tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80157926184715742382024-03-13T14:40:45.686-07:00Apa Valley Moving from an OO gauge micro-layout to an EM gauge compromise, via a rather major diversion into both 7 1/4" gauge and minimal space OO9James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-43324092702263938752024-03-06T04:07:00.000-08:002024-03-06T04:07:15.552-08:00The sun Has got His Hat on<p> And slowly things begin to happen in the garden...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPTbM2HYZpmUcb1FbUxeErxzOxWTR4gHgyam6yky4nqVtzYc8QXI5WpZU7njx9TdaKkijEyl0o-iQe9uHD1ieSrHCoUkcpInxtAfUbOzwvdQlwVn3T46D2VFe6diwHAfjhkU3NEYQVCepfgZNa-x4mwta-S2v_yVpT3t6IVZysfFwVTXXBui6WmxKhVgH/s2699/1000019147-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="2699" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPTbM2HYZpmUcb1FbUxeErxzOxWTR4gHgyam6yky4nqVtzYc8QXI5WpZU7njx9TdaKkijEyl0o-iQe9uHD1ieSrHCoUkcpInxtAfUbOzwvdQlwVn3T46D2VFe6diwHAfjhkU3NEYQVCepfgZNa-x4mwta-S2v_yVpT3t6IVZysfFwVTXXBui6WmxKhVgH/s320/1000019147-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-15619069648024203292024-03-04T04:54:00.000-08:002024-03-04T04:54:39.937-08:00Further Thinking<p>It is sunny today, so I might even be tempted to experiment with locations for the 7/8th line. Then again, it is also freezing, so I might not.<br /><br />I think Gerald Road is coalescing into an unholy mashup of James's<a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/2023/07/gerald-road-avonside-branch-on-shelf-n.html"> original plan</a>, Porth-y-waen/Nantmawr and that odd little freight terminal at <a href="https://www.middletontowers.org.uk/#/">Middleton Towers</a>. So we end up with a Tanat Valley inspired layout, with a disused halt leading to sidings serving a lime kiln, surviving goods shed and a yet to be decided third user. There is not much of the original concept left, I hear you say, but there will be hints of it, especially in the buildings. Now I really must make the effort to go and collect it, and to start assembling the DGs.<br /><br />The post removals rebuilds of Rails Round the Rectory and Flemish Quay are next on my list. I'm going to take the opportunity to make major changes to both of them. Key is expanding their footprint whilst reducing their baseboard depth. <br /><br />Flemish Quay Mk2 will also benefit from at least one new vessel moored alongside. These come as a set of three from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ModelArtMiniatures">ModelArtMinatures</a> who also do models of the local bottle kilns.<br /><br />TBH I was expecting kits, so I was was pleasantly surprised they turned up assembled and painted.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzrz4eMO1dxw6leV08KR56CLfYl1kuYkZHvp5W7ODXdIWr_igkwmN22lRCQPhZYehSlKfHJJ_Ca7XjeGEgTPAuaBDtcNoXFnp76sl29TxINgaxRCdSEhRlvAMY0laf5GzpxN0vVU4CGL5xO2xdoRYg26QLUSDr-olVyMK8rIq3pG9gZDahaxfhupZAIeR/s3294/1000019109-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2636" data-original-width="3294" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzrz4eMO1dxw6leV08KR56CLfYl1kuYkZHvp5W7ODXdIWr_igkwmN22lRCQPhZYehSlKfHJJ_Ca7XjeGEgTPAuaBDtcNoXFnp76sl29TxINgaxRCdSEhRlvAMY0laf5GzpxN0vVU4CGL5xO2xdoRYg26QLUSDr-olVyMK8rIq3pG9gZDahaxfhupZAIeR/s320/1000019109-02.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Where, I hear you ask, is the third? <br /><br />Hmm, well that is the "post war" version which is a little bit disappointing compared to the other two. However, my plan all along was to convert that into a ferry/excursion boat for another possible project.<br /><br /><br /></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-67653919781687503722024-02-28T07:55:00.000-08:002024-02-28T07:55:00.621-08:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP279E1NHTHh4vR0k0FGpZwa-V80GgB3bh8wA1XKPSC95AkJUIXqnOeN5LAWquNm0vLP3u2eV2MNrDbBjtoEjhYCAFc4lpqmNqocMSSoCNwqCoyWUHfm-y-nUxcF5fiqYi6i_1rqBSzehRyoOA05URtyVUEQ-8Ccu_j2Qs0o9nRKAWqdlMFybLTbGVRuma/s1618/1000018797-01%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1618" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP279E1NHTHh4vR0k0FGpZwa-V80GgB3bh8wA1XKPSC95AkJUIXqnOeN5LAWquNm0vLP3u2eV2MNrDbBjtoEjhYCAFc4lpqmNqocMSSoCNwqCoyWUHfm-y-nUxcF5fiqYi6i_1rqBSzehRyoOA05URtyVUEQ-8Ccu_j2Qs0o9nRKAWqdlMFybLTbGVRuma/s320/1000018797-01%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Things are beginning to fall into place. Most of my 7/8ths stock is out of storage, which has reminded me that I can be quite a good modeller, at times.<br /><br />I'm beginning to assemble some stock ready for the arrival of <a href="https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/search?q=gerald+road" target="_blank">Gerald Road</a>, helped by a visit to <a href="https://www.tridenttrains.co.uk/" target="_blank">Trident Trains</a> who were very good to deal with. Next up is fitting DG couplings to the stock.<br /><br />The garden has been tidied up a bit. I'm disappointed with the state Teddy is in, so soon after a rebuild. It is something I'm going to have to address.<br /><br />A bit of good news is that our carpenter thinks a space saver staircase is an option for access to the loft.<br /><br />My thinking around layouts is still settling down I forsee a short period of building more micro-layouts , if only to display some stock. <br /><br />TAoC baseboards are now in the loft, and I still hanker after building it to show it could be done as Roy Link envisaged it. <br /><br />Meanwhile I've been out and about in London, which means I travelled from Stoke station for the first time in many years. The last time was after a visit to a client some 28 years ago, when our company booked me into the worst hotel I've ever stayed in.<br /><br />You could argue that it is a boring station these days, but I still rather like it.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjxYao_8JyBZmlUUFPi5aB9SLwyofwgIPjmWPgbZrDvnUeZUBIgWGzksb9IHdQ-MVsRiYevdbZXWJVR9ciQNYA2CO9ugJEZj56CxZOz3fi-sF5rkz_V0X2Gh2trgJ4NUbqshcPHpW9uAWtxLTi3Pw5utRod9NouEu3GMaVnmWnm-IaJSZX0EIHVtXiCL5/s3556/1000018759-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2001" data-original-width="3556" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjxYao_8JyBZmlUUFPi5aB9SLwyofwgIPjmWPgbZrDvnUeZUBIgWGzksb9IHdQ-MVsRiYevdbZXWJVR9ciQNYA2CO9ugJEZj56CxZOz3fi-sF5rkz_V0X2Gh2trgJ4NUbqshcPHpW9uAWtxLTi3Pw5utRod9NouEu3GMaVnmWnm-IaJSZX0EIHVtXiCL5/s320/1000018759-02.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p><br />James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-81994591186048478802024-02-16T06:09:00.000-08:002024-02-24T09:24:14.768-08:00Now Breath<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeRcB4OqdWJyijDJuBllrhzNmpm9Kyw1kO55GRP_TO66-Q3Q7JiWIfsljrgNAWazaZYVPRo-Lo4Pk6z3AdHpBz1JpxQO0gm2ZMV3r96ewGUTO_a69CV3rs61gxZ1PG23R8cvZpszuIO3X6-nMhoBpOmYJm9CHnkx2GqQXLTHmcHcgfSaZYuPhOe360Gxa/s4080/PXL_20240209_085037012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeRcB4OqdWJyijDJuBllrhzNmpm9Kyw1kO55GRP_TO66-Q3Q7JiWIfsljrgNAWazaZYVPRo-Lo4Pk6z3AdHpBz1JpxQO0gm2ZMV3r96ewGUTO_a69CV3rs61gxZ1PG23R8cvZpszuIO3X6-nMhoBpOmYJm9CHnkx2GqQXLTHmcHcgfSaZYuPhOe360Gxa/s320/PXL_20240209_085037012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBhg55NVu584vng_h-IQNreA83lP5zl34dC-VxGHjo23yolwo6kzKFxEj7me6n8OKKmNzP-YFo7oIu_wcS2aqehm8r9nz9xcncNUAnu08Y1cLO8qk8nBbrSqxwKzc7WJE3T53PAO_KSjwyFqvAanIen2N82go4Qzy1pcojkbxmLEFzgeTn0Fzk82Q65s7/s4080/PXL_20240208_171058428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBhg55NVu584vng_h-IQNreA83lP5zl34dC-VxGHjo23yolwo6kzKFxEj7me6n8OKKmNzP-YFo7oIu_wcS2aqehm8r9nz9xcncNUAnu08Y1cLO8qk8nBbrSqxwKzc7WJE3T53PAO_KSjwyFqvAanIen2N82go4Qzy1pcojkbxmLEFzgeTn0Fzk82Q65s7/s320/PXL_20240208_171058428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Or that was the week that was.<br /><br />And what a week it has been. with the mortgage offer deadline dangerously close we exchanged and completed in two days, during which I had to demolish the entire ELR.<br /><br />So here we are with a much bigger house, on the fringe of Stoke on Trent, and a much smaller garden.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmZTcWWH7AezdW9yyk4B5skAn7U4L69F-LiKRxfSeZb0L0taqphDBdn6-PKJbmIA5hwt1rZa2ZpPYuyUnNLebVVyfrJeCDc8gw16LFwZPfgVYmpuWT8EP0sPTC1cN1f4hGuTH32dcb8zwIfWGi2qPnO7cbS7T6NZpM-PGEkhn7ZG4JNfqbu9OcxRWSyC1/s8686/PXL_20240210_090255773.PANO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="8686" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmZTcWWH7AezdW9yyk4B5skAn7U4L69F-LiKRxfSeZb0L0taqphDBdn6-PKJbmIA5hwt1rZa2ZpPYuyUnNLebVVyfrJeCDc8gw16LFwZPfgVYmpuWT8EP0sPTC1cN1f4hGuTH32dcb8zwIfWGi2qPnO7cbS7T6NZpM-PGEkhn7ZG4JNfqbu9OcxRWSyC1/s320/PXL_20240210_090255773.PANO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJdasLNGh7mVRvssCgFDpZGBFikvCqIA_72WeEScPIEwdlcnMtsfXVzM2Sl8z-KaPYQDun4oCxpYHydqNbsOe_rarK-AKRu3pxWuVLPJ8s3mMTsJGyq8nhtY2MtQfUywH-Va6Aqzsx2o5Sufod0aLOLFw6O8flZ6l8gwurIbl899vHEpCnt4wGzxQYBbn/s3245/1000018447-01%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="3245" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJdasLNGh7mVRvssCgFDpZGBFikvCqIA_72WeEScPIEwdlcnMtsfXVzM2Sl8z-KaPYQDun4oCxpYHydqNbsOe_rarK-AKRu3pxWuVLPJ8s3mMTsJGyq8nhtY2MtQfUywH-Va6Aqzsx2o5Sufod0aLOLFw6O8flZ6l8gwurIbl899vHEpCnt4wGzxQYBbn/s320/1000018447-01%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then, there is the model railway room in the attic. On the plus side, it is 22ft x 8ft. On the downside, it doesn't have standing headroom, and this is the access.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6avhGLcHQ-RjulfupgrvsgnbhBjwsS4K2EFNyIPkcFBjFdGKXc4VNwZDaBH1hELwCEhfvSutEL7R7zZi9si3Y0-cr1N7Qh5bkPBzT-bftsK59nXOKUo-Hgj7qAovrMuzXnqvbmcQImcrP-pq0OwBa2lPeu8bu7TDDyimL84AlxM4DQO3gZrGIYedFnv4/s4080/PXL_20240215_104221912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6avhGLcHQ-RjulfupgrvsgnbhBjwsS4K2EFNyIPkcFBjFdGKXc4VNwZDaBH1hELwCEhfvSutEL7R7zZi9si3Y0-cr1N7Qh5bkPBzT-bftsK59nXOKUo-Hgj7qAovrMuzXnqvbmcQImcrP-pq0OwBa2lPeu8bu7TDDyimL84AlxM4DQO3gZrGIYedFnv4/s320/PXL_20240215_104221912.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, what are my plans?<br /><br />I've sold two of the wagons from the ELR, and I'm desperate to get rid of the lifted 16mm rail to replace it with a portable line.<br /><br />There are a lot of options for 7/8ths and 16mm lines in the garden, more than I realised when we viewed. I might even build some small dioramas in the less accessible places.