Jul 21 2008
Best laid plans that come undone
This weekend my partner and I decided that we needed some time to get our firewood all cut and stacked before the fireban that prohibits the use of power tools in the bush goes into effect. As we heat our home with an airtight woodstove this is a very important job that cannot be done at any other time of the year. And, as we work every Saturday morning at the Farmers’ market from the May long weekend until Thanksgiving long weekend, we decided that taking one Saturday off and allowing another vendor to use our spot was the way to go.
After a brief 5 AM wake-up, wash-up and breakfast, we headed out and returned several times with truckloads of wood before the heat of the day arrived, and the early shift only fireban went into effect at noon. You can imagine our surprise when we found uninvited relatives sitting on our step ready to enjoy the whole weekend with us.
Suffice to say that we were hot, sweaty and not impressed by the drop-ins. Pleasantries were exchanged and coffee and baked goods were offered and consumed, and maps were provided so the company could go about entertaining themselves by seeing the sites, and we could use the rest of the day the way we had planned to use it.
After an hour of small talk when there was no indication that they were getting ready to leave and book a room in a bed and breakfast I provided a fist full of brochures for bed and breakfast accommodations. Then I excused myself so I could do the next job on my list, which was writing a promotional post for a new music blog that a friend has launched. That’s when I discovered that I had no internet connection. I then spent 2 hours getting phone support to restore the connection and working from my husband’s computer as I did so. His computer lacks my bookmarks so I was limited in what I could do. Finally, the ISP connection was made to my own computer the ADSL link was working. My partner was ready to sand the floors and I was ready to blog, or so I thought.
We heard a vehicle in the driveway and sure enough they were back. The story was that the bed and breakfasts were too expensive so they hadn’t booked into one. The idea was that we were supposed to become a hotel. The problem was that all our furniture is stacked up and most rooms are not usable because my husband’s project was to strip the maple hardwood and re-surface it. We explained that we were very sorry they had not called first but we could not accommodate them. We provided camping gear and suggested they call the campground to book a spot. That didn’t appeal so they lingered on and yammered on until it was near to supper time. Finally, I said: “Our whole day has slipped away on us and we have work to do. I’m afraid you will have to leave.” They left and we waved good bye thinking they had left the community. This was not the case and within 3 hours they were back again and setting up camp in our yard.
I’m going to break off this story now because I feel an ugly rant coming on. To make a long story short my I have a come and go ADSL line happening and I’m not a happy camper. The plans we had for the weekend were ruined by two miserable old farts, who did not call before dropping in. Oh right, and when they left they said to us: “Just drop in anytime you’re down our way.”
It takes either a float plane and/or one ferry plus hours of driving to get to where they live. We will not be dropping in on them and they know that. I’m so peeved off today that I have no inclination towards blogging at all even though my ADSL line now seems to be working fine again. AAAARRRGGGHH!


