It's been a bright, sunny, breezy and rather warm day here chez Casa Reynard.
Slept well, but still feeing a little sub-par. Had a gentle but choresy morning. Sorted out my apple store. The duff fruit has been binned, and I've now separate stacks of trays for cooking and desert apples. I have five and a half trays of dessert apples and six and a half trays of cooking apples.
Also investigated the service valve on the water heater in the utility room. Found the right tools in the garage, as well, which is a bonus - that was the first order of things. Used the wrench to tighten the connections at the top and bottom of the valve. Yes, they were a little loose. Next test was to see if that solved the problem.
The answer was a very emphatic no. As I bent over to open the stopcock, I got a jet of cold water straight in the jacksy as it sprayed sideways out of the valve tap.
So I think I can now safely say that the valve itself has failed.
Had a lovely luncheon of toast, smoked cheddar with chillies, an apple and a
This afternoon was spent having a combined bicycular bimble and foraging trip. I spent a very enjoyable hour and a half in the company of Wiggy #2, the Chartres, hunting for walnuts and other autumnal comestibles. Took Wiggy as he is set up for luggage, whereas Rocky is not. It just makes life easier, but felt odd going back to a hybrid from a MTB. Was a bit of a precarious ride where the road surface is very broken up, so I'm now thinking of getting a small rack for Rocky.
I am now sat down with a nice post-ride

and plan on spending the evening watching thirty lasses playing with a funny-shaped ball.