Today I shall be Mainly...

[Stanley]

I love your morning report. I have a gentle perspire on after 2 hours in the shed but the work you describe is far more taxing, I'm afraid I would not be much good to you!
The pics are great and I am glad it's not all work! It looks very summery, it's generally overcast and cool here Sue and no sign of it changing. I shall go and post in shed matters and then return.

[Sue]

I think gentle perspiration would be pleasant, its full on dripping sweat here after only a bit of exercise. We were so e what shamed i to going places by Laetitia asking where we had been. We are usually quite content here during holiday season but I must admit its nice to get out to these places after so ling. we have decided work in the morning and go out in the afternoon

Our fly plague is much reduced though not gone and my insect bites recovered. I am now drenched in insect repellant before I hit the veggie garden, which is actually in the shade at the moment

[Stanley]

Shade looks good....



More work on the base castings and boring the trunk slide.... It worked out well, I found the centre! A good 2 hours in the shed and I have had my breakfast. Would that every day went as well!

[Stanley]

Two hours in the shed and then dodge showers to get exercise.

[Sue]

Morning

Well it reached 30 degrees yesterday afternoon. We worked hard in the garden till noon, Bob cutting the hedge between our neighbours and ourselves. Its our hedge and fast growing but does give us and them some privacy. Afterwards he helped me with the veggie patch and we made good progress before it got too hot. I am hoping to finish it today

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In the afternoon we did a short walk in the next village, round the two lakes. Its near where our friend Audrey used to live and where Bertrand and Elisabeth live but they never walk it, and we cannot understand why. As well as having the usual facilities for children, playground etc, it is also a nature reserve and the place was alive with dragonflies, and damsel flies. It was just over 2.5 miles and often in the shade which was nice. About 7 Yves popped round for a chat and after he left we had our BBQ and ate outside. It was a beautiful evening.

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Today is due to be cooler, in fact it is cloudy at the moment but not unusual for the time of year. I shall plod on this morning, and we will think of somewhere to go this afternoon. Have a good day everyone

[Wendyf]

We are going down to Kelbrook this morning to watch the start of the Kelbrook Tractor Run.

[Sue]

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[Sue]

We are going down to Kelbrook this morning to watch the start of the Kelbrook Tractor Run.

Sounds fun , different

[Sue]

The route

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[Stanley]

Morning you two. I have nothing as exciting or strenuous to report. I've been in the shed for over two hours because this engine has been promised to a young man as a Xmas present. I'm pretty sure I can finish it by then but will admit that there is a bit of pressure on me and I am making sure..... I shall post in Shed Matters and then report.

[Big Kev]

We are going down to Kelbrook this morning to watch the start of the Kelbrook Tractor Run.

Do you know the route it will take?

[Wendyf]

We are going down to Kelbrook this morning to watch the start of the Kelbrook Tractor Run.

Do you know the route it will take?

Afraid not. I think it might be a mystery tour type of thing. They gather on the field in front of the church from 10am and set off from the village hall at 10.30am. Coffee and cake available in the village hall.

[Big Kev]

We are going down to Kelbrook this morning to watch the start of the Kelbrook Tractor Run.

Do you know the route it will take?

Afraid not. I think it might be a mystery tour type of thing. They gather on the field in front of the church from 10am and set off from the village hall at 10.30am. Coffee and cake available in the village hall.

Thanks Wendy, I'll keep an eye open for it in case they come this way. Be interesting to see them all on the move.

[Wendyf]

I've seen them passing this way a couple of times over the years, the climb up Stoneybank and Bleara must be a challenge. Cob Lane, Stonetrough and Noyna would be likely spots to see them!

[Stanley]

The bed and the base have been married and are ready for further fitting. I have started on getting the rest of the castings ready for fitting. Breakfast now. Broadcasting house and second sleep!

[Big Kev]

I've seen them passing this way a couple of times over the years, the climb up Stoneybank and Bleara must be a challenge. Cob Lane, Stonetrough and Noyna would be likely spots to see them!

There's been a few past the back of my house in the past hour, they must be on their way home.

[Wendyf]

It was quite a parade, there must have been at least 25 tractors of one sort or another. They set off up Cob Lane but we saw them later on going past our house and heading up towards Pinhaw.
Here's a couple of photos. Mr Bannister from the feed mill at Laneshawbridge driving the show condition Massey Ferguson.
Is that the Fordson Major you spotted heading home through Barlick Stanley?

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[Stanley]

No Wendy, the one I saw was a bog standard Major with a roll over bar fitted. Evidently a working tractor as it was heading for Skipton Road or Bracewell.
I shall be in the shed flywheel turning this morning and giving a history lesson in Wimet tools to anybody who cares to look later.
I might get my sit outside the bookies as the forecast looks OK for my noon walk.

