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Retired in retirement.
Life's ups and downs.
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (203 votes) 
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Retired
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February 17, 2022 - 10:03 am
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Hi,

Thanks @Fashionandfiddle As an apprentice mechanical engineer in the dark ages before tme began (1963) I too used to ride a scooter it being a 125cc Lambretta; it did the job getting me around cheaply; it always felt strange though riding with my legs togther unlike the big bikes where they were straddled; in the 60's there were Mods & Rockers; Mods on scooters Rockers on real bikes usually not less than 650cc. I never regarded myself as a Rocker but given the bikes I rode I must have been but the bikers I hung out with were a decent bunch.

Around 1973 yes the dark ages my friend bought a Yamaha 3 cylinder 750cc that I took for a spin; not a bad bike at all; I think like my BMW the Yamaha was shaft drive; I also tried out another friends triple this being a Triumph 3 cylinder 750cc Trident which felt big and heavy.

BMW-meeting-approx-1973-3.jpgImage Enlarger

I used to be a BMW motorcycle club member; here's a picture of one of the meetings taken around 1973. I'm the cool looking dude in the shades on the left. Click to enlarge the picture.

Locally these days  I wouldn't dare ride a motorcycle of any size it being too dangerous with so much traffic fighting for road space and here in Huddersfield it's getting an whole lot worse as the council are catering for cyclists adding cycle lanes to already narrow roads but this is progress. We've got so much traffic calming and speed cameras with road signs every few yards stating "Slow" the electronic road signs indicating for me to slow down in a 40mph stretch of road whilst I'm already doing less than 41mph are a big wind up.

If you do take up biking again please be extremely careful; it's highly dangerous out there.

Yesterday we suffered a full day of storm and well into last night with very high wind and heavy rain this the third storm in the last three weeks; tomorrow we are to enjoy a fourth even more severe storm;

Yorkshire weather for next 24 hours with Storm Eunice snow warningStorm Eunice brings with it a Met Office yellow weather warning for snow and high winds - here's the weather forecast for the next 24 hours across Barnsley, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield and York

Today has just been miserable with strong breeze and plenty of rain. This morning I'd done the supermarket shopping and back home by 7:30 doing the shopping this morning before the storm hits us tomorrow when I would normally do the shopping.

I'm making a pair of rope plulleys in the workshop but it's cold; after doing some welding I knocked off to let the metal cool whilst I wandered into the studio for a violin practice; as usual I was cold and stiff even though the studio had warmed up; I don't think my violin likes my cold hands touching it but any violin practicing is better than no practicing; I'm planning ahead for when I fell the big trees hence the pulley making but our climate makes everything gloomy.

I wish I could say I'm making rapid progress with the violin but I'm not; I'm struggling to keep warm and it's so dark at the moment I need the desk lamp lit to see the keyboard; I'm looking forward to our two day long summer assuming we have such a long summer this year.

Kind regards, Colin.

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Gordon Shumway
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February 17, 2022 - 10:32 am
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Retired said
... these days  I wouldn't dare ride a motorcycle of any size it being too dangerous with so much traffic fighting for road space...  

I haven't dared ride even a bicycle since 1985!

Andrew

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stringy
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February 17, 2022 - 5:20 pm
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When I was a kid I had a chopper bicycle, rode from our house to southport one day, 26 miles there and 26 back, couldnt walk for a week afterwards.

gearing up for the storm here Colin, it was bad enough yesterday, thoroughly sick of the constant hurricane force winds.

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Gordon Shumway
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stringy said
When I was a kid I had a chopper bicycle, rode from our house to southport one day, 26 miles there and 26 back, couldnt walk for a week afterwards. 

I briefly did similar things on my mother's bike when I was in my late teens/early twenties. I've got a feeling I never took a puncture repair kit with me. Luckily I never got a puncture. Maybe I took a spare innertube.

Thinking about it, perhaps puncture repair kits are only meant for back home anyway, especially as I was so cack-handed with them.

Andrew

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February 18, 2022 - 4:43 am
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Hi,

Thanks Andrew. I stopped riding a cycle when I reached 16 back in 1963; my parents had bought me a 250cc BSA C11G motorcycle just before my birthday and how I loved that bike dreaming of dumping the cycle and the hard work cycling to the pit an engine would make a wold of difference; I've not riden a cycle since and never want to ride another.

