tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54723018145714483082024-03-13T23:09:40.187+00:00Susan Here There and EverywhereSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.comBlogger953125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-45424363397614746762024-03-11T11:37:00.002+00:002024-03-11T11:37:58.999+00:00Yesterday<p>It was Mother's Day yesterday, or Mothering Sunday as some call it and originates from when women in service (maids and servants working in big houses) were released for the day to return home to visit their mother. The day always conjures up mixed feelings for me because I had a difficult relationship with my mother and was estranged from her before she died. </p><p>Anyway, I have always told my daughters not to make a fuss or waste their money on over priced bouquets for me. Yesterday Sarah invited me over to the cottage for lunch and gave me chocolates and a card and we had a jolly time feasting around a magnificent 'grazing table'. Rick thought it was wonderful.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i8xJcsF4lSgL-G2LFyjZQjqBLm58jFrkZGmYSX17WLIRGxyhHYRjzeI7rj6gj2grDxpdLyuOyX0rh1CB8lx6HJEEmRpoMw9f5KA_ScHqhjss-QSERXsE7rPH_7GepjSQnPCsh3ZCV3iLsw2_4pCe3880NuYPXCMe6_zNboJoG5Imp-PLPrhb145evNQ/s4000/20240310_123515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8i8xJcsF4lSgL-G2LFyjZQjqBLm58jFrkZGmYSX17WLIRGxyhHYRjzeI7rj6gj2grDxpdLyuOyX0rh1CB8lx6HJEEmRpoMw9f5KA_ScHqhjss-QSERXsE7rPH_7GepjSQnPCsh3ZCV3iLsw2_4pCe3880NuYPXCMe6_zNboJoG5Imp-PLPrhb145evNQ/w300-h400/20240310_123515.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmSs-NlkG6fLKT7a_MPQ-iDVq_65Q0axqmF9epIP4Qhg1xRFfWOFtWBYQvK_t9v_tAEJwSvvRBkj3tUqRJ_reKrRCgats6SZH4E-RQQWWwxi0u3g_7VZh-1-kIhPe6yDiGcA1v53shK_B1z0ij6NmSft5ii5PH662agq7Jg1gNEX2YlApoupvM-w4QwE/s2000/IMG-20240311-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="934" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmSs-NlkG6fLKT7a_MPQ-iDVq_65Q0axqmF9epIP4Qhg1xRFfWOFtWBYQvK_t9v_tAEJwSvvRBkj3tUqRJ_reKrRCgats6SZH4E-RQQWWwxi0u3g_7VZh-1-kIhPe6yDiGcA1v53shK_B1z0ij6NmSft5ii5PH662agq7Jg1gNEX2YlApoupvM-w4QwE/w186-h400/IMG-20240311-WA0001.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Kat posted a card to me on Monday and was most upset that it hadn't arrived. That may have something to do with the fact she had put an out of date stamp on the envelope. She doesn't use the mail very often! Never mind Kat, it's the thought that counts.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnbYczFRZAHbh_sz6FalXg8tffvkiGMFdzYphGfZ987tdU4yP0WPO_px9YUEpeS21tAmCBl6eiwzpvnoP4SogPUYWtwtbrl0HzXZV-CZ_ccP9Y5soNh8tl_W5IeJ4H4Ayjhci0eK1gzv7FpKopqAw1bwOsKNLfVfcIhnDorJoq6ifCP0Xpl3-k1FTuNc/s4000/20240310_143032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnbYczFRZAHbh_sz6FalXg8tffvkiGMFdzYphGfZ987tdU4yP0WPO_px9YUEpeS21tAmCBl6eiwzpvnoP4SogPUYWtwtbrl0HzXZV-CZ_ccP9Y5soNh8tl_W5IeJ4H4Ayjhci0eK1gzv7FpKopqAw1bwOsKNLfVfcIhnDorJoq6ifCP0Xpl3-k1FTuNc/w300-h400/20240310_143032.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>putting my feet up after lunch<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-40674839310784813962024-03-09T16:05:00.000+00:002024-03-09T16:05:50.552+00:00A leopard in the room<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHGbV-UC0roLdh4AWyV-ixVXpOEMLDuxW6kTIlMhuRESVVeUeDflSlvpf_01RKJ-5Zd1ZOzI0HjvbnoK_unDrttxPGxc63Dwjy9P36OXp_vFLmNLKOqy7PlBTW4aJAvZNletie3glYl4HKEaLGtYcw6pl67AbzkXnyW9ExZCl7-nXUFlABePN5BaaUdI/s4000/20240309_141338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHGbV-UC0roLdh4AWyV-ixVXpOEMLDuxW6kTIlMhuRESVVeUeDflSlvpf_01RKJ-5Zd1ZOzI0HjvbnoK_unDrttxPGxc63Dwjy9P36OXp_vFLmNLKOqy7PlBTW4aJAvZNletie3glYl4HKEaLGtYcw6pl67AbzkXnyW9ExZCl7-nXUFlABePN5BaaUdI/w300-h400/20240309_141338.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>After a week of crawling around the floor and hammering in upholstery tacks (staples would have been easier but I like to do it the traditional way) the chair is finished. </p><p><br /></p><p>I think I'm getting too old for this lark. Maybe I should take up knitting.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-35899330288344155822024-03-02T21:04:00.000+00:002024-03-02T21:04:31.422+00:00Work in progress<p> </p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">I spent a
couple of hours scrabbling around the floor this morning getting to
grips with re-covering the chair. Even with a cushion to kneel on it
was tough on my knees and back. Getting the fabric to fit around the
wooden arms was fraught with danger, one snip with the scissors too
far and the whole thing would have been ruined. Constant stretching
of the fabric, trying to get an even tension and checking that
everything was straight was time consuming but I tried not to rush, I
was just very relieved when that part of the process was finished. </span>
</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG2g6GE0VsFX74MSjnIZ0tl23Riik0h7648DPtrcOzntzMa7aR-OnuGHh8lWLVN-W6wZOEgj6mQe85zNHYcUTCS-3PES2zyMdcXPU9WZWHZcgPGbD2kwVBa3kt9YZXrt0En46yYiiQiim63FvtSmGVRqCmSL2hdChZq6OnK1ERDXrunUQ7kgOBUyeZnQ/s4000/20240302_094303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUG2g6GE0VsFX74MSjnIZ0tl23Riik0h7648DPtrcOzntzMa7aR-OnuGHh8lWLVN-W6wZOEgj6mQe85zNHYcUTCS-3PES2zyMdcXPU9WZWHZcgPGbD2kwVBa3kt9YZXrt0En46yYiiQiim63FvtSmGVRqCmSL2hdChZq6OnK1ERDXrunUQ7kgOBUyeZnQ/w300-h400/20240302_094303.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The next
stage will be the back of the chair, and then the front, and then I
need to visit the haberdashery shop in our local town to try and find
some trim to cover the tacks and give the chair a smart finish.
Hopefully all completed in about a week.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-37778118386270604242024-02-28T06:29:00.000+00:002024-02-28T06:29:41.538+00:00Project<p>It's time for my next project. I always like to have some sort of project in the pipeline although this does make Paul slightly nervous; I can't fathom why.</p><p>About ten years ago we both did a course together - upholstery. We bought a couple of tatty antique chairs from a local auction, lugged them along to the course centre once a week where we were shown how to strip them back, restore and re-cover them. The chairs needed new springs and webbing and the horsehair stuffing was carefully washed (in a pillowcase in the washing machine) and re-used. It was back breaking work but we were quite proud of the finished items and they fitted in nicely with our rustic farmhouse in France. </p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oFnWQPioVBDA5UfOJjeg2ZtWEhKSRuu_4LH1A7qLHQlZi3Se_5lNc9oiEA5itGs9rDFD8jl-xJk67YdIOaxSX135UvneI7Gv_joR1wuaWM9arq-FM_YJZVwISF0cF33PEPLxu6l1NuWWx5c3Y8by3-AX7cBe1Ci87vC7hl_ZZFfqANuxu0gV8DVuUZI/s3648/chair2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oFnWQPioVBDA5UfOJjeg2ZtWEhKSRuu_4LH1A7qLHQlZi3Se_5lNc9oiEA5itGs9rDFD8jl-xJk67YdIOaxSX135UvneI7Gv_joR1wuaWM9arq-FM_YJZVwISF0cF33PEPLxu6l1NuWWx5c3Y8by3-AX7cBe1Ci87vC7hl_ZZFfqANuxu0gV8DVuUZI/w400-h300/chair2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>the old chair was in a terrible state</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xiMaElK3wvHA99Nx70seO9dFsVI_K-2aAq0kMhg9YheofU-BOhoee0MG3DNsrujtHbAtBDoTj7HXlXmoHpToB9BGCPRtaCSnD_9eUlRLzR5EWjh0I4aR1m-Rc5t2nKYgPs-Gl9ahbqihIxNzePpssctg8-MMWpRzXUxODmZbAlOJvSrR4L0aNbtrnDA/s3648/chair3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xiMaElK3wvHA99Nx70seO9dFsVI_K-2aAq0kMhg9YheofU-BOhoee0MG3DNsrujtHbAtBDoTj7HXlXmoHpToB9BGCPRtaCSnD_9eUlRLzR5EWjh0I4aR1m-Rc5t2nKYgPs-Gl9ahbqihIxNzePpssctg8-MMWpRzXUxODmZbAlOJvSrR4L0aNbtrnDA/w296-h400/chair3.JPG" width="296" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>new replacement webbing and springs </i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2z38w-GtbZYLUdv1EkWgPnaU5OOTAI-hJ75UOZ_3VsKxcuUBBzbRthrFKr2YF98tbI5ALDwV-tgxhu8gmR1z3kHnn2gW_ivw8rJXzddjIXHsIOS0GovizyHexF0Wk8EcX_kmY_UAunY9KrhpGdPc7fyKVr1mn6ZYtOftWfmuFP1fSxeNfRUvnqFfSsU/s3648/chair1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2z38w-GtbZYLUdv1EkWgPnaU5OOTAI-hJ75UOZ_3VsKxcuUBBzbRthrFKr2YF98tbI5ALDwV-tgxhu8gmR1z3kHnn2gW_ivw8rJXzddjIXHsIOS0GovizyHexF0Wk8EcX_kmY_UAunY9KrhpGdPc7fyKVr1mn6ZYtOftWfmuFP1fSxeNfRUvnqFfSsU/w300-h400/chair1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>finished chair in our French home</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>At the moment one chair is in the attic and the other one is situated in the hallway by the front door. It still looks very smart but ..... the fabric is a bit boring. I feel it needs jazzing up a bit to fit in with my more contemporary home. Time for me to gather my tools and re-cover it!</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6hKmHOhJENBNKFZGFgoDLosFUxZLC5Y8hkkEa8K-Gn5DCauKrMQitPvi9njjRbHZZShdVcZ06RG2ETf5bcgu6kDY5lGTjI5uv3TMRSY3wxtfsztAPrl75Fz284peClEs0Gwijk-a0gr2-OqJlDMoSBOXXSBxEaaSPv45TdYvc81t7KF6Yf4NTLTEZ_s/s914/chair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6hKmHOhJENBNKFZGFgoDLosFUxZLC5Y8hkkEa8K-Gn5DCauKrMQitPvi9njjRbHZZShdVcZ06RG2ETf5bcgu6kDY5lGTjI5uv3TMRSY3wxtfsztAPrl75Fz284peClEs0Gwijk-a0gr2-OqJlDMoSBOXXSBxEaaSPv45TdYvc81t7KF6Yf4NTLTEZ_s/s320/chair4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>hammer has magnetic end to hold tack</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE4VfxSfzBRHmur7Z8fJMQ6epKjscPnl2YUmrwcHqlUDBJ-KLEbjlJg0wbMGsJw6SneFwWU9-_887iUVytfy4Y54a2iE04eYn6bivb9yxkepdFh1zkXxsxjL4QWYOsX3ZpXFucFja_LPU8jmNxuTkbYyamxZlO5Qx7OtMrXoJODzOhGBj_XVHdSegE-g/s914/chair5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE4VfxSfzBRHmur7Z8fJMQ6epKjscPnl2YUmrwcHqlUDBJ-KLEbjlJg0wbMGsJw6SneFwWU9-_887iUVytfy4Y54a2iE04eYn6bivb9yxkepdFh1zkXxsxjL4QWYOsX3ZpXFucFja_LPU8jmNxuTkbYyamxZlO5Qx7OtMrXoJODzOhGBj_XVHdSegE-g/w300-h400/chair5.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>essential tools</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Stripping the fabric has been tricky, I had previously hammered those tacks in too well! I have a tool for levering them out but you have to be really careful not to damage the wood. I also need to keep the fabric pieces whole so that I can use them as templates for the new fabric. Did I mention the new fabric? Animal print of course!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1MX-0ImLr3vFs5fXEfhJ9zpKZPv0e7EjEnGOsJnTbPvc41Kw-h18Ue6P86Llm-R-0B71OV6WCBNob_9YE1VpjGPrGR-JSl_RQ1eI3O5YwfQoG3XQq7-qjXHfSNaXxX0jZdhqHfVWGaP6MIynlI47gN8POE3XEkiDcCRB8DGZCtO4LNTkOJ42_a_CxJ4/s914/chair6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1MX-0ImLr3vFs5fXEfhJ9zpKZPv0e7EjEnGOsJnTbPvc41Kw-h18Ue6P86Llm-R-0B71OV6WCBNob_9YE1VpjGPrGR-JSl_RQ1eI3O5YwfQoG3XQq7-qjXHfSNaXxX0jZdhqHfVWGaP6MIynlI47gN8POE3XEkiDcCRB8DGZCtO4LNTkOJ42_a_CxJ4/w225-h400/chair6.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-46446852559493452752024-02-21T09:25:00.000+00:002024-02-21T09:25:24.082+00:00Night Shift<p>Just as we finished our coffee break yesterday morning we received an SOS call from Sarah. Could we pick her up from work and drive her home. After a 15 hour night shift she was too tired to drive safely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04FY2i7W0FcBmyj-iGhNBMlRp7l5lHFN8EBwZ-njThnB-ILZ0qkBMOUBUtYSQ9GU4xE5mFdA0cDaJYnoMTK-xUdeVruZHyCXeosw5qPqIoK146SHWqNgUgw2mD6JRaRnJLzHd_2pcBDzImEse3a82Iu2jZluhxnb2ee0OoScVnB6FuQSJ1AkEORbnw4U/s4000/20240221_090125.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04FY2i7W0FcBmyj-iGhNBMlRp7l5lHFN8EBwZ-njThnB-ILZ0qkBMOUBUtYSQ9GU4xE5mFdA0cDaJYnoMTK-xUdeVruZHyCXeosw5qPqIoK146SHWqNgUgw2mD6JRaRnJLzHd_2pcBDzImEse3a82Iu2jZluhxnb2ee0OoScVnB6FuQSJ1AkEORbnw4U/w300-h400/20240221_090125.