A day of sorting, cleaning and playing house. I kind of love it and find it very satisfying though it does feel a little old school in this division of labour – I clear the kitchen, make the bedrooms and unpack, Kian fixes things, builds the bed bases and helps Boris. I guess we are just working to our strengths.
Now we have a neat and basic kitchen and a living room area, and the kids proper tent is up and they have a little bedroom ‘wing’ each. We have our bedroom tent and a store tent with all our stuff in cases in it. We have 2 solar lights out on the pad to light the kitchen area and comfy space, but bedtime reading is done by head torch. Yet to do; a shower bathroom area, a line to hang our clothes on, and a yoga area ( we have bought matts with us).
Tomorrow I must cook for the first guests who arrive in the evening. I feel nervous about it, more with Karyn and Boris than for the guests I realise. I so want it to be right for them and for us to be helpful to have around. I know that sharing someone’s home for so long could be a minefield but Karyn is such a good old friend I just hope that we can try and be open and honest should problems arise. We have had a few emails before coming regarding this and so are primed to work on a cooperative policy of being sensitive to each other whilst being honest as to our needs! We have agreed now that Kian and I will work for Happy Api, whether catering or maintenance or other hopefully useful tasks, in return for having the accommodation here on their island and when we are cooking, to share all the food. Hopefully it will work out that cooking for guests also results in all of us getting well fed too, and we should just be buying our gas, personal food for breakfasts and snacks, alcohol, and contributing towards boat fuel. This seems like a fair arrangement and much nicer than dealing with pay and money amongst friends, so I hope it works.
I saw a few huge spiders today, long legged & yellow bodied, patiently waiting in massive webs spread between trees. It would be easy to walk into one by mistake, and be caught like a hapless fly. I haven’t told Maisie yet. She will have to toughen up with her silly screamishness about them. She loves the cats that roam around here – there are 5 in total- and is desperate that one will love her and let her adopt them. It’s very funny watching her trying to learn how to hold a cat, hauling the surprised cat upside down for cuddles. I welcome the cats around as they’ll help keep the rodents at bay. We have a task ahead making this camp feel like a proper home but the simple basics are already in place. At least, unlike in England, we can rely on being happy warm weather campers.