What are you all up to
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A ride up the coast to South Shields, passing Souter lighthouse (an interesting NT property and you can go all the way up to the top if you want to visit) and the rocks opposite, Marsden Lime Kilns, South Shields beach with Tynemouth over the water, and Groyne pier and lighthouse.
Interestingly I once again got talking to a local chap at the Souter lighthouse who told me about a 1962 film with Patrick McGoohan called Life for Ruth which I had never heard about, anyone remember it? Anyway the opening credits are of Souter lighthouse and it was filmed in South Shields.
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Lovely start to the day here so set off on a walk of 7.5 miles. From home went along the river along the beach and up on to the golf course to Hopton. Lot's of wildlife observed but also noticed 5 oil tankers moored South of Lowestoft obviously waiting for an increase in the oil price.
During the walk I had plenty of opportunity to people watch. Have to say the social distancing advise, is in a lot of cases, not observed. I do wonder if the combination of sun, sea and sand make folk relax and lose concentration or do they not care
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It's nice to get some views from south of the Tyne CS, when we visit our son and family everything is north of the Tyne and it's hard to believe how much has changed round there too.
Kj and Goldie. There are so many scone recipes out there and people have their own views on a "good" scone. I like the recipe I found as it makes a very light dough and scone, some like hefty ones!
I like having the time to some cooking just now, it's relaxing if I'm left alone to do it and the cat doesn't bring a mouse in which he did a few minutes ago...! 🐭🐱
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Nice sunny day here, still a little breezy though. Went for a bit of a ride this afternoon for a couple of hours and saw a Weasel with a Mole in It's mouth. The evening while on the phone looked out of the window and say a Field Mouse enjoying a feast on our fat balls, but it went when I went out to photo it.
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I take it the bike is now functioning again Nellie? 😁 OH has been trying to fix our niece’s. There was a lot of cursing going on, he’s fixed the busted derailleur, and is now trying to put it together properly for her, says it looks like nothing was ever connected up or put together as it should have been😂
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Bakers2 I always use Mary Berry's victoria sponge receipe. It's really easy and has never failed .... yet.
brue as we didnt have a fridge when I was a child the milk sometimes went 'off' and my Mum always used it to make scones. She said it made them lighter.
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Can anyone recall Birds Golden Raising Powder? I remember Nan and Mum using this in their scones, and they were a lovely golden colour, bit different from scones today. You can’t get it nowadays, it’s probably full of e-numbers😂
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Totally respect to your OH if he can fix a derailleur.
I read somewhere that the sale of e-bikes has soared during the lock down, how does he view them? (before I own up to having bought one
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It used to be made along with Birds Custard Powder in Banbury, not now though, only thing left are the chicks on the factory entrance gate.
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Bakers I always use Mary Berry's all in one sponge recipe too, always turns out an excellent cake and so easy.
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Corners.....
OH’s life changed in the space of 5 minutes three years ago. He was doing well after having cancer, two massive ops, was back on his beloved bike taking it steady building his distances back up, when his dodgy genes hit again....heart attack. We now know that a high fitness level, eating all the right stuff, blah, blah, is no certain guard against either the big C or an inherited cardiac condition. It does however give you a better recovery. But we live in lung busting cycling country, so he has to use an e-bike now, to keep his heart rate within certain parameters. Wears a heart monitor every ride. He converted two of his original bikes, a road bike, and a mountain bike first, and got along fine with them. Then I bought him the road e-bike equivalent of a Ferrari, and he’s out at least three times a week. (Up in attic on one of his non electrics at moment, using a trainer and a natty app that lets him use IPad for virtual cycling, he does lots of Dartmoor, Borders, Peak District, and I believe West Coast of USA is on the cards😂) Yes, e-bikes are brilliant if life means you can no longer do what you could without help up the hills. It’s a massive part of his life. He converted my Cube as well, so we both get out together sometimes. We should have been out at TdeYorkshire this weekend, having fun😢
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Well, can't say as I've been up to much,
All days seem to be the same and I am struggling to remember what day it is and what I should be doing.
Still working solo in the office and my one dog walk/ exercise. Did venture into town one morning, not many people about but long queues outside all the banks, shopping centre was deserted.We should have been in the Peak District this weekend for the food festival, will have to hope we can get there next year now.
Enjoyed reading everyone's news and what you have been up to, I do have a recipe for scones that produces good results will have to look it out.