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p>Sarah is still employed by her Sydney company and normally works regular British time office hours but occasionally, during conference events, she is required to work Australian hours and long shifts. It is not feasible for her to work from home because of the amount of kit she uses for video editing but I always feel a bit nervous about her working in an empty building on her own all night and we have always said that we would taxi her home if she felt it wasn't safe to drive in the morning. These events happen about three times a year and I'm always relieved when they're over.</p><p><br /></p><p>Some people work night shifts on a permanent basis and adapt well to the lifestyle. They might choose to do these unsocial hours because it fits in well with childcare or perhaps they need the extra bonus that these shifts attract. Personally, I have worked a few night shifts in my lifetime and I absolutely hated them. I can sleep all day and still feel like a zombie at night. As student nurses we had no choice, night shifts were part of our rotation. If it was a quiet shift we struggled to stay awake and keep watch while our patients slept - a busy night was so much easier. What I really dreaded was being sent to fetch blood packs from the deserted laboratory in the middle of the night, it was just so spooky. Or walking past the morgue to get to the canteen for the plate of greasy egg and chips that was served up for night workers.</p><p><br /></p><p>I am so grateful that I can now go to bed when I choose and sleep all night. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-19583943614071010232024-02-19T06:36:00.002+00:002024-02-19T13:45:40.452+00:00Safari<p>When Sarah moved out to her cottage I decided it was time to decorate her bedroom. The wallpaper was quite a pretty ribbon stripe but was quite old and dated so it had to go but I really didn't have any ideas what to replace it with.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGewhkTkRwhQKvG-a4kIMLMCbSV7T5S7Ez6m4Pb4AuVUDLQ8cpBd0D3CPrS4MGfce0JaIuzLobthBaPB4N94shI8Exnq-rlQpBviqmEHtTpxEejnG9KievLevkhlLUvjH6tCNOIx1nzI5TUqjVlLJITfJbKJOjU89ecU5F91JZtNkbL9ocuExWNO1FnY/s914/bedblog1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGewhkTkRwhQKvG-a4kIMLMCbSV7T5S7Ez6m4Pb4AuVUDLQ8cpBd0D3CPrS4MGfce0JaIuzLobthBaPB4N94shI8Exnq-rlQpBviqmEHtTpxEejnG9KievLevkhlLUvjH6tCNOIx1nzI5TUqjVlLJITfJbKJOjU89ecU5F91JZtNkbL9ocuExWNO1FnY/w225-h400/bedblog1.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>before</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In the end I decided that the bed headboard would be the focal point of the room and was rather taken with a Safari printed fabric. I bought two metres of fabric, got my sewing machine out, made a couple of seams and re-covered the headboard. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2omJgeDXEa5-z9cnTkBfdlEJQmTei60xbaah4u-3fRuatFI5ppIMwFRidyVmL1NR120y_cpkuL26Nn9NQlMWuGS6S8157IITAjd4zBSu9Td1E5AoHZKV0US-2Xbr4i8PEAl0hnrXWy9ygO6klc_o7eMavfiUVp9eqEfHQGNSUK47bajW1DbM9nfIuHwI/s914/bedblog2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2omJgeDXEa5-z9cnTkBfdlEJQmTei60xbaah4u-3fRuatFI5ppIMwFRidyVmL1NR120y_cpkuL26Nn9NQlMWuGS6S8157IITAjd4zBSu9Td1E5AoHZKV0US-2Xbr4i8PEAl0hnrXWy9ygO6klc_o7eMavfiUVp9eqEfHQGNSUK47bajW1DbM9nfIuHwI/w300-h400/bedblog2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>It seemed to take days to scrape away the old wallpaper and wash the walls down but finally the walls were ready for two coats of Timeless white paint. I trimmed the existing Roman blind with a thin strip of the Safari fabric.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XMXybGOZkuA3na3x3g3xat73C5dc57khDRrR-UTyMaK7EXBJ6wN_mUFeRf6KQTNO6DJaXCd3yrFEnHAxAmYlalSPMPJtlCybFBWQ8GdFH2c8BFaWQ_CXfTaeSi4D8kl8BvhbbT_3dRYOZcIDnC0_BaQpij6B_kAH0HpMqkve0gZbiIeaQ6pUYP43HtE/s914/safari1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XMXybGOZkuA3na3x3g3xat73C5dc57khDRrR-UTyMaK7EXBJ6wN_mUFeRf6KQTNO6DJaXCd3yrFEnHAxAmYlalSPMPJtlCybFBWQ8GdFH2c8BFaWQ_CXfTaeSi4D8kl8BvhbbT_3dRYOZcIDnC0_BaQpij6B_kAH0HpMqkve0gZbiIeaQ6pUYP43HtE/w300-h400/safari1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwXWfb34g7Vs2IGVUDbDL42bNIE0qpb1a3KFPF3KStsfcNDm8M3bXQlXUvF2R37MBjGBgI62JLxROr9Sx4tASQUx9FDuzOqI44JzvQd4k_Uz64vXPD8SRMs0fMUGgHZ8ZNMed650fEHgW2BEKhyphenhyphennBtQoGqmmpoLRo1Imtmd0Z5Bvu9_-W3gBcXgeutTU/s914/safari2..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwXWfb34g7Vs2IGVUDbDL42bNIE0qpb1a3KFPF3KStsfcNDm8M3bXQlXUvF2R37MBjGBgI62JLxROr9Sx4tASQUx9FDuzOqI44JzvQd4k_Uz64vXPD8SRMs0fMUGgHZ8ZNMed650fEHgW2BEKhyphenhyphennBtQoGqmmpoLRo1Imtmd0Z5Bvu9_-W3gBcXgeutTU/w300-h400/safari2..jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The room looked fresh and the headboard was quite striking but the wall looked a bit bare. I couldn't help myself when I found giraffe and zebra carved wooden 'heads' online, I just had to buy them. They are wonderfully kitsch and fill the empty space perfectly!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GPXkueGs3KEVny81nn9iFLCGpQnx01DZBmH8q5TXDAmUF4ZHJHi2Yb1f4-SwWoITZoWffAUd2kHiBUzp8ZQSPk8ZoUF6nngRmg7Lkez4wBSGlyOYJCpSh4UH2J2gWJ_yHRdhhBtVy3bDHD8craroJLI8KFt2vtU71RWUu8AssKmOgrnxP5V2XxwpkvE/s914/bedblog3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GPXkueGs3KEVny81nn9iFLCGpQnx01DZBmH8q5TXDAmUF4ZHJHi2Yb1f4-SwWoITZoWffAUd2kHiBUzp8ZQSPk8ZoUF6nngRmg7Lkez4wBSGlyOYJCpSh4UH2J2gWJ_yHRdhhBtVy3bDHD8craroJLI8KFt2vtU71RWUu8AssKmOgrnxP5V2XxwpkvE/w300-h400/bedblog3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipTRSnpRdZgh2vyR8AfVMNlojubffDkIx4PU-MtgzXVkUpTYlrN7cGbnptrZ2vWaOQibOO1ldpThDh7avLKZdVn2ijYP6BkvWCFuqlgt6dwwnz8T1ZuLIDsfPrQEYpAMXkVqbkhJnBMHWM9Ka9ToU9qfS6WBov2qoJV5jYEnj65PrJpcZUrtwA3BJrWw/s1219/bedblog4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipTRSnpRdZgh2vyR8AfVMNlojubffDkIx4PU-MtgzXVkUpTYlrN7cGbnptrZ2vWaOQibOO1ldpThDh7avLKZdVn2ijYP6BkvWCFuqlgt6dwwnz8T1ZuLIDsfPrQEYpAMXkVqbkhJnBMHWM9Ka9ToU9qfS6WBov2qoJV5jYEnj65PrJpcZUrtwA3BJrWw/w640-h480/bedblog4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-31007264607583191822024-02-17T21:12:00.002+00:002024-02-17T21:16:55.353+00:00Saturday<p><i> "You'd better take Rick out before the rain gets here" I told Paul after breakfast.</i></p><p><i>"It's not going to rain, the man on the forecast has just said it's going to be fine all day."</i></p><p><i>"The local forecast on my computer says it's going to rain."</i></p><p><i>"The weather forecaster has just said it's going to be dry."</i></p><p>As it was going to be dry and not too cold I made the decision to dust off my road bike and ride outside instead of riding with Bernie the Bot in the gym. Paul volunteered to come with me.</p><p>It was colder than I expected. After a few kilometres a fine mist started to fall. Then it started to rain. We cycled 17 kms in the freezing rain. My goggles were steamed up and rain was dripping off my helmet and nose. I should have listened to my own counsel.</p><p>It's Saturday evening. TV dinner and wine. Rick has his Kong (pet toy with treats). We used to watch Gladiators when the children were young, they loved it. A new series has just begun. Contenders ready? Gladiators ready? Rick loves it. That travelator gets them every time. Now for the Netflix film and another glass of wine. I love Saturdays.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP6wnegIl82TMyuU9tTgPK4VYNqM3dg8kPIgf3BOOJ9Kcwku5s-7QlFuY2kk2lTycRT_YoeAjMBTR-2i_0AeEZDRjFitK2Kwl2ekaQEgaoNid90hPMcaqI5iUTVceZBWkolpSa4S6JYl24Ljbi5HVEHrjyUPhMCA8vIkYrsXII5KcqgmKDwC61mT6Zk8/s1800/aglad.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP6wnegIl82TMyuU9tTgPK4VYNqM3dg8kPIgf3BOOJ9Kcwku5s-7QlFuY2kk2lTycRT_YoeAjMBTR-2i_0AeEZDRjFitK2Kwl2ekaQEgaoNid90hPMcaqI5iUTVceZBWkolpSa4S6JYl24Ljbi5HVEHrjyUPhMCA8vIkYrsXII5KcqgmKDwC61mT6Zk8/s320/aglad.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-35033337820656450942024-02-14T14:02:00.000+00:002024-02-14T14:02:15.141+00:00Boring Old Farts<p> </p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today is the
monthly lunch gathering at the community hall of our neighbouring
village where you can get a home cooked two course meal for £6.00
each. A lot of our friends go every month and when I mooted the idea
of going with Paul we decided that, no, it wasn't our thing. “Surely
it's for old people?”. That's the problem, we are old but in our
minds we're still youngsters. We missed out on jam roly-poly today.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instead we
had tomato and chorizo pasta with a glass of wine and watched Bargain
Hunt.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple of
weeks ago we had tickets to see ABBA The Voyage at the London Arena,
it was a birthday treat for me. We tried to pre-book train tickets
to London but nothing was available. It soon became apparent that
the strikes were going to be on during this period, mainline and
underground. We didn't fancy driving there or travelling by coach so
eventually we said “Let's call the whole thing off.” We managed
to sell the tickets and get most of our money back. We really are
just a couple of boring old farts,</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">I spent my
birthday with Sarah and Paul at her cottage where Paul cooked up a
splendid meal (Chicken Liver Pate, Duck Breast with Redcurrant Sauce,
a selection of cheeses including Lincolnshire Poacher and vintage
port and the odd glass or two of wine.) I just enjoy the simple
pleasures of life – feed me and I'm happy!</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdGgzsqrxpvHiHFq0KZxOJ3awG0W71mlpH2gvNWMadEF2dD-sytcmVoM5b90w3ebYbZXvFEFYdLx0F21m3xeQt43H7WQxwHzffldzWnP2OUeqT8EOVix7UcyhnALBH14-5-i1hRe5wd9v-vEzbLXkOoebILodfUwPEbWEng1_cXC53DsQ66siVYN8PxU/s4000/20240214_070943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdGgzsqrxpvHiHFq0KZxOJ3awG0W71mlpH2gvNWMadEF2dD-sytcmVoM5b90w3ebYbZXvFEFYdLx0F21m3xeQt43H7WQxwHzffldzWnP2OUeqT8EOVix7UcyhnALBH14-5-i1hRe5wd9v-vEzbLXkOoebILodfUwPEbWEng1_cXC53DsQ66siVYN8PxU/w300-h400/20240214_070943.jpg" width="300" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rick with all his toys that he gathers on his sheepskin rug</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-10210109383355432732024-02-12T13:37:00.000+00:002024-02-12T13:37:12.049+00:00Spring and the Great Flood<p>There is an abundance of snowdrops in the village this year, swathes of pretty white flowers in gardens and growing wild along the grassy banks. Early daffodils are in flower along Seggimore Beck bringing a real hint of Spring. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyd5g4-UMQlySZvJmUyLdr05xRFG1Et02mw2gt4kwMuHViZ4d5yLPbkr_sS-yZVRvM3kFRrDuzM0Ecz3G1qXprT2qTHgL1ISAw1alXk1jE_pBBJpG-YJ3YJyCH5fdXTOLIR1SLygQFcY-3iHATShqqr2C1P8nnT-ZbREYgPzazM3xD3QpCgmodGHhOUY/s914/blogsnowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyd5g4-UMQlySZvJmUyLdr05xRFG1Et02mw2gt4kwMuHViZ4d5yLPbkr_sS-yZVRvM3kFRrDuzM0Ecz3G1qXprT2qTHgL1ISAw1alXk1jE_pBBJpG-YJ3YJyCH5fdXTOLIR1SLygQFcY-3iHATShqqr2C1P8nnT-ZbREYgPzazM3xD3QpCgmodGHhOUY/w300-h400/blogsnowd.