I finally 'finished' the Arado 234...apart from some pin washing and weathering.

 Rigging the aerial using CA glue was a nuisance and this is brush painted and sadly it looks it. I will consider doing some more airbrushing despite the hassle of having to break the airbrush down, clean, use, break it down again, clean, etc... A lovely kit to build and I now know a lot more about the history of the Arado 234, the Luftwaffe during the last year of WW2 and Luftwaffe paint schemes for aircraft during that last year with a lot of advice from fellow modellers in the fb group. Build number 19 for the year and I now have the next build lined up.

I started this post yesterday but to be honest I felt quite down with the latest government announcement and the latest move down the snake of this game of covid snakes and ladders. So I signed off, watched some old Time Team shows and avoided any news.

'Who was that masked man?!'

'He was the Lone Ranger but he's got a lot more company again'.

I also watched some modelling videos and added some tools, paints and extras to my 'To buy' list as I focus now on that aspect of modelling as I have enough kits to build for the next couple of years.

This morning we popped out to the supermarket for essentials including cat food and we dutifully wore masks. The visits from Blue Collar have restarted after a brief absence and he is expecting food now. We have had no luck discovering if he has an owner although today he repaid our kindness by biting me although he didn't puncture the skin!

Back to work tomorrow and after the last few days of storm Arwen with gales, snow, rain and sleet today is positively balmy. A walk and fresh air required so a trip to the Wolds and hopefully the rain will stay away.

TTFN.

 A quieter day after the gales of yesterday which gave me plenty of time at the modelling table.

It's finished, the Fokker EIII Eindecker with decals, rigging and weathering completed. A simple build with no flaws I could find and easily assembled. I have a second kit to do at a future date and from some mistakes on this one, mainly the rigging, I can carry that knowledge forward. I have to find a new way of delicately applying CA glue (super glue) other than using toothpicks. There is a simple metal tool I can make but I think I need to buy another brand of glue as well as the applicator on my current one is seized up. I also bought this book which arrived after I had completed much of the build and this too helped.

The book features three builds including the Eindecker and the Gotha bomber but other chapters on various aspects of WW1 aircraft modelling. I must see if he has a book about allied aircraft as there are a few of those I would like to build but the skills apply to any builds.

I have moved back to the Arado 234 and filler required on the wings before I attach the rocket boosters. Yes, rocket boosters as well as turbo jets in 1944 - 45. Less than thirty years between these two aircraft.

Time for tea and darts is on the telly. 

TTFN.

 An interesting week at work capped by more wacky ideas from senior management and an in depth discussion with my manager about the fauxcine and what happens after April 1st. The wacky idea is to take a small team, remove staff from it to work elsewhere in isolation and separated from the rest of the team. We have made several suggestions to tackle the concerns in that area without pursuing rainbow unicorns and the illusory pot of gold. We will see what happens but the staff who could be moved is from an ever diminishing pool...pick one from three. I'm not included as it looks increasingly likely I will be gone after April unless I accept the jab. My manager is hopeful the government will change the mandatory fauxcine for healthcare staff but I believe they will go ahead and enforce it. 

To say my mood and associated anger is up and down is an understatement. Here is one specific reason why I won't take the jab and that link provides further links to medical evidence. I accepted the recent flu jab...why? It is extensively evidenced with a lengthy history and although possibly only 40% effective I have had many in the past and I am happy with it. Various other vaccines have been injected into me with my informed consent over the years but what astonishes me is the ignorance of the science around immunology, the use of computer modelling v real life, genetics and the docile passivity of many recipients. I consider myself as well informed but a beginner where this level of science is concerned but I read, research and persevere to understand what this all means.

 I see arguments such as 'You accepted Hepatitis B jabs for work so why not this one?'

The Hep B jab protects me from patients who are Hepatitis B positive and having been bitten and scratched by people whose health history is unknown or dodgy, it directly protects me. I also have a blood antibody test before hand which funnily enough is not offered for people who have had covid 19 and will have immunity.

If I am exposed to a dangerous virus or condition, for example yellow fever or malaria, I will accept the drugs whether it be via a jab or tablets plus any associated changes in my behaviour because those conditions can be life changing or even kill you. The science is good and the evidence is there. I saw one clown suggest 'anti-vaxxers would refuse the Tetanus injection because of their beliefs'. She had her arse handed to her on a plate by many people as she clearly does not understand the discussion or peoples genuine concerns around health, freedom and bodily autonomy.  I shall leave it there because there are plenty of other blogs or social media espousing arguments against covid 19 fauxcines and I prefer to focus on more pleasurable topics.

