Grizz's Redneck Express 1966 Chevy Short Fleetside RESTO-GO!

[Grizz1963]

Right...

Happy times in the Randomness posted thread.

COVID 19 meals.....

Went shopping for mainly fruit and vegetables yesterday.

My shopping preference lies with the Turkish fruit and vegetable and general dealer as their prices and quality beats and rivals mainstream shops.

Had told Sally she could have a small BBQ as a reward for still working despite lockdown.

She actually has a 4 day weekend as their hours and demand has reduced somewhat recently.

So while in the Turkish shop, I got these with a plan in mind.



And some of these.



Nice size.



Making the Kebabs, they were covered in canon and Sweet Thai chilli sauce.

Red onion. Tomatoes, apricots, mushrooms, prawns



Also made a flat chicken



Fire to start with.





Chicken flipping.



Served up.

Also lamb Konte patties.

[Palf70Step]

I just finished lunch, but after seeing your grill'n, I am HUNGRY again.

[aggie91]

Looks good Rian. Stay Safe over there...

[Indian113]

Dang it Rian! That Feast is going to be Tough to Beat the next time " The Rowdy Bunch" comes to the States.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I just finished lunch, but after seeing your grill'n, I am HUNGRY again.

We put some aside for you Bill.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Looks good Rian. Stay Safe over there...

Thank you mate, it was good, and we are trying.

Originally Posted by Indian113

Dang it Rian! That Feast is going to be Tough to Beat the next time " The Rowdy Bunch" comes to the States.

If you have us a spot again, we could always bring the extras and create a feast, as long as you do us some of your spectacular pork chops.

The Rowdy Bunch would happily darken your doorstep again, if you and Mrs Boss were up for the upheavals



So Sunday Sally came around again, we are doing the separation thing fully, frustratedly.

We had decided to rest on Sunday which led to a 5 mile or 8 km walk over the farm, down to the edge of the Thames river.

Some Irisis on the way.



Shipping carrying on, up the river.



Down on the tidal wall, Sally saw some friends based on their profiles.....

Note the distance being kept, some sensibility maintained.

River tide was mostly out.



Loads of driftwood on the bank, including this long board, worn away over time, leaving a lovely pattern, I really wanted it.







We picked up loads of glass and some other bits, including a lump of driftwood for Sally’s garden, and a construction helmet, that seemed brand new.



Sally’s treasures, glass will be part of a wind chime mobile.



Our route.

[Indian113]

Rian, we always have room for our friends! I can fix Pork Chops again, How many do you want?

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Rian, we always have room for our friends! I can fix Pork Chops again, How many do you want?

Only one of your Pork chops will be good Ray.

Then we garnish our plates. With other interesting foods.......



BUGGERRRRR !!!

Tried to start the Galaxy..... Needed food.


KZZZZZZZZ...Pffft

KZZZZZZ...Pfffft

KZZZZZZ. KZZZZZ KZZZZZ

Kzzzz... Pfffft


Being stood so long now with COVID 19, another casualty.

I knew the battery was fragile.




.

[Palf70Step]

, Sorry to hear that. Always a pain when they die.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

, Sorry to hear that. Always a pain when they die.

Thanks Bill,

This one just needs to be started weekly, but the cold is a killer.

And I am too tight to go buy a new mastery yet.

[Grizz1963]

Considering this COVID-19 thing has turned our lives into a Groundhog Day from hell, some more of the same.

Sunday

Started part 2 of paving cleaning, moving the house firewood box and other items away, its amazing how long prep, clean and clean again takes.





Eventually by 15.30 only that bit left to get to.



Done.



Bad lighting, still wet in places, but job done for part two.



Next up over next weekend will be the driveway strips and down at the garage which is a real mess.

Sally came to visit to weed my garden bed and dust the living room, and as usual, hard as it is, we managed to keep our distance, sensibly.

I cooked Cajun chicken thighs and veggies.

Assisted by Brandy and Pepsi Max, I thought I had earned it.









