Forge visit

Didn't Andy do well! What a brilliant end to the summer of sport.

He inspired me to resume my fitness/losing weight regime. So I did half an hour on the torture machine cross trainer. Then off on a mission to find a blacksmith to remake the two balustrades that have been stolen.

I set off across the Links. There were two folk with dogs, throwing balls. No, the dogs weren't throwing balls, the people were. Got chatting to both. Even took some photos, but it's hard to tell folk to throw the ball just past me - not away from me. However, they're there lots of mornings, so I might see them again.

One elderly man who had a big labradoodle looked as if he had trouble walking, but was using one of those throwing things for the dog. He told me it was his daughter's dog, but he took it out for a run every day.

This gave me an idea. I could take dogs out for a walk. I'd really like a dog (had two in NZ) but can't because I live in a flat. This would be a good compromise. I shall look into this...

Oh look! It's my favourite little cafe. A flat white, nice music (it's not technically muzak unless I hate it. I've just made that up) and a read of the paper, then on down to the blacksmith.

The blacksmith's forge/workshop was a complete treasure - full of old rusty machines and tools and general junk. This blip is of the door to the rust bucket that passes for the heating system. I don't know how it stays in one piece. The whole flue was the same.

But the workshop was nothing compared to the office! That looked like a tornado had just passed through. Except that the desk was upright. There was not a clear space on the floor except where I was standing.

I commented on it, and he said that if it was tidy, it meant he wasn't busy enough and would have to shut the business! He's going to give me an estimate on remaking them. Sounding expensive...

But thoughts of doing a new kitchen have evaporated. We're going to buy a coffee machine instead. Much less stressful, not to mention thousands of £ cheaper!

Of course, the weight loss regime won't start properly until I dispose of the two boxes of own brand Magnums still in the freezer. Which I obviously can't do in one day. Well, I could, but that would just be greedy!