December 2021

December 30th

Well another year is almost over, and what have we done – as the song says.

Since returning from Tenby, we sold June’s chariot, freeing up some space in the shed. It served us well and went to a local gentleman whose 4-wheeler just broke down –  we even broke even on the deal. I’m keeping the ramp as it’s quite sturdy and it might have a use in the future – who knows. The wooden boot platform can now be re-assigned as kindling.

With the fine weather, I made a final trim of the lawns before winter as the bulb tips are imminent. It looked a bit scruffy for a few days, but that’s the nature of mowing fields. I now have the opportunity to send the mower off for a spring break and service, which gives me some space to tidy up its storage area and put up some long overdue brackets and shelves for gardening tools, strimmer, hole borer, small mower etc.

While contemplating the walls at the flat in Tenby, I sat admiring the panelling with strategically placed prints. I got thinking about our L shaped hall which needs something done to it other than just a coat of paint. In addition, we still have an excess of prints stored under the spare bed! The hall radiator needs replacing and the capped pipework is desperate for some retaining clips. So the idea of adding some wood moulding to make pseudo panels seems to be an interesting concept. Obviously, it will need to be drawn out first on a CAD package to ensure it looks good and doesn’t overlap existing wall switches and sockets. I would like to make my own moulding as I don’t think wood strips at over £6 a length is an option with in excess of 25 required! I really need to find a local carpenter with a spindle moulder and a benevolent disposition, or will accept cash.

The log burner in the sitting room was ropey when we moved in and after much use, the fire bricks turned to dust. The local fireplace supplier wanted £75 for a sheet of material, a supplier on eBay wanted £27 ready cut – no brainer. Armed with screwdriver, worklamp and a Henry, it took all of 30 mins to remove, clean and fit the 12 new vermiculite blocks. The following day was warm, so dressed as a lumberjack donned with ballistic trousers, I chunked up some of last years timber then ran it through the log splitter. That half filled the log store and will last a few weeks. In the meantime, it occurred to me that on the lane side of the property, the original owner had fitted a sheet metal gate and made a hardstanding area where he could store his caravan. It seems it was used once as the council were not thrilled about unplanned access so close to the road junction. However, with a solid back and base, this will make a superb beginning for shelter for pre-drying, cutting and chunking wood prior to stacking. The basic plan is to use a pair of fence panels for the sides and some corrugated clear plastic for the roof, giving something about 6′ wide, 6′ high and about 9′ wide. Next thing is to contact the man who clears rubbish – now where is his number?

Had a lovely Christmas lunch at my sisters with beef, pork and turkey on offer with what seemed like over 20 types of vegetables weighing down their table. More presents were opened after lunch by four generations, accompanied by oos and ahs and a profusion of paper from my mother to great nieces. June and I had opened ours to each other earlier accompanied by our traditional smoked salmon on bread, but missing the bucks fizz. Steve handed one to us on arrival so all was right with the world. Of all days, the blower stopped and we spent the 20 minute journey with the sunroof open to try and clear the screen inside and wipers clearing the screen outside. Everything worked on the return home, perhaps June’s car didn’t like me driving it – Je ne sais pas!

Ah well off to re-attach a wobbly toilet seat. Until next year, have a safe New Years eve with your masks on and/or watching others on TV.

Nigel & June

December 19th

Storm whatever came through with a vengeance and we lost the top 30ft of an ash tree. On its way down, it decapitated branches of another two, all of which have fallen into the stream/river, perfectly inline with, not across the flow. The water has only backed up slightly and if all stays ok, we will sort it out in the spring. “We” being Dave near the wet stuff, and me on dry land. So, a bit more firewood to add to the current stockpiles. 

Well no pre-Christmas cruise again this year, but instead a weeks break from diy in Tenby. A mere 50 mins drive, close enough for any family issues, but far enough to not take a toolkit with me. The first morning must be the first time in 18 months that I rolled over at 07:00 and closed my eyes for an extra lie-in and surfaced at 9:00 for breakfast. Off out for a Sunday lunch, another first in a decade, preceded by a glass of fizz and a planned afternoon of perhaps nothing but rest. Emma is joining us later in the week for a few days and I made provision with a few extra bottles! The apartment was an Inn back when the world was in black and white and is right on the end of the harbour. Roald Dahl used to holiday there for many years as a child. I felt inspired – “George was a cormorant who lived at Tenby’s picturesque seaside along with seagulls who steal food from the visitors…….”

The week in Tenby passed in a relaxing blur. Purchased a few jackets for work in the garden to replace the shredded and paint stained ones at home, and a nice print of the harbour with the flat. Emma enjoyed seeing Tenby again, reliving memories of holidays past. The residents in the flat above were an old couple going by the volume of the radio/tv and spent many nights running in a pair of hob-nailed boots from 10 till 1! And on the last night of our stay, an eerie silence descended as they went home. 

With the impending Covid rules under review, we decided to have an early Christmas present exchange and lunch with Emma and Martin after a lovely walk around the LLO lake. 

As they do say in these parts, Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda to all our readers.