Even though we woke early and were dressed and ready to head off out before 8am - we decided against the ferry ride to Sørøya. Instead we decided to head back in the direction of Tromsø to the little island Skjervøya. As Google had reliably informed us that this is the area that the whales are hanging out this year. Two and a half hours later we pulled in to admire a view of the fjord. We ended up staying there for over two hours - as the water was literally teeming with Orcas and Humpbacks. Though they were some distance from the roadside we had a good wide view. You literally didn't know where to look. Whales everywhere. All feeding together. We then headed to the island - pausing to take in another view and to watch another group of orcas. Further on to the island, two tunnels and a bridge later, we came across some reindeer. And a sea eagle. It's 15: 20 (dark), we're back at the cabin and the skies are clear. All we need is the lights to come on tonight to round off a great day. On a completely different note: I can't quite understand sleep. Every night I struggle to doze off. Fidgety, hot and restless. But stick me behind the wheel of a car with the heater on, warmed up seat and my huge coat and I could fall asleep in a second. Obviously that is dangerous. So we always break up long drives with pitstops and Stu twitters away to keep my mind active. Anyway. I've decided that when I get home I'm going to buy myself a fake steering wheel, wrap up warm, propped up in bed and pretend to drive. I should fall asleep right away.... Today's photos....views and some over-zoomed whale pics as evidence we saw them (none of the reindeer or eagle I'm afraid...)
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We arrived in Tromsø around 7pm on Friday night - picked up the car and drove the five minutes to our first night's stop. Up bright on early on Saturday morning - a quick stop at the supermarket - then off in the direction of North. Our route took us on a couple of ferries - which we were lucky to have timed to perfection. And by the time we got to the area that the cabin is located it was pitch black (around 3.30pm). After half an hour of bickering we finally found the right spot. Marked by absolutely nothing. Pure chance that we came across it. The cabin (house) is pretty nice. Plenty of room and, as we discovered this morning, a fantastic view across the fjord to the glacier. Last night we saw some flickers of green - but as the prediction was low (around 0.33kp) we didn't stay up past midnight. So for me, bed at midnight, and four wake-ups in the night to check if the prediction was wrong. Our provisional plans for today were to catch the 8.20am ferry to Sørøya and spend the daylight hours taking in the scenery there. Failed at the first post as we overslept and woke at 9am. So instead we set off to try and reach Øksfjordjøkelen glacier. There are a few possible routes - a couple involving a ferry trip. So we chose the route from a little town called Saltnes - within easy driving distance. It's a 2.8km stumble from the car park through mud, slippy rocks and streams. And we got pretty close. Foiled this time by a rather large and fast flowing stream that cut across the route. We could have done a Bear Grylls and taken our boots off, rolled trousers up and waded across. But it looked a little hairy and bloody cold. So we turned back. To be honest it's probably a good job we did as by the time we turned back (12.30) the sun was already going down. In summary - a short but lovely day. And we managed to spot a tiny owl sitting on a telegraph pole. And tomorrow we might just try that ferry trip - weather dependent (it's one and a half hours each way - and as Stu is sea sick on a narrow boat, we need a still day). Oh...and I have just discovered that I've left the cable for the Canon 5D at home. So any photos I upload while we're here will be iPhone X and the small Canon bridge camera. Did you all just breathe a sigh of relief - now that you know you won't be bombarded with photos of green? On that note - today's iPhone photos... Every time I agree to photograph a friend's wedding I forget just how damned hard it is.
