An ongoing list of super secret projects (done and undone)

• #0 the first, but at the time unnamed SSP: redecorating Rachel’s balcony as a garden – DONE and DUSTED. Eventually the fake grass was removed after several years, but the job was done and Bella (her dog) had overcome her fear of going out there. Sadly, Bella died recently, so the impetus to make the balcony a garden has lapsed.
• #1 is Hidden (Rachel don’t look)
• Mini moke for The Prisoner – dinky car restoration STARTED. I have all of the parts. I just need to find them in my many boxes! Definitely ONGOING!
• Daisy – an authentic 1930s bicycle for Winnie (Rachel’s 1930/40s alter-ego) MOSTLY DONE. A few bits to add and general maintenance. Also, Winnie needs a bike helmet and suitably sized floppy straw hat to hide it in!
• #3 What WAS No.3??? Ah yes, milling wheat into flour. Has been moved to SSSP#1 below
• #4 – a parasol for Rachel’s balcony DONE. In a way proving #0 will be ongoing
• #5 – Afghan Box camera/Phylacteric Camera/soul catcher MOSTLY DONE. I have metal plates for tintypes, chemicals and a camera – the ABC idea is mostly for a box to develop the prints, so that people can see the process – and completed a drying box for the plates. Research into reverse process for plates done, but can also do paper, which is quite exciting, as much cheaper. Double exposing and other fun stuff to do. However, I’ve yet to get a successful tintype to work and the paper reversal process has proved trickier than expected; I guess just a lot more practice needed, so ONGOING
• #6 fixing, repairing, restoring a range of old cameras ONGOING. Will probably never stop.
• #7 three cakes for Rachel ONGOING. I bought Rachel a three tier, 1930s cake tin, with the promise of three cakes: Lemon Drizzle; Stem Ginger and Teisen Lap (a Welsh moist fruit cake). The first choice she made was for Lemon Drizzle Cake, which is today’s challenge (5/3/25).

Super Secret Saxon Project List. There is a special list for Saxon projects as it is a new area of research.

• #1 Quern (and a modern mill) for grain DONE. All materials acquired. Quern, grain, modern mill; quern stones produce a lot of stone dust, so need to minimise contamination. Winefride (Rachel’s Saxon alter-ego) and I have grounded enough to make a very tasty loaf! Will keep experimenting, so ONGOING.
• #2 the Saxon “camera” (an ‘in joke’ about how Saxon’s would record memories) – musical instruments, inc. drum, flute, and lyre ONGOING. The base lyre was a very cheap, not great one, which I have rebooted – repairing, reducing, undoing, extending – and the meat-work for the various bones – sheep, cow, deer – is done; cutting and drilling, etc, ONGOING. Drum ordering was problematic; several dodgy companies out there mis-selling 🙁 but I eventually got a suitable one to restring – they almost always use modern chord – and to paint. More research needed to get the art design right, but hoping it will be pagan gods inspired. There is no strong evidence for the type of drums that Saxons used, or how they looked. So, it is guesswork. Finally, a set of wooden pipes based on a broken set found at Jorvik has been made; a bit of sanding to do, but basically DONE.
• #3 Broaches and beads for Winifride DONE. The Sutton Hoo beads and the broaches bought. The chord has been hand-woven from linen thread. A horn ring for Winefride STARTED, with all materials acquired, but the main shaping and polishing to do.
• #4 Warp weighted loom STARTED. I have suitable tools (axes, draw knives, etc) but need to source coppiced wood and shiny linen thread; I have oiled thread not waxed
• #5 Bread oven PLANNING
• #6 My own lyre from scratch PLANNING, but I have some possible wood and tools