Plans disruption

The garage man has hurt his back..so no work for at least a week..could be just a little twist..but I think that it is linked to when he was knocked off his motorbike by a careless car driver.

So any travelling plans are on hold, even locally.

I sorted a few small electric goods that I don't need..an iron, two kettles, a coffee machine, a couple of fan heaters and a few other kitchen things.

They were collected today by Recycle Ayr, so if they all pass testing they will either go to people who need them or be sold to raise funds.

It has been colder and windy all day, with yet more showers ..the weather system is stuck over the Northern Isles at present, but tomorrow should see some dry and colder weather.

Which is fortunate as I have a fleabay sale to post...some handlebars will be on their way to Bristol.

All packed...my method is the "get out of there without moving will you " method of taping!!

Duolingo French lessons are proceeding...and why did they never teach us celui ci and celui là in school?!!

Room to think

 We met a friend for lunch yesterday..nearly a year since we saw him last in person...but he is busy running his own business and travels a lot.

Then down to the sea for ice cream and Pirate to sit and write and set out his thoughts.

He wants someone to write on his behalf..but unless you go down the legal route, that won't be possible, and that wouldn't be sensible...it would be being as bad as them.

He is really stressing, which isn't helping what he already has. 

However putting his thoughts and feelings on paper has been a good step.

Far better than just stewing them over and over in his head.

We looked over all communication over the past few months...and got it into his head that he has done nothing wrong.  He has had the backing of the Macmillan nurses and District Nurse and our doctor in all he has done.

So if a couple of people are being unpleasant because he hasn't done what they thought he should be doing....tough. I am even getting bad mouthed as I am his secretary...but I never write in his emails anything other than his words.

He has the love and respect of hundreds of others.

After all that he had a down day today, mainly resting and sleeping... ironically what these people think he ought to be doing every day...and by doing that he ends up feeling worse. Too much bed rest ends up with him being fatigued, shorter naps and activity works.

I just hope that next week's op will work and relieve him of at least some of the pain.

What did I do today?  Not a lot....

Our boiler and radiators and loft were surveyed this morning...one more step towards a government grant.....fingers crossed...

A bit more tidying and sorting....and some mending.....

A stitch in time as is said.  Worth doing, as very slowly my waistline is reducing...it is no longer a stretch to do up my waistband buttons on my trousers AND I can tuck in a t- shirt....

I am not going to weigh myself again until I can feel that I am getting my waistline back properly!! 

Maybole Shore

 A walk on the beach.

We met our Dundee friends for lunch at the Coo Shed on their way home from a Galloway holiday....then Reflexology for Pirate in Alloway just over the A77...and Maybole Shore for a walk on the beach. Unfortunately the haar was in, so we couldn't see Arran.  

Pirate remembered paddling at Opononi after Stage 3 of the Tour of the Northland in Aotearoa NZ...so had a go here... the water isn't as clean, unfortunately, but it had the desired effect.

Then home to relax.  

The plan is for a ride somewhere flat tomorrow, but we have to avoid Ayr because of the weekend Air Show.  The weather is forecast to turn on Sunday, so the end of the nice hot weather...summer mark 2!!  We did have rain last night, short and sharp, so the car has Sahara dust all over.

I need to list a lot more on fleabay this weekend as there is an 80% lower selling fees (if you sell in the first time period before the listing renews)

Wet and windy

 A grey day

Today we were supposed to have been going to Glasgow for Pirate to ride the boards for an hour or two.

He isn't feeling happy as a cousin has just died...one younger than him...yesterday.

All sorts of niggly problems and other peoples' sadness gets to him...plus the state of the world.  How can humans be so awful to one another?

The car was packed and he did the usual check round... one soft rear tyre...go to our garage down the hill....no special lock nut opener....

The garaged pumped the tyre up hard...but we didn't make the trip, instead the car had a long overdue sort out. No widgit....back after lunch and leave the car for him to sort tomorrow morning! He makes sure that he keeps useful things like that from any car that gets scrapped...so,live in hope!!

I have done some house sorting while in the mood, making things more accessible in the kitchen and cutting clutter there and in the living room.

Neither are really good, yet, but it's work in progress!!  I can't be too drastic as that would really stress out Pirate!!!!

Now after a cuppa I must head to my study and think what needs doing to get back to doing craft/artisan fairs and markets.  I have a form to fill in,but no point doing that until everything else is ready.  Its been ten years since I did the last proper market selling.

Now I need to make signs and display units and think how I can present everything.

A proper challenge, but a constructive and creative one. A step in the right direction.

St Stephen's Day

 Or Boxing Day..

Greetings to you all and hopes for a good future.

We saw the sun!!

Now it's back to overcast.

We have spent the morning talking to friends here and friends in AotearoaNZ and to our neighbour in person with a cuppa.

We are planning another walk in Catrine to see what is left of industry there

Dundee day out

 We had our weekly (weather permitting) trip to Dundee today.

As it was school holidays here it was a delay free drive for all of the 120+ miles up there.

It is a long drive, but we are trying to combine going there with doing other things.

Today was supposed to be picking up materials from a ceramic supplies company, but things hadn't got together in time.... hopefully next week.

We had three more riders today and it is good to see such a great facility being used.

We had our usual picnic late lunch before Perth on the way home, but the level of traffic and low standard of driving on the A9 gave us cause to turn away from the rat race through Bridge of Allan to Stirling. Let's have a look at the castle we thought.....

Only booked places in the car park....but the attendant said we could have a short break from driving...nice to find someone in a good mood! That called for a special treat, ice cream from the van!!

The Wallace Monument from the castle...it is a huge tower.

We did get a good view on our way out of town...

I think we would be better off having a day out by bus to Stirling and have a day there with a camera and drawing book....

Prints and gifts and the best laid plans....

 Mounting a few small prints for sale, I tried setting up different sized mounts, thanks to a suggestion on the Linocut Friends group on fb...a very useful group of people with the whole range of experience and source of advice and encouragement. ( There are a few clay based ones too, like Clay Buddies...despite the names, both worldwide).

It was worth doing, even if just to reinforce my initial size decision.

There are a few more to do, then photograph and post them on my website and Etsy.

Gifts from near and far.

We had planned a bike ride this morning, but slept in...and missed the weather window!

We will take a short walk instead and hope for better luck this afternoon! 

the best laid plans....

Instead of our own garden and sheds all day...I weeded he cleaned...but we've earned a bit of cash and there is more to be done here.

At least he finished mowing the lawn...not too short, think of the bees! and I tidied up the edges and prepared the end of what will be polytunnel area.

Now,having watched the highlights of today's stage of the Giro d'Italia...down to flue design paperwork....