St Gatien
Not terribly unusual that I was up early this morning - the unusual thing is that it wasn't because the cats dragged me out of bed. Quite the opposite in fact. Figgy, who has been sleeping on our bed every night for the last week or so since we 'liberated' him from the cattery, was nowhere to be seen.
He crawled in late last night and after a brief kneading of Jon's lap disappeared somewhere in the house and hid.
He didn't stir when I popped down to the kitchen to give him his late night Whiskas kitten food (the only 'wet' food he gets) a ritual he usually loves and waits for.
So when I woke early and he still hadn't stirred I began to worry. As I roused myself, Misty appeared and asked to be let out, so I pottered down to the kitchen at 6am and couldn't be bothered to go back to bed. Figgy finally appeared about 15 minutes later but I still don't know where from.
They've both been out on their usual morning patrol and are back indoors looking for fires, blankets and warm spots.
At 8.30am it is finally just about light. I hate these dark mornings but then in the UK I used to hate the dark evenings. There was nothing worse than going to work in the dark and arriving back home in the dark. If I didn't get out of the office at lunch time it was as if I didn't see the light of day for weeks. Our weather has been very dull for a week now but there is light on the horizon as the forecast for Sunday is sun all day.
We had a good day yesterday. We finally were both fit enough to spend a day insulating the loft, and are very pleased with our progress. The majority of it is now done but the last few sheets will have to wait for a few days.
Why?
Because Jon is now injured again after he fell (and we still don't know how) off the ladder in the loft. Luckily it is nothing more than a nasty bruise and a sprained shoulder and, like a good trooper, he climbed straight back up the ladder to finish the job. Today he will be very sore and probably won't be able to use his arm again for a couple of days, but we do hope he will be able to play the piano for our friends Christmas Party on Sunday afternoon, otherwise the carols will be very dull.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Monday, 15 December 2008
Moving house
Morning, readers.
I've been working on a new project. I've been thinking of moving home - there is a new La Vie En Rose over at Wordpress - please drop in and let me know what you think!
Find my new home here
I will continue to update both blogs until I decide which one to keep going - all old posts can be found on the new one as well as here.
I've been working on a new project. I've been thinking of moving home - there is a new La Vie En Rose over at Wordpress - please drop in and let me know what you think!
Find my new home here
I will continue to update both blogs until I decide which one to keep going - all old posts can be found on the new one as well as here.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Bugs, germs and rolls of insulation
Ste Odile
We both seem to have collected nasty germs during our trip to the UK. Poor Jon has been coughing and sneezing all over the place and I have got some sort of virus which has kept me immobile for days, mostly on my back as the room spins uncontrollably every time I stand up. However, I think we are both on the mend. Which is just as well given the busy fortnight up and coming.
We sadly missed our first Christmas party on Friday due to the bugs which we were very disappointed about, but we did have a very pleasant surprise on Friday morning.
You will recall my numerous moans and groans about slow, late or just vanishing deliveries over here Sarkozyland. Well, in the hunt for insulation materials I came across a website which promised delivery 'in under 48 hours'. Fat chance, we thought, but since we don't have the transport with which to collect 7 rolls of 15 sq m of insulation, we thought we'd give it a go, expecting the stuff to turn up sometime after Christmas.
I placed the order on Wednesday afternoon just before 3pm and had an immediate acknowledgement by e-mail. Nothing very surprising there as these things are usually automated.
On Friday morning the telephone rang at 9.30. I was still struggling myself into a sitting position in bed (it's been taking me a while) so Jon handed the phone to me. It was a delivery company asking for directions so that they could deliver our rolls of insulation. Within 15 minutes the van was at our door, unloaded and paid for.
Wow.
Jon thinks it will take the two of us a couple of days to put it all in place in the loft, so we should be toasty here for Christmas when we have cut out the draft coming down from the roof. Just as soon as I can stand up straight we can get on with it.
Meanwhile my eyes are beginning to work again so I can plan my Christmas Day menu, and my canapes for our friends 'bit of a do' next Sunday, and we can rehearse our turns for the same little party. Jon has been asked to play carols and accompany me and a few other friends. I haven't quite decided what to sing yet though.
