Pooling Resources

We are approaching the first anniversary of The Time of the Covid, and I’m beginning to suffer from vaccine envy. I know a lot of people over 65, and most of them have already had at least one dose. Stoker got her first dose and her second is scheduled for next Friday. My parents got both of theirs, and since they have friends in the same fortunate situation they are going to have a small get together of vaccinated people on Sunday. Something Stoker and I haven’t done in a year.

I don’t mind waiting my turn and I completely support the vaccine equity program promoted by our soon to be recalled governor. I’m always on board for social justice until it reaches into my pocketbook. My only concern is that I wish I could get a shot soon enough to travel to France in May.

In January 2020 Stoker went to Kenya on safari to kick off what was supposed to be a big travel year for us. 6 cycling weeks in France starting in early May. I was going to go back to France in August to ride in the Pyrenees. Stoker was going to go to South Dakota around the same time. Then in November we were going on a long cruise (28 days) from Lima to Buenos Aires, including a side trip to Machu Pichu. None of that happened.

Air France gave us a voucher good for future travel, which sits in my France folder, so far unused. I left all the money I paid 44 5 with them as a retainer for future travel. France Bike Rentals, owner of Modestine, didn’t give us a refund but credited the 900 euros toward future rentals. I had paid for rooms in a hotel in Montpellier and got vouchers that may or may not be honored if we ever get there. Our Malaucene landlady moved our booking to May 2021, which is starting to look a bit dubious too. The French border is closed to many nations, including the US. And the cafes are all closed anyway.

When the cruise was cancelled Regent Seven Seas told us we could get a 125% credit towards a future sailing. Or we could get our money back if we were so foolish to turn down this incredible offer, although they put it much more nicely. We took the money. Four months later there are still no sailings.

We postponed an entire year of planned travel expenses and consequently have an unexpected cash flow surplus. So one night Stoker said she wanted an endless pool. This is an above ground large tank with a pump to generate a current that you can swim against, a kind of aquatic treadmill.

She was shocked when I immediately said yes. I didn’t even express reservations or try to talk her out of it. I have some very nice cycling toys and she deserves it and we can afford it.

But like most projects, when it comes time to actually get it done, I have to get involved. We needed to see where the pool would fit in our yard, so I made a frame mock up out of PVC and duct tape. We quickly realized we would need a larger concrete area, so I had to find a concrete contractor. I built the forms and put in the rebar myself to save money and the concrete guy said I did it perfectly. Stoker was impressed and kind of amazed that I could do that.

I also had to meet with the electrician, since this pool needs more power and a separate service box. I saw him before we pored the concrete and he told me what kind of conduit and sweeping elbow I needed to put in prior to pouring. I’m going to dig about 15 feet of trench, 18 inches deep, from the edge of the concrete to the wall where the wire will emerge from the crawl space.

The slab was poured yesterday. The pool is supposed to come in June. Stoker and I are not alone among the stuck at home crowd. If people have money and can’t spend it on travel they look inward, and anything related to home improvement is in short supply. The guy selling us the pool said this is his busiest year and he literally has nothing to sell for immediate delivery.

The pool, as I said, is supposed to come in June. We will take delivery after we get back from France. Or perhaps this year’s travel will also be postponed. If so I wonder what is next on the Brumby Betterment agenda? Whatever Stoker comes up with it will mean work for me.