Today I shall be Mainly...

[Wendyf]

You are going to look smart on your days out Stanley!

[Stanley]

That was the intention Wendy, I was looking a bit drab. I shall turn the sleeves up and wear it today.... I don't think the wind chill will bother me.
Off back to bed early.......

[Sue]

Morning

Nice coat Stanley. Talking of coats I did run out of varnish yesterday for the last coat on my cupboards. It was a very busy day as we were both working hard to complete various tasks before our return home on Tuesday. I did not manage to finish the painting as the filler Bob had used in the surrounds of the wall cupboard did not cure in time for me to wash and paint it. I did get the last doors done and the shelf. I decided to start washing the paintwork around the mess or Mondays cleaning would take a very long time. Bob got the hedge cut and I cleared away the cuttings . It was a very busy day indeed and we were both tired. I applied the second coat of varnish on the shelf just as we were going to bed.

Today will be a bit more relaxed. I shall paint and varnish the cupboard surround and then the tins and brushes can all be put away and the kitchen restored to some sort of order. I want to wash the front gate which is covered in two years of green algae, and hopefully tomorrow I will be able to coat it with preservative. . In my cleaning yesterday I came across veggie seeds in packets and may plant them over the weekend in rows under appropriate fabric to stop the weeds. Neither job is on our list of essentials but if the weather is nice its good to be outside. It reached 22 on the front of the house yesterday

We are out at Joanne and Pauls for a meal tonight and a bit of well deserved socialising.Have a good day.

[Gloria]

You’ve scrubbed up well Stanley, looking very good .

[Stanley]

I think you get what you pay for and the coat delivers. Technically it is a miracle, Lovat wool tweed that is waterproof, Goretex interlining so it will breathe and very well cut, I got a good size and was worried in case I'd given myself too much room but I haven't, it's a nice comfortable fit.
No shed but I have improved the shining hour by cooking a chicken and the weeks veggies, carrots, parsnips, Broccoli and cauliflower. As regards carbs, only three parsnips so no big breach of the rules.

[Stanley]

Back to normal today I think after the trauma to my wallet yesterday.....
A trip to the shed for a couple of hours and if the forecast is correct a walk and a sit in front of the bookies, warm and comfortable despite it being a colder day. (I shall miss that coat while it is away being altered!)
I have put the old Crombie away in the wardrobe. I doubt if it will ever emerge again!

[Sue]

Morning

Another lovely day yesterday . All jobs achieved including linseed oiling the gate and planting some of the veggie seeds I found. The kitchen cupboard surround is painted and today the last cupboard will be reassembled. Normal service will be resumed in the kitchen starting by making some cakes to cut up and put in the freezer. This will use up some of the eggs we still have from Elisabeth. Some more will be used in scrambled egg and bacon for breakfast, or what passes for bacon in france. Otherwise today I want to wash and change the bedding being the last chance to dry it outside before we leave. Tomorrow has a chance of rain and I don’t want to have to dry a large duvet cover inside . Otherwise I have no other plans. If its nice and I feel so inclined I may try to weed the rockery and the side border. Its been a dry week so there is a better chance that I may be able to manage, unlike last week when the soil was a quagmire.

We had a few circuits of the orchard on our little train in the afternoon and have identified a few hanging branches that need chopping so I think that is Bobs plan for today though technically you are not supposed to use noisy machinery on a Sunday, but no one round here seems to mind
Have a good day all

[Stanley]

I love that mental image of you and Bob doing that most British thing of riding round on a garden railway! Lovely and so nice to know you do relax occasionally!



Two hours in the shed and more quiet progress. See shed matters if you need to know about the pitfall Stuart's have set for their customers....

[Sue]

Finished

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A5BF3D2A-8D44-4A56-84DE-4EFA129F5116.jpeg

[Big Kev]

I like that, nice job Sue.

[Tripps]

Subtle tribute to Ukraine. . . .

[Sue]

Subtle tribute to Ukraine. . . .

Never thought of that.

The kitchen was already blue and yellow, the cupboards a dark mustard colour with an Azure blue edge. They needed brightening up. The whole kitchen looks lighter . Thanks for the compliment Kev. We like it but you never know how this shabby chic distressed look will appeal to people. We have been looking for a picture of how it was but they must all be at home.

[Stanley]

Looks professional to me.... a talented woman!
I shall be in the shed chasing my con rod and crosshead. Amazing how much time small things like this take!
The forecast is good so I shall be on bookie watch.
Looking forward to Saltaire on Wednesday.

[Sue]

Morning

Its cold this morning, we really notice it in this house. The usual morning mist is blocking the view from the window. This morning is due to be sunny the afternoon cloudy, like yesterday, but not as warm as yesterday. My plans are a quick sweep through and wash the floors downstairs, and clean the two bathrooms we have used. We have hardly been in the rest of the house so nothing needed there. This afternoon we shall see Roland, if not then we shall certainly see Nicole to take Roland's birthday tin of biscuits and a card. I need to sort out some of my summer clothes to take back home for our cruise and any summery weather we may have at home before our next trip here. We have sometime tomorrow as we are not leaving till after lunch. Bob wants to cut the main lawn today and thats his jobs finished so I can wash our working and gardening gear this morning.

