Today I shall be Mainly...

[Sue]

Morning

Another misty, frosty morning . The forecast is cloudy this morning and a cloud with sun this afternoon. Yesterday was cold but nice. I washed towels and dried them outside. In the afternoon we went for long walk to Tesco in Whitworth as we had run out of salad .We walked there direct along the railway bridle way it being some 2.5 miles on a gentle uphill. We came back over the moors, finding yet another new path which connects with a walk we only usually do in the summer, one to remember for the future. It was well after 4 when we got back , and we were both pretty tired and did little else apart from get the washing in and do bit of jigsaw and Bob had a phone call to make before 4.30 pm . He has ordered a big model engineering kit, that should keep him quiet for a couple of years . It is a ride on model traction engine. I think he has been wanting one for a bit having admired plenty at various model engineering exhibitions over the years. Apparently it arrives in 24 monthly kits. I am so glad we have our own hobbies accounts! I think he has been saving for it for a while and there is some mention of perhaps selling some other things to make space.

Today I will do a little sewing, my top is nearly finished but then I am looking for inspiration. I need no more clothes ! Well not yet anyway, jumper and jeans being the only appropriate wear for the time of year, especially as we cannot go anywhere. ( sun just come up, it is a very bright and a clear sky) . I think we will walk. We are now on the road to Arras on our virtual walk and it is some 120+ kilometres. It will take us a few weeks I think but at least the walking weather is better. We think a couple of miles a day at least will chip away at the distance .I want to plant sone sweet peas in the greenhouse and a few early planting veg and flower seeds and thats my plans for the day. I have abandoned my art project, its just not working out.

Have a good day everyone.

[Stanley]

If Bob is taking on a traction engine that's a big job! Include me out. Good luck with the gardening Sue, we'll see how the sun performs today.
I have spent a good hour in the shed all of it hard on my knees so I have knocked off early. I shall post in shed matters and reveal all.
Later....



I have found the material for the metal under carriage and also some nice mahogany that I can make the bases for the gun carriages. I hated the stuff I had. This took some finding but will make a nice job.

[Sue]

Yes the traction engine seems a huge job to me Stanley, but very rewarding I am sure. Yes I prefer that wood, nicer colour, the other would only have irritated you if you were unhappy with it.

[Stanley]

[Stanley]

Not sure whether I shall be woodworking on the bases or metal working on the under carriages. We'll see. Then it's keeping warm if the day is anything like yesterday....

[Sue]

Morning

Its a cold , frosty, foggy start this morning, with sun and cloud forecast later. Yesterday started the same but by mid morning it was a lovely sunny if cold day. I planted my seeds and covered the trays with clear perspex to keep them extra warm , now its the waiting game before they come up. I finished sewing my top in the morning and we went for an arduous 4.5 mile walk in the afternoon. It was a variation on a few walks combined together and involved a couple of steep climbs. We were exhausted when we got home and did little else but a bit of jigsaw and sitting. I tackled assessment 7 of my Celts course and hope to finish that today. I also want to make a couple more masks. Two of my early makes I find a bit difficult to breathe in but I was sent a free pattern with something I bought, and they seem roomier. I made one for Bob a few weeks ago and he says they are comfortable to wear. I have no other plans for the day. If we walk it will be a short one as we have done 4-6 miles nearly every day since last Thursday and our bodies are feeling it.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

Just thinking about 4 to 6 miles a day makes me feel poorly! I have to ration the punishment my knees get.
I've been in the shed for an hour and a half and once again, it got stressful! I shall post on shed matters.....



I have three pieces of wood that will become gun carriage bases after more work. See shed matters..... I had to spend an hour cleaning up!

[Sue]

Looking back on the detail I think we did two miles on a couple of days.

[Marilyn]

Message for Panbiker. Hubby, adult son and I rode on our bikes ... 38 kilometres today in 28 C heat....hot showers, heat rub and a glass of wine tonight. Early night I think, as we have plans for another ride tomorrow.

[PanBiker]

With electrical assistance I assume? Well done anyway. I have yet to solve the drop foot knock on I have to my peddling ability. No electrical assistance at this end so it has to be a proper fix.

[Marilyn]

Only part assistance on the outward journey. Ride back was without power assist.

[Stanley]

I shall leave any sanding of the wooden beds until daylight and do it outdoors . So this morning looks like a start on the undercarriages. Oh, and possibly weekly Co-op shop as well.

[Sue]

Morning

Well it was certainly cold yesterday, even when the sun came out. It was a good day to pick as a day of rest from walking. We still kept busy. I made two masks, did some jigsaw ( will it never end) painted a crocus in the afternoon using my new paints so at least I have something to show in zoom art on Friday, then I tackled the rest of assessment 7 on Celts. I shall finish that today.

It looks to be another grey day today. We shall walk down to the post office and do a circular walk, but I really have few plans. My activity ideas seem to be drying up. There are a couple of top cupboards above our bedroom wardrobes that need a tidy, though I fear an avalanche of 50 years of family photos. I shall see how I feel.

Its Claires birthday today, I had hoped we would have been able to see each other but obviously it is not going to happen yet. Ah well, soon I hope.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

You could just sit and relax and do sod all Sue! I do it occasionally and always feel better afterwards.

