Dalyan – 29th to 31st August

On Thursday 29th August I had the pleasure of looking after Norman and Edna. In Vietnam, Captain Caveman was off to Dong Hoi as he was on his way to Hanoi where he would be catching up with several friends. I had fruit for breakfast with a cup of Yorkshire tea and then went over to Jamie’s. Norman didn’t give a stuff but Edna was very excited to see me as I explained what was going to be happening this week.
As I was busy working and fussing dogs, I had a quick lunch of cheese on toast and some crisps, followed by 2 pieces of fruit. I was trying to keep to plan again this week and figured a few crisps instead of booze would be ok on my syns. For dinner I made a stir-fry with chicken, spring onion, courgette, mushrooms and egg noodles.
I had another zero spend and no alcohol day, much to Edna’s surprise as she wanted some wine. In the evening, once it had cooled down, we had a nice walk around the Gulpinar area. The evening consisted of lounging on the sofa while watching The Chase and eating the rest of the crisps, which I was meant to be saving.

On Friday 30th August I was awake at 6.30am so that I would be up to sort out Norman and Edna with their breakfast. Neither dog was particularly impressed by being woken up at 7am for ablutions and biscuits. I had brought all the food I would need over and I was hoping to not spend any more money for the last 2 days of the month, as well as not going out to eat or drink. The water bill came out of my bank account today, so I was skint. I did have some foreign currency left to pay in to the bank but I was waiting for the new month to be able to deposit for September’s amount.
I worked all day, only breaking off for leftover stir-fry for lunch.
For dinner I had fruit while I waited for my potatoes with cheese to cook.
After dinner and walkies, it was time for The Chase and a bit of fetch with Edna while resisting going to the pub for a drink.

The end of the month had arrived and I decided to treat myself to a simit with cheese spread and a cup of tea for my breakfast, on Saturday 31st August. I also decided not to go to the Saturday market and make do with what I had already. Norman and Edna were now used to my routine of getting them up early and even appreciated my office at the dining table. Unfortunately, Norman had put in a formal complaint about the lack of toast corners since Little Daddy’s departure and we had to have some toast at elevenses.
While I was working, Captain Caveman got in touch with some disappointing news. In order for him to leave Vietnam, he needed to wait for his criminal/police check document and he had been told it wouldn’t be available in Quang Binh until the 25th or 26th September. He had been hoping to fly from Saigon around then, and it also would mean relying on the weather conditions being appropriate for him to leave Phong Nha or Hanoi. I was obviously upset but there was nothing I, nor Captain Caveman, could do about the situation. We both agreed it would also be a good idea for him to stay until he had this document and any outstanding pay/taxes sorted too. I did feel sad that I couldn’t be there to celebrate/commiserate him leaving Oxalis, or that he wouldn’t be in Dalyan with me sooner.

For lunch I cheered myself up with a Slimming World style pizza which I added some thinly sliced sucuk to and it was delicious. While I worked all afternoon, the pooches napped and then they came to tell me it was tea time a bit early.
They had their biscuits and we went out for a bit of a longer walk, making sure I didn’t go near any bars that would tempt me to drink some alcohol.
Back home, I had chicken and chickpea curry which I had brought over with me and it was really nice.
Before bed, I totted up how much I had spent in August and was surprised that, including the first 11 days of the month being in England, I had spent just under £840. Obviously I had been treated in the UK very generously but I did sit back and wonder if I could afford to live anywhere else but Dalyan.