Progress so far on the Fokker EIII 'Eindecker' and this is a lovely kit to put together with very few issues. I am trialling a new paint for the grey-green but this build itself is nearly complete and once I have sealed and touched up the paint work I shall decal and then rigging. I like this kit so much I bought another one and I will try a different colour scheme and Jasta (squadron).

The Arado 234 has now had some green paint added to the camouflage. I will let that dry, clear coat and then correct some of the missed bits. Decals and weathering next for this and it will be done. Again, a lovely build and very enjoyable but I then encounter that perennial problem...where to put them? 

I am looking at the next build and considering whether to build another tank, the Russian BT I bought several weeks back but I realised I am building the newly bought kits and should look at some that have been waiting a while.There might be a fb group build for the anniversary of the Battle of Midway next year and I have a PBY Catalina in the stash, a great favourite of mine and I had been considering building it as one of the Black Cats but I might have a look into this and join in.

Finally the gas man has arrived at 3.05 pm missing the booked slot of 8 - 1 pm so best go and see what he's doing and collect my car from her winter service plus new brakes.

Update: Whoa there! Hold yer hosses as the post has been and delivered the eagerly awaited surprise package, a form of transportation I have never built before...

Yes, a tiny helicopter and in a lovely shade of orange to match my winter coat!

It is small and not a lot of parts plus an interesting (basic) schematic with few instructions. Cheap and cheerful and what are the odds this gets built first?

The gas man said very little and he was very quick after saying to me 'How's your day been?' and receiving the reply 'Ok but you are two hours late'. Also an ouch! moment when I received the bill for my car and I rebelled and paid cash in hand. If the government takes away my livelihood it can do without my taxes so that saved me 20%. Boston and tea comes to mind and we know what that eventually led to...

TTFN.

 I received more sad news on Sunday about the death last week of someone I knew many years ago whom I regarded as a wonderful person and very grounded. She lived in New Zealand and felt unwell one day last week, went into hospital for investigations and suddenly died. Only sixty one years old and wholly unexpected. A sad loss. We didn't always see eye to eye and with a few years hindsight I realised she was right, that as a young man I was a complete immature twat. Age, nursing and increasing responsibilities dealt with that and I matured in outlook and behaviour. It has shaken me up and as a good friend at work said a couple of weeks ago we seem to be dealing with death week in and week out with several more during the past few months. I disagreed with her then but now...

Here's to you Kiwi Jayne, always ready with a camera and always caring and you conquered your demons. I'll raise a cup of tea in your memory.

I usually look forward to the post and the arrival of new kits but the above took the wind out of my sales. But this beauty arrived this morning courtesy of a surly Sharon postie and I am in equal parts of excitement and terror. This will not be an easy build when I do get to starting on it.

It is in 1/72 scale and I have long wanted to build this aircraft which was part of the first aircraft blitz on London in 1917. I wanted the Wingnuts kit, a New Zealand model company that specialised in WW1 aircraft in 1/32 scale but it ceased trading a year ago and the remaining kits available are worth their weight in platinum, let alone gold! So this smaller and much cheaper kit will do the trick.

Look at that rigging and that's only half of it let alone the lozenge decals!

TTFN.

 The Arado Ar234 continues to slowly dry out and I have gently wiped off some of the excess oil paint but now it will be left well alone. Searching through the stash and I picked out another WW2 jet but then I opted for this...

Yes, a first world war monoplane and one of my favourites, As a kid I had a thing about dinosaurs, space travel and WW1 aircraft, the two extremes of flight and history. I saved up some money from the jobs I did and bought a small reference book for WW1 aircraft and read it many times whilst gazing at the photographs. Freedom to fly away and escape for the amateur psychologists!

This is the progress as of an hour ago until feline interventions inevitably put a stop to it. I intend to crack on with it during the next week and also rig it which will probably take a lot longer as it will be delicate work. I like this kit so much I have ordered a second one to place alongside this one in a diorama.

I had a lengthy phone conversation with my sister today and received some shocking family news about one of my nephews and I think this hobby is becoming a much needed refuge and escape from the craziness of the world and its descent into madness. I also have to admit that I would rather spend my time doing this than returning to work and for me that is a sign I have made a shift in my thinking about work. I suspect most people would rather spend time doing their own thing and not working!

