Hunting is a favourite pastime out here, Dad's taking their sons out when not at school and in (not always kept) legal hunting days.
They get into their camouflage gear with orange hats or strips on their jackets, hopefully to make them be seen and not get shot at. 'If it moves, shoot' is the motto, although there are quotas on what can be shot. Not always followed.
One morning whilst out in the garden on a shooting day with the dogs, a couple of hunters walked past our garden in the field. Concerned for the dogs, I called out 'Hello, hope you have good hunting today'
They stopped and looked at me in surprise. An english person wishing them well, knowing how we don't like this sport. I laughed and said 'I had better not wear my zebra trousers, (not that I have any) in case you shoot me. Both men burst out laughing and with a wave walked off to another field away from us.
Whenever I saw them passing our house on hunting days, they would wave and call out a greeting, but they never came shooting anywhere near us.
'Being friendly and accepting other peoples way of life can go a long way'
Our garden was coming along nicely, although we did not realise how many bugs were around to eat your plants, seem to be forever having to spray. Anything 'organic' has to be sprayed as well. When it's spraying time for the vines you are advised to keep inside and close all the windows for an hour or two. It's best to play safe especially if you are prone to breathing problems.
Weeds grow quicker than the plants! We enjoyed walking around and spotting brightly coloured butterflies.
We had a very happy first year here, getting used to a different way and pace of life.
Then the bombshell
Our overseas pension we had paid into collapsed. Now what were we going to do!
We thought long and hard, luckily did not turn to drink. Especially as there was plenty to be had nearby! We had moved out here with no intention of leaving. Our dream house would have to be sold, and we would have to downsize, hopefully doing this we would be able to continue living out here.
Here was our dream crashing around us. 'Why us, we had both worked long and hard for this. Oh well, it had to happen to someone!
This time, whilst our beautiful home was on the market, and being tramped around and visually pulled to pieces by others, who would change this or that, we would drive around to see what other villages had to offer. Both felt we could not stay in this one and have to see others living in our house. We could always pop over to the village to visit our friends who we had made here.
Our criteria was the same as when we first started, not on a hill, not too near the sea, near shops etc. I don't think there is a village around that we have not looked at.
We scrawled the Internet to look at resales, no building a new one again, did not have the money and did not want all the hassle again. We decided not to look inside any properties until we had sold and had the cash in the bank. There might then be a bargain to be had.
Luckily for us our house sold very quickly this time, there was even a race on between a couple of other people to see who would get it first. It was a lovely place with a lot of ground with it. We had worked hard on the garden which was looking a real picture, and a pleasure to walk around. We were very pleased a lovely couple bought it who would enjoy the place as much as we did, and had dogs to race around all the space.
Now we had to really get going and find a new house, had to have room for three dogs as well as us.
Picture of the week.
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| A picnic site |
Do come back next week for a few days of fame. We are in the movies
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As you can see I have finished most of the head and now starting to outline and fill in the tusks. I will also start on the rest of the body gradually working down. Here there is a lot of shading in and making sure the texture of the hide still comes through.
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