Traditional Scottish Craftsmanship

 This post continues from one I made in October, when I decided to purchase an old, antique Baume pocket watch, one that I have incorporated into the book I am currently writing.

As I needed a chain for my new...err!... old watch and began searching on sites like eBay and Etsy, I noticed that many of the Albert chains featured small trinkets, some of which were quite interesting. There were various non-precious Jewels which could be spun in their mounts. I guess back in the day, this was the equivalent of a fidget toy. 

There were silver animals, I couldn't find a raven or a crow, my favourite birds, but anyway, it got me thinking how I could add to the watch and chain to make it mine, and I came up with the idea of adding a clan crest, Johnstone being my surname and one I am pretty proud of.   

Clan Crest Silver

So there I was, scouring the internet for a small clan, Johnstone, something or another, that would suit my ideas. This is when I came across Clan Crest Silver and Roddy Young. I got my eye on a pendant that came along with a chain. Obviously, I didn't need the chain, so I decided to fire off a message to Roddy.

Clan Johnstone Pendant

Roddy replied extremely quickly, and what a delightful and friendly response! He informed me that if I visited his website at Clan Crest Silver and explained exactly what I was looking for, he could advise and suggest what would be fitting.   

Just waiting for a lobster catch

Anyhoo, long story short, I entered into a few brief email conversations with Roddy. Eventually, I decided on going with a small 5/8" pendant that Roddy would fit a small ring to, so that I could then get it popped onto my Albert chain. I have yet to complete this task as I am awaiting the arrival of a fairly unique lobster catch. 

Sterling Silver Lobster Catch

You see, I intend to hook the chain to a belt loop, as I won't be wearing it with a waistcoat, like in the olden days. No, I will carry the watch in my pocket, as it's small enough not to be uncomfortable. Maybe it will replace my gratitude pebble and become a gratitude watch as I listen to it.

Very pretty engraving on the watch, which is 150 years old

Well, that's about it, folks. Though I would like to give a big thank you to Roddy, over at. Clan Crest Silver - Traditional Scottish Craftsmanship. Although I have not met Roddy in person, his messages were so warm and friendly. He didn't attempt to sell me something I didn't want. The Sterling Silver pendant is beautiful and came well wrapped in a small velvet box, arriving precisely on time. Roddy sent me a delivery date and tracking number so I knew when to expect the item.

Thanks again, Roddy. I love the wee pendant; it will look spot on once I get everything in place.

Disaster Averted

 This is going to be a short post, not one of my long-winded epics. 

Ok, "Disaster Averted."

Yay. Everything swapped over, and no broken bits

So yesterday I took my brand new swanky Guardian Designs steering wheel over to the lovely chaps at Wolf Performance to have it fitted...Yay!

Upon getting to their place, I was greeted by Danny and Kurtis, and we shared some canny banter, mainly me talking their lugs off in a manic fashion about my new book. I am excited about it, what can I say?

Anyhoo, my dad and I said farewell, we are off to Greggs for a couple of Greggs Dummies, some coffee, oh, and wait, I'll have a bacon and egg sandwich, hash browns and chuck in one of those chocolate doughnuts for good measure, I swear it's these steroids making me hungry all the time.

I've just finished me bacon sarnie when my phone rings. Ooh, it's Kurtis that didn't take long. I haven't even started my doughnut yet.

"Err, Glenn, a've got some bad news, that steering wheel is the wrong one," says Kurtis.

Me "Yer Joking." followed by a few redacted swear words.

"No", he says, " It's for a manual car, it hasn't got the cut-outs for your paddles." My car is for cripples, you see, an automatic.

"Ahh, reet, well, all come around to see you and pick up the steering wheel."

So off we go, and Kurtis explains he doesn't think we can modify the wheel. I am absolutely gutted, and thoughts of "Omg. I have just spent in excess of a grand on something I may now have to make into a wall clock," comes to mind.

