We had to do a number of errands this week – including going to the optician to get Ian’s new glasses (new glasses, new to wearing glasses and taking Horace to the vet for a haircut. The pic above is the result!
Horace is always difficult to handle by people he doesn’t know, and I always try to explain and to say he needs sedating. Yet people see this tiny white ball of fluff and don’t realize the demon he can become. He’s not aggressive, but he would bite if a hand came his way, but he struggles with super-dog strength. When he’s like that I can’t really calm him – which is why I ask that he is sedated when they trim him as it’s best for all concerned.
Anyway, we dropped him off to the vet and did some bits and pieces, only to get a phone call asking us to go back to the vet as Horace was unhandleable. I’m not sure if they tried to sedate him by giving him a tablet (which is difficult) but when we went back they clearly couldn’t do anything with him asked if they could inject him with a sedation – which was quick and easy. They were then able to quickly cut his hair and all was well.
I think they will remember for next time.
One of the things I was doing was replacing some bits and pieces as the only box that didn’t make it with the move, was the very last box I packed of toiletries and the things I needed for the last day. I hung on and hung on, but clearly, not finding it after 5 weeks, that box had gone adrift. So I replaced some essentials – and you’ve guess it – Ian found the box! I guess that was inevitable 🙂
One of the nice things about running errands is we can stop on the way back and watch the waves or go for a walk.
This is a beach at Burela which we can see from the fort by the house. The white buildings sort of in the centre of the photo (but slightly to the right of centre) I think are the first buildings into our hamlet. This is another surfing beach and we do see surfers in the water.
San Ciprian
Another errand this week was picking up some parcels from the post office. I’ve been directing our packages to the post office as we’ve not been completely sure we have our address right. However we have done a couple of tests and post does seem to be coming here – but it’s actually turned out quite convenient to pick it up.
Anyway, the tide was higher than when we’ve been before and we could see the mermaid cut off from land (the rock at the back left of the photo is her castle).
When we were there, we decided to go for a walk across to the surfer beach by the aluminium plant.
Ship Spotting
Who would have thought that could be so much fun! We can see the boats on the horizon and there is a ship, ahem, parking area just outside San Ciprian. It must have a proper name, however it’s where big ships park up for a while. Container ships and bulk carriers – that sort of thing.
And, because when the Internet is good, it is very very good, we have found a website which gives us information about the ships.
At the moment there is a ship anchored and we can see this:
The website picks up all the working boats, so we can see the small fishing boats too. Hopefully they don’t try to keep their fishing areas secret (like asparagus pickers) as everyone can see where they are going!
Bread!
We are eating a lot of bread and cheese meals at the moment. Obviously it’s something we enjoy – but with very limited cooking facilities, it’s easy to do.
One thing I think I have seen in nearly all the supermarkets is they sell bread from local bakers – often featuring bread from 3 or 4 local bakeries. I think this is a great initiative and goes some way to negating the negative effect supermarkets have on small businesses.
This was a loaf we bought and it was unbleached flour and very nice!