An hour of careful work this morning fitting the crosshead slides to the engine bed. First I measured and marked the positions of the clearance holes for the bolts that will attach them to the bed. all six holes bored 5BA clearance. Then I marked the bed with witness marks for both guides and marked the guides to match. Then I set up the bed in the pillar drill and marked the bed for the first holes on each side. Then I drilled and tapped for the first bolt, fitted the crosshead guide and bored and tapped the other two holes using the guide as a template. Both those bots are fitted and no, you aren't seeing things, the one nearest the cylinder has a smaller head than the others. I shall have to live with that..... So one guide fitted and now I can leave the other for tomorrow. I want my breakfast!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
All went well yesterday. All news is good and we were home by 2.30pm, whereupon we had a long sit down after a tiring day.
Today we shall walk to the local pharmacist to have our covid jabs. Being Friday we are off to the Italian by the lake for lunch and meeting up with Wendy and Keith who we haven’t seen in over 4 weeks. I may do a little sewing later . Have a good day all
That's really good news Sue. I'm so glad for both of you. I hope you get off as lightly as I did with the Covid booster. No side effects at all apart from a very slight tendency to ache for a day or two....
I am going to improve the shining hour by going back to bed for a couple of hours......
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
I might decline the shed this morning because I have to be out of the house and on my way to the library at 10:00 and don't want to cut back on second sleep. I'm going to the library because I've been invited by the library to go to a lecture that Ian McKay is giving this morning on Bancroft Shed. Susan is going to accompany me as my minder and I think we'll have lunch together afterwards.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
Stanley wrote: ↑05 Apr 2025, 02:48
I might decline the shed this morning because I have to be out of the house and on my way to the library at 10:00 and don't want to cut back on second sleep. I'm going to the library because I've been invited by the library to go to a lecture that Ian McKay is giving this morning on Bancroft Shed. Susan is going to accompany me as my minder and I think we'll have lunch together afterwards.
An interesting morning Stanley, I hope it's an enjoyable one for you.
Another nice day but still really windy. We are off to Hebden Bridge for the day going by train. Its only about 18 minutes that way as opposed to an hour by car. The price is very reasonable too, not much different than the parking, although parking there is very difficult.
This morning I have an aching arm and a headache, results of the vaccination I think . However I think the fresh air will do me good helping the head to clear. Bob just has an aching arm. This evening is u3a zoom wine tasting. Have a good day all
Stanley wrote: ↑05 Apr 2025, 02:48
I might decline the shed this morning because I have to be out of the house and on my way to the library at 10:00 and don't want to cut back on second sleep. I'm going to the library because I've been invited by the library to go to a lecture that Ian McKay is giving this morning on Bancroft Shed. Susan is going to accompany me as my minder and I think we'll have lunch together afterwards.
An interesting morning Stanley, I hope it's an enjoyable one for you.
Yes I think it could be interesting. I have scrubbed up, a clean shirt and the Harris Tweed 3 piece suit..... Just the thing for a cold morning like this is!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
I shall be in the shed early doors working on the crosshead guide.... Susan and Mick are taking me up to Bancroft to the steaming after dinner. I haven't been there for a while.... Always nice to see an old friend!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
One simple task this morning. Using the guide as a template, drill and tap for the three 5BA bolts that hold the guide to the bed. Careful and accurate work. We make progress.... Now for breakfast!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
We had a very pleasant day in Hebden Bridge yesterday , with a walk along the canal as well as in the park and the town centre. How much easier it was going by train than by car.
Today is a bit of a sewing day. Claire is calling in for a chat on her way to the Rugby at Spotland but she is also trying on a top that I am making for her. Later in the afternoon one of my pilates teachers is calling round as I have said I will do an embroidered motive of her name on a towelling swimming robe. Other than that I shall probably potter in the garden, a few of my new plants will need a watering later. Have a good day all
Sounds like a nice quiet day Sue. We certainly have the weather for it.... again! (As long as you don't mind that cold wind....)
