Wintertime

Wednesday, July 8th

It had gone down to 0°C in the night. The little heater is going flat chat all night and still can't produce more than 17°C this morning. Still, it's better than getting the feeling of living in a tent. That's how it used to be like when I still had the wood stove that wouldn't burn through the night. All the windows and walls used to be dripping with condensation, causing mould to grow.

I had been told the little heater would be just perfect for my house - and it was, last year when we had a mild winter. This winter is a different story. Unfortunately, the bigger model I was trying to get is sold out.....surprise, surprise.
There is still a fair bit of condensation in places, but a lot less since I have been keeping the heater going non stop. 

It is a beautiful, sunny morning with thick frost everywhere. I'm glad I have some indoor chores to start with. 
But by 10.30 h, I have to get ready to go to Huonville to visit a lady. Looking across the nearby paddocks, I see still plenty of frost in the shady areas. First thing I notice right here is the ice still lying on the timber step.

Impressively, the car starts immediately. But then I notice that I can't see anything. The wipers can't really wipe the stuff away and there's no water coming out of the washer.

Not to worry, says I, I'll just hose it down.........and then again, maybe not!

I have to go back inside and fetch a bucket of warm water to throw at the windscreen.

A look round the front of the house makes me very glad I'm not using the front steps.

My first stop is Minnie's Point just down the road where the dogs can have a quick run.

After my visit in Huonville, we drive directly to Randalls Bay for our beach walk. It is now around one o'clock and the beach still looks quite icy. 

The world looks so very beautiful in winter.

Healing fast

Tuesday, June 30

Going  for a checkup, they discover that I'm all healed and the stitches are coming out. Next

week's appointment can be cancelled.

Plastic Surgery, a hellish drive home and a cute welcome

Monday, July 22

This afternoon, I have a serious date with a plastic surgeon. That annoying bit of sun cancer beside my left eye is to be removed at last. I've been nursing it right through my travels.

I opt to have it done with local anesthetic only. That way I can drive myself. For a moment, I even wonder whether I should invite the dogs along in case we get a chance for another walk afterwards but luckily decide against that option.

I am the last op for the day and it is well and truly five o'clock when I'm ready to leave the hospital. It is dark, the rush hour traffic is in full swing and it has started to rain. The lights of hundreds of cars reflect off the wet road.
My left eye is a bit paralyzed from the injections and I can't blink away any tears. Every so often, I slide a finger behind the glasses to physically help my eye to blink. 

Although it is quite a drive from hell, I still manage to get home an hour later which is about the normal time.

Not a very pretty sight

Having been dark for over an hour now, everybody is looking for their dinner, including the possums.

I park the car beside the house, leaving the car lights on and walk round the corner to the backdoor. I'm greeted by my golden possum who comes walking towards me, looking up at me expectantly. 

Fearing she might have ideas of climbing up my legs, I quickly put my hand down. Goldie sits up on her haunches, grabs my hand with her little paws and tentatively nibbles one of my knuckles. I pull my hand away, pat her on the head and tell her I'll be right back as I walk to the door.

Quickly cut up some apple and put the pieces into the possum dish. She doesn't come though. When I walk back towards the car, she's still sitting there in the light, exactly where I'd left her. I fetch a piece of apple and bring it to her. She takes it very daintily with both paws, puts it into her mouth and then runs up a fence post where she sits to eat it.

I suspect possums can't really see in the light.

Unfortunately, I only have the mobile phone at hand which takes a very lousy picture. But in case you wonder, here is an earlier picture of Goldie.

Coming home and getting thrown in the deep end

Coming home on Friday afternoon, June 12th.

That's the easy part. I'm picked up from the airport by my kind house and pet sitters Bob and Kay and my two canine children who are very excited.

First thing I notice is how clean and shiny the car is! Thanks guys. That's much better than what I usually have it.
The house is equally spic and span. WOW. What a difference to the home coming I had a couple of years ago. Bygones.

That evening, all four animals pile up on top of me. It's as if I'd never left.

My friends leave on Sunday to travel back to the North Island. Now, I have to start doing a lot of washing and there is the catching up on the travel blog. While waiting around at the various airports on the way home, I managed to upload quite a lot of photos. Now, I have to make a serious effort to finish the blog.

At Rotary, I'm getting thrown in at the deep end. The first meeting back and I'm on bulletin duty. 
The Windeward Bound Youth Leadership Challenge Committee is meeting during that first week too.
The Rotary Artshow Committee has put me back on the email list and queries are coming in, needing answers.

On the 21st I finish the travel blog at last. 
http://claudiatravelbug.blogspot.com

May 9, 2015 to June 12, 2015

The missing link

Canada / Alaska 2015