20 May
Started writing this while June’s having her pre-op assessment for her hip replacement due next week. Amazing how soon the operation has come around. The result from the consultation was a strict process of washing in a special bug removing solution for 4 days prior to the op, clean towels and bedding every day, some electrolyte drinks to be taken in the middle of the night and again at 5 in the morning before getting her to the hospital for 7! June also needs to have a Covid test tomorrow, followed by complete isolation. I think we will possibly need to wear masks while watching crowd scenes on TV and avoid any travel programs on the Government red list. The good thing is that the hospital has never had MRSA or Covid, so that’s reassuring.
The garlic path or path to nowhere is finished. From the initial finding some paving slabs in brambles back last August has been interesting and rewarding. I had no idea back then what it was, or what it would look like, but we are pleased with the results. The arbor has had a coat of paint (sprayed on to save time) and has a distressed, well worn look. I suppose if I gave it a second coat, then it would have a new look to it. The log edging is secured with 10mm rebar with the help of a 10mm auger bit and a SDS hammer drill to drive the rebar in. I purchased some 450mm long bits off eBay to deal with the assortment of logs and the rebar came in 3m lengths and was cut to length with an angle grinder. Now looking down from the path to the river below, I see a piece of of land. It’s about 5m below the path and is about 5x20m in size and reasonably flat. Now what can that be used for?
June’s shower in its final stage of completion with the shower door installed and final plumbing aimed for Monday. The big test will be to see how good my caulking has been.
The chalet base is still on hold while the world waits for concrete to become available.
9th May
Freshly returned from a windswept and torrential visit to Cross Hands, I bring you greetings. It’s worth braving the elements for some Jenkins custard slices.
After June’s visit on Wednesday to Mr. Rhodri Llywelyn Williams of hip and knee fame (where he pronounced that her hip was one of the worst he’s seen in a long time), we had the call later that day to book her in for her operation towards the end of the month. This has reduced the time to get her sorted by at least two years. So, we’re on the countdown of sorting finance and back into temporary lockdown. At least the BMI clinic has a fixed price package which covers everything up to 6 months, including physio, so no hidden extras. On Friday, she had a call from our surgery saying our GP wants to discuss her recent X-rays, but it will be by telephone in a weeks time. Strange really as the last conversation with the surgery queried if June really needed a hip replacement! If the GP waits another 2 weeks, June can tell him all about it. We’ve also had our second Covid jab and when the nurse asked if there were any problems, I resisted saying that I still couldn’t play the piano.
A shortage of cement in South Wales has delayed the chalet base from being finished. It sits and waits in anticipation while the plastic sheeting fills with water. We are still waiting for a delivery date from the supplier and hope we don’t get a “it’l be with you tomorrow call” for at least a week. As Dave had 2 one ton bags of grit on his trailer ready for the concrete base, he and Rob barrowed it straight down to the ‘garlic path’ by the stream/river (depends on the water level) to finish that job. I picked up an arbour from Home Bargains for £130 which was way under the going rate. I will put this at the path end. Hopefully, I will get the edging logs to the path done in the next two weeks and will have a full set of pictures from its discovery in August to the finished result.
Steve and I dismantled one of his 6×8 greenhouses yesterday and I only lost one sheet of glass in transit. Had another DYI moment when I tripped on a paving slab and tried a ‘Kiss the Blarney Stone’ action. Failed, and ended up with fat lip, a few tender teeth and jarred shoulders – could have been worse. Just need to create a flat area to erect said greenhouse, but there’s no rush.
I’ve spent a few days working on an update to a product I designed back in 2014. It all came flooding back as I clicked away with the mouse. Keeps another brain cell active. I’ve also been printing out some pattern rollers and cutters on the 3D printer for Emma without too many issues.
