31 December 2009
I suppose there comes a time for every parent on New Year's Eve that they find themselves saying things like 'Now, be careful out there, especially on the roads, there's bound to be some drunk drivers around. And don't drink too much yourselves either. And look out for your friends, don't do anything silly, especially if you end up in the town centre, there'll still be traffic around. And wrap up warm, of course you need a jumper, so what if it's warm inside, it'll be cold outside. And make sure you take your phone, call me if you need a lift, I'll come and get you, no I don't mind what time it is, I'd rather you were safe (so long as you don't puke in the car). No I'm not nagging, I just care about your welfare, I was young once you know, I know what it's all about'. And so on and so forth. And this is my parents I'm talking to, not my girls, they're too young yet to be off out like that. Oh yes, we're parents of young children so we get to spend the night in with a bottle of Baileys and Jools Holland for company while the old folk get to go out galavanting with the local geriatic ex-pat population. Happy New Year everybody.
New Year's Resolutions
I never make New Year's resolutions. Ever. Complete waste of time, I'm sure they only serve to depress people more because they can't keep them, they are always far too ambitious and so on and so forth. In fact, I don't think I've ever made a New Year's resolution in my life.
Here are this years:
1) Manage the finances better. I have improved, but could do better. Apparently, the best way to stop spending money on uneccesary items is to keep a record of absolutely everything you buy, down to the last centime. Which of course I will start with immediate effect from tomorrow.
2) Get back into the 'Get fit before 40' campaign.
Actually, what I like to do at New Year is look back over the previous year and think of all the new things I have done/acheived/whathaveyou during the past 12 months, however, small. I always think that I'll never think of anything, but so far I always have. It's good to try/do new things.
Things I can think of so far for this year are:
Wrote and published a website for the business in french.
Wrote another advert for a european site in french.
Grew my own fruit and veg.
Had record year for bookings.
Helped out on school trips.
Made pastry which I then made into pies and quiches. I know that I did this back in the days when I was at school, but that was a very long time ago, so this therefore counts as 'new' thing to have done.
Managed to get myself estranged from at least two, possibly three people (on two different occasions). It's my natural charm.
On a separate note, I've gone back into the gites to start painting again. Partly because we need to get back to work and partly because all I can hear in the house is 'Miley Cyrus' (Isabella got some cd's for christmas) and I need a break and the opportunity to play something decent. (If you must know, Stereophonics was my cure of choice today).
The Dell advert has just been on tv. Is it me or does it feature a pink dog poo?
Here are this years:
1) Manage the finances better. I have improved, but could do better. Apparently, the best way to stop spending money on uneccesary items is to keep a record of absolutely everything you buy, down to the last centime. Which of course I will start with immediate effect from tomorrow.
2) Get back into the 'Get fit before 40' campaign.
Actually, what I like to do at New Year is look back over the previous year and think of all the new things I have done/acheived/whathaveyou during the past 12 months, however, small. I always think that I'll never think of anything, but so far I always have. It's good to try/do new things.
Things I can think of so far for this year are:
Wrote and published a website for the business in french.
Wrote another advert for a european site in french.
Grew my own fruit and veg.
Had record year for bookings.
Helped out on school trips.
Made pastry which I then made into pies and quiches. I know that I did this back in the days when I was at school, but that was a very long time ago, so this therefore counts as 'new' thing to have done.
Managed to get myself estranged from at least two, possibly three people (on two different occasions). It's my natural charm.
On a separate note, I've gone back into the gites to start painting again. Partly because we need to get back to work and partly because all I can hear in the house is 'Miley Cyrus' (Isabella got some cd's for christmas) and I need a break and the opportunity to play something decent. (If you must know, Stereophonics was my cure of choice today).
The Dell advert has just been on tv. Is it me or does it feature a pink dog poo?
30 December 2009
This week I have mostly been helping my husband with his diet (by eating everything in sight).
Hope you all had a good christmas. Ours started off very well with a lovely chilled-out morning opening pressies and a good lunch of wild boar and venison. (Actually the dictionary translated it as Doe. As in doe, a deer, a female deer. Well, you have to have a bit of 'The Sound of Music' at christmastime don't you?!). All washed down with lashings of fizz. (wtf does that mean? 'lashings'. Strange word.)
In the interests of saving money, we all had less pressies than previously this year and spent less money. The girls still had a great time though, loved everything they had and Isabella said it was her best christmas ever, she got just what she wanted, it was 'just too much'! Actually, she didn't get half of what was on her list, but we'd have had to have been millionaires for that (it was an incredibly long list).
Just got my new french bank card come through. Had a new english bank card the other day as well. The english card was not 'active' and I was instructed to activate it by going online, logging in with various ID codes and passwords and other secret data and then following various instructions in order to prove who I am and that I have the card in my possession. The french card is not active either. The instructions for activating it are to either: a) withdraw cash from a cash dispenser or b) buy something.
Washing machine repair man turned up by the way. There was a large sequin stuck in one of the filters. (That's what comes from having girls). The other one had a blocked pipe or something. Also had a lecture on not using supermarket brand washing powder or conditioner or even dishwasher cleaning products (Even though he works for the supermarket). Also, washing at low temps wrecks washing machines apparently and I should run a wash through at 90 degrees on a regular basis and not worry about the environment. Oh, and only use powder, not the liquid detergent stuff, even though I thouroughly read the manual before use (in french I might add) and it said I could for clothes, in fact it recommended it. 'Ok, says the repairman, 'but just for dark coloured clothes, nothing else'. He then produced a large book of paperwork for me to sign to confirm I had listened and understood and I will be doing as he says in future. (Remember this is France. We are nothing without paperwork.)
Hope you all had a good christmas. Ours started off very well with a lovely chilled-out morning opening pressies and a good lunch of wild boar and venison. (Actually the dictionary translated it as Doe. As in doe, a deer, a female deer. Well, you have to have a bit of 'The Sound of Music' at christmastime don't you?!). All washed down with lashings of fizz. (wtf does that mean? 'lashings'. Strange word.)
In the interests of saving money, we all had less pressies than previously this year and spent less money. The girls still had a great time though, loved everything they had and Isabella said it was her best christmas ever, she got just what she wanted, it was 'just too much'! Actually, she didn't get half of what was on her list, but we'd have had to have been millionaires for that (it was an incredibly long list).
Just got my new french bank card come through. Had a new english bank card the other day as well. The english card was not 'active' and I was instructed to activate it by going online, logging in with various ID codes and passwords and other secret data and then following various instructions in order to prove who I am and that I have the card in my possession. The french card is not active either. The instructions for activating it are to either: a) withdraw cash from a cash dispenser or b) buy something.
Washing machine repair man turned up by the way. There was a large sequin stuck in one of the filters. (That's what comes from having girls). The other one had a blocked pipe or something. Also had a lecture on not using supermarket brand washing powder or conditioner or even dishwasher cleaning products (Even though he works for the supermarket). Also, washing at low temps wrecks washing machines apparently and I should run a wash through at 90 degrees on a regular basis and not worry about the environment. Oh, and only use powder, not the liquid detergent stuff, even though I thouroughly read the manual before use (in french I might add) and it said I could for clothes, in fact it recommended it. 'Ok, says the repairman, 'but just for dark coloured clothes, nothing else'. He then produced a large book of paperwork for me to sign to confirm I had listened and understood and I will be doing as he says in future. (Remember this is France. We are nothing without paperwork.)
28 December 2009
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23 December 2009
22 December 2009
Just wondering if the washing machine repair man will actually get here tomorrow or not. Finally managed to arrange for someone to come out end of last week, but he didn't make the first appointment due to the bad weather, snow and ice on the roads, plus he had a car accident (excuses). Another appointment made for tommorrow, 'late morningish', changed again today until 'sometime tomorrow afternoon'. Fingers crossed.
The gas man arrived at 8.15am this morning to fill the tank, I was just about awake, but still in bed. (Well it is the school hols). First I knew was that he was on the phone, calling for directions. Turned out he was actually sitting outside our property at that point, however, I didn't know this at the time as our house isn't next to the road. I tell him we're the last house on the left. I hear the truck moving, although it sounds like it's getting further away. Eventually I get dressed and go outside. Truck is at the other end of our hamlet, I can see the lights, but due to fog, that's all. I'm waving frantically at him but he says he can't see me (I'm still on the phone at this point, not telepathically communicating, but it's good to find out that the phone has a long range to it). I'm telling him to move forward and eventually, just feet away, he decides he can see me. By the time his brain registers and puts the brakes on, (it's cold) I'm half under the wheels; lucikly I'm stood in the middle of the truck and go between the wheels and thank god it's not three wheel drive. I crawl out and walk him to very large white tank at the side of our place, right next to the road. I just checked on 'Geoportail' (like google earth, but for france only) and you can even see it on the satellite pics, 100 metres up! Soon I will receive a bill for around about £1000.00 for half a year's worth of gas. Isn't that a cheery christmas greeting?!
If you're interested in looking at our place from above (and why wouldn't you be?!) go to Geoportail.fr and type in the name of our hamlet (not the name of the house) in the first address box ('Addresse') and 'the name of our local town (the one that comes after the postcode) in the second address box ('Nom de la commune'), then click on the button 'J'y vais'. The address will come up in another box, click on it to confirm. Our house is the one at the bottom of the pic on the right hand side as you are looking at it. You can get into 50m away and you can see the pool and the brown roof of the hangar (with aforementioned white tank in front of it), the cottage behind it and then a row of buildings behind that and to the right, which is our house and the gites and the other cottage.
The gas man arrived at 8.15am this morning to fill the tank, I was just about awake, but still in bed. (Well it is the school hols). First I knew was that he was on the phone, calling for directions. Turned out he was actually sitting outside our property at that point, however, I didn't know this at the time as our house isn't next to the road. I tell him we're the last house on the left. I hear the truck moving, although it sounds like it's getting further away. Eventually I get dressed and go outside. Truck is at the other end of our hamlet, I can see the lights, but due to fog, that's all. I'm waving frantically at him but he says he can't see me (I'm still on the phone at this point, not telepathically communicating, but it's good to find out that the phone has a long range to it). I'm telling him to move forward and eventually, just feet away, he decides he can see me. By the time his brain registers and puts the brakes on, (it's cold) I'm half under the wheels; lucikly I'm stood in the middle of the truck and go between the wheels and thank god it's not three wheel drive. I crawl out and walk him to very large white tank at the side of our place, right next to the road. I just checked on 'Geoportail' (like google earth, but for france only) and you can even see it on the satellite pics, 100 metres up! Soon I will receive a bill for around about £1000.00 for half a year's worth of gas. Isn't that a cheery christmas greeting?!
If you're interested in looking at our place from above (and why wouldn't you be?!) go to Geoportail.fr and type in the name of our hamlet (not the name of the house) in the first address box ('Addresse') and 'the name of our local town (the one that comes after the postcode) in the second address box ('Nom de la commune'), then click on the button 'J'y vais'. The address will come up in another box, click on it to confirm. Our house is the one at the bottom of the pic on the right hand side as you are looking at it. You can get into 50m away and you can see the pool and the brown roof of the hangar (with aforementioned white tank in front of it), the cottage behind it and then a row of buildings behind that and to the right, which is our house and the gites and the other cottage.
17 December 2009
More moaning
I waas in two minds to write this, but I need a good rant. I shall warn you now though, that it will be even more depressing and miserable than my usual whinges.
Actually, I'm not entirely sure how I've managed to get out of bed in the mornings this week, everyday more and more crap seems to be happening. I think it may have something to do with the two young girls demanding breakfast. That and the fact that the house is so cold that eventually one of us has to get dressed and go outside and down to the cellar to smack the boiler about to persuade it to come on and start putting some heat out.
