Early construction of a simple 00 garage layout

Absolutely with you there Chris.

I'm often amazed at how little knowledge many youngsters seem to have about our debt to the armed forces.  It all seems to have become rather "political" today.

My Grandad was in the army in WW1 (The Sheffield "Pals" Battalion), my Dad (awarded the MBE and double Oak Leaves) fought in every theatre of war involving the British army throughout WW2 - France, out at Dunkirk, back in at Normandy,  Africa, Scicily and Italy in between the 2 visits to France then, after Europe, out to Burma and Malaya.  My Uncle (awarded the DFC) flew as a Flight Engineer firstly in Wellingtons then Lancasters with Bomber Command.  All now long gone I'm afraid but along with all other ex military personnel, they have my utmost pride and respect.  It's hard to imagine what they had to cope with during their 20's.

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

My Grandad was in the army in WW1 (The Sheffield "Pals" Battalion), my Dad (awarded the MBE and double Oak Leaves) fought in every theatre of war involving the British army throughout WW2 - France, out at Dunkirk, back in at Normandy,  Africa, Scicily and Italy in between the 2 visits to France then, after Europe, out to Burma and Malaya.  My Uncle (awarded the DFC) flew as a Flight Engineer firstly in Wellingtons then Lancasters with Bomber Command.  All now long gone I'm afraid but along with all other ex military personnel, they have my utmost pride and respect.  It's hard to imagine what they had to cope with during their 20's.

They are rather impressive achievements for your Granddad, Dad and Uncle! 

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana

Mr Santayana clearly knew a thing or two Chris………………….

In spite of the result of Napoleon's attack on Russia in 1812, Hitler tried the same thing in 1941 - with a very similar result !!  Every cloud has a silver lining and both took some pressure away from us at a critical time.

You will be pleased to know then, that my school always has a Remembrance Service, complete with one of our brass musicians playing the last post, and every pupil wears a poppy which raises over £1000 for the RBL.  We always try to tell the story from real people who fought, so I shall have to get you both over to tell of your families!  
My uncle was RAF (ground crew) and my aunt was a radar operator.  My other uncle got the Military Medal - we never knew what for and it wasn't listed on his regiment.  We thought he must have faked it.  Until last year, when he died and we received a letter from his regiment telling us he had been an intelligence officer, regularly parachuting into France and then getting back with help from the resistance, often with the odd airman in tow. He married my mother's sister in 1940…. she fell pregnant soon after….. and then she didn't see him again until 1945 which was the first time he saw his son (who is also Michael….. my mum used to look after him - she could have only been about 7, but that was how I got my name - although I was almost called Francois, but that is a different story!)

My dad tells stories of being a young lad in Plymouth and the terrible bombing and my mum watched the BoB in the skies of Kent.  I can only imagine the bravery and courage of everyone in those dark times.  So hats off to you Chris for not only making it a Remembrance at Teasel Bay, but a reminder to everyone who reads your thread. 

Michael

Good on you with the remembrance, my grandfather was a signalman on the railways so was required to stay at home, his brother was a tank commander and unfortunately never made it back, lost his head, literally.

[user=644]Campaman[/user] wrote:

Good on you with the remembrance, my grandfather was a signalman on the railways so was required to stay at home, his brother was a tank commander and unfortunately never made it back, lost his head, literally.

Nasty! 

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

You will be pleased to know then, that my school always has a Remembrance Service, complete with one of our brass musicians playing the last post, and every pupil wears a poppy which raises over £1000 for the RBL.  We always try to tell the story from real people who fought, so I shall have to get you both over to tell of your families!  
My uncle was RAF (ground crew) and my aunt was a radar operator.  My other uncle got the Military Medal - we never knew what for and it wasn't listed on his regiment.  We thought he must have faked it.  Until last year, when he died and we received a letter from his regiment telling us he had been an intelligence officer, regularly parachuting into France and then getting back with help from the resistance, often with the odd airman in tow. He married my mother's sister in 1940…. she fell pregnant soon after….. and then she didn't see him again until 1945 which was the first time he saw his son (who is also Michael….. my mum used to look after him - she could have only been about 7, but that was how I got my name - although I was almost called Francois, but that is a different story!)