<br /><br />Indoors I'm torn. I've committed myself to n gauge by buying Gerald Road to reconfigure it as a new Tanat Valley-based line. <br /><br />Being so close to the Caldon Canal I'm keen to build an OO industrial line, with a Cromford and High Peak vibe. Also in OO I want to get the East Coast light railway out of my system. <br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Lbl1gLYqWVSi5vyM7BT5iT6y1AgabmaS4iM0gdR13yss2ZLHlrZJFcEPAuvG6pFpBPS3DuU_1Ls2LGD2Pnp_OikTpdWmXnjzcGUxku3IAkaGbiDpse9hEuLPxeN7Sk_7pP37FnR6OUY0dWMdMwPtBJ8AkPttQw6LjzyBaF_rCyJ3lWaKK4NTp8Sm_z1/s4080/1000018480-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-Lbl1gLYqWVSi5vyM7BT5iT6y1AgabmaS4iM0gdR13yss2ZLHlrZJFcEPAuvG6pFpBPS3DuU_1Ls2LGD2Pnp_OikTpdWmXnjzcGUxku3IAkaGbiDpse9hEuLPxeN7Sk_7pP37FnR6OUY0dWMdMwPtBJ8AkPttQw6LjzyBaF_rCyJ3lWaKK4NTp8Sm_z1/w320-h241/1000018480-01.jpeg" title="The old waterworks by the canal" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><br />I still want to build a simple OO9 layout to use my Festiniog/Penhryn locos on, and simple is the keyword.<br /><br />As predicted Flemish Quay suffered badly during the move, but nothing terminal.<br /><br />Then there is the big project. What that will be will depend on how I come to terms with access to the loft.<br /><br /><br />James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-58455580198589932982023-12-23T02:54:00.000-08:002023-12-24T02:09:01.330-08:00The Future of Flemish Quay<p>It is many months since I last saw Flemish Quay. I dread to think what state it will be in when I get It out of storage.</p><p>It might be a case of starting again. That would not cause me any great problems. </p><p>Or it might be a case of integrating it, in some form, with my other plans. </p><p>Before catching the train to London, I took the chance to wander along the Welland near it's supposed location.</p><p>At the back of my mind was a vague idea of capturing images I could stitch into a back scene. Sadly I was in a hurry and also dodging traffic so I didn't apply the rigour that would require.</p><p>Having said that, the nature of Flemish Quay, with deliberately limited viewing angles, means I might get away with it. We will see. In the worst case, I can use the photos as a basis for something created from scratch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl4iKaz2a9YOtIIb_oNtTmJSZ78Tyzme2Af0j6V4IQDYP1DFPl7ZV5bRrno5D9rolQ2wejwhYOBv8l41c9W0yZ3WYnGJGukkn2L3rK0l-oku48t1XPuaJsGRSuKnMMqh1p4zKZCZaagyt4II2NGw_YDPItYIrk9y9WSLI5OympYENFY2Ge4i1lzgHtDno/s3060/1000004993-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="3060" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigl4iKaz2a9YOtIIb_oNtTmJSZ78Tyzme2Af0j6V4IQDYP1DFPl7ZV5bRrno5D9rolQ2wejwhYOBv8l41c9W0yZ3WYnGJGukkn2L3rK0l-oku48t1XPuaJsGRSuKnMMqh1p4zKZCZaagyt4II2NGw_YDPItYIrk9y9WSLI5OympYENFY2Ge4i1lzgHtDno/s320/1000004993-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqtSVc1lro06TVsVt3Q45tgvuD0MipTNGh35YSz7BVHBIVy3NnZt6f5FgT7H3MPrBW02yZryj_e__PLGONPYny3FYprrektkyjN3oB3sDzo4AtHxNd61ZbBasCfU-Ft7mUEWiYZxB6bahNw6JW4-o3ORVT1RQbRfNsxYgyAOkIvMZrFi9WnXgvUsusjJj/s3617/1000015978-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2893" data-original-width="3617" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqtSVc1lro06TVsVt3Q45tgvuD0MipTNGh35YSz7BVHBIVy3NnZt6f5FgT7H3MPrBW02yZryj_e__PLGONPYny3FYprrektkyjN3oB3sDzo4AtHxNd61ZbBasCfU-Ft7mUEWiYZxB6bahNw6JW4-o3ORVT1RQbRfNsxYgyAOkIvMZrFi9WnXgvUsusjJj/s320/1000015978-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVc7ni7mDemFxBN6c5-xKGaygxyAnozhJtoR1c_8KU0aOrUxwRDl_RQHzNr-fesV7YY0qjsBX970_fKUx7USO2uvyEZZ7Yrro2nrHeKdoV1ZpuInRdLvQcl65XLWKuDMzMxdIq7b90D1XkVBkmTl9vhfxoK45ZgsD17u57LTyDLPWgBueps8NjpucWzLN/s4080/1000015980-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVc7ni7mDemFxBN6c5-xKGaygxyAnozhJtoR1c_8KU0aOrUxwRDl_RQHzNr-fesV7YY0qjsBX970_fKUx7USO2uvyEZZ7Yrro2nrHeKdoV1ZpuInRdLvQcl65XLWKuDMzMxdIq7b90D1XkVBkmTl9vhfxoK45ZgsD17u57LTyDLPWgBueps8NjpucWzLN/s320/1000015980-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaCeZsi-LyKdW5X8AK8G6DO5P35ZZktdn7QQcLraTb1Pj5SIR8ZX42fSaI7K4YeH6aC7TxenL3audtchmuljfVJKQ1RgHtPIfkWXpS3JXU_zdsv0ovkUGF9MSHnO3noLaeClDA_sxqB9QS3DZ5ilkkdtO_kGVjxwMTDPGxO_jbyubQcFY-GpZaXC9tIQd/s4037/1000015982-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3040" data-original-width="4037" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaCeZsi-LyKdW5X8AK8G6DO5P35ZZktdn7QQcLraTb1Pj5SIR8ZX42fSaI7K4YeH6aC7TxenL3audtchmuljfVJKQ1RgHtPIfkWXpS3JXU_zdsv0ovkUGF9MSHnO3noLaeClDA_sxqB9QS3DZ5ilkkdtO_kGVjxwMTDPGxO_jbyubQcFY-GpZaXC9tIQd/s320/1000015982-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the old fire station<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF7EmFO2kAZPfRVjXFLQDTqnLl1LwOoT0K9rHMfp3pcfxrpyBeaY40pR4yIhj2tz_OoqwKhkh1s0-p00LbFGVq4EVsLyMxHz65iaZTvJXaVkiPJt3YmyqI1In2a7jCaPPLbXQ_Varq1BA6RtfyhP7rJ8xRGydp293Ljn5117MQoabu9kYlkTAq2m8Wvvl/s3013/1000015985-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="3013" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbF7EmFO2kAZPfRVjXFLQDTqnLl1LwOoT0K9rHMfp3pcfxrpyBeaY40pR4yIhj2tz_OoqwKhkh1s0-p00LbFGVq4EVsLyMxHz65iaZTvJXaVkiPJt3YmyqI1In2a7jCaPPLbXQ_Varq1BA6RtfyhP7rJ8xRGydp293Ljn5117MQoabu9kYlkTAq2m8Wvvl/s320/1000015985-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ecijkjrL0xu5JEfcjdC-Vxj19m8fWxI8-kDixP9HjQrunnUDeEz__mD0Ql0k0_wirRJlh3lWr8rZjTCCCZOvbAq4vEGvl3kbh84sJaUBDAF-d1vWtWeu70Gfp4QK3eJyd8rRPQZzJZxWZIKQIqIaO8GbslIFkIN2rHJgikXbSxSWV49w41uBQXM1QfYY/s4064/1000015988-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4064" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ecijkjrL0xu5JEfcjdC-Vxj19m8fWxI8-kDixP9HjQrunnUDeEz__mD0Ql0k0_wirRJlh3lWr8rZjTCCCZOvbAq4vEGvl3kbh84sJaUBDAF-d1vWtWeu70Gfp4QK3eJyd8rRPQZzJZxWZIKQIqIaO8GbslIFkIN2rHJgikXbSxSWV49w41uBQXM1QfYY/s320/1000015988-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZvCUSgN27EAE2qj58ya_SyXDkTgvcEbI8Re0zrJQS-WXn7lbfoy_Ko1NB6Oz9tvhSb4jvPOV1BwQwuesXR5P_TXVJeP_XN3lzxllyh-8dtTo7cHwLt-iS7GG4ecZ9G05bPEJKg1FlXjhvRrAmrb3tqPKhQKpCWZADKp17fTjfxkiufwdzOopOtw7xBBR/s3253/1000015990-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2600" data-original-width="3253" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZvCUSgN27EAE2qj58ya_SyXDkTgvcEbI8Re0zrJQS-WXn7lbfoy_Ko1NB6Oz9tvhSb4jvPOV1BwQwuesXR5P_TXVJeP_XN3lzxllyh-8dtTo7cHwLt-iS7GG4ecZ9G05bPEJKg1FlXjhvRrAmrb3tqPKhQKpCWZADKp17fTjfxkiufwdzOopOtw7xBBR/s320/1000015990-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt-dKVVYgCOspECV7ZCNfhR9387DLyXN7aOqqz9eRWzQCs_FZqK1jrI1CPYe9Bez2v5fT45rQOpOSlO2wE8S1gKMkhHfuB3LklSnS4s0KFk33yPpp3OCGuQOV1Wv7mJPfvNKcU109HwuUBimwUcUo4Hu7Xba96mTuhJVhj313oAMxoBUn5ozTMFfVBntK/s3015/1000015995-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3015" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtt-dKVVYgCOspECV7ZCNfhR9387DLyXN7aOqqz9eRWzQCs_FZqK1jrI1CPYe9Bez2v5fT45rQOpOSlO2wE8S1gKMkhHfuB3LklSnS4s0KFk33yPpp3OCGuQOV1Wv7mJPfvNKcU109HwuUBimwUcUo4Hu7Xba96mTuhJVhj313oAMxoBUn5ozTMFfVBntK/s320/1000015995-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You might recognise this from the Hornby Old Forge model...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb6-1Q57eMkmS88By-6335n0C2Xi_s5qN2hYywlVmlpbKFr0fwmFocUQLm627klCokf_Y1Eo3KqtrASUAJZ0h744EL3jL_0P-RHVsjdK0ErplPn9T_xY3s9Ihkmg0FaX2NR6G-ljTw-wJUGpcLtApsIjfGK8PMFrqV3Wf4wTSC5n3tJZ5eIgDF-Sye8cr/s2790/1000015996-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2232" data-original-width="2790" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb6-1Q57eMkmS88By-6335n0C2Xi_s5qN2hYywlVmlpbKFr0fwmFocUQLm627klCokf_Y1Eo3KqtrASUAJZ0h744EL3jL_0P-RHVsjdK0ErplPn9T_xY3s9Ihkmg0FaX2NR6G-ljTw-wJUGpcLtApsIjfGK8PMFrqV3Wf4wTSC5n3tJZ5eIgDF-Sye8cr/s320/1000015996-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ04KRygYmXYZZ_n3dGaaB0dhIzqz2IcKZp6xj0OfqHRiImD6TMhFTTRzpQ4TaQzUU4sT0Mm_w8C3bv1DJu7RFdGh6P4aGvNQ8teCwS1-MmnjtkNK627qhyphenhyphenx_bs8R3CsRRRwLUeUa-EQzx872e7_-FDhb8Tqi3r0L49_1fK6t2vStfnBB5h4hfDGgrp5n/s4080/1000016000-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ04KRygYmXYZZ_n3dGaaB0dhIzqz2IcKZp6xj0OfqHRiImD6TMhFTTRzpQ4TaQzUU4sT0Mm_w8C3bv1DJu7RFdGh6P4aGvNQ8teCwS1-MmnjtkNK627qhyphenhyphenx_bs8R3CsRRRwLUeUa-EQzx872e7_-FDhb8Tqi3r0L49_1fK6t2vStfnBB5h4hfDGgrp5n/s320/1000016000-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG1EZIuIULEjYfb6RI3nyXWE2hvCNgVRyXXFNA0z-1YaIizskmebqnKJ8yc4g9bg79HOWh-AKH6Bjgguy1FB08J0yZRibjDmfdzk-DvS2JepHY_amsC95YPBUlUMJ3Ek45vTpvjIqUKU50F_aW6qta-xGOtM8QoT2jA9sudEyk3LZ41oUN8_8kI283g-z/s3500/1000016003-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2800" data-original-width="3500" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggG1EZIuIULEjYfb6RI3nyXWE2hvCNgVRyXXFNA0z-1YaIizskmebqnKJ8yc4g9bg79HOWh-AKH6Bjgguy1FB08J0yZRibjDmfdzk-DvS2JepHY_amsC95YPBUlUMJ3Ek45vTpvjIqUKU50F_aW6qta-xGOtM8QoT2jA9sudEyk3LZ41oUN8_8kI283g-z/s320/1000016003-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remains of the Old Chain Bridge<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG1vv93IbVCssgXh1KNFnZUDDtpA3s_ASRxjVIZit3QpzuLLyXYuaLRCEYq-dyaxbFLbtZzE8RHK6EsX6Zck5qLSPEPBAeq-31GJ6t1-XiUo2oyw2dF5j3UbPGK9shhkaebIbORy9YzwHpur3YXgxVMoDZKxMPpYrynjscOK9JwLEGEcT_zu06rYXisDa/s2712/1000016006-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2169" data-original-width="2712" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG1vv93IbVCssgXh1KNFnZUDDtpA3s_ASRxjVIZit3QpzuLLyXYuaLRCEYq-dyaxbFLbtZzE8RHK6EsX6Zck5qLSPEPBAeq-31GJ6t1-XiUo2oyw2dF5j3UbPGK9shhkaebIbORy9YzwHpur3YXgxVMoDZKxMPpYrynjscOK9JwLEGEcT_zu06rYXisDa/s320/1000016006-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_8ufn-jw_cJNvK0l_L0MNBQSayb0yxhgovUNfCC8cA4CVtKHw_-9zDq-tcKvWsSB0t8_i9iVarevcjhQRMFEWBkpFQTy0D1yn6AbaofWy_RqBnUEpxMxHgwFA5iKsNloeEP5Z-zIW-sB_9ohhYEq6A0eL9DE-COtkhLfeAvFGSiA7llQwbJNgu7Z4QzW/s3950/1000016025-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="3950" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_8ufn-jw_cJNvK0l_L0MNBQSayb0yxhgovUNfCC8cA4CVtKHw_-9zDq-tcKvWsSB0t8_i9iVarevcjhQRMFEWBkpFQTy0D1yn6AbaofWy_RqBnUEpxMxHgwFA5iKsNloeEP5Z-zIW-sB_9ohhYEq6A0eL9DE-COtkhLfeAvFGSiA7llQwbJNgu7Z4QzW/s320/1000016025-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii66ovyHo4gkN84AG6HNy9D4bunZFTg4s5muTklO3MFDXBnhDc2n9hPdcAKfLblIdt9mceI9GWG_9NXLtxT8hzVu5_RK7dG4VI12B9LGyOw8_L02F5iIclxfrxjnwl9XTuDYlv2xbAjz5zgyUEjzTGSfNvkoLUhmyEs29nY4WZAesT62-iAPAZjkdcDXmH/s4080/1000016030-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii66ovyHo4gkN84AG6HNy9D4bunZFTg4s5muTklO3MFDXBnhDc2n9hPdcAKfLblIdt9mceI9GWG_9NXLtxT8hzVu5_RK7dG4VI12B9LGyOw8_L02F5iIclxfrxjnwl9XTuDYlv2xbAjz5zgyUEjzTGSfNvkoLUhmyEs29nY4WZAesT62-iAPAZjkdcDXmH/s320/1000016030-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WbcfQKSdVCRdgs1iOffgRKTCBCEOtVNjJlaTwm45OXmrJfPEoY0H5izr8dNF5uxgBBnSGcJYY0LXUue-nxLJB8gCpjPCkbNnhToUbVsGzyIdS8VuFze5-vNDrJsdsqgqgtV4_peV7A90MEpJSxxZPP7xgMJmENAq5F-A2KT65ywdLmP1UGuBRg1D81_v/s2783/1000016038-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="2226" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WbcfQKSdVCRdgs1iOffgRKTCBCEOtVNjJlaTwm45OXmrJfPEoY0H5izr8dNF5uxgBBnSGcJYY0LXUue-nxLJB8gCpjPCkbNnhToUbVsGzyIdS8VuFze5-vNDrJsdsqgqgtV4_peV7A90MEpJSxxZPP7xgMJmENAq5F-A2KT65ywdLmP1UGuBRg1D81_v/s320/1000016038-01.jpeg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-35303410497986023722023-12-21T04:45:00.000-08:002023-12-21T04:45:23.381-08:00The Cheques Get Bigger<p>Life continues to be "interesting" <br /><br />With my professional head on I've just returned from an intense trip to London, meeting up with several dear friends but also working on upcoming ISO standards for Ariticifical Intelligence.