Day 738 of retirement

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Hi All

Tuesday 18^thJune 2019:
We went for a drive in Emma today to the other side of the island (East side) to visit a weaving cooperative (60km round trip). We have been there before and this place never ceases to amaze us with their weaving and the final products they produce using the 20+year-old looms and local “grass”.

Thursday 20^thJune 2019:

No Cherry as it is her birthday so got the day off.

I spent the morning cleaning up the beach out front of The Castle. It is so sad to see all the plastic bits washed up on the beach. Once you get down close to the beach you can see these small plastic “bits”.

After lunch Guy off to Mahjong and I pottered round the house trying to avoid the midday sun/humidity.

Friday 21^stJune 2019:

Started the day with a two-hour massage each.

Our upholster arrived and measured up our new veranda bamboo furniture for him to make up cushions. Should be ready in a week ish.

First trip to Boac (The Capital & 30km away) in Emma. Had to go to the local material lady for cloth material for our bamboo furniture cushions.

At 4:00pm I caught up with John (Pom) for a coffee.

Saturday 22^ndJune 2019:

Cherry the maid here with her husband who is constructing a garden vegie patch. Neither Guy nor I are green thumbs so great to have him as the gardener.

After lunch Guy off to Mahjong and I went cruising along the coast on Ruby for a few hours.

Sunday 23^rdJune 2019:

Off to the Buenavista market as Sunday is market day. It is a smaller market but has everything we require.

After an early lunch off to the Mahjong house for our manicure/pedicure and Guy to play.

I spent the afternoon in the backyard clearing where the jungle has started to come back.

Life is good.

Trevor & Guy

 

Day 731 of retirement

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Hi All

Monday 10^thJune 2019:
At 9:00am we had the local Solar system engineer pay us a visit with several quotes for various solar systems they are selling. Looks expensive but we shall have a look at their setups.

At 10:00am we had one of our contractors bring along a friend of his who is looking for some second hand coco lumber and scaffolding. We have already given some away to Dave (Aussie) for his bakery expansions.

They took some more lumber away so we are now down to the last third ish of our original materials.

After lunch Guy off to Mahjong and I did some weeding in our huge yard.

Tuesday 11^thJune 2019:

Cherry (the maid) was here for the morning doing the washing and cleaning (inside & outside). She is awesome. Quick but very efficient.

Guy off to Mahjong after lunch and after a siesta I pottered round the house doing stuff. Gave ruby a wash and wax and took her for a ride.

In the Philippines, the Summer Monsoon (west or southwest winds) is called the Habagat (ha-bag-at) and it has finally hit the island.

Been blowing very strong winds for the last two days so no fishing for the locals.

Almost surfable waves.

The monsoon rains not too far away now, hopefully.

Wednesday 12^thJune 2019:

The Habagat (ha-bag-at) died down over night so back to a nice gentle sea breeze today.

No Mahjong today as we went to see Gary (Aussie from Vic) and Rexy (local) for lunch. They live about 4km away back off the main road. They spend some of their time in Aus and some here on the island.

Had a great afternoon eating great food and catching up on the local news.

Thursday 13^thJune 2019:

Cherry (maid) here today (till midday) to do her usual washing and cleaning. And once again she did an awesome job.

Guy off to Mahjong after lunch.

Friday 14^thJune 2019:

Started the day with a two-hour massage each from our regular massage lady.

At 3:00pm we made our way into Gasan for a haircut each. Cost each was P60 ($1.70 AUS).

At 4:00pm meet up with John (Pom) for an afternoon coffee and a chat.

Saturday 15^thJune 2019:

Cherry (the maid) was back today to do her awesome handy work.

After lunch Guy off to Mahjong in Emma and I went exploring on Ruby on the southern end of the island which is quite remote.

We also had a brownout from midday to 5:00pm so good time to go cruising/exploring.

Sunday 16^thJune 2019:

Off to our local market as Sunday is market day in Buenavista.

After lunch I came to the Mahjong house with Guy where I had my manicure/pedicure.

At 4:00pm back into Gasan to meet up with John (Pom) for a coffee. Picked up Guy at 5:00pm and back home.

Life is good.

Trevor & Guy

 

 

Day 724 of retirement

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Hi All

Monday 27^thMay 2019:

Off into Buenavista to pay our power bill (Marelco) and pick up some supplies.

Gary (Aussie who lives part time some 4 km away) dropped in for a chat and house inspection.

Spent a couple of hours picking up rubbish round our block and on the beach. Not a lot but looks much nicer with all the rubbish now gone.

Tuesday 28^thMay 2019:

Gary (Aussie) and Rexy (local) dropped in for a catch up and a chat. They live in Victoria and spend part of the year here and the rest back on AUS. Great to catch up once again.

Also caught up with John (Pom) in Gasan for a late afternoon coffee.

