Unwanted and Needed Gifts

I was having my hair cut when my hairdresser asked what ‘prezzies’ I wanted for Christmas. This took me aback and I had to think. In fact, there was nothing I desired. I had everything I could ever need. I was even more surprised when I realised that I had not thought about presents for myself. There truly was nothing I wanted! If I needed anything, then I might want it.

At this time of year when people habitually give gifts, many are given that are not wanted, indeed loads of them are never used. They end up in cupboards or lofts where they gather dust and are forgotten. Even children reject gifts they do not want and they set them to one side.

The latest advertisements for children’s Christmas presents are designed to encourage adults into buying trendy items such as Leap Pad 2 or Barbie Puppy Play Park.  Apparently, Peppa Pig and Zhu Zhu Hamsters are not so hip this year.

An advertisement in similar vein that caught my eye was in the form of a poster outside my local Methodist Church. At first I saw an image of a realistic looking boy doll; then I read the words:

Godbaby

The gift that loves you back.

At the bottom in small print were the words:

Christmas starts with Christ

Further scrutiny revealed a website address: christmasstarts.com .

I was hooked and wanted to know more. When back at home, I could not resist looking at the website which tells of God’s perfect gift, the gift of His Son.

Like so many gifts, this most precious gift will be rejected. People do not want Him. They are unaware that they need Him.

Links

Christmas Starts.com

http://www.christmasstarts.com/ 

Christmas Toys.org.uk

http://www.christmastoys.org.uk/

Leap Pad 2

http://www.topkidstoys.org.uk/product/LeapFrog-LeapPad-Explorer-2-Green.html

Barbie Puppy Play Park

http://www.tesco.com/direct/barbie-puppy-play-park/305-9321.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=305-9321&sc_cmp=ppc_b_barbie%20puppy%20play%20park_e

Zhu Zhu Hamsters

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=zhu+zhu%27s+hamsters&tag=mh0a9-21&index=toys&hvadid=454474997&ref=pd_sl_21zkxbxduw_e

Why the toy industry may not have much to look forward to this Christmas

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/why-the-toy-industry-may-not-have-much-to-look-forward-to-this-christmas-8424764.html

.

 

Odd Jobs

 

I can see light at the end of the tunnel. Soon all jobs around the house I intended doing will be finished. Today, I tackled a few loose ends in an attempt to complete the aforementioned. For sure there will be more, because like a boat, a house for ever needs attention. Without renewal here and there a house will decay and fall into disrepair, even fall down; likewise a boat will deteriorate and eventually sink!

 

Three little things required doing in the kitchen: I had to cut and fit a plinth to the base of the work unit beside the cooker; fit a knob to the cupboard door where the old oven had been, and reseat coving that had fallen away from the ceiling immediately above the sink. Forty five minutes and they were done.

When I fitted aluminium edging to worktops by the cooker last Friday, I glued them with Evo-Stik. I thought the adhesive was really effective because some ended up on my fingers and I had great difficulty removing it. I have a feeling that the modern version of the glue is far better than the original - correct me if I am wrong. As I had plenty left over from doing the edging, I used a small quantity to attach the coving to the ceiling.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ‘For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.’

Links

Evo-Stik

http://www.bostik.co.uk/diy/product/evo-stik/Impact/6

Building ‘Sharpy’, Part 49

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/building-sharpy-part-49.html

 

Curtains

Making an extension

Made

 

On Monday, 10^th December I fitted vertical blinds to the windows of the box room. That left me with the problem of refitting the curtains I had taken down. Somehow I had to devise a system of support for the track so that the curtains would be clear of the blinds when they were open. I had to extend the old brackets by eight centimetres or find replacement brackets of the right length.

Joined with nuts and bolts

 

Track in place

Done

Despite a thorough search at local stores and on the Internet, I could not get hold of new brackets. They were no longer available, the last being produced in 2009. There was only one thing for it, and that was to make my own extensions for the existing brackets. I had aluminium pieces left over from when I tidied the workbench beside the new cooker, and there was enough of it for five extensions.