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18fOKGn1sewG3QM0ZChWpCFPcC8cL_V93aKRhia3-OYh3DKFIA8EmyWvnNYMhK9xyRLwfPmbTbVP9Q_MHvvFC8XZPTt52TY62GmAfNQAxtsMk45fdCmlX6sFgKl8mJGppNv1duFx6UjkmEZi-U5cIjn7HmoqPVKbsWBVuHF7Nz3xin7Ew_i8iz5P-Lfc/s914/snowd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18fOKGn1sewG3QM0ZChWpCFPcC8cL_V93aKRhia3-OYh3DKFIA8EmyWvnNYMhK9xyRLwfPmbTbVP9Q_MHvvFC8XZPTt52TY62GmAfNQAxtsMk45fdCmlX6sFgKl8mJGppNv1duFx6UjkmEZi-U5cIjn7HmoqPVKbsWBVuHF7Nz3xin7Ew_i8iz5P-Lfc/w300-h400/snowd2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Paul did some work in the garden yesterday, he met this shy little chap in the compost heap.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjzMYBLc_WHyKvd_N1F2zuUKOE-iLiQZR5z3-l06rMdnDCsm1FWwGoUgro7EPxp4UHRIEdogv6NQUCtAE56DMtRwdVUJutXuOHLfz3xLxUMvKTR4HZctxvEc-H0TJQOEobPohtf8xV_1Won2YfR0inZ_r1Se61UMAkMpXAfjZO9ZDvOPiVBk_bTP3YnI/s914/blogmouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjzMYBLc_WHyKvd_N1F2zuUKOE-iLiQZR5z3-l06rMdnDCsm1FWwGoUgro7EPxp4UHRIEdogv6NQUCtAE56DMtRwdVUJutXuOHLfz3xLxUMvKTR4HZctxvEc-H0TJQOEobPohtf8xV_1Won2YfR0inZ_r1Se61UMAkMpXAfjZO9ZDvOPiVBk_bTP3YnI/w300-h400/blogmouse.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>compost mouse</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Last night I watched a documentary about the Great Flood of 1953. At the end of January a terrible storm hit the British Isles, the Netherlands and Belgium. One of the first casualties was a ferry, the MV Princess Victoria, that sunk just east of Belfast; 135 passengers drowned. Many fishing trawlers also sunk. The storm then travelled down the North Sea creating a massive tidal surge hitting the east coast of England - Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. On Canvey Island in Essex many people were living in post war prefabs - flimsy wooden bungalows. The storm surge hit them at night, they had no warning and many lives were lost as the sea swept in. Even if they managed to climb onto the roof of their homes many succumbed to exposure before they could be rescued. In total 307 people died on the east coast, 1,836 in the Netherlands.</p><p>This storm happened just three years before I was born but I had no knowledge of this terrible event until I saw the documentary. The footage was both chilling and poignant as survivors and witnesses to this flood recounted their experiences.</p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-47976147060886956502024-02-10T12:04:00.000+00:002024-02-10T12:04:35.191+00:00Should Have Listened to Mum<p> </p><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">Sarah,
encouraged by her sister and dad, started cycling when she returned
to the UK and is now passionate about the sport. Her new partner,
Andrew, is also a keen cyclist and they spend a lot of time mountain
biking and road biking together.</div><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm3PpKDnphfrgP4LquYvALce6xVM8OxjS1u3KNOykwSHnXi41S3TgLxpUnHHh75ud4Vo9tZfUgUxrMulIgTaCCCob41vHEK8I9c18cfSWPOStcB0YEBacoXxJISOLgepfSQhNYexVRHmP3O4lsns1SEfq1-o_RQxcTBDg4BIAya3wDp9YY0i_C4w0pqk/s1600/blogbike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="747" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm3PpKDnphfrgP4LquYvALce6xVM8OxjS1u3KNOykwSHnXi41S3TgLxpUnHHh75ud4Vo9tZfUgUxrMulIgTaCCCob41vHEK8I9c18cfSWPOStcB0YEBacoXxJISOLgepfSQhNYexVRHmP3O4lsns1SEfq1-o_RQxcTBDg4BIAya3wDp9YY0i_C4w0pqk/w400-h186/blogbike1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></h1><p></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">One warm summer's evening last year she told me they were going out for a ride. I suggested that it might be nicer to spend the evening in her garden with a cool beer but she was determined to go out. Cycling is
not without risk and unfortunately Sarah came a cropper that evening when she fell heavily on the road after hitting some
loose gravel. As well as grazing her legs she sustained a nasty cut
to her elbow. Andrew cleaned her up and put a dressing on her elbow
but I told her to call in on her way to work the next morning so that
I could clean it up thoroughly and put some steri-strips on it.</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7VEMy2LqgVwUfUQAkzYAyP7hBkQWQipQz6t__jQ12PBVUBiGrFm5iicHwvP0Kgdhxa7Mg3RdeUTk0el9BEXSz7o4NHDm7y08IzAfY7MbBuAEmTqUx-FB-iCU0jlNTUnY2ReFPrvwucNHn-Yvbj1T3Intqqwwia0u5Mh_ufR-G0I7iAOw0aHErqMPCRM/s914/blogbike2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7VEMy2LqgVwUfUQAkzYAyP7hBkQWQipQz6t__jQ12PBVUBiGrFm5iicHwvP0Kgdhxa7Mg3RdeUTk0el9BEXSz7o4NHDm7y08IzAfY7MbBuAEmTqUx-FB-iCU0jlNTUnY2ReFPrvwucNHn-Yvbj1T3Intqqwwia0u5Mh_ufR-G0I7iAOw0aHErqMPCRM/w225-h400/blogbike2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><br />The following
morning I carefully removed the dressing from her elbow and
immediately thought “I can't do this”. It was a messy cut, and
clearly needed irrigating to remove any remnants of gravel. I didn't
really have the kit to do this but also, it was going to hurt and I
just couldn't bring myself to cause discomfort to my own daughter.
In my defence she was going to need a tetanus injection anyway so
Paul took her off to the A&E department at our local hospital.</div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE54GVR46b0FpEH11Z4MSvLhWL7VmHhBtxo9aByRN0matCj75qLwrUbu3XwAg-YkUsXhNGvDvHuWT5JZe2iYSJREjNnzjmrHIFBskSJ_ReGo4yjgiBmZPV557SRGhRSFBERHrrHa9zWLAlaHJPMn8Nk1iexBXg_dUd877ZoGtHUQ6LPAQaL613VeeT0D8/s914/blogbike3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE54GVR46b0FpEH11Z4MSvLhWL7VmHhBtxo9aByRN0matCj75qLwrUbu3XwAg-YkUsXhNGvDvHuWT5JZe2iYSJREjNnzjmrHIFBskSJ_ReGo4yjgiBmZPV557SRGhRSFBERHrrHa9zWLAlaHJPMn8Nk1iexBXg_dUd877ZoGtHUQ6LPAQaL613VeeT0D8/w225-h400/blogbike3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">She had to
wait a few hours at the hospital because they wanted to x-ray her
elbow to check there wasn't a fracture but they cleaned the wound,
steri-stripped it and did the tetanus injection. It healed without
any complications although she has a scar.<br />I'm still
surprised that I felt so queasy when I saw her injury. I must be
going soft in my old age.</div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-10788186158829995012024-02-08T13:55:00.008+00:002024-02-08T14:53:47.243+00:00Thursday<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">I went back
to bed after breakfast this morning. It was snowing outside, not
pretty snow but wet, slushy stuff. It is very rare for me to do this
but I crept back under the quilt and read my book for half an hour or
so. Although I have been retired for 18 years I still feel guilty
about having a lie in. I'm usually up just after six, eager for my
bowl of porridge and cup of tea in readiness for the day ahead.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Daughter Kat
is driving back home from Cosford in Shropshire to Odiham today after
a week's course. They are finishing early due to the snow forecast,
I shall worry about her until I know she's home safe.<br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">I eventually
got up, showered and dressed, did some ironing and made a beef ragu
for tomorrow's dinner. The snow has got heavier but still not
settling. We had salad for lunch, cheese toasties would have been
nicer but we try to eat healthy.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Paul was
gallant this afternoon and took Rick out for his walk in the blizzard
(I usually do the afternoon walk). Poor boy, he was very wet and
cold when he got back so I rubbed him down by the fire. Rick, not
Paul.</span></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5on9f-OEF5moSbnfQRC6pttOx8IEWM0FhkKKCXzpoca1CxFxRAlEmMSAM7oOe7s41ux9h0bE5eiaGGUPIsDoDSs-5iZKERm9tS9Ak1RHiO8B18ziLzeuMtXxQiQGKr9CGshAWwkhvmFUL7BIDNFtS8DpCFWqrUhih00_s3p1PdWrHNNnvjtOMiq1an0/s4000/20240208_131146.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5on9f-OEF5moSbnfQRC6pttOx8IEWM0FhkKKCXzpoca1CxFxRAlEmMSAM7oOe7s41ux9h0bE5eiaGGUPIsDoDSs-5iZKERm9tS9Ak1RHiO8B18ziLzeuMtXxQiQGKr9CGshAWwkhvmFUL7BIDNFtS8DpCFWqrUhih00_s3p1PdWrHNNnvjtOMiq1an0/w300-h400/20240208_131146.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAp9VLEh8zxu8mo-Rj8tB4jxRZflzeMICPY7IrZHrac2Ro_tC4a5laZrf9eFoNVu8hicwpIZYz_scoQ1nvJ69_hx6awDlcHipmAcy22sdCfyJSqbKEeJcAwz7WkYxSy2QJoTgCUGAVKR8Ym-OpQ1iQ8ZOh7Tj22R3DVIzCB6rlg-C50lk-5nmqFExGo/s2592/20240208_131850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1944" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAp9VLEh8zxu8mo-Rj8tB4jxRZflzeMICPY7IrZHrac2Ro_tC4a5laZrf9eFoNVu8hicwpIZYz_scoQ1nvJ69_hx6awDlcHipmAcy22sdCfyJSqbKEeJcAwz7WkYxSy2QJoTgCUGAVKR8Ym-OpQ1iQ8ZOh7Tj22R3DVIzCB6rlg-C50lk-5nmqFExGo/w300-h400/20240208_131850.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kat has
arrived home safe and sound. Now I can relax.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-81519110106977080182024-02-07T06:56:00.000+00:002024-02-07T06:56:46.090+00:00Garden Room<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOCWRXnaZNhhE-RbR9lFtVJIyGamqUWsGwfjfy2cIQB8siygyGcc8Rup6lfP6yXTlMyvdDB6Z81F88DEFNEShTKOj6fPM9NIuZlgc6jsqfnmR696A_CY0BMnI3KfBhx_hfmYm5iHYQgcjg1klj6TIr2DUn8DUpZJ-7qFtmi9RB9ch_pl9osp3SUma-UI/s1219/20230709_122010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOCWRXnaZNhhE-RbR9lFtVJIyGamqUWsGwfjfy2cIQB8siygyGcc8Rup6lfP6yXTlMyvdDB6Z81F88DEFNEShTKOj6fPM9NIuZlgc6jsqfnmR696A_CY0BMnI3KfBhx_hfmYm5iHYQgcjg1klj6TIr2DUn8DUpZJ-7qFtmi9RB9ch_pl9osp3SUma-UI/w400-h300/20230709_122010.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The garden
room has always been my favourite room with its vaulted ceiling and
light, south facing aspect. In summer I like to sit with the large
patio windows wide open and enjoy the sounds and scents wafting in
from the garden. We haven't done anything to the room during the
five years we have been here, I liked the Laura Ashley birds of
paradise wallpaper but the wall lights were a bit old fashioned and
Paul said the pine panelled ceiling was very dark and dated.
Eventually I decided it was time to redecorate but I did warn Paul
that the room would look very different!</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQgdElTjaVvMmr3zdp_E620JQC_An5zlK7sjmWrol-K1Yvi3FdMd22t0j6PxTVzSPdbbhv3qWz4qbl8Sj4avMy84UwYQb6N46_eL1srhTRPMEVfOP1k41mTajK68LpjuBJgTNsmJDZOlJutKyfgeiUQCJzzl5lKce5oBHVvbWA1WGfRUWeEx5Wg1dCgg/s914/gardenbefore3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQgdElTjaVvMmr3zdp_E620JQC_An5zlK7sjmWrol-K1Yvi3FdMd22t0j6PxTVzSPdbbhv3qWz4qbl8Sj4avMy84UwYQb6N46_eL1srhTRPMEVfOP1k41mTajK68LpjuBJgTNsmJDZOlJutKyfgeiUQCJzzl5lKce5oBHVvbWA1WGfRUWeEx5Wg1dCgg/w300-h400/gardenbefore3.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>orangey pine ceiling and old fashioned lights</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">First thing
was to get the electrician in to remove the wall lights. Then we
arranged for Colin the Decorator to come and paint and paper the
room. Paul has always done the work himself before now but the
vaulted ceiling was a step too far. It was the right decision
because the ceiling took no less than four coats of white paint to
cover the orangey pine. </span>
</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq7iMc_PQ9e8PAcK5wRocnIlCr2dtVp5y7pfX2bZclTVazU8sZotMSkAHjL_4VqW9xud0YQRgLALVVm4wXzktkZH7eNirXbrD_ngyPs_Uo8HXWGIzhUPJGbfBRdtxMUBE4wiYSsBpkyKIih4NEHAiQQpWM22s3WknRqUYxOO1lzsj0wHroCpjuZTVTYY/s914/aa1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnq7iMc_PQ9e8PAcK5wRocnIlCr2dtVp5y7pfX2bZclTVazU8sZotMSkAHjL_4VqW9xud0YQRgLALVVm4wXzktkZH7eNirXbrD_ngyPs_Uo8HXWGIzhUPJGbfBRdtxMUBE4wiYSsBpkyKIih4NEHAiQQpWM22s3WknRqUYxOO1lzsj0wHroCpjuZTVTYY/w300-h400/aa1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>work in progress</i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">“<span style="font-size: small;">Mural?”
