Progress of the Spinning Wheel

After having rough turned the spindle parts prior Christmas I have got as far as dry assembling the main body of the wheel. I still have away to go. The wheel its self, although the spokes are done as well as the hub. Metal work such as the drive axle and maiden axle/shaft. The footman and drive pulleys.

 The Restoration is also slowly progressing, the leg repair in this post another-step-forward has since been coloured to match and sanded. Timber for the footman has been cut but I am unhappy with the state of the wood as its is heavily splated and may prove to fragile for such a work area.

Steamed Up at Oberon OR The Passion Never Dies

Saturday 12th February we headed out to Oberon and the  Oberon Steam Festival 

A late start saw us arrive about 10.30am after a drive across the Great Dividing Range once known as the "Impassable Barrier". The Blue Mountains  towns were overcast and already signs of Autumn from tree's dropping their leaves this is very early.
I have a passion for steam going back to my childhood in England where I grew up around a time when steam was alive and in use daily. Having worked at Greens Motorcade Museum in the 70's where I was restoring vehicles, George Green had a few traction engines on display.

One of the vehicles I used to drive around the museum is now located in Canberra's national Museum.

I need to thank my Coach Building TAFE teacher Mr Bob Macky for his encouragement in pursuing restoration work of Vintage & Veteran vehicles.


I have digressed ah well.
Oberon lies west of Sydney some 2 hours drive through rural and forest, at any time of year a flurry of snow can happen.

 Commonly known as a "Widow Maker" this log saw has some kick.





An interesting display of Sheep Shearing tools from over the years. Caught Sue's attention as well as mine.

 A miniature set hand made by a lady in South Australia.

 A number of working Steam traction Engines and stationary engines were on display.

 The Best Of British a magnificent Rolls Royce

 

The Mini Car Club

Triumph

Australian Ford GT XW

 Mustang

The above Ford GT was released in the early 70's and one of the vehicles I started my apprenticeship as a Mechanic/Motor Vehicle Builder working at Wright Ford in Sydney.

Australian Holden FJ lovingly restored and an original looking 149 Grey motor. Note you can almost stand in the engine bay and work on it. You could do all the repairs yourself.

 Excellence in motoring

Honda 750 4 possible Ex-Police bike.

I must add after getting around to see everything, Sue had just ordered lunch when the skys opened and it still has not stopped raining at Oberon and its Sunday. We never got back to the stalls to buy tools and books.

Froggy Went A Walking

Seems like the song our resident Frog has been roaming around. We still have not been able to identify the frog species as yet. if anyone can please let us know.

Edited and Update

After much searching I found some information on our resident Peron's Tree Frog. Thanks to Hunter Valley back Yard Nature

Peron's Tree Frogs have bright yellow with black mottling on the armpits, groin and back of thighs which is a key identifying feature if you are fortunate to glimpse this as it moves around. Its back is rough-textured, but varies in colour from almost white to a pale green-grey, through shades of light brown, to reddish brown.

It is recorded that the Peron's Tree Frog will change its colour depending on the light exposure, temperature, moisture and other factors. I have not been lucky enough to observe this.

All Peron's Tree Frogs I have seen have been flecked with pale irridescent-like green irregularly shaped spots over the back, although research indicates that this feature is not always present.

 

We had our grandchildren over this morning they had come to wish us a Happy Birthday. Sue took them out to see if they could find the frog back in his main hiding spot. A pot on our out door table, sure enough he was there. I believe there maybe more than one.

I heard a thump

Silky Oak Logs

I was sitting in side talking on the phone with my cousin who had just returned from the UK where she had been while her daughter gave birth.

 I heard a thump knew it wouldn't be Santa surely not on Boxing Day he'd be to busy still delivering around the other side of the world. I went out side to find a friend Hughie had been and left me some nice logs of Silky Oak a round of Pine and a stand.Thanks Hughie!!

Gemini Dreams

Gemini Dreams a great Moody Blues song




A son born under the Gemini sign

This is a pen and pencil kit from 043turning called the Gemini, Sue liked the look and style, the wood is Lilli Pilli.

Fountain Pen

A Sedona Fountain Pen Kit was from Addictive Pens Kits, Acrylic blank came from Simonatra a fantastic pen turner. The pen is for our daughter at her request pity it took so long to find the right acrylic.

Rebuilt Desk

Its taken time but at last its finished, stable, solid and in use again already. The use of Connector Bolts means easy to move should we need to.
Top finished with 4 coats of Wipe on Polly, the rest Danish Oil.

Frog II

The Frog's back we were sitting watching TV the other night before sundown when out of nowhere a loud croak happened Sue crab the camera and found his sitting at the top of the pot again much bigger  now. Still no idea what sort he is.