Omaa aikaa

12 päivää sitten olisin voinut sanoa etten ikinä ole ollut Valtterista erossa enempää kuin yhden yön. Nyt olen ollut rakkaasta pienestä pojastani erossa 11 pitkää päivää. On ollut sitä kuuluisaa kaikkien pienten lasten äitien kaipaamaa omaa aikaa vaikka kuinka!

Kun pojat lähtivät ainutlaatuiselle isä&poika matkalleen, olin melkein paniikissa siitä ikävästä joka heti iski kun katsoin heidän kävelyään turvatarkastusta kohti. Sain kuitenkin ajettua takaisin kotiin ja vietin ensimmäiset viisi päivää muiden ihmisten seurassa niin tiiviisti etten kerennyt jäädä ikävään kiinni. Hetkittäin tietysti teki tiukkaa, niinkuin ensimmäisen skype-puhelun jälkeen.. mutta parhaani mukaan keskityin positiiviseen eli siihen miten hienoa oli että heidän matkansa sujui hyvin, ja nautin kaikista kuvista ja videoista joita sain.

Kuudentena päivänä olin kotona, yksin. Tai no, Rekun kanssa joka kuorsasi matkaväsymystään sohvalla. Kävin hitaalla, en tahtonut saada mitään aikaiseksi. Söin lounaan vasta kun maha kurisi äänekkäästi ja valvoin myöhään telkan eessä. Sain kyllä vauhdin kiristymään ja huushollin lisäksi tuli siistittyä myös kellari. Olen puuhaillut omia projektejani ja nauttinut laatuajasta Rekun kanssa. Genevessä kävin kahdesti - tyttöjen leffaillassa ja kaverin luona yökylässä.

"Best Friends" - Saatiin taideteokset Vallun seinälle valmiiksi kun tehtiin viimeiset kaksi kuvansiirtoa puulle toissailtana Genevessä.

Tänään käytiin vielä Rekun kanssa laittamassa ruksi viimeisenkin "ilman Vallua" kohdan päälle, nimittäin kiivettiin La Dole huipulle. Katso kuvallinen kertomus Galleriasta!

Huomenna aamusta ajan taas jännittyneenä lentokentälle. Muistaako ne mut vielä? Onko kivaa olla kotona, roikutaanko minussa kuin apina vai osoitetaanko mieltä kun en ollut matkalla mukana? Vai onko kullanmurustani tullut iskän poika eikä äiti enää kelpaakaan..?

You can't fool a Finn..

I blogged a while back (well, months back..) about the recent change in the flat renting situation in Geneva region. I have a part II to the story - watch out, it's another rant on how I find the whole flat renting business pretty unbelievable! 

Pre-check

Sometime in late Feb/March our contact person from the Regie came to do a pre-check (for the moving out cleaning). I thought she does not speak English, since the secretary always took care of communication with me, so a I asked a friend for a play date and language support. Well, turns out, when really needed, she does speak English! She went through the flat and reminded me of things that needed to be cleaned, took a photo of the balcony (which later turned up in the internet, being the only photo that advertised the place) and was very suspicious of the interior design stickers (cars) on Valtteri's room door. 

I received her notes a few weeks later, in French, by mail. When another friend translated them to me, we had six points to especially pay attention to, two of which I could not locate in the flat: marks on a washroom door/doorframe that should be painted, and fingerprints (!) on the bedroom wall next to the washroom. I asked for clarification by e-mail and received a picture of the door - indeed the washing machine door had banged marks into it and it needed to be painted. But nothing on the other point. 

We moved, and cleaned. And cleaned. And painted. And ripped down the plant climbing the wall on the balcony and cleaned the wall behind it, better than would have needed to be done when comparing the situation to the tens of photos we took of the flat when moving in. And good that we had those photos! Because when the day of the inspection came, we were able to show that the black mark on the floor in the hall was already there and not caused by us. 

