Well this particular post is a catchup of a few small things that happened since the last one.
A quick precis for those who can't be bothered to trawl through the drivel.
Because!
Or
Working at the office, quick visit home, builders, back to Norway, swimming in sea and lake.
Friday 12th July 2013.
Just over a week a go I went home to Plymouth. This was to attend a 30th birthday party for Victoria. I got home on the Friday evening and just flopped in the spare bed. I had been warned by Maison not to bother coming round if it was late. After doing a few hours in the Gatwick office and the long train trip down I was too knackered anyway.
I got on my train at Reading and went to look for my seat. I keep thinking it's not really worth it booking a seat but this trip showed me how stoopid that was. The train was chocka with commuters. As the people sitting down in my row rearranged themselves I put my bags in the luggage rack above. As I brought my arm down I nearly knocked a guy out with my elbow. It was a complete shock to me as I'm not usually that clumsy, or at least I haven't recognised in myself before.
Saturday 13th July 2013
On the Sat morning Jane gave me breakfast. In fact she fed me most of the week I was down there actually. Quite good system of having the toaster in the garden for breakfast. Much nicer than being buried in a house on such a nice morning.
For lunch we went to Bellever woods. Not sure I'd been there before. Very nice place and when we pitched up it was quite quiet. This changed during the few hours we were there. Spent most of y time either in the cooling river or out of the sunshine. We'd picked a nice spot in the lee of some trees away from the river, so that we had some shade. As it turned out this was probably for the best as the weather got hotter and as more people arrived, the river bank got crowded.
Ken and Anne turned up for a couple of hours.
We left in what we thought was plenty of time. As we got through Yelverton however, we were directed off the main route due to a couple of accidents. We went on a bit of a tour of the back roads on the Southern edge of Dartmoor. We never did find out what was the course. Plenty of cars were affected but was cleared by the time Ken & Anne came through.
Although we got back home in plenty of time we still arrived late at Vic's party. Luckily Vic or Chris wasn't there so it wasn't noticed.
Despite the music being far too loud for most people at the start and only moderately so for the rest of the evening I quite enjoyed it. Didn't drink too much, but probably had more to eat than was entirely necessary. I blame Chris as there was too much food and he kept trying to get people to eat more chicken.
Before leaving I got some doggie bags together and thought it'd at least provide some food for the rest of the weekend if not into the first part of the week.
Sunday 14th Jul 2013.
On Sunday morning we again had toast for breakfast.
Alastair came and borrowed the 3 stage ladder for some DIY. We had lunch at middle Oreston, which included the doggie bags I got the previous evening.
I needed to chop the hay meadow down in the garden. Took plenty of effort even with the hedge trimming attachment I borrowed from Maison. Got very hot during the afternoon and I had to take plenty of breaks. I didn't gather the grass up though as I wanted to spend the tie getting it cut first.
During the afternoon Ken & Anne suggested a BBQ at FFA. Just the crew from Oreston as a quiet evening. It was very relaxed and we worked out you can cook pizza style garlic breads on a BBQ if you use the trays. Saved getting the pizza oven started just for a couple.
Monday 15th - Friday 19th Jul 2013
The days blurred for most of it as I was working from home during the day and trying to get other stuff done in the evening.
Monday lunch/afternoon was getting the grass from the meadow over the cliff at the back of the garden.
I managed to get a fence post installed so that the panel could be reinstated. Webster loaned me a welder to secure the fence post to a bit of the I-beam taken out of the old kitchen. I used some old post cement from Maison which took longer than expected to go off, but it might be because the bags were about ten years old.
Got a door reinstated for the toilet in the garage, primarily for people coming over for BBQ's etc. but also means it wasn't hanging around causing clutter.
I did get round to The Swamp to have a look at how the builders were getting on.
Was a bit surprised with a few of the things that had happened. The fire surround and hearth which I had made myself (and was pretty good even if I do say so) had been ripped off the wall and dumped. This wasn't part of the plan.
