HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Stanley]

I know that lockdown is getting increasingly onerous as time goes by but hang in there, it seems to be working and combined with the vaccination we might soon be able to relax a little.

[Stanley]

I don't see cooking as getting in the way of the shed, more of an asset and part of the process of looking after myself and continuing to make things! I'm having to remind myself of this today particularly. Near to completion on carronades but I need to cook!

[Stanley]

Hearing reports of the Sussex disaster despite trying to avoid it, I am reminded of an old Russian joke.
"A Russian peasant was walking down the road in the depths of winter. He saw a sparrow laid in the road and picked it up so that he could grieve over it but then realised it was still alive. His eye fell on a steaming cow clap dropped by some cattle in front of him and plunged the sparrow in the muck up to its neck in the hope it would warm up and revive. He stood back and watched and sure enough after a few moments the sparrow lifted its head, looked round and chirped. This attracted the attention of a large cat walking past which pounced, dragged the sparrow out of the cow clap and ate it. The peasant reflected that there was a moral to this story; It isn't always your enemies who shove you in the shit and it isn't always your friends who pull you out but if you are in it, KEEP QUIET!"

[Stanley]

Never expect a dish made with Black Pudding as a main ingredient to look attractive. It always looks like black sludge! Black pudding looks its best when whole and sat with a blob of English mustard!

[Stanley]

March is the month when we feel the weather should be getting better but don't go into a decline if it doesn't!

[Stanley]

If you are lucky enough to have carers who have been vaccinated and are tested 3 times a week and you have had the first vaccination yourself it's probably reasonably safe to have a socially distanced visit.

[Stanley]

Have faith in the Chinese Postal services, my carbide tips arrived safely yesterday. 16 days from initial order to delivery.

[chinatyke]

Have faith in the Chinese Postal services, my carbide tips arrived safely yesterday. 16 days from initial order to delivery.

I ordered a sink s/s drainage assembly and waste basket by internet at 16:45 yesterday afternoon and received it at 11:00 this morning from one of the parcel delivery companies. As good as the UK post system. The internet has created a great opportunity for the delivery companies. The initial collection and final local delivery are done by men on 3-wheeled electric small trucks ("bread bins") who ring when they arrive at the complex.

Did you have to pay any import duty on the tips?

[Big Kev]

On the subject of parcel delivery, I sent a parcel using the Hermes courier on Sunday, booked and paid for it all online and went to a local shop that has a Hermes 'print in store' terminal. Scanned the QR code that was emailed to me, the terminal printed out a sticky label and gave me a receipt. Left the parcel at the shop and followed its progress on the Hermes website, the final step was a phot of the parcel on my mother's doorstep as confirmation of delivery. This cost me £4.20 for a 2kg parcel, over £1 less than the Post Office wanted. For £4.92 I could have had it collected by a courier (I would have had to print the label myself though).

[Stanley]

"Did you have to pay any import duty on the tips?"
No China, nor on any other stuff from China....

[Marilyn]

Glad you trust Chinese deliveries. I do not offer endorsement...

[plaques]

This very minute I've just received a 6V 600ma supply plug that in ordered about 3 weeks ago from China. Exactly the same make that is on sale in the UK but £5+ cheaper. No push for using it so why not save the extra coppers?

[Stanley]

Exactly the position with my inserts Ken, no rush, so a fortnight in the post is of no account.

[Big Kev]

I've bought quite a few photography bits from China, my Olympus digital cameras were manufactured there. Never had any delivery issues.

[Stanley]

[Tizer]

I have this image of Chinatyke beavering away in a Chinese factory supplying all your goods efficiently!

[chinatyke]

I have this image of Chinatyke beavering away in a Chinese factory supplying all your goods efficiently!

No beavering nowadays. Oops!
Currently listening to Rednex Sex and Violins playing loudly and driving my wife nuts!

[Big Kev]

I have this image of Chinatyke beavering away in a Chinese factory supplying all your goods efficiently!

No beavering nowadays. Oops!
Currently listening to Rednex Sex and Violins playing loudly and driving my wife nuts!

[Stanley]

Is that like Jerry Reed on steroids?

[chinatyke]

Is that like Jerry Reed on steroids?

I'm like Jerry Hat-tricks on steroids!
Cotton-eye Joe, Fat Sally Lee and stuff like that.

[Stanley]

How does this go down with the neighbours? Kipling said east is east and west is west and never the twain shall meet. It sounds as though you are doing just that!

[chinatyke]

They love cotton-eye Joe here! Anything that they can dance to, especially line dancing style. Our apartment is detached in that it has no party walls, so we don't have concerns about disturbing the neighbours. We are all friends anyway. The Chinese love music and there is always music playing outside because people go into the park opposite us and set up their portable KTV machines and sing along, or play musical instruments in one of the many shelters there, or dance in the People's Square in the evening. It's a very relaxed and happy place to live. Honestly, it is nothing like the western press would have you believe.

[Stanley]

Good! And God knows we could do with a bit of relaxation here at the moment.....

[Stanley]

Ignore all reports of Astra Zeneca vaccinations causing blood clots. You get blood clots in about these numbers without vaccinations. Keep your perspective clear, you want freedom from Covid and the route to that is vaccination.

[Marilyn]

I tend to agree with you, to a certain extent.
With the more aged wedge of the population being vaccinated, of course they come with co-morbid conditions. But blood clots can have a morbidity all of their own, even in younger candidates. I think it is worth some consideration. I am pleased to see some countries are considering the risks. I think it both prudent and wise.