Lake Geneva

 Last night the Tour de France was riding around Lake Geneva.  We did the same thing and it is hard to believe it was 10 yar ago.  On that ride we carried what we needed in two small panniers each, for six days.  The tour only covered a short length around Montreux and then headed away up into the mountains. We stayed with the shoreline and kept as low as possible all the way around.  They showed iconic places last night and talked about the Montreux music scene. I haven't finished riding around European lakes, we just have to get rid of these bugs that are flying around.

Chillon Castle

The Lake Geneva route was a mixed bag of roads, paths and some dirt but when you get foreshore paths like this we'll take them.

SunDiver

 If you have a head cold then there is plenty of time for reading as I sit quietly trying to get rid of this bug. A  lot of people I talk to are recovering or have some type of cold.  This book is the first of a multiple volume saga, the next volumes of which have won two Hugos.  It is a good intro to the Universe that is described here.  Earth is a new kid going around the space travel block.  They have made a discovery that the more sophisticated types missed, and so it goes.  I have just started the second volume and it seems the Earth is still an upstart, and just out of space school. 

Williamstown

 Hooray we own a new apartment.  There was a lot of running around yesterday. The car was already packed with stuff but we had to make room for a pickup from the good guys of a vacuum and a microwave.  After that it was an hour or so at the hospital where Beryl is getting some good attention. I was banned from going in due to head cold issues.  They finally let us in to the apartment around 4:00pm.  Everything seems to be in order, except the remote garage opener did not work, however there was another one on the inside that did work, so I was able to back into the tight space to unload.  Everything is painted and with new carpets, it seems brand new. The kitchen is much more up to date than the one in Clifton Springs. We unloaded and left, which seemed like a bit of an anticlimax.  I now have to get this cold under control before Wednesday when major deliveries are scheduled.

White is Bright

The Bug is Back

 This is a familiar problem and has the same exact pattern. On Monday it was full on baby sitting and then by Wednesday I could feel that telltale throat again. Yesterday was settlement day so we were determined to see that thru but it was a cold day and wet.  This thing has taken over my head and seems to be an ear popping problem this time around and the nasty phlegm is back as well. Too much detail!  No use asking the Doc's advice, let your injections spare the worst.  I am loading up on vitamin C but now I will have to rest up before moving day.  

House into Two

Various piles have been appearing around the house.  Previously when we moved here we brought everything with us. Even moving into Collendina, at the Van, the previous owner left everything. In this case, at Williamstown, it is eerily empty. We have to think about new versions of everything from a can opener to a fridge.  We have been opening cupboards here and finding three of those or four of these.  The antique cutlery set has been handy. I have been using the Silvo on most of it which means we have a spare set now.  The kitchen seems to be where a lot of duplication exists from cheese boards to toasters. It is also the first Friday of the month and the weight loss is on target, despite recent birthday cakes and a week of eating out in QLD.

this will also be our table for a while

Urgent Urgent

 Our solicitors have been suddenly woken from their slumber with the arrival of the signed up sales contract.  This meant another round of signatures yesterday and different trips to the post office for official identification for the State Revenue Office, as we will be up for land tax again. We just got rid of this irksome tax when another property held on behalf of James was sold awhile back.  Also transferring the entire price in one lump sum to the solicitor's trust fund, via the internet, requires some extra security. So we did it in person at the bank with their secure service, for a fee of course.  It is meant to arrive in their account today. Our money tree is suffering withdrawal symptoms. We might have to plant another one.  Our solicitors are still not sure whether settlement will be tomorrow.

Normal Beach

An overdue beach clean is a pleasant activity in this topsy turvyness. I messaged that other beach comber Jill that I was going to comb the beach as it looked like a good lot of sunshine out there. She agreed, which is good, as the need to find a sit down catch up venue is not possible at the moment.  The grass is heaped at one end as usual, but looking ok and the water is crystal clear compared to that QLD pearly blue.  The cleanup was going well with mostly small items until I came to a packing type of blanket strip.  I got it uncovered and into the bag but that filled it heavily.  The other item was a perfectly good plank which I hauled to the back blocks. This would make a good seat perhaps balanced on grass balls.