Week 34 of our new life

Monday, Long lie in today, such a sore head, sore throat, feel like a sledgehammer has hit me.  Had to go out this afternoon to collect tie backs for the Kitchen and Living Room curtains and also the new cushion for the chair in our bedroom, James and Valentina have done a lovely job and will be doing more for us in the way of cushions etc over time.  Thats the problem with having so many terraces, furniture is required which means cushions etc.  Douglas had his 5 o Clock club and I sorted out all of our paperwork which ended up being a 4 hour job, so now it is all sorted and filed in the filing cabinet, nothing is ever easy.

Kitchen Curtains Window 1

Kitchen Curtains Window 2

Chair Cushion

Tuesday, still feeling very rough today and Douglas is not much better, cannot summon energy to do very much.  Had to pop out to chemist to get something for both of us for our flu.  Managed to sort out anther couple of boxes and suitcases and then lit the fire and just relaxed, feeling very sorry for ourselves.

Cosy Fire

Wednesday, Douglas was golfing today, I am still not feeling good and my eyes are in a terrible state.  Got the washing done and out to dry and managed to get some cleaning done.  The other 2 bathrooms have now been thoroughly cleaned tile to tile and have now been set up as usable bathrooms at last, not that we will be using them but they are ready and another job crossed off the list.  Cleaned all of the windows so now can see out of them properly, our bedroom has had the last of the hard cleaning finished as well and got all of the floors washed again, the tiles are now looking like they should, so a busy day for me and feel I achieved quite a bit in spite of not feeling very good.

Master Bedroom 1

Master Bedroom 2

Master Bedroom 3

Master Bedroom 4

Master Bathroom 1

Master Bathroom 2

Master Bathroom 3

Master Bathroom 4

Thursday, Portuguese lesson today, numbers, days of the week.months of the year and verbs, some of it is sticking in my brain, Douglas still hates it.  I can order bread and rolls in the shop and also greet people and ask them how they are, I can also understand some words but cannot put sentences together yet.  We done a little bit more in the house this afternoon so now the living room is finished.  We have pictures and shelves to put put up on the walls and Douglas has found the perfect person to do that for us from the 5 0 clock club, Michael will come and see us next week and have a look at things we want done.  Painting etc should wait I think as we have a problem with the Chimney, so no point in finishing the internal painting until we have that sorted out, as I am imagining we have not seen the last of the dust and dirt yet.

Lounge 1

Lounge 2

Lounge 3

Lounge 4

Lounge 5

Lounge 6

Friday, Met up with Jim and Jan today, it is their anniversary so we are going out for the day and then for dinner, off to Olhao and from there getting a boat out to Armano Island, boat trip very good but the island was dissappointing, 4 cafes of which only 2 were open, a lovely beach and 700 houses, well the houses were all square shaped packed like sardines and not given to privacy really, a campsite which was exactly the same, cannot think why anybody would want to holiday there, got talking to a man from Aberdeen who has been there since October and will be staying until March, I suppose when you think of the weather in Aberdeen that might explain why they are staying there.  He was telling us that some of the houses go for £800,00 per week in the summer, no thanks not really our cup of tea. Had lunch at one of the cafes and then walked along the beach, ready for the boat to pick us up at 3.30, only the boat was not coming until 5.30, humm missed something, somewhere, so we ended up getting a water taxi back to Olhao.  We then had a wander around Olhao up and down the little streets, it is lovely, primarily a fishing town but with some nice architecture etc.  In the car and off to Faro Beach to watch the sun go down over a beer, this was lovely although it had got chillier by this time on went the fleeces and all was good.  Then it was off to Antiquarius for a suckling pig dinner finally able to have Suckling Pig again, Jim and Jan enjoyed their meal and Jim paid for the meal which was not meant to happen as it was their anniversary, thank you Jim had a great day with you both, looking forward to next week when they come to stay with us.

