Just going to get this post in before the end of the month (and before I finish this bottle of red...)

We met last night at Colin's, where he had prepared a delicious leek and potato soup, with a pate starter, and cheese rolls, crisps and stuffed olives on the side. Plus some red liquid stuff from Portugal which I wasn't allowed because I had to drive home (insert miserable emoji ) 

Prior to getting to Col's, I stopped at Chessboard house to pick up Patrick, and also transfer the Teifi Gorge layout out of Pat's van and into the Volvo - and it all fitted! This morning (Wednesday) I unpacked it all and stored it in the garage. Here is a quick view that not a lot of people see - Teifi Gorde's nether regions! :

Back to last night.

Pat had ordered some 7mm pewter figures a week or so ago and they duly arrived a few days ago. Without further ado, Patrick set to with his paint brush, and showed us the results.

Here is the group of figures:

And a couple of close-ups of individual ones:

The construction of the 009 loco that Colin has been documenting for an article for the 009 Society Journal finally emerged from the paint shop:

 

 

 

Together with another 009 locomotive that I don't think we have featured on Chuffers before - Dolbadau:

And the view of the back of the loco showing the fireirons and shovel:

But the most interesting part of the evening... We were watching assorted videos on Youtube (as you do), and one was about Second World War battleships (we are nothing if not eclectic...)

Colin said 'Oh, I started making a model of HMS Rodney years ago - I might still have some of it' - and disappeared upstairs

This is HMS Rodney:

And Colin re-appeared with this:

Made over thirty years ago - scratch built in plasticard, just from plans out of a book - not a kit! My trusty Bic is there for comparison.

The plastic has discoloured over the years, but it's all still solid and robust. Unfortunately he never got around to building the hull. - But who knows...

Just one more of Colin's hidden talents.

No Chuffers next week, as we have a Cardi-Bach meeting.

Hwyl fawr,

Shaun.