Today I shall be Mainly...

[Sue]

Morning

It was certainly wet and horrible yesterday, your forecast was definitely more accurate than ours. However the temperature didn’t really drop until late afternoon remaining quite pleasantly warm the few times I ventured out. This morning is still very wild but the forecast is to calm down after 9.00, the peak of the wind being about now. We are all prepared to travel to Cardiff but will delay our start until it is better for driving. We are in no rush to leave or to get there and if it takes all day, then it takes all day. Our next chance to go, and indeed our last one for some time is next Monday/Tuesday. So this morning we shall sit with our cup of tea, have a leisurely breakfast and sit it out here. There is certainly no way we will travel at the moment.

Have a good day all.

[Stanley]

It will be a lot better by mid morning Sue but that might mean a lot mo0re people on the road. Good look with it.



A good spell in the shed. The castings fitted together, the brasses installed and bored and the crankshaft fitted. It's beginning to look like an engine, I can move onto the cylinder bore and the valve and steam chest. The shaft is a lovely fit.

[PanBiker]

Taking Sally and Ruby to Burnley to get the bus to Manchester. Can't get one direct from Barlick now. They are staying overnight and going shopping and maybe taking in a show. Ruby needs some shoes for her mums wedding. Dress etc is sorted but she is 5' 10" now and a size 9 in shoes.

They could get the bus from Barlick to Burnley but it adds above an hour to the journey. Master of my own Universe until Wednesday.

[Sue]

Taking Sally and Ruby to Burnley to get the bus to Manchester. Can't get one direct from Barlick now. They are staying overnight and going shopping and maybe taking in a show. Ruby needs some shoes for her mums wedding. Dress etc is sorted but she is 5' 10" now and a size 9 in shoes.

They could get the bus from Barlick to Burnley but it adds above an hour to the journey. Master of my own Universe until Wednesday.

Check that the bus is running, there are all sorts of conflicting warnings in Manchester transport and wind speed. The WEATHER CHANNEL. Which we use conflicts with Manchester met office which is forecast 46 mph winds till noon , transport cancelled and roads shut. We are still sitting it out to make a decision

[PanBiker]

Thanks Sue, all indications on the transdev site say that all the X43's buses are running without issue.

[Sue]

So we have made the decision and are going

[Sue]

Thanks Sue, all indications on the transdev site say that all the X43's buses are running without issue.

Good, we have decided the Manchester Evening News site is quoting the maximum possible ratger than the true picture. We always regard them as sesnsationalists. Its relatively calm and sunny now . Hope they enjoy their trip out

[PanBiker]

Wall to wall sunshine and blue skies on the run to Burnley and very light traffic. Roads all clear of debris and any of the usual flooding points. Buses are every 20 minutes so they should be on their way now.

[Sue]

It was the same in Rochdale, and indeed until Manchester airport. We have stopped for coffee, intermittant heavy rain and sun. The wind is gusty in places but certainly not 46 mph

[PanBiker]

Sally and Ruby have arrived OK in Manchester and are booked into their hotel.

[Stanley]

Two hours in the shed on the engine, then after second sleep it should have stopped raining so a short walk and bookie watch. It's all go!

[Sue]

Morning

A successful trip down, apart from Manchester airport to Stafford it was mainly dry and sunny. THe wind was strong but not horrendous. We spent a few hours in Cardiff, chatting, and then set off home. We have spent the night in a Premier Inn just outside Gloucester. Breakfast is booked for 8.00 a.m and then we will be back on the road. We should be home for lunchtime.

Time to unpack, and sort out a few things before I go to pilates at the studio this evening.

Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Good, I'm glad it went well for you Sue. It shouldn't be a bad journey this morning, the weather is giving us a break!



Nice quiet morning. I have mounted the beds on a temporary plinth and made the piston rod gland. I am ready to drill and tap for its studs tomorrow.

[Stanley]

When I got a message from Ken saying he'd call in tomorrow I failed to recognise that as he wrote that yesterday it meant he was coming today. Luckily I realised in time so was up when he came and we have had a nice chat.
He's gone off to the dentist and I am considering a walk..... I tell you, it's all go!

[Stanley]

Aiming for two hours in the shed and then a local plumber comes to service the boiler, he is the replacement for British Gas. The weather may permit a walk and bookie watch....