The weather has been rather chilly this week but now it has started to rain. We hope we don't get quite as much rain as the UK has had this weekend, we don't want a repeat of last years' floods, thank you very much.
We both seem to have collected nasty germs during our trip to the UK. Poor Jon has been coughing and sneezing all over the place and I have got some sort of virus which has kept me immobile for days, mostly on my back as the room spins uncontrollably every time I stand up. However, I think we are both on the mend. Which is just as well given the busy fortnight up and coming.
We sadly missed our first Christmas party on Friday due to the bugs which we were very disappointed about, but we did have a very pleasant surprise on Friday morning.
You will recall my numerous moans and groans about slow, late or just vanishing deliveries over here Sarkozyland. Well, in the hunt for insulation materials I came across a website which promised delivery 'in under 48 hours'. Fat chance, we thought, but since we don't have the transport with which to collect 7 rolls of 15 sq m of insulation, we thought we'd give it a go, expecting the stuff to turn up sometime after Christmas.
I placed the order on Wednesday afternoon just before 3pm and had an immediate acknowledgement by e-mail. Nothing very surprising there as these things are usually automated.
On Friday morning the telephone rang at 9.30. I was still struggling myself into a sitting position in bed (it's been taking me a while) so Jon handed the phone to me. It was a delivery company asking for directions so that they could deliver our rolls of insulation. Within 15 minutes the van was at our door, unloaded and paid for.
Wow.
Jon thinks it will take the two of us a couple of days to put it all in place in the loft, so we should be toasty here for Christmas when we have cut out the draft coming down from the roof. Just as soon as I can stand up straight we can get on with it.
Meanwhile my eyes are beginning to work again so I can plan my Christmas Day menu, and my canapes for our friends 'bit of a do' next Sunday, and we can rehearse our turns for the same little party. Jon has been asked to play carols and accompany me and a few other friends. I haven't quite decided what to sing yet though.
The weather has been rather chilly this week but now it has started to rain. We hope we don't get quite as much rain as the UK has had this weekend, we don't want a repeat of last years' floods, thank you very much.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Friends and Family
Ste Guadalupe
'You're back!' - friends seem pleased to see us. 'How did it go, how are you?'
That's a difficult one to answer.
We're pleased to be home, no doubt about it. There's nothing as good as your own bed, having the cats back home (they are truly grumpy about their own 'holiday'), being in your own home and knowing where everything is, a log fire, open spaces... I could continue.
We are pleased to be away from the heat of England. No, don't get me wrong, there wasn't a freak heatwave over there last weekend, quite the opposite, but we are used to the chill of our own home and the sharp French winter we're experiencing, and find everywhere in the UK from homes to shops to public transport, theatres, restaurants, even the Royal Festival Hall where we stopped for a five minute 'culture break' on Saturday evening, just very warm and slightly oppressive at times. Should you keep the coat on or off? Would you need a scarf, gloves or a tee-shirt and shorts?
However.
There's always a 'however', we had a wonderful time with family and friends. Lots of lovely cuddles with our grandsons, seeing the 'Sisters, and the Cousins and the Aunts' (no we didn't go to a G&S production), the mothers, the in-laws, the brother, the father. We can't deny that there's a pang of guilt, much sadness and a few tears when we say our goodbyes at the end of a visit. And, of course, with a 'split' family, Midlands and South, we didn't manage to see two of our daughters and granddaughter this time round.
We met up with friends that we haven't seen for two years, including some from overseas who happened to be in the UK at the same time as us. We didn't get the chance to have a long chat with all of them but it was good to see them 'in the flesh' and all looking so well.
We celebrated a 'virtual' New Years' Eve with the friends who were here in October for a 'virtual' Christmas, and sang the 'New Year' in with a verse of Auld Lang Syne.
We spent Saturday in London walking the traffic-free Regents Street and side roads, paying a visit to one of our favourite shops dedicated to musical theatre, The Dress Circle. We had a very nice lunch in Charing Cross Road at a new (to us) restaurant Med Kitchen, and later, after a visit to the fantastic show La Cage Aux Folles. The show was just amazing, even though we were sitting in the cheap seats on the 'mantlepiece' as one of the actors called it. It's one I've wanted to see for years so I was very glad we managed to fit it in.
