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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 20 5:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

DeWalt should have a customer service arrangement as they are a reputable company. Glad you survived the storms - they looked a bit too exciting for comfort really.

I have been busy doing not terribly much - driving elderly folk around, obtaining quotes to support our grant application - seeking letters of support etc, drawing up plans of the proposed works, dealing with more temperament from Trish (can you please ensure you all get your donations for the Easter Raffle delivered on time as per our meeting agreement? Met by: Bit hard when they're not on sale yet and it was never a problem any other year ...) Actually eggs are available at all the stores by now - so hardly a major issue.

Found an ethernet cable to fit the printer (in a box with a discarded printer) and so am now able to print stuff again! Phew.

Drafted up the minutes, printed off a membership nomination, tried to deliver it but to no avail. Will try again later, with instructions in case she is still not at home.

Currently trying to update this computer to Windows 10 (having found a way to do it for free), and I sold another hat on the opening day of the new craft outlet. It's on Instagram called Thestablesstudios1832.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 20 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hope you manage to fix the saw quickly Gregotyn. If you give the other people your kindling outlet, make sure you get something out of it.

Sadly I don't get Instagram, but will try to get son to look it up for me Cassandra. Good you sold something the first day.

Having had the major upset of the government deciding that firewood is a major pollutant (it isn't) and deciding to probably regulate it out of the hands of small businesses like us, we had a small window opening yesterday. Someone approached us about charcoal, and it seems to be the sort of level we can handle, so we are going to see them today after delivering some log sacks. As far as the regulations are concerned we will have to see exactly what they are. We may still be able to deliver to anyone who can take over 2 cu m, but that cuts out the vast majority of our customers. Alternatively, they may decide that 'affordable' by a small business really does mean affordable, but their idea and ours are often at odds.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 20 10:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Things sometimes appear to be going my way-as opposed to the "what can go wrong?", but it does. The 2 lads I know have talked it over and I can go and help them and they will sell me firewood. The sticks that come off the machine are not tidy as mine. All mine are hand chopped, lie the same way, all the same size, neatly packed in a good quality net, (can you hear the trumpet?), and I get compliments on presentation. The ones we are going to have will be all over the place as they are cut on a machine and literally "fall" into a "cheap looking" net. I will be buying at the 500 net rate as that is my "store's" limit at home. My shop keeper is happy, I am happy, and my mate is happy, as he gets help for nothing to do the bagging!
It will give me time to repair the saw, and yes, Cassandra, Dewalt is a good company, who will have it all in stock for the repairs, but I need wood cut and chopped.. now-for the little old lady who boils her morning tea on the fire. And the mate has come up with a solution. When I have finally come to the conclusion that I am past doing anything with a time factor, I will give the job away to the friend who has now helped me, and I will progress to doing "things" in my own time, and not to dead lines! I used to make garden tubs to people's own designs. I am heading for retirement soon, not wanting another winter in a cold stores area. This winter, not so bad, but there have been years when it was so cold, I had to go out to an office with some heat, because the lorry was started, fumes, and being warmed up in the garage and not outside as it should be!

I don't know what Instagram does, MR, let alone how to get there! It took a long time to get this sorted. I am sort of assuming it is something like this-downsizer?

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 20 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

instagram and downsizer are as different as very different things.

the former is "look at me i'm wonderful and so is my new consumer item" the latter is "this works" and " is this is ethical and sustainable"

there are few(or no as it is known) instagram folk with one hand up a pig and the other on a home grown bacon butty

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sun Feb 23, 20 9:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I am not sure Dpack. Son does Instagram, and he is a very practical person. No pigs involved in our work, but plenty of getting covered in good clean dirt and charcoal dust, and he seems never to have grown out of attracting dirt somehow....sigh!

Gregotyn, I think Instagram is a bit like Facebook, but perhaps more so. I am not on it, but several people I know are, and we have our company on it. It is quite good as we had a useful contact a couple of days ago, and son was able to do a video call to the man on his phone. We went to see the man yesterday, and hope for some useful work.

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Mon Feb 24, 20 3:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Instagram like Facebook is whatever you allow it to be. I have to admit I use it mostly in relation to my spinning and knitting, so am probably in the consumer item category, but i don't sell through there, and find it more coherent than Pinterest in terms of providing me with inspiration from the global artisans. It also allows people who don't agree with my politics to remain friends, haha.

Yes I heard that and wondered how it would affect you MR - is there not to be any consultation on the matter? I know that Launceston has banned wood fired heaters (and so has NZ, the month before a massive blizzard that cut electricity to remote areas for several weeks), but I would have thought such an edict would require a degree of community consultation. Especially when I suspect your lease obliges you to have some involvement in fuel production.

