Today I shall be Mainly...

[Marilyn]

Have the best day you can, Sue.
Cazza...I shall take a Video just for you (and if it will load on here I shall share it). It was a really beautiful day. I had to decide between a hot soak in the bath or a glass of wine. ( I chose the glass of wine for now as it is after 5.30 pm, but there is no reason i can’t combine the bath/wine next round. I think I have a blister.... on the bottom of my foot...maybe my sock wasn’t on right...so hard to tell when things are a bit numb and tingly. I run my hands over my sock to check, but by the time I shove foot in shoe, things can shift!)

[Marilyn]

Bikes on the back of the car. ( minus the bike batteries as we carry them inside the car)
Mine is the red one. It folds. Hubby’s is the bigger white one, which doesn’t fold.

[chinatyke]

I bet it beats driving any day. 58 hours...hmm...might need to pack a face washer, a bag of food/water and clean knickers. Is that just a sit up seat or would you get a sleeper cabin for that?

Sorry for the delay in answering. These are sleeper trains although you can book seat only and rough it without a bed. I've always booked soft sleeper/bottom bunk whenever I've used these overnight trains. They are actually quite good because if you are touring you save overnight accommodation at a hotel. Not luxury but adequate is how I would describe it.

[Sue]

I bet it beats driving any day. 58 hours...hmm...might need to pack a face washer, a bag of food/water and clean knickers. Is that just a sit up seat or would you get a sleeper cabin for that?

Sorry for the delay in answering. These are sleeper trains although you can book seat only and rough it without a bed. I've always booked soft sleeper/bottom bunk whenever I've used these overnight trains. They are actually quite good because if you are touring you save overnight accommodation at a hotel. Not luxury but adequate is how I would describe it.

We used to use sleeper trains, with car, to get to the South of France from Boulogne. Very successful. I don’t think they run any more

[Tripps]

I have just heard Mark Kulansky on R4 talking about his New (March) publication, 'Salmon'. I enjoyed his book on Cod and so, you've guessed it, I ordered it. I'm a sucker for some books

While you're waiting have a look at this. Farmed salmon

That'll open your eyes as Fred Kite once said. I never thought of it like that - someone compared it to keeping swallows in cages.

[Stanley]

David, I knew people in the business when Marine Harvest first started at Mallaig and have kept abreast ever since. Lots to be worried about with farmed salmon, I won't buy it.
Even the book is causing trouble, Amazon say they have delivered, it isn't here and the link for reporting non delivery doesn't work so I am hoping it is on the wrong doorstep, it was delivered late last night somewhere but not here!
Otherwise a normal day and I shall be in the shed.
[I hate it when things go wrong!]

[Marilyn]

Just got back from a long walk and the world is as it should be - a warm breeze, plenty of birds, gardens are all in flower and the distant sound of children playing in the school yard. It is always nice when all the holiday makers go home.

[Sue]

Morning

I am a bit late this morning. I woke about 1.30 am and did not go back to sleep until at least 5.45am. Needless to say I feel tired. We came to bed early as my legs were aching badly ( restless leg syndrome) and when it gets like that the only solution is bed and sleep. Its been a bad week for it , however yesterday it was probably walk related.

After lunch we went in the car to Brittania near Bacup, and did a short but steep walk up one side of the valley, but as it only took 45 minutes we dropped back down and walked an even steeper path up the other side. The views were beautiful being a clear cold sunny day. We intended to walk along the road at the top and drop back down to the car park. However the road had been closed off as it went through the quarry at. We were able to walk through, but our path disappeared shortly after going over a stile. We found our way through to a road that went back downhill but we were two plus miles from our car at Cowm reservoir in Whitworth. In all it was 7+ miles the round trip, although it didn’t feel it. On getting home and looking at a map we were right in our judgement as to where the path in fact paths should have been, but the quarry and a motocross trail bike route obliterated some of it and long grass the rest. The trail bike route was an official circuit , with marshals and clear routes laid out. There were dozens of cyclists and it was amazing and frightening to watch their skill. Anyway it was 5.00 pm before we got home, so our evening roast dinner was rather late being cooked.