As Stafford says though I need to think of it as a business and not get emotional about it. Bit hard when you actually make something yourself though. I will make others for the fire places at FFA. Big flowery things if I can do it.
As I write this blog up, the day outside is quite different from the previous week, as it's quite dark! Can't be heading to winter that quickly surely!
There was also the curtains which had been perfectly serviceable in my eye but they's been taken down and thrown in the skip. Hope Sam doesn't mind as she made them for me.
The work seems to be progressing okay and the house has a nice fresh feel. Taking longer than I thought and probably going to cost more than absolutely necessary but it's getting done.
I finally managed to get the BT & F2S accounts cancelled for the Swamp and took a reading for the solar panels. Hopefully there won't be any issue with me missing two sets of readings. I will have to include a clause in the tenancy agreement which means they give me a reading once per month.
Sat 20th July 2013.
Today was going to be a casual BBQ for the usual crowd. It was also Caroline's birthday although we never found out how old she was going to be.
In honour of the occasion I bought a whole load of Monster University related party stuff such as plates, napkins and decorations. I think she was quite taken with that, especially the 'I am 16 today' badge!
In the afternoon we went down to The Quay for a bit of a swim. It was very good, although I probably shouldn't have taken my t-shirt off due to the sun.
I managed to get a sun shade up between shed 2 and the gazebo which was appreciated by everybody as the sun was still pretty hot even at the later time of 1800.
The BBQ started very poorly. I didn't have anything set up before people started to arrive. I felt completely put out. Staffs got the bbq going using wood while I made the Pimms and got the rest of the nibbles sorted. Despite the slow start it seemed people enjoyed themselves anyway. The kids were entertained by a couple of garden games I'd bought earlier and a set of ground chalks on the patio which had been cleared in preparation.
I had too much Pimms and was grateful I hadn't made two buckets worth. It goes down like water. Good job it's diluted in a ratio of 3:1 lemonade:Pimms.
Sunday 21st July 2013.
As usual there was plenty to clear up the following morning. Didn't take too long as I had used disposable crockery etc. I hope to be using less disposable stuff once I get a dishwasher installed, although at my current rate this could be quite a way in the future.
During the afternoon we went for another swim at The Quay. Very nice. Caitlin nearly broke my leg as she used me as a ladder to get on Ken & Anne's boat. When I'm home I should do more swimming from The Quay. It should be good for the upper and core muscle groups which seem to have been suffering as I cycle everywhere in Norway.
Middle Oreston put on a small BBQ to use stuff left over from the previous day. There were plenty of sausages left over which I was going to have for lunch on Monday. Due to the heat we ate inside.
I spent the last couple of hours on the floor, watching TV and getting some of the stuff I would be taking back to Norway in a pile.
Monday 22nd July 2013
No real big rush to get back to Gatwick for the flight. I had originally decided to go in and do a few hours work but was felling fairly wasted so decided to take it easy.
I caught the 1044 from Plymouth to Reading.
The train from Reading to Gatwick didn't have any A/C working. I personally suspect it was either missing or never maintained so it was unlikely to ever work. Got very hot during the 1.5 hours. After arriving at Gatwick airport I sat down on the platform and waited a while to cool down outside before heading into the terminal to check in.
Even after taking it easy to check I found I had plenty of time to wait and I could've walked over to the office and done an hour or two but for some reason I was not in the mood so left it.
For supper I bought two wraps but only ate one on the flight as it'd be cheaper than buying on the flight. I was planning on having the second one on the train home but instead kept it for lunch the following day.
The flight to Oslo was fairly packed. Lots of people over for the weekend maybe.
As usual it took a little while to get from the plane to immigration. What was different this time though was that we didn't have to walk most of the way. Instead we'd landed in domestic and they took us for a grand tour of the airport by bus before dropping us off at the door to international arrivals.
Didn't bother with duty free as it was packed! Had enough wine to see me through a few more weeks anyway.
Tuesday 23rd July 2013
Was feeling completely wasted this morning, the weather was HOT, so I decided to extend my work from home by doing another work day at the desk in the apartment.