The lighting, the location, the guests, the weather and in this case...the interval of a show. It seems that a lot of guests at weddings take a dislike to the photographer. You'd think we were doing our job just to piss them off and delay them getting a glass of fizz...just for the fun of it. And not so that the bride and groom have as many memories as possible captured from their special day. "So if we can all get into position for the groups shots..." I say to myself as everyone completes blanks me, continues mingling or snaffles the bride and groom as they rush past to take their place. Ten minutes later, with the event manager warning me it's two minutes until the interval, we're no further on. It's those moments when I could cry. Give up. And join them drinking bubbles. I get it. It's exciting. They are dying to congratulate the happy couple. But for the love of God. Can you not wait for half an hour? You know I like a good plan. Well not as much as yesterday's groom. The two best men had a copy each - with one organised chap having highlighted the best bits (I actually have no clue what he had highlighted so I'm just guessing). Of course that plan isn't worth the paper it is printed on once you get past the arrival of the bride. The timings have already gone to fuck. Anyway...given the shit lighting, no flash allowed (always the rule...so this place wasn't unique) and the rather dramatic colours in the venue I didn't sleep last night as I was completely crapping myself about today's 'upload from camera'.
Though for all the stress associated with photographing such an important event - these two were absolute stars. The guests were treated to the most moving and funny vows and lots of giggles throughout the ceremony. One of my faves...."I take thee, [...] to be my awful wedded husband". Here's to you both - wishing you a long and happy life together filled with laughs and love. Stu is frantically plastering the attic bedroom / office / dressing room - he's determined we'll be in that room by Christmas.
I've helped a little - stripping paint from loft doors and architrave. Such a frustrating job as every bit of woodwork in this house has an undercoat of brown gunk. Beneath layers of badly applied paint. But it will be worth it in the end. He keeps reminding me that I need to decide on paint colours. But there is so much choice! And I've forgotten what colour the bed is - we ordered it that long ago. My current favourite, one I can't get out of my mind, is Hague Blue (Farrow and Ball) for the bedroom. It will be a bold choice if we decide to use it. And bloody expensive (unless I colour-match with Valspar). And then we need to choose carpet. I need to get that right - I want the same in every room upstairs. I want the space to flow. Years ago we might have sanded the boards and gone with rugs instead. But I am so sick of the dark brown wood floor and just know that sanding will be a nightmare - so carpet is the only option. All the doors in this house are stripped back - they were like that when we bought it. So Stu was slightly perturbed last night when I said I want them all painted. We have a lot of dark pockets in this house - I want to bring in as much light as possible (which goes against the idea of using a dark blue paint in the bedroom - but let's just go with it). Mind you - cover the grotty dark brown wood floors with a decent carpet and that will immediately lighten things up. In other news:
And finally, finally: I've not bought a single Christmas present. So now, having just realised that, I'm starting to hyperventilate. Today's photo: Ready for the trip - cabin and nearest shop marked up. If there is a wrong way to do a walk - Stu and I will find it.
Several years ago, when walking in Grizedale Forest with the kids, Stu decided the route was dull and we should take a more interesting 'shortcut'. Twenty minutes of clambering, climbing, slipping and sliding...we ended up about two feet further along from where we went 'off-piste'. Yesterday I decided we should pack a lunch and go for a walk in Clocaenog Forest - a short drive from our house. We both needed a break from the house - Stu more than me. What we didn't spot when we parked up was the side of the forest we'd chosen was pretty much out-of-bounds due to the building of a wind farm. And the forest roads were restricted to construction traffic. For health and safety reasons. Anyway - to cut a long story short - we were out for about four hours. A walk which ended in a mad half-hour scramble though huge bracken, dense forest and rather a lot of farm detritus (old fencing and posts etc.). Stu took a couple of spectacular stumbles. On his second and far-superior fall he got his foot stuck in wire, did a half-twist pike somersault and landed in a ditch. He was fine. So I could giggle. On a more general note... We had a traumatic time at the end of last week when George was attacked in the front garden. Thankfully he is recovering and gradually gaining confidence again. He still has a limp (cause unknown) and is still a little nervy at night-time. But his face is starting to heal nicely and he is almost back to normal with his eating (he is a greedy cat - he sticks his head in the packet when I try to empty it into his bowl). The vet recommended we use a Feliway diffuser to reduce his stress and to help him keep calm. I have no idea if it is doing the trick - though Mollie wouldn't move for her evening toilet trip last night. She looked decidedly stoned and would not budge from her bed. We have a shower at last (I would use an exclamation mark here - but I have a 'thing' about them. They make me agitated). The best shower ever. And as Stu pointed out - the first time either of us have owned a shower that we haven't had to climb into. The rest of the bathroom is staying as it is for now as Stu is back working on the attic room. And finally, the paddock is full of sheep poo. I swear they poo out more than they eat. Today's photo: Joe being very brave and getting up-close with some Wales creatures. (Sound effect to this photo was 'Whoah". Not the kind to stop a horse...the kind like 'Hurry up and take the photo Mum it's getting a bit too close'.) It's been an interesting week.