But, and this is a huge but. I have been reading this book, it's called "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck." Now I don't know if it is this book, but lately, and since starting to read it, my fucks are very limited. So although I was disappointed, I didn't do what I usually do and go on and on and on, whining, until my dad says "Glenn will yer shut the fuck up whining, there's nowt you can do about it."

I even recognised that I had handled the disappointment in a much better way and discussed this with The Ern, and we both had a laugh over the irony of the situation.

I then fired off an email to Tomasz over at Guardian Designs explaining the issue. I was very surprised when he responded in about 30 minutes. On a Saturday, Tomasz is in Poland. 

Tomasz said I guess we both missed the fact that my car was an auto and needs the different parts to be fitted. But and here is an even bigger BUT. He told me not to worry, that the parts from my old steering wheel could be transferred over. I would then be able to fit my paddles and have the black inlays and the new leather wheel, just like I had purchased. Well, I was over the moon.

My dad ordered a trim removal kit, and that is what we have been doing today, changing all the parts over.

The airbag was a nightmare to get off. I was stressed when removing all the fiddly plastic bits, thinking Don't break, or snap. Oh, and I haven't been out for a ride in the car since fitting the steering wheel, so I hope it is aligned correctly, otherwise I will have to take it off again.

I learnt, I guess a valuable lesson over the last few days. Don't whine about stuff that you have no control over, and don't think too far into the future. 

Oh, and I guess I lied about this post not being too long, but you're here now, so...

Very random, I'm very weird, the things that go on inside my heed.

If you have been reading any of my posts, you will know I have decided to write another book, and I have to say I am having such fun.

Antique c.1870 Baume Geneve 935 Silver Full Hunter Pocket Watch & Key

I think my dad, on the other hand, is a bit fed up with me wittering on about my ideas, and constantly saying "Oh, Ern, I've written another bit, have a read, go on, see what you think."

I'm pretty sure deep down my dad is actually enjoying my story, as the other day, after reading the last chapter I had penned, he said, "Aye, that's canny, mek's yet want to see what happens next."

At that point, I thought, well, I must be doing something right, as that is what you want all readers to be like. You know that book you can't wait to pick up, and are not too happy when you have to put it down..

Anyhoo, I have a title, but I don't know if I can use it, as it has a somewhat sweaty connotation of a word. I'll keep it to myself for now, of course, don't want anyone nicking my ideas.

The main character in my book, well, he's an ordinary hard-working bloke, with a north-east accent, no airs or graces. He is quite an introverted bloke, with not many friends. Sound like anyone you know?

In the story, he has a few sentimental items: an old, dark guitar and a silver half hunter pocket watch. This is where the title of this post comes in...

You see, for some unknown reason, I started browsing the interwebs for 'Antique pocket watches.'

Now, do I need an antique pocket watch? Of course, I don't. But once Glenn gets something in his head, well, that's it.

I am now awaiting delivery of an antique pocket watch.

 

Antique c.1870 Baume Geneve 935 Silver Full Hunter Pocket Watch & Key

I think the last time I had a watch was when I was a kid. Most of you won't be able to remember 'Busby.' He was a bluebird and was in  BT's television adverts. The watch was a blue-strapped digital thing. You see, it took me ages to learn how to tell the time on a regular watch.

Being honest, I still get mixed up about whether noon is a.m. or p.m.

Antique c.1870 Baume Geneve 935 Silver Full Hunter Pocket Watch & Key

Once I get my old pocket watch, I will have to find an antique Albert chain. I don't suppose I will wear the watch with a waistcoat, but I do want to keep it fastened somewhere, don't want to lose it like I did with my gratitude Pebble.

I've now just come up with another addition, so I've been researching. Once I discover a suitable chain, I am going to have a silver pendant made. My surname and the Johnstone clan, whose motto is "Nunquam NinParatus," which translates as "Never Unprepared." Not quite me, but hey, we can't all be perfect...

Clan Johnstone - Yay, go the Johnstones

Okay, bye for now...

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