The weather was looking dismal and I was feeling tired, but I'd committed to helping with today's event.
So I got up soon after 7 and left the house at 8 to meet with other volunteers at 8.15 at the Postern Gate Hotel on Piccadilly. I was the first there. Julia was the second. She is from Switzerland and is in York to do a PhD on neuro imaging... fascinating stuff! Then Jenny arrived, and Kaj, from Finland, and Guy, our own FoE stalwart. Three of us went to Bootham Bar and gave out leaflets about the Car Free Day; the leaflets had information about the extra two traffic-free streets today, Micklegate and Fossgate, and the entertainment that was timetabled, plus the attractions which were admitting car-free travellers at a reduced rate or for free. It rained constantly, and our leaflets got wet, but lots of people took them. Quite a few people said they didn't know about the day, but two told me they had noticed less motor traffic on the roads.
Then I went to Millers Yard and picked up the sacks of squashed halved oranges, and came home. I had just 10 minutes at home, time for a coffee, and I cycled back to go to Micklegate, with my balloons. I'd been booked to do circus skills, but there was no way I could do that in the rain. But balloons can be modelled in almost any weather. Trouble was, there were not that many people walking down the road, and only a tiny percentage of them were suitable candidates for balloon animals. But, I must have given out a dozen or so. It rained continuously, although mainly drizzle rather than 'proper' rain. Some good conversations with Kaj, who is a linguist and loves accents and language. I left at 11.30 and visited Fossgate where I was pleased to find the traders had put stalls out into the street and it was a lot more vibrant, despite being damp. I came home and had lunch and some quiet time, cracking nuts and doing the washing up. But soon after 3pm I went back to Fossgate with my bag of balloons and stood with a school sustainable travel person under a gazebo, darting out to give out balloon animals to parents with small children (using the device 'Excuse me, but do you know anyone who likes balloon animals?'). I enjoyed listening to a guitar player called Richard Harrison, and then later a pair of young sisters playing the Sax and Clarinet, the Frankland Sisters, aged 12 and 14. They were very good, and played things like 'Singing in the Rain' and 'Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud'.
It began to rain very heavily and at about 5pm I came home. Very wet, very exhausted, feeling deflated and in need of bed rest. However I didn't manage to get the early night that I would have liked. I made my own tea... 3 slices of the huge Tromboncino squash, half an onion, some nuts all fried up on the stove top, then I added a sliced huge 'beef' tomato straight off the plant, and some pasta left over from yesterday, and some old Edam cheese which the children now claim not to like. I spent some time on facebook, and got a message from a friend who told me that a scan had found a tumour on their liver, which kind of put my low mood and tiredness into perspective. I went to bed at 9ish, intending to get up a bit later and do stuff, but I slept right through.
Thursday, 30 September 2010
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Tuesday 28th September 10
A mixed day, woken by yelling so came downstairs to just be around and I didn't have to do anything but be there. Both boys went to school.
Gill went to Physio and I spent some time dealing with emails and then got the chainsaw and chopped up 3 large pallets, and a few branches and logs. I had lunch at the usual time, on the dot of 1pm, and then I got a phone call which changed the mood of the day.
I'm well known for collecting waste wood to replace fossil fuel use, and find untreated timber in skips, and sticks and logs in nearby woodland, and people with gardens sometimes let me have fuel, and tree surgeons sometimes drop stuff off. When I arrived in Hull Road in 2001, I saw that there was a small patch of woodland in the front of the Woodlands MS Respite Care Centre, and I spoke to the grounds managers who said that they put chopped branches and shrubs there, and I could have them if I wanted them. So since then, I've been collecting bits and bobs of sticks and branches from there several times a year. I'd not seen the need to ask every time, taking the gardener's words as good enough. When the Centre was going to fell a tree, I offered to pick up the logs and they were more than happy to save money and let me do the clearing up. This has happened twice.
So, last Thursday, I went into the wood in the afternoon and tidied up some tipped branches, and in the evening, at dusk, went back to pick up a wheelbarrow full of sticks. As I was doing this, one of the volunteer managers, Mel, spotted me in the woodland and asked what I was doing there. I answered truthfully and she went and left me to finish what I was doing.
