Bedrock

Posts Tagged ‘Mid-week in Galera’

It’s mid-week and all’s well. Checked the cat-cam this morning back home just as Ollie strolled past the camera, giving only the vaguest acknowledgement as I called out his name though he did eventually look up to the screen and let out a few approving noises. No sign of his brother but I understand they’re all generally home and well.

Last night we BBQ’d with our neighbours, had a nice time and saw a couple of shooting stars in the process. It was a very clear night, probably 25c until near midnight though it felt cool towards the end (after 38c all day, ANYTHING feels cool). Spotted three of the brief flashes of light – one of which was quite spectacular but of course the only way to capture images of them would be to run the camera continuously.

Maureen spent much of the day yesterday doing schoolwork while I caught up with emails. I had the one token trip to the shops and failed to get some replacement LED lighting – though I did manage to get something to tackle woodworm which is apparently working, from a very friendly neighbour down the road who gave me a can to try despite having never met us before! You can’t really ask for more.

This morning I’ve reports to write for the FSB and some testing to find out why my home control boards very occasionally miss information. The postman is apparently showing up now so you never know, we might get some post. Other than that it’s likely to be a quiet day. Very sunny outside again as you might expect and my head is just about recovered enough to take advantage of it! Perhaps a trip to the lake, later.

Looking forward to our trip to Gibraltar in a few days though I have to say rather apprehensive about potential delays in the heat thanks to Spanish customs and their political manoeuvrings. It remains to be seen whether that’s going to be a hassle or not.

The plan this morning was to walk down the hill, get cafe-con-leche at La Posa bar and then walk up and start a spot of painting. The reality? We got half way down and started talking to friends, that took so long we gave up on La Posa and instead headed back up only to end up talking to more friends. At the top of the hill we stopped and talked to a third set and by the time we were done the morning was half-over!  Since then I’ve been mixing cement and filling holes in walls while Maureen has been spending her time staining windows.

Watering system repairs done, ceiling holes filled, solar lights more or less in place. Yesterday we headed off to Baza for supplies and a rather nice pizza lunch up at the top of the hill just up from Consum, not to mention re-discovering a great Chinese store at the back of the town where we bought a little clock for the bedroom and THE smallest USB power supply I’ve ever seen (I need more of these for projects – not much bigger than a European 2-pin mains plug). 

My big electronics project kind of fell to bits when I realised half the bits I needed were back in the UK but at least I’ll be able to leave a working temperature monitor here.. that is, IF the router keeps working – some cheap “Trendnet” router I bought last year from the store in Huescar, turns out it needs resetting occasionally – just been doing it the last month or so… I’m guessing the insides are covered in dust or something – in the summer I’ll bring back a Draytek. The place is starting to look habitable again – hopefully by the time we leave it’ll be all set up for the summer. I’ve given myself a couple of switchable mains sockets outside to save having to run extensions all over. Thanks to the fairly simple wiring over here that didn’t take too long.

Stopped in last night for an early night and to mess with the lighting. Tonight we’re planning a trip down to La Posa for a few beers and some company. Head is somewhat burned – it’s a tad windy out there but the sun remains far more powerful than anything you’d see in the UK.