Work done

July has definitely arrived, the humidity has increased over the last couple of days, and the smallest job now results in a soaking!

Thursday evening I had been outside reading, as the light started to fade I came inside to discover a power cut, I rang Jo, to see if it was widespread and found that it was, and had gone off about 7pm, it eventually came back on just after midnight. I had seen fire engines going passed and up the mountain road towards Timar, and heard the helicopters, so thought that might be the connection.

Yesterday, I had an easy morning, doing my ironing whilst it was relatively cool, I then wandered up to the Post Office where I collected my new spectacles Margaret had sent on to me, I can now see to drive, which should make all the locals feel much safer... I then wandered down through the market, but there was nothing of interest.

I called for a coffee, and found out more about the fire, apparently a woman was working her land in a valley just out of sight, when she heard an explosion and the main electric cable overhead burst into flames, resulting in her being surrounded by fire, fortunately she had her mobile with her, and help arrived, and the fire was contained, and she had no injuries.

There was another power cut during yesterday morning for a couple of hours, I presume whilst more work was done on the powerline.

At lunchtime, I received a phone call from a courier, and their driver was in the Village with my new washing machine, which I had only ordered the day before. I met him, and showed him the way back to the house. after lunch I removed the old washing machine and plumbed in the new one, I was all set to go.

The afternoon I spent half, reading, and half, learning Spanish, before going off for my lesson, which went well.

On my return I set myself up downstairs and spent the evening reading.

This morning, after our walk I had breakfast, put my first load of washing in the new machine, then started hoovering, just as I came to the last room it died, I new what the problem was, it has happened before in summer, it has overheated, so I left it, and brushed the floors downstairs, before going back up and mopping those floors I had been able to hoover, by which time it had cooled down, and I was able to complete the job.

Washing finished in record time, and almost dry, what a difference.

Changed and out into the garden, I have weeded all the conifers again, the watering is making the weeds grow at a great rate of knots, but that is my work for the day, and it is only 10am. Time to go for a coffee.

Had my coffe, came back and the acequia was running, never one to miss a chance, I watered the garden again, with the help of my neighbour,Domingo, it was only running slow, so he dammed one of the sluice gates for me, to make it run quicker. Watering now done, and Luis bathed and brushed, that's it for the day, after lunch I am going to read.

Humid!!

I have resigned myself to early starts throughout the summer, so I will not keep harping on about it!

I took Luis for his walk, and hung out the first of three lines of washing, I haven't a clue where it all comes from, but I have got a pile of ironing to do tonight.

After breakfast I started with a duster and polish, and worked my way around the house, upstairs and then down, so it all looks clean for now.

I then went outside, and did the surface cuts for three more holes, the sun was on the patio by this time, so rather than risk overheating the grinder, I left it at that, now I can dig out the holes at my leisure.

I then showered, changed and nipped into the village however it is so humid today, I didn't stay long.

I noticed that the acequia water had started running at our end, so it was Luis' fun time, I changed back into work clothes before the garden had another soaking, I will have to strim again in the next day or two, as the grass is growing fast in the irrigation ditches.

After lunch, I spent a bit of time on the computer, before trying to have a siesta downstairs, but even though it appeared cool, I was soon perspiring sat in a leather armchair, I will have to dig out the throwover, before I try that again.

Luis will have to have his walk late this evening, it is far too hot to go now, at 4.30pm.

I don't know how the men working on the swimming pool work right through the day, I would have resigned weeks ago! I am told that it is due to open either on July 11th or 18th, I think the latter is more likely, as they still have a fair bit to do before completion, they finished grouting the kiddies pool yesterday, and have been busy doing the interior of the changing rooms. When I get a free moment, I'll nip down with my camera.

Long day...

Up at 5am and Luis walked, then out to take friends to Almeria Airport, we had a clear run and arrived about 7.25am, they didn't have to be there until an hour later, but seemed happy not to be late!

I had an appointment with my Solicitor in Granada at mid-day, so rather than go home, I went on round on the A92, arriving in Granada at 9.30am, so I went and had some breakfast, then walked into the City, bought a paper and sat on a bench to pass the time.

Eventually I got fed up so went to the Solicitors half an hour early, and he was able to see me straight away. He went through all the files, I had collected from AGM the previous week, sorting out the paperwork he needed. We discussed what I want him to do for Margaret and myself, and then he gave me a ballpark figure of what it will cost, I nearly fell off the chair, but it has to be done. I left an hour later, happy that he will be doing his best to sort out the mess.