And what's in store today could be the most interesting - more on that later. I'm guessing there should be a disclaimer on this post. Look away now if you're vegetarian, vegan or sheepish. So we've got to Friday. No shower. My hair needs a wash and I'm not sure I can face the trauma of washing it in the kitchen sink. I've signed up to be a volunteer driver for the local community. Just have to attend 'training' next week then I'll be on the contact list. Thankfully all driver services are put on-hold if the roads are dangerous (snow / ice). I have no clue how much time I will be able to give them - but they seemed perfectly happy with another name on their list. I also attempted to give the paddock its final mow of the year. However, the old Hayterette had other ideas. Looks like its in need of a full service (or scrapping) - so after an hour of pulling the damned starter and cutting a couple of feet before it cut out (on repeat). I gave up. Given the current money situation (every penny is precious right now) we had to look for another solution. There's no way we're in a position to buy a new mower just yet. Neighbours enter from stage right and we now have nine little pals munching away on the rather luscious grass. Seriously - once those guys got a gob full of our grass* there was no stopping them. I popped down to see them this morning and they look stuffed. Lounging around at the bottom of the paddock - smoking cigars. And now for today's plans... Earlier in the week I was asked if we wanted a Hebridean**. Before I read the rest of the message I was a little uncertain of how to reply. "Rick wants to know if you want a Hebridean lamb.... And then I read on.... "...for the freezer. We have one that keeps getting his head stuck in the feeding trough..." I think this rates as one of the most unusual FB IMs I've ever received. Stu hastily checked the freezer - moving everything around to clear space for the meat. And today I am trotting down the hill to watch the processing of the (poor) lamb. I am squeamish and I love the lambs. But I also like to eat the meat. So to resolve this conundrum I am popping down once the lamb no longer resembles a cute fluffy thing. *Due to the very hot summer a lot of farming land was scorched. But as we treat our paddock like a lawn it is the greenest and lushest grass around. **The Hebridean is a breed of small black sheep from Scotland, similar to other members of the Northern European short-tailed sheep group, having a short, triangular tail. They often have two pairs of horns. Today's photos - all from this morning. So far Autumn is providing some gorgeous sun rises, blue skies and misty views. Another encounter with HMRC today. And I managed a full eight hours of proper paid work.
Fair to say my brain is fried. HMRC Dealing with them is worse than speaking to Sky. As they're a government organisation they can get away with anything. You can't argue. You won't get a £10 voucher if they've cocked up. You just have to get over it. Suck it up. Pay the fucking bill. There does seem to be some kind of error. And according to the chap I spoke to first - he can't explain but it's something the system did. But it basically boils down to the system telling me for a whole year that I am £500 in credit to all of a sudden owing a bloody fortune. The second chap I spoke to was a little more helpful. But not a lot. He couldn't explain the glitch either and seemed to think the same would happen again - this year. So, in order to try and avoid said glitch happening again, I needed to make a minor amend to my most recent return. And there lies another fucking HMRC problem. Their website. Took me ages to get to the page where I could make the amend. I was logged in and out and sent at least 10 authorisation codes via text. Bottom line - I am smarting from the pain of the bill (which I should have been paying on account for the past year - but which 'the system' decided it was going to wipe off - and show my account in credit instead). Paid work I think I've lost my PowerPoint mojo. I have to do a presentation to some directors. No clue when. But sometime soon - in Bonn. So I thought I'd just rustle up some slides. Haha. Rustle up. Eight hours later I do have something. But it certainly wasn't rustled and at the current work rate there's probably another eight hours work to get it where it needs to be. And we have no shower. Or bath. In other news: this is the view from my current office location (moved to our bedroom so I can access a wardrobe in previous location) How the heck did we get into the final quarter of 2018 so quickly? Did someone remove a month?
