Flying solo

chevalier

Nice to hear the money is yours. Please keep a little for you as a buffer/treat fund or something...

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Money-Savers, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Sparky, Missrlr, Sun.A and Chev. :T

Last weekend:
Lost another long post when lappy took a unilateral decision to shut down overnight. :mad:

Yes, the PPI payment was a happy surprise, but felt unearned so very much the right thing to do was to pass some on to help others in need right now..
Apologies for mentioning it really, hate how boastful it appears - but this diary has become a financial aide memoir. When Accountant wants to know about gift aid and wotnot, these notes will remind me where to look for the info in bank statements.

Sun_Addict wrote: »

Makes a change to hear about donations going straight to where they're needed rather than disappearing on admin costs. I think this is what puts people off donating to charities - is the money going to where it's really needed.

Absolutely agree.
Wonder if that's why sites like Go£undMe are becoming so popular?


Last week's major physical activity at the Nest was sorting out the water. Young Gardener perched over the tank and scrubbed, I removed the results and cleaned up sensors and filters.
Result!
It turns out tank wasn't filling automatically because the sensor which is supposed to switch on bore-hole pump was completely covered in wet lime-scale. In sufficient quantities the stuff clumps together, making a very soft kind of jel. Weird. If I'd not needed more water before this strange coating dried out, the sensor would probably have started working again..
We achieved the same objective by mashing the jellied clumps back into the water, then flushing the tank. Another good scrub, another flush - and everything is working as it should.
Irrigation Bloke did suggest covering and insulating the tank last year, to reduce the temperature inside - which apparently slows down this effect of hard water (bore-hole taps an aquifer, a limestone seam under the mountains).
Told YG to remind me about this if he runs out of work (we'll need a proper carpenter to construct the framework though). Already have enough insulation mats for the job.

Monday:
Looks like my intolerance to alcohol has become universal.
Half a bottle of white left in fridge, just had about 20mls last night - some treat ha! - ruddy suffering this morning..
Ought to be 'phoning people - hang on, will they be working on bank holiday?

Later: No. Curses.

Wednesday:
YG has turned up, an hour late, after missing the last two days he should have come to work. That, combined with squiffy-eyed headache led to me pointing him at weeding the aloes, rather than painting the Nest (which he'd prefer to start on, lol). Fair play, he's doing as asked - but reckon I'd better go and find an outside activity as well, to minimise staring-into-space episodes (rather object to paying him for those :cool:).

Today:
Clever Dog has had two 'play-dates' with our next guest and travelling companion; he really is a bit of a loveable pirate! After the second walk LP returned to the Nest with us, charging ahead to the house where he made himself right at home (his owner laughed, but made a point of telling LP he's only staying a short while! :rotfl:).
I practised driving our substitute chariot too. Owner's instructions were mostly concerning the cd player (which is superior to any I've seen - told her I won't touch it; Divo Four can listen to the explanation next week). Car itself seems simple enough, a vast improvement on the automatic Cortina I once owned for a fortnight (before getting fed up with, and selling it on!).

Divo Four did very well indeed in his exams - could not have done better - but haven't heard much from him recently because he's trekking in the wilds of Arctic Canada with some mates.
After escorting CD and I safely to homehome, Divo Four will be jetting off again; he's wangled himself a summer placement on a farming project in Sri Lanka, before starting his final year at uni.
Am expecting to be asked for an air-fare contribution as DS4's birthday present, because of course he'll just get food and accommodation while he's volunteering - but the experience will be well worth it, and look good on his CV afterwards.

Spends:
CD meds stockpile - £30
CD gloop - £10
Watering timers - £36
Groceries & gifts - £50
YG - £75

ETA: Just received the report on camper-van; seems ok except for brake-fluid needing changing. Probably a worthwhile spend of £214.

missrlr

Well that was a good fix of the water system even if a little time consuming and acrobatic!
Shame the mere presence at a place of work is construed by so many as being sufficient. I firmly believe that if you are working and you get a job done well and there is nothing more to do then carry on but being present simply for being present's sake is a waste of time energy and effort. Ditto messing about and half heartedly attempting something.

CD seems to have made a friend, good for her! And yes I think the payout for the checks were always going to be worth it. So your chariot awaits!

Glad all Divos are doing so well. You also sound so positive despite the trials and tribulations of day to day life.

We keep putting one paw in front of another here, slowly and on some days very wobbly. I need to think outside of this rut and do something more positive and life affirming. Most of the options will mean a drastic life style and life speed change, honestly I am not sure there is enough of me to do it.
So I will take heart and the lesson for the fact if someone (you dear Robin) on this planet can do it then so can I. Give myself some tlc and then make a plan and crack on. Sso garlicky gazpacho soup it is. And some roasted vegetable pasta for later. Pickings of a friend's vegetable patch I am tending whilst they are away.

greyfox

When are you expecting to come homehome? I still have my FMP subscription, so when you have any details about the soldier just PM me & I'll see what I can come up with.

