Lock-down Day 643

I woke up quite late, way past seven. Another weird dream this morning. And I discovered why I had been feeling a bit off the past two days: got a period this morning! That explains the cramps and, to some extent, the late mornings and weird dreams. Great way to end the year, eh? I really thought I was done with that crap - last one was so many months ago, I'm not even sure when! April? March? Fortunately I have kept the last of the pads!

Well, I've paid the rent! I shouldn't buy electricity for this meter - I'm leaving the geyser on 24/7 (well, due to the power outages, that's not accurate), and using the steamer really uses up power, too!

Oh, and in case you're wondering why I haven't mentioned anything about the steam-weed-killing? Well, with the rain all day Monday, there was no change, even yesterday morning! It looked the same as it had right after I had finished. But add yesterday's sun, and everything is dried out!

Doesn't look very different from Monday's -
only the grass on the side has also dried

Everything completely dry!

I tried pulling one of those grass plants you can see top right - but the roots still seem to be quite strong.

These are the two worst types of grass. On the left, one that looks like Kikuyu, but isn't. And the two on the right look like little bushes, bright green, tough, long grass.

So, you can see: It appears to be a great success!

I had hoped to leave off mowing the lawn till late afternoon - but they're forecasting rain: 83% chance at two this afternoon! So ... I'm now waiting for the dew to dry, it's full sun and I will burn! Sigh ... I plan to time myself, get an idea how long it really takes. No rush, doing it as usual, with lots of breaks ...

Twenty past nine, I start with the back lawn. Which takes twenty minutes. Pretty much the walk-in-the-park with just a few though patches - where the grass is just growing better, that's all. It's still wet, so it's really messy!

I've put on sunscreen, SPF 50! Back of my neck, as far down as I can reach, shoulders and the back under the shoulders as well.

Amazingly, only another twenty minutes later - and that after I've taken a smoke break, first - I'm finished with the section outside my bedroom. As well as what I could mow under the Jacaranda tree. Second lowest setting. What a mission, though! I'm going to spend a lot of time with the steam cleaner in that section outside my bedroom! Ten minute break, it's ten past ten.

First a smoke break, and twenty minutes later, I finished the section around the dog hut! Mostly a walk-in-the-park, with some tough sections. Another section where I'll be spending time with the steam cleaner! Well, there's a plug in the dog hut - maybe it still works, eh?

I'm doing the worst sections first, get the worst done while I can ... 

Twenty minutes just to mow that horror section in front of the grapevine! I still have to do the one at the top of the driveway ... and all the other ones. That bit I just did is only 8-10 square meter, but it is covered in that tough crap. 

Twenty minutes again, and all the worst sections are done! Mostly at setting 3, or the second longest setting.

That took 2 hours! Cramps are getting worse, aggravated by the mowing ... I've been taking tissue salts like candy!

Half an hour's break, now it's noon. Worst time of the day - UV index: extreme! Chance of rain, still for two o'clock, now down to 59 %. I wonder whether I should take a chance and wait for late afternoon?

I had just decided to wait, but then I picked up the mower and got busy! More cramps, plenty heavy breathing, more sweat ... twenty minutes later and I've mowed from the west up to and including the driveway!

But I've come to my senses! I'm not risking sun stroke! It's not worth it. Even though it's quite possibly the last chance to mow dry grass ... Rain forecast every day this week ... 

I've showered, made myself a fried slice of bread - with egg and cheese. And now, I think, I'll take a nap. It's quarter to three, I've been resting ... but this surprise visitor really sucks all the energy out of me ... It's 32 Celsius, clouds are moving in, but no real sign of any rain. Forecast now changed to 33% chance of rain at nine tonight ... 65 % tomorrow, 56% on Friday, etc. I'll finish mowing when I feel up to it ... right now, I'm re-watching Vera!

I thought of finishing mowing once the sun went down ... but I'd work up a sweat and would have to shower again ... and I really don't feel up to it, today! I AM on holiday, you know? I'm allowed to spend time just relaxing, doing nothing ... difficult concept for me, though.

Well, if I managed two hours of tough mowing this morning, I should manage an hour's walk-in-the-park tomorrow morning. Hopefully before it gets too hot. And I managed with the dew-wet grass - messy, but I managed.

Mippies came in very early tonight. Smeagol came to my bedroom window, calling me to come for lovies! He just wants me to pet him a bit, and then sit with him ... just be with him. Well, since that seems to keep him from attacking mippies ... 

I tried pulling the steamed grass-weed ... definitely not coming out easy! Even though it looks dead. Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe the ground needs to be soft ... I'll still have to see how it works out on the pavement outside my bedroom ... tomorrow ... maybe.