Do modern cycles still have inner tubes in fact do motorcycles still have inner tubes; I once owned a "Triton" 650cc Triumph T110 engine in a Norton featherbed fram it having a big 5 gallon ally tank;  clip on handle bars; fork gaiters and rearset footrests etc; this bike had a tyre clamp inside the rear tyre to prevent the wheel spinning inside the tyre which would pull out the innertube valve.

Many many years ago I worked at a Standard Triumph car dealership where car tyres were changed using tyre levers; new tyres were put on using our feet walking them on taking care not to nip the inner tube; most cars still on cross ply tyres; for punctures in radial ply tyres we had a puncture outfit where a rubber plug was glued in; the plug with a mushroom shaped end was forced into the tread the tool then unscrewed and the plug pulled until the mushtoom end made contact with the inner surface. I think this type of tyre repair has been illegal for many years.

I couldn't agree more @stringy I too am absolutely fed up of these nine month long winters and three months bad weather; winter is now really dragging on and the biggest joke of the year is when we alter the clocks to call it BST (British summer time) strange because I always relate summer to nice dry warm weather but usually when we alter the clocks at the end of March the daffodils are poking through snow.

You'll be suffering the same weather @stringy now the fourth storm is hitting us; we've got horizontal rain power washing the front of the bungalow again as I type; at 6 o'clock this morning as I lay in bed I thought what's that noise? I thought it was very strange because it was the sound of silence which is so rare here on the valley side; dead calm but shortly after the storm let us know it was arriving; 9:21am in Yorkshire and I have the desk lamp lit in order to see the keyboard. GRRRRRR.

The Min Kym book you highly recommended @stringy is a real tear jerker; being born a child prodigy can be a punishment; Min has missed out so much during her life; no childhood but constant pressure to perform and eventually she realized she was a mere puppet being manipulated for money by most of whom knew her; the loss of her beloved Strad was a heavy burden to bear because she lived for the Strad which alone is deeply sad. I was very moved at times filling up with tears reading the book thinking what a waste of a lovely young girl; of course Min loved playing her violin but at the cost of excluding everything else. I've seen children aged two being pushed into the world like performing puppets too young to understand what's happening possibly being treated as cash machines; kids should be kids and enjoy being a nuisance. For anyone interested in the book it's "Gone" by Min Kym lots for sale used; mine only cost about £3.50 inc P&P. An excellent book though @stringy thank you.

I was mistaken regarding the rain; it was sleet; snow and hail. The heats on in the studio so the weather can do as it pleases I'm past caring.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 19, 2022 - 6:56 am
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Hi,

Four heavy storms within a matter of days but fortunately the only damage was to our willow tree when half of it was damaged; today is just a miserable wet very cold day so everythings normal.

Yesterday I thought my violin practicing to be rather poor but when I played it back through the Tascam recorder and amplifier I was pleasantly surprised it not sounding as bad as I thought which cheered me up.

Our weather is dire and the studio gets cold even though I leave the central heating radiator on setting 2 for background heating when the studio is unused. When I started to play the violin the violin was cold to the touch and didn't sound happy but as it warmed up it seemed to become happier so I think I need to find a warmer place to store it out of the studio; I have three violins but it's the more expensive German violin I'm most concerned about; if only our Yorkshire climate was better it would be wonderful living here.

BRRR.JPGImage Enlarger

Tomorrow is much better with only heavy rain. Keeping dry and warm is a priority but I wish I could practice playing my violins in comfort; I'll turn the heating up in the studio after dinner and do a bit of practicing before another day slips by.

My first "The Strad" magazine arrived yesterday so I've got something interesting to read now I've finished reading the book "Gone" life's not so bad after all. thumbs-up

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 19, 2022 - 8:00 am
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Glad you enjoyed the book colin, I am amazed its not been made into a film, quite a story isnt it. There were videos of her playing on you tube at one time, dont know if they are still up though.

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February 19, 2022 - 9:01 am
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Hi,

Thanks @stringy yes quite a story indeed and I agree it would make a top class film unlike the modern rubbish films where waving guns around and lots of explosions are the norm.

Min's YouTube videos are still shown here's an example;

list=RDMM4rLb_7TQjT4&index=1

I'm put off a bit by the piano being a bit over powering; I'd have liked to listen to Min playing; no offence to the piano player but I think it pushes Min more into the background at times.

Is it snowing your side of The Pennines @stringy; it's snowing here but the task bar on the computer says "Rain to stop" I've never seen white rain?

