Sorry Katherine and Joe. Those the the facts. Can’t argue with that!

In an effort to “get back in touch with nature” I’ve begun my next project. It’s a coffee table. Not just any boring old square coffee table, but one made from Huon Pine and with no electrical assistance.

We bought the block on our trip to Tasmania earlier this year and it has since been sitting in the garage. Last weekend I gave it a good rough sand and clean-up. In doing so, I quickly discovered I had a lot to learn about manually working with wood. A belt sander and electric plane would have done the trick easily, but I wanted a challenge.

Wasn’t that a stupid idea! There are a few marks from the original saw which will take some time to work out as well as some rough edges which I want to keep (but tame somewhat). I bought myself a hand plane and started using it yesterday. It is a lot harder work than I expected but am actually enjoying it.Not much progress to date, but I’ll endeavour to do some work on it each weekend.

This have just been “busy” lately and this is a post to fill in some time. What’s been happening …

• New manager at work so we’ve been devising a strategy for the department. Lots of work, but I am finding it an incredibly engaging learning experience.
• Training has dipped slightly. Ankle not coping too well and I missed the Run to the G today (need to be at home to take care of E.)
• Been regularly taking the train to/from work. It takes a little longer but it is far more relaxing. Thinking of selling my car and downgrading to an old bomb to get me from home to the station (and hopefully back again)
• Been researching a little on heart disease + smoking. E. is predisposed to the former and with the later it makes for a fearful life ahead.

Other than that, I’ve just been busy!