Exit doors everywhere

Week 47

Coping with the cold

(I feel a bit guilty even writing that - as I have been reading about the people of Kherson having to live in their own cold in the Ukraine).

I had a bit of a laugh this week (at myself) as we blocked one of our no longer used exit doors.

When we first submitted drawings for the first new building works in circa 1997/8, it was easy for me to put exit doors everywhere - I was more conscious of them than the people at the Local Government Offices - it has all been good and I even added a couple more when we divided one area into two apartments.

Janny's Dad was helping me at the time - cutting the doorways into the brickwork and laying new drains - he was always good with the digging!

Anyway, on Monday the clients were complaining of a draught in their work area out the back - it felt like it was coming from a disused (ie not rquired) exit door - so we blocked it off with polystyrene foam. I'm sure it was "between the ears" but everyone felt instantly warmer!

And it's time to get the cars in the garage again.

First, clean up the garage!

3 cars, tractor, mower, trailers x 2, all the outside furniture...and I'm sure we can squeeze a bit more into the Tardis.

And bring the blinds inside...

We have to turn the water off for the outside taps...

...and a load to the tip - including the old boat matresses - saved for about 6 years for no apparent reason...

Anti-Putin Christmas lights...

On Tuesday evening we had a meeting of the "Care Farmers" - that's us. So we put the Christmas lights up early - just to have a bit of light.

I still haven't forgotten about "footing the ladder" :-)

Now, we had our doubts about putting the lights up this year - because of the energy crisis - but we decided that Putin is not going to have that little victory - especially since the electricity required for the lamps is only going to cost about €18,00 until the end of the year. (People are doing all sorts of calculations these days - eg What does it cost for a family of 5 to use the shower?)

We're not yet having cold showers...

(Google Translate)

Difference costs hot and cold shower? This can save you per year

Do you think hot showers are too expensive? Then you can choose to take a cold shower more often. Per average family you can easily save more than 600 euros per year, if you take a hot shower and use gas for that (source: Pricewise). A family showers on average 9 minutes per person per day. You use about 210 cubic meters of gas for this. That easily costs 735 euros per year. Would that same family take a cold shower? Then it only costs 87.50 euros per year. In this case, this saves 647.50 euros per year.

In our house, we still haven't turned on the (gas) central heating - we're trying to last until December - we might just make it. We're making do with a small electric heater for about 30 minutes in the morning before we head off to work out the back. And the fire for the evenings. Our wall insulation is working as I can feel that the living room is still warm in the mornings. Sometimes the fire will start up again without having to set it.

More on Rotterdam

I stumbled onto this story about Rotterdam and the Climate Crisis - it just felt more tangible because of having been there - even if only for a week.

Highly recommended reading! It includes quite a bit about the amazing Delta Works.

It also refers to the lowering water levels - which exposes wooden housing foundations in older areas, which then begin to rot. (I wrote about this once before) - it is a Climate Change thing here, so much so that the Government is considering raising the water table in some areas (it can be done). The farmers are upset about this as well as the nitrous oxide restrictions that they (or somebody) will have to face up to, eventually.

Raising the water table level will make farming more difficult.

The Dutch, especially in and around Rotterdam, come up with new ways to deal with water and export this knowledge abroad. During the Africa Adaptation Summit, mayor Aboutaleb presented Rotterdam as “the living lab of climate adaptation, a showcase to the world”. Floating houses, offices, even farms, green roofs, sponge gardens, all have the double function of protecting and promoting the city.

It's in English

https://unbiasthenews.org/why-rotterdam-is-well-prepared-for-the-rising-sea-at-least-for-now/

Boat Stuff

3rd coat on the outside...

I shouldn't be glad that the weeks are flying by - but at least boat season is coming more quickly :-)

On Thursday I "attended" my first Webinar - a practical look at using the UHF Radio

It was OK but I'm still not over-enthusiastic about using it- but the "qualification" is compulsory in Belgium and France - so I have that covered at least.

From Maastricht to Paris

I'm finding lots to read just by doing a few Google searches....

Highlights on the Maas

Liège is a pleasant dynamic city full of attractions. Hoei has a fort built by the Dutch in 1818 above the city. The most beautifully situated city on the Meuse is probably Namur. The pride of Namur is the citadel, on top of a huge rock. This vast fortress is located at an altitude of no less than 100 meters above the river, and offers a magnificent view of the city and river. You can enjoy a terrace on the nicest square in Namur, the Place du Marché aux Légumes. Dinant is a busy travel destination for Belgian and Dutch water sports enthusiasts. Of course because of the absolutely beautiful location of the town, but also because of the sights, such as the Collégiale Notre Dame and the citadel. You will find most shops and busy terraces around the bridge and the river.

..and a few things which have nothing to do with the proposed trip - but I find interesting, nonetheless

New canal proposed in France - it was due to start in 2000, but now they "hope" to start in Spring next year - to join these two bits together - 106 kilometres - cuts commercial shipping times down from 4 days to two. - To cost 5 billion Euros and be ready by 2028.

This link provides different details of the same project.. I think it is an older version as it predicted starting in 2017. But it does have a lot more information. I'll just have to keep searching...

https://www.french-waterways.com/waterways/north/seine-nord-europe/

Around the farm...

Well, not too much outside with this weather.

The Dagbesteding crew (dagbesteding = daytime activity of our clients) have been busy making an order for one of the church groups.

This year, it is a nativity scene and some very fine chocolates. Janny ordered the chocolates from a local chocolatier - they arrived this week with a bill of well over €1000,00!

We usually finish each day with a "social" activity - usually cards or a board game - with a cup of tea. It's far more important than it sounds - as some of them have little other social contact. They all seem to enjoy it, in any case.

Janny bought a Sjoelbak during the week - I had to do Google Translate to get what it is in English - a "shuffleboard".

It was a big hit with the kids over the weekend and the dayworkers got into it as well. Something different.