Snowing_0001.JPGImage Enlarger

I've just taken this picture of our rear garden and if it's raining then I need new glasses because it sure looks like snow to me.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 19, 2022 - 2:53 pm
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We had a touch of snow early on, but then the sky cleared and its been freezing this afternoon, mind you once the clouds parted I dropped to my knees worshipping, I thought the sun was a myth invented by those who are  prone to flights of fancy. People were staggering about like blinded moles, and walking into lamp posts, some were screaming others crying thinking the end of the world had arrived. Out of the wind You could actually feel the warmth of the sun which was very pleasant indeedgold_star

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February 20, 2022 - 4:25 am
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Hi,

Many thanks @stringy for your wonderful and highly accurate reply. I fully understand your comments after all I'm only over the hill (The Pennines) from you so we share the same weather pattern.

Huddersfield where we live is bang in the middle between The Irish sea at Blackpool and the North Sea at Hull I think 74 miles to Blackpool and 71 miles to Hull so we catch the weather from both directions. It's horrible again today with lashing wind driven rain which is with us for days to come; it's bitterly cold especially if in the wind.

The snow yesterday was short lived being replaced by heavy rain; it's now 9:20 am and I need the desk lamp switched on in order to see the keyboard; scientists keep banging on about black holes whilst staring into space; they should visit Yorkshire any time of the year apart from our two days of summer if we're lucky; think I'm kidding then please come to Yorkshire. Having said this I'm a true Yorkshireman born and bred here and I love Yorkshire in spite of the usual dire weather.

Victoria-Tower.JPGImage Enlarger

The picture shows Victoria Tower which we look directly at from our front room window it being directly across the valley from us; we enjoy panoramic views along and across the valley and we also enjoy the huge extremes in the weather. I'm not complaining about the weather because it keeps us safe from harm; no wild animals trying to eat us; no snakes or poisonous spiders the weather's too harsh for them to survive but looking across the valley England is indeed a green and pleasant land.

I don't recommend Huddersfield to any car driver; avoid the town center like the plague; Bron and I never ever go into town because we travel by car not travel by cycle.

Did you take a picture of the Sun @stringy a copy would be nice to have framed. amuse

Kind regards, Colin.

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Hi,

We're just enjoying a splash of horizontal Yorkshire rain; little fear of dust here on the valley side.

Splash-of-rain_0003.JPGImage Enlarger

Kind regards, Colin.

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Hi,

We're now in the fifth powerful storm within a few days of each other; terrific wind driven rain again as I did the usual three supermarket shopping this morning returning home by 8:30.

I'm grounded as to working outdoors but I can put the heating on in the studio allowing violin practice and I've started reading "The Strad" which is very interesting indeed. Last evening I was reading The Strad and playing this video music in the background.

t=950s

I've never taken to classical music and dislike operas but since adopting violins as an hobby it's opened up an whole new world to me; I'm finding this music to be relaxing and enjoyable.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 23, 2022 - 8:33 am
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Hi,

Short message for a change. Five storms during last three weeks; this morning at last the rain let up and the high wind was a strong breeze so I've felled a tree; logged the trunk and heavier branches then shredded the brash for garden mulch. This brought me up to dinner time but now the wind is back in powerful gusts so it's too dangerous to carry on.

I feel a violin practice coming on.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 25, 2022 - 11:13 am
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Hi,

A miracle; I managed an hours violin practice this morning and enjoyed it.

After dinner back outdoors doing more tree felling up our mountain of a back garden. Three big trees down now and four to go; the high wind and rain stopped just a strong breeze this afternoon and rare sunshine.

Tree-work-FEB-22_0007.JPGImage EnlargerTree-work-FEB-22_0009.JPGImage EnlargerTree-work-FEB-22_0010.JPGImage EnlargerTree-work-FEB-22_0011.JPGImage Enlarger

First two pictures this afternoons work the last two pictures more enjoyment for tomorrow; I dream of quality violin time; Bron and I have worked on the bungalow and gardens for the last 35 years and still the big jobs keep cropping up. I don't need to visit a gym to keep in shape; now aged 74 I'm mixing it with the squirrels up the trees removing the lower branches in order to attach the rope.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 25, 2022 - 5:42 pm
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shame you had to lose that 1 tree Colin...the one in first two pictures.

hows the violin build coming along?  I figured you probably had to post pone for a while due to the cold weather but thought I would ask.

