Today I shall be Mainly...

[Sue]

Maybe she has Coronavirus. I mean, they are hardly going to come out and say it are they?

I thought that initially but the practice would be isolating, and they are not. Plus the appointment was way beyond the 14 days expected for recovery, they would have cancelled nearer the time if she had not recovered

[Wendyf]

Digging last year's deep bed out of Sparky's stable, I did Dennis's yesterday. It's hard work pushing the wheelbarrow up to the muck heap! Once everything is cleaned out and swept I'll use the workshop vacuum to Hoover the dust and spider webs down from the walls, clean out the drinkers and feed buckets and then the stables are ready for the end of October when I start bringing them in.
F1 as a reward this evening!

[Sue]

Morning

We had a fun 3-4 hours at Brockholes. If there are reports of a 70 year old granny flapping her arms and running after a 6 year old, then hiding in bushes and jumping out to say boo, well that will be me . What a great place for kids and adults alike. Places to walk, we did a 1.5 mile circuit just strolling or in my case flapping like a bird, but there are longer ones too, places to watch the wildlife , places to picnic, and places for kids to play on adventure equipment, and space to act as a daft granny. One downer was Erin found what could only be described as a very long dagger. It was sticking out of a pile of wood. She had the sense not to touch and to shout for us. We initially thought it was a child's toy but it was very real. We wrapped it up in Erins coat and took it to to the information centre. It was a cross between a long dagger and a short sword, and rather frightening thinking about what could have happened if Erin had not found it.

When we got back home I spent a few hours sewing my pilates leggings. They were rather complicated and difficult at times, though looking back on it I did make some silly mistakes, and had chosen the most difficult of the 4 designs in the packet. I was so absorbed, as happens, I lost time and forgot to contact Briony. It was as I sat down with a cup of tea and I saw a message from Julia, I realised what I had done. I was so upset, I contacted her straight away and apologised. We had a lovely long chat then. She is loving her theatre group and they are rehearsing a short production of Mama Mia. She was quite back to her old self.

This morning I shall strip the bed, it could be a good day for drying bedding. I have yoga at 10.30, when I shall trial my new leggings. I need to check the seam strength and flexibility and suitability of the fabric. So lets hope this working toile, actually works. I will have to warn Mandy that if I disappear its because the seams haven given up on me . Its a good job it is an online class. After yoga its a bath and pedicure. Later I may start cleaning up my geranium pots to bring them in, but they are giving the garden a real splash of colour at the moment which I like to see. However if it gets too cold at night they will start to die back.

I have quite few activities and challenges building up . I have an art project to do, a couple of craft type sewing activities using the embroidery attachment of my machine, my archeology course , my patchwork placemats to finish and of course me genealogy book to finish. Then there is the garden to finish tidying and bulbs to plant . That should keep me occupied for a few weeks !

Have a good day everyone

[Wendyf]

Sue, I was considering writing a list of everything I need to do but decided it would frighten me into a decline.

[Stanley]

Wendy, we have been on the same track but I haven't been doing anything as strenuous as gigging bedding muck out of a stable. That would put my lights out! I confined myself to sweeping the shed out and the yard. Since I lost Jack I have become more aware of bits treading into the kitchen so after filling the yard with sawdust this week action was needed!Another job was moving furniture in the front room. I have always watched TV sat on the sofa so that Jack could sit with me, he liked being close. I have a very good winged back armchair as well and it is a more upright sitting position and will be good for me. That involved adjustments to the chair to stop the sheepskin slipping down so that had to be done. I have an idea that will cure the nagging pain in my right side which I suspect is a consequence of slumping against the arm of the sofa. We shall see!



Sue, have you ever considered taking up archery? I can see you doing that!

[Marilyn]

Hubby did the lawns and edges. I trimmed plants. Then we did our walk. By then it was lunch time...
Caught up with some Sport on TV...
A quiet day. An easy dinner, likely an early night - that is Sunday done!

[Stanley]

That was my plan also Maz. What actually happened was that by 8pm I was in bed and hard and fast asleep. I think it must have been a very relaxed day.
Today I am back in the shed....

