The place we’re staying in Jambiani is one of those that looks really good on Airbnb, and has all that is advertised, but is just dinghier, darker and has other defects that are hard to identify without seeing the place. One is that our rooms are set up so that air circulation is quite blocked […]
No dinner
I’ve found myself skipping dinner more and more often, or sometimes skipping lunch, and occasionally skipping lunch and dinner. Age? Boredom? The minor annoyances around cooking at home? Who can say?
Wind from the southwest
Last night there was an almighty windstorm, closing off the Bosphorus, ripping off rooftops and sending trucks skidding onto their sides. Here one of our windows rattled rather a lot, as it is not fully fastened in, and I was a bit worried it might rip itself out of the window frame and fall on […]
Bits and pieces
A few bits and pieces, some more satisfying than others. First, and most satisfying, the items we bought over the weekend arrived today. The lamp in particular is very beautiful, the towel rack is useful and the little coffee table is discreet. All three are welcome additions to what is starting to feel like an […]
Shadows
A shadow fell as we learned of a long-awaited death – the Doyenne, whom we stayed with in Wellington, and of whom I had grown very fond. What’s more she had died the previous morning our time, and due to the time differences and everyone being careful of each other’s sleep, we didn’t find out […]
Travails of homeownership
The kitchen sink is leaking and since I’m no longer a tenant I can’t just chuck it into someone else’s lap. Very frustrating, in a place that is new, and a reminder of why it’s nice not to own a place, as of course I was terribly worried about our new kitchen cabinets etc. I […]
At last
And so we finally moved into the flat. In the morning I had to go over and wait for the combi technician to come and turn the combi off. This required me to be present. He didn’t arrive between 10 and 12 as promised, so eventually I left. Meanwhile, the professional cleaners had arrived, and […]
End game
Today it truly felt like we’ve reached a sort of end game. The electrical work was completed, the gas has been connected and it really feels like we could move in now. Tomorrow and the day after there will be some minor touching-up of paint, a few leftover bits like the installation of the kitchen […]
Shattering glass
Last night, I stepped out of the shower, put on my pyjamas, left the bathroom, and as I left, behind the shower enclosure suddenly shattered, sending glass everywhere. It was shocking and of course had I taken a few moments longer to dress I would have been covered in glass. Anyway, not only was I […]
Recovery time
Sunday today, and recovery time after the ordeals of the past days. We took the ferry to Balat, had a coffee and walked back. And that is all. This cleared my head enough to make me think, let’s not move in at the end of the month so the GF won’t have to live a […]