24 Aug 2026

24.08.2026 41km and the new railway.

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  Monday 24th 55F/13C [8.30] Wall  to wall sunshine and 22C/72F is promised. Yesterday's forecast was cloudy and below 20C for the week ahead. Now it is above. With lots of sunshine.

 Up at 7.20 after earlier failures to lift off. 

 The fine weather suggests a ride. Both bike batteries need charging. I have appointments tomorrow and Thursday. A specialist to see about my dizziness tomorrow and the cooking class restarts after the summer break. 

 10.45 Off we go. I rode to Aarup. To buy replacement LED bulbs. For those which have failed within two years of purchase. I noticed that Philips arte listing the equivalent wattage in tungsten bulbs. Just as the manufacturers of compact fluorescent bulbs. Tried to fool the public with their pathetically dim products. 

 13.00 Back from a 41km ride. I am a little tired and saddle sore. It is just in time for lunch. I rode up to the new railway at Grønnemose. Where the marathon work in raising the railway embankment from a deep hollow continues. Several big tipper trucks were being filled by conveyor belt. As large diggers loaded these machines from a mountain of sand.

 On the way back I deliberately explored a track through the forest. Managing to loop back in the exactly opposite direction to the way home. Which added quite some distance to my route.

 I spent the afternoon watching YouTube videos of the Chinese athletics games for humanoid robots. Their progress is phenomenal. The accidents equally remarkable for their drama.

 Dinner was sliced and fried chicken, a broken egg and chips. 

 

  ~?~

 

23 Aug 2026

23.08.2026 Not, as you were.

 


  Sunday 23rd 55F/13C [8.30] Overcast, with showers and some sunny periods forecast. 20C/68F in the room. The greenhouse the same as outdoors. The weather and wind from the NW. It feels cooler.

 Up at 6.50 after a night attending the fire bucket. Perhaps the result of consuming large quantities of salad. 

 The upstairs windows have also been closed. Rather than left slightly open. "On the catch." For beneficial ventilation and any slight chimney effect. From  warm air rising up the open stairwell escaping through the gaps. With any cross draught differential. From the wind aiding heat extraction.   

 The display cabinets need to be restocked. I may bring down my late wife's teapot collection. See if I like having that on show. It will be well lit for photography. Should I decide to sell those too. Are there any collectors willing to buy a whole collection? I haven't a clue how many there are. 

 I have been enjoying comfortable temperatures. Now, with a sub 20C/68F trend in the weather. I have closed the skylights and doors of the greenhouse. It is time to take advantage of the isolating properties of the greenhouse. Since it covers most of the southern facade. I'll take down the shade net as soon as it is dry. So any solar gain will be stored in the southern wall. As much as a single glazed lean-to greenhouse can manage. They are not particularly airtight. 

 I dusted and polished the cabinets and began to install my late wife's collection of teapots. I discovered a full tea set. Top go with the flowery teapot, milk jug and sugar container. On the second shelf from the top. The coffee pot and mugs on the top shelf are from Wales. 

 I had moved the glass vases upstairs during the building work. To install the new doors. I think the glass vases might look better in the corner cabinet. To replace the cats. 

 19.00 It has been pouring down with claps of thunder.

 Dinner was chicken slices on wholemeal bread rolls. I am letting the chicken cool before adding it to the rolls. It worked but I should simply have sliced the chicken normally. Rather than trying to cut it in only two [rather thick] slices. Which had to be cut up anyway. To spread them around. 

11.00 I have been watching a film on TV and have had pain over my heart for quite some time. About half an hour.  I have used the nitroglycerine but it hasn't helped yet. 

11.05 But now it has. Good night.   

 

  ~?~

22 Aug 2026

22.08.2026 The cats are gone!

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  Saturday 22nd 55F/13C[7.50] Overcast, but sunny periods are promised. Peaking at 19C/66F. Rather windy from the west. Gusting to 14m/s/32mph. 21C/70F in the room. 13C/55F in the still open greenhouse.

 Up at 7.00 after a quiet night.

 I need some groceries but need to be back at home. For the cat collection buyers at 12.00. 

 So I drove into the village. With the trailer attached. Carrying a load of cardboard from packaging materials for recycling. The recycling yard is badly designed. With the popular cardboard container alongside the refuse container. Both the last on many and right on the exit from the yard. And, always with cars with trailers blocking access to these containers and to the exit.

 12.00 My cat buyers have arrived and were a delight to deal with. They both spoke excellent English. 

 14.00 They have just left after nearly two hours of packing cats in newspaper. 

 I can have lunch. Now I have to decide what to display in this large, newly empty cabinet. More decorative glass? Teapots? Ideally I should be housing something I can photograph. To advertise more things for sale.

 Dinner was a pile of salad. I left out the boiled eggs this time. To leave enough room on the plate.

   

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