Ducks love rain!

We went to see Gary, our build supervisor, as we needed to use his hydraulic press in order to press the wheel bearings into the hubs.  I have now learnt that ball bearings are so labelled because they are unusual, bearings are usually a very smooth cylinder which provides very little friction to the axle that goes through them.  Ball bearings can be added to things provide a smooth movement.  Fascinating, who would have guessed.  Certainly not me when I was tearing my hair out yesterday trying to find spherical bearings!

Yesterday I spent some time putting together the main legs of the plane, which meant assembling and attaching the disk brake structures and trying with my hammer to do those hand brass rivets to attach the brake pads to their brake pad backings - my bike sure isn't this complicated!  Anyway Gary had the correct tools (punches) to make light work of these rivets so he and I did them whilst Julian went back to our factory unit to pick up some parts we'd forgotten.  Well, I say we did them, I spent a lot of time staring in fascination at his assorted fowl.  It was raining and the ducks were having a fantastic time puddling and straining the mud through their beaks.  I don't know why they say 'as happy as a pig in mud', as 'as happy as a duck in mud would be much more appropriate.  The chickens seemed fairly unconcerned by the rain and mud, which seemed a bit odd as some of them were feather footed varieties and were getting pretty muddy.  I had a bit of a wil-e-coyote moment whilst looking at the Buff Orpingtons - they're the biggest chickens I've ever seen, but I fear their current purchase price keeps them definitely off the dining table.

We had to rush away to keep our appointment with the gym memberships lady so that we can finally swim, yoga and, most importantly, shower!  Hurrah!