Jeffrey's Track Side Diner - October, 2019 - This Month Visiting New Zealand

[CNCharlie]

Good Morning,

Looks like the cool weather is here to stay as we won't get to more than 35F for the next week. Might hit 30F today. 

Ulrich, sorry to hear that your move plans have hit a roadblock. 

No plans today but I should get to the gym and do a few laps. Right now I just feel like drinking more coffee. 

Robbie just rang his little bell which means he needs to go outside. 

CN Charlie

[Tinplate Toddler]

Good Afternoon!

I am a bit moody today and not very talkative, as our plans of moving to Denmark appear to go up in smoke. I don´t know how to handle the situation - I feel like hanging in mid air without the hope of having a better life.

[York1]

Good morning.  Snow on the ground this morning, with more expected for the next several days.  I guess I will eventually have to get the snow blower ready.

I need to be more careful.  I am scratchbuilding a structure and I use styrene.  I had just enough of a thickness to finish the building.  Measured, cut, glued on pieces, painted.  Then when I got ready to finish, I found I had the piece reversed, and it will not work that way.

Living in my small town, the nearest place to buy is 45 miles away.  If I order online, it will take several days (unless I spend a fortune for shipping).  I even went to the farm supply store to see if they had a plastic "For Sale" sign or something similar.

Oh, well.  Next time I will be more careful.  On a cold snowy day, it would have been a perfect day to work inside and finish the structure.

Grandchildren are great.  They are also expensive at Christmas time. My wife insists on buying lots of grandchildren presents.  We didn't do that for our own kids.

Have a good day, everyone.

["JaBear"]

Bambina. by Bear, on Flickr

Neville, whose 80^th I went to early this month, had a Mini instead of the Bambina, and another pilot used his motorcycle. I’ve been told that he would ride the bike under the Dak, position it under a fuel drain, take the lid off the bikes fuel tank, open the fuel drain and refill the motorbike, without the use of a funnel!  

 

On the subject of aeroplanes, here’s an example of their use by the New Zealand Railways.

 

https://vimeo.com/281545630

 

And here’s some NZ steam locomotives, and NOT a Ja in sight!!!!

 

 

“If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction”.   -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All who need them.

Cheers, the Bear.

[hon30critter]

BATMAN

Just caught Bear on his commute home from the office.

By the looks of things he's dragging his butt! Shape up Bear!!

Sorry, couldn't resist! Don't blame me. Brent started it!

Cheers!!

Dave

[BATMAN]

Just caught Bear on his commute home from the office.

[cudaken]

 Dirk and I wanted to share this Vet Ranch Viedo.

 

 Later none smoking Ken and Dirk say's Woof.

[Track fiddler]

hon30critter

 

I'm not quite at the grandchild stage just yet, but that is only a matter of time. My daughter-in-law wants to get her certification as an accountant and a year or two of experience before taking the time off to have kids. That means I might have a grandchild in three or four years. The thought boggles my mind! I have never really thought about having grandkids.

Dave

 

 

Dave, ya probably never thought about having kids back in the day either.  Most of us didn't,  it just kind of happened.

The beautiful thing about having a Grandchild is,  it's kind of like renting a cute puppy for a few hours or a day.  You get to enjoy them when they're little just like you did your own kids.  After that you can just send them home until the next time you see them.

Perfect.....  when the time comes you're going to love being a Grandparent

 

Terry  Good to see ya.  The Vikings-Packers rivalry stuff sure has been a lot of fun through the years.  My brother-in-law over in Wisconsin and I are always going at it  Now I have you to mess with too

 

TF

[saronaterry]

Track fiddler

... Brent you noticed. We all had a good laugh over that one. We were all saying he was flipping off Minnesota's rivalry team, the Packers

Hey,now!!

Terry

[Track fiddler]

BATMAN

That's a fine-looking Grandson TF, I noticed in the first photo he is already giving Grandpa the finger! They grow up so fast.

