~o~
Sunday 22nd 38F/3C [8.15] A wet early morning clearing to sunshine is promised. The eastern sky looks clear with only a little cloud. Brighter than recent overcast.
Up at 7am after another quiet night. There is an Intel graphics driver update [endlessly] installing on my PC.
8.15 61F/16C in the room. I have lit the stove and will be using up all the smaller bits of beech firewood. It is not so convenient as split logs because it has to be fed to the stove at shorter intervals. Though there is no shortage of warmth. I can feel it on the back of my neck. As I sit at the computer several meters away. The trick is to use enough solid chunks of wood. To ensure reasonable longevity of the burn.
I must tidy up and clean the place in readiness for my Christmas visitor. She will be staying for a few days. Just as she did last year and again in June. The latter was when I had my heart problems. Unfortunately, for her, she had to house sit. While I was being repaired in the city hospital. She is good at bringing tidiness to my usually chaotic hovel. Without the strong emotional bond to useless objects. Things can usually and more easily be recycled through donation to the charity shops. Than if I was left to my own devices.
The journey probably won't be much fun for her. As this is the busiest day of the year on the railways. Booking a seat is usually sensible on the Danish railways. I shall collect her in the car from the village later today. We can easily keep in touch on her progress. Thanks to free wireless on the train and the mobile phone network on the buses.
It is an unfortunate coincidence that the kitchen is now in a state of complete uproar. Due to the very recent arrival of an oven and a washing machine. Without any sign of any tradesmen willing to install the plumbing and drains. Probably due to the Christmas holidays intervening. Poor timing on my part. I had hoped to have both items installed and working by the time my visitor arrived. The oven is now usable but still sitting nakedly on the cupboard. An IKEA tower cupboard to house the oven. Is due for delivery after Christmas.
To add to the problems I had tried to stand the oven on my antique pine cupboard. There was nowhere else for it to go at the time. Which meant taking down my stacked, larder shelves from the wall above. Things went from bad to much worse. As I emptied the pine dresser and large trolley in the corner of their combined and accumulated detritus. Only to find that it all still needed to be stored somewhere. Preferably not on the kitchen floor. As much of it now finds itself!
9.15 Brightening to potential sunshine. I have just scraped the aquarium glass clear of algae again. Replanted the uprooted plants. Watered the indoor plants. Brought in more baskets of scrappy firewood pieces and kindling. The room has reached 63F/17C. Morning coffee I think.
10.00 The room has reached a toasty 65F/18C. My visitor has left home and is on the metro going to the train station.
11.00 66F/19C in the room. I am tidying upstairs.
14.30 My visitor is now safely delivered to Chez Hovel.
Dinner was a cheese omelette with mushrooms and an organic red wine. This was a novel way of making an omelette for me. I would normally pour the eggs over the cooked mushrooms. With the grated cheese mixed in with the eggs and a splodge of milk. It was fine. I cooked, so she washes up.
~o~
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