Today I shall be Mainly...

[Sue]

Thank you all. You have all been supportive and reassuring. Yes the journey can be a nightmare to Christies. Bob used to do it daily when his office was in Didsbury, but its a longtime ago and the traffic is much worse especially at our end, that is why we asked for afternoons if possible. We trying the psychology of just going back to work for 5 weeks. Half of the journey is my old route so at least we know the potential hold ups

[Gloria]

It becomes a routine Sue. We had our times changed every couple or three weeks so got a bit of variation. We used to play silly games on the m6, who could spot the first Eddie Stobart lorry

[Sue]

It becomes a routine Sue. We had our times changed every couple or three weeks so got a bit of variation. We used to play silly games on the m6, who could spot the first Eddie Stobart lorry

[PanBiker]

It becomes a routine Sue. We had our times changed every couple or three weeks so got a bit of variation. We used to play silly games on the m6, who could spot the first Eddie Stobart lorry

When we used to plough up and down the M6/M40 etc to pick up or return our Ruby to Stratford we used to play the hard version of that Gloria and guess the name on the tractor unit. I actually got it right once! I bought a lottery ticket the same day but my luck didn't hold.

[Gloria]

It becomes a routine Sue. We had our times changed every couple or three weeks so got a bit of variation. We used to play silly games on the m6, who could spot the first Eddie Stobart lorry

When we used to plough up and down the M6/M40 etc to pick up or return our Ruby to Stratford we used to play the hard version of that Gloria and guess the name on the tractor unit. I actually got it right once! I bought a lottery ticket the same day but my luck didn't hold.

Haha

[Wendyf]

I used to watch out for the red Norbert Dentressangle lorries when we made regular trips down from Scotland, but the best spot of all was a Marmite tanker!

[Gloria]

Years ago when we were travelling to horse shows, we used to keep small person happy spotting “plastic ducks”, three wheeled cars, there’d be shrieks of plastic duck. We also used to make stories up including the names of pubs we passed……the white horse jumped over the brown cow near the palace…..we enjoyed that

[Wendyf]

When we were children, travelling around Leeds and Bradford, we used to count advertising posters or makes of cars. Much later I started spotting car registration numbers, starting with number 1.

[PanBiker]

When I was a lad our bunch used to collect car numbers as well from the bench on Wellhouse Road on the bend by Eric Boltons Decorators . We had notebooks with 1 - 999 written in. Late 50's early 60's we soon realised that we saw all the same registrations every day. Mainly due to the Rolls Royce workers which were probably the main folk who had cars at the time.

[Big Kev]

I used to watch out for the red Norbert Dentressangle lorries when we made regular trips down from Scotland, but the best spot of all was a Marmite tanker!

Used to see lots of Norbert Dentressangle wagons, referred to as Norman Dressingtable, when I lived in Kent. They were bought out in 2015 by XPO Logistics and all the wagons were rebranded.

[Stanley]

It's a new week, I shall be in the shed as usual at 06:00 working on the valve train of my engine. I have already deviated from my normal pattern by ordering a new set of No. 9 castings from Stuarts. Crippling expense as usual, £633 including posting and packing but I regard that as the price I pay for staying alive! It's my hour in the shed each day that keeps me mobile, thinking straight and a useful citizen. Stuarts charge over £4,000 for a finished engine and that's with an inferior built up crankshaft...... (I have a flying start with the next one I already have a finished crankshaft and an oak plinth ready for it when the time comes.....)
When I had my normal diabetes clinic blood test on December 5th it was arranged that the nurse would call me at home on January 15th at about 10:30 so I shall be waiting about for her later this morning.
As far as I am aware that's the extent of my social diary for the day.

