Tuesday, June 17, 2003

So Jesse has returned home, and that means it is my turn in the writing barrel. Actually, Jesse left on Saturday morning. So I am behind as usual.

On Friday, our final permits and supplies came through. Once again, thanks to Mrs. Jackson. I left here at 1300 to try and get to Kendal and back before the Height's Quarry closed at 4pm. Mick was at the yard and wanted to talk. So I wrote the run off. It was good catching up with his winter schedule and travels. One of the joys of being retired. And able to putz around with machinery. He is building a dredging machine for a friend. He builds things like Byron, i.e. for the next millennia.

The schedule has been non-stop for the last few days. Saturday was the quietest day. Byron and Peter Hart went to the mine. They primarily dug for specimens. Peter went on his way to Hartlepool. He and his cousin were plotting a night out. We had a pleasant 3 day visit with him. Once again Mary and Denis at the Mill Race made him comfortable. I meanwhile, attacked the house and garage. I like to clean everything up at least once a week. Then I cleaned small bits and crystals. Found some nice bits and pieces. Byron and I continued our early to bed early to rise routine.

On Sunday, Byron had a regular work day with Dave. Dave is going to the moto-cross trials on Friday. So he asked for a schedule change this week. So Byron and he worked on track and points throughout the tunnels. I sawed and water gunned. Byron has been bringing home these cute stalactites of quartz and fluorite. The fluorite is okay and the quartz is gemmy, but needing some work. It has a bit of a black coating that will need work to remove, luckily not much.

Sandra called on Sunday to find out if I could take Kara back to school in Kirkby Stephan. I had told Dave at the start of the season if they needed help to call and I would take her over. This way Dave and Byron have a regular day. Sandra - Dave's wife - needed to go to the doctor's office. Because of the limited hours at the clinic she was only able to go on Monday morning. So yesterday at 0730 sharp I picked Kara up for the ride. I asked Sandra "If she tells me to go to the M1 and South towards London, should I worry?" She said "Yes" and "If I get to France, I was allowed to panic." Apparently, Kara is not keen on her school, and has been known to elaborate on the directions. She assured me that she wouldn't do that.

We had a great early morning drive across the fells. She and I talked about school and siblings. No matter what your age is, the stories about siblings never change. Kara is anxious to finish this school so that she can study art at collage. She is quite a good drawer. I'll tell you thought the company and the view were great. We ran across a herd of steers in the road across Lune Moor. One of the little sneaks had opened the gate and they all got out. Right into the tall grass alongside of the road. Unlike sheep, steers stay close to home. They were not too happy with my red, noisy car. At the moment I have no muffler. I have ordered one, but right now I sound like a race car. To bad I don't drive a car with that much power. It can barely make 70 on a down hill with a tail wind. The M roads are 70 mph, so no worry about me speeding. I like my little car. I can go almost anywhere with it. Everyone in the valley knows it is me, and run. Just kidding. Anyway, after dropping Kara off, I went to Kendal. From there to the Quarry, the Sawmill for timber order, Watson's to order my muffler, Wolsingham for nuts and bolts, Consett for shopping at Safeway and Focus, Fairless' for boots and ear protectors. Finally, home for sawing and falling over. By 9:30 pm Byron and I were dead to the world.

Today as they say is another day. Only had to go to the Height's quarry and get supplies and deliver them to the mine. The guys are working on the connection between the tunnels and lifters elsewhere. So, business as usual. Hope everyone is fine.

Cheers,

Jonina and Byron

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