26June1996

My dear folks,

This is going to be a quickie! I had a heavy night on the computer yesterday & didn’t get to bed until after 3 a.m. I don’t regret it for a moment, I just don’t want to get into the habit & it’s all too easy. It was just that the latest software from my Internet Access Provider had been laying around for several weeks, waiting for a convenient moment. To install it, I needed a couple of quiet hours as I know from experience how fidgety these operations can be. As it turned out, 15 minutes was adequate to the task.

But the problem then was that this software put yet another (Netscape) web-browser on to my hard disk - as well as a new integrated email system. These programmes take up LOTS of space. So the next two hours was spent uninstalling 3 older web-browsers while trying to save from them the addresses of favourite places on the Internet. While browsing around I found at least six electronic SA newspapers Mum - you must get Alan to hunt them up; they’re all grouped under SA. And Jones I found masses on Loule, including 4 colour photos of Old Town Loule (which I’ll fax down to you). I recognised them all. So, all in all, an intense computer night. I had computers whirling through my brain as I tried to settle down to sleep. It was hot & I needed the fan.

The room’s blacked out & it was after 10 when I woke. I came down for a muesli breakfast & felt the stab of depression I’ve suffered for months each time I look at the stained & ripped (courtesy of Mavis) carpet tiles in the lounge. That was it. I spent 2 hours on the phone trying to track down a stockist (most supply retailers only or order stocks only on request.) I eventually found one some miles away & set off, with a view to trying a couple of superstores on route. I struck lucky with the first one & returned home with several boxes of tiles - very similar to the previous ones Jones, in a fine-patterned blue & bashe. It took me the rest of the day to put them down, with frequent interruptions for the football. The French-Czech match was awful but the contest between England & Germany was a humdinger - a real thriller. I felt for the Brits when they lost on penalties. I’d have felt equally for the Germans!

It was hot work & I had to nip down to the local for a supply of beers to sustain me. I find Fosters much to my taste - a light, refreshing blend similar to the lagers I drink in Portugal. Mavis wandered in & out the whole time, trying to suss out the point of the exercise. He was about to test his claws on a new tile when he got such a hiss in his ear from me that he shot away, crashing into a chair as he fled the room. But he settled quite unruffled in the hall. He can tell to within a millimetre whether I’m just warning him off or really after his hide & doesn’t bother to remove himself any further than he judges necessary. His bloody hairs are all over everything & his claw marks in the dining room chair covers. Really, the compromises we need to make for our animals.

I’ll retile the upper bathroom tomorrow Jones. If I can find enough decent tiles among those I’ve lifted from the lounge, I’ll use them. If they don’t appeal, I’ll use a box of the new ones instead. Either way, I think you’ll approve of the changes. I’ve agreed to take my neighbour to the local hypermarket in the morning & I’m cycling over for a meeting with another computer fundi in the afternoon to get hold of some software he’s promised me.

I’ve thought of enrolling for a basic computer course with a technology college that does them by post & email. But when I saw what they were offering, I felt it would be a waste of time & money as I’m familiar with 90% of the programme. Still, it would be useful to get a couple of Info. Tech certificates tucked into my belt as I’ve half a mind to teach basic computing to expats one day in Portugal. Sorry, that’s lots about tiles & computers tonight but sometimes that’s the way it goes. xxxxxxxxxxxx T