15th November 2016 - Tools and Toiling

Thought for the day :"Turning vegan is a big missed steak."

It is strange how important having the right tools and equipment becomes and how much easier a job is when that happens. Let me tell you about our kitchen. It is in need of a bit of upgrade to be honest. We did a nice job of converting it a number of years ago - but it is getting a little shabby and in need of a lick of paint and some repairs.

And so we bought the paper and have some paint ready - but the fluorescent light in the middle of the kitchen was well past it sell by date. It also had about an inch of grease all over it as well, and was hanging up with a piece of wire fixing it to the ceiling..

So we bought a nice new light, made up of four spot lights upon a central bar.. that sort of thing..

So, having switched the power off, I took the old fluorescent light down - unscrewing for the ceiling and unwiring it ...  Where the problems started. The wires were so old an corroded that they were brittle and looked as though they really needed replacing - which would mean re-wiring form the switch to the central rose - which would mean taking up floors and digging the wire out of the plaster - and a lot of grief. But - there was an alternative ...  Insulating tape ! Wrapping that around the wires would keep them safe - if I had some insulating tape...

So, a coat on and umbrella and out into the fairly warm, yet penetrating mizzy rain, and into town to my favourite elite shop - The Pound Shop - where I duly found 6 rolls of insulating tape - called Fire resistant tape for some reason probably surrounding copyright  for a pound and came home..

Now the power is still off - there are bare wired hanging form the kitchen ceiling and unbeknownst to me Susie has had to stir from her bed to answer the postman. And she remembered the eggs that are in the incubator which of course is no longer warm and rocking....  Her solution? Take the eggs back to bed with her and keep them warm..

So, back to the light fitting - and I duly wrap the wires in insulating tape and make them safe. And then afix the hanging bracket to the ceiling.. Which is fine except for the fact that the ceiling is plaster board and the supporting wooden slats are where the old light was affixed - at each end and not in the middle. Sadly the screws go in very easily, and look prone to coming straight out again. But with more hope that expertise I attach the brackets, and carefully rewire the cables into the central part of the light fix to the bracket - where it promptly sags and falls like an acrobat on a high wire...

So - the fixture is unwired and the bracket falls to the ground...

What is needed is those little screw attachments that extend through the plaster board and expand on the other side to keep it secure. They are easily available and not that expensive. But more important, I do not have any in the house..

So, Coat and Umbrella and a trot back into town. A smile from the busker in the shopping centre. He has seen me hurrying back and forth - he is singing Wild Mountain Thyme but I have no change for him or for the Captain of the Salvation Army patiently standing in the entrance of the indoor market.
Pound shop will not help here - it will have to be Wilkinsons or Wilko as it seems to be named now... And what a selection of fixings - but I choose and pay my £1.75 ...

Back home, a touch of sweat as it is one of those clammy days and back into the kitchen. A job that would be easier with someone to hold onto the drill while climbing up and down the ladder and reaching for parts, balancing light fixtures and holding wires - but Susie is on egg duty so I do not disturb her ...  And the fixtures are great - secure and steady.

So the light is in place and with the power back on - looks pretty good - just a coat of paint to cover the old gaps... 

Oh, and the eggs were fine and still warm...

With the right tools the job would have taken about 10 minutes - but I will not get those two hours of my life back....


So - as we started another week - best change the covers...

Lorien Trust Wolves event in York

and a personal cover

So - on a serious note..

Seems Legit

Cheers!