Check and post-check

The technical inspector who carried out the moving out inspection, really did not speak English, but she had the right attitude and we got along fine. She was not happy with all of the cleaning, but was very happy with the balconies and the painted areas. It seems she had her usual spots to check, those that are often overlooked by tenants in the final cleaning, in addition to the list from the pre-check.  After she was done, we signed the final inspection paper with four points to clean: surfaces on a few cupboards in the kitchen, the stove, the wall in the bedroom that the head of the bed had been against (this was the "fingerprints on a wall facing toilet" although it is not facing toilet) and toilet bowl's tartar (at the very back). She was nice enough to organize for us to keep a key so I could attend to this little bit of extra cleaning right away, and return the key in the afternoon. 

And so I did. And then we waited for our contact person to visit the flat for a check so that we could get our deposit back. Well... Of course we needed to put a little pressure on them before she found the time to visit the flat, and guess what was the end result? She was not happy with the cleaning - and had five (!!) points that needed more cleaning! Two of the five were new items that the technical inspector had already approved. Yep, this is the way you tire out an expat and get them to pay for the cleaning (which may or may not be carried out at all..). But not us!

Post-check's post-check

I insisted that we keep to the original list, and that the next check-up would be done with us present. I had to repeat this message a few times before I got my way (persistency of a terrier..). So, on the agreed day, I went to pick-up the key from the Naef's office in Geneva, went to Bernex and cleaned "with the rage of a monkey" (a Finnish saying, no idea where it comes from) while my friend and her daughter kindly spent time with Valtteri in the park and the building's garden. I used as tough measures as were needed to get it all cleaned in a way that would for sure pass the check, but ignored the printed photos (completely out of focus and thus useless anyway) that came with the keys. (I had asked for photos of the targets that did not pass the check by e-mail so that I could respond to their leaning requests correctly in an effort to be cooperative and communicate that there must be a misunderstanding instead of the scam I new they were trying). I was so tired and dizzy from the bleach fumes that I lifted my middle finger up to the bus that did not wait for us even he must have seen us running and touching the back of the bus as it left the stop. Not like me at all. Not these days anyway, maybe when I was younger ;)

Early the next morning we were back at the flat, all of us. Our contact person from Naef arrived and started with complaining about the fact that she waited for us downstairs (a whole two mins I'm sure) while we had been waiting for her in the flat. Her bad mood was pretty clear but what came next left our mouths hanging open. She started checking cupboards that were already approved by the technical inspector so I explained what were the parts that had required additional cleaning and demonstrated that they were cleaned. She then walked to the toilet and started talking about the shower head that had calc marks (which had come from the technical inspectors check that the water ran clear in the shower). My words "You just understand that we need to stick to the list of the technical inspector.." pushed her buttons and she walked to the hall, slammed the door closed one meter from Valtteri and nearly yelled "The technical inspector wants the flat to be clean!". And she added "You can go now." Of course I did not move. I kept my cool while Antti calmed Valtteri and asked her what the next step was. She bitterly replied that we would be getting our deposit back. Just to be sure, and to twist the knife in the wound a little, I confirmed with her that we had passed the inspection and the deposit would be returned. Yes. 

Ah, freedom! Freedom from Naef!

Revenge

I understand that our contact person was under pressure because she had not secured new tenants, but that was no excuse to lash out on a customer, nor a soon-to-be-ex-customer. The fact that she and the technical inspector did not agree on the cleaning was also not my problem. I was right, and I bet she knew it. 
So we got our deposit back. Friends have encouraged me to complain of her behavior, but now it feels such a long time ago I probably won't. Finally found the time to finish writing this blog entry! For me the best revenge is to see the flat still in the market. Naef has already lowered the rent by four hundred francs (the discount we asked for..) but have lost three months of rent so far. [imagine evil laugh here]

Agility tourist: Fun agility meeting

Rekku and I are on a five star romantic just-the-two-of-us holiday. In other words we miss our human boys terribly while they are on a five star father & son holiday and try to fill our days with fun stuff so we would not miss them so much.

So we did some agility :)

On Saturday we travelled by train to Bassersdorf, outside of Zurich, to stay with Bettina and Mike (whom I was introduced to by two agility loving friends from Singapore when we moved to Switzerland).On Sunday we attended the all-day "agility meeting" Bettina's club KV Embrach - or to be exact, the fun agility division of it - organises every summer. It was an unofficial agility competition and a wonderful event - and a lot of fun!

