August has just flashed by

 The weather this month has been a real mixture, rain, more rain, heavy winds and glorious sunshine.

At long last our long awaited planning permission came through. Although with quite a few clauses relating to the boundaries, access and a comment that the water board have no record of our building and are not guaranteeing connections to the sewage and mains water. Unbelievable really considering we have been connected for the past two years. But that wasn’t the biggest surprise. They omitted to include the acceptance for the enclosing of the garden room, with the fitting of two large windows and a door. 

Fortunately, this was just a glaring omission on their part which was swiftly resolved. 

But we then ended up with another problem. Judith felt that it would be beneficial to have French doors out of the garden room. So contacted the planners with the request for a simple amendment. Their response was swift and sharp. Why didn’t we ask for this at the time of the application. Quote.

“ You really should have sent this change in when we were processing your amended application. If you can send a revised drawing with an explanation for the change  to planning.bandc@argyll-bute.gov.uk we’ll see if we can accept it without the need for a formal Non-Material Amendment.”

So back to the drawing board again, two new drawings showing the amendment. I replied that l concurred with his comments, and suggested that if the amendment caused a delay and extra costs we would continue with the original plan. Going back to them once we had our completion certificate. Although, if they could see to allowing us to just amend without extra delays and cost it would be appreciated. The grovelling worked, and they agreed to the amendment within a couple of days.

From then on, it was nose to the grindstone to get everything done prior to going to France.

Judith gave me another going over with the clippers. It’s saving us a fortune in hairdressing costs.

 

Busy building the exterior stud walling, boarding and insulation ready for the glazier.  That of course is dependent on getting some commitment and date. 

Fit the waterproof breathable membrane and start fixing  the initial batten before fitting the blackened larch rain stop. Although none of this can be completed until the windows are fitted.

Two little chicks have survived the perils of the great wilderness of our garden, and continue to come for both breakfast and tea. One of the small chicks hasn’t learnt the basics of table manners and continues to scratch the food all over the place.

The garden continues to develop as we add tons of gravel and slate chips along with the odd plant and tree. But it’s heading in the right direction.

Initially wanted to get the garden completed before we headed out to France, but the weather has been slightly Scottish, rather wet and windy. But recently it has dried off and allowed me to barrow down tons of gravel. Now looking at buying some wildflower turf. But October and November are the best times for laying. 15m2 is about £300 delivered, which isn’t too bad as long as it survives.

Had to put the trip back because of a hospital appointment, and now it looks like the trip will be put on hold further. France’s corona virus numbers have increased dramatically, which has resulted in the UK restricting travel. You now have to self isolate for two weeks once you return, plus you have to do the same when you arrive in France. With the trip being cut to four weeks, that meant only having two weeks free. But more importantly it meant that the seven nights accommodation booked on our return to the U.K. would be lost. Initially we were going to go around all our friends and relatives, catching up.

Found myself a new job, off out to purchase my new uniform. Then it’s down to the South coast beaches to patrol with my cattle prod.

Moody photo of the heavy clouds pushing up the Clyde

After five months of not going into a restaurant, we made our first tentative steps into the big world. Using the foot passenger ferry from Dunoon, then catching the express train into Glasgow. Initially quite confused as the ferry had suspended the rail inclusive ticket. Then the departure platform changed and the ticket office was closed. What was even more worrying was that there wasn’t a ticket collector on board the train. Although the positive angle was that the volume of passengers on the ferry and train were light, and all were conforming by wearing face masks.

Fortunately, a pop up ticket office had been set up at the arrival station.

Amazed at how quiet it was through the city. But the wide pedestrian streets give everyone plenty of space to self distance. Headed along Sauchiehall Street, popping into a few shops, mainly M&S to use the loo. Then getting into bother because l tried a jacket on. Now aware that that is verboten. Previously been told that you could do it as long as you handed the garment into the counter to be set aside for disinfecting. 