Current fun things in my life at the mo (apologies for the repetition):
My shoes have holes in the soles that let in water. Went to buy some new ones on Tuesday. Can only fit into men's shoes, and couldn't even fit into all of them. Managed to get a pair that were on sale, although that doesn't mean cheap over here, just cheaper (slightly). Apparantly they are quite a fashionable label, but to me it just looks like a picture of a couple of naked people sitting on my shoes. Update a few days later: They are also bloody freezing. They do not keep my feet warm and I have resorted back to old shoes with holes because they are warmer.
The car failed it's MOT. The MOT place and the garage said that we have until Feb to get it sorted (date for MOT) and to book it in for beginning of Feb. Driving out the other day, Adrian noticed that the windscreen sticker to show that you have a valid MOT has been removed, which I believe you have to have there by law. Am annoyed, because that could be serious if we got pulled over and why would they say come back in Feb, why not 'you must have it done now, your existing MOT is invalid'. However, have ordered spare parts (£100.00 from uk as opposed to €500,00 for french one) and will get it done asap and hope we don't get stopped in the meantime.
The hot water pipe from one of our boilers froze yesterday so only hot water in certain parts of the house.
The pipes have burst in several places in one of our gites. The one where we have guests coming to stay over Christmas. Adrian and my dad are in the roof space as I type, hopefully fixing it all. Update a few days later: now fixed at a cost of €75,00.
Chased up the repair people for the washing machine. Got an answer phone message saying they couldn't help with anything at the moment, go into the shop where you bought the offending items. Went into the shop, after speaking to three members of staff, (one of whom (spoken to him before actually, he's a complete tosser) actually walked away, off into the staff area and never came back!) who all told me to ring the 'helpline', I finally got someone helpful who sorted out a repair person (coming tomorrow) and even offered me a loan machine (coming this afternoon). I expect the machines will be taken away, never to be seen again, we shall see..... Update a few days later: Loan machine was a top loader so didn't fit under my worktop so had to send it back.
Update: I saved this because at the time I had so much more to say, but now I can't be bothered so I'm just going to post it as it is.
Actually, I'm not entirely sure how I've managed to get out of bed in the mornings this week, everyday more and more crap seems to be happening. I think it may have something to do with the two young girls demanding breakfast. That and the fact that the house is so cold that eventually one of us has to get dressed and go outside and down to the cellar to smack the boiler about to persuade it to come on and start putting some heat out.
Current fun things in my life at the mo (apologies for the repetition):
My shoes have holes in the soles that let in water. Went to buy some new ones on Tuesday. Can only fit into men's shoes, and couldn't even fit into all of them. Managed to get a pair that were on sale, although that doesn't mean cheap over here, just cheaper (slightly). Apparantly they are quite a fashionable label, but to me it just looks like a picture of a couple of naked people sitting on my shoes. Update a few days later: They are also bloody freezing. They do not keep my feet warm and I have resorted back to old shoes with holes because they are warmer.
The car failed it's MOT. The MOT place and the garage said that we have until Feb to get it sorted (date for MOT) and to book it in for beginning of Feb. Driving out the other day, Adrian noticed that the windscreen sticker to show that you have a valid MOT has been removed, which I believe you have to have there by law. Am annoyed, because that could be serious if we got pulled over and why would they say come back in Feb, why not 'you must have it done now, your existing MOT is invalid'. However, have ordered spare parts (£100.00 from uk as opposed to €500,00 for french one) and will get it done asap and hope we don't get stopped in the meantime.
The hot water pipe from one of our boilers froze yesterday so only hot water in certain parts of the house.
The pipes have burst in several places in one of our gites. The one where we have guests coming to stay over Christmas. Adrian and my dad are in the roof space as I type, hopefully fixing it all. Update a few days later: now fixed at a cost of €75,00.
Chased up the repair people for the washing machine. Got an answer phone message saying they couldn't help with anything at the moment, go into the shop where you bought the offending items. Went into the shop, after speaking to three members of staff, (one of whom (spoken to him before actually, he's a complete tosser) actually walked away, off into the staff area and never came back!) who all told me to ring the 'helpline', I finally got someone helpful who sorted out a repair person (coming tomorrow) and even offered me a loan machine (coming this afternoon). I expect the machines will be taken away, never to be seen again, we shall see..... Update a few days later: Loan machine was a top loader so didn't fit under my worktop so had to send it back.
Update: I saved this because at the time I had so much more to say, but now I can't be bothered so I'm just going to post it as it is.
14 December 2009
Fuck Fuck Fuck. I'm sorry, but that's how I feel right now. Car has failed it's MOT. Again. On emmissions. Again. Had to sign a form last time to verify that I understood that the repair would cost so much more than the car was worth. So here we go again. haven't got the money to repair it. Certainly haven't got the money to buy a new one. Can't even afford to buy a bloody pushbike.
11 December 2009
Happy at last....
Today the sun shone! All day. Blue sky everywhere! It's so wonderful I just had to tell you all about it, it's about time I wrote something positive here. Went out this morning running errands and what have you and didn't get wet! Wore my shoes with the holes in and my feet stayed dry! Adrian and I spent the afternoon in the garden and I could have stayed out longer, except the sun was starting to go down and I had to fetch Isabella from school. Adrian planted up most of the spring bulbs and I started to finish up the clearing up jobs from autumn which I've been unable to do because of the bad weather. Unfortunately, as I'm pottering about the garden, all I see is more jobs that need doing..... Hopefully it will be dry again over the weeked and we can get out and get some more things done.
07 December 2009
I'm full of the joys of christmas at the moment.
My washing machine in the house broke down yesterday. Full of washing and water, wouldn't drain or spin, so that was fun getting it all out. Rang the 'after sales enquiry' line. Note that there is no direct translation for 'helpline' in french. Told them about the breakdown and that another washing machine that we have (for the gites) is also leaking water. Both machines bought this year. They took my details but could give me no idea what so ever on when they would get back to me about it, let alone come and fix it. Hence reason why the french have not been able to translate 'helpline' as they are unable to deal with the 'help' part.
The gas tank for the house is at 15% and we are using approx 1% per day during winter, mostly on heating, but you wouldn't know it. A refill costs about €1000,00. Today is 7 December so that'll be empty just in time for Christmas.
There are holes in the bottom of my winter shoes (only pair). It keeps on raining and my feet keep getting wet. I've had them about four years so can't complain I suppose, but can't afford new ones either so I'm going to try a bit of cardboard in the bottom like people did in the old days.
I have no more wine left in the fridge. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Danyl went out in X-factor last night. Not that I necessarily wanted him to win, but he should have been in the final.
There's no chocolate left in the house.
Right front indicator lens has fallen off car. It's having it's MOT next week (not even thinking about that one) and the garage has said it won't pass without one. Have to have a whole new indicator, apparently cannot just buy a lens.
Must have spent a good €40,00 or so in christmas postage so far. So much for spedning less by buying less presents this year (mostly kids only). I'm going to copy my sister-in-law next year and send everyone e-cards. Don't say you weren't forwarned. I could have bought myself a pair of shoes with that money. Well, part of a pair of shoes anyway, this is France. I also hope that you appreciate my warmest seasonal greetings that I'm posting to you this year - think of me in my wet socks as you open your card in your warm, centrally heated home.
Looked in the mirror this morning and saw a line of something on my face, which I thought was make-up (I do put it on occasionally). Tried to rub it away, but it wouldn't go. Closer inspection revealed yet another new wrinkle.
I could easily go on and on. But I think I should probably stop or else I'll lose the few readers I've got.
My washing machine in the house broke down yesterday. Full of washing and water, wouldn't drain or spin, so that was fun getting it all out. Rang the 'after sales enquiry' line. Note that there is no direct translation for 'helpline' in french. Told them about the breakdown and that another washing machine that we have (for the gites) is also leaking water. Both machines bought this year. They took my details but could give me no idea what so ever on when they would get back to me about it, let alone come and fix it. Hence reason why the french have not been able to translate 'helpline' as they are unable to deal with the 'help' part.
The gas tank for the house is at 15% and we are using approx 1% per day during winter, mostly on heating, but you wouldn't know it. A refill costs about €1000,00. Today is 7 December so that'll be empty just in time for Christmas.
There are holes in the bottom of my winter shoes (only pair). It keeps on raining and my feet keep getting wet. I've had them about four years so can't complain I suppose, but can't afford new ones either so I'm going to try a bit of cardboard in the bottom like people did in the old days.
I have no more wine left in the fridge. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Danyl went out in X-factor last night. Not that I necessarily wanted him to win, but he should have been in the final.
There's no chocolate left in the house.
Right front indicator lens has fallen off car. It's having it's MOT next week (not even thinking about that one) and the garage has said it won't pass without one. Have to have a whole new indicator, apparently cannot just buy a lens.
Must have spent a good €40,00 or so in christmas postage so far. So much for spedning less by buying less presents this year (mostly kids only). I'm going to copy my sister-in-law next year and send everyone e-cards. Don't say you weren't forwarned. I could have bought myself a pair of shoes with that money. Well, part of a pair of shoes anyway, this is France. I also hope that you appreciate my warmest seasonal greetings that I'm posting to you this year - think of me in my wet socks as you open your card in your warm, centrally heated home.
Looked in the mirror this morning and saw a line of something on my face, which I thought was make-up (I do put it on occasionally). Tried to rub it away, but it wouldn't go. Closer inspection revealed yet another new wrinkle.
I could easily go on and on. But I think I should probably stop or else I'll lose the few readers I've got.
06 December 2009
Well, we made it to the Christmas market, the sun actually came out for a while, so off we went. It was in a tiny little village and was all in all quite pleasant, nice stuff on the stalls, although quite pricey, so didn't buy anything except a cake each for the girls and coffee for my parents.
There was a large church in the middle of it all, and Isabella is often asking me to take her into a church (possibly because there's so many of them over here, must want to know what it's all about). Well religion is not for us, but I had been thinking it was probably about time she started to learn about the origins of Christmas (they don't learn about it at school as state schools are secular), so I said we'd go in and have a look at the nativity display they were advertising. As we were waiting in the queue I gave her a brief overview of what the display would be about. We got near to the display and were herded into a group to hear a little talk, I thought 'oh good, he's going to tell us about the display' - ie about the nativity and I instructed Isabella to listen. Well he did tell us all about the display. He droned on for a good ten minutes, in french, in his best Nigel Mansell voice (very monotone) all about how he made the display, starting from when he started it in October. Snooze fest. Finally we were free to have a closer look, and there it was, very pretty, very well done, three wise men, farm animals, even water running off the roof of the stable, and in the centre Mary and Joseph looking longingly into the crib. However, I must say we were a bit disappointed by the lack of the baby Jesus. I was always taught that he was the star of the show (with the exception of the star of course), but perhaps things have changed since then.
Funnily enough, I was cutting up an apple for the girls earlier today when I found that the stalk had somehow grown inwards and was completely inside the apple, to which Adrian responded that it was the face of Jesus in the apple (eh?). Now he's saying it was prophecy and talking of which, don't I know that the stalk always brings the baby. In his dreams.
There was a large church in the middle of it all, and Isabella is often asking me to take her into a church (possibly because there's so many of them over here, must want to know what it's all about). Well religion is not for us, but I had been thinking it was probably about time she started to learn about the origins of Christmas (they don't learn about it at school as state schools are secular), so I said we'd go in and have a look at the nativity display they were advertising. As we were waiting in the queue I gave her a brief overview of what the display would be about. We got near to the display and were herded into a group to hear a little talk, I thought 'oh good, he's going to tell us about the display' - ie about the nativity and I instructed Isabella to listen. Well he did tell us all about the display. He droned on for a good ten minutes, in french, in his best Nigel Mansell voice (very monotone) all about how he made the display, starting from when he started it in October. Snooze fest. Finally we were free to have a closer look, and there it was, very pretty, very well done, three wise men, farm animals, even water running off the roof of the stable, and in the centre Mary and Joseph looking longingly into the crib. However, I must say we were a bit disappointed by the lack of the baby Jesus. I was always taught that he was the star of the show (with the exception of the star of course), but perhaps things have changed since then.
