Skinny, Obi and Charlie were outside last night and I had the van door open to let in some air. I have a fan going 24/7 which blows in the direction of the rear seating area as it stops the dogs from panting so much. The insect door is hanging on but has quite a few holes so any determined insect would probably manage to get in. Maybe my bed insect tent will arrive soon? Isabella got the fidgets around 04:00 but refrained from actually asking to go out which was kind. More often than not, she spends the night outside and, when in the van, usually sleeps right by the door: the coolest location.
Our first walk took us to the end of the Promontory where I expected to see FreeLoaders due to the number of vehicles in the car park, one from the previous day unless I’m mistaken. Not a FreeLoader was encountered so we forged ahead down Alonáki Beach to the end and back then to the camping.
Only Isabella and Skinny came with me on the second walk. Isabella was free from the start so went bounding off across the field to see what nastiness she might find around where some rubbish had been deposited then cleared away. I left her to it and called her to follow once Skinny and I caught up. The sheep have not forgotten being chased so always keep a eye open when Isabella’s about. We went up the valley again this time to the end of the track and even a little way beyond. From there it meant crossing the river which the dogs were happy to do but I didn’t need wet feet. The river is in water at this point as it’s before the water is diverted away for consumption. We turned back and set off for home. The dogs had wet feet and so collected mud as did Skinny’s lunge lead.
I’d not been attentive when setting off at the start so Isabella went tearing off up the valley before I was able to get control of her. Her mission was to find some of the unpleasant entrails which made Skinny sick the previous day. We caught up and found her there. She had some disgustingness in her mouth but she was a good girl and left it when asked. There were lots of goats around which was good as I wanted to see how Skinny responded to close encounters with goats and sheep. I’d already managed to stop Isabella menacing some sheep earlier so I need to keep my wits about me to avoid any undesirable behaviour. Watching her body language is a good guide as she changes posture when she has it in mind to give chase. I then tell her “leave!” and hover my finger over the transmitter button in case any reminder is required.
All sheep and goat encounters went without incident from either dog. Skinny will remain on his 10m lunge until I know where I am with Isabella. She’s generally reliable but both of us still have work to do.
Our walk today was 10.41km and is usually between 5-7.5km most days. If I walk that far with them and add the previous walk in, I have not much more to do to close my Move Ring so don’t cycle unless I need to actually go somewhere.
This morning I didn’t, so sat down and promptly fell asleep! It was 09:20 when I let the dogs out and fed them. The others were quietly inside whereas Skinny and Isabella were asleep on the decking. I prepared my breakfast then sat down to read emails and generally catch up with the day.
After Breakfast I received a couple of support emails and did some IT work for an hour or so. There were a number of flies so I though it might be an idea to get out my UV insect cremator which resides in the bathroom cupboard when not required. To get to the cupboard involves removing loads of stuff stacked/bunged/deposited in front of the door. I’ve been meaning to have a good clear-out of the ‘bathroom’ as it’s a rather under-utilised area as it’s so disorganised. I’ve not used the onboard bathroom for its intended purpose in millennia so it’s nearly always a suppository for other stuff.
I moved everything required to get the door open and took out the insect cremator returning the box to the cupboard. I then gradually attacked all of the other items littering the bathroom removing lots of potentially ‘useful’ things to a big rubbish bag. I ended up emptying the entire cupboard and completely reorganising it. It had loads of rubbish including a mouldering onion and a dead mouse forgotten in the not-so-humane trap. Sorry mouse! Consequently, many things previously cluttering other areas have been relocated to the bathroom which now even has shelves and most of what’s in there is fairly easily accessible.
The cleaning and reorganising operation took up much of the afternoon but is a huge benefit as I now have less rubbish, have found things I will soon need and the van is slightly less of a slum than before.
I’d put the Doggy Dinners on to cook before attacking the bathroom so at least I had that all in hand for later. The insect cremator is attached outside the van where I sit however the flies don’t appear to have found their way to it so far. I’ve heard one crack so all this activity was not in vain.
My supper will be later this evening as my clear-out went on a while so by the time I fed the dogs and prepared food for myself it was later than usual.
There are still some people in the bar but the preponderance of the occupants are staff, Georgia and Lena etc. Dimitris is sitting at the edge of the table being passed the occasional morsel by Lena. People have left today so I should imagine the camping will remain quiet until next weekend. This weekend was a lot more relaxing than the last!
I need to get into the shower as I’m filthy!
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