PhilJ W

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Hen/Cockwomblery is alive and in full swing here today. A local road has been closed off for road works, the closed road is a favourite rat-run. Despite large signs informing people that the road is closed and offering alternative diversions the idiots still pass the signs seeking a way through. It takes them 20-30 minutes to forlornely return discovering that as the signs say no through road. One of the estate roads is a loop with one entrance/exit, someone managed to circle it twice looking for a way through. Thats part of the attraction, other people making fools of themselves (and plenty of choice too).

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit grey this morning but at least its dry. Not much else to report so its be back later.

Goodnight all.

It must be, all those midges.

I was only talking of the J17/J20.

I don't expect a RTR J17 or J20 to be in the offing any time soon but an F5 would be very welcome.

The track looked a bit wobbly in places, so wobbly in fact that the locomotive fell off the track. A few wooden wedges and a spirit level would have helped.

The 'Biggest little railway in the world' is being discussed here on 'Channel 4 model railway challenge'. Its not getting as bad as some threads on RMweb such as the Peco bullhead thread but the discussion has been a bit heated at times. The people who actually built the model railway were split into teams one of which was led by our own Jenny Emily.

I was surprised to see a mate of mine being interviewed at the Bristol show (Steve, the S in KS Laser Design).

It was certainly longer than a normal Minor and with the Traveller rear wings and the body extended a couple of inches behind them. I was unable to see the rear or interior so I can't comment. It looks very like the one that was for sale last year and is the same colour but now is signwritten which suggests its current use is for business which raises the possibility that it is local (to Benfleet) so when I go down that way I'll keep an eye open. As for converting commercials to travellers, many years ago I saw a group of men removing a traveller body from a wreck in a scrapyard. Apparently one of them wanted to convert his van to a Traveller, I hope he was aware of the different door lengths.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit late on parade this morning for the same reason as I was late on parade Saturday. Not a lot to do today so it doesn't matter. Another four programs to come, their biggest problem seems to be wobbly track but the preview of the next program suggests that they managed to drop their radio controlled live steam engine into the canal (ouch£££££).

Goodnight all.

Evening all again. I watched the program 'The biggest little railway in the world' and IMHO its well worth watching. I saw quite a few familiar faces particularily in the opening sequence including a mate of mine, Steve at the Bristol show. I think I spotted a few RMwebbers as well. Another four programs to come so I know what I will be doing the next four Sunday evenings.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Just a quick look in as I'm off to watch the model railway program on C4 in about 5 minutes time (starts at 8).

It was certainly longer than a standard Minor and could indeed be the same one that has been mentioned. There are some Travellers about that started life as vans or pick-ups. The rear bodies had been taken from scrap Travellers and installed in place of the van or pick-ups rear body. The difference is the commercials had a separate chassis which would have made them more rigid.

Another reason for the instalation of palisade fencing is cable theft.

I think that is the one, it was advertised for sale last year at £10,900. The only difference is that the one I saw has been signwritten, aso it was RHD and had the one piece windscreen.

I knew or did know a couple of characters like Gary. I once used the term 'tighter than a ducks @r$e and thats watertight' to describe one such character to which another person replied how do I know a ducks @r$e is watertight. My answer was if it wasn't that duck would be in trouble.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Woke up late this morning, almost 9 o'clock! usually by this time I'd have a lot of things done but as I'm long retired it hardly matters as I should be able to catch up by tea time. Speaking of which my mug awaits so I'll be back later.

Goodnight all.

Should have got AEC Reliances with AH760's.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. The usual dawn chorus of the bin lorries this morning was enhanced by the fortnightly bottle/glass collection. Seeing as this was the first collection since before Christmas the enhancement was considerable. Next weeks dawn chorus is scheduled for Friday then back to the normal Thors day. No problems taking down decorations as I didn't put any up though I still have some somewhere, I think. Other things to do so bye for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Good news about Debs and I hope she keeps on getting better. That reminds me of something that happened when I was a union rep about 30 years ago. At the monthly union meeting we were waiting for a visit from the local woman MP who was known for being an ardent women's libber. A few new faces appeared at the meeting, mostly female including one rather attractive young lady in a smart business suit. Just before the MP was due to appear the young lady got up and stripped off the business suit and stood there stark naked. She then sat on the branch secretary's lap and started running her fingers through his hair. Had the MP turned up there would have been ructions but as it turned out we received a message to say that she would not be coming due to a late debate in the Houses of Parliament. The stripper had been booked by a couple of girls from the branch secretary's office as revenge for his constant teasing of them.

Relitively speaking of course, well it is Norfolk where Bob's not only your uncle.