Flying solo

chevalier

Hi Robin. Well done on getting the journey done with a minimum of fuss. What part of Spain will you be settling in? I am only curious as we are 80% probably going to a family wedding down by Javea next April and I wanted to know if I would be waving as we went past you!
chev

Igamogam

Good to read you have arrived safe and sound - hope the 'move in' goes smoothly

Fudgefund

Glad you made it safely. 'Metronomic swish of the windscreen wipers' is my new favourite phrase by the way! Must try and get it into a conversation this week.

NewLeaf_2

I am so glad you arrived safely xx

*Robin*

Good morning from the middle of a field. A squabble of small birds woke me just as the first streaks of violet sky silhouetted the mountains to the east; wrapped in a duvet and clutching a cuppa tea for warmth, I went outside and watched the landscape slowly take form.

Eventually Clever Dog's shivering alerted me to the fact that it is still chilly and damp, so we came back into our snug cottage.
Yesterday I could not write; the poignancy of the calender still showing the day DH and I left here, his hat on the peg and our mugs still upturned on the drainer - everything is a reminder of our hopes, just a few months ago.

Before I can unpack and put away the things I've brought back, I will have to go through DH's drawers and cupboards [for the second time ]; bag up his clothes and choose which of his possessions to keep. Couldn't face that last night so piles of boxes are still scattered around every room.

But everything appears to be in good order, bar a couple of sections of wall that succumbed to the first heavy rains of the season (just a couple of weeks ago). There was enough wood left to light the stove - though the wood-man is first on my list of calls or I'll be cold at night from tomorrow onwards, without a visit from him.

Then I must erect some kind of barrier around the lawn to keep my poor old blind dog from stumbling off the edges, where there is a five metre drop to the garden below. Improvisation will be required for this, and almost certainly a hammer. Which means entering DH's private domain; his shed. It's got to be done, and by me as all the helpful young men are otherwise engaged.

That's enough planning for now; baby steps eh?

Listerbelle wrote:

A quick tip *Robin* - type your post/s in word, and then copy and paste into a reply on here. This will should save your "air" time,

Listerbelle, thanks for your tip - I did use all the credit on the dongle that night so will remember for the future, but it's already been changed back onto unlimited contract so won't be a problem until the next time I leave here. They've even brought the price down during my absence which was :money: pleasing.

Rainbow_Bridge wrote:

LOL , you made their day! I love your adventurous streak, and your fearless approach, PC would be proud of you xxxxxxx.

Thank you RB! But perhaps 'bravado' would be more accurate than 'fearless'; when a job has to be done DH would expect me to get on with it, though yes, I do hope he would be satisfied with my efforts so far. :A
The truckers couldn't have been friendlier, and were completely respectful when I answered their questions as to why I was travelling alone. One of the 'Dog Club' ladies on the boat was horrified to learn that I was intending to drive right across Spain unaccompanied (incidentally Chev, she and her daughter [and their dog] were on their way to Denia which is 'just up the road' from Javea).
In fact it hadn't occurred to me to worry about the drive; I can talk to the locals, it is past the beginning of August when all the migrant workers from France and Germany flood the roads south, and I'd by-passed the unfortunately now risky French 'Aires' (I know two families who've been gassed and robbed in their caravans while spending the night at one of these stopping-places. Which is very sad as the Aires are usually well designed with lots of trees, bbq & picnic tables, quirky statues and unexpected things for people to do).

chevalier wrote: »

Well done on getting the journey done with a minimum of fuss. What part of Spain will you be settling in? I am only curious as we are 80% probably going to a family wedding down by Javea next April and I wanted to know if I would be waving as we went past you!

Thanks, it feels good to have the journey behind me. Are you thinking of travelling via North Africa? (..At 35,000 feet perhaps! ). I'm much further south than Javea, on the Sun Coast not the White one. :cool:

Igamogam, am working on the moving in; it's taken me hours to write this post in between other tasks so have already got the wood-man booked for tomorrow, now need to find some idle muscle as I cannot shift four cubic metres of logs myself - isn't that a strange way to sell it?

Fudgie - good luck with that one! Having seen what the weather in the UK is doing now, I'd guess metronomic windscreen wipers might well be a subject for comment (it's not a bad word is it - did I make it up?! :rotfl: ).

To end for now, the Dalai Lama's Thought for the Day has reminded me to get in touch with a friend who has been ill and may need help. Here are the Great Man's words:

Honest concern for others is the key factor in improving our day to day lives. When you are warm-hearted, there is no room for anger, jealousy or insecurity. A calm mind and self-confidence are the basis for happy and peaceful relations with each other. Healthy, happy families and a healthy peaceful nation are dependent on warm-heartedness.

..Let's hope the US politicians are listening, eh?

Fudgefund

It's a fantastic word, but I don't think you can quite claim the credit for it. The imagery however is all yours and very pleasing indeed. I did think about it on the bus this morning, but short of attracting the attention of some of the school kids around me and telling them, I kept it to myself. There are enough people in the world who think I'm a loon already.

You really are coping so well, it must be so hard. I love the quote too.

HeadAboveWater

Hey Robin

Sooooooooooo good to read your updates! Have been away a few days so bit of catching up to do!

Love your quote. Think I need to take it on board myself...!

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear MSE friends, :hello:

Am having a problem with time; my pc says 10.44, the wall clock says 08.43, my 'phone says - nothing, the battery's run out & I haven't found it's charger yet. I could go and look in the van as I definitely remember correcting that one while queueing to get off the boat - but the clocks have changed since, haven't they?

Anyway, it's raining. I wonder if the wood-man will show up at 1300? If he does, then I'll know [what the time is]. But he may not, as everything tends to stop here when the rain begins, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's already in the bar. He can't call to tell me of course as my 'phone is dead. <sigh>

Am very glad I cancelled my other appointment; the ME has kicked in with a vengeance so it would not be a good idea to drive today. Especially as I might not be able to get home afterwards - van has problems with the steep track when it's wet. Then the only option is to slide all the way back down in reverse while trying to avoid the ditches.. Not fun even when feeling fit!

Fudgefund wrote: »

It's a fantastic word, but I don't think you can quite claim the credit for it. The imagery however is all yours and very pleasing indeed.

Ah, no surprise that 'metronomic' has already been thought of, but am glad you liked the imagery.

Fudgefund wrote: »

You really are coping so well, it must be so hard. I love the quote too.

I was thinking of you when I decided to pass on the DL's words - thought the quote would make sense to you!

Not doing very well here today though; couldn't eat last night and have been chewing painkillers since waking up. Beyond lighting the stove and feeding myself I have no ambitions for today. Daft Dogs will not get a walk - but doubt they'll mind as they hate being wet and the rain is getting heavier by the minute.

Hello HAW, :hello: thanks for dropping in. Have you been doing something interesting in RL during your absence?

HeadAboveWater

Oh rain! The joys, huh?!

Was our wee weekend away in the cottage in Donegal. Think you commented on it a while back in my diary. Have a couple of photos on my thread too if you're bored and want something to look at!!

It's 11.20am here if that's any help to you?!?!?!?!?

EDIT:
Here are a few photos...

Igamogam

Look after yourself Robin - physical reaction to the journey and all the emotional stuff maybe???