We're running at warp 7 (is that fast?) to November I can almost smell the Icelandic sulphur.
So - progress and insights since my last update:
That's kind of it. Today's photos:The newly upholstered and painted chair-with-the-very-short-legs. A Welsh Abbey looking a little worse for wear. A Westfjords road with a dusting of the white stuff.
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This trip to Wales I have managed to shake off that life-long itchy feet feeling I've always had when I've even thought about this side of Chester.
We've even had the Welsh drizzle and that didn't put a dampner on my change of heart. I'm staying in a yurt, with big sister Sally, in Cynwyd (Cunwid) surrounded by pine trees and pheasants. And hens. And a couple of dogs. The hills are rolling. There are a lot of sheep. And I mean a lot. So while we're here yurting we're looking at houses. Welsh ones. The first was approached down a farmer's track (potholes and mud) then a slide down some steps. By the time we had arrived I knew it was getting taken off my shortlist pronto. Then the estate agent lady opened the door. And we were greeted with the rank smell of damp. I hate damp. So I hate the word moist and hate actual damp smells. There's a theme. House number two was a different matter. Loads of character, a small paddock (or lumpy grass), uninterrupted views to some hills at the front and sheep on all sides. So that one is a firm possible maybe. Anyway - bagel has been inhaled, second cup of tea nearing completion and the sun is out. Time to get a wriggle on and find some steep roads to scare the shit out of Sally. I'm not too sure that being off work is good for me.
Since I finished at Barclays earlier this year my Joe decided to give me the biggest scare of my life, I sprained my knee trying to get Merlin the cat out of neighbour's garden and this weekend I tore my calf muscle (according to Altrincham General hospital) - though I think it's just a strain. I followed doctor's orders to the letter (for a couple of hours) - and I'm now back on both feet, though with a Long John Silver-esq look to my walk. Today I took a huge step. I have booked a couple of estate agents to come and value the house. I'm also in the process of booking a couple of viewings for properties in Wales, next week. The thought of hills, streams, trees (and Welsh rain) is driving me nuts along with the idea of NO MORTGAGE. Out of the whole of North Wales there are only a small number of properties that fit the bill. Somewhere rural. Off the beaten track (but not too far from civilisation). With parking. With views. Enough space for visitors and the family Christmas dinner. With enough garden for me to potter about in. Enough room for the dogs to run riot. Not too close to the seaside and all that that brings (kiss me quick hats, bucket and spade brigade etc.). And finally - close enough for us to pop back to see family. In other news: I didn't get an interview with Rolls Royce submarines. To be honest - it's a relief. In the rest of the news: I've taken on the task of de-antiquing an old nursing / bedroom chair. I have no idea what I'm doing. So far I've managed to flick old furniture tacks all round the kitchen (whilst trying to remove some rather fetching, leatherette from the back). Curious George had a distressing moment last night when he flew out of his litter tray with poo on his paws. It was quite distressing for Stu too (my calf muscle picked that precise moment to cause so much pain I couldn't get off the sofa) - as he managed to stand in poo before he managed to capture George and clean up. So that's it for now. Life - but not as we know it. Today's photo: the chair (and if it turns out shit once I've refurbished? You won't see it again). I know - I said I wasn't going to look for any comms contracts right now.
But when I get a call about a potential 12 month contract with Rolls Royce Submarines...what am I supposed to do? So - my CV is going in. I probably won't get to interview. But I might. And if I do? The role is based in Derby. Which of course I had to Google. So - it could potentially mean 12 months of travel and overnight hotels / AirBnbs. Or maybe even a rented apartment. But let's not jump the gun. In other news I get to see Will.I.Am on Sunday. Quite looking forward to that. Might just dress in some fancy duds (sunglasses, hat, and snazzy kicks) - anyone?... And in other, other news - this Friday my youngest sister is making a big move from Altrincham to Mossley. I will be lugging boxes and furniture downstairs (then up again at her new flat). So I might just be in a wheelchair when I get to see Will. And in the other, other, other news - Curious George the kitten has grown. And is even more adorable. I am awoken most mornings with him sniffing and pawing my face. He's cute. He can get away with it. Stu on the other hand...STOP IT. Today's picture? Just George doing his thing... For me and my Stu Autumn and Winter mean holidays.
And as a result it's a pretty crap time for me to be actively looking* for a new contract. So maybe I should just resign myself to that fact and sit back, enjoy the hols and start looking again in February. This month I'm off to spend three nights in a yurt in Wales. With my big sister. We're aiming for blue skies, autumn colours, log fires and melted marshmallows. And not a great deal more. Then in November it's the second wedding anniversary trip to Grundarfjörður (a small town in the north of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, in the west of Iceland). Eight days of authentic Skyr, peace, stunning scenery, the best-looking horses in the world, ice, waterfalls, high winds, biting cold, mountains, glaciers, hot springs and, fingers crossed, orcas, snow and green skies. Then before you know it, it'll be Christmas. This year I did the majority of the present shopping in September. That is some result. Much better than my packing-for-holiday skills. Which leave a lot to be desired. January brings a trip to Norway. Where we're hoping for some serious snow and many nights of green. And where we're guaranteed stunning scenery, peace, solitude and the occasional reindeer and moose passing by the cabin. As it's already October and with all the holiday interruption between now and early February I think I'm right to quit the job search for now. Maybe. Might just have another little sneak peak... *Actively looking: A quick flick through LinkedIn at the end of each day. And finally... The perfect holiday: snow, cabin and green skies (Norway Jan '17) |
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November 2022
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