The sun has risen on the last week in August. It's been busy with lots of pre-holiday little things that don't really deserve mention in an award-winning cutting-edge blog. The philosopher R S Cratcher advises one to cut to the quick. This week it's more a case of the slow than the quick, plus a few of the usual pictures.
SQUINTY AND BRAVE-HEART AT LEISURE
I'll work backwards. On Sunday we are taking ourselves for a nine day, beast-free spa-hotel break. I've taken our suitcases down from the cupboard and done my preliminary packing. I prepare a detailed list of "to takes", ticking off each item as it is packed, having too often discovered that my iPad or phone charger had been left at home.
CLEANING RUSS'S EARS
After much reviewing on Tripadvisor, we made reservations at three hotels in the north of Portugal, where most of the country's thermal baths are located.
2018: NANCY & BRIAN WITH BARBARA AT ARMENIO'S MUSEUM
In our absence, Valapena affairs will be conducted by our house sitters, Nancy and Brian, who arrive later today (Friday). They are former NBC colleagues of Barbara whose first house sitting stint last year was applauded by the beasts.
JOHAN REUNITED WITH HIS DOG
They will miss Jack, who returned to his master yesterday. The dog saw Johan striding towards the gate and could hardly contain his joy. There was little doubt where his true affection lay. We will miss Jack too. He's quite a guy, even though he's not into cats.
SEEN IT ALL BEFORE
Wednesday a new cat flap arrived from Amazon to replace the one that Barri destroyed trying to get out of the house one afternoon. That's Barri on the couch. Also Wednesday the window cleaners came. We have a lot of windows and glass sliding doors that got messed up when Nelson power-washed the house prior to painting it. Now they're sparkling once again. That's the way Jones likes them. I told the window cleaners that if ever they formed a company, I wanted shares in it.
All this excitement means that I've fallen behind on collecting carobs. Mini and Jones have continued their efforts. Not that I've been (completely) idle. I have spent long hours on the phone and computer trying to resolve access problems to a couple of key institutions, as well as chasing overdue suppliers of one sort and another. Which reminds me. Seems that one of the French guys staying in Dina's house is going to marry her guardian's granddaughter and that all is above board.
SEA SQUILL AMONG THE ROCKS
At least one of them is sleeping on the flat roof of the house. It's certainly warm enough to do so comfortably. Our temperatures range between the lower 20s and lower 30s. By our standards that's a cool summer although not cool enough to cancel Russ's weekly coat-clip. The weather looks set to stay that way for our house sitters. Up north, temps are slightly lower - ideal for touring. I hope those hotels have heated pools. Ours remains at a delightful 30*.
AIMING FOR THE SUCCULENTS BEHIND THE POOL
Tuesday my sciatic leg felt a lot better. Something in my spine clicked and the tension eased. It felt as though someone had taken a cramp off my leg. Wednesday and Thursday it still felt much better. Long may it last.
STILL LIFE
Ahead of the arrival of our house sitters, I've been sweeping cobbles, steps and paths. We have thousands of cobbles along with dozens of steps and paths. Once swept, they look great until the wind comes along and scatters leaves every which way. I shall take a picture or two to show the house sitters how good they looked, just in case.
Another chore was to oil our wooden furniture. It certainly looks better for my efforts. The fact is that Jones likes to have the house and its contents absolutely gleaming for the arrival of guests.
CICADA ON THE BRANCH
When I was working with Slavic in the dell last Saturday, he pointed out the cicada that was serenading us from a branch just above our heads. The insect didn't seem at all bothered by our activities. We are creating a nook under the trees, to take a bench and table, the ideal thing for a reflective half hour over a sun-downer. We plan to complete it tomorrow (Saturday). In fact, there's a lot of things we plan to do on Saturday. Enough said. No blog next week.
WE'LL MEET AGAIN SOME SUNNY DAY
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