Funnily enough, I was cutting up an apple for the girls earlier today when I found that the stalk had somehow grown inwards and was completely inside the apple, to which Adrian responded that it was the face of Jesus in the apple (eh?). Now he's saying it was prophecy and talking of which, don't I know that the stalk always brings the baby. In his dreams.
Why does it always rain on me? Will it ever stop? It's just relentless. Supposed to be going to a Christmas market today, but if it doesn't all let up soon, that won't be happening.
Decorated the house yesterday. There are no decorations on the lower half of the tree as the cat thinks they are toys and ends up pulling the tree over. Mind you, at one point I had to extract her from the branches half way up. The tree is in the kitchen this year, where the cat gets to spend the night, so no doubt we'll be picking it up off the floor every morning (the tree, not the cat).
X-factor - Olly to go this week, IMHO. Cheryl - sack the designer - last week she looked liked a half unwrapped Ferrero Rocher. Last night she looked as though someone had ripped half her dress off just before going on stage, too late to do anything about it, she clearly decided to appear like that and pretend it's fashion. Plus far too many dresses that have clearly been made out of old lampshades. And no, I'm not jealous just because I currently spend my days in thermals and old clothes covered in paint stains.
Decorated the house yesterday. There are no decorations on the lower half of the tree as the cat thinks they are toys and ends up pulling the tree over. Mind you, at one point I had to extract her from the branches half way up. The tree is in the kitchen this year, where the cat gets to spend the night, so no doubt we'll be picking it up off the floor every morning (the tree, not the cat).
X-factor - Olly to go this week, IMHO. Cheryl - sack the designer - last week she looked liked a half unwrapped Ferrero Rocher. Last night she looked as though someone had ripped half her dress off just before going on stage, too late to do anything about it, she clearly decided to appear like that and pretend it's fashion. Plus far too many dresses that have clearly been made out of old lampshades. And no, I'm not jealous just because I currently spend my days in thermals and old clothes covered in paint stains.
02 December 2009
Christmas!!!
Am all excited because 'Norad tracks santa' is back on line! http://www.noradsanta.org/
A comment from Adrian
Jedward's new look - 'Reservoir Puppies'.
How many times can you reinvent crap? They should be taken to the vets and put down quietly (you wouldn't want them to be able to let out a substandard vocal). (He's on a roll now, I'm switching off).
How many times can you reinvent crap? They should be taken to the vets and put down quietly (you wouldn't want them to be able to let out a substandard vocal). (He's on a roll now, I'm switching off).
29 November 2009
I think I'm going to have to give up facebook from now until at least the new year. Not that I do much on it myself, but it's good to be nosey and see what other folk are getting up to from time to time. Unfortunately, these days, all I seem to get when I log on is stuff about people going to the mall and shopping, for themselves, for christmas, anything really and it's getting me down a bit now. I'm not normally a jealous person, but bombarded with other people's shopping sprees is turning me near insane with envy.
Actually, we're planning on a trip to our nearest shopping 'mall' on Wednesday (an hour's drive away). Although I use the term 'mall' in the broadest sense, it's not exactly cribbs causeway. Really just a few shops with a roof over the space between them. At one end there's Ikea and at the other a large supermarket. In between there's several restaurants and lots of small expensive clothes shops that I wouldn't fit into anyway (the clothes, not the shops). There's also a small garden centre with a section selling gravestones for dead pets. There's a very large old-fashioned carousel which is in the middle of it all and therefore impossible to avoid (In the middle of the mall, not the dead pet section). Naturally the girls love it and we don't get any peace until they've been on it at €2,50 per ride each. It also happens to be next to Mcdonalds, which is not a cheap eat out in this country (two happy meals, two 'best of' menus and three deserts, not much change from €30,00. We don't go there when we go to the mall). It's always a great day out!
I did have a lovely little story to tell you right now, in fact I was half-way through writing it when my dear husband came in a censored it, so I can't. I'm just letting you know because I'm bitterly disappointed and now I shall have to go and eat chocolate in front of him (he's on a diet. Actually he's doing very well, wish I had his discipline).
What shall I talk about then? The weather maybe? It's really shit at the moment, just keeps raining. It even got quite stormy last night and one of our trees fell down, so that'll be a bit of firewood to go the with other bits we collected. Anyway, x-factor is on now, so I'm off to shout at the tv for an hour.
Actually, we're planning on a trip to our nearest shopping 'mall' on Wednesday (an hour's drive away). Although I use the term 'mall' in the broadest sense, it's not exactly cribbs causeway. Really just a few shops with a roof over the space between them. At one end there's Ikea and at the other a large supermarket. In between there's several restaurants and lots of small expensive clothes shops that I wouldn't fit into anyway (the clothes, not the shops). There's also a small garden centre with a section selling gravestones for dead pets. There's a very large old-fashioned carousel which is in the middle of it all and therefore impossible to avoid (In the middle of the mall, not the dead pet section). Naturally the girls love it and we don't get any peace until they've been on it at €2,50 per ride each. It also happens to be next to Mcdonalds, which is not a cheap eat out in this country (two happy meals, two 'best of' menus and three deserts, not much change from €30,00. We don't go there when we go to the mall). It's always a great day out!
I did have a lovely little story to tell you right now, in fact I was half-way through writing it when my dear husband came in a censored it, so I can't. I'm just letting you know because I'm bitterly disappointed and now I shall have to go and eat chocolate in front of him (he's on a diet. Actually he's doing very well, wish I had his discipline).
What shall I talk about then? The weather maybe? It's really shit at the moment, just keeps raining. It even got quite stormy last night and one of our trees fell down, so that'll be a bit of firewood to go the with other bits we collected. Anyway, x-factor is on now, so I'm off to shout at the tv for an hour.
23 November 2009
still painting
I think I mentioned a couple of days ago in my rant about french paint, that some of it has a tendancy to be like milk. Well, you'd think that we'd have learnt by now, but no, we have not. I started painting some woodwork. Oh yes, we had bought a very expensive tin of milk (€37,00 for 2.5L). How we did that, I have no idea. It was water-based satin, and we know that we should get oil-based. Luckily, we had a bit of oil-based left in another tin, so I carried on with that. The milk will have to be used for future touch-ups/freshen-ups. I can't believe that someone thought that it would be a good idea to manufacture and sell such rubbish. But then again, I can't believe that we managed to buy it again. On the subject of painting, the blue that came out considerably darker than expected, will be changed. We've bought another tin of (hopefully) lighter blue, although we haven't opened it yet to check. Fingers crossed it's ok, we can't afford to buy any more.
We're not going to change the kitchen in the gite yet either, we're going to hold off until New Year and see how the money situation is. It's a bit scary spending several week's worth of food when you might have no money left within six weeks. It really does need changing, it would make a great improvement in the gite, but then again, I also need to feed my family. I think the kids might want some christmas pressies as well.
We're off down to Nantes tomorrow, Isabella is having lunch at school and Georgia's on a school trip, so doesn't need picking up until 1.30pm, which mum has said she will do. It's a bit of a trip for us (an hour's drive away!) being semi-hermit like these days (I know what you're saying 'what do you mean, 'these days!?'). Anyway, it was my dear hubby's birthday today and he's not getting any younger so I agreed that he (and I) could go and look at motorbike shops in Nantes. He's really looking forward to it.
We're not going to change the kitchen in the gite yet either, we're going to hold off until New Year and see how the money situation is. It's a bit scary spending several week's worth of food when you might have no money left within six weeks. It really does need changing, it would make a great improvement in the gite, but then again, I also need to feed my family. I think the kids might want some christmas pressies as well.
We're off down to Nantes tomorrow, Isabella is having lunch at school and Georgia's on a school trip, so doesn't need picking up until 1.30pm, which mum has said she will do. It's a bit of a trip for us (an hour's drive away!) being semi-hermit like these days (I know what you're saying 'what do you mean, 'these days!?'). Anyway, it was my dear hubby's birthday today and he's not getting any younger so I agreed that he (and I) could go and look at motorbike shops in Nantes. He's really looking forward to it.
18 November 2009
I had a bright idea this week; like all my ideas there has turned out to be a downside to it, not properly thought out as usual.
We have been trying to think of something to get Isabella for christmas, but not really getting anywhere (although she wants everything she sees, of course). Then I had an inspired thought that she might like a cd player for her room. Had an optimistic look around the shops, prices starting at €60,00 for 'girl's' (ie pink) cd players (in the kiddies sections). After picking myself up off the floor, tried to regain my dignity and staggered off to the proper electrical departments. Ugly old things for sale and not much cheaper. I thought perhaps she could have it as a joint present from a few people, not much to open on the day, but what else to do?
Then I had my brain wave. We have little stereos in all of the gites. To be quite honest they are French and most of them a bit crap. This year we are putting dvd players in all the gites so we are going to be removing the stereos as people can get radio through the tv and play their cds on the dvd players. So I thought, why not let her have one of the stereos that we already have and will only be sitting around gathering dust? Wouldn't matter so much if she broke it and no money wasted if she never used it. First one I got out of the gite didn't actually work (told you they're crap) and has gone in the bin. Good start. Went into another gite, I think the stereo in there must be quite new, it's small and has a little blue lcd display and really easy to use buttons and she loves it.
And there in lies the flaw in my plan. She loves it so much she keeps playing cds on it. She gets up, she puts it on. She comes home from school for lunch, she puts it on. She comes home in the evening, she puts it on. Not just the constant playing, but she has discovered Boyzone (Adrian's, not mine I hasten to add. Keith Moon will be turning in his grave). She's also learnt how to use the 'repeat' button. Repeatedly. I'm also listening to Mary Poppins, Mama Mia (Georgia's favourite) and 'Junior Choice - fun songs for kids' on a frequent basis these days.
Actually, it's quite nice really, I'm pleased that she's using it and enjoying it (plus it's saved a fair bit of money) although I am going to have to try to give her a proper musical education and get some decent stuff into her collection. And I shouldn't complain really, in a few years time, it'll be French pop and there's nothing worse than that! Did you know they use it to torture British citizens in France? It's true, they play it on the radio all day and night. British folk are warned at immigration not to tune in or they'll go mad.
We have been trying to think of something to get Isabella for christmas, but not really getting anywhere (although she wants everything she sees, of course). Then I had an inspired thought that she might like a cd player for her room. Had an optimistic look around the shops, prices starting at €60,00 for 'girl's' (ie pink) cd players (in the kiddies sections). After picking myself up off the floor, tried to regain my dignity and staggered off to the proper electrical departments. Ugly old things for sale and not much cheaper. I thought perhaps she could have it as a joint present from a few people, not much to open on the day, but what else to do?
Then I had my brain wave. We have little stereos in all of the gites. To be quite honest they are French and most of them a bit crap. This year we are putting dvd players in all the gites so we are going to be removing the stereos as people can get radio through the tv and play their cds on the dvd players. So I thought, why not let her have one of the stereos that we already have and will only be sitting around gathering dust? Wouldn't matter so much if she broke it and no money wasted if she never used it. First one I got out of the gite didn't actually work (told you they're crap) and has gone in the bin. Good start. Went into another gite, I think the stereo in there must be quite new, it's small and has a little blue lcd display and really easy to use buttons and she loves it.
