Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

I hope you have a nice quiet drive up there Sue. I've just got up after 2 hours of second sleep. I shall have a hot drink now and watch it slowly coming light through the kitchen window! (We haven't got any warm glow over the hills, just heavy overcast and gloom, exactly as per the forecast!)

[Stanley]

The shed has warmed to the point where going in for an hour would be supportable, just. However, I have taken an executive decision that I shall go back in when the ice and snow has gone off the ground. I see no point in pushing myself. After all I am not on a big wage!
That being the case I shall do the same as yesterday, an early breakfast and back to bed for a sleep. After that we shall see what the day brings......

[Sue]

Morning

The drive up yesterday was very pleasant. There is no snow or ice here and apparently has been little. There are little piles od snow on the sides of the road but everywhere is clear and was more or less from Gisburn. We did our usual stops, a coffee at Settle, a trip round Lords Antiques in Ingleton ( where I bought two Toby jugs to add to my collection), and finally a trip to Booths in Kirby Lonsdale to buy potatoes and onions as we had forgotten to bring those from home.

Today we plan a circular walk but want to be back here for three to start preparing the veg for a roast beef tea. Wendy, Keith, Barbara and Bill are arriving at 4 , and we are having a talk and gin tasting at 6,30 till 7.15, in the bar then back to the lodge for our roast beef, and probably a few games of cards.

Have a good day all.

[Stanley]

I'm glad it gets better to the West Sue. It's not daylight yet here but I have had o9ne bit of luck, I caught the bin men and they took my waste paper box for me so I didn't have to go on the ice. The lad told me that he had slipped and fallen twice this morning already and warned me about going out......

[Stanley]

It's thawing fast now. I base this on the amount of water coming out of the down spout on the shed. It has never been more than a drip up to now but has become a continuous stream in the last hour. Lovely!
(Thinking about Col and Wendy's snow drifts..... )

[Stanley]

Back to normal this morning. I shall be in the shed for an hour of occupational therapy, I've just looked and it's 58F in there, a big improvement!
Later this morning I shall go for a short walk to the Co-op for milk and bits. It's exactly a week since I last went there. That was high risk but as it turned out it was a good thing, I have had no shortage of anything for a week.
(I shall still be very careful! there are still some odd patches of ice under the walls....)
PS. I have got a load of washing going, I haven't washed in case the waste pipe froze, I have seen that happen in hard weather!

[Stanley]

Back in the shed for the first time for a week. I spent 45 minutes working on the dimensions of the crosshead. This included stripping the flywheel and crankshaft out of the engine so I could get an accurate measurement of the crosshead slide bed. I am now at the stage where I have the major dimensions done and can start tomorrow on the smaller cuts and drillings that need to be done. We are making progress once more! Now I can have my breakfast.

[Sue]

Morning

Well little was done yesterday, it was a heavy drizzle all morning and persistent heavy rain all afternoon and never really got light, its due to be better today. We did a 3 .5 mile circuit on the path by the river, had a coffee and walked back. In that short time the river level had gone up 15 cm and I am sure during the afternoon rose even more. The path was full of puddles and we soon found that at the bottom of the puddles there was ice so we had to tread carefully . Bob slipped down once but thankfully did not hurt himself. My freshly re waterproofed coat and trousers leaked like a sieve and by the time we got back we were both soaked. A beer and a sandwich at the pub was welcome , then we went back to the lodge and stayed there whilst our clothes dried in the drying cabinet .
So far we have no specific plans for the day but will have a discussion over breakfast with the others ( who arrived also soaked through at 4.00 pm.) Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Sounds as though a trip to an outdoor pursuit shop is indicated Sue, not much point in rainwear that lets yo get wet! Glad a wetting was the worst of your problems....
I have just sat down after putting the morning's shopping away,first time I have been out for a week and there are still some patches of packed snow about and like your puddles Sue, they are deadly. The forecast was right about the overcast but instead of fog with it we have constant light rain..... Still I am back inside and sat down with a pot of hot tea.... I think that's enough exercise for one day.

