It seemed to start off ok as the wind had disappeared the night before. There was a little breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay which however stiffened as the day progressed.
The walk was fine although extremely dark. The dogs were silent when I went out running which was good. I went to Paleochora a little earlier as I wanted to go to the hardware store to buy more teak oil for the decking which I started to paint last night. They had some in stock and a new roller with some additional foam inserts. I got some veg in Petrakis before coming back.
Maria said she’d go to Paleochora to pick up my parcel from the bus stations but gave me three when I went to collect them.
Mikhalis came, all excited, as he’d found a super offer for some tools online. I was in the middle of something so keen to continue. The prices looked very good. He tried to access the website from his mobile but it wasn’t working. I accessed the site from my laptop and Mikhalis gave me the money as he doesn’t have a card. I used mine. The transaction seemed to go particularly well and Mikhalis left to get on with his work. The company selling these products is based in UK which is why the site was in English making it hard for Mikhalis to order for himself. Then I received the order confirmation from an address which ended @gmail.com. No sensible company uses a Gmail address, not in England anyway. I then checked my bank to discover that 73€ instead of 55€ had been taken and it was heading to a company in China. I contacted my card company to get my card blocked as I could see a scam coming on. A new card will arrive in a few days. I can try to get the money back but have to give a period of 60 days for a possible delivery. What a waste of time and effort!
I went to the office to collect my parcel to discover that Maria had three items: the battery for my laptop, a light from China and the lightning detecting equipment ordered from Germany. At least I thought I could get the battery changed in my laptop as it’s been running very slowly since the battery went dud. But no! The kit contains acetone to remove the glued-in battery and this cannot be shipped for international orders. I suppose Luxemburg to Greece is international even though it’s all EU. The light looked good until I discovered that, despite all the packaging, it was bent and had a big dent. I took photos and sent a message to the Chinese supplier. I checked the lightning detector kit which appeared to be complete. The board and enclosure look great and all the components seem to be present. It just needs an external aerial and a GPS antenna for it to be operational. And for me to build the kit up too!
I got Ursula to measure the replacement awning rail which I’d ordered from another supplier. The lot she and Tony brought out in May was the wrong size so useless. I made sure this rail was 6mm
Ursula measured the rail which arrived today
Just the same as the other lot I already have here! What is wrong with these suppliers? Both described 6mm rail and both supplied rail for 9mm beading! More research, more ordering, more paying, more returning, more refunding. And time is running out as they are leaving soon to go to France before coming to Greece. Another complete waste of time an effort.
Today has not been a very fruitful day. At least I can paint my decking later…
The exposed part of the decking has now received two coats of teak oil. Two tins just about covers that area. The music from the east continues. The small beach which I run and cycle past each day has had a makeover recently so I expect there is some event going on to attract new clients. It’s a nice spot so they deserve to do well. Parking just next door.
Despite the visiting dogs all around, this lot have been amazingly well-behaved with hardly a sound. There is an annoying mutt just to the north which keeps making a noise. Not help with them disappearing and leaving him behind. I might get my ultra-sonic zapper out tomorrow…
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