St Sylvestre
Thanks Susie. You've introduced me to a new time-wasting occupation. It's not something I should be doing, sometimes it isn't something I want to do, sometimes I find it compulsive because you just never know what the next click is going to bring you, do you?
I just love stumbling. It's great fun. Yesterday I stumbled for a couple of hours. I wonder if that was a particularly productive way to spend a Sunday afternoon but, hell, it's winter, it was mizzling down outside and I was keeping nice and warm and had a few laughs along the way.
I resolve NOT to stumble today.
Oh, go on then, just a quick look.....
... and then I really must start thinking about New Year's resolutions. Or maybe not.
Monday 31 December 2007
Sunday 30 December 2007
Call me! (Blondie, 1980)
St Roger
Happy Birthday to Stephen! (We won't give away your age!)
Our daughter gave us a nice present at Christmas, it's a new Skype telephone which means that if there is anyone else out there on Skype you can talk to us, and vice verse for free (don't ya just love that word?).
If you have a Skype telephone, please e-mail us to let us know your Skype address - we've set up an e-mail account just for this purpose so please, no spamming or phishing - we won't reply unless we know you (or want to know you!). The e-mail address just to let us know your Skype account is smithsenfrance@gmail.com .
If you don't already know about Skype, you can find details here. Basically you set up your account with them and connect a headset and microphone to your computer - or a special Skype telephone with a USB connection, and Bob's your Uncle (actually mine was Bill, not Bob, and Ernie and Dick too). You can call landlines from Skype too, and the calls are much cheaper than from a normal landline. By the way, I'm not on commission, just converted to a new way of staying in touch with the family.
I really must clear out my e-mails though. Not just those I have received but the accounts I have set up in the past and rarely use any more. There are the hotmail account, the Yahoo account, the AOL account that I set up when we had our internet connection with them, and the two Wanadoo accounts, French and English. I don't use half of these any more but, you just never know when an old friend might just get in touch for the first time in years and they only have your old e-mail account. It is just another facet of my hoarding problem. Books, magazines, old balls of wool (to make blankets and soft toys), fabric remnants (to make that patchwork quilt one of these years), not to mention buttons, lace, ribbons. I could go on.
But I won't.
This time.
Happy Birthday to Stephen! (We won't give away your age!)
Our daughter gave us a nice present at Christmas, it's a new Skype telephone which means that if there is anyone else out there on Skype you can talk to us, and vice verse for free (don't ya just love that word?).
If you have a Skype telephone, please e-mail us to let us know your Skype address - we've set up an e-mail account just for this purpose so please, no spamming or phishing - we won't reply unless we know you (or want to know you!). The e-mail address just to let us know your Skype account is smithsenfrance@gmail.com .
If you don't already know about Skype, you can find details here. Basically you set up your account with them and connect a headset and microphone to your computer - or a special Skype telephone with a USB connection, and Bob's your Uncle (actually mine was Bill, not Bob, and Ernie and Dick too). You can call landlines from Skype too, and the calls are much cheaper than from a normal landline. By the way, I'm not on commission, just converted to a new way of staying in touch with the family.
I really must clear out my e-mails though. Not just those I have received but the accounts I have set up in the past and rarely use any more. There are the hotmail account, the Yahoo account, the AOL account that I set up when we had our internet connection with them, and the two Wanadoo accounts, French and English. I don't use half of these any more but, you just never know when an old friend might just get in touch for the first time in years and they only have your old e-mail account. It is just another facet of my hoarding problem. Books, magazines, old balls of wool (to make blankets and soft toys), fabric remnants (to make that patchwork quilt one of these years), not to mention buttons, lace, ribbons. I could go on.
But I won't.
This time.
Saturday 29 December 2007
Arise, Sir Michael
St David
Today the New Year's Honours List has been published and it is to be Sir Michael Parkinson. Well done Parky. Saturday nights, however, will not be the same without him. I never did quite get used to him being on ITV, a channel I confess we rarely watch but on the few occasions we did catch him over there we were pleased to see that the format of his shows had remained the same as when they first started in 1971.
Of course everyone remembers that emu incident but I just loved the way he prompted people gently to tell their (obviously rehearsed) anecdotes. His own favourites were often sports personalities, Muhammad Ali, Geoffrey Boycott, George Best and the lovely David Beckham. His final show, the one before the one where he picked all his favourite moments was rather disappointing. Billy Connelly was his usual magic, outrageous self, but Dame Judi Dench was cut far too short and what, frankly, was Dame Edna Everidge doing there? It was a disappointing ending to his career. I look forward to seeing some of the earlier interviews being released on DVD later, I'm sure that must be in the pipeline. Perhaps he can resurrect interviews with David Niven, always a great laugh, the Princess Anne interview, John Lennon, Peter Sellars, the list would be endless.
I wonder if anyone can take his place as chat show king? Alan Titchmarsh does a good job - time for the BBC to jump in quick and snap up that idea I would have thought.
Congratulations also to Sir Ian McKellern, the lovely Leslie Phillips ('Hello!'), super Julie Walters and gorgeous Kylie Minogue. And one of the most deserved awards to Nicholas Kenyon the out-going administrator of the BBC Promenade Concerts for stirling work over the last 11 years and bringing a wider audience to the Proms.
I know some people think that this sort of thing is a waste of time, money, and space but I love that people can be recognised by their peers for their work whether it is in the world of entertainment or not.
Today the New Year's Honours List has been published and it is to be Sir Michael Parkinson. Well done Parky. Saturday nights, however, will not be the same without him. I never did quite get used to him being on ITV, a channel I confess we rarely watch but on the few occasions we did catch him over there we were pleased to see that the format of his shows had remained the same as when they first started in 1971.
Of course everyone remembers that emu incident but I just loved the way he prompted people gently to tell their (obviously rehearsed) anecdotes. His own favourites were often sports personalities, Muhammad Ali, Geoffrey Boycott, George Best and the lovely David Beckham. His final show, the one before the one where he picked all his favourite moments was rather disappointing. Billy Connelly was his usual magic, outrageous self, but Dame Judi Dench was cut far too short and what, frankly, was Dame Edna Everidge doing there? It was a disappointing ending to his career. I look forward to seeing some of the earlier interviews being released on DVD later, I'm sure that must be in the pipeline. Perhaps he can resurrect interviews with David Niven, always a great laugh, the Princess Anne interview, John Lennon, Peter Sellars, the list would be endless.
I wonder if anyone can take his place as chat show king? Alan Titchmarsh does a good job - time for the BBC to jump in quick and snap up that idea I would have thought.
Congratulations also to Sir Ian McKellern, the lovely Leslie Phillips ('Hello!'), super Julie Walters and gorgeous Kylie Minogue. And one of the most deserved awards to Nicholas Kenyon the out-going administrator of the BBC Promenade Concerts for stirling work over the last 11 years and bringing a wider audience to the Proms.
I know some people think that this sort of thing is a waste of time, money, and space but I love that people can be recognised by their peers for their work whether it is in the world of entertainment or not.
Friday 28 December 2007
December's reading
St Gaspard
Not content with finishing one bathroom, Jon has now started work on the downstairs 'smallest room', also known as the reading room as we have bookshelves in there. Storage was one of our major concerns when we moved in with the boxes of books, already reduced in number from the vast collection we had in the UK.
We seem to have shelves of books in most rooms whilst still trying to keep the number down to a reasonable level and, finally, beginning to get over the compulsion to keep every book we have read over the years. Now we are more willing to part with books after we have both read them, although so far they have only got as far as the garage. Our original intention was to take some back to the UK to charity shops there and the better ones were going to be sold on Amazon, unfortunately we filled the car so much with other things that there was no room for them.
There are a couple of charities here that will take English books, and there is also a recently discovered small library run by a French/British association locally so we may be able to offer some of them there. Just as long as we remember to put them in the car one day when we go out.
We have just read the latest reading group read. Alan Alda's autobiography 'Never Have Your Dog Stuffed'. We both really enjoyed this insight into the actor's childhood and his strained relationship with his mother who suffered from schitzophrenia and an alcohol problem. His book isn't the usual 'I'm a celebrity, look at me I'm wonderful' type of book littered with references to other actors and actresses. Instead it is the story of his unusual childhood, his struggle to get work as an actor leading to his success in the series M.A.S.H, and the story of his love for his wife and family.
Now we move on to Lionel Schriver's 'We Need To Talk About Kevin' which, from first glance through looks rather more challenging!
Not content with finishing one bathroom, Jon has now started work on the downstairs 'smallest room', also known as the reading room as we have bookshelves in there. Storage was one of our major concerns when we moved in with the boxes of books, already reduced in number from the vast collection we had in the UK.
We seem to have shelves of books in most rooms whilst still trying to keep the number down to a reasonable level and, finally, beginning to get over the compulsion to keep every book we have read over the years. Now we are more willing to part with books after we have both read them, although so far they have only got as far as the garage. Our original intention was to take some back to the UK to charity shops there and the better ones were going to be sold on Amazon, unfortunately we filled the car so much with other things that there was no room for them.
There are a couple of charities here that will take English books, and there is also a recently discovered small library run by a French/British association locally so we may be able to offer some of them there. Just as long as we remember to put them in the car one day when we go out.
We have just read the latest reading group read. Alan Alda's autobiography 'Never Have Your Dog Stuffed'. We both really enjoyed this insight into the actor's childhood and his strained relationship with his mother who suffered from schitzophrenia and an alcohol problem. His book isn't the usual 'I'm a celebrity, look at me I'm wonderful' type of book littered with references to other actors and actresses. Instead it is the story of his unusual childhood, his struggle to get work as an actor leading to his success in the series M.A.S.H, and the story of his love for his wife and family.
Now we move on to Lionel Schriver's 'We Need To Talk About Kevin' which, from first glance through looks rather more challenging!
Thursday 27 December 2007
No room at the freezer
St Jean
Weather: At last a little milder! And no rain.
I just discovered that it is St Jean today, so I had better plan a little something for Jon's Saint's Day. I don't think I will be decorating Millie Mehari with lace ribbons and bows in the French style though!
The weather has turned a little milder. I have no idea how long this will last, having given up many moons ago on the accuracy of Mr Meteo who never seems to get anything right. Now we just look out of the window in the morning and if we can see the home of dear Mrs Veranda, then the weather must be OK. If it is all white between here and there then it's cold and if we can't see it, then it must be foggy. Et voila!
I made the mistake of going shopping this morning. Just for a few bits and pieces, nothing too desperate, but there were lots of special offers on that were too good to resist so the freezer is now fit to bust again - and there are various ingredients waiting to be cooked ready for the Reveillon (New Year's Eve to you) and our visitors arriving on 2 January.
I also restocked on birdfood again since the greedy little blighters have finished up everything we had. A few weeks ago we met someone who complained that since his wife started feeding the birds he was now spending an extortionate amount of his meagre pension on bird seed. We'll have to look out or we'll be in the same boat.
That will be my mother's fault of course, she suggested it would be nice to have a little bird table in the fig tree.
Jon has spent the morning finishing the redecoration of the bathroom which now looks clean and shining again with no signs of condensation or the resulting muck that goes along with it. Long may it last.
Next job .......? Don't know just yet, there are too many to choose from.
Weather: At last a little milder! And no rain.
I just discovered that it is St Jean today, so I had better plan a little something for Jon's Saint's Day. I don't think I will be decorating Millie Mehari with lace ribbons and bows in the French style though!
