Monday

It’s an early morning start to get the boy back to London. On arrival however it seems that his flight has been significantly delayed so we’re both back off home after a wasted trip, and more importantly much unnecessary complaining and getting out of bed. An hour or so later we’re back off up to the train station.

With Matt gone the house immediately feels empty – even if I can usually only find him after a 15 min search, text messages or the occasions we happen to have our walkie talkies on us. I guess I shall spend the next few days trying to keep myself as busy as possible with work.

Time to raid the defrosted meat locker. Tonight we are (I am) having ribs (the cat’s not allowed ribs, I checked, apparently that’s a thing). I did however bribe the cat to come to bed though, I didn’t fancy being alone and I have no shame.

Matt

This is going to be a long journey as I need to get the train up to the airport, then fly to Lisbon, wait 2 hours, and then get the plane to Madeira.

It was a long journey but I was pleased to finally arrive. Once I’d unpacked it was time to go out for dinner with the team.

[10 October 2022]

Tuesday

After yesterday’s early start I was trying to have a lie in. Meow had a different idea and was keen for me to get up. Clearly she’s not yet adjusted to the Matt being away scenario. Ah great, looks like they are cutting the water off for a bit again, that will be fun.

Now I’m properly up and got some work done it’s time to make Matt proud. After cleaning the bathroom, I’m off to work on the insulation of the second floor. Having cleaned the rafters it’s time to crack on. It seems that we have an array of different R-value (warmth rating) rolls to choose from. Based on the thickness of the beams I need the 160mm, R4.50 – of course, I assume you knew that already, naturally!

Best thing about it is that it is super easy to cut. At least it is in comparison to using the solid insulation with variable spaces between each beam and shaving each part to fit exactly and then fill it. I’m starting in Tonia’s room (Room 6) and by pushing it as far as I can across the void in the hallway, since we aren’t planning to take that ceiling down.

Before I knew it I’d finished the first roll and I hadn’t even finished the hallway ceiling voids. This may take longer than planned. Jonny and Cressida are also off for a few days so rather than having a super early morning tomorrow they’re going to drop Basil off at Doggy Daycare tonight, they were a bit earlier than expected but at least it meant that I got to finish work early.

Now that it’s only Basil, Meow appears to be somewhat more confident. I think she knows that Woody was a bit mental. On my own however I am now balancing my time between the kitchen (Meow) and the living room (Basil). Each are demanding cuddles and attention and I can only think how much easier it is when there are two of us, but of all the things we’ve done so far I’m pretty sure I got this.

Time for bed and it’s still warm out so Meow is outside tonight and despite my protestations Basil is coming to bed with me.

[11 October 2022]

Wednesday

If there is one thing our Basil is good at it is sleeping, he gave me a lovely lie in and I was very grateful, we won’t get that with a new puppy. I was trying to work and all of a sudden my computer was locked and required some password so not I could do till Matt was free and could provide remote IT support – pretty sure that’s not what I signed up for 😉

Nothing for it then, off to potter about in the garden. Hard times. Peppers have been eaten by something, Cosmos are huge but still not flowering, tomatoes are going crazy, and some apple picking.

With playtime done it was off to clean the rafters again and try a bit more insulation. After just a few minutes however the house supervisor did not approve and insisted all workers must go back to the ground floor for a debrief. My garden supervisor also pulled me for a chat. Clearly I’m not performing to my full potential and all this ‘extra curricular work’ is distracting me from the importance of the animal sitting, walkies and cuddles that ought to be focusing on. They’ve even told me Matt is much better and I will not be getting employee of the month, which I think is a bit unfair since Matt isn’t even here.

There’s lots of meat that needs to be eaten so since all my friends are away I’m just going to cook it up and work through it – again I’ve checked and apparently can’t give this to the dog or cat, which is a pity since it would have been nice to eat with someone. Oh well, animals fed (their dietary appropriate food) and it’s off to bed; it’s been a busy day.