And there in lies the flaw in my plan. She loves it so much she keeps playing cds on it. She gets up, she puts it on. She comes home from school for lunch, she puts it on. She comes home in the evening, she puts it on. Not just the constant playing, but she has discovered Boyzone (Adrian's, not mine I hasten to add. Keith Moon will be turning in his grave). She's also learnt how to use the 'repeat' button. Repeatedly. I'm also listening to Mary Poppins, Mama Mia (Georgia's favourite) and 'Junior Choice - fun songs for kids' on a frequent basis these days.
Actually, it's quite nice really, I'm pleased that she's using it and enjoying it (plus it's saved a fair bit of money) although I am going to have to try to give her a proper musical education and get some decent stuff into her collection. And I shouldn't complain really, in a few years time, it'll be French pop and there's nothing worse than that! Did you know they use it to torture British citizens in France? It's true, they play it on the radio all day and night. British folk are warned at immigration not to tune in or they'll go mad.
I'm going to be moaning about money in this article, so for your info £1.00 is currently about €1,10, although all too often it's almost £1.00 to €1,00 these days, so you can see how horrified I am by the prices I am quoting.
Weather has been a bit lousy of late, so we've started redecorating inside one of the gites. It started off as a lick of paint here and there to brighten it up, progressed to whole new colour scheme (which took enough deliberation in itself), to changing a couple of kitchen cupboards, to putting in a whole new kitchen, moving the fridge, adding new cupboards in it's place, new worktop, new sink (cooker is only a year or so old, so that's staying. Mind you the sink's the same age.) And so the money adds up.
The cost of paint doesn't help. We spent the better part of an afternoon traipsing around town trying to find a decent colour paint, at a decent price, in a decent size tin. 0 out of 3 for that one. No tester pots, so you have to assume that the colour on the lid is the colour in the tin. (It's not, it's several shades darker. The jury's still out on this one, we've decided to finish off the rest of the gite and then see if we have to change it. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely colour, just a somewhat darker than expected). Could only get the paint in 0.5L tins, it's expensive enough in 2.5L tins (average €52,00).
Went to another town today for other reasons and happened to pop into one of those shops which sells a bit of everything really. They had brand named paint on sale for €9,99 for 2.5L (dented tin - I can live with that) and their own make for €16,99!!! It might not be great quality, but then neither is a lot of the expensive paint over here (get the white stuff and you think you're painting with milk).
Anyway, for the most part, we're painting the horrible stone interior walls in the gite this year (white) to help lighten and brighten the place up. We'd eventually like to plasterboard over them, but we just can't afford that at the moment (obscene amounts of money for that!). Two of the walls I've been painting in exterior paint from the uk (£28.00 for 10L) and it's been a pleasure to work with, lovely consistency, doesn't drip, brush washes in water, dries quick, looks good. The third wall I did the second coat on after Adrian did the first. He was using up some of the French exterior paint we had (€89,00 for 10L). I carried on with the french paint. It was like painting with syrup. It was so thick and sticky, a nightmare to get on the walls, but with an amazing ability to drip at will between the tin and the surface I was trying to paint, onto any other surface not meant to be painted. After quarter of an hour of this, messing about with a damp cloth, trying to clean up the drips, but really just smudging paint all over the place, I eventually did the right thing and put a dust sheet down. I wear those plastic gloves when I paint as I have a natural ability to get paint all over me; the paint was so sticky the gloves stuck to the paint brush and then I couldn't let go of the brush. I've done about two-thirds of that wall now, hopefully finish the rest tomorrow, it's the top bit, so I've been waiting for the step-ladders. At least if I think I'm about to fall off the ladders, so long as I've got enough paint over my hands/gloves, all I'll have to do is hold tight and I'll stick to them.
Weather has been a bit lousy of late, so we've started redecorating inside one of the gites. It started off as a lick of paint here and there to brighten it up, progressed to whole new colour scheme (which took enough deliberation in itself), to changing a couple of kitchen cupboards, to putting in a whole new kitchen, moving the fridge, adding new cupboards in it's place, new worktop, new sink (cooker is only a year or so old, so that's staying. Mind you the sink's the same age.) And so the money adds up.
The cost of paint doesn't help. We spent the better part of an afternoon traipsing around town trying to find a decent colour paint, at a decent price, in a decent size tin. 0 out of 3 for that one. No tester pots, so you have to assume that the colour on the lid is the colour in the tin. (It's not, it's several shades darker. The jury's still out on this one, we've decided to finish off the rest of the gite and then see if we have to change it. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely colour, just a somewhat darker than expected). Could only get the paint in 0.5L tins, it's expensive enough in 2.5L tins (average €52,00).
Went to another town today for other reasons and happened to pop into one of those shops which sells a bit of everything really. They had brand named paint on sale for €9,99 for 2.5L (dented tin - I can live with that) and their own make for €16,99!!! It might not be great quality, but then neither is a lot of the expensive paint over here (get the white stuff and you think you're painting with milk).
Anyway, for the most part, we're painting the horrible stone interior walls in the gite this year (white) to help lighten and brighten the place up. We'd eventually like to plasterboard over them, but we just can't afford that at the moment (obscene amounts of money for that!). Two of the walls I've been painting in exterior paint from the uk (£28.00 for 10L) and it's been a pleasure to work with, lovely consistency, doesn't drip, brush washes in water, dries quick, looks good. The third wall I did the second coat on after Adrian did the first. He was using up some of the French exterior paint we had (€89,00 for 10L). I carried on with the french paint. It was like painting with syrup. It was so thick and sticky, a nightmare to get on the walls, but with an amazing ability to drip at will between the tin and the surface I was trying to paint, onto any other surface not meant to be painted. After quarter of an hour of this, messing about with a damp cloth, trying to clean up the drips, but really just smudging paint all over the place, I eventually did the right thing and put a dust sheet down. I wear those plastic gloves when I paint as I have a natural ability to get paint all over me; the paint was so sticky the gloves stuck to the paint brush and then I couldn't let go of the brush. I've done about two-thirds of that wall now, hopefully finish the rest tomorrow, it's the top bit, so I've been waiting for the step-ladders. At least if I think I'm about to fall off the ladders, so long as I've got enough paint over my hands/gloves, all I'll have to do is hold tight and I'll stick to them.
17 November 2009
Halloween and Georgia's birthday
Our home-made Halloween!!!
I forgot to put this one in the other day, so they're a bit out of order now, but I couldn't leave out Georgie!
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The witches!
We made broomsticks in the garden (from the garden), outfits out of clothes we had already (luckily Georgia was given a black top and tights for her birthday just a few days beforehand), green makeup on our faces and homemade hats. The only thing I bought was a packet of black crepe paper for the skirts, 75 centimes. Bargain!
Green Monster drink
For dinner:
Witches fingers, gone-off green worms and blood sauce. Made it all myself too - a rare domestic goddess moment.
Georgia's pink birthday - new duvet cover, new lamp, new rug.
My Peppa Pig cake and number '3' biscuits for Georgia's birthday.
I forgot to put this one in the other day, so they're a bit out of order now, but I couldn't leave out Georgie!
.JPG)
The witches!We made broomsticks in the garden (from the garden), outfits out of clothes we had already (luckily Georgia was given a black top and tights for her birthday just a few days beforehand), green makeup on our faces and homemade hats. The only thing I bought was a packet of black crepe paper for the skirts, 75 centimes. Bargain!
Green Monster drink
For dinner:
Witches fingers, gone-off green worms and blood sauce. Made it all myself too - a rare domestic goddess moment.
Georgia's pink birthday - new duvet cover, new lamp, new rug.
My Peppa Pig cake and number '3' biscuits for Georgia's birthday.
07 November 2009
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Aaaaaaahhhhh.....
Bloody hell!!! The Nits are back. I am so pissed off. Took me half the summer hols to finally get rid of the little blighters and two months after going back to school they're back again. I'm going to shave all our heads like Adrian.
06 November 2009
Someone giveth and someone taketh away
I'm not going to say 'The Lord' on account of not personally having any belief in Him, but someone is definately having a laugh at my expense these days me thinks.
I had been getting quite pleased with the way things have been going for us of late. We're not in the money yet (not even out of debt), but things having been looking a bit more positive. We recently took two separate weeks bookings for next year already and two more weeks for this year at the end of the month. I won a discount card at the supermarket for €3,00 which said on the back 'use once or many times, valid until 31 Jan 2010' and I found a load of cut down oak at the side of the road at the weekend - the council have been trimming the roadside trees and hedges, most of it is little branches and leafy stuff - but this was good chunks of oak tree, so Adrian and Dad went and cut it up a bit and collected in the trailor the other day - free wood for burning on the fire! Can't use it for a couple of years, but even so, free fuel is free fuel. Also, one of the two massive council bills arrived and it was down about €500,00 on last year! And we're starting to organise ourselves (well I am) and sell some stuff we don't need. Some is in small ads and some (the bigger furniture stuff) I thought we sell through the local 'depot vente' (a place where you can sell your stuff. They take a bit of commission, but they're popular and it's like walking round a shop, but it's not like cash converters, you get your money after it's sold).
So, with all these good things happening, I started to think that maybe things were looking up for us....
Went to the supermarket today, handed over discount card at the till, which was applied to my bill and then the cashier threw it away! I was not a happy bunny. After slight argument with the cashier it turns out that the phrase 'use once or many times' means 'you can use it many times so long as you haven't used up the total credit shown on the card'. ie you can buy three things for €1,00 on three separate occasions, but once you've used your €3,00, that's it, there is no more. Too good to be true, eh? I'm sure in the uk I could have sued under the trades misdiscription act or something (well worth it for three euros), but they've not heard of that over here, they say what they want, they do what they want, they charge what they want and 'what's this EU law you keep telling me about? Never heard of it, don't know what you're talking about. This is FRANCE madam'.
Then we got one of our personal tax bills in for €645,00. Then yesterday morning found out that since Georgia turned three the other day our child benefit has now dropped by €177,00 per month!! That's €2124,00 per year of income gone!
After the succesful supermarket trip this morning, I thought I'd pop along to the depot vente and ask them about selling our stuff. They are closing down, not taking on any more stuff. Couple of sofa's anyone? Two children's cot/toddler beds, one electric reclining granny chair (pleasant shade of dusky pink)?
However, this evening at school I was introduced to another parent who is looking for a gite for christmas for her relatives, so hopefully that might come to something, even though it's only three nights. And then later on this evening we had an email from some lovely folk who stayed here last year and they're coming back next year - two weeks in middle of August!! Am very pleased, they are a really nice family, so looking forward to seeing them again.
But I am just wondering how long will it be until it all goes bad again......
I had been getting quite pleased with the way things have been going for us of late. We're not in the money yet (not even out of debt), but things having been looking a bit more positive. We recently took two separate weeks bookings for next year already and two more weeks for this year at the end of the month. I won a discount card at the supermarket for €3,00 which said on the back 'use once or many times, valid until 31 Jan 2010' and I found a load of cut down oak at the side of the road at the weekend - the council have been trimming the roadside trees and hedges, most of it is little branches and leafy stuff - but this was good chunks of oak tree, so Adrian and Dad went and cut it up a bit and collected in the trailor the other day - free wood for burning on the fire! Can't use it for a couple of years, but even so, free fuel is free fuel. Also, one of the two massive council bills arrived and it was down about €500,00 on last year! And we're starting to organise ourselves (well I am) and sell some stuff we don't need. Some is in small ads and some (the bigger furniture stuff) I thought we sell through the local 'depot vente' (a place where you can sell your stuff. They take a bit of commission, but they're popular and it's like walking round a shop, but it's not like cash converters, you get your money after it's sold).