<br /><br />It gave me a chance to wander around two of my favourite stations and pay homage to two people I admire and would love to emulate.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQiEZ874dmBuplwUSMvXwNn_hyphenhyphenBJFBD66kJ9e09eL9k733HQ3hgeKMObZ5ulhEaanb48UJN3yTuU_m343KolJSC1o1Ra36CAX18VN_mJNMGv5aPEFZ4E_UQr-9FBskmXvasKXOCT6XzcGFTa-0LbgbZiNRIOpfQ1wmHTsn3mrkZRDU_PVmmvhtqnQbOnd/s6120/1000021815-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4084" data-original-width="6120" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQiEZ874dmBuplwUSMvXwNn_hyphenhyphenBJFBD66kJ9e09eL9k733HQ3hgeKMObZ5ulhEaanb48UJN3yTuU_m343KolJSC1o1Ra36CAX18VN_mJNMGv5aPEFZ4E_UQr-9FBskmXvasKXOCT6XzcGFTa-0LbgbZiNRIOpfQ1wmHTsn3mrkZRDU_PVmmvhtqnQbOnd/s320/1000021815-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZUW9RRXjGAcxxl1vF7vClVOGK4LLMagwBVkwULCy_jRtwJmoPNinX81u_oBCj7B31pY5NxXozMiS4WrbvcI3bSnQfD3y2ZXFdpTf1cGF3rwlAw_Z_Gh_-j-nKdIuWfm5sL3inJqFGsAG7q_wSaWefk6YLs-dIWGDVzJ0ZDNkxe27nbFKKz07QqiUeO1W/s4087/1000016614-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4077" data-original-width="4087" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZUW9RRXjGAcxxl1vF7vClVOGK4LLMagwBVkwULCy_jRtwJmoPNinX81u_oBCj7B31pY5NxXozMiS4WrbvcI3bSnQfD3y2ZXFdpTf1cGF3rwlAw_Z_Gh_-j-nKdIuWfm5sL3inJqFGsAG7q_wSaWefk6YLs-dIWGDVzJ0ZDNkxe27nbFKKz07QqiUeO1W/s320/1000016614-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplNyDhUIlIstd23AWwu8-hKCpkIBgAogBjlDPFworaqKpx4e3-4cPKCeDL1g3xtJLPFix6H1CqUKA2GAmubWoAIhHZQGxflwerfKZhbPo0BiIxIRUJI8_Y_pWPSBZVXFPl0INQqzeZdC6-q4DOtL9hYTTNoRjMlG0TGm3zeHKXqOke0__ybJtg0aLehtx/s3316/1000021846-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2651" data-original-width="3316" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplNyDhUIlIstd23AWwu8-hKCpkIBgAogBjlDPFworaqKpx4e3-4cPKCeDL1g3xtJLPFix6H1CqUKA2GAmubWoAIhHZQGxflwerfKZhbPo0BiIxIRUJI8_Y_pWPSBZVXFPl0INQqzeZdC6-q4DOtL9hYTTNoRjMlG0TGm3zeHKXqOke0__ybJtg0aLehtx/s320/1000021846-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, Hattons tempted me with the unplanned purchase of a half-price 7mm scale railcar...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxGCNg9_5xjgJPH4eFpTJAnqhwCc6WV7KUIlVNkxmhPRqdox0AVPwTLEAaClS-m76BaZtfGaiPDmR2n_nVVQsuEcq9YSkel9TgCs735skJO_CTQI9bpTTtVpa5bSHKsaFfhhsfSlxKVBWIpISAVDymPqUmxZBGdWEn-BAuLrDPQaBUfWrfHwU7Hddp_IE/s2437/PXL_20231204_101209351.MP~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="2437" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxGCNg9_5xjgJPH4eFpTJAnqhwCc6WV7KUIlVNkxmhPRqdox0AVPwTLEAaClS-m76BaZtfGaiPDmR2n_nVVQsuEcq9YSkel9TgCs735skJO_CTQI9bpTTtVpa5bSHKsaFfhhsfSlxKVBWIpISAVDymPqUmxZBGdWEn-BAuLrDPQaBUfWrfHwU7Hddp_IE/s320/PXL_20231204_101209351.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>...And I finally got around</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT1AwbphpjYNyIOpWYwy47BUM9YgXw2qiZIh2w4VevqJrU-A_SLTvzfb9G9MPiEQQUmxIbqDcttN5llkf-_RLyw5fAIIdvj3r2QUp24ulDmvySjUv-IpZQQhtiqYN-UHoJUWt5W05mR7zolzZHLo7dRPktRoPR_yXAXPbZKqMdKcfn1tqekJnjCc3yMeq/s3327/1000021850-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="3327" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT1AwbphpjYNyIOpWYwy47BUM9YgXw2qiZIh2w4VevqJrU-A_SLTvzfb9G9MPiEQQUmxIbqDcttN5llkf-_RLyw5fAIIdvj3r2QUp24ulDmvySjUv-IpZQQhtiqYN-UHoJUWt5W05mR7zolzZHLo7dRPktRoPR_yXAXPbZKqMdKcfn1tqekJnjCc3yMeq/s320/1000021850-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> to ordering the Guinness loco from <a href="http://www.gardenrailways.co.uk">Garden Railways</a>. Service from both retailers was as great as I've come to expect.<br /><br />Meanwhile, my favourite grocery store had an interesting display in their St P. store</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxrtBk1FK6EmSiTMNCFH-HsSttAd1C8VW5kLPsFAOvrKrkEso1O-0gClpqzp8mmCRwCPe7NEjMP6xzMyUkYLz6q4db8-7NnMx9KzFx-K5wRXS3IpvgZEHK7Scw84Z9vkLoA9BOBA_8-4vRLDUBJv7lub-SKJQ1tG2iErba6lJhvAR32JlgIJK5bcw-mJk/s2925/1000021686-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="2925" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxrtBk1FK6EmSiTMNCFH-HsSttAd1C8VW5kLPsFAOvrKrkEso1O-0gClpqzp8mmCRwCPe7NEjMP6xzMyUkYLz6q4db8-7NnMx9KzFx-K5wRXS3IpvgZEHK7Scw84Z9vkLoA9BOBA_8-4vRLDUBJv7lub-SKJQ1tG2iErba6lJhvAR32JlgIJK5bcw-mJk/s320/1000021686-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It looks vaguely familiar.<br /><br />Finally I will leave you with a suitable Xmas tree.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsxeYRbD8-hHPCwiMPThpt5PIsQM2zJxatPj7T1KxCIX0Dq7gVDVjJgM1aazd21rgrHpf1CkeULWWz_03U0EQNq9E0Y0JRpuLdX2cqnCvrjGULr_FzhgCQOwKL1KAHFGUoD8H7p1fvu2PrjCF4rrixT7vsY_CshzbN5gKjcOfDmW0UenFSBPX696KE7mL/s4080/PXL_20231218_160808165.RAW-01.MP.COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsxeYRbD8-hHPCwiMPThpt5PIsQM2zJxatPj7T1KxCIX0Dq7gVDVjJgM1aazd21rgrHpf1CkeULWWz_03U0EQNq9E0Y0JRpuLdX2cqnCvrjGULr_FzhgCQOwKL1KAHFGUoD8H7p1fvu2PrjCF4rrixT7vsY_CshzbN5gKjcOfDmW0UenFSBPX696KE7mL/s320/PXL_20231218_160808165.RAW-01.MP.COVER.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-33537116041800000722023-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:002023-12-04T23:04:55.623-08:00Cheque Book Modelling Part 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I'm supposed to be writing Xmas cards. It is a task Issy loves, and I hate. Not least because so many of my friends live in Wales and have addresses that go on forever.<br /><br /> Yesterday was enlivened by the arrival of early Christmas presents, even if I bought them all for myself.<br /><br />Quickly posing the Penhryn and FR locos on the Cadeby micro did make me yearn to return to OO9. And reminded me that focus stacking is easy, and I have no excuse for not using it. As you can see, I didn't use it.<div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlkhNSQM5GX1qjw-OWHJ_NdzSfbX6gmdD-o5T_9QPnxzyDVzi2-DlobDx_33Xnei32KvPQC5YlQkvekjqn0cW4cqrLihk0_BUUtfUvR2lbAmc8H2OiCw56ktUWb7nmidB7IGmtWZE0qjlQ4mdj4fheUc74bQ21yKS55885NahN3Ap5GSdVHBuNHrQnrbp/s2852/1000021022-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2852" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlkhNSQM5GX1qjw-OWHJ_NdzSfbX6gmdD-o5T_9QPnxzyDVzi2-DlobDx_33Xnei32KvPQC5YlQkvekjqn0cW4cqrLihk0_BUUtfUvR2lbAmc8H2OiCw56ktUWb7nmidB7IGmtWZE0qjlQ4mdj4fheUc74bQ21yKS55885NahN3Ap5GSdVHBuNHrQnrbp/s320/1000021022-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcS1lOPz_7v5ZvqbxXAw0toPyPsRUt8CX99HeVFcJ3NzO8laNGpSH6kMJAhkYrtfczGZU61eDZpwe4FcQD7lUa9Cdrh5BsIwEqkhdv98aZBlCgIJtyh6Vl49YqTh3aA9AAkpSbvOz6gyoN8MyXEu2l8omvB0lS_FUpyOnr059ZeJDFeI_SY7LygdMojGA/s196/1000021006-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="196" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcS1lOPz_7v5ZvqbxXAw0toPyPsRUt8CX99HeVFcJ3NzO8laNGpSH6kMJAhkYrtfczGZU61eDZpwe4FcQD7lUa9Cdrh5BsIwEqkhdv98aZBlCgIJtyh6Vl49YqTh3aA9AAkpSbvOz6gyoN8MyXEu2l8omvB0lS_FUpyOnr059ZeJDFeI_SY7LygdMojGA/s1600/1000021006-01.jpeg" width="196" /></a></div><br /><p><br />I've mixed feelings about the OO gauge deliveries.<br /><br />I really, really like the Rapido W&U coaches. Apart, that is, from the roof. The transverse detail is pretty proud of the roof on the prototype, but the longitudinal detail seems slightly odd. It might be that weathering will sort that out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-hmtjiWqwRfXQx7HAumhEBwlerYACru78MpDABvu55x-WXO802JKXHx2Dm-Q-hKGKGSOGmwPDgFG_U3YOTpnu4jceZELn70hcVnN7yy43bUcdgGfv7VFzPt9ldtsxE-qnCADhbTny5Ke3vnUe05OXHp7QfaPFKs-Dk7v2yxwvL6Qb6fMEGDN7gF7n1Sw/s2854/1000021000-02.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2854" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-hmtjiWqwRfXQx7HAumhEBwlerYACru78MpDABvu55x-WXO802JKXHx2Dm-Q-hKGKGSOGmwPDgFG_U3YOTpnu4jceZELn70hcVnN7yy43bUcdgGfv7VFzPt9ldtsxE-qnCADhbTny5Ke3vnUe05OXHp7QfaPFKs-Dk7v2yxwvL6Qb6fMEGDN7gF7n1Sw/s320/1000021000-02.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />As for the Hattons GWR Genesis coaches. Well I know that when I ordered them a long time ago, I thought they would "do" for a stop gap to go with the one or two GWR liveried engines I have until I finished building more appropriate vehicles. But leaving the lack of historical accuracy to one side, there is something that just doesn't look right about the livery. It reminds me of litho printing on tinplate. I'm hoping that will be less obvious at normal viewing distances.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2M-S08CXvqYpEcb-etdSbhUw1GP8KayF9yZSxJpTj5J3hf8z61Cb_VnxArXljrHXKUOB7zolvVJLF6KegWk9PjbCWjlgD8-Z2J7jdj6dw4oXygkXgw_kNxKuugQEeoCPapBe4WvMRxZyTX2CMhl5xF2itesz6AJAyi3uowc6SLQ5g1b-W0CsEO69FPSs/s2850/1000021004-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2850" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2M-S08CXvqYpEcb-etdSbhUw1GP8KayF9yZSxJpTj5J3hf8z61Cb_VnxArXljrHXKUOB7zolvVJLF6KegWk9PjbCWjlgD8-Z2J7jdj6dw4oXygkXgw_kNxKuugQEeoCPapBe4WvMRxZyTX2CMhl5xF2itesz6AJAyi3uowc6SLQ5g1b-W0CsEO69FPSs/s320/1000021004-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-60779155598185348852023-11-29T03:07:00.000-08:002023-11-29T03:07:00.962-08:00Cheque Book Modelling<p>It has been a weird sort of week, and it is only Wednesday.<br /><br />While I left my old job a week ago, this is my first relatively quiet week. Partly because Issy has recovered sufficiently from her spinal surgery to go and spend a week with our families. Last week I had meetings every day, but I'm down to just a couple this week. The combination of neurodiversity in the workplace, AI, and ISO committee work is where I'm happy at the moment. At some point I will return to a full-time job, but for now, at least until the house move is (hopefully) done and dusted I'm happy to pick up the odd speaking session and freelance gigs.<br /><br />Anyway, not knowing exactly what the future will bring, I had a bit of a spending splurge.<br /><br />Many of the purchases have actually either been waiting in my Hattons "trunk" or have only just been shipped to the UK.<br /><br />Nothing exciting, all boringly OO gauge and with an industrial and light railway theme. They all really go back to my idea for a W&U-inspired line with elements of Wissington, Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth docks. That might still happen, most likely as a layout in a box. <br /><br />Looking at the stock I'm accumulating, I might also dig out an old RM plan that was inspired by the Cromford and High Peak. I bought the baseboard to suit it a few years ago and still haven't assembled it.