Thursday

Up early to feed the cat, I was a bit later today though and she wasn’t overly pleased.

I had work to do and Basil’s head on my keyboard wasn’t helping, I had to keep pushing it back but every two minutes it was back. Nothing for it, I’m clearly going to have to make time this afternoon to go out and play with him. It looks like he enjoyed it and he was certainly happy and hungry afterwards.

‘We’ then went to go and work more on the insulation. Problem was that we need a sharp blade to cut the insulation. Apparently they are in the basement workshop.. Well that’s not so helpful, how can you ever find anything in this?! Oh… Better work on that.

I found a blade, just the one but it was enough. I could now get on with the job in hand, to get the insulation in.

Time to feed the animals, get the membrillo in the freezer and to have a bit of a rest before bed.

[13 October 2022]

Friday

Cat, then dog, then meetings. Trying to get lots of work done before Matt gets home.

There is still another roll of insulation that needs to go up but it’s not going to finish the whole area, I have to try and play the puzzle now so that we don’t just end up with a heap of offcuts, and waste of money.

Basil wasn’t really up for supervising but he came to check on me a few times. It didn’t take forever though. Apparently I’m weirdly good at this spacial reasoning – with a bit of help from my calculator. The 4 last bits, when divided by 2, were 74 x74 and almost exactly what I needed, once I divided them up again. I got the last bits up though, apart from the final corner which I want Matt to look at before I cover it up.

Basil’s feeling a bit grumpy though so time to play stick; in fact he was actually really good, I think he must have bought it all the way back >75% of the time which was pretty good. Next it’s time to feed the cat and make dinner. Beans on toast – French style: I’m definitely sick of cooking for myself by this point.

Lots of sitting about and waiting before I finally left to go to the airport to pick Matt up. I decided to drop by JC’s on the way to pick up Basil’s pocket and poo bags, the one I had wasn’t going to be enough. Their driveway however – and the width of our car – scares me. No way I was going down there. So, after waiting for a hedgehog to move out of the way (not scared by the lack of noise of our car) I pulled up across the neighbours drives and put on the hazards. I then went in with my phone torch – forgetting that I must look like a burglar to anyone else. I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t turn the lights on. I guess I either forgot they were there or I was wanted to go under the radar as my car was poorly parked – it was 22:30 though.

Eventually I found what I needed and I was off to the airport. I arrived about 23:24 when Matt was due, however sadly he was delayed. So I went to my spot, pushed back the seat, and watched Netflix for the next hour. I was glad I was monitoring my phone and not watching anything enthralling as it was on sleep mode. Oops!

Finally I have the boy and we are on our way home. Basil was ecstatic we were back! Time for bed though, although Basil seems to think a double bed works for 3, Matt does not. Sleep time though.

[14 October 2022]

Saturday

Ugh, what a terrible night’s sleep. We had a huge battle with Basil to make him sleep in his pocket rather than on the bed between us, Matt had a crazy nightmare that woke Basil and I up, I felt had to constantly pee, and then Matt wants to be up around 10am to go to the shops. What is wrong with you and why don’t you like sleeping?!

After being awake from about 11, I decided that 12:30/13:00 was a better time to actually get up. Matt needed time to do his stuff, cuddle and feed the cat, and I needed to pretend this morning wasn’t happening.

Once up it was time to show Matt what I’d been working on while he was away and to discuss the issues – old electrical cables etc preventing me from filling spaces and various other bits – as well as the more general running out of insulation. The next job of course was to work out how much more of the insulation we need to complete the second floor.

It seems that Matt has a 10% off voucher for Bricomarche so asked what else we needed to get done soon. Well the other big thing is the basement. The ‘cave’ will just be pushing cold air up during the winter and after checking it needs the same insulation so we probably need a load more for that too. Unlikely that Brico will have enough for both so we’ve ordered 5 – about 3 for the second floor and 1 or 2 for the basement. We’re always going to need more, but this should get us much further forward.