The weather has turned a little milder. I have no idea how long this will last, having given up many moons ago on the accuracy of Mr Meteo who never seems to get anything right. Now we just look out of the window in the morning and if we can see the home of dear Mrs Veranda, then the weather must be OK. If it is all white between here and there then it's cold and if we can't see it, then it must be foggy. Et voila!
I made the mistake of going shopping this morning. Just for a few bits and pieces, nothing too desperate, but there were lots of special offers on that were too good to resist so the freezer is now fit to bust again - and there are various ingredients waiting to be cooked ready for the Reveillon (New Year's Eve to you) and our visitors arriving on 2 January.
I also restocked on birdfood again since the greedy little blighters have finished up everything we had. A few weeks ago we met someone who complained that since his wife started feeding the birds he was now spending an extortionate amount of his meagre pension on bird seed. We'll have to look out or we'll be in the same boat.
That will be my mother's fault of course, she suggested it would be nice to have a little bird table in the fig tree.
Jon has spent the morning finishing the redecoration of the bathroom which now looks clean and shining again with no signs of condensation or the resulting muck that goes along with it. Long may it last.
Next job .......? Don't know just yet, there are too many to choose from.
Wednesday 26 December 2007
White Christmas
St Stéphane
I don't think this is quite what Bing had in mind when he sang that lovely song
White, it certainly was, snow it wasn't but it did look very pretty. This is when it was -10 degrees C.
And this, from another angle
Later on it warmed up to -2 degrees C and the feeding frenzy began. Not us, these little chaps
.JPG)
.JPG)
I don't think this is quite what Bing had in mind when he sang that lovely song
White, it certainly was, snow it wasn't but it did look very pretty. This is when it was -10 degrees C.
And this, from another angle
Later on it warmed up to -2 degrees C and the feeding frenzy began. Not us, these little chaps
I shall refrain from putting up any pictures of our own delicious lunch. The reason being that I did follow the nice market stall holder's instructions to stuff the neck of the goose. Unfortunately it did look rather, well, how can I put this? Well, actually, erm ..... phallic. (Sorry, Mum)
As we fell about laughing, Jon only looking slightly worried having checked first (?), we imagined people giving theatrical winks in kitchens all over France. Ooh, err, Missus. Lots of nudge, nudge, wink, wink jokes going on.
We had a very nice, quiet and relaxed day, took several hours to eat our 7 small courses the only disaster was the completely defrosted basil sorbet which had been left out of the freezer to soften slightly. Not to worry, I replaced it with an exotic fruit one instead. Now I have to remember to serve the refrozen basil sorbet another day!
Monday 24 December 2007
Food preparation
Ste Adèle
After days of planning to make this Christmas special, since it is the first Christmas Day we have spent alone for over thirty years, I think I have finally cracked it.
We went down to Cahors market this morning, hearing it was particularly special on Christmas Eve, and we were, frankly, rather disappointed. We bumped into friends who were equally surprised to find so few stalls and we wished each other a Happy Christmas. A very nice man found me a goose small enough for two people and proceeded to do things to it that I won't offend the vegetarians amongst you by describing. He told me exactly how to cook it, and I listened attentively even though we have had goose for Christmas dinner several times in the past.
We topped up the 'decent' wine cellar (as opposed to the everyday wine cellar), threw in a bunch of flowers for good measure and returned to a slap-up lunch of .... a hot dog.
The hard work will start this afternoon. I've picked a special fish menu for tonight, 5 courses in total but all light courses. I will try to get ahead for tomorrow's rather more ambitious menu too.
Happy Christmas one and all.
After days of planning to make this Christmas special, since it is the first Christmas Day we have spent alone for over thirty years, I think I have finally cracked it.
We went down to Cahors market this morning, hearing it was particularly special on Christmas Eve, and we were, frankly, rather disappointed. We bumped into friends who were equally surprised to find so few stalls and we wished each other a Happy Christmas. A very nice man found me a goose small enough for two people and proceeded to do things to it that I won't offend the vegetarians amongst you by describing. He told me exactly how to cook it, and I listened attentively even though we have had goose for Christmas dinner several times in the past.
We topped up the 'decent' wine cellar (as opposed to the everyday wine cellar), threw in a bunch of flowers for good measure and returned to a slap-up lunch of .... a hot dog.
The hard work will start this afternoon. I've picked a special fish menu for tonight, 5 courses in total but all light courses. I will try to get ahead for tomorrow's rather more ambitious menu too.
Happy Christmas one and all.
Saturday 22 December 2007
Why, oh why?
Ste Xavière
Why am I making terrines, sausage rolls, Christmas biscuits, spiced pears, spiced muffins, stuffing, gingerbread, and on and on and on?
It's just like I never have got into the swing of cooking for two, there's always enough for 4 and half goes into the freezer where it ends up at the back and gets forgotten about until too late.
The last of the girls left home in 2000. And we're spending Christmas just us two.
Anyone fancy dropping in for left overs? There should be some to spare!
Why am I making terrines, sausage rolls, Christmas biscuits, spiced pears, spiced muffins, stuffing, gingerbread, and on and on and on?
It's just like I never have got into the swing of cooking for two, there's always enough for 4 and half goes into the freezer where it ends up at the back and gets forgotten about until too late.
The last of the girls left home in 2000. And we're spending Christmas just us two.
Anyone fancy dropping in for left overs? There should be some to spare!
Friday 21 December 2007
Lesson to be learned - always take the camera with you
St Tomaz
Travelling north yesterday to shop for some nice goodies in our favourite shop, we were stunned to see, in the not so far distance, snow topped mountains.
Further investigation leads us to believe that these are the mountains of the Auvergne, the very centre of France. Framed by a stunningly azure blue sky, these peaks demand your attention (unless you are driving of course) and, at that time of the morning it was all very heart-lifting. Until you get out of the car. Then, the wind coming from the north east, the direction of these mountains, recommends you to don hats, gloves, ear muffs, thermal underwear and a fur coat (synthetic, naturally).
Unfortunately, story of my life, I didn't have my camera with me and my phone camera just wouldn't pick up the mountains in the distance.
I had thought I would pop out this morning to photograph them but, wouldn't you know it, there is a very thin veil of cloud over this part of France today and the sky isn't as perfectly blue as yesterday.
I really must put the camera in my handbag and leave it there.
Travelling north yesterday to shop for some nice goodies in our favourite shop, we were stunned to see, in the not so far distance, snow topped mountains.
Further investigation leads us to believe that these are the mountains of the Auvergne, the very centre of France. Framed by a stunningly azure blue sky, these peaks demand your attention (unless you are driving of course) and, at that time of the morning it was all very heart-lifting. Until you get out of the car. Then, the wind coming from the north east, the direction of these mountains, recommends you to don hats, gloves, ear muffs, thermal underwear and a fur coat (synthetic, naturally).
Unfortunately, story of my life, I didn't have my camera with me and my phone camera just wouldn't pick up the mountains in the distance.
I had thought I would pop out this morning to photograph them but, wouldn't you know it, there is a very thin veil of cloud over this part of France today and the sky isn't as perfectly blue as yesterday.
I really must put the camera in my handbag and leave it there.
Thursday 20 December 2007
Following yonder star....
St Théophile
*So, last night we went to a little church in the middle of nowhere to sing carols in French and English.
We went with friends who offered to drive. They have a new toy. It's one of those virtual ladies who tells you which route to take in a rather bossy voice. Unfortunately she was temporarily switched off because they set her from their house and turned her on again when we left ours.
This caused the lady to go into a sulk. She just refused to speak to our driver again. The lights were on and the directions were shown on the screen, but she did not want to say 'In three hundred yards, turn right' to him at all. Eventually though she must have thawed out because one we hit Dordgneshire she started chatting again and, in revenge, led our driver down a series of very narrow, twisty, turny roads until he was worried that we would end up in a farmyard where he might come face to face with a farmer and his gun.
Luckily (?) though, she took us to the coldest church in the history of the world. Now, we've been in some cold churches in our time and no-one really expects to find a warm one now do they? But this particular little church took the crown. In fact I sat there thinking about the article I heard of the radio just a few days ago about the snow village .
The service began. There were no hymn books, no printed sheets, but the words were displayed on an overhead projector. The service was led by one of the chaplaincy of Aquitaine and a French padre. The readings were alternately in French and English, and so were the carols, sometimes we sang the carols in both languages.
There were about 50 hardy, frost-bitten souls in the church and we made a good noise. Except when the carol completely defeated us or the organist played the wrong tune, or the chorus twice. It was quite a challenge fitting in the French words to one of the verses of 'Hark, the Herald Angels Sing' but we all sang out loud.
The few children of the congregation dressed in the obligatory dressing gowns and tea towels to perform their little Nativity tableau. Joseph had his hands full with a lantern and staff and when Mary asked him to pass the baby to her, he grabbed the poor (fortunately plastic) mite by the middle and thrust him into her hands. As a show of good measure and affection he then patted the little thing on the head (quite hard!).
The three Kings wandered down the aisle with their gifts, tinsel turbans on their heads, one of them dancing a little jig to 'We Three Kings' and we were surprised by two of the oldest shepherds we've seen for many a year dressed equally in their dressing gowns and tea towel headgear. We decided that they wanted to relive the Nativity plays of their youth.
After the service, we all piled into the Salle des Fêtes for some well-earned, warming mulled wine and a slice of stollen cake (no, not STOLEN, Mr Anonymous commenter).
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The mixed French and English group at the little church were friendly and welcoming. We may well visit again.
In the warm weather - but we may still need to wear thermal underwear.
* PS: don't you just hate people who start a conversation with the word 'So...'?
*So, last night we went to a little church in the middle of nowhere to sing carols in French and English.
We went with friends who offered to drive. They have a new toy. It's one of those virtual ladies who tells you which route to take in a rather bossy voice. Unfortunately she was temporarily switched off because they set her from their house and turned her on again when we left ours.
This caused the lady to go into a sulk. She just refused to speak to our driver again. The lights were on and the directions were shown on the screen, but she did not want to say 'In three hundred yards, turn right' to him at all. Eventually though she must have thawed out because one we hit Dordgneshire she started chatting again and, in revenge, led our driver down a series of very narrow, twisty, turny roads until he was worried that we would end up in a farmyard where he might come face to face with a farmer and his gun.
Luckily (?) though, she took us to the coldest church in the history of the world. Now, we've been in some cold churches in our time and no-one really expects to find a warm one now do they? But this particular little church took the crown. In fact I sat there thinking about the article I heard of the radio just a few days ago about the snow village .
The service began. There were no hymn books, no printed sheets, but the words were displayed on an overhead projector. The service was led by one of the chaplaincy of Aquitaine and a French padre. The readings were alternately in French and English, and so were the carols, sometimes we sang the carols in both languages.
There were about 50 hardy, frost-bitten souls in the church and we made a good noise. Except when the carol completely defeated us or the organist played the wrong tune, or the chorus twice. It was quite a challenge fitting in the French words to one of the verses of 'Hark, the Herald Angels Sing' but we all sang out loud.
The few children of the congregation dressed in the obligatory dressing gowns and tea towels to perform their little Nativity tableau. Joseph had his hands full with a lantern and staff and when Mary asked him to pass the baby to her, he grabbed the poor (fortunately plastic) mite by the middle and thrust him into her hands. As a show of good measure and affection he then patted the little thing on the head (quite hard!).
