What are you all up to
Comments
-
We have treated ourselves to a new television. Not that there was anything wrong with the previous one but I rather fancied a larger screen although Margaret was not convinced! Had we not had £200 worth of JL vouchers the status quo might have been maintained. We have gone for another Sony but this one is a 50 inch one and that was the maximum we could get into the space without a major room redesign! My eldest son helped me do the initial set up but I am not sure we have it right yet! Youngest son has just got back from Paris and he is the family tech expert so will await until he has time to check everything over. You get very little in the way of user instruction with appliances these days and yet they provide a thick book in many languages about safety etc but very little of how the thing actually works!!!
David
0 -
Irony is still to be found in some of our commercial companies.
We have our Broadband and Landline phone deal due to expire. Personally I would do away with a landline and phones but MiL wouldn't be able to cope so needs must. So I spoke to BT about upgrading the Broadband and cut a long story short we agreed on an upgrade and a new hub. Engineers visit arranged to instal Fibre connection. He duly came.
We got an email from them almost immediately, like you do with everything these days. A "How did we do Survey". Surprised there wasn't a wagging dog tail emoji after it.
Anyway I accessed it or tried to. Internal error, page couldn't be found. Here is our flagship Communication company whose own webpage wouldn't load properly to tell them how they did. 🤷🏼
0 -
We have decided to do away with our landline when our present contract with Plusnet ends soon, we never use it, all it does is attract scam calls. We have decided to go with 3 Home Broadband. I suppose we will need to inform our bank, and a lot of other people (eventually), we have had the number for 35 years.
I have been kept busy making more spurtles, 8 so far, as the original 5 have all been sold on Etsy, and I have invested in some beech blanks to make more of them, they do seem to be popular!
Smaller items are easier to sell, easy and not too expensive to send, but I am hoping DD can list some of my larger items too as I have quite a few larger bowls and other items "in stock", taking up cupboard space which OH is keen to repossess.
0 -
Hope you both are feeling better, Millie, and that It has been nothing more serious than a heavy cold.
Tda, that seems a ridiculous difference between the pitch price and that for the pod. Obviously a large discount for off-season midweek occupancy. Glad you had a good couple of days away.
Richard, your chair looks lovely, very skilfully made.
0 -
I’ve given up pondering on CAMC pricing Nellie. We hope to get away again with our friends, but will simply use a Glamper like them if the price is better than a pitch. 🤷♀️
1 -
On the subject of wood turning, I’ve often fancied trying my hand at traditional greenwood turning. Anyone tried this.
https://greenwooddays.co.uk/courses/bowl-turning-pole-lathe-2-october/
Might think about booking this course on one of next years tours.
0 -
Yes - but not using a lathe like that! I know that the original 'bodgers' used that sort of lathe but going back to it now is, in my opinion a bit of a gimmick - but give it a go.
Using green wood can produce interesting results - mushrooms are one example - and quite difficult to get right. Trouble is, you don't know how the wood is going to dry out and if you spend an hour or two making a bowl - for it to crack and distort a little while later, it's a bit disappointing. Been there - done that!
That said - the back spindles on the Windsor chair are made of ash that's been soaked for 24 hours beforehand and then turned wet and tapered down with what amounts to a big pencil sharpener tool with just one end secured in the chuck (at very slow speeds because it's a bit dangerous!) If you look carefully at my photo, you can see that they're not quite straight because of how they have dried out but they're done that way so that they can be sprung into place and held there under tension. (The same principle applies to the crinoline (curved) stretcher on my chair which hold the legs in place under tension.)
1 -
Understood, yes gimmicky by today’s technology but once upon a time that lathe was the only one available. Those bodgers were very talented and skilful craftsmen and produced some stunning pieces of woodwork. It would be a shame if those talents and many other 'ancient’ skills were lost completely, they are in many respects unique and rather timeless in their attraction.
0 -
Kj
Clearly on the way to becoming a Spurtle millionaire
David
0 -
If only David!
