So I can now add Germany to the list of countries I have visited.
Or maybe, more accurately, I can add German transport to my list of foreign trains, taxis and buses. Though on this trip I did manage to do a little shopping. I somehow managed to pack two iPad chargers and no power cable for my MacBook. It's a good job the IPC were so impressed with my positive attitude they weren't too bothered by my typical DebbieDizziness. So I am now the proud owner of a MacBook power cable that works in Germany. And as I will be going there around five more times during my six-month contract, I clearly need one of those. I had a very busy two days - lots to take in. And have a very long 'to-do' list to tackle now I am home. Whilst I was there I also discovered:
One thing I notice when I'm abroad is that I seem to take on a strange accent - the same wherever I go. For example, I don't have a special France, Norway or Iceland accent. I did manage to shake it off after two days of meetings with Germans whose English is exceptional. However, back in the taxi to the station on the last day - I was back into uncontrollable, almost patronising, highly irritating accent. As an aside, whenever Stu and I travel his accent becomes much more noticeably Manc.
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I'm hiding in the office (which has moved to another temporary home in the little front bedroom). Stu is downstairs building kitchen units. Mollie is 'helping'. And George is lounging in cardboard. Tilly is sitting in the van on the driver's seat. Now that the cupboards have arrived 'we' can work out the correct measurements and make the minor adjustments to the pain-in-the-arse alcoves either side of the chimney. It will be worth it though. ('It' being all the hard work that Stu is doing now that I have 'helped' come to minor adjustment decisions). To be honest I am best out of the way. Watching him work just makes me sleepy. Downstairs is a no-go for me. We have flat pack everywhere. And outside is covered in chicken poo. It's surprising the difference one extra hen makes. On the subject of the hens - we made a weather-proof shelter for them on Friday. We're still very much recycling and re-using - the only cost was the corrugated roof and the screws. And free:
I have a feeling that white hen (Dolly) will be able to fly over though. As she is perfectly capable of flying up to sit on my shoulder. There's nothing funnier than a hen rushing across the garden and launching herself at you for a cuddle. Stu did find it funny until she sat on him and pooped down his back. Yesterday I booked our second trip to Norway for 2018 (only remembered we have already been this year when I added an email folder for Norway 18...and there already was one). We're flying up to Tromsø this time. Further North than we've been before. We'll be spending a week in a cabin on a fjord - a five hour drive (and two ferries) even further North. Which will bring us around four hours away from Nordkapp (the North Cape). Of course Stu needs to have finished the kitchen, our bedroom and bathroom before we go (insert emoji of choice here). The red blob marks the spot (Norway cabin)
So I escaped to Kalkan for a few days - to make sure Mother was ok after her big op.
However, after a few days of oppressive Turkey heat I had had enough. Mother is doing very well...she is up on her feet and doesn't require much more than the occasional brew and a baked potato. Alan can manage that admirably. So I flew home early. I had really missed my home. George, the dogs and the hens. But mainly Stu...and the dust. While I was away the dust had multiplied. And there is very little remaining in the kitchen. The kettle and tea bags can be found under dust sheets on the remaining two feet of worktop. The good news is that the new kitchen units arrive this weekend. Then we begin the putting back together of the house. After so many weeks of destruction it will be a welcome relief to finally start to rebuild. So far this week... As neighbour Helen was off to get three new hens I took the trip with her and picked up a white one. Chosen because it was big and chunky. With nice markings. It was good to see that I am not the only one who finds it hard to choose a hen. Helen changed her mind several times! We've named ours Dolly after one of my Great Grandma's sisters (Nanan is named after Great Grandma and Gladys is named after one of the sisters I remember as a small child, who lived with Nanan in Greenwood Street in Altrincham - now a bar/restaurant or shop). Dolly is a real character. She escapes the wrath of Nanan by jumping onto my shoulder. Hilarious until I remember that she is currently doing very smelly and sloppy poos (probably down to the stress of the new home and a rather grumpy chicken coop mate). Today I attempted some lime render - in the kitchen fireplace. And according to Stu I did a really good job. I'm not sure I believe him. But I was happy enough with the results. Next week... I'm off to Bonn for a couple of days. To meet a chap from the International Paralympic Committee to be briefed on my next six month contract. So far it all seems positive - contract has been received and they have agreed, in principle, to my amends. So assuming we get along well...I should be earning some pennies again very soon. And also assuming I survive the trip. I have to fly to Dusseldorf and get a train to Bonn. Whilst I am pretty good at finding my way around...for some reason the idea of this journey is giving me butterflies. And I speak no German. Other than thank you. Must learn hello and goodbye before I set off. Today's blog title...any ideas? I'm off to Turkey early doors tomorrow. My Mum thinks I'm heading over there to look after her. I'm really going to escape the dust. I'm also in the midst of negotiating a contract with an organisation based in Bonn. The perfect contact for someone who is also in the middle of a house project - just 7 days a month working from home. The only dilemma is that my 'office' is currently a dusty desk in a corner of the lounge. On the contract negations - the only reason I am negotiating at all (I'm more than happy with the working arrangements, services required and rate) is to ensure compliance with the HMRC rules. They DO NOT make it easy and it could mean I can't take the contract. The main 'touchy' point is the right for me to provide a substitute should the need arise. The organisation have clearly stated this is a 'no-no' whereas for me to be compliant it has to be included in the contract as an option - however unlikely it is to happen. Fingers crossed it all goes through. On a complete different topic; one of the hens decided to get broody - stopped laying, refused to get out of the nest box and started growling. After searching the web for a solution I dunked her rear end in a cool water bath. To be honest...however ludicrous it sounds, it seems to have worked. Today she seems back to normal, has provided an egg and didn't try to kill me when I went to collect it. Now she's back scurrying around the garden, wrecking the borders and mooching around the workshop. Stu's a busy bee today using some tools I've never seen before (it's a bit like a woman wearing a new dress... "I've had it for years love") Rubble heavily disguised as sheep food Nanan the eggsplorer hiding in the workshop
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DebbieMe, my life, my family and my travels Archives
November 2022
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