The three Kings wandered down the aisle with their gifts, tinsel turbans on their heads, one of them dancing a little jig to 'We Three Kings' and we were surprised by two of the oldest shepherds we've seen for many a year dressed equally in their dressing gowns and tea towel headgear. We decided that they wanted to relive the Nativity plays of their youth.
After the service, we all piled into the Salle des Fêtes for some well-earned, warming mulled wine and a slice of stollen cake (no, not STOLEN, Mr Anonymous commenter).
We thoroughly enjoyed our evening. The mixed French and English group at the little church were friendly and welcoming. We may well visit again.
In the warm weather - but we may still need to wear thermal underwear.
* PS: don't you just hate people who start a conversation with the word 'So...'?
Wednesday 19 December 2007
I am only a mere woman (with apologies to Susie)
St Urbain
It has come to my attention that when I don't blog some people get very upset.
So, please accept my apologies for not writing every day. The trouble is, I have to do other things too.
Today it has been shopping. Now I'm writing a long Christmas e-mail to all the people who don't read the blog - and those I forgot to send cards to this year for whatever reason (?). In an hour or so's time, some friends are coming to collect us and we are going to a Carols by Candlelight service followed by mulled wine and stollen (I think this is because the church we are going to isn't heated so they are trying to bribe us to go).
Jon has decided to redecorate the bathroom again - this before the major decoration, ripping out the bath etc which will happen next year.
There's the washing, the ironing, meals to cook, cats to feed.
Yes, I am a woman, I can multi-task. I apologise for not learning to type with my toes. ;-D
Forgive me. I'll be back tomorrow morning.
It has come to my attention that when I don't blog some people get very upset.
So, please accept my apologies for not writing every day. The trouble is, I have to do other things too.
Today it has been shopping. Now I'm writing a long Christmas e-mail to all the people who don't read the blog - and those I forgot to send cards to this year for whatever reason (?). In an hour or so's time, some friends are coming to collect us and we are going to a Carols by Candlelight service followed by mulled wine and stollen (I think this is because the church we are going to isn't heated so they are trying to bribe us to go).
Jon has decided to redecorate the bathroom again - this before the major decoration, ripping out the bath etc which will happen next year.
There's the washing, the ironing, meals to cook, cats to feed.
Yes, I am a woman, I can multi-task. I apologise for not learning to type with my toes. ;-D
Forgive me. I'll be back tomorrow morning.
Tuesday 18 December 2007
Weather again
St Gatien
Yesterday's weather: ........
I'm fed up with saying that it is cold, so I thought I would look for an alternative in Roget's Thesaurus.
So the weather yesterday, the day before and many days before that has been algid (?), arctic, below freezing, below zero, benumbed, biting, bitter, blasting, bleak, boreal, brisk, brumal, chill, chilled, cool, crisp, cutting, freezing, frigid, frore, frosty, frozen, gelid, glacial, hiemal, hyperborean, icebox, iced, icy, inclement (to say the least) intense, keen (keen??), nipping, nippy, numbed, numbing, penetrating, piercing, polar, raw, rimy, severe, sharp, shivery, snappy, stinging and wintery. (I missed out sleety and snowy because it hasn't done that - yet).
There, now I'm not going to mention it again until it warms up and the frost finally disappears from the area below the trees which doesn't get the sun.
Yesterday's weather: ........
I'm fed up with saying that it is cold, so I thought I would look for an alternative in Roget's Thesaurus.
So the weather yesterday, the day before and many days before that has been algid (?), arctic, below freezing, below zero, benumbed, biting, bitter, blasting, bleak, boreal, brisk, brumal, chill, chilled, cool, crisp, cutting, freezing, frigid, frore, frosty, frozen, gelid, glacial, hiemal, hyperborean, icebox, iced, icy, inclement (to say the least) intense, keen (keen??), nipping, nippy, numbed, numbing, penetrating, piercing, polar, raw, rimy, severe, sharp, shivery, snappy, stinging and wintery. (I missed out sleety and snowy because it hasn't done that - yet).
There, now I'm not going to mention it again until it warms up and the frost finally disappears from the area below the trees which doesn't get the sun.
Sunday 16 December 2007
Au secours!!!!
Ste Alice
HAPPY SAINT'S DAY ALICE!!!!! X X X X X
Yesterday's weather: no better, freezing fog, ice, cold.....
They've come at last.
The chugging of a car was heard climbing the lane towards out house - I scowled, I usually do at strangers, but I nodded and mouthed 'Bonjour'.
Three men unfolded themselves from the car and I noticed that they were wearing the same jackets, black with a reflecting stripe across the middle. The pompiers had come to wish us a Merry Christmas and offer us their calendar. Having heard about this, I was ready with some money to offer them.
The firemen are all volunteers, they attend not just fires but road accidents and other emergencies too. They apparently do not deal with wasps nests as has been widely reported in the past.
These three were not the glamourous men in uniform I had been hoping for. Mr Grumpy was their leader, asking who we are, how long we had been living here and who the neighbours are. All of which was noted in his little black book, along with the note that we had given them a little donation in exchange for the calendar. The other two chaps were equally nothing to write home about but looking at their team photo on the inside cover of the calendar it seems that they were hard pressed to find some nice hunky firemen to send round collecting donations.
Now I am racked with guilt.
Did I offer enough money?
What is the norm?
Will I sleep tonight?
Who else should I expect to come calling?
PS I'm still waiting on the French rugby team.......
HAPPY SAINT'S DAY ALICE!!!!! X X X X X
Yesterday's weather: no better, freezing fog, ice, cold.....
They've come at last.
The chugging of a car was heard climbing the lane towards out house - I scowled, I usually do at strangers, but I nodded and mouthed 'Bonjour'.
Three men unfolded themselves from the car and I noticed that they were wearing the same jackets, black with a reflecting stripe across the middle. The pompiers had come to wish us a Merry Christmas and offer us their calendar. Having heard about this, I was ready with some money to offer them.
The firemen are all volunteers, they attend not just fires but road accidents and other emergencies too. They apparently do not deal with wasps nests as has been widely reported in the past.
These three were not the glamourous men in uniform I had been hoping for. Mr Grumpy was their leader, asking who we are, how long we had been living here and who the neighbours are. All of which was noted in his little black book, along with the note that we had given them a little donation in exchange for the calendar. The other two chaps were equally nothing to write home about but looking at their team photo on the inside cover of the calendar it seems that they were hard pressed to find some nice hunky firemen to send round collecting donations.
Now I am racked with guilt.
Did I offer enough money?
What is the norm?
Will I sleep tonight?
Who else should I expect to come calling?
PS I'm still waiting on the French rugby team.......
Saturday 15 December 2007
I can hear the trees shivering
Ste Ninon
Yesterday's weather: this cold is getting boring
This is one COLD azalea!!!
I just noticed on this photo it looks a bit like a tombstone - if I don't keep the azalea warm perhaps it will need one!!!We have new residents in the hedgerow. Around 100 starlings have just moved in, chattering away all day long. It would be lovely to see them doing their famous roosting 'dance' but as we are nowhere near reed beds I think that unlikely. However, it's lovely to have them along.
The bird table is still attracting the one blue tit, but there are other birds showing an interest too now. Hopefully it will be as busy as the hedgerow before long.
Friday 14 December 2007
The postman always rings twice
Ste Odile
Yesterday's weather; Still bloody cold
I've been expecting the postman, the fireman or someone at least to come round and sell me a calender.
I've been reading that one should expect a call, other people I know have had a call, but the postman doesn't even knock once on my door. I don't even know where the nearest firemen are so that I can go and knock on their door and ask to buy their calendar. It's all a bit of a let down really. I've had a little stash of cash just waiting for them to pop in and offer me their calendar and wait patiently for a Christmas tip but still nothing.
Of course, what would be the best thing would be if the Stade de France popped in to offer me their calendar (click here for details). I'm ready with my 10 Euros, my offer of a cuppa or something stronger.
In my dreams.
I'd have to find a suitable calendar for Jon though, it wouldn't be fair otherwise, would it? I did a little search, carefully mind you, expecting graphic images and not wanting to view anything that would offend. There was the 'Calendrier des Miss', which I thought might have a few scantily clad ladies but they are all well covered up. Other options were the calendar of angels, the calendar of little fairies (?) and all the others were pop stars or TV series. Very boring.
So I'll have to forgo the Gods of the Stadium for this year.
Now, where were those firemen again?
Yesterday's weather; Still bloody cold
I've been expecting the postman, the fireman or someone at least to come round and sell me a calender.
I've been reading that one should expect a call, other people I know have had a call, but the postman doesn't even knock once on my door. I don't even know where the nearest firemen are so that I can go and knock on their door and ask to buy their calendar. It's all a bit of a let down really. I've had a little stash of cash just waiting for them to pop in and offer me their calendar and wait patiently for a Christmas tip but still nothing.
Of course, what would be the best thing would be if the Stade de France popped in to offer me their calendar (click here for details). I'm ready with my 10 Euros, my offer of a cuppa or something stronger.
In my dreams.
I'd have to find a suitable calendar for Jon though, it wouldn't be fair otherwise, would it? I did a little search, carefully mind you, expecting graphic images and not wanting to view anything that would offend. There was the 'Calendrier des Miss', which I thought might have a few scantily clad ladies but they are all well covered up. Other options were the calendar of angels, the calendar of little fairies (?) and all the others were pop stars or TV series. Very boring.
So I'll have to forgo the Gods of the Stadium for this year.
Now, where were those firemen again?
Thursday 13 December 2007
Chilling with blue tits
Ste Lucie
Yesterday's weather: cold, cold, colder
Happy birthday to Vikki x x x x xx
The fig tree outside the kitchen window has always been full of birds. It's lovely watching them, blue tits, great tits, chaffinches, robins - all sorts of small birds come and visit.
Sitting watching them the other day, Mum suggested putting a bird table in the tree. I was worried that the cats might enjoy this as a new playground but Mum seemed to think that they would just ignore the birds.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Jon immediately got up from the lunch table and went to the garage to create a bird chateau for gourmet feathered friends. He duly put it in the tree and we waited for the visitors.
And waited.
And waited.
Aiming to tempt them a little Mum had put out some cheese, bacon scraps and bread for the little dears. I added a fat ball which I bought in the garden centre and some bird seed, interstingly labelled 'Meusli' - well, we thought we would attract the gourmet birds with this house.
A lone blue tit appeared, ignored the chateau and headed straight for the fat ball which it seemed to like very much thank you.
A week later and the blue tit is still visiting.
No other birds, just the one.
I just have this feeling that one day I'm going to look out and find a blue tit bigger than the tree shouting at me to feed him.
Yesterday's weather: cold, cold, colder
Happy birthday to Vikki x x x x xx
The fig tree outside the kitchen window has always been full of birds. It's lovely watching them, blue tits, great tits, chaffinches, robins - all sorts of small birds come and visit.
Sitting watching them the other day, Mum suggested putting a bird table in the tree. I was worried that the cats might enjoy this as a new playground but Mum seemed to think that they would just ignore the birds.
Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, Jon immediately got up from the lunch table and went to the garage to create a bird chateau for gourmet feathered friends. He duly put it in the tree and we waited for the visitors.
And waited.
And waited.
Aiming to tempt them a little Mum had put out some cheese, bacon scraps and bread for the little dears. I added a fat ball which I bought in the garden centre and some bird seed, interstingly labelled 'Meusli' - well, we thought we would attract the gourmet birds with this house.