The day started with a Gamblers class. First went beginners, then the advanced, and then us oldies. Four medium oldie dogs had signed up, but two of them could not make it to the competition. So it was just Rekku and Chilli, an Australian cattle dog who in all honestly looked more like an oldie.. Rekku, to my amazement, was like a young puppy in action and a true competition pro using all non-active time resting well. (And why not? Bettina had kindly prepared a tent, dog bed, picnic blanket, water and a towel for Rekku. *****!)

Rekku in between his warm-up and first run of the day. 

We did well in our Gamblers run. We focused on collecting the points from each obstacle (rather than rushing it and losing points due to missed contacts etc.) and even managed to do the joker, which was a pole that the dog needed to go around while the handler stayed behind a yellow line. Easy for a herding dog - so I was especially proud Rekku did it :)

We won Chilli with our solid point collection - not speed..

The next run was Open, or in other words agility. Oldies were again grouped with advanced, which meant the course was somewhat challenging. Well maybe it had not been if we would have been active with our agility hobby recently but the fact that we had not even practiced for so many months meant that I sucked. Yep, I FORGOT THE COURSE. Rarely happens, and I found it quite embarrassing.. I actually had to stop Rekku so I could think (who nicely sat down to wait while I thought about the next obstacle and which side to jump from). Towards the end of the course Rekku also dropped a bar, so I was pretty sure Chilli would get her/his turn being first. But no, we won! I did not see Chilli run (because I was cooling off Rekku) but she/he was disqualified. So we were on the podium alone..

Gamblers - Oldie - medium

Open - Oldie - medium

Rekku with his two prizes (gem stones) and sponsor's bags (and the toy he dug out from a bag on the podium, non-squeaky and still he likes it - he must have an understanding it is his prize!).

After the prize giving there was once more class, called Clear Run. It was like Jumpers, but there was no time taking, and the jumps were lower (as it was the end of the day). The whole meaning was to run a clear run, and everyone who did, got a ribbon. Afterwards people were free to go home, shortening the day for many competitors. Rekku, my super fit oldie, seemed good to go also for the last run, so we did. And got a clear run despite of me AGAIN - but only for a split second - forgetting the course.

After the last run. What a fun day doing agility!

During the day there were several things going on; a professional photographer was there taking loads of pictures that the competitors could then order prints or other products from, some companies were selling clothes and dog food, and on the side there was a fun run of 60m that was clocked and fastest (and slowest) were given prizes. Rekku and I missed the actual timed run, but got to do it on our own. Rekku did a nice sit & stay, waiting for me to walk the 60 meters with his favourite squeaky squirrel before calling him over. He ran, but not quite his fastest I think.

Rekku still jumping his "normal" medium height :)

I blogged before the weekend about Rekku being itchy from all the sun, swimming and activity. At times I caught him "eating himself" or scratching himself , and as I was helping out during beginners courses and could not be beside him stopping him, I put a towel around his neck to stop him - he looked like a boxer:

After the competition on Sunday we went on a relaxing walk with Bettina, Mike and their four Scottish terriers. We walked by the river Rhein in beautiful scenery and the dogs had such a good time. I have a feeling this is not the last time we will be visiting B&M and the four "black ones" ;)

Lehmiä ja lehmipoika

Jokunen viikko sitten meillä oli oikein eläimellinen perjantai. Aamulla me lähdettiin Vallun ja Rekun kanssa kävelemään paikalliselle juustotehtaalle, Fruitieres de Nyon:lle. Matka kulkee tietä ja polkuja pitkin, lehmälaitumien poikki ja on enimäkseen ylämäkeä. Se on se lähin "vuoren huippu" jonka reitti lähtee tästä ihan kodin vierestä. Koska lehmät vaihtavat laidunmaata aika ajoin, oli ne sattumoisin tällä kertaa laiduntamassa juuri sillä laitumella jonka poikki polku menee. Vallun ja mun mielestä se oli tietysti tosi kivaa, mutta ei niinkään Rekun mielestä. Lehmät kun on niin kiinnostuneita Rekusta että haluavat sitä ihan läheltä haistaa ja koskettaakin.. Mikä mulle siis selvisi vasta kun olin videoimassa lehmien piiritystä - ekan videon jälkeen lähdettiin siis heti kävelemään laitumen päähän (toka video) ja päästettiin Rekku aidan toiselle puolelle turvaan ja jäätiin itse vielä hetkeksi lehmien kanssa seurustelemaan (video 3). Kuvia ja videot Jura/Scary but cute-albumissa.

