Half Way there

So, following on from my last post, I have stripped down and sanded both items. The first one, the instructors cane is all finished and looks pretty good. The sad thing is it will now be packed away in the umbrella stand for the next however long.

The second item is well on the way to being finished. This was it stripped down.

The brasses are now all cleaned 

and I have applied a coat of light oak wood stain to the wood. They are now in the garage drying and then I can apply a couple of coats of varnish and re-assemble it all. Should all be done by the end of the week.

Mind you I must be a glutton for punishment as I have also decided to repaint the garden furniture. Problem is I got halfway through and ran out of paint. More on order and should arrive today or tomorrow. Have to get it offline as of course no shops open and I can't go out anyway.

This is all going to be painted dark green. Then I need to start on the wooden table and chairs. The job is never finished, lol. However I do enjoy it.

Jobs to do

So, I'm not really a loner as the previous post might have suggested. I meant to portray the people staying at home, the posh word being "self-isolating". I actually have a very good support network around me, beautiful wife and family etc.

Mothering Sunday came (and went), no cards, no flowers other than those in the garden as we couldn't get to the shops to buy them and the wife said don't bother anyway. I made it up to her by being extra nice and cooking a lovely meal.Here's a pic from last year when we were both in Wrexham, North Wales attending a Falklands Veterans Rememberance.








The next project I have in mind to keep me busy is something that I have been meaning to do for a few years now. When I was an instructor at the Guards Depot in Pirbright, Surrey, I was presented by one platoon I took through training with a hand made pace stick. It's a tool used by Platoon Sergeant drill instructors to measure a soldiers pace, distance when standing at ease and so on.
It's been 39 years since I left the army and I've kept it in an umbrella stand most of the time. Always meaning to do it but never getting around to it. So, this is how it looks now, then I have to remove all the brass, sand it down and revarnish it. Not going to hurry so it will be a week or two.

This next item is a simple drill can, that junior NCO's etc would normally use. Never really understood why as we normally ended up throwing it down on the parade square if a senior rank with a pace stick came up. Hence it's rather battered look. When I left the army I gave it too my dad to use as a walking stick. He was an ex-miner with a gammy leg. He used it for about 10 years before he sadly passed. It's a kind of bamboo like wood, very strong and it has my regimental crest on it. Dad bent it a bit as it's not meant to be used in that way, but hey, it was useful and he was proud to show off his sons stick. A talking point over a pint of beer at the club. I suspect this will take a little lonegr to bring back to good condition but we'll try.


I'll let you know how I get on.

Week 1 for Loners

So, at the start of this self-isolation, one has to ask oneself, what am I going to do for the next however many weeks'

So, to start with I washed and polished the bike. Came up quite nicely as well. Nothing like a lovely sunny day to bring out the washing bucket. Couple of hours work and she's gleaming.

So that was fine for day one, but what was I going to do for day two. Easy, let's not waste a good polishing and I can practise my Social Distancing at the same time. I also needed to try and get some fresh vegetables, sooooooo, let's use the bike. Found a good farmshop a couple of miles away and off I toddled (or rode).

Great farm shop, managed to get some chicken, mince-beef, diced lamb, 

sausages, carrots and onions.  The plus side of all this was that I was able to take a very circuitous route on the way home, about 30 miles in all. The roads were fairly quiet, although sad to say, quite a few of the usual biker places were full of bikers, all enjoying the sunny weather. I have to say I disagree with that, the congreating of bikers I mean, and so rode on by. When I did stop, it was over the top of Portsmouth with some stunning views and not a soul in sight for at least half a mile either way. 

All too soon it was time for me to make my way home to the wife, not that she was lonely, she had spent the afternoon in the garden getting it all ready. Looks like I know what I am doing tomorrow.

Family Visit

So, this weekend saw a lovely visit from son Steve, his wife Nic and the two boys Logan & Finn. Great Saturday evening spent with a home cooked Chilli (quite hot) for Steve and I and pizza's and garlic bread for the wives and the two boys. Couple of beers watching Wales play England at rugby, disappointed in the result but a good game of rugby. Pity England seem to be fielding a rather irty side thses days, even the captain. Then it was down to tv off and a lovely chat as it's been a little while since we saw them.

Sunday, Su, our youngest daughter arrived with new baby George and toddler Will as neither Nic or Steve have seen George. Lots of hugs and cooing over the baby then off to a local pub for Sunday lunch. David, Su's husband joined us for lunch and a great time was had by all.

Unfortunately, all too soon, it was time to say goodbye, Nic & Steve and the boys back home to Somerset and David was flying off to the Isle of Mann on a business trip.

Great weekend had by all and looking forward to our next get together.

Carrot & Coriander Soup

So, I love soup, in any flavour. Today, with it being a cold and wet day I decided that I would deviate from the normal standard vegatable soup made from the good stew pack and try something different.

So easy to make, bunch of fresh coriander, 6/8 large carrots, an onion and just over a pint of vegatable stock.

Just 21 minutes later and enough soup for 4 people, or rather two lunches for me and the wife. Soooooo delicious with a warm bread roll.