A lone blue tit appeared, ignored the chateau and headed straight for the fat ball which it seemed to like very much thank you.
A week later and the blue tit is still visiting.
No other birds, just the one.
I just have this feeling that one day I'm going to look out and find a blue tit bigger than the tree shouting at me to feed him.
Tuesday 11 December 2007
Deck the halls, tra la la
St Daniel
Yesterday's weather: Boring. Well I suppose it is December
I've been decking the halls today. Well OK, they aren't exactly halls but they've been decked anyway.
I do enjoy getting the decorations out every year. Some have good memories from years gone by. I remember buying certain items. The Santa character from the MoMa shop in New York; The reindeer candle holder from Maplewood, NJ; the garlands from Santa Fir in Shamley Green, the best Christmas tree shop in southern England; there are the knitted decorations I made when the girls were younger and I was going through a knitting phase (I'm going through another right now) and their knitted stockings. We even have a little bell that Jon says was on his Christmas tree when he was a child. I think that is the oldest one.
It seems odd putting these decorations up in our new home here in France and I wonder what the people on the other side of the hill will be thinking of our twinkling lights across the valley - we never close our shutters, preferring to look out at the night sky.
All the villages locally have their own Christmas lights up now, they do look remarkably like the lights that were up during the summer when each village in turn was en fête but then, why not recycle them in winter? Some houses have lights outside, mostly the tubes of lights that have become popular in recent years. And then of course there are hanging Santas all over the place.
I feel very sorry for Santa, it just looks like they don't like him much over here. He is thrown from windows willy-nilly and dangles from the end of a piece of string as if he has just been convicted of some heinous crime and sent to the gallows. I don't think they are at all festive but rather a sorry sight. I must try and photograph one to prove my point.
Trees have appeared outside houses rather than inside and they are decorated with coloured paper bows - I wonder how they will stand up to the torrential rain we've had recently, not to mention the high winds.
My next task is to try and find the Christmas CDs that Jon carefully hid in a safe place ........
Yesterday's weather: Boring. Well I suppose it is December
I've been decking the halls today. Well OK, they aren't exactly halls but they've been decked anyway.
I do enjoy getting the decorations out every year. Some have good memories from years gone by. I remember buying certain items. The Santa character from the MoMa shop in New York; The reindeer candle holder from Maplewood, NJ; the garlands from Santa Fir in Shamley Green, the best Christmas tree shop in southern England; there are the knitted decorations I made when the girls were younger and I was going through a knitting phase (I'm going through another right now) and their knitted stockings. We even have a little bell that Jon says was on his Christmas tree when he was a child. I think that is the oldest one.
It seems odd putting these decorations up in our new home here in France and I wonder what the people on the other side of the hill will be thinking of our twinkling lights across the valley - we never close our shutters, preferring to look out at the night sky.
All the villages locally have their own Christmas lights up now, they do look remarkably like the lights that were up during the summer when each village in turn was en fête but then, why not recycle them in winter? Some houses have lights outside, mostly the tubes of lights that have become popular in recent years. And then of course there are hanging Santas all over the place.
I feel very sorry for Santa, it just looks like they don't like him much over here. He is thrown from windows willy-nilly and dangles from the end of a piece of string as if he has just been convicted of some heinous crime and sent to the gallows. I don't think they are at all festive but rather a sorry sight. I must try and photograph one to prove my point.
Trees have appeared outside houses rather than inside and they are decorated with coloured paper bows - I wonder how they will stand up to the torrential rain we've had recently, not to mention the high winds.
My next task is to try and find the Christmas CDs that Jon carefully hid in a safe place ........
Monday 10 December 2007
Don't talk to me
St Romaric
Yesterday's weather: more rain but no more indoor streams!!
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum - sorry, got carried away - actually it was England, going and coming. We decided to stay overnight half way from here to Calais since we didn't fancy driving in the dark (it's an age thing, I have decided, the eyes just don't work as well as they used to and we both find it a bit of a strain).
We decided to lodge at our usual posting house near Orleans to give the horses (horse power) a chance to rest and to give the driver (Jon) the chance to be fed and watered and have a sleep before the rigours of our round Paris route and face up to the nightmare that is the M20 and M25.
We have stayed at the same hotel, one of a large chain, many times and have always found it quite acceptable, the food very good, the room adequate and the main pulling point, a bath. Here at home we have one of these small French apologies for a bath, a sit down with your feet in the deep end affair which leaves the top half cold and the toes scalded.
Not very satisfactory at all.
So we looked forward to a bath that would take almost the full length for a decent soak.
We decided to put it off until after dinner and went to the restaurant. Here we found the difference between weekend and weekday, summer and 'off season'. The restaurant, instead of its usual hubub of couples and families eagerly discussing their journey and the possibility of visiting one of the great chateaux tomorrow, was full of single men, one per table, contemplating their plate of food and looking neither left nor right, up nor down. There was none of the usual 'bon appetit' between tables, the body language said 'Don't talk to me, or else'.
So we didn't.
The food was OK, not up to the usual standard, but OK. The wine was very good for the price.
We retired to our room and indulged ourselves one after the other in the long anticipated soak in the bath.
Then we discovered the other problem with this hotel 'off season'. They close half of the rooms in the part of the hotel we usually stay in. The half that is at the back of the block. The back of the block that doesn't face the road.
We didn't sleep more than 10 winks between us. The road, even though it was in a suburb of a suburb of Orleans was noisy all night.
We rose at 6.45, propped our eyes open with matchsticks, gulped down a cup of tea in our room and pointed the car in a northerly direction.
Travelling back from the UK and having had a bad experience at our usual hotel, we decided to change plan and stay elsewhere, a different chain this time but another that we had enjoyed in the past.
At this one the food was disgusting - very strange for France. The restaurant this time was equally full of single men but instead of staring at their plates they were watching a boxing match on a strategically placed television.
The only thing it it's favour was that the room was quiet in this hotel and we didn't need the matchsticks for our eyes.
There must be lessons to be learned:
1. Don't travel midweek
2. Don't travel out of season
3. Don't stay in a hotel chain
4. Maybe just don't travel.
Must be better for the carbon footprint, but then how do we get to see the family? Another one to think on for another day........
Yesterday's weather: more rain but no more indoor streams!!
A funny thing happened on the way to the forum - sorry, got carried away - actually it was England, going and coming. We decided to stay overnight half way from here to Calais since we didn't fancy driving in the dark (it's an age thing, I have decided, the eyes just don't work as well as they used to and we both find it a bit of a strain).
We decided to lodge at our usual posting house near Orleans to give the horses (horse power) a chance to rest and to give the driver (Jon) the chance to be fed and watered and have a sleep before the rigours of our round Paris route and face up to the nightmare that is the M20 and M25.
We have stayed at the same hotel, one of a large chain, many times and have always found it quite acceptable, the food very good, the room adequate and the main pulling point, a bath. Here at home we have one of these small French apologies for a bath, a sit down with your feet in the deep end affair which leaves the top half cold and the toes scalded.
Not very satisfactory at all.
So we looked forward to a bath that would take almost the full length for a decent soak.
We decided to put it off until after dinner and went to the restaurant. Here we found the difference between weekend and weekday, summer and 'off season'. The restaurant, instead of its usual hubub of couples and families eagerly discussing their journey and the possibility of visiting one of the great chateaux tomorrow, was full of single men, one per table, contemplating their plate of food and looking neither left nor right, up nor down. There was none of the usual 'bon appetit' between tables, the body language said 'Don't talk to me, or else'.
So we didn't.
The food was OK, not up to the usual standard, but OK. The wine was very good for the price.
We retired to our room and indulged ourselves one after the other in the long anticipated soak in the bath.
Then we discovered the other problem with this hotel 'off season'. They close half of the rooms in the part of the hotel we usually stay in. The half that is at the back of the block. The back of the block that doesn't face the road.
We didn't sleep more than 10 winks between us. The road, even though it was in a suburb of a suburb of Orleans was noisy all night.
We rose at 6.45, propped our eyes open with matchsticks, gulped down a cup of tea in our room and pointed the car in a northerly direction.
Travelling back from the UK and having had a bad experience at our usual hotel, we decided to change plan and stay elsewhere, a different chain this time but another that we had enjoyed in the past.
At this one the food was disgusting - very strange for France. The restaurant this time was equally full of single men but instead of staring at their plates they were watching a boxing match on a strategically placed television.
The only thing it it's favour was that the room was quiet in this hotel and we didn't need the matchsticks for our eyes.
There must be lessons to be learned:
1. Don't travel midweek
2. Don't travel out of season
3. Don't stay in a hotel chain
4. Maybe just don't travel.
Must be better for the carbon footprint, but then how do we get to see the family? Another one to think on for another day........
Sunday 9 December 2007
A river runs through it
Ste Guadelupe
Yesterday's weather: Nice morning, wet afternoon
We always dreamed of a little cottage, roses around the door, you know the sort of thing, and a stream running by.
It's a chocolate box image and when we found this little house and saw the roses around the door we thought we were almost there. The stream is missing, unless you want to walk down the lane to the road where there is a little stream running, except in the summer when it dries out completely - very annoying when one wants to partake in a little game of Pooh Sticks with the grandchildren.
We also have a little 'source' a freshwater well complete with pump just opposite our land and on the communal footpath that runs alongside us. So who could ask for more?
Well, obviously we did ask for more.
The problem with living in a house that is built into rock on the lower level is that you have to put up with the occasional indoor water feature appearing.
Thus, this morning when I went looking for milk in the fridge in the cave (cellar) I found a newly created stream running down the back wall and across the floor.
Anyone got a spare fishing rod?
Yesterday's weather: Nice morning, wet afternoon
We always dreamed of a little cottage, roses around the door, you know the sort of thing, and a stream running by.
It's a chocolate box image and when we found this little house and saw the roses around the door we thought we were almost there. The stream is missing, unless you want to walk down the lane to the road where there is a little stream running, except in the summer when it dries out completely - very annoying when one wants to partake in a little game of Pooh Sticks with the grandchildren.
We also have a little 'source' a freshwater well complete with pump just opposite our land and on the communal footpath that runs alongside us. So who could ask for more?
Well, obviously we did ask for more.
The problem with living in a house that is built into rock on the lower level is that you have to put up with the occasional indoor water feature appearing.
Thus, this morning when I went looking for milk in the fridge in the cave (cellar) I found a newly created stream running down the back wall and across the floor.
Anyone got a spare fishing rod?
Friday 7 December 2007
Honey, we're home
St Ambroise
We're finally home after what can only be described as a whirlwind trip to the UK. 2000 miles in total, an average of 5 hours a day in the car, a different bed every night, a couple of hours with family here and there and a shopping afternoon in Guildford is all we managed.
We saw far too many motorways and too much weather (mostly rain) but at least we missed the high winds the days we were on the ferry.
It is sooooo lovely to get back to our own bed.
We've only been out of the UK for 10 months but were surprised at how we had changed. The shops were far too hot, noisy and crowded (even making allowances for Christmas shopping). There was too much traffic on the roads and everywhere was noisy. We did love the fact that no-one was smoking in restaurants and pubs (not that we were in them very much) but noticed that all the pubs now have a little tent affair outside to accommodate those who did want to smoke. I suppose that this will just make smokers even more likely to catch bronchitis or pneumonia in the cold and damp - not quite sure how this is going to help the health service!
