Flying solo

*Robin*

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Oh rain! The joys, huh?!

Well it's very necessary stuff, especially where I am now when it often doesn't rain at all between May and September! ..It's certainly making up for it now, though!

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

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!!

Of course it was! ..I had a feeling your break was at the same time as I was travelling.

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

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

Thank you! My helpful young man arrived on the dot of one according to his watch, closely followed by the wood-man, so now I'm all sorted out [re. firewood, anyway ] - and my pc has been set to the right time as well.
We managed to get three cubic metres of wood into the store, and the rest is under a plastic sheet so hopefully won't get too damp - it is bucketing down here now, but we were lucky as the Creator held it back to a light drizzle for half an hour while the wood was being unloaded.
So I've lit the stove; Daft Dogs are worshipping it. :rotfl:

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

EDIT:
Here are a few photos...

..Lovely 'photos, and you were obviously lucky with the weather, eh? Hope you feel refreshed and healthy now after exploring the area round the cottage.

Rainbow_Bridge

*Robin* wrote: »

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.

You have a lovely way with words xx.

*Robin*

Good morning Diary and MSE friends, :hello:

The rain storm has passed, except in the patio roof which is still dripping. Given that almost everyone around here will have had a leak somewhere, I can live with mine being in the patio. It can go on the list of things that need doing, but not now.
Clever Dog is already outside basking in the sunshine, but it's still a bit chilly for me. I did not sleep well, alas, but that's not unusual when the ME is bad; was woken at about four by a thumping head and memories of nightmarish dreams.

Igamogam wrote: »

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

Yes you're quite right, Igamogam; it's payback time. A couple of very quiet days will help; don't think I need to go out until Friday, although am short of fresh food supplies. Fat Dog brought back an avocado last night; I'll have to see what else the storm has blown down to supplement the tins and dried stuff in the store-cupboard. Need to lose some more weight anyway, to catch up with Dragon's xmas challenge.

*Robin*

Rainbow_Bridge wrote: »

You have a lovely way with words xx.

Aww, thank you RB, :lovethoug ..I wish the right words would always come, then maybe the knack could provide a small income?

Journey statistics:
Boat fare & Dinner: £531
Fuel: £105
Hotel & Dinner: £30
Spends: £11
Total: £677

Actually that's not bad as I'd budgeted £1K. But it does explain why I don't have a large collection of handbags and shoes! :rotfl:

NewLeaf_2

Hi dear Robin. You have had a very emotional spiritual an actual journey. I think it will take some time to feel yourself again xx

*Robin*

NewLeaf wrote: »

Hi dear Robin. You have had a very emotional spiritual an actual journey. I think it will take some time to feel yourself again xx

Now you've got me thinking; who am I? What I was and the future I thought I had both evaporated as DH's coffin was lowered into his grave. It was very odd to stand next to it [on my plot] and think "this is where my body will lie when I'm done with this life".

It is also most peculiar to be back here without DH; I've not gone to his cottages yet - although did look at them across the valley as I passed the village on my way to the old house and then here. Even going into DH's room here is hard; until I start sorting through his things I can still believe he's just 'somewhere else' - which isn't doing me any good, I know. Am thinking of rearranging as much [furniture] as I can, to reinforce the knowledge that my life has changed forever.

Meanwhile one of my kids is being very supportive, but the others who are 'local' have all gone quiet. I guess they don't know what to do or say, now that I'm within reach.


On another tack; the trouble with not feeling physically fit enough to do anything much, is that I'm falling into bad ways on the internet - have begun xmas shopping for the grandchildren, and only just managed to resist ordering a very useful kitchen item to replace the one that Ex pinched, broke and lost half the bits of. He won't pay for it.

Yet another tack; got the fuel costs for my journey wrong as there's still over half a tank of diesel in the van, so that's good news.

*Robin*

Good morning Diary,

Another short night, ended by admiring the dawn [again - ok it was worth it ]. It is frustrating that although I am physically quite exhausted, yet I cannot sleep longer than a couple of hours at a time.

Yesterday I tried to set up some solar lights to go round the edge of the lawn and alongside the steps. I had so little strength in my arms that it was impossible to push the spikes into one end of the tubes and the lights in the other, so now the lights are just sitting in the grass like techno-mushrooms!

Clever Dog pulled me along for a couple of kilometres out walking, which was so tiring that I had to sit on the bottom step for ten minutes before climbing the other twenty one up to the cottage. CD did her best to encourage me by zooming up and down and up again, which at least gave her a bit more exercise and made me laugh. As soon as I'd unlocked the door she shot round to the fridge for her reward; a sausage (which she got for being so entertaining - and pulling me without making a fuss).

I 'phoned my poorly friend in the evening, and was embarrassingly relieved to hear that he's thinking of going into a nursing home rather than asking me to look after him. He does sound very ill.

Today I really must go through DH's clothes and bag up the good stuff to take to the charity shop tomorrow. And write a list of essential groceries to pick up on the way back. <sigh>

*Robin*

Hello Diary,

The dawn chorus was forced back to bed by inclement weather this morning. Squalls have been blowing past all night, and my view is of billowing clouds with the odd tree looming briefly into sight through the gloom.

I knew it was coming. So yesterday took advantage of a sunny morning and went into town, collecting enough supplies to last a month, just in case - it's not worth trying to go out in the van when the weather is like this as it's certain that the road down the hill will be running with water; I might drive out successfully but there'd be no chance of getting back up.

That knowledge was justification for a very un-MSE day, as I know it will be followed by a long line of NSDs. By the time everything was crossed off my list and Daft Dogs and I were enjoying our first walk on the beach - had forgotten how much harder it is to walk on sand - I could see snow clouds boiling over the peak of the closest big mountain so high-tailed it home, exhausting myself by bringing everything I'd bought straight up to the cottage (instead of leaving heavy 'store cupboard' items in the back of the van which doubles as a mobile shed ).

The stove was soon lit and dinner prepared. I chose one of DH's favourite recipes as he felt very close; pork chop, asparagus, baked spud and pepper sauce. While eating I began to feel guilty as it doesn't sound like an economical meal, so worked out the cost:
Chop - 80p, asparagus - 40p, spud - 4p?, hm pepper sauce - 20p?, power - 50p? max. Total £1.94. Ok that's acceptable for a main meal, especially as the butcher gave me enough meat/bones to feed Daft Dogs for two days, saving £1.60.

Fell asleep to the sound of rain hammering down outside, but felt fine; snug and warm in my quirky little cottage. As long as the electricity doesn't fail [fingers crossed!], I can do this.

*Robin*

Ooh - have just watched the first intrepid neighbour slide cautiously down the hill in his 4 x 4. Will be interesting to see if he gets back up later - not holding my breath though! :rotfl:

please-let-me-be-lucky

Oh dear! Sounds like you made the right decision to get stocked up and hibernate at home! I like thinking of you snug and warm .

£1.94 sounds cheap for a wonderful home cooked meal Xx