… at 02:00 this morning, having been for a walk (as I said that I would) and having been reading a book for ages too. None of this is a surprise of course, after having crashed out for so long yesterday evening.
But once I’d dropped off to sleep, then I really was away. And a long way away too. And here’s an interesting story of a young couple (neither of whom was me, for a change) of which the female of the party had been diagnosed with a major life-threatening illness. Which would cost thousands to treat and which would bankrupt them completely. Sitting on the roof of their house (they could do that by climbing out through the skylight) they were discussing various options of raising the money and a chance glance at a piece of formed metalwork drilled with holes gave them the first part of the idea – which was to go around and drill huge holes in the roofs of a couple of cars belonging to people who had annoyed them. They had an old Maxi that they could adapt for the purpose. The second part was much more interesting and they discussed it with a female friend who was sitting on the roof with them but she was totally opposed to the idea, a fact which made no difference whatever to their plans. And so off they went, each performing his or her own little bit, and all went according to plan. The roof-drilling bit worked like a charm and the female’s idea, of dressing in a really extravagant outfit of the kind that you would find in a Noel Coward performance of the 1920s or 30s and doing a striptease as she walked out of this pub and down the steps to the main road, was stunning. Of course, they were both arrested and charged with various offences, but the fines were minimal. However, the ensuing publicity caused the money to come rolling in and they managed to clear all of their debts in respect of this hospital treatment.
It’s not very often that there’s an evening’s entertainment and I don’t appear in it, is there?
The noise in here (because the place echoes like a drum) awoke me at about 07:30 this morning and I felt so much better after my sleep.
After breakfast I spent a couple of hours on the internet and then went off to look for a baguette. Having tried going east from here last time I stayed, and driving about 100 miles to find one, I decided to head west this time. And I needn’t have bothered because it was even farther to the nearest baguette in that direction. I did however encounter a patisserie but it was closed. Maybe having a day off, I dunno, so I’ll go to check it out tomorrow. But I can’t say that I’m too impressed with the (lack of a) boulangerie around here.
After lunch I started on my quest for accommodation for the next three or four months. And I have found the ideal place – a small room in the attic of a very modern house, right on the outskirts of Leuven within sight of the hospital, and with off-street parking too. It’s clean and tidy with a friendly young landlord, all mod cons (shared with two others), and another good advantage is that there is a beautiful garden with seats and the like so I can sit in the sun.
It’s a mere €325 per month and so I’m determined to take it until mid-September (when the students return) but the downside is that it’s not free until July 1st. I’m okay here until 13th June and so I need to find a place for two and a half weeks. I shall have to get on with that and look to see what are the possibilities. I have a few ideas already.
This evening, the beautiful weather that we have been having for the last two days broke – and broke with a vengeance too. I could feel it brewing this afternoon, but when it let go, it really did let go and we had a terrific thunderstorm and downpour. I was soaked going out to Caliburn to make my tea, but my tea really was nice. I had pasta, mixed veg and lentils, all mixed up with some spicy tomato sauce. And that was followed by fruit salad and slices of spiced cake with soya vanilla dessert custard. Fit for a King.
And so now I think that I’ve done enough for today so I’ll have an early night. Tomorrow I’ll get on with tracking down some more accommodation.
It seems to me that there is nothing in Pellenberg, neither boulangerie nor patteserie. I don’t like the sound of the place whatsoever. And imagine if you were not as mobile as you are – perish the thought.
I am wishing you luck with your search for accommodation between 13th and 30th June. Cheers.
It’s €10 a night, Donald, and that kind of price covers an awful lot of inconvenience. And there is a service bus that runs into here from the centre of Leuven (€1:40 per trip). There’s a cafeteria too in the main building across the park and a library, so it’s not all that bad. It’ll do me until I have to leave.
I am extremely glad that you are catered for Eric, otherwise I shall have to kick their dustbins over!!
I look forward to hearing further blogs from yourself.