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The Autumn leaves .. or arrives .. you choose
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Hello again from Somerset,
The garden furniture has been a "sparkled up" and now resides in
its little plastic cocoon (shed) for the duration of the cold spell that
is due to be shared among those of us in this northerly latitude. For
those South of the Tropic of Cancer this inevitable and inexourable
drift into winter will arrive a lot later.
For the few, such as Ken and Tim in VK land (Oz to you non-radio
amateurs), this portion of our yearly cycle heralds summer weather just
around the corner. For me this time of year is the opportunity to dust
off the old reading matter, flick over the reference books for winter
projects to attempt.
I say attempt, because without fail some will now be beyond my
patience and mechanical capabilities. Small dimensions, (even smaller
print) will see the demise of many that have lingered over the decades.
In 1980 I started building a precision milling machine with auto feed
mechanism (for the boring repetative bits). I fear the chess set made
from brass and aluminum may never get started. That project was what the
miller was built for.
The metal, lovingly stored since those far off days, has however
been a good investment. Brass is now ridiculously expensive, a little
piece 2" diameter and 3" length costs about £40.00 !!!. Don`t ask about
the price of aluminium!!..that`s gone straight through the roof as well.
Those Pawn pieces will be mortgable by the time I finish them off.
Well, that`s my proposed project for this winter, I won`t hold my
breath .. maybe it`ll be more computer and writing. That`s not quite so
demanding. How will winter be for you? .. regards, Bill
Sept. 20, 2010
(Edited Nov. 1, 2010)
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Hi Bill
We are slowly drifting into autumn I guess but it is harder
to notice due to the lack of trees and therefore brown or golden leaves.
Ahh the beauty of Westonbirt. The daytime temperatures have dropped to
30C and it feels chilly!! We shall probally get a stormy, wet and windy
week soon - happens every year at this time.
Autumn will mean for me all those little house maintenance jobs,
painting etc but it is comfortable doing outside painting right up until
Christmas. We have planned a week in Marakech in November and a week in
Seville in October so Christmas will come round fairly quickly. Going
to catch the Santa express on Christmas eve and spend a few days in the
UK getting used to the beer again!!
You will probably get your brass and aluminium cheaper in China, that's where it all seems to go as scrap!
No need to put away the garden furniture here Bill and I hope
the English autumn and winter is kind to you all. Looks like you were a
bit premature though Bill as your forecast looks Mediterranean this
week!!!
Take care
Cheers
Steve
Sept. 20, 2010
(Edited Sept. 20, 2010)
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Autumn ? Last two days have been better than all of
August, although must admit the leaves are beginning to turn, and I
haven't noticed any swallows for a couple of days.
Last couple of weeks have been a bit intense what with the gig
clubs last big event of the year the weekend before last, and last
Sunday was the official naming and dedication of Appledores new
lifeboat, so I had rather a busy day making sure the VIPs got to their
correct parking places, it was a good day though. At the bottom of the
slipway a stand had been erected for the band to play on, at high tide
it was pretty well surrounded by water, the lifeboat's pretty big, Tamar
class, all it needed was for it to have had to answer a shout during
the ceremony and the band would have needed a quick change of tune to
Abide With Me !!
At least this weekend will be my last of the season, then just
four days at work and off on hols for a couple of weeks, we're having a
quiet one this year, Turkey, see some old ruins, (I tried to leave
Shirl at home but she insisted on coming), a few quite beers and some
good books to read.
Through the winter we'll try to get some walks in while we have a
little more free time, that's in between the gardening, Dartmoor and
Exmoor are better at this time of year, less grockles, and if it's been
cold the bogs get frozen, less likely to sink into them.
Must dash Stu
Sept. 21, 2010
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Hello,
Notice the smoother text? .. the B.T. connexion is now up and running. The speed is much improved.
My new email address is:- billwilliams@btinternet.com
Hopefully this message will get through, and the problems I have had recently accessing my uku.co.uk account
will be history now. I thoght I`d better clarify about the weather as
well, I agree with you both that I was perhaps a bit pre-emptive about
the preparation for winter. My old adage of "be prepared" has stood me
in good stead over the years, but .. one frosty night did not make the
winter arrive early in Timsbury .. but it did spur me on to get those
all important chores out of the way. Regards to all, Francis
Sept. 21, 2010
(Edited Sept. 21, 2010)
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Hi all.
