OneGuyFromBarlick

Morning

I cleared the fruit patch, though a couple of the old bushes were hard to dig out. Bob had to do the last one, a red currant bush as I just could not manage it. The gooseberry bushes are very deeply rooted so they will have to stay, but at least they do produce fruit. I gave them a good prune, dug the soil over, raked it and later in the afternoon gave it a good watering, which I will do again this morning in preparation to putting down grass seed. We are heading for a second growing season here so the seeds should take, and I will be able to water them daily for a few days. Rain is forecast later in the week and 25 degrees most of next week. It should germinate quickly . The path across the lawn we seeded last year has now blended in entirely .

Whilst I was doing this, Bob was clearing his railway track, with a view to having a few runs round. Rain stopped play as they say and I had a mad dash to get the washing in. It was short lived and the rest of the day was cool sun with a strong breeze. In the afternoon we had a good walk round the photo exhibition . It was cool in the house in the evening and we had to get cardigans out again. The bedspread went back on the bed too as it hit 9 degrees overnight. Its hard to think that a week ago we were sleeping in 21 degrees.

This morning we are going to Questembert market, about 40 minutes away. We don’t need anything but we like the town and the market atmosphere there. In the afternoon I shall weed the rockery and try and remove some of the plants at the back next to the fence that I want to replace in my garden redesign. That won’t take long as I did a thorough job before Jane came. I have already made progress in this venture, fruit bushes gone ( though I have another patch to do ) , asparagus patch gone and converted to low, slow growing flowering shrubs.

Oh yes, the night time camera has not picked up any sign on the stone marten near the house, though poo has been seen down the field near the stumps of the trees we had taken down last year. The camera has however picked up hedgehogs in different locations which we are delighted with . They seem to be living under the various piles of wood around

This time next week we will be waiting for the ferry home . Have a good day all

That all sounds positive again. I hope Bob manages to get a few runs in the polish the rails up a bit.



This morning I addressed the connecting rod. First I did some measuring and marking and then set up the rectangular sock in the chuck checking it for accuracy with the dial indicator. Then I quietly turned down the end to the diameter I need to make the eye for the crosshead pin. I was held up by having to give my digital caliper a good clean to get the metal dust out of it. For some reason, that was suddenly a problem. I finished up ready to do more measuring and cutting tomorrow.

I have done all my cooking, roasting the chicken and cooking the veggies. Now all I have to do is post Bob's Bits and then chill.....

I shall be in the shed with my connecting rod at 06:00. Quiet day today. all cooking done and it looks like rain at midday so a walk is doubtful. How about a Granddad nap instead?

Morning

Its nearly 7,30 here and still only just light. The sky is grey but it shouldn’t last. The forecast is dry but cloudy, maximum of 21 degrees. We had a good trip to the market yesterday and with less tourists around we had an opportunity to take lots of photos. Some are included here to give a taste of why we like the place so much . We also called in at a Jardinage ( garden centre) on the way back and bought a climbing plant to put on a bit of fence in the hedge between our neighbour and us. There is a space where one has died. The jardinage was very interesting and we may go back when we want the non spreading plants for the side border. It was a very pleasant afternoon gardening, I trimmed the rest of the hedge, weeded the rockery, and seeded the new bit of grass. This morning we are off to Rennes to visit a trio of fabric warehouses, within a mile of each other. Hopefully I will find fabric for my jacket but also there may be bits and pieces in their bargain bucket. This afternoon I will start clearing the other fruit patch, leaving Bob to set up his train, I hope, although he wants to pick blackberries so I can make some jam. There is no room in the freezer but it is a shame to lose the crop. I did I say we have a bumper crop of pears too. Its the first time we have had pears, and we have several trees that we have planted. We shall take home what we can

This evening I will do a zoom pilates session and possibly the yoga too, though with the hour difference it makes a late finish and thus a late evening meal. We are busy trying to eat up what is in the fridge and some of the leftovers from last week that I put in the freezer

Have a good day all

I like the look of that market Sue, looks like a proper market. You continue to have a good spell of activities. You must be pleased.....



Only one image needed. I checked all my measurements and carried on cutting the rectangular stock back to the relatively slender body of the connecting rod. Careful turning because of course much of the work was an interrupted cut.

I shall be in the shed as usual for at least an hour with my connecting rod. I know I'm slow but there is no rush and it's an achievement to do good work like this at my age....
Could be fine enough to tempt me out for a walk later.....

Morning

Another dark morning, and cool. The forecast is overcast 18 this morning with a maximum of 20 this afternoon.