</p><p>Then there is the question of my Cambrian/GWR/WR stock. Originally bought with Apa Valley in mind I don't really want to part with it. A bit of me would love to revisit Apa Valley and the Tanat Valley theme in EM, as I intended to before the last house move. It would very much be in the spirit of that layout, as much a diorama with movement as anything else.And like Apa, I think I need to work within the constraints of a storage unit of some kind, or yet another box. I'm also still tempted by an EM version of TAoC.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsEV1S6KgMruY1LRZORuKsF6XN4qsPSlfZjFL1xipShhWsmSnmVeCMM5hyphenhyphen0coUnmEi7uLyNBZ5N2LR5RdQK8H1AkdsgoG22EwgecdGntJ8BhEhQfmm8R2C1tzBGf2wG0GJhuFtixRs9I8PwMq3_Qz8434MMU66H3kqrUQ6NoNVv-zPUZS6u1MCWtb1jup/s3339/9492640201_572f771f9a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1878" data-original-width="3339" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsEV1S6KgMruY1LRZORuKsF6XN4qsPSlfZjFL1xipShhWsmSnmVeCMM5hyphenhyphen0coUnmEi7uLyNBZ5N2LR5RdQK8H1AkdsgoG22EwgecdGntJ8BhEhQfmm8R2C1tzBGf2wG0GJhuFtixRs9I8PwMq3_Qz8434MMU66H3kqrUQ6NoNVv-zPUZS6u1MCWtb1jup/w320-h180/9492640201_572f771f9a_o.jpg" title="On reflection I did a good job of theat bridge, given it is such a well known prototype" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have a soft spot for that bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />In the meantime, what to do with the stock? The obvious answer is a Titfield Thunderbolt cameo, set in some unspecified post war time period. Effectively, little more than a photo plank.<br /><br />Underlying all these ideas is the concept of maintaining some commonality Ideally one OO layout could act as the fiddle yard for another, and I certainly don't intend to build multiple fiddle yards. IN fact I have one half built,</p><p>Did I mention my rash OO9 purchases? They are going to dwarf my Cadeby cameo. I have vague plans for them, if I can find a very old copy of MRC...<br /><br />All this begs a question about space at the new house. IF the sale ever goes through my office will have direct access to the attic railway room. I'm looking forward to having that split in space, compared to my current combined office and studio. I want to make better use of technology and ergonomic design on the office front. Here it has always been a bit of a compromise.. At one point I had four screens in use, all taking up deskspace along with the printer/scanner which is mostly used for domestic purposes.<br /><br />Then there is the 7mm dimension. I suppose the post-retirement GVT and GWR layout might be possible in the new house, but I'm not optimistic. That East Coast light railway idea won't go away, either. But that is a classic case of it getting more difficult to build something with an inherent simplicity. It needs to portray something stark and isolated on a Winter's day. I've images in my mind, but realising them won't be easy and needs experimentation. Some of which will come from playing around with these Kato "Circus" diorama modules.<br /><br />Which neatly brings me to the 2mm or TT dilemma for Minories (North) . I'm very attracted to a 2mm version, but I'm conscious the original Minories plan was drawn for TT, albeit not TT 120. One thing that layout would be dependent on is the wholesale adoption of DCC, but I think I'm heading in that direction anyway</p><p>I feel that my modelling has been on hold for the last two years, and now I have time I don't want to build things that will get damaged amongst all the upheaval. What I do want to do is to get ready for the future, and explore the commonality between projects. I know I can work quickly when circumstances are right. An to go back to my years introducing new working methods into organisations we know how inefficient task swapping is. It certainly seems more expensive when I'm buying consumables for a single project. So if any of these ideas move forward they will do so in parallel</p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-76175772589391035582023-11-28T04:29:00.000-08:002023-11-28T04:29:48.842-08:00Camera Chat<p>If I'm honest, I spend more time thinking about photography and producing photos than I do railway modelling.<br /><br />Perhaps that isn't surprising, given that one of my key career decisions was not to pursue photography professionally. Oddly, had I done so, I would still have met one of my best friends. The world works in odd ways.<br /><br />Anyway, this week, I have mostly been thinking about cameras.<br /><br />I don't, at least I don't think I do, suffer from GAS. Gear Acquisition Syndrome. That dreadful affliction makes sufferers think they always need the latest and best equipment to take photos.</p><p>Some cameras work for me, and others don't. I've learned, expensively, that the camera everybody raves about might differ from the one that works for me.<br /><br />And I've mourned when many a much-loved camera has died a premature death. <br /><br />The last few years have seen me slowly returning to a more manual approach. First, with a few of the new cheap manual lenses flooding the market, then with the Leica.<br /><br />In parallel, my phone camera has been getting so much better in a very automated way. It can take photos in a range of situations that would once have been unthinkable. But that is the catch. All I do is press a virtual shutter button. The phone is actually in control of the shot. <br /><br />So I find myself thinking, "What next?"<br /><br />One option is obvious, if expensive. It would have been slightly less expensive if Leica hadn't discontinued the series that spoke to me just as I became aware of it.<br /><br />Let us park that option for now.<br /><br />And also, please let me park my obsession with dreadful instant film cameras. OK, I know I will never kick that addiction.</p><p>Let me say it out loud.<br /><br />I'm considering buying a vintage film camera.<br /><br />I blame the combination of Chris Nevard and 35mmc.<br /><br />They both keep posting experiments in the genre.<br /><br />And I am tempted.<br /><br />There is something indefinable that I miss, especially if 120 film is involved. It isn't the process and the smell, though I miss the solitude of the darkroom. <br /><br />It is something else. The grain, the commitment to both the moment observed and to the image when you press the shutter. And it is about knowing exactly what the final image will be.<br /><br />So, where is this taking me? I'm not sure. I don't want to spend a fortune for what will still be a a niche part of my hobby. There are more accessible decent vintage 35mm cameras than 120 ones - An Agfa Silette with the f2 lens would be my 35 mm choice. But there is something about a TLR.<br /><br />Perhaps cameras are like cats. You don't find them, they find you.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-51074234227910891012023-11-02T01:49:00.001-07:002023-11-02T04:47:31.684-07:00Big Decisions<p> The last few weeks have been tough.<br /><br />Issy has just undergone major spinal surgery and is recuperating . She is not a good patient to be nursing at home.<br /><br />On Friday we made the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to Daisy, our seventeen-year-old toy poodle. She had coped well with going blind and deaf, but in the end, it was clear she was suffering from doggy dementia and had no quality of life.<br /><br />The house purchase has stalled, not helped by the vendor not being on the internet.<br /><br />And I've decided to take voluntary redundancy after thirteen years of both chronic and acute stress. I'll admit the prospect of retirement has crossed my mind, but there is a lot more I want to achieve. Not least finally doing something about my book deal, and focussing more on my activity developing international standards for AI.<br /><br />Meanwhile, there has been another delivery that is going straight into a packing case.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM07r-Kf7x39rUPUFCIjgnjwSZtG-5Q7vnQRhlJMkNFVhDznuvlJppqEqflLC0vniTfAf9PGcRZ79Zxle-Qt3an2yLMODCgRvXFgXY2KEd_uY5x3ROzWFuT5UzLk1V-WI-W5AOx4mSrRCy1BTGFz7-bQojaxQCAof5iElh8CI8A3SPLKoPCAGiSuHTC8-Z/s2916/1000020201-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="2916" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM07r-Kf7x39rUPUFCIjgnjwSZtG-5Q7vnQRhlJMkNFVhDznuvlJppqEqflLC0vniTfAf9PGcRZ79Zxle-Qt3an2yLMODCgRvXFgXY2KEd_uY5x3ROzWFuT5UzLk1V-WI-W5AOx4mSrRCy1BTGFz7-bQojaxQCAof5iElh8CI8A3SPLKoPCAGiSuHTC8-Z/s320/1000020201-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMS0-sOjJhHV7GhWBL6tJNBD4SdRxYY0vezlHiRLv-q1wEAeT415yg0U1ASdaowV-bnXpyXzJvEorUGG-kzD27L3s3pFtVDIA8w9ZqUuo6U2O9u-Ine04hR70qV3fBTzAb4m1423wN3VAmfRVxvdEUeMcJojPsmT5Du-gvxxS1TEo5zpiFjjpYSqUQ56H/s3541/1000020200-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3541" data-original-width="2666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMS0-sOjJhHV7GhWBL6tJNBD4SdRxYY0vezlHiRLv-q1wEAeT415yg0U1ASdaowV-bnXpyXzJvEorUGG-kzD27L3s3pFtVDIA8w9ZqUuo6U2O9u-Ine04hR70qV3fBTzAb4m1423wN3VAmfRVxvdEUeMcJojPsmT5Du-gvxxS1TEo5zpiFjjpYSqUQ56H/s320/1000020200-01.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I was in two minds about buying this, especially since I went for the deluxe version with DCC sound. <br />I decided against the Lion version on the basis that it is as much of a pastiche of the original as the Thunderbolt is. I don't imagine building a layout around it, but a photo plank with some sort of shuttle program might be on the cards. <br /><br />It has been some time since I last played with DCC, and whilst I take the view it isn't the solution for every layout, I think it will have a use on at least one of my long-term plans.</div><div><br /></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-65792220468224253292023-10-22T02:42:00.006-07:002023-10-22T02:42:42.179-07:00Coincidence?<p> A couple of years ago we were walking through Holbeach, our local small town, when we saw a somewhat crude, large-scale, station for sale. It was in the window of an antique shop, and as is often the case the owner knew nothing about it.<br /><br />It didn't fit with any of my plans, but it seemed worth taking a punt on, being reasonably priced.<br /><br />Fast forward, and whilst on a solo househunting trip, when I was working, my wife came across an antique shop in Shropshire. In the window was a signal box.