[Sue]

Morning

How exciting. I love a good parade. Round here at this time of year there are usually lots of local agricultural parades linked to fetes and shows, but this year there has been nothing.Even if there had been we would have kept well away.

Yesterday was cloudy till 1.00 then we had a sunny afternoon. This meant we could get a good go at the veggie patch a.though it was still rather warm and humid. Whilst I cleared vegetation, Bob dug the soil removing deep rooted plants . We are still not finished but the end is in sight.

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In the afternoon we went for a walk from the house through the lanes down to the ford and the stepping stones.

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Both of the latter had disappeared. We suspect the local farmer had put some strategically placed stones to create a bit of a dam and hence a large pool of water ideal for fishing. Only local farmers go through the ford on their tractors and I suspect they still can do that. It was just under 3.5 miles there and back and was largely on the flat. We then had a long sit down and a beer whilst I talked to Eve on whats app.

She had lots to chat about . In the morning she had been to watch Julia do a club lake swim of 2.5 km . Not my idea of fun but Julia loves it. Eve had taken loads of photos and sent them to me later. Its an annual event but did not take place last summer. Briony and she had been away on an activity week last week. They had been orienteering, abseiling, kayaking and much much more. Basically it was at least two activities per day. Eve looked tired out, Briony was bubbling. It was so lovely to see the old Briony back in full swing.

After the chat I wandered into the orchard with wheel barrow and pruning equipment and had a walk round the trees pruning off long branches and suckers and generally tidying things up. Not a strenuous activity but it did take an hour . I have to say last night I was exhausted and was in bed at 9.30. I read for an hour and was asleep by 10.30 , waking at 7.00 this morning.

Today we shall finish the veggie patch and cut back the lavender plants. At that point all essential tasks are finished. We have a few plans for the rest of the week mostly social . We ordered our test for day 2 of return and received our email with the vital number that we need to complete return documentation. The test was £85 in total of which nearly £15 is VAT. I thought VAT was on luxury items. This is not luxury but a legal requirement !

Today is forecast cloudy till 6 . No rain forecast. I see from Countryfile last night that the north of the UK is cool and showery. Have a good day all

[Sue]

The stepping stones 5 years ago today, and yesterday

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[Stanley]

Morning Sue.... you sound to be enjoying yourself, good!
I have had two and a half hours in the shed and hit a succession of chilled castings and this



A flywheel full of blowholes and inclusions. Tell Bob I have just emailed Stuarts and asked for a replacement casting.

[Stanley]

Morning Sue.... you sound to be enjoying yourself, good!
I have had two and a half hours in the shed and hit a succession of chilled castings and this



A flywheel full of blowholes and inclusions. Tell Bob I have just emailed Stuarts and asked for a replacement casting.

[Stanley]

I shall be pursuing my engine even though the castings are chilled. I shall manage but the work will not be as accurate as it would be in the VM.
Not sure about the noon walk, at the moment we have rain forecast. Could be a walk but no bookie watch....

[Sue]

Morning

Well I got the veggie plot cleared yesterday but only partly dug. In the afternoon we visited the supermarket and bought all the bits and pieces we needed then visited Roland for an afternoon aperitif. Nicole was telling me the sad tale that his family are still causing trouble about Roland selling his home and renting in the village next door to her. It was a good move for him, there is no way he could live in the hamlet now and she acts as his carer. Its so sad, she was in tears talking to me in private. Gosh how my french has improved over the years! Roland had a recent fall as he loses his balance easily. He has damaged his artificial knee joint and it needs operating on. His consultant is unsure wether an operation it is a good idea as Roland is 91 . The consultant is on holiday at the moment and a decision will be made when he returns. I felt quite sad when we left them. I think the worry is taking its toll on both of them .

I had bought some rose feed at the supermarket so on returning to the house I fed my roses, having now cut them all back . I had cut my lavender back in the morning and tidied up the rockery so all essential tasks are now complete. If I don’t get the rest of the veggie patch dug over I shall cover it later today or tomorrow for over wintering. I do however need to dig out weeds from the asparagus patch, again either today or tomorrow. This morning I want to change our bedding. I normally do it it the day before we leave but its due to rain on Thursday. The towels will also have to be changed a day early if I want to dry them .

So this morning we are going to walk round the photo exhibition at La Gacilly, our local town and a tourist spot. We thought this morning would be the quietist time. This afternoon we shall take a trailer load of brambles etc to the recycling centre and otherwise do whatever gardening I get chance to do plus start to pack items to go home with us

So that will be our day, enjoy yours

[Stanley]

Funny to hear you talking about getting ready to come back Sue, you don't seem to have been there for long.
Roland is a bit older than me but I do recognise his problems and sympathise with him. Please give him my best regards.



Knocking off time, I have a good bore slightly oversize but that is no problem. I shall clean up tomorrow!
That was a frustrating 3 hours at times but the end result is good so that's a good spell in the shed! See Shed natters for the full story.