The Right Tools

Ever since we put Ethan into a big new bed which has the head end in an alcove I've been paranoid that if he was to roll out of bed just so he could do himself a serious injury.

A big pillow stuffed into the troublesome gap negated this risk, however I also promised to put some kind of shelf up which would be useful too.

The requirements brief for this project soon escalated as Ethan requested secret draws, somewhere to put Mr Men books, water, box of tissues, Lego Bobba Fett and Indiana Jones etc. As things sounded more complicated the more the start date slipped to the right!

Anyway this weekend we went to Homebase to look for some pre-made storage solutions which I could then modify / build upon. Nothing suitable there so we decided to visit the new B&Q Megastore at Shannon Corner in New Malden.

It soon became apparent that B&Q are taking on Ikea with this store. It's massive. And built on top of two levels of car park. Which though spacious inside is going to cause lots of travel congestion at this already busy interchange on the A3. Anyway the boys loved running around with the wheely shopping baskets.

Found a three tier pine shelf which was narrow enough depth to fit - but would need cutting down length ways.

Wanted to try and fit the selfs around the current alcove frame so considered hacksaw but decided to try and use my Bosch pendulum action electric jigsaw for cutting to fit as well as shaping curved corners. Managed to find it and decommissioned my old Black and Decker Workmate and Dremmel too.

Took most of Sunday afternoon but managed to get something good looking and practical on the wall in time for bed-time. Will post pictures later. Will varnish/wax later too.

Oh, Ethan and I worked out he could still get his head trapped between two shelves with nasty consequences so step b) is to add that woodwork challenging secret pull out Lego minifigure drawer. Meanwhile polar bear serves as an excellent gap filler.

Bzzzz

 

Made it in at last

Day 2 - 2nd attempt to get to work

Cycled to Raynes Park via A3 and caught train to Waterloo - hurrah!

Getting to work - FAIL

So a tail of two bikes....

After an initial abortive attempt to take boys to nursery and get Denise to work we decided to bunker down - nursery was shut, no trains and the back streets near us an ice rink.

Anyway we needed milk so I thought I would test out whether my micro thin fixed gear's tires would get me to the nearest shop. Wow! That was a bit slippery! Interestingly it would have been actually impossible on a normal geared bike - rather than just really hard.

So, getting desperate to go into the office this afternoon I cast about for public transport methods still working. I was happy to find that according to the national rail enquiries live departure boards for both Malden manor and waterloo that the chessington line was still running.

Right so needed a way of getting the couple of miles there so decided to bring my old mountain bike out of retirement - however would require replacing slicks with knobby tires. A while later set off into the snow. 10 feet later noticed puncture on front. Denise thought this was a good sign that I really should give up this madness. No! To quote Ethan (quoting Buzz Lightyear) "Never give up. Never surrender!". 20 mins later - off I went....

Hmm, so it's bad enough slipping and sliding around the road on your own but much worse when there is a car coming up behind you who will squish you flat if you do go over...

Finally made it to the railway station....

Chessington Line open? They lied.

Turned around and now on my way home. Via the pub because I need (just a little) muscle relaxment before heading onto the slippery slopes of Cuddington.

Shiny Fixie

Have done an overhaul on my Condor fixed gear bicycle. New tubes. New Ultra Gator Duraskin gyres. Cleaned whole bike.

And the weather is Pish and my back is killing me - will wait for a better day for recommencing bike commute!

Blew up Joe Blow

On the spur of the moment, decided to cycle to shops rather than walk.

Decided to give Fixie a go - was pumping up front wheel when loud pop and whoosh of air :(

Turned out not to be inner tube but Stupid Joe Blow pump. Bottom plastic surround has cracked and therefore not airtight.

Not to be thwarted I found my trusty emergency hand pump and set to with gusto - unfortunately with a bit too much in this case. Bent and broke valve pin - new inner tube required :(

Having arranged to meet Denise at shops I was desperate to leave quickly - not enough time to change tube - instead got the Grass Hopper out of the grave and pumped tires. Hurrah! Success and off t'shops.

So.. After a bit of research have decided to try Topeak/Joe Blow brand again but this time go for what looks a bit sturdier - the Sprint.