I have just updated the computer to Windows 10 (aptly named as it took ten hours to complete) and much to my surprise my emails are all still there. I did move them into my documents folder for the transfer, but I am nevertheless muchly surprised. I have yet to work out where 10 keeps files, but I dare say will find it eventually.

Driving and Halling has kept me busy, but yesterday I did make it into the Stables for some spinning them moved up to the wool shop for some knitting as the smell of luscious food was driving me insane and I had no money to hand (the new arrangements involve a monthly payment, not promptly as was the case before).

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Mon Feb 24, 20 8:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There was a consultation, but it was heavily biased towards regulation. I took part in it, and I think a couple of the quotes against the regulation may be mine. The questions are now available on line with a summary of the answers received, but not the preamble to each. They effectively stated that the government position was to try to get rid of everything but air sourced heat pumps and use of waste industrial water for heating, and only electricity would be laid on to houses. My feeling about the person writing the questions was their grasp of science wasn't good either. The whole thing is based on the premise that 38% of particulates (which having fairly recently been found to be able to enter the blood stream) are currently being blamed for everything from heart problems to depression, are caused by wood burning. Even that report said it could be a factor of 10 out, and measurements suggest that it is.

I take it the good people of New Zealand were less than impressed with the ban, and cannot see any good reason for it there, except possibly in cities where vehicles are already banned, as the vast majority of particulate pollution comes from them in the form of brake and tyre wear.

We own our own wood, but yes, the agreement I have just entered into does require a certain amount of felling. The only other uses for the timber are charcoal or milling if the quality is good enough and we can find a useful way of selling the timber. I might add that the beech trees were planted to supply paper pulp, now not made in the UK because of government policy over gas prices, and now may have outlived their alternative use as firewood. As the full cycle for beech for commercial felling is 80-100, and it still has at least 40 years to go, I wonder how many other used will be lest by legislation in that time.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Feb 25, 20 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Got to go soon as the time is running out. I will do a bit more on Thursday, firewood is calling and I am all behind. My cross saw broken down and panicking a bit! The bearings are shot as they say.

It seems that I chose well coming on here then, dpack. In practise I couldn't understand the "we were river cottage" I think I managed to make it twice and got fed up trying. Not sure how I got to Downsizer, just glad I did. Thank you all for your patience with me as I am a terrible repeater of what I said before, I am trying to avoid it, but...
...I have discovered that my forgetfulness is getting worse. I have only just noticed it. Worrying when you are on your own. My friend had a pal from the foreign office who went nuts, but it was when we visited I noticed it. She made me a cup of tea and never offered one to her friend! The family wanted her to go to a home, but she wouldn't and my friend said she is doing what she wants let her at least be happy in her way. One said and if she falls into the fire what then? My friend said, "she dies, but, where "she"wants to be".

On which note I have to go!

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 20 6:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sounds like a good philosophy Gregotyn. Anyone who has lived independently is going to wither and die in supported accommodation.

We have had another bout of silly weather. Yesterday I was in short sleeves and feeling overly hot in my tights and city clothes. Today was rain and a max in single figures, hail, a touch of snow and now winds. Needless to say you are not the only one with your mind on firewood, Gregotyn!

We had the meeting of our Business Plan working Group today and the President and Public Officer were duly impressed (and confused by the process). But we will now send out the SWOT analysis for input by the committee members. I have drafted up our application, sent it off to the two others who are contributing, and discovered we have rather more time to finish it than I had thought (good news!).

I have also discovered we require a third letter of recommendation. Since I am Secretary of the Railway History group I will write it myself and get the President to sign it for me. As I have emphasised collaboration with the two other clubs in the neighbourhood that should work well.

Now to go clean the bank and then settle into an evening in front of the fire.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 20 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Greogyn, if you speak to your doctor about your forgetfulness, he may be able to help. I think there are ways of improving without using pills and potions, but you need to learn them. One thing is to realise you are getting forgetful and try to combat it as best you can. It is also possible to get personal alarms if you feel worried about what would happen if you had an accident or something. Anyway, the latter is for the future, but available if and when you need it.

Cassandra, you seem to be getting on well with the hall. Your weather yesterday sounds a bit like ours was. It was quite nice in the sun, but we had a couple of showers which were a mixture of rain, soft hail, sleet and the occasional snow flake. Afterwards it was really chilly. I was well wrapped up, but even then my hands got cold as one was holding a bill hook and the other in a leather glove that of course got wet.

We had a good day clearing the coppice site under the pylon. Started with a meeting with the power line people and their ecologist but the engineer who will be doing the work couldn't make it, so that means another meeting some time. Sigh! The lads who have been doing the cutting took out a load of stakes and binders for a hedging job they are working on, but are coming back today to finish the cutting, then they and husband and son will continue working together to shift everything off and tidy up.