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February 26, 2022 - 7:23 am
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Hi,

Thanks @ABitRusty Yes it's a shame to take any tree down esapecially trees that are in excellent condition as most of these are I'm currently taking down; unfortunately here on the steep valley side I'm fed up of the high winds bringing our trees down which of course is always in really bad weather; I'd much rather be warm and dry indoors than up the mountain in wind driven snow logging trees.

Thanks for asking; the violin build is on hold for a while until I can move around outside without being blown around or receiving a soaking from our dire weather; I still intend to make a violin thogh and I'm trying to get rid of jobs which keep occupying me whenever I want to do something I enjoy; this tree work is a good example; I'm not happy taking our trees down but whilst they remain standing they are a liabilty.

I've just had a very hard morning lumberjacking.

26-Feb-2022_0005.JPGImage Enlarger26-Feb-2022_0011.JPGImage Enlarger26-Feb-2022_0014.JPGImage Enlarger

Felling trees is easy enough but moving the logs and brash down the steep slope is incredibly hard work; I'd rather be practicing playing my violins but I can dream on.

More heavy work to come after dinner.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 26, 2022 - 10:48 am
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I misunderstood. I thought you had a storm come and knock them down..  Thought youd lost some you had grown on the property.  

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Hi,

Sorry if I confused you @ABitRusty  When we moved here 35 years ago there were already quite a few big trees some of which we took down like mountain ash which were rather dangerous being near the bungalow but we planted others and now these too are getting too big; the recent storm damaged a large section of our willow tree this had three trunks reaching ove 50' tall; I managed to remove this damaged trunk and log it but all up this fence line there were other equally large trees including western red cedar.

We experience extremes of weather here on the valley side; it can be calm one minute blowing a gale next minute as it is today; I've felled more big trees this morning and logged them; after dinner whilst I was roping one of the cedar trunks the wind really got up making it dangerous so I've been carting logs down to the driveway ready for our friend to collect.

I hope it's going to be calm tomorrow morning then I can fell this willow tree and be done with it; I'm so tired I don't know where to put myself; after a night's sleep I'll be fully charged again but tomorrow morning is forecast just above freezing so I'm in for some chilly exercise.

Kind regards, Colin.

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February 26, 2022 - 12:45 pm
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Geeze, retired. That is a lot of work!

🐭

The Bumblebee Flies!

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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Hi,

Thanks @Mouse yes indeed really hard work made a great deal worse by the steeply sloping site; one leg longer than the other would help because standing upright without doing anything else is challenging.

Another day today starting early and knocikng off tired out at 4:30pm but I'm getting on top at last.

27-Feb-2022_0008.JPGImage Enlarger27-Feb-2022_0016.JPGImage Enlarger27-Feb-2022_0018.JPGImage Enlarger27-Feb-2022_0020.JPGImage Enlarger27-Feb-2022_0022.JPGImage Enlarger

The trees I wanted to take down are now all down seven in total but now comes the tidying up; I've logged them but some of the logs still need taking down to the driveway to be collected; a job for tomorrow but heavy rain is forecast so it might be Tuesday. I've a mountain of brash to shred too and I'll lower the stumps further.

I ended up doing all the work on my own with Bron keeping me topped up with mugs of tea; our friend whom I'd arranged to help with this last double trunk tree didn't arrive and we've not heard from him for a few days; we were going to pay him for four hours work when really I only wanted a pull on the rope; the last trunk was a real torture; it was leaning badly over the fence into our neighbours garden hence help would have been most welcome. I roped it with three ropes the middle rope for pulling it over but standing on the slope I found I was too weak to pull hard enough after all I'm a stick insect at 6' tall and just over ten stones; the wiind  was increasing and I'd already got it ready to pull over so working just the right side of painic I set up a wire rope winch and winched to the tipping point then gave a huge pull on the rope which had it down; with remaining strength I cut it up and put the ropes and tools away absolutely tired out.

We hope our friend is OK because he's a self employed gardner and we'd offered to pay him £100 cash so the only cost has been £25 for ropes and fuel for the chainsaws plus ten years off my life.

I'm still dreaming of practicing with my violins but when I came indoors I doubt I could have lifted the bow; I was running on empty; I've come round again so looking forward to another day grafting weather permitting tomorrow.

We've still got plenty of big trees.

I won't need a bedtime story tonight.

Kind regards, Colin.

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