I agree Bill, up here in the Cotswolds has been fairly good during
the days but turning damn cold nights, although no frosts yet. Lit the
old wood burning stove one night this week, seemed cold when I did it
but within a couple of hours we were all sweating like an African bride.
P'raps I overdid it a bit!!!!
Like you all, lots to do before the winter starts but not a hope to
do it all really, still must show willing. This next week end is
written off already. Visiting the new show site on Saturday and 'er
indoors wants to go to the Autumn Show at the Three Counties Ground on
Sunday, still, having a few days off next week so may be able to get
something done.
I agree entirely with Mike's comment about Westonbirt, autumn
there is most spectacular and well worth a visit, for anyone who is not
familiar with the place I'm sure that Google will reveal all, try
Westonbirt Arboretum.
Got to go now.
Have fun.
Sticky.
Sept. 21, 2010
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Hello John, .. Oh, Westonbirt!
Fond memories of that place. In 2001? when the storms hit there and
felled a number of large trees. I had to dodge past then on my way
to meet the delicious Jaqueline Daulton at the Great Oak Hall. She was
in a bit of a state, about a corrupted (and
inaccesible) Access databse file of "Friends of Westonbirt
Arboreteum". Over 7000 annual subscription renewals were unable to
be sent out, and the financial implications that that meant.
Her colleagues Zara & Cheryl certainly made the days (when I
visited there) go well. The story is long, but the bottom line was
that all attempts had been made using various I.T. professionals? at
repairing this "jet-engine" based password protected file. No success.
However, my being privvy to Microsoft Technet at the
time I located and downloaded the neccessary procedures and within 4
minutes of arrival smiles all round and a contract to supply
equipment and a new network / backup system was in the bag.
It was a sad day for Jaqueline when I retired and stopped providing my services to the Forestry Commision.
Oh, I nearly forgot ... the trees were very nice as well !!
P.S. There is now a very swish Cafe` on site for munchies etc.
Sept. 24, 2010
(Edited Sept. 24, 2010)
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Hi Bill and all.
Glad you have such fond memories of the place, Bill.
Being as it is so near to us we are fairly familiar with its
delights, but not unfortunately the delightful ladies you describe. I
only know a few of their hairy old woodsmen, mostly from the various
shows they attend.
'Tis good publicity for them and helps to educate the
public as to the importance of the correct management of these
great woodlands of ours.
Hooray!!! I have a whole week off work next week and so has 'er
indoors, not quite sure exactly what we shall be doing yet, driving one
another nuts I expect. Anyhow, she wants to go to the Autumn Show at the
Three Copunties Ground on Sunday, so that's a start I suppose. I can
always slope off to the vintage tractors for an hour or so and catch up
with all the latest gossip from the tractor boys. At least I get a free
cup of tea down there!!
The caravan is still at Cranham, may spend a day or two up there if
the weather is nice. It's nice strolling in the woods which are more
extensive and more natural than Westonbirt also less people. Now I've
said that it will probably pee with rain all the week.
Have fun all.
Sticky.
Sept. 24, 2010
(Edited Sept. 24, 2010)
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Have just read up the 'doings' here during my absence at
Walberswick in Suffolk. The pink cottage in the picture was our abode.
Terribly long walk to the pub! First ever holiday with a grandchild so
the Adnams was much needed! The youngsters have just left so we can
finally clear the battle ground.
Westonburt in Autumn is a real
treat although we preferred Stourhead last year as it had less crowds.
Have never seen New England in the Fall but did catch Oregon that way
one year. Spectacular!
Have enjoyed some good times at the Three
Counties too. Hope you had a good one Stu and that the week off will be
relaxing. Now how do I dismantle this high chair...
Sept. 26, 2010
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Hi Graham and all.
Glad to hear you enjoyed your stay in Suffolk, shame it was a bit of a hike to the Pub.