The order wasn’t ready – or at least Matt hadn’t checked his phone – so we went to the Garden Centre. It’s very spendy so mostly a viewing and options exercise. It seems that the dark purple leaves and silver were my preference – clearly I’m starting to think wedding.

Back to Bricomarche, then a quick stop at Lidl. Roses 50% off, so I bought Matt a bunch for getting home safe and that I missed him, and he got me two for staying home and working on the house, or at least that’s how I explained it. We’ve always done really well with their roses, they last 2-4 weeks usually. Matt suggested they may be close to the end of their life, hence the offer. However, with my second use (as confetti) it’s not so much of an issue – and we have roses.

After bringing everything in we just want to have a swim and relax. We did however spend time creating the priority list for tomorrow so we’re both ready to crack on.

Having also played stick with Basil, it was time to feed the cat, have dinner, feed Basil, and relax (and update the blog).

[15 October 2022]

Sunday

Matt is up again to start work on the list. I have a brief reprieve this morning as he needs to finish the boards in Room 1 before I can do anything so Basil and I get a bit of a lie in.

When I get up he’s finished the plasterboard in Room 1 and taken down the scaffolding. While I go to make tea he’s off to quickly disconnect the cables in Room 6 that are blocking some of the channels across the hallway.

Matt and I then put the scaffold tower back up in the pink bathroom and I finished off the insulation. With that finished Matt’s ready to start on the plasterboard. There’s not much I could do to help so I was back up to Room 6 to get more insulation in the ceiling and fill the newly cleared voids.

About 15:30 we decided that it was high time we made the most of the 30deg weather and headed out to the pool with a glass of wine. Ah so nice to relax.

We’re not done yet though as there’s still more boards to go up and insulation to go in. Still a few gaps to be filled but it’s nearly 21:00 and Matt has made a nice curry for dinner, much better than the jar one we had the other day.

[16 October 2022]

Monday

Obviously it’s a work day so busy morning. We managed to find some time however to get back upstairs. Matt has finished off the plasterboard, taken off and reattached the loose board, and I’ve helped him to put the side wall in ready for the door to go in. Looking good. Meanwhile I had been upstairs finally finishing off the insulation. It’s taken quite a bit of time but at least it is another job off the list.

Time for dinner and for Matt to try his new pork pulling tool things from Lidl before settling down in front of the TV for the evening and the nightly battle for the sofa.

[17 October 2022]

Tuesday

Busy morning but need to take Basil out for a walk and had a look at some of the windfall apples. Some of them were good, but maybe not this one with the worm sticking out of it. Good to finally see the Cosmos flowering, it’s been so very late this year and yet the stems are huge.

Matt has another meeting and I’ve got another 20 mins before mine and there’s some leftover insulation that I quickly put up. Matt is still interviewing someone so I managed to grab a quick swim before he joined me briefly.

Since the weather is nice and we’re running out of time before we leave we need to get on and collect up the apples. Bugger me if I haven’t cracked my head super hard on a branch while collecting them. Jesus that hurts. Probably minor concussion, a huge swelling right on the top of my head and lots of cursing later, I still had to finish helping with the apples. I swear he was trying to hit me with them half the time. But eventually we got almost all of them. Basil has also been enjoying a bit of the sun, but he’s not too good at collecting apples.

That’s a lot of apples! We’ve only got a few days before we go away so we’re going to have to do something with them now. I couldn’t find the recipe we used last time so we had to find a new one, well actually we found two and did two batches. They take time though and we’ve hardly made a dent in them. We’ve pretty much only used the older ones from the basement.

Time for dinner and we have leftover pork so more wraps for us tonight, they were super yummy though. It’s late now though so a short bit of relaxation before bed.

[18 October 2022]

Wednesday

The potential caterer for the wedding is coming today so we had a bit of a clean around. Matt had various calls but did a good job of helping out. She’d been delayed a bit also as it was apparently further than she thought, which was a relief for me. I’m not used to eating this early so it’s going to be tough on my stomach.

