26th April 2026 - Landie Fixed again

Thought for the day :"My cows won’t give milk, they just laze in the field and write in little books - turns out they were a diary herd"

Dry 

Had another attack at the workshed  - and am making progress - but not enough for a photograh!

Susie hit Meerkat Mountain and has cleared all the weeds - and will be planting  antirrhinums and other stuff tomorrow 

 

Meanwhile the Landie was on stop again - turns out that the negative connection on the battery was corroded inside and giving bad connection - turned out to be an easier fix than expected . Tom and Jay enjoyed a bottle of wine each on the patio this evening as Mika and the dogs ran riot. Can't thank these guys enough...  I will be able to get the signs out tomorrow for the opening of the Tavern - they were stuck in the back of the Landie - and then get back to the clearing of the Work shed 

Good rehearsal at Narberth for  the meeting of Athelstan on Wednesday, and a sneaky pint in the Eagle!

Cheers 

25th April 2026 - Thomas of Accon and Garden Colour

Thought for the day :" Great news, my Taxi Business is picking up..."

Dry 

A day in Carmarthen for St Thomas of Accon so most of the day was taken up with that.

Back this evening to put the girls to bed and the colours in the garden are now getting to their zenith.

Flame Tree out at last and the azalea and rhododendrons.

 

Susie stripping down one of the metal chairs - ready for painting. More progress tomorrow ..

Cheers 

24th April 2026 - And finally to the Workshed

Thought for the day :"Many universities are now old and decrepit. Luckily, they still have their Faculties."

Dry 

Susie bronzed Doris today - 

and then we adulted to try to check the solar water pump

A walk around the gardens - more colour

the mahonia berries are vivid

Meanwhile I finally attacked the workshed 

It is a start ...

And in other news - A photo from the Red Cross Meeting

 

Cheers 

23rd April 2026 - Chopping List

Thought for the day :"I used to wave the finish flag at Formula 1 races but they sacked me because I had a chequered past"

Dry 

Chris with me again and a little unsure about how active I could be with the leg wound but in fact it is almost completely healed - even after splitting yesterday. 

But after Susie managed to fall off the broke plastic step, I had a trip to A & E , today was the day I decided to put the full chainsaw leggings, find some proper gloves and wear the helmet with the ear pads. Not taking any chances wit the new Chainsaw!!

So the ash Tree in the parking lot is now reduced to slabs - I have finished the chainsaw part! 

Chris worked well all day with his axe and he managed an extra hour while I cleared all the tools.

Put together another wood shed - though we will need a roof and side for it in due course.

Photos don't really give justice to the amount of work this has been 

But a trip up to Sarah's house while she was away (I phoned her to say that we were going) we went up to pick up a number of metal poles for the reconstruction of the aviary for the peacocks.

Got back and the Landie dies - an electrical fault and pushed the wagon into the drive, just enough room to get the car past it - hoping that I can see Tom and Jay tomorrow  

and with the lovely weather it was time for a beer

Drinking the Bud not the WD40!!!

And Susie found some lovely new flowers out on her trip around the garden

A Tiring day - but will be ready for my bed tonight 

Cheers 

22nd April 2026 - Red Cross Meeting and Communion Trays

Thought for the day :"Saw a great documentary about beavers, best dam programme I have seen for a while"

Dry 

A day in Bridgend today for the Appendant Orders of the Red Cross of Constantine. My first time doing Prelate Part 1 - normally do the Prelate part 2, but all went fairly well. Of course, note to self - it doesn't tell you in the book that it is all done in darkness, but the instructions about lighting the candles was a good clue !!   Learned it well but rather taken aback when suddenly we were plunged into darkness!!  Couldn't even see the candidate to tell if he had done the signs properly !!

But started the day with Tilly meeting Squirrel Nutkin through the window. 

Toby would have been going nuts but Tilly just watched .  TThough think that the remainder of the day she has been trying to catch one !!

   

But while I was away in Bridgend for the Red Cross Meeting, The Deputy  brought out this 1913 drink holder that they use in his local chapel for non conformist holy communion.

I had to take some pictures as the structure is excellent 

This is the carry form 

First lid comes off with a layer of shot glasses
(smaller than current shot) 

and first layer lifts off for another 
layer of glasses 

Was fascinated by the structure - made in Birmingham 

So what does AI say 

The item in the image is a Holy Communion tray, used in Christian church services to distribute wine or juice to a congregation. 

Function and Design

• Individual Service: These trays became popular starting in the 1890s as a more hygienic alternative to sharing a single common cup, specifically to prevent the spread of diseases like tuberculosis.
• Cup Holders: The tray features multiple slots specifically designed to hold small "shot glass" style communion cups.
• Stackable Layers: Trays like the one pictured are often stackable, allowing multiple tiers to be carried at once to serve large numbers of people.
• Lid and Bread Holders: Many sets include a lid to keep the contents clean and some models, like the "one-pass" style, have a center section for communion bread or wafers. 

Common Styles and Pricing

Modern versions of these trays are typically made from polished stainless steel or aluminium for durability. 

So there you have it 

Cheers