Everything went to plan, and I was pleased with the finished result. The photos show how it was done.

Links

Vertical Blinds

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/vertical-blinds.html

Matt Layden’s Sailboats

I have always been a fan of Matt Layden’s boats because they incorporate features that I value. He brings to the fore a certain utilitarian, minimalist functionality of design which is closely linked to sound ergonomics.

The most profound statements are expressed with few words to maximum effect, and his boats are like that. They are like the line drawings of Pablo Picasso who could reveal form and express emotion with a few apparent squiggles, but in fact his drawings are highly sensitive, select renderings of light and shade recorded by the artist through the means of a pen, pencil, charcoal or crayon.

Matt is always protective of his crew, and apart from his smaller boats, he never exposes the crew to the full blast of the elements: wind, waves, rain or sun. Safety is paramount, and he achieves this by engineering the boat in such a way that she can be operated from the comfort of the cabin. There is little need for her crew to go on deck. All that is necessary for working the boat is to hand. The ratio of sail to ballast is in favour of the boat remaining upright. Resistance to forward motion is minimal. There is little under the hull to cause drag; only the external surface which can be as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Above the waterline there is no excessive top-hamper to bring about resistance.  A single short mast coupled with a sail that has a low centre of effort can withstand the onslaught of an unexpected squall. Initial heeling brings high buoyancy on account of the hull having a single chine or firm bilge. His boats have excellent directional stability, and they are well balanced, while responding positively to the tiller.

One of Matt’s earlier sailboats was ‘Swamp Thing’, a small decked sharpie that he sailed from Florida to the Bahamas and back.

Later he built ‘Little Cruiser’, now owned by Dave and Mindy Balduc.

‘Paradox’ is the most well-known of his designs. Many have been built worldwide, and on the whole their owners are full of praise for their boats. She is not without fault, however, the least obvious one being her hesitancy in going about from starboard tack to port tack. I believe this happens because her mast is offset to port and the sail is set on the port side of the mast, causing drag on that side. She is not the most spontaneous sailboat for launching and recovering from the water, particularly when being managed by a lone crew; hence day sailing from a road trailer is not really viable. The time and effort taken to launch and retrieve is just not worth it– at least, that’s my opinion. I do know of people who have slicker operations that was mine with ‘Faith’, because their road trailers are more user friendly.

A little easier to manage is Matt’s ‘Elusion’, which he has transported on top of his car, but for me a road trailer would be preferable. Removable wheels that slot into the sides of the hull make it easy for portaging. ‘Elusion’ is not as foolproof when at sea as ‘Paradox’, on account of being more dependent on the ability of the crew for keeping her upright when the going gets tough on account of rough seas and strong winds.

‘Sand Flee’ is similar, but shorter and wider she is an audacious little cruiser - one that stretches the imagination, not the budget. In Matt’s capable hands she sailed hundreds of miles on the shallow waters of the Everglades.

‘Enigma’ is perhaps the most versatile of his designs, since she can be used for day sailing and for cruising.

Links

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/elusion-matt-laydens-micro-sailboat.html

‘Swamp Thing’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/swamp-thing.html

‘Enigma’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/enigma.html

‘Little Cruiser’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/little-cruiser-dave-and-mindy-bolduc.html

‘Sand Flee’

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/sand-flee.html

Microcruising - Pictures

 http://www.microcruising.com/pictures.htm

Pablo Picasso

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso

I had an adventure in the loft this morning searching for all the Christmas paraphernalia, most importantly parts for assembling the tree. Our six foot ‘snow’ tree bought at TESCO some years ago is still going strong. Bit by bit I put the colour-coded parts together, starting with the trunk which was comprised of four pieces that slotted together.