Colin said, “I've never done one of those before!” Well, there's
always a first time. I had decided that I wanted a flavour of an
Edwardian orangery so I had found a classic botanical mural for the
length of one wall. The ceiling would be painted white with one
cross beam left unpainted and clad to resemble solid oak. I had
sleepless nights wondering what the heck this was going to look like!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0cZlDo2H-xqKN8q9U5ezqLdgOdncVxrFnrUYICqFtQtDTCG7SPA6iGVUp5esoMU8Fg0OnHOC468Y6ZvnDt9v68bWG-TwmZwQNfeoXZhY_-w1-C6u7LDneSyz6WyORhoe_2GHQ4cp-xxnAgQanvn_Th-5KPxOtzlR4V0HT3-5Jyog3rlCI-OJlQkzNxY/s1219/aa10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0cZlDo2H-xqKN8q9U5ezqLdgOdncVxrFnrUYICqFtQtDTCG7SPA6iGVUp5esoMU8Fg0OnHOC468Y6ZvnDt9v68bWG-TwmZwQNfeoXZhY_-w1-C6u7LDneSyz6WyORhoe_2GHQ4cp-xxnAgQanvn_Th-5KPxOtzlR4V0HT3-5Jyog3rlCI-OJlQkzNxY/w400-h300/aa10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>garden room mural - no trace of Laura Ashley<br /><br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDecVnsVfm1afGqosA7GiA75ef7PdgzdGEHBnqngSWoadnpHhEoXsOZuTGd0Rnx8UUBNOjstzoaXCbuIynMHe56yEaVlSztJbJdiRHx3YIFy619izNTTRskK5yUdEQTg9-MehWwR1H6lk6IQR-FFBOgIF72gHxanq9GyrFMA9sdOrFZgXxIoP9H_8BXs/s1219/palm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDecVnsVfm1afGqosA7GiA75ef7PdgzdGEHBnqngSWoadnpHhEoXsOZuTGd0Rnx8UUBNOjstzoaXCbuIynMHe56yEaVlSztJbJdiRHx3YIFy619izNTTRskK5yUdEQTg9-MehWwR1H6lk6IQR-FFBOgIF72gHxanq9GyrFMA9sdOrFZgXxIoP9H_8BXs/w400-h300/palm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well I am
delighted with the result. Paul did an excellent job with the 'oak
beam'. Colin said he really enjoyed putting the mural up (especially
after four days of painting a white ceiling).</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUz4syUewjs7timJIeHgiJBnwx-M_NKp122ecpYtERO-xi3Ai2yzC6ELHKJKVoxbC7OxMNH3uIu3_ZhbYAjos0DeTR48JeS-lg0vlkLcAOFiPmxu2XslrNXLmP7_zhVO5_fZFzJn8E16GeJN5t-UzsKWxC2UmqHT7ZFWwy39YDNfHXMWdnwdDRfs3-x8/s914/aa8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUz4syUewjs7timJIeHgiJBnwx-M_NKp122ecpYtERO-xi3Ai2yzC6ELHKJKVoxbC7OxMNH3uIu3_ZhbYAjos0DeTR48JeS-lg0vlkLcAOFiPmxu2XslrNXLmP7_zhVO5_fZFzJn8E16GeJN5t-UzsKWxC2UmqHT7ZFWwy39YDNfHXMWdnwdDRfs3-x8/w300-h400/aa8.jpg" width="300" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a shame about the air con unit fixed to the wall but it's essential in hot weather</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sofas are
perhaps not ideal for the room but they are so comfortable I am never
getting rid of them. It's still my favourite room.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv-1Hge0aeOzsZIjHEbwiz2x2QVGRgqV1BebhkWRgQuN6hBUsZeW1hCgn4kYYbMDVLiWIKTIfJDnyKQH7w6IaYfYcfCCid6dIVoD7ui5eZnay0IJJ91lmx6X8PwCBCDCHsYSjoyZq28fzBmkX-7iwhcVak7ipuX1nfp2evUF9IEZPlCquBQQOOgi9AYc/s1219/aa11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikv-1Hge0aeOzsZIjHEbwiz2x2QVGRgqV1BebhkWRgQuN6hBUsZeW1hCgn4kYYbMDVLiWIKTIfJDnyKQH7w6IaYfYcfCCid6dIVoD7ui5eZnay0IJJ91lmx6X8PwCBCDCHsYSjoyZq28fzBmkX-7iwhcVak7ipuX1nfp2evUF9IEZPlCquBQQOOgi9AYc/w400-h300/aa11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>the mural looks even better in the evening with the lamps on</i></td></tr></tbody></table><i><br /></i><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-21121107840192123132024-02-05T06:29:00.000+00:002024-02-05T06:29:10.663+00:00Gold Leaf<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJjP7tAOGWpVbzmtHvwQC_SkZu5PKQshWz29HAteIOUGhHOrPjrvdvpDxmVv5jDO2g5_pmgmyJ38P48xbDP3wK0GusknPdvvVTujXCATBichuG9b95OtkJFPuszK-wHutjyU5YO8VrSOJQIxr0I1JJfQGYQ-u87AAA9F7Pma3Uf3X0UGogqaH111dac/s4000/20240111_084815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJjP7tAOGWpVbzmtHvwQC_SkZu5PKQshWz29HAteIOUGhHOrPjrvdvpDxmVv5jDO2g5_pmgmyJ38P48xbDP3wK0GusknPdvvVTujXCATBichuG9b95OtkJFPuszK-wHutjyU5YO8VrSOJQIxr0I1JJfQGYQ-u87AAA9F7Pma3Uf3X0UGogqaH111dac/w300-h400/20240111_084815.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The large
mirror in the garden room was left behind by the previous owners of
the bungalow. I was never particularly keen on the dark green,
marbled frame so when we re-decorated last month I decided it was time for a bit
of bling. I had seen a few You Tube demonstrations of people using
gold leaf so how hard could it actually be?</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">I protected
half of my kitchen island worktop with a cloth and placed the mirror flat. I
covered a section of the frame with special glue and then waited for
twenty minutes or so until it had gone tacky. Now for the gold leaf.
The first piece I tried to handle disintegrated in my fingers. The
second sheet floated down onto the glue but not in the place I wanted
it to be. The third sheet was going well, I was holding my breath
and then....I breathed! It skittered across the worktop onto the
floor. This was tricky stuff. And it kept sticking to my fingers.
Aaagh.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pNEk8iuYuO5ihBAhDLhXD7jG0vo_VZOLq_G7V3oWWWjLRHpgne1wFYsqMn2qfFrKiBHrSjJ3haBpCuDuCPdyFhbgQBcXPIk2O333tpI7JK0ahRD9KlOlZUfhxpD4dE1QZrgyh6tB7EpxZIWm8Dd544HK0pCRuAYpYkMOlKMhfgsb_lZCDieTFj_w8lU/s914/blogmirror1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pNEk8iuYuO5ihBAhDLhXD7jG0vo_VZOLq_G7V3oWWWjLRHpgne1wFYsqMn2qfFrKiBHrSjJ3haBpCuDuCPdyFhbgQBcXPIk2O333tpI7JK0ahRD9KlOlZUfhxpD4dE1QZrgyh6tB7EpxZIWm8Dd544HK0pCRuAYpYkMOlKMhfgsb_lZCDieTFj_w8lU/w300-h400/blogmirror1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two days
later I had finished the mirror and was fairly expert at picking up
the sheets and positioning them. The gold leaf certainly needs very
delicate handling. (Even though I thought I had sufficiently
protected the worktop, small particles of gold leaf had floated to
the uncovered area. I now have a gold flecked work top!)</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyA3m97_LhGotmpuJPGKh9BmyX92uOF8Ys3YXlreLF90t38cUKriNZQQ3CRNRhtbGWUrHreNVMtVImraaCGwHZ_-rtCymwzq_AUDCXgI-Jci_XcWWiN_wPPNCfRp74DiwKJQb8_uXxq2pH3GH6GhG-yCh3n3mppftFNnT5M3ONWr6O_1OfPAYduUreas/s914/blogmirror2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyA3m97_LhGotmpuJPGKh9BmyX92uOF8Ys3YXlreLF90t38cUKriNZQQ3CRNRhtbGWUrHreNVMtVImraaCGwHZ_-rtCymwzq_AUDCXgI-Jci_XcWWiN_wPPNCfRp74DiwKJQb8_uXxq2pH3GH6GhG-yCh3n3mppftFNnT5M3ONWr6O_1OfPAYduUreas/w300-h400/blogmirror2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately I
wanted a slightly distressed look for the mirror so the crackled look
was fine by me. It's not a great finish, the gold is a bit shiny and blingy but I think it looks
okay. I've got quite a lot of gold leaf left over. I wonder
what I could use it for.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-36391711797776106762024-02-03T13:59:00.002+00:002024-02-03T21:16:21.730+00:00Stars and Angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nqvz3xQ1lECcudfcey4qLFQDs5NYDyID-cH352dYtW1-bWbjggofgkMacD_2bzwHcuB4Rg-DVWuk6SdpKvxGJYHfQc04o2pBeNNKIDlfqPCsanJ4rVsyY4OWpU6a45ZhECc-JrTeqlioYEh6gQtsTxbHeLpxLo03n5vG54vFDy5WWDzL9Rs8II_cHmY/s914/tdeckchair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nqvz3xQ1lECcudfcey4qLFQDs5NYDyID-cH352dYtW1-bWbjggofgkMacD_2bzwHcuB4Rg-DVWuk6SdpKvxGJYHfQc04o2pBeNNKIDlfqPCsanJ4rVsyY4OWpU6a45ZhECc-JrTeqlioYEh6gQtsTxbHeLpxLo03n5vG54vFDy5WWDzL9Rs8II_cHmY/w300-h400/tdeckchair.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>What was Paul doing sitting in a deck chair in the middle of Carlisle Cathedral? Having a quick snooze? Admiring the scenery? In actual fact he was admiring the magnificently decorated ceiling of the choir. Several deck chairs are lined up next to the pews for this very purpose. It might be the second smallest cathedral in the country but Carlisle does boast some beautiful features. The cathedral was first built in the 12th century but this roof structure dates back to 1400 when it was restored after a fire and re-painted with the stars and angels in 1853. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhyphenhyphenIlbuKtl8nhCZkySVFClEeiTJoSxeFx2IYyoCQw5SajNYJfXa8UU7SNK8OsscIOHgN9JyMxNmyHu0374Fekl9-r7K7Rr0x2W9yDEjinl4nyUlsb2y6G75nC2wTLIhRGKODu8EyObZ-pGTctJYar2pcKo0F4cGPPWz8m6kpAw8JKvrar6bb1PdIKtmA/s914/cath2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhyphenhyphenIlbuKtl8nhCZkySVFClEeiTJoSxeFx2IYyoCQw5SajNYJfXa8UU7SNK8OsscIOHgN9JyMxNmyHu0374Fekl9-r7K7Rr0x2W9yDEjinl4nyUlsb2y6G75nC2wTLIhRGKODu8EyObZ-pGTctJYar2pcKo0F4cGPPWz8m6kpAw8JKvrar6bb1PdIKtmA/w300-h400/cath2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC8s69vE8Iv-VXHSmg_pS9kMWB1TmOExYBdw34s7Ky3lw0q9FJZ7oAj3UdyiWKAtucKbjpHlMdg_4jKqdOMNuiRnChYY5F4Kd7FM9hLG7ZFSYE4C-BIpWthJvzrdkgGHocXq6SHBtFpss34B4lt1aAHNqCBbSygxfkoZZjmznj6Tf6GcRCK2Gkis4CbE/s640/angel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC8s69vE8Iv-VXHSmg_pS9kMWB1TmOExYBdw34s7Ky3lw0q9FJZ7oAj3UdyiWKAtucKbjpHlMdg_4jKqdOMNuiRnChYY5F4Kd7FM9hLG7ZFSYE4C-BIpWthJvzrdkgGHocXq6SHBtFpss34B4lt1aAHNqCBbSygxfkoZZjmznj6Tf6GcRCK2Gkis4CbE/s320/angel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We only stayed in Carlisle for a brief time but the cathedral was well worth a quick visit.
