Good morning
Some good Italian music culture over here, as well as some good music over coffee this morning.
https://youtu.be/OnFlx2Lnr9Q
https://youtu.be/e5qeTaIY5eQ
One 4 4 4 4 the Pennsylvania guy.
https://youtu.be/NSa1uLwVUVw
Well aware of I'm sure but a beautiful machine nonetheless.
https://youtu.be/7HTst6SvBK8
Happy Hump Day gentleman
https://youtu.be/G2s0RPrdB_8
TF
Buongiorno Italia.
A cappuccino, Italian breads and cheese please, Chloe.
A short film. A taster of Italian trains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnSYxC9wsxA&ab_channel=TinagirlTravels
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
LION set out breakfast for you! : )
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Ciao everyone! I hope everyone is having a splendid Wedneday so far. Sorry I've been awol, but life has been keeping me too busy lately.
TF, I just told the waitress "I'll have what he's having". Winning combination right there! That sounds good, even though it's early. I'll eat that after the sweet rolls from Lion.
I love a good beer, but Italian wine is where it's at. That stuff is so much better than what I've found (at least that I can afford) over here. What's more is that it seems outside the cities, everyone is growing their own grapes for wine. I honestly believe that every house in the countryside has a grapevine growing. That was one of the things that struck me the most when we were there. Incredible.
Ed, that Fiat is one cool looking machine. I'd have one too! We only took two train rides while we were there, and I was in no position to get a photo of the equipment. We weren't riding one of the sleek high speed trains, so it probably isn't a big loss!
While not the beautiful Lamborghini that TF posted, I did get to drive a sweet little Alfa Romeo while I was there that looked exactly like this one:
Fun little car that would absolutely blow the doors off a lot of the stuff we drive on this side of the pond. It was a blast!
Later gents!
Mike
Water Level Route TF, I just told the waitress "I'll have what he's having".
TF, I just told the waitress "I'll have what he's having".
TF Thanks for the film Romantic Venice. It took me back to Dawn and I cruising into the port. Must go again.
As for Dino (Dean Martin). One of Dawn's favourite singers.
Cinque Terre Express
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owB4uFT4HqU&ab_channel=DWTravel
Dino Mine too, as well as Frank and Tony.
https://youtu.be/m121tmJzcAc
https://youtu.be/NMxz_LcyKAQ
Enjoyed the Cinque Terre Express David. Beautiful scenery.
Water Level Route While not the beautiful Lamborghini that TF posted, I did get to drive a sweet little Alfa Romeo while I was there that looked exactly like this one: Fun little car that would absolutely blow the doors off a lot of the stuff we drive on this side of the pond. It was a blast! Later gents!
I was ripping around Europe in a Peugeot often well in excess of 100mph. Cars go much faster over there but then again the roads are engineered for it. When it comes to cars or trains we are still at the horse and buggy stage on this side of the pond.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
There's that Red Bridge again
Got enough room to model this Railway?
https://youtu.be/1sDPsZ9x1gw
7% Grades??? And did I see a steering wheel in the cab???, shortly after she said "a destination for hikers and Railway Freaks".
BATMANI was ripping around Europe in a Peugeot often well in excess of 100mph. Cars go much faster over there but then again the roads are engineered for it. When it comes to cars or trains we are still at the horse and buggy stage on this side of the pond.
I got my first car, a Triumph Spitfire, when I was 21. Brand new it was about $2100. I had never driven a stick, but they still taught that in Drivers' Ed, so I knew the principles. Anyway, I learned to drive a stick pulling out of the dealership.
The thing I missed most while in Italy was American coffee. I remember walking a mile or so to an American bagel shop in Florence where I could get a big cup of American coffee. A tiny cup of cappuccino doesn't make it for me.
Food was always best in small neighborhood restaurants. We'd order great food and a carafe of house wine. I think the drinking age there is 16. The only intoxicated people I saw there were British teenage boys.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
If ever you get the chance go to Portofino, a favourite town of ours.
Santa Margherita is another pretty town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VssFfZ9j8nI&ab_channel=denniscallan
Chicken Italienne with Mediterranean Vegetables.