Two of our young grandsons came to help decorate the tree. They were a great at sorting and checking baubles before attaching them to the tips of branches. Of course, they could not reach the higher ones, and that’s where I was of use.  Between us we established a few rules for decorating the tree. Large items would be attached first, followed by smaller and smaller ones, until none were left. I arranged the fairy lights before the children arrived.

By way of decorations in addition to the tree, we have a three foot papier-mâché Father Christmas and a cheerful, cotton wool snowman wearing a colourful scarf. We also have miniature LED lights that emit an attractive pale green glow and they usually form part of the mantelshelf decorations devised by my wife. She comes up with various themes year by year. Candlelight adds to the magic on Christmas Eve when the main lights are dimmed. Then it is always special, because all has been done and the scene is set for Christmas Day.

We shall, of course, enjoy meeting all the church folk that morning for a time of worship before going our separate ways. No doubt most of us will have traditional Christmas fare before listening to the Queen’s speech. The children won’t be so keen, as they will want to play with their new toys and games. For me, a family gathering is always rewarding, and this year we shall celebrate together at our youngest daughter’s place.

Luke 2:14

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill

toward men!”

Links

Papier-mâché

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papier-m%C3%A2ch%C3%A9

TESCO  6’ Snow Alps Spruce Christmas Tree

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-6ft-snow-alps-spruce-christmas-tree/233-9853.prd

LED Christmas Tree

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/led-christmas-tree.html

Yachtsman’s Christmas Tree

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2005/12/yachtsmans-christmas-tree.html

Nearly There

Well, for those who have been following my progress towards completing the installation of the new cooker, I can tell you I am nearly finished. The photos make it pretty clear what occupied me this afternoon. I only have to fit a handle to the book cabinet and a plinth to the base of one of the work units; then I’m finished. That’s a bold statement, because no doubt the kitchen will require repainting.

 

 

I’m sure you spotted the mistake, which goes to show how imperfect my workmanship was. How I came to do it defeats me. I clearly made an error with my measuring and didn’t twig on. Never mind, my wife quite likes her new oven, and that’s what counts.

Philippians 3:12 ‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.’

Link

Homebase – Where I bought the aluminium edging

http://www.homebase.co.uk/  

 

 

12.12.2012 Jack Frost etc

Yesterday was the twelfth of the twelfth, twenty twelve, and my phone and Internet connection were down. They still are, but I’m able to get online via my T-Mobile dongle, which I highly recommend to anyone wanting a mobile connection.

 Wednesday morning was crispy white, indicative of a visit by Jack Frost. Of special interest to me were the heavily encrusted cobwebs decorating the garden pergola. There was no sign of the long legged creatures that spun them; in fact, I doubt any of them would have survived the freezing temperature.

The best place for me under those conditions was to remain indoors. I would transform the space where the old stove had been into a cupboard for my wife’s cookbooks. I would have to add a door and make a shelf.

Because I had to buy a plain white door, I couldn’t avoid stepping out into the cold and scraping ice off the windscreen of the car.

Homebase didn’t have anything suitable, but I found a plain door at Wickes. It was too long; therefore I would cut a strip off the bottom.  Back at home all went well and when I had finished, the door perfectly fitted. Later that evening I noticed it was binding on the one above. This came about because heat from the central heating boiler caused the door to expand.

Today I raised the upper door to be clear of the lower one. I also made a shelf for the new cupboard and attached a towel rail to the workbench by the kitchen door.

Links

Jack Frost

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Frost

T-mobile

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/  

Homebase

http://www.homebase.co.uk/  

Wickes

http://www.wickes.co.uk/  

 

New Cooker

The old hob under which there were drawers

Yesterday it was blinds for the box room; today it was a new cooker for the kitchen. This morning I was notified by Short Messaging Service on my iPhone that the cooker would be delivered – at what time I did not know, but I had to take out drawers from below the hob and install them under a workbench where there used to be a dishwasher. The hob would also have to be removed to make room for the new cooker. I couldn’t extract the hob because it had to be done by a qualified CORGI technician.