We went to Rennes yesterday and I bought three pieces of fabric. When we got back i washed them and just have to iron the last piece then they are all ready to use. In the afternoon we picked blackberries but many had gone over. We managed the 1.5 kg I needed to make jam, but struggled. There are lots more coming but they will ripen after we have gone home. This morning I will make the jam, then perhaps I will do a bit of gardening. This evening we are out for a meal with Laetitia and family, our treat for all they do for us. We are off to the local Chinese restaurant, where they do an all you can eat buffet. Its very popular round here, and the price is very reasonable. The food is prepared as you wait.

We have no other plans, I think we are actually getting ready to go back home. We will probably do another couple of outings and we must go and see Roland later this week.

Have a good day all

You sound to be winding down to the trip home very nicely Sue.... I hope you have another good day.



Exciting morning for all the wrong reasons.... I finished the shape of the con rod and started to part it off, I made a silly mistake, had a dig in, bent the rod and shattered the parting tool so I spent the rest of my hour repairing the parting tool, straightening the con rod and finishing the foot. I got away with it but only just....

Doing some intensive 'loafing " -

My Head Gardener has phoned to say he can't make it, and will tomorrow afternoon be OK ? Yes of course it will.

Now the Dentist rings - says my 'lab work is not back and they will have to cancel my final fitting. Yes that's fine. . .

Gives me time to play with familiarise myself with my new phone. Bought as a 4G spare for the car - but impressively long battery life, (hopefully) with a still and video camera, and the ability to record phone calls which could be very handy. It's an IMO Dash 4G - all for just £20.99 and delivered in less than two days. Amazing value I'd say. Another winner from Tesco Outlet

So how many phones have you got now, Tripps, and when does your museum open?

Sorry David but I don't understand why you need a spare phone for the car.... But then I don't understand mobile phones either!
Not sure whether I can live with the slightly foxed con-rod. Before I go any further with it I need to make the crank-bearing so I shall leave a decision until then. So this morning I'll start to make the bearing and then see how we go. It'll be perfectly serviceable but not perfect and that might be the killer.
A change to normal routine today, because I am eating less I won't need a veggie shop until Monday. For the same reason I don't need most of my weekly shop at the Co-op. only the milk so I might get that today.

Morning

Why are you eating less Stanley. Are you not well? This morning is very dark indeed, we have all the lights on to see our way to the toilet and the kitchen for our morning cuppa. Todays forecast is similar to yesterday but with a little bit of rain late afternoon. This morning we are going to Malestroit, another town and market that we like. It was in fact where we were holidaying when we bought this place. We will possibly do a short walk along the river. On the way back we will call in to say cheerio to Joanne and Paul. After lunch a little more gardening clearing the second fruit patch, followed by a trip to see Roland and to say cheerio to him too until next time.

Yesterday Bob finished cutting the hedge, I made the jam and weeded the rhubarb patch. We then both enjoyed a few circuits on the train where we identified the need for some more tree pruning…watch your head was the cry . It all ran smoothly.

Our glut of pears is ripening fast and will not manage to make it back home. We have eaten many but will give the rest to Laetitia. I tried a peach yesterday, not quite ripe but we have bought worse from the shops at home, so we will pick them and the few remaining pears on the trees before we leave. They should travel ok.

Have a good day all

The unripe fruit should make it Sue. I am losing weight to take pressure off my bad knee....

(see Medical Matters.)

I said I might let the damaged rod go forward but I couldn't do it. I set to to make a new one. I had one obvious candidate, the piece of very old wrought iron shafting you might remember me having so much trouble with. I put a new tip in my indexed cutter and got going. No rush and I had an uneventful morning. I feel much better having decided to scrap the damaged rod.

Feeling much happier about the con-rod! I've been for a walk and have my apples and milk. Now for a spot of dinner and then perhaps a Dad Nap.

I shall be in the shed carefully chasing my con-rod. What I shall not be doing this Friday morning is going to the Co-op for early doors shopping. Having got my milk yesterday I don't need anything! The Project is saving me money!
Nothing in the weather forecast to prevent a walk at midday. After that, who knows?

Morning

Its even darker this morning, September has really arrived. I think it has rained during the night and its due to rain all day. It looks like the weather at the end of our stay is a repeat of the weather at the beginning.

Our trip out yesterday morning was wet, most of the stalls on the market had covered their produce and many of the normal stalls were not there. Probably taking a holiday after the high season is over. La Rentré ie the return to normal starts next week with all the children going back to school. Garden furniture, what little has been out will be put away until next year. Winter clothes will appear. Its just like a switch, even if the temperatures are still warm, it will be 25 next week. Anyway we abandoned the market and went round to see Joanne and Paul for a cuppa. It was well after 12 when we left them.

In the afternoon I started cutting back the grapes, although we had a bumper crop the rain early in August has caused them to rot before they ripen. I collected 2 Kg of green grapes and started making grape jelly which I will finish this morning. Sadly I spilt a lot of the pulp all over the kitchen worktop which resulted in having to do a major clean up. What a mess. Anyway you leave the pulp dripping through a cloth overnight and use the liquid to make the jelly. There is so much I don’t think the amount I spilt will be significant.

