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shipbuilder

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Sunday, 3rd August, 2025
Sitting in my old workroom that has for over a year been my "retreat" where I can sit quietly and reflect on life, and looking at the haphazard jumble on my old workdesk where so many models were built over the years, I think I have finally realised that I am all "washed up"
I am not exactly depressed, but more like fed up of the whole show. Life after 80 is not much fun and we cannot go out for pleasure anymore as most of the town has been pedestrianised and the large high-rise parking area pulled down. Blocked off roads, more bus lanes, one way traffic systems and security cameras have made it too difficult for the elderly. Not that it really matters, as all the shops I once frequented have gone now. So it is all online these days.
I have never really like this century that seems to be striving for an unmanned world. (Press 1 if, press 2 if!" and the almost complete obsession with smartphones and computer games.


Workrooom (Large).JPG
 
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shipbuilder said:
Sunday, 3rd August, 2025
Sitting in my old workroom that has for over a year been my "retreat" where I can sit quietly and reflect on life, and looking at the haphazard jumble on my old workdesk where so many models were built over the years, I think I have finally realised that I am all "washed up"View attachment 535834
I am not exactly depressed, but more like fed up of the whole show. Life after 80 is not much fun and we cannot go out for pleasure anymore as most of the town has been pedestrianised and the large high-rise parking area pulled down. Blocked off roads, more bus lanes, one way traffic systems and security cameras have made it too difficult for the elderly. Not that it really matters, as all the shops I once frequented have gone now. So it is all online these days.

I have never really like this century that seems to be striving for an unmanned world. (Press 1 if, press 2 iff!" and the almost complete obsession with smartphones and computer games.
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Robert, take heart, you aren't the only one.

Since my amputation last November, my world imploded into a very small space with me, the 'singularity' at the center.
 
What can one say? Try getting yourself out of that dreadful town for a while, physically or dreamily, it doesn't matter. Go look at the sea or the highlands for a few days/weeks, or get yourself a copy of the "Swallows and Amazons"-series, "the Chronicles of Narnia" or "The Wind in the Willows", and let them do their magic on you. Sometimes, the wisest thing to do is what everybody else would declare you completely crazy for. Just do it. Courage and good luck.
 
Pepite 1/60 said:
What can one say? Try getting yourself out of that dreadful town for a while, physically or dreamily, it doesn't matter. Go look at the sea or the highlands for a few days/weeks, or get yourself a copy of the "Swallows and Amazons"-series, "the Chronicles of Narnia" or "The Wind in the Willows", and let them do their magic on you. Sometimes, the wisest thing to do is what everybody else would declare you completely crazy for. Just do it. Courage and good luck.
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It isn't that simple. The town is OK, but what is happening to it is happenig everywhere, and I have so little energy, I can't walk more than a few paces without getting breathless, and wife is the same. With me, it is side effects to medication for prostate cancer, bronchiectasis and osteoporosis. As long as I sit around, or lie down, I feel quite well, and I do not have any pain at all. It doesn't help being 81. Jus one of those things that comes with age!
 
pugwash said:
Robert, take heart, you aren't the only one.

Since my amputation last November, my world imploded into a very small space with me, the 'singularity' at the center.
Click to expand...
I know what you mean, and we all have our crosses to bear. Hope things improve for you, but the light at the end of the tunnel often seems a long way off. It is lack of breath and energy that is wearing me down -
 
Please don't despair, I have learned from your post. I did purchase one of your plans, the Julia, and look forward to building it.
 
OK, I got it. You feel that your road slowly comes to an end. You can't really change that. But what you can do, is to let it end in beauty. I understand that you don't really feel like it, but just start building a new model, the biggest and most beautiful you have ever made, the one you were always afraid of. Don't ask questions, just do it. It doesn't matter if it never gets finished. It just has to keep you busy and out of despair. And talking of beauty, this one's for you and your wife.
.
 
I would hope you digitally photographed all or most of your models.

It would be a wonderful gallery to share, one I would appreciate and cherish.
 
shipbuilder said:
Sunday, 3rd August, 2025
Sitting in my old workroom that has for over a year been my "retreat" where I can sit quietly and reflect on life, and looking at the haphazard jumble on my old workdesk where so many models were built over the years, I think I have finally realised that I am all "washed up"
I am not exactly depressed, but more like fed up of the whole show. Life after 80 is not much fun and we cannot go out for pleasure anymore as most of the town has been pedestrianised and the large high-rise parking area pulled down. Blocked off roads, more bus lanes, one way traffic systems and security cameras have made it too difficult for the elderly. Not that it really matters, as all the shops I once frequented have gone now. So it is all online these days.
I have never really like this century that seems to be striving for an unmanned world. (Press 1 if, press 2 if!" and the almost complete obsession with smartphones and computer games.


View attachment 535835
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I fully understand how you feel. I have a similar table full of clutter and unfinished projects. But concentrate on your accomplishments. I know things have changed and not much in a good way. Getting older is not for sissies, we all look ahead from the perspective of our pasts. We have to maintain our rightful place in the timeline. Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead! God Bless you, Sir!
 
shipbuilder said:
Sunday, 3rd August, 2025
Sitting in my old workroom that has for over a year been my "retreat" where I can sit quietly and reflect on life, and looking at the haphazard jumble on my old workdesk where so many models were built over the years, I think I have finally realised that I am all "washed up"
I am not exactly depressed, but more like fed up of the whole show. Life after 80 is not much fun and we cannot go out for pleasure anymore as most of the town has been pedestrianised and the large high-rise parking area pulled down. Blocked off roads, more bus lanes, one way traffic systems and security cameras have made it too difficult for the elderly. Not that it really matters, as all the shops I once frequented have gone now. So it is all online these days.
I have never really like this century that seems to be striving for an unmanned world. (Press 1 if, press 2 if!" and the almost complete obsession with smartphones and computer games.