Having had every intention of finishing our Christmas shopping, we didn't succeed. One turn around HMV and we had had enough, couldn't think straight and didn't buy anything - Waterstone's was just as bad. I used to love Waterstone's, I'd spend my lunchtimes 'just browsing' (usually not leaving empty-handed) but we were surprised that the three (yes, two in Guildford) we visited had different books on display and we could never find the same book twice - therefore, trying to take advantage of 3 for 2 offers was difficult.
Waterstone's #1 - Jon was alone, didn't have enough time to make any purchase but spotted 6 or more books that he wanted to buy.
Waterstone's # 2 - I found one book, Jon found another but only one of the first 6 books.
Waterstone's # 3 - Bought 3 for 2 - (only one of the original 6) and next month's book group selection which was full price.
We also managed to find some books in charity shops. Charity shops in the north of England are (surprise, surprise) so much cheaper than those in the south. In fact, for many books it is cheaper to buy them second hand on Amazon and pay the shipping to France than to buy them in a charity shop. Oxfam's second hand bookshop in Guildford was most disappointing - not only did they have a very poor selection (we didn't buy anything there) but they were badly arranged and overpriced.
Oh, well, back home to France and just awaiting the credit card bill which I know will be quite painful. I made the mistake of joking with a lady in one shop that Mastercard must be quite concerned that I hadn't used the card in a year and it was getting quite a hammering. In the next shop the transaction was 'denied'. Just a little moment of panic that we didn't have any more cash or a cash card and may not be able to do any more shopping but luckily it was just a blip and the card worked next time (and the time after and ........ well, you get my drift).
And now there is just the pile of washing to deal with ................ Actually, lovely Jon is doing all that while I sort out a home for all these new books!
We're finally home after what can only be described as a whirlwind trip to the UK. 2000 miles in total, an average of 5 hours a day in the car, a different bed every night, a couple of hours with family here and there and a shopping afternoon in Guildford is all we managed.
We saw far too many motorways and too much weather (mostly rain) but at least we missed the high winds the days we were on the ferry.
It is sooooo lovely to get back to our own bed.
We've only been out of the UK for 10 months but were surprised at how we had changed. The shops were far too hot, noisy and crowded (even making allowances for Christmas shopping). There was too much traffic on the roads and everywhere was noisy. We did love the fact that no-one was smoking in restaurants and pubs (not that we were in them very much) but noticed that all the pubs now have a little tent affair outside to accommodate those who did want to smoke. I suppose that this will just make smokers even more likely to catch bronchitis or pneumonia in the cold and damp - not quite sure how this is going to help the health service!
Having had every intention of finishing our Christmas shopping, we didn't succeed. One turn around HMV and we had had enough, couldn't think straight and didn't buy anything - Waterstone's was just as bad. I used to love Waterstone's, I'd spend my lunchtimes 'just browsing' (usually not leaving empty-handed) but we were surprised that the three (yes, two in Guildford) we visited had different books on display and we could never find the same book twice - therefore, trying to take advantage of 3 for 2 offers was difficult.
Waterstone's #1 - Jon was alone, didn't have enough time to make any purchase but spotted 6 or more books that he wanted to buy.
Waterstone's # 2 - I found one book, Jon found another but only one of the first 6 books.
Waterstone's # 3 - Bought 3 for 2 - (only one of the original 6) and next month's book group selection which was full price.
We also managed to find some books in charity shops. Charity shops in the north of England are (surprise, surprise) so much cheaper than those in the south. In fact, for many books it is cheaper to buy them second hand on Amazon and pay the shipping to France than to buy them in a charity shop. Oxfam's second hand bookshop in Guildford was most disappointing - not only did they have a very poor selection (we didn't buy anything there) but they were badly arranged and overpriced.
Oh, well, back home to France and just awaiting the credit card bill which I know will be quite painful. I made the mistake of joking with a lady in one shop that Mastercard must be quite concerned that I hadn't used the card in a year and it was getting quite a hammering. In the next shop the transaction was 'denied'. Just a little moment of panic that we didn't have any more cash or a cash card and may not be able to do any more shopping but luckily it was just a blip and the card worked next time (and the time after and ........ well, you get my drift).
And now there is just the pile of washing to deal with ................ Actually, lovely Jon is doing all that while I sort out a home for all these new books!
Thursday 29 November 2007
Anything to declare, Madame?
We were recently bragging to friends that in 28 years of driving around France we had never been stopped by the police or customs.
Ho, ho. Someone must have told them. Twice we were stopped today for no other reason than we were driving a right hand drive car on French plates and they thought we were on a ciggie run from Andorra.
Ho, ho. Someone must have told them. Twice we were stopped today for no other reason than we were driving a right hand drive car on French plates and they thought we were on a ciggie run from Andorra.
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Hibernation
St Sévrin
Yesterday's weather: Sunny, cool.
I had been asked to pop to the wooden toy shop to collect a replacement toy car for little grandson #2 (the dog ate the original) and, never one to leave things to the last minute, decided to go today, the day before we head to the frozen north for a few days.
Unfortunately I didn't realise that France is now closed for the winter - well, all the touristy shops in the touristy villages must be closed. The particular village I needed to go to seems to be completely closed. Such a shame that the little lad will have to wait until next spring for his car by which time, of course, he will have grown out of cars and will want some sort of robotic noisy alien type thing.
It seems very strange to be gathering bottles of wine, local delicacies and children's favourites and to be packing up for a trip to the UK. I still trip over the words describing where we are going as it seems so natural to say we are going 'home' for a few days.
We don't have a home in the UK, even though we are still British citizens. I'm trying to find a substitute phrase - 'visiting the kids in England' is too long but that is what we are doing. A six-day whirlwind visit spending most of the time in the car travelling from one place to the next. It will be lovely to see everyone again but I'm sure it will all go in a mist of 'hellos' and 'goodbyes'.
So much nicer to have people to us, in couples or families where we can spend some quality time (don't you hate that phrase) with them.
Bookings being taken for next summer, kids!
Yesterday's weather: Sunny, cool.
I had been asked to pop to the wooden toy shop to collect a replacement toy car for little grandson #2 (the dog ate the original) and, never one to leave things to the last minute, decided to go today, the day before we head to the frozen north for a few days.
Unfortunately I didn't realise that France is now closed for the winter - well, all the touristy shops in the touristy villages must be closed. The particular village I needed to go to seems to be completely closed. Such a shame that the little lad will have to wait until next spring for his car by which time, of course, he will have grown out of cars and will want some sort of robotic noisy alien type thing.
It seems very strange to be gathering bottles of wine, local delicacies and children's favourites and to be packing up for a trip to the UK. I still trip over the words describing where we are going as it seems so natural to say we are going 'home' for a few days.
We don't have a home in the UK, even though we are still British citizens. I'm trying to find a substitute phrase - 'visiting the kids in England' is too long but that is what we are doing. A six-day whirlwind visit spending most of the time in the car travelling from one place to the next. It will be lovely to see everyone again but I'm sure it will all go in a mist of 'hellos' and 'goodbyes'.
So much nicer to have people to us, in couples or families where we can spend some quality time (don't you hate that phrase) with them.
Bookings being taken for next summer, kids!
Monday 26 November 2007
Sunday 25 November 2007
Arts and craft
Ste Catherine
Yesterday's weather: bright and sunny
Yesterday morning we took a beautiful sunny drive down to Cahors town to mooch around the beautiful old town and visit the cathedral.
Cahors Saturday market is bustling and lively, one of the best in France, we are so lucky to have it so close to home. The cathedral with its two domes is spectacular, yesterday morning it was being cleaned ready for a concert which, I only learned yesterday, is a weekly event. The organ, which was built in 1863 is classified a 'national monument' and there are organ concerts every Saturday morning at 11am. We plan to go another week and will sit and admire the stained glass windows while enjoying the concert, before a coffee in a local cafe, a little shopping and, just maybe, lunch.
I'm sure all will be relieved to note that I did take my handbag with me yesterday.
I believe these times are known as 'senior moments' although I believe I am far too young to have those just yet being still several years away from my bus pass (not that I'll get one over here). I am reading a book (pinched from Mum's bedside table) where one of the characters is corrected:
'That's not a senior moment, that's a craft moment. Can't remember a f*****g thing!'
Now, that's more like me.
Yesterday's weather: bright and sunny
Yesterday morning we took a beautiful sunny drive down to Cahors town to mooch around the beautiful old town and visit the cathedral.
Cahors Saturday market is bustling and lively, one of the best in France, we are so lucky to have it so close to home. The cathedral with its two domes is spectacular, yesterday morning it was being cleaned ready for a concert which, I only learned yesterday, is a weekly event. The organ, which was built in 1863 is classified a 'national monument' and there are organ concerts every Saturday morning at 11am. We plan to go another week and will sit and admire the stained glass windows while enjoying the concert, before a coffee in a local cafe, a little shopping and, just maybe, lunch.
I'm sure all will be relieved to note that I did take my handbag with me yesterday.
I believe these times are known as 'senior moments' although I believe I am far too young to have those just yet being still several years away from my bus pass (not that I'll get one over here). I am reading a book (pinched from Mum's bedside table) where one of the characters is corrected:
'That's not a senior moment, that's a craft moment. Can't remember a f*****g thing!'
Now, that's more like me.
Saturday 24 November 2007
Yes you can-can
Ste Flora
Yesterday's weather: Sunny and mild
We took Mum to Albi yesterday to keep a long-held promise to take her to one of the most amazing cathedrals I have ever seen. It's a two hour drive through some lovely countryside, along the Aveyron gorges and via the village in the sky Cordes-sur-Ciel, a stunning 13th century bastide full of gothic mansions with gargoyles on the corner of every building.
The approach to Albi from the northwest is equally amazing, from above you see the beautiful Cathedral of St Cecilia, claimed to be the worlds largest brick built construction.
The austere red outside towers over the town and hides the most incredible interior with virtually every surface painted. The ceiling arches of the Choir were painted by artisits from Bologna and are quite - well, I've run out of superlatives to use.
We arrived at midday, just as all the buildings closed for lunch, so, after admiring the outside of the cathedral we went in search of our own lunch in a small nearby restaurant where we were looked after by a smiling young man who was delighted when we ordered from the chef's special selection - Poêlée de Saint Jaques, scallops cooked to such perfection with a little sauce that did nothing to mask the flavour of the shellfish whilst still being delicious. The restaurant was very cosy but I'm sure on a sunny, warm summer's day the terrace outside must be crowded and busy.
Waitering (is that a verb?) is a very serious business on the continent. In the UK waiting staff tend to be mostly young people, students perhaps or part-timers. In France as in Italy and I am sure other European countries, it is a career. I'm not sure how well paid it is, maybe the majority of waiting staff are family and it is all taken as being part of the family business, so different from the UK.
After walking off our lunch around the narrow streets of Albi, we toured the cathedral and choir then decided to visit the neighbouring Toulouse-Lautrec museum which, frankly, we found a little disappointing.
I associate Lautrec with colourful paintings of can-can dancers at the Moulin Rouge, but the majority of works in the museum were sketches on cardboard with little colour; there were many portraits of very stern-looking people and lots of small oils of horses. I'm sure many would call me a philistine, but paintings of horses frankly leave me cold and I could never understand the fascination for painting these magnificent creatures. Is it a challenge? I'm sure someone will tell me.
The best work we saw in this museum was 'Yvette Guilbert Greeting the Audience' which did make me smile - I wondered what this amazing lady thought of the unflattering paintings of herself which filled one small room at the museum. T-L obviously had a sense of humour.
