Morning all. The sun is a bit late appearing, or I started earlier. Now I hope to stay still for a time and get on with the seasonal jobs. I have a large woodpile down the field that is all cut to length for the wood burner, but now has to be transported back to the house. Then the vegetable plot needs to be rotivated; with as much compost and manure as I can muster to spread on it, so it can stand over the winter. I am just hoping that there are no problems with the car that goes in for its MOT Thursday. The two-year inspection seems to just fly by. Have a good day everyone.
Just spotted the latest Brexit benefit in the UK. As you will know, I like an odd glass or two of wine, and search the cave for something new or a bargain to try. Normally, something with 12% alc will be quite drinkable, if not always to my palate. 8.5% alc is the minimum that you can have something and still call it wine within the EU. Now in an effort to boost UK wine growing it will be possible to call something with 0% alc wine. This seems to me to be the opposite of the biblical tale when water was turned into wine.
Morning all. Bright and sunny, but feeling a bit gloomy as one of my electric loos has finally given up the ghost. It has been here for 23 years, which is rather better than the life expectancy of 10-15 years, but has been ailing for some time. So now it will be a new one to contemplate the world from, but I will keep the seat which has a familiar feel to it. Have a good day everyone.
Evening all, greetings from Amsterdam. Tomorrow, Quito. All being well! Very modern hotel. All sorts of bells and whistles, but I prefer a slightly more traditional hotel, if I'm honest. That said, I'd certainly stay here again. All depends on KLM! The short hop was excellent, tell you about the long haul in 24...
I've got two bars to find, both near the old town. Mrs Fez isn't enjoying the best of health at present, alas, but we have a guide with us most of the time. The main thrust is the Galapagos. The two craft beer places are allegedly 15 minutes walk away. We'll see. I did New York on my own in the 80s, and Philly in the 2010s, so hopefully, I have my street smarts working!
Morning all. Overcast with showers on and off, but nothing like pictures I have seen from the OK. Car passed its MOT, so another two years ahead of it. Need a new bulb for brake light, so having found out what bulb to use, found I cannot access it without taking the cover off from the rear light cluster. Nothing in the manual, and nothing on YouTube that is for my model. Having struggled for half an hour, gave up and went to see my friendly garage man, who got no further than me. He says to go and see a Renault dealer, as he didn't want to have to pay for a new and expensive piece of plastic. Something else that was not planned for today. Have a good one.
The Galapagos - I'm envious!! Years ago in Oz there was a TV show called Seachange - one of the characters in it, played by David Wenham, was called Diver Dan - the most laid-back character I've ever set eyes on (apart from when I look in a mirror, according to my wife). He left the show when his character moved to the Galapagos to "look after the turtles" - and I've wanted to go there ever since
Morning all. Bright and sunny, but breezy at the moment, with some showers expected later. I was talking to one of our part-time English homeowners yesterday afternoon as he was packing up to go back to England a week earlier than planned. His neighbour in Shropshire had phoned to say that the little brook that flows past their house had turned into a river, and if the rain continued for much longer it could find its way towards their front door. He bought the house about three years ago and never expected to be worried by flooding. The south-east of France has had some terrible flooding, but fortunately I have seen no loss of life. Hope that you all have a good day.
Very long but pleasant day out, new foods, wine, volcanoes, and markets. It's a bit of a rough diamond, Ecuador. I might venture out in a while, see If I can find Bandido's which is a craft beer brewery and tap. Apparently 15 mins walk from the hotel.
Morning all. Dry and bright, but not very warm. It makes you think about putting some heat on, but a jumper will be cheaper. It will soon be wood burner fire up time, and the chimney will get its annual clean when that happens. Already some neighbours have had fires in the evenings, as the smell of wood smoke is distinctive and gives them away. Have a good day everyone.
Evening all, a trip to the equator today and a walking tour of old town Quito. We would like another day here really, but Mrs Fez is struggling a little with the landscape. Cobbled streets and steep hills are all very romantic, but not much fun when your not enjoying good health. Very hot today, several layers of factor 50 on as well! On to the Galapagos in the morning so I'll be incommunicado until next Saturday!
Oh yes, I forgot to mention: a chocolate tasting experience today. We've done chocolate tasting before but this was extraordinary. Absolutely delicious! Especially the hot chocolate and the most exceptional brownie. Mrs Fez was especially impressed, and that takes some doing!
A morning of frustration as I grapple with the French communication system and internet. I simply wanted to buy my WC online to collect in 2 hours. Placed the order, went to pay, and there is no signal in the house to receive a text from the bank. Up the road I walk until there is a signal, and I receive my text. Go in and put the security number on the website, which goes through with confirmation of my order, only to be told they never stock this item despite it being there for all to see. Try a different branch that has it in stock, but each time I try to pay and confirm my order, the site crashes. I could phone them to confirm they have what I want, but no they closed for a nice two-hour lunch break.
OH yes!!! Or really oh no............................ My son ordered a set of goal posts to come to our village here in France.....At least twice were were told they were coming that day only or them never to arrive ..3 months later they have not arrived and it seems impossible to get refunded.....
Update: Went to the store that had two in stock, and was amazed to find that they had two in stock. I then needed to find out how to attach it to my existing system, as it was possible I could need some pipe fittings. As it was all boxed up I couldn't see what might be required and the display model was 3 metres up in the air. Having got my large and heavy box home, I searched inside for an instruction booklet which is all do this, but not that in pictures. I think I know what I have to do now, after an hour of study, and do need some bits that I might have. If not, a visit to the local plumbers merchant which is not far away. It can wait until tomorrow!
"We will be with you in a tick" the recorded message on the Premier Inn help line says as you wait to speak to a person. 40 minutes is a tick seemingly, because it takes that long before the wretched techno music stopped. I stayed with them on the 1st October, and there was a problem that should give me my £60 back. I reported it at reception, and filled in the report form. Because they are busy, they ask for 20 days to investigate and get back to you. Having heard nothing, I thought I would phone the helpline, which is where my wait began. Eventually, a lady took my booking reference and asked me to hold while she read my account of events. 5 minutes later she is back, saying she needs to speak to the hotel, so can I please hold while she does that. Another 5 minutes go by before she returns to say that there is no one at the hotel who can help, so after she has answers from there, she will e-mail me. Just why do these large companies feel it acceptable to provide such a poor service? Do they hope that people with a genuine complaint will just give up and not bother them any more?
Yes...its shocking this day and age...I had a similar problem with Virgin media where it seemed impossible to actually talk to a human being and the webstite sent you round in circles...and of course they have close down all their shops................ we eventually talked a woman in Indonesia and neither myself or my wife could understand all that she was saying....very frustrating
¡¡Ándale compas!! Max, Norma, now Otis have recently hit the pacific coast to different extents. The latter came as a tropical storm and in 24 hours hit as a category 5. The biggest hurricane to ever hit the Mexican Pacific coast. Let's see if the international news gives us a case. Needless to say, rainy here up in the Jalisco hills. Apart from that, things seem calmer here, not so much Narco stuff. But, one can go about one's day without notice or pressure. As other news outlets hate to suggest. I hope those on the coast are ok. That was a biggie. Take care all.