The new cooker

The purpose of the exercise was to replace an oven and internal grill that had been installed on the opposite side of the kitchen. That particular Electrolux oven had been a pain from the outset. Three times the door had to be replaced. Whenever the grill was lit, fumes and smoke would belch into the kitchen until fat above the heating elements had burnt away. There was no external exit for the fumes; therefore they filled the kitchen, necessitating windows to be opened.

Drawers where the old dishwasher had been

 

By 1450 I had done what had to be done, and I was about to go online for tracking the expected cooker when the delivery van turned up. The vehicle was backed into our driveway and two technicians from Knowhow introduced themselves. It was obvious they knew what they were about. Within minutes they started installing the cooker. One of them carried out a gas pressure check while the other cut into the worktop and removed the old hob. Together they installed the new cooker and took out the old stove and grill.  They completed their work in an hour-and-a-half!

The space where the Electrolux oven and grill had been

 

I was happy, and I thought it looked pretty good. My wife was not so pleased because there were gaps between the sides of the oven and the workbench top. Also she did not like the cooker protruding in front of the workbenches. I explained that it could not be set further back because of the gas pipe and hose behind. I also said I would fill the gaps either side with aluminium mouldings or stainless ones. Maybe when I’ve done it, she will like the finished result.

I have yet to buy and fix a door for the void where the old oven and grill were. I shall also put shelves there for extra storage.

I am really pleased that we shall no longer be choked by fumes when using the grill. 

Links

Corgi

http://trustcorgi.com/

Knowhow – the people who installed the cooker

http://knowhow.com/

Cannon Connemara CH50 GCIW Cooker (The new one)

 http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cannon-connemara-ch50gciw-gas-cooker-white-01065088-pdt.html

Electrolux Oven and Grill, similar to the one that caused all the fumes

http://www.johnlewis.com/231810409/Product.aspx

Vertical Blinds

Removing the curtains

I’m not fussed about furnishings in the home; therefore I leave decision-making on that matter to my wife. I’m the handyman who has to make things work, whether assembling an Ikea pack or fitting curtains. Concerning the latter I am an expert, because through practice I have learnt many ways of doing them.

Supports for the vertical blinds

Forty years ago when we first moved into our present home my wife wanted me to remove all existing curtain tracks. She didn’t like them because they were attached to the ceilings. They had to be replaced with side hanging ones.  Since then I’ve had to fit vertical blinds to three south facing windows. The problem with vertical blinds is that a means has to be devised for supporting the curtain track far enough away for keeping the curtains clear of the blinds. I have been forced to come up with some ingenious solutions.





New blinds in place

Because it was three or four years ago that I fitted blinds to the lounge window I thought I had got away with not fitting them to the box room, but that was not the case. It had always been on my wife’s agenda. Several times she suggested we should look into the matter, but there was never any urgency on her part until three weeks ago. Then, by the tone of her voice and the look in her eyes, I knew the task could not be delayed. We trotted off to our local Paul Simon store, where not only did we order and pay for the blinds but we also paid for new readymade stairway curtains.

They fit nicely

 

We collected the blinds this morning, but I was unable to start fitting them until after lunch, and by the time I had taken down the curtain track, light was beginning to fade. Instead of pausing for an afternoon cuppa I pressed on and I managed to finish before dark.

Since then, I’ve been mulling over ideas for extending the curtain rail supports and I think I’ve come up with a solution. If it works I’ll add photos so that you can see how it was done.