</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxP0WYmKob7eEB2LGTKAnp8y2srKL-xwxfybcVMjViOJlnuUtLYartcXrmrgG0ilDrvesRtcM9YMzTFOG_FD4kgmXctWiGEsj3dxD8yks9rQooH2-6KyuDQcUF_TL0Fhi-J9QvRl0NL-dcKefbTuRr2p5sEF5jcDfKe23nEvtICd0w1F7e4LgNM9Eltg/s914/cath1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="658" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxP0WYmKob7eEB2LGTKAnp8y2srKL-xwxfybcVMjViOJlnuUtLYartcXrmrgG0ilDrvesRtcM9YMzTFOG_FD4kgmXctWiGEsj3dxD8yks9rQooH2-6KyuDQcUF_TL0Fhi-J9QvRl0NL-dcKefbTuRr2p5sEF5jcDfKe23nEvtICd0w1F7e4LgNM9Eltg/w288-h400/cath1.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhU0hoYo3iT8cZS_jpujZQn218QEMax8GunfeZmTGsuEKJOx-2CEBsrOSwcn9d192TpTQXVdTQSYOxKqXdvNqy6HsHjsEWdwtA1KAmo5luqlV3zgQD7ffa1M-2hc5TzEceF7AyMZW3-899ykNzGmrYmDudqutkOttMjTel_mYl8BMh0i37J7Mtd9mSeI/s914/cath3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhU0hoYo3iT8cZS_jpujZQn218QEMax8GunfeZmTGsuEKJOx-2CEBsrOSwcn9d192TpTQXVdTQSYOxKqXdvNqy6HsHjsEWdwtA1KAmo5luqlV3zgQD7ffa1M-2hc5TzEceF7AyMZW3-899ykNzGmrYmDudqutkOttMjTel_mYl8BMh0i37J7Mtd9mSeI/w300-h400/cath3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-49307504188932225732024-02-01T06:28:00.000+00:002024-02-01T06:28:06.403+00:00A Grand Day Out<p> </p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">One very
early Saturday morning in August last year saw Paul and me waiting at
Lincoln railway station for the train to Carlisle. I was eyeing up
the other passengers on the platform all dressed in their best
outfits. Some ladies were wearing cocktail dresses and fascinators
but I had opted for comfort (it was going to be a very long day) and
wore white linen trousers with a touch of animal print and a hat for
some extra panache. Paul wore his best safari print shirt and jacket
(“I am NOT wearing a tie).</span> We were all waiting for the Northern
Belle, Britain's most luxurious train that boasts <i>'opulent 1920's
style and glamour whilst gliding through spectacular countryside'</i>.</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsujSqxgTOQbPz_7TW7QXImQlPe1IfXmhjAxmYWNLn-EByCxaI6OcQeFXKBrh2hmZsY0gfw3dCpV_Q7O5xYNv657rrUwCV1K3i2Jtd4YpecaUSpAaHiMu8Qt7PVmZG0EKgcwgmbVtoTutpWF0X8Q6_cN2JxcZesD2kQy3ICE9Ao7xCdy0jVfYmdSl1z4/s914/tpaul.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsujSqxgTOQbPz_7TW7QXImQlPe1IfXmhjAxmYWNLn-EByCxaI6OcQeFXKBrh2hmZsY0gfw3dCpV_Q7O5xYNv657rrUwCV1K3i2Jtd4YpecaUSpAaHiMu8Qt7PVmZG0EKgcwgmbVtoTutpWF0X8Q6_cN2JxcZesD2kQy3ICE9Ao7xCdy0jVfYmdSl1z4/s320/tpaul.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNdVnPapDz-kbYtrCuhaV08woeKdlCs7MyAzpwxpJqJdR0zfZj0vgDQczBcwwArWjOrZm4qn5aCzwEEi4ZqNTZGK0QFP7_2IIiTrOGpAeQG6lEuiXezmAL1GscXtCkNz0gftDCFJULNOYbKOLHhgC53iis5PixIsEoo8BGQp5cm__OzcvLWM1S9v9CZ0/s914/tpullman.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNdVnPapDz-kbYtrCuhaV08woeKdlCs7MyAzpwxpJqJdR0zfZj0vgDQczBcwwArWjOrZm4qn5aCzwEEi4ZqNTZGK0QFP7_2IIiTrOGpAeQG6lEuiXezmAL1GscXtCkNz0gftDCFJULNOYbKOLHhgC53iis5PixIsEoo8BGQp5cm__OzcvLWM1S9v9CZ0/s320/tpullman.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EgfzP_uZSReSFKF3IHLf4csdgZJoxPbiaLsSNd1kEmVZJapP9euA18idyl4VF6ozlvzQU-lCY2IAsGLECamZcKa1KtaL-4URpgLj7cigLyClKzSyxsMW123RU9V13TdmfkfKEgDEgJG-gJILOO0nNPR0geJ8iS5kxYqHhM8lEMSP_w6LIkgZkkf5yMY/s914/tsue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EgfzP_uZSReSFKF3IHLf4csdgZJoxPbiaLsSNd1kEmVZJapP9euA18idyl4VF6ozlvzQU-lCY2IAsGLECamZcKa1KtaL-4URpgLj7cigLyClKzSyxsMW123RU9V13TdmfkfKEgDEgJG-gJILOO0nNPR0geJ8iS5kxYqHhM8lEMSP_w6LIkgZkkf5yMY/s320/tsue.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just a few
minutes later than scheduled the Northern Belle cruised into view and
once stationery the carriage doors were flung open, red carpets
rolled out and liveried staff stood to attention and welcomed us
aboard. We were ushered to our sumptuous armchair seats in the
Belvoir carriage and served sparkling Mimosas. The service was
amazing and nothing was too much trouble for the stewards.
Fortunately our travelling companions were delightful and we were
soon chatting like old friends, enjoying a three course brunch as we
headed north through Yorkshire and Lancashire countryside.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jrRn8_x0BX4HBMMbZ4jCQThFrSHBp-8GV-h0130R6_-_5bS-JjVJoER9er_CZWBGrSCM7hx_XBWDfoafw34Xhw14K20A26RBQoFFFZxWL0X3I0SazSZIhZ9KW1UwH9A_2veYahTlGBN3ZowDkbQtvwi_ZviIBDgO-M2na2iFXNTOCMka-xSKnQrZ4ec/s914/train3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jrRn8_x0BX4HBMMbZ4jCQThFrSHBp-8GV-h0130R6_-_5bS-JjVJoER9er_CZWBGrSCM7hx_XBWDfoafw34Xhw14K20A26RBQoFFFZxWL0X3I0SazSZIhZ9KW1UwH9A_2veYahTlGBN3ZowDkbQtvwi_ZviIBDgO-M2na2iFXNTOCMka-xSKnQrZ4ec/w300-h400/train3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">It took
several hours to reach our destination but the time went so quickly
as we were entertained by musicians and a magician strolling through
the carriages. At Carnforth (Lancashire) we were hooked up to the
1947 steam locomotive Tangmere and we eventually arrived in style as
we puffed our way into Carlisle, the capital city of Cumbria.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJqYxVYkez5bGcolc7PfcRqjbLH2CWlt_qJiKQipaquCwUMrshax0mrNnd1PeXKGn7aXnZWPkKZKNXy_p1V7Z5NSSBKJwWocjsw_q-LY_Kdp0aI4M6qF4JXQJZvGC5B0nk9lUIhST81zHcBXPOHNSP9qIRG8p8d3DcViDHweds5VoZVL7Z9BWA6w0gXg/s914/tmeal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJqYxVYkez5bGcolc7PfcRqjbLH2CWlt_qJiKQipaquCwUMrshax0mrNnd1PeXKGn7aXnZWPkKZKNXy_p1V7Z5NSSBKJwWocjsw_q-LY_Kdp0aI4M6qF4JXQJZvGC5B0nk9lUIhST81zHcBXPOHNSP9qIRG8p8d3DcViDHweds5VoZVL7Z9BWA6w0gXg/w300-h400/tmeal.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>waiting for brunch</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qHSqdZWWVaZM6gpFlfrh55TzL2tRJrWplNAf-lOOLKA-b8i43hyphenhyphenynRckYgD1bUULXVA1v-1gxTFluvxPQPQ3m66AfgCuQuYilY74x5GrVOUNA_owYtDmgfDxH4pgnAmU-TQPa_VzHYOZc8rmVZSBmmnQ7yc1X1VVswl0HxFLeBDjhanTdcOkrjvf9N8/s914/trombone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="618" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qHSqdZWWVaZM6gpFlfrh55TzL2tRJrWplNAf-lOOLKA-b8i43hyphenhyphenynRckYgD1bUULXVA1v-1gxTFluvxPQPQ3m66AfgCuQuYilY74x5GrVOUNA_owYtDmgfDxH4pgnAmU-TQPa_VzHYOZc8rmVZSBmmnQ7yc1X1VVswl0HxFLeBDjhanTdcOkrjvf9N8/w270-h400/trombone.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>trombone player</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCi2h3dV4dt_Ol2M-pEA2mvHjaoOJm8dLdwJ-F1pUoRPxkfXv3kSjt9nWicJOB_aypTjU0XYNqa5RBGKdLsuSpmQwfd6SULwGxNN-8ei5jczfvUKynXBRKRkWtHQpCNUqlZEoZpt4Yu1COTtYLTLoBpLDvRn2XR53DY9kfnxJzTL3K0pSzEcumslLm8E/s914/tsteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCi2h3dV4dt_Ol2M-pEA2mvHjaoOJm8dLdwJ-F1pUoRPxkfXv3kSjt9nWicJOB_aypTjU0XYNqa5RBGKdLsuSpmQwfd6SULwGxNN-8ei5jczfvUKynXBRKRkWtHQpCNUqlZEoZpt4Yu1COTtYLTLoBpLDvRn2XR53DY9kfnxJzTL3K0pSzEcumslLm8E/s320/tsteam.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paul letting off steam</i></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">We only had
an hour or so in Carlisle so we did a quick tour of the Cathedral
which is situated quite close to the station before re-joining the
train for the return journey to Lincoln. This time we were greeted
by champagne and canapes followed by a six course dinner. We steamed
across the infamous 24 arch Ribblehead Viaduct although, as
passengers on the train, we could see nothing of this spectacle!</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5aCiQLiu_4Bjw2D4Keiw69XrssySYnxxWkbVBOX99BxWb2VnPM1Oy3TD6KXCMsA2R4bA2IB1gRuUwyj5ixhdwoIh-UO5HPdet-WfXNBL_FFlHB7CYUuW3avzCC648zuFC9y3buk0qTEO05PAidl5wCsXZ1UogkaB1coTQDaQpiQmzQkSTPYWwgaH7Go/s800/tviaduct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="800" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5aCiQLiu_4Bjw2D4Keiw69XrssySYnxxWkbVBOX99BxWb2VnPM1Oy3TD6KXCMsA2R4bA2IB1gRuUwyj5ixhdwoIh-UO5HPdet-WfXNBL_FFlHB7CYUuW3avzCC648zuFC9y3buk0qTEO05PAidl5wCsXZ1UogkaB1coTQDaQpiQmzQkSTPYWwgaH7Go/w400-h280/tviaduct.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was
evening when we slowly rolled back into Lincoln station, the sun had
set and Lincoln Cathedral was beautifully illuminated. I was
exhausted but it had certainly been a grand day out.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-52348147251847754262024-01-30T11:03:00.000+00:002024-01-30T11:03:04.370+00:00A New Bike?<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTAYLx8EJ8xnR37AaU7VnwWrkfo0Mo0DreV3a_jFSZqeCMEcUp34ePgmOVfWRYUUwiO35Jvo84XCF4DvBN_ozc_kFajz2a4DaHVMpvUyc3d2HKSfnSRPT_HAWWFzJLVaWt19S2AzInxAtCDilSrOfjSpu-HWLcxootMDdjzwRBu2LI3_Vcp-Gwp0ei08/s1000/blogcycle3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTAYLx8EJ8xnR37AaU7VnwWrkfo0Mo0DreV3a_jFSZqeCMEcUp34ePgmOVfWRYUUwiO35Jvo84XCF4DvBN_ozc_kFajz2a4DaHVMpvUyc3d2HKSfnSRPT_HAWWFzJLVaWt19S2AzInxAtCDilSrOfjSpu-HWLcxootMDdjzwRBu2LI3_Vcp-Gwp0ei08/w400-h245/blogcycle3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>for sale</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">My faithful
old Claud Butler hybrid bicycle is a bit heavy and dated compared to
the bikes owned by other members of my family. Both girls and Paul
have at least 3 bikes each - lightweight carbon models designed specifically for the road, rough trail or racing. Paul has been trying to
persuade me to get something newer and faster for ages so when our
neighbour (another cycling nerd) told Paul he was selling his almost
new Boardman road bike it seemed like a great opportunity.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mick wheeled
the bike into our garage, it looked very sleek and space age and light as a feather. This was exciting.
I was going to be able to give my girls a run for their money on this
handsome bike. But that saddle looked a bit evil. Oh-oh, drop
handlebars. I haven't ridden a bike with drop handlebars since I was
about ten years old. I got onto the bike. Ouch! That saddle hurt.