On Sunday my (exhausted) sister entertained as many family and some friends, as she could fit into her house to lunch. We had a lovely time catching up with siblings and cousins and even recreated a few photos of ourselves as children, although the clothes and hair were not quite the same - my brother having been photographed in 1963 in a pair of short tartan trews!!! - Such a shame we couldn't find a pair to fit him again.
We are both grateful to everyone who made our trip home such a success, to friends for putting themselves out and finding time to meet up with us however briefly, to family for coming to see us on Sunday and especially to my sister Anne, my Mum and daughter #3, Lizzie for feeding, driving and entertaining us so well.
I know you're all exhausted, so we promise not to do it too often. Unfortunately!
Don't forget all. We're open for bookings for 2009!
PS - If you are wondering where the photos are. They are in my camera. Which is in my sister's house. Ooops!
'You're back!' - friends seem pleased to see us. 'How did it go, how are you?'
That's a difficult one to answer.
We're pleased to be home, no doubt about it. There's nothing as good as your own bed, having the cats back home (they are truly grumpy about their own 'holiday'), being in your own home and knowing where everything is, a log fire, open spaces... I could continue.
We are pleased to be away from the heat of England. No, don't get me wrong, there wasn't a freak heatwave over there last weekend, quite the opposite, but we are used to the chill of our own home and the sharp French winter we're experiencing, and find everywhere in the UK from homes to shops to public transport, theatres, restaurants, even the Royal Festival Hall where we stopped for a five minute 'culture break' on Saturday evening, just very warm and slightly oppressive at times. Should you keep the coat on or off? Would you need a scarf, gloves or a tee-shirt and shorts?
However.
There's always a 'however', we had a wonderful time with family and friends. Lots of lovely cuddles with our grandsons, seeing the 'Sisters, and the Cousins and the Aunts' (no we didn't go to a G&S production), the mothers, the in-laws, the brother, the father. We can't deny that there's a pang of guilt, much sadness and a few tears when we say our goodbyes at the end of a visit. And, of course, with a 'split' family, Midlands and South, we didn't manage to see two of our daughters and granddaughter this time round.
We met up with friends that we haven't seen for two years, including some from overseas who happened to be in the UK at the same time as us. We didn't get the chance to have a long chat with all of them but it was good to see them 'in the flesh' and all looking so well.
We celebrated a 'virtual' New Years' Eve with the friends who were here in October for a 'virtual' Christmas, and sang the 'New Year' in with a verse of Auld Lang Syne.
We spent Saturday in London walking the traffic-free Regents Street and side roads, paying a visit to one of our favourite shops dedicated to musical theatre, The Dress Circle. We had a very nice lunch in Charing Cross Road at a new (to us) restaurant Med Kitchen, and later, after a visit to the fantastic show La Cage Aux Folles. The show was just amazing, even though we were sitting in the cheap seats on the 'mantlepiece' as one of the actors called it. It's one I've wanted to see for years so I was very glad we managed to fit it in.
On Sunday my (exhausted) sister entertained as many family and some friends, as she could fit into her house to lunch. We had a lovely time catching up with siblings and cousins and even recreated a few photos of ourselves as children, although the clothes and hair were not quite the same - my brother having been photographed in 1963 in a pair of short tartan trews!!! - Such a shame we couldn't find a pair to fit him again.
We are both grateful to everyone who made our trip home such a success, to friends for putting themselves out and finding time to meet up with us however briefly, to family for coming to see us on Sunday and especially to my sister Anne, my Mum and daughter #3, Lizzie for feeding, driving and entertaining us so well.
I know you're all exhausted, so we promise not to do it too often. Unfortunately!
Don't forget all. We're open for bookings for 2009!
PS - If you are wondering where the photos are. They are in my camera. Which is in my sister's house. Ooops!
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Seeing the light of day
St Saturnin
Ooops
Don't worry, it's not serious.