DD had not realised just how much these Etsy people take in a myriad of fees and unclear commission charges, plus there is postage, so my return will be very poor. I have sold 5 spurtles for £30 in total, apparently I will receive the grand sum of £13.47.
I can make 3, maybe 4, spurtles per hour, so not even minimum wage!
She has listed my new spurtles, at a much higher price, plus postage, with a view to possibly reducing the price if necessary.
No wonder we sold so many! Lesson learned. At least I had not paid anything for the timber.
0 -
Today has been busy. I had to be at SIL's rented out flat at 8am to let in an electrician to do the required EICR, neither of them could do that as both working.
Then to DD's for breakfast and to fix their front door lock. Little Nathan is very interested in tools and locks, so had got hold of an Allen key and jammed it in the lock. They could not sort it. Eventually worked out what had happened with the lock, and extracted Allen key, so all good now.Home for a rest and lunch, then down to Guide Hall to rescue some timber to turn into spurtles.....or something! On Sunday a few of us had demolished an old piano that was broken and unused, so having cut it all up there was some good timber left. Too big to fit in the car so was left in car park, fortunately still there today. Now safely cut up and in my garage.
DD says I must have more stored timber than I can possibly use in my (remaining) lifetime.......she is probably correct!
I will need to teach her how to turn wood. Callum is very interested to learn, but he is only 5 1/2, so still a little too young!
0 -
I have made many mushrooms, they are popular, but can be unpredictable.
One I made recently, despite being from dry timber, is now firewood, having split after a few days. Items turned from "wet" timber are difficult to get right, sometimes they work, but more often not.
Some timbers are more prone to cracking, even if dry, and it can happen after several years. DD has a Yew candlestick I made about 6 years back, and that cracked about 2 years after I made it.
0 -
Our neighbour actually uses cracked wood. He fills it with some sort of resin, then finishes it off. I bought one of these items from him, as I loved the colours, and wanted a fairly simple looking plinth for a gorgeous bronze cast hare my OH bought for me. It was great being able to pick the piece of wood, select the resin, and then next time receive the finished item. Thankfully, it’s still flat, not warped, and no further cracks. Such skill, I admire what you both do.😁
0 -
Done that TTDA - and yes, you can get some spectacular results - especially with the 'sparkly' resin in an otherwise dull piece of wood. I think the things that gave me the greatest pleasure in making where two little rocking chairs for our grandchildren, when they were little - with woven synthetic rush seats, turned legs and the arms carved with a spokeshave. Took hours to make - but very satisfying when finished. Must ask them where they are now - doubt if the eldest one took it to university with her!!
2 -
I had an Uncle that made Rocking Horses for his grandchildren. His wife, my Aunt was a superb artist (had paintings in London and elsewhere shops), she decided to have a go at woodcarving as something different. My Mum has a fire surround she did, and some scenic plaques. Uncle saw what she was doing, and decided to have a go at a Rocking Horse under her watchful eye. Astonishing when he completed, truly beautiful. Both Grandchildren, now late teens early 20’s still have their’s, and I think he made a few more to sell. Fabulous family heirlooms, if you have the space. I will try and get a photo if I can of one he did. That was the start of his wood working love. He was a lovely man. Adored his family.
0 -
I had an appointment with our GP surgery recently and found out why I have been feeling so poorly - I have shingles! And before you ask yes I have had the shingles jab, I had it a few years ago and just hope it stops any complications. I am feeling a bit rough at the moment though. I have anti viral tablets to take - 5 a day spacing them out with 4 hours between each one. Are there enough hours in the day?! OH has had a bit of a rough time since he came out of hospital but we think he has turned the corner now. It is probably all the stress and worry that has caused the shingles apparently. I have to say that our GP surgery have again been brilliant while OH has not been well and we have had a couple of home visits. I have had to cancel a couple of pre-Christmss outings this last week which is a bit disappointing.
