Early Risers.

[lightengine]

Bright sunny day here in sunny Teignmouth.

 

Had an enjoyable evening at friends last night. Mexican food accompanied by Mexican music, chatting any laughing lots.

 

Today is the start of an exhibition of Joy Adamson art locally. I had a sneak preview last night and it looked good. African botany, wildlife and some portraits. Looking forward to seeing it.

Edited May 7, 2017 by lightengine

[AndyB]

Morning all and it's a chilly one here.

First nasturtium seedling has popped up, as have some of the salad leaves planted last weekend. Sweet peas, clematis and roses tied in. There is talk of a montana being needed....

 

The jigsaw will be fired up just as soon as it is neighbourly to do so on a Sunday morning. Apart from the measure twice, cut once adage, I've inserted another clause - think thrice, double check with swmbo, then start cutting. 

 

The washing machine maintenance session yesterday was fun. I had to chemical options; caustic soda and spirit of salts. The latter was apparently capable of dissolving new cement.

I opted for PPE and caustic soda. Two drops landed on my clothing and instantly took the colour out. I looked at a 3rd drop edging towards the top of my marigolds and very carefully cleaned that off! The caustic soda most certainly did something to the waste pipe, although this wasn't apparent until the drain cycle - whereupon a gurgling and rushing of water could be heard as never before. Nice. I also took a look at the internal coin filter. swmbo had indicated that this had been cleaned recently. Emptying this via the small flexible pipe showed just where the smell was coming from, and on removing the filter itself a decaying colour catcher was found sludged up inside. "Erm, when did you inspect this filter?" "Just before the trouble started."   

 

Tomorrow in the office should be a hoot. A colleague showed self-determination and resigned, which went down about as well as.....insert your favourite analogy. 

It seems strange to me that the less we pay people the more loyalty we seem to expect from them. If a high-paid manager moved on we'd all probably say that was to be expected as they were chasing their career, or a higher salary. If someone at a more humble level decides they want to move on then suddenly we feel let down.  

 

EDIT: I should mention that fixing the washing machine and repairing a number of pieces of china with milliput means my stock of brownie points is riding high. Now, how best to use them...  

Edited May 7, 2017 by AndyB

[PhilJ W]

Morning all from Estuary-Land. It looks as if I will need a new tyre, the cause of the puncture was a screw thats gone in on the shoulder, added to which the car was in an awkward, possibly dangerous place so I had to drive it a couple of hundred yards to a safe place, I'll be taking it into the tyre place tomorrow.  Not a lot to do today except catch up on a few things that were penciled in for yesterday. Thats it for now, be back later.

[The Stationmaster]

Morning all,

 

Pity you weren't still on Maristow when I arrived Don as the chap at the controls clearly had a very limited grasp of how to shunt a freight train (as two of us watching, and the layout owner, duly observed); things were far better later on with the owner in charge.  I forgot to mention Hambleden which was a delight to watch - shunting with radio controlled live steam was a delight to watch.  And for HH's information the stub points are still there on Indian Hills although I only saw trailing movements being made through them.

 

Currently rather sunny but not sure if it will last but I might get the hoe out and attack some weeds in the gravel out the front - hoping I can do so without damaging the geotex under the gravel (and yes, the weeds still come though it although the self-seeded lavenders are very welcome.

 

Have a good day everybody

[PhilJ W]

Tomorrow in the office should be a hoot. A colleague showed self-determination and resigned, which went down about as well as.....insert your favourite analogy. 

It seems strange to me that the less we pay people the more loyalty we seem to expect from them. If a high-paid manager moved on we'd all probably say that was to be expected as they were chasing their career, or a higher salary. If someone at a more humble level decides they want to move on then suddenly we feel let down.  

Its then you get to know who does all the work that the manager is paid for, many a time I've seen staff go leaving their manager in a blue funk. On one occasion I know of someone who left leaving behind a couple of 'booby traps' for his unsuspecting boss. That boss got the sack and was replaced by the person who had left. The boss who was sacked should never have been in the post anyway, she was only given the job because the person making the appointment was a chum of hers.

[Purley Oaks]

Morning all

 

A while since I've looked in, mum a bit poorly last week but fine now.

 

Long walk to the seaside yesterday and along the front at Portobello - the wind was pretty chill coming straight in off the North Sea, so best to keep a brisk move on. Came home and made some good bean-chili with Quorn instead of mince, and it tasted pretty great, didn't really miss the mince so will do that again. Whilst doing that and making the salsa and guacamole, Gabe made a couple of very tasty and large margaritas. Booze-free today then!

 

That Ruabon to Barmouth book is a wee gem, imho, Don, with some great pics.

 

The Journey received a so-so review in The Guardian on Friday, but there was a good interview with Colm Meaney https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/03/colm-meaney-the-journey-martin-mcguinness-interview

 

Hope you all have a good Sunday

 

Mal

[Donw]

Well after all the fun of yesterday it is back to the major DIY today.