On Thursday our builder friend arrived to start work on the Velux windows. We knew that it would be one day's work per window. He was still with us at 6.45pm on Thursday evening.
This was the state of play on Friday morning.
Luckily he had a better day and had completed window number two by 4pm.
Over lunch on Thursday we reminded him that we would be going away for a few days next week, but not to worry, we could leave him a key.
Oh no. He wanted to finish it all before the rain comes on Monday.
I was amazed actually at his faith in Mr Meteo's predictions. As you all know we have very little faith in his accuracy and have virutally given up even looking more than a few hours ahead these days. Our friend, however had seen that rain was forecast for Monday and that was that.
He returned this morning at what seemed like first light (we are not early risers these days and as it was the third day on the trot we were feeling a little jaded). He has been working away all day and finished in the middle of the afternoon.
It was just as well because as he finished his cuppa and slipped our rather large cheque into his back pocket this happened.........
I don't think he had seen THAT coming on Mr Meteo!!!
Ooops
Don't worry, it's not serious.
On Thursday our builder friend arrived to start work on the Velux windows. We knew that it would be one day's work per window. He was still with us at 6.45pm on Thursday evening.
This was the state of play on Friday morning.
Luckily he had a better day and had completed window number two by 4pm.
Over lunch on Thursday we reminded him that we would be going away for a few days next week, but not to worry, we could leave him a key.
Oh no. He wanted to finish it all before the rain comes on Monday.
I was amazed actually at his faith in Mr Meteo's predictions. As you all know we have very little faith in his accuracy and have virutally given up even looking more than a few hours ahead these days. Our friend, however had seen that rain was forecast for Monday and that was that.
He returned this morning at what seemed like first light (we are not early risers these days and as it was the third day on the trot we were feeling a little jaded). He has been working away all day and finished in the middle of the afternoon.
It was just as well because as he finished his cuppa and slipped our rather large cheque into his back pocket this happened.........
I don't think he had seen THAT coming on Mr Meteo!!!
Monday, 24 November 2008
One door closes ...
Ste Flora
... and another shuts in your face, as my mother (who will probably deny it) used to say.
This isn't about us. We're doing OK, but our local English bookshop is closing its doors at the end of this year. It's sad to see any business close but it does seem to be a sign of the times as there are 'liquidation totale' signs up in many windows in our local towns. Luckily the reading groups attached to the bookshop have elected to continue, so we will still be getting our reading matter.
Just around the corner from the bookshop, another shop, three times the size, has just opened. This shop is selling English (should really be British) produce, they are taking orders for Christmas turkeys and gammons, they have a supply of clotted cream, Marmite, curry sauces and Walkers crips.
Most of these things are available here if you hunt for them and are prepared to pay the inflated price. We have made do without most of them or found alternatives, but I confess I have ordered myself a Christmas gammon. I asked for the smallest they could supply as it is VERY expensive! As for Marmite, we brought 3 huge jars over a year ago and still have plenty to last us a while. Curry sauces - we make 'em ourselves. Walker's crisps? Far too salty. Clotted cream? I can't remember the last time I had some of that. I'm sure I can live without it though.
... and another shuts in your face, as my mother (who will probably deny it) used to say.
This isn't about us. We're doing OK, but our local English bookshop is closing its doors at the end of this year. It's sad to see any business close but it does seem to be a sign of the times as there are 'liquidation totale' signs up in many windows in our local towns. Luckily the reading groups attached to the bookshop have elected to continue, so we will still be getting our reading matter.
Just around the corner from the bookshop, another shop, three times the size, has just opened. This shop is selling English (should really be British) produce, they are taking orders for Christmas turkeys and gammons, they have a supply of clotted cream, Marmite, curry sauces and Walkers crips.
Most of these things are available here if you hunt for them and are prepared to pay the inflated price. We have made do without most of them or found alternatives, but I confess I have ordered myself a Christmas gammon. I asked for the smallest they could supply as it is VERY expensive! As for Marmite, we brought 3 huge jars over a year ago and still have plenty to last us a while. Curry sauces - we make 'em ourselves. Walker's crisps? Far too salty. Clotted cream? I can't remember the last time I had some of that. I'm sure I can live without it though.
