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29 December 2014

Our trip back from Thessaloniki airport was through blizzards, gales and lashing rain.  At one time the bus was crawling along behind a snow plough and I thought we might be stranded, but eventually we left the snow behind and arrived home in the cold and dark.

Next morning we found that Robbie hadn't been joking, and the camper truck had disappeared ...

 ... leaving the shed on its lonesome and ...

 ... stacks of rubbish to be sorted ...

...and decking to be dismantled for reuse as the terrace outside the kitchen door.

So we went down to George's for some home cooking, and Sue produced a Christmas Pudding and various people turned up at random and it was all very pleasant.

Merry Christmas to all, and may everything good happen for you in 2015 xxx

More Travel

20 - 27 Dec 2014

Then we were off again, around the UK, seeing rellies and staying for Christmas:

North West: Blustery walk, the morning after the wedding: Dave P, Ann, Dave, Me, Nick, Dad - Mike taking the photo

 North East: Tea shop escape from blustery walking - with Pete, Clive, Dave and Janette

 Dave's sister Linda's parrot.  A lively character.

 Grandson Leo, making friends with his absentee Grandad

 South East - Surrey sunburst in the pine woods.

 Christmas Day, an unexpected visitor in the shape of Griffin the Harris Hawk, who came with Oliver

 Best Man and Newly Weds - decorating the Groom!

The Wedding

Friday 19 December 2014

My son George married Philly in a wonderful ceremony they had written themselves and largely made everything involved - the flowers, the confetti, the food, the dress - it was fantastic and touching and amazing.  Here are a small selection of photos:

On our travels

14 December 2014

We have cheap flights from Thessaloniki, but the bus from Lefkas only runs twice a week, so we set off on Sunday for a flight on Tuesday, taking in Greece's second city for a day.  It was interesting, but the weather was so foggy, we didn't see much:

But we enjoyed exploring.

 

 After the flight and a visit to Rob, we arrived in Liverpool, where Dave finally got to see the 'Gormley's' - an installation sculpture stretching the length of Crosby Beach, a series of bronze men staring out to sea.  Not under water this time.

Farewell, Camper Truck

12 December 2014

With only a few days left before we go to the UK, we managed to finish the second coat of plaster on the new East wall.  As I plastered my way down the corner join with the North wall, it started to rain, and Dave quickly raised the tarpaulins as I finished in the drizzle. So no photo of the completed plaster!

I've done a lot of this plastering as it has turned out more efficient to apply by hand (in rubber gloves).  Application by trowel makes a smooth-ish finish that then has to be sponged when it is almost but not quite dry.  Application by hand gives an rough finish that is ready-keyed for the next coat.  I also enjoy the process of filling dips and troughs with short-straw lime filler - moulding corners and surfaces to create the planes I want.  It's very sculptural and great fun.

 While we are away, Mad Robbie and Sue have offered to get the camper van removed, in exchange for it's scrap value, which we are very thrilled about.  We would love to get this whole area cleared up, and the van has become an eyesore.  It won't ever go again, the electrics are rat-chewed, something grotesque smells inside, and half the tyres are flat.  We wish Robbie and Sue very good luck, but don't really believe they'll succeed.

Waiting for the Weather

Week 2, December 2014

More waiting for the weather so we can get the second coat finished.

 By Monday 8th we had completed all the left hand side, with only the top quarter on the right and the bit that curves round to join the north wall still to do.  But the rain continues.

 Tuesday is intermittently drizzly, but I couldn't stay indoors any longer and tackled cutting back the undergrowth that was threatening to overwhelm the shed.  We have to disconnect the water from the old camper van and Dave will need access through the brambles.

 While in the area of the shed, I noticed that our dozy lemon tree was producing fruit.  Last time it only managed one lemon, so this was a major improvement.

The next day it was sunny, and I restrung the washing line that Dave had chainsawed down while olive pruning, and hung out the first wash on it.

Second coat plaster

1st week December 2014

We are off to the UK on 16 Dec for George's wedding, and we want to have the second coat of plaster completed on the east face before we leave.  We will have tarpaulins over the wall, but we might return to find them shredded, so the plaster is essential.

 Monday, Dec 1st - all window frames membraned, and second coat plaster across all ladder-reachable areas.  But then it rained.

So I whitewashed the new internal wall in the studio, and fitted shelves.  Then I unpacked all my books and paints and settled in.  Lovely.