Last time I was in that county was about thirty years ago at Bury
St Edmunds, a very nice town with an abbey dedicated to St Edmund of
course. One of the things I wanted to see there was the River Lark, but
was a bit disappointed really, these days it is little more than a large
brook. I found it difficult to believe that a hundred years ago it was
navigable right up to the town, furthermore it was a 'broad' waterway.
Still that's progress for you....
Couldn't agree more that Stourhead is very beautiful at this time
of year and definitely less visitors than Westonbirt but unfortunately
it's a bit of a treck for us.
Have fun.
Sticky.
Sept. 29, 2010
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Yep! A real trek to the bar! We often break the 240 mile
trip with a coffee at Bury St Edmunds. The Saturday morning market is
exceptional for fruit & veg so we stock up for the holiday cottage.
That stream still runs. My kids used to use the playground alongside in
the abbey grounds. Boy! I'll bet it is gushing today as we have had rain
here for over 24 hours!
Funny how anticipation can let you down
with a bump sometimes. Once I paid the fee to see the banqueting hall at
Whitehall (where Charlie 1 was topped) as I recalled as a kid it was
the United Services Museum with lots of militaria. No one told me the
lot had gone to Edinburgh! Nice ceiling, and as I have two left feet
(despite compulsory 5th Form ballroom dancing lessons in the common
room!) even dancing was not an option! Out in 5 minutes flat.
Notice
that Tony Curtis passed over. A 'Tony Curtis' haircut was one of
Jonah's options (with a chisel) in woodwork. However he preferred a DA!
Oct. 1, 2010
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Our bags are packed
we're ready to go
we'll be leaving on a jet plane
and not sorry to go !
So much for the poetry, Monday afternoon we'll be off to Turkey for
a couple of weeks of sun and cold beer, maybe a little sightseeing as
well. After the last six months of work where I've worked about 160 days
out of 180 I/we definately need a break, fell totally brain dead.
Speak to you all soon when we return, hopefully refreshed and recharged.
Stu
Oct. 2, 2010
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Have a great time Stu and some 'delight' for all of us!
Daughter's wedding on 8th October and then chasing you as far as Crete
on the 13th for our share of that sunshine and some cold drinks. Au
revoir. (notice I did learn something from Joe Cannon!)
Oct. 2, 2010
(Edited Oct. 2, 2010)
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Hi Stu, Graham and all.
First of all, must wish you a happy hols in Turkey, Stu.
A guy I know is married to a Turkish girl so he visits regularly.
From what I can gather the main sport or pass time there seems to be
eating and drinking so you should be OK.
Sounds as though you learned as much from Joe Cannon as I did from Herr Ault, Graham, still one gets by!
Best of luck for the daughter's forthcoming nuptuals, hope you all
have a great day and there is enough left in the piggy bank to see you
through your Cretan experience after. Do you have to travel far for the
wedding or is it going to be a local 'do'?
I guess you have to take the rough with the smoothe regarding
visits to places and events and the disappointments are often counter
ballanced by the occasional pleasant surprises, but I was completely
gobsmacked by the 'River' Lark, all evidence of commercial activity
having completely gone and the river reduced to little more than a
stream.
As you say the area where it passes through the Abbey grounds is quite pleasant, but obviously not a natural water course.
Have to go now.
Have fun.
Sticky.
Oct. 3, 2010
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Hello all,
It`s a bright sunny day (at last)
here in Timsbury. Mother in law and Carole have gone out for a walk so I
am free to wander the Internet for a while. Thought I`d pop in and see
what was going on. I`ve been a bit busy lately trying to master a few
HTML editors to try and create a versatile web site.
Have a good
break Stu, you obviously deserve it after all the hard graft you put in
this year. I don`t know where you find the momentum from. I will try to
spend more time away myself next year, (if the "jobs to do" list is
short enough !)
I`m off to see what Steve Coffins doing on his new posting .. catch you all later Bill
Oct. 3, 2010
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'tis dreadful really Bill, the original intention
was to be doing less, somehow I've ended up doing more, two jobs, (one
summer season only), for the council, then I get co-opted onto the Taw
and Torridge Estuary Forum, apart from the few occasions this summer
when we've had a number of special events. That 's not including the
parking roadshows we did back at the end of summer which took up a lot
of time organising. Aaargh!! what we've got to do to keep a job with
this current government's cut backs, glad I'm going on holiday !!