You are welcome. Bring a bottle of Ligurian wine.
Good morning Borden.
Hi Harry.
Say, would you like to come over and help me build an O scale layout in the basement this weekend? I should have everything we need out in the garage.
https://youtu.be/ISmrx4Sr_Ck
Well, maybe. How big of a layout are we talking here? ...
Are ya kidding me! Wonder how many club members get lost in a week?
MisterBeasleyA suggestion, since we're in Italy. If you want a beer, go to a British pub. Italian beer isn't worth it,
Hello MisterBeasley,
I have found one Italian beer that is very good. It is called 'Peroni'. Anyone who I have served it to has thoroughly enjoyed it.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Sheesh, it is getting cold out all of a sudden, should hit freezing tonight.
Our neighbour was diagnosed with Parkinson's just five months ago and has gone back to Taiwan for six weeks to see if far East medicine can help him, he has deteriorated very quickly with this horrible disease. He is such a nice guy as is his wife, it is sad to see. I walked down the road to blow the leaves off his driveway and found a forty-foot maple had fallen across the driveway, so I came home got the chainsaw and spent three hours bucking up the tree. It is all stacked in his wood barn and ready for his fireplace.
I come home hop on the Deere and cut the lawn, more mulching leaves than lawn cutting. I am just finishing up and I see the guy from up the street walking down with his chainsaw to cut up the maple I had just cut up. Timing is everything. He had just come home from a twelve-hour shift at work and was glad it had been done. He is a really good guy as is everyone that lives around us.
The wife is making a pork roast feast and we will run dinner up to her parents tonight. Her Mom has dementia and her Dad looks after her along with the care aids that drop in daily. They are both 85.
I have a nice bottle of white open and it is time to pick up the guitar.
All the best to all.
One of my coworkers at GE died from the complications of Parkinsons on Christmas day 2012 just a few weeks after he was granted an early retirement. Sad state of affairs.
Wilbur, The fellow on the right, here:
wilbur_GOOD by Edmund, on Flickr
8671 001 by John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library, on Flickr
Somewhere in Italy, 1972 by Steve Baldwin, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanOne of my coworkers at GE died from the complications of Parkinsons on Christmas day 2012 just a few weeks after he was granted an early retirement. Sad state of affairs. Wilbur, The fellow on the right, here:
That's too bad Ed. I had another friend who passed from Parkinson's, it was less than two years from diagnosis until she passed.
My neighbour was a chemical engineer for Dupont and developed the paint that Boeing uses on their aircraft and owns part of the patent. He has lived in 43 countries and I could, and have talked to him for hours about his fascinating life. He may be a brilliant chemical engineer but could not hammer a nail if his life depended on it. I fix his tractor for him and help with small repairs around his house. He asked the wife what he could get me as a token of his appreciation and she said a bottle of wine would be sufficient, so he buys me wine by the case. PWRS gift certificates also come from him, he is very generous. When I think of the return I get for helping him out, it is pretty good, in fact far too much. I feel kind of guilty he gives me so much, but he appreciates it and is loaded and he tells me he can't take it with him.
Water Level Route When I asked him if it would be as hot in the US, he said "No. We can't get it under your emissions regulations and still be fun to drive."
The four major emission regulations in the world (Euro, US-EPA, Japan, and CARB) are all nearly identical now. Nearly all countries follow one of those four standards. Nearly all engine made now meet CARB standards no matter where they are sold.
When was the last time you heard "California Emissions" mentioned when the Price Is Right gave away a BRAND NEW CAR! That is because all cars sold in the US are now 50 state compliant.
The reason for the difference in performance for export models is complicated...
1) US cars must meet stricter crash survivability standards, and that makes cars heavier.
2) US buyers demand reliability above all, and that makes a few performance features undesirable in our market.
3) CAFE regulations sometimes force an automobile manfacturer to cut performance to increase fuel economy.
