The Good Life

My sources inform me that last night’s blog failed to schedule correctly so was not received. I’ve just checked to find that the same helpful message: ‘Schedule Missed’ was reported. I’ve rescheduled the blog to post this evening as I write so I will check that it has actually been sent as scheduled.

Last night I watched the first episode of The Good Life which aired 4 April 1975 when I was nineteen years old. All the rage at the time but still eminently watchable almost forty-five years on! We’ve yet to meet Penelope Keith as Margot as only her voice is to be heard from within the bedroom as Jerry leans out of the window in the middle of the night to discover the Goods dancing in their goldfish pond. The next scene is of Tom rotavating his front lawn to plant potatoes.

It was the first time I used the heater this winter season although the van door has been shut for several nights. It was used only for about thirty minutes to build up a bit of a fug seeing as it was only 15C in the van. Too chilly for sitting around eating and watching TV. Anyway, I’m not burning gas or contributing to Global Warming as my electricity is home grown.

There was a fine rain to accompany us on the early walks which went without incident although Isabella scampered off to frighten one of the locals who was out walking slightly earlier than expected. I heard no expletives so assume she ate him silently. The car had disappeared from the car park this evening so he either survived or his wife took the car home.

It was rather cool and windy so there was no additional Isabella walk after. I made my breakfast and fed the dogs and cats instead. I then went over to be sure the hot water boiler was working as this sometimes goes AWOL when it’s windy. All was well so I returned to await my breakfast.

I was dragged off for a washing machine event later on as the Estonians seem always to be washing their clothes; however, this was a very small load for such an enormous machine. I then ended up chatting to some of the punters and sitting in the sun for a little. Later, I showed the German couple around T3 as they’re considering swapping it for their van. It must be pretty miserable with two people in a relatively small van with no outside accommodation on dark evenings when it’s windy and wet. I didn’t mention there are more wet days forecast for next week.

I’d promised to seek out some documents for Maria so spent time rummaging in her drawers in her room to no avail. I was assisted by one of the cats who was checking everything was carefully examined by lying in the middle of the items I’d spread over the bed. There were a couple of other administrative tasks which required further visits to the office.

I fastened down the westerly sides of the awning tent using the hooks and clothesline I purchased for the other two sides. I’ve installed a spring to give a little slack when there’s a strong gust of wind. In the past, I’ve used elastic tensioners but these don’t seem to last very long and once one goes the others follow.

I noticed that Tony had walked Georgia’s dogs earlier so invited Mauro and Franca to join me for a Promontory Walk. We set off around 16:40 when it was still sunny and slightly less windy than earlier. The Rug had joined Franca who was waiting in the car park. There was also a man walking his very handsome sheepdog nearby. In the past, it would have been a nightmare under these circumstances. As it was, Isabella was dancing around Franca energetically so I had to encourage her to moderate her enthusiasm. Obi was dying to lead a charge against the Rug but was also prevented from doing so using only my voice. The ten of us set off down the east side of the Promontory with Isabella now focussing her excessive energy on The Rug who appeared to reciprocate with equal energy and enthusiasm. This continued until Isabella eventually got bored and things decreased from a gallop to a trot.

The Rug went off on her own separate way as we left the Promontory for the field and then the camping. Franca went the beach route so she could enjoy the sunset.