What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Monday 28th October 2024

The Iceland Roast Chicken dinner isn't £2.50 any more it's gone up to £3.75! I'm feeling a lot better now that my stomach has stopped cleaning itself out. A bit like the self clean setting on my washing machine.
This morning I had a large delivery of packages I have to say that I was a little disappointed with the Wizarding World 'Hogwarts Express Model Paint Set. The locomotive doesn't come with the coal tender and is a resin mould which needs to be cleaned up so something decent can be achieved. Yes you get the stickers,  acrylic paint, paint brush and scenic background. There's no detailing on the footplate or inside the cab. There's a few seems that need sanding down to remove them but it will do as a toy or in a display case.  (I was only after the stickers. )
The waterslide transfer sheet NMS-3 arrived I hope I have better luck with the chevrons than the previous ones which dissolved in water in front of my eyes.
I also received a cloth measurement tape and my favourite 24 hour ration pack Menu 5.
This means that the rest should be arriving before Wednesday.
 

[McColm]

Wednesday 30th October 2024

Paint and conversion work on the Triang Pullman Car 79s  has begun. Further investigation into the Rovex station  has revealed that they were along with Triang older than Hornby so no wonder the platform fits with a name change they became Hornby.
In the afternoon another kitchen and bathroom inspection from the council,  although I probably won't get new fittings it was agreed that there's a few issues that need attention, such as tiling in the bathroom and a shower fitted. The kitchen cupboard doors will be replaced and the radiators painted.

On the workbench the 1/144 Shorts Seal MR.1 now has an air-cushion-landing gear with a few minor changes.

My mind has drifted to the Australian 'Sea Patrol ' TV series and I have been watching several episodes on YouTube. I'm still trying to finish off my book in-between bouts of insomnia.
Got another book by the same author so I can take it to work, the night shift can get a bit boring in the wee hours of the morning.
The contents of the Ration Pack are different to the one I had before. The Danish Pack had a orange sponge cake whilst this one has a cake bar instead. The brown biscuits were just a pile of crumbs but the cheese paste did actually taste like cheese. The chocolate pudding boil in the bag turned out okay.
Might buy some more for the night shift.

[McColm]

Friday 1st November 2024

Phew all my bills have been paid for, which doesn't leave me with much. So the GB will start for me in December after I receive my first payslip or digital copy.
It's a bus trip to Lewisham Shopping Centre at midday and a chance to have a wonder around the shops after my appointment with VisionExpress.
I think new lenses but I will have to wait for the results plus they can alter the bridge of my spectacles.
Nine days until I get back to work, so next week should be busy with emails and phone calls. I should be able to finish off my book and the Pullman coaches will be almost finished.
Or what usually happens a stampede all at once next Friday.

Afternoon
I have a new pair of glasses curtesy of NHS being made by VisionExpress. The lenses will be sharper than my current ones. Almost the same frames but much lighter.
Lewisham Shopping Centre was very busy, got some new stores opening and the 380 bus ride revealed some more of Charlton Southeast London to me.

[McColm]

Monday 4th November 2024

My new corporate uniform arrived this morning and everything fits. This must be the first time in roughly forty years as being a security officer that I don't need to alter or have to send anything back to be replaced.
I will in due course require a belt for my trousers but the suit, shirts and tie fit. I'm not too sure about the piece of chequered cloth which is in the same style as the tie. Could be a handkerchief for the top pocket of the jacket.
No raincoat, fleece or jumper provided so far which would suggest that I'm working front of house or in the reception area. The long-range weather forecast is a cold snap at the end of the month with snow showers in the London area by December 14th.
So they don't want me to patrol outside more Costa coffee and Coca-Cola for me.

The Cream Tea Express aka Pullman Hogwarts Castle Express is undergoing a few cosmetic changes, the white window surrounds on the two Pullman power cars are being painted brown having watched a video on the Japanese Seven Star Pullman train.

On the Wizarding World resin moulded Hogwarts Castle locomotive they didn't use enough silicone to break the castings a clean up operation is in full swing. I will need to drill out the rear side window surrounds.
I have a few ideas for the paint schemes, either the Knight Bus or a tie-n-dye/marbling.

