The Battery Saga

So Danby's battery died and the car won't crank over.  It is 9 years old, so I am certain it was the culprit.  After trying to jump her, unsuccessfully, I asked the neighbour to move his car so I can scoot back and let Pizza out.  Ever so helpful, he chimed in it could be the alternator.

I left the car on charge whilst we were out, the battery charged up from 9V back to 12V, but it still won't crank over.  So I started battery shopping. 

I first searched for mobile battery fitting.  Halfords somehow does not do my battery.  I clicked through Nationals, and placed an order, only to be cancelled after they decided they do not do mobile fitting and their sister Halfords does not stock it.  Useless.  Nationals also do not do delivery, so that is them out.

The whole time I was screaming "'ow much?!"  These days car batteries are close to £200!

So I thought I would just pay over the odd and get AA to come, so I placed an order, only to be told there is an additional surcharge, so sack that.

I contacted some mobile mechanics and Whocanfixmycar.  Some of them quoted, automatically, only to confirm they don't do mobile fitting.  One mechanic quoted, wanting £120 for a cheap battery and £60 to fit.  When I asked him to get a different one, he wouldn't, so let's park that.  One other mobile mechanic, recommended by Steve, wasn't that keen to quote, when I told him I am getting the battery and he said he would fit at £40, but didn't give availability.

I looked at a few videos online, it seems straight forward enough.  One video said I would need to reset the ECU, but the rest didn't so I kept my fingers crossed.

So I ended up getting a Yuasa from GSF.  I waited and waited, and it was delivered by UPS at 4:30pm.  I decided to do it myself, I put the battery in and Danby started, hurray!  I took her out on a spin, to the tip with bags of gardening waste and the battery.

Danby was so happy that, her Start/Stop started almost straight the way.

Tree Pruning

I started tidying the trees and overgrown bushes.

Then we got onto the bigger stuff. The Hollies were over 3 meters, so I had to chop the top off, this is some 1.5 meter of height. Endless!

On the plus side, I am getting a lot more morning Sun.

'Ow Much

I have plenty of practice of the Yorkshire War Cry!  

Garden Centre Sunday Roast

We had a Sunday Roast from Garforth Garden Centre.  I didn't have high expectation, and I wasn't disappointed.

Aberford Show

We popped to see the Aberford show.  They managed to get the Lord Mayor of Leeds to give away awards.  

We were very disappointed that all the pubs in Aberford was shut.

Anvil Secateurs

I finally got an anvil secateurs, it still twists a little.  Useless...

Sun Hat Functions

We bought a hat from a charity shop, it has a short tab, on the outside.  We still haven't figured out what is its function.

Free Click and Collect

No more free click and collect from Sainsbury's anymore!  I guess I will have to actually go to a shop!

Deadheading on Tree

We all know to dead head flowers, but most people cannot be bothered to deadhead the flowers on tree!  So it took me a whole week to trim back dead branches and remove years of old fruits on the two little trees!  Let's hope they are happier with the improved air flow.

Car Best Buy

Someone asked me what is the best car, I don't know what to say.  It is down to usage and ultimately personal choice.

Overgrown Clematis

We finally got around to take down the overgrown Clematis, 30 years overgrown!  We removed 2 bulk bags worth of materials from it.  If they come back next year, we will keep a close supervision on them.

Calderdale Pride

We went to Calderdale (Halifax) Pride.  It was a fun day out.  I was very happy McVities was there.  It saw shame Nestle wasn't!

Dormer Solar Problems

In additional to all the problems I hate about the dormers, insulation, flat roof, etc.  A new one is emerging, the disabling effect on solar installation.  You would have to install the solar panel around it, where the dormer will cast a shadow over.  The dormer flat roof is unlikely to be able to take additional panels and they have to be placed on load spreaders.

LifeWire Electric Motorcycle

LiveWire, formerly known as Harley Davidson Livewire, was having a demo day near me, so I went to have a go on one.

