Back to work on my castings.... First I reinstalled the valve rod complete with clevis and valve, in the steam chest casting and that included refitting the gland. Next I moved on to the crank pin brass, milling it square and to the correct dimensions. I am ready now to mill it to width to fit in the crankshaft. That's enough for this morning, 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!
Yesterday was a mixed day, mainly cloudy and humid. It was certainly warm in our back garden. Today is forecast similar but with a hint more sun. When we walked into Rochdale yesterday we certainly felt the humidity walking back. Yesterday was also a day of completing the washing and ironing from our suitcase and everything is now put away. I had a few minor repairs to do in general and I also watered my veggie plants. Today I have no plans at the moment. Have a good day all.
That sounds like a fairly painless re-entry Sue. Good!
I shall be in the shed early doors working on my crank brass. Later I think I might go shopping in Town Square for the heavy end of my veggies, we are getting close to a cooking session.
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!
More on the crank brass. I finished getting the dimensions right, this morning it was milling it to width. Then I put the witness marks on for orientation. Next job was to drill 4BA clearance for the the bolts that will hold the crank brass on the connecting rod, this entailed counterboring for the heads of the bolts. Then fitting the bolts. 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!
In the end I was really busy yesterday. At breakfast I thought the table we use in the conservatory needed a revarnish so that is what I did in the morning, a bit of sanding and three coats of mat varnish. I did the small matching coffee table too. When it was finished I swept the conservatory right through as there were quite a few soil spillages from when I hastily put all our plants outside before we went on our trip.
Whilst it was drying between coats I sorted my fabric scraps, ironing those I wanted to keep and binning those that were too small for anything. As I was in the mood in the afternoon I decided to do my annual clean of the sewing room. For some reason it was not as bad as usual. We have a week of appointments next week so would not get a lot of opportunity before we go to France at the weekend.
Today is u3 a Wine group social at lunch time , then we, with Barbara and Bill, are off to the Italian restaurant for tea. Wendy and Keith are out with family this evening so not joining us. Have a good day all
Stanley wrote: ↑25 Jul 2025, 07:49
You make me feel guilty Sue! I haven't re-varnished anything nor have I cleaned up. I shall try not to let these sins of omission spoil my life!
Once a year job Stanley before we depart to France for the summer. The question is will I still do it when we have sold
My guess is yes Sue. We all know you have a wheel up your bum as my mother used to say....
I am back after a trip to Gulam's for my veggies. Now I shall sit and do nothing for a while.....
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!
Our one hour Gym slot this morning seemed to go faster than previous sessions. Only 3 in the group this morning, I think someone has swapped to a different day or time. Don't they say that time flies when you are enjoying yourself? See how the recovery goes with this one, quite a few weights involved with squats and lateral lifts, will show in my triceps probably. Weights and resistance settings are increasing.
PanBiker wrote: ↑25 Jul 2025, 10:36
Our one hour Gym slot this morning seemed to go faster than previous sessions. Only 3 in the group this morning, I think someone has swapped to a different day or time. Don't they say that time flies when you are enjoying yourself? See how the recovery goes with this one, quite a few weights involved with squats and lateral lifts, will show in my triceps probably. Weights and resistance settings are increasing.
Sounds painful to me. I swapped the gym for pilates and yoga. Though I have to admit to aching this week after two weeks off.
I remember many years ago a lady in the Bull at Broughton asked me if I lifted weights ..... I told her yes, but I got paid for doing it.....
I shall put my chicken in to roast this morning before going in the shed for my hour of exercise and OT. Later this morning I shall deal with the chicken after it has had its 4 hour roast. Tomorrow will be veggie cooking day!
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've only just sat down to finish my coffee after an hour of intense domestic activity.
I'm more for nourishment than punishment so I am ditching the shed in favour of breakfast and second sleep....
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 didn’t sleep well last night, it seemed really warm and this morning its absolutely still out there. I expected it to be raining but I see the forecast has changed slightly to 20 % chance this afternoon. We intend walking into Rochdale this morning as we need a few bits and pieces before our departure to France next weekend. Otherwise we have no plans. Have a good day all
Back to normal this morning. I shall be in the shed for an hour early doors getting my morning exercise and after second sleep I shall cook my next batch of veggies..... After that the world is my oyster!
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!
Back to normal this morning and more work on the crank pin brass. This morning on machining the oiler that is built into one half of the bearing. I had to fit the 4 jaw independent chuck in order to get a true centre and then bore the access hole for the oil flow. Next I bored the top 3/8" and tapped it 3/16" X 40tpi for the plug. Then I turned the outside of the oiler down until it was tidy. I finished up by refitting the 4 jaw self centring chuck ready for making the plug for the oiler tomorrow. 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!
Taking Ruby to meet her mum on the outskirts of Ripon to go back home. A handy meeting place for both parties. Ruby's mum Laura is travelling home after visiting friends in Sunderland so will be on the A1M, we have agreed to meet at a retail park on the Ripon bypass around midday. its only abut 4 miles off the A1M. If anyone is early there will be cafe's etc to get a brew and it will be free parking. I have checked the traffic and there is just some temporary lights around Fewson. Will go over through Earby and Carleton to get on the A59 though due to Tough Mudder.
Today we are going to a Widdup family gathering. I have met them all once before at a pub in Fence 18 months ago but this is at someone’s house. I have checked how we all fit together but cannot remember anyones names. I have got sticky labels so I can make name badges….and paper so they can write down their connection to the tree. We only know one person reasonably well so we are going a bit later so she will have arrived. I hate going places and meeting people I don’t know. Its a personal trait that people who know me don’t believe. We will be back early evening. It promises to be dry and even sunny so we should be out in the garden. Have a good day all
I hope you survive the meeting Sue!
Veggie cooking done. hob cleaned and pans put away.... Always a nice point in the week.
Now I do nothing for the rest of the day.
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!
PanBiker wrote: ↑27 Jul 2025, 08:25
I have checked the traffic and there is just some temporary lights around Fewson.
They're probably related to the realignment of the A59, if you've not been that way for a while you'll be surprised.
No lights at all actually, despite the 9am update on the AA traffic map, a straight through drive although we did go over the tops to Carleton to avoid the Tough Mudder traffic then took the short link road just past the crematorium up onto the bypass. They have temporary three way lights at The Bull but they were covered on the way back as the event was still in progress. Successful hand over of our Ruby who should be well on her way home now.
Stanley wrote: ↑27 Jul 2025, 12:40
I hope you survive the meeting Sue!
Veggie cooking done. hob cleaned and pans put away.... Always a nice point in the week.
Now I do nothing for the rest of the day.
It proved to be a very informal garden buffet. The sun stayed out and it was very pleasant. I know no more people than I knew before but we had a nice afternoon chatting
Good Sue! I'm glad it wasn't an ordeal.....
I shall be in the shed for an hour as usual early doors working on my crank brass and it will include some knurling.....
Later I can see a short walk and a Co-op shop for milk and shelf-fillers.... There's always something and these days it always seems to be nudging £20. I think prices may have gone up.....
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!
This morning was numerous little adjustments to refine the body of the crank brass and then I made the plug for the oil hole, this included some knurling, David's favourite! 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!
See how the recovery goes with this one, quite a few weights involved with squats and lateral lifts, will show in my triceps probably. Weights and resistance settings are increasing. 
….and paper so they can write down their connection to the tree. We only know one person reasonably well so we are going a bit later so she will have arrived. I hate going places and meeting people I don’t know. Its a personal trait that people who know me don’t believe. We will be back early evening. It promises to be dry and even sunny so we should be out in the garden. Have a good day all