We are also keeping an eye on Maisie, our black and white Tuxedo semi feral puss as she was ill earlier this week. She is better but she suffers with arthritis and we noticed she is struggling this week. She was too young to have kittens as we got her when she was pregnant and her hips and back legs are very stiff and cause her some discomfort as she is getting older.  We'll look into adding some food supplements to help her with that. 

No.1 son left this morning for Sweden via Denmark for a weeks holiday to stay with his girlfriend and yesterday we discussed his getting an Irish passport. He asked me to apply for one which I will do as I already have Irish citizenship as well as British citizenship and he believes this will make his application easier. He plans to move permanently to Sweden in the next couple of years and an Irish passport gives him EU membership which allows him to live and work there. He has made many trips there over the last five years and has been learning the language. Being tall, blue eyed and fair haired he passes for Scandinavian which reminds me that Sue wants to get her DNA tested as she looks Danish and comes from an area that was very much in the Danelaw area.

Hopefully you are all enjoying this weekend, I'm off to fuss the assorted moggies and try to ascertain why this computer is low and unresponsive at times.

TTFN.

 I spoke with my Mum yesterday and she said 'You'll really feel it tomorrow' when I mentioned how tired and how stiff my limbs were after the driving. Mothers generally know best as this morning I feel like I have been run over by a steam roller! I plan to go out for a nice ramble today, perhaps get some pictures for a blog post and fresh air plus the weak sunshine that might filter through the clouds. At the moment I am struggling to stay awake. 

But I do wonder if it is more than just the long journey sat in one position in the car despite frequent breaks? Twenty one months of 'We're Doomed!' with lock downs, a media paid by governments to scream nonsense and perpetual messages of death and destruction and people turning on each other with masks, jabs, social isolation and the proper science conveniently ignored or amended. Quite frankly I am tired. Physically, mentally and emotionally drained after working through the last twenty months of this nonsense to now be informed that my services are no longer required from April next year. Currently I am 'unvaccinated' yet I am safe to work with people but from April 1st I will be unsafe. Not only is the virus able to sail over the heads of people sitting at pub and restaurant tables, it now recognises calendar dates as well! I have had so many people say they took the jab so as to travel, go to the pub and meet family and friends but when I ask them do they understand the health reasons, the science behind this, don't they have concerns about an emergency experimental jab with immunity from prosecution or law suits for the pharmaceutical companies? I see blank stares or I am told it's all scientifically proven. That's when I am not told I am a crackpot although Sue is the only person to say that to my face. This article succinctly sums it up.

           Obligatory cat photo to break up the rant.

Having had time off this week, spent a day with family and talking with them I have concluded that I may have to accept my work as a nurse is a chapter that is completed unless I give in and accept the fauxine. I worry what will come next as the erosion of liberties and scapegoating of refuseniks is happening now across most of Europe and is likely to happen here. No police to respond to burglaries or thefts yet they are available to go to shops and check mobiles for vaccine status. The videos of this happening in Austria are on-line. A political decision to address a political crime as being fully vaccinated does not stop one becoming infected or transmitting the virus. Soundbites for public consumption and fear such as lockdowns for Christmas and blaming the refuseniks is daily now and the media happily spew this nonsense out. I am still hopeful that common sense will break out and if enough people question and refuse the need for boosters this might stop the juggernaut careering off the cliff. Sadly. I fear it won't.  A woman on the check out at the local super mercado spoke to us about about having '...boosters every year like the flu jab'. When we pointed out they might be every four to six months because they stop working she replied  'If that's what it takes I'll do it'.

    

                            If this butterfly flaps its wings...

Enough of this ranting and time to go out for some fresh air. Following my encounter with the RTA's on my way home on Wednesday I feel blessed to just plod on with my life and enjoy it. Make the most of it folks, spend time with loved ones, enjoy the things that make you and them happy and switch off the news. Keep well and safe.

TTFN.

 Well...that is something I will never do again. I drove to Colchester and back in one day and with my poor night vision, getting lost, RTA's and detours I drove a total of nine and a half hours and 379 miles in total. The outward journey was a breeze and I reached Colchester very quickly via the A12. But the homeward journey was a nightmare.

