Juicy Tasty Defeat

So, having discussed a variety of options for getting the piston rings compressed it came down to 'you need a ring compressor'. Since the ring compressor I've ordered from e-bay is the same as the one I bought it'll be going back on e-bay as soon as it arrives. I've ordered the correct ring compressor now (it's a splitable ring compressor) and will have another go as soon as that arrives.

Which left me in the challenging situation of, well, not having a car.

Or a bike.

Yet again I'm down to renting - I've reserved a car - so I can literally take back the van in the morning and come back with a rental car. :-/

Nikki commented on the fact that at the moment I don't appear to have a reliable car between the three of 'em; somewhat distressing though it is, and true though it is, I hope to remedy the situation; in so far as I've arranged for Rebecca to go back to JLH and have much more work done. New king pins, trunnions, new gearbox, new, new, new. Anyone for a philosopher's axe?

She's currently languishing outside the house, and the DAF is stuck on ramps. I'm praying - with all my heart - that once the engine's sorted we can get a bit of peace and quiet on the DAF front - although talking to Matt yesterday didn't give me great hope.

I still need to source a new accelerator cable for Jejy - and I need to package up and send off the shoes for Vixy (can do that on Monday too)... Anyhow, today is; instead of previously planned engine and DAF work, cleaning the house.

Fear the whining next week as I have to drive a modern car.

Potentially 'coming down with something'

So all week (after my 77hour week before; just in case I'd not mentioned that) I've had a bit of a sore throat. It's mainly gone away so long as I've drunk plenty in the morning, but it's been there quite definitely for the last couple of days, needing plenty of fluids through the day to chivy it away. It was quite specific when it was there; on the right side of my throat and nowhere else.

Today I've been feeling generally knackered; more so than the slightly late bed-time yesterday and the busyiness of the week that we've had should prompt. Finally, since the pain's spread to my right ear too (and it's an annoying niggly pain) I peered down my throat using the bathroom mirror. One of my tonsils is quite big and red.

Which seems unfair.

Still, we did get a new toilet seat (which Kathryn's fitted, and which is much, much nicer than the manky one we saved from the old bathroom); a new bathroom bin (which is more bathroom appropriate than the old office bin); cleared out the wardrobe for the arrival of the carpenter; obtained 2 new deckchairs (one of which appears to be somewhat frustratingly missing a bit, so I'll have to pop over to B&Q tomorrow); I ordered the tool for the car; moved the records downstairs (so the carpenter can carpent, or whatever it is they do); moved the 13" Rims from the van (to be returned tomorrow); attempted to get Kwik Fit to fit tyres to the new wheels (they don't have any stock); Tried to decide if they'll actually hold pressure so I can drive to Kwik Fit; and laid on the bed for a while going 'blurgh'.

Oh, and listened to the 'new' A.M. CD - which arrived - along with the present for Kathryn (Alix Olson).

Oh, and hired a car for next week.

And we cleaned the bathroom, the bedroom and some of the kitchen...

All in all it's been positively busy around here :)