I stretched forward and could just about reach the handlebars. I was
practically lying down. There was no way I was going to feel safe or
comfortable riding this bike. </span>
</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiSvMXFBI0whHmA-QT-WlrXgKFcR597k2sRPTEofjhN4zkM9PiUNKSGAHPmcDJBGlO3g41lcFE1nCUFX3iW-lYPzSWzHiW1tc190DVsPEQzOIAXoj2Swov748zW9Y3Hba6OWaOMWVCddluXtuVUUZQtO-F5N97E315APDRzNdzcgVR-a0C-izbQ8YCLQ/s914/blogcycle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiSvMXFBI0whHmA-QT-WlrXgKFcR597k2sRPTEofjhN4zkM9PiUNKSGAHPmcDJBGlO3g41lcFE1nCUFX3iW-lYPzSWzHiW1tc190DVsPEQzOIAXoj2Swov748zW9Y3Hba6OWaOMWVCddluXtuVUUZQtO-F5N97E315APDRzNdzcgVR-a0C-izbQ8YCLQ/w186-h400/blogcycle2.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sarah on her mountain bike at Sherwood Forest</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWin5F9skxoVOr_TYciFzvIzUYa1tLnEi1FrCxM8HIJo7Wa-3bjGIygLRxDSM5JPIgZqAwrdB9Ajii8hV7UrWCEFQ9aKfNWR-ZU-1MjlqFbmkCzVGqozpTg8ANmP5PTrJOkcqdITm-AIEUyF_0wwHYaZgkAdKOuat1GNefClmslr_yu2Z0KH3qcrsrTQ/s914/blogcycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="636" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWin5F9skxoVOr_TYciFzvIzUYa1tLnEi1FrCxM8HIJo7Wa-3bjGIygLRxDSM5JPIgZqAwrdB9Ajii8hV7UrWCEFQ9aKfNWR-ZU-1MjlqFbmkCzVGqozpTg8ANmP5PTrJOkcqdITm-AIEUyF_0wwHYaZgkAdKOuat1GNefClmslr_yu2Z0KH3qcrsrTQ/w279-h400/blogcycle.jpg" width="279" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kat preparing to ride at the velodrome</i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was very
disappointed but sadly I had to decline the offer. My old bike fits
me like an old pair of slippers, I have to pedal hard and it shakes
me about a bit but I'm going to stick with Claud.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkeeOjpwfkGtNSLV71RR6c0F_Qskrrnhvz9DyBNQH1qeGXZo7GXEYJQpSwdZwlGoniF8OdtwFeVum3JOmfKzhN8ru7YlpQnDC1rSukdKHxJT81WTyRQCXsUihFs2GFrJe-YV97FD6VytHnYeTphzHF6a_lDZCLdeOyg8xOWHibptTgawzF9xBzQxYHKw/s889/bikescampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="670" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkeeOjpwfkGtNSLV71RR6c0F_Qskrrnhvz9DyBNQH1qeGXZo7GXEYJQpSwdZwlGoniF8OdtwFeVum3JOmfKzhN8ru7YlpQnDC1rSukdKHxJT81WTyRQCXsUihFs2GFrJe-YV97FD6VytHnYeTphzHF6a_lDZCLdeOyg8xOWHibptTgawzF9xBzQxYHKw/w301-h400/bikescampton.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Claud</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p><br /><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-12780678952456884692024-01-29T06:57:00.000+00:002024-01-29T06:57:35.302+00:00A few more<p> These are the last of the cottage refurbishment photos for the time being:-</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ6ESXWp4eXsMty6W5tUCFdj8vMbhhA0q-EuV8i-rRrMWQMkJiMDsxuX04JdVYfRhTT4izWAbvS5m0EVnZaYca6UMbvGP_Zf_5GmkeoPfd4cQGvHwN7WxEyyVLQtpdusmEtZUwJbhkBtf5_DqAKuuYzMIDPtHZ8PdxLXLncn0nAhCGbRXuCG83_QSgpM/s914/newfdoor.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="914" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ6ESXWp4eXsMty6W5tUCFdj8vMbhhA0q-EuV8i-rRrMWQMkJiMDsxuX04JdVYfRhTT4izWAbvS5m0EVnZaYca6UMbvGP_Zf_5GmkeoPfd4cQGvHwN7WxEyyVLQtpdusmEtZUwJbhkBtf5_DqAKuuYzMIDPtHZ8PdxLXLncn0nAhCGbRXuCG83_QSgpM/w400-h400/newfdoor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>new cottage style front door</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglocZlwpeLDFulp92YOaF5DOf-mn4nX4A9DOycGWevhcxH5NPxZpiP0iyGQGQsvAPkXAh8-l8f7e9m7ZWXgCcTo-jlzcpFI-7oCkvwfel_6YL9lQ723ssO6xqo631qELlYfcFFGLzeNNRdi47tNm8qqplUWufEFkW4jIrmm2brjDKfEY_KTacoAF0dZuM/s914/blogoak.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglocZlwpeLDFulp92YOaF5DOf-mn4nX4A9DOycGWevhcxH5NPxZpiP0iyGQGQsvAPkXAh8-l8f7e9m7ZWXgCcTo-jlzcpFI-7oCkvwfel_6YL9lQ723ssO6xqo631qELlYfcFFGLzeNNRdi47tNm8qqplUWufEFkW4jIrmm2brjDKfEY_KTacoAF0dZuM/w300-h400/blogoak.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>oak flooring</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj8W2FbQGsk6gPMhV6N5UBb5hjrxgLCnsgrhnl-h-GTHGQ9yrgG20Waw_yNNgzcxmMeDmstNrbD13cSBwwrhcdivZhV8oR-eRJQbMFfsjZujvYzq91jYNCUW2VJdta3T9Iftd0ZVRZoNdbVx4-CtarlHocnoAHp47U1dWvkcN3ka3BH9GTH335Z5VAdw/s2048/blogkitchen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxj8W2FbQGsk6gPMhV6N5UBb5hjrxgLCnsgrhnl-h-GTHGQ9yrgG20Waw_yNNgzcxmMeDmstNrbD13cSBwwrhcdivZhV8oR-eRJQbMFfsjZujvYzq91jYNCUW2VJdta3T9Iftd0ZVRZoNdbVx4-CtarlHocnoAHp47U1dWvkcN3ka3BH9GTH335Z5VAdw/w300-h400/blogkitchen.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>kitchen still awaiting re-vamp</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHpdR82kh1mhDScNr4Px6DXJF1SXH7Q4C-T3MnvRXyrzUZn6FmhwZlA-looveHBkv3CdxK6DerDt6m7B3mjHSGrYuirYfUbliuL3hCK9XLia4SKmawlL3SHWEjgNBaDYLxh1CNCTIRKKS9JitMsH_j7N21i7qEOFTq-Kiy2QO231yFsq_kbbrzJDWpUI/s914/bath2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="914" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHpdR82kh1mhDScNr4Px6DXJF1SXH7Q4C-T3MnvRXyrzUZn6FmhwZlA-looveHBkv3CdxK6DerDt6m7B3mjHSGrYuirYfUbliuL3hCK9XLia4SKmawlL3SHWEjgNBaDYLxh1CNCTIRKKS9JitMsH_j7N21i7qEOFTq-Kiy2QO231yFsq_kbbrzJDWpUI/w400-h400/bath2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>bathroom</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq_Wnpv5_ZyPZul8DKNriAol7iP8nf7hD_Lxx_Jt6uHef34AbMUXfx8_Qx9EqLiqshB6QQ7rMvMUABBOeWLYVcdXpfQa0vFqwZqjE8QjHnt_MB0xrPo80Azhw5rnW47dAF-ygudTDDSDo-d0KunhFLpeCzi9yaUz5loqBLkb7RlSdTwkqd48DPBwK8QQ/s914/IMG-20230428-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq_Wnpv5_ZyPZul8DKNriAol7iP8nf7hD_Lxx_Jt6uHef34AbMUXfx8_Qx9EqLiqshB6QQ7rMvMUABBOeWLYVcdXpfQa0vFqwZqjE8QjHnt_MB0xrPo80Azhw5rnW47dAF-ygudTDDSDo-d0KunhFLpeCzi9yaUz5loqBLkb7RlSdTwkqd48DPBwK8QQ/w300-h400/IMG-20230428-WA0000.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sarah's art desk</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj2OKmHukXZr8g6cdKyVyjf6tQeGX4qoOr2aw7hgFntsTZZoivVtQmtCY2hb71OXnUmNbkwsF6VBnQsbVDamCQCOsXG3_vHmOkIpJ9ao24qNeISQvjWCqL6j-oYg8x62rpDLfx8rpc9hUXMm19wI3V10ARjySNbznB_5EwCrgNTjBSeds3uGElbEi-So/s914/blogtrainer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj2OKmHukXZr8g6cdKyVyjf6tQeGX4qoOr2aw7hgFntsTZZoivVtQmtCY2hb71OXnUmNbkwsF6VBnQsbVDamCQCOsXG3_vHmOkIpJ9ao24qNeISQvjWCqL6j-oYg8x62rpDLfx8rpc9hUXMm19wI3V10ARjySNbznB_5EwCrgNTjBSeds3uGElbEi-So/w300-h400/blogtrainer.jpg" width="300" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sarah's cycle trainer (she has a lovely view of the village while she rides)</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MEGN7SJErANUpwyS3nw7uKOxqm9uSGON-wWBBeNoyngegayfjM3npaV3HhPIcnVwrnIoOTWvFM4l7gQHlFExwTAU6R5V1PQ3YBx8IGPQ3aTu2W_gGgT7x-FyHevLNGcD-WG8ABpc5uLtFPXjWGongb9mWmp3wDA-TCsXjunquoHc0TcgVxFoZ53Hqzw/s1219/bed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MEGN7SJErANUpwyS3nw7uKOxqm9uSGON-wWBBeNoyngegayfjM3npaV3HhPIcnVwrnIoOTWvFM4l7gQHlFExwTAU6R5V1PQ3YBx8IGPQ3aTu2W_gGgT7x-FyHevLNGcD-WG8ABpc5uLtFPXjWGongb9mWmp3wDA-TCsXjunquoHc0TcgVxFoZ53Hqzw/w400-h300/bed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sarah's bed is huge</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdcZrolvOSHzlAG9gHsKrucZhNCWNqP1mm1nYQ-JfctXdi334uWAN78bl-1AHTp6vjN53HpdG4kVJEca0wyjv93L4UNmx4gtagGWB6y71OehMonscYhSyOibdb3pv_xzJQdvNZYdQmL2uADJQYTbu9Q-o-R6xO3Itm5clPM8X31RbEaqpZgpZJe_TtrM/s1219/bedroom1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdcZrolvOSHzlAG9gHsKrucZhNCWNqP1mm1nYQ-JfctXdi334uWAN78bl-1AHTp6vjN53HpdG4kVJEca0wyjv93L4UNmx4gtagGWB6y71OehMonscYhSyOibdb3pv_xzJQdvNZYdQmL2uADJQYTbu9Q-o-R6xO3Itm5clPM8X31RbEaqpZgpZJe_TtrM/w400-h300/bedroom1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-30936171903089805522024-01-27T07:06:00.001+00:002024-01-27T07:06:21.918+00:00Does that rug look familiar?<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXPUO4sQF_sk8cbpEBy3rsXnjWuwN-n-MnuC1EOG2bS5ifH-P9fevlg926EXM_w-o8EwA_zo56JnK0skI3ZCnehhPqTETadiCHAntjyvciabfv06mFm2W-hxsBD4brQU5dticga4jw1xvo5_CfpdhGud21ef7o4gq0Tx7DR5p2EjvicORkMOMRHGOlgM/s914/blogoldfire.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXPUO4sQF_sk8cbpEBy3rsXnjWuwN-n-MnuC1EOG2bS5ifH-P9fevlg926EXM_w-o8EwA_zo56JnK0skI3ZCnehhPqTETadiCHAntjyvciabfv06mFm2W-hxsBD4brQU5dticga4jw1xvo5_CfpdhGud21ef7o4gq0Tx7DR5p2EjvicORkMOMRHGOlgM/w225-h400/blogoldfire.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>old fireplace</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fireplace
in the sitting room was dated and unattractive so Sarah decided to
replace it with a wood burner. Jackdaws were desperate to build a
nest in the chimney so Paul had to sweep it every day to dislodge the
twigs before the workmen arrived. If they had succeeded in building
a nest the whole job would have been delayed. The chimney has now
been capped so the jackdaws will need to look elsewhere. </span>
</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE02ht7TaG6tDGkZFja0dXHGniU9qAOhn5x8pAp6FaqIJzJD3gfeXF2nnA48dLkNHrdGmpgPhQNLvLC7Pp5_9Cqvf1yi7J7jyN91WMBtwuKyUCLq0tdA-jHaLYsWV2yjmp5tpMjsTvBdtp5MWsDXfxyf4pvlA_ug0VjCA_quufhGV7y0tPbTzBblSkBA/s914/blogfireworks.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLE02ht7TaG6tDGkZFja0dXHGniU9qAOhn5x8pAp6FaqIJzJD3gfeXF2nnA48dLkNHrdGmpgPhQNLvLC7Pp5_9Cqvf1yi7J7jyN91WMBtwuKyUCLq0tdA-jHaLYsWV2yjmp5tpMjsTvBdtp5MWsDXfxyf4pvlA_ug0VjCA_quufhGV7y0tPbTzBblSkBA/w300-h400/blogfireworks.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a messy job</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was an
expensive project but I think the new hearth makes the room far more
inviting and the wood burner is efficient and easy to manage.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt9Fd9fz3HpjfmlBPpFvZ69EHrSTGQVl7PQZytw4oafTa2X6IFgTwMSivPJwDU9EaTiOYgwUcNtNesNM8DDbwcxRnYo4cHgJUWOGEMS907vGvkRhS_KjEHc-9egr9ejw7uu4uf4r98HqYm8DLt7B6H9oBniPKz0JirIb2IhmGgf31GuFjgd6fyVzq-9k/s1440/391612315_18252832795203879_7710594789725854550_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt9Fd9fz3HpjfmlBPpFvZ69EHrSTGQVl7PQZytw4oafTa2X6IFgTwMSivPJwDU9EaTiOYgwUcNtNesNM8DDbwcxRnYo4cHgJUWOGEMS907vGvkRhS_KjEHc-9egr9ejw7uu4uf4r98HqYm8DLt7B6H9oBniPKz0JirIb2IhmGgf31GuFjgd6fyVzq-9k/w400-h300/391612315_18252832795203879_7710594789725854550_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a cosy fire</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiuZ81aA-79ptfiW1vRm9Q6Miy-3L9W-EKJHl_efdkkPSwWDfkiDdvrn3l1fLrNcHgf6eDea5QA1Doz58w5ZHAbDFgsNaQnrs__C7isEkvjAM21W14yvMkqIHNN7CCz4TZ6W1J6j-hABNmwI77O0is3DPMJSNM0UiG21xtEr9zw4pAiRPJ6vkkbvrhoo/s914/blogfirerick.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiuZ81aA-79ptfiW1vRm9Q6Miy-3L9W-EKJHl_efdkkPSwWDfkiDdvrn3l1fLrNcHgf6eDea5QA1Doz58w5ZHAbDFgsNaQnrs__C7isEkvjAM21W14yvMkqIHNN7CCz4TZ6W1J6j-hABNmwI77O0is3DPMJSNM0UiG21xtEr9zw4pAiRPJ6vkkbvrhoo/w300-h400/blogfirerick.jpg" width="300" /></i></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>this dog gets everywhere</i></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sarah favours
strong colours, she is definitely not a pink and pastel type of girl.
She chose two modern sofas for the sitting room in teal; they seem to go
quite well with the multi-coloured Persian rug that she has inherited
from me. Selecting a colour for the Roman blind was tricky but in
the end she bravely opted for a burnt orange picked out from the rug.
