Hi Hugh,
I hope I can add a little here, and certainly hope I don't offend anyone! The truth is most of the modellers on this site are getting a little older (except Alexis!) and we certainly are entering a different phase in our modelling careers. I'm not talking about some of the younger modellers on the site here, youngsters who have boundless concentration and energy, (like Przemo!) but the old fogeys, who are past retirement age, like us... We have to accept we have less ability as regards eyesight, co-ordination and steady hands, and certainly a shorter attention span.. Are we still an asset to the hobby? You bet! We still have that knowledge and experience combined, we can still have a good day at the bench, and we still have something to say and teach... And yes, this is way down the philosophical path, but it's true, this is part of societies checks and balances and the passing on of valuable information, techniques and sometimes the things that may just be forgotten.. This hobby is a test of patience so we all need to take some time to reflect, reconsider, get things right and just chat and talk to other modellers about what maybe we should be doing. This site is a great place to do that!
I value my friends here just so much... there is little doubt they are your friends too! Yes, we bemoan the abrupt, rude and nasty end to our Club activities, believe me, this cuts me up a lot in this Covid-19 era. I am in South Africa, and this SA variant caused mayhem here, but is on the decline... so I say the sun will rise again! I have despondent club members contacting me and asking what we can do - well, we can rebuild again! We have the resurgence of model production, some great subject and great manufacturers coming to the party and delivering the models of our dreams! There is so much choice, and we are lucky, we just need to choose our projects carefully... and club meetings will resume some day!
It is wonderful to have modellers like you returning to the fold, your SE5a is superb, please don't give up on it, and we will all watch and admire! This is a great hobby, I do hear that in the background of Covid-19 there are many more models sold, many more modellers created and much more enthusiasm generated... it's just that so many of our clan don't confess they love the hobby! If you don't believe me that there is a great resurgence in this hobby, just look at the amount of hits on some of the threads!
Hugh, please continue to post and show us your talents, take your time, there is some great modelling in your capable hands!
Regards,
Marc