Our trip to see Roland was ok but sad. He seems to have deteriorated over the summer. We didn’t stay too long as conversation was difficult. If you remember he no longer has anything to do with his family since they tried to stop the sale of his house and turned on Nicole saying she just wanted his money. Anyway, Michelle, the daughter from Paris turned up to see him, out of the blue. He refused to see her, saying his family is dead to him. So sad. Michelle turned on Nicole saying it was her fault he is in the home etc. Apparently Roland has not been well since. Nicole says he was better yesterday but did not seem so to us. On Sunday friends are taking him to a restaurant for lunch, Nicole is going on a well deserved holiday.

Today is jelly making, then a trip to get shopping for our return home. Whilst out we are booking lunch for Saturday. This will help balance the food that we have left. This afternoon I shall clean the rest of the kitchen and the main bathroom thoroughly, especially the small extra fridge which we need when we have visitors. We switched it off to defrost last night. It will remain off with the door ajar until next summer.

So its going to be a busy day day here but it will generally keep us out of the rain. Have a good one everyone.

That's sad news about Roland and I know it means so much to you. You can't legislate for what families are capable of doing to each other, I've seen it happen. Better luck with the grape jelly! The good news is that it looks as though you'll come back to better weather.



Just one target this morning, a perfect blank for the connecting rod. I spent an hour and a quarter doing some careful turning and at knocking off time I had a perfect blank and what's more, made out of wrought iron which I reckon could be 200 years old and which I had discarded as too difficult to machine many months ago. So I am pleased on two counts, first that I have my con-rod and second that I managed to use this very difficult material.
I don't know whether you can see but the inclusions in the wrought iron are the cause of the speckles on the foot.

Normally on a Saturday I would be roasting my chicken but this morning I haven't finished last Week's so the meat order that arrived last night went straight in the freezer. I have warned Kathy that I will miss next week.
So I shall be in the shed chasing my non-ferocious parts for my engine. Nothing in the weather forecast to militate against a walk at midday. I had a walk and a half hour on traffic duty, it was quite pleasant and looks to be even better today.

Morning

Well it hardly rained at all yesterday despite the forecast. In fact we had a sunny day. I made my grape jelly in the morning but it didn’t set, so in the afternoon I boiled it for another ten minutes and it set beautifully. We pottered out to the shops before lunch, bought what we needed and had a spur of the moment lunch out of ‘moules et frites’ . Never shop when you are hungry. In the afternoon I cleared some of the second fruit patch, which was hard going as the temperature reached an unexpected 25 degrees. I see thats the temperature expected at home next week, here 30 is now expected.

This morning I shall vacuum through downstairs and do some dusting. I also want to wash bedding and towels, and hope that the dry forecast is true. We are out for our planned lunch today at a crêperie in La Gacilly. The cupboards here are bare as they say. The fridge contains cheese for tonights supper, and eggs for an omelette for lunch tomorrow before we leave. This evening Laetitia and family are popping round for a beer and a chat before we leave tomorrow. We shall pack during the day, having placed our bags on one of the spare beds. Hope we can find everything that needs to go back home. I had better take some summer clothes with me

Today Julia swims Windermere. They have just spent a stunning week on Skye where I was impressed that Eve went with her Dad to walk the highest not on the mainland UK. It took them 4 hours up, of which the last long stretch was stoney scree. The whole walk was 7 hours in total Ed and Julia are experienced walkers and its been a long time waiting to take it up again. Eve loved it

Have a good day all

Ps

Bob caught the stone marten on the wild life camera on Thursday night. It was very active don’t at the bottom of the field amongst the stumps and trunks of the old oaks we had cut down last year

Let's hope it stays there Sue..... Nice pics on Skye......



I started this morning by doing some maintenance. I cleaned and oiled Mrs Harrison. Then I started to refine the bronze castings for the crank bearing. At knocking off time I was well into that job, I know where I am starting tomorrow!

I have been for a walk and a sit for half an hour people-watching at the end of Albert Road. Now for a spot of lunch and who knows, perhaps even a Dad-Nap!

Just the right side of lunch, late on the site today as we have been helping out at the Bosom Friends Coffee Morning at the centre this morning. One of the usual trustees who helps has other commitments today. Reasonably attended and we had toasted offerings of currant teacakes, crumpets or scotch pancakes on offer as well as the brews.

I will do an Aldi run this afternoon as we need a few top ups of various bits.

Labour Party Jacobs Join tomorrow afternoon at Earby Croquet Club. Instruction will be on hand for anyone who wants to play. I will bake some rich scones tomorrow morning for our contribution and take whipped cream and locally foraged hedgerow jelly to go with them.

Today Julia swims Windermere. …..


My goodness she did it in 5 hours 36 minutes. I am in awe