Links

Paul Simon

http://www.paulsimon.co.uk/  

Ikea – Curtains and Blinds

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/10654/  

Hillarys Blinds

http://www.hillarys.co.uk/blind-choices/?source=70&utm_source=Bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=vertical+blinds&utm_campaign=Blinds_Generic_Material_[BM]&ref=ppc_hill_2_vrt

Web Blinds

http://www.web-blinds.com/blinds/made-to-measure/vertical-blinds?utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=vertical+blinds&utm_campaign=Blinds_Style_Vertical&ref=ppc_wb_2_vrt

Vertical Blinds Direct

http://www.vertical-blinds-direct.co.uk/?&_kt=&utm_source=msn&utm_campaign=msn&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=msn/  

Recharging Batteries

We can work ourselves into frenzy, especially as Christmas draws near. There are countless tasks to be done in so little time.  We cross one task off our list and another appears. Our brow furrows and we fret. Fatigue creeps in and we yearn for rest, but instead of letting go we press on. Then comes a time when we can continue no longer and we flop out onto the settee or on our bed. After ten minutes we feel refreshed and off we go again.

Eventually, if this continues day after day, we succumb to illness. Body and mind can cope no longer. Those who are fulltime carers, perhaps for a disabled husband, wife, son or daughter know full well the strains and stresses of their situations. The only respite is for someone to relieve them of their onerous task, which is done out of love but is so difficult to perform. Getting away for a break, even a day can give time for recharging their batteries.

We all need time out, whether carers or not, for refuelling ourselves.

Overstretched people who find they cannot continue have few resources, but there are agencies and volunteer organisations that may be able to help.

Links

Carers’ Trust

http://www.carers.org/getting-help

Carers Direct

http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/Pages/CarersDirectHome.aspx

Rethink Mental Illness – Help for Carers

http://www.rethink.org/living_with_mental_illness/caring/help_for_carers/index.html

Alzheimer's disease – caring for a person with dementia

http://www.alz.co.uk/caring-for-a-person-with-dementia

Mind – How to cope as a carer

http://www.mind.org.uk/help/people_groups_and_communities/how_to_cope_as_a_carer

Is Our Nation in Mourning?

Marks and Spencer

Marks and Spencer

The autumn budget statement was presented to Parliament and to the Nation by George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Wednesday. There was little to bring hope for a bright future.  In fact, economists estimate the Government will have to plug a £27 billion deficit before the close of 2018 by making cuts and increasing taxes. Those on pensions will feel the pinch, as tax will be deducted from their pensions to the tune of £2 billion. Labour point out that figures presented by the Institute of Fiscal Studies show that lower income families will be hit the hardest because of cuts in tax credits and reductions to child benefit.

Debenhams

Debenhams

If all this is not bad enough, a look at what is being offered for sale in our major stores like Marks and Spencer and Debenhams you will see that funereal black predominates in fashion ranges, reflecting the mood of the Nation. And yet, this is paradoxical, because when you are out and about, our roads are packed; there’s so much traffic the situation is near gridlock. Shops are teaming with people who are carrying bags full of shopping – Even finding a parking space at TESCO this morning was nigh impossible. I did eventually find a place.

Is it a case of buy now on credit and pay later? I cannot understand what is happening.

Links

Autumn Statement: family tax bombshell over new black hole

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/budget/9728607/Autumn-Statement-family-tax-bombshell-over-new-black-hole.html

Autumn statement: George Osborne slashes welfare and extends austerity

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/05/george-osborne-welfare-autumn-statement

Debenhams

http://www.debenhams.com/?CMP=KNC-MSNAd-Brand&tmcampid=6&tmad=c&_$ja=kw:debenhams|cgn:Bing+-+Debenhams+Single+Term|cgid:567399985|tsid:24980|cn:Bing+-+Brand+Terms|cid:80415122|lid:9216554385|mt:bp|crid:1392689033

Marks and Spencer

http://www.marksandspencer.com/  

This Time of Year

Monday of this first week of December, known as ‘Cyber Monday’ was predicted to be the busiest ever for online trading. People wanted to purchase Christmas presents after being paid for the previous month. My wife and I went to Lakeside and it was pretty busy. I’m glad we made the effort, because on Tuesday, down came the snow. Even the weathermen were caught out, as they had not expected three inches of crispy white snowflakes. Traffic came to a halt on most of the main roads. Gritting had not taken place, and wherever there was an incline, vehicles could not get a grip.