This morning is pilates for me, and Bob is having his hair cut by our friend who used to be a mobile hairdresser. She only does her sister’s hair and Bob’s these days . After lunch I am due at Rochdale Infirmary for the appointment about the lump in my mouth . Bob will take me to be sure I am on time but I will probably walk back, its only 30 minutes if that.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

Good luck with the hospital Sue.
I've had two hours in the shed and went straight out for my second walk when I finished as the promised rain hadn't come in, so another dry walk which is good. Breakfast is ready and I will post on Shed Matters after a successful morning.
I used Amazon's 'Chat' facility and was quite impressed with it. The delivery email is most likely to be a brain fart in their computer. I shall watch and wait.....

[Wendyf]

I'm trying to be organised today! I have ordered 25 small bales of haylage from a farm near Bolton by Bowland and arranged for Col to take the trailer and collect them tomorrow. I've taken a car load of unrecyclable rubbish ( which has been collecting in the barn for months) to the household waste centre in Barlick and after I've had my coffee I'm going to make an appointment to visit the Marsden Building Society in Colne to open a 2 year fixed rate account. Most of our savings are online only accounts so I like to keep a small amount local, just in case. Then some sweeping up and reorganizing in the barn to make way for haylage, shavings and feed. I feel an urge to stock up....

[Tripps]

the Marsden Building Society in Colne

Spooky - well just a bit. I was on the phone to them last week to ask why they had told me of my 'new account' with them - when I didn't have such a thing. (Personal scam watch) I closed my account more than six years ago. Seems they have upgraded their system, and carried forward even closed accounts, in case anyone wants to go back and have a look.

I started with them when things were not stable (Northern Rock etc), on the basis that they were small and would be easily rescued if they got in trouble - and they paid a good rate. There was a time when you could not start with them unless you lived locally. That changed and I discovered that it was Marsden, Colne, not Marsden, Huddersfield.

[Wendyf]

All of their accounts seem to be branch based Tripps and they only have 8 branches all in Lancashire. We will be doing the account application over the phone tomorrow and just have to pop into the branch to sign everything. The girl I spoke to said that if they had to suddenly close the offer she would let us know and we could rush the application!

[Sue]

After a very thorough check, another X ray and nerve activity tests in the surrounding teeth, the specialist thinks the offending tooth is dead and I have a dental abscess. He is arranging a biopsy to check there is no cancer but strongly suspects not. If not then its back to the dentist for either a root filling which may not get rid of the abscess or an extraction which will. No contest. If this tooth could have been treated 4 months ago the problem would not exist, but its a minor backlash of covid when you think of what many others are enduring through an inability to get treatment . I feel happier knowing the cause of the problem

[Stanley]

That sounds hopeful Sue and if I remember rightly it was what you suspected in the first place. I take it that when you say 'no contest' you mean you'll have it pulled. Wise choice I'd say. You'll never notice the gap and be shut of the infection. Sounds like a good result to me.
Wendy; "I feel an urge to stock up". Another wise choice I reckon. Looking at the eternal matter of the weather and the general situation none of us knows what to expect. I always slept happier at night if I knew there was hay on the baulks in October/November. Same applies to my kitchen cupboards. Not a matter of panic buying, just common sense to know you have a backstop in case of emergency. Crofters in Scotland always started the winter with sacks of oats and spuds in stock and anything else they could preserve. That's one of the reasons I like Dorothy Hartley's books on food in England. Good cooks worked hard on their store cupboards!
I've moved Susan's engine back into the shed and it's sat next to its parts. We are ready to do the nice bit of final fitting.

[Sue]

Morning
I can get on with my day with less worry after my trip to the specialist. I shall receive an appointment for the biopsy soon, but got the impression it is a matter of tidying the books if you see what I mean. Then I will be making an appointment with the dentist for an extraction. It is a tooth tucked away on the upper palate so I don’t think the gap will be noticed particularly. Unfortunately it also makes it difficult to reach for the X-rays and treatment. It was a pretty awful day yesterday so despite having selected Rochdale Infirmary so I could walk there and back, Bob actually took me and picked me up. Back home I carried on with my jeans and now only have the waistband and buttonhole to finish.

This morning I am down at the pilates studio for my one to one session, but will be back home by 10.30.am. Afterwards I shall pop down to Dunelm as I could do with some small scraps of fabric and they sometimes have a bargain bucket of oddments. Then it will be sewing, I think, depending on the weather. This evening is the double pilates and yoga.

