Flying solo

*Robin*

Hello Diary, :hello:

A couple of days filled with small frustrations; not worth reporting - with the possible exception of confessing that I snapped and told DS2 & GF xmas isn't going to happen as far as I'm concerned. They were both somewhat taken aback.
DS1 isn't doing the family feast either. Events in his life have presented an alternative which DIL1 prefers.
So it goes.

Divo Four is in-bound; let's hope he's bringing enough energy to co-ordinate some kind of celebration.

CD and I have been invited out to lunch today, with Ex and Intellectual. Xmas menu. Not looking forward to it as much as I ought to; have an unresolved annoyance with Ex, and Intellectual is about to disappear to the other side of the world.

*Robin*

It's raining - a deluge!
Only just managed to get back up the hill after leaving the restaurant abruptly when the first drops began to fall. Almost got totalled by someone taking a slippery corner too fast, then slid all over the track (which has a very long drop on one side :eek:). Praying I'd make it, because do know there really isn't enough weight in the back of the van - and losing impetus would result in a very dangerous slide backwards, followed by a steep, wet walk if we'd got down to the bottom in one piece..

So am most grateful to be sitting warm and dry inside the Nest right now.

Enjoyed the interlude more than I was expecting, although almost didn't stay; when we arrived Owner was horrified to see CD (although she's been welcomed there before). Apparently today was different because it was a special event. No problem said I, we won't come in this time (wasn't very hungry anyway).
But Owner insisted on asking the other diners whether they objected. Twenty pairs of eyes turned towards CD who looked back, grinning confidently. A unanimous chorus proclaimed that nobody minded, followed by a few muted mutterings along the lines of 'wish I'd brought my dog'.. [:o]

Great company and food, although wasn't hungry enough to try every dish. CD behaved perfectly, curled up at my feet and accepting tickles graciously. As a non-drinker, my bill only came to 10€ - a very satisfying MSE excursion.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Glad you had a good time out and, more importantly, got home safe and well. Xx

grannyx2

Glad you had a good time and even more glad that you got home safely

Hope Christmas is now back on and DS4 arrives safely with some extra oomph

Granny x

*Robin*

Good morning Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

Yes, Lucky and Granny, I do feel very fortunate to have got back to the Nest safely before it became impossible. DS2's Merc made light work of the track last night, but apparently two neighbours from higher up had to leave their cars at the bottom of the hill - they must have had a very unpleasant climb on foot, in the driving rain.

Divo Four is asleep in the spare bed here. I thought the caravan would be too damp, not having been used for so long, but he was a bit disappointed - reckon he'll move in there today (DS2 & GF have 'dumped' a lot of DH's things in his cottage; not seen that yet but GF says it'll need sorting out again before it can be lived in).

This morning the band of rain has passed - sunrise was fantastic - although it's still very windy. Chunks of plastic sheeting ripped off Nasty Neighbour's greenhouse are blowing around all over the place, but the Nest looks ok on first inspection.

No decision has been made as to what to do on xmas day. Forecast says another wave of storms is due - bringing record rainfall - so my inclination is to stay put rather than risk driving. DS2 has faith in his heavy old car and DS4 wants to go somewhere - we'll talk about it again later.
In any case, I'll have to be very cautious about using m' van before it's passed the local MOT (new appointment next Friday). Not that I think it will fail, but the traffic police are fining people for anything they can think of (GF said they have a quota; fall behind and their own wages suffer. Unbelievable - but got to give the government credit for thinking up money-making schemes :cool:).

May not be a NSD today; depends what we decide to do re xmas.

*Robin*

Hello Diary, :hello:

Jeez, it's cold this morning! Hoar-frost covering tree-branches and ground, mountains white with snow, and silence all around.
There wasn't really a dawn chorus; disgruntled birds are still roosting, all fluffed up - poor things must be rather shocked.

Times like this, very un-MSE thoughts about double glazing, better insulated doors and the merits of Mr D7son's hot & cold fan-thingy are filling my mind.

Didn't help that I let the stove go out early last night (DS4 was appalled to see the state of it - suppose I've stopped noticing except when significant bits fall off ).

Not much achieved yesterday except lots of catching up with Divos Four and One, who visited in the evening.
DS4 cooked dinner and washed up; very tasty meal (managed to keep quiet about the fact that he can't tell the difference between streaky bacon and finest cured jamon ).

Can claim an NSD yesterday, although DS4 wants to go shopping because he can see gaps in my store-cupboard; we're short of nuts and chestnuts to prepare a particular xmas speciality which I've made every year of his life - he wants to learn the recipe and carry on the tradition (I'd completely forgotten about it ).

Am hoping local shops will be able to provide the necessary, as would really rather choose my own charitable donations (going into town does risk an enforced contribution to traffic police funds - a small risk because they have checked van papers recently, but do know there is a patrol on the main road specifically to catch and fine drivers - the other day someone was charged 80€ for looking at and talking to their passenger!).
DS4 can walk to the village..

