HAPPY POMEGRANATE TREE
One place to start might be the leak that we discovered under the big pomegranate tree . It was Jones who drew my attention to clumps of borage growing with unusual vigour beside the tree - and to the tree's verdant exuberance. The leak evidently came from the plastic supply pipe swathed in a concrete wrap several inches down. To establish its exact location would have meant tearing up much of the surrounding rockery and the concrete. So we, that's to say Slavic and I, short-circuited the problem by running an interim pipe between valves either side of the problem.
TEMPORARY PIPE
Our hope, once Casa Nada has its papers, is to get the council to put in a completely separate supply. Speaking of which, a date had been set with the notary this coming week for the drawing up of the necessary deed for the old house. In the event, some complication arose and the appointment has been postponed.
A VISITOR TO THE PATIO
One morning we met our lawyer to hand over the documents we have been patiently acquiring for the past year. The documents need to be first translated and then submitted to the authorities for us to proceed with naturalisation. We have been warned that the process takes months. Fortunately, we are not in a hurry.
80th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION OF DAVID DAVIES(far right)
Sunday Jones joined friends at a luncheon in a smart restaurant for an 80th birthday celebration. We need no reminding that we are barely five years behind. I could never in my wildest youthful dreams have imagined turning 70, to say nothing of 80. Where did they go? Where have they gone?
Summer arrived at the start of the week and with it the need to rub in a generous covering of sun-protection before venturing outside. For several days temperatures climbed steadily into the 30s. Although it's still relatively cool when we set off with the pack at 7.45, the mornings grow hot and the afternoons are scorchers. It's not until 19.00 that we dare venture out again with the dogs or they just pant their way around the hills.
On our return they collapse on the cobbles while I plunge into the pool. (Actually, I clamber carefully up one side of the pool ladder and equally carefully down the other.) Jones likes to swim earlier in the day when the sun is still high. The water is delicious - well into the 80s. In fact, unless I use the pump to circulate the water, the surface layer stays luke-warm. While this is very pleasant, dealing with the chillier layers lower down is not.
Midweek a pool-specialist recommended by the suppliers arrived to check out the problematic pump, which has been running with the pressure valve frequently reading into the red. After spending 15 minutes examining the set-up and carrying out a few tests, he pronounced everything in order. Run the pump for an hour a day, backwash twice a week and keep an eye on the readings, he advised us before going on his way (a little wealthier). I was happy to pay for the reassurance - equally for the advice about the type of pool-floor cleaner that we need for the plastic liner.
An expat neighbour, much younger than ourselves and with a background in serious gardening, arrived early Monday to assist us with strimming. The sections that needed prompt attention were the grassy areas around the house and the lower park adjacent to a neighbouring cottage. It was hard going, largely because of the numerous rocks (and boulders) that are strewn around the property. By law, an area of 50 metres around houses now has to be kept clear in the summer months.
PARISH STRIMMER
He was followed later in the week by the parish verge-strimmers who buzzed their way into the village, clearing the heavy growth that was colonising the road. Their services were badly needed in some areas where just a narrow asphalt passage remained between encroaching green strips on either side. Bottles of cold water that I presented to the workers were gratefully received.
Jones regretted the demise of the poppies that lined the approach to our house. But they were already past their best and will be back again next year. Note the crack that has appeared down the middle of the road. There's little to support the steep bank. One of these days the section of road to the right of the crack is liable to slide down into the field. It's reassuring to have another exit to fall back on.
The hay-fever season is upon us. Both Barbara and Natasha have been struggling to suppress the irritation brought on by clouds of fine blossom. When the wind blows - and towards the end of the week it began blowing a gale - this blossom literally rains down from the wild olive trees, littering the patios and paths and creating a yellow film on the dogs' water bowls. Sweeping up the blossom helps little as it renews itself as fast as it's removed.
Jack, who has now moved himself in the house with the rest of the dogs, showed a keen interest one morning in the base of the bird feeder where we had laid a rat trap; indeed, as Jones informed me after a peep, visitor number 5 was inside. I'm not sure whether the captive was a mouse or a small rat. Either way I set him free in the fields 100 metres away. I suspect there's more to come.
Thursday was busy; we fetched couriered documents from DHL, took coffee and shared a rice cake at our favourite snack bar, met our bank manager and invested in an electrically-powered creepy crawly appliance (at a painful price) for the pool. We tested it later in the day. It certainly does the job. Sufficient unto the day and the blog.
AFTER A WALK, A TREAT
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