Ylhäällä juustotehtaalla oli myös lehmiä, ja yllätykseksemme myös possuja. Nyt äitinä näen nämä tilaisuudet hyvinä eläinkokemuksina ja siksi tärkeinä hetkinä, mutta eläinsuojelijaminä suree jos eläinten olot eivät ole luksusta tai kun äiti lehmä huutaa viereisellä laitumella olevan vasikkansa perään.. Tekee jo mieli Vallullekin näitä elämän realiteetteja selittää, mutta vielä ei taida olla ihan aika kuormittaa kaksivuotiaan omaatuntoa. Ostettiin sen sijaan juustotehtaalta (joka siis koostuu kahdesta huoneesta, toisessa on juusto valmistumassa ja toinen on varasto/myymälä) palanen hyvää juustoa, ja tuettiin paikallista pientuottajaa, vaikka eläinsuojelijaminä olisikin vasikat nähtyään juuston jättänyt ostamatta.. (Kyllä nää paikalliset hyvät juustot tulee olemaan este mun vegaaniksi ryhtymiselle!).

Iha-haa, iha-haa..

Iltapäivällä meillä oli vuorossa hevostelua! Naapurimme ja Vallun kaveri Tiago lähti äitinsä kanssa mukaan - tai paremminkin me lähdettiin heidän mukaan - Ranskan puolelle ponitallille. Ponin vuokraus tunniksi, niin että itse taluttaa ponia ja lapsi on kyydissä ilman että ketään ponitallilta lähtee mukaan, on 8,5€. Musta se kuulostaa kovin edulliselta.. 

Meille oli kaksi ponia valmiina, ja Vallu sai sen pienemmän, Alf-ponin. Mä yllätyin miten pelottomasti Vallu meni ponin selkään ja miten liimattuna poika siellä satulassa pysyi! Alf oli perinteinen shettis eli jääräpää, mutta hyvin me tunnin talutuksesta selvittiin, pidettiin useampi ruohonsyöntitauko :) Vallu istui kyydissä vakavana, mutta taputti Alfia lopuksi ja kertoi ratsastuksen olleen kivaa - ja oli innoissaan menossa uudestaan!

Päivän kruunasi tallikissa joka kävi ruohikkoon makoilemaan silitystä varten ja nautti poikien huomiosta. Rekun kanssa kun ei noita kissoja yleensä pääse silittelemään..!

Four lakes and a wet dog

My father and family visited this past week, and we did a trip to Crans-Montana together. The weather was hot, and thus we used every opportunity to get to a lake. In Crans-Montana - which by the way is quite nice small touristic mountain village (but has a lot of construction going on right now) - we visited two lakes, Moubra and Grenon. Rekku got to swim in them both in the three days we spent there. He even jumped in from the paddling boat!
(click on photos to enlarge them)

    

 

After returning home, we did day trips to Lac de Joux and Lac de Neuchatel. In the first, Rekku swam fetching a toy we found on the beach and around the paddle boat when I lowered him to the lake - this time he did not jump in even though I went in the water and tried to get him to follow me! In the latter I didn't let him in, as the water was pretty dirty with debris and algae by the shore. And there were loads of swans. Instead, we sneaked into a "no dogs allowed" beach and kept still and quiet so we would not bother anyone, just enjoying the sun and the lazying around. As we left, two people with dogs arrived, and the other dog pooped. ..why was I worried?

   

After all the swimming and travels, Rekku is really tired as we travel to compete in an unofficial (fun) agility competition. He is also suffering from dry and possibly inflamed skin from all the sun, swimming and washing :/ I'm sure it'll just calm down on its own, but poor Rekku feels like scratching himself and that makes his back tense - and thus sore, which means bars will be dropping tomorrow! - Ah well, we'll try our best to simply enjoy the day!