Sun_Addict

Hi Robin - just catching up with your diary. You seem to never have a dull moment. Always something going on. At least no time to be bored! Mis-read a bit earlier and thought you had 7 sons then realised it said D7son!!! Weather here is on the turn too with wild storms predicted. No doubt Christmas Day will be mild and sunny as seems the norm the past few years. Whatever the weather I hope you have a lovely Christmas and all my very best wishes for 2014.

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Dear Friends, :hello:

The sun is back, though as yet without much warmth; sitting here in my coat and with a blanket over m' knees - Divo Four thinks it's lovely and warm, he had breakfast outside (where it was 11'C :cool2:).

Looking at a few diaries this morning reminded me why I've spent as many xmases here as possible.. It's true there is more fuss made these days, but it's still far less than in the UK.
When we first bought the old house, xmas was just another working day. For children the excitement was in trying to prepare the best belen - nativity scene - which might be made from scratch, or with bought figures painted by the kids (these are for sale weeks beforehand).
St Nick - now as then - turns up on Three Kings Day [6th Jan], touring the villages; handing out sweets and just one present per child (craftily collected from the parents earlier). In years gone by these gifts would always be something practical; a new school satchel or a pair of shoes, perhaps. Other family members made a contribution to the child's savings account (all the local kids have one; by the time they leave school there's usually enough put by to pay uni fees or start the youngster on their adult life; setting up a business or building a house).
These days local children expect to receive more presents on xmas day - that's what they see on tv; piles of presents around a tree. When we first arrived there was only one television set in the village, in the bar (where small children rarely watched it, of course).

<sigh> Enough nostalgia!

Am very slow this morning; thick 'eaded after going out for lunch yesterday. Have sent DS4 off to sort out Ex's firewood first,** because it will take me another hour or so to work up to the practical task we must do at the Nest today (purple rain due tomorrow):
There was some damage in the last storm; half the guttering at the back of the house blew off - which could be catastrophic if a lot of water goes into the ground behind - might cause a landslide! :eek:

Luckily there are spare brackets in stock to replace the broken ones, but it's going to be a tricky task fixing them in place as we have to work on a narrow ledge above a cliff. The guttering itself is ok, thank goodness, and DS4 is just about tall enough to reach up without using a ladder, but he'll need me to hand him things so I've got to be steady enough not to fall off the edge!

** Hence sending DS to help Ex while my meds take effect. He's been a pensioner for quite a few years, so life is much easier if he's got a stack of dry, chopped wood just outside the door, ready to burn.
Yes I know, it's a bit odd staying friends with an ex for decades after splitting up. Can't explain it, but he's still part of the family.

Sun_Addict wrote: »

thought you had 7 sons then realised it said D7son!!!

Hello Sun.A, thanks for popping in and your seasonal greetings. :T
Seven sons? Gosh wouldn't that be an achievement! :beer:
The D7son is really too expensive; have managed to resist clicking on 'confirm your order' thus far..
But might do the MSE thing and check out post-xmas sales. Especially as the heater in the caravan has developed a fault; won't stay lit unless the 'go' button is pressed continuously (should be able to let it go after about ten seconds). ..Can't help thinking a cheap fan heater would do the job as well as a D7son, though.
For now Divo Four seems quite happy with an enormous pile of duvets to keep him warm at night (tough lad! :rotfl:).

Had forgotten how much milk DS4 gets through. He forgot I keep it in the freezer so didn't get out another bottle.. The spare carton of long-life is out of date, and on the turn - yuk - all of which says another shopping trip cannot be avoided: Without tea *Robin* does not function. At all.

DS found some chestnuts, in the raw of course so there's another task; prepping in readiness for cooking xmas lunch. We've pretty much decided to stay put and go vegetarian with Robin's Famous Chestnut and Cashew Roast. Or there will be duck for anyone who would feel cheated by being offered a meat-free meal. A local speciality pudding has been provided by DS2 & GF (looks like a tall cake covered in icing sugar).
Of course if the forecast is correct, the weather will be tempestuous so we might find we simply cook enough food for several days, if everyone thinks the same and stays safe and warm in their various homes - which is also fine. :cool2:

Just realised it's Monday, not Sunday today. Oops. <Wanders off to see whether the 'fresh' milk has defrosted enough in the sunshine to make tea yet?>
Ah, have to laugh at m'self! :rotfl:

Sun_Addict

Robin - we usually go to Lanzarote the first Thursday in January and see the parades on Three Kings Day. The one in Puerto del Carmen this January was lovely. I shall miss going - we would have flown out on 2 January this time. Re the Dyson - I've got a Henry Hoover which only cost £99 and it's absolutely brilliant best hoover I've ever had - and I used to get through them like no one's business!

missrlr

Hi Robin just wanted to say I hope 2014 is kind to you. Happy Christmas and hope you have a lovely say