Armano Beach

Faro from Armano Island

Armano Beach

Olhao 1

Olhao 2

Storks Nest in Ohao

Another nest on the Church

Sunset at Faro

Jim and Jan ready to go

Over the Sea we go

Island Flora

on Faro Beach waiting for Sunset

Saturday, Had to visit the pharmacist this morning to see about my eyes and face, they think it might be an allergy although to what I am not sure, got eye drops and cream so heres hoping it will clear up, still got a bad cough but sure that will go away soon enough.  Then off to get some shopping and we are at Mick and Paulines for lunch at 1.30.  Lunch was really good and we should have known that Micks idea of lunch is not the same as ours, we started with Scallops on Black Pork Sausage, followed by Chicken Chasseur, followed by Eton Mess and then Cheese and Biscuits, everything was really tasty and thank goodness I wont have to cook tonight, this was followed by a few beers and glasses of Red and for me my usual twenty cups of tea, I have not had any alcohol for a fortnight due to not feeling well, hope I am better soon LOL.  The past couple of days have just flown by so tonight it is feet up in front of the fire, planning a walk for tomorrow, we shall see if Douglas is up for it.
Sunday, there was no walk today, Douglas woke up full of the cold so wasn't fit to do very much. The weather was lovely as well, but not to worry we will start these walks very soon.  I decided to clean out the Kitchen cupboards finally and get everything sorted out in there, had to get Douglas to fit a couple of the shelves properly as the builder obviously had decided just to stuff them in without even fixing them. Really think I need to name and shame this builder, so he doesnt get any more work. Still some shelves etc to be put up as everything is sitting on the dining table at the moment, a work in progress.  Douglas managed to sort out some outstanding paperwork and is now being dosed up with flu remedies.

Kitchen 1

Kitchen 2

Kitchen 3

Kitchen Column Wallart 1

Kitchen Column Wallart 2

Kitchen Column Wallart 3

Kitchen 4

Kitchen 5 in Progress

Kitchen 6 still to be cleared

Week 33 of our new life

Monday, hair day for me today, getting ready to come back for a couple of days to meet Miss Madison, and to get together with the rest of the family.  Got down to discussions with the builder today regarding costs etc, he hit us with a very large bill for extras!!! inevitably we hit back with our large bill of all the extra costs we have had to incur whilst waiting on this job being finished.  Not very good so we have decided to call it quits which leaves us now with a large snagging list both inside and out.  A very big learning curve for us and we now have a lot more jobs to do, not to worry we are going to take our time and do the rest bit by bit.  Shame really that things had to come to this but it was headed that way just by the way the job has gone on.  We have asked the builder to make sure the outside lights and gate lights are working correctly and that the boiler is working correctly before he leaves the site, also he will need to buy us a large tub of paint so that we can finish the exterior painting.  There is not much that we cannot handle, but Douglas will need to learn to use a few tools on the way!!!  Went to the workshop to check on our doors, they finally all match so hopefully we can get them fitted this week.  Got the furniture set out on the terrace and thats about all we managed today due to stop/starting with all the costs for the builder.  By the end of the day only one gate light is working!!! says it all really.

One end of Terrace

to the Other

Tuesday, builder arrived to work on the lights and by the end of the day got two working and the gate light still not working, just typical, we will now need to get that sorted as by 3.00pm he was off.  Not to worry think both him and us are glad that it has finally come to an end.  Celia came to look at the boiler and that is now sorted and working properly. thank goodness it has been a long time getting to that stage, we have a lot of things on the list to do now but will take it bit by bit.  Builder has said that he will sort it for the electrician to come tomorrow morning to sort the light, but we have no expectations.  Scrubbed the last floor inside the house today, so that makes 10 floors scrubbed tile by tile, 5 hours to do this one as it was the living room it was the biggest room to do.  Have the pool side and BBQ area to do but will wait to do them.  My right arm will never be the same again athough it nust be good for Bingo wings!!  Douglas was sorting out furniture and ornaments, then I made Tomato and Basil Soup and Chicken with Butternut squash so a very busy day.  Time for a wee drink I think!!