Stu
Oct. 3, 2010
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Hi Guys,
Have a great holiday in Turkey Stu, I know you will. Just take plenty of water in between the essentials and you'll be fine !!
Graham, I hope the wedding goes well and you've a suitably embarrassing speech prepared.
Myself? Well, I didn't want to come on and bore you, to be
honest.We've been waiting for our 4th granchild who dutifully arrived
last week. Clara Jane was 6lbs 12ozs in English money and it's our first
Granddaughter. After having our first Great Granddaughter last year we
are over the moon that, just like London buses you wait (after boy after
boy) and then 2 come along. They are both a joy and I never
thought that at 60 I'd be so pleased to be a great Grandparent and hear
the little one say "nandad."
So that's been my "life" for a while.
I hope everyone is well and are now lagging up for the forthcoming winter.
Rich.
Oct. 3, 2010
(Edited Oct. 3, 2010)
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Hi all.
Good to hear that all is tickety boo.
Smashing news about the new grand daughter, Rich. I can understand your elation over the event, congratulations!
As for Bill, I don't know what kind of alchemy he is performing
with his computermabob but it must be suspicious if he has to get rid of
the Mrs and Ma in law before he can start.
Yep, all braced up ready for the winter, Bill, but still some more fire wood to cut when I can find the time.
No geat shakes though I find it quite theraputic really.
Have fun all.
Sticky.
Oct. 3, 2010
(Edited Oct. 3, 2010)
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Hi All, in Europe after 3 enjoyable weeks in UK. Weather
could have been better but met up with two old Tech Boys in Andy Short
and Chris Styles. Back in Aust 1 Nov. Might get another go on wifes
laptop before then. Ken
Oct. 4, 2010
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Chaps, I hope by now Stu is frying in the Mediterranean
sun, and possibly Ken too. Wedding is in central Bristol Sticky. Keep
away from Park Street around 12.30 on Friday and wave if you see a
vintage Bentley go by bedecked in white ribbons. I don't get to drive it
as I will be in my best bib & tucker! Andy Short lives about 200
yards from me in Biddestone Ken, so I imagine you got to Biddestone?
Suitable speech nearly written. She is such a chip off the old block I
won't 'dig the dirt' too much! Since she was a nipper she had this knack
of shopping me!! It is a wonder I don't talk in a high voice when she
lashed out with her fist one day on the Kennet & Avon towpath.
She was only small (still is) and the reach was limited!! Talk of 'up
the Khyber' is more like a 'K & A' in this family! I was warned!!
Even
though I have lived on the fat of the land (teacher's pension) since
1997 I still look forward to the hols. Totally useless at anything now. I
am pleased I was a baby boomer though. Our kids will not have time to
spend in idle chatter like I do!
Now where was I, "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking..." Umm!
Oct. 5, 2010
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Hi Graham and all.
As you say Graham I expect that Stu is enjoying the sunshine by now with a glass of something cool.
Mustn't grumble though as it hasn't been bad today with some good
periods of sunshine, solar panels working overtime charging caravan
battery ready for the trip home (I use movers to park it.).
Not likely to be anywhere near Bristol this week as
I'm working. So far this week I've had a day at Cwmfellinfach and
two days at Northampton, a short visit to the Forest of Dean tomorrow
morning.
Anyhow, best of luck for the big event and many congratulations to the bride and groom.
Hope the speech goes OK in the end, I'm sure it will, after all being an ex-teacher you must be reasonably eloquent.
I find it amazing that two ex Tech boys live in a village the
size of Biddestone, there would have been three there if Ken did in fact
visit. Even more significant as it was one of my childhood haunts.
There was a young 'un from Biddestone known to the kids as 'Fishy'
Coleman. Rumour had it that the nick name came from the fact that he
used to 'tickle' trout from the brook at Weaverne, but I never
witrnessed such an event and it could have been an urban myth.
Happy days.....
Got to go now.
Have fun.
Sticky.
Oct. 6, 2010
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