Sadly one pair of my medium reading glasses fell apart last night, so have to see if they are repairable. Luckily I have two pairs, so using the others full time at the moment. Like you Gregotyn, it will then be a question of remembering where they are so I can wear them.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Feb 27, 20 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thank you MR, I will go to the doctor's and see what they can do for me, especially without chemical help, I already rattle-5 in the morning and 3 at night!

I went to the friend's place to do kindling and got stuck in; The wife and I did about 100 nets in one and a half hours so they were pleased with me and I am going today shortly hoping to get another load done for them; the husband was pleased as he could get his stock sorted and a load of wood done too was for him a bonus. I haven't been paid and I don't want that except in kindling for my round!

See you all tomorrow I expect!

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Thu Feb 27, 20 8:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I read that Tasmania had snow in the mountains..how far is that from you, Cassandra?

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Fri Feb 28, 20 6:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Not that far away - I am at 450m so below the snowline normally, but it does happen here. Usually in winter, of course.

Today was fairly full as I had a patient to get to Hobart this morning and just before I left I was invited to lunch in Oatlands. Fortunately I got back in time for lunch which was sort of a business meeting as I am organising a sort of Greens and local farmers get-together. The Greens are working on (finally) getting a more rural friendly agenda together so picking brains re policy directions. I have suggested supporting the implementation of regenerative farming methods on some of the local farms which suffer from shallow soil as well as our poor rainfall which is progressively worsening. The local names suggest it used to be a lot moister in these parts (Tin Pot Marsh, Lower Marshes, Back Country Marsh Road etc), so I think regaining the 'park-like' landscape that was reported by early settlers would be useful all round and increase soil moisture. Some of the younger farmers are quite keen. I also have a couple of farmers coming along re their concerns about mining interests over-riding farming when it come to the point. It should be quite a productive meeting as although the farmers are all in drought at present, the idea of being able to reduce their vulnerability is becoming more appealing, at least to the younger ones. So it was politics and crepes for me, followed by a visit to the Hall as a possible future venue for public meetings (once we get the work done). Our big hiccup is lack of disabled access for the meeting rooms in Oatlands, and our lack of lighting and catering capacity at the Hall. Of course if we get the grant, both of these will be resolved, and the election is not for another two years. (I do like people who plan ahead!

So I am now at home settling in for a night of vegging out in front of the television as I am peopled out. I think I will have a day at home tomorrow as well.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Feb 28, 20 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sounds as if you had a productive day Gregotyn. Hope you get plenty of nets of kindling as payment. A good thing to talk to the doctor about your memory. I think I have read there are methods of improving it by exercises rather than tablets, so hope he knows more.

Cassandra, your Greens seem to be on the right track. Sadly sometimes they seem to see one side of a picture and don't look at the whole picture, as with many politicians. This can mean that they don't take into consideration the practicalities of working the land in whatever form it takes.

We spent a productive and pleasant day brash clearing in the coppice. Even though I was working on my own for an hour or so in the morning while husband and son did some felling, it made a difference. Once we have cleared a lot of the product, I think we will see a big difference, as there are at least half a dozen piles of charcoal and slightly bigger logs to be removed. Weather was lovely. Had to take of both coats and was working in sweat shirt and thick trousers for most of the day. No rain, and although there was a reasonable breeze, not too bad. It is still horribly wet on all the paths and tracks though. To get there, slopping through water and mud, but the site is on a slope, so not too bad.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Feb 28, 20 2:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We are just straight wet here, a constant; it was raining yesterday as I got home and is still going. I'm not sure if it dried up over night, but it was there when I got out this morning to go to work and is still going and is as I call it a "wetting" rain-the sort you get soaked in, but can be outside and say "its not too bad". Apparently it snowed a lot after I had gone out this morning at 4.30. A lad who works as a mechanic comes past me most days and said he struggled to get up my hill this morning at 7.00 with the snow!

I have to go to the doctors' at some stage for a check up, I choose the Indian doctor, as he is sociable and gets me to the point-I am a rambler when it comes to talking-you have all guessed. I will ask him about the forgetting.

You have hit the nail MR. with your description of the "greens" in the UK. I always ask those who advocate all this reduced meat and so on and more trees planted what are they going to eat if the population keeps growing as it does? Everyone seems to want a house and large garden to grow their own food, but want it all organic. There just is not enough land in the UK to go organic without a mass exodus of people or we all get down to 1 meal a day. I certainly could not support a family of 4 with my 5 acres of north easterly facing ground all the year round.

Off to go and see the friends with the wood cutting machine now just hoping to get up their hill! See you all in the morning, weather permitting.

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