Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

Nice one David.... That story has a ring about it that reminds me of Isaac Bashevis Singer.
I shall be in the shed but am not quite sure what I will be doing. It strikes me it might be time to put the engine on the oak plinth I made for it before I go any further. It could be easier doing it now before the flywheel and valve train are finished.
Midday walk and bookie4 watch will still be on I think but colder than of late. I might get the Crombie out for one last time this year.

[Sue]

Morning

Yes it was a lovely day yesterday. I did lots of washing and got it all dry. We did a fair bit of sitting in the conservatory but I needed to get on with the pattern for the facings of my jacket. In the evening I went to my community art group, it must be a month since I last went.

Today I need to go and collect a prescription at the pharmacist. I was going to ask advice about my dog bite which was still not looking good yesterday. I had kept it covered for a week and on Sunday started leaving it open bathing frequently with salt water. The wound was looking rather wet having been covered for so long. Last night I left it uncovered when I went to bed and this morning it looks a lot better, a healthy looking scab at last. After the pharmacist I need to go into Rochdale to return a T shirt I bought online from M&S. It is a most disappointing affair, long, wide, baggy shoulders mis-shapen by being on a coat hanger far too long , all for £19.50......I think not, I will tell them what I think

The rest of the day will be the battle of the jacket facings, a complex little job. Its pilates and yoga this evening at the studio and thats my day. Have a good one everyone

[Stanley]

Glad your dog bite has dried up Sue. I always think that when you reach the point with a wound that it can be uncovered and given light and fresh air you start to see rapid healing. Mind you don't knock it.....



Here's where I was at closing time. The temporary base has been removed and the permanent one fitted. I have fitted the eccentric strap and the connecting rod and adjusted them all to the correct length which gives equidistant opening of the valve ports at each end of the stroke. I'm ready to move on with the flywheel, the governor stand and the last finishing touches.... A nice rewarding two hours!

[plaques]

I need to go into Rochdale to return a T shirt I bought online from M&S. It is a most disappointing affair, long, wide, baggy shoulders mis-shapen by being on a coat hanger far too long , all for £19.50......I think not, I will tell them what I think

Mrs P came home yesterday with two sweaters for me. XL (42-44). Normally these would have been just about right but not this time far too small. Can't blame it on lockdown I'm thinner now than I was two years ago. Fortunately Boundary Mill is only a couple of miles away.
PS. they had no XXL sizes. Ah well!

[Big Kev]

I don't rely on any labelling in clothes, I have jumpers and tee shirts ranging from XL to XXXL.

[Sue]

I don't rely on any labelling in clothes, I have jumpers and tee shirts ranging from XL to XXXL.

Before I ordered I completed their questionnaire about sizing, the outcome was to buy the size smaller than I normally get. I ordered three t shirts, all different. It was a bit like the three bears. One Ia little tight round the neck, one was too big and the other just right. Two were Per Una so I expected better. I shall see what the shop has in and try again! I too have clotges of a variety of sizes but some of those differences are design styling ie the designer may have a loose fit in mind and I don’t like loose fit, especially now I am a good stone lighter than I was when I worked. Loose was good then, I prefer more fitted now. All of these sizing issues are another reason why I now make most of my own clothes, excluding t shirts as good t shirt fabric is difficult to get

[Big Kev]

I was in the M&S outlet at Boundary Mill yesterday, they were selling ladies tee shirts, in lots of colours, for £4.50. Not sure if they were the Per Una brand though.

[Sue]

I was in the M&S outlet at Boundary Mill yesterday, they were selling ladies tee shirts, in lots of colours, for £4.50. Not sure if they were the Per Una brand though.

I think they will be the same ones I looked at in the outlet in Portsmouth. I took my T shirt back to Marks, got my money back and walked across the footpath to NEXT where I bought three for not much more money than the one and much better value and style than the M&S ones. In fact I have two in France like them that I wear a lot, just a bit different from the normal plain T shirt .

