Daydream fund challenge part 4

lucielle

We managed to break out today! Think I've gone agoraphobic. Got some supplies for us and the neighbours, so all's well.
L

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

And I'm back in the room...apologies for the following stream of consciousness...

Week to the West went well. If you discount the 4th variety of flu that I picked up just before we left to catch the first train. Two days spent in a hotel room, wobbling out for a caramel coconut latte and wobbling back across the road to the pub we were staying in. All very Olde Worlde, complete with suit of armour by reception, but I was less impressed by the trek up spiral stairs with no handrail to get to the room and nearly ended up doing it on my hands and knees for fear of going A over T with dizziness.

Deposited over in Plymouth to find Himself's father insisting we had dinner with him at a place of his choosing, as always. Which made for a Valentine's I wasn't particularly overwhelmed by. Couldn't get to MIL's quick enough when he then arranged for us to have lunch with him and his sister and then dinner the following day and night...we left early because I couldn't handle the idea of hanging around another two hours for the next bus (no joke - a bus at 9pm and then the next - last - at 11pm. Just, why?).

Bliss to walk over the bridge, up the hill to the cottage to the sound of the Leat.

Rest of week spent comfortably there/Tavy in the sunshine (other than the movable accent coming back just in time for a still wobbly wail up a steep hill asking Himself 'Where we going to now?') until a trip to see Grandma in Torquay.

After the earlier assumptions and insistence from FIL, I really wasn't in the mood to kill Grandma off with the remains of my flu, particularly because she's about 300 years old, has dementia (so in all honesty, would be at risk of being put on a pathway if she ended up in hospital), so agreed to come along on condition that I went off and did my own thing whilst they saw her.

So I did.

I went to the oldest pub in Torquay, tucked up behind the harbour, and had a nice and peaceful time with some proper sloe gin and a book.

Himself decided to see if there were any hotels with spare rooms, so we ended up having a lovely meal in the sort of restaurant FIL would be horrified at [strike]largely because he couldn't lord it about in there because he doesn't know the owner[/strike] spending the night in a nice room with a proper sea view and then decamped to Paignton the following morning.

For the first time all week, it was absolutely blissful - in the sunshine, picking up shells, slinging scallops with no common sense back into the water and sitting down for a good rest, explaining to Himself what the different dog breeds were, their broad characteristics and the meanings of the sort of body language they were displaying. Including 'that one there - yeah, that one. We're going to be investigated for biscuits in the backpack any moment now'. He hasn't changed his mind about the principle of eventually getting a Beagle now he's seen them as adults. And my face is covered in freckles (well, about five hundred more than it was already) just from those two days.


Two weeks back at work enduring the Offspring of the Parish. And lots of swearing at 7am because we've been open all this week - even though we've then done next to beggar all and then closed at lunchtime so the OotP could get home safely.

Didn't have success with the job application. Because they were determined to have somebody prior to University, rather than somebody who has actually done the job for years. Still waiting in hope of the village primary.



I'm apparently Teflon coated at work now, as the entire faculty has handed in their notices... so I will have another nice chat with the big boss about ways to get qualifications and experience that would be most transferable. This teflonicity also meant that I was supported in my debate with a colleague about his intended purchase of a Husky/Labrador Puppy to accompany him to his job in the sticks next Academic year. Well, that and the little fact the I was right

By debate, I mean 'what on earth were they thinking of to combine an animal with possibly the strongest prey drive of anything that isn't a wolf or an African Hunting Dog with something that is a stomach on legs? Something that is responsible for a huge proportion of livestock worrying with a desire to Eat Everything? And you want this for your first dog? In the countryside? When you will be at work all day?'. I'm a good, responsible animal owner IMO - and even if I were super fit, I wouldn't dream of having such a potentially monstrous combination, even before I spent out a fortune on a posh vacuum cleaner to deal with So Much Fluff. It's insane. And I was backed up when others came into the office and heard the tail end of my nicely toned but deadly serious diatribe. [huffs and adjusts bosom like Les Dawson at the garden fence]


After yesterday's half snow day (where I was possibly the warmest person on the playground during the day), I spent a couple of hours ostensibly cleaning the kitchen, but in reality opening the back door for the cat to scowl at the three and a half foot of snow that comes up to the door, closing it and repeating every ten minutes. I then realised my Rainbow Chard might finally have died off. Which is a shame. So I shrugged my shoulders and hurled out handfuls of seed, dried fruit and suet for the ground feeders (no point with birdtable food, as that's commandeered by wood pigeons, who are doing fine from the garden next door, but they have a little dog that dislikes Wrens, Robins and Blackbirds/Fieldfares/Redwings - and my Pyracantha was stripped of berries by an industrious Thrush couple ten days ago.




