Boxes, Bits and Bedlam
That was something of a busy weekend. There was a break in the weather long enough for us to take delivery of some Ikea bits and pieces which arrived outside the Olive Tree on Friday afternoon. Here’s a big thank you to Yiannis, Allen and Chris who saw us with the boxes and leapt in to help carry them up to the house. There, Neil and I set about unpacking, counting screws and odd shaped things and following the plans as we put together two desks and a cabinet. The carpet for Neil’s office also arrived (perfect timing), so that was in place. A few hours later and my work station was set up, as was half of his desk but, unfortunately, they had sent the wrong drawers, so we need to sort that out. Very odd for Ikea to get parts wrong, especially when they were mixed in with other correct parts in the same box. I gave up on trying to figure it out, and we popped to Lefteris’ for a glass of wine, before heading to the taverna for dinner.
Wherein lies another winter’s tale. Noufris was very apologetic because he hadn’t been cooking and had nothing to offer us. His usual punters were there, snacking on whatever was lying around and drinking wine, playing cards and chatting, and we were invited to stay for a drink and share some liver as a mezethe. We talked about the winter and how quiet the village is, the weather, and hopes for the summer and before you know it, another jug of wine turns up with some bread but not, as it turned out, with any kind of bill or payment required. All very welcome as just about every part of me was aching by now; it’s alarming what positions one has to get into when putting together a desk.
The next day, Saturday, I was awake up 4.30 having been dreaming about bolts and bits of desks that wouldn’t go together and got back to work. I was able to finish the desk apart from the two drawers, and put together a new cabinet so that by seven, it was all more or less done and we were able, finally, to put things in the right place. The only thing missing from my study now is the curtain (on its way) and the Chesterfield captain’s chair I have ordered, and which will be made to my specs. The delivery for this was meant to cost the same as the chair, so I wasn’t going to bother, but some friends are shipping things to in March/April, and it’s being delivered to them in the yUK and will arrive with their things in a few months. Meanwhile, I have a dining chair to use at the writing desk, and at the kneel-up stool/chair at the computer table, so we’re nearly there.
Godson #1 and his mum came for Saturday lunch/dinner, and we had a great time hanging out at home, playing the piano, watching films, being slightly mad and generally catching up on all manner of things. It’s Sunday now, there’s thunder rolling around, and we’re supposed to be going to a quiz this afternoon. Meanwhile (and somehow among all the above) I finished off a 100,000 word first draft of a novel which Peter printed for me so I can see it in print (always reads differently when on paper), so there’s another thank you, to him for seeing to that at such a reasonable price and so quickly. All in all, a successful weekend.
