Flying solo

grannyx2

*Robin* wrote: »

Granny do you feel well enough to have your DGC stay overnight? ..If so DS and DIL could go out for a hot curry followed by a child-free interlude [;)] - help the newcomer along a bit!

Already tried, dear little thing is just far too comfortable where he is. Poor DDIL has suffered with hot weather but its cooled down now.

Granny x

*Robin*

Good Afternoon Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

HeadAboveWater wrote: »

Did you manage some sleep ok?

Thank you HAW, yes - but not enough. DS4 came in for his breakfast at about seven, then stripped out the van before bringing me a cuppa at eight thirty - wanting an inspection and approval.
Which he got, although I was still purblind in the bright sunlight so couldn't see much detail, tbh. Looks like he's done a good job, but one of the belly boxes collapsed so will definitely have to think of another solution re storage/camping options.
Have booked another test tomorrow.

CD and FD are busy licking every last taste of paella out of their bowls - they definitely approve of me using fish stock in their rice.
DS found the pan while it was cooking; a bit disappointed that it wasn't for our lunch..

The temperature outside in the sun [but out of the breeze] is 40'C. On the patio in the shade it is 29.5'C. In the kitchen [north/coolest side of house] it's 25'C.
A couple of years ago PC and I fitted very high-tech insulation under the roof of the Nest. At the time we agonised over the cost, but must say it was worth it - a 15'C difference in ambient temperature is very impressive.
Have decided this is the stuff to upgrade with at homehome too; wonder if it's available in the UK yet, or might be easier - and maybe cheaper - to fill up my newly-emptied van and bring a load back? :think:

grannyx2 wrote:

Already tried, dear little thing is just far too comfortable where he is. Poor DDIL has suffered with hot weather but its cooled down now.

Oh yes, your poor DDIL will be very uncomfortable when it's hot, Granny. ..Bet she's glad she hasn't got to go right through the summer during her third trimester!
Well, DGS will arrive when he's ready, or if not he'll be given a hand by the medics - a definite advantage of living in modern times.
Please wish DDIL All the Best; I hope she has a great birth experience* - in the very near future.
* Yes, it's possible - especially for a Mum who's done it before!

Oof, am wilting. A bowl of refreshing gazpacho is calling much louder than my paperwork mountain.. :cool:

grannyx2

I've just drunk a cup of very garlicky gazpacho and very nice it was too I must say. Will wish DDIL your best, I'm sure it'll be most appreciated.

Granny x

mcculloch29

Hello Robin and friends, just had a quick catch-up of all news.
I was the woman whose third trimesters were throughout two of Germany's hottest ever summers (But not THE hottest summer; the joy I saved for that year was working in a store without air conditioning.)

For an overdue DS, I went on a rough and bumpy very lengthy bus ride to get some last minute shopping, I went into labour 36 hours later, and given that I had to be induced when 2 weeks over 5 years earlier, I do wonder if it had some effect.

I aan still picture the bus drivers' face at my reply when he asked when I was due and I told him... "Last Sunday!".

*Robin*

Good [STRIKE]morning[/STRIKE] afternoon MSE chums, :hello:

grannyx2 wrote: »

I've just drunk a cup of very garlicky gazpacho and very nice it was too I must say.

..Hope you found it as energising as I do, Granny!
(Have just finished off the current pan - perfect when dinner won't be served for several more hours; tonight's chef likes to eat at around ten pee emm - bit late for me, but a free meal ain't to be sniffed at ).

mcculloch29 wrote:

I was the woman whose third trimesters were throughout two of Germany's hottest ever summers (But not THE hottest summer; the joy I saved for that year was working in a store without air conditioning.)

Oh dear Mcculloch! ..You never forget things like that, do you?
I remember that hottest summer too - spent most of it in a research greenhouse (also notable as it was one year I had no trouble with a muffin-top, :rotfl:).


Well, third time lucky indeed; van finally has a green sticker proclaiming it's fitness to be on the road. Ironically today's inspector barely glanced over my shoulder into the back of the van, but he did check for oil leaks again. The test took all of ninety seconds, then five minutes to stamp the documents.