[Sue]

I wrote the list Wendy to motivate myself to do one of those things. Motivation is on the decline at the moment, I also excluded all the things that need doing that I don’t want to do

Morning

It was a beautiful day yesterday, certainly too nice to be inside. I did the washing and the ironing. There was very little of the latter. My pilates leggings successfully passed their yoga test and today I will try them out in pilates. I found the material bagged a bit so I am now on the look out for 4 way stretch cotton lycra with more than 6 % lycra. I spent most of the rest of the day tidying the garden plants and pots. There were a number of empty pots around so I moved them to the store behind the shed. I repotted a couple of cacti that were pot bound and cleaned up the out door geranium pots and brought most of them inside the conservatory. I then started to cut back an ivy that has crept over the garden fence from next door. It was nearly covering our second compost bin. I was nearly finished when I was aware I was surrounded by wasps. They were after the exposed sap on the cut edges of the ivy. I thought I had disturbed a nest but on watching them, they seemed to be flying off elsewhere. I didn’t hang around to clear up the cuttings, I shall move those today.

Today is pilates this morning. This afternoon I think we will go for a walk, its due to be quite pleasant. Bob wants to take some photos for his latest project for his U3A photography group. Other than moving the ivy cuttings I have not yet decided on what else I shall do.

Have a good day everyone

[Wendyf]

Dennis's stable all dug out, I did Sparky's yesterday. Today I attack the cobwebs!

120290697_2694961587206955_3952586832215906520_o.jpg

[Cathy]

Oh aren’t you a good Mum, Wendy . Well done.

[Stanley]

That's an old shippon isn't it, the booses would be nearest the camera on the smooth concrete. Takes me back a lot of years, hand milking in byres like that by the light of a Tilley Lamp. Always warm and snug in winter and the beasts loved them. (Mind you they were glad to get out in Spring!)
Sue is searching for specialised Lycra and Cotton material. I have spent a lot of time this morning looking for small 7BA bolts due to deficiencies in the stock I was sent with the kit. Good job I have big and extensive treasure chests! Trouble is there are so many drawers to go through. I succeeded in the end but it didn't half eat up some time. I shall report after I have had a walk and my breakfast.

[Wendyf]

There a quite a few little nooks in the walls of the barn for lamps, some have been filled in but you can see where they were. I'm sure there is a word for them but I can't think what it is! In fact, I think there are 2 in that photo either side of the window that have been filled in with blocks.

[plaques]

I then started to cut back an ivy that has crept over the garden fence from next door. It was nearly covering our second compost bin. I was nearly finished when I was aware I was surrounded by wasps. They were after the exposed sap on the cut edges of the ivy. I thought I had disturbed a nest but on watching them, they seemed to be flying off elsewhere.

Wasps don't always build the traditional paper mashe type of nest, often they are small holes in the ground flying in and out from all directions. If you are careful and stand still you can see where the nest is without coming under attack.

[Stanley]

Yes, I've seen cattle medicines in them as well. I remember what an improvement it was when the Lucas Freelite came on the market. Abel Taylor at Greenbank had one. It was a car dynamo driven by a small windmill and powered half a dozen 24 volt bulbs. The light was brilliant compared to the old hurricane and Tilley lamps.

[Sue]

I then started to cut back an ivy that has crept over the garden fence from next door. It was nearly covering our second compost bin. I was nearly finished when I was aware I was surrounded by wasps. They were after the exposed sap on the cut edges of the ivy. I thought I had disturbed a nest but on watching them, they seemed to be flying off elsewhere.

Wasps don't always build the traditional paper mashe type of nest, often they are small holes in the ground flying in and out from all directions. If you are careful and stand still you can see where the nest is without coming under attack.

We get a lot of those wasps in our paths in France . We stood for ages watching the wasps, being used to doing that in France where we also have to track the source of hornets. In this case the wasps seemed to disappear into next doors garden leading down the hill. I have one bit left to cut which I shall do in a moment. Bob cleared yesterdays cuttings straight after breakfast whilst it was still rather cold and damp. Not much better now.

[Marilyn]

Going for a decent walk once hubby has cleared a few emails. Little else planned...as the weather isn’t up to much today. A good day to rest, as busier days planned for the rest of the week. Kids are on school holidays, so we shall avoid shops and shopping centres.

[Stanley]

Nothing specific in mind yet beyond surviving, exercising and a bit of fitting.