[Stanley]

I am reminded of the Principal of a Canadian College in Montreal, Squee Gordon, who congratulated me one day on wearing a formal T Shirt. I asked him how it qualified as formal and he said it only has text on it, no image.....
I shall be in the shed quietly doing my final fitting on the engine. Not sure what, perhaps improving the motion of the piston and rod, I have a tight spot in it somewhere....
The forecast predicts rain for us all morning but that suits me as I have to wait until after noon to get my coat from Myra's. From the look of the thermometer I have just got it back at the right time. I'm looking forward to it.....

[Sue]

Morning

It is already raining here and the sky is heavy and grey. According to the Greater Manchester weather forecast Rochdale and Oldham are the only two boroughs expecting snow today. We are expecting three periods of two hours each. I expect it will be snow flurries lost quickly in the rain.

Yesterday started with my trip to the pharmacist where I collected my repeat prescription. I asked the pharmacist about the dog bite, and she said they had to report all dog bites and send the person to their GP for a course of antibiotics. I explained the incident was abroad so no point reporting it but at her suggestion I went next door to the GO surgery not expecting much joy. I was amazed. The receptionist immediately took action, checking when I last had my tetanus vaccination. She found a practice nurse who gave me a booster as my previous one was 3 days overdue...a fact I did not know. She examined the wound, said it was looking ok but gave me a prescription for antibiotic cream, to get if it started to look infected. I left with a very tender arm, but happier in my mind, went into Rochdale, exchanged the T shirts and was back home for 10.30 am.

After a cup of tea it was back to the sewing and after a long difficult session I managed to produce the facings for the jacket in ‘scrap’ fabric which I tacked in place. There are issues which will no doubt be discussed in detail with Maxine this afternoon. Not serious issues but issues with several possible solutions and I need to know the best option.

Following a consultation with the GP way back in February I was recommended for a mammogram, supposedly on a two week waiting list. Within a week I was told this was a 5 week list and they would be in touch...not good for the anxiety levels. That 5 weeks is next week when we are away and I had visions of the appointment lying on the floor behind the door waiting for our return and thus missing it. So I phoned the contact number and explained my predicament. The very helpful lady on the phone booked me in for next Tuesday at Oldham. We have decided to drive home from Filey on Monday evening, have the mammogram as planned on Tuesday morning and hopefully drive back to Filey on Tuesday afternoon. You may have gathered that this is a suspect cancer issue. However the GP is being precautionary from the symptoms I gave her . The sooner I have the test the better ( I and the other 46 on waiting list before me !) Delays are due to covid issues.

So today I have a few jobs to do in preparation for our Filey trip and art tomorrow. This afternoon I have sewing with Maxine and this evening pilates. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Best of luck with the outcome of the mammogram Sue. Once again I realise how lucky I am....



I have had a good two hours in the shed and now all that needs to be done is finish and fit the flywheel.

[Stanley]

I shall have a gentle session in the shed, not sure about the walk later, it could be snowing and a chill of -6C. Sit indoors may be a better option, Private Eye arrived yesterday.....

[Wendyf]

I've got an appointment for a boot fitting at Whalley Warm and Dry, spending some money on a good pair of walking boots!

[Sue]

Morning

Its 1 degree, feels like -4, snow flurries and blue skies. There is a little snow on the ground but not much and it is due to turn to rain this morning. I have art at Haslingden followed by an end of term group lunch out at a restaurant in Rawtenstall. This afternoon we shall pack for our trip to Filey which sadly is going to be a cold wet week. At least there will be 6 of us and we should have a good time with lots of laughs .

My sewing session went well and I now have all the guidance firmly implanted in my brain, sufficient I hope to finish although I will not have much time over the next couple of weeks to do much. Easter weekend is my best hope. As well as the jacket we altered a pattern I have for a summer top and made it into a dress pattern, so I will need to see if that has been successful too.