This afternoon, Rachel, the Volunteering and Fundraising Co-ordinator, phoned me and told me that I hadn't had permission to go in the woodland and that I was trespassing, and what was I doing there in the dark anyway? The upshot of the conversation was that she is no longer wanting me to be a volunteer there, and help the grounds management staff with their clearing up behind the Centre. I feel this is unfair, as I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, and I didn't hear any message from her when we arranged the induction, which was to be on Thursday, about ceasing to use that space... in fact, I didn't mention that arrangement and she claims that she didn't know. So it's a sad situation, as they have lost a potential keen volunteer worker, and I've lost a source of logs which I was looking forward to. All the logs at the back will now be burned on a bonfire, instead of me sorting through them and making a wildlife pile with the smaller bits, and taking bigger bits off site in my own time. Shame, left me feeling sad.
But then Clive my Green Party friend arrived. He'd asked if I wanted help delivering some of the election leaflets, so we walked for nearly 2 hours around the local area and delivered several hundred of them. We got a bit of a chance to chat, and it turns out he worked in the same place as Gill's father, and remembers him. This was nice to come back to Gill with.
I had a quick tea and at 6.15 went to Tang Hall Library for the Hull Road Ward Planning Panel. We had quite a jolly time, and dealt with just 3 applications.
I came home via a skip; I'd spoken to the builders earlier and they were more than happy for me to take some wood out. I got two trailer loads of big roof beams.
Later on, I lit the stove, washed up, chopped apples, watched Ideal and played Scrabble on facebook, which is pretty well back to normal. So, a mixed day.
Gill went to Physio and I spent some time dealing with emails and then got the chainsaw and chopped up 3 large pallets, and a few branches and logs. I had lunch at the usual time, on the dot of 1pm, and then I got a phone call which changed the mood of the day.
I'm well known for collecting waste wood to replace fossil fuel use, and find untreated timber in skips, and sticks and logs in nearby woodland, and people with gardens sometimes let me have fuel, and tree surgeons sometimes drop stuff off. When I arrived in Hull Road in 2001, I saw that there was a small patch of woodland in the front of the Woodlands MS Respite Care Centre, and I spoke to the grounds managers who said that they put chopped branches and shrubs there, and I could have them if I wanted them. So since then, I've been collecting bits and bobs of sticks and branches from there several times a year. I'd not seen the need to ask every time, taking the gardener's words as good enough. When the Centre was going to fell a tree, I offered to pick up the logs and they were more than happy to save money and let me do the clearing up. This has happened twice.
So, last Thursday, I went into the wood in the afternoon and tidied up some tipped branches, and in the evening, at dusk, went back to pick up a wheelbarrow full of sticks. As I was doing this, one of the volunteer managers, Mel, spotted me in the woodland and asked what I was doing there. I answered truthfully and she went and left me to finish what I was doing.
This afternoon, Rachel, the Volunteering and Fundraising Co-ordinator, phoned me and told me that I hadn't had permission to go in the woodland and that I was trespassing, and what was I doing there in the dark anyway? The upshot of the conversation was that she is no longer wanting me to be a volunteer there, and help the grounds management staff with their clearing up behind the Centre. I feel this is unfair, as I didn't think I was doing anything wrong, and I didn't hear any message from her when we arranged the induction, which was to be on Thursday, about ceasing to use that space... in fact, I didn't mention that arrangement and she claims that she didn't know. So it's a sad situation, as they have lost a potential keen volunteer worker, and I've lost a source of logs which I was looking forward to. All the logs at the back will now be burned on a bonfire, instead of me sorting through them and making a wildlife pile with the smaller bits, and taking bigger bits off site in my own time. Shame, left me feeling sad.
But then Clive my Green Party friend arrived. He'd asked if I wanted help delivering some of the election leaflets, so we walked for nearly 2 hours around the local area and delivered several hundred of them. We got a bit of a chance to chat, and it turns out he worked in the same place as Gill's father, and remembers him. This was nice to come back to Gill with.
I had a quick tea and at 6.15 went to Tang Hall Library for the Hull Road Ward Planning Panel. We had quite a jolly time, and dealt with just 3 applications.
