After I complained about the weather yesterday, this morning we had a glimpse of blue sky and sun. Of course, it didn’t last. By around 11, as we took the recycling down to the big bins, the clouds, like locusts, appeared and filled the sky devouring the blue. By the time we returned to the house, the gloom had returned. Then, as the sun went down, the rain was back.
The weather didn’t really bother us much. Today was the final cleaning day before Portugal and the day we were due to meet the Belgians who will be looking after the house while we are away.
Jarne and Tessa arrived an hour early. How is such a thing possible? I mean, they caught a plane. It seems like a minor miracle for one to arrive on time, let alone before it’s due.
Still, early they were, loaded up with a ton of luggage for their month in Trosa (and their subsequent month in Malmö after us). And what a lovely pair they are. After a brief tour of the house and taking up temporary residence in the stuga for one night, the four of us sat around with tea and coffee and chatted for ages.
Of course, as well as the house, they will also be looking after the girls. So tonight was also a chance for them to decide if they liked the house minders too.
Emma, predictably, was a bit wary but, eventually, allowed Jarne to briefly pat her on the head. Obviously, she was fine with Tessa. Freya accepted them both almost immediately.
The four of us managed to discuss their jobs and Mirinda’s employment history and the fact that AI probably stands for Artificial Idiocy, before we separated for the night.
We didn’t need any dinner as we’d gone into town earlier and had lunch at Tre Små Rum which seemed full of dogs. We figured that Friday lunchtime is Dog Time at the café. It made for a very pleasant repast for us and the girls.

Back at home, there were a few more travel organisational things to complete (we have booked into Quinta de la Rosa for one night and dinner for one thing) before bed. Tomorrow we start to head south for Portugal.
Mirinda mentioned the fact that this holiday feels like the ones we used to take to France, without the need for planes, airports and squeezey seating. Slow Travel is definitely more fun.