Flying solo

HeadAboveWater

That home cooked meal sounded delicious - and a bargain to boot!!!

ha ha You'll have to keep us posted on your neighbours attempt to get home later. Make sure and have your mobile phone/video camera at the ready. It could be a clip for You've Been Framed :rotfl:

*Robin*

Good Morning Diary, and dear MSE friends, :hello:

Patches of blue sky and a family of wrens twittering in the almond tree greeted me as I opened the shutter this morning - who would think a tiny bird could make such a racket? It rained most of the night, but was so warm that Daft Dogs abandoned me and slept in the bathroom (which has the coldest floor to lie on).

Must confess I did not do very well yesterday; tried again to do some sorting out, clearing up, putting away.. Was defeated by the reality of needing to get rid of DH's things in order to make room; from clothes to his collection of wine/beer glasses, I could not cope with them (this was not the first time I failed - the other day I gave up and did some gardening instead, so didn't take his stuff to the charity shop as part of the town trip).

Found myself watching "Britain's Hidden Hungry" on the iplayer* which brought on the tears and infuriated me, both together. Fair play to the young lass, Charlotte; she'll make a great social worker and has already done so well given her difficult start in life - though I did not like the way she was trying to force people to donate money (her method would not have worked on me!).
But the woman with five kids, two of them at least she'd had after her husband decided to give up his job; sitting in her immaculate house with gigantic flat screen tv, driving a huge almost new people-carrier, throwing a wobbly when her entitlement to bags and bags of free food was questioned.. I could have slapped her!
And the con man who completely fooled the organiser? Well even the other 'clients' could see he was dodgy..
What really struck me was that there was not a single pensioner at the food bank - the implications of that brought on more tears.
What has happened to society in the UK?
(* It's ok, I've got a tv licence so can watch iplayer with a clear conscience ).

Not that Spain is immune. There are always beggars in the car-park at the supermarket, and I noticed that the encampment of illegals living in the tangled bushes behind the beach has grown to a village.. Actually, I had decided that they would be more suitable recipients of DH's clothes than the charity shop, and maybe I can find them a couple of tarps as well - they will not have had a comfortable time during all the rain we've been having.

So last night I was a mess; didn't make myself a proper meal, dined on Baileys instead which am paying for now - no, please don't be sympathetic as it was self-inflicted.

Today I must do better; DS3, DIL3 and Sister-OutLaw [DIL's Mum] are walking up to check on me. Before they arrive I need to at least move enough boxes so that there are four chairs to sit on, lol! I'm going to see if they'll help me to make a safe enclosure for my poor old blind dog; have been here a week today so it's time I brought the old 'uns home too.

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

You'll have to keep us posted on your neighbours attempt to get home later. Make sure and have your mobile phone/video camera at the ready. It could be a clip for You've Been Framed :rotfl:

No, he didn't come back - the only traffic heading up-hill yesterday were three lads on trial bikes; slipping, sliding and probably having great fun (their leathers were covered in mud!). But this morning a little van went past and on up, though his back end was very low so I expect he'd filled it with something heavy to get traction. Next time I go out I'll do the same - ten bags of cement or a load of rocks will improve my van's performance no end!

The clouds are creeping towards me again now, we're in for more rain. A couple of hours ago I could see the big mountain, covered with snow. Seems odd to be so close to the Med yet also so close to the snow-line. Won't be long before the youngsters begin their favourite weekend amusement - snowboarding - which makes me feel :eek: as one of the party always gets hurt somehow (usually inexperienced skiers crash into them!).

*Robin*

It's happened: Just as my visitors were leaving the heavens opened, again; we all heard the approaching susurration of water from the riverbed below, heralding a sudden muddy flood. Tumbling branches and detritus pushed in front of the first wave as the river filled, making it's way down the valley to the sea.

That's bad news for my old dogs as it means they'll have to navigate the foot-bridge [which they hate] or I'll need strong helpers to carry them across.

Hmmm.


This week's statistics:
NSD - 5
NMD - 2
Weight - minus 3kg

NewLeaf_2

minus 3kgs!

Send some slimming vibes my way. My oldest boy hates open back steps and I have to coax with treats. Hopefully things will dry up soon.