It rides like a bike, which was a good start.  The suspension was set to stiff, so it was a bit bumpy.  Other than the price and the charging issue, its a good bike.

Topcliffe Pork Ribs

Just when I finished paying the for the hamhock and the beef rib, I asked about the pork ribs.  Pork ribs were listed on the board, but it wasn't behind the counter.  As soon as I asked for it, I can see to the back butcher counter, someone just trimmed out the ribs from the carcass.  I then asked for half of a rack.

It made very good BKT.

Plant Identification Jerusalem Artichokes

I was clicking around watching gardening videos, then I came across Jerusalem Artichokes, it looks awfully similar to something I have in the garden.  I went out and check, I am now convinced it is Jerusalem Artichokes.  We shall find out in the Winter...

Topcliffe Beef Rib

I saw the beef rib on the counter, so I asked for one rib.  Then obviously, it will not fit in the pot, so I asked for it to be sawn in half, he joked that would be two ribs.

I have slow cooked the beef rib, and finished off in the air fryer.  It was really nice!

Methley Bridge Farm Shop

Methley Bridge Farm Shop, on the other hand, was a little disappointing.  They are more a sandwich shop than a farm shop.  They were selling packaged meat from Malcolm Michaels. 

Topcliffe Hamhock

I have been meaning to check out Topcliffe Grange Farm.  It is right off a 60 miles per hour road, so I kept missing it.

I managed to turn in.  It is very much a farm shop, vegetable and meat.  The few customers before me were buying large quantity of meat, some 40 sausages or 5kg worth of mince, I wasn't.

There some were prices on the table, but they have missed out the ham hock.  I bought a ham hock for £3.  It was acceptable, but nothing to write home about.

Wakefield Statue

Whilst we were in Wakefield, we checked out the statue that made the news, the Amazonian Love God. It is cute, and inoffensive (apart from the prominent codpiece), I don't know why some people complained about it.

Wakefield Cathedral Kitchen

We saw one of old food video about the Wakefield Cathedral Kitchen, a cafe.  I double checked online to make sure they serve breakfast.  We finally went to visit it, and it was closed!  A year ago!  So I did the community service to update on a few online directory, let's hope fewer people go and left empty handed.

Folding Bike Town Cycling

I took the folding bike to town again.  I am slowly understanding the benefit of a folding bike in a city.  For a start, being able to store it inside, not having to bring a lock, and much safer.

Wheel Alignment

My wheel alignment apparently was out, slightly bit, that was enough to ruin my tyres.  On the other hand, you cannot just get it adjusted every few months.  If you go to get them check, they will always find misalignments.  Fewer wheels are better.

Britain's Horror Homes

I was watching an old TV programme, Britain's Horror Homes.  It justifies so many of my fears.

Leeds' Pride

We went as early birds again, they have expanded the stalls to the City Square, which was good.  The weather held up, an excellent day out.

Queen's Mill

I went to Queen's Mill once for an event, I saw some flour, but I don't think anyone was taking the payment for the Mill, so I didn't get any.  I went back, the miller was showing us around, telling us how he mills the flours. The flour is very reasonably priced, so we bought a couple, let hope they are good!

National Tyres is now Halfords

I was doing some tyre shopping.  National and Halfords price were so similar!   Then saw the banner saying National isnow Halfords! 

Bargain Hunt at Holland and Barrett

I popped in a Holland and Barrett to check out for bargains.   I came out with a fully loaded tote bag for less than a tenner! 

Interdental Brushing

I got retaught how to clean teeth.   Apparently flossing is out,  interdental brushing is in...

Saving Account Interest

For a long time,  flex saving accounts were paying anything.   Now it is!  I left a few hundreds in for a few days,  that was enough to show some interest! 

Tons of Fire Wood

My neighbour had just received a delivery of a couple tons of fire wood, there were some 6 bulk bags worth of wood, in Summer!  Surely it was some kind of special offer.