Week 3 Pretty quiet

Timber Supplies

Our timber yard changed hands a few months ago and we thought we had lost our supply of scrap timber. But Janny had to buy some for another "cause" and after a brief discussion it was declared that nothing has changed - we can still go and sort through the waste container.

One thing that has changed is that the container is now about 3 times as big! We were even able to fish out some large-ish beams to use on our carport project and some hardwood  pallets that we can use for our garden beds. Needless to say we are happy! The new owners are three brothers who comprise the Company that did our asbestos removal - yes, we think that is a lucrative business, if our modest roof is any example.

New bedroom layout...

We were going to build some new walls, but decided to use IKEA cabinets as room dividers, instead.

A previous example...

Community Project "de Swingel"

A swingel is a handle, not unlike an old crank handle.

In Wijnjewoude, de Swingel is a Multifunctional Community Centre - for sports, meetings, clubs and entertainment.

In 2012, I organised the "Small Boating Licence Course" and a "Conversational English Course" - both held at de Swingel.

Janny has been involved with a group of volunteers who are doing an upgrade of the bar and seating area, to create a bit more "atmosphere". The main aim is to try to attract more patrons on a regular basis. Darts, card nights and events like the "Great Jigsaw Puzzle Competition" are in the planning. Janny is a regular contributor as a user and a helper - I might get interested if a card night is arranged - but it would take a lot to drag them from their "typical Dutch" game of KlaverJassen. There might be some interest in Bridge or a form of Whist which we play in the family...we shall see...

We had a quiet wednesday afternoon, so we took Lucas with us (to sit and watch) while we did some painting.

I forgot that I had the beanie on....

The red underneath the bar is to be covered with oak planks - which we collected from "our" timber yard...

World Servant's Project (cont.)...

Our niece, Jente was again involved in organising a night out - at de Swingel.

Soup, "Stampot" and dessert for €10,00 a head. It was really quite good, the food being donated by our local restaurant, "de Stripe".

About 110 people attended - so a tidy sum for the project - which is to help a village in Myanmar to build a larger prosthetics workshop.

A video was shown during the course of the dinner - the village looked surprisingly modern. Some local villagers were interviewed - a prosthetics technician said that the main causes were diabetes, landmines, leprosy and accidents. One chap was born with no legs and only one arm - but he was shown getting around quite well with his three "attachments".

Our Jente, on the left...

Janny bought herself some new tools...

a sander so that she can help with the boat...

and an electric chainsaw...

We also picked up a "water content" meter for the firewood.

My Google Research tells me that between 10% and 20% is best. 

Our recent purchase of 25 cubic metres was mostly "too wet" - which increases the chance of clogging up the chimney and causing a fire. After all these years I can now tell by the "feel" of any given piece of wood - it feels "heavy" if it is not dry enough.

But, with the aid of the meter, I can feel a bit more assured that the level is right.

Ben in South Africa

He seems to be keeping very busy...lots of castings and a few paid jobs. Looks like he has covered his costs already...

On location for one of his photo shoots.