We have water
Today was out first full day here and we did lots. We came across a few issues that we had to deal with immediately, but by late afternoon we’d figured out what we needed so headed north to Darabani where there is a builder’s merchant. There’s also a lovely little café, but that’s another story!
Simon spent most of the day down the well, and managed to get the pump working – we just can’t regulate the pressure. We also got the solar panels opened up, and apart from a faulty valve, they seem to be in good condition. We hope to have hot water tomorrow.
I spent about 9 hours cleaning today – for a house that’s not been used for 3 years, most of the things we need to address are cosmetic. Clearing up 3 years worth of dead flies and mouse poo wasn’t very pleasant, and tomorrow we have 2 more floors to clear, but thankfully having running water will make that task a bit easier.
Looking out from the balcony, we see a very different view than we are used too. The lake seems to have disappeared and been replaced with tall reeds. In days gone by the reeds (called stof) were used for roofing in the villages and towns, but now tiles are more readily available and make for better roofs.
Although the view is still very pretty, it’s not the summer lake view we are used to.
Playing the long game
I need to keep reminding myself that we have only had one full day here. I look around that the mountain of work to do and think “what are we doing?!” We all know that trying to keep things in perspective can be difficult at times, and this is one of these times. Simon keeps reminding me that we are only at the beginning of this project, and I need to think more about the long game.
In other news…
We have internet! One of the farmers took the telegraph pole down by burning the stof in his field yesterday and took out internet for hundreds of homes. Thankfully the line was replaced today, and when we got home to Steve and Lilliana’s for dinner tonight my mobile phone logged straight on – it was such a relief. Steve and Lilliana have been great hosts – they have given us their nice warm room, fed and watered us, and kept us entertained.
Having a conversation can be quite funny – Steve, Simon and I speak English to each other…Steve and Lilliana speak French to each other…and poor Lilliana speaks Romanian to the room with no-one really having enough Romanian to hold a full conversation with her! Simon says she speaks Fremanian – that’s when she speaks French with a bit or Romanian thrown in for effect. My school-French isn’t up to scratch, but It’s really quite funny to listen to!
