I definitely need times like these. Working on my own it’s easy to be lost in my own headspace where I think about nothing but my job, the world around me and in some cases those personal slights, that I focus on way too much.
2nd May 2025
Despite being something of a dog lover we don’t have one of our own. However, I do have a brother in law who has a gorgeous standard poodle (and boy, does he know it!) so when we house-sit for Mark we get to look after their dog, and occasionally take him for long and highly enjoyable walks.
Today, was one of those days.
I guess it goes without saying to those that have a pet of their own that there is something deeply relaxing about being out with a dog, lead in hand. As we are enjoying some unseasonably warm weather at the moment our early walk this morning through one of our local forests, was a time to relax reflect and focus on nothing but the bird song, the trees, and just being out in the fresh air.
I definitely need times like these. Working on my own it’s easy to be lost in my own headspace where I think about nothing but my job, the world around me and in some cases those personal slights, that I focus on way too much. Being outside in the woods or as we normally do, along the local canal, gets me away from all of that. And I like the relative peace. When I first started walking every day I would listen to music. Indeed, I worked out that I could do a set path and listen to the entirety of the ‘Race For Space’ album by Public Service Broadcasting almost to the minute, something I did over and over. These days, I need the silence, so don’t listen to music at all, the sounds of the surrounding town and countryside being a far more relaxing soundtrack to my time outside.
Though this morning’s walk was as relaxing and welcome as usual there was a downside. In fact, there were two. As any aircraft enthusiast will tell you, whenever an aircraft flies over, you have to look up. Much like Pavlov’s dog, that noise is enough to instantly have you scanning the sky above, no matter what might be going over. This morning I was distracted by the distinctive drone of what I knew was an A400 Atlas and then, ten minutes later, the howl of two jet engines, very low and right above us, the latter belonging to two Hawk T2s. The problem? We were in the trees, so although I could hear them, it was impossible to see any of the three aircraft that had shattered the peace with their presence. I was fuming. Truth be told, I still am! Damned trees!
Joking aside, I loved being out this morning, especially as we also stopped off for some shopping at a local farm shop and then a quick coffee. As usual, our furry companion absolutely stole the show, his mere presence being enough to stop everyone who happened to notice him – not difficult given his size! This is nothing new. Wherever we go he’s the same, sitting there waiting for the attention that he always gets!
This afternoon was a little more back to work for my liking, but I had to get the interior of the Jaguar done before attention turns to my commission over the next four weeks. I managed to complete the gear bays so that’s the main work done inside the fuselage. It’s not all photographed yet, so I will not be able to complete the airframe and with this weekend being almost all focussed around the final Coventry game of the season and then meeting friends on Sunday, that’s unlikely to be done until next week. Still, I’m happy with the work so far, feeling that my plans for the model are well on track, which is more than pleasing.
See you tomorrow.
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: WHY HAVE I NEVER BUILT A LIGHTNING?
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A TRIP TO BRISTOL…
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: A RELAXING DAY…
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: HOW MANY MORE KITS DO I HAVE, HALF STARTED?!
- A MODELMAKER’S LIFE: 2025 ALL WRAPPED UP!
Spenser Lucky to escape with 1-1 with the saints. Still very good reading your daily comments and the last book…
Wow! I built a dozen back around 1980. Entered them as a collection at the IPMS USA Nationals. Didn’t win…
Yes, stop procrastinating……build a Lightning🤣
Who knows, you might even consider publishing another bookazine on building the BAC Lightning as well?
I am glad that the man was talked down. It’s definitely hard to see without knowing the outcome, until later.…
SPENCER POLLARD'S KIT BOX 
Fab Hawk T.2 pics ! They look so much more ‘business-like’ than the pretty T.1.I remember as a foreign tourist being enthralled by them in Lake District .And then reading to my surprise the locals complained constantly about them ! One streaked overhead as we were on a lake boat ride ….far more exciting even than Eurofighters zoom climbing some distance away ( maybe not on reheat …) I think star of our Peak District break were the F15s which sounded very near and loud when very far away!
LikeLike