Now that we have the pool full of water, we need to find out how to maintain in pristine condition. This became extremely evident as an issue on Tuesday. On Monday, the pool was full of crystal clear water, with a blueish colour from refraction and reflection of the sky’s colour. By Tuesday morning, the pool has turned an opaque sludgelike green. Apparently this was nothing to worry about, it usually happens with a newly filled pool (pity that Doc had not told us in advance to stop our worries). Nothing to do with the quality of our well water, or even global warming causing our own algae bloom. Mineral salts were leaching from the pool lining and causing the water colour. Careful addition of chemicals and continuous running of the filter should solve the problem, we were told, and by Wednesday it was looking a lot better. On Friday the next stage in pool cleanliness was introduced – a robot which continuously runs around the bottom of the pool, hoovering up any unwanted items. The robot even has a tail thrashing about behind to help with the cleaning process. A little disconcerting, though – do we take it out whilst we swim, or will it perpetually rove around looking for victims to drag down into the depths?
Talking of swimming – the weather has taken a turn cooler, so it’s going to be cool swimming. We can turn the heater on next week, (a bit expensive, though) and are determined to have at least a token dip before it gets into wetsuit swimming conditions.
We were invited to a fish fry at Cavender Creek on Sunday evening, and this was a very pleasant event, sitting out as dusk fell over the vineyards. The harvest was more than halfway done now, and the winery is already full of tanks of viognier, petit manseng and cabernet sauvignon frothing away. The remaining harvest of Norton grapes was picked during the week (we were told at the winery during our regular Friday afternoon club meeting).
The first leaves are starting to turn to autumn colours, particularly the dogwood trees and the sourwoods (which make really good honey). It seems to me a bit earlier this year than in 2014 – and a quick check back at my blog seems to confirm this. On Sunday 27th there is a huge cycle race up and down the local mountains – 2,500 enthusiasts pedaling up to 100 miles and climbing several thousand feet on the way. If our experience is anything to go by, the dogwoods up at the top of the ridge will be very spectacular.
We were premature in declaring success in the war against the squirrel. The new suspension device for the birdseed feeder only kept the squirrel at bay for three days, until he found a new way to clamber aboard. However, on Saturday we moved it again and increased the difficulty of access for squirrels. This MAY have worked. The squirrel was totally frustrated and furious. He was literally jumping up and down and screaming in rage that his buffet table was now out of reach.
From the weekly crimebeat
A woman said she sold her purebred boxer to an acquaintance who paid $250 with three separate checks. She then accidentally washed the checks in the laundry.
The woman has asked for payment again but has not yet received it.
A woman said she is being harassed by a man she met on Match.com who has repeatedly called her even though she’s blocked his phone number. Most recently he told her that he would like to give her $1 million.