So thats it a productive trip, first week cool, windy and damp, second week very springlike and even when not sunny, pleasantly warm. Have a good day all.

[Stanley]

And every moment filled with activity! (Even if it's only riding round the garden on the railway, that was an essential safety inspection.



I finished drilling and tapping the crosshead. Than a lot of careful measuring before marking the con-rod and drilling the hole for the crosshead pin. Then I made the pin and fitted it. The last pic shows where we are at closing time, ready for fitting when the time comes. However there are other fish to fry. I shall have to have a think....

[Sue]

And every moment filled with activity! (Even if it's only riding round the garden on the railway, that was an essential safety inspection.

Not completely, I have done a lot of crocheting and several crosswords, and consumed a lot of tea and wine . I even did some sewing one day on my machine here

[Stanley]

Sue, that all counts as activity! (Getting bit by a dog is activity.....!)
I shall have to view the piste this morning. I suspect I shall be working on the eccentric strap for the valve gear. I shall see if my alteration lady will do my sleeves, I see she is back after a spell in hospital.
I've booked my 4th jab for Friday at Colne, checked on British Gas. (Don't ask.... the only good thing is that my price is fixed until the beginning of May!)
Bookie watch looks to be on as the forecast is good.
PS. Where is the 'health Centre Pharmacy at Colne?

[Big Kev]

PS. Where is the 'health Centre Pharmacy at Colne?

Is this for your booster?

[Sue]

Morning

Yesterday was supposed to be cloudy, it was not. It was a beautiful day reaching 20 plus degrees in our garden. I managed to get the last of our washing dried and put away, apart from towels which I will wash after our showers this morning. Its looking promising for today so I shall put them out to dry for as long as i can. Otherwise nothing much doing this morning. I have to wipe out the fridge and pack the remaining food, mainly potatoes and eggs into a cool bag . We shall leave after an early lunch so we can get to St Malo in time to call at my favourite art and crafts shop. The ferry is overnight and runs on English time so it is going to be a long evening browsing the onboard shop to see if we can get some whiskey at a good price for Adams birthday.

At the last minute I planted some courgettes and tomato seeds in the large flowerpots round the wisteria covered gazebo. Laetitia said she would water them. I gave the rest of the seeds to our immediate neighbour Aurelia who was planting things up at the same time.

So a successful stay barring bumps, bruises, garden cuts and dog bites. Have a good day all and I shall write sometime tomorrow. We are calling at Julias to deliver some french shopping but she will be at work. We should be home early afternoon

[Wendyf]

PS. Where is the 'health Centre Pharmacy at Colne?

Is this for your booster?

Colin is booked in there for his jab on Thursday, I'll let you know! The pharmacy closed a couple of years ago but as we never used it I don't know where it was located.

[Stanley]

Yes, that's where my booster is on Friday. Margaret is taking me....
Have a good trip Sue... I have been in the shed for two hours and here's where we ended up.



I was right, the next piece of construction will be making the components of the valve train. For this morning, I set to to build the engine. Here I have fitted the piston and rod to the con rod and checked it for throw and clearance. The piston is packed with a soft seal and I have packed the piston rod gland. Then I fitted the back lid, the steam chest and the lid, I am ready to make the valve train now

[plaques]

Colin is booked in there for his jab on Thursday, I'll let you know! The pharmacy closed a couple of years ago but as we never used it I don't know where it was located.

Wendy.. Ground floor into main reception area then forward to the lifts and its on your right hand side. You will see them all lined up needles ready. The seating area for those who wish to collapse afterwards is in the old pharmacy area.

Tried Gloria's link and sure enough I could get an appointment for this friday. Mrs P rang our Richmond hill practice and they said wait for your letter.
all very confusing.

[plaques]

We should be home early afternoon

Diesel at Sainburys now £1.78 per litre. increases at about 1p a day. Have a safe journey home.

[Big Kev]

We should be home early afternoon

Diesel at Sainburys now £1.78 per litre. increases at about 1p a day. Have a safe journey home.

Ouch! It was £1.49 last time I put some in.

[Wendyf]

Colin is booked in there for his jab on Thursday, I'll let you know! The pharmacy closed a couple of years ago but as we never used it I don't know where it was located.

Wendy.. Ground floor into main reception area then forward to the lifts and its on your right hand side. You will see them all lined up needles ready. The seating area for those who wish to collapse afterwards is in the old pharmacy area.

Tried Gloria's link and sure enough I could get an appointment for this friday. Mrs P rang our Richmond hill practice and they said wait for your letter.
all very confusing.

Thanks Ken.