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Topic starter
23/08/2017 12:22 pm
PICS: We visited the Brooklin factory today
Kelly and I are on an extended stay in France. We took a side trip to Bath to see our favorite model maker. I'll be posting some more pictures when we get back to our temporary home. But I wanted to give a quick shout out to Nigel, Amanda and our own JR. They were excellent and most gracious hosts with Nigel taking a great deal of time to show us the factory and how these little gems are made.
I've watched the videos and seen all the photographs. But, I have to admit, seeing the process in person makes a big difference. The amount of expertise and handwork involved in making a white metal model is incredible! I walked away with an all new appreciation for the price we now pay for a Brooklin!
Add to it Nigel's passion for excellence, JR's expert input and the entire team's dedication to the hobby and the future of white metal models looks rosy indeed!
Here's me (in the middle) with Nigel and JR.
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Mo Brown arranged to have my BCC models delivered to the factory. The legendary and gracious Amanda had them waiting for me when we arrived. She's an amazing lady!
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After the tour, we had a delightful time with JR at one of the local coffee shops. We had a most productive time...until I suggested that all Brooklin models be made in shades of pink and green. This was John's reaction,
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I think he really liked the idea because, after a long and thoughtful pause, he said, "I don't even know how to express my feelings about that!"
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
23/08/2017 1:30 pm
Thanks for the travel report, John. Color me green (with envy!), but not pink.
23/08/2017 1:51 pm
2016 club models
Supplying the club models was my pleasure John. Hope the you like the pair of Buicks
23/08/2017 4:35 pm
John...... Looks like you lost a few pounds. What's the secret?
Topic starter
23/08/2017 8:56 pm
Thanks, Tom. I'm down 55 lbs from last March.
I've been doing low-impact resistance training three times a week. My trainer has also helped me alter my diet to fewer calories a day augmented by drinking a gallon of water each day as well.
The method works! I'm not running around starving all day and my Dr. says I'm as healthy as he's seen me in the last twenty years. When I was in Chicago for the 1/43 show, he was concerned about my weight and I had already begun to have problems with my knees. The weight loss has not reversed the knee problem, but the Dr. says it may not get any worse.
Net result? Kelly and I are in Europe. While we were in Paris last week, we managed to walk an average of ten miles each day touring the city without wearing ourselves out. We've done it again in Bath, this week.
I just hope and pray we can stay the course. I feel like I have my life back again! I turned 65 in July. My goal is to continue serving our congregation for another fifteen years or more if they'll have me.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
24/08/2017 2:08 pm
John, great to hear about your visit to Bath. Have fun in France and …..
are you returning to England before you head home?
Chris
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
25/08/2017 5:15 am
Very nice and thought-provoking report - how lucky you are to be there!!
25/08/2017 5:10 pm
OK John just thought if you were in the UK again we try to meet up.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
27/08/2017 7:41 pm
John that's just awesome. Wish I had the will to do what you are doing. Knees I've gotten fixed. But with my weight the hips are starting to bother me. 55 pounds. WOW! That would put me back in fighting trim. Maybe even be able to climb a few columns again.