It was even hotter down at the coast than it's been in the mountains, and the van was roasting without it's insulated panels in the back; very bad news for travelling with Daft Dogs (they stayed at home with DS4).
Took advantage of not having to worry about them waiting in the van to brave the foreigners' expensive [air-conditioned to about 6'C!] supermarket. So it hasn't been an NSD or even a LSD, because a couple of extra treats fell into m'basket to the tune of 35€.

Clever Dog is still doing very well; so far there's no sign that her meds are having any side-effects which might set her back, thank goodness. Keeping all digits crossed and giving her plenty of cuddles..

please-let-me-be-lucky

Yay to the van and Clever Dog :j:j

I hope you enjoyed your free meal Xx

grannyx2

Gazpacho was nice but not clever enough to energise this weary Granny

Yey for van and CD

Its very cold here at the moment so envy some of your heat but perhaps not all of it

Lol Mulloch at bus driver, bet his face was a picture

Granny x

HeadAboveWater

Good news about the van and even better about CD Sending some extra cuddles and tickles from NI

*Robin*

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

A slow start here this morning after a very late bedtime last night.. The gathering was a pleasant cosmopolitan mix; only one visitor and a small child [more about him later ] were non-Spanish speakers so there was an intellectual challenge as most conversation took place in Spanish; rather enjoyed that.

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote:

I hope you enjoyed your free meal

I did, Lucky. But it turned out that I was optimistic in thinking we'd eat at ten, so was extra-glad of the earlier gazpacho snack.
Watched Myne Host sink a bottle of vino between half-ten and eleven as he chatted with guests, then decided to volunteer in the kitchen - two Divos, a Spanish mate and I got dinner out by eleven-thirty.. Must say it was delicious (although anything better than a McD would have been greeted with enthusiasm at that point, :rotfl:).

Overall it was a lovely evening, and I was especially happy to meet the small child because his Mum spent quite a long time with us when she was young. A real sweetie, although huge for his age; taller than DGS who is eighteen months older. They played together very nicely despite being over-tired due to the late hour. I had to stop him clapping FD's ears though - she just stood there and took it with a look of astonished bemusement on her face. Guess he doesn't have any pets at home. :cool:

grannyx2 wrote: »

Gazpacho was nice but not clever enough to energise this weary Granny

Oh dear, Granny, you do sound tired. Hope you [and DD] can work out the root of your problem very soon..

grannyx2 wrote: »

Its very cold here at the moment so envy some of your heat but perhaps not all of it

..If only we had a wormhole - something like Mr D7son's new fans - that would allow us each to suck up some warm/cool air and blow it out of the other side.. Could gladly donate you 10'C or so, then we'd both have perfect weather.

HeadAboveWater wrote:

Good news about the van and even better about CD. Sending some extra cuddles and tickles from NI

Mixed news re the van, actually; yes am now reasonably certain that it's fit to be on the road, but the lack of insulation could be very dangerous for Daft Dogs - don't want them getting heat-stroke! :eek:
Have had an idea which might solve the dilemma to both parties' satisfaction; involving magnets and the super-duper stuff which is so effective in keeping the Nest cool (watch this space.. ).

Have already passed on your cuddles to CD, and some for FD too as we don't want her getting jealous.
All cuddles very gracefully received; CD sends you back a thank-you lick on your stroking-hand. Not to be outdone, FD sends you another. :smileyhea
Daft Dogs are lying stretched out on the floor next to me, pretending to be asleep. Both have pricked ears and one eye open though, waiting for the click of the fridge door - it's almost their lunch time.

*Robin*

Today we have had the type of blistering heat that is only really enjoyed by short-term holiday-makers as they [STRIKE]broil[/STRIKE] tan themselves on the beach..

DS set up a day-bed beneath the roofed part of the patio but Daft Dogs and I took sanctuary in our cool, dark Nest for siesta - achieving a 17'C difference in temperature by keeping the shutters closed.

Was prompted to look through my wardrobe; wonder where the rest of my summer clothes are? Might as well pack jeans and jumpers as they'll not be needed before disembarking in Portsmouth.
Which leaves a dilemma that will require a shopping trip. Alas.
Hate trying to buy clothes above all things, but I appear to be down to a single pair of trews and two dresses which no longer fit - so no choice..

Garden news: Big Banana is flowering!
Temp. is down to 28'C now and the sun is almost touching the mountains in the West, so think it would be a good idea to give all the trees and garden plants a good soaking.