Well, that did not last long, 2 weeks gone in a blink, but at least we managed a short break to the sun, as if we need any more of that, the main thing was that the fish got a well earned rest.
Our youngest daughter Joy came over for a bit of a break from her normal routine to baby-sit the animals and thereby allow us to take a few days out from our normal routines.
We found another great place which I do recommend, The Rigat Park & Spa Hotel (adults only), on the Playa de Fenals, a quiet bay just south of Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava, 5 stars and no kids, end of season, total peace and quiet, what more can you want.
A bit cloudy when we arrived but it was 30C all week and a busy session around the pool was 6-8 people. Our view from the balcony :
We had a few problems to sort out before we could go though, it started with the electricity supply to the house, our 400volt 3-phase supply decided to drop 1 phase and as a consequence some of the house worked normally and some of it did not work at all. Thankfully it did not affect the Gite.
The EDF guys were quickly on the case though and the first technician arrived and diagnosed a fault with the cable between their last pylon and the connection on our wall. The heavy mob arrived the very next morning and replaced the whole cable, problem solved.
Then the guy came around to read the water meter and discovered quite a serious leak, the area around the meter was totally saturated so it had been leaking for some time. The problem was rectified very quickly and the leak is no more but now we will have to argue our case with regards to who pays the bill??
I must be getting old because it appears that I really did need a bit of a rest and a change in scenery, the drive to and from the hotel was only 6hrs 30mins and that included a stop for fuel, the scenery on route is stunning and it really was a very pleasant drive, by the time I got home I felt revitalised and raring to go.
There are a few people who are always trying to buy the place from us, and they all seem to think that one day it will all get to be too much for me to handle. You all know who you are and you are no doubt quite correct but for now I have a cunning plan, it comprises more short breaks in the sun, more machines to replace the manual labour and maybe more staff where required.
We do now have a cleaner who helps Helen with the Gite and she also helps around the house when required, and I have just added a new member to my team-of-one who will help out with some of the heavy work around the lake, hopefully this new arrangement will work out well.
The first job to get the new treatment is the back of the dam, I have always hated doing it, although it is not the strimming itself that presents a problem it is the angle of the dam, walking up and down and along that all day plays havoc with my knees and ankles.
His first effort and I reckon that is not a bad job:
The final sessions of the season started yesterday with the arrival of 4 lads who have all been before, they are spreading the load and have set up in swims 3, 4, 5, and 6. The first fish out last night was a 67lb Mirror out of swim 3, the weather forecast is fair, and hopefully I will have plenty to put in the catch report next weekend.
Till then, take care, or better still, take a break !!!!
Le Moulin de Graffeuil 