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.

Visit to the Bristol Heart Institute

Yesterday we went to visit our dear neighbour Merve the Swerve in the BHI.  He has just had a triple heart bye-pass operation. Very strange but also exciting going back to the BHI after having spent 5 weeks there just over two years ago. 
Did I mention that I have ordered a new lathe, bigger and better than my present one.  Trouble is Mrs M will expect bigger and better items of woodcraft from me!!
Well done Argyle, a point against Crawley was good.  Just keep it up and the Club up.  Molly is still putting on weight after her op'.

SWOONS Open day

Had a good day at Ilton near Taunton last Saturday where I exhibited Yate Rocks Tramway.  Layout was well received by the visitors, both 'general public' and '009 nuts'.  Worst memories of the day, forgetting to tell Mrs M I was safely there, too busy once I got there!!!, and coming back up the M5 in failing light and having cars without headlights coming up behind you .... perhaps the drivers thought by not putting their headlights on they would save fuel and money, but what price can you put on your life.

Monday, Mrs M and had a good day out, buying nice material for her and some nice wood for me.  Also got some kindling from  English Willow Baskets near Taunton.  Saw there super range of willow coffins.  Whilst some people may find this a bit macarbe, lets face it one thing that is certain in life is death!  And I want my funeral and burial to be as green as possible.

New layout

Just changed my blog layout, all part of the new calender year!

Comments would be appreciated.

Christmas by the sea

No, not a place but a great way of spending Christmas if like me and Mrs M you don't find Christmas a very good experience. Went back to south-east Devon again. It's a really nice part of the world. Plus there's Axminster with Axminster Tools and now a super restaurant that serves Gluten Free pizza's and pasta. So any coeliacs reading this head for Axminster and visit Whitty's.

Produced a nice piece of woodturning in 'spalted beech', though I know Mary will find fault with it .... but I am still a beginner and she's been at for years. Did get some nice wood at Axminster Tools and the owner of the CL we stayed at let me have some of their fire logs which were well seasoned apple, lime and ash.

Posting this on what the Gregorian Calender says is new years day. Rubbish, New Years day is always on the 21/22 December when the Sun starts coming back north after it's visit to the Tropic of Capricorn. And why do the Chinese, the Muslims and the Jews celebrate a wrong date named after a Roman Catholic Pope? After all it's still Metal rabbit 4709, 1433AH and 5772 respectively with new years day all over the place and not on December 21 or January 1!!!!!