 

 

..... Brent you noticed.  We all had a good laugh over that one.  We were all saying he was flipping off Minnesota's rivalry team, the Packers

 

This Hotel sure is fun!  Complimentary Happy Hour and appetizers between 5:30 and 6:30.  We're getting ready to go get our grub on again   

In the morning they cook you your own personal omelette, let alone all the other stuff they put out for you.  This place has won me over.

 

TF

[MisterBeasley]

BroadwayLion

Changefor Parking Meters ???

In North Dakota they are outlawes.

In NYC there is one device in mid-block, you use your credit cart to buy a ticket that you then display in your windwshield.

 

A little more work, but now there is no money out in the street for perps to stezl.

ROAR

That is going on here in Delaware, too.  I think the machines still take quarters, though.  I was kind of annoyed that they added a dollar surcharge for a credit card.

Fortunately, that's a tourist-season-only thing, and they covered up the meters on October 16 and will leave them covered until mid-May.  We avoided going anywhere with meters for the entire summer.

[BroadwayLion]

Changefor Parking Meters ???

In North Dakota they are outlawes.

In NYC there is one device in mid-block, you use your credit cart to buy a ticket that you then display in your windwshield.

 

A little more work, but now there is no money out in the street for perps to stezl.

ROAR

[Track fiddler]

Good morning.

Dave, thanks for the compliment, you sure put a smile on my face this morning.

I'm real proud of those kids. They have made all the right choices and hang out with the right crowd.  They both are on the honor roll and are active in sports

Bear, I got caught up with some of your videos over coffee this morning.  You sure have a beautiful Homeland.  I'll have to check out the airplane one this evening.

I have to get some of these hotel window treatments in my bedroom for my days off.  Judy and I were able to sleep in until 9 this morning which never happens.  Both of us are refreshed and ready for our day.

 

Have a great day all.

 

TF

[Jimmy_Braum]

Morning all. 

Yesterday's train show in castle shannon pa was a real bust.  Mostly lionel at retail prices. Or others selling used at full msrp. Handful of modular layouts were good at least.  All I got was an older blue box sw1500 for 30, peco code 100 rail for 10 bucks(6 pieces of 36) and a coil car for 30. 

[hon30critter]

Bear!

The topdressing films were great!! I totally admire the pilots' skills at controlling heavily laden aircraft and even making perfect three point landings every time! I get a bit emotional when I get to watch highly skilled pilots (and other professions too) do their jobs. I keep saying "WOW" to myself when watching them perform!

Thanks so much for sharing the videos!!

Dave

[BATMAN]

hon30critter

 

 

 BATMAN

Didn't see too much of him this trip as he was with his new girlfriend most of the time.

 

 

I'm sorry to say it Brent but I'd choose a new girlfriend over you anytime too! 

Dave

 

Yup! I've been dumped. We always go to Canuck Games when he is home, I let him off the hook this time. I could tell today that he could have used a little bit of Dad time though, woman are so demanding. He did homework all the way back to Ottawa on the plane, Air Canada has excellent WIFI and he says the plane is the place he gets the most work done.

I got tops! New Zealand lamb for all before we head back North unless we have an Australian member that would like to host then we can stay where it is nice and warm. Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef anyone?

Nighty night.

 

[hon30critter]

Yeah, but you notice that we never get to see the delights of the local rubbish tip or sewage farm.

Alas, we all have those places, but at least New Zealand (and Canada) is doing a pretty good job of not turning all of your beaches and rivers into those garbage dumps.

As for sewage, that is my son's current occupation (although he would rather be on the potable water side of the equation). Canada has pretty much stopped the disposal of raw sewage into the environment in the cities and towns, but our northern aboriginal people still live with it. I won't say much more.

Dave

["JaBear"]

hon30critter

Wow Bear!!! You live in an incredibly beautiful place!

