Our days at the Olympic Park

Over the next few days I will enter up on this Blog some of my experineces of being a 'wheelchair companion' at the Olympic Park.  I am going to endeavour to get word of the Sassy Spinners blog to both Boris and Seb.  Maybe then they will stop going on about how acceccisble the Park is and how easy it is for wheelchair users to get there and use the facilities.  Best to say that it doesn't come up to scratch to say the least.  But more of this to come.  Plus I'll write about my trip to the Croydon Trams, great fun.

Docklands Light Railway and Egger

Last Monday I had a vacant time slot from 6.00pm to 8.00pm during which I had the opportunity of spending two hours on the Docklands Light Railway.  Mrs M had a Paralympic Games Maker training session at Canary Wharf leaving me twiddling my thumbs for two hours.  I spent most of that time sat in the front/near front of the driverless DLR trains.  From Canary Wharf I was able to fit in journeys to Lewisham, Stratford and Woolwich.  What I found really interesting is the way the tracks have been fitted into the existing landscape including using old industrial lines.  Yes I know this seems a bit trivial but it makes me happy.

Thanks to a fellow member of the 009 Society my little 009 loco Egger has returned to work.  Due to mechanical problems it has been little more than a museum piece for some twenty years.  It is now some 43 years old and has been given a second wind.  The photo shows it drawing past the Engine Shed siding on it's new home line the Yate Rocks Tramway.

baddy thumb!

Just back from the local 'Minor Injuries' Unit where I had my left thumb looked at.  Yesterday whilst sawing some logs I managed to cut my left thumb knuckle with my bow-saw.  As I take blood thinners, the problem was to get the cut to form a scab.  I have now got what are termed 'paper stitches' holding it together.  Mrs M thinks I am a right plonker!  Daft really as she's known that of me for nigh on 25 years!

Well Argyle are hanging on.  I still think they'll do it and stay up just.  I've been making some 'french-knitting dollies' for Mrs M to sell at a craft fair in the local medieval town.
takes me back to my childhood when we used to make them out of cotton reels.  They were wood then.

Back out to enjoy the sun now.

Some Woody Things

Thought I'd show off some of woodturning handiwork.  Great thing about a Blog is that you can blow your own trumpet.  I know there are better turners out there including Mary A. but I'm proud of my work to date.  Yes I have had some failures but then Rome wasn't built in a day, was it?

This last piece was turned in Wellingtonia, a member of the Sequoia family of giant redwoods.  Looks lovely but I found it difficult to get a smooth finish.  The platter measures 29 cms in diameter.

New Lathe Set Up

Finally got the new lathe set up on Sunday and produced my first piece on it.  To get it in the Engine Shed meant taking out the largest bench and discarding a lot of stuff.  But the new Axminster 1000 is much better than the old 'baby' Axminster, which is very good for beginners and small work.  Question is, do I keep it for small pieces.  After all, all of the extras fit both.  Ponder that one.

The Welsh part of me, (I am 25% pure Pembrokeshire), was pleased with the Rugby result on Saturday.  Trouble is the 60% English in me (Middlesex, Lancashire and Yorkshire, plus five generstions living in Plymouth) was disappointed.  Did Strettle touch down, yes I think he did. But did the Welsh winger with the English name move the ball after the touch down and before an official could see, the jury of my ancestors are still out on that one!!

Pity Argyle couldn't win, but I expect it was a grim battle by both sides determined not to lose.

I think they'll stay up but it's going to be mighty close.

Argyle under the old regime were certainly like Greece living beyond their means.  About time people in authority/control listened to the words of Wilkins Micawber.  Having said that, no wonder so many people bought Saab cars, for say £20,000 you got a £25,000 car, the management never seemed to have realised that to exist they need to make a profit  or at least not a loss!!

Saturday 4 Feb 2012 - my local model railway club Annual Exhibition.  Decided to walk up to Church Hall, no need to drive, trouble was at 7.30am it was still minus 4C.  Good day apart from unhappy traders.  Question are the traders, for which the exhibitions are their livelyhood more important than the layouts, which are just a hobby?.  Can the traders do without the modellers and can the modellers do without the traders?!!
Walked home after the exhibition in freezing snow!!

Saturday 18 Feb 2012 - helped out on the 009 Society Sales Stand at the model show at Shepton Mallett.  Great day, but a bit tired at the end.

Sunday 19 Feb 2012 - went with Mrs M to Curzon Cinema in Clevedon to hand over her grand-fathers 1935 9.5mm film projector to their guardianship.

See Curzon Cinema at http://www.curzon.org.uk/

Monday 20 Feb 2012 - typing in red because red-letter day - my new Axminster Wood Lathe arrived and our friend JIm helped me set it up.  Too heavy for one person to lift.

Will write again on my new toy.

Super Gluten Free Website

Just found this website The Gluten Free Student Cookbook, whilst looking for gluten free Flapjack recipe, using of course Gluten Free Oats.

http://www.glutenfreestudentcookbook.co.uk/

This is a great site both for students and former students.

Just taken Flapjacks out of the oven and waiting impationatly for them to cool.