One way and another this has been an interesting week. On Tuesday, for instance, we visited our kitchen suppliers to finalise details of the planned kitchen alterations. To describe our kitchen as compact is being generous; we'll be glad with a bit more space and so, we suspect, may any future purchaser.
I should interrupt my narrative to say that the kitchen suppliers had arrived without warning at our gate early one morning last week, together with the builder, to inspect the premises. The first we knew of their visit was a call I took from them in the bathroom.
PEONIE BEE
Reverting to Tuesday, we spent half an hour discussing the options at the supplier's showrooms. They use software that instantly throws up pictures of alternative arrangements, doing the visualizing for one. The plan is for the builder to remove most of a wall separating the kitchen from the living room, to be replaced by units that will give us more cupboard space and an extended work surface. The work is scheduled for July.
Afterwards, continuing down the main road to a pet supplies store, we noticed queues of cars lining up outside the several service stations we passed. Most unusual! They clearly knew something that we didn't. That something turned out to be a national strike since the weekend by tanker drivers delivering hazardous substances. I wondered, with a tank half full, whether to join the queues.
DIESEL SOLD OUT
But considering the shopping we still had to do, plus a promised lift home to Portuguese neighbour whom we'd dropped off in Loule, I thought better of it. I might add that I keep a couple of jerrycans of diesel in the garage for the tractor as a reserve. (For what it's worth, such containers are also often referred to here in Portugal as "jerricans" although the derivation is lost on the locals.) Under pressure from the authorities the tanker drivers have agreed to keep essential services supplied, with the police supervising deliveries.
JUST FRIENDS
Most of Wednesday morning was devoted to a letter to the CEO of a budget airline - along with copies of relevant correspondence with the company and invoices. Although the sum is trivial, the company is refusing on a technicality to reimburse Natasha for the cost of overnight hostel accommodation following the cancellation of her flight - a flight that I had booked for her and a friend.
FRIDAY MORNING MOON-SET
Their customer services are insisting on a receipt in a different format from the one issued by the hostel - and the hostel, understandably, isn't interested in issuing one. Natasha checked the letter out for any errors.
POISONOUS WILDFLOWER - THAPSIA VILLOSA - "DEADLY CARROT"
We sent it off by registered post on Thursday when we visited Benafim for coffee and last-minute shopping at the local supermarket. At the parish office (cum post office) Barbara learned that the fuel delivery strike had been called off following a compromise struck between the drivers' union and the authorities. With Easter looming and the majority of service stations dry, this was welcome news. The holiday weekend chaos would otherwise have been unimaginable - a point hardly lost on the negotiators.
We were horrified by the dreadful coach accident on Madeira, where the driver lost control of a tourist vehicle carrying a party of German visitors. The coach rolled down a hill, killing 29 passengers - at last count - and injuring as many again. The authorities suspect brake failure. As both the driver and the tour guide survived the crash, we should hear more shortly.
COMFORTING BARRI
The second half of the week has witnessed a number of showers - nothing like the rain that was promised but enough to soak the vegetation and muddy the paths. Thursday brought rumbles of thunder, a phenomenon that terrifies poor Barri. She trembles with fear and, given the chance, will flee in whatever direction. We keep her indoors and do our best to comfort and reassure her.
Anticipating the rain, I had spent a couple of hours on the tractor turning over the soil in our fields, knee-high in wild flowers and weeds. I should add that the fields are really orchards rather than pastures and that there are still masses of flowers - especially borage - all over the garden and the rest of the property for the bees to exploit.
MY BLACKBIRD
The best part of the ploughing was the company of the blackbird who pecked a living in the upturned soil. He wasn't in the least disturbed by the tractor. Every so often he would hop up into a branch to survey the scene. On previous occasions I have enjoyed the company of robins and egrets. The birds follow along behind the tractor, obviously aware that the plough is turning up meals for them. Their company brings one a sense of elation that's hard to describe - nature's high.
BARBARA (BARRI ON LEAD) & JOHAN
On Thursday afternoon Lennert and Johan joined us for conversation and a beer. Johan wanted to catch up with Jack before returning to Sweden for the summer. The dog, who was delighted to see his master, gamboled around the front patio as we chatted. We kept an eye on the black clouds wafting overhead, waiting for a sunny gap.
Then we took a slow walk around the hills, brushing off wet branches and occasional light showers while exercising extra care on the slippery rocks. Johan was delighted to see his dog eagerly exploring the countryside as we progressed. I think he's persuaded that Jack will be fine pending his return from Sweden later in the year. The task of integrating the dog with the rest of the gang continues slowly.
A DOG'S LIFE
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