Injection number 4 today. I actually feel pretty good and i am really getting to a point now where i can consider working again.

Actemra

Something out of science fiction for Rheumatoid arthritis, but I am testing it. This week I get my 3rd Intraveinous Infusion of a drug called Actemra. Seems to be working. I definitely have less inflamation and pain. Blood tests this week and in 4 weeks will tell the story though. Side effects are a tad hard to manage at present, exhausted all the time and falling asleep at embarrassing times is only the half of it. I am sleeping better at night so with luck I may come full circle with that, hopefully anyway.
Wish me luck..................

Lambing Flat Visit

A trip to Sydney with my little mate Rod to meet up with a group of Sydney modellers at the home of "Lambing Flat" occurred a couple of week ends ago. This layout has been photographed many times for AMRM and elsewhere. To actually drive on it, under instruction of course, was so much fun and very educational. James operates using a car card system. Running between 3 locations 2 of which are fiddle yards, allows more than enough variety for shunting. No looping, just operation and we were stoked.

What the visit brought home was that operation is a lot of fun. We were all enthusiasts, but I dare to say that some had never done more than simple running in a circle. My own Exhibition experience was little more than looping, with the occasional silo shunt.

I have questioned my own planning testing the operational possibilities. A few minor changes will occur to the drawing and the final plan now. I want both, operation and the ability to lap a loco and sit back watching. It can happen.

More Accupuncture

My Physiotherapist gave me a bit of a work out today before inserting a number of needles into my neck and shoulders. The addition of a tens machine and some heat had me feeling quite comfortable. I don't think I was meant to fall asleep thought. Ah well, he did say relax and the pain levels are definitely lower than earlyer.

I can highly reccommend this therapy. I will now be a regular....

I'm Back, Did Ya Miss Me?

Yeah, It has been a while But I am still here. Unfortunately Health is not my best friend yet and along with this blog, a number of things have had to sit idle. I recently succumbed to suggestion and tried acupuncture. I have a second session later this week. It works. I don't know how I don't know why, I just know that pain levels dropped.

Well, My E News letter is about to see the 20th issue. Written by myself and a circle of good friends, it is always chatty and informative.

I hope shortly to be able to begin reporting on the construction of my home railway. A long time coming, like other things, but planning over the last frew months has seen a lot of changes and modification to my overall theme with a final design obvious not going to be final, until the last track pin is hammered in.

Slot racing has been fun. When I am having a good night, it is awsome. When I am off colour, the racing suffers. Ah well, makes it all a challenge.

Talk to you all soon.

Epping Model Railway Club Southern Division

I had a great time on Friday evening being entertained by members of the Southern Division (ACT) of the Epping Model Railway Club.

The evening was exactly what a Model Train night should be. You can betcha I will go again when able to.

Tables arranged so that everyone was facing one and other across them and everyone had a tool box on the floor and tools spread about themselves on the table. In the midst of this organised chaos were a number of models and each attendee was working away at his new or latest model. Much of what was occuring was either scratch building or kit bashing. Some may not be touched until next week.

It put paid for me to the argument that new modellers have to be taught ALL the skills. They just need to be exposed to the techniques, materials and ideas. Most modellers learn by doing. There are a million books and magazine articles available to the novice, once they know what they are looking for.

I consider myself of a reasonable modelling capability, won a couple of trophies. I have spent time demonstrating various skills to other modellers. But here is the thing, I learnt a number of things on Friday, things which I will try in my own work shop.

Thanks to the Epping boys, I did enjoy myself immensely.

Where's Macca?

Unfortunately Macca has not been very well. An extended forced break from work and a stay in hospital has given Macca much time to think a few things through and reconfigure his own modelling plans.

A booth for air abrasion is almost completed and has been tested. I will post a photo once completed.

A spray booth is well under way as are plans to completely remodel the "Train Shed". Existing plans were too restrictive. New plans will see a multi layer railway with good long runs of both single track and dual track main. Staying with a NSW prototype is an easy choice as a respctable stud of models are already in the collection just waiting for track to run on.

I should add a big thank you to the Doctors, Staff and Nurses of the Emergency Department and Ward 3, Wagga Wagga Base Hospital, who gave me much needed care and attention to get me on the road to recovery from what was a serious and could have been a much more serious condition.

And a big thanks to the little Woman who came and sat with me time after time, even when I was almost incoherent and not quite up to visitors. Yes, we have both had a rather trying few months.

More soon.