Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT London Calling. An ordinary life.

[Grizz1963]

Chickens……


Show us chickens.

 

[sawduststeve]

Chickens……


Show us chickens.

Rian.

Really . I was saving them for when things were really quiet
Ok, I’ll see what i can do.
We’ve got 5 now and they are all laying, there’s only three of us and we can’t eat the eggs quick enough. You really need to visit.

 

[sawduststeve]

Unlike Grizz when he shows us chicken it’s normally on a bbq, with us it’s rescued back yard chickens.
So, just for Rian
This is Pearl(L), Lana(R) and Letty(back).
Dolly and Marge had put themselves to bed and weren’t coming out for anything.
Hoping this very unrelated to garages post doesn’t get me thrown off. I’ll blame Grizz.

Steve

 

[Grizz1963]

You made my day Steve.

Not one person on here is “Mono-Dimensional” we all have other interests

And your chickens are not only family, they are gorgeous.

Thank you for posting them, an update for me.

I do owe you a visit.

 

[Ralf99]

They are a good looking bunch of woolly chooks, and i’m sure they are loved family members.

 

[Geoff289]

Rian, thanks for the reply.
House prices make no sense anymore, my aunt’s house in Dagenham, the town built for Henry Ford, is about £350k it’s two up two down, in what is historically London poorest borough.
You cannot buy anything locally, even new built flats for less than £275k ish, How young first time buyers are supposed to buy I’ll never know.

1921, pah new build parts of ours is around 1800, that’s why you couldn’t stand up straight in the hallway. Seems everyone was about 5’6”
Steve

 

[Geoff289]

Real estate prices are nuts down here too. Obviously heaps of variables but the current median price across metropolitan Melbourne is just over $1 million AUD, which today is 529K GBP and $662K USD. Only two of my four offspring have a foothold in the market at this stage and I worry that the other two won't ever be able to take this step.

 

[Ralf99]

I bought my current house in the same region as Geoff just over 5 years ago - it’s “value” has more than doubled since then, regardless of any improvements I may have made. Unless there is a correction at some stage, I suspect my teenage children won’t be able to get a future foothold in the property market until it’s time for an inheritance..

 

[sawduststeve]

They are a good looking bunch of woolly chooks, and i’m sure they are loved family members.

Ralf99, woolly chooks, I’m nicking that
I’m sure you know that they are Silkies.
Loved when they’re laying, just freeloaders when they’re not. They’re also a bit on the small size barely fill a decent size baguette.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Real estate prices are nuts down here too. Obviously heaps of variables but the current median price across metropolitan Melbourne is just over $1 million AUD, which today is 529K GBP and $662K USD. Only two of my four offspring have a foothold in the market at this stage and I worry that the other two won't ever be able to take this step.

I bought my current house in the same region as Geoff just over 5 years ago - it’s “value” has more than doubled since then, regardless of any improvements I may have made. Unless there is a correction at some stage, I suspect my teenage children won’t be able to get a future foothold in the property market until it’s time for an inheritance..

Hi Guys, yes madness indeed, I doubt I could afford the house I’m in now, I wouldn’t earn enough. .
I’ve a good mate that emigrated to Melbourne, Mornington area? He’s loving the outside life.
Thanks for the comments
Steve

 

[Trapps]

Love the Bus, Steve! Beautiful!

Romford? (the shop picture)

I lived in Shenfield in '95, '96 & '97 and used to frequent a hobby shop in Romford regularly. A joint called Reeves Electrical Wholesalers. Strange name for a R/C Hobby shop, but England is full of strangely named places if you're a Yank. We looked in London proper but just could not stomach the prices vs space. Shenfield was far enough out that we could afford a second bedroom for guests (and our daughter when we took delivery of her) yet still get to Liverpool St. Sta. on a 22 minute Express.

Looking forward to following your thread!

 

[Geoff289]

Hi Guys, yes madness indeed, I doubt I could afford the house I’m in now, I wouldn’t earn enough. .
I’ve a good mate that emigrated to Melbourne, Mornington area? He’s loving the outside life.
Thanks for the comments
Steve

Mornington is nice, outer bayside suburb to the South of the wider metro area. Median prices there are above the Melbourne wide average at $1.1 million AUD but the closer to the water the further above that median you'd be.

 

[sawduststeve]

Love the Bus, Steve! Beautiful!

Romford? (the shop picture)

I lived in Shenfield in '95, '96 & '97 and used to frequent a hobby shop in Romford regularly. A joint called Reeves Electrical Wholesalers. Strange name for a R/C Hobby shop, but England is full of strangely named places if you're a Yank. We looked in London proper but just could not stomach the prices vs space. Shenfield was far enough out that we could afford a second bedroom for guests (and our daughter when we took delivery of her) yet still get to Liverpool St. Sta. on a 22 minute Express.

