Those particular bits are long obsolete (this was in the 1980s), but my other bits are fine, thank you for asking! 
My lovely Bechstein grand piano had its internal mechanism extracted today, to be overhauled, by specialists, for the first time inâŠ.140 years! A tribute to fine German workmanship. Vorsprung Durch Technik.It came into our family in the 1930s, when it belonged to a Great Aunt who was one of the very few female military pilots in the run up to WW2. She unfortunately flew into a Welsh hillside, so the piano sat there for 50 years, unused, untuned, but remained in excellent condition, even now. I (only just) resisted the urge to also have all the beautiful external mahogany frame overhauled.
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If it has ivory keys, donât let them replace them.
A piano shop who we had refurbish our 1930s BlĂŒthner removed all its ivory keys and replaced them with plastic, instead of repairing the one or two that were damaged.
By the time they brought it back it was too late to do anything about it.
And the f@@kers had the audacity to put one of their stickers on the fascia as well.
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same thing happened to my Mumâs piano. I was aghast when she proudly showed me the brilliantly white plastic keys 
Ah well, our daughter finally inherited it and sold it to pay for her driving lessons 
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I guess ours will probably be sold when my Mum dies - my brother Simon would like it but I donât think he has room for it in their house.
But Iâm still annoyed that they diminished its value by swapping out the keys.
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It does. The restorers are the types to do everything properly, using only Bechstein approved parts, and the ivory topped keys will absolutely remain intact.
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Fingers crossed for the Bechstein, George. I hope there will be updated photos when you get the mechanism back? 
Our less exotic good news is that local asparagus is back in season. OH spotted a man with a stall in a lay-by on the way back from Narbonne on Saturday, selling it at 9⏠a kilo. Weâre having an asparagus risotto later.
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The dreaded Diet Flu lurgee than has been kicking my arse for a week appears to be going away.
My throat still feels like Iâve attempted a hybrid sword and fire swallowing trick using a flaming chainsaw.
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If air fares go up greatly and flights are curtailed this summer I wonât have to have the Brexit loving relative come to see us
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Heard first cuckoo of the year yesterday so summer is here?
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Apparently there are 46 AOP (Appellation dâOrigine ContrĂŽlĂ©e/ProtĂ©gĂ©e- or Protected Designation of Origin) sheep, goat and cow cheeses in France. As part of our âexplorationâ of France, weâve decided to try and taste every one of them, (obviously with no deadline, we will take our time) and have sampled 10 to date. I wonder if others have tried this challengeâŠ
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and the latest bumpf from 2025
We are such cheese people that apart from a couple of the blues we have eaten our way through that list. Donât each much blue cheese, but perhaps should make an effort. Will I get a badge?
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I mentioned elsewhere the arrival of my new UK passport, a thin and unimpressive bendy black item.
The cheerful news is that yesterday my old one was delivered back to me. What joy, to see the firm Burgundy cover, and with the printing above all else on the front I almost felt as if I had regained my European Citizenship. 
I think I might carry it with me for ID purposes, who bothers to check dates? Certainly no one did during the time since it expired last year. 
Iâm cheerful today as my progress with finally boarding out our lounge properly is going faster/better than I expected.
Being on beta-blockers since January has definitely slowed me down, so managing to put up half the 36mÂČ ceiling yesterday made me very happy.
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Just got my Convocation invite from the Prefecture to provide new fingerprints and photos for my CdS renewal.
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My daughter and son in law went to their local post office yesterday and did their new US passports there and then over the counter for the paperwork side, the actual passport will arrive in four weeks to be collected at the same. post office in their town. Different system and their citizenship took only four months from application to being naturalised last Friday in Nashville court house with a letter from Uncle Don to boot. She said most of the people there were Egyptians who hardly spoke English so donât know what the crack is with that considering all the carry on recently with foreigners
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My cheerful news is that after much searching for where dozens of Asia interest books in English and Chinese might find a new home rather than end up waste, I contacted the university in Aix en Provence. They are happy to take my donation and I will drop off 6 boxes of books to them next week 
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My cheerful news for today is that Iâve arrived in Portsmouth and checked in at the ferry (2.5 hours early, indicating extreme keenness⊠) With any luck Iâll be home in 12 hours. Joy oh joy!!!
First time Iâve been out of France in 4 years and it was challenging but nearly over
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