I came home via a skip; I'd spoken to the builders earlier and they were more than happy for me to take some wood out. I got two trailer loads of big roof beams.
Later on, I lit the stove, washed up, chopped apples, watched Ideal and played Scrabble on facebook, which is pretty well back to normal. So, a mixed day.
Monday 27th September 10
A good day with two York Rotters meetings. I got to St Nicks before 10am and the Management Group meeting went well. We discussed how we are going to try to achieve the targets we haven't yet met this year, some ways of working which will enable us to reach more people, and some possible longer-term projects. We work really well together and I think we're a strong team.
Soon after midday, my second meeting got underway; this being the latest in the series triggered by my over-enthusiastic behaviour at the Big Green Market Rotters stall last year, which generated complaints from some other volunteers and Council staff. Things are moving forward positively... there is the possibility of my getting a 'buddy' who would work with me on the stall, and keep an eye on me and warn me if I was getting over enthusiastic or saying anything which was inappropriate. We discussed my working to some rules, which would be very helpful with my type of Aspergery 'Neuro Diverse' way of being, and I learned that there had been some diversity training for staff and volunteers at the centre, which is wonderful. Although this has been a difficult time for me, and my colleagues, I'm glad that positive things have come out of it, and I've learned more about the filters and boundaries I already use in certain situations, and need to develop for others, including my volunteering.
I went home fairly happy, to a late lunch, and had a productive afternoon in the house and the garden.
Later, I put a load of dried apple rings in 2 big jars, pear halves in 2 jars, and one jar full of dried plums. This frees up space to do a lot more apple, which I have considerable quantities of.
After 10pm, Andy Chase came round, and gave me the election leaflets which need to be delivered round Hull Road Ward. Andy had a cuppa and some apple cake which Gill's made, and we had a good chat about all sorts of things. I did more washing up and more fruit for drying...
Soon after midday, my second meeting got underway; this being the latest in the series triggered by my over-enthusiastic behaviour at the Big Green Market Rotters stall last year, which generated complaints from some other volunteers and Council staff. Things are moving forward positively... there is the possibility of my getting a 'buddy' who would work with me on the stall, and keep an eye on me and warn me if I was getting over enthusiastic or saying anything which was inappropriate. We discussed my working to some rules, which would be very helpful with my type of Aspergery 'Neuro Diverse' way of being, and I learned that there had been some diversity training for staff and volunteers at the centre, which is wonderful. Although this has been a difficult time for me, and my colleagues, I'm glad that positive things have come out of it, and I've learned more about the filters and boundaries I already use in certain situations, and need to develop for others, including my volunteering.
I went home fairly happy, to a late lunch, and had a productive afternoon in the house and the garden.
Later, I put a load of dried apple rings in 2 big jars, pear halves in 2 jars, and one jar full of dried plums. This frees up space to do a lot more apple, which I have considerable quantities of.
After 10pm, Andy Chase came round, and gave me the election leaflets which need to be delivered round Hull Road Ward. Andy had a cuppa and some apple cake which Gill's made, and we had a good chat about all sorts of things. I did more washing up and more fruit for drying...
Monday, 27 September 2010
Sunday 26th September 10 Last day of 'Everyday People' and Participants Reunion
Another early start, bleary eyed, as off to Manchester for the last day of the Spencer Tunick exhibition at The Lowry, and a reunion with some of the participants.
I cycled down to the station for 10am, got a day return and had a very nice journey over there, although it took a bit longer than timetabled as there was working on the track and we had a bit of a diversion. But it was only another 15 minutes. I had a nice conversation with a chap who was recovering from a night out in the Leeds Gay quarter (I didn't know it had a Gay Quarter!) and a sweet Nigerian lady who told me all about her family and we talked about faith and belief and all sorts. I do enjoy train journeys for the interesting conversations I often have on them.