I think the overall effect works well.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNZqx72-o7cclw4vJA3ZqUz7ddWw-bFEe3SK8RiO_NBgTF0k-P4UXs078JnQCe9PQU_M1e4EIFDimRJT2gXRjnbG5zgsPUmZj50G5ZhMpQOYZhu3uaRILd1yUrIf23YmsGRQjoMQlXtvjdATm-wHu9bIf9qrpWXRhl-93cd6eIgd6jjjvgN4zntgtOdE/s1219/bloglounge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNZqx72-o7cclw4vJA3ZqUz7ddWw-bFEe3SK8RiO_NBgTF0k-P4UXs078JnQCe9PQU_M1e4EIFDimRJT2gXRjnbG5zgsPUmZj50G5ZhMpQOYZhu3uaRILd1yUrIf23YmsGRQjoMQlXtvjdATm-wHu9bIf9qrpWXRhl-93cd6eIgd6jjjvgN4zntgtOdE/w400-h300/bloglounge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>does that rug look familiar?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V5zBzxwOaRr5N_OlWKwoedNz9n-q6dO3UWMqp3MwAI75WJK-dwvnnOxYKkfUMO0ryr_NsbVIDTRZKFpbfmk0wV8cOX3bo3HzeWU2nOco5rterG8wpQDvg7pGHwbkyB1HHxHIOnxwRDURKH2E48F_BL0DzdgI_0UGV87KGnr7dX0H8yf-9ZLni2drZn8/s914/IMG-20230426-WA0004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="514" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V5zBzxwOaRr5N_OlWKwoedNz9n-q6dO3UWMqp3MwAI75WJK-dwvnnOxYKkfUMO0ryr_NsbVIDTRZKFpbfmk0wV8cOX3bo3HzeWU2nOco5rterG8wpQDvg7pGHwbkyB1HHxHIOnxwRDURKH2E48F_BL0DzdgI_0UGV87KGnr7dX0H8yf-9ZLni2drZn8/w225-h400/IMG-20230426-WA0004.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzeoqZuoXwszHU311Yt-ijlV6z4DooAYGBz16hyphenhyphenxsgCXsUJwWuWQDeOZZ9BiXKol7G8s_fSVoIpR2NVaYiOE6Nu9j7tdt-WWc6IUW8bfulxn0ewrTS0BEeg-kAQPCwjNBK6H4rn9sVqIXci0jWt393ow0xqHLv6My-CnF0IXoi1Sv-yfiYZP_8Lz_y4k/s914/IMG-20230927-WA0012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzeoqZuoXwszHU311Yt-ijlV6z4DooAYGBz16hyphenhyphenxsgCXsUJwWuWQDeOZZ9BiXKol7G8s_fSVoIpR2NVaYiOE6Nu9j7tdt-WWc6IUW8bfulxn0ewrTS0BEeg-kAQPCwjNBK6H4rn9sVqIXci0jWt393ow0xqHLv6My-CnF0IXoi1Sv-yfiYZP_8Lz_y4k/w300-h400/IMG-20230927-WA0012.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbinJbg5awZSvDNokT7U00imks_bLjw3Ycjij_hsVJiQLO5OVqVSPQ0OHoujK-5ZgVPoLhbodTIDAZcf87NC9mZf3HD17ielcKwq8JWCdVqihinKbKNZFeSKU61LVur_nHI_4FRcL_CrJrTNUGb9zgg7NWjPu3xQB7u38LQPydaPoal6r_kYCAHzrPTzQ/s1219/bloglounge2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbinJbg5awZSvDNokT7U00imks_bLjw3Ycjij_hsVJiQLO5OVqVSPQ0OHoujK-5ZgVPoLhbodTIDAZcf87NC9mZf3HD17ielcKwq8JWCdVqihinKbKNZFeSKU61LVur_nHI_4FRcL_CrJrTNUGb9zgg7NWjPu3xQB7u38LQPydaPoal6r_kYCAHzrPTzQ/s320/bloglounge2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-32047815119438034122024-01-26T06:53:00.000+00:002024-01-26T06:53:24.257+00:00A new look for Rose Cottage<p> </p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sarah finally
moved into Rose Cottage in April last year after weeks of hard work.
Sarah helped with the stripping and painting but Paul installed and
tiled a new bathroom and fitted a brand new oak floor and skirting
board throughout the ground floor of the cottage. Roof tiles were
fixed, new gutters fitted and the stone chimney was re-pointed. New
external front and back doors replaced the rotting ill-fitting ones.
The fireplace was ripped out and a beautiful new wood burning stove
installed. New carpets were fitted upstairs.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sarah bought
new sofas, dining table and benches and bedroom furniture. She
finally opened the crates and unloaded her stuff that had come all
the way from Australia. A brand new chapter of her life had started.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">So let's
start in the dining room...</span></p><i><br /></i><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIWaY5nsLN3iPzZIebxqBHaV4l0cMw_Ww3uUX3tit2YvRS633-dmX21G9XLr3UgnSQ16JZ3u8WlhnOvlY8wdgsy3DB26N_-s2UosrX_SWV_MPW38a6sdG6cAuMvdJDCSV4v0h_alWw5u5w-caK7hIb_Oedr_k6xIi2717zE5RFdoeCVlv0EjCTU9gENQ/s1219/dining.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIWaY5nsLN3iPzZIebxqBHaV4l0cMw_Ww3uUX3tit2YvRS633-dmX21G9XLr3UgnSQ16JZ3u8WlhnOvlY8wdgsy3DB26N_-s2UosrX_SWV_MPW38a6sdG6cAuMvdJDCSV4v0h_alWw5u5w-caK7hIb_Oedr_k6xIi2717zE5RFdoeCVlv0EjCTU9gENQ/w400-h300/dining.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJoTutaElWKtyDC0ho7uhKphYtIGAlT3BoPWdvRokfqln6L1ppiE4CZeDrJW4y7NdrQ1jIajtDK7PwQkkfCdnHTGTEWUi5Eu4xMj47BGacZ-LfVJ0OTldFRsekNwUEBggfua7d4lj5nwQwNH-DjD-_1J1IyHNwhmWhtRdpv7pCbw_m8edqD-y8LYZrXA/s914/blogdiningg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJoTutaElWKtyDC0ho7uhKphYtIGAlT3BoPWdvRokfqln6L1ppiE4CZeDrJW4y7NdrQ1jIajtDK7PwQkkfCdnHTGTEWUi5Eu4xMj47BGacZ-LfVJ0OTldFRsekNwUEBggfua7d4lj5nwQwNH-DjD-_1J1IyHNwhmWhtRdpv7pCbw_m8edqD-y8LYZrXA/w300-h400/blogdiningg.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah was torn between choosing a blue, red or green accent wall</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslzSTmkvAwDcLoQPZXmCmBb__-020QL9DBUpU5WPLe-UV0QyUvkFSXiR18BKr0HpmXVnrPFocx29VUqUcLEaXkfJKXPfYpBJcOPy8-Jj5vlqXYwcN-0C4xFRpuFno7hD22DdOlFbfDDa-g9G9xG2GK5llY3T6zUUEGYqlEyZSHmG2ggHWF3cjwRdAQsk/s2048/blogdining.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslzSTmkvAwDcLoQPZXmCmBb__-020QL9DBUpU5WPLe-UV0QyUvkFSXiR18BKr0HpmXVnrPFocx29VUqUcLEaXkfJKXPfYpBJcOPy8-Jj5vlqXYwcN-0C4xFRpuFno7hD22DdOlFbfDDa-g9G9xG2GK5llY3T6zUUEGYqlEyZSHmG2ggHWF3cjwRdAQsk/w300-h400/blogdining.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dining room with rustic table and benches - a hint of Viking!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9LhSsamPgVAFh7j8z3yRNALipy2vd2UxKnRGqp_VylTNf6E7CBJ09uBPp69YV7N3BfINHCMHz0VYYG6YdYkkvmRdVHQ6dm2GScAiSSlcG2s6_L96GhrkMPDe0OQ4U2R4A0q9fQ0mnYWMHyOVVrbW9LRkuGInJ0eAcrWYhj6O2TlFD4XvQitfYOYIHVc/s2048/341003025_203294602410009_8974988841771668640_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9LhSsamPgVAFh7j8z3yRNALipy2vd2UxKnRGqp_VylTNf6E7CBJ09uBPp69YV7N3BfINHCMHz0VYYG6YdYkkvmRdVHQ6dm2GScAiSSlcG2s6_L96GhrkMPDe0OQ4U2R4A0q9fQ0mnYWMHyOVVrbW9LRkuGInJ0eAcrWYhj6O2TlFD4XvQitfYOYIHVc/w300-h400/341003025_203294602410009_8974988841771668640_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">room starting to come together</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjm4Q5HPDecsMdgKV7blznF-i7bxMGFGeuPHYCZhjZnoKnpo-w432gCa1ZNPMyP2J0A0QqKbtUqoBNdg6trypmqNThy3auutPDCjNF7FUFpfB4hE3XFEfymEDAnAMhDp1Q1iZHhkHoq20TYrr0kqJo7iDNlgaZr1NCz6E8pJZYeuq4WzMNwaj0UeEpOU/s1219/IMG-20230715-WA0015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjm4Q5HPDecsMdgKV7blznF-i7bxMGFGeuPHYCZhjZnoKnpo-w432gCa1ZNPMyP2J0A0QqKbtUqoBNdg6trypmqNThy3auutPDCjNF7FUFpfB4hE3XFEfymEDAnAMhDp1Q1iZHhkHoq20TYrr0kqJo7iDNlgaZr1NCz6E8pJZYeuq4WzMNwaj0UeEpOU/w400-h300/IMG-20230715-WA0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished room with new oak flooring</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-48367114832397500342024-01-25T11:28:00.000+00:002024-01-25T11:28:10.704+00:00It's been a while<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO6GNytNMWcdDhkLFgJy3x7uVzB7ACUtHi0zqepnQjcdJt9HlldWyYIuMJYtxYzRFRu2S5Fm2m3n9gNHJq7SpL8tUE55zFkPpmMQ4kZ4ZLmrUx-wtxpuB9WppMzwk0KdyxwLpqMBgR_k413Br3HM9WoZwxzOQcaPM6tHFKAqNSjZlj0bEUWdtG4MLft4/s914/rick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBO6GNytNMWcdDhkLFgJy3x7uVzB7ACUtHi0zqepnQjcdJt9HlldWyYIuMJYtxYzRFRu2S5Fm2m3n9gNHJq7SpL8tUE55zFkPpmMQ4kZ4ZLmrUx-wtxpuB9WppMzwk0KdyxwLpqMBgR_k413Br3HM9WoZwxzOQcaPM6tHFKAqNSjZlj0bEUWdtG4MLft4/s320/rick.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's been a
long time, over a year perhaps, since I last blogged. I blame it on
a malfunctioning browser, life stuff getting in the way and sheer
laziness. Anyhow, I am still alive and kicking and all is well in
rural Lincolnshire. Here is a quick update on the 'family'.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sarah</b> has
been back from Australia for almost two years now and is happily
enjoying life in the UK. She spends some of her week at Rose Cottage
and the rest of the time living with her new partner, Andrew, in the
city (Lincoln). Andrew is an experienced sky diver and rock climber.
Sarah has no intention of ever jumping out of a plane or climbing a
mountain but they are both into mountain biking and crazy music.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Kat and Craig</b>
are enjoying married life together and are now based at RAF Odiham
working with 'wokkers' (Chinoook helicopters - if you've ever heard a Chinook you will know why they are called wokkers). They both cycle
competitively in RAF teams so get the opportunity to train and travel
to events together.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Paul</b> is now a
cycling fanatic and spends hours in the gym leading his Zwift e-team
to victory. He has become incredibly fit and it's a sport that he
enjoys so I try not to complain too often! He also plays bowls twice
a week at the village hall; he is well occupied.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rick</b>
continues to rule the roost in this household and I love him to bits.
He is getting older (I reckon about 9 or 10 years old now) and a bit
stiff and slower in the mornings but still capable of out-running the
postman's van.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">My life just
revolves around the home and garden and dancing - I thrive on routine and rhythm. I still enjoy cycling,
more often in the summer when I can trundle along the country lanes.
Gym cycling puts pressure on me; I have to ride fast to keep ahead of
the robot that is chasing me!</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">The whole
tribe spent Xmas with us (“of course we are all coming for
Christmas!”), a joyous three weeks of over indulging, commandeering
my kitchen island for jigsaw puzzles and talking about, you guessed
it, cycling! </span>
</p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3bfT3iawXlrjrD8-sVk0LUV2HkaYv8G5nw5hrt-8hNnHthpeJiMJEBr6SpJc1XJnPKcARTUJ7yuMyMwY-PfQrT9qkmHOOBAKXRO1KhDLl2eq6Ym5iQkMmdLnN1exfVqxhOV17gWcas4zHoa5UC2XBTq0WPCe35mYjk1ytiRewIINTQY9rHDbybbMq-U/s914/katbirth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="685" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3bfT3iawXlrjrD8-sVk0LUV2HkaYv8G5nw5hrt-8hNnHthpeJiMJEBr6SpJc1XJnPKcARTUJ7yuMyMwY-PfQrT9qkmHOOBAKXRO1KhDLl2eq6Ym5iQkMmdLnN1exfVqxhOV17gWcas4zHoa5UC2XBTq0WPCe35mYjk1ytiRewIINTQY9rHDbybbMq-U/s320/katbirth.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_zuYoq_b1jAnn-ODl4m6NyNAgoqpDE6kVtPmUa93R4WFfjj6_xkEv3zKKBRY7_ybi4iuUDW06soMirCgiCLvVysLW8L7q2Y48e5mcOD79i_qgQDSwmHLX9Udph0sygcEFOVcMpCUawVw1B2BcqYclZu-sj0WhkcfOWXSjYJ7JJ3bIpvGX-_ShEgVG_w/s1219/Katbirthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_zuYoq_b1jAnn-ODl4m6NyNAgoqpDE6kVtPmUa93R4WFfjj6_xkEv3zKKBRY7_ybi4iuUDW06soMirCgiCLvVysLW8L7q2Y48e5mcOD79i_qgQDSwmHLX9Udph0sygcEFOVcMpCUawVw1B2BcqYclZu-sj0WhkcfOWXSjYJ7JJ3bIpvGX-_ShEgVG_w/s320/Katbirthday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sarah's cottage update ... coming soon.<p></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-46780497560831914852023-01-22T12:33:00.000+00:002023-01-22T12:33:50.540+00:00Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzv5p7j4tnTPU4G3_t9TNq1thLM8pHXDMKctu8x4fOs1NMwAN2VCcldocE0-97lTryWMpesU9lIgiNYMQleCp9CRudERhFYBPdjY3qtJ0iRw0y0O7VTdXWVM_Py_VT9TN4bElL7fRlu-UMzxGrcWmWu_mhgAA7QrWuuI76xBTS0F8VUI-FlJs5iHQ/s914/sarah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="686" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzv5p7j4tnTPU4G3_t9TNq1thLM8pHXDMKctu8x4fOs1NMwAN2VCcldocE0-97lTryWMpesU9lIgiNYMQleCp9CRudERhFYBPdjY3qtJ0iRw0y0O7VTdXWVM_Py_VT9TN4bElL7fRlu-UMzxGrcWmWu_mhgAA7QrWuuI76xBTS0F8VUI-FlJs5iHQ/s320/sarah.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Sarah and Paul are spending another day at the cottage scraping old paint off the walls and sanding down. I can't really be of much help at this stage (the last time I attempted any decorating I accidentally ended up sitting in a bowl of water) so I stay at home with Rick and make sure there is a nice meal ready for them when they get home. The work is slow and laborious but hopefully things will start coming together within the next week or two. Sarah cannot move in until a new bathroom is fitted and is waiting for an installation date from the plumber.<div><br /></div><div>When Sarah feels a bit overwhelmed by the work she only has to look out of her kitchen window to be reminded what a gem of a property she has there. The view looks out onto a small paddock (complete with Shetland pony) and beautiful parkland (belonging to the local gentry) beyond. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9CDBpKxEZs9W2LqI4CR5Dk4IZP16D6Cg7jC7t5XVZikFV6_8pjNsJbfiqFKgRbiTFNx7A8jZuzyTgCQzcysrggN3anIM3Zg3CMCc_YgRU5eVZxL3xa62zwDq8IzUsPbkIxpIROkxxnnEooltltCqASzk4DEMKbehv_-3gttxmdKiy3EQkgY4LU7x/s914/window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="686" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9CDBpKxEZs9W2LqI4CR5Dk4IZP16D6Cg7jC7t5XVZikFV6_8pjNsJbfiqFKgRbiTFNx7A8jZuzyTgCQzcysrggN3anIM3Zg3CMCc_YgRU5eVZxL3xa62zwDq8IzUsPbkIxpIROkxxnnEooltltCqASzk4DEMKbehv_-3gttxmdKiy3EQkgY4LU7x/w300-h400/window.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Youngest daughter Kat and husband Craig returned to the UK from Cyprus last Wednesday and are due to arrive here on leave later this week. Rick will be delighted to have a house filled with his family again. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-83125384955389546722023-01-08T14:56:00.000+00:002023-01-08T14:56:03.257+00:00Looking worse before it gets better<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHuk-CTTV6D9p6bDwvRs3gMkfW55uLwAx1XNAyzSBt2BAORHK3dAopmQc-7CxHJRHfClZTwCkd-MvIhiTelcOnvYeTwyAqStMWZObzRbYbSZBtwnVYQRvWfnNC0zv8QfqSgDDoXqu5givZpsoCknb8MgLBH0gXZTfES9oHAABQPMr0Pg407ib9iL5/s914/strip3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHuk-CTTV6D9p6bDwvRs3gMkfW55uLwAx1XNAyzSBt2BAORHK3dAopmQc-7CxHJRHfClZTwCkd-MvIhiTelcOnvYeTwyAqStMWZObzRbYbSZBtwnVYQRvWfnNC0zv8QfqSgDDoXqu5givZpsoCknb8MgLBH0gXZTfES9oHAABQPMr0Pg407ib9iL5/s320/strip3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">Sarah has
worked hard all week scraping off layers of wallpaper throughout the
cottage. Carpets have been ripped up from the bedrooms and thrown
out of the upper windows (narrowly missing the villager in the
driveway delivering a Parish magazine).
