COLD DARK ROOM

[Tidgy's Dad]

Right, my turn for a whinge, now it's quiet in here.
A bit down this am.as I had a bit of a spat with my neighbours yesterday over their dragging things over my lab roof and breaking the waterproofing that I put on, so i'll have to do it for a third time. And one of them borrowed some money and has been avoiding me like the plague ever since. And the tortoise they gave to their child has died, second one this year. They take no advice from me and can't see why children killing chicks, tortoises and kittens while playing games with them is wrong.
I partly am to blame because when people see how happy and healthy Tidgy is they often want to rush out and buy a tortoise for themselves, though I council against it.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Today, Zacariah beat me at marbles.
Actually, we studied tautologies and pleonasms.
It was fun.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Anyway, during the lesson my internet ran out, as I knew it would, so at 7.30 when wifey's student arrived (half an hour late), I went out shopping.
First stop, the local shop to return 5 bottles. Closed. It's Sunday, but in Morocco shops open on a Sunday, it's Friday that's the holy day.
No problem, down to the road, at the bottom of the hill, that leads from the medina to the new town. Shop there closed also.
So right turn and on to the bus stop shop further along. Big shop, always open. Closed.
But the little shop next door was open! Returned the 5 bottles and bought some milk and 3 more bottles of fizz. Thirsty as it was 43°C today. The man told me how much but he'd not taken off the money for returning the bottles. So he took off a quarter of what he should and said i'd only bought 3 but returned 5 so he'd only return the value of three.(this is not how it works) Right give me my 2 other ones back. he did. But he'd still not taken enough off for the three. he was trying to cheat me, only out of 3Dh (27 pence) but it's the principal, you mustn't let them get away with it here. So, i took the empties back and went to another shop, properly into the souk to return the bottles and get my new drinks.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Tired hot and annoyed by now, more so, that wifey and i only had 3 ciggies left at home and all 4 of the shops that sell them were mysteriously closed. it's not a holiday, i even asked people if i'd missed something but just got the typically annoying Moroccan shrug or assurances that they might be open later - or not.
So, to buy some prickly pear fruit for Tidgy and head back via the backstreets to buy cigarettes.
The pavement is narrow down on this part of the road, but the road is quite wide,so the barrow of fruit sellers are in the gutter and you walk in the road to see what they sell as the pavements are blocked by cafe tables. There I am waiting while a vendor i know pops the chosen prickly pears into a little bag for me when suddenly a bus pulls up behind me. This is fifty feet or more away from the bus stop it should be at and the crowd waiting there stampede to get on the bus. Moroccans don't queue, they fight to be first in a line. These people also stampede and crush all before them (see the deaths at Mecca on many occasions, or in Morocco a couple of months back when someone saw a mouse and several deaths occurred in the ensuing chaos.
Anyway, one old lady got squished, possibly dead, I'm not certain and I, the fruit cart and it's owner all got knocked flying. Luckily i'd put my bag under the cart, so the glass bottles were okay. But I've got a nicely scraped knee and elbow; a hurt ankle, foot and bruised ball of my right palm. Helped up by passers by who mumbled the usual about animals and 'this is Morocco'. to which i agreed.
Its how it is here. I told them I was alright, thanked them and helped pick up the prickly pears, so i have spines in my hands, too.
Got the pears for Tidgy ate a couple and headed back to find the back street shops have ceased selling cigarettes.
I usually love shopping here.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Oh, and I forgot to say that the internet shops were both closed also, but I've managed to pay by card for which the bank will no doubt charge me a small fortune. Hence my long absence this evening.
At about 10.30 after listening to me moaning, cursing and swearing vengeance on the next person I can safely bully, wifey went out for a long walk and finally came back with cigarettes, as much for her own nerves as mine.
Thanks, wifey.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Tomorrow, I have to buy a potato.

