On May 23, 5:07*pm, sm_jamieson wrote:
On Thursday, May 23, 2013 11:43:36 AM UTC+1, Mentalguy2k8 wrote:
Decided to powerwash Mum's garden (the structural bits) after strimming it,

hedgecutting etc. She's already got a hosepipe & all the fittings. Went to

sweep cuttings off path & driveway, broom handle snaps on 2nd stroke. Did

the whole lot on hands & knees holding the bristly bit. Finished, went for a

fag and a cuppa, came back and Mum has raked all of the grass cuttings along

the whole length of the path. She has dementia so I made allowances & didn't

hit her very hard. She's also lost the secateurs I bought her approximately

3 hours ago, I'll check in the fridge later.

OK, off to B&Q to buy a new broom and a powerwasher (which I needed anyway).

Excellent. Nope, the tap adapter she assured me she had stored safely,

wasn't there. No probs, buy a new one at B&Q. No, the "multi-fits-all" tap

adaptor I bought doesn't fit the kitchen tap. OK, B&Q is still open, shoot

down there & buy a new tap adapter. Great! Connect it to hose and tap, and

her hosepipe has more leaks than a Tory cabinet. Sigh, OK back to B&Q and

buy new hosepipe and reel. Excellent! Nope, powerwasher has bits missing

from the box. Hello B&Q, can you replace this please before you close?

Thanks *ever* so much and yes I'm back again ha ha ha ha, yes I *should*

move in shouldn't I?. Up half the night putting everything together,

testing, all OK.. whoopee! 150 quid later and we're ready to go. Sorry

mother for waking you, yes I'm sure you thought someone had broken in

through the cat flap and was power washing your furniture for you, I'll be

back in the morning.

Get the hose in place this morning, the pressure washer ready, extension

cable all OK, no leaks, let's go! It's ****ing down.

Rather annoying.

To answer the question in the subject directly, I must admit it's a bit of a love / hate relationship sometimes. Many jobs I'm doing I have not done before and I can "feel" my lack of experience ! Best way to get round that is practice on some scrap first, if that is possible.

The most frustrating thing I ever tried was plastering (skimming). It was obvious I was not likely to gain the knack in any sensible time frame. Rather annoying as buying the skill in is quite expensive.

Simon.

Plastering.
Use the spatula found in some polyfilla tubs.
Much easier to use than a float even on "proper" plaster.

Or, made by Stanley.
They sell purpose made ones in B&Q. Stiffish piece of plastic board
on a wooden strip.