Still at it - so to speak!

Work has started on the addition to the Fire Station i.e 'the tower'. After all you cannot have a fire station without a drill tower, which in the really old days (remember those Pete) the training tower doubled up as a hose drying tower. The wet hose, which was then made of a percolating canvas, was slung up the tower after use to dry it out and extend its working life. Now all fire hose is protectively lined inside and out so the necessity for hose drying facilities has been phased out. However firefighters still need somewhere to practice their ladder techniques - hence the drill towers!

Training/drill towers come in all shapes and forms these days and of course available space in and around the station dictates the size and type of tower - so I have plenty of flexibility and artistic licence for 'my' tower!

[Tales of the past: When serving at Lancaster Circus Centra Fire Station in Birmingham I would quite often cycle into work, which many fellow crew members found mildly amusing. So much so that at the end of one shift my cycle was 'absent from place of leaving'! Now Central was a large station and it was only after a tip off that I looked up to the 7th floor of the drill tower to see my bike hanging out the window!! Yes, I did manage to retrieve it - but with some difficulty - and yes I did get my own back - but that is a story for another day!! Jolly japes!].

The 'tower' at Central Fire Station - quite foreboding on occasions!!!

Getting back to the story..... the BLL tower, which will be more 'local' than the one shown above!

I recently demolished my greenhouse and replaced it, subsequently I currently have plenty of alloy strips available so I have had two attempts to date with another one in the pipeline. There is no rush to complete of course because it seems I may be 'confined' under martial law soon, so I can take my time and fill the days with all sorts of designs!!! Here are two...

Tower 1 - Mmm' Not quite - but fab colour scheme!

Tower 2 - with added balustrading? Mmmm!! 

Now the GM and I have discussed the colour scheme which initially she would not allow the Clerk of Works to change! But in light of various discussion and veiled threats we both agree the yellow will have to go - rainbow could be nice!!

So watch this space on the tower.

Yesterday, Saturday, was 'working party' day over at Buckfastleigh. I was really quite surprised to see the car park extremely busy and lots of people taking advantage of the first steam gala of the year on the 'big' railway. So far not deterred by the doom and gloom brigade!

At the garden railway we have relaid the new baseboards so I spent yesterday assisting with track laying. Really quite useful because I picked up several tips which I will have to incorporate into the BLL when it comes to relaying track in the garden and/or extending the current layout. Sshh!!!

Above: The 'sticking ' and 'tacking' brigade at BFL!

Watch this space for further progress and don't forget -  'wash your hands'!!!