed to drive, and a proper steam engine at that....not one of those electric things!'

 

At this point, you can imagine that my head had swollen to gargantuan proportions.

 

The other was:

 

'What a lovely smell!'

 

I suppose it was, compared to the usual olfactory airs we endure at many model railway shows.

 

I intended to keep the demo fairly low key, but ended up blocking the aisle when I wound up one of my locos hauliing 9 assorted wagons around 2 foot radius curves. (It was longer than the straight on the oval)

 

Of course I've now been invited to do the same at another three local shows, with requests to keep it similar as although its only supposed to be a demo, it is a crowd puller.

 

Perhaps I ought to resurrect my 7/8ths exhibition line?

 

Ian Pearse of Accucraft UK stopped to chat, and we briefly discussed the next 7/8ths project for after their Bagnall.is released. 

 

After getting back and unpacking, twice (once for SJ and then home for my unload) I returned the van to Steve and we both went down the local hostelry where I sampled Salopian Breweries 'Lemon Dream' (x3).

 

Today is going to be spent cleaning and gardening, so my ego trip is well and truly over.

[leopardml2341]

I'm going to hide in a hole for a while, metaphorically speaking, so for the moment best wishes to all and see yer later.

 

Bye for now.

[grandadbob]

Well it's the lull before the storm as we await the family. I've been told to get upstairs and keep out of The Boss's way so that's fine by me. 

Nicki's birthday is actually 5th April and whilst sitting here thinking (I am capable of doing so occasionally) I've just remembered that when she was born we could claim back income tax for our children.

I received the large sum (for me in 1972) of a £66 tax rebate which was quite handy at the time. I think I was earning less than £30 a week in those days. Looking at how she's turned out and the grandchildren she's produced I think I would have paid the Inland Revenue the 66 quid!   

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Ordered a replacement door mirror for the car and it should arrive tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest, a very reasonable £9.99 post paid. Now looking around for a dash cam and one for the rear parcel shelf as well perhaps. I did make a few puchases at the show yesterday mainly models to pose with my OTP models but one little diecast farm trailer I acquired that I'd never seen before. It has a yellow tipping body on a black chassis about 2 inches long with just the name 'Bruder' stamped underneath. I am not sure of the scale but it is probably HO but it does seem to fit in with other 00 scale models. I hope we hear from Jock soon and a 'get well soon' to other ailing ER's and their families. Bye for now, be back later.

[DDolfelin]

To reward my exertions I visited the multiplex to see "Eddie the Eagle", which I enjoyed.   

 

 

I knew Eddie quite well years ago.

He even came to a couple of my outdoor shows.

Fearless!

[Metr0Land]

For fans of the 59A everywhere:

 

http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/059a.html

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Reasonable weather so far but wet stuff promised for this evening, bacon sarnies duly consumed and on my third cuppa so all is reasonably well with the world.

 

One buddleia duly attacked yesterday, score draw as a lot of it can only be accessed from next door so I'll have to pop round and have go from that side - it's about 14 ft high but that shouldn't be a problem (I hope).

 

Have a good day everybody.

[southern42]

' Morning all.

 

Just to let you know Mum's funeral takes place tomorrow at 1pm and that I'll be back online during the week.

Many thanks for your kind wishes.

 

[Photo withdrawn 14-04-2016]

 

Mum on her "Wheels" March 2014.

May she rest in peace.

Edited April 14, 2016 by southern42

[Happy Hippo]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Ordered a replacement door mirror for the car and it should arrive tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest, a very reasonable £9.99 post paid. Now looking around for a dash cam and one for the rear parcel shelf as well perhaps. I did make a few puchases at the show yesterday mainly models to pose with my OTP models but one little diecast farm trailer I acquired that I'd never seen before. It has a yellow tipping body on a black chassis about 2 inches long with just the name 'Bruder' stamped underneath. I am not sure of the scale but it is probably HO but it does seem to fit in with other 00 scale models. I hope we hear from Jock soon and a 'get well soon' to other ailing ER's and their families. Bye for now, be back later.

Bruder also did a lot of 1:16 scale stuff.It was quite sturdy and had a lot of play value for those with little fingers.

 

We successfully converted their fork lift truck and digger into some passable 7/8ths vehicles for the old Wrekin Havoc railway (not Havock as it was frequently misspelled) 

 

You will all be releived to learn that the bathroom cleaning has been successfully completed................using 'The power of steam', as well as a modicum of elbow grease.

 

This afternoon bodes well for some laying of sub ballast for my garden line 'Pant Y Gyrdwl'.

[PhilJ W]

Thanks Richard, although it fits in well with 00 scale models it is to a (lot) smaller scale. I have some similar products from Universal Hobbies, both they and Bruder appear to make excellant models. Manufacturers of agricultural models tend to use scales of 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 and 1/128 and it appears my purchase is of the smallest scale.

[lightengine]

Miserable grey day here in sunny Teignmouth.  Presently dry but it looks unlikely to last.

Trying to pre-empt any problems with EasyJet for the Venice trip.  Never know whether the 20Kg weight allowance is 20Kg on their scales at the airport or if they are not calibrated to be honest.  I think I have only used EasyJet once before and it was years ago when they were probably EasyBiplane.