Cycling in the countryside.

Still pleased with yesterday's re-arrangement of buildings and trees on the layout.

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Currently listening to:

This is a FANTASTIC album from 1997 - symphonic in scale.

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Last night's dinner:

Tuna in olive sauce plus roasted beetroot.

Actually, I had overcooked and so dried out the pieces of tuna - a bit of a dull dish, actually.

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Currently reading:

Gone a bit boring again - fed up of life with Bogie.

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Drumming practice update:

After all that cycling today, my legs were too tired to practise standing up, so I reverted to doing repetitive routines on the jungle snare - sitting down.

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Miscellany:

Today's cycling route around the Thankerton area in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Diorama ponderings.

Continued with yesterday's moving about of the cut-out card town square.

But this time introduced some trees into the equation.

This arrangement has definite possibilities.

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Currently listening to:

The January edition of Optimo's podcast on Rinse FM.

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Last night's dinner:

Take away chicken chow mein

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Currently reading:

And:

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Drumming update:

Had a Samba drumming performance today in the grounds of Gartnavel Royal  Hospital as part of a festival designed to break down barriers re mental health problems.

We certainly did our bit and I couldn't fault our performance but I still think my playing lacks sparkle.

Obviously, I couldn't take photos of ourselves playing but here is one of David MacGregor who was one of the main performers of the day, and very good he was too.

Diorama agonising again.

What should I do with the beautiful cut-out card  town square manufactured by Mirontaine Models?

I'm determined to use it because I am so very fond of it; so, what about this location across from the station facade?

The jury's out, I think.

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Currently listening to:

Hoagy Carmichael

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Last night's dinner:

Forgot to take photographs but it was in this Edinburgh Restaurant.

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Currently reading:

The more I delve into this slim volume, the more significant it seems.

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Miscellany1:

View across Harrison Park, Edinburgh, yesterday evening.

Miscellany 2:

Finished the bottle of Creme de Cassis that I bought at the duty-free in Bordeaux Airport 6 weeks ago.

However, I'm determined that summer is still here, so I'm going to keep the Kir Cassis going as an aperitif for a few more weeks yet - then switch to the "thicker" Pineau des Charentes to see me through the winter.

Accordingly, I bought a new bottle of Cassis in Edinburgh this morning.

Somewhat less decorative, but perhaps more elegant exterior.

Viessmann versus 'FMR Model-IT' HO scale streetlights

My pack of Viessmann HO scale streetlights have arrived and, as to be expected because they have been manufactured in Germany,  the detail and quality is impressive.

Nevertheless, I have more than a soft spot for the similarly intentioned streetlights with filament 12 v bulbs from Frizinghall Models. They are cruder and simpler (and much cheaper) but, in situ, they have a charm about them.

In situ on my layout.

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Currently listening to:

Earl van Dyke

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Last night's dinner:

Before going out to work:

Tomato and gherkin sandwich

And on way home at really too late an hour for such a meal:

A bag of chips from The Blue Lagoon in Dumarton Road, Partick.

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Currently reading:

Really enjoying this book.

In her younger days.

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Drumming practice update:

Continuing with practice in front of mirror to check that arms are going up and down as opposed to just hands.

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Stained Glass Windows at St Simon's, Partick, Glasgow.

The middle window on the southerly wall of the church depicts St Simon struggling in the wild sea as he tries to reach Jesus who he sees walking across the water towards him.

And it reminds me of this prayer:

"Thou O Lord,
Who stillest the raging of the seas,
Hear, hear us and save us
That we perish not.

Oh Blessed saviour who didst save thy disciples
Ready to perish in storm,
Hear us and save us,
We beseech thee."

Tregwynt Woolen Mill

No time for model railway today.

Did get an email to say my streetlights had been dispatched!

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Currently listening to:

Amadou and Mariam

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Last night's dinner:

Leftover leg of duck a l'Orange with boiled rice

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Currently reading:

This book has livened itself up with the account of her romance with Humphrey Bogart

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Drumming practice update:

2 really fulfilling lessons today: one from my usual drum tutor and the other from a specialised Caixa tutor.

Felt I was improving in both sessions.

Also, played maracas along with Amadou and Mariam tracks with my usual tutor who is dead interested in African beats. He showed me how to play on the off-beat.

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Miscellany 1:

While at my usual drum tutor's cavernous flat, I noticed this amazing woollen blanket hanging from a makeshift mezzanine bed.

Instantly recognised it as a product from the Tregwynt Woollen Mill in Pembrokeshire, Wales. My parents had an almost identical one (different colours) on their bed for decades.

My tutor said that it had been his Welsh grandfather's and dated back to the 1950s which would be about right.

Miscellany 2:

Last night, watched, for the umpteenth time, footage from the Doors playing some US arena back in the 60s. What a great group they were.

What surprised me was how clear camera photos of the TV screen are.