So, with all these good things happening, I started to think that maybe things were looking up for us....
Went to the supermarket today, handed over discount card at the till, which was applied to my bill and then the cashier threw it away! I was not a happy bunny. After slight argument with the cashier it turns out that the phrase 'use once or many times' means 'you can use it many times so long as you haven't used up the total credit shown on the card'. ie you can buy three things for €1,00 on three separate occasions, but once you've used your €3,00, that's it, there is no more. Too good to be true, eh? I'm sure in the uk I could have sued under the trades misdiscription act or something (well worth it for three euros), but they've not heard of that over here, they say what they want, they do what they want, they charge what they want and 'what's this EU law you keep telling me about? Never heard of it, don't know what you're talking about. This is FRANCE madam'.
Then we got one of our personal tax bills in for €645,00. Then yesterday morning found out that since Georgia turned three the other day our child benefit has now dropped by €177,00 per month!! That's €2124,00 per year of income gone!
After the succesful supermarket trip this morning, I thought I'd pop along to the depot vente and ask them about selling our stuff. They are closing down, not taking on any more stuff. Couple of sofa's anyone? Two children's cot/toddler beds, one electric reclining granny chair (pleasant shade of dusky pink)?
However, this evening at school I was introduced to another parent who is looking for a gite for christmas for her relatives, so hopefully that might come to something, even though it's only three nights. And then later on this evening we had an email from some lovely folk who stayed here last year and they're coming back next year - two weeks in middle of August!! Am very pleased, they are a really nice family, so looking forward to seeing them again.
But I am just wondering how long will it be until it all goes bad again......
It feels like a long time since I've written anything, not really sure that I have anything to say now actually, but thought I'd better do something.
Not a lot going on these days, the girls went back to school yesterday after 12 days off between terms. The first week wasn't too bad, but by Tuseday of this week, when it had been raining for several days and they'd hardly been out I was getting a bit stressed. And then they invented a new version of 'hide and seek' which didn't seem to involve much hiding, more running up and down the corridor screaming as loudly as possible. I spent half of Wednesday afternoon making trips to the tip (we recently cleared out the cellar (remember - next to the house, not under it) - seven trips over two days to the tip to get rid of all the crap) and when I came back I said I'd take them out to the Ludotheque (toy library kinda thing) so long as I could have five minutes peace to have a cup of tea beforehand. Ha ha. Not even one minute and my tea was decidely cool by the time I got to drink it. They were driving me mad so I took them anyway. (A change to the situation was needed).
Not a lot going on these days, the girls went back to school yesterday after 12 days off between terms. The first week wasn't too bad, but by Tuseday of this week, when it had been raining for several days and they'd hardly been out I was getting a bit stressed. And then they invented a new version of 'hide and seek' which didn't seem to involve much hiding, more running up and down the corridor screaming as loudly as possible. I spent half of Wednesday afternoon making trips to the tip (we recently cleared out the cellar (remember - next to the house, not under it) - seven trips over two days to the tip to get rid of all the crap) and when I came back I said I'd take them out to the Ludotheque (toy library kinda thing) so long as I could have five minutes peace to have a cup of tea beforehand. Ha ha. Not even one minute and my tea was decidely cool by the time I got to drink it. They were driving me mad so I took them anyway. (A change to the situation was needed).
15 October 2009
Get the Look. Get the Rural France Look.
Unfortunately, Kate Moss was not available, so we had to make do with local people.
You've either got it or you haven't
.JPG)
The
'Rocker'
look
The 'Mud in Boots' look
.jpg)
The 'Bunny killer' look
You've either got it or you haven't
.JPG)
The 'worker' look
The 'Floosy' look
.JPG)
'Double-denim' shocker
Giant steps are what we take...
What one does, the other has to do as well
The
'Rocker'
look
The 'Mud in Boots' look
.jpg)
The 'Bunny killer' look
12 October 2009
Confessions
(Or the seven signs of ageing not cured by a bottle of face cream).
The other day I was in the supermarket fruit and veg section, buying fruit and veg. Over here you have to weigh and price up your fruit and veg yourself, they don't do it for you at the till. (You don't get to choose the price though, a sticker comes out of the machine after you've weighed it). Anyway, last week I tried to weigh the bread.
I like doing jigsaw puzzles. Preferably with a decent picture, not some image of swiss cottages on a mountside and the like.
I've started watching Countryfile. And not just because there's bugger all else on at the time, but because I enjoy it and find it interesting. Especially 'Adam's Farm', but I doubt that you know what I'm talking about.
Most of the time I'm not bothered by being so poor (other things make up for it). But just sometimes it's really shit.
I wasn't going to watch X-Factor this year, when the ads came on for it, I thought 'no, not again, same old sob stories, are there that many stupid people in the uk who think they can sing' etc etc, but once again I'm drawn in and compelled to watch. My top five by the way (in no particular order): Jamie, Danyl, The girl from Wales, the girl from Dagenham and the boy who isn't from Wales and doesn't wear a hat. You can tell I'm good with names. You may say it's another sign of ageing, but I've always been pants with names.
The 'fit before forty' campaign fell by the wayside.
Er, that's it. I did think of another one just now, but now I've forgotten it. That's ageing for you.
A few hours later and I've remembered:
This summer I have mostly been topping up my tan. Courtesy of a magic little bottle produced by St Ambre of Solaire. Mostly my legs, everything else fairly brown (well arms and face and the like, not 'everything', don't want to drive the guests away. Well maybe just some of them.) So the summer was drawing to a close and there was still some magic potion left in the can so I thought I might as well carry on using it, delay the pasty look as long as poss. And then one day I happen to look at the bottom of my feet. Can't remember why now, funny thing to do. Anyway, they were a deep shade of orangey tan. Horror of horrors, for a moment I thought I had some terrible disease, but then I twigged. As I'm spraying my legs in the bathroom, some of the amber nectar must fall to the floor, which I then walk in on a daily basis and there you have it - the soles of my feet were the brownest part of my body. I have not touched the stuff since (the fake tan I mean, I've touched my feet -I've been scrubbing them everyday with jif and one of those metal scourer things that your granny always has by the sink.) Talk about shock tactics to make you give up your addiction. Will have to have a re-think for next year. After all, it's only part of the brand image that I should look serene and healthy and tanned and what have you for our arriving guests. ('Living the Brand' remember that shit? Ha ha! Never could figure it out at the time, but now I know!)
The other day I was in the supermarket fruit and veg section, buying fruit and veg. Over here you have to weigh and price up your fruit and veg yourself, they don't do it for you at the till. (You don't get to choose the price though, a sticker comes out of the machine after you've weighed it). Anyway, last week I tried to weigh the bread.
I like doing jigsaw puzzles. Preferably with a decent picture, not some image of swiss cottages on a mountside and the like.
I've started watching Countryfile. And not just because there's bugger all else on at the time, but because I enjoy it and find it interesting. Especially 'Adam's Farm', but I doubt that you know what I'm talking about.
Most of the time I'm not bothered by being so poor (other things make up for it). But just sometimes it's really shit.
I wasn't going to watch X-Factor this year, when the ads came on for it, I thought 'no, not again, same old sob stories, are there that many stupid people in the uk who think they can sing' etc etc, but once again I'm drawn in and compelled to watch. My top five by the way (in no particular order): Jamie, Danyl, The girl from Wales, the girl from Dagenham and the boy who isn't from Wales and doesn't wear a hat. You can tell I'm good with names. You may say it's another sign of ageing, but I've always been pants with names.
The 'fit before forty' campaign fell by the wayside.
Er, that's it. I did think of another one just now, but now I've forgotten it. That's ageing for you.
A few hours later and I've remembered:
This summer I have mostly been topping up my tan. Courtesy of a magic little bottle produced by St Ambre of Solaire. Mostly my legs, everything else fairly brown (well arms and face and the like, not 'everything', don't want to drive the guests away. Well maybe just some of them.) So the summer was drawing to a close and there was still some magic potion left in the can so I thought I might as well carry on using it, delay the pasty look as long as poss. And then one day I happen to look at the bottom of my feet. Can't remember why now, funny thing to do. Anyway, they were a deep shade of orangey tan. Horror of horrors, for a moment I thought I had some terrible disease, but then I twigged. As I'm spraying my legs in the bathroom, some of the amber nectar must fall to the floor, which I then walk in on a daily basis and there you have it - the soles of my feet were the brownest part of my body. I have not touched the stuff since (the fake tan I mean, I've touched my feet -I've been scrubbing them everyday with jif and one of those metal scourer things that your granny always has by the sink.) Talk about shock tactics to make you give up your addiction. Will have to have a re-think for next year. After all, it's only part of the brand image that I should look serene and healthy and tanned and what have you for our arriving guests. ('Living the Brand' remember that shit? Ha ha! Never could figure it out at the time, but now I know!)
05 October 2009
A few pics from late summer
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Georgia and Grandad on his train, in our garden.JPG)
Autumn sunrise at our place
Smudge, happy to be home, chilling with the girls dirty socks
Quiz of the week 2
Just remembered something my dear husband said to me the other day, I was gobsmacked. I bought some new shoes (because I needed them, not because I wanted them) and he had the nerve to suggest that I have too many shoes, I'm always buying shoes and I think he was about to call me Imelda, except he noticed the steam rising off me and stopped himself.
Therefore the non-weekly 'Quiz of the week' this week is:
Do you agree?
Here is my shoe history since, in fact prior to, arriving in France (four years ago):
Brough over with me from uk and still using now:
- One pair of summer sandaly type shoes
- One pair of heeled boots
- One pair of trainers
All of the above bought around the time Isabella was born, so about six or so years old and still wearing them now.
One pair of wellies bought when we first got here, cost at the time around £10.00, still wearing them now
One pair of trainers after about a year of being here, still wearing them now (the others above are garden/working trainers)
One pair of winter shoes that I bought the first year we were here, still wearing them now.
Two pairs of flip flops, a few quid each
One pair of fancy sandals for my brother's wedding, about £12.00
One pair of crocs mammoth (Yes, I know they are exceedingly ugly, but they are purple and they are practical. We have a stone floor in the kitchen, cold in summer, bloody freezing in winter and I needed something I could wear in there in winter and also potter about garden in - ie to fetch washing, gather veg, shout at kids etc. I promise I do not wear them out anywhere. Ever.)
And the lastest addition which just about had me admitted to rehab: A pair of shoes for autumn/spring wear - the sandals are too cold and let the wet in and my winter shoes/trainers are to hot.
Seriously, after four years, (six, even) is this excessive?
Note: Anyone who even considers agreeing with my husband, we are considering a trip to the uk in the near future and I know where you live. Mind you, we'll only be over if we can get on the boat as stowaways, not easy with two kids, a car and a top box.
Therefore the non-weekly 'Quiz of the week' this week is:
Do you agree?
Here is my shoe history since, in fact prior to, arriving in France (four years ago):
Brough over with me from uk and still using now:
- One pair of summer sandaly type shoes
- One pair of heeled boots
- One pair of trainers
All of the above bought around the time Isabella was born, so about six or so years old and still wearing them now.
One pair of wellies bought when we first got here, cost at the time around £10.00, still wearing them now
One pair of trainers after about a year of being here, still wearing them now (the others above are garden/working trainers)
One pair of winter shoes that I bought the first year we were here, still wearing them now.
Two pairs of flip flops, a few quid each
One pair of fancy sandals for my brother's wedding, about £12.00
One pair of crocs mammoth (Yes, I know they are exceedingly ugly, but they are purple and they are practical. We have a stone floor in the kitchen, cold in summer, bloody freezing in winter and I needed something I could wear in there in winter and also potter about garden in - ie to fetch washing, gather veg, shout at kids etc. I promise I do not wear them out anywhere. Ever.)