Yeah, but you notice that we never get to see the delights of the local rubbish tip or sewage farm. 

["JaBear"]

Gidday Chloe, a large glass of cool lemonade, please. It’s a long weekend here, todays Labour Day, and as I’ve mowed the lawns and got some gardening done, from Her-in Doors list, the paperwork can wait!

 

So, finally, hopefully, some time to reply to some of the comments made.

 

“Bear, lamb chops with mint sauce was my Father's favourite dish. I like lamb especially a nice roast. My wife can't stand it but her family never ate it. Perhaps it is something you have to grow up with.”

 

Yeah, I think that you’re right CN Charlie.  As already said, I was bought up on a sheep and beef farm, but also in the days where, in NZ at least, dinner comprised of meat, potatoes, and three vegetables. 

 

While the farm did kill one cattle beast a year for the table, a hogget (18-month lamb) was cheaper, and therefore the staple meat.

 

Pork was a rarity, (that said my wife who was bought up on a Waikato dairy farm, they had pigs that they raised with surplus milk), we had chicken if, and when a hen stopped laying eggs. Enough potatoes were grown on the farm to last a year, a vegetable garden was tended, and milk came from the house cow. Fish and chips were on the menu once at least once a month when we went to town.

 

That the vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower etc were cooked until they ended up a grey mush, then served with a revolting white sauce was par for the course.

Thank goodness that the Chinese taught us how to cook vegetables properly.

 

I first came across Chinese food in my mid-teens when I saw in the corner of a menu up on the wall, 3 items which included “sweet and sour pork”.  I tried it and was sold. Now it is possible, even locally, to get cuisines from around the world. I have yet to be able to buy okra, to try to cook “proper” Cajun food. Perhaps one day!

 

Mr. TF, horse radish sauce, I should have guessed, it’s just that hot mustard sauce is considered the “right” sauce for corned beef here!  BTW congrats on the new young fella, looks a bonny lad!

 

While a hangi is a way of cooking that is particular to New Zealand, it is not exclusive as the Polynesians through out the Pacific use it. I believe that the word umu (or variations) is commonly used for earth ovens.

I can’t find a decent photo of cooked hangi kai (food) because it doesn’t make for great presentation, but rest assured, properly cooked hangi kai is very YUM!

 

https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/new-zealand/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-maori-hangi/

 

 “Interesting video Bear!! I love the part about having to take off downhill in order to get the heavily laden aircraft into the sky!”

 

Dave,making a profit in aerial topdressing relies on how many tons of fertiliser per hour can be applied, though the sowing rate is also part of the equation, so having the airstrip as high as possible in relation to the sowing area, and having a reasonable slope certainly helped in obtaining a quick take off with a full load. Skilled pilots (??) also didn’t mind a decent drop off the end of the strip, as by poking down the nose, they could gain those last couple of knots for flying speed as they “fell” off the end.

I found this video of Peter Whetton and ZK-JAL, (Jellybean) working somewhere around Cambridge in the Waikato.

 

 

 

...and here’s another one on the early days of aerial topdressing in NZ. I actually loaded for Paul Beard, years later.

 

https://vimeo.com/282369015?ref=fb-share&1&fbclid=IwAR2X4gIfK_j8qXy6LqDn7k7XrvwZ_QQvlxcq5vgfh8gSoSaH7uM91vZKjDE

 

BTW, I hope your Good Lady improves quickly!

 

“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.”- Doug Larson.          

Thoughts and Best Wishes to All that need them.

Cheers, the Bear.

[hon30critter]

BATMAN

Didn't see too much of him this trip as he was with his new girlfriend most of the time.

I'm sorry to say it Brent but I'd choose a new girlfriend over you anytime too! 

Dave

[hon30critter]

Track fiddler

Let me introduce to you my new Grandson Xavier.

Track fiddler

My other two Grandsons ain't too bad either.  If Anthony, who eats like a horse gets much taller,  he's going to have to start ducking under doorways.  