The latest announcement of restrictions here will not have a great impact. Surprisingly we are in Tier 2. Andy Burnham fought hard for that. Tier 2 is exactly as we are now and have been since mid July. The only difference I think is that we can no longer meet others outside our household inside pubs and restaurants, whereas before we were just advised not to. Our numbers have started to decrease slightly after the impact of the three main universities returning in Manchester itself. Many of our local students travel in daily and think this has added to our surge in Rochdale, you can tell by the areas that have suddenly increased in numbers. I was supposed to be at the hairdressers tomorrow , but the girl who colours my hair and Steve who cuts it both have covid, so the salon is shut till next week.

That will be my day, Have a good one everyone

[Wendyf]

Sue I believe we can now meet up with another household in our gardens, which is a change for the better.

[Stanley]

Good luck with the results of the biopsy Sue, as you say he is most likely just tidying the file up.
I am having a breather after a good spell in the shed fitting which is enjoyable but slow and very taxing. You have to address each matter as you come to it. There will be a pic later. It's nice to take the weight off your feet!
Later....



Two demanding hours in the shed. I have almost finished fitting the parallel motion. Very complicated and small clearances!

[Stanley]

Eagerly looking forward to more fitting. It's the best time when you are engine building. Very tickle work though, surprising how tiring it is!
Otherwise keeping up with socially distanced exercise!

[Sue]

Morning

Its a dark morning but dry at the moment . Nothing much planned for the day. I was going walking with Wendy but had to cancel as I have been given a cancellation appointment at North Manchester hospital for my biopsy. I was given a choice of 8.30 am or 5.00 pm. The first one would have been almost impossible to get to so opted for the 5.00 pm. So I suppose we shall be leaving about 3.00 pm.

I finished my jeans yesterday, and did some washing and ironing, so with my pilates and yoga sessions the day was full. This morning Bob has a zoom U3A photography session , and I am completely undecided on what I will do, so watch this space as inspiration strikes . Yesterday evening I spent some time doing some family research for my niece so I may well fill out a family tree for her.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

That appointment sounds like a stroke of luck Sue. Good luck with it.
I am, as usual sat down recovering. I said I was looking forward to this morning but having got through it I wonder why I bother! All is well but it's been stressful. More when I have had my walk, breakfast and I can post on Shed Matters. All I'll say at the moment is I hope tomorrow goes more smoothly!

[plaques]

....as I have been given a cancellation appointment at North Manchester hospital for my biopsy.

Biopsy results can take anything up to four weeks to come through. A lot depends on what their feel for the outcome is when they do it and how much urgency they need to give it. If as you suggest its general inflammation then it could take some time so a delay may be bad for the nerves but generally indicates a good outcome.
Lets hope for a good result.

[Stanley]

I had some housework that needed doing so I ditched my second walk, I reckon I have done the equivalent of another walk. I hit problems this morning in the shed, see Shed Matters. But here's where I ended up. The parallel motion is finished and I am half way through the valve gear....



Onward and upward!

[Sue]

....as I have been given a cancellation appointment at North Manchester hospital for my biopsy.

Biopsy results can take anything up to four weeks to come through. A lot depends on what their feel for the outcome is when they do it and how much urgency they need to give it. If as you suggest its general inflammation then it could take some time so a delay may be bad for the nerves but generally indicates a good outcome.
Lets hope for a good result.

I was told two weeks. My reaction is the longer it is the less need to worry , I hope

[Sue]

Biopsy wasn’t done. 3 clinicians agreed it is an infected tooth socket causing a gum abscess. They agree the risk of the biopsy becoming infected from the abscess was much much greater than the problem being cancer. Phew.back to the dentist. They gave me a copy of the xray for my dentist

[Stanley]

Just as you suspected all the time. Having a bad tooth and an infection nearby is a slam dunk in my book. Perhaps your dentist will now act! I want to hear you say it has all gone away! You have suffered far too long.
Only an opinion Sue and worth nothing but I always suspect that modern dentists tend to sheer away from extractions because expensive treatments are better for their wallets, but then I am an old cynic. Good luck with it!
I shall be in the shed trying not to cock-up.