[Sue]

Morning

Another day that passed quickly. The morning was pilates followed by setting up the embroidery attachment to my sewing machine. No time to do anything as it was lunchtime. We went straight out after lunch intending to do a circular walk we know well for for Bob to take a few photos for his next photography project. It was most successful, and although not hot and sunny it was still a pleasant 5 miles. I must say I still hate that two mike walk up hill to Lobden golf course on the moors above Whitworth. We had just started the down hill route when we met a parent from the swimming club the girls were in. We had a very long chat indeed. By the time we parted we had to put a spurt on as there was damp in the air. It was nearly 5.00 pm when we got home. By the time we had a cup of tea, it was time for me to cook the evening meal. We have always had a system that Bob cooks here, and I cook in France. However due to the imbalance of the time spent in both places this year, we are now sharing the weekly load. I didn’t think it was fair that Bob was doing it all even though he likes cooking.

This morning I am off to the pilates studio for9.30 for a one to one session on a machine called a reformer. It is used to strengthen weak muscle and joint areas. I could never afford it before but now I don’t pay as much per month for my online sessions I thought I would give it ago. I have opted for a short session rather than an hour as I don’t think I would manage the latter. I have no plans for the rest of the day , but may continue setting up my embroidery. Its due to be the last dry day for sometime some time so part of me says I should be outside. I have towels to wash, they should dry.

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

I sometimes think I need 'reforming' Sue! I sometimes look at my legs, well fleshed, smooth skin, no varicose veins and remember what Susan always says when she is giving my feet TLC. She says that my legs and feet aren't in their 85th year. I wish someone would tell them that! They get tired so quickly.
I am having a breather and a smoke before a walk and breakfast. I have had a good spell in the shed and no cock-ups. I'll report later....

[Sue]

Standing is tiring work Stanley . I can’t stand and length of time. My legs and back ache if I am queueing in a shop, I would rather walk 4 miles than queue any day. I am back from my session, it was fun and not hard, yet! It was so nice to chat face to face to my pilates teacher , you know, just chat. I think one of the things I miss most is chatting to people. Thats why I like these online diaries and family blogs, its a daily chat.

[Stanley]

Exactly, I had a nice meeting with one of my dog ladies this morning. She didn't know about Jack so it was a good talk.



I slow cooked breast of mutton while I was in the shed slow cooking Susan's Valve Rod!



You're right, in my book an hour and a half standing at the bench at least equals the same time spent walking.

[Stanley]

Usual activities and going slowly forward into valve gear building.

[Sue]

Morning

It is supposed to be a damp to wet day today , so I think it will be indoor activities. I am starting my day by phoning the GP, as I am getting increasingly concerned about the lump on my gum which is persisting, periodically getting bigger then getting a small blister in too before it bursts. I think a second opinion besides the dentist is required. The day it self I think , will be tackling an embroidery project introduced to me by my cousin Trish. I have a feeling that this going to turn out to be another expensive hobby

After my session at the pilates studio yesterday morning ( no aches today) , I spent an hour hoeing the garden and bringing inside the rest of my geranium pots. In the afternoon I did my art project, same project for both classes I normally go to as they are delivered by the same people. The topic was water. I opted for a seascape in acrylics. Acrylics is a challenging medium for me as it dries so quickly. I could not find a photo of whatI wanted to do so I made one up out of my head. By the time I had finished and cleared up it was time for pilates and yoga. Unfortunately the studio internet crashed towards the end of the second class, and the only two left online were myself and my friend Gill, so we had a really nice long live chat, continued afterwards through facebook. As I said yesterday, chatting is what I miss most so it was very enjoyable to spend half an hour doing just that.

85D7C3F5-0F9B-4E54-A352-666C3062EE49.jpeg

Have a good day everyone

[Stanley]

That's a good painting Sue! You certainly have a gift. As for your gum, hard luck and I hope your GP can help. It's going on far too long! You must be fed up with it.
I'm having a breather after shed and my weekly Co-op shop, always nice when that is done. Usual routine, a walk, breakfast and post on Shed Matters....

[Marilyn]

Lightweight removable tow bar fitted to our vehicle yesterday, then a friend showed us how to mount the double E-bike rack.
So we are good to travel somewhere and have a ride. Looking forward to it - lots of good bike trails about.