Something For The Weekend (1)

A Typical Sadness

This from James Freeman's newsletter for First Bus the Bristol area.

But it was a double sadness.

 Which Brings This Into Sharp Focus

Also from Bristol, a selection of electronic destination settings that First is adding to all their vehicles, with instructions to show them whenever the correct geographical route would not normally be shown - i.e. NOT as the bus seeks out its passengers en route.

It is a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to protect ourselves and others as much as is possible. And, it hardly needs to be said, but our condolences and prayers go out to all who are suffering and to all who have lost those near and dear to them.

But Life Goes On

Transport Extra reports that the starting pistol has been fired and work - with appropriate social distancing - can commence. Contractors may start gearing up for real construction.

Some experts, however, are already expressing the thought that we may all be so used to "working from home" that rail travel will never return to its previous levels.

Whoops Again

Whilst reading about Reading and the 703, fbb was led to the Courtney Buses web site and its list of timetables including services to the real Winkfield!

The 162A does an out-and-back Winkfield loop whereas the 162 find its way to Ascot.

The Bracknell network map, too is excellent.

Less so, perhaps, is the information for route C10.

The picturesque Berkshire new-built settlements of outstandingly opulent Origin and domestically desirable Destination have yet to appear on printed maps, or even Google's Streetview.

Maybe something has been omitted?

Free Travel For All In London?

It certainly looks that way if this graphic is to be believed. From Monday you will have to board at the centre door on all London buses.

Ironic in a way, coming soon after the decision to insist on front entrance ONLY for Borismasters.

The front door graphic is obvious ...

... and the centre doors explain ...

... No need to tap in.

So how could you pay?

Prudent Property Purchasing Plan

Model railways are expensive. One popular type of product is resin cast model buildings. Resin buildings are expensive but, for fbb's exterior extravaganza (?) they survive well outside.

A trick which modellers use to get more scenery in a limited space is "low relief" structures. Here you place half (or thinner) of a building up against a painted background and, amazingly enough, it take up half the space (or less) of a full scale model.

A typical pair of low relief houses is produced by Bachmann Scenecraft.

So twelve houses (six pairs) would cost £155.70. 

Some time ago, fbb bought an out-of-production Victorian houses kit ...

... and the matching shops.

Your modeller and author thinks that these kits were produced for Hornby by German manufacturer Faller

The back of the shops is identical with the back of the houses. Both were summarily chopped in half, assembled and painted and have graced the old man's "Church Square" scene for four years - in all weathers. Although the models are now "out of production" they still command a price of about £12 each and more.

fbb paid something like that for BOTH, supposedly "pre-owned" but not assembled.

A week or so ago he obtained another box of two houses, also immediately turned into "low relief", for the princely sum of £6.

This has enabled an increase in the number of hereditaments that provide all mod cons opposite the church - six backs and six fronts with, prototypically, the shops now turned into residences.

Bet you can't spot the new arrivals? Oh, you can? O.K., they need a bit of "weathering" and the addition of their chimney stacks (no smoke-free zone in Peterville); but the whole set looks at least presentable - and only £1.50 a property.

Cheaper than Chips !!

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Short Thought

This series of spiritual "thoughts" began long, long ago with reference to the little-known Old Testament prophet Habakkuk. He wanted to know when God would be "doing something" about the mess his nation was in.

God replied that he was doing something but Habakkuk may not like it. What God was doing was "sending" or "allowing" or "not stopping" (the words may vary according to convention or culture) the Babylonians from invading, destroying Jerusalem and the Temple and taking the fittest people away to slavery and exile.

The exiles would only be permitted to return when they had learned their lesson; when they repented of their sin and respected their "half" of the Covenant.

So how does God stand vis à vis the Virus?
How does God stand re the millions who are being persecuted?
Air Quality? Cancer? Homelessness? War? Terrorism?
Dying of Old Age? Murdering Unborn Children (Abortion)? 
The list of badness is vast.

There are no easy answers - it would be offensively glib to suggest that there are. We live in a very broken world; we have neglected God's standards and the consequence is brokenness of various sorts. We can debate until the cows come home whose fault it all is but God does give is an answer.

We may not like it ... but God's eternal promise of Life through Repentance and the Salvation of the Cross trumps any other solution.

And it is on offer to us all.

Maybe it really is worth a try?

Christianity is the fastest growing Faith in the world (sadly not in Europe) as many millions give it a go every year and find it does work.

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