Flying solo

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

Sun_Addict wrote: »

Bad news about the drop in income - is this permanent?

From that source, yes. Could replace it by upping Tenants' rent a bit closer to the market rate, but would rather not - it makes life much easier for me to keep them happy with the good deal they're getting, and determined to hang onto their homes as long as possible.

Speaking of tenants, the rules have changed here; can no longer let out holiday cottages without more bits of very expensive paper (that also involve having works done first).


DS3 cooked dinner for me last night, and said he's going to call in today too - commented on my shiny swollen feet so is obviously worried, as am I - but only slightly (just feels like a step on the path to joining PC; a prospect that has it's attractions).
Los Divos would be upset to hear that of course, and it goes against the grain to give up..
So am wondering if we could set up a bike on some kind of stand which would allow me to do more short bursts of exercise on the patio, safely? Must admit that I'm becoming wary of going for decent walks with Daft Dogs in case the - must stop now! - moment arrives when we're too far from the Nest - which isn't good at all.

Both Daft Dogs have perked up since their respective treatments finished, but it's so hot here neither of 'em are keen on proper walks either. At dawn and dusk we go for a short wander, and that seems to be enough for the girls atm.

:think: An exercise bike would be useful - but it's not an item I want to buy; let's see whether DS3 can cobble something MSE together for me.

Cecil has been sighted twice recently, now living behind the Nest on Nasty Neighbour's land. Luckily he's turning out to be a shy character, rather than aggressive. Daft Dogs don't wander onto NN's property unaccompanied anyway, so am now less worried about having a two metre long, potentially poisonous snake as a neighbour. ..Deliberately make a racket when walking past Cecil's new abode, though.

missrlr

Him, I know it is not free but you can get stands for normal bikes to transfer these into fixed bikes for exercise .... Might be worth looking to for ideas on that sore.
Glad Cecil is keeping away.
Did I miss it what was NN doing with the digger???
Glad dogs are ok

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

It is another glorious day at the Nest; sunny but not baking hot due to a fresh breeze blowing down from the mountains. I was invited to join an excursion to a beach where there's great snorkelling (very clear water, lots of fish and even a wreck to explore). Or an alternative trip up to the lake, taking a boat over to an island for a picnic.. Both sound fun, don't they?
But neither are very dog-friendly outings and tbh, I used up enough energy just entertaining the various adventurers when they dropped in to invite me; a short siesta and catch-up on here felt much more appealing (although it was very kind of them all to think of including me - warm fuzzy thoughts ).

missrlr wrote: »

Hmm, I know it is not free but you can get stands for normal bikes to transfer these into fixed bikes for exercise .... Might be worth looking to for ideas on that score.

Yes Missrlr, that's the sort of thing I'm thinking of. There's an old bike languishing at DS3's, and am sure I remember a pair of axle stands.. We'll find enough bits - but - I've seen DS3 three times since first thinking of the idea, and completely forgotten to mention it to him! (In my defence, Divo Three is very busy trying to sort out his own life - tends to shoot off to the next thing as soon as he's achieved the reason for his visit; 'photocopying, skyping, form-filling or eating ).

missrlr wrote:

Glad Cecil is keeping away.

Lol, so am I! ..Just hope he doesn't attract a lady-friend (it's that time of year for snakes, apparently).

missrlr wrote:

Did I miss it what was NN doing with the digger???

No; have been giving much thought to the long-term ramifications of NN's latest outrage: He's dug an illegal well.
It's more ammunition, should I be forced to Take Action against him.. From my pov it's interesting because this will affect all the legal well owners close-by. NN is risking a very, very large fine by upsetting his Spanish neighbours who are not at all phased by the idea of denouncing him (must be something in the macho caballero psyche that makes 'em relish a day in court, protecting their Rights).
Having a word with the other [all much more simpatico] neighbours is on my To Do List - hopefully can proceed as a group.

missrlr wrote:

Glad dogs are ok

Again, so am I! CD is due to go for more blood tests soon, and I'm still spending an inordinate amount of time running my hands over her fur (she loves it, of course ). But she looks more herself, iyswim.
How is Doglet getting on with his paella diet? ..I stick all kinds of veg in the girls' rice - you know, the bendy carrots, wrinkly courgettes and saggy broccoli which would otherwise end up on the compost heap. Daft Dogs love a bit of variety - in fact, now that the steroids are wearing off, CD won't eat the same mix two days running. Adding white fish, sardines or chicken keeps her interested.

Made a huge bucket of gazpacho earlier. Slightly by accident; put too much onion in the mix then had to scale up all the other ingredients to make it taste right. Not to worry, it'll get eaten.

missrlr

Industrial quantities of gazpacho ... That's one way of using tomatoes! Enjoy!

Doglet is better with food but does not do the same thing twice in succession .....

Hope the well issue can be resolved .....

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Just given in and rolled m'self a ciggie - know it's crazy but have run out of healthier/medical alternatives to clear the lungs.. Simply cannot take a deep breath which is alarming.

Also decided to use what I have to get exercise; so every hour on the hour trot down the steps and back again - which is actually quite tiring in the sun - then at Moon-rise, harness up Daft Dogs so they can pull me home if necessary when we walk the basic circuit of about a kilometre (FD is very reluctant; CD ends up pulling us both!).

..Remembered to ask DS3 about rigging up the bike but am worried enough not to wait for progress on that. Legs now swollen to the knee and going numb - next visit to town must include a visit to the medic for two-legged people, though reckon I know what he'll say (at a cost of 30€ consultation plus 50€ blood tests to confirm).

The prospect of not being able to get rid of the above [and other] worrying symptoms has been a great kick-up-the-rear re Paperwork Mountain. Should anything drastic occur, I really don't want to leave my Divos to clear up the mess of two lives..

