Daily Blog

Hi everyone, I apologise for not writing much this week but we have been away, I have been trying to relax, and the brilliant news is that Mr Tister is home on one of his lovely visits. It all began a few weeks back with a repetitive "I neeeeeeeeed Grandad" followed by, "Grandad we're coming", only to be informed that they were on their way to Tesco, and not our home on the coast. Poor thing, he must have been crest fallen. But the next day they set out on their seven and a half hour adventure.

Mr Tister is like a whirlwind; and has even taken to encouraging me to make a few things. This morning it was Duplo Space Ships with "four, two, three, balst off" (nope it's not a spelling mistake), whereas this afternoon we dismantled the started and never finished 'n' gauge railway in order to make a flat board and keep it simple i.e. the trains go round and round. You see like Tom on the Apprentice I am also a starter-none-finisher. It started when I became ill and hasn't really re-engaged. I know that I do it, but I can't seem to shake it off. The commentary from Mr Tister has included; "Come-on Grandad" and "Grandad, where are you", and even "Oh, traiiiinsssSSSS! Choo CHOOOOOO". Brilliant; health, happiness and family, that is all that matters.

I have so much to tell you, but as is so often the case there is so much else impacting on my time and focus. Well writing is a passion, but you have to be up for it, even when dealing with your passions. There have been 362 posts over three years, so on average it appears to be one post every three days. Mind you, like today, some days I write more than one post. You know the feeling; when some days are good and other days are bad. So it is more akin to one post every 3.5 days or two posts per week. I'm more of a "Weekend Magazine" than a "Daily Blog". But the frequency is not just about ability, passion, enthusiasm or any other impact. One of my close friends is unwell at the moment and I feel for him as I have been through the wringer so many times. Well, three times to be precise.

So I do apologise that the writing is more often than not ad-hoc rather than 'Daily', but the best intentions are there. When I do pen something you can be assured that it really feels good this end. So with Mr Tister around; the Blog can be placed on the back burner for a few days or at least until late at night. But whoever you are and wherever you are, I sincerely hope that you enjoy and continue to enjoy good health.

Seeing others do it right

Most of us like to think of ourselves as being good at something. But all too often someone comes along who is far better.

I particularly like making models out of waste material, you know scenery and the like. These can be used for wargaming, scalextric and model trains. As good as I am, I always seem to put off completing the big project. Maybe it's the stress of making such a huge commitment, or maybe it's the uncertainty about how it will all finish up. I've started two, but they're now just abandoned projects. Starting out with certainty, purpose, and energy. But quickly becoming anxiety and depressing and in dire need to be cast off to think of doing something else.

When it comes to building a model railway, I know that it is an awful lot of hard work, and an extremely time consuming process (says the man that has never completed a layout). So it really got to me with this months 'Model Rail' magazine (June 2011 Edition £3.55) to see two layouts built to an astonishingly high standard in two months and seven months respectively. One in 'n' gauge with its realistic setting and superb viaduct, and the other in '00' scale that looks like the real thing. Indeed, at first glance I thought the photo on the front cover was the life version, and only when reading the article inside did it dawn on me that it was not.