I might as well build the b****y thing then!

I've been trying to thin down my stash of unstarted projects. Like most of us, I've accumulated kits that no longer fit into my future plans. Kits like this Airfix Peugeot 206.

I bought it because I had a Peugeot 206 and thought it would be nice to build a model of it. The 206 is a surprisingly unloved car and miniatures are thin on the ground. The Airfix kit appeared like it might offer an option but looking at it, mine was quite a long way from the rally version and I'm not convinced any conversion would look right - so the kit went into the stash.

A few weeks ago, I decided to clear space and put it up on eBay. This week it sold so I packed it and headed down to the Post Office. I'd arranged a pre-paid slip so minimal handling would be required, important in these unusual times.

But the Post Office was closed. For the foreseeable future. Staff shortages apparently.

Now you might think I could just take it to a different Post Office, but we've not enjoyed one of those on Leamington for well over 6 months. When the PO was given away to the governments mates, ours shifted from the purpose build building to the back of a supermarket. Which then closed down.

The PO re-opened for a week and then a leaky roof caused it to close again. And that was that.

Now I could wait for the local office to re-open maybe, but I'm not convinced this is going to happen. Therefore I've refunded the buyer and called it all off.

So, with the eBay fees and postage I can't seem to get back, had I thrown this kit in the bin, I'd be around 4 quid worse off. So, I'm now thinking I might as well just glue it together for fun, and then chuck it in the bin.

So much for clearing out old projects...

Lego Wuppertal

Yes, I know it's another Lego post, but how amazing is this Wuppertal monorail? ]

OK, it's a bit slow, but fascinating. Well, I liked it anyway.

Beware geeks bearing gifts

Some time ago, I was on the receiving and of a load of chunky plugs and sockets. I love these things as they are far easier to wire up than micro versions from the IT world, and there is something very satisfying about using connections as old as a H&M Duette.

Anyway, as they are getting hard to find, and despite the fact I've not used the last lot, when offered more I said yes.

The box was collected at our show and dropped in the back of the car.

It's only when I got home I realised, THERE ARE NO SOCKETS!

Yes, I have some very nicely assembled wires fitted to some lovely chunky plugs. But nothing to plug them in to.

I suppose the wire will be useful...

Cleaning the airbrush

One thing I am rubbish at is keeping my airbrush properly clean. I blast cellulose thinner through followed by airbrush cleaner. I even leave some of the later in the system (some in the cup) when it's out of use, but the thing still isn't as clean as it should be.

I read on t'internet that popping the important bits in an ultrasonic jewellery cleaner was the solution. I have one in a cupboard so dug it out and stuck in some batteries.

According to Eileen's Emporium, water is perfectly good as a cleaner (they could easily have sold me something "right") so I toped it up and left the bit in for a soak as the ultrasonics did their thing.

The results were unimpressive.

Assuming the paint was too well attached, I gave them a bath in Supastrip paint stripper then back into the ultrasonic water.

Results were a little better. I then tried the stuff that came in a packet with the cleaner. It looked suspiciously like washing up liquid, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Even after a good working over with paper towels, the results still aren't as sparkling as I'd hoped.

Someone tell me what I'm missing, please.

Waterbourne Wednesday: AB160

I like this boat because it's so normal. You'll find dozens of similar vessels on any quayside. 

According to the registry, she was built in 1984 and is called Lillian. 

Her actual use is a bit of a mystery to me - looking at the lifting gear I'm thinking tending to lobster pots would be a good guess. You aren't going to want to go very far offshore in her when the weather is poor. At least I wouldn't.

There's some nice detail on the side with wooden fenders to protect the fibreglass hull from bashing against the quay wall. Blue anti-fouling paint too, not the red I normally expect.