I do admire all you people who are good at crafts as I am just not gifted that way. I have enjoyed all the talk about woodworking. TDA I think you mentioned making something with fresh waster pearls recently? I love fresh water pearls. Luckily I have discovered a little independent shop in P/B that sells some lovely jewellery made with them.
0 -
Sending best wishes to you Millie. I know what you're going through having had Shingles twice myself. Painful. I hope things pick up for your husband as well.
I'm celebrating. I managed to trim the fingernails on my left hand with my bad right hand today for the first time in over a year. At least next month should be easier with just the 4 digits left now.
Honestly it may sound silly but I'm quite overjoyed.3 -
Finally managing to catch up, beaten by the server errors and maintenance at the weekend! 😠
Lovely pictures of woodwork, you are very talented.
Best wishes Millie, Trevor has had shingles too and it was very painful, our grand-daughter has just recovered from chicken pox.
We had a houseful at the weekend, both son's, partners and our grand-daughter, bit chaotic but fun! 🤣
Congratulations Wherenext 🙂
1 -
Well done, WN, another step forward in your journey.
All the best Millie. At least you now know the reason why you have felt unwell, and have a way forward with your medication. Hopefully your OH is also recovering after being in hospital.
We though that today was the last of our appointments this time at home, with OH going to the hairdressers and me having a hearing test, but following my test I have to go back next week for a more in-depth examination.😕
1 -
I do feel for your little grand-daughter Helen. I think chicken pox is a miserable illness, especially for one as young as your grand-daughter. Our youngest son was about her age when he had it (caught for his older sister and brother) and we couldn't explain what was happening. Pleased to her that she is recovering now.
Well done WN another step in the right direction.
0 -
Sorry to hear you are still feeling poorly Millie, I’ve heard that Shingles viruses can take a while to recover from so take it easy. I must have missed the bit about your OH being in hospital, sorry to hear that, I do hope things continue to improve for you both.
OH had a private appointment yesterday for ear wax removal. No longer done by GP’s around here. We have been doing a week of Olive oil drops beforehand to soften said wax. He has been getting progressively more and more deaf, I’m getting tired of shouting all the time and it’s unpleasant having the TV on so loud! Fortunately it has worked in one ear but the other ear needs a bit more work, as impacted too near the ear drum for a safe removal, at least things have improved a little. Good luck with your hearing test next week Nellie.
2 -
Sending you best wishes Millie, I hope you and OH pick up and feel much better with your treatment. Next time we are PB area, I will have the details of that shop if it’s ok, even though I make my own, I still like to shop for nice jewellery😁
Hope your appointment goes well Nellie. OH has an hearing test, next month. Decades of de dah, de dah have taken their toll, and I’m fed up of yelling at him.
Great news on the fingernails WN. Another positive step forward, it’s the seemingly small but personal challenges that can mean so much. 👏
Day off today. Bike ride (on rollers up in man cave), dog walk, early lunch, bit of gardening (that will mainly involve leaves, we are ankle deep here🫣), then have to get my glad rags and face paint on for a night on the town in Sheffield, Eddie Izzard at the City Hall. Expecting my sides to be aching with laughter tomorrow.
0 -
Best wishes from us as well Millie and for your OH.
Good news WN re fingernails.
I think my OH could do with a hearing test will say no more!!!
Had a lovely meal at a local Auberge in the Brenne overlooking a lake although the lake is being drained as they do a lot of them in the winter then re stock with fish, there were a lot of Cormorants perched on a sandbank in the middle of the lake.
Back home tomorrow as my new passport arrives on Friday and we have a meal out with friends Friday night as one friend has her birthday that day
Have a good evening Tda.
Gone quite chilly here with a north easterly wind brr.
1 -
Great news on progress Wherenext. Small steps big boosts.
Best wishes to milliehull and her OH. Shingles isn't nice from all the reports I've heard over the years.
