OUT OF HIBERNATION

Last weekend's sun shining into the conservatory and the blue tits investigating the nest box on the wall finally made me think that it was time to cut through the undergrowth and builder's debris to see how the Dorchester line had fared through the winter months.

Apart from an occasional steam up with the Caradoc I have retreated indoors to read (and reread) copies of Garden Rail and plan for the summer.

The line has pretty much been left to fend for itself over the last few months.

If you have read some of the early rambles you might remember that I always promise to build and paint the kits I have purchased throughout the year during the winter months. Somehow spring always comes round and they are still in the drawer. In fact some kits must be collectors items by now.

This year I do have the excuse that the drawer is several miles away buried under a mound of paraphernalia, I could not bear to part with when the shed and garage were demolished for the house extension, in a smart storage unit, with would you believe twenty four hours access.

Despite filling a skip (much to the builders annoyance) with some of the things I had put by because one day they might be needed, and a pile of things I could not remember why I had kept them in the first place or even what they were used for, the storage unit is bulging at the seams. Even the good ladies at the local charity shop hide in the stockroom if they see me coming with another box.

Am I a compulsive hoarder or will I be vindicated one day by being able to use all of these treasured items. Perhaps having kept some of them for over thirty years even I must admit my wife's description of “all that junk” might be nearer the mark.

I have resolved myself to check through and sort out everything when my new garage cum workshop is finished and before anything gets put back on a shelf. On the other hand I just know that the day I throw something out it will be needed the next. Has anyone got any bright ideas to deal with this situation or am I beyond all hope.

I did see on television the other day that one of these home stylists saying that you should look at all your belongings and if you have not used them for year you will probably never use them so ditch them. Some of my rusting nails and screws are older than Jason (aka the Boss). The second test you should use is to look at the object and decide if you love it and it loves you back. I found this test a bit hard on a gunged up half empty tin of paint I last used on a bedroom two houses ago. Mind you I had to give my good lady a second look before deciding she passed this test (only joking)

There are many aids and clinics to help people stop drinking , smoking or gambling but what about us hoarders. Perhaps one day when global warming takes a hold my little treasures will come into their own. But where can I store them until then out of reach of my wife who delights in tidying everything up usually into the nearest bin.

I think the safest option is to keep everything until I retire in a few years time and then have one big clear out.

Now I have rambled I can report that the Dorchester line looks in good health . There is a bit of subsidence here and there and a few buildings need a bit of attention but after a bit of track cleaning trains were happily chugging round again. This only goes to prove how good LGB engineering is.

Lets hope that we have a really good summer of train running without too many showers especially at weekends.

Rambling Roger March 2008.

CLICK HERE to read Roger's first Rambling  - A Winters Tale.

 CLICK HERE for the second Roger's Rambling - The L.G.B Railway.

CLICK HERE to read the Rambling -  Signals.

CLICK HERE to read Rogers Rambling - Open Days.

CLICK HERE for Rogers Ramble - Rambling  Lament

CLICK HERE  to read the Ramble - Rambling On.

CLICK HERE  to read the last Roger's Rambling - Rainy Day Thoughts.

CLICK HERE  to read Roger's Open Days Again rambling.

CLICK HERE to read Roger's Rambling called The End Of The Line.

CLICK HERE to read Roger's Rambling called - A New Begining.

CLICK HERE to read Roger's Ramble - The New Dorchester Railway.

CLICK HERE to read Roger's Last Ramble - Rambling on in 2007.