Yet another busy week (is there any other kind?)

Last week was rather busy, but it almost became insane at one point. I wrote an e-mail to a fellow geocacher some time ago to ask him something. He rang back, we chatted and he happened to drop into the conversation that he and his girlfriend are off to Transylvania for a week to do some hiking and geocaching. I said that I was jealous and he mentioned that due to a cancellation, he does have a place free. I ran to Roy, he saw how excited I was and agreed that I can go.

All the caches I am missing this week :(

Life got rather hectic after that, as I had to pack carefully, so I have with me everything I might need on the trip, so all looked well, until I got further details of the trip, combined with feeling quite unwell with headache, dizziness, bunged nose, sneezing and coughing. Normally, a bit of a lurgy wouldn't stop me going on a trip like that, but I started having doubts, was I really up to it? The itinerary seemed pretty brutal, so busy that even if I was 100% well, it would have been quite tiring. The size of the group shocked me a bit too, as transport was a 50 seater coach. So, with much upset and disappointment and after all this preparation, I finally decided not to go. I do think it was a wise decision, as some enormous storms shook Hungary and the weather was going in an Easterly direction, so the early hikes would probably have been quite strenuous.

Max on the left with the branch

Wednesday, which is my regular political meetings' day, was exceptionally enjoyable. Max from Leeds came over to talk to us about the foundations of Marxist economics, plus brought £420 that he and his branch raised for the young fledgling Hungarian IMT group. I haven't yet seen the atmosphere as comradely, positive and generally happy, as on that day. After a full 3 hour meeting, we all went to the pub and had a jolly good time there as well.

Max, Marko and Levi in the pub

 

In the meantime Zsófi and Adriam flew out to Turin, 3 days early before the Congress, so that they can have a short holiday. Unfortunately, in these days of smartphones, Discord channels, Facebook, e-mails etc. she could not enjoy her little free time, as an old comrade wrote a very unfair and rude letter, which then started an avalanche of bitter correspondence.

Bardonecchia, where the Congress is held

I am not surprised, I was waiting for something like this for quite a while, it is just a shame that it happened when it did, to spoil a little bit of holiday for them prior to the Congress. To be honest, due to inexperience, right at the beginning they didn't decide on strict enough rules to recruit only the good types. Also, as most of them have already been around for quite a time in one lefty group or another, they all had prehistory, which is never a good start for a Marxist revolutionary group. Anyway, because Zsófi is a very bright girl, she already worked it out that they have been too lax and they are now lumbered with getting rid of some people, which is vital for the healthy growth of the group in the future, but will create a fair amount of hassle. Well, such is life, but I always say that if the shit has to hit the fan, the sooner the better, so the problem can be fixed quickly.

The external unit

 

The interior unit

Thursday was the big day that the air conditioner was fixed in the BP flat. Both Roy and I were very pleased with the skill, equipment, efficiency and general behaviour of the guys who worked that day, so we decided to recommend them to anyone who asks. Admittedly, they are not cheap, but considering that the 3 of them were there for nearly 2 hours, used first class equipment with great speed and efficiency, £1700 for both materials, machines (3) and labour, and including 27% VAT, it wasn't bad. And, as far as we could see they were worth every penny. In my opinion, expensive always turns out cheap in the long run. Provided, of course, the high price was due to high quality materials, an excellent workforce with the level of skill so that we won't need them for years afterwards.

The team at work

Mind you, my prophecy from 2 months ago, unfortunately came to pass, and as soon as we had the aircon, the weather, almost instantly turned cold. Never mind, global warming will carry on producing temperatures up to 40 degree Celsius in the warm season, so starting next summer, we will have AC and be able to sleep most nights. Unlike this year, which was a struggle.

My favourite laywer with his ex no. 1

My Lincoln Laywer was back on Netflix, so I also did a bit of binge watching and am already looking forward to Series 3 next year. Mind you, who knows when any of these movies or series will be back, what with both writers and actors on strike, it might be next January, if we lucky, or later, if we are not.

The infamous Aszód Lidl

On Friday we travelled down to Bér via Lidl in Aszód, which was a surprise, as there seemed to have been a total change of staff since that unfortunate day when Roy and I were nearly lynched there for being too slow packing. I would like to think that somehow higher management have been told about the unhealthy regime there, got rid of them and found new, younger and definitely more pleasant staff.

Roy picking plums

The carpet of plums after 3 days away

 

Once home, we set about picking up plums, which were spread on the grass like a lovely summer carpet. Overnight, there was an enormous storm, which amazingly was almost completely quiet. Lightning flashed practically continuously, but with no sound. I think this was a phenomenon that  I have not come across before, namely cloud to cloud lightning, which does not make a noise. The wind was not too bad either, so we didn't have to water the garden for a few days and further plums were not particularly numerous either. I think the trees are coming to the end with their harvest, so now we will have to gauge how much we will have to buy in, to make up the 4 barrels. I rang the guy whose orchard we use, and he said, I should ring back mid-September.

Two big pots of apricots for jam

While in Lidl, we bought 5 kg of apricots, so yesterday we set about making jam. It seemed to have a particular problem setting, even though that I put enough pectin and sugar in according to the recipe. We haven't opened up the slow cool down box, but I am hoping that it set after we put the jars in there. And even if they didn't, as long as the tops developed a vaccuum, we will be OK.

My favourite jamjar washer

 

Must go now, as Alex is due to ring in a minute. He normally rings around 3 pm, but today he messaged me that he needed a good workout, so he would be a bit late.