And now for something completely different or the horror, the horror!

 

Branching out in my modelling, a wee estate loco for the garden railway. Even with instructions and an article in a garden railway glossy this is daunting!

Making a start.

Other stuff on the painting desk, plastic and resin.

Trains etc

 

Wee videos, just for fun.

The locomotives are working, thanks to Brian and got their first wee run out yesterday and earlier this week.

I made the mistake of using the above glue to stick some track to concrete. I had never used it before and what a mess it made. Will need to try to get the excess glue off the slab,with a  pick axe ?

The mess in all its glory. Nasty glue imho. 

Outdoor cucumber coming along very nicely indeed.

To South Queensferry yesterday to accompany my daughter’s swim and then coffee and pastries at Dune.

Earlier in the summer we dragged this large potted plant out from the shadows where it had been since getting to a far more prominent place. Delighted with the look but it was to be the site of some garden railway developments, time for a rethink re railway.

The shoreline yesterday. 

A wee addition to the Penedredfel Light Railway. A clue - Guinness.

Training season, with apologies to Dua Lipa

 Training season is certainly not over , in fact it is moving forward very nicely indeed , much of it due to BC himself.

The state of play yesterday evening, first coat of paint on the wagons .

Another wee project moving forward, more of that anon.

BC , centre from the pages of Battle Practical Wargamer, photo from yesterday’s VWC meeting. Those were the days…

An enjoyable refreshment take in midst of painting yesterday, highly recommended btw.

BC ages ago very generously passed onto me his splendid scratch built sm32 wagons. Here is a water tank being glued.

Some of the wagons having been painted and about to be glued, lovely modelling BC in balsa.

A close up of the scratch built wagons etc prior to gluing and painting, they have waited long to be worked on and are almost ready to be rolled out to form a splendid mixed train.

The Penedredfel Light Railway housed in a big plastic box, all rolling stock in one place as the weekend began. BC has been so generous with his advice, friendship , enthusiasm ,his practical skills in getting the locos running again and in giving me my first wagons. Knowledge and encouragement too. So thank you Brian for all you have done to help my garden railway dream become a reality. First train is much nearer  now, thanks to you! 

Leaves on the line

 The recent rain and heat has caused a problem for the workers on the Penedredfel Light Railway-

The plants growing trackside have grown to unexpected heights and vigorously in the extreme.

They will require major cutting back prior to the restoration of services on the PLR in the coming days. Weather and time permitting it is hoped to get the trains running very soon.

Visitors

 

Village people etc

 

A visitor to Portharthur shares the time of day with a local fisherman.

The local policeman looks at the closed shop with a mix of grave concern and puzzlement.

Another busy train leaves on time for Penedredfel.

An abandoned boat provides interest in an otherwise deserted village early in the morning.

After a busy morning yesterday in the garden time to sit with coffee and the Test.

Currently on the painting table ,some naval gun crews and landing parties. They will be used with my 1790s collection as well as for the navy in the 1745.

Notes: thanks to Colin for the sailors, a welcome gift finally getting round to be used. Thanks too to M of T Mark for painting these lovely figures ( policeman and sailor with kit bag) as a present for me ages ago. Finally got round to varnishing them yesterday. They have taken their rightful place on the PLR finally.

Portharthur in the rain

 

Moving forward

 I am moving forward. Firstly a huge thank you for your supportive comments and emails. They have been filled with concern and practical suggestions and l am truly grateful. This hobby of ours is a great place, full of creativity and kindness which enhances so many lives. Thank you again.

The Black Dog has moved on , leaving me fatigued. That is not surprising as we are in the midst of planning a wedding and other real life stuff. I have continued my volunteering which has been helpful , especially my school involvement. My other volunteering has had a stressful time most notably with the death of friend recently. However inspite of everything l have got my father of the bride suit, provided support and advice  ( if there was ever a time l needed Jan at my side) and been busy. True l haven’t settled to any particular painting task doing bits and bobs  but my interest is returning, fatigue only stopping much progress.

I have really enjoyed modelling the big stuff for the garden railway and my new halt/station. It will have a seaside, costal vibe. Seagulls, creels and fisherman are on the painting table .

A big building is being painted having been bought years ago when the garden railway was first thought of.

I’ve met a friend for breakfast last week and enjoyed my monthly catch up with folk at Church.

Much has been done in the garden. My middle child has been working creatively on this too which has helped her. Between us we have unloaded two bags of pebbles and one of red chips., the huge canvas ones delivered from builder’s merchants. I have worked hard in the garden and am enjoying being in it even though the rain has been a pain .  The new station/ halt underway.

Gardening and enjoying the nature, as they say, has been an absolute joy. I have invested time , love and money this year on it and am pleased to see it renewed and returned to a state Jan would have appreciated. Old rotten garden furniture , full of memories has been got rid of and replaced with new stuff. Loads of plants bought and seeds sown . A joy.

Sport, often there or there about, has been so enjoyable of late. I often paint or garden whilst listening. The cricket, World Cup and F1 have caught my imagination and I have thoroughly enjoyed them, especially Scotland’s successful game and the entertaining game with England and Croatia. The on field and off field Test match drama is so engrossing.

Hobby stuff other than the garden railway has been sporadic but my interest is there. This is an uber busy time, emotionally and practically, l need to pace myself, give and get support and allow myself to continue to move forward . We are getting there!

Week 2

 

Inspite of horrendous rain , flash flooding and vile weather l have had a useful week outdoors. The Test yesterday accompanied what little hobby stuff l have felt like doing. 

Portharthur is beginning to take shape on the PLR. A new station and costal village.

The signage has been waiting a fair while.

Having a look , a weed and a sorting out of the area.

A mature hydrangea after establishing in her new home.

Moving the heavy planter by hauling along some wood. It was awfully heavy! A task with daughter number two.

I have added soil to the wee rockery to give it a bigger footprint and greater height.

Beer traps were laid successfully last night . Will repeat regularly now..

Giant tree ferns at Penedredfel and diverse matters

 

The giant tree ferns at Penedredfel have survived the winter. A railway man checks them out.

Two Pound @ The Works, Trinket box to 1/32 pillbox, work in progress.

One of my regular opponents called off yesterday due to illness at the last minute so plans were changed to a TYW board game. Danes v Imperialist. As Tilly I managed to lose very badly . Bright musket rubbish dice as he might have said. However it was an interesting and enjoyable game and we look forward to the next go with additional rules to try next time.

Cave goblins 90% finished, a wee tweak or two to do. I am pleased with the results.