PhilJ W

Goodnight all.

The American Chevette was the same size as the Cavalier. I rented one when I went to the States many years ago. Even back then (40 years ago) the rental companies did not have cars with manual gearboxes. I wondered why I couldn't start it until I realised it was in drive rather than neutral or park. It also had air conditioning but that increased the fuel consumption somewhat.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Managed to get to the toy fair at Rayleigh this morning but some of the traders from further afield didn't. One of the traders that did had a box on his table of unboxed 00 scale cars from the likes of Oxford and Classix. Amongst these I found a nicely built Scalelink Citroen 'Traction' not bad for £2:50. The snow abated this morning but came back at about 3 but is not settling on the roads yet.

Worst of all are those who slow down to gawp.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. No more snow falling from above this morning but the wind is blowing what has already fallen about a bit. One good thing about it there is only a little clinging on to the lee side of the car to be removed. Muggertee awaits so be back later.

Goodnight all.

I travelled on the Intercity 125 to York when they first went into service. On the journey it was not possible to take in much of the scenery as it was travelling too fast to do so. I was unable to identify the stations that we passed through as the speed made it impossible to read the nameboards.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I did venture out to the show at Hornchurch at about 11 but without my usual companions as the junior half, last weeks birthday boy and his sister were being taken out by his aunt. As I surmised the parking was easier despite the hall being as full as usual. I made a few purchases only one being a model, and of an aircraft so mentioning it here should be OK. When I got home mid afternoon the snow had returned and within half an hour of my getting home the car had a fair coating.

Morning yet again from Estuary-Land. Well the snow has abated and is even showing signs of melting. I think I might venture out to Hornchurch now, or when I've cleared the accumulated snow from the car.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Not a hint of snow when I woke up at six this morning so I went back to bed, when I got up at 7:30 the snow was starting. I will not be going to Hornchurch this morning but perhaps this afternoon. Best wishes to Debs and Mal and any other ailing ER's, be back later.

Goodnight all.

On the news today, they have discovered a 54 million year old seashore at Ruislip. It was discovered by the test borings for HS2 about 35 metres below the surface. 54 million years ago southern and eastern England was covered by a tropical shallow sea and the shoreline ran roughly SW-NE. The deposit that was found is now named the Ruislip beds.

Is there a 'Green with envy' button?

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The forecast keeps changing the amount of snow we are to expect tomorrow, upwards. The trip to Hornchurch is still on as the roads I intend to use are well used and should be well gritted and as quite a few in my estimation will not attend giving a better chance of finding a parking space.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The sun is still shining here in Estuary-Land with the odd cloud getting in the way now and then. A rather busy weekend to come, Tomorrow is Southern Expo 2018, not a model railway show but more for the plastic kits of aircraft/military/boats. There is some items of railway interest but there is an awful lot of stuff that can cross the line between both genres as well as things such as tools and paint. Biggest problem is parking, there's very little of it and some of it is deliberately cut off by a junior football team that play there on Saturdays. Hopefully the predicted snow will lead to cancellation of the football. Sunday there is the toy fair at Rayliegh in the morning followed by the Canvey Museum AGM in the afternoon.

John, please pass my best wishes on to Debs and Goodnight all.

When my dad retired 35 years ago he and my mum went to live near Peterborough. There was also a large sugar beet processing plant not far from their new home. Not only were the roads covered in mud for part of the year but the mud was deposited by convoys of tractors and trailers travelling at 12-15 mph. It got so bad that the Roads Agency and Customs* organized a 'sting', and there were some pretty hefty fines dished out. *Customs were involved as most of the tractors were running on 'red' diesel on public roads.

Morning all from a rather damp Estuary-Land. The usual bin wagons dawn chorus enhanced (?) by the fortnightly glass and bottle collection. I have a Dartford crossing account from its introduction but in that time I have only used it once (twice if you count the return journey). Thats all mumbo-jumbo. signed Julius Ceasar.

Goodnight all.

Its now on Youtube, sorry I don't have a link but it should be possible to Google it.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Received a parcel this lunchtime, an e-bay purchase made 8 days ago. A rather expensive but rare diecast model. One slight problem though, it came from Russia! Seriously though it came well packed in the 'solid' white foam plastic, the stuff that you can cut without creating a snowstorm unlike expanded polestyrene. That has been stashed away for future use. Neil, when my Arfur-Itis was diagnosed I was told to avoid red wine and red meat and in fact I havn't drank any alcohol for ages.

We have had railways running across airfields and there is even one that runs through a football field while matches are in progress so why not have one running through a cricket pitch?

Don't worry, it would have melted away in a few weeks.

Not bad taste at all, its well known that Stephen Hawking enjoyed a good joke. RIP to both of them.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Sad news indeed about Stephen Hawking, what is surprising that he survived for so long with such a terribly and rapidly advancing debilitating disease. I knew of three people who have died of MND all within a year of diagnosis which makes his survival for 54 years all the more remarkable. Bright and sunny here this morning so going to make the most of it as its not predicted to last. Until the next time when the whole process will be repeated, Groundhog Day anyone?