But I've got a bunch of seedpackets, will probably venture out once this snow and freezing rain finally stops to get a few more packets, stick my order in for compost ready for when they can get it off the farm (trying to do my bit, as I expect they'll be a little short of cash what with paying for extra feed and heat for lambing) and get planting up my big bag of toilet roll inners.



Hope all lambing, calving, kidding and other births that haven't happened yet go wonderfully. Kingston looks adorable, but Beelzebub looks to be more my kind of animal.

************************

When do we get to see the first chicks hatch, though? Somebody must be planning chicks!

Davesnave

Jo-jo, we had some good weather down yer a few weeks back, didn't we? Never suspected there'd be a sting in the tail......:o

Still, it's all but over in 2 days for us lucky folks. Everything's melting here today, which is quite a contrast from yesterdays freezing rain that coated everything in 5mm of ice.Never seen that before....ever.

Nothing moved here yesterday, besides a few tractors and Land Rovers, as there's a 1:5 hill, down and then up again, to get here from the town.

I went out in the wind to take a few photos and snapped this one of our posh neighbour to the west. They have spent/are spending a minor fortune on the place:



It was only when I got home and downloaded that I noticed the head of someone poking above the ridge of their luxury [STRIKE]barn[/STRIKE] apple and machinery store.:undecided Not a great time to be working on a roof!

But then I thought "Hang on, that place has an upstairs. So now I'm wondering what's so important in there that it needed remedial action in the teeth of a gale? Roof is virtually new. Suspicious git that I am, I'd imagine apples would be OK with a bit of snow, just as everything in our barn will be OK with the blown snow that's come in at the ridge and eaves.

Hmmmm....I see they have a toilet etc in there ...:cool:

EDIT: No chicks here for us Jo-jo. Four OAPs left... and then we have to re-do the whole chicken run and start again.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Davesnave wrote: »

Jo-jo, we had some good weather down yer a few weeks back, didn't we? Never suspected there'd be a sting in the tail......:o

Still, it's all but over in 2 days for us lucky folks. Everything's melting here today, which is quite a contrast from yesterdays freezing rain that coated everything in 5mm of ice.Never seen that before....ever.

Nothing moved here yesterday, besides a few tractors and Land Rovers, as there's a 1:5 hill, down and then up again, to get here from the town.

I went out in the wind to take a few photos and snapped this one of our posh neighbour to the west. They have spent/are spending a minor fortune on the place:



It was only when I got home and downloaded that I noticed the head of someone poking above the ridge of their luxury [STRIKE]barn[/STRIKE] apple and machinery store.:undecided Not a great time to be working on a roof!

But then I thought "Hang on, that place has an upstairs. So now I'm wondering what's so important in there that it needed remedial action in the teeth of a gale? Roof is virtually new. Suspicious git that I am, I'd imagine apples would be OK with a bit of snow, just as everything in our barn will be OK with the blown snow that's come in at the ridge and eaves.

Hmmmm....I see they have a toilet etc in there ...:cool:

EDIT: No chicks here for us Jo-jo. Four OAPs left... and then we have to re-do the whole chicken run and start again.

Interesting how there's no snow on that fancy roof, Dave. Almost as though it was extremely warm but not very well insulated - which would be weird for something that had been sneakily converted into expensive living quarters or an office with expensive computers. Same way I'd probably leave well alone if a few tiles came off my roof because it would only affect the cr*p in the loft, stick a bit of cardboard up, leave a bucket underneath and wait for the weather to calm down before getting somebody in (as they don't tend to like endangering their necks by working in gales, either).

The snow in the garden has shrunk. It's now only about a foot deep, despite more snow overnight, and comes up to the bottom step. Cats are still refusing to do anything but look at it.


