Solace in Soller

I haven't touched Gerralt Rd for a couple of weeks. Partly, that is deliberate because I'm still working out the broad composition, but mostly, life has been getting in the way.

I've been finalising some freelance work, as well as delivering a lot of podcasts on AI for various organisations. By far, the biggest drag on my time has been the care crisis around my mother and her partner, which got very messy and sad. The upshot is mum is now living with us.

On top of that we had a family holiday with most of the children and all four grandchildren. It wasn't my idea of a holiday, being in a souless resort, but I was allowed one day out, and were else to got but Soller?

The road from Sa Calobra

By the harbour in Port de Soller. Sadly the guide allowed us zero time here

Tram arriving at the interchange in Soller

Tourists were everywhere. The worst were the wannabe influencers

View from Mirador del Pujol de'n Banya

The modern narrow gauge line features in this public art at Inca station

Inca station

Goods shed from the old 3ft gauge line

Soller railway brakevan

The sheds at Soller

Black

Progress on Gerralt Road has been slow, but in a good way, as I've been exploring various ideas away from the baseboard as I get used to working in the smaller scale.

In the spirit of the original Apa Valley in 4mm I've got hold of a Mosslanda shelf so I can try things out in a low risk way, and hopefully end up with a  useful photoplank as well.

I'm getting somewhere with ideas around buildings and trees. It is also time to make my first batch of DG couplings. I think it is well known that I hate making couplings.

I know others swear by it, but I've never got on with Carrs Metal Black. I don't know why. I've always found it hard to get a consistent and robust finish. Looking around model boat forums, I came across this stuff.  

So far I'm impressed. The DGs had a preparatory overnight soak in white vinegar and a quick dunk in the solution. The final finish is, perhaps, more gray than black, but in a nicely metallic way