Hopefuljoy

Hope you and CD are well Robin. I love reading your posts and imagining all your exploits. I would read a book of your adventures any day. Hope the garden is coming on well. Xx

*Robin*

Hello Diary and Friends-in-the-Box, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Missrlr, Greyfox and Hopefuljoy. :T

It's been a hard week at the Nest.. Not wishing to destroy Missrlr's good opinion or depress m'self further it would be best not to revive the most emotional moments.

One practical problem which coloured everything else going on, was that it turned out YG and I hadn't quite fixed the Nest's water supply..
Three and a half days after the tank emptied and simply wouldn't refill - despite trying all the tricks which had worked previously - Irrigation Bloke turned up in response to our seventeenth plea for urgent help.
By then CD and I were down to about two litres of drinking water in an 'emergency' barrel put aside before scrubbing out the tank. Couldn't wash anything including me , boil or steam any food, water the garden, flush the loo..

After two days, at which point Auntie's promise of immediate aid had been broken four times, I handed contact over to YG.
Why? 1. He's male. 2. He's a native Spanish speaker. 3. He's male.
Good for his confidence to take control; sort out the problem 'for his client' - "face" is still very important between men in this macho society.

IB stared morosely at the fuse-board. Pointing to a red indicator light, he said:
"There's no water."
..Not the right answer!
"If there is no water, how is SmileyNeighbour's well pumping it up right now? Please check these electrics because we don't want to have to denounce him for stealing water - his bore-hole is illegal - so hope it's a fault in the Nest's system!"
Grudgingly, IB asked for some wire. With a flourish, I whipped the lid off DH's bucket of spare cables.. Then had to leave 'em to it, because Lovable Pirate and our substitute chariot were delivered.

Half an hour later, YG came to find me on the patio where I was cuddling a smelly, nervously shivering little dog.
He brought sort-of good news: IB had identified the fault and bodged a temporary fix, bypassing several fuses and rigging a switch to activate the bore-hole pump manually. All the safeguards have been de-activated, so it's essential to keep the flow-meter under constant surveillance while the pump is running. If the needle falters on it's hectic circuit - cut the power fast! ..Or risk destroying £6k worth of kit.
When we get to the top of IB's queue he'll come back to sort it out properly, which will involve pulling the pump up out of the hole and replacing sensors and cables.
YG is very proud and excited to be left in charge - could see his skinny shoulders broadening as we discussed the job. :cool2:

Ah. Got to go; out-numbered. Both CD and LP want to go for their constitutional now, please.

Dansmam

Oh Robin, how good :Ayou are to give YG his chance to shine! Hope he comes up trumps. Even more so, hope your chariot has got plenty of bottled water in. Just in case the YG empowerment drive is slow getting off the starting blocks you understand - wouldn't want you or CD to get dehydrated:eek:
Had some :eek: moments here last week as DD practices driving every chance she gets. In a 20 year old transit with me muttering instructions at every junction. And bend in the road. And pedestrian crossing. I am officially worrying too much :rotfl: and they're insured for Europe now - sadly seems the rules have changed. Still, wouldn't stop them for the world. Would I:grinheart.
Hope you have loads of water soon. Sounds like baths all round:(:rotfl:
Extra scratches behind the ears for CD meanwhile...

*Robin*

Good [STRIKE]morning[/STRIKE] afternoon Diary and Dear MSE Friends, :hello:

Sorry couldn't get back to finish yesterday's post last night; was talking to Divo Four, who arrived safely after spending two days travelling (four flights to get half way around the world - he'll have to plant quite a few trees to make up for that!).

"He's a funny little mutt, but Mother - how can you stand this stink?" DS4 asked, while he introduced himself to LP.
Had to admit, the first night with LP sleeping next to my bed was not pleasant. Apart from a general aroma of goat-p o o and nameless other substances he obviously enjoys rolling in, LP's diet consists of cheap tinned food so he farts copiously and they reek!
"He's not a mutt though," I said. "There's a wire-haired Jack Russell terrier under that matted coat."
Divo Four looked surprised, then swept up LP and dumped him in the bath. Thank goodness Irrigation Bloke had managed to restore our water supply.. Working together, the deed was done before LP had a chance to protest, but he really enjoyed being swaddled in CD's towels and cuddled until his fur dried..
And bingo, he is indeed a gorgeous white and ginger JRT, rather a nice example actually; so often the small breeds have an undershot jaw (which is always a bit sad to see - such dogs would never survive in the wild). No offence to anyone whose pet has this, they're just as lovable and fine on a domestic diet, but I do wish people were more careful to avoid breeding dogs with known health issues.
Anyway, it's not a problem for LP. ..May explain why he's still in possession of his bits, although he must be retired from any carnal duties by now. I know nothing of LP's history, except that he used to torture cats - until getting blinded in one eye.
Couldn't resist sending a 'photo - LP all clean & fluffy - to Owner (was that naughty? ).

missrlr wrote:

Shame the mere presence at a place of work is construed by so many as being sufficient. I firmly believe that if you are working and you get a job done well and there is nothing more to do then carry on but being present simply for being present's sake is a waste of time energy and effort. Ditto messing about and half heartedly attempting something.