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GqO3ue6kLvwuPx5VnqqFS1iZb-RGqIrxXQ2uAt1EXoXyiSWwU02tlmZytRAdoXmLNFprss65CRjdQtZO3g1Jvb8taqjCe3Jc_-4FhgBKi8aUJejzfJ0MGjR6WrUUvpPMPKFkO8jFuh8QMEp8m7rNf0M5-WPc2q_Glw87GnFDZKL6IuXwfzztBeY8rP5H/s3540/1000020004-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="3540" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GqO3ue6kLvwuPx5VnqqFS1iZb-RGqIrxXQ2uAt1EXoXyiSWwU02tlmZytRAdoXmLNFprss65CRjdQtZO3g1Jvb8taqjCe3Jc_-4FhgBKi8aUJejzfJ0MGjR6WrUUvpPMPKFkO8jFuh8QMEp8m7rNf0M5-WPc2q_Glw87GnFDZKL6IuXwfzztBeY8rP5H/s320/1000020004-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Now call me Sherlock, but they appear to be by the same builder. So does that mean these were part of a commercial range, or is it a coincidence?</div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-11752931172513141352023-10-09T04:35:00.002-07:002023-10-09T04:35:22.979-07:00And another thing...<p> A delivery that arrived just after I'd published my last blog shows the power of the model rail world as a community.<br /><br />In the excellent, and free-to-download, <a href="https://www.salop16mm.uk/salop_throwback.html">Throwback Modeller,</a> it was mentioned that I was looking for some replacement simplex axle-boxes for an old Saltford Models kit. <br /><br />Within a month someone 3D printed me off a full replacement set, and refused to even accept a contribution to postage. I did, though, make a contribution to a preserved railway on their behalf.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQTuALeGq0JRnzumcxEdgocQs5AtNRaYbngfTs_7nyuPe30uSS50olxdUSEoACY-vKnpRC59TjRKe9vqd4a8OZGbtac-9Jo_rzhk_kbFOaIxLBisfgfVau6bBw7-MzSpuoytj0fUpkqgpRKDTIK8SLr6-c2ybuHC7E6x-iVpPpEF5Jd17SyONaozWfSPS/s1606/1000019645-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="1606" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQTuALeGq0JRnzumcxEdgocQs5AtNRaYbngfTs_7nyuPe30uSS50olxdUSEoACY-vKnpRC59TjRKe9vqd4a8OZGbtac-9Jo_rzhk_kbFOaIxLBisfgfVau6bBw7-MzSpuoytj0fUpkqgpRKDTIK8SLr6-c2ybuHC7E6x-iVpPpEF5Jd17SyONaozWfSPS/s320/1000019645-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I should stress because Brian Clarke can get very touchy about this, to say the least, that these are not direct copies of his castings.<br /><br />The loco was built by the late Brian Dominic. One of those people who crossed my path in many worlds: 16mm garden railways, Discworld, and canal boats, particularly the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2333300103642367/">Brum Tu</a>g. <br /><br />I have other work to do on this loco, like replacing the tissue paper curtain. Then I have to decide about its future. It is something I think should be handed on to for the future.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-33013626030975711332023-10-06T03:24:00.000-07:002023-10-06T03:24:15.004-07:00New deliveries<p> Leaving aside the three new grandchildren this year, a few parcels have been arriving here.<br /><br />Chris Rennie at <a href="https://locoremote.co.uk/">Loco Remote</a> has extended his range of 7/8ths wagons and I couldn't resist some skips and a few underframes for other projects. They probably complete all for the wagon stock I need for now.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I finally got hold of some <a href="http://tramfabriek.co.uk/couplings.html">Tramfabriek</a> OO9 chopper couplings. There really are excellent. I think I'll be converting all my OO9 stock to them over time - when I find it all again.<br /><br />Last but by no means least, I made a snap purchase of some 7mm Eardington Station buildings from Dan Evason at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tunnellane/">Tunnel Lane Models</a>. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYzLsw4xyZzFW_AVApcK9G-Dmsvl4cEhtTE7jf0RKcykjXl8LAU8cuMEAz4OQ_LmDsVItMEkMvD98rOoMUUw33m_u6HaDafW2ezPH2Et9gvLj5YQ8HBfdkkJA8bIFCrfgP_jzBsi6AgQoYjQw8P1nCiqMmMNP_alaA-3ay2OcNk97emygfs1nCXa90uaZ/s2856/1000019582-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2856" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYzLsw4xyZzFW_AVApcK9G-Dmsvl4cEhtTE7jf0RKcykjXl8LAU8cuMEAz4OQ_LmDsVItMEkMvD98rOoMUUw33m_u6HaDafW2ezPH2Et9gvLj5YQ8HBfdkkJA8bIFCrfgP_jzBsi6AgQoYjQw8P1nCiqMmMNP_alaA-3ay2OcNk97emygfs1nCXa90uaZ/s320/1000019582-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p>These are painted versions of the expanding <a href="https://www.msmodels.co.uk/products/eardington-station-building?variant=42804911898822">MS Models</a> range.<br /><br />Now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them, I have a very vague idea of a 7mm micro.<br /><br />All four suppliers make products and, also provide excellent service. It was a joy to use all of them.James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-3528321738855835252023-09-27T06:10:00.003-07:002023-09-27T06:10:43.186-07:00Life is a Circus<p>I've never wanted to run away to join the circus. Mostly because being forced into the rink with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Cairoli">Charlie Cairoli</a> scarred me emotionally for life.<br /><br />But then Phil Parker went and published <a href="http://philsworkbench.blogspot.com/2023/09/kato-at-tings-mad-but-i-love-it.html">this</a>. And I had to take the bait and buy a pair<br /><br />I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. My first thought was a generic Welsh OO9 cameo, but having seen what someone else has done, a standard gauge idea is kicking around at the back of my mind.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a_CkvAKQYI4NFCiDLbY9foAA2Zq0rCG-n6nij7_haYvnGlVQoAnHtf7r3a8bOM1YsNLDUfQLIfeHuBRvCjC6O45OoVZ0Bo9xOwxeE6N1p6HBMYq6HPeQzEnF5NnwFKG0yNLL_zHUGZDPNpy40dXF6uw0_wh26HErJ62aVnLo5q1GAxMY6LSJ-FVCkIcK/s3247/1000019418-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3247" data-original-width="2446" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a_CkvAKQYI4NFCiDLbY9foAA2Zq0rCG-n6nij7_haYvnGlVQoAnHtf7r3a8bOM1YsNLDUfQLIfeHuBRvCjC6O45OoVZ0Bo9xOwxeE6N1p6HBMYq6HPeQzEnF5NnwFKG0yNLL_zHUGZDPNpy40dXF6uw0_wh26HErJ62aVnLo5q1GAxMY6LSJ-FVCkIcK/s320/1000019418-01.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><br />Either way, I have in mind a very theatrical home bookcase display against a black background.<br /><br />Seeing the Kato unitrack in the flesh has actually made me think. It is a lot nicer than I realised. It is also a very well-thought-out system. It would make Minories a lot easier to build, especially if I substitued the crossover set for the original station throat design. </p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-18319702456539452962023-08-27T01:21:00.000-07:002023-08-27T01:21:00.252-07:00The Latest Distraction<p> Apart from the ongoing house move saga, a new distraction has entered:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCsYdJxm4IZdSk6oMF0I8MW9RMXUXV8xOZVdkEXFTnAZBhaZrYI1oukRE0cy6oY8VcMT0ERqd6mjYSy_RmGul1Q2kobKPxX_NkgFmCMP0ctJzxjpi_6anw4VIoiXqNWbMoDImhYHyaro7g0Glo4mkU5qIQteLzlr7b_jZQwKfvc_CMzx3MebFefDtYwp8/s2250/1000018477-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2250" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCsYdJxm4IZdSk6oMF0I8MW9RMXUXV8xOZVdkEXFTnAZBhaZrYI1oukRE0cy6oY8VcMT0ERqd6mjYSy_RmGul1Q2kobKPxX_NkgFmCMP0ctJzxjpi_6anw4VIoiXqNWbMoDImhYHyaro7g0Glo4mkU5qIQteLzlr7b_jZQwKfvc_CMzx3MebFefDtYwp8/s320/1000018477-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kandy</td></tr></tbody></table><br />An emergency phone call at 6 a.m. four weeks ago saw us taking this beauty into our lives by 9 a.m. Unbelievably, she is a rescue case, despite being a pedigree standard poodle. We had actually just volunteered to take in one of fifteen, yes, fifteen, horribly treated adult poodles rescued from another "registered breeder." who was effectively a puppy farmer. We were incredibly lucky in that we were the first people the rescue team thought of to adopt her when she came in at the same time.<br /><br />I could rant for some time at this point. Instead I'll just say Kandy has been an absolute joy to adopt. She is going to be big, and she is probably the cleverest of our five dogs. So it is going to be fun. So far she has been so easy to train. Recall, heel, sit, wait, down and have all been mastered before our first proper lesson with her. I know it won't last, teenage poodles are hard work!<br /><br />The house move? Well things are happening, but we've been here so many times before.<br /><br />I do wish the new house had a bigger garden. <br /><br />As for indoor plans...I found a 4' x 2' baseboard I'd forgotten about, which is making me think of a few ideas. As usual with me I also like to model something relatively local, which, if the move happens, give me a lot of options<br /><br />I would also have a large converted attic space, which is good, but limited access via a narrow hatchway, which is bad.<br /><br />Options I'm considering:<br /><br />A OOn3 version of my much missed OO9 Hales layout. Much scaled back from my thoughts had we purchased the last house we were considering<br /><br />An O gauge East coast light railway. A cross between the North Sunderland and the W&UT. Possibly with a narrow gauge potato railway connection.<br /><br />A small OO gauge shunting laying to make use of my growing collection of small industrial locos. With a NSR single track line in the background.<br /><br />Revisiting my original Apa cameo on a slightly larger baseboard and in EM <br /><br />A very generic OO GWR layout.<br /><br /><div>A classic OO9 rabbit warren <br /><br />A TT120 or N bitsa station cameo of a rundown urban terminus.<br /><br /><br />Whilst that seems a long list, I don't think it is ambitious if I work out a project plan that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyV_UG60dD4" target="_blank">maximises synergies</a> between them. I already have most of the stock and the baseboards. The first and last on the list are probably least likely to happen</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-11987184294868812812023-08-17T09:05:00.004-07:002023-08-17T09:05:22.223-07:00Unbelievable<p>Was this really in 1991? and is 1991 really so many years ago?<br /><br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4gU74gMbp0" target="_blank">Unbelievable</a><br /><br />Anyway, what is unbelievable to me is that I have just left a facebook group having faced a tirade of personal abuse.<br /><br />My crime?<br /><br />Pointing out that a canal feature on an unspecified layout, not mentioned to the group, was physically impossible in multiple ways, and whilst individual elements were really well modelled the overall scene showed zero understanding of canals.<br /><br />It turns out that saying two narrowboats can't pass each other in a canal only as wide as one narrowboat is rivet counting. Who knew? Me, I thought it was only possible by a strange quirk of quantum physics.<br /><br />The name of this group?<br /><br />Realistic Railway Modelling.