The Shorts Valency/Serpentdyne is back from the dead. The original doors have been glued on in the open position. A possible Ekranoplan will be built using spare parts.

[McColm]

Wednesday 6th November 2024

I would like to thank the residents of Barney Close, Charlton Southeast London for the excellent fireworks last night.
 I received what is likely to be the last batch of free medication on the NHS which should see me through to the end of March 2025.

More wet sanding and enamel brown paint applied to the pair of Pullman Car 79s whilst listening to a few episodes of Judge Judy.
Prep work on a few of my die-cast cars, the playworn ones. I'll need some turpentine or white spirits and some new paint brushes to do them justice.

No news from Kingdom about the joining instructions for the holiday cover, probably panic stations tomorrow as the contract manager wants me to meet the client and supervisor first before I start on Sunday could be Monday. A read of the assignment instructions and a wander around the site used to be the normal procedure but every site is slightly different.
I might finish my book by the weekend.

[NARSES2]

Best of luck with the job 

[McColm]

Best of luck with the job 

Thanks

[McColm]

Thursday 7th November 2024

My contracts manager has arranged for me to meet him, the supervisor and the client on Friday. I will be undertaking training on nights over the weekend. I should have a rota for November, pay rate and when I will be paid.
I had a look online about TUPE and employees on long-term sick leave, seems like I'm covered and it will be great to go back to weekly pay but I don't think it will last. Some companies phase this in, going to fortnightly pay and then monthly with a date that they have selected.

So that's it, just make sure that I have got everything for tomorrow.
Thanks for all your support.

My new glasses are ready for collection, I can pick them up tomorrow.
I was right panic started, got an appointment this afternoon at the Jobcentre the floor below Universal Credit. Got to show evidence of returning to work. 

Just got back from my meeting with a Universal Credit Work Coach, signed some paperwork for two weeks travel fares. Should get it tomorrow.
It's all good  and relax.

[McColm]

Friday 8th November 2024

The day started well as I took a bus to North Greenwich Underground Station, then caught the Jubilee line to Bond Street. I wasn't aware at the time that there's now two stations with the same name both connected to the Elizabeth Line. So a short walk to Hanover Square where I met my contract manager at 10am.
It's a short walk to 1A Wimpole Street, I didn't meet the client until lunchtime, then reading the assignment instructions and routine orders for the daily running of the site.
The drinks are free and so is the fruit but everything else isn't. The building has that unfinished look in certain areas, where other areas are like showroom displays. I'm not too sure about the life-sized polar bears obviously some sort of marketing tool, although using wooden Coca-Cola boxes as cladding on a wall has given me an idea.
Costa coffee is on tap or point depending on your perspective.
So I'm back on nights, training Saturday and Wednesday. Then three nights four off and four nights four off which ends the month.
I don't know how long I'll be here at the London Headquarters of the Coca-Cola Group as the security officer that I'm covering is undergoing knee surgery. It's monthly pay although the HR Department can help with a small amount of my wages as an advance.
I haven't got the travel fares from the Universal Credit people although I did sign for them yesterday and gave them my bank details, might need to catch two buses tomorrow night.
 The Christmas lights are up in the West End of London and they do look very pretty when lit up.
Time for bed.

[McColm]