On the drive home, I had a phone call from Jo who had called round to let Luis out, to say that he was already out in the garden when she arrived... having realised that if I had left him out, I would have let her know, she checked round the house, and found his getaway tunnel. I had left the office window open a few inches to give him fresh air, as in the past. He had pushed it open, and ripped his way through the mosquito blind pulling off chunks with his teeth, leaving a wrecked blind, and then squeezed through both the blind and the security bars, leaving a sizeable quantity of hair attached to the remains of the blind, making his break for freedom.

Luis wouldn't go back into the house for Jo, so she had left him in the garden. On my return, I pretended not to know anything, and on entering the house, went to the Office, Luis following tail wagging, but not for long, I made out as if to just discover the damage, and he got a good telling off, and more! The blind is irrepairable, and in the current financial situation, replacement is not an option, I might enquire with my house insurance to see if they will cover the damage, otherwise we'll have to put up with visits from our friendly flies!

I phoned Margaret to tell her what our furry friend had done! She like me couldn't believe it, as he has never caused any damage before.

I'm no longer in the mood to do anything else today, so I'll sign off for now.

One more hole cut.

Up, out, Luis walked and in the garden by 7am, I did some tidying up of my vines, and the orange trees which were all looking untidy.

At 8am the workmen started on the pool, so it was time to bring out the power tools and another hole has been cut in the patio, six done, six and a half to go! ( the half being where it joins into the gravelled area, I have got another thirteen to do there, but that should be easier, as I just have to pull the gravel back, and cut the plastic liner). By the time I finished at 9.10am I couldn't see out of my safety glasses, perspiration was running down them. I went in for a shower and changed.

After breakfast, I went up to the Bank, and then to check for any mail at the Post Office.

Back home I have spent the rest of my time studying Spanish.

I have just come back from taking Luis for his walk, and was pointed out to me by a kindly friend, who stopped as she was driving by, 'Mad fools and Englishmen...' and she was right, it is baking.

Another early rise.

Woke at 5am, absolutely freezing, I turned the ceiling fan off, but I couldn't get back off to sleep, I could here the water running outside, so at 5.30am I got up, and by 6am I had the acequia running, Luis thought it strange to be paddling before daylight had broken!!, I gave the garden a good flooding, and then came in for breakfast.

I changed again, and leaving Luis on guard I set off down to the coast shopping. It has been a hot one again today, and I was glad to get back about 1pm.

I noticed yesterday afternoon that the new pool was half full of water, but it is empty again now, I think the youths at the rave on Saturday night, must have turned the water on!

Since then I have been pottering, tomorrow, I plan to do some gardening and spanish studying.

Just a short post today, as there is nothing else to report.

Easy day!

Up at 6.30am after a disturbed night, there was a 'Rave' down below, the first one this year, and unfortunately probably not the last, we were lucky last year there were none, but the next generation has probably caught on! I managed to sleep on and off because I had the ceiling fan on, the noise of which, helped block out the racket, but every time a car horn sounded I jumped... They packed up about 3.45am.

I went for my walk with Luis, it was lovely and fresh outside, we passed the site of the rave which was littered with beer bottles and plastic glasses everywhere!

I then went down onto the campo to see Pete, as I am going to water for him whilst he is away, so he showed me which acequia gates to open and close, apparently it takes about four hours, so I will have to do my cleaning on Saturday next week.

After our Sunday breakfast, Luis and I went up to Narila to see Mike and Karen, Luis soon made himself at home again, whilst I helped get their computer Broadband ready, and online.

Back home I took in one line of washing and have just put another line out to dry, which will not take long in this heat.

Tomorrow is shopping day, so I will get off early as usual, and hopefully when I get back the acequia will be running, so I can water.

Early rise

So much for retirement! no time to lie in here if you want to get any work done, so up again, and more weeding, then I pruned some of the vines and finally I have mown the weeds...

9.30am and I am breaking a sweat! the sun has come around and it is time to pack in for now.

I have just been down to take some swimming pool updates so here they are:

After lunch I went for a siesta, but only managed 15 minutes before being woken, and I couldn't get back to sleep, so I pottered around, taking Luis for his walk about 3.45pm.

At 5.30pm, I decided to get back into the garden, and I have rotovated the orchard, and weeded down between all the conifers, whilst I had the hose going, so the ground was soft which made it easier. Finally I redid the channels between the trees ready for the next watering session. I have just finished at 7.50pm, so now it is time for a shower and some tea.