Primavara - Spring

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the birdies is - (drunk, see previous blog)

Pre-fix.  This has been leaking gently
for a while.

Post-fix.  The remnants of Duct (Duck)
tape are my pathetic attempt at a
temporary solution which didn't work

Sorry its a day late this week.  Technical issues.  It got very cold again and the central heating stopped working.  A pipe had had just about enough and decided to finally give up.  In fact, we believe it has been leaking for quite some time - the boiler pressure often drops too low and the system cuts off.It is easy to repressurise.  This is a nusiance, but it lasts a few days, so no real hassle.  On Friday it was lasting about 5 minutes before cutting out.  Kiki noticed a hissing noise in her bedroom.  Thinking it might be an unhibernating family of snakes, I bravely let her investigate.  It was a very old pipe joint hidden behind a bed that was now leaking with a vengence.  I turned the water off and we had a very cold weekend.  Plumber came today (Monday) and fixed it. A couple of seals had failed.  And do you know what he had the cheek to charge us...?  Absolutely nothing, "its just a small job" - wouldn't make it as a plumber in the UK. 

Club stuff

Really nice day in the club today.  For some reason the balance of groups and patients is just right on a Monday and it is always a rewarding (and dare I say enjoyable day).  I am writing this after just getting in.  Last group was a women's group where the participants always tend to seperate a bit and do their own thing.  This is mostly getting makeup and nails done.  Today we decided to push the socialisation thing a bit and set up a game of Remy (I'll write more about Remy next week - it is an excellent game for all levels of ability) right in the middle of all the make up stuff.  The women really enjoyed the game and it was lovely to see them making real social contact with each other.  We ran the day a bit late to fit in an extra game.

Although it has become very cold again over the last few days, it was really bright and sunny during the week. We took a few patients out for walks in the hospital grounds. Really nice. We are thinking of doing some regular picnic lunches with patients once the weather becomes a bit more reliable.

Shortness

Very short this week.  House is slowly warming up and there is a warm shower calling for me. More next week I promise.  A few photos to end.

route into town.  Spot the horse and
cart coming down the street - there
were loads gathering just around the
corner. Not sure why.

I think I mentioned the deep fried cheese
donuts previously.  This is an even
better version (you didn't think that was
possible did you).  Cheese with a
cabbage filling - pure bliss

You've seen the Wednesday market
on a Sunday with no people.  This is
it on a Saturday with a few people.
Next week, the full Wednesday
experience

Police cars are white and discrete,
police stations are bright orange
well this one is anyway.

Sometimes the curve of the kerb just fits your butt exactly.
A very content Romanian dog today.

Pe Saptamuna

Paul