The night was uninterrupted but short as I went late to bed as I was looking up the constituents of the products sprayed on the trees last Friday. Alex had conveniently left the empty containers in the back of the Ferrari so I was able to note the product names. Both products used contain chemicals which mess with the nervous system of the bugs they are intended to eradicate. It would seem unlikely that they have affected Isabella. Unless she picked up something elsewhere. We have an appointment with Stavros in Maléme for 11:15 on Tuesday, where hopefully all will be revealed and Isabella restored to her usual self.
I wore only a light fleece as we set off across the field. Isabella was allowed to decide if she wished to join us and the gate was left open for her. This morning, she remained behind. Luis, particularly, was less than enthusiastic so I returned after only two complete circuits rather than the usual four.
I was putting the dogs into the van when I discovered that Isabella was camped out on one of the bench seats at the rear. The problem was that she’d had a large drink of water before coming in which had made her return the entire contents of her stomach liberally distributed over the other two bench seats! I therefore spent the next thirty-minutes removing all the covers from foam on the benches as well as all the cushion covers. This had been on my list of eventual activities but not at 06:00. It all went in the machine and Skinny and I set off across the field for a walk together. I let him go and he sort of kept with me. He had a great time racing around and sort of almost came back at the same time as me.
I fed the cats then rode my bike around the camping whilst listening to a podcast to be joined later by Skinny. I put him in with the others when I stopped my workout then went to take the covers out of the washing machine. Having hung them all up I made breakfast as time was moving on. I had intended to give the inside of the van a complete Spring Clean so set to removing the rear curtains and vacuuming up all the dust, dog hair, grit and sand which has accumulated since the last deep(er) clean.
Antonis messaged to say he needed to carry out some work at the entrance to the camping and required electricity. I went up to the entrance and he arrived with his side-kick. I took a break from my cleaning to talk to Antonis as he installed a larger electrical box for the additional power cables soon to be installed by the national provider. He took the opportunity to admire the workmanship of the generator enclosure constructed by Xanthippos. He marvelled at the craftsmanship.
I returned to my cleaning as can be witnessed below:
I struggled to get all of the covers back onto the sculpted corner wedges however the cushions to the seat foam were a doddle as the covers are completely worn out so simply slip over the top of the foam. The whole lot is years old and should really be replaced. I bought the van in 2012 and the upholstery was old then. I removed the curtains which I will wash ready for the winter. There’s so much dust during the summer the curtains just get filthy. Curtains are very useful for privacy when touring however I have no need for them in summer and privacy is never a problem.
There are many aspects of the van in need of upgrade and repair which is why I’d like to keep it all going until I’m able to build a more suitable replacement accommodation. I hadn’t envisaged still living in the van seven years after leaving UK. It’s done me very well for the initial £5,000 outlay but I’d like a slightly more roomy, more permanent and practical abode.
Isabella has spent much of the day in the shade under the decking. As far as I know, she is no longer throwing up after drinking water. Good news if it’s true for several reasons.
Antonis tells me he’s ordered loads of metal from Polychronis and that he intends putting up my solar panels ‘soon’. He says he’s still very busy despite the pandemic. I shall not hold my breath so watch this space.
The top temperature for today is 24.4℃ so yesterday remains the hottest of the year so far. It has been very sunny and warm but very still. I’ve been busy most of the day so have not really taken advantage of the weather and to sit out in the chair I put on Janne and Erica’s decking this morning.
I need to close up the small cabins I opened to air again this morning as my supper has cooked so is ready in The Pot.
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