Cougar Snackletts.

Turns out the cougars do have a sign after all. (courtesy of Mel Shand. Which reminds me, Mel, I still owe you a girls treat away for the fantastic art work you did for me that was a star turn in the Planning Offices). I have sent this on to the Squamish people so that they can have it made into official signs.

Down at the magnificent new farmhouse this morning (where i was sent because Mary forgot she was to pick her mother up from hospital), I was mistaken for the owner, by one of the tradesmen whom I hadn't met before. I think it was my hat. Clearly lent me a classy look. It wasn't long before I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the expensive floor and the illusion was lost. Mary has gone into relaxed and not bothered mode because I have shown a great capacity for leadership in the 'who wipes and who vacs' department. After 4 years of doing this, she is understandably struggling with the prospect of another season of smelly skiers who miss the toilet pan and frazzel the cookers with grease. Builders cleans are light relief before all that starts. It is interesting to watch the strain on the site managers face as painters trip over tilers, joiners and plasterers fill the cleaned out grooves for the grout with dust and sawdust, and everyone messes up everything we've just cleaned. An easy-going and obliging manner is the main qualification for the job. Och, that's just me all over!!!!!!!!!!

I was called into the real estates today to look at a sofa on a verandah. I had asked her to look for a sofa with a verandah and a house wrapped round it and that was what she had found. She said as soon as she saw the sofa she phoned me. But it was unfurnished (apart from the sofa) and really, we are probably better to stay put just now. However, she indicated to her boss and said he wanted to meet me. That was puzzling, but it turned out that he had been told to watch out for Mo and Spook by a well known director of a well known ski resort in Fort William. As soon as he heard I was coming in, he decided we were them. He and Marion were old mates from a long time ago. If I'd known that a few months ago, I would have gone in sooner and maybe found my sofa on the verandah before now!

My friend Maggie, was telling me how awful the winter has been. Hmmmm. If this is as bad as it gets...

grateful for:

bad Kiwi winters.

reminders that we cant really be that far from home.

friends with a wonderful sense of humour and the ability to illustrate it.