BSW01

Good evening everyone Well, as I’d hoped, that stump didn't put up too much of a fight, once I'd got all my tools sorted and I got stuck in, 20 minutes later it was out. I then dismantled the old pond waterfall and then filled in the pond itself. As much as I’ve enjoyed having a pond, it was getting to be a big hassle with regard maintenance. Also during my illness a few years ago, it got very neglected and looked a real mess. Filling it in is something I’ve been meaning to do for a few years now, this was completed before dinner. There is still a lot of earth required to fill it completely, about 6-8 inches, over an area of around 12 sq ft. But I do have several bags of old compost taken out of tubs, hanging baskets etc that I’ve saved for this very purpose. They will go some way towards filling it in, plus, by the time it’s levelled off and then planted up, it won’t be bad. After dinner I spent the afternoon in the workshop, doing a bit more on Max’s engine. I’ve given it a thorough clean and given it a run on my test track, albeit just the loco chassis and tender. Goodnight all.

There’s The Girl - Heart

Good morning everyone It’s a little overcast today, but as I’m working outside today, I don’t mind. The stump in question is only small, the conifer was about 8ft when I cut it down last year, but it has started to grow side shouts, so I’m going to dig it up. Hopefully as it’s so small it won’t take too long, famous last words I hear you all say. Breakfast has now been consumed and I’ve just got a large (3/4 pint) muggertea and a glass of orange juice to finish then I’m off to the shed to get the tools for the above. I’ve also got some dead heading of roses to do too! Back later.

Sledge Hammer - Peter Gabriel

Good evening everyone Well it’s been another very sunny day here in the northwest. The tip was quite busy, although I only had to wait about 5 minutes, so it wasn’t too bad. When I came home I sorted out some old paperwork for shredding as our paper recycling bin is due to be emptied this week. After that I polished the brassware on the front door and then made myself a large muggertea. Once that was consumed I pottered about in the cellar, as there was now a bit more room down there. After dinner, I spent the rest of the day in the workshop, where a little more progress has been made on Max’s engine. Tomorrow I’m going to take advantage of what’s left of the good weather a do a bit of gardening, there’s an old conifer stump that I want to dig up, there’s also a few weeds to pull up once the stump is out of the way. Goodnight all.

Rock And Roll - Led Zeppelin

Good morning everyone The sun is shining and the garden is looking sparkly due to last nights rain catching the sun. Not a lot planned for today, my leg seems to be back to normal (normal moi?, who am I trying to kid?), but I’m still taking it easy. The biggest task I’ve set myself for today, is a run to the tip as I’ve got quite a collection of waste together, once gone it will clear a bit of floor space in the cellar. Then it’s back to the workshop to continue work on Max’s engine. Tony and Aditi. Glad you enjoyed you cruise. Jamie. Enjoy your swim. Back later

Jump - House Of Pain

Good evening everyone After a lie-in and breakfast in bed, I finally made it to the workshop about 11:00. Anyway, the chisel and plane have been finished off, I completely stripped down the plane to its component parts and gave it a thorough clean. After dinner I made a start on an engine for Max’s birthday, which is not until December, but we all know how these things can drag on a bit! After tea we had some really heavy rain, I wasn’t expecting it, but anyway, the garden will benefit from it. Goodnight all.

All mine says is “Goodbye” or is that “Good buy”?

Good evening everyone After a brief lie-in this morning, I went straight out to the workshop. I sorted out the drawer that I keep all my lathe accessories and drills and labelled tins that I keep some of my taps and dies in, so I don’t have to keep opening them to see what’s inside. After that I decided to sharpen my wood chisels and my plane. They’d become a little blunt over time, but the plane was in a mess after getting it back after loaning it out. From the state it looked like they’d planed over a few nails! I won’t be lending it out again, that’s for sure. Anyway, by the end of the afternoon I’d sharpened 4 chisels and ground the last chisel and plane, which are now ready for honing, which I will complete tomorrow. Although my leg is still a little sore, it’s better than yesterday, so I’m hoping that it was something minor. I would normally assume I’d walked into something, swore like a trooper at the time and then forgotten about it, but there is no bruising, or swelling, so I’m not so sure what I’ve done. Here’s hoping that there is even more improvement tomorrow. Goodnight all.

On The Run - Pink Floyd

Listen To The Music - The Doobie Brothers

Love Hurts - Jim Capaldi

Evening everyone As usual, on our way back from the Trafford Centre we called at the butchers to pick up the weekly meat rations. After dinner I made one of my fruit tea loaves, which as usual made the house smell rather nice. Our guests arrived as usual just after 4:30 this afternoon and we then spent a very pleasant couple of hours before they headed off for home. But typically, just after they had left, my watch battery died, so it will have to wait until next week to give it to James to replace. All day I've been struggling with a very painful right thigh. I don't know what I've done, as I don’t recall knocking or anything, but last night whilst I was swimming, I felt as though I was going to get cramp, but never actually got cramp. When I woke up this morning, it felt a little sore and has not improved at all during the day. So, if there is no improvement tomorrow, the plan is to take it easy and just potter about in the workshop. Goodnight all.

In A Room - Dodgy

Good morning everyone It’s a bit duller than of late, but it’s still 14C outside according to the app on my phone. We will shortly be off to the Trafford Centre to get a few bits and pieces. Hopefully, we’ll be home before the kids who aren’t in school get there. Back later.

Good evening everyone What a beautiful day it’s been here in the northwest. Most of the morning was spent in the garden, the roses look a lot better now that they are not drooping across the path. They also look a lot better now that they’ve been dead headed too. After dinner I tidied up my wood off-cut pile in the workshop, so that’s looking a lot tidier too. After tea I went and jumped in Salford Quays, once again it was very busy as it has been since I started going back there 3 weeks ago, it’s becoming a very popular sport. They’d even run out of wetsuits to hire, but as I gave my own, that didn’t bother me. However, tonight the water was warm enough (21C) to not bother with a wetsuit for the first time this year! It makes it a lot quicker getting changed too, as a result I was able to do 3 laps, the most I’ve done for quite some time. I expect I won’t have too much difficulty in sleeping tonight. Goodnight all

Good morning everyone Once again the sun is shining, so, when Sheila has left for her Zumba class, I’m heading into the garden to tie back and dead head a few roses. Then it’s back to the workshop, to continue tidying up. Another couple of mornings should do it I think. Back later.

Blue Murder - Alan Hull

The Whole Of The Moon - The Waterboys

Good evening everyone Plenty of weeds are now refilling the garden waste bin and the workshop is starting to look a lot clearer too. Tonight we had Ava, Evie and Max round for tea and they were all in high spirits today, they are going camping with their dad tomorrow for a couple of days and they are very excited. The chicken curry went down very well as did the salted caramel cheesecake. Considering there was only 5 of us for tea, there is just about enough for Friday, when James and Amelia come for tea. Time for bed now, goodnight all

Every Day Hurts - Sad Café

Good morning everyone The sun is shining so I’m off to do a little bit of gardening before I head of to the workshop. My first task though, will be to retrieve the bins from wherever they have been left by the bin men. We are instructed not to leave them by our gate, not blocking the pavements, they they leave them all over the place, often grouped together, making passing them difficult, especially for those in wheelchairs and with young children in buggies! Mal. I hope your Mum’s op goes well today Back later

Up On The Roof - James Taylor