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
A touch of glass
St Tanguy
Did you see what I did there?
Our Velux windows were due for collection today. Being organised (Who said 'that makes a change?' I'll get you later), I decided to call the store yesterday to be sure that they would be there this morning.
Automated machine tells me to make my selection. That was easy 'Press one to verify the status of your order'.
Thank you. 'Please hold and you will be transferred to the relevant department'.
Goodie.
'Please enter the 10 digit order number'.
OK. Done that.
'Your order number is 1234567890. Press 1 for correct, press 2 to re-enter'
Pressed 1.
'Your order is not available. Good bye'
What? 'Hold on, I want to talk to someone'
Disconnected.
Tried again. Exactly the same thing, no option to talk to a human being.
So I thought I'd look at the website and see if that was any more helpful. Oh yes it was. I entered the the number of the first order. 'Your order is not yet available'. Tried the other order 'Your order is not yet available'. The website told me that the order was expected to be available today but I believe nothing.
You can therefore imagine my surprise when I went through the whole rigmarole again today only to learn that my order IS available. Lovely. My chauffeur collected me, drove me to the store, we collected the windows and brought them home.
As I felt we were on a winning roll, I suggested that this afternoon we try for the fifth time (no exaggeration) to purchase two pieces of glass, one for a small window in the loft and the other to replace the glass in our 'bullseye' window through which gales howl even on a still day.
My chauffeur from this morning had suggested a little shop which we had never been to before. It is slightly out of town and seemed to be a wallpaper and ceramic tile shop. However we thought it worth a try.
A very nice young man asked if he could help us as soon as we entered the shop. Did he cut glass for windows? Certainly he did. We gave him the measurements and were told to go shopping for an hour.
An hour later we returned, were given to pieces of, not unsubstantial, glass and charged the princely sum of 5 Euros and 5 centimes. Wow! The same glass in the UK would have cost me at least 20 quid!
Now we have to wait for our builder friend to come and fit the Velux, hopefully next week, and meanwhile Jon will be learning how to make window frames for the two 'awkward' windows.
Did you see what I did there?
Our Velux windows were due for collection today. Being organised (Who said 'that makes a change?' I'll get you later), I decided to call the store yesterday to be sure that they would be there this morning.
Automated machine tells me to make my selection. That was easy 'Press one to verify the status of your order'.
Thank you. 'Please hold and you will be transferred to the relevant department'.
Goodie.
'Please enter the 10 digit order number'.
OK. Done that.
'Your order number is 1234567890. Press 1 for correct, press 2 to re-enter'
Pressed 1.
'Your order is not available. Good bye'
What? 'Hold on, I want to talk to someone'
Disconnected.
Tried again. Exactly the same thing, no option to talk to a human being.
So I thought I'd look at the website and see if that was any more helpful. Oh yes it was. I entered the the number of the first order. 'Your order is not yet available'. Tried the other order 'Your order is not yet available'. The website told me that the order was expected to be available today but I believe nothing.
You can therefore imagine my surprise when I went through the whole rigmarole again today only to learn that my order IS available. Lovely. My chauffeur collected me, drove me to the store, we collected the windows and brought them home.
As I felt we were on a winning roll, I suggested that this afternoon we try for the fifth time (no exaggeration) to purchase two pieces of glass, one for a small window in the loft and the other to replace the glass in our 'bullseye' window through which gales howl even on a still day.
My chauffeur from this morning had suggested a little shop which we had never been to before. It is slightly out of town and seemed to be a wallpaper and ceramic tile shop. However we thought it worth a try.
A very nice young man asked if he could help us as soon as we entered the shop. Did he cut glass for windows? Certainly he did. We gave him the measurements and were told to go shopping for an hour.
An hour later we returned, were given to pieces of, not unsubstantial, glass and charged the princely sum of 5 Euros and 5 centimes. Wow! The same glass in the UK would have cost me at least 20 quid!
Now we have to wait for our builder friend to come and fit the Velux, hopefully next week, and meanwhile Jon will be learning how to make window frames for the two 'awkward' windows.
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