And the lastest addition which just about had me admitted to rehab: A pair of shoes for autumn/spring wear - the sandals are too cold and let the wet in and my winter shoes/trainers are to hot.
Seriously, after four years, (six, even) is this excessive?
Note: Anyone who even considers agreeing with my husband, we are considering a trip to the uk in the near future and I know where you live. Mind you, we'll only be over if we can get on the boat as stowaways, not easy with two kids, a car and a top box.
Adrian's poems 3
What have I done wrong? Adrian has just handed me three pages of A4 full of poetry to add to his poetry corner and my mother has just handed me a bag full of quinces, that she very kindly picked off the tree, and asked me to cook them up, apparently they liked the 'quince mush pie' from the other day (see previous post). I'm not going through all that again - maybe quince crumble this time with some stewed quinces on the side to go in the freezer along with the stewed plums, stewed apples and stewed peaches.
I Remember
I watch the seagulls way up high
On the wind they gently fly
Down below, is that a fish they spy
Probably just a chip from a passerby
The harbour sign says don't feed the birds
I know one of them is in the herds
Of people walking, milling around the shops
It must be summertime, out come the flip flops
Walk on past the Golden Hind
A scale model of the real kind
Of boat that sailed long ago
It's so small, how could they all live below
Inside it's tiny, really small
But outside the masts were pretty tall
I've seen it before and walk on by
My rod in hand hoping to try
To land the big one, take home and fry
I walk to the breakwater, tide is high
The sun beating down from the sky
It's a hot one today, I'll need my cap
Fished here so often, don't need a map
I think I know every inch of Brixham
The men with their nets trying to fix 'em
We'd sit there with our lardy cake
The flask of coffee my mum would make
But something's really wrong this day
On my own, someome special's far away
But they're never coming back
When fishing we'd always have a crack
It's just like he's still with me you know
Hey son, more lardy cake, can't say no
To my Dad, I miss him so
Fishing
Sometimes I'd go fishing hoping to catch
A nice flat cod or even a batch
Of lovely things to take back home
All dressed in red, I'm like the garden gnome
But I'd still go whether rain or snow
Winter fishing is so cold you know
The bait was expensive, but I'd have to pay
To give me a chance of cod that day
To see my rod go nod, nod, nod
Could it be, could it be cod
The rod bent over in I struck
A pull on the other end said I'm in luck
Once on land a sigh of relief
But I always had the belief
That I would land that winter cod
With my favourite lucky rod
Once I'm home all warm and dry
In my bag, expectant eyes would pry
To see if I had caught that day
'It was worth the cold' my wife would say
I still remember when
My dad first took me fishing then
It's sometime in the summertime
I'd got a new rod and it's mine
He showed me how to bait a hook
Cast the rod, sit back and look
At the end of that rod, float or line
Sitting, wishing for a sign
Those fish sat looking at my bait
But those early days I could not wait
To reel it in and see if I
Had caught my first fish, but bait still dry
'Oh well, maybe next time' my dad would say
Remember son there's always another day
There's more to come, but I'm having a break....
I Remember
I watch the seagulls way up high
On the wind they gently fly
Down below, is that a fish they spy
Probably just a chip from a passerby
The harbour sign says don't feed the birds
I know one of them is in the herds
Of people walking, milling around the shops
It must be summertime, out come the flip flops
Walk on past the Golden Hind
A scale model of the real kind
Of boat that sailed long ago
It's so small, how could they all live below
Inside it's tiny, really small
But outside the masts were pretty tall
I've seen it before and walk on by
My rod in hand hoping to try
To land the big one, take home and fry
I walk to the breakwater, tide is high
The sun beating down from the sky
It's a hot one today, I'll need my cap
Fished here so often, don't need a map
I think I know every inch of Brixham
The men with their nets trying to fix 'em
We'd sit there with our lardy cake
The flask of coffee my mum would make
But something's really wrong this day
On my own, someome special's far away
But they're never coming back
When fishing we'd always have a crack
It's just like he's still with me you know
Hey son, more lardy cake, can't say no
To my Dad, I miss him so
Fishing
Sometimes I'd go fishing hoping to catch
A nice flat cod or even a batch
Of lovely things to take back home
All dressed in red, I'm like the garden gnome
But I'd still go whether rain or snow
Winter fishing is so cold you know
The bait was expensive, but I'd have to pay
To give me a chance of cod that day
To see my rod go nod, nod, nod
Could it be, could it be cod
The rod bent over in I struck
A pull on the other end said I'm in luck
Once on land a sigh of relief
But I always had the belief
That I would land that winter cod
With my favourite lucky rod
Once I'm home all warm and dry
In my bag, expectant eyes would pry
To see if I had caught that day
'It was worth the cold' my wife would say
I still remember when
My dad first took me fishing then
It's sometime in the summertime
I'd got a new rod and it's mine
He showed me how to bait a hook
Cast the rod, sit back and look
At the end of that rod, float or line
Sitting, wishing for a sign
Those fish sat looking at my bait
But those early days I could not wait
To reel it in and see if I
Had caught my first fish, but bait still dry
'Oh well, maybe next time' my dad would say
Remember son there's always another day
There's more to come, but I'm having a break....
04 October 2009
Tales from the French kitchen
Doesn't that sound like a nice title? I bet you're thinking of me in my pinny, reeling off little anecdotes as I'm cooking up delights from home-grown produce and locally shot fluffy little bunnies, in my 'authentic' french kitchen (the kind you see in glossy magazines, not like our neighbours actual real french kitchens) with a herbs drying over the aga and a lovely old aged dresser full of preserves etc etc etc.
Well no. This is more of a sorry tale of culinary mishaps. I shall first expain about my cooker, (electric and left by previous owners). Ever since we've been here (nearly four years now), I've unable to make one decent cake or decent pie, none of them cook right through properly and tend to burn on top, they are edible, but only just and I was not proud of them. I thought I had lost all my baking skills since moving to these foreign parts. When I cooked muffins I put it down to the little silicone muffin moulds that I had bought (can't get paper cases over here). I always thought that it took a long time to heat up, but just accepted that that was because it was a bit old.
Then recently I realised that nothing was cooking underneath, not even thin pizzas, and also realised that in order to cook anything, I was putting it right up at the top shelf. Eventually my brain cogs strated to whirr into life and I had a thought - 'why not test the cooker to see if it's working properly?'. I switched on the cooker and waited, then I bravely put my hand in, touched the bottom, it was not hot. Room temp at most. Appears therefore that the bottom element is not working and so, for the past four years, I have not been cooking anything, I have in fact been grilling everything. Grilled roasts, grilled pies, grilled pizzas, grilled cake and so on.
I've since baked a couple of batches of muffins in my mother's oven and they were perfick! Just need to find someone to fix the oven now.... My dad has said that he will do it, but then he made a built-in in wardrobe in my bedroom when I was young and it took him 9 months so am not holding my breath.
Anyway, onto this weeks cooking fest. We have a quince tree in our garden, which produced fruit in 2006 and I duly made quince jam from it, which quite frankly was so bland it was not really edible. After a couple of years of nothing from it, this year we had another crop. I have been watching them ripen on the tree (not constantly, just check on them from time to time), wondering what to do with them. Didn't want to make more jam as we have enough of the stuff in the cupboard now and of course memories of the tasteless batch. Anyway, happened to have a minute to switch on the tele the other day and came across Phil (Vickery) on This Morning cooking quinces. Oh joy! It was meant to be I decided, I must do as Phil says. I chose 'Delicous baked quince pie'.
So I went and picked first batch of quinces. Put them in pot to simmer away, at least 45 mins to an hour and a half said Phil. 'However', he said, 'It is important not to allow them to explode'. So I left them and took Isabella to school (Adrian was in house, I'm not entirely irresponsible), came back, remembered to check them, still rock hard. Go into study to faff about ordering wood for fire for winter (nothing like being organised, it was 1 October). Forget all about quinces. Eventually remember, run into kitchen. Too late, am greeted by quince mush, they have exploded. Fortunately, I had left the lid on. Then have to peel and core quinces, which for me now involves searching for bits of peel and core in amongst the debris. Having done this, I am then set to to make the 'buttery caramel sauce'. I follow instructions to a 't' and end up with a hard lump of toffee in middle of puddle of melted butter. Adrian beats it up a bit and rescues it.
Next - 'slice quinces and arrange attractively in dish where the caramel sauce is waiting'. I tip quince mush into dish and mix in sauce. I top with puff pastry and put into oven for a good grilling. It was ok, Adrian liked it, Isabella ate it, Georgia refused to even try it, even though it was pink and normally she cannot resist anything pink. (must have been swapped at birth, not my child) and I fed the leftovers to the lions, sorry my parents.
So having strained the mush before putting it into the dish I was left with a fair bit of quince syrup. Not wanting it to go to waste, I decide to turn it into quince jelly (like jam, but smooth). Not knowing how much sugar was in the syrup, I have to guess quantities and just bung a bit more in, boil it up and managed to get a set upon testing. Have decanted it into jars and it looks nice enough - all pink and firm, with just a little wobble to it. Haven't tried it yet, but hopefully something good will have come out of all this. Just have to decide what to do with remaining quinces that are ripening on tree and waiting to be picked.....
Well no. This is more of a sorry tale of culinary mishaps. I shall first expain about my cooker, (electric and left by previous owners). Ever since we've been here (nearly four years now), I've unable to make one decent cake or decent pie, none of them cook right through properly and tend to burn on top, they are edible, but only just and I was not proud of them. I thought I had lost all my baking skills since moving to these foreign parts. When I cooked muffins I put it down to the little silicone muffin moulds that I had bought (can't get paper cases over here). I always thought that it took a long time to heat up, but just accepted that that was because it was a bit old.
Then recently I realised that nothing was cooking underneath, not even thin pizzas, and also realised that in order to cook anything, I was putting it right up at the top shelf. Eventually my brain cogs strated to whirr into life and I had a thought - 'why not test the cooker to see if it's working properly?'. I switched on the cooker and waited, then I bravely put my hand in, touched the bottom, it was not hot. Room temp at most. Appears therefore that the bottom element is not working and so, for the past four years, I have not been cooking anything, I have in fact been grilling everything. Grilled roasts, grilled pies, grilled pizzas, grilled cake and so on.
I've since baked a couple of batches of muffins in my mother's oven and they were perfick! Just need to find someone to fix the oven now.... My dad has said that he will do it, but then he made a built-in in wardrobe in my bedroom when I was young and it took him 9 months so am not holding my breath.
Anyway, onto this weeks cooking fest. We have a quince tree in our garden, which produced fruit in 2006 and I duly made quince jam from it, which quite frankly was so bland it was not really edible. After a couple of years of nothing from it, this year we had another crop. I have been watching them ripen on the tree (not constantly, just check on them from time to time), wondering what to do with them. Didn't want to make more jam as we have enough of the stuff in the cupboard now and of course memories of the tasteless batch. Anyway, happened to have a minute to switch on the tele the other day and came across Phil (Vickery) on This Morning cooking quinces. Oh joy! It was meant to be I decided, I must do as Phil says. I chose 'Delicous baked quince pie'.
So I went and picked first batch of quinces. Put them in pot to simmer away, at least 45 mins to an hour and a half said Phil. 'However', he said, 'It is important not to allow them to explode'. So I left them and took Isabella to school (Adrian was in house, I'm not entirely irresponsible), came back, remembered to check them, still rock hard. Go into study to faff about ordering wood for fire for winter (nothing like being organised, it was 1 October). Forget all about quinces. Eventually remember, run into kitchen. Too late, am greeted by quince mush, they have exploded. Fortunately, I had left the lid on. Then have to peel and core quinces, which for me now involves searching for bits of peel and core in amongst the debris. Having done this, I am then set to to make the 'buttery caramel sauce'. I follow instructions to a 't' and end up with a hard lump of toffee in middle of puddle of melted butter. Adrian beats it up a bit and rescues it.
