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Working Steam powered wooden Drifter trawler, Formidable LT100, 1:24th scale

Why I have paused, building my Drifter.

Hello from Australia,

I can’t believe that it has been a little over 3 years since I posted anything on this build log.

A lot has happened in my life in those 3 years, as I am sure it has for everyone, my wife became very ill again with Hepatitis B, and what the doctors were calling severe Cirrhosis of the Liver, after treatment she improved to the point of being stable. She then decided to return to China to be with her friends and family back there, with my daughter and I visiting when we could.

Unfortunately she was slowly going down hill again, my wife was a very stoic person and didn’t let on how she really was doing until things got too much for her, at this point I went back to China to help her come home in early January 2025, once she returned to Australia she was quickly diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer that had spread to he lungs and other organs.

She gave everything she had to overcome this however she lost the fight on the 8th of April 2025.

They say time heals and I would agree, although in some ways time helps you to adjust, something I am still doing. After 32 years of marriage you lose more than just your wife when she passes, you loose part of yourself, for me it has and still is taking time to find myself again.

I will return to building the Drifter at some point. I have built a small trawler and I have bought 2 semi kits from APS models, an Australian manufacture, at some point I will post build logs for these 3 models, however I tend to run out of time and energy for writing logs.

Look after yourself and your loved ones.
 
Dear Steve. That is a lot to assimilate. I was obviously wondering why you had been so quiet, but then, lately, I wasn't a regular either. The only thing I can say is that it is good to hear from you, and I truly hope that model building can go some way towards being something remedial. You are in my prayers, my friend.
 
Stevedownunder said:
Why I have paused, building my Drifter.

Hello from Australia,

I can’t believe that it has been a little over 3 years since I posted anything on this build log.

A lot has happened in my life in those 3 years, as I am sure it has for everyone, my wife became very ill again with Hepatitis B, and what the doctors were calling severe Cirrhosis of the Liver, after treatment she improved to the point of being stable. She then decided to return to China to be with her friends and family back there, with my daughter and I visiting when we could.

Unfortunately she was slowly going down hill again, my wife was a very stoic person and didn’t let on how she really was doing until things got too much for her, at this point I went back to China to help her come home in early January 2025, once she returned to Australia she was quickly diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer that had spread to he lungs and other organs.

She gave everything she had to overcome this however she lost the fight on the 8th of April 2025.

They say time heals and I would agree, although in some ways time helps you to adjust, something I am still doing. After 32 years of marriage you lose more than just your wife when she passes, you loose part of yourself, for me it has and still is taking time to find myself again.

I will return to building the Drifter at some point. I have built a small trawler and I have bought 2 semi kits from APS models, an Australian manufacture, at some point I will post build logs for these 3 models, however I tend to run out of time and energy for writing logs.

Look after yourself and your loved ones.
Click to expand...
Dear Steve,
Life has beautiful moments but also deep valleys.
From my side, from the other side of this globe, I would like to express my condolences on the loss of your loved one. It is good that you want to share this with us, and I hope you can find some distraction again by building your models. Wishing you much strength.
Regards, Peter
 
My condolences Steve, more words I can't find now to say. Only that it must be very painfull after so many years together. And like Heinrich said, I hope to that some modelbuilding help you on your way.
 
Greetings, Steve. This was a hard message to read - as it must also have been a hard message to write. My condolences for your loss. I pray you may be comforted by the good memories you built together for 32 years. I rather doubt time truly heals - but it does soften the edges a bit... Peace.
 
dockattner said:
Greetings, Steve. This was a hard message to read - as it must also have been a hard message to write. My condolences for your loss. I pray you may be comforted by the good memories you built together for 32 years. I rather doubt time truly heals - but it does soften the edges a bit... Peace.
Click to expand...
Thanks Paul,
You are spot on, I needed to get a tissue while I was writing, I was having trouble seeing what I was doing. Yes the good times are what I choose to focus on although the sad times still come up and need to be embraced, dening them doesn't help either.
 
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