Turn on the dark

June May« »Next month

Rain, rain come again... We get some but not enough.

The Airfix model of the Harrier is now getting a lick of paint. And the first ariel has broken off. At 1/72^nd scale somethings are delicate. I'll glue it back on.

May Apr« »Next month

We enjoy a lovely walk to B&Q and a snack and hot drink from the van in the car park. The walk through the old railway is like going through a nature oasis in the centre of town. It is not the quickest route but the most enjoyable.

We go to Severn Beach and enjoy some seaside air. And visit a NT garden.

We finish decorating the Utility Room and swap in a new counter top.

The month ends with the culmination of years of training finally paying off and I get to the rank of Shodan-Ho, black belt -Yes! Not without some pain; an old hip nerve pain came back to plague me on the day so had to stop for paracetamol on route. Living proof anything is possible; well, maybe, some things are... eventually.

Shodan-Ho!

April Mar« »Next month

Yes, finally, champions! I was getting fed up of people saying ti is bound to happen but it wasn't. you just cannot count your chickens.

We finally move back into the new kitchen and E does some great painting. We love the new island and soft closing doors. Still getting used to the spices cupboard/drawer thing.

We restart our weekly trips out and go to see a couple of films in a local independent cinema of delightful character. We saw 'Oh, my Goodness' and 'Four Mothers'; both a great laugh. The first a foreign language but still a great laugh.

Another pub lunch to expand our list of food venues we've tried and rated (just for ourselves). Most have been great, only one we wouldn't rush back to, but even that was fine.

Now started my Airfix model; a present. Had to buy a few paints but the present did come with a paint brush, glue, a knife and some paints - which was thoughtful (thx son). It is bringing back memories; not all good, as it highlights some of my model making shortcomings. I am dreading doing the transfers. Maybe I need to do some research on good techniques.

Ah! nature

March Feb« »Next month

Oh joy, ripped back nail and bruised toe all topped off with lousy cold. And we get a new kitchen after weeks of arrangments, movements, and some painting - nice. We have stuff stored all over the house and find ourselves eating in the lounge. It has a certain charm but it is cramp.

The football is getting a bit tense and, so far, not rewarding with trophies. But there is still hope.

I bump into an old training colleague. I seen a lot of folk stop and only one is still there from when I started my karate here. They talk of 1% making it to black belt; I'm still not there yet.

Nearly all done but we are, at least, using the room again. And we get summer hints end the month. I enjoy a lovely walk along the canal.

Local developments continue...

February Jan« »Next month

And we get threats of snow but no actual snow. We visit a few local places, The local forest, a couple of museums and a brick'n'brack place with a decent, if a little pretentious, cafe. We also visit more of our beautiful county; even straying close to the border.

The plumber is back as we start the preparation for a new kitchen.

This Year's jigsaw is bigger at 2,000 pieces

January 2023 « » Next month

We get a hint of snow but it is mostly rain and wind to start of this new year. My rib is still sore and restricting My movements. I build a couple of lego models that were Christmas presents. The Concorde is exceptional, the F1 car smaller but a great model.

We rearrange the lounge, new year, new look. This retirement lark takes some getting used to. Mondays just aren't the same. I enjoy a leisurely walk to ScrewFix to fix a toilet flush. The plumber is in to do the harder bits I cannot manage.

If only it still flew