PhilJ W

I've always thought that Bedford should have continued with an updated version of the CA. Same chassis but with rack and pinion steering and 'four-on-the-floor' gearbox. Restyled body with the same styling as the CF, possibly using some panels such as cab doors. This would fill the gap between the HA and the CF models.

In front of a local shop, no comment necessary.

I was going to suggest British racing green. Now we just need to see Renault in French Blue.

I had a Bedford CAL Workabus during the long hot summer of '76. The sliding doors were hardly ever closed, being held open by a webbing strap each side that looped over the inside handle. Its true that Fords Transit caught Bedford napping and the CF was a bit of a rush job being basically an enlarged CA with the mechanicals of the then current Victor range. Part of the delay was because they already had a CA replacement on the stocks the CB but in light of the Transits success decided to drop it and go for the CF instead. More about the Bedford CB here. As can be seen they were going down the Thames 400E, Commer and BMC J2 path. The other competitor for the medium van market was the Leyland Sherpa which once it got beyond its J4 with a snout origins was also quite good. The longer/wider versions had more cubic feet in the back than their Transit and CF counterparts and was also available as a special with the Rover 3.6 litre V8 under the bonnet. One such was in service with the Essex Police Underwater Search Unit back in the 80's. Speaking to the crew they told me that it was modified to improve the handling which was the Achilles heel of the Sherpa. The modification involved massive anti-roll bars front and rear.

Thats not 'fully restored' there is at least a spindle missing.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Another do nothing day, mojo is missing. Did go down to Tess Coes, still no bakery in action, no bakers available. Not only does it mean no freshly baked bread but no bread pudding either. They did have a supply of their speciality breads delivered while I was there. So I collected a loaf of three cheese bread and some salami to go inside it so thats the next two lunches sorted. I hope ChrisF's procedure didn't throw up any nasty surprises. The instance I was talking about happened in a London Borough, I had worked for them for almost 38 years. Most of the time they left me alone because I was a union rep, the same applied with a few managers who had 'come off of the tools' all of whom would not suffer fools gladly full stop.

Politikspeak at its best.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. Fingers (and toes and anything else you care to mention) crossed for BoD and he gets through it. Andrew C, there is a secret cockwomble training school, I have come across a few like that. When I was working there was a meeting called for late on Friday afternoon as in your case and the cockwomble who called the meeting didn't himself turn up. But then did no one else but the building manager charged his department for the use of the room pointing out that he had to pay overtime for caretaking and security staff. Surprisingly there was no frost this morning but I'm wondering if the snow will come this far south, well it is this far south but on the other side of the country on top of the Brecon Beacons. It depends on which way the low pressure system hanging over the country moves in the next few days but at the moment its staying put and just piling in the wet and windy weather.

Goodnight all.

This is an actual sign from a business that used to be in Dagenham.

I'd be careful about taking it down yourself or even touching any of it. If they don't shift it pdq get onto trading standards.

Evening all from Estuary-Land. Hope you've had a good day Bob and for the rest of the day. I'm not after any cake as Victoria sponge is not my kind of cake. Arthur Itis is making himself felt now so tablets to keep him quiet have been taken. I clicked on my profile earlier and saw something called 'Won the day' which I have done so 45 times. Its those who get the most ratings in a day who are deemed to have won the day. Looking it up ER's feature strongly, Andrew P seemingly well ahead of the rest of us.

Pickfords had plenty of trailers but with the tractors attached to the trailers take up a lot of space. There is also the question of balancing the ferry, weighty loads have to be placed in the centre to prevent a list and at Harwich for example trains were loaded in twos side by side for that reason.

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Bright sunshine earlier but now a tad dull and overcast. Will have to make a trip to Tess Coes shortly for a few things I forgot yesterday and fingers crossed that the bakery is up and running, it was closed yesterday and I used the last of the bread this morning.

Battenberg?

The only thing about Royal Mail is that they change the style of their logo quite often so when selecting transfers make sure that they are correct for your period and especially the Royal Cypher.

Morning all from Estuary-Land. I hope Baz is right so happy birthday GDB. Surely the only way to get round the scotch egg conundrum is to have a dog with you. 1) Order your scotch egg and pint and then 'accidentally' drop the scotch egg on the floor where it will be grabbed by said hound (if its a Labrador its unlikely to reach the floor). 2) Re-order scotch egg and pint and repeat. I do realise that there are drawbacks to this such as ending up with an overweight dog but I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Goodnight all.

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY BY PAM AYRES The missus bought a Paperback, down Shepton Mallet way, I had a look inside her bag;... T'was "Fifty Shades of Grey". Well I just left her to it, And at ten I went to bed. An hour later she appeared; The sight filled me with dread. In her left hand she held a rope; And in her right a whip! She threw them down upon the floor, And then began to strip. Well fifty years or so ago; I might have had a peek; But Mabel hasn't weathered well; She's eighty four next week!! Watching Mabel bump and grind; Could not have been much grimmer. And things then went from bad to worse; She toppled off her Zimmer! She struggled back upon her feet; A couple minutes later; She put her teeth back in and said "I am a dominator!!" Now if you knew our Mabel, You'd see just why I spluttered, I'd spent two months in traction For the last complaint I'd uttered. She stood there nude and naked Bent forward just a bit I went to hold her, sensual like and stood on her left tit! Mabel screamed, her teeth shot out; My God what had I done! She moaned and groaned then shouted out: "Step on the other one!!" Well readers, I can tell no more; Of what occurred that day. Suffice to say my jet black hair, Turned fifty shades of grey!!