[Stanley]

I didn't do a picture of my first move on the valve train this morning. That was to drill the hole through the top of the valve rod support and get it in the centre of the casting. This was not easy but by taking my time and making a lot of small adjustments I got it right, dead central and level. Next I had to mount the valve in the steam chest in order to check that I had the support right and could mark it for drilling for the bolts that will hold it on the bed. But before I did that I had to enlarge the holes in the valve chest by 1/64" to make sure the casting fits easily on the studs. Then all the studs had to be installed using Loctite to make them permanent. Next I had to check that all the studs had good threads. That entailed running the 4BA die down them and checking the nuts were an easy fit. After all that was done I installed the valve and the rod and checked the fit of the valve support before marking it for the bolt holes. That was enough for this morning so I knocked off. Now for breakfast!

[Sue]

Morning

When we went to see Bobs parents in S Devon, which of course was a long way, first we used to say to the girls it was only at the end of the road ( the M6 M5 ) road. From Birmingham it was always’ first person to see the sea gets a sweet’ . Its amazing how high the tide came sometimes

We had a beautiful drive up here yesterday, it never fails to please. The Langdales had a touch of snow on top and the reflection in the lake at Amblside was stunning. It looks like we are heading for a nice sunrise today too. We shall breakfast about 8.30 and be on the road for 9 for Bob to go and have his stitches (2) out back in Rochdale. We should be back mid afternoon. I think the others are going up to Keswick, where thy will also visit Booths to but something for tea. We did our turn at cooking last night, so its over to them for a couple of days.

Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Sounds good Sue.... Best wishes to Bob both for the trip and the stitches! Whatever you do keep warm. it's bitter outside here..... I shall go back to bed.

[Sue]

I just remembered, when Briony was small we spent a lot of time looking for a pink sparkly mini. Why, because she loved pink, sparkles and minis. Of couse we never saw one, its a bit of a family joke now. She was ecstatic when I bought a mini, but of couse it wasn’t pink or sparkly. Being a mini clubman it was a bit big too. Life is so full of disappointments

[PostmanPete]

Here's the one I had....

[Sue]

Here's the one I had....

Like it… B would be overjoyed

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed at 06:00 as usual. Hopefully Well Pharmacy will deliver the medication they forgot to include yesterday. My aim yesterday was to get everything done that necessitated me going out into the town but Well threatened that concept. it will be Friday before we come out of this nasty spell of weather and I am hoping to hibernate through it!

[Stanley]

The first task was to extend the 4BA thread on the end of the valve rod to make it possible to adjust the valve later. Then I drilled the valve rod support base clearance for the 5BA studs that will hold it on the side of the bed. So far so good but then I made a mistake, I drilled and tapped the bed 4BA which of course is the next size of BA stud up! Sheer carelessness. Not a disaster as it will still work but tomorrow I will have to open up the clearance holes I drilled this morning in the rod support. I can work round it. I think we can put it down to a senior moment! Now for breakfast.

[Sue]

Morning

Well we have just a slight covering of snow, we shall see what happens during the day but it is due to be more sleety rain by 2. I doubt we will go much further than the leisure centre and the local shop for soup for lunch. My birthday celebrations will be simple, we will go out for a meal tomorrow lunchtime with other friends that live up here.

We had a good trip back to Rochdale yesterday and the stitches are now removed. We came back on the scenic route, stopping at an antiques warehouse on the way. There was nothing of much interest this visit.

Thats about it, stay warm and dry , be careful if you have to go out

[Gloria]

We have snow, and it’s still coming down, the sky looks very heavy with it.
Sue, which antiques warehouse did you call in?

[Stanley]

Well, one thing has gone to plan! My medicine has been delivered. Now all I have to worry about is FedEx who should deliver my castings before 12:30.
While I wait I shall identify the Quantas flight from Heathrow that M&S will be on.....

[Stanley]

They leave LHR at 11:50 on Qantas 10 a non-stop flight to Pert which takes over 16 hours on a Boeing 787-9. Rather them than me but I have to admit it's a bit of a miracle! 41C in Perth......... a bit warmer than here.

[Stanley]

I've see them off and they are over France gaining altitude. My castings have arrived and I have my medication. It's snowing and I am going back to bed for a dad nap!
I wish all of you as good a day....

[Sue]

20240116_112424.jpeg

20240116_111737.jpeg

20240116_112846.jpeg

20240116_112429.jpeg

20240116_111744.jpeg