Good barter

Having mused over a redesign of my cheese press I decided to run it past the Soapmaker. He lives just down the road and not only does he make soap, but he is an engineer and mechanic, so he was bound to suggest tweaks to make it better.

To my delighted surprise not only did he think my design was spot on, but he said "I've got just the thing!" He disappeared into his shed, pulled out a huge box and stood up brandishing four long 10mm steel bolts. 

Then he wandered off to another shed and reappeared clutching two pieces of marine ply, which were exactly the right size for the press.

"Shall we make it then?" said he. 

"Yes please" said I.

In this situation "we" meant that he did the making, and I did the standing around handing him nuts, washers, sandpaper and drill bits at appropriate moments. (I had many years of training at Dad's side to fulfil this essential role.)

Here he is drilling a hole in the base plate using his whizzbang mill. He has all the kit. (And that's a home made helicopter behind him, cluttering up the shed...)

The end result is a stable, strong cheese press. I will Blip it once it's painted: a task which I am able to do myself. The undercoat has gone on this afternoon.

I offered the Soapmaker a selection of cheeses in exchange for the hour and a half spent on this task. His preference is a couple of loaves of sourdough. Barter agreed. 

Sheila is being fed this evening, in readiness for mixing and proving loaves tomorrow morning.

A good day.