Next - 'slice quinces and arrange attractively in dish where the caramel sauce is waiting'. I tip quince mush into dish and mix in sauce. I top with puff pastry and put into oven for a good grilling. It was ok, Adrian liked it, Isabella ate it, Georgia refused to even try it, even though it was pink and normally she cannot resist anything pink. (must have been swapped at birth, not my child) and I fed the leftovers to the lions, sorry my parents.
So having strained the mush before putting it into the dish I was left with a fair bit of quince syrup. Not wanting it to go to waste, I decide to turn it into quince jelly (like jam, but smooth). Not knowing how much sugar was in the syrup, I have to guess quantities and just bung a bit more in, boil it up and managed to get a set upon testing. Have decanted it into jars and it looks nice enough - all pink and firm, with just a little wobble to it. Haven't tried it yet, but hopefully something good will have come out of all this. Just have to decide what to do with remaining quinces that are ripening on tree and waiting to be picked.....
23 September 2009
Harvest
Most of the fruit and veg we grew in the garden has gone over now, so I thought I'd make a little list of my successes and not so successful attemps:
Successful (on varing levels) - carrots (although most are still in the ground, they seem to be ok so far), courgettes (they got powdery mildew on the leaves, but it didn't affect production), potatoes (but not as good as the previous year), onions, mangetout (loads and loads), plums (lots), blackcurrants (lots), greengages, peppers (ok, pleased for first attempt), tomatoes (although I keep forgetting to water them), french beans (after second attempt, so a fairly small crop in the end), pears and apples.
Not so great - garlic (still edible, but small, possibly due to over-enthusiastic watering by surrogate waterer whilst we were away (not complaining, am grateful that someone would do it)), lettuce (second year of trying, bolted again, inedible), basil and parsley (okish, but kept forgetting to water, so could have been better).
Bloody disaster - melons (all leaf and no fruit - gave some of my seedlings to some friends and they had loads of fruit, concluded that ours were not in a sunny enough spot), strawbs (two fruits, enjoyed by birds, old plants and again, not enough sun), raspberries (had a fantastic crop last year, hardly anything this year, I'm been freezing them as we pick them and still barely have a handful, which is a shame as they taste really nice).
The new bed is built for next year and is a quarter full of soil, no doubt it will be full by spring with all the mole hills that we get. Am starting to plan in my head what to plant next year and reading all the gardening books we have. In fact, for my birthday I had two gardening books, one for fruit and one for veg. I also received a proper jam/preserves making pan and a jelly bag holder (for making jellies as in 'smooth jam', not robinsons raspberry square stuff that you put in rabbit moulds for your kids), so I think the country life is affecting me a bit of late. Have been making jam and jellies all summer and today I got the new batch of blackcurrant liqueur underway (ready next year if anyone wants to visit....).
Successful (on varing levels) - carrots (although most are still in the ground, they seem to be ok so far), courgettes (they got powdery mildew on the leaves, but it didn't affect production), potatoes (but not as good as the previous year), onions, mangetout (loads and loads), plums (lots), blackcurrants (lots), greengages, peppers (ok, pleased for first attempt), tomatoes (although I keep forgetting to water them), french beans (after second attempt, so a fairly small crop in the end), pears and apples.
Not so great - garlic (still edible, but small, possibly due to over-enthusiastic watering by surrogate waterer whilst we were away (not complaining, am grateful that someone would do it)), lettuce (second year of trying, bolted again, inedible), basil and parsley (okish, but kept forgetting to water, so could have been better).
Bloody disaster - melons (all leaf and no fruit - gave some of my seedlings to some friends and they had loads of fruit, concluded that ours were not in a sunny enough spot), strawbs (two fruits, enjoyed by birds, old plants and again, not enough sun), raspberries (had a fantastic crop last year, hardly anything this year, I'm been freezing them as we pick them and still barely have a handful, which is a shame as they taste really nice).
The new bed is built for next year and is a quarter full of soil, no doubt it will be full by spring with all the mole hills that we get. Am starting to plan in my head what to plant next year and reading all the gardening books we have. In fact, for my birthday I had two gardening books, one for fruit and one for veg. I also received a proper jam/preserves making pan and a jelly bag holder (for making jellies as in 'smooth jam', not robinsons raspberry square stuff that you put in rabbit moulds for your kids), so I think the country life is affecting me a bit of late. Have been making jam and jellies all summer and today I got the new batch of blackcurrant liqueur underway (ready next year if anyone wants to visit....).
Smudge, part 2
Smudge is home!!! She came home in the during the night and was waiting for us when we got up this morning. She doesn't look any thinner than when we last saw her (11 days ago), but she's starving and keeps eating and asking for more food. She's been hanging around a lot today, following us about the garden when we've been out and she is now curled up on the sofa. Hopefully she won't disappear off again. I was about to put her food bowls and basket away, glad I left them out one more night.
18 September 2009
Sad news
Smudge, our cat has now been missing for a week. It is Friday and the last time we saw her was last Friday evening. It was not unknown for her to disappear for a good 24 hours or so from time to time, but it would seem that this time she is not coming back.
We have searched everywhere for her, up the road, in the ditches, in the fields, in the gites (she has been shut in them before) and around to our neighbours, but to no avail. It is quite strange as you would expect her to be relatively safe here, compared to a town cat, as there's only one road near us and there's hardly ever any traffic, so it is unlikely that she has been run over. All we can think of is that maybe a fox got her, or maybe one of our neighbours put down poison for other annoying pests (rats, foxes etc) and she ate it.
It is difficult not having a 'body' that we could bury in the garden and say goodbye to, but the girls seem to be coping quite well. Isabella asked for another cat this morning, which in some way seemed a bit quick, but they have been raised to understand 'the ways of the countryside' as it were - ie animals die and it's all part of nature. We often have stray cats hanging around the place and we have to ignore them and let nature take its course, we couldn't possibly take them all in, we'd be overrun. Plus, Adrian shoots pigeon and rabbit, (and used to fish) so they are used to seeing animals being killed for food, they are not sheltered from that kind of thing. Not that we would eat the cat, but we've explained to them what we think might have happened and so far they seem to be accepting it.
It's a shame about Smudge, because she was barely 2 years old, she was one of the local strays, living under our hangar, and quite frankly, at death's door when we took her in. She was tiny and had not been properly weaned, looked like abandoned by her mother, and she fought so hard to survive and now she's gone already. She was a lovely little cat, very sociable and would follow us around the garden and up the road. I think she fed quite well from our guests in the summer too! She made us laugh recently - Adrian shot a pigeon out of the tree in front of the house and of course it fell out to the ground underneath. The cat was nearby and had witnessed this and rushed over to the pigeon before Adrian could get there. Luckily she did nothing to it, but she spent the next half hour sitting under the tree, looking up very expectantly, waiting for more dead birds to fall out!
RIP Smudge.
We have searched everywhere for her, up the road, in the ditches, in the fields, in the gites (she has been shut in them before) and around to our neighbours, but to no avail. It is quite strange as you would expect her to be relatively safe here, compared to a town cat, as there's only one road near us and there's hardly ever any traffic, so it is unlikely that she has been run over. All we can think of is that maybe a fox got her, or maybe one of our neighbours put down poison for other annoying pests (rats, foxes etc) and she ate it.
It is difficult not having a 'body' that we could bury in the garden and say goodbye to, but the girls seem to be coping quite well. Isabella asked for another cat this morning, which in some way seemed a bit quick, but they have been raised to understand 'the ways of the countryside' as it were - ie animals die and it's all part of nature. We often have stray cats hanging around the place and we have to ignore them and let nature take its course, we couldn't possibly take them all in, we'd be overrun. Plus, Adrian shoots pigeon and rabbit, (and used to fish) so they are used to seeing animals being killed for food, they are not sheltered from that kind of thing. Not that we would eat the cat, but we've explained to them what we think might have happened and so far they seem to be accepting it.
It's a shame about Smudge, because she was barely 2 years old, she was one of the local strays, living under our hangar, and quite frankly, at death's door when we took her in. She was tiny and had not been properly weaned, looked like abandoned by her mother, and she fought so hard to survive and now she's gone already. She was a lovely little cat, very sociable and would follow us around the garden and up the road. I think she fed quite well from our guests in the summer too! She made us laugh recently - Adrian shot a pigeon out of the tree in front of the house and of course it fell out to the ground underneath. The cat was nearby and had witnessed this and rushed over to the pigeon before Adrian could get there. Luckily she did nothing to it, but she spent the next half hour sitting under the tree, looking up very expectantly, waiting for more dead birds to fall out!
RIP Smudge.
12 September 2009
Wasps!
I think I'm going to name this year 'Year of the Infestations'. First rats and mice, then bees, ants and flying ants and now wasps (not to mention the brits, but we bring them on ourselves).
They're not really wasps actually, they're known in French as 'Frelons' and they are evil little bastards. Born angry. They're like hornets only nastier. Anyway, we always get some around the place, especially late summer, but the last couple of weeks they've been a lot worse than ever. They bang on the windows at night trying to get into the light and make a right racket. They have been flying around outside the house and some of the gites a lot and then a few days ago Adrian sussed out their nest site. The roof of our house is not all on one level and where it drops down between levels there is a stone wall, just outside the roof window of my parent's bedroom and above the girls bedrooms (which are on the ground floor).
The pompiers (fire service, who deal with this kind of thing) were called on Friday morning and we were advised that the local pompiers would call back sometime to make an appointment to check it out. Oh yes, and it would cost €100,00. An hour later there are two pompier guys on the doorstep, ready for action (with the frelons, not with me).
After shutting all the windows and doors, we had to give our remaining guests the orders to either remain indoors or evacuate to the other side of the garden for the next hour. The eldest pompier made the younger guy suit up and climb up onto the roof and spray some powder stuff into the wall and over the frelons. They were going mad all over him, but he was so well covered he could hardly see anything and the other was shouting directions from a distance. He couldn't see the nest because it is so far into the wall cavity, but they think it was quite new and therefore not too big and then they reminded me how wasps like to eat wood, especially oak, which just happens to be what holds up the roof (so far), so it was good to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Anyway, they didn't charge us because they said it wasn't our fault we had the frelon nest (when is it anybody's fault?) and the monies charged go straight to the tax man anyway. We were told to keep away from that part of the front of the house for the next three days or so because of annoyed dying wasps flying about, but they seem to have disappeared already (hope so, don't like to speak too soon). I went down that way earlier today to get some green beans because I thought it was safe, and then got completely freaked out when a large bee flew out at me!
They're not really wasps actually, they're known in French as 'Frelons' and they are evil little bastards. Born angry. They're like hornets only nastier. Anyway, we always get some around the place, especially late summer, but the last couple of weeks they've been a lot worse than ever. They bang on the windows at night trying to get into the light and make a right racket. They have been flying around outside the house and some of the gites a lot and then a few days ago Adrian sussed out their nest site. The roof of our house is not all on one level and where it drops down between levels there is a stone wall, just outside the roof window of my parent's bedroom and above the girls bedrooms (which are on the ground floor).
The pompiers (fire service, who deal with this kind of thing) were called on Friday morning and we were advised that the local pompiers would call back sometime to make an appointment to check it out. Oh yes, and it would cost €100,00. An hour later there are two pompier guys on the doorstep, ready for action (with the frelons, not with me).