 

HH nice work on Indian Hills. I do like Rob's figures I kept meaning to get one of TAG but they were always sold out at shows. I understand he only does a few specials now.

 

Mike, I had a go on Maristow late on. I particularly enjoy working the proper lever frame. If I had seen you when I was there I would have asked Bob to let you round the back. I have a feeling you might have felt quite at home on the frame. Although you might notice the lack of block instruments!

 

Mal The book was disappointing to me as I was hoping for more on Dolgelly (original spelling) and found it frustrating that he had repeated the same errors as Green. The Green book is more useful to me and so are the photos passed on by Peter (of Kirtley models). That said it will find a place on my bookshelf.

 

I might post a picture on two when I have time to shrink them for RMWeb. Coming back I had a choice of the 16.59 Torbay Express via Bristol TM or the 17:33 down the Berks and Hants. I thought there won't be much difference to Taunton. I was right but surprised that where the lines join before Taunton the Torbay Express was held at a red light to let the other through ah well only about 10 mins behind at the platform. Just east of Taunton on the up side there are some tracks alongside the main with trees and bushes growing in the 4ft extreme maintenance cutbacks?

 

 

Don

[NGT6 1315]

A'noon, everyone!

 

Back from a quick two-day trip to Berlin, highlighted by a rather interesting kind of excursion which I outlined here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1910/entry-19392-the-underground-open-–-a-completely-other-than-ordinary-trip-to-berlin/

 

We'll be at FiL's later for a birthday BBQ for SiL, and off for three days at my parents' tomorrow after breakfast. I'll see to reading back as to what you folks have been up to, so until then, may I leave it at a couple of generic C&Cs as appropriate.

 

Cheers…

Edited May 7, 2017 by NGT6 1315

[jamie92208]

A'noon, everyone!

 

Back from a quick two-day trip to Berlin, highlighted by a rather interesting kind of excursion which I outlined here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1910/entry-19392-the-underground-open-–-a-completely-other-than-ordinary-trip-to-berlin/

 

We'll be at FiL's later for a birthday BBQ for SiL, and off for three days at my parents' tomorrow after breakfast. I'll see to reading back as to what you folks have been up to, so until then, may I leave it at a couple of generic C&Cs as appropriate.

 

Cheers…

 

I wish London Underground would do tours like that with access via the various connecting tunnels.

 

Jamie

[Coombe Barton]

Dogs walked. However one was taking a drink from the lake and fell in. The mud was soft and came up to her stomach.

 

Had to hose her off when we got home.

 

And the residual smell is still apparent.

[Tony_S]

I have been ruthless in my selection of stuff to be kept and disposed of while tidying up. One of the advantages of not having a great deal of stamina is that exhaustion seems to overcome "that could be useful" when it comes to bits of timber. I sent a photo of the partially tidied summerhouse to Aditi and she was very impressed. She and her Mum didn't make it to a garden centre but they did go to a department store in Enfield for lunch. It is quite odd that it had taken until Aditi is in her 60s for her mother to really appreciate what a good person she is. Aditi was always considered to be the dim or disorganised one of MiL's offspring.

On return from the park I have decided I have done enough for the day and I am "at home" now. The bottle of Belgian Trappist beer I had with my late lunch probably puts me over the limit for driving for a while anyway.

Tony

Edited May 7, 2017 by Tony_S

[grandadbob]

Back from a quick two-day trip to Berlin, highlighted by a rather interesting kind of excursion which I outlined here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/1910/entry-19392-the-underground-open-–-a-completely-other-than-ordinary-trip-to-berlin/

 

 

 

That Dom has to be the absolute epitome of a Busman's Holiday!

[45156]

Afternoon All

 

All posts since last night read and rated, and generic greetings are sent to the celebrating, and the ailing.

 

Spent all morning at the A6 car boot, and having got there at just after 6 this morning, got home, unpacked, fed, watered , and dog walked, then caught up on here.  I had a few good books on offer, and was most pleased to have had a visit from Ken Nuttall, local retired railwayman, and author, and was relieved that I didn't have any of his books on offer on the stall.

 

Other than that, some eyelid inspection is now indicated.  Meantime, here's a picture of somebody who was quite eager to have a bath.

 

 

Back tomorrow.

Regards to All

Stewart

[BSW01]

Good afternoon everyone

 

As is the norm for us on a Sunday, we had our usual lie-in with breakfast in bed. Once that was eaten it was up and back down to the workshop to finish of that lock and key. My first task was to paint the lock, first a coat of primer, whilst that was drying I stared making the handle for the key. Just before lunch I gave the lick a top coat.

 

After lunch I finished polishing the key and re-assembled the lock after I'd applied a bit of graphite to the inside to help everything work smoothly. Then I re-fitted the lock to the door and tested it all. All that I had to do was remove a little paint from inside the keep-plate on the door frame and that was it.

 

Below is a photo of the re-assembled lock and new key.

 

Back later

[TheQ]

Afternoon awl,

Just off the phone confirming our presence at a nephew's wedding, for which the reception will be in....... Linlithgow rugby club, anyone got a spare translator?