We just had time to stop at a little chocolatier which smelt just wonderful and which always reminds me of Joanne Harris' novel Chocolat which was set not so far from Albi, before making our way back home, hoping not to make all the drive in the dark.
Albi is a beautiful town, well worth a day-trip from home once in a while - best to do it out of season though as the cathedral is one of the most visited sites in France - mostly in summer.
Friday 23 November 2007
Senior moments
St Clement
Yesterday's weather: sunny, sort of OK but not really warm.
I took Mum shopping yesterday morning. I haven't driven much for a while but wanted to go into town for a few bits and pieces.
I left the car warming up while we wandered over the garden to inspect the chalet which Mum hadn't seen before. Both of us taking care not to slip on the wooden steps and chasing the cat out of this cat-free zone we admired Jon's handiwork and talked about how useful it will be next summer when Jon and I will probably sleep there during the time we are ripping the upper floor of the house to pieces.
Then we headed into town. It's a long time since Mum was last here and with all the leaves off the trees now we could see lots of changes, houses with new roofs or extensions, houses we had never spotted before. Brown fields which were green last time we passed and so on.
It was a beautiful morning and we pottered along chatting about this and that. Eventually we arrived at the supermarket, got out of the car, locked it. Then we unlocked it and got back in and headed home.
On the way back we still admired the countryside, chatting about family and so on. Around a bend, and just in time, I spotted a white van parked with his hazard lights flashing. Wondering what he was doing parked in such a stupid place I pulled out to drive round and came face to face - yes, I promise you, face-to-face with a helicopter.
'So that's what the van was doing there' I thought. We carried on along the road with the helicopter hovering beside us swerving across the fields. I realised then that they were checking the electricity pylons.
When we got home I warned Jon to watch out for the helicopter hopping over the hill later on.
Then I picked up my handbag from the garden table where I had left it and got back in the car to go shopping.
Yesterday's weather: sunny, sort of OK but not really warm.
I took Mum shopping yesterday morning. I haven't driven much for a while but wanted to go into town for a few bits and pieces.
I left the car warming up while we wandered over the garden to inspect the chalet which Mum hadn't seen before. Both of us taking care not to slip on the wooden steps and chasing the cat out of this cat-free zone we admired Jon's handiwork and talked about how useful it will be next summer when Jon and I will probably sleep there during the time we are ripping the upper floor of the house to pieces.
Then we headed into town. It's a long time since Mum was last here and with all the leaves off the trees now we could see lots of changes, houses with new roofs or extensions, houses we had never spotted before. Brown fields which were green last time we passed and so on.
It was a beautiful morning and we pottered along chatting about this and that. Eventually we arrived at the supermarket, got out of the car, locked it. Then we unlocked it and got back in and headed home.
On the way back we still admired the countryside, chatting about family and so on. Around a bend, and just in time, I spotted a white van parked with his hazard lights flashing. Wondering what he was doing parked in such a stupid place I pulled out to drive round and came face to face - yes, I promise you, face-to-face with a helicopter.
'So that's what the van was doing there' I thought. We carried on along the road with the helicopter hovering beside us swerving across the fields. I realised then that they were checking the electricity pylons.
When we got home I warned Jon to watch out for the helicopter hopping over the hill later on.
Then I picked up my handbag from the garden table where I had left it and got back in the car to go shopping.
Thursday 22 November 2007
Bumper to bumper
Ste Cécile
Yesterday's weather: mild, mixed sun and cloud
We took the 'pretty route' down to Toulouse yesterday. It took far longer than it should have but we saw a lot of scenery and travelled many roads that we wouldn't normally need to take. Traffic was almost non-existent. We were surprised at the change in landscape from limestone to woodland to chalky vineyards then heath then rolling fertile hillsides and then we hit the outskirts of Toulouse - yuk.
For the first time in many months we found ourselves crawling along in queues of traffic. It was 5.30pm and people were leaving work to head home. The volume of traffic was no doubt increased because of the transport workers strike, but we found it very tiresome. Did we really used to do that every day? It seems like a lifetime ago sitting in the queue waiting to get out of Guildford, or trudging along the busy road to stand on a crowded platform and catch a train.
We are so looking forward to making a visit back to the UK to see the grandchildren.
Well, I'm sure that without the M25, M40 and M42 it would be very pleasant.
Yesterday's weather: mild, mixed sun and cloud
We took the 'pretty route' down to Toulouse yesterday. It took far longer than it should have but we saw a lot of scenery and travelled many roads that we wouldn't normally need to take. Traffic was almost non-existent. We were surprised at the change in landscape from limestone to woodland to chalky vineyards then heath then rolling fertile hillsides and then we hit the outskirts of Toulouse - yuk.
For the first time in many months we found ourselves crawling along in queues of traffic. It was 5.30pm and people were leaving work to head home. The volume of traffic was no doubt increased because of the transport workers strike, but we found it very tiresome. Did we really used to do that every day? It seems like a lifetime ago sitting in the queue waiting to get out of Guildford, or trudging along the busy road to stand on a crowded platform and catch a train.
We are so looking forward to making a visit back to the UK to see the grandchildren.
Well, I'm sure that without the M25, M40 and M42 it would be very pleasant.
Wednesday 21 November 2007
Walk the cat
St Rufus
Yesterday's weather: warm, overcast, occasional drizzle
It's amazing how different you feel when it's not freezing cold. Suddenly we felt spurred once again into doing all sorts of little jobs we had put off.
We even took the cats for a walk for the first time in a couple of weeks. They enjoy a good walk, in fact we believe that they think they are dogs - if not people. Waiting at the door for us if we've been out. Checking out all new visitors. They even chat to us (no I'm NOT totally mad, they really do talk to us, Misty even answers back when I tell her off!).
We really miss Jazz, wherever she may be but these two are really good company. They seem to feel the same as we do about the missing family member and have become much more clingy in the last few weeks.
Our long-distance cat sitter arrives at Toulouse airport this evening so we have been in a mad whirl of bed making and re-arranging this morning. Off to the airport this afternoon with a stop off for a few shopping items in the meantime.
Yesterday's weather: warm, overcast, occasional drizzle
It's amazing how different you feel when it's not freezing cold. Suddenly we felt spurred once again into doing all sorts of little jobs we had put off.
We even took the cats for a walk for the first time in a couple of weeks. They enjoy a good walk, in fact we believe that they think they are dogs - if not people. Waiting at the door for us if we've been out. Checking out all new visitors. They even chat to us (no I'm NOT totally mad, they really do talk to us, Misty even answers back when I tell her off!).
We really miss Jazz, wherever she may be but these two are really good company. They seem to feel the same as we do about the missing family member and have become much more clingy in the last few weeks.
Our long-distance cat sitter arrives at Toulouse airport this evening so we have been in a mad whirl of bed making and re-arranging this morning. Off to the airport this afternoon with a stop off for a few shopping items in the meantime.
Tuesday 20 November 2007
Strike whilst the iron is hot
St Edmond
Yesterday's weather: gradually got warmer during the day.
I've heard it said many a time that striking is a French national pastime. In fact I have been in Paris during a national transport strike, trying our best to get from the centre of Paris to the exhibition centre near Charles de Gaulle airport every day - of course the strike finished the day after the exhibition closed.
People took to the streets of Paris, if not to protest then just to walk to work. There were skateboarders and cyclists galore. Luckily some of us were able to use a rental car to drive to the exhibition centre but what would normally have been a 40 minute drive turned into a 2 1/2 hour bumper to bumper shuffle each way, adding up to 5 hours a day on an already tiring 9 hour stand at the exhibition.
This latest action has spread today to hospital staff, teachers, postal workers and air traffic controllers. Apparently.
Here, the kids are all in school, the post was delivered, planes do seem to be passing overhead, but I don't know about the hospital.
With mother arriving tomorrow by plane into Toulouse, we are hoping that the air traffic controllers don't continue their action after the planned 6am finish tomorrow.
Yesterday's weather: gradually got warmer during the day.
I've heard it said many a time that striking is a French national pastime. In fact I have been in Paris during a national transport strike, trying our best to get from the centre of Paris to the exhibition centre near Charles de Gaulle airport every day - of course the strike finished the day after the exhibition closed.
People took to the streets of Paris, if not to protest then just to walk to work. There were skateboarders and cyclists galore. Luckily some of us were able to use a rental car to drive to the exhibition centre but what would normally have been a 40 minute drive turned into a 2 1/2 hour bumper to bumper shuffle each way, adding up to 5 hours a day on an already tiring 9 hour stand at the exhibition.
This latest action has spread today to hospital staff, teachers, postal workers and air traffic controllers. Apparently.
Here, the kids are all in school, the post was delivered, planes do seem to be passing overhead, but I don't know about the hospital.
With mother arriving tomorrow by plane into Toulouse, we are hoping that the air traffic controllers don't continue their action after the planned 6am finish tomorrow.
Monday 19 November 2007
Another tequila sunrise
St Tanguy
Yesterday's weather: Cold
I don't know if the photo does it justice but this was the sunrise this morning.
Stunning. It's still cold but at least it has stayed above freezing today.
Yesterday's weather: Cold
I don't know if the photo does it justice but this was the sunrise this morning.
Stunning. It's still cold but at least it has stayed above freezing today.
Sunday 18 November 2007
Stiff sheets
Ste Aude
Yesterday's weather: Freeeeeezzzzzing. Brrrrr.
Happy Birthday to Jacqui.
Congratulations to Diana and Jeff on the birth of their baby girl.
I left the sheets and pillowcases out on the washing line last night. They are still frozen this morning, but at least I had some washing on the line today before Mrs Veranda!! I don't think that lady ever sleeps - her washing is always out first thing in the morning before we even surface. And anyway, how can two people create so much washing? We always thought that they must have a gîte or a B&B but now that we know more about them we know that there are just the two of them. And a lot of washing.
This months reading group books are Albert Camus' The Outsider' and Raymond Queneau's 'Zazie in the Metro', selected by me. We have a very complicated voting system where one person selects 4 books for the month, everyone has two votes and then there is another vote between the top two books. The group voted them both equally and as they are 'thin books' we decided to read both. We won't be discussing them until we meet in January so there's plenty of time to get through those two and also next month's book 'Never Have Your Dog Stuffed', Alan Alda's autobiography - chosen by Jon. No-one has yet volunteered to host the next meeting, which should be held in January. I think we are all sitting back and waiting for someone else to offer! I don't mind doing a summer lunch party but the idea of sitting 10 people in our kitchen would be just too cosy!
Yesterday's weather: Freeeeeezzzzzing. Brrrrr.
Happy Birthday to Jacqui.
Congratulations to Diana and Jeff on the birth of their baby girl.
I left the sheets and pillowcases out on the washing line last night. They are still frozen this morning, but at least I had some washing on the line today before Mrs Veranda!! I don't think that lady ever sleeps - her washing is always out first thing in the morning before we even surface. And anyway, how can two people create so much washing? We always thought that they must have a gîte or a B&B but now that we know more about them we know that there are just the two of them. And a lot of washing.
This months reading group books are Albert Camus' The Outsider' and Raymond Queneau's 'Zazie in the Metro', selected by me. We have a very complicated voting system where one person selects 4 books for the month, everyone has two votes and then there is another vote between the top two books. The group voted them both equally and as they are 'thin books' we decided to read both. We won't be discussing them until we meet in January so there's plenty of time to get through those two and also next month's book 'Never Have Your Dog Stuffed', Alan Alda's autobiography - chosen by Jon. No-one has yet volunteered to host the next meeting, which should be held in January. I think we are all sitting back and waiting for someone else to offer! I don't mind doing a summer lunch party but the idea of sitting 10 people in our kitchen would be just too cosy!