We are pretty sure the Bluetits have nested in the box, have has lots of time to watch them
, the male sits on the washing line calls to the female who comes out, then the male feeds her. Did have one scare as a Sparrow hawk appeared and sat on the roof of next doors garage. Have another virtual family quiz this afternoon, hoping we don't come last again!
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I'm glad to hear that he has done so well, and yes I love mine and have done 210 miles in under two weeks and my record yesterday was 31.9 (I did think of going round for a bit) and it's bought back my love of cycling.
Our house is literally the highest point in the surrounding area (we lose 80 feet in a fifth of mile either way) which while is good for not flooding means that leaving the house cycling is great but horrible for coming back when you're tired.
I did read and see that there is some views that e-bikes isn't really cycling and have had this twice. Actually all the road bike users are great and always have a cheery hello as they flash by but twice two mountain bike users (on a fairly level smooth cycle path not a rough mountain track mind) said I was cheating and that's not cycling !
Actually I've noticed that my heart rate has been higher on the e-bike than it is when I still go out on the non e-bike.
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Actually I may ditch the tow car altogether...
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I've had more than enough problems with two and three-wheeled cyclists to last me a life time, thank you very much
!! So the very idea of them towing and struggling up Porlock & other hills is not going to endear them to yours truly. And as for them descending said hills the mind really does boggle so 
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Yes on the bike, again. Not fully fixed, as the front brake isn't functioning nor the front suspension, but at least it goes. As have said before I wish I had your OH's skill for bike repairs, or that we lived within cycling distance of you.
Hope he manages to get your niece's bike together and running smoothly.2 -
As if I would!!
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Its a bit murky here today, damp low cloud or sea mist, so not going to do much out doorsy stuff.
I weeded our raised flower bed in the front garden this morning, drove over to tesco again so OH could buy the essentials she forgot yesterday.
I realised I am now a published author after seeing one of my posts in the club magazine
, which reminds me, I had better make start on those piles of models I bought when this all started! (to be honest the weather has been to good to sit inside )Had scones jam and cream for supper last night (jam first!) very nice
.So back in the MH to finish off refitting the pelmet (it was more awkward than first thought) and fit two new spotlights as well as wire in those rear speakers.Have a good day all.
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Sunny day here.
SIL dropped off a supply of elastic for making some masks for them, so no excuses now. Also a little remote control helicopter thing for me to try to repair.In return we sent our son's 50th birthday gift to be dropped off when SIL and DIL are both at the hub school next week, some jigsaw puzzles for them to do, and a large box of DD's stuff that OH had found in the other kitchen. Starting to look quite tidy through there!
DD is getting into DIY now, as well as shelves for the garden store, she has made a blackboard for meal planning to hang in the kitchen. Having started with a hand saw, she has now bought herself a jig saw, and I have donated one of my hand planers. She also wants a workbench, but can meantime use mine which is still sitting in her garage.
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Good to hear your DD is enjoying DIY K, but then she has a good mentor😁
I think lots of us are trying out new things, rediscovering old skills and interests.
Corners, take a little peak at the Strava app! Cycling mode. I have the free version, just basic, but it’s fun looking at where you have been, ground covered, lots of other statistics. If you choose to use it, make sure you check the privacy options though, as it will record from your home address if you let it! And the tea leafs are ever alert😁
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Why is it that when you start painting woodwork you always see other areas that are now looking shabby? I'm starting to move large scale furniture around the place to hide the still showing shabby bits! Not that bad, but you can't just do one bit of a room. So a morning of painting skirting boards and my knees are complaining.
Managed an hour in the garden this afternoon, trimming edges, cutting back some dead wood. Nothing that entitled getting on my knees though.Dinner tonight is a quick one. Using the last of the meals that I made prior to our aborted foreign trip for the MiL. Ironic that there's enough for me and Mrs WN and I have to make something fresh for MiL.
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Thanks I will
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Sounds as though you've got a chip off the old block Kj, learnt whilst watching you no doubt.
I did a garden video today as the bird song was so lovely, no one was cutting or drilling anywhere and no background traffic noise. One of my Canadian cousins is married to a Scot who misses UK birdsong so I might WhatsApp the video to them. Misty dampness here but I've done a few bits and bobs in the greenhouse because OH has finally tidied it up and we can move around in it!
More people out and about when I went for a dog walk not long ago but maybe I got the timing wrong, by 5pm it's usually very quiet.
Listening to your bike tales I keep thinking I'll get mine out but still haven't.
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