[Sue]

Morning

Its a beautiful morning, and was actually light by 6.25 am. It certainly feels like light at the end of the tunnel. We had a good trip back yesterday, arriving home just after 11.30 a.m, one of the advantages of staying in Gloucester right next to the M5. Afterwards we spent some time generally tidying round, I did some washing and Bob restored the garage back to normal and the trailer back in-situ on the drive. My car spent its first night in the garage since the end of October.

This morning I shall potter at this and that as they say but this afternoon I have a session with Maxine as we tackle the next stage of development of my jacket . Today it is the turn of the sleeves. I shall be cutting out the actual jacket soon so I think I will wash and dry the fabric today, not that it is dirty but to ensure shrinkage has occurred before I make and wear the jacket rather than afterwards. Its usually about 5% shrinkage . This evening i have pilates online. Although I am loving being back in the studio on Tuesday evenings I still prefer my late Wednesday session at home.

Have a good day all. Its looking good out there.

[Stanley]

The best laid schemes went aglay yesterday. I shall try again this morning! I have had a quick look at the forecast and it gives snow so I don't know what will happen later beyond the fact I have to go to the chemist's at 15:00 to get my new pill. Deep Joy.....

[Sue]

Morning

I was expecting to get up this morning to snow, luckily it has not happened, so I will be able to drive over Owd Betts to Haslingden for my art class. It may snow later so I will probably drive back ali g the valley to Bacup and home that way. This afternoon ai shall start my list of sewing tasks for my jacket, following a successful visit to Maxines yesterday.

Have a good day

[Stanley]

Not looking like a nice day Sue. Your plan is good, Owd Betts can be a nasty road if heavy snow comes in.



Two hours almost in the shed and this was closing time. The gland is fitted and has the bolts to tighten it down. The piston rod lines up with the lid and the gland and I am ready to make the piston. I have found a brass end that will make the piston, I shall do it my way with soft packing instead of piston rings in a cast iron cylinder. This will last much longer and never seize in the bore if water is left in there.
I had some other matters to attend to as well, I think about an hour was spent on actual fitting.
A much better morning than yesterday!

[Sue]

Snow, hail, rain, sun, hail etc . Owd Betts is definitely out , Bacup here I come though it won’t be good there either , but it is a busier road with buses .

[Stanley]

An hour in the shed and then early doors shopping. Then a sleep and after that I shall take a view depending on the weather. One thing is certain, I shall be avoiding the news apart from getting an overview first thing, after that it is all repetition simply to keep extended news programmes filled.

[Sue]

One thing is certain, I shall be avoiding the news apart from getting an overview first thing, after that it is all repetition simply to keep extended news programmes filled.

Morning

That statement is so true Stanley......and now back to X to see what he thinks etc......its sad times and more than a bit frightening.

This morning I have dance exercise followed by a bit of pattern adjustment for my new summer jacket. I was expecting a follow up phone call from my GP after our discussion last week, however the surgery phoned to ask if they could postpone till Monday as the doctor is not in today. Thats is not a problem. Later its lunch with Wendy and Keith, in Rochdale today as I was expecting my phone call any time up till 1.00 pm . Following lunch, I will probably continue with my pattern modifications .

Its a sad day for Eve and Briony today, as their elderly cat is very ill and the vet has said that the time has come to let her die peacefully. I spent sometime on the phone and on email yesterday talking to B about it and I think she now accepts that it is the right thing to do for an elderly suffering cat. Eve on the other hand has turned in on herself and will not talk about it. Its her way, as a 12 soon to be 13 year old emotions are running high and she struggles with issues she cannot control. We will talk later today she has promised me. I reminded B that they rescued the cat from an unhappy home and gave her a good life, and in return the cat rescued them from the tedium and misery of lockdown. I am sure given time they will have another one but it is all a bit painful this morning.

So on a sad note RIP Flakey. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

I sympathise with the cat.... Read into that what you will .

[Stanley]

Two hours in the shed chasing an engine and later a walk if the forecast is correct. Trying to avoid the 'news'. Playing more music, seems like a good time for some requiem masses.....

[Sue]

Morning

Bacup market this morning. Later in the day we are driving over to Clitheroe to visit Majestic wines as this seems to be the main supplier of the wine we need for next Saturdays u3a wine appreciation meeting. We shall call at the chemist and get my asthma medication on the way. Otherwise I shall be continuing with the pattern making for my summer jacket. I am nearly at the cutting out stage

Its cold and clear this morning and a nice day is forecast. Have a good day