Perils of pallets

I was riddling my wood burning stove to get rid of some of the excess ash when the riddling handle got stuck.

Dreading the thought of not being able to use the wood burning stove over what could be the coldest period of the winter. When could I get the fitters in to mend the thing?!

I found instructions on the Internet, took out the ash pan and used a torch to look inside hoping to find an arm with a hook on the end, something it should be clearly hooked into and, hopefully, the ability to marry the two up.

What I found instead was a nail from a bit of pallet I had been burning hanging down jamming the riddling handle. A few wiggles and I got it loose and was able to push it up and free.

All working again!

Now about to watch "Wild Britain with Ray Mears" on i-player and will heat the water for my hot water bottle while I watch.

Successful outfit hinders clearout!

I went to a funeral on Friday. It was a celebration of the life of Violet, who had been a very creative, fun  woman so we were asked to not to dress all in black.

I wore a grey dress, very flattering fit, that I haven't been able to get into for several years, so very pleased to find it fits nicely now. I had a plastic handbag with a cat on (really nice, not "chocolate-boxy" at all) which Violet would have loved. I had lots of people admiring it. Then I had a long red scarf with embroidery at the ends which I got from Traidcraft years and years ago and haven't worn for years, a small red bag on a shoulder strap for my season ticket and keys which I got at a charity shop last year, and a red, plastic bangle I got from the same charity shop only a fortnight ago.

I was very pleased with the result.

The trouble is I want to have a good clear out of stuff from my house this year. But if I can use with such success stuff I haven't used for years it is going to make some decisions to get rid of stuff much harder!

So far I have got rid of several books and some china and glass. But reducing the amount in the dresser cupboard not as successful as I had hoped! But I plan to spiral in on the clutter, and this is only the first go round.

Where have all the bike shops gone?

I need a bike shop within bike-pushing distance!

Bike Shack seems to have closed down. The toy shop that sold Raleigh bikes and had a workshop at the back has recently closed. I looked in the local telephone directory and can only find one listing - in Highams Park, miles away!

There are Evans bike shops all over central London but, with the increase in popularity of cycling, you'd think there were more cycle shops out here on the fringes.

I'll have to go to Green Drinks at the Red Lion in Leytonstone High Road tomorrow and hope someone there knows of somewhere.

Signs of a doomed early spring?

The magnolias in London are in bud. There is a pink Camellia in flower in a nearby street. But the weather forecast is for snow tonight, and my ears were painfully cold on my bike ride this morning because I didn't think to put on the fleece headband that covers them as I haven't needed it so far this winter.

Ecological washing takes time!

I have just had to buy a new washing machine. Got a John Lewis A++ one instead of the Siemens  A+++ one, as it was slightly smaller and I have a very narrow hall between the stairs and the wall.

A wash is going to take 240 minutes - 4 hours!!!

I used to get up weekday time on a Saturday to get the sheets and the towels done before going kayaking, then after kayaking put in the clothes while I went shopping.

I think I will have to learn how to set the timer for the delayed wash so I wash my clothes overnight and my sheets and towels while I am kayaking.

This means understanding instructions, and modern-day instructions don't seem as simple as instructions used to be (and I don't think this is my age!!!).

Delivery Thursday, so I have to clean the hall, the conservatory and the kitchen ready.

Pied wagtail in the High Road

This morning I was waiting in Leyton High Road outside the shops for a bus up to Walthamstow so I could get some vegetables at the Farmers Market. There was a female pied wagtail fluttering about and then landing and walking up and down the pavement with a jerky movement of her tail.

She seemed very unfazed by the people walking past!

I shall have to start carrying my camera around with me.

I think I am a fillyjonk!

I have been reading Tove Jansson's "Tales from Moomingvalley" and recognise myself in the fillyjonk. Not the fear of disasters (though I am a worrier) but all the possessions!

Tove likes simplicity and no unnecessary possessions, whereas I am a pack rat collecting, amongst other things, china and ornaments.

And I got more today! Walked 4 miles to the National Trust's Sutton House in Homerton High Street, finally getting to see the house and visit the craft fair. I didn't spend anything there but I did pass through Chatsworth Road market.

I got some black and white plates showing commedia characters, which will be a present for a friend who is a clown, so that's OK. I also got a green denby looking salt and pepper set to go with the other green denby items I am collecting. I got a brown earthenware cereal bowl that will go with some dinner plates and side plates in that style. From a charity shop I got a blue and white bowl with a lip where you can put your bread when you are having soup, but that turns out to have a hairline crack, so that will become a pot plant saucer. And lastly a glass paperweight.

All second hand, but somehow I feel that's not the point when one is trying to live a greener, simpler life. It's easier to avoid buying new stuff. I can go away and think about it!