<br /><br />TBF mostly it does what it says on the can, but people still post pictures of what are essentially toy train layouts and don't get the negative comments I did. People were invoking rule one "It is my railway" in a group that actually says rule one is not valid.<br /><br />Anyway, my top ten crimes against canals on layouts</p><p><br /></p><p>1: Impossible bends that no 70ft long narrowboat could ever make</p><p>2: Locks that have the gates at the wrong ends or are otherwise incorrect<br /><br />3: Models of President, a short-lived steam-powered experiment that only ever operated on one route. Most narrowboats were either horse-drawn or Bollinger powered. Having President on a layout is like having a model of Rocket.</p><p>4. Not quite as bad as 3, but only having models of No 1 boats, ie the colourful owner-operator barges rather than the more numerous company boats or even cabinless day boats</p><p>5: Incredibly short pounds between two locks</p><p>6: The whole canal being modelled at the same width as a narrow lock. The only places a "narrow" canal is narrow is in the locks and at bridge holes<br /><br />7: Wharves that it would be physically impossible to get a canal boat into or out of.<br /><br />8: A mismatch between how loaded a barge is and how low it is lying in the water. a fully loaded narrowboat with heavy cargo might only have 6 inches above water. And obviously, an empty barge tends to be down at the stern, where the machinery is, but when fully laden will be more level.<br /><br />9: Confusing features found on butties with features of powered craft, especially rudders<br /><br />10: Ridiculous geography and a failure to appreciate the canal usually came before the railway<br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-84760310686768370092023-07-31T04:55:00.003-07:002023-08-01T02:36:35.210-07:00Third Time Lucky<p> It is hard to be optimistic.<br /><br />We might have sold the cottage, again.<br /><br />A major downside is the lack of suitable properties for sale.<br /><br />We have one shortlisted, which is a lovely house in many ways, but isn't quite where we want to be, and has a small garden. This could be the end of the ELR, except as a temporary line.<br /><br />On the plus side it will be ideal for a 16mm and 7/8ths line, particularly the latter, and whilst the attic room couldn't really home a major project, as I'd envisaged, it could home a number of smaller layouts rotated between use, display and storage.<br /><br />To cheer myself up, I took delivery of my 60th birthday present to myself</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_86RF8nyC_grEgSPaSSejaNnt1f0LA3rQNYuT-kBFtGURUt99PnzQdNkXETmNc5WicrJCToVYhjwUWYU0uigqN1pjX0Q5SDWrVWQc5AxkQoUtF9MW3-37JvFU-TbAaLgRNm7rBlTmQOVwivIrutuKM6t8oPpuXSD16D_H1PZLUCoY-juwYJZXjUEGr4tl/s4080/PXL_20230801_091323457.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_86RF8nyC_grEgSPaSSejaNnt1f0LA3rQNYuT-kBFtGURUt99PnzQdNkXETmNc5WicrJCToVYhjwUWYU0uigqN1pjX0Q5SDWrVWQc5AxkQoUtF9MW3-37JvFU-TbAaLgRNm7rBlTmQOVwivIrutuKM6t8oPpuXSD16D_H1PZLUCoY-juwYJZXjUEGr4tl/s320/PXL_20230801_091323457.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-44046909398701546322023-06-18T23:10:00.001-07:002023-07-02T05:00:22.937-07:00Show Time<p>We had our grandson to stay this weekend, so wedecided to take him to our local Holbeach Country Fayre.</p><p>It didn't start well, but after two doughnuts and an ice-cream I think he ended up enjoying it.<br /><br />Whilst the car park and beer tent were full, there seemed to be a distinct lack of people actually looking at the exhibits. It is a shame because it attracts a large number of historic vehicles. With Freddie in toe, along with Gigi, I didn't get a chance to take as many photos as I would have liked.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqHve8CWxMgTEjmA5TSVBaJKai_h6pmUBctSGSHCBwq23QVoJ-xXWjUW-LaU1KxFUHI9U0dXJB6ji5-VS4pxUyPgjdmXzEMwH857L-AuqfKG6f0lptJql-yWnZc5vzXA3il22HlEmmJiRC_5W_OMvjD4dIsiCOKXZQpy0pN4H3uwA9hpmYCNaGKUMXyO7/s3866/PXL_20230617_082424287.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="3866" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqHve8CWxMgTEjmA5TSVBaJKai_h6pmUBctSGSHCBwq23QVoJ-xXWjUW-LaU1KxFUHI9U0dXJB6ji5-VS4pxUyPgjdmXzEMwH857L-AuqfKG6f0lptJql-yWnZc5vzXA3il22HlEmmJiRC_5W_OMvjD4dIsiCOKXZQpy0pN4H3uwA9hpmYCNaGKUMXyO7/s320/PXL_20230617_082424287.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWSATrKKkGSfaffjj-T6C6DSz1-dqGiTIeaMTaUsPISFFuJ-hUNC_xvYGipCgU6oTIVo2m9nZgpUCIDyV33r_yjgWZMTKxqSOE5-jW8fpl4p_iM4c5je173--KGeO8t13IeCURUuSYSI_IOXA2bVqj61x1Uy5izS3vMQ8E0_gJojFYOihEFyWY25yBx9/s2316/PXL_20230617_082838864~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWSATrKKkGSfaffjj-T6C6DSz1-dqGiTIeaMTaUsPISFFuJ-hUNC_xvYGipCgU6oTIVo2m9nZgpUCIDyV33r_yjgWZMTKxqSOE5-jW8fpl4p_iM4c5je173--KGeO8t13IeCURUuSYSI_IOXA2bVqj61x1Uy5izS3vMQ8E0_gJojFYOihEFyWY25yBx9/s320/PXL_20230617_082838864~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0eICK_d6G230G5FboAQut9o9C8WEsfT2e4GO-KowfDJGey1oa39613ZYtMK1fBxcRk2Bgd4mf4r2E9ZNk6NGdqrDbkej0un4ANzGtJXfmfkvjyEONCl0iOmFHyfd62cbQcuFfdrjr2rFMG5FSPbce5SdUFGmRrXGo8Xu8STQfoj6Fj1mckQ-WwEJuBft/s4080/PXL_20230617_083251477.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0eICK_d6G230G5FboAQut9o9C8WEsfT2e4GO-KowfDJGey1oa39613ZYtMK1fBxcRk2Bgd4mf4r2E9ZNk6NGdqrDbkej0un4ANzGtJXfmfkvjyEONCl0iOmFHyfd62cbQcuFfdrjr2rFMG5FSPbce5SdUFGmRrXGo8Xu8STQfoj6Fj1mckQ-WwEJuBft/s320/PXL_20230617_083251477.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7jNVWZwWb6Brup8L4gyGIZn6OCNP-_cMQ2wIGOaOoQj4Z9qfvGylFk4G7MlSmUQTS-WvzBNSnj7kGVpY_6A8mWT2QaiAMqe9oXyRgiPxHDuUwlnzTkltXLyjxK_nnmQWQVfP8eAZIj-e8Dj3u_kiJlC4vzk7al5NNvtMP3yHdRypGIEWPAp_X6a_O4cR/s4080/PXL_20230617_085314171.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7jNVWZwWb6Brup8L4gyGIZn6OCNP-_cMQ2wIGOaOoQj4Z9qfvGylFk4G7MlSmUQTS-WvzBNSnj7kGVpY_6A8mWT2QaiAMqe9oXyRgiPxHDuUwlnzTkltXLyjxK_nnmQWQVfP8eAZIj-e8Dj3u_kiJlC4vzk7al5NNvtMP3yHdRypGIEWPAp_X6a_O4cR/s320/PXL_20230617_085314171.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ieIdWSusR78PsSO1FPQZbRwxpYYZE1zgB-gwo2RtW716Vy8Y77gmELrqIlbhvKwSf9pH76qkV7JP3zX7axzZMF5NG_4KpARD6gdO4ZyUf0W1phWRy4vTSxtkmtwqZzTpK7GBiJ53dUJs5djYTUOMQ1L4feQQoOeLrHKxeFobb6wOo4rglDv7YIAqUgy/s4080/PXL_20230617_085704430.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5ieIdWSusR78PsSO1FPQZbRwxpYYZE1zgB-gwo2RtW716Vy8Y77gmELrqIlbhvKwSf9pH76qkV7JP3zX7axzZMF5NG_4KpARD6gdO4ZyUf0W1phWRy4vTSxtkmtwqZzTpK7GBiJ53dUJs5djYTUOMQ1L4feQQoOeLrHKxeFobb6wOo4rglDv7YIAqUgy/s320/PXL_20230617_085704430.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdj9XMCJEbbWLWXXBFpD-3csCTQ4ozQqH66g3K3Uop-u1A6ACVwPBpsBqOlolO3pwN0prT9QqC-njSiDwYzlHcy0I1p22a0j3QPWmYb2A_F7w-bKRzZJ8M3W2poROLw5nGouPoH0vkaeNSQTEjsfS2PLwPO9CZkl9idWZLxWRAP56XqcS_jYav5kDhEm6f/s3539/PXL_20230617_085553089.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="3539" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdj9XMCJEbbWLWXXBFpD-3csCTQ4ozQqH66g3K3Uop-u1A6ACVwPBpsBqOlolO3pwN0prT9QqC-njSiDwYzlHcy0I1p22a0j3QPWmYb2A_F7w-bKRzZJ8M3W2poROLw5nGouPoH0vkaeNSQTEjsfS2PLwPO9CZkl9idWZLxWRAP56XqcS_jYav5kDhEm6f/s320/PXL_20230617_085553089.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AyAzxCL1DdQrXkmiemJ8rBtzQM1XduVz54XETvc2YjsMLBSfw2jBtLtPS7CnC-YX9-O2ajnxkt4C_5PPREuIrCw6pJrcdGvr-JwlYyX-4E24_8U1yckmJvWxvrsvBH0JXFQ3IwlnbZCCAEzjpCf68_s2rhHYV3bqvyyz5LwDw-LeDwSFLqvru65ImAqZ/s3927/PXL_20230617_085735152.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2957" data-original-width="3927" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AyAzxCL1DdQrXkmiemJ8rBtzQM1XduVz54XETvc2YjsMLBSfw2jBtLtPS7CnC-YX9-O2ajnxkt4C_5PPREuIrCw6pJrcdGvr-JwlYyX-4E24_8U1yckmJvWxvrsvBH0JXFQ3IwlnbZCCAEzjpCf68_s2rhHYV3bqvyyz5LwDw-LeDwSFLqvru65ImAqZ/s320/PXL_20230617_085735152.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMjUN_hiIIOTyaNz3OaMBzpphWNGfCTdl0A2bnz6N0giJbb7VyOhZ6d-4vQ7PB15SM5XTV5LEVdjbgYCzPyGTDv-LqhxupvCN_hpkIOOrsksGKwWRz_kTz_KhVGGztF28Lnf-UVwhmrem05D6RHFH56wibNXu5DinDfldQFn1jnbZKsABMppWbQuNo8ji/s1227/PXL_20230617_090001213.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaMjUN_hiIIOTyaNz3OaMBzpphWNGfCTdl0A2bnz6N0giJbb7VyOhZ6d-4vQ7PB15SM5XTV5LEVdjbgYCzPyGTDv-LqhxupvCN_hpkIOOrsksGKwWRz_kTz_KhVGGztF28Lnf-UVwhmrem05D6RHFH56wibNXu5DinDfldQFn1jnbZKsABMppWbQuNo8ji/s320/PXL_20230617_090001213.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXPgYtBBCn2Oy-Z2BCQXEmhwu8KdIrGhF2OEHLBKXDn3yHXqcU7NQjpEBZK7rh4kzASBSUBkw-4edIsI3TCiubjv-3oH8qO-b0SD2CploEkcrmrH6u97WbdEXJI0L3P8RrM-Jte4HDQBkIqP5Hi07HSkWe87AK4597JZbHfVgtMgCNudK850T0-WRwZby/s3276/PXL_20230617_092953636.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="3276" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXPgYtBBCn2Oy-Z2BCQXEmhwu8KdIrGhF2OEHLBKXDn3yHXqcU7NQjpEBZK7rh4kzASBSUBkw-4edIsI3TCiubjv-3oH8qO-b0SD2CploEkcrmrH6u97WbdEXJI0L3P8RrM-Jte4HDQBkIqP5Hi07HSkWe87AK4597JZbHfVgtMgCNudK850T0-WRwZby/s320/PXL_20230617_092953636.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPvNUW8j8Iwzl2owqM9byUekPLZ7hE3IjrbW2e4A3KMWWSJvA6IEgUl-CfXBloqeGC2-8qgLtuFKmutnApPd3Y5PLVXWDQ97sWnJaYEo7-Rv-iy5sDcsg3hzRGOdFTZ_Bv4jpNasPDsqfzxSnmx0LfX136rUBNOmLUUPebcI8INDioZMEEmo9Zvoak5_F/s3633/PXL_20230617_093301136.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2361" data-original-width="3633" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPvNUW8j8Iwzl2owqM9byUekPLZ7hE3IjrbW2e4A3KMWWSJvA6IEgUl-CfXBloqeGC2-8qgLtuFKmutnApPd3Y5PLVXWDQ97sWnJaYEo7-Rv-iy5sDcsg3hzRGOdFTZ_Bv4jpNasPDsqfzxSnmx0LfX136rUBNOmLUUPebcI8INDioZMEEmo9Zvoak5_F/s320/PXL_20230617_093301136.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRg8nbV_HWbF-WUPdxStOy2L3d3dmt-yBeb5NAFxtco4K8RclBy6082zz5PM7TvoKw4tSarqozC3b0cFmU2D614nkpSv7PKRwlPbn2Q-vqxrNG4nU_6oYq_qpS96QADB1nmXWOjChbB4S_480yS_b8VogEM5xvq21Oh_zfZqfyvwdcwo3SxI0ZTdvvCmJl/s2580/PXL_20230617_094530712.MP~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1955" data-original-width="2580" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRg8nbV_HWbF-WUPdxStOy2L3d3dmt-yBeb5NAFxtco4K8RclBy6082zz5PM7TvoKw4tSarqozC3b0cFmU2D614nkpSv7PKRwlPbn2Q-vqxrNG4nU_6oYq_qpS96QADB1nmXWOjChbB4S_480yS_b8VogEM5xvq21Oh_zfZqfyvwdcwo3SxI0ZTdvvCmJl/s320/PXL_20230617_094530712.MP~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBh-ictQ033gOzLTqoCQ-s46QZq43fMEcxPu4yJ0VoR_5dwRcE5ZVeC3cBhHcX3ATI8WV3EAQwDM6xgLxN2N1yszCz0Bo9Occku346SwrW8FxJmeguP8RWYE5DJTWRrM2FN-_pIP5M-6L0iJMwvz8oE3ZoWSxy2v-JmfvVnTvAfWvweiw41gzmxL5NjBG/s3604/PXL_20230617_095655399.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3604" data-original-width="2086" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBh-ictQ033gOzLTqoCQ-s46QZq43fMEcxPu4yJ0VoR_5dwRcE5ZVeC3cBhHcX3ATI8WV3EAQwDM6xgLxN2N1yszCz0Bo9Occku346SwrW8FxJmeguP8RWYE5DJTWRrM2FN-_pIP5M-6L0iJMwvz8oE3ZoWSxy2v-JmfvVnTvAfWvweiw41gzmxL5NjBG/s320/PXL_20230617_095655399.MP~2.