Craig-y-Nos Country park and spinning wheel fettling

 I had to take my spinning wheel to be repaired today - a general overhaul.  It needed a replacement  polycord drive band, as the one it came with was just cotton and the new one is purpose made and it spins beautifully now.  He had to sort out the wheel running wonky - turns out that someone in the past (before I bought it) had fastened the Mother-of-all with two hefty screws which came threough the bottom but worst of all didn't hold the MOA properly in line with the wheel.  It may have been knocked off line when we moved house as the removals chaps weren't at all careful with our possessions.  Anyway, the MOA had to be realigned and new screws put in.  He put another  tensioner in the Scotch tensioner that was on there so I could ply on the spinning wheel now.  I also bought a replacement threading hook as mine had got lost in the move (I shall doubtless find it now!)

I am very fortunate to be within a reasonably short drive of the one and only spinning wheel repairer in the UK!  About 50 miles away in fact.  Plus I had a nice day out on the back of my trip, as he is at Craig-y-Nos Country Park, about 25 miles from Swansea.  The village is Ystradgynlais.  Victorian Opera Singer Adelina Patti owned and lived in Craig-y-Nos castle.  Whereby hangs a tale.  We once bought from local auction a big linen cupboard which came from the theatre at Craig-y-Nos, and had once belonged to Adelina Patti.  We put it down in mum's kitchen.  Anyway, a few weeks after buying it I was woken in the night by operatic singing, a woman's voice, coming up from mum's flat . . .  It was about 3 a.m. in the morning and I can remember thinking, sorry mum, you're deaf and won't hear it and damned if I am coming down to check it out.  It happened several times after this and Keith heard it too, so we put the "haunted cupboard" back in auction . . .  Odd I know, but true.

Some views below from my walk around the park whilst my spinning wheel was worked on,

Red Campion.

Adelina Patti's initials in the ironwork of the bridge.

Mallard mum and chicks having a rest from swimming round the lake.

Ramsons (wild Garlic).

Lovely photos on display of what is on our doorstep.

I treated myself to this (reduced) book today, from the craft shop at Craig-y-Nos.

Then when I got home, I found I had inherited a chicken - lovely point of lay lass with perhaps some Golden Leg Bar in her.  She was very friendly.  I then had to go round the neighbours to see who she belonged to, and last port of call was her owner.  Sadly he had lost his two cockerels, and a hen to Mr Fox last night.  At least he didn't lose this one.

Little Whale minus his cone.  I found out he was doing probably more damage wearing it, as he kept using his bad foot to scratch at the cone.  I had a dilemma - did I leave it on and have definite damage, or take it off and L. Whale might overlick the wound/infect it?  I have Hibiscrub here, so will continue with that, and I gave him some more Loxicom for the pain tonight.  The cone causes Social Anxiety problems with the other cats too, Alfie especially who snarles and hisses at his brother.  We will see how we go.  The vet forgot to return my call when I phoned earlier.

I am off to sit down now.  I am so pleased to have my Spinning Wheel fettled and running so smoothly now.  Back to practicing :)

Have a lovely weekend all.