The All New Megathread

[Craig380]

Just back from a stroll around Buxton: having stripped & cleaned my brake calipers yesterday, I think I'll get the bike out for an hour and make sure everything's working OK

[garynortheast]

Morning all. Cold, clear morning here. I think we're going to head for Attingham Park today for a stroll round the grounds with the hounds. Snowdrops will all be up now so it should be pretty spectacular.

How's the weekend looking for all you other folks?

[Craig380]

Morning Gary - surprisingly bright here. Going into Macc centre to see the Chinese New Year parade, then a little spin out on the bike this afternoon (having survived my last spin out the other day, I'll be watching for mud).

[Sir Trev]

Now back from my nephews wedding in Shropshire. I am exhausted. We had a cottage in the grounds of the hotel (Netley Hall) but it was almost beside the function building. Needless to say the younger revellers were still dancing away after we threw in the towel.

My left eye was getting quite sore after a few hours from the burst blood vessel I sustained on Wednesday. And would you believe another one went as we were on the drive home. Two corners of my eye look horrible now. Probably a sign I need to take it easy.

[garynortheast]

Morning all. Sunny spells here and dry at the moment. I have a long list of jobs for today, one of which, as long as it stays dry, is to clean the crud off the bike after last Wednesdays ride.

What's everyone else up to?

[garynortheast]

Morning all. Grey and gloomy here with the prospect of rain later. Busy day coming up. I'm delivering an 1899 Jones handcrank sewing machine back to the owner now I've finished cleaning and fettling it. I also have a base and case being delivered today for the 1944 Singer 99K I picked up for a tenner so that will be a fitting job to do when it arrives.

If the rain holds off long enough I need to get in the garden and finish rebuilding the front garden raised beds as well. Looking at the weather I don't think there's much prospect of getting out on the bike, so those jobs should be enough to keep me going today!

How's the day shaping up for the rest of you?

[Craig380]

I only know this from old episodes of 'Bargain Hunt', but apparently the really valuable old Singer sewing machines are the 'saddleback' ones, do you ever see any of those, Gary?

Daughter is visiting this morning, we're off to see a photo exhibition up at the caff at Tegg's Nose (in the foothills of the Peaks above Macclesfield). Top Tuesday action!

[Luckypants]

Good cafe that (my lad lives in Macc.)

[Craig380]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Good cafe that (my lad lives in Macc.)

Small world! It is a nice caff, lovely location.

[garynortheast]

Originally Posted by Craig380

I only know this from old episodes of 'Bargain Hunt', but apparently the really valuable old Singer sewing machines are the 'saddleback' ones, do you ever see any of those, Gary?

Not sure what the saddleback machine is Craig. The earliest ones from 1856 - 1859 were known as Turtleback machines. There are apparently only 8 of them left in existence, so yes, very rare! I've only seen pictures of them, it's highly unlikely I'll ever see one in the flesh (or more appropriately, in the cast iron).

Here's the machine I took back to Becca at Ewe and Ply (wool shop in Oswestry) this morning. Works beautifully now although the bobbin winder design is a bit...umm...crude! Coat of wood wax on the case and base has smartened things up a little.