Seemed to go quite well except a near panic attack from the NPN who said the data I'd uploaded wasn't correct??!!
Wednesday 24th July 2013.
Actually made it into the office this morning. A little later than normal but still around 0815hrs at me desk.
In the evening I decided to go for another swim in the local lake 'Semsvannet'. Now I had some neoprene beach shoes it was not going to hurt my feet as much on the gravel beach. I had a most enjoyable float for approx half an hour and had to get out due to tiredness rather than the temperature.
Thursday 25th July 2013
Work is starting to get very very boring as I don't seem to be getting anywhere. It's very quiet in the office as most of the local contractors are on annual leave.
Despite planning on getting to the lake again this evening I never made it.
I'd gone to Clas Ohlson for batteries and walked out with a small remote control aeroplane which was supposed to be very easy to fly. By the time I got to the apartment it was so muggy I didn't have the energy to go on to the lake. Instead I tried to fly the model. Didn't work out too well. Even when I got it to go in a straight line it would be too far away for me to see it properly and the turns were rubbish and it crashed into this and that. Not good. Still it only cost me 30 quid and I can give it another go.
Friday 26th July 2013.
Making small in-roads into the work load today. Taken a decision to just go with what I've got from the vessel so far and proceed to the next step.
Went for another swim in the lake. Mark Lanham had made a remark about swimming across the lake earlier in the day so I thought I'd give it a go. I wasn't stupid enough to try at the widest bit.
Not sure how long a swim it was in metres but it took me approx 30mins, including a couple of minutes haul out at the far side.
Maybe I can get some idea off Google Earth.
Didn't find it there and Google Maps wasn't working good enough on the tablet.
Had a bbq for supper. Most pleasant eating outside.
Saturday 27th July 2013
Stayed in all day sleeping late.
Tried to do some projects on the Arduino. The project I wanted to attempt was a bust however due to forgetting the transistors for switching higher voltages on and off.
There was a project for using a light sensor to control a buzzer.
And another for controlling a servo motor.
Had a bottle of wine and plenty of gin with my pizza for supper, while watching 'Defiance'
A quick precis for those who can't be bothered to trawl through the drivel.
Because!
Or
Working at the office, quick visit home, builders, back to Norway, swimming in sea and lake.
Friday 12th July 2013.
Just over a week a go I went home to Plymouth. This was to attend a 30th birthday party for Victoria. I got home on the Friday evening and just flopped in the spare bed. I had been warned by Maison not to bother coming round if it was late. After doing a few hours in the Gatwick office and the long train trip down I was too knackered anyway.
I got on my train at Reading and went to look for my seat. I keep thinking it's not really worth it booking a seat but this trip showed me how stoopid that was. The train was chocka with commuters. As the people sitting down in my row rearranged themselves I put my bags in the luggage rack above. As I brought my arm down I nearly knocked a guy out with my elbow. It was a complete shock to me as I'm not usually that clumsy, or at least I haven't recognised in myself before.
Saturday 13th July 2013
On the Sat morning Jane gave me breakfast. In fact she fed me most of the week I was down there actually. Quite good system of having the toaster in the garden for breakfast. Much nicer than being buried in a house on such a nice morning.
For lunch we went to Bellever woods. Not sure I'd been there before. Very nice place and when we pitched up it was quite quiet. This changed during the few hours we were there. Spent most of y time either in the cooling river or out of the sunshine. We'd picked a nice spot in the lee of some trees away from the river, so that we had some shade. As it turned out this was probably for the best as the weather got hotter and as more people arrived, the river bank got crowded.
Ken and Anne turned up for a couple of hours.
We left in what we thought was plenty of time. As we got through Yelverton however, we were directed off the main route due to a couple of accidents. We went on a bit of a tour of the back roads on the Southern edge of Dartmoor. We never did find out what was the course. Plenty of cars were affected but was cleared by the time Ken & Anne came through.
Although we got back home in plenty of time we still arrived late at Vic's party. Luckily Vic or Chris wasn't there so it wasn't noticed.
