Exactly. My concern was not just for a missing announcement but for Tom's welfare.
Seems some are very quick to fire a broadside

After dinner, the two friends wait for their conversation to resume in the quiet comfort of the Castle's Great Library. The aroma of aged leather-bound books mingles with the faint, smoky scent of the crackling oak log fire, enhancing the cosy atmosphere. Flickering shadows play upon the towering bookshelves, filled with volumes of ancient wisdom and tales of yore. The fire's comforting glow illuminates the room with a soft, flickering light that further enhances the tranquil ambience of the Great Library.

Jeremy, Giles' closest confidant, is seated in the plush comfort of a well-worn leather armchair, its dark brown surface gleaming in the soft glow of the firelight. The chair, like its twin across from it, has witnessed countless hours of intellectual discourse and friendly banter over many years.

Across from Jeremy, separated by a low, mahogany table scattered with remnants of their after-dinner coffee and cognac, sits Giles. His usually jovial face is drawn into an expression of deep thought, mirroring the seriousness that has settled over Jeremy's features.

The room around them is silent, save for the occasional pop and crackle from the logs on the fire. The quiet is not uncomfortable but filled with a sense of anticipation. The atmosphere is heavy with the weight of unspoken words, the shared understanding that comes from years of friendship adding depth to the silence. It is a moment frozen in time, a snapshot of tranquility amidst the thoughts troubling them.

The crackling fire provides a rhythmic soundtrack to their thoughts, the flames reflecting in their eyes. The seriousness of their expressions belies the warmth of their friendship, a testament to the many missions they have undertaken, both together and alone. As the fire crackles and pops, the conversation unfolds.

"Jeremy, you seem rather pensive. What's on your mind?" Giles asks, his gaze steady on his friend.

Jeremy clears his throat, his gaze steady on Giles. He leans forward in his chair, the firelight casting a warm glow on his serious face. "Giles", he begins, his voice steady and resolute, "Let's dive straight into the heart of the matter, shall we?" His words hang in the air, a testament to the gravity of the conversation that's about to unfold in the quiet comfort of the Great Library.

Giles takes a moment to absorb Jeremy's words, his gaze steady on the dancing flames of the fire. A soft sigh escapes him, a testament to the weight of the conversation that lies ahead. He then lifts his gaze to meet Jeremy's, a silent acknowledgement of his friend's resolve. His expression is calm, the seriousness of the situation reflected in his eyes. Yet, there is a certain determination there, a readiness to face whatever topic Jeremy is about to dive into. He gives a slight nod, signaling his agreement to proceed with the discussion. "Alright, Jeremy", he says, his voice steady, "Let's get to it."

Jeremy takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Giles, I've had a conversation with Sylvie. She shared some things about Eli's past that I think you should know."

Giles' expression turns curious, "What did Sylvie say about Eli?"

Jeremy continues, "She told me that Eli's mother had seen her father as a mature, seasoned, and strong man who she believed would safeguard and support her and their future children. However, beneath this facade of strength was a domineering man who resorted to alcohol when life got tough, drinking himself to an early grave, leaving his weak, widowed wife to raise Eli alone."

Giles leans forward. "I had no idea. Eli always seems so strong, so resilient."

"That's just it, Giles", Jeremy replies. Eli's strength and resilience are indeed born out of her past struggles. These experiences have indelibly marked her, shaping her into the person she is today. Sylvia shared with me her belief that Eli, much like her mother, finds herself drawn to strong men. However, there's an underlying apprehension, a fear of the possible repercussions."

"Do tell me more, Jeremy."

Quote from: 5213 65J on Yesterday at 08:54:54 PMAny chance of them all going for a short holiday?

Yes, they do, in January, after the snow clears.

Is there a source for moulded plastic or 3D-printed roofs for LNER Gresley carriages? I am 3D printing some carriages but can't model their roofs. I've a couple of plastic roofs from old models (Cavendish, I think) but need more and can't find any!

Have you read the conversation?

"Not seen Tom from N gauge news for a while, hope all's ok?"

"Think he's moving house"

Where is anyone chastising him for not posting or otherwise suggesting he doesn't deserve time to 'catch his breath'?

Hmmmm.

Moving house is one of life's great challenges along with birth of a child and death of a parent.

If the Ngaugenews website is a one man band then I think people need to cut him some slack.

We all have challenges in our lifetimes and we don't all run websites with up to the minute news etc.

Give the guy some space to catch his breath.