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmyN_nBLrubqjSzL_YUjSGClbcNaQOrv5sun6-rAkKz2S-LEvZQHkxtlVYxgMAjSRcfdvWxN_qQ93iuiCWC417_nB5WdYioWmpn8eGI6-i5RSA2SMdlWIlcyeIYO1Q0AF1Df4PPHIafyNQPZveJITrdSZAzn1oSnVlNHmrDMg4v0XCGxZhDdd2qDWLBFI/s2455/PXL_20230617_100119996.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="2454" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmyN_nBLrubqjSzL_YUjSGClbcNaQOrv5sun6-rAkKz2S-LEvZQHkxtlVYxgMAjSRcfdvWxN_qQ93iuiCWC417_nB5WdYioWmpn8eGI6-i5RSA2SMdlWIlcyeIYO1Q0AF1Df4PPHIafyNQPZveJITrdSZAzn1oSnVlNHmrDMg4v0XCGxZhDdd2qDWLBFI/s320/PXL_20230617_100119996.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxieWawOxNCp4CA4OS6BpRj2rqRI_Muw9JHsHGD1zpITQFDO-jXwX804Whd2dXSyVP5BKyJo1HmnouOYct6jTVkvZP7brHYtux9JiLhK_NWorhaoRLqicsWzem2dEUxgOnYxGJU5e_CVJZq8hs6DMnYFnSyOmzAlaSm4bS9MSj3EDWhW0rtTL4dH2BHLca/s3241/PXL_20230617_100209551.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3016" data-original-width="3241" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxieWawOxNCp4CA4OS6BpRj2rqRI_Muw9JHsHGD1zpITQFDO-jXwX804Whd2dXSyVP5BKyJo1HmnouOYct6jTVkvZP7brHYtux9JiLhK_NWorhaoRLqicsWzem2dEUxgOnYxGJU5e_CVJZq8hs6DMnYFnSyOmzAlaSm4bS9MSj3EDWhW0rtTL4dH2BHLca/s320/PXL_20230617_100209551.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYOR_PB-_zDQrS7IsPhnlXo-bWUfAEqpA4Iac2Fo4vQ6Vua5Lk9s4IpfyPcr0mKLzYu2sBJLQHq_8tAxb_CR2qqDjw2tn3Dg9gplEJllYn4471BWLE_2T9-XCuhX7RFXJAmv2O498j6OHXnXGipCYpgUc0XX5o-2zdbbxWaGAISMKC83s4ztDU8Krkv2Z/s3770/PXL_20230617_100240933.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3770" data-original-width="2649" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYOR_PB-_zDQrS7IsPhnlXo-bWUfAEqpA4Iac2Fo4vQ6Vua5Lk9s4IpfyPcr0mKLzYu2sBJLQHq_8tAxb_CR2qqDjw2tn3Dg9gplEJllYn4471BWLE_2T9-XCuhX7RFXJAmv2O498j6OHXnXGipCYpgUc0XX5o-2zdbbxWaGAISMKC83s4ztDU8Krkv2Z/s320/PXL_20230617_100240933.MP~2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZAKCulYDhVNaH2_ZdHZB9PtbWo3il5DUrZxx0_De_vQ9UdBEEyTBoJtkBATcDX0t7ZDGk5reL9QwCAh3wHhX48vCy12IcJAlyYDr2u2420uUXh2ve9nlESiTRN5jTyvTegu0XvzYxPpAxsDqGNrFeSje1f3i5R9VFtlpsLKK6n6gHXtBRDqiojf0odpd/s4080/PXL_20230617_100257718.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZAKCulYDhVNaH2_ZdHZB9PtbWo3il5DUrZxx0_De_vQ9UdBEEyTBoJtkBATcDX0t7ZDGk5reL9QwCAh3wHhX48vCy12IcJAlyYDr2u2420uUXh2ve9nlESiTRN5jTyvTegu0XvzYxPpAxsDqGNrFeSje1f3i5R9VFtlpsLKK6n6gHXtBRDqiojf0odpd/s320/PXL_20230617_100257718.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qnVp-swfe-RB00-ndMYZTQSWiP3ws7pK3lcF6hLoPoei3sdG2pnFKXYbZg6HvwWYH4ZAlXJYmdX5UUWy7TxQfqcUOtXxpwT-q2ge2XPDUBdKiToFBUo4ihCsNRyGFjuRg0uS3LSkT8oXyGuO4aKWed-A86SfE1MWd00gru-3usPxlnl1G2QbnLiMriIw/s2748/PXL_20230617_104727407.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1546" data-original-width="2748" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qnVp-swfe-RB00-ndMYZTQSWiP3ws7pK3lcF6hLoPoei3sdG2pnFKXYbZg6HvwWYH4ZAlXJYmdX5UUWy7TxQfqcUOtXxpwT-q2ge2XPDUBdKiToFBUo4ihCsNRyGFjuRg0uS3LSkT8oXyGuO4aKWed-A86SfE1MWd00gru-3usPxlnl1G2QbnLiMriIw/s320/PXL_20230617_104727407.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5XS_MZtQEFF7ZabQQF6BPikHdL_LvI_CvSG6EjWgz_ZMvSOPQnh5GeQWL_23f-GtdQVugzKefvCkyn3HY79IWbQOoFLN7ymLvrM3lIfwMzFf2Uib1-Xs5wmdAVwPxolyYdH5SRCFWb1sVScoFdRJxNA_LhCcMx4LJ09Xvi2qU4bOIg44PBZh6Z6LW8NX/s3647/PXL_20230617_110932971.MP-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3647" data-original-width="2746" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5XS_MZtQEFF7ZabQQF6BPikHdL_LvI_CvSG6EjWgz_ZMvSOPQnh5GeQWL_23f-GtdQVugzKefvCkyn3HY79IWbQOoFLN7ymLvrM3lIfwMzFf2Uib1-Xs5wmdAVwPxolyYdH5SRCFWb1sVScoFdRJxNA_LhCcMx4LJ09Xvi2qU4bOIg44PBZh6Z6LW8NX/s320/PXL_20230617_110932971.MP-01.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXSdYzPtekDeZOyFI-XAhXt5mZ8WYPFhrxSGq4QKdKiNKel21KkfP8jXKlOnrsyEhEm5J9EOEJZAQCrdZRi1a2fO0oK5YYJ-Nk4RqJGMIJ0JNke3isVGqIIPfRz9FSsDdI9olwpBjXinxTY8KbV0o6YLLd9kI1HB01_DpnASADEjKIfJRlNdflrfFcgCy/s4080/PXL_20230617_112522771.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXSdYzPtekDeZOyFI-XAhXt5mZ8WYPFhrxSGq4QKdKiNKel21KkfP8jXKlOnrsyEhEm5J9EOEJZAQCrdZRi1a2fO0oK5YYJ-Nk4RqJGMIJ0JNke3isVGqIIPfRz9FSsDdI9olwpBjXinxTY8KbV0o6YLLd9kI1HB01_DpnASADEjKIfJRlNdflrfFcgCy/s320/PXL_20230617_112522771.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ6u292VsDzg7amtIMIY6pVx38fhNdIaWNCWee7zJpCIMKe3cyNiiYnFZJrNfLkGxLiaPkX-8LySMkm2K6oThSc-Rx1-rAajNU9cAbj4UoCBsNR6Fhg57bCatPR8RcZr8PsOdry2vv-8GgIJjACwcRo5ew7l46OIhhaYomB4DCvzifZqkJP7im6HHn5tI/s2737/PXL_20230617_112655926.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2189" data-original-width="2737" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ6u292VsDzg7amtIMIY6pVx38fhNdIaWNCWee7zJpCIMKe3cyNiiYnFZJrNfLkGxLiaPkX-8LySMkm2K6oThSc-Rx1-rAajNU9cAbj4UoCBsNR6Fhg57bCatPR8RcZr8PsOdry2vv-8GgIJjACwcRo5ew7l46OIhhaYomB4DCvzifZqkJP7im6HHn5tI/s320/PXL_20230617_112655926.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnchQRWhRadQdBUMlfiGybN3q1dj0NESLjxSsrLlYVFqBoiSLyqHcBVkj_uiklEFFOortHtXYIVnBOVksx6l-qMVANNO-n5L4IM0um10_ctV1tTLoRKQWww1io0tJtzx7qc9M4xnqCI_wE9zPFZUEQ2y-gKeHtePC4fYRoqPKslebV7C1bwLcE6G79tk6h/s4080/PXL_20230617_113541052.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnchQRWhRadQdBUMlfiGybN3q1dj0NESLjxSsrLlYVFqBoiSLyqHcBVkj_uiklEFFOortHtXYIVnBOVksx6l-qMVANNO-n5L4IM0um10_ctV1tTLoRKQWww1io0tJtzx7qc9M4xnqCI_wE9zPFZUEQ2y-gKeHtePC4fYRoqPKslebV7C1bwLcE6G79tk6h/s320/PXL_20230617_113541052.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XXViv2_DqYef1cDbB5WGgI979Kb9Fo3bpT6Ku8i-D7fWl4JeN39xvrztWTqP1dWixliwwAfItZvf8Zi6tUjPm46MIB0W7vntelgqpiGpv5IukpfaHxN1cQn-uzbK7EzRNqvceFj892vFL9DDNHkirq_K1PvwyC9Q40Ql8kZgNyomuKJAofyqkoOgaDXp/s4080/PXL_20230617_113546855.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XXViv2_DqYef1cDbB5WGgI979Kb9Fo3bpT6Ku8i-D7fWl4JeN39xvrztWTqP1dWixliwwAfItZvf8Zi6tUjPm46MIB0W7vntelgqpiGpv5IukpfaHxN1cQn-uzbK7EzRNqvceFj892vFL9DDNHkirq_K1PvwyC9Q40Ql8kZgNyomuKJAofyqkoOgaDXp/s320/PXL_20230617_113546855.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3BlUkcHcl4o9GoXjhYlPeS9LEOxc1CcVo6jJ4muDXlp-5MbJ_hW-C18XSW1WqltNUaGKFJMpSr31wJ3YEHPfXIif8sz7q-xT3BwrqaQiATtWFaf62uh7oYqSqTOY3_Ii01T9iThYodK7noYvjPQe3X_2g9E81Wu4hAAz70tLXnetFZzIz03Z9wz0TkWd/s3072/PXL_20230617_114002773~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2457" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3BlUkcHcl4o9GoXjhYlPeS9LEOxc1CcVo6jJ4muDXlp-5MbJ_hW-C18XSW1WqltNUaGKFJMpSr31wJ3YEHPfXIif8sz7q-xT3BwrqaQiATtWFaf62uh7oYqSqTOY3_Ii01T9iThYodK7noYvjPQe3X_2g9E81Wu4hAAz70tLXnetFZzIz03Z9wz0TkWd/s320/PXL_20230617_114002773~2.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKV7IXIFgmJdTlvK4fMwScFYGUM59LJ7kQD4nOORsOILU0b3EEu1c8IkvVmwpOehYcsZm7_0xOvJmW11NJYNiCaIaZLj-2H3q41jOYs6pCKSAhH6MIGf9XHmgRYVflvCp1h6KTDakJtnRdxSQGEQbtbtFFYPEuVi8r33ibKefdg08iHDmzDCelL0dYSlH/s2536/PXL_20230617_114431281.MP~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1870" data-original-width="2536" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKV7IXIFgmJdTlvK4fMwScFYGUM59LJ7kQD4nOORsOILU0b3EEu1c8IkvVmwpOehYcsZm7_0xOvJmW11NJYNiCaIaZLj-2H3q41jOYs6pCKSAhH6MIGf9XHmgRYVflvCp1h6KTDakJtnRdxSQGEQbtbtFFYPEuVi8r33ibKefdg08iHDmzDCelL0dYSlH/s320/PXL_20230617_114431281.MP~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It also meant I didn't have time to capture details of many things, hence the lack of descriptive captions.<br /><br />Since Freddie enjoyed his train ride I decided to get Teddy out on the newly cleared track. I don't think he was impressed.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWaStGfdxSpL1dKeb3Ii5sS_P59BBPRTRiVeXTO9NlHYUmWaiFd86PIZT6H4KXrPfeewMtLNiUgJaSB4q7t6rIUwUBC_lEN8XXFGB-pynVzDUt-dVv793Tr7sLt8jf0zzStlgjQMK7sDcGBdb5XMuijX5cA_9w5l6AMoJFhk28t0Y9EuBwVtNkTuALi10/s4080/PXL_20230618_081006695.MP-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWaStGfdxSpL1dKeb3Ii5sS_P59BBPRTRiVeXTO9NlHYUmWaiFd86PIZT6H4KXrPfeewMtLNiUgJaSB4q7t6rIUwUBC_lEN8XXFGB-pynVzDUt-dVv793Tr7sLt8jf0zzStlgjQMK7sDcGBdb5XMuijX5cA_9w5l6AMoJFhk28t0Y9EuBwVtNkTuALi10/s320/PXL_20230618_081006695.MP-01.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamKbPL2ORSgPppNcfSfQ7kmn1Cf9gPlTZKaoIJQaIUlzybpjleGsIAkTJCsixZ8w9d7Nl_22I68surp7w-qNcC2AfSkRNAYrBr9mw6x-IzuMFGNv3KUJmukwLYfIE8kzE-_supWmEDAPN_v3g-Iwjiqv-XZGlbPBkCv3eLGeKPwgwWiDhtutX9EpNgmdt/s2562/PXL_20230618_075254437.MP-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="2562" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamKbPL2ORSgPppNcfSfQ7kmn1Cf9gPlTZKaoIJQaIUlzybpjleGsIAkTJCsixZ8w9d7Nl_22I68surp7w-qNcC2AfSkRNAYrBr9mw6x-IzuMFGNv3KUJmukwLYfIE8kzE-_supWmEDAPN_v3g-Iwjiqv-XZGlbPBkCv3eLGeKPwgwWiDhtutX9EpNgmdt/s320/PXL_20230618_075254437.MP-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq185j4CAXj0I4WUY3ncpf3MiKriaeZoaruK5MhDQTE8Hv9cy9_8r7qsngE_0Y6YaqDzF4E4i0AWXS1dlxysm5f19p6oj7eojo4I1k16FtwUasdjuzz0LCMu2C7Dum_LfL8ufYQ3kYouOIqAfFvDzBOn3db3UwBGAZRsm_NGwjGIqNz7RGcnzpkT4xsmF/s2408/PXL_20230618_080722800.MP-03.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2408" data-original-width="2404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKq185j4CAXj0I4WUY3ncpf3MiKriaeZoaruK5MhDQTE8Hv9cy9_8r7qsngE_0Y6YaqDzF4E4i0AWXS1dlxysm5f19p6oj7eojo4I1k16FtwUasdjuzz0LCMu2C7Dum_LfL8ufYQ3kYouOIqAfFvDzBOn3db3UwBGAZRsm_NGwjGIqNz7RGcnzpkT4xsmF/s320/PXL_20230618_080722800.MP-03.jpeg" width="319" /></a></div><br />James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-23647888088961135752023-06-12T00:50:00.002-07:002023-06-12T00:50:37.965-07:00I've no more ****s to give<p>Having held fire so our second prospective buyer could get a new mortgage after the redundancy, and having been assured they had the mortgage, they have pulled out because they can't afford it.<br /><br />Words fail me. The implications for Issy and our extended family are considerable with old and sick parents at one end of the spectrum and new grandchildren.<br /><br />Now we need to unpack, but our hearts aren't in it. Any motivation for modelling has flown out the window. I did spend Sunday continuing the process of uncovering the ELR, but I can't say I even see a point in that.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBNVk0a_avTGQROG2mOepmRq8Oj8Qy6V17uiJ6ks3g-tGYRjlvED0J4q-UFYHTZVcrXCZ80qRwzdUVsg5PVPL_PqOvVbw6A7SrgfLFTuyc8LV8-Cic2B4qDs-_Ybuw7_sz-dof62DJ4xEQ7JVsmLQZMnVeAZzFs-t98mnMLWZwEY1q6Le7YTUuuvZbg/s3418/PXL_20230611_142656746.MP-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3418" data-original-width="2573" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBNVk0a_avTGQROG2mOepmRq8Oj8Qy6V17uiJ6ks3g-tGYRjlvED0J4q-UFYHTZVcrXCZ80qRwzdUVsg5PVPL_PqOvVbw6A7SrgfLFTuyc8LV8-Cic2B4qDs-_Ybuw7_sz-dof62DJ4xEQ7JVsmLQZMnVeAZzFs-t98mnMLWZwEY1q6Le7YTUuuvZbg/s320/PXL_20230611_142656746.MP-01.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div><br />James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-15424963414925337052023-06-04T23:25:00.002-07:002023-06-05T07:36:55.681-07:00First, Find the Railway!