Despite the music being far too loud for most people at the start and only moderately so for the rest of the evening I quite enjoyed it. Didn't drink too much, but probably had more to eat than was entirely necessary. I blame Chris as there was too much food and he kept trying to get people to eat more chicken.
Before leaving I got some doggie bags together and thought it'd at least provide some food for the rest of the weekend if not into the first part of the week.
Sunday 14th Jul 2013.
On Sunday morning we again had toast for breakfast.
Alastair came and borrowed the 3 stage ladder for some DIY. We had lunch at middle Oreston, which included the doggie bags I got the previous evening.
I needed to chop the hay meadow down in the garden. Took plenty of effort even with the hedge trimming attachment I borrowed from Maison. Got very hot during the afternoon and I had to take plenty of breaks. I didn't gather the grass up though as I wanted to spend the tie getting it cut first.
During the afternoon Ken & Anne suggested a BBQ at FFA. Just the crew from Oreston as a quiet evening. It was very relaxed and we worked out you can cook pizza style garlic breads on a BBQ if you use the trays. Saved getting the pizza oven started just for a couple.
Monday 15th - Friday 19th Jul 2013
The days blurred for most of it as I was working from home during the day and trying to get other stuff done in the evening.
Monday lunch/afternoon was getting the grass from the meadow over the cliff at the back of the garden.
I managed to get a fence post installed so that the panel could be reinstated. Webster loaned me a welder to secure the fence post to a bit of the I-beam taken out of the old kitchen. I used some old post cement from Maison which took longer than expected to go off, but it might be because the bags were about ten years old.
Got a door reinstated for the toilet in the garage, primarily for people coming over for BBQ's etc. but also means it wasn't hanging around causing clutter.
I did get round to The Swamp to have a look at how the builders were getting on.
Was a bit surprised with a few of the things that had happened. The fire surround and hearth which I had made myself (and was pretty good even if I do say so) had been ripped off the wall and dumped. This wasn't part of the plan.
As Stafford says though I need to think of it as a business and not get emotional about it. Bit hard when you actually make something yourself though. I will make others for the fire places at FFA. Big flowery things if I can do it.
As I write this blog up, the day outside is quite different from the previous week, as it's quite dark! Can't be heading to winter that quickly surely!
There was also the curtains which had been perfectly serviceable in my eye but they's been taken down and thrown in the skip. Hope Sam doesn't mind as she made them for me.
The work seems to be progressing okay and the house has a nice fresh feel. Taking longer than I thought and probably going to cost more than absolutely necessary but it's getting done.
I finally managed to get the BT & F2S accounts cancelled for the Swamp and took a reading for the solar panels. Hopefully there won't be any issue with me missing two sets of readings. I will have to include a clause in the tenancy agreement which means they give me a reading once per month.
Sat 20th July 2013.
Today was going to be a casual BBQ for the usual crowd. It was also Caroline's birthday although we never found out how old she was going to be.
In honour of the occasion I bought a whole load of Monster University related party stuff such as plates, napkins and decorations. I think she was quite taken with that, especially the 'I am 16 today' badge!
In the afternoon we went down to The Quay for a bit of a swim. It was very good, although I probably shouldn't have taken my t-shirt off due to the sun.
I managed to get a sun shade up between shed 2 and the gazebo which was appreciated by everybody as the sun was still pretty hot even at the later time of 1800.
The BBQ started very poorly. I didn't have anything set up before people started to arrive. I felt completely put out. Staffs got the bbq going using wood while I made the Pimms and got the rest of the nibbles sorted. Despite the slow start it seemed people enjoyed themselves anyway. The kids were entertained by a couple of garden games I'd bought earlier and a set of ground chalks on the patio which had been cleared in preparation.
I had too much Pimms and was grateful I hadn't made two buckets worth. It goes down like water. Good job it's diluted in a ratio of 3:1 lemonade:Pimms.
Sunday 21st July 2013.
As usual there was plenty to clear up the following morning. Didn't take too long as I had used disposable crockery etc. I hope to be using less disposable stuff once I get a dishwasher installed, although at my current rate this could be quite a way in the future.
