A quick update on the shed, and it is progressing nicely. I removed and rehung the doors because I wasn't happy with the shut gap between the two doors, but that is resolved. Guttering is hung on one side (nearest the lawn/house while I have the side next to the fence still to do. All of the exterior has had at least 2 coats of Cedar Red preservative applied and the few knot holes that were there have been plugged. To pretty it up a couple of hanging baskets now hang on the garden side adding a splash of colour to the proceedings.
Inside I have reinforced the floor so that the 12mm OSB has now got 18mm hardwood ply on top to better take the weight of my motorbike (when it makes it into the shed). I've made some shelving for all the cans, paint tins and tubs of sundry stuff (nuts and bolts, screws and things) that I have and I have just purchased and had delivered some warehouse style racking for all the biker gear and magazines that are currently stored in the old shed - so my next job is to assemble those and then put them to work.
Then there is the question of 'the bench'. Not decided yet which route to go down, but these are the options:-
1. Custom build one myself
2. Buy one in
3. Relocate the one I custom built for the back of the garage
I'm going to take my time on that one and wait until the racking is assembled and (over) loaded.
Friday, 1 May 2015
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Shed - old and new
Well here it is, the first picture of the new shed after we finished building it over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend...
There is still a load of work to be done but at least it is now built - 12'x8' replaces 10'x8'. Cedar Red replaces tatty and ancient green (over 20 years old). Already it is obvious just how much bigger the back garden / yard will be once the old shed is removed. It has served its purpose and survived being remodelled at least 3 times.
There is still a load of work to be done but at least it is now built - 12'x8' replaces 10'x8'. Cedar Red replaces tatty and ancient green (over 20 years old). Already it is obvious just how much bigger the back garden / yard will be once the old shed is removed. It has served its purpose and survived being remodelled at least 3 times.
Monday, 6 April 2015
Another target underway - shed update
My personal target to replace my ageing shed has moved forwards. It was delivery early on 2nd April as scheduled and over this Easter Bank Holiday weekend my son Mark has helped me to get it built. I painted as much as I could before starting assembly and that helped a lot.
Next step is to lay another set of boards over the floor provided as it doesn't feel substantial enough to take the weight of my motorbike. Then I have to make it secure - not so easy with double doors but there are ways and one (or more) will be selected. External security light and internal PIR alarm, power points and lighting all need to be installed. With that all done, work bench, cabinets and shelving all need to be built and installed.
With all that done I can empty the contents of the old shed out into the new one and the old one dumped into a skip for a one way trip to the local tip.
Looks like I am going to be busy for a while yet....
Next step is to lay another set of boards over the floor provided as it doesn't feel substantial enough to take the weight of my motorbike. Then I have to make it secure - not so easy with double doors but there are ways and one (or more) will be selected. External security light and internal PIR alarm, power points and lighting all need to be installed. With that all done, work bench, cabinets and shelving all need to be built and installed.
With all that done I can empty the contents of the old shed out into the new one and the old one dumped into a skip for a one way trip to the local tip.
Looks like I am going to be busy for a while yet....
Monday, 23 March 2015
Yamaha Tenere XT660Z for sale
A friend of mine is putting her Yamaha Tenere XT660Z up for sale, details are:
Black on the 59 plate
12 months MOT
Appx 20,000 miles
Red key and standard keys
FSH
1 careful lady owner from new!
Touratech bash-plate
Touratech luggage rack
Touratech headlight guard
Centre-stand
Acerbis brush guards (aluminium inserts)
Metal Mule lowering link (easily removed if standard height required)
Pillion pegs were removed & boxed on purchase – will be refitted as required
Looking for £2,100.00
Drop me an email if interested and I'll pass on her details
Black on the 59 plate
12 months MOT
Appx 20,000 miles
Red key and standard keys
FSH
1 careful lady owner from new!
Touratech bash-plate
Touratech luggage rack
Touratech headlight guard
Centre-stand
Acerbis brush guards (aluminium inserts)
Metal Mule lowering link (easily removed if standard height required)
Pillion pegs were removed & boxed on purchase – will be refitted as required
Looking for £2,100.00
Drop me an email if interested and I'll pass on her details
Friday, 20 March 2015
Annual MoT test passed
Well that is a relief, the Mazda passed the MoT test this morning, no advisories. In my mind the first MoT since I purchased the car is always the one I am most nervous about as it will reveal any issues with/caused by previous owners which might be why they sold it.
Only comment from MoT tester man was that it needs new rear pads - something I knew about as service is now due and will be doing that with assistance of eldest son Andy (who is a BMW senior service technician). Items identified for attention:
* Oil & oil filter change
* Replace air filter
* Replace cabin air filter
* Replace rear brake pads
* Check coolant strength, top up as required
* Flush brake fluid
* Check everything else
As Andy has access to 2 post car lift there is nothing on the list that is scary and we should (hopefully) get it done in a couple of hours. I understand the only special tool required is the one to reset the rear brakes, which Andy has to retrieve from a loan to a friend. Looks like it will be on our Easter weekend 'To Do List' that includes building/assembling a new shed.
As they say, no rest for the wicked...
Only comment from MoT tester man was that it needs new rear pads - something I knew about as service is now due and will be doing that with assistance of eldest son Andy (who is a BMW senior service technician). Items identified for attention:
* Oil & oil filter change
* Replace air filter
* Replace cabin air filter
* Replace rear brake pads
* Check coolant strength, top up as required
* Flush brake fluid
* Check everything else
As Andy has access to 2 post car lift there is nothing on the list that is scary and we should (hopefully) get it done in a couple of hours. I understand the only special tool required is the one to reset the rear brakes, which Andy has to retrieve from a loan to a friend. Looks like it will be on our Easter weekend 'To Do List' that includes building/assembling a new shed.
