The biting insects have driven me away. I was bitten again last night inside the Motley. My leg are covered with large red welts and I am itching very badly all the time. It is hot and having to wear long sleeves and long trousers tucked into the socks isn't very comfortable. Being bitten in bed is the ultimate indignity.
We drove to Archerfield to buy some things from Camec including a new stove with a stainless steel hob and a flush mounting. We have put up with the old stove which is hard to keep clean and which sticks up above the bench top even when the lid is close for seven years so we decided to update. We then drove back to Lawnton to get some peace with the airconditioner taking the edge off a very hot day.
I had a disturbed night and was up early and out to do the laundry.
I bought some new itchy bite cream and hope I get some good relief from it.
I had an appointment with the optician to do my annual check up. She said that I had developed a tiny crystal in one eye and the corneas are a little more cloudy than previously but the blood vessels are in very good shape. She suggested that I might develop cataracts in 5 to 10 years but most people of my age do so it's not a surprise. There is no evidence of degeneration due to diabetes so that's very good news.
Jean had another dental appointment. Sadly her MBF benefits had run out so we had to pay the full amount. I have had to put my dental treatment on hold until next year for the same reason. I think it might be time to shop around fo alternative health insurance which might better fit our needs.
We went into town to Next Byte to buy an iPod for Jean's Xmas present. She wanted a walkman but I decided that an iPod would be much better and if we fit an iTrip radio link we can use it in the Motley and the Little Motley without the hassle of changing CDs all the time. Unfortunately they were temporarily out of stock so playing with a new toy will have to wait. I did start loading all the CDs onto the iBook, a process which will take some time but one which will remind me of all the music we have got but which only gets played very occasionally.
The temperature had dropped a bit and I was feeling pretty fit so I installed the new stove. Everything went well until I came to the gas connection which required an adapter which took some time to find. In the end, it's all very nice. It has electric ignition, more space and the flush top both looks good and works well. The second step in the Motley update is complete.
I finished loading all the non-classical music onto the iBook in preparation for the iPod. The classical stuff will take a bit longer.
After the exertions of yesterday, I took a lay day. We did a bit of shopping and have only a little more to do for Xmas.
We went to Mitchelton for brunch with the family and then to Patricks Road to have Al debug our network problems. The cause was only poor set ups so we should be able to operate without further trouble.
I went into town to pick up the iPod. They still didn't have the 20Gb model so I bought a 40 Gb unit. This will provide more than enough room for any new music but will also allow a frequent backup of the working files on the iBook.
The iTrip works well so we will be able to have all the music available in both the Motley and the Little Motley. Jean has been nominated to be in charge of the playlists so she won't be able to complain about my choices.