Police Dog

Just had to post this, every time I read it I giggle. Hope I'm not treading on any copyright toes.

Hell's Wrinklies - Stalybridge Chapter

Went out on the Harley last Wednesday, met up with an old college friend called Graham,  known as Charlie.....It's a long story!  He has just started riding a motorbike again after quite a long time, and has met up with a great group of friends.  Collectively they have a ride out, weather permitting, on a Wednesday.  This last week we met initially at the home of one of the lads, Keith, and rode over Saddleworth moor to Holmfirth.  There we enjoyed a hearty breakfast and rode back.

This is Graham in the white helmet, stood next to his 125cc Kymco.

This is the group taken by Graham, That is Me in the high viz jacket.

The run was not without incident,  One gentleman left his headlights on in the car park, came out of the Cafe to a flat battery, and although bikes park for free, he of the flat battery and I paid for a parking slot...5 minutes over the allotted time the local gestapo stuck a ticket on his saddle.  For some reason I didn't get a ticket on my Harley, but I am expecting to get a fine through the post any day now.  That will teach us to keep an eye on the clock.

We eventually got his bike started and set off home.  I went back to G's house for an extra brew and a chat with Mrs G who I hadn't seen for more years than either of us could remember.  All in all an excellent day out and hopefully one of many.

Turning Demonstration

I went on Saturday last (6th Oct) to a demonstration of wood turning at my club. ( Pendle Woodturners and Carvers.  http://www.pendlewoodturners.co.uk/  ) the demo was by a lady turner by the name of  Margaret Garrard.  see  http://www.margaretgarrard.co.uk/   below are a three poor photographs of some of the work she brought along to the demo.

She specialises in 'involute' turning where two or more usually four pieces of wood are glued together,  a design is then turned into that wood, the glued joints separated the individual pieces of wood are then glued back together with the turned pattern on the inside.  

The piece is then turned again to produce the finished article.

She also does a lot of pierced and decorated work.  The Plate shown below is a lovely example of this.  the plate has been turned from (I think) Sycamore  (Acer pseudoplatanus) and turned extremely finely to a thickness of no more the 2 or 3 millimetres.  The flowers then painted on,  she uses various means to paint, but airbrush is her chosen method,  then the piercing is done with a type of dentist drill.

As you can see, she is a very artistic and talented lady.  One of the top turners in the country at present.  In fact she is exhibiting at an exhibition in London at Carpenter's Hall from 17th to 20th October.  The Exhibition is called "Wizardry in Wood"   Have a look at www.wizardryinwood.com