CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

Odds of a modern boiler lasting even half that long aren't great.

My first combi lasted ten years Zel so you're not far off! The three way valve had failed and the whole thing was declared BER...

My new Ideal combi has a 12 year warranty on it so it's a reasonable assumption it'll last at least that long...

I'm all back cooking on gas again

Strawberry is all back together now and she seems to be oil-tight. I'll be checking after every drive...

And my stabbing went well - one in each arm administered by a rather lovely nurse. No ill effects so far except a slightly sore arm...

I drove there as whilst out enjoying coffee with my favourite muse, she strongly advised against it... I listen when women tell me things

Her sage advice was backed up very strongly by the nurse whilst pointing sharp objects at me...

[CitroJim]

Nothing achieved today... As I could have predicted, the jabs 'got' me to the extent I've spent most of the day in bed. Due to my compromised immune system I get a very strong and adverse reaction to any vaccinations... This morning it felt like I had a very bad dose of 'flu with a bit of Covid chucked in for giggles.

I've now awoken feeling almost OK again. Much better a day feeling rubbish than getting the illnesses for real. I've had Covid twice now, most recently in April this year, and it took months for me to almost fully recover - in fact I never quite do... Likewise 'flu... It was what kicked off my ME all those years ago and subsequent infections have resulted in relapses so if I can avoid it in the first place it's a big bonus...

I paid a big price for not having the vaccines last year...

[myglaren]

Sorry to hear that Jim, hope you get over it soon.

[MattBLancs]

Sorry, a busy week, so just catching up!

So many things read, thought I'd chip in then read on a see others had the same thoughts.

Gearbox oil: I should have decanted a few litres and brought them to the Blundell Arms, what better gift eh Jim!? Ahh well, next time!

Hole found! Yippee, that's lucky. Gosh, not very deep is it, that pipe!
Good old Denso tape, there is another distinctive smell!
Was there any obvious signs (i.e. obviously a slot cut in the floor later filled in?) - perhaps could feed back you'd story to the carpet fitter. Hopefully when explaining you weren't seeking compensation they might learn from it and look out for signs of things buried below??

Sorry the jabs have knocked you flat, hope you bounce back soon enough

[CitroJim]

Gearbox oil: I should have decanted a few litres and brought them to the Blundell Arms, what better gift eh Jim!? Ahh well, next time!

That would have been great Matt! Not sure what the Blundell Arms would have made of it

Good old Denso tape, there is another distinctive smell!

I have many happy memories of Denso Tape...

Was there any obvious signs (i.e. obviously a slot cut in the floor later filled in?)

A channel cut into the screed and subsequently filled in proved to be empty. It looked for all the world where the gas pipe ran but wasn't. I noted the carpet fitter thought the same and avoided it... The gas pipe was about three inches to the side of it and under plain, undisturbed screed...

Carpet company has been informed but in fairness, they couldn't have known...

Sorry the jabs have knocked you flat, hope you bounce back soon enough

Still a bit groggy today but on the mend... As far as I can ascertain, very few have had adverse reactions; I've been one of the unlucky ones...

My Google Timeline shows where I got to in September

And the highlights as determined by Google:

I'd agree with that although I was sorry it omitted highlighting my trip to the New Forest...

[RichardW]

Still a bit groggy today but on the mend... As far as I can ascertain, very few have had adverse reactions; I've been one of the unlucky ones...

First COVID jab I very nearly had my arm in a sling for a couple of days and was off colour for 10 days. I think I had 2 more and each was 7-10 days feeling very flat. Pretty similar to the 3 or so times I've had actual COVID. I won't be having any more jabs....! I don't have a Flu vacc for the same reason - my Mum reacts really badly to them, as did my eldest son when had the nasal spray at school.

[CitroJim]

Oh gosh Richard, that is a proper bad reaction - I really feel for you Back in the early days of Covid jabs my first had no reaction at all although the second absolutely floored me.

Today was our Junior parkrun's 400th Event, which coincided nicely with parkrun's 20th birthday yesterday

A very special celebration cake was decorated by two of our regular young runners - absolutely awesome

We had our 6th biggest ever number of runners - 162 - and the event was a fantastic success

I was timekeeper, a role I've now done 117 times at various parkruns...

[myglaren]

A channel cut into the screed and subsequently filled in proved to be empty. It looked for all the world where the gas pipe ran but wasn't. I noted the carpet fitter thought the same and avoided it... The gas pipe was about three inches to the side of it and under plain, undisturbed screed...

Carpet company has been informed but in fairness, they couldn't have known...

In the nineties I worked for Seaward Electronic who were at the time developing a pipe and cable locator for the gas, electricity and telephone installation companies. This was for the crews digging up roads and were made for them to avoid damaging other companies pipes and cables.*

I have a simpler version for locating studs, pipes and wiring in walls, ceilings and wooden floors before shoving screws and nails into them.
And a quick look drags up any number of possibilities. I actually saw a bloke using one in Birtley main drag a couple of weeks ago and marking the pavement, the following day they were laying new cables there.

His looked very similar to this:-

A lot smaller and simpler than the Seaward ones, a lot cheaper too.

Seems to me that such a tool would be of benefit to carpet layers, could save them a lot of headaches.


*The Seaward one was discontinued after Cat And Genny was awarded the contract by British Gas.

[CitroJim]

could save them a lot of headaches.

Would have saved me a big headache too Steve...

[mickthemaverick]

Dare I say I've got one?

[MattBLancs]

Dare I say I've got one?

Nor a fat lot of good saying it now Mick!

[MattBLancs]

Gearbox oil: I should have decanted a few litres and brought them to the Blundell Arms, what better gift eh Jim!? Ahh well, next time!

That would have been great Matt! Not sure what the Blundell Arms would have made of it

Perhaps a discrete "transfer" in the car park looking like some sort of illegal drug smuggling transaction then!

[Rp0thejester]

Am I reading this right? Has bluebell now got Rudolph as company?

[MattBLancs]

Am I reading this right? Has bluebell now got Rudolph as company?

That's right Ryan, officially known as Strawberry there's a red AX joined the fleet.

If Jim gets them parked just right, and we all put a pair of these on:

Spoiler: show

Red-blue glasses

Picture off Google

We'll be able to enjoy this blog in 3D !!

[Rp0thejester]

strawberry is a terrible name, strawberrys are more pink, bluebell I can understand.