But I've finally worked out that gritting my teeth and keeping the heating on overnight at a low makes everything work better; the hot water worked immediately it was turned on without its usual problems - it's temperamental at the best of times. This might save me a few mornings of having to wash my hair in cold water - as I'm one of those people who is content to wash my hair in stuff designed for horses, it looks no different to when done in hot, but it's not the most pleasant experience. And actually being able to have a shower in the morning would be a pleasant change.


The OH, having heard my extensive [strike]b1tching[/strike] discontent at school being open every morning this week, made the 'helpful' comment that 'We're guaranteed a Snow Day tomorrow'. Which apparently means that he stays in bed whilst I get up. Pretty much like every other morning. Especially as we appear to have run out of washing powder, so I'm probably going to have to go to the supermarket to get some. Just as the rest of the world decides to stick their heads out of their front doors as well. Bah.

Davesnave

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Interesting how there's no snow on that fancy roof, Dave. Almost as though it was extremely warm but not very well insulated - which would be weird for something that had been sneakily converted into expensive living quarters or an office with expensive computers. Same way I'd probably leave well alone if a few tiles came off my roof because it would only affect the cr*p in the loft, stick a bit of cardboard up, leave a bucket underneath and wait for the weather to calm down before getting somebody in (as they don't tend to like endangering their necks by working in gales, either).

There was no snow on any exposed roof here; the snow was so fine and dry that it just blew away. Hence we had just a few cm in some places and 0.5m in others.

That picture doesn't convey any of that. It was blowing a gale, yet the scene looks peaceful and serene. I struggled not to fall over at one point and the next picture was blurred by me not staying still enough.

But although the roofing in a force 8 is very odd, I don't think the neighbours are up to anything very naughty, or even growing cannabis. :A

Snow's all gone now. Yesterday, before it vanished, I spotted a snipe that had been digging in the mud at the side of the stream. Easy to see against the snow and a first for us here.

Hope choille is OK. It's been a few weeks.

alfie_1

can ...and if so how , one put a video on here ??

Davesnave

alfie_1 wrote: »

can ...and if so how , one put a video on here ??

I think it can only be done as you've done before, by uploading it to a host like You Tube and then posting a link.

Back to rehearsals tonight, but some people still have the flu.

What a difference a few days make; shirtsleeves again today in the yard!

choille

Devil goats and hedge building & more that I skipped over - sorry.

Stuck for a week day after neighbour's funeral - it was lucky we could get over for it.

It's been 'interesting' weather wise.

Just trying to help neighbour's wife who is coping but is missing him dreadfully so I spend time each day with her.

WE have a family of wild goats on the croft - unusual to see a family group. I have puppy face on a short leash as he wants to herd them and the kid is only weeny - they are sheltering and surviving by wreaking the garden - if that is what you call it. A dilemma.

Puppy is needing a better run than he got this past while and it is quite difficult at the moment. To cut a long story short he broke out on his run on the beach and got hit by a car today - he seems alright but the woman wouldn't stop - I know her and she just wouldn't stop even though we flagged her down and OH had the hazard warning lights flashing.
She stopped after she'd done it and was quite nasty but then realised that I know her and and and................it's been a bad day all in all.:(:(:(

lucielle

Aww Choille I hope puppy face is ok. Must've been a shock for both of you.
L

alfie_1

hi all
well I had a long chat with choille today and a good "moan" about life :rotfl:


pup pup seems ok today :j
she has been doing a stella job supporting a local elderly neighbour [89] who has just lost her hubby sadly.


like me , she got fed up of being a goafer at these here holiday lets and I AM !!
ive decided that it seems my every waking hour is running round doing stuff for others and at my age I need some "time out" now.
I am exhausted at the moment , what with my regular work and the animogs , that is enough ive decided. when my son was little I had 5 different jobs but then it was needs must and now its MY needs must
so Friday is D Day when I tell the owner of the 2 holiday lets.. :eek:
farrier came today and trimmed 3 , foal was most curios ! she is a very confident little madam ... have to get that head collar on her and start as I mean to go on.... unlike ruby who is a brat !


more furniture I sold being collected tomorrow.
sister and OH arriving Friday from IOW for long weekend so I will fetch them from ferry . they are staying in a cottage my friend has that's used for thier guests [that they don't want in THIER house :rotfl:]
going to dorset on Saturday to drop off some dog cages for a friend
sunday is family meal in local hostiliary and im the taxi !
Monday is.... noooooothing ....so far !!


keep safe and warm peeps