I met Janie at Manchester Piccadilly, and we went to get on a tram to the nearest stop to The Lowry, Harbour City. There were loads of cars parked in the Harbour City area, and I remembered it was the day of the Great Northern Swim, with apparently about 3500 swimmers doing a mile in the Salford Quay. We watched a bunch of them start off and go under the bridge we were on. My facebook friend and fellow greenie Tracey Smith was supposed to be there, but she'd had a cold a couple of days ago, and the organisers ask you to be in tip top condition. She'll do another swim sometime, raising money for her cause, The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
We were soon at The Lowry and Rosemarie and Martin were there at the entrance, with little blue ribbons to identify participants. I sat with Janie outside for a few minutes and had my sandwiches, and then we went inside to have a final look at the Everyday People exhibition, and I picked up my signed print. We also looked round the LS Lowry paintings and drawings, which was really interesting. He was capable of doing a number of different styles, not just the iconic 'matchstick men' pictures. At 3pm we all gathered outside and several people took photos, with us in various poses, all clothed, but echoing some of the poses we had to do for Tunick.
After this, which was fun (shouts of 'Dont smile', and many other humorous comments) Janie and I went to check out the rest of the artwork on display, a 60s photographer Philip Townsend. And then, a walk back to the tram and we ended up in Piccadilly Gardens, where I eventually found a reasonable looking place which did me a rice dish and a feta salad. Janie wasn't hungry but had something to drink.
Then, after watching some street dancers, we went to the station and Janie got her train back to Stockport and I got the next train back to York. I got in before 10pm, lit the stove, washed up and went on the computer. A good day.
I cycled down to the station for 10am, got a day return and had a very nice journey over there, although it took a bit longer than timetabled as there was working on the track and we had a bit of a diversion. But it was only another 15 minutes. I had a nice conversation with a chap who was recovering from a night out in the Leeds Gay quarter (I didn't know it had a Gay Quarter!) and a sweet Nigerian lady who told me all about her family and we talked about faith and belief and all sorts. I do enjoy train journeys for the interesting conversations I often have on them.
I met Janie at Manchester Piccadilly, and we went to get on a tram to the nearest stop to The Lowry, Harbour City. There were loads of cars parked in the Harbour City area, and I remembered it was the day of the Great Northern Swim, with apparently about 3500 swimmers doing a mile in the Salford Quay. We watched a bunch of them start off and go under the bridge we were on. My facebook friend and fellow greenie Tracey Smith was supposed to be there, but she'd had a cold a couple of days ago, and the organisers ask you to be in tip top condition. She'll do another swim sometime, raising money for her cause, The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
We were soon at The Lowry and Rosemarie and Martin were there at the entrance, with little blue ribbons to identify participants. I sat with Janie outside for a few minutes and had my sandwiches, and then we went inside to have a final look at the Everyday People exhibition, and I picked up my signed print. We also looked round the LS Lowry paintings and drawings, which was really interesting. He was capable of doing a number of different styles, not just the iconic 'matchstick men' pictures. At 3pm we all gathered outside and several people took photos, with us in various poses, all clothed, but echoing some of the poses we had to do for Tunick.
After this, which was fun (shouts of 'Dont smile', and many other humorous comments) Janie and I went to check out the rest of the artwork on display, a 60s photographer Philip Townsend. And then, a walk back to the tram and we ended up in Piccadilly Gardens, where I eventually found a reasonable looking place which did me a rice dish and a feta salad. Janie wasn't hungry but had something to drink.
Then, after watching some street dancers, we went to the station and Janie got her train back to Stockport and I got the next train back to York. I got in before 10pm, lit the stove, washed up and went on the computer. A good day.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Saturday 25th September 10
Had quite a few things I had to do today, but it was a goody. I got up fairly early and after my usual bowl of cereal and soya milk, loaded up my bike trailer with a very large number of plastic stacking fruit boxes. I also put some on my pannier rack and some on my handlebars... it looked great, and wasn't heavy so was no bother to steer or stay upright.
But I needed to get to Millets as early as possible, to check out a tent which Gill had spotted, which would solve our summer holiday problem for next summer. This summer's short camping excursion proved that our existing tent is too small for me and both boys, let alone the whole family! But as the boys enjoyed camping, we have tent-ative plans for next summer and Gill's been looking out for a four-person tent, and in Millets she found a half price Berghaus Cuillin 4.
