Ridiculous isn't it, they haven't even done Halloween yet  -at least, my local Tesco hadn't last week.

Saw some Christmas stuff in B+M (I think) last week......Only four months to go!

Martyn

Display being set up in the supermarket this morning...

May I be the first to wish everyone a stress free "Overpriced tat and excess chocolate buying season"...

So, that was my full name and address, name of bank, account name, account number, sort code, IBAN number and BIC (SWIFT) number. Maybe this might help someone in the future (like George )
My inside leg measurement was not asked for

Everything. Including what's hidden in your grandmother's wardrobe, or under the floorboards

@Stuart Down Under I'm assuming I was asked to order the item owing to the company concerned not shipping to Oz.
In which case I had to pay the VAT and pass that cost on, so no saving sadly

@Bealman managed a transfer using Western Union. It cost him £5.29 (10 Aus $)*
Maybe he could tell us all what info was needed to do this.

* No idea if this is a flat fee or is a percentage of the amount transferred

I'm sorry, but I will never, ever get excited about ballasting track 

But your job is certainly inspirational.

This is my first proper layout, and I'm just trying to put into practice what I've seen and learnt from so many people. I had done a bit of ballasting before and not done a good job, but Steve Wright of James Street fame told me how he does it. I adapted his methods by using a Peedie models ballasting aid, which sped up plain track stuff well, and also a Railway Modeller tip to put masking tape along the outer edges to define the ballast line. I followed Steve's advice by putting tiny amounts into points until it was right, while he also suggested using a piece of foam (mine came from the Peco loco maintenance aid) to tamp and move ballast around. The best piece of advice though was to do however much you were happy with in a session, then stop. Go back the next day and tweak any areas you don't like, and only then start to glue it down.

Thanks for all the kind comments, I'll keep on going then!

Dave