Wednesday 29^thMay 2019:

Just had our previous maid Cherry come to the house for her first visit. She looked after us when we lived here back in 2010-13.
She will come 3 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday) for half a day (7:00am to 12:00 noon ish).
She will do the washing, sweep up all the leaves in the back yard, sweep and mop the veranda all round, clean both bathrooms and sweep up inside. All for P300 ($8.60 AUS) per day.

Thursday 30^thMay 2019:

Quick trip to Boac for a few supplies. Then called into one of Guy’s Mahjong playing mates for a local fiesta lunch. Lots of yummy food was had by all.

Guy off to Mahjong for the afternoon and I started the clean-up out in the backyard. I have started to sort out the left-over coco lumber and bamboo. I need some bamboo to erect a more suitable clothesline. Another day or so and I will have it sorted.

Had my afternoon siesta first as the heat and humidity is right back up there.

Friday 31^stMay 2019:

Busy day. Started the day with our two-hour massage each while Cherry (maid) cleaned and washed.

Gerald (Pom) dropped in late morning for a catch up. At 4:00pm I meet up with John (Pom) in Gasan for coffee.

Saturday 1^stJune 2019:

Had both the plumber and electrician here this morning to finish off a couple of minor things.

The electrician fitted weather proof power points outside. Just need a couple more to finish the job which we will get on the mainland next week.

The plumber was missing one part which we will also get on the mainland next week.

Guy off to Mahjong after lunch and I went for a ride to see Ron (Yank).

Sunday 2^ndJune 2019:

Had Franie and three of our old work crew here this morning. Tomorrow five of them are off to Manila to renovate one of Guy’s apartments she owns in Quezon City, Manila.

It is usually rented out but is currently vacant so an ideal opportunity to renovate with a great group of skilled workers we know. Should all be done in 3 weeks ish.

After lunch it was off to the Mahjong house for our manicure/pedicure.

At 2:00pm John (Pom) dropped into the house for a catch up and chin wag.

Monday 3^rdJune 2019:

We spent the morning sitting on the veranda, watching the local fishermen go by and reflecting on the last two years of our adventures. After lunch Cherry (maid) arrived for some washing and cleaning.

After dark we had a lightning storm go by accompanied by a 1.5-hour brownout.

Tuesday 4^thJune 2019:

Quick trip to the bank in Boac to top up the funds.

Guy off to Mahjong and I spent the afternoon slowly doing some tidy up & weeding round the house.

Thursday 6^thJune 2019:

Up at 3:30am to be picked up at 4:30am by Willie (Ron’s driver) in Ron’s (Yank) pickup. We are off to San Pablo (6 hours away on the mainland by road, Ro Ro and road).

We are SUV hunting and have settled on a Toyota Rush SUV and the Toyota dealership in San Pablo is our closest dealer.

Meet with Patrick the sales guy we have been dealing with. Did the deal and agreed on the accessories to be supplied (tinted windows, floormats, seatcovers and vehicle cover). They are preparing the vehicle and it will be ready to pick up tomorrow (Friday).

We sent Willie home (with Ron’s pickup) to Marinduque and he will be back tomorrow by bus and meet us at the dealership to then drive us home to the island. Guy and I will spend the night in San Pablo at a hotel.

Guy and I are happy to drive on Marinduque but not on the mainland hence Willie. Willie also drives for other people from the island to the mainland to pick up vehicles and/or get them serviced so a very handy guy to know.

Friday 7^thJune 2019:

After waiting all day for our new Toyota Rush SUV to be delivered we finally had our new SUV.

Willie our driver headed for Marinduque with Guy and I.

Saturday 8^thJune 2019:

We would like to welcome the newest member of our family “Emma”. She is a 2019 Toyota Rush SUV. We spent Thursday & Friday in San Pablo on the mainland which is our nearest Toyota dealer.
We looked at other vehicles but Emma (Rush) is all that we require for island life. Ruby stays as my fun machine.
The trip there is 1 hour road trip, 2.5 hour RoRo ride and 2 hour road trip.
We arrived back home this morning in the early hours with Emma and our driver Willie. Willie is a local who will do pickups and drop offs of motor vehicles between Marinduque and the mainland.
Guy and I won’t drive on the mainland so will use Willie’s services. Willie is also Ron’s (Yank) full time driver when required.
We have no issues driving on the island so all good. Eventually we might venture onto the mainland. Thank god for Google maps is all I can say.
So welcome to your new home, Emma.
PS: Feels very weird left-hand driving. We shall get used to it.

Sunday 9^thJune 2019:

Off to the Buenavista market this morning for some fresh supplies.

It was weird going there in Emma. Previously it was a balancing act with what we wanted to what we needed to what we can carry on Ruby. Today we went crazy and just got everything we wanted and cruised back home in Emma.

Midday off to the Mahjong house with Guy where I had my manicure/pedicure.

Called into the market in Gasan for a few more supplies and back home to do some tidy up jobs round the outside of the house.

At 4:00pm I met John (Pom) in Gasan for a coffee. At 5:00pm I picked up Guy and we cruised home in Emma.

Watched another awesome sunset as we ate dinner.

Life is good.

Trevor & Guy