WTF-Beta

Andy, stunning. Wow. Having lived on an idyllic, isolated island, I've found that the only practical downside is access to healthcare. There were plenty of situations where a person in HI would have to fly to Honolulu to see a specialist or have an operation. Although it you had that kind of money, I guess you'd be able to rent a private jet at the drop of a hat and it wouldn't be an issue.

Don't be too envious Chas, even helping is tiring. And we're 3 years in.. These people who buy a (DIY) Château or a (Help I bought a )small village, need years of stamina and teamwork. But thanks for the comments which are encouraging. Seven days in on the three areas of cladding and we're about to start painting the third window area, which went from install new cladding to window restoration [image: 1754491485501-20250806_153408-resized.jpg]

Link to video

Our floors are laminate made to look like wood. Any hard floor in this climate is good enough.

@wtg said in Puppy !: If your dog is missing, check @Mik 's house. I think he has a sweet spot for border collies. Yeah, I do like the working and sporting breeds. But they all need a job to do or they'll find mischief.

Congratulations on your getting really good tools! I hope they prompt you to pick up a new hobby, do some really good work and enjoy the process!

Hearing today. https://abcnews.go.com/US/kerr-county-texas-lead-emergency-management-official-asleep/story?id=124237644

The Washington family fell on hard times once and the Spencer family rented them house. This one looks too grand to be the same one. Beautiful pictures! Thanks, Andy.

Some iconic music. RIP Lalo. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/mission-impossible-theme-live-classic-fm/vi-AA1HuZK7#details

I've had some experience with maintaining estates, obviously not my own. It's a full time job.

Yes; and Yes. Though the cynic in me whispers it's so nice that some bugger will only nick it. I've considered very similar leather duffels in the sale at John Lewis for £300. Helly Hanson do one called the Offshore, practical, waterproof, for a mere 120 quid, but being bright red plastic I guess it's the squeezy-plastic-bottle-of-jelly equivalent. Mik, I see Welches come in jam jars so it's off my list

You mean like eventually or our King is but yours isn't

I'd forgotten about those old mosquito-coil hobs The thatched cornish cottage has oil central heating which could pricey, so the Aga will help to offset that. Interesting that the cottage has private spring water, and drainage... Presumably a septic tank. Delux country living.

Lol! No, I ended up with a pile of parts. I couldn't put them back together. I knew the watch would be ruined by my experiment. It was the kind of watch aimed at office workers before the quartz revolution and cellphones. It was a watch for collectors by the time I bought it. It wasn't an expensive IWC like the ones now.

I can't watch her because any freeze frame of her face is a contorted smirk making watching a video of her an exercise in torture.

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Does anybody just play dominoes any more?

@Mary-Anna said in Grand Obsession: I believe the video of Muffin and me was made at Plays88Keys' piano party. Jon was there and he's in the video. Do you recall, Jon? She had a Steinway at the time, so you're probably right that it was a New York Steinway. I think that was Plays and Improv’s house in Richmond. You, me, Bernard, and PD were all there. And some local friends of theirs. I remember seeing Piano Son and Muffin interacting as awkward teens. What a great memory.

That woman becomes a part of the piano. She sits and is simply fabulous, what touch. My old piano teacher was a bit like her, you'd never guess this kindly 80 year old had such talent. She'd sit and suddenly become a concert pianist. Suddenly I was reminded of Barenboim materclassing Lang Lang