 

I remember​ the fishing out rough collies from the canal, after they chased each other around and fell in. They didn't appreciate being hosed down after, big furry coats need to be kept clean.

 

This morning I spent the first hour pottering around the shed, while my back eased. Then I went out into the cold northerly and lit the bonfire. Two hours later I had sweat pouring off of me as I moved branches on the fire and tried to push the fire where I wanted it, not where it wanted to go. Front of me exceedingly hot, my back to the north wind freezing.

 

After that I took a trip into town for things "we" forgot, major cockwomble time, the Sunday drivers were out and the tourists were out too. Unable to cope with the narrow local roads on the 4 mile trip in, one car cut a 90 degree corner on a JUST two way road, two others approached me on a road just wide enough for white lines but they had the cars with the white line under the driver!!!!

 

On return I installed the 6 shelves for the inherited model railway, a final coat of paint was done and next week the railway can move to its new safe home. Then tornado corner was installed, next week I hope to put the ply base for the shed railway in place in that area.

A little light measuring up for further shelves followed.

 

Time for a little light eyelid inspection now.

Edited May 7, 2017 by TheQ

[Donw]

A few pictures from the ALSRM show at Reading

 

First two of Hambleden 16mm Live steam

 

 

 

For those interested in technical details the loco's were fitted with slomo devices basically a geared flywheel between the wheels. It irons out the Jack rabbit starts and stops which can be a feature of 16mm. I had a some discussion with Rod Nipper and Roy Wood about the device. It seems there is some complaint about the noise of the gear but this seems to be noticeable when driving fast which is the opposite of the intention of the device. It is also possible to drive slowly if you take care driving without fitting any device. Also discussed was the pros and cons of radio vs Manual control. Roy said he had noticed those with manual control seemed to be more relaxed leaving the loco to run while the radio controllers were chasing after their locos rather the opposite of what one would expect.

 

This one is Kingsbury from Barnhill MRC

 

 

The Club was started by a friend of mine from work at the time. I was a sort of unofficial member and would help out at the Bristol show in Watershed days. The layouts then were 00 and I was though a bit odd with 0 gauge. Nice to see them converted.

 

Showing that something is possible in a big scale G3 in a small space

 

 

A superb bit of work from Trevor Nunn in S scale

 

 

Lastly two shots from Maristow

 

 

 

Not bad for a 30 year old layout. I first operated it about 23 years ago when invited to help out. Bob will often seek help from friends local to the venue which keeps expenses down. 

 

There was a lot of other good stuff at the show.

 

Don

 

 

 

 

[Ian Abel]

Afternoon... yep, late on parade.

 

Yesterday was a great afternoon with Trevor, not had that opportunity for a while, just the two of us. Only downside was the Twins (again, they're doing REALLY well this year) managed to get hammered 11-1. We persevered and enjoyed ourselves anyway

 

Spent the evening alone with the menagerie, Whitney and Bob, we all relaxed (mostly passed out!), watched some meaningless TV and I had a couple of enjoyable ciders <hic>

 

Today will see some flight simming and some <sshhh> modeling, but I fear the modeling will turn into a rather long running session

 

Yesterday was a gorgeous day reaching 21.

Today only 14 for now and may reach 18 but under mostly cloudy skies I have my doubts.

 

Hope your Sunday went as planned.

[Horsetan]

Back on the alcohack, fuelled by miniature bottles of Cava plus a stop at the pub. Normal service has been resumed.

[Dick Turpin]

Back on the alcohack, fuelled by miniature bottles of Cava plus a stop at the pub. Normal service has been resumed.

 

The pub, sure you don't mean the pubs...

[emt_911]

Another busy day modelling. Seven wagon kits made up and undercoated. Other little bits have been done as well.

 

Just had roast beef with all the trimmings and now I feel stuffed.

 

Back later

[Horsetan]

The pub, sure you don't mean the pubs...

Come the summer, we will be working on the plural.

[Dick Turpin]

Is there such a thing as being drunk in charge of a horse?

 

Just wondering. Many years ago I heard a story of a chap who like more than a few glassfuls who relied on his horse to get him, and his cart back home safely while completely inebriated...

[Horsetan]

Is there such a thing as being drunk in charge of a horse?...

I think there is. Last tested in the Magistrates in about 1970, by a riding instructor from one of the stables then operating near Hyde Park. Not only was he also drunk, but his horse reportedly wasn't sober either. Penalty fine back then was £10.

[Dick Turpin]

I think there is. Last tested in the Magistrates in about 1970, by a riding instructor from one of the stables then operating near Hyde Park. Not only was he also drunk, but his horse reportedly wasn't sober either. Penalty fine back then was £10.

 

Any theory as to why the horse wasn't sober, and how they came to said conclusion...I mean , how do you breathylise a horse - blood test maybe.

[grandadbob]

Neigh. Nay. Nah,  I reckon they used the old fashioned pre-breathalyser method and got the horse to walk along a white line and then recite the alphabet backwards 

Edited May 7, 2017 by grandadbob