Corrine and Elenor
Saturday night was an invitation to Jim's cousin's home in Saint John to partake in celebrating his aunt's (Corrine's sister) 95th birthday! (so young, there is definitely something to youth in this province!)
Now, in past this would be a simple exercise in a quick shower, press an outfit and splash on some mascara. But now this procedure is a full day event, trying to cover and mask multiple scrapes, bug bites, and bruises caused by three weeks of cutting brush, removing garbage and using hammers, crowbars and sledgehammers. There was also the scramble of trying to find "city" clothes safely stored away in a barn full to the rafters of un-marked boxes...the ironing board is still MIA.
When we left Ontario, I kept back a few of what I thought were the necessary survival tools for our first few months here...this did not include a Venus razor (the Bic disposals are not female leg-friendly), manicure/pedicure equipment or mascara. And Micky's store, though good for the occasional items, is still a general store...not a Shopper's Drug Mart.
Then there is the issue of our indoor plumbing and water works. When we bought the house, we were informed that it was not a well, but village water, tested regularly and treated. This feature was a great deal for Jim (the consummate fretter over E-coli and other bacteria that may have an end result of flesh eating disease or spontaneous internal combustion). What we weren't told, is it is actually four old wells up the road that was initially developed as one well by a pig farmer in the village wanting to ensure a constant supply of water for his livestock. From there it grew to others tapping into the line that went by their properties. Repairs and testing are done by the locals and treatment is the occasional chlorine shocking. But the best feature is - it's a gravity fed system, meaning the speed and volume of flow is determined by the slope of the system from the wells to our taps. So translated, this means taking a shower is akin to walking in a light summer rain, and further translated...it takes about 20 minutes to get soaked!
There is another drawback to this system as well, the kitchen tap (a one-handle job) won't stay on as the pressure is to low for it - that tap thinks there's no water coming out! And one load of laundry takes about an hour, which by that time, I've forgotten I was doing laundry!
But, not to be discouraged, a few queries to the plumber and he assures me it can be remedied for about $900.00 (can't you just hear Jim now?) with the installation of a pump and "bladder" in the basement...cheaper than drilling a well...but still going to have 'eau de pool' water!
By 3:00 we were both scrubbed and shiny again and off to the big smoke (literally) of Saint John. It was a wonderful party and good to be in a home with furniture, walls, kitchen cupboards and good indoor plumbing!
Thanks to Carmel and an authentic maritime salmon meal and hospitality...oh yeah and to Kevin for ?... oh yeah! opening the beer and making coffee!
Jim regaling his new/old house woes (the other Jim behind thinks he's funny)
Carmel directing the process in the kitchen...
...and Kevin...tending bar?
Sean, singing for his supper!
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