This post is a summary of the last 4 or five days, all rolled in to one, as I’ve had trouble keeping note of when exactly everything took place and individually the small moments wouldn’t warrant a blog post each. So here they are combined in no particular order. I hope they are of interest.

Soup and sandwiches

Visiting one of my two local pubs called the Angler’s Rest to steal the wi-fi, (Airbnb property had run out of data) I was immersed in applying for a care job, when half a dozen people came through the door all dressed in black.

The waitress came over to the two tables next to me (I was sat in the corner at my own table with my laptop) and proceeded to lay out a spread of sandwiches on each of them. I asked if she would like me to move to another table, as I thought I may be in the way a bit. She said I was quite OK where I was sitting.

Over the next hour, the pub filled with so many people, I could hardly breathe squashed into my little corner table space. I had gained three guests at my table barely bigger than a beer mat. One man to each side of me and another directly in front. There was still just enough room for my laptop, but I was using it more as a indicator to others of where I was sitting and to claim my table territory.

The people were all locals and their reason for coming to the pub was for a funeral wake. When this realisation hit me, I suddenly felt like I was maybe intruding. It was also a little difficult to conjure up a suitable sentence in my mind to create small talk if a local made conversation. “Having a good day?” seemed out of place. “What have you been doing today” was also completely stupid. So I stayed quiet.

Until the chap to my left said “have you had a sandwhich?”

I said “no, no, I umm, thought it would be a bit disrespectful as I understand why you are all here and I haven’t been personally invited”.

“I am the brother of the deceased. Have a sandwich” came the reply.

So I had a sandwich.

“Have you had some soup?”

“No”.

The chap then raised his hand and summoned the waitress over.

“Please can you get this gentleman some soup.”

What on earth can you say in response to an act so kind. I just sat there for a few moments with a blank expression and simply said thank you. I felt my eyes prickle a bit and felt grateful to be witnessing a moment of complete sincerity and genuine warmth.

Nothing more was spoken between us, but the point was clear. I was welcome.

I had another Guinness and turned a minute or two of my thoughts to the deceased. Closed my laptop and went back to the Airbnb place to finish my care job application another time.

Van housekeeping

I had a day of “housekeeping” where I swept out the van and gave it a good tidy up. It’s quite a small space in the back, so it doesn’t take long for it to become cramped when bits and bobs aren’t put back properly. I can’t blame this untidiness on anyone else but myself when it happens, so enjoyed keeping my dust demons at bay for a while longer!

While sweeping out the van with a newly purchased dust-pan and brush, I had the idea of using the brush to clean the wheels too. I found a basin around the back of the Airbnb property, filled with old bits of junk. I emptied it out and filled it with soapy water. Washing the wheels then grew into washing the whole van exterior! I expected my mum to come out of the house saying “would you like a cup of tea?” but that obviously didn’t happen.

I put my bedsheets into wash and gave the duvet a good airing on the front seats for a few hours. In the extensive garden of the Airbnb property, there is a mass of Lavender bushes, which decreased in size after I plucked a few flowers to use as an air-freshener in the van!

Beard of midges

I have now climbed Diamond Hill 3 times. Each time I have been a walking buffet for the midges that seem to like scenic locations as much as I do. Most have penetrated my hair and made my scalp itch like mad. The rest have settled for my arms. Mercifully they have spared me of turning my face into the Elephant Man. For such little creatures they are incredibly irritating. Most recently, I did the climb with three pints of Guinness inside me and a fully laden camera bag on my back, complete with tripod. Must remember to weigh it so I can see what i’ve been lugging around.

(UPDATE: Have weighed the bag and tripod and together, they are 11kg or 24lbs)

Through a giddy drunken / dehydrated haze when reaching the summit, I told myself not to drink-and-climb next time. Again, the Guinness did nothing to stop the midges from fancying a piece of me. I tried using some expensive repellant on them, but it did absolutely nothing too. Apparently they don’t like Tea Tree Oil, so will bathe myself in some of that before setting off next time, instead of the Guinness.

You’ve been Tango’d

An Italian couple came to stay for two nights, one of which became a different kind of evening, with them showing the other Airbnb guests, myself included, how to do the Tango. Like the previous Monopoly evening, it was completely spontaneous. We were a captive, captivated audience, like schoolchildren being shown how to make sweets! Whilst listening to the German conductor’s flute music, the Italian couple just stood up and let rip with the moves. Cue the popcorn (I kid you not), Liebfraumilch, (The German flatly refused to try even a single drop of this) Gluwein (German mulled wine) and more Tango dancing, plus invites to Florence all round. Never thought I’d be drinking Gluwein in August. Such is life.

Take it or leave it

Spoke to a restaurant manager at a local hotel about jobs. He asked me to do a 7 hour trial at being a waiter so they could see if I was up to their standards. This would involve me having to buy a white shirt, black trousers and black shoes, to comply with the company policy before I even began the “great opportunity” to prove myself. I said to the manager that 7 hrs is a long time to expect a person to work for no pay. He said well, it’s “take it or leave it”. So I will be leaving it.

I finally applied for the carer job when I got back home.

I have more to add, but this will have to be in a separate post as I am about to meet another new friend at the local watering hole.

Catch you in a bit.