BerlinBS5

Today was my first full day in Berlin, having flown in last night with Jemma. A few weeks ago we picked this weekend as a relaxer for her after managing a project these last few weeks that concluded in a Charity Ball just a few days ago.The days to Berlin came around fast and they were suddenly here. 

We hoofed it out of Bristol for a 2 hour zoom to Germany. A late check in at The Dude Hotel in Mitte and then into the full throes of the tourist today. We are well travelled between us but with neither of us having visited Berlin, it was an unashamed tourist checklist. 

We took in  the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Fernsehtrum, The Berliner Dom, the Metro and The Brandenburg Gate. A solid 10 mile day on foot! Here are some pics before we put in another full one tomorrow. Happy travellers indeed. 

Bassett walk!

Last weekend I attended a much anticipated walking event with Jemma.  A walk in the Mendips with the Basset Hound Walkers group of the south west.

Some background first,  though: Jemma's fine hound Boris is a Bassador, that is a hound who is 50% labrador and 50% Bassett. On  acquiring a hound, Jemma did not want to go full on Bassett and thus the ad' she saw for a halfway house appealed. The result is Boris, a hound of distinction and good training - training I  make all efforts to corrupt through embracing Boris' inner-goon and developing it with him.

Boris was cordially accepted on the walk as were we, and a happy six miles followed wth a most welcome pint half way through. Here's some pics which are a bit fuzzy as my phone seems to be out of focus these days.

Wednesday Pump Action Action

Tonight on the way home from a store visit to Winchester I had to fill up on diesel. This I did on the way home which is unusual in itself as I am normally too idle and somewhat keen to hit the sofa instead. Anyhow, I parked up and fired in some diesel.  Right there on the first click as it reached the air brake I hit  fuel pump near-perfection. Rounded to the pound and a symmetrical and palindromic litre reading.

Living the dream here in BS5.

Cowes, yachts and larking about

Last week I had a couple of days of sailing for work! We hold our team meetings every other month and with six of us meeting over two days, as often as not it's cheaper to hire a cottage, boat, venue, event as it is to stay in a regular hotel.  We shift the location and meet in England , Scotland or Wales to share the distance.We also try to fold in an event that is on the agenda for our customers.

This time it was sailing, Cowes and August & September trade.

There was a meeting and some fairly intense number crunching but you don't want to see that!

Try, try and Triathlon again...

A month or so back I started my working week late on Sunday, staying with my SiL and brother in Buckinghamshire. Doing this puts me in early morning proximity of my head office which is 125 miles from my house ordinarily.

Given that we were all together on Sunday we took advantage of London proximity and watched the World Series Triathlon at Hyde Park. The British Brownlee brothers absolutely nailed it and the crowd went bonkers! A completely happy Sunday of shouting and larks.

The Fifteen

A year and a little while ago,  my (now) sister in law married my brother. It really was a terrific day with the family better off for the outcome!

This weekend we all came together to celebrate the event and to just be together as a family across the generations.

We had all been together in January for Ma and Pa's fiftieth wedding anniversary and at that bash we all agreed how pleasant it would be to come together in the summer, just for the sake of it.

This we did, and we did it well after a minor role by yours truly as social secretary. We should have been seventeen but alas, we were two down a couple of days out. We  arrived in Goodrich across last Friday and Saturday and there was much delight, running around the garden, swapping stories, raising glasses and eating mightily. The weather was perfect!

An active Saturday.

After a week on the road with only moderate mileage,  (map below showing phone signal pick up between masts) I came home last night fully intending to strip off. My wallpaper. However, the call of The Barley Mow was too much and I felt I deserved a pint of terrific ale. Having satisfied that need, I came home to make dinner, watch the Isle of Man TT Seniors and go to bed. A fine Friday.

This morning with the stripping still to do, and an appointment with the back yard, I woke at half four, listened to the radio until half five, watched a few you tube vids and sprang into Saturday just before six.  Here's the photo story.

It is a little after ten now and a day of idle stretches before me.

On axe...

With my burner now in and ready to burn, clearly it needs fuel. Things to make it go, you might say.

My brother and I had totalled one short axe a few weeks back, using it as a conduit for the force from hammer blows to split logs.  It worked on you tube but we didn't quite have it down and the axe had to go in for  a new handle (sorry dad). With wider research on technique and a bit of on line shopping,  I happened upon a wood splitting set from Screwfix and set to this bank holiday Monday with the result below. All managed with limbs intact to boot!

Woodburner - day 2 and lighting.

Friday saw the completion of the burner install here in BS5. There are some decorative tweaks yet to complete but all in all, the wood burner is functional and fitted - and very, very toasty.

It was a right caper being here for both days of the fitting and I asked tons of questions.

Here he is....Bernard the burner via a time lapse and a series of stills.

Wood burner Install - day 1

A very exciting day has made its way to Blog BS5. I have finally got to the installation point for a wood burner here in the house.

The house is  about 115 years old, so naturally it has a chimney, and today after a decade of residence I stuck my head up there and took a look. There it was, quietly and reliably intact, ready to take a new lining for many a happy fire to come.

Here are some images of the day 1 install. There is solid wood, slate, iron, brick, render, cement, history, fascination and  all manner of conflagratory potential.


More updates on day 2, and at the weekend, maybe even a real fire movie.