Sunday 10th November 2024

I'm feeling tired after spending the night at my new site doing some training. I caught three buses on the outbound journey to work giving me two hours to get there. It was very straightforward until I caught the number 12 bus outside the Imperial War Museum. Sitting backwards on a Boris Bus packed with tourists who only wanted to see the Christmas lights in Regents Street. I have to admit that they are pretty impressive. Spent 40 minutes going at a snail's pace due to the traffic.
The training was a bit haphazard, I got to do two internal patrols on my own, yes I was that bored. Reading and taking notes.
There's a lot of publicity items, got to get one of the RC large trucks with the trailer that lights up and one of the coolers. I've noticed that Hornby has got the licence for some of the rolling stock and a few train sets. With or without the controller, points or track mat. Still a bit on the pricy side.
Coca-Cola has 26 brands and I think that I have drunk 6 of them last night. The Innocent Smoothies really fill me up. Costa Coffee in a can I think it's a preference thing, tasty and smooth. Fanta and Sprite are a couple of the other brands. There's a few promotions and also chocolate bars.
The chairs are very comfortable and there's a canteen with microwaves available to heat up food.
I didn't spend that much time in the control room, my training officer is the one who is going to have surgery on his knee and thinks that it will take 2-3 months to recover. He's 77 years old and wants to retire after his SIA Licence runs out next year. Been working on the site for 20 years.
On the way home I caught the 453 bus to Deptford Bridge, we took the magical mystery tour as some of the roads were closed due to the Cenotaph Parade. Even the 177 bus was on diversion due to roadworks in Greenwich High Street.
I'm back in for another night training on Wednesday before going solo on the 17th. I'll take plenty of photos for the keys and passes! Got to unlock the building on the last patrol during the working week.
Apparently my new security company has done a deal with John Lewis and Currys where I can get a discount on electronic appliances spreading the cost over a weekly or monthly basis which should be great for me a few treats for my flat. The HR Department can help me with an advancement of my wages so I have applied for two days. Mostly to cover the fares and get a few essentials as I don't get paid until the 15th of December. Hopefully it should be paid in on the Friday.

[kerick]

The pay advance is decent of them. I don't know of many companies who would do that. Looks like things are getting back to normal. That's a stress reliever.

[McColm]

The pay advance is decent of them. I don't know of many companies who would do that. Looks like things are getting back to normal. That's a stress reliever.

My company uses the Hastee Pay App which will come in very handy, I can only get a 15% advance on the previous weeks wages, I'm not too sure if this applies to everyone but that's what the Kingdom Services Group Ltd payroll department has set up. I'll give it a try next week if I don't get the payment for my travel fares from the DWP.

[McColm]

Tuesday 12th November 2024

It's really frustrating if you aren't tech savvy, after 8 emails from the I.T. and payroll department at my security company I have access to two apps. Hastee which I can't get an advance until 18 days time well that's close to payday and the Kingdom Colleague which only let's me get to the home page. It accepts my login details at the beginning but not when I need to see my shifts or order a new raincoat. Good job they still have email.
I might still get my travel fares paid by my Universal Credit Work Coach, another colleague has read my journal and sent emails to the relevant people, I have enough credit for 6 journeys by bus and which covers me until next week Sunday. With four shifts left in November.
Hopefully my allowance will be the same amount and the adjustments made in December when I get paid.

More ideas for the Polar GB but I think that the alternative history story will be sufficient without a physical build.

[McColm]

Wednesday 13th November 2024

From the videos on YouTube showing highlights of Telford 2024,it's given me a few ideas for next year. Tonight I have another training shift, hopefully this will be better than the last one. Keys and alarms, with loads of questions. My shift pattern has been changed, three nights starting from the 17th and then four nights from the 22nd and then the 30th which completes November.
I can understand one person taking leave but not two on a three manned site, so it's all hands to the pumps. So it's nights and plenty of time to sit and relax. I can sign in as a guest on their Wi-Fi so I'll be able to read what's going on here. As I have mentioned before it won't be until at least February 2025 when I start whiffing again, the odd kit or spare parts for the new stash. Plus the getting the shelf queens finished. I can foresee a few builds being recycled and the return to AEW/maritime surveillance patrol aircraft. The 00 gauge model railway layout getting a baseboard plus kitchen items for my flat.

Captain Canada has laid down the gauntlet when it comes to food, we don't have the same ingredients over here in the UK but I will need to buy a bigger pot and tupperware for the homemade meals.

I had a look in the mirror with my new uniform on, blimey I have aged! I suppose after a few washes the shirt collars will soften just have to watch my waistline.

[NARSES2]

Glad the job seems to be going ok mate    It can be very dificult getting back into the swing of things.