When she arrived we had a tour around the garden, explained our plans/homegrown produce, and then she started to prepare some of the food for tasting. It’s a full on ‘Farm to table’ thing, they rear the pigs themselves, the bread is from Corsica so can be out in the heat and cold etc etc. A range of many canapés, vegetarian main option, starter and then desert, I thought I was going to explode, and I definitely needed a nap afterwards.

I couldn’t nap for too long as I have another appointment today. Rane is coming over to cut my hair, and as a bonus they’re also brining us some of their old windows to make a new greenhouse – we’re very lucky. It’s been nearly 2 years since I had a haircut, before we moved here, but with Lee and Vicky’s wedding upcoming I have to take the leap and get it done. They also had a friend, Nicky, who’s over to visit and so after the haircut it was time for another house tour. Rane was fantastic and quickly noticed the work that I’d done on the insulation in Room 6 – exactly what you want to hear.

There was a hell of a noise going on outside the window after they’d left. It seems it was a helicopter flying really low.

Meow has come in early, it’s only around 5pm, so Basil is in the other room but while he is there she took her opportunity and rather than eating her food she rather fancies a bit of his dog food. She was trying to make quite a dent so we had to take it away from her, a little dog food is one thing but not a full serving, that wouldn’t be good for her.

Time to head upstairs to put the scaffolding together so that I can finish the insulation at the top and Matt has put in the braces over the windows. I carried on while Matt went to go deal with some of the apples. By the time that I had finished Matt was already cooking up some stewed apple having got the recipe from Mumma Camp yesterday. With that done Matt’s making some quick pasta for dinner while I look up recipes to make some more spiced apple liqueurs – Vodka, Rum and Martini.

That’s plenty enough of that and again it’s late so time to relax for a little while before bed, and getting the blog updated.

[19 October 2022]

Thursday

Matt’s tried to take Basil out a couple of times but he won’t go anywhere without me. I had to get a few things finished first though so he decided that the pocket was the best place to be, he loves that thing; I’m very glad I went to collect it on the way to get Matt from the airport the other day.

There’s a whole heap of extra wiring that needs to go in so Matt is off to work on that. In Room 1 we did the wiring before the second layer of insulation but we’ve gone the other way round this time – which was easier for me at least. Since there’s not a lot that I can do to help so I went to crack on with the insulation upstairs and he could shout when he needs me. JC turned up about 16:40 to collect Basil, it’s been good but will be nice to have the cat back in the house and not to have to worry about him all whining all the time. Back to work.

As it goes, it seems that we may have struck up a deal yesterday to get some extra support and work done on the house with our very own ‘builder mate Steve.’ He was meant to be here at 17:30 but got a bit distracted with his own renovation project though so my gentle reminder was clearly worthwhile. He managed to come round about 18:30 and it looks as though he may be able to start while we’re away which would be excellent – how novel for neither of us to be here and yet work to continue on the house!

Once he’d gone Matt was keen to crack on so that Room 2 is ready for taping and joining. Getting those big boards of plaster isn’t overly easy but it’s definitely easier without Basil suddenly running up the stairs under your feet at the corner. I got as much more done on Room 5 but the lack of light and power was really hindering. Instead I decided to use up the tomatoes, making some sun-dried tomatoes that will keep while we are away. It seems that some of them have already attracted rather a few fruit flies.

Dinner is just pizza while I finish tidying up the kitchen and other rooms getting it ready for our departure tomorrow. We need to have the 1st floor rooms ready for ‘Steve’ and it’s so much better coming home to somewhere that is clean and tidy.

A quick helping hand for Matt and then to clean the kitchen and hall floors before we have time for one episode of The 100 before he goes to bed and I complete the blog update and follow myself, there’s still a few more things to do and Matt is going to be getting me up early.

[20 October 2022]