ebay mike's expedition

ebay mike

ebay mike

Retired, but still hoarding. (GOF)
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First I must apologise to anyone who is offended by my lighthearted treatment of a serious situation. Back on October 19th Gavin Sowry's photo of the round robin boxcar gave me a germ of an idea - rather an apt phrase bearing in mind current events. After much thought I have been on a diet, had my hair cut, dug out my best clothes, sorted my transport and am now ready for 'the off' on my pandemic holiday. SWMBO says the figure purporting to be a portrayal of myself is actually a long way from reality - the main discrepancies being I am significantly more portly and appearance wise bear more than a passing resemblance to Compo. I have produced a box for my journey which will hopefully last for the duration. After some judicious trimming of the baseplate the whole thing is small enough to go Royal Mail large letter rate providing a normal envelope is used (NOT a padded Jiffy bag type) keepng costs to a minimum. In the event a recipient feels it an imposition to bear the cost of it's onward transmission I am enclosing a few relevant stamps for their convenience. Unlike the aforementioned boxcar event it would not be appropriate to add any souvenirs as a strict 100g weight limit needs to be maintained.
My aim is to visit as many of our garden railways as I can and have my photograph taken just so I can say "I've been there" and added to the thread as proof. Being out on a limb so to speak, here on the edge of nowhere there are few forumites for me to actually meet in real life so this will be a sort of virtual vacation. Should the opportunity arise to 'go abroad' that would be great as I would not fly, even if we were actually permitted to travel.
Any comments before I get the ball rolling?
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Very enterprising. Your doppelganger is most welcome to visit my indoor layout whilst it is under (re)construction.
 
ebay mike said:
First I must apologise to anyone who is offended by my lighthearted treatment of a serious situation. Back on October 19th Gavin Sowry's photo of the round robin boxcar gave me a germ of an idea - rather an apt phrase bearing in mind current events. After much thought I have been on a diet, had my hair cut, dug out my best clothes, sorted my transport and am now ready for 'the off' on my pandemic holiday. SWMBO says the figure prurrporting to be a portrayal of myself is actually a long way from reality - the main discrepancies being I am significantly more portly and appearance wise bear more than a passing resemblance to Compo. I have produced a box for my journey which will hopefully last for the duration. After some judicious trimming of the baseplate the whole thing is small enough to go Royal Mail large letter rate providing a normal envelope is used (NOT a padded Jiffy bag type) keepng costs to a minimum. In the event a recipient feels it an imposition to bear the cost of it's onward transmission I am enclosing a few relevant stamps for their convenience. Unlike the aforementioned boxcar event it would not be appropriate to add any souvenirs as a strict 100g weight limit needs to be maintained.
My aim is to visit as many of our garden railways as I can and have my photograph taken just so I can say "I've been there" and added to the thread as proof. Being out on a limb so to speak, here on the edge of nowhere there are few forumites for me to actually meet in real life so this will be a sort of virtual vacation. Should the opportunity arise to 'go abroad' that would be great as I would not fly, even if we were actually permitted to travel.
Any comments before I get the ball rolling?
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Hi Mike, yes he will be very welcome here and to travel on my line. Possibly also tue loft railway, could post on from here to Gizzy, Paul Rushden or perhaps others that show interest. I missed out on the Van visiting me for hm let us not go down that route so would love to be early on the listfor this great idea.
 
Well, all I can say is that you've scrubbed up well :p:p

Yeah, get it rolling :):)
 
dunnyrail said:
Hi Mike, yes he will be very welcome here and to travel on my line. Possibly also tue loft railway, could post on from here to Gizzy, Paul Rushden or perhaps others that show interest. I missed out on the Van visiting me for hm let us not go down that route so would love to be early on the listfor this great idea.
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Thank you Jon. Bearing in mind you missed out on the earlier tour I'll let you have first crack. I will be in the post tomorrow - I gather there's going to be a send off for me in the morning. As idlemarvel has also volunteered I'm sure he won't mind me including an address label for him to be next. I have quite a few addresses of forumites saved from previous dealings but 1) I don't want to arrive uninvited and 2) I don't want to disclose their locations without agreement.
 
Stick me on the list...

Can't guarantee you will end-up near that pick David posted over the weekend, but can organise something, I am sure.

PhilP.
 
Great idea Mike, may I suggest that 2 threads are used - one for the pictures and one for the list of who wants you to visit? We can make both sticky so they stay at the top of list.
 
A quick update. The rain stopped so a hastily arranged send off took place. SWMBO and representatives from the local press waved me good-bye from St Valery. By the time I got to the junction at Noyelles word had got out and the local station staff turned out to bid me farewell, much to the consternation of the other passengers awaiting their connection. I will have to draw up a list of who wants my visit and sort out how to let my hosts where to send me next.
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muns said:
Great idea Mike, may I suggest that 2 threads are used - one for the pictures and one for the list of who wants you to visit? We can make both sticky so they stay at the top of list.
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Good idea Mark. Just let me know what I need to do. Thanks, Mike.
 
Mike add me to your list, I am sure you have my address, as we have exchanged gifts and cash a couple of times ;)
 
Add me to the list, too, please, Mike. It will most likely be my temporary, indoor layout on the floor you travel on, but if weather permits I will set up something around the pond.

I took part in a similar exercise with a Playmobil figure years ago with varied success.
 
Add me too Mike. You are most welcome to travel to County Armagh. We won't be back until after December 14th so if it has to be the New Year, fair enough. You have my address.
Trevor
 
Hi Mike
Since we are of the same ‘clan’ , a ‘ family ‘ visit would be welcome....... ( not that we have seen any other family members for a good couple of months!)
Dave
 
Yes, why not? How do we do this? Return it to you after we have photographed it, or send it on to someone else? If it's the latter, how would we know who to send it to?
 
Seems a good idea, given your attire I'd respectfully suggest that any visit to the 'Wastelands of the Frozen North East' is deferred to late Spring or early Summer..........:)

The Shed Railway is patrolled by Security Personnel, bag searches are mandatory! ;)
 
Paul M said:
Yes, why not? How do we do this? Return it to you after we have photographed it, or send it on to someone else? If it's the latter, how would we know who to send it to?
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I think it will be similar to the boxcar trip. List of those wanting a visit will be drawn up on a separate thread. The next in line messages the current host and provides their address. Does that make sense?
 
ebay mike said:
Thank you Jon. Bearing in mind you missed out on the earlier tour I'll let you have first crack. I will be in the post tomorrow - I gather there's going to be a send off for me in the morning. As idlemarvel has also volunteered I'm sure he won't mind me including an address label for him to be next. I have quite a few addresses of forumites saved from previous dealings but 1) I don't want to arrive uninvited and 2) I don't want to disclose their locations without agreement.
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Thanks Mike, will take some swift pics with some quality Power and post you on as per the label.
 
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