My poor night vision is down to being dazzled by the glare of oncoming vehicles and a new route to get to and from my Mum's new accommodation meant I took a wrong turn and headed back towards Colchester! The first clue was watching the sun going down on my right and I thought why is the sun setting in the east. After eventually getting off the road, turning around and with some map reading I took the correct route. I finally reached Lincolnshire but then sadly encountered a major RTA and the police detouring all drivers. After a magical mystery tour I eventually found the A16 again and finally got home. A quick bite to eat and two large G & T's required but this morning I am full of aches and pains and tired. Mum is well and I am so pleased to have seen her and find she is still full of life although less active then she used to be. Smaller and thinner and having to use a stick or a walking frame to get around but despite five hospital admissions and surgeries she is well. I also saw my brother and one sister and it was great to catch up. My plans are to go down again next January when I have some time off and I will stay overnight at a local hotel. She also gave us a large bucket full of china ornaments and nick nacks which she said we could have or donate to to our local cat rescue to auction. Included with this is a Nazi party badge! She recalls buying it many years ago in a junk shop and I have it downstairs but I am uncomfortable having this badge. Firstly, because it is a symbol of an evil regime and secondly, what if this belonged to some nazi scumbag who murdered people? I'm not sure what to do with it and I guess it will stay locked away for now until I decide what to do with it.

Inevitably...

Progress so far on the Arado 234 and I applied a thin wash of violet oil paint using thinners to the mixed brown / blue acrylic paint for a violet-brown camouflage. It is a bit too dark but at some point I might apply a very thinned white oil wash to lighten the colour. 

To use oil paints it is best to put a daub of the oil paint on a paper towel to leach some of the oil out and leave the pigment which aids drying time. Given this and my impatience I will have to leave the model to dry for the next week before touching it again. A learning curve and for any future builds requiring violet brown colour I will use a light brown acrylic paint and then apply a light violet oil wash. 

I like to see what model kits are out there and I am always interested in something out of the ordinary and wooden models are quite popular. The next picture shows a wooden model kit that can be played!

A wooden Hurdy Gurdy and I love the sound of this instrument having a love of folk music and mediaeval / Tudor music. 

I have saved it on evil bay for future reference as I am now saving money in preparation for April next year and I now have enough kits in the stash for the next couple of years. 

For the rest of today, rest and recuperation is required and a catch up on podcasts. I will consider what to build next and perhaps a very quick simple build required.

TTFN.

 

More work on the Arado 234 this morning but I kept it short as I am absolutely shattered. A late night watching an old movie and during the night the local ne'erdowells shouting, hitting things and one in particular making the most noise at 4 this morning. The local drug dealer has gone but still these zombies turn up looking for their fix. I have little sympathy for these people as they cause so much trouble and generally shout 'My rights' but no responsibilities and always want their entitlements. Back to the modelling and reduce my blood pressure...

Engines attached and the wings are dry fitted with tape holding them in place. I had thought it would sit on its the tail but once the wings were attached it sat upright. Set aside for now as I had to sort the engine seams out and allow the plastic putty to dry.

I have ordered two new kits one of which has arrived, a BT 7 tank which I have long wanted to build and a second kit from the model shop in Ekaterinburg, Russia I have bought from before. This latter kit will arrive in the next few weeks and I will save it as a surprise as I have never modelled one of these before. Quirky and cute looking and colourful! 

Happily, the week ahead I have only the next two days at work and then five days off with the visit to my Mum. Work is suddenly not so important to me anymore and hopefully this is just my sadness regarding the situation around mandatory V but, I am beginning to think this decision has broken my trust and sense of public service. We'll see...Keep well folks.

TTFN.

 

Yesterday afternoon Sue and I went for a walk on Cleethorpes Beach to blow the cobwebs away and get some fresh sea (Estuary) air. Lots of dog walkers, joggers and others like us promenading along the beach and the promenade!

The tide was well out and although there was a slight breeze it was remarkably still as we arrived there just before twilight.

Lights on and preparations being made for the evening and night ahead. Most locals, of our age anyway, do this before the young 'uns descend on the pubs and nightclubs. As I am of an age and I had done the same many years ago it's not for me or Sue. We enjoyed watching the dogs run around and it must be an olfactory heaven for them.

The above photo is looking west towards Grimsby.