Chatting with Dennis, who is still working, he sent pics of Hunter the new pup at around 10.00 USA time.



Seems everything was still very quiet after the previous days quad and three wheeler party.....

Beer won.



So life goes on, just with a bit more thought and social distancing.

Plan churning in my head as to how to get that long wooden plank the 4km from sea level at the Thames river, back to my home.

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[Grizz1963]

Knowing how many of us like weird or slightly different things.

Not sure if I should add this one here.

Ford Transit Connect, launched 2002-ish in the UK.

Mate Tim likes them and is hoping to bring the Connect 6 he is building to the rescheduled gathering at Goodwood in July.

Previous creations include a Subaru Brat

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...r-spots-fitted

And a Chevy C10 camper.

https://forum.retro-rides.org/thread...camper-special

So when a 2002 Connect passed his radar.......

A plan was hatched.

Few random pics from Tim, in case people are interested in more.

Alongside his V12 XJS future project.
















His daily is a 2007 with a chunk of older Connect converted to a trailer for camping.

Thought it may be interesting.

[Palf70Step]

I wonder how maneuverable that will be on your folks streets over there? Looks neat for sure though.

[Micmac]

Hey Rian, watch out for your toes with that power water blaster, don't ask me how I know! You safe.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I wonder how maneuverable that will be on your folks streets over there? Looks neat for sure though.

I think it will be fine.

3 point turns.

Originally Posted by Micmac

Hey Rian, watch out for your toes with that power water blaster, don't ask me how I know! You safe.

Hi Mate, good to see you here.

Hope all is good at home.

I am careful with my toes, but flip flops rule.




Went for a quick 2 mile walk on Monday.



How fresh do you like your asparagus



Mate Steve asked me what retirement would feel like.

His day.



Paving cleaned twice.



I am so bloody tired of cleaning paving, unfortunately my place has a lot to do.

One more section left to do, down at the garage. Needs some stuff to be moved though.



Grubby down there.





Had some “FREE TIME” from work today between training sessions.... sick and tired of this now.

Went to Sally’s place in the Galaxy and cleaned her patio, walkway and also the alley behind her place.





One more meeting 5.00 to 5.45 then close up shop till tomorrow morning.

Sally was awarded some beers at work for being employee of the week last week, I did get to share in her win.

Corona’d




.

[Palf70Step]

[Grizz1963]

More than three weeks now the counters on my threads are stood still.


Love to know why.




Pioneer woman statue, Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Friend Andy sent this very topical warning to all who pass it.

I have driven past it a few times before COVID 19.




In other news, Dennis delivered his 66 C10 NASCAR truck yesterday to the race Car prep shop, for the roll cage to be fully welded in.

Based on one of these.......





The guys were blown away of course, Dennis being who he is, had never told them he was building this mad thing.

The motor he has fitted was Dyno tested at 850bhp



Looking forward to this coming together.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

More than three weeks now the counters on my threads are stood still.


Love to know why.

Board software being a butt. It is random on who and when it acts up with that issue Rian. Liz and Josh are working on it though.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Board software being a butt. It is random on who and when it acts up with that issue Rian. Liz and Josh are working on it though.

Gotcha.




A few more random than usual pics.


My brother lives in South Africa and since lockdown they have not been able to buy alcohol or tobacco.

Cue his son who lives with him, and used to be a chef and barman plus social club manager years ago....

Yeast, oranges and some sugar for good measure.

Spare bathroom used for Washing machine and tumble drier only (excuse colour choices, not his) pulled into service.

More large on trainers also quietly brewing away.


“Kicks like a mule”





I went food shopping on Sunday, 9 days after previous Friday and saw this beauty.



On the way back, this was the road works sign, covered in the rainbow and Support the National Health Service.

Nice sentiment, and one I always include all and any front line workers who continue to work. In order for the rest of us to be able to carry on away from normal routines.