Looking forward to following your thread!

Traps, Romford, that’s the one. The workshop is no more than 1/2 mile from Reeves , I know it very well.
Old man Reeves ran the R/C shop and three doors up was his electrical shop, both with the same name. Recently the main shop has been sold and it’s now a cafe. (Like we need another ) and ALL the gear has been stuffed into the little hobby shop. It’s all a bit run down now.
His daughter ran the shop with Martin a guy I knew, working behind the counter for probably 30 years.
Reeves is in Brentwood road, while you were visiting in the 90’s I lived in princes road about 250yrds away.
Shenfield is very nice , i work a lot that way, along with Hutton and Brentwood. It’s the station that helps keep the prices up, and it’s now at the start of the new Elizabeth line , that pushed the prices up by a further 15%.

Van is in the garage awaiting a damn good cleaning, when I get a minute

Steve

 

[Trapps]

I bought my first R/C helicopter from Martin; super nice guy.

OMG, the hobby shop was chock·a·block back then, I can't imagine more stuff in there. Hutton? My wife lived on Hutton Mount when she was 7, 8 & 9, just up the hill from the station.

What a small world!

 

[sawduststeve]

I bought my first R/C helicopter from Martin; super nice guy.

OMG, the hobby shop was chock·a·block back then, I can't imagine more stuff in there. Hutton? My wife lived on Hutton Mount when she was 7, 8 & 9, just up the hill from the station.

What a small world!

Trapps, a small world indeed. Hutton Mount, very nice, exclusive and seriously spendy.
And just for you
You can just see the Cafe Sixty 6, that was the original electrical shop.
Martin is a mahoosive Star Wars nut and he invited me into the back room of the shop once to show me his latest purchase.
could have been worse I suppose

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

morning all,
After talking timber prices with Bob H I thought I’d show what I was doing last week.
A pair of oak doors for a local church. That have to be fitted soon before a visit from the boss.
No, not that BOSS, just the Bishop.
Picked the uprights and tennoned the widths.
Not seen is the 26x 180 planks for the panels.
The cost of the timber for two doors is£1800.
That explains the rather large invoice to supply and fit.
Ready for stain.
I also took delivery of a new set of dedicated cutters to run up some astragal bar.
The bar is 20mm x 8mm and is stuck to both side of a DG unit to give the appearance of traditional georgian bar. I managed to keep all my fingers so now it just needs painting.
Wish me luck.
Steve

 

[Grizz1963]

Meranti on the cutter?

That’s a wake up call for me at that price.

But…. The doors will outlive you.

Extremely tidy job, as expected.

 

[Old tool guy]

White oak? English oak?

Nice work, looks like it will outlast the King.

 

[sawduststeve]

Meranti on the cutter?

That’s a wake up call for me at that price.

But…. The doors will outlive you.

Extremely tidy job, as expected.

Rian, yes that’s Meranti, it’s probably 90% of our timber work with oak being the other 10%.
It’s a decent timber with a good long life when looked after, whereas oak could be left in a puddle and still last.

Warmest day of the year so far, hope you got things done.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

White oak? English oak?

Nice work, looks like it will outlast the King.

Evening fella
European Oak , it’s good quality and while hard is actually nice to work with. Cutters and saws need sharpening after though. It’s heavy also those doors are over size and take two of us to shift them.
They should outlast Charlie but if his mum and dad are anything to go by it might be touch and go.

Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

Quercus robur (from the Latin quercus, "oak" + robur "hardwood, oak wood, oak") was named by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum (vol. 2, p.996) in 1753. It is the type species of the genus and classified in the white oak section (Quercus section Quercus).[7]

It has numerous common names, including "common oak", "European oak" and "English oak". In French, it is called "chêne pédoncule."[8]

 

[sawduststeve]

Quercus robur (from the Latin quercus, "oak" + robur "hardwood, oak wood, oak") was named by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum (vol. 2, p.996) in 1753. It is the type species of the genus and classified in the white oak section (Quercus section Quercus).[7]

It has numerous common names, including "common oak", "European oak" and "English oak". In French, it is called "chêne pédoncule."[8]

Thanks mate, every days a school day.
I think if I specified English Oak there’d be a 10%+ premium even though the European oak we use is probably the same tree.
Trust the French to be awkward .

I do know that Henry VIII, founded the Royal Navy in 1546 and commissioned 50 boats that consumed 100,000 oaks. Portsmouth is still a naval town today and Greenwich maritime museum is a great day out.

Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

Thats a lot of trees.
We have the Live Oak here, it tends to be “un-straight”. Rumor has it that the ship builders used the naturally bent trunks for the curved keel at the front of the boat. And i have heard the US Navy owns a couple of prime trees to be used to rebuild Old Ironsides one day.

