Arrived at long last!

After a long and tiresome journey spanning three countries, three dingy trains and a metro with too-narrow-for-an-accordion ticket barriers, and then a car trip through hills and countryside up to a remote but pretty cottage, finally I'm here and have some time to chill out.

It's an odd but homely house, with narrow stairs and mismatched furniture and a nice stone kitchen unit. There's also a horse, a donkey, a dog and a big fat cat (with whom I've already made friends). I've heard that there's often loads of people staying here at once, but right now there are only two besides myself and my host, Michael. They are couple from, of all places, Wales! I come all the way out here only to meet a pair of gogs! Still, it's a nice slice of home in an otherwise foreign place. Probably the best room in the house is the music room, which has a grand piano, a big double bass that belongs to Aron, the welsh guy, and an assortment of other instruments. Adjacent is a room with a new-looking iMac and a load of recording and mixing equipment.

It's an extremely chilled out atmosphere here, which is lovely. Michael is a massage therapist so he knows the value of relaxation. I asked him what the work would be like and he essentially described the chores I do at home; carry some logs, keep the fire going, generally contribute to the smooth running of the household. Upon arrival I was told to make myself at home, go and have a nap if I was tired or help myself to some food. (I had bread with homemade peanut butter before coming upstairs to write this blog entry).

The cottage sits at the top of a hill, a short walk from a village lower down. The views are lovely but it can apparently get quite cold at this time of year. The weather wasn't much of a change from home - overcast, and judging by the state of the fields it's been raining. Michael told me he was worried he might be snowed in last night which would render him unable to come and pick me up.

So that's a picture of my trip so far. Until next time, ciao!