It has been interesting watching Mickey next door and Sam, two hoses to the other side, get on with jobs on both properties and helping each other, we all look out for each other, and Mickey at 75 post bowel cancer less than six months ago all keeping their distance.

Break in proceedings.




More later.

Online meeting now.

[Grizz1963]

Ongoing saga of cleaning my massive expanse of paving was drawing to a close.

But loads of obstructions in front of the garage to move.





Before starting that job, hedges.... spring comes and you can hear them grow.





Clean up hedge cuttings etc.

Got started in the back corner. Caravan shed was clean when parked there.



Stopped at that point, late Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning was chilly and I was so desperate to just walk away.....

Add in the spray and a gentle air movement with minimal movement myself, and it gets chilly.



Sally stopped by on her way to shops and made me a welcome coffee, then scooted off again.



Amazing how mossy and grubby the paving gets in a year.

And keep in mind, you need to clean the stones on all aspects of the bevelling in order to get a decent finish.

Plus clear the debris every 600mm or 24inches.



End in sight.




.

[Grizz1963]

And pressure cleaning job done.

Knackered.



Next job here would be brushing kiln dried sand into all the grooves and joins opened by the pressure cleaning.



But before that.......

Lifting, repairing, relaying and grouting over at Sally’s place.

I got to realise how knackered my hips, back nd various other joints are.



So much damage.



Also put up a few items I made for her in the garden.





And cross cast at Andy Martins place in Oklahoma last year.

Then back to my place late afternoon to start the sanding of the paving, before it turns and rains as it needs to be very dry.

Handy assistant, many hands make light work.



Lawn needs a cut, desperately.





.

[Grizz1963]

Interesting post storm Cloud formation from Tulsa today.




Fake smile, I had to just get out and go for a walk today.

Beard must come off soon too.

Needing change now.



At least the flowers were good along the way.



And a nice sunset.



.

[Palf70Step]

Rian, I thought I had a bunch of crud to trim and care for, but you definitely got me beat! I get tired of just looking at all your plant life, let alone dealing with the driveway stones/pavers. We must really like abusing our body with all this plant life care. Who da thunk we'd get old!

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Rian, I thought I had a bunch of crud to trim and care for, but you definitely got me beat! I get tired of just looking at all your plant life, let alone dealing with the driveway stones/pavers. We must really like abusing our body with all this plant life care. Who da thunk we'd get old!

Indeed Bill,

And there is always something that needs sorting out.



Weekend almost over.....

Went to Sally’s place to check up how the grouting held up after the rain this week.

All good.

Went inside and found Sally busy making bunting for a friend.



My young friend @PaulY sent me a pic yesterday.....





Been a while, but Stas and his family are well in Siberia.

Been in isolation like everyone else.

Yesterday they worked on the grounds around the block of flats they live in.

Garden beds, flowers, trees, shrubs etc planted and prepped.





Today Stas was going to paint the parking space lines on their estate,



Afterwards, a shower and a beer.




Followed by a walk with his family.

And a “Sakura” moment with Katya.




In the mean time, Stas and his family carry on regardless


.

[Grizz1963]

As is known by now....

Randomness rules here.

What not to like about the smell of a hard revved two stroke.

Four years after parking it up on a shelf, I pulled my Stihl chainsaw off the shelf.

Sally was there to record it.....

My laughter is at her asking if she should call the paramedics or get oxygen for the anticipated battle to start it.



Right.

You better believe this.

Old fuel

No choke

Three pulls.

And ready for action.



I put it down to warm up while I went into the garage to get my Kevlar dungarees, gloves and safety boots on, plus ear and double eye protection

Then on to the offending tree.



Forgot to remove a sign and bird feeder from the stem. Mickey was straight onto it.



Rather than load the Galaxy with branches etc, Mickey suggested we burn it piecemeal out back.



For the tree protectors, and I am one too....

The reason for cutting it down.







Eventually packed everything away and had a celebratory beer.





.

[aggie91]

We only have Stihl chainsaws at the farm for the same reason, reliability.

Nice work!