Engine fit

Went up to Bruntingthorpe airfield yesterday, left here at 0800, picked up my mate Pete and headed towards Leicester, roadwork's on the dual carriageway system are still ongoing and 40mph for miles, with speed cameras enforcing it. Got to our destination 10.00 and were the first to arrive. Eventually the gang arrived, same group that removed the engine months back, so that was a bonus as we all worked together fine. Was asked to check out the engine bay firewire loop while the others were having lunch (we had ours half an hour earlier) was given a length of good firewire to complete the loop, then it was a case of switching on the battery and trolleyac power, batter master and instrument master switches, press to test on the SWP and checking the No1 fire warning  caption lit, going out when the test switch was released, all worked fine. The lads did a final check of the engine bay, then the engine was wheeled into position on a trestle, 4 mini hoists were connected and away she went. Several other items had to be checked for integrity as the engine was hoisted fully home. A few components being connected before finally , the fitting of the main engine bearer bolts. A job successfully completed and without any damage on the way in. By now it was nearing time for us to make the 2 hour trip back home, dinner, a glass or two of wine and a snooze, completing a lovely day out. No photos this time round, too busy working, perhaps some others got a few shots, will have to wait and see.

Last Smoking clinic visit

Made my last visit to the smoking clinic today at 3.30 and was officially declared a non-smoker. Must admit that I am more surprised than anyone to have managed it, after only 2 week of the max strength patches, just shows what a bit of will power can do, without it there is no hope (speaking from many years of experience). Now I just have to start eating less and lose some stomach size. Win one and lose another it seems.

XR728 Awaits an engine refit

Looks like the long awaited trip to Bruntingthorpe is scheduled for this Saturday, all the preparation has been done over the last few months and the No1 ECU is ready to go back in. Remarkably all the major problems with firewire elements have been overcome and other niggles sorted too. Am looking forward to meeting up with the lads and getting the engine installed. Even got myself a set of overalls at last, so should look the part if nothing else. My turn to do the driving this time round, so should give my mate a chance to relax for a change. The No2 ECU has still to be refitted sometime soon and hopefully that will be the next mission. Meanwhile the next open day at Bruntingthorpe is Sunday 28th August for anyone interested in an enjoyable day out.

What fun

The last two days have been different from normal, logged into an ex-forces forum to find that the MOD had sent the webmaster a message to the effect that he was in breach of copyright, using the RAF logo and they issued a threat to sue if it was not removed. Interesting to see all the correspondence on this matter get bigger by the hour. I found it really odd that the initial email should demand the webmaster to get in touch immediately, not ask or request as would be the norm. I do wish the MOD would get a new leader who can control these individuals from upsetting us veterans over such trivia. Have a look here to get the drift. Hopefully things will settle down soon.

Dull week

Been a bit of a dull week here, no rain as such just loads of cloud. Removed a few wall mounted bookshelves in the small bedroom and am now painting the re=plastered area where the wall plugs were. Much better weather today, so have been outside making the most of it. Off down the pub tonight, two family birthdays to celebrate so am having some food and a few drinks whilst enjoying the company. Am still not smoking and well pleased I have managed to quit this time.

Doing fine

Attended my doctors appointment yesterday, saw the nurse and did the test for anti-smoking progress, all was as expected and passed no problem, next appointment  in 3 weeks. Have dispensed with the patches since a few weeks back as the initial strong ones did the job and don’t feel the need to use them, but they are there just in case.

Had to relocate my working water butt as one of the pair sprung a leak and was dispatched to the recycle centre, the working one is now full to overflowing due to the recent week of downpours, so looks like job done for that one.

Weekend on my own

My wife was down visiting her friend in Norwich over the weekend so I  got some work done in the garden, lining a concrete path with old breeze blocks, still have a few left to lay, but had made a big improvement so far. Surprised how things have managed to grow this year, with the lack of rain. Thursday is another step in my stop smoking effort, have to go back to see the nurse at the surgery and do the carbon monoxide test, but am quite happy that so far have not been tempted to light up, so yet another record for me. Stopping seems to be the easy bit, staying off the weed is the bit that takes the biggest effort, but am sure the temptation will diminish given time and some will power too.

Water Butt

One of our water butts has sprung a leak for the last time, I have repaired this many times before with fibreglass matting, but this time, have decided that it has had it. Had to saw the thing in half to get it in the car boot, but eventually managed to get it to the recycling centre. The lads up there said that it had been a record year for leaking water butts, due to the harsher than normal winter and they were using quite a few as bins to collect stuff in, so still being of some use. The weather has been really hot and sunny this weekend so far, so nothing getting done at all, lazing out on the patio.