Patricia: Now working three days a week in the City for a St James's Place Partner (Jeremy, who constantly tells me how much he appreciates what I do - how good is THAT!) - loving it. No pressure - yet! Got my own desk, rather than parking where I can (great), am surrounded by lovely peeps, and really feeling that I belong, instead of just passing through. Have just completed an inspirational two day PA Masterclass (Time Management, Personal Development, Best Practice) came away refreshed and enthused, having made a bunch of friends all keen to keep in contact and exchange ideas. This gives me time to continue with my French language course and have time for friends, family, garden, house... and me!!
Am also starting to get my head around the Romanian language - determined to be able to converse with Mariano's family. Have kind of spoken with his mother, sister and neices, but a lot gets lost in Mariano's bold attempts to translate. There is an ongoing saga of his ex-wife wanting to make his life a misery, even though she has re-married. We are awaiting the outcome of a Court case she started some time ago to extract more money for their daughter, Patricia, who will be at university for at least another five years. Could all have been dealt with in a much more civilised manner, but she has expressed to wish to see him in prison. Patricia wavers between loving and hating him - there will be things to say to both of them in the fullness of time.
Mariano: Apart from the strain of the above situation, is happy. Enjoys his work and colleagues... and me! Unfortunately was diagnosed with high blood pressure and cholesterol, but steadfastly refuses to takes the prescribed medication. Is determined to right things with diet and excercise. We have bought a blood pressure machine, and (with advice from a lovely Chinese doctor) have converted to a totally vegetarian diet. Loads of salad, vegetables, nuts, pulses, honey, soya milk and yoghurt... and garlic! Mariano makes a truly scrumptious humous (chick peas, a touch of sunflower oil, lemon juice, cider vinegar and masses of garlic), and my variations of veggie stews (more garlic, onions, tomatoes, courgette, peppers, spinach and anything else to hand, oregano, bay leaves, basil, whole black peppers) are going down a treat. Seeds going in as I speak for tomatoes, peppers, chillies, string and french beans, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, beetroot, spring onions, countless herbs... and anything else we can find space for. All very satisfying... and the good news is that M's BP has come down dramatically. Hooray!
Car (Rojalita): Thank goodness for the RAC - I became a familiar sight in laybys on the A2! Most recent calamity was the clutch going (£280-odd quid) - but now all fixed and she is a little darling. Has opened up our life no end. We still have our old Ford Escort (Rojalina) - it is not as impossible as we thought to get her back on the road... as and when pennies allow.
More to tell, but have taken up quite enough time and space for now. Hope all is well with everyone. Loads of love all round xxxx. Am about to attempt to post some promised photos.
So - what did we do this weekend? Went out on our home-made bikes for the first time this year - lovely! But did we go to admire the view, breath in the fresh air, pick flowers and generally relax? Did we 'eck as like! We went pony poo collecting. Yes, you read that right... Pony Poo Collecting. Armed with rubber gloves, bucket and strong plastic sacks, we... well, actually Mariano, scooped up the freshest poo... and some old stuff, 'cause it attracts worms which are great for the soil. They are wonderful little compost makers, which help mix the poo with the soil naturally - so we look forward to truly organic produce later this year. I confined myself to identifying the best poo piles (I know how to have a good time.....) and making friends with a couple of the donators of our bounty. Actually, although this sounds disgusting, or "GROSS" as one of the nosey kids who wanted to know what we were doing called it [city dwellers... what do they know?], horses are completely vegetarian, and these ponies roam fairly free to pick and choose what they eat. There is very little odour - honest. Anyone for salad?