PhilJ W

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Fell asleep in the armchair this afternoon and didn't wake up until almost 6 o'clock so one mad rush to get ready for the club this evening. Now returned from club and the crick in my neck from falling asleep in the armchair has gone. As I have been appointed club librarian I have started sorting out the club library, about 75% is going if I have my way. Some items are more collectors items than suitable for a library, a GWR rule book for example but at least it can be sold to aid club funds.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Haven't ventured out yet so no remarks on how cold it is but the central heatings going nineteen to the dozen. Like Chris I had the snuffles and watery eyes this morning but only for about 20 minutes and it went as quickly as it came, most likely hay fever. Work on the shed is almost as far as can be done at present only drilling and plugging various holes for the shelf supports and putting a variety of old screws into the holes to mark them so that I can find them after painting. Thats it for now, be back later. EDIT Yesterday I mentioned a 'huffa' a type of bread roll. I have since found out that they date back to the 17th century. Originally they were made from 2 lb of dough moulded into a flattened circle then cut into 8 equal triangular circles and then baked.

Goodnight all.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. As I live on my own and my nearest relatives live some distance away I always make sure I carry a spare key. In fact I have two keys in my jeans at the moment. One lives in the ticket pocket and is used when fetching the milk in and opening the door for a caller, the other lives in a side pocket and is the actual 'emergency key'. A neighbour also keeps a spare key and one is kept in the car. I have also found another 'Essex' food, quite simple really, a bread roll called a Huffa. What is unique about it is its triangular shape created by taking a square piece of dough and cutting it from corner to corner. Apparently there are a couple of pubs in the county serving them with suitable fillings but none as far as I can see are serving kitchel as well.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I'm sure that my mum must have had some medal or medals from the war, she did serve as an auxilary nurse during the war. Its possible of course that if she was entitled to any she may have had to claim them but didn't. Both my grandfathers served in WW1 and their medals are in possession of cousins, my brother has my fathers medals. Eventually events such as ANZAC day will, just like old soldiers fade away. Trafalgar day is no longer marked yet I have seen mention of it being celebrated into the 1930's. Though I cleaned up the shed I have now found that the old emulsion is flaking off the walls, it looks as though the dirt was the only thing holding it on, so out with the wire brush, at least the old vacumn cleaner can still pick the mess up. Thats it for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.

IIRC the Metropolitan was what we would call a 2+2 seater and as stated it was intended as a 'shopping car'. The Standard 8 had two single tilt forward seats in the rear to give access to the boot. It was aimed squarely at the same 'no frills' market as the Ford Popular so was built as cheaply as possible, it was for several years the cheapest 4 door saloon available. It didn't sell as well as the Ford because it was more expensive and despite being a more modern post war design.

I am considering it, it'll be a warning to others to lead a healthier lifestyle. I was surprised when talking to some organ donation people (they were promoting organ donation cards) that age is no limit to being a donor as long as the organs are healthy and you have no ongoing illnesses such as cancer. Even with cancer such things as corneas can still be used. They told me that someone is still walking around with a (transplanted) kidney over 100 years old, donated by a parent before they died.

The enclosed wheels was a design feature of Nash/Hudson cars from the late 40's to the late 50's, remember the Dinky Toys Hudson anyone?

Alastairq has one as his avatar. EDIT Alastair has also answered.

The Metropolitans were built by Austin for Nash/Hudson. They were designed in America but for various reasons it was decided to seek a manufacturing partner in Europe. Not only Austin were in the frame but Volkswagen, FIAT and Renault were considered. As it turned out Austin was chosen, the A50 Cambridge running gear was used and even the instruments. Originally the entire production was shipped to the USA where it sold reasonably well but eventually an agreement was made to sell them in the UK. A few experimental estate car versions were made, all were LHD and went to the USA but was not continued with, at least one is known to survive. It would be intruiging to know what mechanical components would have been used if one of the above manufacturers had been chosen.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Yesterday I popped down to Tesco's for a newspaper and a loaf of bread. When I returned to my car there was a vacant parking space almost opposite me. As I was about to drive out a guy drove in but as he saw I was about to drive out he went further down the bay so that I could pull out. It was then that henwomble, in a Chelsea Tractor swung in and then proceded to shunt two or three times before fitting said Chelsea Tractor into the space. At the same time she of course prevented me from driving away. Another henwomble also in a Chelsea Tractor was eyeing up the space I'd just vacated but was far from pleased when I didn't give her enough room to grab it before the first driver was able to take it. Still arranging the storage in the shed, at one end there is a couple of coathooks, a quick measure indicates that they are just the right distance apart to hang my stepladder on. Very useful as the space would otherwise be wasted, being less than six inches. Thats it for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.

There is at least one more track machine to come and a John Deere tractor (with implements, possibly a gang mower).

Andy, would you be able to put all the information in a PDF file?

Morning all from Estuary-Land. First of all thoughts are with Debs and John, all my best wishes. At the Romford show yesterday there was a demonstration of 3D printing, and the prices of such machines is falling all the time, facinating stuff. Shropshire & Montgomeryshire (Railway)?

Goodnight all.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Had a nice day at the Romford exhibition marred only by a cockwomble of a driver. Going towards the A127 from Basildon there is a roundabout with three lanes approaching it. The road markings are, right, arrows indicating both right and straight ahead, centre, straight ahead only and left, left turn only. As is usually the case the centre and right lanes held four or five cars but the left turn lane was empty as it often was. When I reached the roundabout I took the centre lane and it only took a few seconds for the traffic to clear. But as I drove onto the roundabout the cockwomble (in a Porche) tried to force his way in from the left turn lane. Fortunately there was nothing on my offside so I was able to avoid him. The exit from the roundabout was two lanes and as he had forced me into the outside lane I was able to exact my revenge safely and without breaking any rules. All I had to do was to pull alongside the car in front of him (which was moving slowly) and to keep pace with it for a few seconds until the traffic behind me caught up. I then had only to speed up a little to pass the slower car behind which he was trapped. The traffic behind me also speeded up leaving him stuck behind the slow car. Somehow I keep thinking of the chap who asked a dumb blonde to paint his porch.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit grey and damp here this morning, not enough to clean the car though. Out soon to go to the Romford Exhibition, I'd forgotten about it until another member mentioned it at the club meeting Wednesday night. Off to the exhibition now, be back later.

Fosters Lager, the only liquid that can pass through the human body completely unaltered. And with that I greet you goodnight.

Sorry to hear your sad news Smiffy, condolences to his family.

Lewis Hamilton has also donated as have a few others now.

Having spent 30 years dealing with HMRC (and its predecessors) I am not surprised. Those at the sharp end were always the last to be told about such things.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. AndrewC, My inclination would be to fit the gate to the alley but withold the key from the buy to let landlord until he coughs up his share of the cost. The council cut back the very overgrown shrubbery at the side of my property a few weeks ago meaning that I could inspect the outside of my shed, and not before time. A close look revealed that the pointing was crumbling so another job to do soon, as by about August the shrubbery will be rampant again. Does anyone know any wood turners? I have a chunk of elm four foot by one foot and one inch thick that is free to a good home. In fact it was a 1970's coffee table that lost its legs but I'll have nowhere to keep it when I've finished the shed. Thats it for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.