View attachment 535835
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Apart from still enjoying ship building & a month away from turning 80, we appear to be in the same boat (intended pun), sounds just like my home town, & no doubt countless others in GB.
 
Thank you for replies. I stopped mainly because I became allergic to glue fumes. But It was great to be free of all the stress it brought. I was continually being asked "put me down for the next steamer" sailing ship or whatever, or "if you ever think of building xxxx, I will buy it," or "I will pay you in full before you even start if you will make what I want." And I confess, I didn't know how to answer statements like that, because there was a continuous stream of them, Drawing suits me better, because I can store them in a small space, and on the rare occasions when anyone wants one, a copy can easily be run off .

Clan R In sea (Medium) Wires removed (2).jpg
Clan Robertson (Medium).jpg
 
At 79, I'm fast approaching your dilemma. My wife's memory is going precipitously. My heart has all the stents it can take. Sometimes exertion reminds me of just how little is left in the tank. "Senior living" looms., As does the reality of giving up the home and workshop that give my life meaning. I am fortunate in that I have a family who cares. But no one can really understand who isn't here (yet).
Your postings of the remarkable legacy of beautiful models you have created (as well as drawings, keep posting those) have been something I look for on this forum. I derive great pleasure and inspiration from them.
Sometimes the reality of life feels unendurable. The news is uniformly horrible. "I do not think I will live long enough to see our ship of state right itself. What did my father risk his life for?" These kinds of thoughts plague me.
Could be worse. I don't live in Gaza, or Kiev.
So, I read aloud to my wife from inspiring books, that, in turn, inspire us to have inspiring conversations for which she is once again intellectually present, and we can still have the pleasure of each other's company.
I am so distressed to hear the despair in your words and the inescapable conditions that confront you. Keep drawing. It has great value. I can promise that there are those of us out here to whom they are of great encouragement and inspiration.
You are not defined by what you can no longer do, but by what you have done and what you can.

Most sincerely, Pete Gutterman
 
Robert, hi once again.

Reading Peter Gutterman's words above, I can't even begin to imagine what else I could add... but I'll try LOL.

Your work has always impressed me and enriched my life.
When you removed yourself to 'facebook' exclusively a while ago, I felt a great loss (I don't do 'facebook').

You still have much to contribute.
 
pugwash said:
Robert, hi once again.

Reading Peter Gutterman's words above, I can't even begin to imagine what else I could add... but I'll try LOL.

Your work has always impressed me and enriched my life.
When you removed yourself to 'facebook' exclusively a while ago, I felt a great loss (I don't do 'facebook').

You still have much to contribute.
Click to expand...
Hi Pugwash, Thank you - I am not in the depths of despair though - Just letting off steam and getting on with it like you are. I left here for Facebook several years ago, because I was hit very hard by the character assassination from the Admin of Model Ship World, who appeared to be trying to ruin my small business with a pack of lies. They refused to take it off and I was laid very low. But since retiring, they can no longer damage me or my reputation, and eventually, feedback to me told me that no-one believed them anyway, as they had a few "range wars" going on with other groups and individuals. Since coming back here, it seems a very pleasant place to be. Facebook is OK for me, because I run a closed group on it, and get rid of anyone immediately they try to cause trouble, but it is confined to merchant ships only.
About a month ago, I had a cataract job in the left eye, and it is great to be able to see properly again
Robert
 
shipbuilder said:
Sunday, 3rd August, 2025
Sitting in my old workroom that has for over a year been my "retreat" where I can sit quietly and reflect on life, and looking at the haphazard jumble on my old workdesk where so many models were built over the years, I think I have finally realised that I am all "washed up"
I am not exactly depressed, but more like fed up of the whole show. Life after 80 is not much fun and we cannot go out for pleasure anymore as most of the town has been pedestrianised and the large high-rise parking area pulled down. Blocked off roads, more bus lanes, one way traffic systems and security cameras have made it too difficult for the elderly. Not that it really matters, as all the shops I once frequented have gone now. So it is all online these days.
I have never really like this century that seems to be striving for an unmanned world. (Press 1 if, press 2 if!" and the almost complete obsession with smartphones and computer games.


View attachment 535835
Click to expand...
Hoy, Aye mate, out with the old ways, in with the new ways. Lets be thankful for knowing the old ways. At least we didnt have to witness the age of sails demise with the age of steam. Keep building mate, try a plastic model that isn't as difficult or as large. Plenty of beautiful plastic model square riggers available., just search, 'Plastic model ship kits for sale.' It'seasy now and a whole new World is waiting for you.
Im 66 and I build model sailing ships for a living, for 30 years now! I hope I die at my work bench doing what we love. I don't have any children, I live alone and when I die, my family name ends. Lets leave our beautiful work for the future. That's all we/I have, no one will remember us in four generations but our work will remind them of someone that truly loved the ships that sailed the seas. In my will this will be writen on my tombstone 'When you think of the Sea, remember me." 'NEVER GIVE UP THE SHIP.
 
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