SATURDAY, SEPT. 8
Up early, we went with Fiona to feed Olive’s dogs, two pigs and hens. Once back at Fiona’s house, her neighbors began to arrive. Esther, introduced as the vet’s wife, came for a visit. After she left, Sally, who used to work at the United Nations and has a terrier named Rosie, came to visit.
THE LOOP
It was pouring rain, nonetheless we set out on a walk around the “loop.” The sound of the pelting rain, the dogs crossing leashes constantly while Fiona and Sally unraveling them in a sort of ongoing dance, Fiona’s and Sally’s non-stop flow of conversation interrupted by continual disciplining of the dogs, and me interrupting to ask questions, made for a chaotic feeling walk.
Both Sally and Fiona kept apologizing for the rain, but we didn’t mind it. It was fierce and powerful and exciting. Our hair was soaked, the water filled our shoes. Wind whipped across the hills, but we were enchanted by what we saw — a lush land, a wild ocean, farms and animals.
Sally left as soon as we returned.
Another visitor arrived soon after lunch — Mary, who owns a salon in town, and lives down the street. Shortly after Mary left, her husband appeared to fix something in the house.
Fiona told us everything about the house, from how the stove works, to what to do if a storm like Orphelia should shut off electricity, and we were stranded. She brought out maps of the area and pointed out places to walk and visit. A complete information dump.
After another amazing dinner prepared by Fiona, we returned to Olive’s to feed the four dogs.
