PhilJ W

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Managed to find a few bargains at Rayleigh today. First was a Classix lorry in new condition in its box together with a pair of the old Matchbox J2 pick-ups and a 00 scale VW convertible of indeterminate manufacture, all for the grand total of £3. Also a pack of half a dozen early (gas) working street lights for £2.50 well pleased.

The plain economic fact is that moving any production back to this country from China would result in us having to pay as much as ten times the current price. The only areas where we can compete is at the bottom end of the market were processes can be automated, such as Humbrol or at the top end where price is not a consideration (Rolls Royce). I know that other manufacturers produce more everyday products in this country but many are just 'screwdriver plants' where the products are assembled from components produced elsewhere.

Someone may have got a bargain at 99p though.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I did contemplate going to Tolworth today but the thought of driving a third of the way around the M25 discouraged me. So its off to the toy fair at Rayleigh instead, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Just been beaten to the draw for a display cabinet on e-bay. I bid £16.70 with £4 postage to be added to that but at the last possible second I was outbid, £17.70. So I just purchased an identical item for £20.70 BIN including postage.

:stinker: :stinker:

Evening all from Estuary-Land. I popped out to fill the car up, just in time as the little petrol pump warning of low fuel had lit up. I took a detour on my way into Romford as they are replacing the bridge carrying the A127 over the GE main line between Harold Wood and Gidea Park. Came back that way and there was very little traffic, most seemed to be using the A12/M25 to avoid it. The replacement bridge, well one half of it looks almost ready to be rolled into place, probably during a possession over Christmas.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Not long returned from the Romford show. Only one acquisition, a Bachmann Wickham trolley so later I will be breaking out the test track to give it a go. One of the traders at the show was Mike Pett so I asked him if he'd consider some St. Trinians figures to populate it. I now have to get the car filled up, I called into a Tesco branch to do so but it was packed, as the filler on my car is on the left I prefer to use the pumps to that side, the only clear pumps were right side ones so I had to use them only to find that I couldn't open my drivers door due to a sand bin next to the pump. Most annoying was that on the two opposite (left handed) pumps both cars had right hand fillers and the drivers were stretching the pipes across their cars.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Happy birthday Udders and many more of them. Just a quick pop in as I'm off to the Romford show, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Until after the wedding.

There is a partwork model in HO scale but the wheels and motion are fixed.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I think that what AndyID was getting at is that 539 votes can overide millions of votes from the electorate. Things are even worse over here when one entire half of the administration, the House of Lords is unelected. Thats enough politiking for now, the sun is shining so I'm off to make the most of it.

Goodnight all.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit cloudy this morning but dry, the forecast is for a better day tomorrow. I too read the above item in the i newspaper and certain right wing politicians and newspapers were complaining about it. We're not a dictatorship (yet) so as far as I'm concerned they should keep their mouths shut. Surely anyone born between when we became a member of the EU and Brexit day is automatically an EU citizen? Thats my rant for today, be back later.

Goodnight all.

I understand that George Clooney is seriously considering standing for president (as a democrat) but not yet. I wonder if her white bits would be in the shape of his hands. If you have an Irish grandparent you can have an Irish passport and if you are decended from a Holacaust survivor you can have a German passport.

She can always take tips from her husband.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I do wish the BBC wouldn't throw the schedules out of the window at the last second whatever the event. It doesn't take three hours to tell me that Trump has won. There are other things going on in the world and at home that are of more immediate or local importance such as the Croydon tram crash and I'm pretty sure that there is a majority who would want to know what the weather has in store. Speaking of local news there is an item this morning that two teenage girl joggers have been struck and killed by a car this morning, thoughts are with their families. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-37917703

Goodnight all.

I checked the OTP sight and there was a pic of the same or an identical piece of machinery marked 'Hydrex' but that turned out to be a plant hire company. There was no other information on the OTP site but the pics were clearer and its looks as if its an access platform.

A GROAN button is urgently required.

This is interesting >> http://www.brienne.org/unlockedbriennearchive

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Bit cloudy this morning but now the sun is making valiant efforts to break through. I must admit that I only shop for food in M&S, their tea and individual vegetable portions are favourites of mine, so is the bakery but I have to avoid that as my waistband expands every time I venture that way. I volunteered to be a moderator on a local history group, not local to where I am now but for where I was born and raised, Romford/Hornchurch area. Its keeping me a bit busy at the moment with so many wanting to join but unlike my own group it doesn't have 'model' in the title so does not attract a certain type of scammer. Thats it for now, be back later.