 

[Moozillion]

My, goodness, Adam!!! That all sounds like such a frustrating ordeal!
And the stampede for the bus is downright scary! It all makes me wonder how it all works, if the shops close so randomly. {{{BIG HUG}}}

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hi, Bea.
Hug much appreciated.
It was frustrating, makes me feel old that I can just be knocked over so easily.
It can be scary, and i usually steer well clear of buses here, though they are very cheap, people are packed in, standing squished together like sardines and a lot of them really smell terrible.
Taxis are a better option and still pretty cheap.
The new town has shops with proper hours and supermarkets, but I prefer our market stalls and souks, usually somewhere open, most of my local shops are open from sun up til late, but occasionally one of them isn't open as they don't have set times and take days off as they want. often they're one man, or one family businesses, so do what they want. it's the first time in 11 years that all of these places have been closed a the same time, law of averages, i guess. And i could have gone further into the medina, hundreds more shops to be found, but i was tired and hot and carrying bottles, a bit short of breath today.
Just one of those things.
Three days off now, maybe 5, so I'll find a way to take out my frustration on an innocent party and make myself feel better.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

It's Cold and lonely in the Dark.
Night guys.

 

[JoesMum]

It's Cold and lonely in the Dark.
Night guys.

Hope you sleep well Adam. It sounds like you had a 'right day of it' as is said in the county I think of as home... Yorkshire.

(I was actually born in Kent, but moved away aged 4 and only returned here by coincidence; I have no family here... or in Yorkshire for that matter)

Big electronic hug, avoiding sore bits, for the bus incident too. That sounds awful

 

[JoesMum]

Good morning all. I have woken to an iMessage from Mum saying she's had a good night and is feeling much better which is undoubtedly true if she can be bothered to get her iPad out.

Quiet day today, hopefully.

 

[Marinated mamma]

Morning all. @tiggys dad Wow your day yesterday sounds insane! Not sure I could handle that and the no queueing thing drives me nuts but the knocking you over stuff ... Not cool! And @joes mum glad your mum is brighter today. My eldest son went back to Cornwall yesterday as he is schooled down there due to his rugby playing capabilities (my little super star) so I'm pining for him especially seen as my youngest lad is sitting here watching the dreaded you tube videos ARRGGGHHHHHHHH

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Good morning.
Adam, everyone here it seems is equipped with a handgun.
This is a civilized country, as you know.
I know you don't use a cane, but one could be used as a good defensive weapon.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

This year my grape vines have come in early. Once again tripling in size. There are also hundreds if not thousands of grapes.
Since I transported the vines from South Carolina, I've had some success with feeding the leaves to my Redfoot herd. First it seemed that all of them would eat them. Then I discovered that they really only wanted the tiny, soft, new leaves. Now, this year, none of them are eating any of it.
This is a colony of Muscadine grapes. I think a "Carlos" strain. The grapes are also slightly smaller. Now about 3/4" but taste the same.
So until I figure out what is wrong, I'm basically just giving the parrots a free meal.
I'm considering cutting it all down when it goes dormant again this winter since it takes up my whole west fence line.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

The hotel that I've booked in Georgia for Thursday and Friday is called the "Scottish Inn."
I'll make sure to take a couple photos so that John can authenticate the place.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Hi, Bea.
Hug much appreciated.
It was frustrating, makes me feel old that I can just be knocked over so easily.
It can be scary, and i usually steer well clear of buses here, though they are very cheap, people are packed in, standing squished together like sardines and a lot of them really smell terrible.
Taxis are a better option and still pretty cheap.
The new town has shops with proper hours and supermarkets, but I prefer our market stalls and souks, usually somewhere open, most of my local shops are open from sun up til late, but occasionally one of them isn't open as they don't have set times and take days off as they want. often they're one man, or one family businesses, so do what they want. it's the first time in 11 years that all of these places have been closed a the same time, law of averages, i guess. And i could have gone further into the medina, hundreds more shops to be found, but i was tired and hot and carrying bottles, a bit short of breath today.
Just one of those things.
Three days off now, maybe 5, so I'll find a way to take out my frustration on an innocent party and make myself feel better.

How are you today?
Still beat up?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Good LORD.
I killed the room.
I hope this doesn't mean that Adam is badly hurt.

 

[Steve_carter]

Hi all. How's everyone's Monday coming along?

It's a our last bank holiday of the year in the UK &...... The sun is shining! For me it's all about a well earned rest before back at work tomorrow. Just come back inside after me & Norbert enjoyed the sunshine & before he got up to more mischief!



Adam I read your posts. Sounds like you had a right day yesterday & I hope you're okay & today is a better day for you. Fingers crossed & look after yourself.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

It's sounds as if the Moroccan honeymoon phase has started to end?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Sorry, John.
I booked a different motel after reading reviews of the Scottish inn.