2025 Quick Daily Posts

[richardandtracy]

The garage dismantlement is underway, I'm told.
At least something is going to plan. Shame that bit of the plan was needed, but at least it's going to plan.

And it's a nice, spring, day.

The plan is to close off the back of the garage with ply & timber so it's not open to the world, prop up the roof, remove the garage door opener and then remove the garage door and frame. Then dismantle the wall that's trying to fall down.
Next week the brickwork is going to be re-built with new, metric bricks. I shall be interested to see how that goes with the interface to the old imperial size bricks that are left. In all honesty, it'll just add another layer to the history of the garage and not keep it 'preserved against change'.

Regards,

Richard

[Mabel Figworthy]

As long as they meet in the middle!

[Serinde]

Let's hope it doesn't give a whole new slant to the roof!

[richardandtracy]

<groan>



Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

Just booked my rail tickets from Glasgow to Ft William for the weaving retreat in June! Very excited. Also bought a rail card, so the cost was a few pounds cheaper than last year, AND a whole lot less expensive than full price (plus the difference in prices used up about a third of the price of the rail card). Win! aa

[fccs]

How long is the train ride? I love trains. The one I took from Aberdeen to Edinburgh was so smooth and the scenery was beautiful.

[Serinde]

The West Highland Line takes almost 4 hours to reach Ft William, and runs through some absolutely beautiful country. Part of the journey parallels the long distance footpath known as the West Highland Way, which I walked many years ago. Due to the nature of the geography, from the train it's possible also to watch the poor souls driving the A82, which goes up the west side of the country from Glasgow to Inverness. But the route's real glory is crossing Rannoch Moor.
There's a(n) (in)famous and very expensive steam train that does part of the trip for tourists called The Jacobite, and yes, that's the Harry Potter train.

[richardandtracy]

That's a magnificent route to go. Lucky thing.

And lucky getting a chance to go on the Weaving Retreat.

Regards,

Richard.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

[Serinde]

You are both so right. It's a fabulous run up the Clyde estuary, then along Loch Lomond before crossing Rannoch Moor. I've never done the Oban stretch... guess one day. After all, have to make my rail card work, don't I!

As for the weaving retreat. Oh, yes. Last year was a real renewing experience and so inspirational one all kinds of levels. You can watch this for fun (did I show this last year?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slZEjmBtDXQ

[richardandtracy]

Our 19year 6month old cat 'Squeaky'

is not well.

He has had a cyst on his side for over a year that didn't bother him. The vet originally thought it was a cancer & refused to operate. About 5 weeks ago it burst, got infected and needed antibiotics. It got to the point where the vet eventually said 'Needs an operation to close the open wound'.

The operation was due Monday.
On Monday they took bloods before the operation, and came to the conclusion it would kill him, due to a heart murmur and the amount of kidney failure he's showing. So, we have a different anti-biotic and more skin healing cream.

And it's working, so far. The wound is healing and he's getting better. He's been sunning himself on the bank (in the background of the photo above) or sunning himself on various beds in the house. Apart from the cone of shame, he's as happy as Larry. And you'd never believe how fast he can disappear when we need him to take some more anti-biotics.

And, happily, my neck that he slashed with a couple of front claws on Monday, is healing too. The wounds were shallow but about an inch long and made a gory mess of my shirt collar.

Regards,

Richard

[fccs]

I’m glad Squeaky’s wound is getting better, and that yours are, too. Does he not try to get the birds right next to him? Are they jays? Or magpies? Or something entirely different?

[richardandtracy]

The birds are Magpies, and...
No, they are completely and utterly safe from him. The last bird we know he went after was a male Pheasant when he was 12 weeks old and could sit on the palm of my hand. He's now 19years 6months, so he really hasn't bothered many birds in his life.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

Poor Squeaky! (Poor you!) Hope he continues to improve.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Glad to hear Squeaky is comfortable in himself. And that he didn't do lasting damage to you.

Is he OK with the cone of shame? Lexi couldn't stand hers so we got her a soft doughnut of shame which was more comfy.

[richardandtracy]

He lives with it. Not entirely happy, but lives with it. He's been wearing it for maybe 4 weeks now, and we release him for a couple of hours a day while we watch him like a hawk to prevent him licking the wound.

Regards,

Richard

[Mabel Figworthy]

Off to Wales in this car, though not in this dress.... wool skirt, jumper and tweed jacket is more suitable at the moment!

[Serinde]

Lovely little Austin, I presume? Hope the weather was kind.

[richardandtracy]

We had a visitation form a lovely Austin on Saturday. The son of the family opposite owns one and came round to see his parents in it. Lovely little vehicle.

Spent the weekend chainsaw gardening. And had to buy a new chainsaw. Over the years I've managed to wear out our original chainsaw. This time it was spent trimming a hedge & shredding the results. Cut the hedge down to 6ft high, and that left trunks up to 4" diameter to chop to logs and the remainder to shred. Felt very successful.

Regards,

Richard

[Mabel Figworthy]

Sounds like a very productive weekend Richard!