PhilJ W

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Some sad news of my old friend who was taken into hospital a couple of weeks ago after a stroke. He has returned home to the nursing home where he resides not because he has made any sort of recovery but because the hospital can do nothing more for him. At 97 years old the chances of any sort of recovery are not good.

It must have p!ssed off the Russians mightily when their satellite states threw off the shackles and some of them even joined NATO with all of that Soviet equipment some of which was likely secret.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. I met up with my friend today (masked and socially distanced) and I told him that special education needs youngsters had been put on the list of those to get the jab which means that his lad (13 in a couple of weeks) who is SEN might be getting his jab soon. He was quite happy about it but the lad wasn't so keen. One thing since my jab is that Arthur Itis has been very erratic since. I know that one of the causes of arthritis is the body immune system attacking the joints I wonder if there's a connection? There was a discussion on the Jeremy Kyle show about vaccination passports. The two people involved in the discussion were an advocate of vac-passports and an anti-vaxxer. The pro VP guy was reasonable but the woman anti-vaxxer was just plain ignorant. IMHO vaccination passports should be available to all those who have been vaccinated and all businesses and leisure providers should be able to refuse access to those without a VP without fear of legal action. I can hear the screams of protest from the anti-vaxxers now.

The early Metropolitan 4 wheelers were close coupled in pairs.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Arthur Itis and the sore foot were going hammer and tongs this morning but the seaweed wranglers say there won't be much in the way of rain. I've taken a couple of Nurofen and the result is as mentioned by Neil, helped (or not as the case may be) by the pair of boiled eggs that was breakfast. Not down to Royal Mail but the item I purchased from Hong Kong at the beginning of December is still stuck in Abu Dhabi. I have asked for a refund and that will be forthcoming at the end of the week if the goods don't show up. Muggatee # 2 awaits my attention so its be back later.

Goodnight all.

I've been told of a similar situation where a woman without a mask was standing behind a chap who admonished her for standing to close. All he got for his trouble was a mouthful of abuse. So he just turned round and let out an enormous loud f@rt in her direction. She kept her distance after that.

Looks as if the paint was holding it in. If the glazing has any minor scratches a coat of acrylic clear varnish will make them disappear. But with any such substances test it where it won't show first.

Different number on each cabside?

Evening all from Estuary-Land. The chicken and bacon pie and chips went down very well and now I'm feeling full. That sort of service is available in the UK if you go 'private' but it doesn't cost anything like that as the actual medical procedures are still free of charge and all you actually pay for are the 'extras'. I'm the first to admit that there's room for improvement in the NHS but its still something to be proud of.

An Americans view of the NHS.

The model is actually made by Oxford Diecast for Atlas. I have a couple of the Oxford Cargo's but I can't access them at the moment but IIRC the glazing is a one piece unit. If it is it is held in place by one or two rivets inside the cab roof. The rivets are attached to the (plastic) deflector on the roof. If that is the case you only have to drill the rivets and then you can remove the glazing. You might have to lever the glazing out by inserting a screwdriver between the top of the windscreen and the roof but be careful to avoid damage.

Is this the Stobart model?

Arthur Itis started kicking up a fuss an hour ago but paracetamol has put him in his place. The use by date lottery has put chicken and bacon pie and chips on the menu tonight, be back later.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Visiting Tess Coes was necessary this afternoon for a few items that are running low such as milk. I hope you or whoever set it up put the correct information in otherwise you get some strange readings.

Spill chucker strikes again, duly altered.

Hello again from Estuary-Land. This time of year I usually get a cold and sniffles but this year the cold and sniffles haven't been as bad as usual and started a couple of months later as well. This is presumably down to the covid precautions, wearing of masks and restricting gatherings, I understand that the flu rates have dropped as well. I don't think we will get anywhere near back to normal for another three or four years and as Flavio said things will never be quite the same.

Perhaps rubbing it with a finger would tone it down.

I've just received a model this morning in the post. Its a special promotion for Shell Oil. 1/76 scale and only needs number plates. Its a promotional and now almost sold out even at £60 + postage.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. A bit nippy this morning but warming up nicely now. Not much else to report, be back later.

Goodnight all.

Enter 'Tiny HK' in the search box.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Boris's road map will make very little difference to me, I can't see exhibitions and swap meets starting up very quickly (if at all). I was a bit annoyed with an interview on this evenings news. A group of students were complaining that they couldn't go out and enjoy themselves and that they are loosing out. I can't see what they are complaining about as they are in their early twenties and have plenty of time to catch up. A couple of years when you've got your whole life in front of you is not that bad but a couple of years can be a fair chunk out of your retirement.

They do hundreds of different models but most of them are of Hong Kong prototypes and they come in various scales, not 'fit the box' like some manufacturers but scales depending on the prototype, cars and smaller vans are 1/64, Larger vans, minibuses and light trucks are 1/76 and their buses are 1/110 as well as other scales. They don't always stick to these scales and they also make some medium size trucks in 1/76. AFAIK there are no UK importers of these models and they have to be purchased from Hong Kong traders. Its best to purchase them via E-bay but watch out as prices vary greatly. They do minibus and van versions of the Mk. II Transits with the standard bodies as well as a Mercedes Sprinter and an Iveco minibus and various Japanese light trucks. Production runs are small so you will have to get in quickly if you see a model you like.

While they're about it why not build a bridge or tunnel between Canvey and Sheppey? If they want a big bang to go with it there's the SS Richard Montgomery.