Thinking of you every day x

HeadAboveWater

Please promise me something, *Robin*? See when you've written a novel, please send me an autographed copy You honestly have a way with words and I usually feel like I'm right there!!!

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear MSE friends, :hello:

We're back in the clouds today. It is raining, but not; the water hangs in the air waiting for someone to walk into it. I got soaked just walking round the lawn.

Yesterday I managed to do a little light gardening in between storms; now have a dozen baby onions growing and the patch of weeded terrace is larger. Also improved Blind Dog's enclosure after watching Clever Dog carefully walk straight through the fence. Unfortunately I've realised that we put some of the posts in the wrong place which has stopped me as I'm not strong enough to move them - can barely lift DH's big hammer let alone use it.

Am rather depressed today after taking careful note of all the vehicles that passed on the track yesterday; every one was a 4 x 4. Had a quick look at a couple of local car-sales places on-line; a decent second-hand 4 x 4 will cost more than my entire annual budget. And I don't actually want to get rid of the van, which is such a useful all-rounder. Except where slippery hills are concerned; even loaded up with rocks in the back I doubt it would get up the worst section today, and am not about to try!

NewLeaf wrote: »

minus 3kgs!
Send some slimming vibes my way.

To be fair that loss was over two weeks, not one, and is probably due to my being back in charge of my diet. The ME has given me intolerances to quite a few foods - including bread, pasta, rice, milk - which blow me up far more than the quantities consumed. I know I'd lose more if I gave up toast and tea, but am a weak person. Sticking to skimmed milk and no more than two slices of wholemeal bread a day minimises the damage. Oh, and using a side-plate for dinner portions helps train the tummy to expect less.

Be Lucky and HAW, thanks for your reassurances that I'm not being over-extravagant with my food. Ha - my idea of a 'ready-meal' is fish fingers; I prefer to cook for myself as it avoids preservatives and additives that affect the ME.

NewLeaf wrote: »

My oldest boy hates open back steps and I have to coax with treats.

Yes, Blind Dog is the same, which is odd given that he can't see - or hear - that the steps and bridge are open. He probably remembers? Anyone trying to encourage him to follow a sausage is asking for a sore finger because he can't see where the treat ends any more.

HeadAboveWater wrote:

Please promise me something, *Robin*? See when you've written a novel, please send me an autographed copy You honestly have a way with words and I usually feel like I'm right there!!!

Done! I might even deliver in person if you're not too far from Galway.. (Don't hold your breath! But please do keep reminding me to write more. ). Was looking for the WW1 medals and papers last night, as I can't stop thinking about the soldier. Didn't find them though and now am wondering if that box was accidentally put into storage, which would be annoying.

HeadAboveWater

*Robin* wrote: »

Done! I might even deliver in person if you're not too far from Galway.. (Don't hold your breath! But please do keep reminding me to write more. )

Done! And if you're in Ireland you're not all that far away really...!!

You may stick with your van meantime. You will find a way to make it work for you - like you have already.

Anyone trying to encourage him to follow a sausage is asking for a sore finger because he can't see where the treat ends any more.

:rotfl:

*Robin*

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Done! And if you're in Ireland you're not all that far away really...!!

That's true, though it's a much more exhausting business to negotiate all the charming narrow, winding roads in Ireland than blasting across Spain on a motorway!

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

You may stick with your van meantime. You will find a way to make it work for you - like you have already.

By not going out, you mean? I may have to call on a mate who's got a sensible 4 x 4 pick-up to bring me the old dogs, as even if I decided to go for it and buy a 4 x 4, it would take a while and I'm really worried about the way the dogs are being treated by Ex (who doesn't want them at the old house despite it being a small inconvenience in exchange for living rent free for life!).

*Robin*

Just discovered that I appear to have a remarkable 'gift': Every time I open the door and step outside, the Creator turns on a tap; changing the gentle drizzle into a downpour!
..If it still works in six months' time I may have found a new career!

Meanwhile Daft Dogs are getting very bored.

Oh, and the river's in full flood again. :cool:

NewLeaf_2

I have some special gifts too, like leaving umbrellas on tubes and coming out of the station to a downpour! xx