Saturday 17 November 2007
Brass monkeys
Ste Elisabeth
Yesterday's weather: put it this way, we saw a couple of brass monkeys outside and they were crying.
HAPPY SAINT'S DAY TO LIZZIE
Happy Birthday to Beryl.
Yes, I do know the origin of that saying.
You have to keep pretty busy to keep warm, or pay the electricty bill. We have only electric convectors and one bottled gas fire but we're managing to keep the place pretty warm. Luckily we don't have many rooms to heat and it's usually a challenge when it gets to bedtime as that is one room we don't heat.
The double glazing has been worth every penny already. Once warm the house stays warm for longer.
When we got up this morning the garden thermometer was reading 12 degrees.
I'll correct that immediately. It was reading minus twelve degrees. So we decided not to work outside today but to keep indoors and cook some nice warming soups and a couple of cakes as we had people round for afternoon tea this afternoon.
I only ventured out twice; once to put the washing on the line and once to find that instead of drying, my sheets and pillowcases were frozen solid.
Happy winter, everyone.
Yesterday's weather: put it this way, we saw a couple of brass monkeys outside and they were crying.
HAPPY SAINT'S DAY TO LIZZIE
Happy Birthday to Beryl.
Yes, I do know the origin of that saying.
You have to keep pretty busy to keep warm, or pay the electricty bill. We have only electric convectors and one bottled gas fire but we're managing to keep the place pretty warm. Luckily we don't have many rooms to heat and it's usually a challenge when it gets to bedtime as that is one room we don't heat.
The double glazing has been worth every penny already. Once warm the house stays warm for longer.
When we got up this morning the garden thermometer was reading 12 degrees.
I'll correct that immediately. It was reading minus twelve degrees. So we decided not to work outside today but to keep indoors and cook some nice warming soups and a couple of cakes as we had people round for afternoon tea this afternoon.
I only ventured out twice; once to put the washing on the line and once to find that instead of drying, my sheets and pillowcases were frozen solid.
Happy winter, everyone.
Friday 16 November 2007
A free what?
Ste Marguerite
Yesterday's weather: coldest yet but sunny
We are a little fed up with cold callers phoning us. We've had two this week. The first lady was trying to persuade us that we had won a free gift each and only had to turn up at the salle de fêtes
Well, if there's no such thing as a free lunch, then there's no such thing as a free gift either! The invitation doesn't tell us what sort of presentation we would have to sit through as, of course, we would have to.
We're staying put this afternoon.
When the second cold call came in I was obviously a little more alert and as soon as I twigged that silence when I picked the phone up followed by a background babbling, I just hung up. Just for the record if you are thinking of calling us we do not want our roof inspected, to attend a wine tasting, to win a 'free' holiday or anything else unsolicited.
Thank you.
Yesterday's weather: coldest yet but sunny
We are a little fed up with cold callers phoning us. We've had two this week. The first lady was trying to persuade us that we had won a free gift each and only had to turn up at the salle de fêtes
Well, if there's no such thing as a free lunch, then there's no such thing as a free gift either! The invitation doesn't tell us what sort of presentation we would have to sit through as, of course, we would have to.
We're staying put this afternoon.
When the second cold call came in I was obviously a little more alert and as soon as I twigged that silence when I picked the phone up followed by a background babbling, I just hung up. Just for the record if you are thinking of calling us we do not want our roof inspected, to attend a wine tasting, to win a 'free' holiday or anything else unsolicited.
Thank you.
Thursday 15 November 2007
Paper mountain
St Albert
Yesterday's weather: Cold, wet, sunny, mixed!
It's amazing what you find when you have a sort out. I've been doing the year's filing this morning and found all sorts of things we brought with us from the UK in that 'I haven't got time to sort it so just chuck it in a box' phase just before we finished packing the old house.
I've found birthday cards, anniversary cards, old telephone numbers (of course without a name to match them to!), there are tax forms going back to the early 1990s, paperwork from the Open University whose giant paper mountain I thought I had disposed of, recipes, photos, bills and copies of all the letters I sent with our change of address.
We're having a bonfire soon and I think I found all the paper to get it going!
Yesterday's weather: Cold, wet, sunny, mixed!
It's amazing what you find when you have a sort out. I've been doing the year's filing this morning and found all sorts of things we brought with us from the UK in that 'I haven't got time to sort it so just chuck it in a box' phase just before we finished packing the old house.
I've found birthday cards, anniversary cards, old telephone numbers (of course without a name to match them to!), there are tax forms going back to the early 1990s, paperwork from the Open University whose giant paper mountain I thought I had disposed of, recipes, photos, bills and copies of all the letters I sent with our change of address.
We're having a bonfire soon and I think I found all the paper to get it going!
Wednesday 14 November 2007
One day, two worlds
St Sidoine
Yesterday's weather: bright, sunny, cold.
We've had wet stuff falling out of the sky on and off today. We've not seen any of that sort of thing for weeks so it came as a bit of a shock. The cats found it a bit surprising too and after their usual disappearance through the kitchen door first thing this morning, they drank from their usual flower bowl, sniffed around to make sure there had been no intruders and headed straight back indoors.
We went out to market and the cats decided to stay home making themselves comfy, one on the sofa the other on the bed obviously also taking advantage of the fact that we weren't here to throw the wet, muddy one off the bed. More washing for the pile!
On our way to town the world looked lovely; the sun was shining and the trees were golden brown. We stopped at the post office to collect a parcel that the postman (known as Mr Smiley because he never does) didn't leave the other day even though we were home all day, then we took the 'pretty' route, the back roads down to town. The rain held off while we were shopping and we took advantage to have a quick lunch in town too.
On the way home the hills and trees looked entirely different with black clouds hovering over them; the trees that were golden looked sludgy brown and gray and the air just seemed so much colder. The rain is back again and I'm sure I can hear a cat scratching to be let in again.
Yesterday's weather: bright, sunny, cold.
We've had wet stuff falling out of the sky on and off today. We've not seen any of that sort of thing for weeks so it came as a bit of a shock. The cats found it a bit surprising too and after their usual disappearance through the kitchen door first thing this morning, they drank from their usual flower bowl, sniffed around to make sure there had been no intruders and headed straight back indoors.
We went out to market and the cats decided to stay home making themselves comfy, one on the sofa the other on the bed obviously also taking advantage of the fact that we weren't here to throw the wet, muddy one off the bed. More washing for the pile!
On our way to town the world looked lovely; the sun was shining and the trees were golden brown. We stopped at the post office to collect a parcel that the postman (known as Mr Smiley because he never does) didn't leave the other day even though we were home all day, then we took the 'pretty' route, the back roads down to town. The rain held off while we were shopping and we took advantage to have a quick lunch in town too.
On the way home the hills and trees looked entirely different with black clouds hovering over them; the trees that were golden looked sludgy brown and gray and the air just seemed so much colder. The rain is back again and I'm sure I can hear a cat scratching to be let in again.
Tuesday 13 November 2007
LOST CONTACTS - please help
St Brice
Yesterday's weather: duller but mild, excellent gardening weather
I am currently repairing my desktop computer and have lost many of my contacts and old e-mails.
Please, please, when you read this can you send me a quick e-mail to the usual address so that I can put all my contacts back together again.
If you don't have or have lost my e-mail address, please send a comment WHICH WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED including your e-mail address and I will e-mail you back.
Thank you for your help.
Yesterday's weather: duller but mild, excellent gardening weather
I am currently repairing my desktop computer and have lost many of my contacts and old e-mails.
Please, please, when you read this can you send me a quick e-mail to the usual address so that I can put all my contacts back together again.
If you don't have or have lost my e-mail address, please send a comment WHICH WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED including your e-mail address and I will e-mail you back.
Thank you for your help.
Monday 12 November 2007
Just add colour
St Christian
Yesterday's weather: Mild, dull, dry
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHARLOTTE
21 TODAY x x x x
As the garden (i.e. weeds, brambles and nettles) are all dying back now it is a good time to clear up and have a good think about what to do next.
Therefore, this afternoon finds me thumbing through plant books, looking for plants with winter interest as well as summer plants, which are much easier.
As this is our first year here, we have confined our garden colour to pots, including the few veggies that we grew over the summer. Whilst fairly successful, we nevertheless want to get on with planting other plants in the ground.
This is certainly not as easy as it sounds since we live on rock here and there is very little topsoil to work with. Digging a hole for a plant is a major excavation and results in multiple jarring injuries to the wrists and shoulders, lots of bad language and bad temper. Still, we want a pretty garden and will struggle on even though it will be a slow process.
As we look out at the moment we see a dying back forsythia the now greatly reduced, the denuded fig tree and a few plants in pots on the terrace. What we would love to see is a lovely display of colour including viburnum x bodnantense which we had in our garden in the UK. This plant, while ordinary in the summer with no flowers, suddenly bursts with fragrant pink flowers on its bare stalks in the winter. A winter flowering jasmine nudiflorum would look good under the kitchen window and a few pieris dotted around would add further colour and interest.
It will be good fun to visit the local garden centres this week and see what else is available with winter colour.
Yesterday's weather: Mild, dull, dry
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHARLOTTE
21 TODAY x x x x
As the garden (i.e. weeds, brambles and nettles) are all dying back now it is a good time to clear up and have a good think about what to do next.
Therefore, this afternoon finds me thumbing through plant books, looking for plants with winter interest as well as summer plants, which are much easier.
As this is our first year here, we have confined our garden colour to pots, including the few veggies that we grew over the summer. Whilst fairly successful, we nevertheless want to get on with planting other plants in the ground.
This is certainly not as easy as it sounds since we live on rock here and there is very little topsoil to work with. Digging a hole for a plant is a major excavation and results in multiple jarring injuries to the wrists and shoulders, lots of bad language and bad temper. Still, we want a pretty garden and will struggle on even though it will be a slow process.
As we look out at the moment we see a dying back forsythia the now greatly reduced, the denuded fig tree and a few plants in pots on the terrace. What we would love to see is a lovely display of colour including viburnum x bodnantense which we had in our garden in the UK. This plant, while ordinary in the summer with no flowers, suddenly bursts with fragrant pink flowers on its bare stalks in the winter. A winter flowering jasmine nudiflorum would look good under the kitchen window and a few pieris dotted around would add further colour and interest.
It will be good fun to visit the local garden centres this week and see what else is available with winter colour.
Sunday 11 November 2007
I can see clearly (part 2)
St Martin
Yesterday's weather: cold again, bright again.
Spur of the moment decisions are the order of the day.
The fig tree in September
.. and in November
Result: more light in the kitchen and less messy fig droppings next autumn!
Saturday 10 November 2007
I was lost in France (Bonnie Tyler 1976)
St Léon
Yesterday's weather: Milder, sunny.
Friends of ours, who live some distance away, are members of a choir. Last night they were performing Mozart's Requiem in a church some 100 kilometres away to the south. We took another couple of friends with us, setting off early as, despite having a map of the town, it was unfamiliar to us.
Our chorister friends had said that the concert was due to start at 9pm, a normal time for evening entertainment in France, but that of course, this being France, it would start late.