A lot of hand work this morning but we have made progress. I have the six elements of the undercarriages ready for further work. The wooden bases can wait until I can operate outside. I don't want any repetition if yesterday's dust!

[Sue]

You could just sit and relax and do sod all Sue! I do it occasionally and always feel better afterwards.

Not me I am afraid Stanley, though we do sit for several hours a day drinking tea or coffee, chatting or on the internet watching TV or even reading. Our bubble friend popped round this afternoon , for a brew and a chat. Quite a long chat as it turned out

[Stanley]

I'm working on a new theory Sue. The less weight and wear I put on my knees, the longer I can avoid surgery! (They're only designed to last 70 years you know....)
I shall be quietly getting my undercarriages in order but breaking off at 7AM to do the weekly shop early doors at the Co-op. I did veggie shopping yesterday. A short walk at dinnertime and then Shardlake.

[Stanley]

An hour's work before the Co-op early doors shop. 24 Cuts by hand with the mill. At knocking off time they were all cut and numbered so they can be mated with their carriages. Things could be worse...

[Sue]

Morning

Come on Stanley, there is no design feature in the human body with a use by date on it excep of course our female baby making bits We all do what is right for us. Whilst I am always busy a lot of that involves sitting such as sewing , art and my online studying. I have an active brain and these days a less active body but I need to keep it moving or it stiffens up particularly my back.

I am one week in without my pilates and yoga. I hadn’t realised just how much it helps me keep track of time. More than one day this week I did not know what day it was. We walked up to the post office at Whitworth yesterday morning as that was the better weather. Unfortunately it meant the longer walk as the one in Rochdale only opens in the afternoon. That is the shorter walk there and back . It is our second nearest post office . The Whitworth round trip is over 4 miles so we went over the moors there and the railway track back with a couple of pleasant deviations. Our local postoffice is just over a mile away, its a small crowded shop and the locals do not abide by social distancing. It worries us that it is in an area where Covid numbers are in one of the higher areas of Rochdale. I wonder why?? Thus we avoid it.

In the afternoon it was jigsaw, I finished assessment 7 of the Celts and our bubble friend Kath popped over for a cuppa and a chat. She has given me a phone number of someone to contact as we have offered to go to the churchyard and clear brambles away from some of the headstones that are disappearing. It is such a shame when that happens. I feel strongly that if there is a headstone it should be seen as it is there because someone wants a person to be remembered. Thats not possible if it is covered over be weeds. Most of the graveyard is tidy but this is one neglected corner. There is a lot of local history on those headstones. I like to look people up on the census of the time. Very interesting. I must phone today, I keep forgetting.

This morning I have zoom art, but may do a bit of cleaning before. After lunch we are driving over to Maxine's as her husband Ian has made me some wooden planters for the garden and they are ready to collect. There will be no time to walk unless we take the opportunity to do a different short walk starting from Rooley Moor , where they live. It depends on the weather. Its forecast cold , cloudy and dry. Talking of walking I didn’t mention that three roe deer crossed our path the other day when we were on the moors. We see them every now and again but not usually so close.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

Pop over and tell my knees that Sue!

[Sue]

Pop over and tell my knees that Sue!

As I said we all do what is right for us. I have a dodgy hip but it has been the same for years, arthritis in my toes, stiff hands in the morning etc, I could go on for a long time but I find activity helps. In pilates we do numerous exercises to keep the hips mobile and strengthen the ligaments and muscles which increase their support. My body knows I am not doing these things this week . I expect to be very still and not as mobile after a month.

[Stanley]

I love the way the days unfold. I had mail this morning that means I have to make a trip to the post box. I had already started on a bit of light cooking. I am making something I haven't done for a while, Onions and cut up bacon lardons with cabbage. It's just taking its final simmer and then can go into the fridge.
At the same time I am cooking sprouts. I shall get into full scale veggie cooking session tomorrow.....

[Big Kev]

I had already started on a bit of light cooking. I am making something I haven't done for a while, Onions and cut up bacon lardons with cabbage.

One of my favourites too. Savoy cabbage with lardons, once the lardons are good and crispy I like to steam the cabbage in a good glug of dry white wine and finish with a dollop of double cream. A tasty low carb side

[Tripps]

Never tried it. but I might. I got two 'sweetheart' cabbages by mistake in the last shop. They're imported from Spain, and very good. I'd do it in the trusty wok - perhaps steam the cabbage and onions a bit first.

I agree with the cream - I haven't found anything that it doesn't improve yet.

*******************************

Well - I've done it and it was delicious. Exceeded expectations. Had to mess about with it of course, by adding sliced red pepper, sliced carrot, Polish garlic sausage, a few cardamon pods, and some grated ginger, with a dash of Linghams chilli sauce.

Cabbage.jpeg

[Big Kev]

Sounds good to me

[Stanley]

I love sweetheart cabbage. I made mine with kale actually and kept it savoury so no cream. That's the beauty of it, you can go in any direction you want once you've started.
I shall be aiming at my under carriages and I must finish the wooden bases. Otherwise exercise, a bit of cooking and reading.