 On Wednesday the snow was still hanging around, and even today there has been more than a trace of the stuff. Crunchy snow on pavements that had frozen overnight made walking on them a dicey business, but by midmorning there was a bit of a thaw and traffic was moving again. For those who did not have to venture out, it was a great opportunity for catching up on jobs that needed doing. I was able to make a start on the Christmas cards. Organising them into categories helped. I placed them into four groups: relatives, friends, neighbours and others. Altogether I wrote out 32 cards for relatives, 8 for friends and 9 for neighbours. I shall have to buy 37 second-class stamps, in total £18.50 at 50p a time.

I like receiving Christmas cards, as quite often they come with snippets of news from people I may not have seen or spoken to for several months. As tokens of love and friendship, these colourful cards sit on the mantelshelf or they are displayed on purpose made wallets hanging form the lounge walls.

I shall soon have to climb into the loft to find our old artificial Christmas tree for assembling, along with bits and bobs, an old cotton wool snowman with a black top hat and a metre high Father Christmas. Our grandchildren will love it when they see the tree and other festive decorations. They’ll love it even more when they play with balloons, and gobble chocolates and dance to music. It will be a wonderful time.  I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year, and of course there will be a joyful celebration at the church on Christmas day, followed by a gathering at my youngest daughter’s place, not to mention the traditional roast turkey.

Links

‘Cyber Monday’

http://www.royalmail.com/delivery/business-delivery-options-uk/second-class-mail

 

Helicopter Pleasure Flights

My mother always fancied a flight on a helicopter. Unfortunately she never fulfilled her dream. I can’t say I’m attracted to having a go - flying in a plane is bad enough! Being held up in the air by a rotating blade needs a bit of faith which I don’t have. Still, the track record, apart from helicopters flying to and fro from oil rigs, is pretty good. I don’t think there has ever been an accident involving injury or loss of life on one of the most frequently used helicopter services, i.e., between Penzance and St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly. (British International ceased operating this service on 1^st November, 2012 – see link below.)

Excel Helicopter Charter offer flights for a number of different functions such as attending the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Cheltenham Festival. They offer special dining options at select venues and sight viewing over London on Sundays. They can of course be chartered for private and business use. I heard of them when visiting Lakeside Shopping Centre and it was there that I took photos of one of their AS355 helicopters. They have seven of them, plus two A109s.

After researching the subject, I’m no more attracted to having a go.

Links

London Pleasure Flights

http://www.londonpleasureflights.co.uk/  

Excel Charter London Helicopter Tour flight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXKzamn4RBw&feature=player_embedded#!  

Excel Helicopter Charter

http://www.excelcharter.com/  

Isles of Scilly Helicopter Service

http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com/  

British International Closure Notice

http://www.islesofscillyhelicopter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/BIH-FINAL-media-release-announcement.pdf

Scilly residents angry as local helicopter service to mainland closes

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/scilly-residents-angry-as-local-helicopter-service-to-mainland-closes-8268379.html

Helicopter crash: 30 years of rig disasters

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/5092751/Helicopter-crash-30-years-of-rig-disasters.html

Pilot blamed for North Sea helicopter crash: Error of judgement caused oil rig accident that claimed lives of 11 men

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/pilot-blamed-for-north-sea-helicopter-crash-error-of-judgement-caused-oil-rig-accident-that-claimed-lives-of-11-men-1453861.html

AS355 Twin Squirrel Helicopter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocopter_AS355

AS355 NP Helicopter

http://www.eurocopter.com/site/en/ref/Light-twin-engine_534-205.html

Agusta AW 109 Helicopter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW109

Lakeside Shopping Centre

http://www.lakeside.uk.com/