Catching up....

An update is in order. Once again, we've had a busy time and only now do I find time to write anything. So what's happened?

Here's a summary -- I may try to fill out some of these points into fuller entries later:

- I had to return to Japan for a couple of weeks to get a new re-entry permit -- without which my Japanese permanent residence would be taken away next time I try to enter the country.

- While I was away, the last windows were installed in the house and Meg began living there. Before leaving, I set up a temporary kitchen, camp style, with a couple of gas rings and a sink.

- The final electrical problems were resolved and we also arranged for an on-demand water heater to be installed in what we have dubbed the 'boiler room'. So we have elecricity and hot water now.

- Delays with the internal telephone wiring and certification (a long story and worthy of an essay in itself) were resolved and Meg obtained the certificate (or perhaps more correctly prised it out of the electrician's hands, because he wanted to hold it to ransom until he was paid by Fernando) that the telephone company (PT) requires before installing a line.

- As soon as I got back from Japan, we moved most of the major appliances and furniture to the house -- washing machine, fridge, sofabed, etc -- and began living there (here, actually!). We were returning to the apartment only for telephone/internet and showers (because we are having problems getting a shower cabinet to fit the base we installed in the small bathroom...)

- The very last contracted work was finished -- some bits of carpentry and door lock adjustments. We told the builder, Fernando, that we considered the work finished and have arranged a date with our lawyer to work out the accounts and make the final payment. That's Tuesday of this coming week, July 4th.

- Last Friday, on their second visit and having put up two new poles, PT connected the new phone line and moved our service from the apartment to the house. Meantime, I had to dig an 11m trench across the garden from the house to one of the new poles to lay in an underground conduit for the line. Then yesterday, Saturday, we finally tested the Internet (ADSL) service, determined it was working, and moved our computers up here to the house. Now, finally, we feel as if everything is settling down and we have everything we need at the house.

- Also on Friday we took delivery of a stone countertop for the kitchen. Pleasingly, my measurements were just about spot on and it fits perfectly. Getting the stone into place was somewhat nerve-wracking (80kg, and with the large hole to take the cooking hob leaving perilously narrow margins of stone). But now it's there, fixed down, hopefully never to move again...