Our week has been occupied largely by walking dogs, shopping, picking carobs, caring for Prickles and attending to water leaks. Given that there's only so much that can usefully be said on these topics, and it's all been said at length several times, I struggle for blog inspiration.
ON THE CORK WALK WITH PRICKLES
Our little dog shows no imminent signs of expiring (although I've been tempted to help him along the way). He emits ear-shattering barks mid-morning for a ride in the car and at any other time for reasons known only to himself. He's as curmudgeonly as always and fussier than ever about his food (which he often throws up). Jones is infinitely patient with him. He has no idea how lucky he is.
On Wednesday we helped Natasha prepare a notice advertising the six kittens that her cat has produced. She will ask the vet to display it when she takes the cat to be neutered. She doesn't expect an overwhelming response. Advertising kittens in this part of the world is a bit like marketing haggis to vegetarians. One can but hope.
On Thursday a man arrived from the council to check our water meter. I've no doubt that he was dispatched because of our sky-high bills these past two months. "You've got a leak," he told me, pointing to the meter. "I've already had it fixed," I told him. "Then you've got another one," he responded; "better attend to it". "Sign here" - and off he went.
It was true. We did have another leak. By opening and closing various valves, we ascertained that it was in a section of tubing leading to Casa Nada. I closed it off. Jones started removing a creeper that had been colonising stone paving above the water course. I had no doubt that the leak was in that vicinity.
The dogs watched in fascination, coming over every so often to sniff around the exposed area. The crazy things that humans get up to!
On Saturday Slavic set to work, removing the stones over the suspect elbow. That also meant removing the tree-trunk sculpture (infested by angry ants) and a number of Jones's succulents. When we eventually uncovered the elbow (an hour later) there was no sign of a leak.
So back the soil, the stone paving, the trunk and the succulents went. Our labour was for nothing. (What's more we had to find a new home for the large rock that refused to go back, as well as another willing to replace it.)
Further investigation on the far side of the paving revealed the problem, yet another fractured T-joint. It had been hidden behind plants and the water had been running down through the protective sheath, underneath the paving, to irrigate the area on the far side.
So now the leak is fixed. Jones has meanwhile donated a carpet of her green creeper to a (hopefully appreciative) neighbour. We went down on the tractor. I took the opportunity to point out the faults with the artistic carport that was under construction. Nothing like spoiling somebody's day! (How to win friends and influence people!)
In the course of the week I acquired a Samsung headset for my use (I like to listen to the radio on our walks) and a pair of Apple air buds for Barbara's (she tunes in during her dawn reflections). The air buds (Apple's description) are as good as the reviews suggest. I could not get my headset to work. It paired with my phone but remained silent. I took it back and exchanged it for another. I can't get that to work either.
We have been eating a lot of plums and figs. There are many more ripening on our trees. I start to wonder if we were wise to plant and graft so many. There's a limit to the amount of fruit that one can safely consume or find grateful takers for.
At least there's baggy time to look forward to, and a lick of Prickles' paté to go around.
YUCCA IN FLOWER
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