Phoebe’s gone.  Off to Nepal by way of London.

Because she is going on a ‘trek’, we invited Judith, Rob and Laurie for a send-off dinner for her.  Rob and Laurie are world class mountaineers and they gave Phoebe tips on Sherpas, hiking gear, hostels and other things Katmandu.  Normally, I would listen attentively to that sort of thing so that I could have the information for future use.  But I did not listen so closely this time.  I am unlikely to go hiking in Nepal anytime in the foreseeable future.  At least I hope not.  A sure sign of getting older – striking things off the Lifetime to-do list without having done them.

We got dirt thanks to Phoebe.  I finished the deck extension.  The turbine is whining productively at last.  We are gearing up for the next visitors.  Eight for Thanksgiving.  Maybe 9.  Fall is upon us and there are still things on the Seasonal to-do list that I actually still intend to get done.  We’ll see.   

I have started the wheels in motion for the funicular extension.  Still have another few support legs to make (cement tubes, steel and pipes fastened to the rocks).  It should be operational before I go trekking in Nepal.  But there is a short trip south planned for in between and a ‘big shop’ to undertake.  October will be busy.

This is, without doubt, the best time of the year for me.  The air is cold, clear and the wind blows and blows.  I love it.  But there is also lots of sun.  It is bright, blustery and bracing.  It does not get any better.

Work is harder, tho.  For some reason, the wind blowing breaks into my concentration.  I have to focus harder to get things done.  I am more easily distracted.  I find myself stopping and looking out at the sea, then working a bit and stopping again to look at the trees and so it goes……..each day is more easily interrupted by the restlessness of it all.  I guess October is busy for everyone and everything.

Mouse #3.  This guy fell into the deep outdoor sink and couldn’t get out.  Sally discovered him.  Both parties visibly upset by the encounter.  Sal ran off shrieking and the mouse tried digging down through the porcelain without success.  Mousehunter Dave had to come to save the day.  Donning heavy gloves I snatched the little blighter expecting him to be less than an ounce or two of submissiveness.  WRONG!  This guy was formidable, ferocious and Hell bent for freedom.  As much as is possible with the mouse in your hand, we squared off.  A brief but titanic struggle ensued.  It ended by my releasing said mouse some 100 yards from the house.  The last ten yards by Air Dave.  In the direction of Jake, the neighbour’s cat.

We showed him!