That leads me on to my own dilemma I now qualify for the jab. Not averse to vaccinations, had them all, BUT I've never had chicken pox. Our primary school was closed 60 odd years ago with the outbreak 😱. My brother and I never had it. Both my children had it at different times. Still dodged it. I grew up in a time when you went to play with folk who had contagious things..... I decided I'd not have the jab, its a live virus, so why chance it?? Am I right? Answers on a postcard please.
Hearing tests and aids. Best wishes to all those suffering, whether constant repeating or having trouble hearing. My OH had test last year, deafness is an issue in his family. Yes he needed aids. Considerable 4 figure outlay, not an issue, before Christmas last year. They made a big difference. However they have been abandoned in the drawer for over 6 months. I make no comment on my view, I'm hoarse 🤣
Edit I forgot to say FABULOUS woodworking photos and tales. Such talent.
0 -
Bakers2
Have a look at this link from the Scottish NHS On the righthand side it poses the question you ask about shingles and they say it is possible that people who "think" they have not had chickenpox may well have had a mild form without the usual symptoms so they advise the vaccination.
I abandoned my hearing aids over 10 years ago and I don't think my hearing has deteriorate much from when I was first tested. On the other hand Margaret's hearing has deteriorated since she started to wear hearing aids so there is probably no right or wrong answer? I thought I needed hearing aids because when I was in large meetings or attending business dinners I had difficulty hearing what people were saying close to me. What I found was the the hearing aids just magnified everything in the way of sound which was even worse! I will accept my hearing is not as good as it once was but I don't feel it causes me, or others, a problem. I assume people don't go spending vast sums of money on hearing aids without going through the NHS hearing service first?
David
0 -
Thanks DavidKlyne, it us something I've pondered. But still not convinced I want live vaccine injected which may bring health issues.as a carer I need to be on top of things, so I'll take a chance 🤞
Spoke to GP in Essex and here. Wait several years, best to sort yourself if possible. Sadly a sign of the times.
0 -
Good things are moving in the right direction WN
Millie - Hope things keep improving for you and Mr H too
Busy few days here we had a family wedding at the weekend which was a great day in a lovely hotel great to see all the family enjoying themselves. Then on Monday we had to take the caravan to the dealers it had been in earlier in the year as our heating and hot water system packed in but they couldn’t get the part it wasn’t such a trouble we still used the van just had to use the site facilities when away and wash the dishes at the dishwashing area but not ideal. Anyway they say they can get the part now so van there now and also getting a few other things attended to while it’s in they reckon they will have it 2-3 weeks which is ok as we don’t have any trips planned and the weather isn’t looking too good for the next few weeks anyway. Hope to have it back by Christmas though as we were wanting to go away between Christmas and new year for a few days
0 -
At long last we decided to visit the Milton Keynes Museum today. No where near as famous as the other MK museum Bletchley Park but interesting none the less. It doesn't really deal with "modern" Milton Keynes but back before MK was thought of. There are a couple of modern things there like a Red Bull F1 car. I looked enviously at the drivers cockpit which I don't think I could get half my body in! The original famous Concrete Cows are there. They were actually built on the site of the museum by the American artist Liz Leyh. Anyone whizzing between Buckingham and Bedford on the A422 will pass a group of cows close the road at Bancroft but these are imposters! The truth is that the original ones are now a bit fragile and can't really stand the rigours of kids climbing on that or being kidnapped or being painted in different colours so they are kept safe within the Museum grounds. The land the Museum is on was owned by John Radcliffe, famous for his hospital in Oxford and other University buildings. Then there is the Pat, which is a tug boat built by Hayes Boatyard, in Stony Stratford. Too big for the Grand Union Canal but was used on the Thames. Most of the other exhibits have been gather from in and around the new City. In addition they do have quite a selection of old telephone equipment from the old GPO Museum in London, apparently there wasn't room at Bletchley Park where it would have been a natural addition so instead it was split between a few museums across the country.
David
0