 

[sawduststeve]

Meet the fleet
When I’m not in the pampered split screen, these are the dirty daily’s.
2017 ford transit. Lwb, semi high roof. Without doubt the best driving transit I’ve ever had. We even took it to Cornwall for a fortnight when we had nothing else available.
2019 T6, was a basic kombi swb, highline, decent spec but like always, things that it must have done to throw money at.
Lastly a little electric toy that the trouble and strife bought for herself for when I’m not around. A ‘22 smart ev. Made by merc, surprisingly quick of the mark , but runs out of puff at about 40. . Enough range to get to and from work , when she remembers to plug it in.

Need a leaf blower to clean those two. Cherry blossom trees are great until you have a blustery day.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Just a few photos from a cheeky day out
Breakfast here, followed by a walk around Spitalfields , worth a little time if you’re visiting.
St Paul’s from a distance,and a street called Little Britain.
Any guesses what’s at the end of the street.

Steve

 

[stillp]

Greenwich maritime museum is a great day out.

Absolutely. The Queen's House gallery just up the hill is good too.
Pete

 

[sawduststeve]

Absolutely. The Queen's House gallery just up the hill is good too.
Pete

Pete, good call, it’s absolutely stunning, and free.

 

[sawduststeve]

The two oak doors made last week were fitted today. All went well and everybody’s happy.
Not the fanciest of churches, or doors, built 1950’s, but a surprisingly large number of people turned up for the 9.30 service. We had to down tools and go for a cuppa. No hardship there.

 

[sawduststeve]

Evening all
Probably the hottest Sunday so far this year so, a cheeky little classics and coffee morning
At The Gardens of Eastern Lodge.
A good turn out with cars of all types.
Made the rookie mistake of looking around, stopping for lunch, coming out and most people having left. D’oh.
Will do better next time
The corvette has a massive following over here and there’s always some at just about every meeting.
Back to work tomorrow, take care all.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Painting painting painting and glazing
Have I ever mentioned how much I hate painting, almost as much as some around here hate snow.
20mm astragal beads applied to 28mm units , Argon filled.

We’re on site Wednesday, fingers crossed it’ll all fit.

Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

Nice doors. The brick in the header look newer, were they recently replaced?

 

[ZRX61]

Every chicken owner needs to have at least one with a pun name....

Kylo Hen
Hen Solo
Cluck Norris
Eggatha Christie
Feather Locklear
Albert Eggstein
Gwyneth Poultry
Annie Yolkley...

 

[sawduststeve]

Nice doors. The brick in the header look newer, were they recently replaced?

Hi OTG. It certainly looks like it, and it’s possible, I just doubt that it was recently if it was at all.
There were no tell tale signs.
Strange though, I’ll admit, or is it some Devine intervention to draw you in.
They do buy their holy water by the gallon though. We were going to top the van up, but thought better of it.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Every chicken owner needs to have at least one with a pun name....

Kylo Hen
Hen Solo
Cluck Norris
Eggatha Christie
Feather Locklear
Albert Eggstein
Gwyneth Poultry
Annie Yolkley...

ZRX61, the honest truth is that I’m not allowed any naming rights, they all go to the wife and girl child, I did, many years ago name one
Princes Laya but my usual offerings of ,
Nugget
Drumsticks
KFC
Are usually banned. I love some of the names you posted though and I’ll try harder in future.
Thanks
Steve

 

[ZRX61]

ZRX61, the honest truth is that I’m not allowed any naming rights, they all go to the wife and girl child, I did, many years ago name one
Princes Laya but my usual offerings of ,
Nugget
Drumsticks
KFC
Are usually banned. I love some of the names you posted though and I’ll try harder in future.
Thanks
Steve

 

[captain14]

I enjoy seeing your woodworking projects like the double doors for the church and the windows.

 

[sawduststeve]

ZRX61, oh boy, I like that a lot (A LOT), as they say in the West Country, “it makes I larf “ , now if only there was somewhere I could get some stickers from and have them sent to me through the post.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

I enjoy seeing your woodworking projects like the double doors for the church and the windows.

Captain 14, thank you Sir, I’m doing them all the time , I’m sure they’ll be another one along presently.

Steve

 

[ZRX61]

ZRX61, oh boy, I like that a lot (A LOT), as they say in the West Country, “it makes I larf “ , now if only there was somewhere I could get some stickers from and have them sent to me through the post.

Steve

Any Sign shop will make them

 

[sawduststeve]

Any Sign shop will make them

Yeah, I figured as much , I was joking about Amazon, if I looked I’m sure I’ll have some tomorrow.

Steve