Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

I'm glad you had a good journey back Sue.
Wrap up well if you are going for a walk, our wind is very unforgiving this morning!

[Sue]

It was a very cold wind, we decided not to go up to Lobden at 1000 feet but did a combination of several lower walks. It was a relatively short walk but the ground was rocky and uneven. We did get fantastic views across to Derbyshire in one direction and the Welsh mountains in another

[Stanley]

I envy you your walks Sue.....
I shall be in the shed early doors working on my bearings. I don't see anything else calling for attention but may stretch a point and have a shirt walk later. I won't enjoy it but it will be good for me!

[Stanley]

This morning I completed the milling of the bottom crankshaft bearing brasses. 45 minutes of very careful measuring, setting up and cutting. All went well and we've taken another small accurate step towards an engine. That always makes for a good morning. Now for breakfast.

[Sue]

Morning

It will be a quiet morning this morning but this afternoon we are at Wendy and Keiths for their annual Christmas get together. There will be good food, good wine, good laughs and good company. We may go by taXi as they live near Hollingworth Lake now and have restricted parking all around them. They only have permits for two cars on the road outside. We will probably be home about 6. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

I hope you enjoy yourselves... Nice that Bob gets time off for good behaviour from the railway in the park! Only celebration here will be a walk if the weather is anywhere near clement!

[PanBiker]

Family meal at ours today, eight probably. Just done the spuds for roasting and mash, sprouts, carrots, pork, (roasted yesterday) and Yorkshire puddings. Baked Camembert for starters.

[Sue]

Family meal at ours today, eight probably. Just done the spuds for roasting and mash, sprouts, carrots, pork, (roasted yesterday) and Yorkshire puddings. Baked Camembert for starters.

Sounds good

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed first thing working on my bearings.... Later, after second sleep, I shall have a short walk to the Co-op. I need the accompaniments to my chicken as it's getting close to a fresh roast. I'll have to give some thought to veggies as well because it looks as though I shall need to be cooking them on New Years Day. I shall see if I can avoid this. Home made fish chips and peas out of the freezer could be a good plan. That will put of the need for veggie cooking.....

[Stanley]

The target this morning was the top brasses. First I checked that there was enough room between the cheeks of the bottom bearing for the flywheel webs. Then I milled to top bearings adjusted them for width and last got them under the pillar drill and drilled both the oil holes and the clearance holes for the 4BA studs that locate the caps. That was a good 45 minutes of careful work. Now I want my breakfast!

[Sue]

Morning

We had a very nice afternoon at Wendy’s . Sadly I wasn’t feeling too well and we came earlier than we intended. We both have a very dry cough, I have a headache and sore throat and fatigue. I don’t think its a cold but may be flu or covid , hopefully mild after having been vaccinated. I was in bed very early. We have no plans for today but wouldn't feel up to doing anything if we had. I will do a covid test later. Have a good day all

[Stanley]

Sorry to here that Sue. These infections seem to be pursuing you. I hope whatever it is burns itself out quickly and lets you get on with your lives....
My day changed when I realised that I was nearer to running out of cooked veggies than I thought. I shall see what's available at the Co-op this morning but in reality it will need restocking today to fill the shelves again. I may be wrong, we shall see. I am defrosting fish and chips and will be cooking them later today. One thing is sure, I shall not starve!

[Stanley]

That worked out well! I got the peppers and tomatoes that go with my chicken and also a full veggie shop! I am back home now with everything put away and the chopped outer leaves and stalks of three cauliflowers in a big pan on the hob. A good start towards tomorrow's cook in.

[Stanley]

I have just finished cooking the outer leaves and stalks off three cauliflowers. Less to do tomorrow. Also made two servings of fish chips and peas for dinner and tea. That ensures I have meals cooked for the next two days....

[Sue]

Not covid, perhaps a mild dose of flu or another cold but somehow its not like a cold. The trouble is having had one thing after another I think my immune system is now struggling. Luckily today the cough has died down and I just feel incredibly tired. Doing the jigsaw is my limit I think

[Stanley]

I think you're right about your immune system struggling Sue. I wish I could think of an easy and helpful answer to the problem but you know far more about infections and defences than I do! In the meantime, there is no shame in taking it easy, it's the only sensible thing to do.
My day is going to be busy! I shall prepare my chicken and get it in the oven before going in the shed to do my usual hour of Occupational Therapy. After second sleep I shall deal with my chicken and then cook veggies. Later at 15:30 I expect a call from a nurse practitioner at the surgery. She wants to talk to me about 'holistic health care', whatever that means. That will be her first job, explaining that to me!
I suspect this is a box ticking exercise triggered by some new policy to make us feel as though we still have a doctor!

[Stanley]

This morning I marked and drilled the holes for the 4BA studs that retain the top caps on the bearing, then I tapped the holes and fitted the caps. Not quite perfectly aligned but good enough and not bad for a 90 year old fitter! And now he wants his breakfast.

[Sue]

Morning
It was a dull miserable day yesterday with more of the same today. I have no plans but will take it as it comes. We have to pop to the shops to buy some chicken for Bob to make a curry for New Years Day. We should manage to get some at the local Tesco Express. Have a good day all .

[Stanley]

Morning Sue! You're right, it's a dull uninteresting day, perfect for what I have been occupied with, the last chicken roast and veggie cook in of the year. I have just finished and am waiting for the hob to cool down....

[Stanley]

I shall do my hour in the shed first thing and the only thing I have to do later is go to the Pharmacy for my meds. That will feel like a nice tidy end to 2025, a fridge full of cooked food and my meds topped up. What more could a bloke want!

[Stanley]

This morning I finished fitting the bearing brasses making sure there was enough room for the flywheel and then I set up under the radial drill and bored the brasses 1/2" for the shaft. Next I shall fit the shaft but that's for tomorrow. Right now my sights are fixed on breakfast! A good hour with another positive step forward.

[Sue]

Morning

We popped out to the shops yesterday, in the car, to buy a few bits and pieces for curry cooking , but also called in to Dunelm to buy some new towels. I had delayed buying any as we have lots of towels in France that will find their way here eventually. However after a shower one day last week I realised just how flat and hard our towels here were getting . I thought there may have been some towels in the sales, but no, all full price. I washed them in the afternoon and now look forward to a luxury towel after morning shower.

Its jolly cold this morning, I doubt we will be going anywhere today. Bob will be busy cooking a variety of curry dishes to take to Claires tomorrow where we will be having New Years Day lunch. I shall cook us a meal this evening and we will probably stay up to see the New Year in. Today my thoughts turn to our friend Joan who hosted a New Years Eve meal every year for Wendy, Keith, Bob and I. She and her husband Eddie did this for about 30 years but sadly are now too frail. Joan has been in and out of hospital for weeks and Eddie is refusing visits and help from us all, indeed he doesn’t even answer his phone. I will try and phone again today but doubt I will have any luck. I have no otber plans today, perhaps a little sewing. Have a good day all.

[Stanley]

Morning Sue! Same here, coldest morning of the winter and the gritting wagons have been out. I've walked to the pharmacy for meds, Shambles in Town Square for pedal bin liners, Co-op for milk and butter and now I'm back home in the warm.... I shall not go out again this year!

[Stanley]

I shall be in the shed early doors making sure my crankshaft is a good fit in the bearings. After that there is nothing outstanding so I shall probably cook up an extender of savoury cabbage to augment my veggies.....

[Stanley]

I fitted the shaft, several small adjustments and the end result is a nice free fit.