We loved the Chinese Laundry hostel so much that we ended up staying an extra night. The piles of laundry and towels had begun to feel like home. We also went to see the other houses that I’d arranged for us to view. After The Red House, each viewing felt like we were having to kiss a bunch of toads, none of them were a patch on the first. One of the properties that we viewed was possibly the most depressing house that I’ve ever been to. To add insult to injury, the estate agent had bunged us in with a whole load of other prospective buyers, namely Dutch, French, German and one other English couple. I took one very dismissive look round and left them to fight over it.
Asturias is beautiful, there’s no denying it. Very striking landscape, beautiful mountains, heavenly beaches. We saw a few houses there but the one I most liked was a large cow shed half way up a mountain complete with about a metre deep of fresh cow pats steaming away inside. I must admit, I was a little tempted, the views were incredible but the access up to it was horrendous and we’d never in a month of Sundays get the printing press up there. Still, we had a jolly time staying in Luaca and enjoyed the theatre of how the Asturians famously pour their cider in to a glass.
However lovely Asturias was, my heart just wasn’t there and nor, funnily enough was Irishman’s. We cut the Asturian visit short and wended our way back to Galicia for a second viewing of The Red House. I’d come clean with the agent about our lack of available funds so was very relieved when he said he didn’t mind at all us having a second viewing. It was agonising going round the second time. All the things that I’d originally loved about it seemed even lovelier, especially after seeing so many other properties that week. Nothing had come even close. I took some more photos then walked back up to the car and hoped beyond hope that it would still be available when we finally got our finances sorted out.
It was time to get back to 88. We had bookings that needed taking care of and there was work to be done. As we started the long drive back south, I turned to Irishman and said ‘What the fuck do we do now?’ He’s generally quite good at solving problems so I hoped that he’d have the answer. Instead with a heavy sigh he replied ‘I don’t know, Lottie. You got us in to this mess, now you’d better get us out of it’
To be continued very soon
Lottie Nevin - The Red House Diaries 
Gorgeous coastal images! And I cannot wait to read the next chapter!! xoxo
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Thanks, Sister. I’ll be on it like sonic! Xoxo
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Beautiful. I must say I’m with the Irishman and, evidently, you sorted it out, so he was right…
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As the story unfolds, you’ll see that it wasn’t plain sailing. Lots of twists and turns and extraordinary turn of events…
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I can’t believe the Red House was on the market for ten years! Were the owners being stubborn or did they just not care about selling?
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I’ve been at my computer off and on today but just did not go to my email. I did just a few, ago and I remain awed and yes, even I, am inspired by your posts. I finally decided that I could again foster a dog sponsored by the rescue group that I joined about 4-5 months ago.
The photos are fabulous and the coast it pretty as well as the harbor basin with the dizzying array of painted boats. I envision your area as one with great sea food which is more than a blessing. I am thinking, that you can go to market( or maybe not) and purchase all manner of sea food that is fresh from the sea. Gosh you are going to have some scrumptious meals.
I think, Pete’s words where more of an incentive than a let down for you. I can imagine you thinking, “well, I’ll show my Irishman what grit and determination are all about. And, by George you did it, with a lot of lady luck and perfect timing.
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Yvonne, we had a storm at the weekend and lost the internet so apologies for my late reply. We are not out of the woods yet. The house is chaos and after four months, still no sign of a bathroom. Mercifully we now have a toilet but it’s at the far end of the house which means negotiating mountains of builders rubble to get to. I’ve upgraded from a bucket to an actual potty for nighttime use. Actually preferred my bucket because I could sit on it, potty I have to squat and my hips aren’t enjoying that 🙈. I’m happy that you’re fostering a dog, I know how much you love your animals and what joy they bring you. I’ve got chickens now and when I’m feeling blue, I go in to the field and sit with them and after a few minutes, I feel ready to take on the world again. It’s so long since I have kept poultry, I’d forgotten what joy that clucking and scratching and pecking around brings me. And what characters they are! And eggs! Such a treat having our own eggs. The coast is stunning and the fish is the best that I’ve had in Spain xxxxx
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If the red house has been on the market for 10 years, I doubt it is going to run away soon. Irishman night have to look deep into his dark stout and not be overwhelmed by your enthusiasm, Lottie. In any case, the bargaining on price is on your side unless the owners are filthy rich. I do like that huge fireplace and can see you languidly stretching in front of it with Irish heating the wild chestnuts that were gathered during the day.
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Funnily enough I spent an afternoon last week collecting chestnuts. Lots of chestnut trees here. Sorry for not replying sooner, we had a violent storm at the weekend and lost the internet. Order now resumed in that department, but wish I could say the same about the rest of the house. We are mid renovation and there’s a large gaping hole in the back of the house… the thought of languishing in front of that fire makes me laugh! You should have seen the amount of water that came down the chimney. Total chaos here. At the moment I’m beginning to wonder why I took this project on 😱😱😱
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