It seems to have been a year and it seems to have been only a couple of days - but the month since we left Mijas has now passed. And where are we now ? - well we have a car; we are in the rented house; we have organised the supply of power, gas, fibre-optic and TV. We have all the facilities working in the house (but desperately need something like the brilliant blinds we had in Mijas, as it is a bit exposed with low window ledges and the lights on - actually, it is a bit exposed in just daylight in the lounge and the bedrooms). We are still not quite sure who we have to talk to about issues, the owner or the lady who told us about the place, but have found the building site staff pretty friendly and useful. (Washing machine now properly plumbed and the flag poles and advertising bits taken away).
No contact from any neighbours (suits us anyway), but initial contact at the localist pub (two within 100 yards) the Viking. As we passed, I saw a large black cat in the car park, so went in to say hello. Big furry, fluffy, black beast with a full tail and who liked being stroked, tickled and fussed over (lying down for a belly rub is always a good sign). Went later to check the actual pub and turns out the cat is just a visitor from nearby. The pub was closing but the landlord, Marcus, said we could get a drink and sit outside, so I ordered a pint of the only proper draft I could see on the bar - first beer i about 6 or 7 years - and it was superb (and not just from absence and abstinence, it was a really good pint). Result!
We have walked the half-mile down to the town a couple of times and the harbour is really fabulous. A few working fishing boats and small pleasure boats mainly, but so tidal (6 or 8 feet I guess), that everything is stranded for long periods. The water even rises above the weir separating the harbour from the little Silverburn river and we noticed that there were dogfish in the river at high tide (that and swans, ducks, seagulls, swallows et al). It is incredibly pretty and on Saturday there is a produce market, but the crowds are small to non-existent (one half-full coach on a weekend!) Yesterday there were a few tourists (handful) on the train down from Douglas, but really quiet all in all.
We have returned to Fort (St Michael´s) Island a couple of times and the scenery is beautiful
- as is the bird life. There is evidence of rabbits on the island, but not seen (possibly too many dogs being walked, as most people seem to have a dog here).
On Friday we saw a couple of “strangers” on the rocks and they turned out to be Oyster Catchers. Big black and white birds with a 3” bright orange bill / beak (a bit of a giveaway once you know / have looked them up). A couple of swans live there, the eider ducks are still around in groups and there are huge amounts of herring gulls (and they are BIG). Lots of hooded crows near the house and a couple of Magpies too. There seems to be a colony near the pub, but not sure whether hoodies, rooks or possibly even ravens.
Yesterday we had a Whatsapp from Axel in Argentina - or rather from Axel from Argentina in Mijas, ´cos there he was standing by the metal donkey in a photo. Must be nearly twenty years since we last met and then missed each other by four weeks. The irony of it.
Oh, and almost forgot / managed to see an accountant (seems we have 180 days to decide on what and where), also met the guy from Jamie’s removals which is just the other side of the airport - and he seems amenable to our requirenments for storage and access over rhe next year! (But still no firm date re shipment, ho hum).
Comments