GE

I've got a raod with a row of half relief terrace houses in front of my backscene, road bridge at each end "disguise" the track vanishing rather than a tunnel.

Any chance of them all going for a short holiday?

"Continuing with our plans", Lady Penelope begins, her voice filled with excitement, "I have a few more ideas for us to keep in mind that could create magical moments for Giles and Eli.

"Firstly, a snowy walk. Imagine them strolling through the castle grounds blanketed in fresh snow. The soft crunch of their boots on the snow, the gentle glow of the moonlight, and the quiet serenity of the night could provide a perfect setting for a heart-to-heart conversation."

"That sounds delightful, Penny", Lord Trevelver agrees, picturing the moonlit scene. That's easy enough to organise."

"Next, Christmas Caroling. They could join the rest of the castle inhabitants for our traditional Christmas Eve Carol Service in Saint Petroc's chapel. The shared joy of singing timeless Christmas tunes could bring them closer."

"A wonderful tradition, indeed", Huw adds, his voice filled with nostalgia.

"Then, a gift exchange. A secret gift exchange could be arranged where Giles and Eli end up being giving each other a present. The thought and care put into choosing the perfect gift for each other could reveal their feelings for each other."

"An excellent idea, Penny", Lord Trevelver responds, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Furthermore, cooking together."

"Indeed, Lady Penelope", Huw responds, his voice filled with anticipation. "The idea of cooking together is an excellent one. They could spend time in the castle kitchen, baking Christmas delights or even helping to prepare a festive meal. The act of creating something tasty together could indeed strengthen their bond."

He pauses for a moment, then continues, "I will discuss this with Gwendolyn; as the Castle's Housekeeper, my wife is quite at home in the kitchen and has a knack for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. I'm sure she would be more than willing to assist Giles and Eli in their culinary adventure. This could indeed be a wonderful opportunity for them to bond over shared tasks and the joy of creating something delicious together." His voice, filled with warmth and certainty, echoes softly in the room, a testament to their shared anticipation of the plan's unfolding.

"To avoid any complications, Huw, please ask Gwendolyn to get Madern Pennec's agreement first. You know how touchy chef can be!"

"Definitely, Lady Penelope", Huw responds, nodding in agreement. "Gwendolyn will indeed need to coordinate with our esteemed chef. Madern Pennec's culinary expertise and understanding of the kitchen's workings will be invaluable in this endeavor. I'm sure he would be more than willing to assist Giles and Eli in their culinary adventure, perhaps even imparting a few of his secret seasonal Breton recipes, especially to a fellow Breton. This could indeed be a wonderful opportunity for them to bond over shared tasks and the joy of creating something delicious together." His voice, filled with warmth and certainty, echoes softly in the room, a testament to their shared anticipation of the plan's unfolding.

"Thank you, Huw. Please also convey my thanks to your wife and Madern. Now, to watching the sunrise. Giles and Eli could watch the sunrise together from the Owl Tower, sipping on hot cocoa and wrapped in warm blankets. The beauty of the moment could spark deeper feelings."

"A truly magical moment, Penny", Lord Trevelver acknowledges, his voice filled with admiration.

"And finally, ice skating. An afternoon spent ice skating on the frozen pond in the castle grounds could lead to many shared laughs and tender moments."

"That sounds like a lot of fun", Huw responds, his voice filled with excitement.

"Indeed, these moments could create a magical Christmas for Giles and Eli", Lady Penelope concludes, her voice filled with hope.

"Let's make this a Christmas to remember." Her husband's words echo in the room, a promise of the enchanting festivities to come.

"But as always, Charles", Lady Penelope continues, her tone serious yet gentle. We will respect their choices and their pace. We'll offer our support and understanding, as we have always done. After all, matters of the heart cannot be rushed. They must unfold in their own time, in their own way."

"You're right, Penny", Lord Trevelver agrees, his voice filled with understanding. "We can only do our best and provide our support."

"Yes, indeed, my dear," Lady Penelope concludes, her voice filled with wisdom. "As we sit here finalising our plans, I am reminded of how important it is to understand that, with wisdom and grace, we must allow love to develop naturally." Her words echo in the room, a testament to their shared understanding and respect for the delicate nature of love.

I agree, if the landscape allows cuttings e.g. @Nbodger layout 'Hillsden' but my plan and size of layout doesn't let me do that. What really bugs me is the number of show layouts I see with trains just disappearing through a hole in the backscene with little or no attempt to disguise it