After lunch the merry men from the airconditioning company will come and change some part of one of the airconditioners, which has developed a jack-hammer noise, albeit muted. It's one of those malfunctions that only occurs from time to time. And naturally, when the technician came to examine it the other day it was purring as beautifully as a Siamese cat, so I thought I'd leave it in its contentment. Of course on Sunday it had a good couple of hours rattling away.
So when a piece of the ice maker in the fridge dislodged itself again yesterday, (after being fixed in March), I was in full maintenance mode. Their technician is not coming today, which is such a pity, because we could obviously have had a technician party in lieu of Christmas, but probably sometime before the week is out he will come and (re)fix what he obviously didn't fix the first time.
This morning began as many do, with a swift 1500 metres in the pool, which is beginning to get rather parky following a plunge (well, drop), in the temperature last night. The weather is simply glorious, and will make drinking this bottle of champagne whilst sitting on the balcony tonight a rather pleasant experience. That, and a few glasses of wine with dinner may make me Westward leaning, but still proceeding.
This is my kind of Christmas. I don't suppose you'll be having as much fun, but may all your Christmas wishes come true.
14 comments:
Sounds like a rather splendid day-plan to me. It's not yet light here but I'm certain that England has been up and about for a couple of hours, fretting that it is not getting Christmas quite right.
Later on I will try to catch the great-nephew and great-niece in "presents" mode, say hello to a gew of the neighbour's guests and then retire with a book and a bottle of something gassy.
Whatever you're doing, have fun. A technician party sounds both fun and practical to me!
Well, the best laid plans etc...
Post swim this morning we removed the various items around and beneath the aircon ducts, (lamps, mirror trays with glasses, decanters, side board, large picture, enough for a small palace really), so that the aircon con could have easy access to do whatever it is he needed to do. The appointment for his appearance was fixed by him less than 24 hours ago, but when the maid rang him to inquire as to precisely which Christmas day he intended to appear, it turned out that he had gone "upcountry" (a wonderful Thai excuse for anything really) last night, and was not in Bangkok. A further appointment has been arranged for next week. I should of course know better to only remove all this clobber when he is standing in the flat in front of me. It has now been reassembled, so that the elegance which I expect can be visible for all, (me and the better half) to see, when we elegantly quaff the old fizzy plonk - I couldn't afford a new one. Now I shall have to go in search of other mendicants to fulfil my Christmas obligations. You know the drill; noblesse oblige etcetera, etcetera.
We had beautiful, warm weather in Taipei today, and I took advantage of it to go for a long walk (like you, more devoted to practical errands than pure recreation). I can't understand why people wish for cold, snowy weather on Christmas--or on any other day, for that matter.
Well, one can never have too much plonk (I had to look that one up). Here the word is "hooch," though "swill" is sometimes used.
We are having rain every day in Los Angeles, with tempratues in the 50s and low 60s.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday and thank you for the many enjoyable posts you've made here over the last year.
Merry Christmas for you and enjoy the bottle of M&C.
Greetings
XX
Jérôme
Parnassus - well there's no danger of cold snowy weather here, and the warm but breezy night was very conducive to a delightful Christmas.
Diogenes well too much plonk would probably give you a headache, but the vintage Moet was quite delightful. Glad to have met you through the blog, and I look forward to happy exchanges throughout the coming year.
Jerome - it was indeed delicious, and a we had a most enjoyable evening, interspersed with telephone calls from my family in Scotland. All very spontaneous, simple and as a result rather meaningful!
"Upcountry" I think I'm going to adopt that as my new excuse for not doing things! I cracked open a 1990 bottle of champers yesterday, oh boy nothing beats vintage champagne, I have one bottle left for New Year.
Oh my giant cocktail was a Kir Royale - Ribena style, I sloshed in too much creme de cassis.
You swam yesterday? I now feel guilt ridden, I'm flabbing up like nobody's business.
Ah, the great joy and glad tidings that tradesmen so often bring.
Happily, I am guaranteed not to have a problem with an airconditioning unit at Fort Hippo during this festive season, largely because I do not have any airconditioning units at Fort Hippo as the contractor is now nearly a year behind schedule.
I did have a problem with the generator though (our only source of power in this rather neglected part of Africa) and, like you, experienced the promise of a mechanic only to learn he was last seen drunk as a skunk.
Amazing just how romantic a Christmas can be lit by hissing hurricane lamps and food combusting over red hot charcoal.
All the very best for 2013!
Tabitha - I presume present opening is a morning affair, so drinking kir royale to get one through that is very civilised indeed; I'd probably end up sleeping under the tree!
Hippo - yes, I rather think not much will be done before the new year. This Western cancer of everything closing for two weeks seems to be spreading to Thailand. Except of course for my darling maid this afternoon. I rarely take an afternoon kip, but this afternoon I tried to ease the weary bones, and this seems to be a signal to her that she should clean my bedroom windows, (balcony doors). I suppose if she's got to work there's no way I'm going to be allowed to rest!
I think you and I may have a slightly different view about romance.
All the best for the new year when it comes, and I am relieved to note that you have not been savaged by a savage. I however shall probably be slapped by a cloth once I've had words with the maid later, before she departs.
Sounds like Mercury in retrograde! I hope all your maintenance problems are resolved by the new year, and that you get a fresh start.
Oh, I doubt they will be resolved. New Year's eve and day are official holidays, so tomorrow the big exodus of many who live in the capital go upcountry for the festivities. And the there's a repeat performance for the Thai New Year in April, (interspersed of course by the Chinese New Year). We've got new years covered in this country. Plenty of opportunities for fresh starts.
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