Buddha, Frida and Some Mermaids

This is a view of the side yard at the house where we're staying. The camper belongs to the neighbors, but we also have a camper, a trendy little teardrop-shaped thing sitting by the front gate. We have been informed that it is not part of the lease, so sadly, I can't look inside it. (Except through the windows.)

The big turquoise Buddha head, believe it or not, is only one of several big Buddha heads we have lying around. Whoever decorated this place has a definite affinity for Buddhist imagery, as well as tropical prints and...

...Frida Kahlo.

Here's our groovy little kitchen, which believe it or not has both a washing machine and a miniature dishwasher despite its small size. The fridge is one of those little college dorm models, but it's enough for us under these circumstances.

As the day dawned yesterday morning -- the shortest of the year -- I looked out that window over the kitchen sink and saw some trash blowing around in the front yard. Sure enough some animals had pulled bags of rubbish out of our bin and strewn it around. The bin is so full of trash from previous renters that the lid won't close, which is a problem. I collected and re-bagged all the rubbish (ugh), put it back in the bin and wired the lid closed, as best I could, with an old coat hanger. Now I just have to remember to take the wire off in time for collection tomorrow morning. It seems to be my lot in life to manage the world's refuse.

We ordered groceries yesterday morning, and then promptly realized we'd forgotten paper towels and wine, which are pretty much essentials as far as I'm concerned. So I walked to the nearest convenience store before lunch and bought a bottle of Pinot Grigio and a kitchen roll.

Otherwise, we barely left the house. Well, Dave didn't leave it at all, and Olga only ventured as far as the yard.

I tried to get her to walk on the beach with me in the afternoon, but she was having none of it. I don't blame her, really. It rained all morning and ever since it's been blowing a gale out there.

Which is good for the offshore wind farm that we can see from the back deck. All the turbines are topped with flashing red lights that pulse on the horizon at night. It's kind of a cool effect. (This was taken at low tide, hence all the exposed sand. I'm not sure what that green buoy is for, but there are oyster-farming frames nearby so maybe it has something to do with those.)

Also enjoying the wind was an incredibly cold-hardy windsurfer. And see those weird things on the horizon? Those are Maunsell Forts, which were erected at the mouth of the Thames during wartime to guard the estuary. They're abandoned now, and apparently it's possible to take a boat tour out there, but Dave vetoed that idea. I guess being bounced around in an Uber was enough for him, in his post-surgical state. He doesn't need bouncing in a boat, too.

It's supposed to be windy today but not rainy, so I'm hoping to get out for some more walking.