After shutting all the windows and doors, we had to give our remaining guests the orders to either remain indoors or evacuate to the other side of the garden for the next hour. The eldest pompier made the younger guy suit up and climb up onto the roof and spray some powder stuff into the wall and over the frelons. They were going mad all over him, but he was so well covered he could hardly see anything and the other was shouting directions from a distance. He couldn't see the nest because it is so far into the wall cavity, but they think it was quite new and therefore not too big and then they reminded me how wasps like to eat wood, especially oak, which just happens to be what holds up the roof (so far), so it was good to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Anyway, they didn't charge us because they said it wasn't our fault we had the frelon nest (when is it anybody's fault?) and the monies charged go straight to the tax man anyway. We were told to keep away from that part of the front of the house for the next three days or so because of annoyed dying wasps flying about, but they seem to have disappeared already (hope so, don't like to speak too soon). I went down that way earlier today to get some green beans because I thought it was safe, and then got completely freaked out when a large bee flew out at me!
11 September 2009
The things they say...
Here are some lists of wonderful things our guests have said and done this year (this is a work in progress, I can't remember it all at the mo, I'm sure I'll be updating it):
Stupid things said:
'Do you have hot running water?'
'There's a red truck.' 'Yes there is. Well spotted' I reply. Eventually I figured out that this woman with an affected posh accent (her kids were broad yorkshire) was trying to tell me that it was blocking her exit from our property. Then I had to convince her that the truck was in front of the private entrance/exit to The Cottage and she needed to use the main entrance/exit where she had come in through the previous day. Took some persuading.
'There's no hot water.' 'Have you let the tap run?' I reply. 'Yes, I let it run a bit until it started getting warm, then I switched it off and came to see you.'
'There's a cockroach in the gite'. No, just a regular bug.
Things I don't feel the need to know about:
The couple in their seventies telling me about their sex life.
Things people say and do to make us think that they've done the cleaning:
The afternoon before they leave: 'I'm just off to do the cleaning now so that it will be all nice and clean for you tomorrow.'
'We've done the cleaning, I followed your little note on the fridge door, done just what you say'.
Someone goes back into gite just as they are leaving: 'Oh, I've just mopped the floor and now it'll be all dirty again'.
Pour blue stuff down the toilet.
Stupid things said:
'Do you have hot running water?'
'There's a red truck.' 'Yes there is. Well spotted' I reply. Eventually I figured out that this woman with an affected posh accent (her kids were broad yorkshire) was trying to tell me that it was blocking her exit from our property. Then I had to convince her that the truck was in front of the private entrance/exit to The Cottage and she needed to use the main entrance/exit where she had come in through the previous day. Took some persuading.
'There's no hot water.' 'Have you let the tap run?' I reply. 'Yes, I let it run a bit until it started getting warm, then I switched it off and came to see you.'
'There's a cockroach in the gite'. No, just a regular bug.
Things I don't feel the need to know about:
The couple in their seventies telling me about their sex life.
Things people say and do to make us think that they've done the cleaning:
The afternoon before they leave: 'I'm just off to do the cleaning now so that it will be all nice and clean for you tomorrow.'
'We've done the cleaning, I followed your little note on the fridge door, done just what you say'.
Someone goes back into gite just as they are leaving: 'Oh, I've just mopped the floor and now it'll be all dirty again'.
Pour blue stuff down the toilet.
01 September 2009
Don't they realise how hungry we are?
Quite often when our guests go home, they leave yummy and useful foodstuffs behind that they can't be bothered to take home with them, or are unable to. Such as jars of pasta sauce, pasta, tins of toms, rice, sugar, oil, ice creams, chocolaty cereals, fresh fruit and veg, plus enough foil and cling film to last me to next year and plenty of toilet roll too.
Well this year we've had a right bunch of tight wotsits in and so far most of them have left nothing, and what slim pickings have been left include: 2 rolls of recycled toilet roll (defintately NOT soft, not strong, but unfortunately extremely long), half a small packet of whole wheat pasta, half a box of ready brek, half a box of bran flakes, a jar of sweetcorn, a tin of chickpeas, a tin of lentils and a marrow not far off half a metre in length. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for anything, and we'll eat what there is, but it's not exactly a christmas hamper of goodies is it? And what's a girl supposed to do with 19 inches of fat marrow I ask you?
Post script, a week or so later: Some more guests have just left, and I found in their fridge, oh joy of joys, half a bar of chocolate! (Although I'm having trouble with the concept of leaving half a bar of chocolate behind. Why?). And then I went upstairs - oh horror of horrors - more recycled toilet paper. Some kind of cruel joke I think.
Well this year we've had a right bunch of tight wotsits in and so far most of them have left nothing, and what slim pickings have been left include: 2 rolls of recycled toilet roll (defintately NOT soft, not strong, but unfortunately extremely long), half a small packet of whole wheat pasta, half a box of ready brek, half a box of bran flakes, a jar of sweetcorn, a tin of chickpeas, a tin of lentils and a marrow not far off half a metre in length. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for anything, and we'll eat what there is, but it's not exactly a christmas hamper of goodies is it? And what's a girl supposed to do with 19 inches of fat marrow I ask you?
Post script, a week or so later: Some more guests have just left, and I found in their fridge, oh joy of joys, half a bar of chocolate! (Although I'm having trouble with the concept of leaving half a bar of chocolate behind. Why?). And then I went upstairs - oh horror of horrors - more recycled toilet paper. Some kind of cruel joke I think.
Peace at last!!
Last week-end meant the end of being fully booked, and much as I would like to be permanantly fully booked (in the gites) and much as I have enjoyed the season this year (we have had some lovely folk in), it's very nice to have the place (almost) to ourselves again. Unfortunately, the last week was brits only - for the first time since the beginning of July and we had a couple of families in with not the nicest of kids and it was not such a nice atmosphere in general as it has been over the summer, with a good mix of brits, french and other europeans. So it felt like we ended on a bit of a bad note and quite frankly, I was glad to see the back of some of them!
We have so far booked a record 63 weeks, (previous years have been 45/46/47 weeks) which I am very pleased about, although our income has still been crap, but we'll work on that for next year. I was not prepared for such a good response to our advertising from the french/europeans, so I'm going to be sorting that side of things out now and hopefully find ways to improve the income side of things for next year.
Isabella goes back to school on Thursday - at last - only nine weeks off! Georgia will also be starting then as well, which I'm having a major stress about, worrying about how she'll cope (and possibly how I'll cope, I'm sure she's going to be upset). Still, I think once she's settled, she'll have a good time and it's about time she started making some friends of her own age and learning french.
We have so far booked a record 63 weeks, (previous years have been 45/46/47 weeks) which I am very pleased about, although our income has still been crap, but we'll work on that for next year. I was not prepared for such a good response to our advertising from the french/europeans, so I'm going to be sorting that side of things out now and hopefully find ways to improve the income side of things for next year.
Isabella goes back to school on Thursday - at last - only nine weeks off! Georgia will also be starting then as well, which I'm having a major stress about, worrying about how she'll cope (and possibly how I'll cope, I'm sure she's going to be upset). Still, I think once she's settled, she'll have a good time and it's about time she started making some friends of her own age and learning french.
24 August 2009
Trip to Angers
Blink and you'll miss it - look carefully (but not too closely please) and you'll even see some rare shots of yours truly in this little lot.
One of us has just had a Slush Puppy and one of us has just had a Smarties ice-cream and we're very happy on e-numbers thank you very much!
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Age! The Man!
One of us has just had a Slush Puppy and one of us has just had a Smarties ice-cream and we're very happy on e-numbers thank you very much!
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Getting on a bit
I was 39 a few days ago, but a couple of weeks beforehand I went into crisis mode, more over the fact that my fortieth is not so far away. I then launched myself into a 'get fit before 40' campaign. At first I was convinced it was just a phase and would soon pass and I was therefore not unduly worried. I am now into the third week, have lost about 6lbs, got into my smaller jeans and still cycling and swimming. I also start the day well, eating healthily, drinking water etc. Although I only get to about 4pm, when the cravings hit and I have to succome to the temptations of the fridge and the contents of glass bottles and then the sufferings of eternal guilt. Hopefully I will get over all this silliness soon and get back to a normal life on the sofa with the cat.
Am currently painting the kitchen blue. We have done nothing to it since we moved in and I was fed up with the paint job of the previous owners. Has taken me three weeks so far. Not that the kitchen is that big, but that I can only do a bit at a time, usually after the girls have gone to bed. The blue is almost done now and I do like it, but sometimes it feels a bit like being in a swimming pool. Got some white gloss to paint the door into the garage today (it's currently maroon leaded paint, so it's not going anywhere, I just have to hide it), plus some primer to paint over the tiles and cupboards. I am hoping it will be finished before I'm forty otherwise I might end up having another crisis. One unfortunate thing though, shortly after I'd started painting the kitchen, I went into our bathroom, which also has not been changed since we moved in, and realised that the colour that I hate in there is blue and coincidently very similar to the blue I'm putting in the kitchen....
One more week of the gites being full and quite frankly I think we'll all be glad when the weekend comes and they all bugger off. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it, but now we need to wind down a bit and get some of our own space back too. We've still got bookings through September, which is good, but they're mostly adults so it will feel different and the week-end changeovers should be easier.
Am currently painting the kitchen blue. We have done nothing to it since we moved in and I was fed up with the paint job of the previous owners. Has taken me three weeks so far. Not that the kitchen is that big, but that I can only do a bit at a time, usually after the girls have gone to bed. The blue is almost done now and I do like it, but sometimes it feels a bit like being in a swimming pool. Got some white gloss to paint the door into the garage today (it's currently maroon leaded paint, so it's not going anywhere, I just have to hide it), plus some primer to paint over the tiles and cupboards. I am hoping it will be finished before I'm forty otherwise I might end up having another crisis. One unfortunate thing though, shortly after I'd started painting the kitchen, I went into our bathroom, which also has not been changed since we moved in, and realised that the colour that I hate in there is blue and coincidently very similar to the blue I'm putting in the kitchen....
One more week of the gites being full and quite frankly I think we'll all be glad when the weekend comes and they all bugger off. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it, but now we need to wind down a bit and get some of our own space back too. We've still got bookings through September, which is good, but they're mostly adults so it will feel different and the week-end changeovers should be easier.
11 August 2009
Night of the home brew
See previous post 'Home grown produce' (02/07/09 'In the Garden') for details of this little soiree 'en famille'. With thanks to Virginia for these pics.
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My mother is on the left at the back seemingly snuggling up to a man who is not my father (he's opposite with wine in hand).
I must admit that I don't remember this photo being taken... The offending item is there in my hands, it seems I only have myself to blame.
05 August 2009
Not much to write about at the mo, we are very busy with the gites/cottages and what have you, loads of washing for me as we provide bedding and towels for 22, plus all that the girls generate, spending most of their time outdoors...
Mostly had some lovely guests in so far, apart from one cottage that we cleaned a couple of weeks ago that was absolutely disgusting. Four adults and two young children stayed for a week, you'd think it was a year and that they had never cleaned, it was completely gross, I will not go into details here as I am trying to forget about it, although I keep getting flashbacks, especially when I go back in there. It took six hours between Adrian and myself to clean it, it was so bad. Fortunately they had paid for the cleaning service, but it worked out at €5,00 per hour, much less than the minimum wage! Never seen anything like it and we've had a few dirty gites since we've been here (luckily most people leave them in a reasonable state, but the bad ones stand out unfortunately).
Anyway, weather is good at the mo, I believe it is raining in the uk, ha ha, you should have come here for your hols! We have now booked out all the summer and are concentrating on getting some more september bookings in now.
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