I'm now reconnected which is a relief. Unlikely to be much posting happening today however as I have to prepare for a visit to the local fiesta in Cadiar. While the various activities go on over the weekend, the fountain in the centre of town spews free wine. I suspect the local pharmacia has a busy time when it's over. Am going to err on the side of caution and park the van up in town and sleep in it tonight.
With some trepidation, I'm going to my first bullfight at 5pm. Despite my extensive travels in Spain I've always managed to arrive in places 2 days ahead or behind a bullfight so, with one on my dorrstep, I'm determined to go and observe. I'll report back (and try not to sound like |Hemingway).
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Hace sol
It's a very sunny, calm day here today (as was yesterday).
The roof situation has MUCH improved and, while it won't be completely level to allow for drainage, it is looking a lot better than over the weekend.
Yesterday a spaceman (well that's what he looked like in all his protective gear), came and sprayed insulating foam over the whole roof and then work started on another layer of concrete.
The waterproof membrane goes on tomorrow hopefully. We're nearly there; work may just creep into w/c 15th October but that allows time for a clean-up before the visitors start arriving.
The power situation is manageable (i.e. I don't have to go to bed at 8.30 and wear a head-torch to read!) pending the decision on what to do and whether a replacement of the batteries is necessary.
Will try and post a bit more while the sun is shining and giving me enough juice to run the internet connection.
Wiring is being disconnected Thursday & Friday so will be offline and without phone until they are reconnected (hopefully, that will be Saturday); normal service will resume thereafter.
The roof situation has MUCH improved and, while it won't be completely level to allow for drainage, it is looking a lot better than over the weekend.
Yesterday a spaceman (well that's what he looked like in all his protective gear), came and sprayed insulating foam over the whole roof and then work started on another layer of concrete.
The power situation is manageable (i.e. I don't have to go to bed at 8.30 and wear a head-torch to read!) pending the decision on what to do and whether a replacement of the batteries is necessary.
Will try and post a bit more while the sun is shining and giving me enough juice to run the internet connection.
Wiring is being disconnected Thursday & Friday so will be offline and without phone until they are reconnected (hopefully, that will be Saturday); normal service will resume thereafter.
Sunday, 30 September 2012
Today's surprises
Well, one good one and one bad one.
Let's start with the good.
After the deluges of the last couple of days, it was with much delight that I saw on opening the front door this morning SNOW on top of the two high peaks opposite (Mulhacen & Veleta). Just to provide it...
The bad news regards my ongoing power problems. A very nice chap called Matthias (ex-journalist, ex-Berlin) arrived today as promised and after much wielding of his hydrometer declared that the batteries are, depsite the declaration of the previous owner, past their sell-by date and require a complete replacement (mucho €€€€s). Ho hum.
So he's now gone away to price me up their replacement and also look at getting a wind generator as extra backup. We actually spent more time talking about the organic co-operative that he's part of and managing land naturally! He will be a very useful contact going forward I'm sure.
I did commence the clean out the bodega this morning with much assistance from my neighbour Jose so preparations for the wine harvest are in full swing. Now off to make my generator sing more sweetly...
Let's start with the good.
After the deluges of the last couple of days, it was with much delight that I saw on opening the front door this morning SNOW on top of the two high peaks opposite (Mulhacen & Veleta). Just to provide it...
The bad news regards my ongoing power problems. A very nice chap called Matthias (ex-journalist, ex-Berlin) arrived today as promised and after much wielding of his hydrometer declared that the batteries are, depsite the declaration of the previous owner, past their sell-by date and require a complete replacement (mucho €€€€s). Ho hum.
So he's now gone away to price me up their replacement and also look at getting a wind generator as extra backup. We actually spent more time talking about the organic co-operative that he's part of and managing land naturally! He will be a very useful contact going forward I'm sure.
I did commence the clean out the bodega this morning with much assistance from my neighbour Jose so preparations for the wine harvest are in full swing. Now off to make my generator sing more sweetly...
Saturday, 29 September 2012
Backup
Fired up the backup generator and, lo, I now have power. Although the genny is in the workshop which sits right on top of the kitchen, the noise generated is (very fortunately) less than anticipated. Feel really 'backwoods' today though slightly 'un-green' as I'm burning up Gasoleo 95.
The rain is still coming down and has set a different feel to the landscape. The bright sandy colours have gone and now become 'wet earth' giving a more sombre, though still beautiful, cast to the hillsides.
With some judicious re-positioning of the plastic sheeting on the roof, the internal leaks have minimised. The fire is still lit and keeping downstairs at a nice temperature. The canary (still as yet un-named) has been moved in to the warmth though, with no sunshine, his singing capabilities have not been exercised today.
The solar engineer is coming tomorrow when, we believe, the rain may be subsiding and we start to get some more sunshine. Probably will only be a short respite as the autumn rains generally coincide with the Cadiar fiesta which is one for four days next weekend. Free wine flows from the fountain in the centre of town and I don't think the locals get much sleep. I have a plan forming to spend Saturday night sleeping in the van in town!
PS. Internal leaks stopped being 'minimised' and I'm now back inside after a soaking having re-adjusted plastic sheeting on roof. Time for a coffee and a drying-off in front of the fire!! I hear there are flash floods in other parts of Andalucia; at least on the hill here we're spared those.
The rain is still coming down and has set a different feel to the landscape. The bright sandy colours have gone and now become 'wet earth' giving a more sombre, though still beautiful, cast to the hillsides.
With some judicious re-positioning of the plastic sheeting on the roof, the internal leaks have minimised. The fire is still lit and keeping downstairs at a nice temperature. The canary (still as yet un-named) has been moved in to the warmth though, with no sunshine, his singing capabilities have not been exercised today.
The solar engineer is coming tomorrow when, we believe, the rain may be subsiding and we start to get some more sunshine. Probably will only be a short respite as the autumn rains generally coincide with the Cadiar fiesta which is one for four days next weekend. Free wine flows from the fountain in the centre of town and I don't think the locals get much sleep. I have a plan forming to spend Saturday night sleeping in the van in town!
PS. Internal leaks stopped being 'minimised' and I'm now back inside after a soaking having re-adjusted plastic sheeting on roof. Time for a coffee and a drying-off in front of the fire!! I hear there are flash floods in other parts of Andalucia; at least on the hill here we're spared those.
Friday, 28 September 2012
The rain in Spain...
Apologies for the lack of posts...the rains have hit (some yesterday & 4" or so today), my builders have gone home (after making unannounced design changes to my new roof), my kitchen ceiling is leaking and my reserves of power (solar not me) are very deleted (oh, and the fire is lit!)
Apart from that, everything's wonderful!
More updates and catch-up posts when I can spare the electricity (repairman coming tomorrow though that could be a Spanish tomorrow).
Apart from that, everything's wonderful!
More updates and catch-up posts when I can spare the electricity (repairman coming tomorrow though that could be a Spanish tomorrow).
Thursday, 27 September 2012
The bread man cometh
Despite being a mile or so off the road, every Thursday morning at 8.15 a van winds its way up the track tooting his horn when in sight of the cortijo. While his prices are, as you would expect, higher than in the local towns, it's a useful service and takes me back to my days of living in a village with no shops.
The bread man goeth...
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Wet
It's raining...first rain I've seen since 25th August. Might settle the dust! Glad to say the builders are waterproof so work continues.
Still in a t-shirt...just
Woke to a very red sunrise and a temperature described here as 'frescita'. Rain looks like it's coming in from the west but having seen the English news I'm not going to complain while I can still see the other side of the valley!
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