Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

It is Sue, we have been dry for far too long. We still have light rain now.
Ironic really, in case anyone hasn't noticed, it's a Bank Holiday weekend again, Monday is the Spring Bank Holiday. Trust the weather gods to pick a worker's holiday to resume overcast and rain!

[Stanley]

I shall do useful things in the shed early doors and later this morning go for a walk to the Co-op for milk.... That's as far as the Planning Committee has got at the moment....

[Sue]

Morning

We were forecast rain on Thursday, Pauls 70 th birthday BBQ. Over the last 48 hours that rain has moved forwards and we actually had it yesterday evening and during the night which made a muggy night with temperatures at about 14 degrees. The rain has now stopped but the skies are grey. It is forecast to brighten up over the next couple of hours.

Yesterday afternoon we went to the Gardens of Brocéliande where we had a pleasant stroll through the woodlands , pasture land and formal rose and flower gardens. Its a great place for kids and picnics too but large enough to still be tranquil. We were out about 3 or 4 hours, today my arms are covered in insect bites! This morning we are off to a big carboot sale. There are no charity shops as such here so car boot sales are big, this one is about 200 stalls. A lot of stuff in the house here came from carboot sales as we have picked up many bargains over the years.

Then its lunch out which being Mothers Day here will be both busy and a special affair. Where we booked they are only doing a set menu described as ‘unique’ and of course costing an arm and a leg. Not what we really wanted but we didn’t have any option. Its our last weekend here till August so we did want to eat out.I shall do some washing and put it over the clothes airer before we go. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Morning Sue, good luck at the car boot sale.... I love a good sale. If you use your head and work at it you can often find amazing bargains. I hope your insect bites clear up quickly, they can be nasty little creatures!



Time now for work on the valve train. I cut the piece of stock to length for the eccentric rod and checked it for width and thickness. Then I measured it and marked the holes at each end. Next I put the shape in it. All this was done by hand and rack of the eye.... I fitted the end to the clevis and got set up for measuring and cutting the channel in the eccentric strap. That's the first job tomorrow. Right now I'm pointing at my breakfast!

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed early doors for my usual spell of Occupational Therapy.... (I shall have to bite the bullet soon and order another set of castings.... )
I doubt if I shall venture out, I don't need any shopping and we have a wet day forecast.

[Sue]

Morning

Despite the forecast it was a surprisingly sunny day yesterday and I managed to get most of my washing dried outside. I am now on to a delicate balance of what I use and don’t use before we go home as I liked to leave the house ´dressed’ in case we have any viewers in our absence. There are certain towels I like to leave out in the bathroom and other things etc thus having to recycle them by Friday, our departure day. The only time it did rain yesterday was fleetingly when we were at the car boot sale . We didn’t see anything we wanted but its always worth a look.

Today we are having a morning out to Questembert at the market that we like. We only need a bit of bread, perhaps something for tea but its a very pleasant little place to visit. This afternoon I will start the big clean through in preparation for leaving. Nothing too strenuous but I shall polish all the furniture that can be polished and dust the rest. I may even turn my mind to packing. I know its only Monday but we are at Pauls BBQ birthday on Thursday afternoon, out Wednesday evening, and hoovering through on Friday morning. We seem to have been here for ages.

Today is a cooler 18 degrees and cloudy. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Morning Sue..... It's like a well planned military campaign! I am impressed and I hope all goes well. It sounds as though the next week will fly by.....



This morning I cut the slot in the tail of the eccentric strap for the eccentric rod and measured , drilled and tapped for the CS screw that fixes the two together. Not my best work I'll admit but serviceable and it'll do. I have to forgive myself at times, but then how many blokes in their 90th year are making engines? Now for breakfast.

[Stanley]

Standards are being maintained! I have vacuumed upstairs and down and in the shed. Both machines are cleaned, including filters and I am ready to have my dinner. I may think of further mischief beyond that....

[Stanley]

This morning I shall put my chicken in to roast and might give myself a day off in the shed. What I really need to do is order the castings for my next engine but I hate spending money! Later, after I have dealt with my chicken I might get up to mischief.... We shall see!

[Stanley]

Off to bed for second sleep..... I do not feel guilty at all!

[Sue]

Morning

We had a good visit to the market yesterday, what was supposed to be a look round ended up a buying day. I spontaneously bought a waterproof coat reduced from 58euros to 30, Bob bought a zip up jumper, something he has been needing throughout our stay as it has been quite chilly in the evenings, we bought a lupin plant to replace the one that died over the winter, and a lovely piece of tuna for our tee.

In the afternoon we both did a good job cleaning windows and window frames. Bob did all the roof lights whilst I did the main windows and doors. Both sides of all of them as french windows open inwards making it easier to clean them. That is 7 roof lights, i main door, two sets of opening double doors, and 6 double opening windows. I have just realised I forgot to do the back door into the store room, always a mucky one. I then polished or dusted all furniture and mirrors and finished the upstairs by hoovering. We had just finished when Laetitia popped round to bring some unopened bags of coffee. She stayed for sometime chatting.they will have moved out by Wednesday and the new people move in on Sunday. We will be home by then.

