Ho Ho Ho!
As we
approach another Christmas, `thought it might be a sensible time to glance over
the shoulder at what seems to have been a particularly busy year `doing` very
little.
Unless I’m too
strong on the fast forwarding (don’t really think
so) that period will have included completing a pedestrian `flange` of paving
around the bungalow, painting the remaining (house-side) wall, (G) continuing
to make massive strides in the garden, re-visiting Gibraltar, and developing numerous other plans, including
ways to spend any funds anticipated as / hoped to be still available once
Europe has imploded!
Or,
otherwise, another year seemingly of being very busy whilst actually achieving
v.little!
Looks like
we managed to get our year of state-sponsored (Portuguese) language Night Class
in just in time – as with most things in the public budget, FE has now been
severely cut back, and there is no follow-on class this year. EVERYthing has been hit by the
ill-judged, ill-intentioned, illegal and incompetent actions of the wa, sorry, bankers (aided and abetted by our leaders, spending, as they do, our
money, as opposed to their own). Hardly seems like only a few years ago peoples
of the world were enjoying relative prosperity. What was it; 1929?
Times now are
certainly (already) getting tougher here, although we’re still managing to eat
out at lunchtime, quite comfortably at the same modest prices. But there are
fewer places to go, less choice when we get there, and once more very few sensibly-priced
options for an evening slot – especially out-of-season.
We have managed to keep in touch with
several of the night class set, and, as it happens are out to-morrow evening
for a(n ex-pat) Christmas `do`.
Plus, we’ve
become aware and acquainted with a number of new monthly markets. Even a car
boot sale (with English books!) up country!
So; onwards
and upwards.
The really
bitter cold (for us, it won’t often be `below` overnight) hasn’t yet arrived,
and we’ll no doubt be only as non-fully prepared as we’ve gotten so far, when
it does happen; but we WILL make improvement to be fully effective next winter.
That could range from installing dehumidifier unit(s), at least S-facing
external wall cladding, perhaps even a porch to the kitchen door, right through
to the less-likely nuclear option of building our extension.
Watch this
space!
M&G
1 comment:
Hello M&G. Where exactly did 2011 go! Seems like no time at all since we availed of your hospitality at Easter; last and only bit of decent sunshine we've had this year. Roll on 2012, the weather can't get any worse.. can it?
All the best. Talk soon, A&A.
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