The Digest 31/08/2025

Writing

I'm off on another walk. I explain why, below.

Another Camino (with kebabs)
On Friday October the 24th of 2025, the three of us are setting off for four days of walking, starting at Dhekelia Garrison at the Eastern end of the island, taking in Larnaca, Paphos and Limassol before finishing near the other garrison at Episkopi.
Writer, interrupted.Stuart Lennon

A New Job

Every time I think I'm getting some free time, I, or the wife, or the world, finds me something else. I have signed up as a volunteer firefighter. I don't think this means I'll be getting a big red tender any time soon, but I will be getting some training. Each village in Cyprus has the right to have a volunteer force whose role is to act as first responders during fire season. Our job is to hold the fire until the the professionals can get on scene. Perhaps shutting the stable door once the horse has bolted, but we're re-forming a team.

Admin

Talking of stable doors, I'm completing a review of all my insurance policies. The first thing the loss adjuster said as we walked through my gate after the fire was "you're under-insured." Just this morning, my broker wrote the same in an e-mail. I fear that the underwriter will say the same as they explain why they can only pay half my losses. I have noted that neither the broker nor underwriter made any mention of inflation adjustments as they processed renewals year on year, but I daresay they will shrug that off. Might be an expensive lesson, I suspect.

Watching

Caught the latest Mission Impossible movie. A Tom Cruise indulgence, with plenty of nods back to the earlier films. Silly plot, great stunts and unlikely feats of daring-do. There are worse ways to pass the best part of three hours.

Seasons

It's still very much summer, but the nights at least are cooling off a little. The first signs of Autumn coming. I've taken the dogs out for some short walks and cleaned the golf clubs. In September I'll restart daily walks and twice-weekly golf, alongside my compulsive Padel habit.

Right. I'm off to make an inventory of all of our possessions for insurance purposes. I know, what joy!

Have a great week - and be nice to everybody you meet.

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