Seriously - once you get to October it's all downhill to the Big Day. So much to squeeze in. People to see, holidays to take, winter wardrobe to find etc. I'm a little giddy at the moment - my boy is visiting this weekend. Yep - he's coming to Wales. As I type I have my fingers crossed (not easy) - I still can't quite believe he is coming to see us (plans could still potentially fall apart - factor in potential hangover or much more interesting Saturday night options). Anyway. He's coming. As we tumble headfirst towards Christmas I should reflect on some positives:
Shit. In just three bullet points I managed to mention a 'not yet done' thing. And I thought I was leaning towards glass-half-full personality. Continuing with the bullet points:
I keep trying to get Stu to take a break. Have a slow day. No sooner do I turn my back than he's back in the attic 'just doing this' or 'just going to fix this up' or ' back in a minute just going to plaster a full wall' etc. Mind you...when Stu has a 'slow day' I'm there...asking him to help with the little snagging tasks that I can't do without him. Did I mention Joe is coming this weekend? Today's photo: one of those little snagging jobs was these shelves. Seriously heavy wood (a freebie from a Corwen resident) that needed some serious Stu fixings. We're so bloody close to having a fully refurbished kitchen.
It's driving me nuts. I keep wandering around, drinking too much tea and telling Stu I love him - like that'll make him paint faster. I am dying to unwrap the new lights and blind and shelves. But there's nowhere safe to put them. The whole house (and workshop) is bursting with boxes. I just know that we will both feel so good once the kitchen has been completed. We've been in this house for a whole six months. Six months of chaos and dust. (If you've not been following it hasn't taken six months to do the kitchen. We had to wait for a complete re-wire and new plumbing / heating.) Of course - once the kitchen is done there's the rest of the house. But at least we'll be able to enjoy the calm in one room. And Stu will get the long-promised macaroons (we have far too many eggs and we're both sick of omelettes, scrambled egg and egg-fried rice). Next steps... So jumping ahead a couple of days - next on Stu's agenda is the attic bedroom. Which needs completely boarding out and skimming. That's before paint and carpet and furniture. So because that bedroom is next - I've ordered the bathroom tiles. And found the shower tray I want. And been agonising about the sink and taps. And can pretty much visualise the completed look - down to the plants. Today's photos...
So we're now the proud owners of a bloody huge green oil tank. It's sitting proudly in the back garden (weed patch). In full view.
That green thing coupled with a newly fitted boiler mean that we have running hot water and heat. Of course now that we're hardy country bumpkins we used to wearing layers so the heat shouldn't be needed for a few weeks yet. And now that we have running hot water Stu can crack on and finish the kitchen. Get that damned dishwasher and sink plumbed in. To be honest we could really do with another Stu. At the moment one isn't enough. I just wish I had his skills. I could be ripping out the old bath and installing the new walk-in shower - or boarding out the attic bedroom - or fixing the new spindles to the main stairs - etc.(ad infinitum) So I am doing what I can - and today that is sitting in the workshop* doing a bit of my real job. Got to say - sitting here in my shed, with a view of hills, buzzard and kite soaring above etc. makes writing IT migration comms a breeze. *office had to move yet again - missing floorboards in the little bedroom (previous office location) |
DebbieMe, my life, my family and my travels Archives
November 2022
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