So I headed down there first and found it hadn't sold, so I reserved it and said I'd be back later with some money. Then I cycled out to Scarcroft Road to where Dave Broughton, of Edible York and Abundance fame lives, and delivered the crates. I hope I put them into the right back yard, as no-one was in!
I then went to Priory Street but the meeting I'd been invited to was at midday and I'd got there at 11, so i parked my bike and walked into town, went to the cash machine and then to Millets, and came out with the really heavy tent bag on wheels... and went back to CVS and then the Green Streets meeting started slowly coming together.
This project started about a year ago, with the Stockholm Environment Institute and the City of York Council working to develop a way to spread the message of carbon reduction and greener living in certain streets and neighbourhoods. They chose a few areas and found some local champions to carry the project forward. One group of people contacted them and asked to be involved. I was aware what was going on but wasn't involved. In January 2010 the project started with a baseline carbon calculation, and then a series of easy interventions and approaches followed, until August when the second calculation of the carbon footprint was made. One team only managed a 1.7% decrease, whereas the best had a 17% reduction. The average was 11%. One of the confounding factors was the very cold weather which meant increased home heating in the early part of the experiment.
So this afternoon, it was a review of the project, awards and some discussion about the way forward. Quite a few of my friends were there, and I'd been invited as I'd expressed an interest in some of the proposed follow-up work. I also brought home all of the paper plates and some of the thrown away food for composting.
However, I popped into the Brigantes to meet Andy and Dave, our two Green Councillors, to look at the election leaflet which is being put together for the By Election on 14th October in my Ward. We made quite a few edits. I then cycled home, the trailer completely filled with the new ginormous tent, but still picked up one sack of compostables at Country Fresh and half a bag at Freshways.
Had a very busy evening and was unable to complete my blog before I got too sleepy, due to lots of my friends chatting with me on the computer.
But I needed to get to Millets as early as possible, to check out a tent which Gill had spotted, which would solve our summer holiday problem for next summer. This summer's short camping excursion proved that our existing tent is too small for me and both boys, let alone the whole family! But as the boys enjoyed camping, we have tent-ative plans for next summer and Gill's been looking out for a four-person tent, and in Millets she found a half price Berghaus Cuillin 4.
So I headed down there first and found it hadn't sold, so I reserved it and said I'd be back later with some money. Then I cycled out to Scarcroft Road to where Dave Broughton, of Edible York and Abundance fame lives, and delivered the crates. I hope I put them into the right back yard, as no-one was in!
I then went to Priory Street but the meeting I'd been invited to was at midday and I'd got there at 11, so i parked my bike and walked into town, went to the cash machine and then to Millets, and came out with the really heavy tent bag on wheels... and went back to CVS and then the Green Streets meeting started slowly coming together.
This project started about a year ago, with the Stockholm Environment Institute and the City of York Council working to develop a way to spread the message of carbon reduction and greener living in certain streets and neighbourhoods. They chose a few areas and found some local champions to carry the project forward. One group of people contacted them and asked to be involved. I was aware what was going on but wasn't involved. In January 2010 the project started with a baseline carbon calculation, and then a series of easy interventions and approaches followed, until August when the second calculation of the carbon footprint was made. One team only managed a 1.7% decrease, whereas the best had a 17% reduction. The average was 11%. One of the confounding factors was the very cold weather which meant increased home heating in the early part of the experiment.
So this afternoon, it was a review of the project, awards and some discussion about the way forward. Quite a few of my friends were there, and I'd been invited as I'd expressed an interest in some of the proposed follow-up work. I also brought home all of the paper plates and some of the thrown away food for composting.
However, I popped into the Brigantes to meet Andy and Dave, our two Green Councillors, to look at the election leaflet which is being put together for the By Election on 14th October in my Ward. We made quite a few edits. I then cycled home, the trailer completely filled with the new ginormous tent, but still picked up one sack of compostables at Country Fresh and half a bag at Freshways.
Had a very busy evening and was unable to complete my blog before I got too sleepy, due to lots of my friends chatting with me on the computer.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Friday 24th September 10
Got up before 9 but didn't get dressed til after 11. But then I got up and did a bit of work outside, mainly in the pond-to-be area, and came in for a late lunch at 1.30. But that didn't leave much time for my gig which started at 3pm, quite near, just off Heslington Road. But I had a quick shave and bath, hair wash, and then packed my trailer and set off at 2.45, so I was there before 3.