This morning we are visiting the déchèterie ( the tip) to get rid of a few broken and no longer used old bits and pieces. From there we will go to the supermarket to buy some items we need like milk and some things for home. So far no plans for the afternoon. I may get that packing done, oh yes and wash the back door .

Its due to be cloudy, warm at 20degrees and dry. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

You do put me to shame Sue! I declined the shed this morning on the grounds I had done enough dealing with the chicken and here you and Bob are spring cleaning! I am back up after two hours sleep and the chicken is browning for ten minutes in the oven. Oh, and I have just ordered the castings for my next engine. The bad news is that it has gone up £60 after being stable for years.... This could well be the last No 9 I build..... It's getting to be an expensive hobby....

[Sue]

You do put me to shame Sue! I declined the shed this morning on the grounds I had done enough dealing with the chicken and here you and Bob are spring cleaning! I am back up after two hours sleep and the chicken is browning for ten minutes in the oven. Oh, and I have just ordered the castings for my next engine. The bad news is that it has gone up £60 after being stable for years.... This could well be the last No 9 I build..... It's getting to be an expensive hobby....

We have to spring clean. When the house is empty for weeks it soon looks grubby. We always clean before we leave but want it to sparkle just in case we get a viewer before August

[Stanley]

I understand and hope the strategy works!

[Stanley]

This morning I shall be a good lad and go in the shed first thing for an hour of OT.
I ordered a set of castings yesterday morning, I am told they will be delivered before Noon.

[Stanley]

This morning was concentrated on the governor stand/valve rod support bracket. It is without doubt the most difficult casting to fettle in the whole kit. Most of it has to be done by rack of the eye and I am not well suited to this occupation! I have got half way through the process without any serious errors. That's enough for this morning's half an hour, now I shall have my breakfast!

[Sue]

Morning

It was not a nice day yesterday with a grey sky, wind and a constant fine rain in the air. . I had to dry the washing inside. The sun came out about 6 just as I was starting my zoom pilates. We managed to take a full trailer load of rubbish to the tip and fell very good about ourselves afterwards. Its amazing what you find when you look.

Today promises to be warmer but still a fine rain which is unfortunate as I have bedding to change and wash but at least I can dry duvet covers over the mezzanine bannister. Today I shall also clean the fridge, its nearly empty amd I won’t be cooking much again. Tonight we are out at the local Chinese buffet with Laetitia and family and tomorrow we are at Joanne and Pauls.

I shall sort my packing too . I know I have been saying that for days but it is not an easy task. Most of my summer things are here and stay here but as we are coming back later than usual I have to take home what I shall need for every day at home plus a trip to and cruise on the Danube in late July. Decisions have to be made !

Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Morning Sue.... Bannisters can be very handy can't they. I almost always dry my bedding over them, you don't have to worry about a shower and they dry just as well.
I am back up after my sleep a bit earlier as I am expecting a DPD courier between 8 and 12 with my next set of castings. I hate being tied down. As soon as he or she has been I shall go to Town Square for a bit of veggie shopping, it's that time of week again.
I hope my courier comes soon and that you have a good day. .....

[Sue]

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[Stanley]

They'll dry in no time. I have waited all day for FedEx and just had a message it will be tomorrow.... Deep Joy!

[Stanley]

FedEx will be here 'before 18:00' and I am told I am getting the benefit of their priority service! I shall be in the shed early doors and then after second sleep I shall order my meat from Stuart and then be in Town Square veggie shopping. Tomorrow is veggie cooking day and meat delivery! It looks as though I shall need full wet weather gear as well!

[Sue]

Morning

Good day yesterday, although I had to dry all my washing inside. As has been the pattern since last Saturday it was cloudy with a fine drizzle all day with the sun coming out about 6. After lunch I gave the kitchen a thorough clean, and in the evening had a pleasant meal out. This mornings plans are to wash towels and to hoover through downstairs but then we are due at Joanne and Pauls to arrive between 12.30 and 1 for Pauls birthday BBQ. I have no idea what time we will get back. The forecast is cloudy this morning and warm and sunny this afternoon . Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Don't try to do too much before you go out Sue..... We have very heavy rain here this morning and the CH has come on in the last hour.....



Question..... How can you spend over half an hour on the cosmetics of a small casting like this? Answer, very easily if you are trying to get all surfaces clean and accurate. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, Now i am going looking for my breakfast!

[Sue]

Don't try to do too much before you go out Sue..... We have very heavy rain here this morning and the CH has come on in the last hour.....

Its do it now or before lunch tomorrow plus tomorrows jobs. Its raining again I still have washing drying from yesterday. Its all got to be dry and put away before tomorrow lunch. I have hung the towels out with fingers crossed, and dried off yesterdays in my Lakeland ‘tent’ bought for situations like this

[Stanley]

Good luck with it Sue. It's still raining here, fine steady wetting stuff. I have just got back from Veggie shopping at Gulam's.... Nice to sit down.