Bedlam

Plenty of rodent activity guaranteed an interrupted night. I thought I’d put most things far from rodent range but I was mistaken. Charlie was barking at something so was given a bark collar and confined to the SDC with Isabella. In fairness to her, she was just a bystander but kept moving around which was why she was put with Charlie. Skinny jumped out of the window several times and Oskar followed him and remained out for the remainder of the night. Luis made a noise so was given the other collar. I was up and down several times so the Early Walk was postponed until 06:35 as I couldn’t be bothered to get up at 04:55.

When we did go, we met a runner who was surprised to find himself surrounded by a number of dogs. The caravan on the beach opposite the field has a small, brown dog a little like Obi. The owner had left an open bag of dog food outside the van so you can imagine Isabella was right there. We met the small dog but he stood his ground against the invaders with some encouragement from me.

Despite the later start, we were back before 08:00 whereupon I went on a bike ride up the mountain and through Paleochora ending at Plakaki where is was windy and hence a little wavy. I played with the waves a while finding myself the only swimmer in visible range. Some bodies lay in the shingle nearby and others on chairs and loungers.

I met Tony on my way out and mentioned I’d been driven mad by dogs chasing after rodents in the night. He immediately offered me some rat poison which I gladly accepted. It has already been deployed. Some on the van roof, well out of the way of other animals. Another ashtray contains more which will be left inside the open window on the counter. I’m fed up with rodents!

Tonight, Isabella and Charlie will be confined to the SDC at bedtime. I have closed the rear and one side van window to prevent dogs from leaping out. Luis will be given a collar at bedtime and I may leave Skinny outside on the decking. The rodents will be around but the dog deployment situation will be under control so the bait will hopefully be consumed. It is not immediately effective but a lethal dose is quite small and does the job after a few days.

I met Michael at the gate on my way back from Alonaki. He told me that today’s arrivals will replace the departures and that there are around 320 customers at present. This time next week is the holiday and should be the busiest time of the season.

Productivity has been low today as a consequence of the disturbances in the night. I spent some while catching up on my slumbers too.

There is a small dog barking somewhere on Alonaki Beach. It has probably been left tied up whilst the owners are swimming so is making a similar noise to Luis when he feels abandoned.

This morning’s wind has all but disappeared and was gusting to just under 45km/h in the middle of the day. The wind chimes are tinkling occasionally. The forecast indicates a certain windiness in the night.