TF!

Your new grandson is very handsome, just like you! The other grandsons are impressive too!

I'm not quite at the grandchild stage just yet, but that is only a matter of time. My daughter-in-law wants to get her certification as an accountant and a year or two of experience before taking the time off to have kids. That means I might have a grandchild in three or four years. The thought boggles my mind! I have never really thought about having grandkids.

Dave

[hon30critter]

No trains, but while we're here , we might as well have a look at some of the sights.

Wow Bear!!! You live in an incredibly beautiful place!

Thanks for sharing the videos.

Dave

[hon30critter]

cudaken

Really worth watching.

Interesting videos Ken. Warms the heart!

Thanks,

Dave

[cudaken]

 Another Vet Ranch.

 

 Really worth watching.

 Ken

[cudaken]

 Eveing Diners.

 Flo, give the gang and I a please and Dirk his Bullafo Treat.

 Took Dirk to the Park and he tied his peeing record. Yep 15 pees and two number 2's. Boy I wishes it was that easy at the house!

 Got some Ken Do's and Honey Do's done today! Moved the unused mulch from the pourch to the garage. Brought in the plants from the rear patio into the house. Both where Honey Do's. Got the area around the old wall mounted Gas Heater cleaned up to where it can be worked on.

 Then I started de-nicotining the garage! I had collected die cast model Mopar Cars. After 25 years of smoking in the garage I wanted to blow chucks when I looked at them tonight! Soaking one right now in the mop bucket. Boy I am glad I am not smoking!

 Try to do something every day to make your life a little better. While John Wayne is my ture hero Dr Matt Carriker is getting close! Dr Matt is a veterinarain in Texas and has 3 U Tube channels and 3 Gold Play awards. Means over 1,000,000 views.

 I stold his motto "Try to do something every day to make your life a little better" Here is a link to one of his channels Vet Range. Watch and enjoy.

 

 Later none smoking Ken and Dirk says woof.

 PS this Tesday I will have not smoked for 183 days!

[Track fiddler]

Thanks Ed,  I think so too.

 

TF

[BATMAN]

Good afternoon from the sunny for as far into the future as the weatherman can see West Coast. It is 15c and a perfect day.

We just dropped the kid at the airport to go back to Ottawa. Had a good lunch there before we said goodbye. Didn't see too much of him this trip as he was with his new girlfriend most of the time. His flight home goes South of the border which is unusual. He said they are leaving early as everyone is on board already.

Last Saturday when I was at the train show he called to see if I could pick him up at hockey as Mom was going to drop him off. I got back in time to see him huffing and puffing and having short shifts. How fast the mighty fall. It was great to be at the arena I didn't want to go home.

 

 

 

That's a fine-looking Grandson TF, I noticed in the first photo he is already giving Grandpa the finger! They grow up so fast.

Got the last two lights installed to the exterior of the roundhouse, I may do them over as I know I can do better but for now they're good.

Well we are off to dinner at some friends tonight, should be fun.

All the best to all,

 Edit; the kid didn't even wave as he flew over the house, ingrate!

[SeeYou190]

Tinplate Toddler

32°F defines the melting point of ice, whereas 0C defines the freezing point of water. Those two points are not identical, although the difference is marginal. 32F is slightly warmer than 0°C.

.

That is too nerdy even for me.

.

-Kevin

.

[BigDaddy]

Canadian bills looked like they had a high celophane content to me.

I was surprised to see Spring Mills Depot had a stack of $2 bills at Timonium.  They were altered with Halloween decorations, a stamp of a black cat, or a witch.  I did not know they were still printed, nor do I know why.  I had heard it was because of horse racing, but that's hardly a sport these days.

[gmpullman]

Track fiddler

Let me introduce to you my new Grandson Xavier.

A handsome clan in anybody's book 

Ya done good, TF!

Cheers, Ed