Summer in the Lot

First things first
We've been here for nearly 5 months now. We just can't believe where the time has disappeared to. We are gradually getting used to living in the house rather than just visiting and daily we have new ideas about where to live, sleep (we've changed bedroom) and what to do with the garden, loft and kitchen.

At last, summer has (officially if not obviously) arrived. So today the temperature has dropped to a cool 19 degrees. The overnight rain at least saved me from having to water the tomatoes, courgettes and other plants.

After two very late nights we are relaxing in the study this morning and here is my first attempt at blogging. Please bear with me, I'll do my best to update it as often as I can.


Momentous decision
We have decided to install a swimming pool. It is an expensive option but one, we are assured and convinced, that will be a great asset to our lives out here. Apparently this area of France has the largest number of pools and we can understand why. Firstly we are at least 3 hours from the sea and on a hot day who wants to sit in the car that long? Secondly it does get very hot here, OK not this year so far, but generally you can count on several weeks of temperatures way over 30 degrees.

Are we enjoying our retirement?
Yes, yes and yes. How many people used to ask us what on earth we would do with our time without getting up and going to work every day. Well we seem to be able to fill it very nicely thank you. Every day is busy. There are many jobs, big and small to get on with and we are never idle. Well on a hot day between midday and 4pm it is impossible to get on with any gardening, DIY or anything else much so we are catching up on some reading (I'm sure that Waterstones in Guildford are missing my custom already). Over the last few years we stockpiled novels, autobiographies and reference books as well as craft supplies (not that I've had time for that).

If we miss anything it is friends and family but we are making new friends here and are really enjoying each other's company too.

Cat blog
Jazz is thinking about writing her own blog too but she thinks she is just too busy at the moment. Well the farmer cut the field yesterday and there are so many newly discovered mouse holes to explore that she just doesn't have time. Misty won't consider a blog, it would interfere with her duty sitting under the fig tree pretending to be a guard cat (Actually, we were amazed the other week when she actually saw off a Rottweiler who happened to wander past!), looking out for intruders like the postman and welcoming visitors, as she did the other day when we were out. Unfortunately she couldn't get in the kitchen to make them a cup of tea, but we know that she would have if she could. Figgy won't be blogging either, that's a girly thing and he's a boy, so there!

Well, my dears, I must now be away. I need to think about lunch, plan supper, check that all the plants are still standing after last night's rain and measure the plot for that swimming pool - shame it won't be installed until 2008.......