As they say, no rest for the wicked...
Training vs e-Learning
It is generally recognised that people learn in different ways, some learn 'hands on' or 'on the job' while others learn best in the classroom, reading from books, by researching the internet or using e-learning.
So I ask, why is it that employers insist on moving everything to e-learning? Is it because they perceive it as cheap and therefore cost effective, or, is it because they are too lazy to use training personnel or training establishments? They obviously don't want "the best" form of employee education otherwise they would use all guises of training in its many forms.
Now some would argue that e-learning offers 'standardisation' ensuring that everyone gets exactly the same tutorial and assessment, but e-learning media cannot detect or perceive how a person is performing. It cannot detect when one member of the team has logged on and undertaken the test for any number of other students (who all get a pass mark they haven't earned).
As a confirmed cynic I think there is a much simpler answer, which is, the employer seeks only to put a 'tick in the box' that enables them to gain some meaningless certification such as Investors in People or one of the many provided by the HSE or FCA (or similar). The employer wants that certification achieved as cheaply as possible and for automated reporting that 'proves' how many students took each course and what they scored in the final assessment.
At the end of the day all they achieve is a devaluation of the certification of the subject matter.
So I ask, why is it that employers insist on moving everything to e-learning? Is it because they perceive it as cheap and therefore cost effective, or, is it because they are too lazy to use training personnel or training establishments? They obviously don't want "the best" form of employee education otherwise they would use all guises of training in its many forms.
Now some would argue that e-learning offers 'standardisation' ensuring that everyone gets exactly the same tutorial and assessment, but e-learning media cannot detect or perceive how a person is performing. It cannot detect when one member of the team has logged on and undertaken the test for any number of other students (who all get a pass mark they haven't earned).
As a confirmed cynic I think there is a much simpler answer, which is, the employer seeks only to put a 'tick in the box' that enables them to gain some meaningless certification such as Investors in People or one of the many provided by the HSE or FCA (or similar). The employer wants that certification achieved as cheaply as possible and for automated reporting that 'proves' how many students took each course and what they scored in the final assessment.
At the end of the day all they achieve is a devaluation of the certification of the subject matter.
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Another target underway
One of my personal targets for 2015 was to replace my ageing shed. Step one has been completed as in it has been ordered and paid for with delivery scheduled for 2nd April.
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Bedroom redecorated 3 - The End
Well the job is done. Ceiling, walls, skirting, door frame, door and windowsill all painted and looking good. Flat pack furniture arrived and beds (2x single), bedside cabinet, small chest of drawers and wardrobe all assembled, curtain pole put up and curtains hung (with tie backs). Craig (our plumber of choice) came along and plumbed in a new radiator with all the fittings to give it some added warmth and Suzie got a few bits to pretty up the top of the chest of drawers for visual effect.
Please excuse the quality of the photographs...
So that is the result of my handy work and I am very pleased with it. More importantly, Suzie is very happy with it and Andrew has given it a pass for quality standards (everything has to be just so for Andy). Not sure what will be next but this is definitely job done and Sue's sister and her friend have already stayed over a couple of nights and vouch that it is warm and comfortable.
Please excuse the quality of the photographs...
So that is the result of my handy work and I am very pleased with it. More importantly, Suzie is very happy with it and Andrew has given it a pass for quality standards (everything has to be just so for Andy). Not sure what will be next but this is definitely job done and Sue's sister and her friend have already stayed over a couple of nights and vouch that it is warm and comfortable.
If Carpenters were hired like Programmers
I received an email from linked in today with a link to an article that is very tongue in cheek but comes under the scope of many a true word spoken in jest.
LinkedIn article
LinkedIn article
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Bedroom redecorated 2
The final jobs:
* Put up curtain pole and hang curtains - done
* Buy furniture - did that yesterday, so next Saturday we can expect a delivery of a wardrobe, small chest of drawers and a bed side cabinet
* Build beds and other flat pack furniture - beds built, waiting on furniture being delivered Saturday 21st February
* Make the beds ready for guests - done!
Looks much more like a comfortable spare room ready for guests. Don't think we will do B'n'B though (well not yet anyway).
* Put up curtain pole and hang curtains - done
* Buy furniture - did that yesterday, so next Saturday we can expect a delivery of a wardrobe, small chest of drawers and a bed side cabinet
* Build beds and other flat pack furniture - beds built, waiting on furniture being delivered Saturday 21st February
* Make the beds ready for guests - done!
Looks much more like a comfortable spare room ready for guests. Don't think we will do B'n'B though (well not yet anyway).
Honda XL700VA-A Transalp - update 5
Thought it was about time I posted some more up-to-date pictures of my Honda XL700 Transalp, so here they are:
Topbox, panniers and heated grips make it a practical tourer
MRA Vario touring screen and Bark Buster hand guards for my protection
Centre and side stand for practicality during servicing
Crash bars to protect the bike in the event of an off
Ram mount for GPS SatNav and waterproof case for mobile phone
To power everything there are twin power sockets tucked in behind the screen and after market mirrors are much smarter that the tatty standard mirrors. In total the bike has now done 18,250 miles which means that I have doubled the mileage in the 2 years I have owned it.
Topbox, panniers and heated grips make it a practical tourer
MRA Vario touring screen and Bark Buster hand guards for my protection
Centre and side stand for practicality during servicing
Crash bars to protect the bike in the event of an off
Ram mount for GPS SatNav and waterproof case for mobile phone
To power everything there are twin power sockets tucked in behind the screen and after market mirrors are much smarter that the tatty standard mirrors. In total the bike has now done 18,250 miles which means that I have doubled the mileage in the 2 years I have owned it.
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