During the afternoon we went for another swim at The Quay. Very nice. Caitlin nearly broke my leg as she used me as a ladder to get on Ken & Anne's boat. When I'm home I should do more swimming from The Quay. It should be good for the upper and core muscle groups which seem to have been suffering as I cycle everywhere in Norway.
Middle Oreston put on a small BBQ to use stuff left over from the previous day. There were plenty of sausages left over which I was going to have for lunch on Monday. Due to the heat we ate inside.
I spent the last couple of hours on the floor, watching TV and getting some of the stuff I would be taking back to Norway in a pile.
Monday 22nd July 2013
No real big rush to get back to Gatwick for the flight. I had originally decided to go in and do a few hours work but was felling fairly wasted so decided to take it easy.
I caught the 1044 from Plymouth to Reading.
The train from Reading to Gatwick didn't have any A/C working. I personally suspect it was either missing or never maintained so it was unlikely to ever work. Got very hot during the 1.5 hours. After arriving at Gatwick airport I sat down on the platform and waited a while to cool down outside before heading into the terminal to check in.
Even after taking it easy to check I found I had plenty of time to wait and I could've walked over to the office and done an hour or two but for some reason I was not in the mood so left it.
For supper I bought two wraps but only ate one on the flight as it'd be cheaper than buying on the flight. I was planning on having the second one on the train home but instead kept it for lunch the following day.
The flight to Oslo was fairly packed. Lots of people over for the weekend maybe.
As usual it took a little while to get from the plane to immigration. What was different this time though was that we didn't have to walk most of the way. Instead we'd landed in domestic and they took us for a grand tour of the airport by bus before dropping us off at the door to international arrivals.
Didn't bother with duty free as it was packed! Had enough wine to see me through a few more weeks anyway.
Tuesday 23rd July 2013
Was feeling completely wasted this morning, the weather was HOT, so I decided to extend my work from home by doing another work day at the desk in the apartment.
Seemed to go quite well except a near panic attack from the NPN who said the data I'd uploaded wasn't correct??!!
Wednesday 24th July 2013.
Actually made it into the office this morning. A little later than normal but still around 0815hrs at me desk.
In the evening I decided to go for another swim in the local lake 'Semsvannet'. Now I had some neoprene beach shoes it was not going to hurt my feet as much on the gravel beach. I had a most enjoyable float for approx half an hour and had to get out due to tiredness rather than the temperature.
Thursday 25th July 2013
Work is starting to get very very boring as I don't seem to be getting anywhere. It's very quiet in the office as most of the local contractors are on annual leave.
Despite planning on getting to the lake again this evening I never made it.
I'd gone to Clas Ohlson for batteries and walked out with a small remote control aeroplane which was supposed to be very easy to fly. By the time I got to the apartment it was so muggy I didn't have the energy to go on to the lake. Instead I tried to fly the model. Didn't work out too well. Even when I got it to go in a straight line it would be too far away for me to see it properly and the turns were rubbish and it crashed into this and that. Not good. Still it only cost me 30 quid and I can give it another go.
Friday 26th July 2013.
Making small in-roads into the work load today. Taken a decision to just go with what I've got from the vessel so far and proceed to the next step.
Went for another swim in the lake. Mark Lanham had made a remark about swimming across the lake earlier in the day so I thought I'd give it a go. I wasn't stupid enough to try at the widest bit.
Not sure how long a swim it was in metres but it took me approx 30mins, including a couple of minutes haul out at the far side.
Maybe I can get some idea off Google Earth.
Didn't find it there and Google Maps wasn't working good enough on the tablet.
Had a bbq for supper. Most pleasant eating outside.
Saturday 27th July 2013
Stayed in all day sleeping late.
Tried to do some projects on the Arduino. The project I wanted to attempt was a bust however due to forgetting the transistors for switching higher voltages on and off.
There was a project for using a light sensor to control a buzzer.
And another for controlling a servo motor.
Had a bottle of wine and plenty of gin with my pizza for supper, while watching 'Defiance'
