Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

Today was 'get your ducks in a row' day. I unpacked the castings and stowed them in the right places, then I cleaned the lathe and fitted the big original 3 jaw SC chuck. If you remember I cut the crank pin into the slug that is the crankshaft stock at the same time as I did the last one for Ash's engine. So the turning is on centre and is for the two legs of the crankshaft. Note that the slug is still installed in the gap to take the pressure of the centre without bending the shaft. Then, the last thing I did all my measurements again and made sure I knew exactly what I was doing.
The temperature in the shed is 24C, a bit hot for me but it could be lower tomorrow.

[Sue]

Morning

Not much going on at the moment as its too hot. Perhaps a little more garden tidying so I can plant my new plants on Sunday when it is cooler and may rain. I shall finish the dress I am making and being Friday its off to the Lake for an extended lunch with Wendy , Keith, Barbara and Bill. Lots to talk about as we haven’t seen each other for ages.

Have a good day

[Sue]

There we go writing at the same time Stanley

[Stanley]

Early birds Sue.... Good morning! I feel just like you about the heat. I know it's gradually getting cooler but at the same time the heat in the houses is building. It was 24C in the shed this morning. Take it easy, no need to punish yourself in the garden, it will cool a bit next week.
I have just got back from shopping and put it away. Smallest shop for a while, I am getting most of it in Town Square on a Thursday. My greengrocery bill yesterday was £20.32, Gulam knocked the 32p off. I was just thinking that 6 months ago my butcher's bill was bigger than greengrocery. Now the greengrocery is higher. But we have to eat!

[Big Kev]

Tidying the front garden, it appears my gardener no longer does gardening. I have no idea where to start

[Big Kev]

Tidying the front garden, it appears my gardener no longer does gardening. I have no idea where to start

There were lots of roses growing on the ground so I've put some stakes in to support them, hopefully it'll do the job. Cleared out things that looked like weeds, got the shears on the bushes and it looks bit tidier now

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[Tripps]

got the shears on the bushes

Now you're the official gardener you must call 'bushes' 'shrubs'.

Fronm my limited experience - gardening usually happens despite what you do, and not as a consequence. Also from experience - use the shears without mercy - everything grows again.

[Stanley]

I haven't done any cooking, that can wait until tomorrow. I went to bed and had a sleep instead.

[Big Kev]

got the shears on the bushes

Now you're the official gardener you must call 'bushes' 'shrubs'.

Fronm my limited experience - gardening usually happens despite what you do, and not as a consequence. Also from experience - use the shears without mercy - everything grows again.

I am quite pleased with my initial efforts, 'shrubs' is now in every conversation around gardening

[Tripps]

Good man - another word to use as often as possible in gardening conversations is "cultivars" - ​

"a type of plant that has been deliberately developed to have particular features".

That really lifts you to another level in gardening oneupmanship.

[Stanley]

You took the word out of my mouth.... I was just going to cite Stephen Potter!

[Stanley]

I have started the day's cooking. The chicken is in the oven.....
Then the shed for a gentle start on the new engine..... I'm not pushing because today is going to be a hard one!

[Stanley]

Today I started the muck-shifting job of finishing turning the crank shaft. It's not easy removing heavy cuts from stock with a light lathe like the Harrison. You have to do it slowly and with care always remembering that the drive is being transmitted through the weak point you have introduced into the stock. I shall turn the shaft round tomorrow and hold it differently but for today I was quite satisfied with what I have done. All the swarf is out and in the bin as well.

[Sue]

Morning

A cool sewing morning yesterday under the ceiling fan. We went up to the Lake early at lunchtime and briskly walked the two miles round before lunch. It was pleasant, there was a cool breeze. It was 3.30 by the time we got back from lunch then I went to B&M to buy a passion flower plant for only £6.50 . After that it was time for a sit down and a cuppa. Bob went out to the model engineers early, they were playing trains in the park. I left it an hour or so when, with the back garden in the shade, I went out and planted my new plants and cut back some finished plants. I followed this up with several glasses of water. Bob came home about 9.00 so we sat in the tidier and now much cooler garden with a glass of wine. We ended up talking to our neighbour ( the roofer) till well after 10.00. We have a slight roof leak which he will have a look at but the conversation was quite diverse.

This morning is Bacup market, bed changing day, and a bit of cleaning. Later I will have a go at clearing some more plants, dead heading my roses, and staking up a couple of rather tall foxglove CULTIVARS….thats for you Tripps and Kev I think my courgettes and squashes are now ready to plant out


Have a good day all

[Sue]

Tidying the front garden, it appears my gardener no longer does gardening. I have no idea where to start………

A little and often is my philosophy, often accompanied by a reward of a glass of wine or beer

[Big Kev]

A little and often is my philosophy, often accompanied by a reward of a glass of wine or beer

That sounds like my kind of gardening

[plaques]

A little and often is my philosophy, often accompanied by a reward of a glass of wine or beer

That sounds like my kind of gardening

Who said anything about gardening.

[Sue]

A little and often is my philosophy, often accompanied by a reward of a glass of wine or beer

That sounds like my kind of gardening

Is there another sort ?

[Sue]

A little and often is my philosophy, often accompanied by a reward of a glass of wine or beer

That sounds like my kind of gardening

Who said anything about gardening.

Gardening…I thought we wete talking about wine ….

[Big Kev]

Winering?

[Tripps]

staking up a couple of rather tall foxglove CULTIVARS….thats for you Tripps and Kev

Thanks for the mention. I first heard the word from Germaine Greer along time ago. She used to do a gardening column about her house which I believe was actually in Essex. Stump Cross Gt Chesterford Actually this is a brilliant article and a gateway to many more. What a writer.

Seems she has sold up in Cambridge, returned to her roots, and is now in a care home in Australia. Bit of a 'fizzle out' after such a life - quite disappointing - she's only 84 - too young to give up.

[Big Kev]

I did some additional 'winering' last night, well I watered the 'shrubs' just in time for heavy rain to be forecast this weekend. I'd best not wash the car, it'll probably snow

[Sue]

I did some additional 'winering' last night, well I watered the 'shrubs' just in time for heavy rain to be forecast this weekend. I'd best not wash the car, it'll probably snow

It rained today. I had washed bedding, steam cleaned floors and Bob shampooed the carpets. All windows opened and it rained. It made no difference the garden is like dust . We could do with snow, ot soaks in as it melts

[Sue]

Winering?

I like it

[Sue]

staking up a couple of rather tall foxglove CULTIVARS….thats for you Tripps and Kev

Thanks for the mention. I first heard the word from Germaine Greer along time ago. She used to do a gardening column about her house which I believe was actually in Essex. Stump Cross Gt Chesterford Actually this is a brilliant article and a gateway to many more. What a writer.

Seems she has sold up in Cambridge, returned to her roots, and is now in a care home in Australia. Bit of a 'fizzle out' after such a life - quite disappointing - she's only 84 - too young to give up.

That's sad to here.