14March1997

Friday 14 Mar. 97
My dear folks

Jones has gone to Portugal. I drove her out to the airport this a.m. & joined her in the terminal while she waited to check in. There was a problem with an American couple at the front of the queue which led to an outburst from the guy concerned – they’d apparently been waiting for an hour to check in for a plane about to take off – that led to the eventual appearance of management. The rest of the passengers grew restive & impatient as well they might, Jones included. But the problem was ultimately resolved, or at least the couple went away, & Jones checked in.

For the 1st time that I can remember, she actually didn’t much feel like going back. I put that down to the end of holidays in London rather than any underlying reservations. But it does mark a little mile post. We had discussed once or twice whether we should approach our estate agent merely to look at the property & give us an idea of how much it might (one day?) fetch & how long it might take to sell. We’ve come to weigh up the pleasure we take in the Quinta against the cost of long separations & much hard work for little financial return. I’m not sending you coded messages. Jones isn’t sure what she feels other than wanting the best of both worlds – i.e. the Quinta without the separations & the hassles. I guess that I’m fairly pragmatic. If someone offered me the right price, I’d take it, much as I love the place.

We mused over last cups of coffee upstairs before she vanished off through passport control. I drove home doing lots of gear-changing with the new gearbox to see how well it performed. It’s still a bit stiff but seems to be okay. I got the bike back yest as well, with new back tyre & tube plus new chain. So I’m mobile again.

For once, I will keep this really short and sweet. I must go out for a walk & then get my head down for a couple of hours before the start of the night shift. Thank you Cathy for your fax. Education plays a huge part in the news over here for much the same reasons as it seems to do in Germany. And Mum, I reread your poem (about the folks who get into heaven) plus the article about the two SA union guys. Thank you for those. Think of you lots.

Love
T