PhilJ W

Goodnight all.

Just got the latest world of Stobart model today. A Volvo tracked excavator, one of the best if not the best model so far. Sorry no pics.

I've had no complaints.

I passed my test 49 years ago today and in that time I have never even had as much as a parking ticket. I have also taken and passed the advanced drivers test. Despite that I do not see myself as a 'good' driver, a fair bit better than average but that average is woefully low. I do make mistakes but if I do I take note not to let it happen again.

They should read and obey the signs. Not surprising as employment conditions in the transport industry decline and many seek employment elsewhere. Now there is such a shortage of lorry drivers employers are taking on anybody who has the neccessary licences.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Slept like a log last night, well from 1 am when I went to bed until 6 am when my bladder required relief and then 8:30 am so I could say I overslept as I normally rise before 8. As jonny777 said people just do not know how to drive in snow and ice but the rules are simple, lowest revs BUT DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES and highest gear BUT DO NOT TOUCH THE BRAKES. Problem is that many drivers use their brakes when its inappropriate, I've often seen a car driving up a steepish slope and the brake lights come on, why? Its now 49 years today since I passed my driving test (on the second attempt) and in all that time I have kept a clean licence, not even a parking ticket. Mind you I have on occasion exceded the speed limit and once I was stopped by a traffic policeman and had to accept the rollocking. If the weather predictions are accurate I'd better get on out to do the shopping sooner rather than later so I'm off now.

Goodnight all.

They are introducing N scale sets of cars for carflats, something to put them on perhaps?

Its not the vehicles that are cr@p in snow, just their drivers.

More likely ignorance, the way some people drive they obviously have no idea of the size of their car.

And I'm typing this on a...Lenovo. It still works however despite being bought second hand.

Morning (just) from Estuary-Land. Didn't sleep to well last night hence the late start. The eczema on my ankle was really sore and sensitive and I eventually had to put a dressing on it to stop it rubbing on the sheets. I'm late this morning as I went back to bed after checking out the weather report. Spam fritters, I love them but they are probably the most unhealthiest food item you could eat. Or if you are a cannibal Kate and Sidney. Thanks Bob for the information on the diet and belated many happy returns to LE.

Goodnight all.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Actually I quite liked semolina, as long as it was piping hot but when it was allowed to get cold yeuk! I hope there's no connection with the curries and the 60 mph winds.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Chris, tapioca isn't tapioca if it isn't served up school dinner style, with all the dry bits from the corners of the saucepan served up with it. Personally I hate the stuff and those of a similar age to me where it was a case of 'Eat it or go without' it was one of the few things I happily went without. I am so glad that I don't have to commute any more, on the local news the A13 was closed for a while between Rainham and Barking and the A12 was closed between Gants Hill and Redbridge. GDB, the online diet sounds interesting, can you please pass on the details. My GP is always on to me about losing weight and other health issues mean that losing some weight will help. Thats it for now, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. There has been a C2C service to Liverpool Street at weekends for several years now stopping at Stratford as well. Looking out of my window this morning I was surprised to see two of what I thought were mobile cranes further along the street. Donning my glasses and moving the net curtains aside I could see that they were two enormous concrete pumps. Even one seems like overkill for the job in hand (concreting over a front garden) but two? they are even bigger than the ones used at Dawlish to repair the sea wall. Commiserations to those who have to commute today, the Underground appears to have ceased running due to the strike, it makes me so glad that I have now retired.

Goodnight all.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I mentioned before that I am a 'mod' on a couple of Facebook groups (local history) and I was surprised when my nephew applied to join. Not because I didn't know he was on Facebook but that he has any interest in local history.

Not the diff itself as such but I've had the diff unit casing break up and seizing up the diff. This was on an Allegro and resulted in the front wheels being locked solid. As if that wasn't bad enough it was in the morning rush hour just as I was traversing a busy road junction.

Well its afternoon now from Estuary-Land. Condolences Ian on your travails but at least Debs cousin is there to smooth things out. When I'm out and I fancy a cuppa I usually look out for a supermarket with a resturant, they usually provide you with your own small pot of tea at a reasonable price. I'm not a great coffee drinker but on the continent I will drink coffee in preference to tea, in fact the only place in Europe I know outside the British isles where you can get a decent cup of tea is Malta, there may be other places but I probably haven't visited them.

Goodnight all.

Mostly ignored everywhere, and if at night usually with headlights on dipped beam.

Just came across this >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8UIhtJdSCM

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Looks as if its going to be another dull and dreary day again today, so a good day to stay in and do some modelling. What Jamie said about the elderly member of his model railway club strikes a note as I live on my own and I'm getting on a bit. With that in mind I've registered with The Hanover Trust, an organisation that can provide support for the elderly from an alarm service through to full time care and accomodation. They have warden controlled appartments locally that are only a few hundred yards from the clubhouse that would suit me. At the moment though I do not need such services but its best to be prepared if I do.