We reached the town in good time but couldn't find the church in question. It is a fairly large town and we saw most of it. Twice. Before finally finding the church. Now to find a parking space. All the nearby (very narrow) streets were full of cars parked bumper to bumper on both sides of the road and we breathed in as we squeezed the car through. We could hardly believe our luck as we passed by the church once more and found a space right beside it. At 9.02pm.
We entered the church expecting, as it was an amateur choir and orchestra, to find plenty of space but it was standing room only. The concert was just about to start. A young lady played the Mozart flute concerto as we leaned against the back wall of the church and as it ended, a very nice young man offered me his chair, placing it beside me with a small bow of his head.
The choir took their places and the standing room opened out a little, our friends found two seats with, what would be called 'restricted view' in the West End or Broadway, but didn't offer a reduced price ticket for sitting behind a pillar. We spotted another empty chair behind the church door and took up the best seats in the house. Right at the end of the aisle with an uninterrupted view down to the altar. Until the man with the video camera got in the way, but we could still see better than most people.
The concert was very good. The soloists were an extremely good team and boasted a counter tenor of such a wonderful voice that the hairs stood up on the back of our necks.
Then she entered. The nutter.
I don't know how I attract them.
About 15 minutes from the end of the concert she wandered into the church, grabbed the only empty chair and plonked it down next to me.
'Excuse me' she whispered loudly, 'what time did the concert start?'
'Nine o'clock' I told her. She digested this information.
'Does that mean that it will be finished very soon?' I told her that I wasn't sure - well, they had sprung the flute concerto on us so we had no idea if there may have been another work to follow.
A few minutes later she shout/whispered again.
'What is the name of this chorale, Madame?'. I told her. She shouted 'Merci'. Got up and wandered off to inspect the church walls, which, although very nice were extremely bare but obviously held some fascination for her.
The concert ended to a huge round of applause, clapping and stamping as if it were the Royal Albert Hall and the orchestra had been the LSO. We were treated, oddly, to an encore of the 'Dies Ire' which was conducted by the chorus master before we were let out into the night.
So I'm writing this morning whilst listening to a recording of ... you guessed it. And apparently we have three copies which I'm eager to compare over this weekend.
Yesterday's weather: Milder, sunny.
Friends of ours, who live some distance away, are members of a choir. Last night they were performing Mozart's Requiem in a church some 100 kilometres away to the south. We took another couple of friends with us, setting off early as, despite having a map of the town, it was unfamiliar to us.
Our chorister friends had said that the concert was due to start at 9pm, a normal time for evening entertainment in France, but that of course, this being France, it would start late.
We reached the town in good time but couldn't find the church in question. It is a fairly large town and we saw most of it. Twice. Before finally finding the church. Now to find a parking space. All the nearby (very narrow) streets were full of cars parked bumper to bumper on both sides of the road and we breathed in as we squeezed the car through. We could hardly believe our luck as we passed by the church once more and found a space right beside it. At 9.02pm.
We entered the church expecting, as it was an amateur choir and orchestra, to find plenty of space but it was standing room only. The concert was just about to start. A young lady played the Mozart flute concerto as we leaned against the back wall of the church and as it ended, a very nice young man offered me his chair, placing it beside me with a small bow of his head.
The choir took their places and the standing room opened out a little, our friends found two seats with, what would be called 'restricted view' in the West End or Broadway, but didn't offer a reduced price ticket for sitting behind a pillar. We spotted another empty chair behind the church door and took up the best seats in the house. Right at the end of the aisle with an uninterrupted view down to the altar. Until the man with the video camera got in the way, but we could still see better than most people.
The concert was very good. The soloists were an extremely good team and boasted a counter tenor of such a wonderful voice that the hairs stood up on the back of our necks.
Then she entered. The nutter.
I don't know how I attract them.
About 15 minutes from the end of the concert she wandered into the church, grabbed the only empty chair and plonked it down next to me.
'Excuse me' she whispered loudly, 'what time did the concert start?'
'Nine o'clock' I told her. She digested this information.
'Does that mean that it will be finished very soon?' I told her that I wasn't sure - well, they had sprung the flute concerto on us so we had no idea if there may have been another work to follow.
A few minutes later she shout/whispered again.
'What is the name of this chorale, Madame?'. I told her. She shouted 'Merci'. Got up and wandered off to inspect the church walls, which, although very nice were extremely bare but obviously held some fascination for her.
The concert ended to a huge round of applause, clapping and stamping as if it were the Royal Albert Hall and the orchestra had been the LSO. We were treated, oddly, to an encore of the 'Dies Ire' which was conducted by the chorus master before we were let out into the night.
So I'm writing this morning whilst listening to a recording of ... you guessed it. And apparently we have three copies which I'm eager to compare over this weekend.
Friday 9 November 2007
Loyalty
St Théodore
Yesterday's weather: still sunny, still cold
When we left the UK I swore I would never again have a wallet full of loyalty cards. Nectar card, Tesco Club Card, WH Smith card, hotel loyalty card, car rental loyalty card and on and on. I never had them with me when I needed them so missed out on loads of advantages (not). Admittedly Nectar points boosted the drinks cabinet every Christmas but I still have the obscure liqueurs I bought three years ago. They sit at the back of the cupboard unopened and unloved.
You see, a liqueur is just for Christmas, not for life, and I was going through a cocktail making phase that probably only lasted about 6 months.
In my 'treasure chest', an old pine tool chest made by my great grandfather I have a collection of scrap-booking accoutrements, something else I got very excited about doing but never actually started yet. But I will. One day.
Next to these are the greetings card kits and accessories. Ditto to the above.
Then there are the patchwork squares - yes, all in good time. Hundreds of scraps of wool which I know will come in handy for making toys (who for?) socks (I did make one pair but haven't got around to making any more), and blankets. Well, yes. The blankets I do make squares for from time to time.
Anyway, back to the point of this post.
This morning I picked up my Advantage Card from the Intermarché. I got fed up with telling them I didn't have one and let the lady complete the form for me the other day. So, having checked the little booklet to see what I could earn money on this month, I went shopping.
The little booklet tells you that you can get money back on all sorts of things from wine to cereals, coffee, toothpaste, rubber gloves, batteries and Y-fronts. 'Make up to 160 Euros', it says on the front cover. You can only buy three of each of the items offered but, wow, you could earn a fortune in money back. I must check and see how much you need to spend to get that 160 back again.
As for me? Well, my till receipt tells me that I earned 10 cents on today's shopping plus a bonus of 30 cents for the dozen eggs as listed in the booklet. A total today of 40 cents.
Must try harder.
Yesterday's weather: still sunny, still cold
When we left the UK I swore I would never again have a wallet full of loyalty cards. Nectar card, Tesco Club Card, WH Smith card, hotel loyalty card, car rental loyalty card and on and on. I never had them with me when I needed them so missed out on loads of advantages (not). Admittedly Nectar points boosted the drinks cabinet every Christmas but I still have the obscure liqueurs I bought three years ago. They sit at the back of the cupboard unopened and unloved.
You see, a liqueur is just for Christmas, not for life, and I was going through a cocktail making phase that probably only lasted about 6 months.
In my 'treasure chest', an old pine tool chest made by my great grandfather I have a collection of scrap-booking accoutrements, something else I got very excited about doing but never actually started yet. But I will. One day.
Next to these are the greetings card kits and accessories. Ditto to the above.
Then there are the patchwork squares - yes, all in good time. Hundreds of scraps of wool which I know will come in handy for making toys (who for?) socks (I did make one pair but haven't got around to making any more), and blankets. Well, yes. The blankets I do make squares for from time to time.
Anyway, back to the point of this post.
This morning I picked up my Advantage Card from the Intermarché. I got fed up with telling them I didn't have one and let the lady complete the form for me the other day. So, having checked the little booklet to see what I could earn money on this month, I went shopping.
The little booklet tells you that you can get money back on all sorts of things from wine to cereals, coffee, toothpaste, rubber gloves, batteries and Y-fronts. 'Make up to 160 Euros', it says on the front cover. You can only buy three of each of the items offered but, wow, you could earn a fortune in money back. I must check and see how much you need to spend to get that 160 back again.
As for me? Well, my till receipt tells me that I earned 10 cents on today's shopping plus a bonus of 30 cents for the dozen eggs as listed in the booklet. A total today of 40 cents.
Must try harder.
Thursday 8 November 2007
I'm distoybed (with apologies to Sondheim and Bernstein)
St Geoffroy
Yesterday's weather: bright and cold.
We watched a programme last night that has had me thinking ever since, and I'm still not sure what to make of it.
The programme in question was ' George Melly's Last Stand' and was a documentary programme about the jazz singer's last few months before his death, in July, of dementia and lung cancer. I was never a fan of Melly, whose style of jazz never appealed and I found the programme last night rather disturbing but I don't know why I should have found it so. In an effort to find out a little more about him today, I came across a very well written obituary in the Independent. This man lead the most incredible life and I will try to read more about him, perhaps that will help me to work out why I found last night's programme so disturbing.
Whilst searching the internet this morning I found an even more disturbing website. Forgive me if you have already come across this one, but it was certainly new to me. Deathlist is the most macabre website. The committee of which elects, and names on 1 January each year, the 50 famous people that they expect to die during the coming 12 months.
Talk about the Grim Reaper.
Luckily they don't seem to have much success as their record is only 14 of their expected 50 dying in one year (2003 if you are really interested), so hopefully anyone who finds their name on the list shouldn't be too concerned that it is the kiss of death, so to speak.
And to be honest, including Fidel Castro and Ariel Sharon for 2007 would have been a pretty good bet but of course they only have 8 weeks to go before the end of the year and they're still with us.
---
Yesterday Jon discovered a blog that speaks the absolute truth about policing in the UK today. Written with a brilliant sense of humour and a mistreatment of political correctness that will get him in trouble if anyone discovers who he is Police, Camera, Paperwork says it all and is well worth bookmarking.
We just wish we had the nerve to say it all ourselves!
Yesterday's weather: bright and cold.
We watched a programme last night that has had me thinking ever since, and I'm still not sure what to make of it.
The programme in question was ' George Melly's Last Stand' and was a documentary programme about the jazz singer's last few months before his death, in July, of dementia and lung cancer. I was never a fan of Melly, whose style of jazz never appealed and I found the programme last night rather disturbing but I don't know why I should have found it so. In an effort to find out a little more about him today, I came across a very well written obituary in the Independent. This man lead the most incredible life and I will try to read more about him, perhaps that will help me to work out why I found last night's programme so disturbing.
Whilst searching the internet this morning I found an even more disturbing website. Forgive me if you have already come across this one, but it was certainly new to me. Deathlist is the most macabre website. The committee of which elects, and names on 1 January each year, the 50 famous people that they expect to die during the coming 12 months.
Talk about the Grim Reaper.
Luckily they don't seem to have much success as their record is only 14 of their expected 50 dying in one year (2003 if you are really interested), so hopefully anyone who finds their name on the list shouldn't be too concerned that it is the kiss of death, so to speak.
And to be honest, including Fidel Castro and Ariel Sharon for 2007 would have been a pretty good bet but of course they only have 8 weeks to go before the end of the year and they're still with us.
---
Yesterday Jon discovered a blog that speaks the absolute truth about policing in the UK today. Written with a brilliant sense of humour and a mistreatment of political correctness that will get him in trouble if anyone discovers who he is Police, Camera, Paperwork says it all and is well worth bookmarking.
We just wish we had the nerve to say it all ourselves!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
