Wednesday 30 September 2020

Two more Years.


At 9 am yesterday morning I had the Compact Royce's biannual road worthiness test (test centre, below), later an exciting parcel arrived from Amazon. Today we will be closing the pool. Rain is forecast for the rest of the week.

Of course the car passed her test with flying colours. I'd put 4 new tyres on her, given her a good wash, and filled the water for the windscreen washer; what more could she have wished for! She's now good for another two years.


A couple of books arrived in the post. Lady M's old school friend Jane's new book about life outside the classroom (she was desperately hoping no nasty secrets were being divulged), and some silly political scandal book, that she immediately said wouldn't interest me; she was right.

Closing the pool is always a horrible job. It's not simply a matter of switching off the pump. Over-Wintering chemicals need to be added 24 hours in advance, the new plastic covering needs to be cut to shape, and the whole pool needs to be squeaky clean. It's always a depressing activity which heralds cold weather and the long wait before opening-up again. It's also best done on a fine sunny day, which is what we're forecast for later today.

From Thursday 1st Oct', we are promised rain for over a week. We've already had our first fire of Winter last Sunday, and I now see log-sawing being a major activity until April/March. I've had a trial run with the chainsaw; and everything works OK.

It's a possibility that we might have some mushrooms towards the end of the week, but I'm not over-confident.

I now need to search-out my gloves, and scarf; and put my swimming kit away. 

You will no doubt be pleased to hear that I'm still wearing shorts.

26 comments:

  1. I hate MOT day. They always find something but we have advisories here which mean nothing. Every two years is very generous.

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    1. My man did tell me that one of the fog lights (which I never use) wasn't pointing quite in the right direction, but he also told me that it was nothing to worry about.

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  2. Now is the time to wish you 'kalo himona'. Good winter. Enjoy your winter garden, chestnuts, mushrooms , pate, preserves and walks with Billy.
    This too shall pass

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    1. 7 C here this morning. Our walk was taken in mist and sunshine. Pleasant, but I do prefer 15 C mornings.

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  3. This has undoubtedly been the shortest ie fastest passing summer in my seven decades. Of course it could be that my memory is now at its worst in seven decades. It was a stark reminder from a friend yesterday that shook me when she pointed out that it's 9 months to the longest day.

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    1. I think I'd agree with you. It seems such a short time ago that we looking forward to sunshine and swimming, and now it's October. Where did it go? I don't suppose that Winter will pass as quickly.

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  4. We are in opposite seasons in New Zealand with our blossoms on the trees and looking at brighter longer days. It's our turn for sunshine and summer!!

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    1. It has been a lovely Summer here, but too short. I just hope this coming Winter will be as mild as they've been over the past few years.

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  5. 28-30 degrees here and general lockdown. But there is always something to look forward to.

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    1. Up to 20 C here today, then rain, rain, rain. I just hope there'll be some mushrooms.

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  6. It's 13 degrees in brittany with rain for cast all week , hubby is moaning about the weather I don't know what he thinks I can do ,it is Brittany after all .

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    1. Here we are expecting rain until the 8th. Of course forecasts are not always right!

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  7. We had one of the best days all summer yesterday Cro. Today rain is forecast coming in from the west, and then variable all week. Shorts? I have not worn shorts since I was thirty, which wasn't yesterday. My view is that knees are best kept private after thirty but then I haven't seen yours so can't make a judgement.

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    1. It will be a lovely day here today, but that's the last for a while. I'm closing the pool down for Winter; it needs to be a sunny day for it.

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  8. Aww. Closing the pool sounds as sad as taking down the Christmas decorations.

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    1. We've just finished; it looks awful. A sad day.

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  9. I imagine southern France weather as always good. It's turned cold and drizzly here today after a lovely two days.

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    1. It's a lovely day here today, but the pool water is 15 C. Ice block temperature.

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  10. You be careful with that chainsaw Lord Crozier! We don't want any accidents. Couldn't you get one of the local kermits (frogs) to saw the logs. Twenty francs and a quick snifter should be payment enough.

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    1. I don't wear all the poncey gear, but I do wear goggles. I'm always very aware of the dangers.

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  11. We are getting our first taste of Autumn and it is lovely. With the way things are going in this world, I am not that upset at the ending of this summer. I want this year to be over.

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    1. As long as the next one is an improvement, then I agree with you.

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  12. Autumn, or Fall as the Yanks say, is my favourite time of year here in PA. I am hoping for an Indian Summer, because guess what, we decided to paint the house. Bit too much procrastination there. I like winter until the end of January and then it's all rather long. That's when one should take off for warmer climates. Christine

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    1. I'm very much a Summer baby; I don't like the cold. However, both Spring and Autumn are wonderful here, it's just those months between November and about March that I dislike.

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  13. In Japan the covers will be going over the air conditioning units to protect them over winter. We don't really have seasonal rituals here such as you covering over your pool.

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    1. I have one nearby friend who keeps his pool running all year, even though no-one uses it for months on end. I save on electricity and on wearing-out the pump. Maybe I'm just mean.

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