[Sue]

Nothing wrong with the clothes Stanley, all good quality walking gear which I wear most days at home in wet Rochdale and they were fine till I reproofed them . I used a different reproofing liquid and I am not impressed. Whilst we are here I will buy some more of my usual stuff and redo when we get home. Luckily no more rain is forecast this week . A good job as the rivers are in flood

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed for my dose of reality. Later this morning I shall cook cabbage and onions to extend my veggies. The forecast is good so we might have a walk and a sit on traffic duty!

[Stanley]

This morning I spent 45 minutes cutting the channel in each side of the crosshead which allows it to engage in the crosshead guides. This involved some very careful measuring and marking and we achieved a fit. Now for breakfast....

[Sue]

Morning

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday. We went over to Grasmere and did a short walk. We had intended doing a long walk but the paths were flooded and in places totally in accessible. It was pleasant though. Most places were shut but we managed to get in a cafe for a sandwich and a cuppa where we joined up with Wendy and Keith who had bern doing their own thing. Wendys mobility is seriously limited but she now has a small electric wheel chair for going out and about rather than struggling on her two sticks.

Today that will be useful as we are spending a few hours in Keswick. The electricity in the lodge is off today for essential work so we have decided on going to Keswick than afterwards some will sit in the main lounge bar and the rest of us will go for a swim. This evening we are over in Kendal to meet up for a meal with an old friend ( and ex art teacher ) .

Have a good day all

[Stanley]

You're doing better than us Sue, no sign of the sun as yet!

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed for my therapy and later might be tempted out for a walk as we have a good forecast..... I shall take a view later on.....

[Stanley]

45 minutes in the shed and one clear task. Measure and mark the crosshead and then mill out the slot to accept the small end of the connecting rod. Then find a nut and bolt the right size (3BA) and mark and drill the hole for it. Now I want my breakfast and second sleep!

[Sue]

Morning

We had a fabulous day in Keswick. It was a beautiful sunny warm spring like day, however back in Ambleside it remained misty and was worse in the evening when we drove to Kendal for our meal with friends.

Todays plans are undecided. Barbara , Wendy etc go back today after two really good days , we will then be left to do our own thing. Its my birthday so my decision . We will probably discuss after breakfast. Its supposed to be another really nice day so a good walk could be on the cards. Have a good day all

[PanBiker]

Happy Birthday Sue.

[Stanley]

Morning Sue. Many happy returns of the day! Yes, if you are the same as us, it's going to be a day of full sun.
I am still in line for a walk but will wait until the streets are aired.....

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed for my therapy session working with my hands and after that nothing is claiming my attention so it could be a quiet day looking after myself..... (I might find something is needed from the Co-op!)

[Stanley]

More work on the crosshead. First I used the bolt hole to position the crosshead under the mill so that I could cut the rounding of the end using the mill and ensuring it was perfectly circular and square. Next I Took the back lid off and used the piston to mark the end of the crosshead for the 2BA thread that is where the Piston rod joins the crosshead. As you can see I ended up with the crosshead running nicely in its guides. It might need refining later but I shan't know that until the connecting rod is made and fitted. Now for breakfast!

[Sue]

Morning

Thank you for my birthday wishes, I had a great day. The sun was shining so we had a walk. It was slippery underfoot because of overnight frosts so we had to be careful. In the afternoon I managed to buy a Regatta coat for £19 in a seasonal sale in an Outdoor shop at Hawkshead, a real bargain plus some more waterproofer. I had a cornish cream tea in the afternoon that was my birthday present from Claire, it was delivered by post and came complete with miniature bottles of Prosecco and now to forget my age and revert back to being younger, I can’t do with this age thing

Today sadly we are at a funeral for the founding member of our u3a wine group, so its a day trip return to Heptostall and back much later this afternoon. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Not a good day for a funeral..... gloomy before you start!
" I can’t do with this age thing "
Neither can I Sue but I don't know how to get rid of it!
I've just got back from a short walk to the Co-op for a few shelf fillers..... Now for a sit and some YouTube!

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed first thing doing useful things for my engine. I think it could be a bit of turning today....
Later I have a letter to post and I need to top up my phone card and get some stamps. There is always a good reason to pop into the Co-op.....

[Stanley]

I got set up for making the connecting rod this morning out of the 1" X 3/4" stock that Stuart provided. (Big enough to make the foot of the rod....) I've done all my measuring and have finished the first major cut. That took me 45 minutes because I check everything at least three times! I know my limitations.
Now for breakfast.