</p><p class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQMuGqxTRGVuD3zkfcI0ppj_o6jYrod5LSV9Ozo1jRc9Xpgwgf7upXVcm_OpVuLpRb_jpI1z9cdFdFTJ0IVe6sjIuuLOMYtNHwjFhgBhK4noRjYkpv5nXTKiFsX-0dFn_BCEt4CUSu5fKWuD6NewF9VrkUiepHzb8L4f5B4VUA4rWIcvLh2EADzpz/s1219/strip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQMuGqxTRGVuD3zkfcI0ppj_o6jYrod5LSV9Ozo1jRc9Xpgwgf7upXVcm_OpVuLpRb_jpI1z9cdFdFTJ0IVe6sjIuuLOMYtNHwjFhgBhK4noRjYkpv5nXTKiFsX-0dFn_BCEt4CUSu5fKWuD6NewF9VrkUiepHzb8L4f5B4VUA4rWIcvLh2EADzpz/s320/strip1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZApDiFOWJ_djIrwdqUjVkTQrjhms38YgxB-EIAu5cFHV8JGZbY7b3Nc3x-PIOwOt2xnx1jswqZRgaMc9SszlWZxg6m3wTVKoNvXxklzg87JOVo40lan7wl1cClqSH5sHfSipNQRvkdWQnTYtZA8x2Euj88Ydi_t-8Cjv7QDiazan5itFIP23jqAP2/s1219/strip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZApDiFOWJ_djIrwdqUjVkTQrjhms38YgxB-EIAu5cFHV8JGZbY7b3Nc3x-PIOwOt2xnx1jswqZRgaMc9SszlWZxg6m3wTVKoNvXxklzg87JOVo40lan7wl1cClqSH5sHfSipNQRvkdWQnTYtZA8x2Euj88Ydi_t-8Cjv7QDiazan5itFIP23jqAP2/s320/strip2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk0EyZAYXT1l7ehMRJuRBORvrkHJ0iP_KpXTyg2TsLm5tezVE6RCGS8fXvAIfobwGBv7EfXjugQvPMYodLCkkRVdxpmTweFEpfa740kB3jdhFImYlKrRwH10lGl57hqG7pNwVFSsdlnSSMsEnDe_jbn8CpgcMrRdBjDDTLHdDba2xXbiWW74A7fcI/s914/strip4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk0EyZAYXT1l7ehMRJuRBORvrkHJ0iP_KpXTyg2TsLm5tezVE6RCGS8fXvAIfobwGBv7EfXjugQvPMYodLCkkRVdxpmTweFEpfa740kB3jdhFImYlKrRwH10lGl57hqG7pNwVFSsdlnSSMsEnDe_jbn8CpgcMrRdBjDDTLHdDba2xXbiWW74A7fcI/s320/strip4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stripping the
cottage back to it's bare bones has revealed where the damp problems
emanate from. The damp wall in the dining room backs onto the
downstairs bathroom and after removing the bath panel is was obvious
from the two buckets of water underneath the bath that the shower
leaked. A new bathroom suite is on the shopping list.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The uncapped
chimney needs re-pointing and has been letting in water. It has also
been blocked so the lack of airflow has accentuated the problem. We
plan to remodel the fireplace and install a small wood burning stove.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The front and
back entrance doors are old and ill-fitting. New doors will be
ordered. Laminate
flooring will be removed from the ground floor and replaced with
engineered oak.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cottage
has been occupied by tenants for decades and the landlords were loath
to spend any money on the property. It's going to be a lengthy and
costly process but I think it is going to be a very satisfying
project for Sarah to restore this place and turn it into a beautiful,
warm and dry home.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91QmM-DXzoIUQUGeBLpp9P5lJ5z-4vfwCnDQ4aB88inuqkk4VUrNafEmJ9RUXG5lxc8LUiqSbHSszN_fzVQK4gliEgxVk0KqiMMUPjI4iXSuwQ_SwANlurCs4Kprk8qlKDVieO5vkETfpbnb-0jw8ZwQMGjLxuPSqM0hQIAnlyiq7YUKQMvBwk53B/s914/strip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91QmM-DXzoIUQUGeBLpp9P5lJ5z-4vfwCnDQ4aB88inuqkk4VUrNafEmJ9RUXG5lxc8LUiqSbHSszN_fzVQK4gliEgxVk0KqiMMUPjI4iXSuwQ_SwANlurCs4Kprk8qlKDVieO5vkETfpbnb-0jw8ZwQMGjLxuPSqM0hQIAnlyiq7YUKQMvBwk53B/s320/strip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-86938530846816823482023-01-06T14:28:00.001+00:002023-01-06T14:28:56.605+00:00Rose Cottage<p> A few pics of Sarah's new home...</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hzqAd299XAZJRrzyb5EAll_bapnpc4vlVjKCwmFH-oT8FoZhLbiT6wl8v1xOVReSBe5R3rof3olhqR76_Uu4nRF-9RZePvJ0a1H_8ddQOO7_8nltMvapXcAV1SHxIoA6XzEROq8iWLw42SyYC3ONGdwdkwkxcbuskFOyc7lKBSJrgoTgSMjsFiAA/s1024/rosecottage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hzqAd299XAZJRrzyb5EAll_bapnpc4vlVjKCwmFH-oT8FoZhLbiT6wl8v1xOVReSBe5R3rof3olhqR76_Uu4nRF-9RZePvJ0a1H_8ddQOO7_8nltMvapXcAV1SHxIoA6XzEROq8iWLw42SyYC3ONGdwdkwkxcbuskFOyc7lKBSJrgoTgSMjsFiAA/w400-h266/rosecottage.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVc3iYkPnUE3n1rE-4y-Mbbf1kCgzb6nXvbbmw-oAROJpHw5xTchbtszmq0L98ubLNUbQnz5d1NPZC2E0DPGzg75eFIQO2K-dBPHonkDFa0r7W2lXmD9pS3eGD12UIu8UuCj-r-ECYThVkofOalg1BNJrddjfY3SyR9jpbGd5MEEPRyoLiPsCkCKv/s1024/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVc3iYkPnUE3n1rE-4y-Mbbf1kCgzb6nXvbbmw-oAROJpHw5xTchbtszmq0L98ubLNUbQnz5d1NPZC2E0DPGzg75eFIQO2K-dBPHonkDFa0r7W2lXmD9pS3eGD12UIu8UuCj-r-ECYThVkofOalg1BNJrddjfY3SyR9jpbGd5MEEPRyoLiPsCkCKv/w400-h266/garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good sized garden for summer barbeques with separate garage and workshop</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJA_4I9jRfhtrNt1Vacv3SmYu4TsFSUUjOlR1sxC7t2SKld-4upbUelTvqq7OarMk7JiZnCheML7V8zanbMRHdrVYioPOLaibvgcq_EOOH9JVJBjr1GqFwvggxB-1BJMWpN9fnPmc2YioKpU9j5amMgkVWY7X9AI-CtUSdwh-nDssRoEbDTPdYpYh/s655/garden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="655" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJA_4I9jRfhtrNt1Vacv3SmYu4TsFSUUjOlR1sxC7t2SKld-4upbUelTvqq7OarMk7JiZnCheML7V8zanbMRHdrVYioPOLaibvgcq_EOOH9JVJBjr1GqFwvggxB-1BJMWpN9fnPmc2YioKpU9j5amMgkVWY7X9AI-CtUSdwh-nDssRoEbDTPdYpYh/w400-h266/garden2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wrap around dog-proof garden </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-77178957104869185702023-01-05T12:40:00.000+00:002023-01-05T12:40:10.536+00:00Moving Out<p> </p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was way
back in the summer when we were out cycling that we first saw Rose
Cottage with the For Sale sign up outside. There are plenty of
small cottages for sale in this area but most have no garden or
parking. Rose Cottage seemed to tick all the boxes for Sarah. I
asked her to consider buying a more modern property that would be
easier to maintain but her dream on returning to the UK was to buy a
character property and after viewing Rose Cottage her heart was set
on getting it.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">On Tuesday
she finally got the keys and yesterday Paul loaded the trailer and
helped her move her boxes to her new home, just ten minutes drive
from here.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd9y07LM2jBuK_-V59HuyUbqf69_a_nW4itjJxWGHcsBMAcZ9wACXvG2vJzKk5LIOupkKpBevkzlHIEuwIOb2r6pLr6UtoRCqgFemqiNt6M0Eca-nvZjHIhuvkj5kkTmllIUf_T8icu6hodbAWOsIRPkpjXXL8FqWYmROcnmoh0vkv6DHZe4cCKPj/s914/amove1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="686" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd9y07LM2jBuK_-V59HuyUbqf69_a_nW4itjJxWGHcsBMAcZ9wACXvG2vJzKk5LIOupkKpBevkzlHIEuwIOb2r6pLr6UtoRCqgFemqiNt6M0Eca-nvZjHIhuvkj5kkTmllIUf_T8icu6hodbAWOsIRPkpjXXL8FqWYmROcnmoh0vkv6DHZe4cCKPj/s320/amove1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, she
won't be moving out for a while. We always expected to find a few
problems with a property like this, after all it's almost 200 years
old. But, after pulling away the wallpaper, it became apparent that
there are some damp problems that need to be fixed before she can
start decorating and moving in. One day it will be a beautiful home
for her but not just yet!</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-5kcmGrHugEJ_JuOsbuKeqBQTaUEYE4V7hxRyRGEPKNN4Gnec8zJSYdEuCzB8WIh7mYt2VjTSL9kWOOJOZ4T53gsawqUmACDZYIzFbaRJWf4MAN6VrqqIWpvuIXsb52PGQWIHAJ08ORtfEJIYBlN-z874rG3aZQhzrWZ7_5bQZquy--AdpZTvdCc/s1219/amove2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1219" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-5kcmGrHugEJ_JuOsbuKeqBQTaUEYE4V7hxRyRGEPKNN4Gnec8zJSYdEuCzB8WIh7mYt2VjTSL9kWOOJOZ4T53gsawqUmACDZYIzFbaRJWf4MAN6VrqqIWpvuIXsb52PGQWIHAJ08ORtfEJIYBlN-z874rG3aZQhzrWZ7_5bQZquy--AdpZTvdCc/s320/amove2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>that wallpaper just has to go!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472301814571448308.post-61477428541764807102023-01-01T17:10:00.000+00:002023-01-01T17:10:28.385+00:00Good Intentions<p> </p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">I started the
New Year with good intentions, cycling 25 kms in the gym this
morning, part of an on-line group ride with people from all around
the world. I used Sarah's bike; she uses clip on cyclist shoes and
luckily her feet are the same size as mine. A quick outward twist
releases the shoes from the pedal. As you can see from the photo I
have a little trouble with that particular movement.</span></p><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqxfsv0TljbSNq5Gkz91t49AxhRS5Ol6YuvyKzwJnB-hVRGoluKjEFf5vaxhN1Ot5LbEJy2HpPnGk2h4uZ8dyKb7h9GxoikoYLIEKnh-JdOzkAeeUm1oeUyurAv0TOtSSn718zUcAEeB6IPEb6Qf5ZPyNjenV50lh7omQ9c9MuraweOveqya5tgnX/s914/pedal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="686" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqxfsv0TljbSNq5Gkz91t49AxhRS5Ol6YuvyKzwJnB-hVRGoluKjEFf5vaxhN1Ot5LbEJy2HpPnGk2h4uZ8dyKb7h9GxoikoYLIEKnh-JdOzkAeeUm1oeUyurAv0TOtSSn718zUcAEeB6IPEb6Qf5ZPyNjenV50lh7omQ9c9MuraweOveqya5tgnX/w300-h400/pedal.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sarah always knows when I've been using her bike</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: small;">I slow
roasted a joint of beef for dinner and piled a few more pounds on
because I just can't resist roast potatoes and fluffy Yorkshire
puddings. The Christmas tree comes down tomorrow and we shall settle back into our usual routines. I might be wrong but I think it's going to be an eventful year ahead.</span></p>
<p lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10787732343048847565noreply@blogger.com14