4) American drivers really just do not want to drive. This makes creature comforts and other features more desireable over "fun to drive" features that are actually more work for the driver.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Italy's railway history is interesting. They had many accomplishments, and almost as many failures. If you are interested, here is the Wikipedia version:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rail_transport_in_Italy
Many people have suggested that, unlike the Swiss railroads, train schedules in Italy were more like optimistic predictions rather than actual fact. Given the turmoil outlined in the Wikipedia article post WWII, I'm not surprised.
My wife and son visited Venice in 2002. They travelled by train from Switzerland. They noted that the contrast in conditions onboard the trains differed remarkably between the two countries .
Could put fear of heights aside but others bouncing in front and behind, ...not so much.
https://youtu.be/xIcjKEm4Mlk
YIKES!
https://youtu.be/46brtuQl-FM
Plenty of foot bridges.
Looks like the LION'S idea of a breakfast (lunch or dinner)
Scrumptious!
BroadwayLion
I'll Bite!
Gotta good horseradish sauce to go with that please, Thanks.
Good Morning Diners. Chloe, black coffee in a Trenitalia mug and one of those chocolate filled croissant things. Thanks.
My grandpa had Parkinson's for years. He finally got to the point that my Grandma could no longer take care of him and herself and he was moved into a Hospice home where he lived for almost another year. The only reason he died when he did was that he simply had enough. He told my Grandma one day that he was ready to be with the Lord, and refused to eat from that day forward. Sad ending.
hon30critterI have found one Italian beer that is very good. It is called 'Peroni'. Anyone who I have served it to has thoroughly enjoyed it.
MisterBeasleyFood was always best in small neighborhood restaurants. We'd order great food and a carafe of house wine.
Sicily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6O5oSXXFUE&ab_channel=Channel5
Mario, I'll have the Chicken Marsala with a half order of Manicotti Formaggio. House bread with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and Parmesan Please
Image courtesy of Railbookers
The bridge categorized as both Switzerland and Italy. Haven't determined which one is through the tunnel.
Anyone anyone?
Good morning. Just a quick note because I'm typing on my phone. Our internet has been out for two days. Fiber cut somewhere. I'm in the waiting room at the car repair waiting on an oil change. I haven't changed my own oil since I retired. Back trouble climbing under car. Have a good day everyone.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
I always refer to Switzerland as the World's Largest Train Set. It reminds me if a pristine layout, no litter, no graffiti, everything clean and all the trains are on time.
My first trip to Italy, we had Eurailpasses, so we rode a lot of trains. The differences between the national railways in the early 70s was striking. Italian service was marginal at best, but I'd have to say the train we took from Florence to Venice put most current US trains to shame.
But, to be honest, those old trains were an experience not to be missed. Unreliable schedules, to be sure. But, station stops were liesurely and you could get off for a few minutes, or even reach through the windows for a quick snack from the local vendors. Ever get on a train where a guy brought a goat on a rope on board? I have, and that's a memory that's lasted 50 years. Our modern railroads are cleaner, safer and more reliable, but face it, back then train travel could be an adventure.
Good afternoon Diners.
It has been a bad 24 hours for Dawn. She is really strugging with walking. Even been at the hospital today. But hey! We have been there before. Just got to battle to the other side.
Messina. Dawn loves Messina.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jDgxO4UQmo&ab_channel=TheGlobalExpats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17T-0itdhGw&ab_channel=DEPICTA%C3%88
York1 I haven't changed my own oil since I retired.
I have not changed my own oil in close to 20 years. For how little the dealerships charge, it just does not make sense to do it myself.
Good morning from the West coast. It is a very still grey day.
Environment Canada has issued a heavy rain/wind warning for tonight so I want to get out a bring down two deceased black cottonwoods. If I leave it to the wind to bring them down they will get hung up on other trees and be hazardous, I prefer to be proactive and make sure they make it to the ground. I can just leave them where they fall to rot which they do quite quickly as they tend to explode when they hit the ground. These ones are a good 100' so should be fun.
But first I'll go for a skoot with my buddy before the weather hits.
Got another high-burn day today, so I can eat like a pig tonight. The Canucks are on the tube so the traditional pre-game meal is this. Sitting on the couch with a glass of scotch requires energy.
Best get to it, but first another gallon of coffee. I love moving to my own schedule, retirement is great.