The event was for York Housing Association, to celebrate the new housing development in Alne Terrace, Apollo Street and Horsman Avenue. I went in costume and was therefore able to unload my trailer and get onto my unicycle withing 2 minutes. I did quite a bit of unicycling whilst devilsticking as assorted photographers wanted a picture of the event with the new housing behind. When they were done with me I wanted more interaction and took my balloons into the marquee and made animals for the children and some of the oldies. I also cornered some of the HA staff and made them balloon models too... Towards the end of the event I ran a juggling workshop and worked with a woman who knows Edward Harland well, and has connections with CAT, so we got on well.
People started drifting away at 5ish and Sue said I could stop, despite being booked 3 til 6. I popped into Country Fresh round the corner and picked up a box of goodies and some fresh veggies which when I got them back to Gill, she was incredibly grateful as she was at a loss at what to make for tea.
In the evening I did an immense pile of washing up and yet more fruit slicing for the drying racks...
The event was for York Housing Association, to celebrate the new housing development in Alne Terrace, Apollo Street and Horsman Avenue. I went in costume and was therefore able to unload my trailer and get onto my unicycle withing 2 minutes. I did quite a bit of unicycling whilst devilsticking as assorted photographers wanted a picture of the event with the new housing behind. When they were done with me I wanted more interaction and took my balloons into the marquee and made animals for the children and some of the oldies. I also cornered some of the HA staff and made them balloon models too... Towards the end of the event I ran a juggling workshop and worked with a woman who knows Edward Harland well, and has connections with CAT, so we got on well.
People started drifting away at 5ish and Sue said I could stop, despite being booked 3 til 6. I popped into Country Fresh round the corner and picked up a box of goodies and some fresh veggies which when I got them back to Gill, she was incredibly grateful as she was at a loss at what to make for tea.
In the evening I did an immense pile of washing up and yet more fruit slicing for the drying racks...
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Thursday 23rd September 10
Up reasonably early in order to get to Leeds for the hospital appointment to remove my dressing and the stitches. So I left home at about 9.15 and popped into Cycle Heaven as both disc brakes need tightening and the rear brake's plastic wheel with which it can be hand-tightened has disintegrated, and the socket to use to tighten it has become stripped, so I'm unable to tighten the rear one. The front one is movable, but difficult. I am not happy with these brakes. I had a chat with Ash who said he'd do something about them. I left my bike with him, and took a Cycle Heaven replacement.
I took this on the train to Leeds, as I missed the fast 9.58 which would have got me into Leeds with time to walk to the hospital, so I got the 10.11 stop-everywhere, which takes over 30 minutes to get there. So I put the bike on the train, and then cycled up to the LGI, and arrived at the Plastic Surgery dressing removal place at one minute past 11.
I didn't have to wait long, and the nice nurse took just 5 minutes to deal with me. I was really pleased to see that the scar is very well healed, is small and tidy, and already looks fairly invisible. Amazing!
I cycled back through Leeds and got on a train before midday. Cycle Heaven had sorted my brakes; Ash had dismantled and rebuilt the front one and removed the plastic disc from the rear, so that it can now be tightened with a spanner. He said that next time I brought my bike in for servicing he'd consider putting brakes on which had bigger pads, which he hoped would last longer.
I got home via Country Fresh, and 3 sacks and two boxes, about 60kg, and had lunch at 1.30pm.
So, the afternoon went quickly as my next appointment was at 3pm, with Owen about 10 minutes cycle away, who had asked me to install two compost bins at his block of flats. He'd had a neighbours meeting which I'd provided information for, and they'd then decided to get communal compost bins. One week later, Owen was lucky enough to win a compost bin! So he'd only needed to purchase one, and today I took a spade, a roll of chicken wire to make them rat-resistant, and pliers to cut the wire to size. To install a 'dalek' bin, it is best to first find level ground, in a sunny corner if possible, and to place the bin on the ground and mark out where the base of the bin sits with a spade. The bin is then moved away and a narrow trench made for the foot of the bin to sit in. Then Owen helped me cut the wire into a square big enough to cover the whole of the base of the bin, and stick out each side. This is put onto the ground, on top of the trench, and the bin carefully placed onto the wire and pushed into the trench, so the wire completely covers the base of the bin. Then the soil from the trench is put back onto the foot of the bin, to help hold it down. This makes it difficult for rats to get in through the base, although if they really want to, they can gnaw a hole in the side of the bin. However, I've only seen this once.
