Week 6

Building Works

Some windows in and the plaster walls on the inside. And rain, rain and more rain.... We have to walk and drive "the long way around" until we get a new driveway and paths sorted out. I get to walk even more kilometres in a day, but I think it is wearing a bit thin for everyone else.

Beech Marten trap...

I still have to figure out how I'm going to get it into the roof space..

Open at both ends, with food in the middle..

Sprung,  both ends closed...

From the Care Farm

Busy weekend. On Friday I found myself cooking in 3 different kitchens... Lasagne in the big kitchen for 6 kids and 2 leaders. Macaroni in the day workers area for our Wilderness Client (see below) and our own kitchen for Ben and I.... one of those "all in a day's work" things.

Our Wilderness Client. (He quite often sleeps in the forest and knows quite a lot about it, including which mushrooms to eat!). I guess the "system" acknowledges that this is his lot in life and supports him as part of the society he was born to. I don't think he could ever hold down a meaningful job.

One of our long-term clients, he  came back this week. He has a court order requiring him to take his medicine but always feels so good that he ends up thinking he doesn't need it any more. . of course it inevitably ends badly. He was locked up over Christmas and had his dog impounded. He is again "feeling" better and came back to us as a safe haven. We do our best as a small part of the "system" but it is sad to see his decline over the years. 

Janny had to be one of the "leaders" for Friday night. One of the boys wanted to go home and would not be persuaded otherwise. Janny rang his Mum who said "NO - you just have to strong arm him in to bed.....". So, Janny did that, literally, accompanied by much screaming and funny looks from the other kids. Next morning he was as good as gold and just laughed it off saying that "sometimes I get like that". He's about 8 and normally quite good; he also loves coming here. Again, "all in a day's work"......

Refugees. 

The local govt. Organizer rang to say that the Council. ie. The councilors themselves, approved in principle that the refugees could come to us. We need to get a temporary change to our certificate of occupancy reflecting permanent residency. We also asked for some relief from the cost of maintaining our no longer "required" smoke detector system. Always a problem when you feel you are being "ripped off". We have an "In principle" agreement from the fire service... If we can find someone to do it cheaper. Basically, it requires about 2 hours to do a physical test of each detector and then about 6 hours writing exactly what they wrote last year... Tick boxes, anyone? About 1400 euros, if you don't mind.

Building, boating and other stuff

I'm including a picture of the boat here.... just to help me with my focus... (from 2015 with Ivan and Louise)

We have to finish the building works by May (aka Boating Season), which still sounds far off.... but kitchens, tiling, painting, paving and moving are all going to take time and a few of them will be happening in the same time period. ie. I can't get a head start on any of it, until the builders have finished. Anyway, I have had to postpone my 2 weeks work on the boat... the best laid plans... etc. It occurs to me that it may well be a good thing that I don't yet have to sort out the refugee's accommodation, but then again, they might spring that on me in the middle of a painting and tiling week.. ha! 

Odd Spot

We came here almost 23 years ago and in all that time I have NOT been able to find anything remotely like Chocolate Ripple Biscuits - so I could make a Chocolate Ripple Cake! So, a big thanks to whoever in my family thought to include a packet in my goodies parcel with Anneke!