Nick's Notes

[Nick]

My model making mojo has melted away. I look at the table and don't feel the urge to complete anything. Need to clear up a lot here. 

Another part of it is that I get home and Mum is sat there on her own and I feel I should sit there with her watching TV and talking to her.

So this year I'll most likely bring some of my older or lesser seen models to Telford. Might finish a small 1/144 kit or two at the weekend.


I have a lot of kits to sell from my stash so I will put a list up here and Britmodeller - kits to be collected at Telford or the London show in December.

I also have 12 years worth of IPMS magazines to clear out so if anyone is interested they can have the lot for £5. It's all in a big heavy shoebox.

[kitbasher]

Sorry to hear stuff is all a bit of a struggle at the moment, Nick.  Good lad for wanting to support your Mum, totally understandable.  But don't feel bad about having a bit of 'me time' every now and again, even just the odd hour here and there.

Yes, a quick and easy kit will be therapeutic.  OOB, no faffing with extra detail.  A Hobbyboss (or similar) quickbuild would be ideal.

In the longer run it'll help you better help your mum.

[Pellson]

My model making mojo has melted away. I look at the table and don't feel the urge to complete anything. Need to clear up a lot here. 

Oh, I regularly find myself where you are now. Then I just leave things where they are, or even clear off the desk, just to get a clean start. Then, sooner or later, I find something (often a new kit) or read something, or see a photograph or a picture, and then I'm back again. But it can take a year or more.
I see that as natural, actually, because this is a hobby. Not work, or a duty. Its pleasure. 

Another part of it is that I get home and Mum is sat there on her own and I feel I should sit there with her watching TV and talking to her.

Then do that. It's time well spent. There will be a time for modelling, but now it's a time for family. Endorse it and let things take its course.

[Rick Lowe]

I see that as natural, actually, because this is a hobby. Not work, or a duty. Its pleasure. 

This! Totally agree.

And Time Spent With Mother is always good, even if it seems annoying at the time.
You'll not get any more, once she's gone. 

[kerick]

My model making mojo has melted away. I look at the table and don't feel the urge to complete anything. Need to clear up a lot here. 

Oh, I regularly find myself where you are now. Then I just leave things where they are, or even clear off the desk, just to get a clean start. Then, sooner or later, I find something (often a new kit) or read something, or see a photograph or a picture, and then I'm back again. But it can take a year or more.
I see that as natural, actually, because this is a hobby. Not work, or a duty. Its pleasure. 

Another part of it is that I get home and Mum is sat there on her own and I feel I should sit there with her watching TV and talking to her.

Then do that. It's time well spent. There will be a time for modelling, but now it's a time for family. Endorse it and let things take its course.

I see that as natural, actually, because this is a hobby. Not work, or a duty. Its pleasure. 

This! Totally agree.

And Time Spent With Mother is always good, even if it seems annoying at the time.
You'll not get any more, once she's gone. 

This is great advice!!!
Just check in once in a while to say hi.

[scooter]

You'll not get any more, once she's gone. 

That is more true than not.  There are times I'd like to have my late mother (pre-brain tumor) back for a few moments, to vent about work, to talk about just stuff.  And I know SWMBO would utterly love to have hers back as well.

[Rick Lowe]

Even 3 years down the track, I still find myself noticing something I'd like to share with her, and "Oh, yeah..." 

[McColm]

Quality time is always good with mum and there's times that your mojo just needs a lift.
My mum is looked after by my little sister and fortunately her husband works from home. They are literally next door to each other with a passing door at the side. I know that Falmouth is only 4 hours 40 minutes away by train from London Paddington Station, I was intending to hire a car and drive but the government has other plans for those of us 55 and over.

[PR19_Kit]

..... I was intending to hire a car and drive but the government has other plans for those of us 55 and over.

They have? What are they then, 'cos they didn't tell me and I'm MILES past 55?!

[The Rat]

I was intending to hire a car and drive but the government has other plans for those of us 55 and over.

?! I'm over 70, had no problem renting a car the last 2 times I was across the pond.

[McColm]

Starting from the 27th October 2025, those drivers 55 or over instead of renewing their driving licence every 10 years its now every 5 years with the mandatory eye test but if you have had heart problems you'll need a doctors note to say that you are fit to drive, more information can be found on the DVLA website.

[McColm]

OK, you made it sound as though car hire-related restrictions were being considered/applied.

I haven't hired a car for over 10 years, so I'm hoping that the rules haven't changed. Book online, flash the credit card at the agent ,sign for it and collect it.

[PR19_Kit]

Starting from the 27th October 2025, those drivers 55 or over instead of renewing their driving licence every 10 years its now every 5 years with the mandatory eye test but if you have had heart problems you'll need a doctors note to say that you are fit to drive, more information can be found on the DVLA website.

Is that so?

I haven't heard anything about this anywhere else, amid the usual diatribe against older drivers from the ever young journalists we seem to have these days, most of which aren't fit to drive a screw, let alone a car!

[Nick]

Looked this up and this new rule has NOT been brought in. It is not on the DVLA website. It has appeared on a few local media websites and they all now say

A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that new changes had been brought in for drivers over 55s, but this error has now been corrected.

I would like this sub-topic to be moved to a separate thread please.

[The Rat]

If they apply this to rentals, it could put a serious dent in tourism.