Then a nice walk to the Butchers shop along Sauchiehall to Charing Cross. Nothing much from the outside, but very atmospheric inside and the overall experience was great. Service, food , wine and value for money was excellent.

Judith quickly disappearing, leaving the bill for me to pay.

Why Work From Home In The Cold When You Can Work From Barbados, Bermuda or … Estonia? Or even Scotland 

It seems that the number of digital nomads is growing, especially as people are starting to enjoy working from home due to the pandemic.

Many countries are now offering remote work Visa programs to bolster their shortfall in tourists.

Perhaps Scotland could bolster its shortfall by offering a one year program.

If other countries approach to the shortfall in tourism are anything to go by.

All you need to do is get the applicants to fill out a form submit a photo, supply proof of employment and income declaration of at least £50,000 annually during the period that they are staying. 

Many countries are charging an application fee of around £2000 per person with families being £3000 irrespective of the numbers in their household. All are required to have up-to-date health insurance for the period of stay. Seems a win-win situation especially as they will be renting accommodation and paying the monthly costs for their living and operating expenses.

Check out full report. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/19/travel/remote-worker-visa.html?referringSource=articleShare

Let’s hope it’s a success, unlike the Hurtigrutan cruise line, which returned a month back, cruising the Scandinavian coast and fiords. Initially it was successful. Then they had 35 crew and 9 passengers go down with COVID. From all accounts due to allowing crew onboard who had not isolated for 14 days.

Click the link to see more on the little Scottish cruise line that heads out from Dunoon and Oban

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5534/?et_cid=3354126&et_rid=115082617&et_referrer=Boards

Another day out to Glasgow. Initially we were going on Tuesday, but the forecast was for 70mph winds and torrential rain, so did a quick switch. Main reason for the visit, besides the ability to eat and drink was to visit Halifax Bank to open an account. We visited last week, but they needed my passport for identification. 

Took ages just to organise an on line interview, only to receive a text whilst having lunch to go back as something had gone wrong. As per usual, we were miles from the bank. Anyway, annoyed, we headed back, only to find that the bank was closed. There had been an incident of some kind and the branch had been closed. After a few heated conversations with the security guard through the closed door, who couldn’t give a damn about our request. Eventually she did get a manager who came to talk to us. Still through the door. Good job Judith provided the hearing. As l couldn’t hear a thing. They contacted the bank of Scotland across the road and arranged for them to sort out the problem. Phew. Is it really worth the bother! 

People’s palace, with some blue sky above

Coronavirus street art popping up in Glasgow city centre

Another storm brewing, heading right for us. 70 mph winds and a bucket load of rain. So we won’t be getting out into the garden this week. Good job l have plenty to do indoors, wiring and plaster boarding in preparation of having windows and doors fitted.

Nevertheless, making the most of visiting Glasgow whilst the sun shines. A walk along the river heading West towards Peoples Palace. Not far from the Gorbals, the historical home of the migrant workers in the 19c.

The news that we hoped wouldn’t materialise landed in our inbox today. Cunard cancelled their January world cruise. It wasn’t a big surprise, especially how this pandemic is still raging just under the surface around the world.

Will just have to find some other way to get winter sun to warm the old bones up.

Let’s have another glass of wine and forget about it for the moment.

So we head out to the local restaurant in Innellan for an early dinner. They managed to provide drop down Perspex  screens in between all the tables, so we felt cocooned away from the other guests.  Food was ok, but nothing to right home about.

Returned home for another glass of something, a decent cup of coffee and watched a very good dvd. Worricker, featuring one of our favourite actors Bill Nighy.

The following morning wake up to images of the hurricane hitting the southern coast of America. So we can expect the ruminants of the storm to eventually be shared with us. The images of the storm and devastation are horrendous. If l was religious l could possibly believe that a Armageddon had eventually arrived.

Still cracking on with wiring and fitting the gas pipe for the gas fire, along with topping it with plasterboard.