Week 39 Winter

 Winter on the Way

Starting to think of all the winter jobs...as usual it is only Autumn, but winter enough for me.

"Winterise" the boat

Turn off the outside water

Chimney sweep (done)

Firewood (enough for a few years!)

Getting the "last mowing of the year"

Cutting back the trees..

The last one was this weeks work for 3 days. Luckily, my "helper" has wednesdays off, so I was able to recover and do some mowing and "end of 3rd Quarter" bookkkeeping.

We discovered that amost all the willows were going rotten, so we cut down about 8 of them and a couple of larger trees that had started to "lean".

My "annual" Cardio check up (Friday)

I mention it only to illustrate how the Covid thing has changed even this aspect of "normal" life.

I had an email early in the week say that my cardiologist (huh? that I even have one...) would be ringing on Friday at 0850hrs.

So, I had a shower and dressed properly (old man habit) and waited by the phone. He rang and asked me how I was going? I began in Dutch and almost immediately he said "it's OK to do it in English"! I laughed and said OK and that everything is fine (apart from getting old)! He laughed and I said that I was a bit concerned that this phone call might be taking the place of my regular checkup.

He explained that they are trying to limit the hospital visiting time and that I could come in that afternoon for the regular ECG and blood pressure tests. ( I was dreading having to do the bicycle test!).

So, I was in and out of the hospital within 20 minutes (no parking fees!).

And the written Doctor's report the very next day. 

I have to increase my blood pressure meds - no surprise there, I guess.

Again, I was impressed (and thankful) with how well the system works.

A trip to the boat (Saturday)

I made a box for the urine pump....and of course, it didn't quite fit ( I coudn't get it square for the hose in-hose out fittings)

So, I improvised...by putting the box on top of the pump and screwing the flush button to the front.

...and I emptied the pantry, even though we might yet get another weekend in.

...and so another Sunday... with the fire on and plans to take Boeke for a walk - and to go shopping in Gorredijk.

The latter purely so that we can get stickers for a free book from the Albert Heijn Supermarket.

It is a book depicting the history of Gorredijk and surrounding area. 

 Included in the book are QR codes for opening Youtube videos.

This one shows the train that used to go from Gorredijk to Oosterwolde (some remnants are still visible) - and to Drachten and as far north as Groningen.

The commentary is in Dutch, but maybe it is watchable just for the pictures alone (dated around 1947).

https://youtu.be/E9Y2dmbrey4

I've only looked at one so far, so really looking forward to the rest!

House for sale

On the water's edge In Grou....€350,000

...and not too much garden!

Covid 19 News

The number of positive coronavirus tests in the Netherlands topped 100,000 on Wednesday, with a new daily total of 2,357, according to figures from national health institute RIVM. As on previous days, most positive tests in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning were in Amsterdam (269), Rotterdam (156) and The Hague (130). A further 32 people were hospitalised and five more people died. In total, 420 coronavirus patients are being treated in hospital and 91 are in intensive care, almost double the figure a week ago. The RIVM estimates that one million people may have had the virus to date, out of a population of over 17 million. Eight more regions are this week likely to be added to the list of areas where the rise in coronavirus cases is worrying, prime minister Mark Rutte told MPs during a debate on government strategy on Tuesday. But as yet no decision has been taken about new measures and talks are ongoing with local officials, Rutte said. Last week, six safety board regions, including those covering Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, were put on special measures – including earlier bar closing times – after a surge in positive tests.