April 2009
1st Played an April Fools joke on my colleague at work who fell for it! Left a message on her desk stating that a Mr G. Raffe wanted her to ring back urgently. The telephone number I gave was for Dublin Zoo.
3rd End of the teaching year. Apart from some examination marking and a few meetings, life is going to be fairly relaxed. Officially my holidays start on the 20th June to the 1st September.
4th Finished Goose and Duck Enclosure. This is a specific enclosure to keep them safe when we are not around. Everytime we let them out in the Cottage Garden pond, one always seems to go missing. We suspect that it is a mink or fox as both have been seen around the area in the last six months.
6th Worked on my MSc Paper until 9.30 pm. Deadline is tomorrow, but I am leaving for Greece at 4.00 am. Luckily I have been packing in odd moments during the last week.
7th Left the house at 4.00 am. Arrived at Dublin airport at 6.00am. Caught the Gatwick flight at 8.00 am. Arrived at 9.30 am and had an English breakfast. Eventually caught the 3.30 pm flight to Athens. Arrived at 8.30 pm (2 hours time difference). Temperature was 18 c (Gatwick was 8 c). Caught the metro to Omonia Square. Quickly found the Alma hotel. Bought a few cold drinks at a nearby store and then retired to my room and watched an English movie.
8th Hailed a taxi at 6.00 am and went to the coach station. Caught the Lefkada coach at 7.00 am arrived at 12.30 pm and 20 minutes later caught another coach to Nidri. Temperature was 20 c. Ate a greek salad and walked to the boatyard. Spent two hours looking for my boat (Office was closed until 3.30pm). Eventually found out that IBA had moved it to another boatyard (nearby). Afterwards discovered that they have had record rainfalls over the winter - but I already knew that has there was about a foot of water in the bilges. The rain had got through cracks in the windows and companionway. Spent the night bailing out and cleaning up.
9th - 12th Temperatures were between 21 - 25 c. Most days were similiar. Got up about 8.00 am. Spent the mornings doing jobs, such as repairs, antifouling, etc. At lunch times I would cycle into town, eat, read the newspaper and spent some time at the Internet cafe. Afterwards I would return to the boat and continue with jobs until it got dark about 8.30 pm.
13th Started to rain for the first time. Left Nidri at 7.30 am. Caught the coach to Athens at 9.30 am and arrived at 3.00 pm. Rested at the hotel Alma and then went for a meal at 6.00 pm. Watched English news and films and then slept.
14th Caught the Gatwick flight from Athens airport at 12.30 and arrived at 3.00 pm. Caught the Dublin flight at 5.30 pm and arrived at 7.00 pm. Drove and arrived home about 10.00 pm.
15th - 22nd Nice spell of good weather - mostly around 15-18 c, dry and usually sunny. Completed a number of concreting jobs, such as the path in the Tropical Greenhouse.
24th The farm is covered with Spring plants. In the pictures are Bluebells, Primroses and Cowslips.
28th Mum's birthday. She got cards and presents from most of the family. Sorcha gave her some Foundation Cream. We gave a Puzzle Booklet, plus we intend to get a present when we go over to England in August. Ffion gave her a funny card about carrots and a pea! At lunchtime I left for Dublin (my course) and returned at 8.00 pm with a Chinese meal for everyone. It's hard to believe that my mother is 105, she still looks so young!