Terrace with blinds down

Wind and Rainproof

Terrace No 2

Furniture required!!

Wednesday surprise surprise the electrician did not turn up, so a no work day today.  Went to pick up Jim and Jan and took them to Caldos de Monchique, had a lovely walk around, then went for lunch and then decided to go to the highest viewing point in The Algarve at Monchique.  Did not make it to the top due to the mist being very thick and not being able to see anything, so it was about turn and try to find the way home.  We did eventually, and we all had a good day, Jim is so full of banter it made a refreshing change from cleaning and worrying about the house.  Next week it is their anniversary so we are going to go to Olhao Island if the weather is good and finally get to the Suckling pig Restaurant.  Will look forward to it.  I have an early start in the morning as I am flying back to Scotland to see the newest addition to the family and also catch up with the rest of the children and grandchildren, Douglas has a busy day as the doors are finally arriving and also the fly screens are getting fitted.

Thursday, back in Scotland today so had an early start, arrived at lunch time to be met by Lesa and Miss Madison our newest granddaughter.  Had an afternoon of retail therapy plus coffee and then got dropped off at Richards to collect my car.  Brief catch up with Richard and April as he was off to work and then onwards to Katies where I will be spending the next couple of nights with her and the girls.  Spaghetti Bolognese for tea which was yummy and a quiet night.  Plans for tomorrow to have Miss Madison for the day so that Lesa can get her nails done and I can have time with Madison, A hectic day but looking forward to tomorrow and Douglas survived at home as he had the 5 O Clock club and didnt really notice that I was gone. New doors fitted and fly screens fitted.

Miss Madison

Friday, how does that saying go the best laid plans... up early, Katie and I walked the girls to school with the promise of meeting them with Madison at 3.00pm.  Then it was off to get a new tyre for the car and then to pick up Madison for the day.  Got to the garage actually needed 2 new tyres and when they took the first tyre off the track rod was broken, damn wouldnt be going anywhere for a couple of hours, it could be sorted but would take until lunchtime.  After a frantic phone call to Lesa had to change all the plans so couldnt get Madison until after lunch.  Katie and I walked into the town centre and Lesa took Madison with her to get her nails done.  Got a few things sorted in the town, then headed back for the car, another issue with another tyre that had two nails in it, so ended up with 3 new tyres a new track rod and a very much lighter purse. Finally managed to pick up Madison and got to the school on time to pick up the girls.  A different sort of day than originally planned.

Carly & Miss Madison

Saturday, up early as the girls were getting hair cuts at 08.00, then it was off to the town to get shopping.  Meeting some of the family for lunch and will have all 8 granddaughters together for the first time.  Richard and Lynne could not manage lunch as they were working, but had a great time with the rest of the family lovely to catch up with all their news and to know they are all doing well. The granddaughters had a great time together in the play area and the afternoon went in a flash, they are all growing so quickly, great to see, and Miss Madison our newest addition had a great fuss made of her.  Had hoped to catch up with Richard after lunch but did not get back until 5.15 and he was heading off to night shift so didnt manage, never mind will catch up soon.  Quiet night as up really early in the morning to fly home, a very quick couple of days and very tiring but could to catch up with the family, just sorry I could not spread myself around any more to catch up with friends and other family.  Never mind visitors welcome to us any time.

8 Lovely Granddaughters

Half of the Family

Pudding Time

Proud Mum and  Dad

Becky & Miss Madison

Sunday, up in the middle of the night early flight and home, Douglas waiting for me and the sun was shining, good to be back.  Full of the cold and feel a bit rubbish so a lazy day to recover.  Good to see the doors and fly screens were fitted while I was away and they are looking good so another couple of jobs done.  Been a good week, great to pop over to Scotland and see the family, and great to come back home.  Will now be able to get stuck into more cleaning, oh the joys.

Master Bedroom Wardrob

Internal Doors

Double Bedroom Wardrobes

Internal Doors