Susan and Mick are wheeling me over to Bancroft today for the steaming. A while since I was there....
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
I saw a lot of old friends yesterday and some new ones including Charlie Almond's daughter. He was the engine tenter up to 1970 when George Bleasdale got the job. As a bonus I saw Joan from Ellenroad!
Today I shall be in the shed first thing and then I am in for an exciting day. Susan and Mick are going to redecorate the kitchen and hall for me. I suspect I shall be retreating to bed at some point.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
One clear task this morning. Drill and tap the back end of the cylinder for the six 4BA studs that hold the lid on. I've done that, fitted them and the lid and marked the assembly with witness marks. A quiet accurate hour and now I am ready for my breakfast.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
Another nice day, I think I am going to have to water the garden!
I was in bed early last hight as I had another violent attack of restless leg. This has got more frequent again as I have slowly increased the stains dose. I am monitoring it carefully and may have to reduce the dose as per the consultants instructions
I had a pleasant visit from Claire and Erin on their way to the rugby. Erin has suddenly got to an age of non stop talking, and not just for the sake of it. We had quite a conversation about a few subjects. We did the usual measuring on the wall and since last October she has grown a good 3 to 4 inches. I was amazed, but then she is 11 now.
This morning is the local history group at u3a. The topic is transcribing old documents and its going to be a hands on exercise. Bob isn’t keen but I will love it. This afternoon I shall sew and Bob will finish the greenhouse floor. This evening is zoom yoga.
It's amazing how quickly they can grow at that age isn't it.... I hope you have a nice day, the wind chill is slightly lower but that wind is still taking the edge off the beautiful sun!
I shall go to bed and see what I find when I awake.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
I got up to find I had Susan and Mick working hard in the kitchen. Today I shall be in the shed early doors doing useful things for my engine and after that will be getting my pork belly prepared for slow cooking. S&M will be finishing the kitchen ceiling and moving on into the hall. I shall keep out of the way!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
Its a cool start today, only 2 degrees but due to be 15 with sun and cloud. Bob finished the greenhouse floor yesterday so today will be reassembly of shelving units and sorting out trays and seed trays ready to plant my seeds. Its pilates and yoga in the studio this evening. I may do a little sewing . This morning i have an appointment in Rochdale and Bob wants to do the weekly trip to the bank. Have a good day all
A well planned day as usual.... Yes, it should be nice today and less wind chill so it will feel warmer. You just caught me as I go back to bed. I hope we both have a good day. My minions will be here soon to slave away on my decorations.... Lovely!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
I shall be in the shed as usual early doors and then a big second sleep. I found it quite exhausting to have other people in the house all day but the results are well worth it. They have done a wonderful job, I am clean and tidy again.....
I see no reason why I shouldn't have a short walk later.... It certainly won't be raining!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
Today I harvested the non-ferocious chips.... (I am still saving them for John) and then I made and fitted the piston rod..... Now I need a gland but that's for tomorrow. I want my breakfast.
Stanley Challenger Graham
Stanley's View
scg1936 at talktalk.net
"Beware of certitude" (Jimmy Reid)
The floggings will continue until morale improves!
Old age isn't for cissies!
Greenhouse all tidy and seed trays planted. I just have some squash and sweet pea seeds to plant. The rest of my day was relatively inactive as today will be too. I seem to have pulled or strained something in my groin and every now and again and for no apparent reason my leg just gives way.
There will be no more pilates and yoga for this week at least. My pilates teacher will be callin round at lunchtime to pick up a ´cover up’ that I had embroidered her name on using my machine. I was taking it to the studio for her but as I won’t now be going she is collecting it .
Today therefore will be sitting and sewing and if possible moving my young strawberry plants to their now positions. They are the runners from last year that have been over wintering in the troughs I use for veggies . So that will be my day. Have a good one