I think that is all for today, have a good day all, stay warm

[Stanley]

I had a short session in the shed, tidied my flywheel and fitted it using Loctite shaft grade. That's enough.....

[Sue]

Morning Stanley

It seems you have typical symptoms, do take care. Your booster should be kicking in about now, they reckon about 3 to 4 days for immunity levels to soar, according to a scientific research paper that I read. A booster a couple of days earlier and you may not have caught it...... hopefully discomfort will be short lived. I send you my virtual hugs.

Today , after art this morning we are off to Filey with friends. All the friends do art as well, in fact Wendy runs the session and has to go so we decided we would all go as we are not due in Filey till 4.00 pm. We shall have a sandwich at our art venue for lunch, and Bob is cooking tonight. Something a bit special as it is Wendy and Keiths 50 something wedding anniversary

Last week I had a message forwarded to me by one of the moderators. It was from one of our members of Edmondson descendant. My family line being from John Widdup and Martha Edmundson who moved to Barlick around 1790. Years ago I wrote a document suggesting why they moved from Rochdale. I suggested Martha was of Barlick origin. I could not prove it but found loads of evidence. Today Katrina sent me the proof I needed in the form of a will entry. I am over the moon as they say.

The sun is shining its very cold. Stanley, paracetomol, steam inhalations and decongestants work wonders. Stay warm, drink plenty, rest. I am sure you will be fine .

[Wendyf]

Hoping Stanley gets back to posting his updates soon! Say hello to Wendy for me Sue, it's a long time since we had our art group sessions with Belle.
I'm now the proud owner of an expensive pair of Altberg walking boots, specially shaped to accommodate my bunion deformed feet. I'm also suffering terrible anxiety about getting the lacing right and when and how to treat them with the special waxes provided....are they too warm sitting in my utility room??

[PanBiker]

Wendy, I got a boot care kit from Altberg. If you look on their website there are instructions video's on how to use the wax correctly. Main tip that I picked up, boots when wet should be allowed to dry naturally and never force dried in a warm environment or direct sunlight as it dries out the leather. More video's in the boot care tab.

Altberg - Drying out leather boots

[PostmanPete]

I'm now the proud owner of an expensive pair of Altberg walking boots, specially shaped to accommodate my bunion deformed feet. I'm also suffering terrible anxiety about getting the lacing right and when and how to treat them with the special waxes provided....are they too warm sitting in my utility room??

There's some good advice about treating Altberg boots on this thread in the walking forum -

https://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=43624.0

Ooops, I posted at the same time as Ian....

[Wendyf]

Thanks to both! I did get a demonstration at the shop and an instruction sheet about care.....that's what has brought on the anxiety!

[PanBiker]

When you said you were going to invest in a new pair of boots I was going to suggest looking at the Altbergs Wendy. Looks like great minds and all that.

[Stanley]

Thanks Sue, see Covid Corner!

[Wendyf]

I was open to suggestions in the shop Ian but this particular model of Altberg was the one best suited to my small, but increasingly broad feet. The measuring and fitting service is comprehensive and very interesting, I was there for over an hour.

[PanBiker]

Excellent Wendy, I think we need a picture of your new boots. I know they do various width fittings for their ranges and they all have Vibram soles as well.

[Wendyf]

I've been on another trip today to a history society meeting in Low Moor, Bradford where my friend and fellow Earby History Society member Margaret Brown was giving a talk about her cricketing relative Joan (Wilky) Wilkinson. It was a good day out, with a pleasant drive over the tops through Oxenhope, Queensbury and (my birthplace) Wyke, with a nice pub lunch before the meeting. The people who run the group also produced the guided walk through Judy Woods in Wyke based on my mum's wartime letter so I spoke to a few people who enjoy the walk. One man told me he has written a folk song based on the letter!
We had a wizard time, as Joan would have said about her two tours to Australia and New Zealand playing cricket for England in the late1940s and 1950s.