The first thing discovered was that I got my sums wrong last year; was actually closer to 22K in debt than the 15ish declared. However, have paid off 11K since and all remaining is at 0%.
Also have an ISA, a decent emergency fund for house maintenance, PC's Death Duties a/c*, plus 3K currently on loan to family (so maybe shouldn't count that? Doesn't include gifts).
* Next month will need to find a new home for most of this, as the bond [?] will mature. In September the other high interest a/c also reaches the end of it's deal.

missrlr wrote: »

Industrial quantities of gazpacho ... That's one way of using tomatoes! Enjoy!

Hello Missrlr, indeed it is. Especially useful for preventing DS3 from emptying the fridge of other ingredients, too! (He is still visiting at least once daily, often twice - bless the lad! :A).
Am allowing m'self to graze on fresh sun-warmed cherry tomatoes as a small reward for tackling the steps too - a burst of piquant energising deliciousness!

missrlr wrote: »

Doglet is better with food but does not do the same thing twice in succession .....

Good; glad to hear Doglet is eating better, and tummy settling down. He's the same as the girls then; refusing repeated menus.
Daft Dogs had left-over jamon, apple and cabbage in their rice today - that went down very well.

missrlr wrote: »

Hope the well issue can be resolved .....

It should be. One thing about a well is that it can't be shifted or hidden. When the Judge looks at the official land maps it will be obvious that NN has broken the rules - for obvious reasons, the fines here for misuse of water are punitive.

Last night met our most smiley, favourite neighbour when Daft Dogs and I were walking. Hopefully will see him again this evening - there's quite a lot to talk through before making an official complaint (and two more people to discuss it with).

Right. Time to tackle the steps again, then back to Paperwork Mountain.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Make sure you get yourself to the medic and hang the expense. Sounds pretty serious Xx

missrlr

I second please-let-me-be-lucky GET YOUR BUM TO THE QUACK PRONTO this is not a matter to be messing with and soonest seen soonest sorted so to speak.

Well done on the paperwork mountain attack. I did complete mine, but after a 4 day interlude with guests have discovered there is a paperwork influx to this house so have (small) piles even now!

HeadAboveWater

Hello Hope you're feeling better today! Would also agree with the 'going to the Dr' bit just to be sure you're hunky dorey

grannyx2

Further agreement re trip to 2 legged mammals medic. Hope you find things to be not as serious as you suspect

Love to you and daft dogs

Granny x

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear, Faithful Friends, :hello:

Thanks for dropping in, Lucky, Missrlr, HAW and Granny.

Don't worry, will call in and shake the Quack's hand next time am in town. But first it was worth doing what he'll tell me to anyway, in order to cut out the first visit and see how much difference lifestyle tweaks can make..

Which is what I've been doing. With some success, am happy to add. Trotting down and up the steps every hour, navigating the whole garden on watering duties, and insisting Daft Dogs accompany me on a proper walk every night has made a difference.
Am also sleeping better, on a pile of cushions and foam concocted into a bed with raised ends (feet need to be up, as does head). It's surprisingly comfortable. Being exhausted when I fall into it probably helps, lol.

Have also cut out as many refined foods as possible, and actively dealt with the most obvious 'minor' symptom; a weeping open sore right across the bridge of m'nose. Not serious in itself, but indicative of how low my immune system has become. Caused by my glasses touching the skin - yet another side-effect of ME has rendered me allergic to any metal except gold. (Yeah. I know ).
Using cutlery is ok as am not the kind of person to indulge in fourteen course banquets, but the last time I attempted to wield spanners both hands came out in hives after about three hours.
Thus far, m'habit of pushing my reading-glasses down in order to look over them hasn't been a problem - but now it is.

Good ol' aloe vera has sorted out the sore which just kept spreading, but obviously must restrict using my glasses until they can be replaced with plastic-framed ones - so less time with lappy is the result.
..But it was one reason why I was reluctant to rush to the medico; really very disfiguring at it's worst.
And with the legs as swollen as they were, the distance from the car-park to La Clinica and back was a concern. Now, right leg looks almost normal and all sensation has returned. The other one isn't as good, but much better than a couple of days ago.

Apologies to those who consider this is far too much medical detail - need to record it somewhere; Flying Solo is unlikely to share the fate of my many notebooks (ie. get lost). Dates and comments could be very useful aides memoir for writing the notes El Medico will expect me to arrive with.
..Just thinking about that; not sure if it's something he encourages foreign patients to do - helps avoid misunderstandings and missing things out - or is general policy at that clinic. Either way, it's a good system even though appointments are not time-restricted as when dealing with the NHS.


Last night, the Moon was high in the sky by the time I was ready to take Daft Dogs for a walk. DS3 has borrowed my one working torch so we stuck to the roads, both dogs on a lead. There are no street-lights outside the villages of course, so features familiar by day were just dark looming shapes, except where avocado leaves shimmered silver in the Moon-light.
We could hear wildlife scuttering or slithering away from us through long dry grass at the road-side; FD was very spooked by this - maybe remembering encounters with wild boar which curtailed previous attempts at walking by night? :eek:
..But there's little danger of meeting boar close to the Nest; they head for water pools so as long as we avoid going into the riverbed the largest fauna around is probably Cecil** and his mates, who can be avoided fairly easily, it turns out. But CD is very likely to pounce on the sound of movement; keeping her on a lead stops that impulse, as well as preventing her from wandering into the darkness.

** Actually - not true; apart from wandering domestic equines and wild boar, there are badgers and plenty of foxes as well as the odd ibex living on the hills - but all larger wild-life will head in the opposite direction as soon as they catch the scent of dog.

Right. Time to inspect m'tomato plants at the bottom of the steps, again.