Agreed, but everyone deserves the opportunity to learn. Fair play to him, YG doesn't seem to mind when vacant moments or casual non-gardening-related chats are curtailed with:
"What is it you're doing at the moment, hmm?"

YG's Mum is certainly very pleased with his changing attitude. She paid me an odd compliment:
"It's almost like you've become his Dad - teaching YG all the stuff his good-for-nothing absent father hasn't!"
:think: Still trying to work out what to make of that.. :rotfl:

missrlr wrote:

We keep putting one paw in front of another here, slowly and on some days very wobbly. I need to think outside of this rut and do something more positive and life affirming. Most of the options will mean a drastic life style and life speed change, honestly I am not sure there is enough of me to do it.
So I will take heart and the lesson for the fact if someone (you dear Robin) on this planet can do it then so can I. Give myself some tlc and then make a plan and crack on. Sso garlicky gazpacho soup it is. And some roasted vegetable pasta for later. Pickings of a friend's vegetable patch I am tending whilst they are away..

Bit alarming to be considered an inspiration for life-changes, dear Missrlr - if only you could see the reality between the chapters which end up on here..
Still - Go for it! Wobbly steps will certainly make progress (but probably wise not to look back too often, checking on distance travelled.. Look forward and aspire*).

* Which is what I should be doing now. DS4 has gone up to visit DH's cottages - left me with a list of preparations that didn't include finishing off yesterday's diary entry.

greyfox wrote:

When are you expecting to come homehome? I still have my FMP subscription, so when you have any details about the soldier just PM me & I'll see what I can come up with.

Soooon now, Greyfox.. Thank you; hadn't forgotten - finding that particular storage box is number three on m' list of Important Things To Do (after making sure Tenant One and Tenant Two are happy).

Hopefuljoy wrote:

Hope you and CD are well Robin. I love reading your posts and imagining all your exploits. I would read a book of your adventures any day. Hope the garden is coming on well. Xx

CD is getting used to having a canine companion again. She's started following LP's footsteps rather than mine; must say it's lovely having her walk faster ahead of me most of the time, means we all get much better exercise.

Divo Four has had his first short fiction story published; it's really not bad at all (British understatement). ..Certainly better than my earliest piece which saw print. He's learning the craft diligently, and has perhaps already surpassed any talents I may possess. Am very happy about that..

YG is taking over the garden project which won't be completed before DS4, dogs and I leave the Nest. A whole forest of asparagus seedlings to be planted out on the new terrace YG built.
Think he'll do ok; seeing 'em sprout kindled an interest he's never had before, he's charmingly protective of the little plants' welfare.
Also, YG is working towards buying a bike, and already knows my contribution will be more generous, the better the garden looks on my return (his suggestion).

Dansmam wrote:

Had some moments here last week as DD practices driving every chance she gets. In a 20 year old transit with me muttering instructions at every junction. And bend in the road. And pedestrian crossing. I am officially worrying too much and they're insured for Europe now - sadly seems the rules have changed. Still, wouldn't stop them for the world. Would I.
Hope you have loads of water soon. Sounds like baths all round
Extra scratches behind the ears for CD meanwhile...

Hi Dansmam, thanks for popping in. :T
Oh, rules have changed for new full-licence holders, have they? Cheers, that's handy to know.
Glad to hear DD is getting in some practise in her Tranny, she'll be fine. There's only one maneuver that is tricky in a RHD vehicle when driving on the left; turning onto a major road. But they'll have very good visibility in their van, much easier than being in a car, and the passenger can check oncoming traffic. So long as Passenger is alert they won't have a problem with this common hazard for British drivers.

Right. Time I was doing something else.
Countdown has begun; already got butterflies at the prospect ahead so better just get on with it, eh? _pale_
At least packing is going to be fairly simple, because most of m' clothes are too disreputable to bother taking. :rotfl:

*Robin*

Wash duvets and clothes to take - tick
Clean out food / drinks box - tick
Campervan road insurance - tick
Find first aid box - tick
Find my suitcase - erm, under bed maybe?
Feed dogs - not yet, bit early
Water seedlings - 3/4 done, it's slow as they're still on 'soak'.
Choose which bedding to take - tick
Decide on basic survival kit for camper; cups, plates etc (what about the steamer? Use it every day, would cost a fair bit to replace but seems daft to take it?) - .....
Check car documents - tick
Check LP's passport - tick
Put documents in handy folder - .....
Find satnav - .....

Fried.
What's been forgotten?

Oh yes, Spends:
Irrigation pipe for asparagus plus connectors - £20
Booze & baccy gifts - £380 _pale_
Camper insurance - £360
Hotel / camp-site on arrival* - £87
* Change of plan. :cool:

Irrigation Bloke's bill will be added to the big one when he returns to the Nest and sorts out the problem properly. Called in at HQ to reassure Auntie my account will be settled as soon as YG calls to tell me how much to transfer - the best way to ensure this job isn't endlessly delayed (they've commented before that their favoured clients settle bills promptly - am on that happy list ).

Dansmam

Yay! Robin`s pretty much en-route. Happy travelling to you all. Have fun, enjoy, best wishes all x