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3EKaMPkPwXf6nSvDKWSbnKdOGejcEQlTCqoYgAQ8Ztg1U4gOEs0iAx5eCUCB-CPdVLx3FXjV-IP7w8UF-AFHo5bKSX6jDY_nsIa7kFMzK2Au1gryJ5VwO0JCVKdYOygtY2cSW3c7N2caEI_fxNxGOhNNdT86VKOVEWOMhFNmp0zwPgIs5sxNbZcuqg/s4080/PXL_20230604_123055146.PORTRAIT-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3EKaMPkPwXf6nSvDKWSbnKdOGejcEQlTCqoYgAQ8Ztg1U4gOEs0iAx5eCUCB-CPdVLx3FXjV-IP7w8UF-AFHo5bKSX6jDY_nsIa7kFMzK2Au1gryJ5VwO0JCVKdYOygtY2cSW3c7N2caEI_fxNxGOhNNdT86VKOVEWOMhFNmp0zwPgIs5sxNbZcuqg/s320/PXL_20230604_123055146.PORTRAIT-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The delayed house move, still not sorted, has given the ELR an unexpected reprieve. Unfortunately, the early mowing of the goat-droppping enhanced grass this year led to considerable damage to the hidden track. It is still several years since any trains ran, given Teddy was away for rebuild and Tug had electrical problems.<br /><br />A request for a demo run of Teddy for someone with a Scamp under build has forced me to try and get something running for later this week, and also, the need to start demolishing it.<br /><br />Having tried to ignore the issue, during No Mow May, this is typical of what I had to contend with at the weekend.<br /><br />I would love to report line clear, but after many hours with bushcutter and mower I really can't.<br /><br /><br />And update, the house sale has just fallen through yet again...<br /><br /><br /><p></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-78866896826451737922023-04-10T03:05:00.006-07:002023-04-12T00:36:52.291-07:00Tug's Travels<p>As part of the planned house move, Tug went to stay with Steve Purves of <a href="https://www.thereandbacklightrailway.com/" target="_blank">There & Back Light Railways</a>. I free up some space and get Tug working again, and he gets spare motive power. Otherwise, I doubt if Tug would see any use for a long time. <br /><br />An added bonus is following Steve's FB posts is like getting postcards from Tug<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTYfs5cq5Rcz4JBGodq5HQ1j5EbKz8oi0nPhCYhfqfrwCrwFJhvhqM2x7-8lGHe1p0otaeZMk-Q_xJ8I8hn0Dbo4GtogCVRX0yaem6Bry2M9c_kMd0xk-X3o4KWusbi0BLz3vR7qVgwgPxReNkWDPym276coI04fo1BIbYEjkSWvv5yF41mBELDyy2A/s960/340161881_747723863668943_1890788536106929981_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTYfs5cq5Rcz4JBGodq5HQ1j5EbKz8oi0nPhCYhfqfrwCrwFJhvhqM2x7-8lGHe1p0otaeZMk-Q_xJ8I8hn0Dbo4GtogCVRX0yaem6Bry2M9c_kMd0xk-X3o4KWusbi0BLz3vR7qVgwgPxReNkWDPym276coI04fo1BIbYEjkSWvv5yF41mBELDyy2A/s320/340161881_747723863668943_1890788536106929981_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QW-pevngkdCMoDViPN32l0woHC-PEG1HOnA6pNDEERzLetqoFtfZybZZPSVzJc-wrMsJyD6mRKM6jZd04oXGJODgFJ_FGJAeaRPqpFpUFFG0lfTfl4Rvzrm9um14kDHjjSTnHNU9y35MPKfhq6b1EDmnujtckxdFzceicfL5JIWM1wTTK3Th4xnw6Q/s2048/338742943_963547308423464_8394459501387275769_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QW-pevngkdCMoDViPN32l0woHC-PEG1HOnA6pNDEERzLetqoFtfZybZZPSVzJc-wrMsJyD6mRKM6jZd04oXGJODgFJ_FGJAeaRPqpFpUFFG0lfTfl4Rvzrm9um14kDHjjSTnHNU9y35MPKfhq6b1EDmnujtckxdFzceicfL5JIWM1wTTK3Th4xnw6Q/s320/338742943_963547308423464_8394459501387275769_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWYw-PyRzrzrGUPu7VMmF7GV_ehwHodDwKWnD2Om2GLCYZjpdabeZZswLjUdiO7DcS7rUB2WXwjCC3TjcnQmrUCjqMNZzrM-1DpEpcBf-wLgdHkt2FFtRDs_dwqu0v3G6amH7E24TmmnS64rBPYzUgdgFs24f7MA3b_-NWESFkF9yOS5LNYCo9P5w5Q/s2048/340290164_201846819232574_674106844819587819_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1613" data-original-width="2048" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWYw-PyRzrzrGUPu7VMmF7GV_ehwHodDwKWnD2Om2GLCYZjpdabeZZswLjUdiO7DcS7rUB2WXwjCC3TjcnQmrUCjqMNZzrM-1DpEpcBf-wLgdHkt2FFtRDs_dwqu0v3G6amH7E24TmmnS64rBPYzUgdgFs24f7MA3b_-NWESFkF9yOS5LNYCo9P5w5Q/s320/340290164_201846819232574_674106844819587819_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The driver looks oddly familiar...<br /><br />All photos by Steve Purves<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I can honestly say that in all the years I've known Leamington Spa I never expected to see my loco running down The Parade! It is just a pity I can't see it for myself, or with my grandson. So Steve's photos will have to suffice.<div><br /><div><br /></div></div>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-73788565021363688862023-03-27T01:21:00.002-07:002023-03-27T01:21:15.900-07:00Oh No, Not Again.<p> This time our buyer has just been made redundant.<br /><br />At times like this modelling could be a great way of dealing with the stress. But of course all my projects are now packed up.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the twins are due to be born in the next couple of weeks, and Issy is still having a difficult recovery from the hip replacement.<br /><br />Other than that, everything is just Dandy...<br /><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-53124820792256120992023-03-13T02:17:00.005-07:002023-03-22T06:17:19.323-07:00Guinness is Good For You<p>I don't know if I'll get to Ireland for pleasure this year. There is a good chance I'll be there for work with an old client. Perhaps I'll even get around to sorting out my Irish passport. Being an EU citizen does have advantages.<br /><br />I was both surprised and pleased by the news that Regner are producing a <a href="https://www.gardenrailways.co.uk/regner-255901-guinness-no12.html">Guinness loco</a>. <br /><br />The video I've seen suggests it is capable of extremely slow running. So slow that its use indoors on a short layout could be possible. It wouldn't be an overtly Guiness-based layout, but something very industrial. perhaps featuring limekilns and a canal.<br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wNCvpgvs9x8" width="320" youtube-src-id="wNCvpgvs9x8"></iframe></div><br />James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-80287143409476621722023-02-23T00:04:00.002-08:002023-02-23T00:04:35.332-08:00Talking of space<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB981wo3Coe8jcNPKXv2-SsRQFSPR72pm2h3npbHsJemkC3aFbVaBNLzdV8Gm9KUBSA0UB66eG6Jc-SmahDrWGD3M2wuNBpDNPfK5snd5eahW4DXdhpoEroSD5wlgZjXWcZVTj7Jfcjhnzax0B1yKjB8DBk3Xfb61tc6KnIvatDTYnQOh98EWk4o54w/s534/19-aston-street-wem-shrewsbury-shropshire-sy4-5ay-12.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="534" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB981wo3Coe8jcNPKXv2-SsRQFSPR72pm2h3npbHsJemkC3aFbVaBNLzdV8Gm9KUBSA0UB66eG6Jc-SmahDrWGD3M2wuNBpDNPfK5snd5eahW4DXdhpoEroSD5wlgZjXWcZVTj7Jfcjhnzax0B1yKjB8DBk3Xfb61tc6KnIvatDTYnQOh98EWk4o54w/s320/19-aston-street-wem-shrewsbury-shropshire-sy4-5ay-12.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OHtZOrw8Y5vWGhzdyABmADhAy-lMPGaIm4aZv9rCF8yTbbffajLgCJ9CnXOSiQnysgK2_rRzuRaSPKkVfRGFwiTdAFNhJWDY7LsVqm1qlvFfSbMrnOh2RONq65wMHJoKh4eOPKAeUXrkpxDPy2ods2zpeFhbhChnpjU7UwHYvIwR3QLN5HxYMO8P4g/s1024/63694_31460647_IMG_16_0000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OHtZOrw8Y5vWGhzdyABmADhAy-lMPGaIm4aZv9rCF8yTbbffajLgCJ9CnXOSiQnysgK2_rRzuRaSPKkVfRGFwiTdAFNhJWDY7LsVqm1qlvFfSbMrnOh2RONq65wMHJoKh4eOPKAeUXrkpxDPy2ods2zpeFhbhChnpjU7UwHYvIwR3QLN5HxYMO8P4g/s320/63694_31460647_IMG_16_0000.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> This could well be my new modelling space. It is going to be fun fitting everything in...<p></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8015792618471574238.post-18056288083975063992023-02-13T02:31:00.004-08:002023-02-16T01:05:56.697-08:00Watch This Space<p>What a stressful couple of weeks.<br /><br />Our cottage is once again SOLD STC. Not that I'm getting excited after the last time.<br /><br />Which led to an emergency househunting trip back up in Shropshire.<br /><br />On those annoying, endlessly repeated, TV property search shows they always seem to include a wildcard property that isn't what the "clients" have specified. You can't help thinking a local estate agent pays for the promotion of a property that isn't an easy sell.<br /><br />We went to see our wildcard.<br /><br />Literally, until we parked outside, we were asking ourselves why we were bothering.<br /><br />It is in a town, on the main road through it. Admittedly it is a very small town. It has a lot of rooms. More than the house we originally downsized from eight years ago. And the garden is just downright odd.<br /><br /><br /><br />We haven't made a decision yet. I suppose one thing it has highlighted is how our lives have changed over the last eight years. Back then Issy had empty nest syndrome, especially since I was always working abroad. Since then the family has grown and continues to grow to the point where we can't find beds for everybody at family events. At some point, we might also need to care for the previous generation. We both now work from home most of the time, and in jobs where confidentiality is important. So we need two rooms we can both lock behind us.<br /><br />As for modelling...<br /><br />The ELR would still be restricted to a very short demo line with no practical purpose and only occasional operating days. I might be able to use my 5" portable track to build a circuit for the grandchildren.<br /><br />Talking of grandchildren, I can certainly fit in a basic 16mm track in a raised bed, and if it has child-sized infrastructure it might pass as an 18" gauge 7/8ths line.<br /><br />But Peter Jones and my James Hilton locos might have to stay as showcase locos unless they have a home on an indoor layout...<br /><br />...So there is a large converted attic. A lot of restricted headroom, but even then it is pretty much as big as my current combined office/studio/workshop and I would have a separate office.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUMMZgjIL5zvyDYObWWj3_2zLPHiBIQom91R644a0Hd95SxonXK-2GVf26yNZtUR_I_od6vE6CAqh_kqr4Rr2f281dKMJAM5bN6ldisdClErXTucEm5LSD6oSilg80L-Q84Pj5QGUtyRHrGXoAm1O42igInKvIQIwSaATDlzequQfkcSwx5a12qvb4A/s580/EPW058400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="580" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUMMZgjIL5zvyDYObWWj3_2zLPHiBIQom91R644a0Hd95SxonXK-2GVf26yNZtUR_I_od6vE6CAqh_kqr4Rr2f281dKMJAM5bN6ldisdClErXTucEm5LSD6oSilg80L-Q84Pj5QGUtyRHrGXoAm1O42igInKvIQIwSaATDlzequQfkcSwx5a12qvb4A/s320/EPW058400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house is somewhere in this photo. And yes, it did once back on to the goods yard<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Bearing in mind all the ifs and buts my gut feel is I would have to re-evaluate what would make most sense. 7mm would definitely be back on the cards, even a 7mm version of TAoC. <br /><br />Update: Offer made and accepted. Next stop Wem...</p><p><br /></p>James Finisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351798531269786632noreply@blogger.com2