My dad tells stories of being a young lad in Plymouth and the terrible bombing and my mum watched the BoB in the skies of Kent.  I can only imagine the bravery and courage of everyone in those dark times.  So hats off to you Chris for not only making it a Remembrance at Teasel Bay, but a reminder to everyone who reads your thread. 

Michael

That is good. I always liked how willing the cadets were to take part in collecting for the Poppy Appeal. 

It’s amazing how a coat of paint can change something which looks like an absolute mess…





Into something that looks respectable 






Just the base coat on there for now, lighter on top and darker heading towards the waterline. Will add a little more variance and highlights once it’s dried. It was very ‘hungry’ and used a good fair amount of paint!


I took a trip to my local model shop today ‘Great Eastern Models’ came out reasonably light handed. One key area was an L shaped plastic bar which will hide the sea wall edge once painted quite nicely. 

Yes indeed - I  knew you would transform it.  It looks great.
I haven't really noticed the tarmac surface for the cyclists, although looking back through the thread it has been there for some time - that looks very good too.  And with the edging strip (clever idea) it is all starting to come together.  I shall be fishing out my deckchair and handkerchief ready for a day at the beach!

Michael

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

I haven't really noticed the tarmac surface for the cyclists, although looking back through the thread it has been there for some time - that looks very good too.

It’s just the photo paper stuck end to end with tape and sprayed with a black base coat and then with off-white from a distance which gives it a speckled dusty type effect. It’s cheap and simple/quick to do, which is important as with the Magnorail underneath I expect to have to take it up at some point. I also think she’ll wear it out, so will need replacing reasonable often.

Spraying made a bit of a mess of the front lawn but after I mowed, the wife didn’t notice! Haha 

My theming project was completed yesterday with the return of the improved pumpkin patch.


Farmer Jack has been keeping himself busy tending to his pumpkins!

















Happy Halloween for anyone who has kids and/or indulges in the event 

A fine crop of Pumpkins it is too. I don't do Halloween myself but I'm sure they'd go well in pumpkin pie.

Can I have some seeds Chris ?

With a crop like that, you could make a fortune !  Looking at some of them against the farmer, they'd also win the village "biggest vegetable" competition.   :shock:

It adds a nice bit of colour too.    :thumbs

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

With a crop like that, you could make a fortune !  Looking at some of them against the farmer, they'd also win the village "biggest vegetable" competition.   :shock:

Haha. Farmer Jack seems to like his crops/flowers big!  I agree, it adds some colour which is nice. 

I've just got in from taking grandchildren on a pumpkin trail, which was not unlike your scene, Chris.  Except it was lashing down!  Neither mum nor Grandma were particularly happy at the state we returned in, but we have some great pumpkins for carving once we have dried out a bit!
You haven't thought of lighting one up from Farmer Jack's crop?!

Michael

We went for a wonder around this morning to see some Halloween decorations. If it stops raining may go for a wonder after dark and the plan is to take our own sweets to give the boys when we see decorations…
As for 1:1 scale, the request was for Sonic..






I’m not 100% happy with it, but the boys like it!






I prefer my second of the funny bone skeleton!

Now that is very impressive carving!  I can just about manage the standard eyes and jagged teeth!
Michael

Even with the recent bad weather Michael and his mum still managed to go rock pooling while the tide was out.  

Hi Chris

I am afraid I am a very sporadic correspondent. I have been dipping into your thread for ages and yet very rareky comment which is remiss of me.

So, better late than never……..,. I am very impressed with the way you are developing the wharf/jetty/breakwater scene and have thoroughly enjoyed reading about it. Water scenes particularly involving movement ….sea, rivers etc, as opposed to static canals can be very challenging. I think you have cracked it with Teasel Bay :thumbs

Totally agree with the comments about Remembrance Day. It is far too easy to take the freedom we enjoy (even today) for granted.  I think it is a splendid idea to model the parade and I am really looking forward to reading about it. As Michael observed elsewhere it could be a perfect candidate for Novembers picture of the month…….no pressure mind :lol:

Best wishes

John

No worries John. I often read through and look at the photos posted without commenting. 
Thanks for the positive comments, I’m taking it slowly and modifying/improving as we go. By next summer we should have a beach for bathers to enjoy!