Midwinter calling, day 21

Ciara's day

It's early morning and everything is so quiet and dark, so the only sounds I hear are Caecilia waking Robert up with morning sex. It is strange that lying in my bed and hearing Robert having sex with another woman feels comforting, but Alith is right that it at least means I know where Robert is and that everything is all right. Alith is so smart. I still wish that Robert snored. And that he were louder during sex. I know I don't need too, but I still lie quietly and listen until their sounds become quiet as they are sleeping or cuddling. I wish I could cuddle with Robert every day, but you can't expect every day to be perfect and this is a good happy life, so time to get dressed and go down to the toilet and check on the breakfast. Rikvi, Elvira and Jalida does good work, but I still want to check that the food is good and ready. Good healthy food is very important.

Robert don't mind me accompanying him as he modify the workshop machines, and I have memorised what all the tools are called so I can be efficient and help if needed, instead of Robert feeling like I am in the way or not helping. Robert and Bodil is annoyed that the machines want to wander around and apparently the belt drive doesn't help. So I just sit there and watch and learn as they discus the problems and try to figure out solutions, and it's easier when he draw with chalk on one of the slate boards. It feels good that Bodil doesn't understand everything either, especially what Robert means with anchoring machines with expansion bolts in the stone floor isn't possible, and we both listen and learn as Robert explain about how the stone floor can not be drilled into like the concrete floors he is used to, since the stone will crack or become loose. So in the end the solution they try is to give each machine thick leather feet, and weigh each machine down with stone filled boxes on the side of the stand, plus secure the machines to a suitable wall. With all his creations and machines, many of this workshops machines will eventually be moved to the carpentry workshop in the village, but for now they stay here, and help make other machines and stuff. That is a good word. Stuff. We've all learned so many new words from Robert. And Jane.

It warms my heart when Robert is quite pleased how well it work, and casually explain how it is an unexpected advantage that the rotating forces partly cancel each other out. The belt rotates in one direction, but via transmission, the mass of the machine rotates in the other direction and tempo. That is nice.

The next issue is to install the workshops 'simple' overhead crane. Bodil doesn't think it is simple, and I trust her opinion is what others would think. The machines Robert is working on have become bigger and heavier, so through one of the windows they lift in a long heavy beam which they fasten to the rafters. A simple long attachment block on a pair of rollers hangs from it, and there is a primitive hoist block hanging from that. I listen attentively as Robert explain about how it is basically just a cylinder to which a rope is attached, which is rotated with a worm gear that has a small hook, where a crank handle much like for awning hooks into, to crank around to hoist the load up and down. Since I am not alone in not understanding what that means, Robert shows it as it is installed, and it is always nice when Robert is quite pleased with a solution to a tricky problem. And when he kiss me. I miss Iselin, and wish she would hurry back as Robert miss her so much, but I'm happy for all the extra kisses that Robert have given me these last few weeks.

I just listen as Robert talk with Bodil about how the worm gear system prevents the load from making the hoist mechanism rotate backwards, and also gives a high gearing so it becomes easier to hoist something. There is a wedge lock on one arm so without the long crank handle being pulled down, the worm gear cannot rotate even from vibrations, although lubrication is tricky since there is a lot of friction, and he need to enclose it to prevent dust and dirty fouling the lubricant. The hoist and the load are moved by simply pulling the load, or by the crank handle. With Roberts instructions I try to use the hoist to lift a basket filled with heavy things, and it is of course just as easy as Robert said it would be. Just a lot of turns on the handle, and they wonder how much it will lift with a block and tackle instead of a simple hook. Robert is a bit disappointed that this is as good as he can make it, as the crane only works in one direction along the beam, but the crane really makes it safer to lift something heavy up or down from the workbench or to the attic, and that is a very big improvement. Robert knows that I like it when he try to be safer and avoid hurting himself, and another kiss on my cheek just makes the day even nicer.

They start to finish the work on the table router, and we all know Bodil have been eager for that machine since Robert told her about it. The router looks a lot like the scroll saw, just not with the dangerous sawblade moving up and down. I don't understand how a small quickly rotating metal piece will change woodworking so much, but Bodil's fascination and eagerness show it of course is another important innovation that will change everything. Robert show us that it basically work the same way as the scroll saw as he used most of the same parts, which is the reason he of course planned ahead and had many parts made. Bodil is so quick to learn how to used the machine, and to change the rotating bit and set the height and so on, and Robert will make more rotating bits on the lathe. The rounded corners and chamfering is nice and pretty, and it is almost insulting that Bodil is surprised how exact and pretty they and the grooves are. Of course they are nice and will change so much, because that is why Robert made the machine.

Bodil can't wait to see the planer in the sawmill, and perfectly planed planks just waiting on shelves. It sounds very nice and it will make both of them happy. Robert and Bodil will continue to work in the workshop all day, and I don't want Robert to feel like I spent all day just watching him work and since Kari is busy with a secret project, after lunch I model so Jane can paint me. She is such a good painter, and I feel a bit bad that we're all helping Jane hide how good to make it a proper surprise for Robert. Still, a good thing about sitting model inside her room is that I can hear Roberts muted talk while working in his workshop. I still sneak a peek into the workshop when I have to pass by when going to the toilet, and after painting, I fetch Krosp from his cat tree. Krosp is a good cat.

The day is productive and me and Bodil get a lot of work done. The night have fallen, but we continued to work after supper. Bodil with playing with the saw and router while making wooden boxes etc, and me with the vacuum pump and the lathe. The lathe has been improved and now has built-in feed, and can now make threads too. Sure, it's limited in pitch options and I have to change the gears instead of there being a multi step gearbox, but this is a very big important step. I am very pleased that the lathe can actually work iron and steel. Iron and steel will wear much more than brass or copper on the cutting tips, but worth it in the long run. Considering how much Bodil uses the scroll saw and now the router too, and I use the lathe, it's lucky I didn't try to make the machines electric. The wind turbine doesn't charge enough to use like that, and to be honest I'm a bit worried about all the electricity use this winter with the lights and my soldering iron, but this is the coast so it's quite windy.

Kari eventually manages to make me leave the lathe by hugging me from behind and then placing her foot on the edge of the lathe, and I can't help but follow her leg up as she seductively pulls the dress up to reveal special underwear. The knowledge of exactly how close the race was, I will take to the grave.