Ships waiting out at sea for the tide to turn but the above blurry photo shows one ship leaving either Hull or Immingham and making its way to sea. We had a discussion about whether pilots board the ships before they enter the Humber river or if the ships wait until they are near the port. Something to look into...Here is the answer. I would love to go out for a day with them so perhaps a cheeky request might be sent in !

A lovely walk followed by much needed Haddock, chips and mushy peas plus a strong cup of Rosy Lee.

Just the ticket and we plan to do the same at least once a week now particularly if it is stormy weather to soak up the atmosphere. I must also improve my camera work with the new mobile phone and avoid those blurry pictures.

TTFN.

 A weekly update and as usual...

This is the progress so far on the Arado AR 234 jet bomber and following the loss of an important part I hadn't any time to work on it until this morning. The small interior assembly in the glass front was finally trimmed and manipulated to the correct size and shape, glued in using white glue and the cockpit glass parts also fitted with white glue. The fuselage was cleaned up and glued together and the cockpit assembly sanded down and glued to the fuselage. The wings similarly treated and just dry fitted with tape holding them in place. I could do more today but various cats had other ideas so all safely stored away for tomorrow. 

The white glue is the same as wood glue and so far I have I have used an extra thin fast dry cement and a slower acting cement to glue parts together. The latter two not really 'glues' but cements that melt plastics together and the white glue is safe to use on clear plastic parts as it dries clear. This model will be of an aircraft circa May 1945 that was flown to Norway and surrendered there to the Allies but knowing me I might change my mind and paint up another version.

I am wearing my latest T-shirt which I bought from Strange Familiars as the image took my fancy. Again, escapist nonsense or not depending upon one's point of view but I enjoy the stories and an alternative to all the nonsense in the media. As for the fauxine...myself and a colleague who have so far refused any jabs have been discussing it and she will accept it because she is younger and the main breadwinner in her family. I will hold on for a while and consider what to do as I don't think it will stop there. I now believe the government will pursue more and more draconian measures against the refuseniks including exclusion from public transport, places of entertainment, etc... a la France. 

Anyhow, a weekend off and I will catch with my Mum via phone as she had another surgery yesterday and I am awaiting news on that. My plan is to drive down midweek as I have booked a couple of extra days off and catch up with her in person.

TTFN.

 The government has finally decided to make the fauxine mandatory for NHS staff from April 22nd 2022. An interesting decision as they know if they pull the trigger now, the usual winter pressures on hospital beds, the current staff shortage would become worse as those of us who are unvaccinated would leave immediately and the side effects of the injections are sending more people into hospitals. I still have a hope they will change their minds but I think my nursing career will end after that date. I will be ok as I am in the twilight of my career and had planned to go in the next three years anyway. What worries me is that it will not stop there. In parts of Germany, Lithuania, the antipodes, etc...those who have refused this fauxine are being excluded more and more from public life. Sadly the majority of the population will believe the media lies that the unvaccinated are spreading the virus when the v does not stop one from catching it, from infecting others and the side effects are becoming more widely known. 

 Let this sink in: Having the government force one into having a drug means you no longer have ownership of your own body. How many boosters are acceptable...two, three, twice a year ad infinitum? I am tired of this bullshit but I am not caving in and I never thought my retirement years would be spent having to deal with this nonsense.  Let's see what transpires...

I had originally planned to use my Fridays off as time to go out and travel but I am exhausted from trying to cram five days work with a full-time caseload into four days. One of my colleagues worked out I had done an extra five hours work this week and I have decided to stop doing that given the above. I have emailed my boss that I will now only work with a caseload commensurate to my hours. I will also work to rule although naturally that did not go in the email. No more favours, no more flexibility as we are not valued and any management platitudes are merely that.  Never mind, time for a model update which I freely admit is more for my benefit to look back on...

Work today on my latest build took a setback as the very delicate parts using photo etch and plastic very carefully prepared and super glued together with a decal applied pinged off into the unknown as I attempted to fit it into the canopy. The tiny assembly on the yellow tape in the photo is the scratch built replacement which I now have to leave well alone until fully set.

Ironically, I might have all the time in the world from April to model, garden, for walking and other assorted interests. It's a good job I will have plenty in the stash for the next couple of years! I might also take up cycling albeit a new 'sport', slow cycling given my dodgy knee. There is a silver lining to those dark clouds!

I hope you are all well, avoiding the lies of the mainstream propaganda and keeping safe.

TTFN.