So I was home soon after 4pm, and I did a bit in the garden, and after tea (the delicious carrot stew/soup, with extra pasta in it), popped over the road to deal with another pile of waste wood... chopped shrubs and bits of trees, which I pruned down to useful sticks. Later, I went to collect a wheelbarrow full of them, and was accosted by a Woodlands staff member who was surprised to see me working there at that time in the evening. I guess she didn't know I've been visiting that bit of woodland for about 9 years, and tidying up some of the detritus the gardeners throw in there. I hope it doesn't put my becoming an official volunteer in jeopardy!
Later in the evening, I couldn't resist opening some of the windfall walnuts, and my fingers ended up black. I also got a load of very ripe plums from Country Fresh, so I halved them and skinned them and put them on the drying rack.... I had time to do this as facebook was playing up and I couldn't have my usual chats and Scrabble...
I took this on the train to Leeds, as I missed the fast 9.58 which would have got me into Leeds with time to walk to the hospital, so I got the 10.11 stop-everywhere, which takes over 30 minutes to get there. So I put the bike on the train, and then cycled up to the LGI, and arrived at the Plastic Surgery dressing removal place at one minute past 11.
I didn't have to wait long, and the nice nurse took just 5 minutes to deal with me. I was really pleased to see that the scar is very well healed, is small and tidy, and already looks fairly invisible. Amazing!
I cycled back through Leeds and got on a train before midday. Cycle Heaven had sorted my brakes; Ash had dismantled and rebuilt the front one and removed the plastic disc from the rear, so that it can now be tightened with a spanner. He said that next time I brought my bike in for servicing he'd consider putting brakes on which had bigger pads, which he hoped would last longer.
I got home via Country Fresh, and 3 sacks and two boxes, about 60kg, and had lunch at 1.30pm.
So, the afternoon went quickly as my next appointment was at 3pm, with Owen about 10 minutes cycle away, who had asked me to install two compost bins at his block of flats. He'd had a neighbours meeting which I'd provided information for, and they'd then decided to get communal compost bins. One week later, Owen was lucky enough to win a compost bin! So he'd only needed to purchase one, and today I took a spade, a roll of chicken wire to make them rat-resistant, and pliers to cut the wire to size. To install a 'dalek' bin, it is best to first find level ground, in a sunny corner if possible, and to place the bin on the ground and mark out where the base of the bin sits with a spade. The bin is then moved away and a narrow trench made for the foot of the bin to sit in. Then Owen helped me cut the wire into a square big enough to cover the whole of the base of the bin, and stick out each side. This is put onto the ground, on top of the trench, and the bin carefully placed onto the wire and pushed into the trench, so the wire completely covers the base of the bin. Then the soil from the trench is put back onto the foot of the bin, to help hold it down. This makes it difficult for rats to get in through the base, although if they really want to, they can gnaw a hole in the side of the bin. However, I've only seen this once.
So I was home soon after 4pm, and I did a bit in the garden, and after tea (the delicious carrot stew/soup, with extra pasta in it), popped over the road to deal with another pile of waste wood... chopped shrubs and bits of trees, which I pruned down to useful sticks. Later, I went to collect a wheelbarrow full of them, and was accosted by a Woodlands staff member who was surprised to see me working there at that time in the evening. I guess she didn't know I've been visiting that bit of woodland for about 9 years, and tidying up some of the detritus the gardeners throw in there. I hope it doesn't put my becoming an official volunteer in jeopardy!
Later in the evening, I couldn't resist opening some of the windfall walnuts, and my fingers ended up black. I also got a load of very ripe plums from Country Fresh, so I halved them and skinned them and put them on the drying rack.... I had time to do this as facebook was playing up and I couldn't have my usual chats and Scrabble...
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