Miscellaneous photos

At the lake at Pouance












Flags at Pornic












No, not giant labels, jam in miniature.







A selection from the store cupboard:
Top row L to R - Blackcurrant jelly, orange and cointreau marmalade, red fruits jelly,
Bottom row L to R - Bramble jelly, greengage jam, plum and cinnamon jam, apple and cinnamon jelly.





The greengages looked so pretty in the pan that I had to take a piccy.










At the lake at Treffieu












Lake at Treffieu









'Picture of Lily'  (Which leads me to 'Quiz of the week number 3' - What is the song and the group I'm referring to?  Usual competition rules apply (see 'Quiz of the week1')












Lilies at Treffieu











Treffieu










Treffieu













On the train at Treffieu












Our only sunflower - after four years of trying to grow them without success, this year we had four seeds left, they were all planted out and this is the only one that grew.











Yes, I do all my own make-up.

Sadness

This evening I feel blue.  Said goodbye to a friend this morning who has moved away.  Was perhaps not the best of goodbyes really as we were on our way out.  I would have stayed if it were a general going out trip, but it was a planned day trip and we had already been delayed (more on that later) and had to suffer the tears of the girls because of this.  We went to the shopping 'mall' (I think I may have had a whinge about the french way of doing a shopping mall somewhere on here before) at Nantes which they always say they love going to, but Adrian and I always come away from it thinking 'next time we go without the girls'.  Mostly they seem to be bored to me, but I think they like spending their pocket money in Claire's Accessories and going on the expensive old-fashioned merry-go-round.  Anyway, got a few more bargains in the sales for birthday pressies and even found a pair of trousers to fit me.  Tried on about 10 swimming costumes in the sports shop, had to take the girls into the changing room with me, only one of them vaguely fitted (of the costumes, not the girls), to which Isabella said 'Mummy, you really shouldn't wear horizontal stripes', so I left empty handed.

Anyway, back to the matter in hand, my current depression.  I've never really had a problem saying goodbye to people if I've been the one leaving, but if I'm the one left behind, I find it very difficult.  Although to put it into proportion, I'm not the one giving up lots of good friends and starting a new life somewhere new with my kids and what-have-you, but am feeling very selfish at the mo. To top it all, I made a really crass comment as she was leaving, stupid thing to say, can't believe I said it.  Why can't I think of classic stuff like 'so long and thanks for all the fish' or 'I'll always remember you - as someone I once met'.  Actually, that should be the latest 'quiz of the week'.  Where did those classic lines come from?  Answers on a postcard etc etc, usual rules and prizes apply (see first quiz of the week).  Here's a clue or two - First one, classic book and cult tv series.  Second one, tv sitcom.

Anyway, I believe that when she's in need of sleep, she does indeed read this blog from time to time, so here is my goodbye to you, oh shit, I'm crying now as I type, I wish you all the best, thanks for being my (our) friend and all the best for the future for all of you.  I'm having a glass of wine and I toast you.  Which reminds me, I was going to give you some of my special throat-warming blackcurrant liqueur to remember (or forget) me with.  Next time.  Sorry. 

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.

pop quiz

At Isabella's dance show last weekend, in the programme they gave a credit to a pop group (I hesitate to call them a band) who's music they had used and I said to Adrian - 'French and Saunders did that with them'. Well he denied all knowledge of this, and so did another english person I asked. (Didn't bother asking the french folk, they did after all give us Vanessa Paradis and Johnny Halliday for which they can never be forgiven). However, as usual, I was right.

So in order to find out if I am the only one who remembers this (I did not buy the record by the way, nor any other records by the group) my new quiz of the week this week is as follows:

Name the group that French and Saunders recorded with and the song that they performed together.

Answers on a postcard please (now that's showing my age...)

But seriously, first correct answer I receive in whatever format wins a bottle of wine (terms and conditions apply).

Terms and Conditions of Quiz of the Week

1. The quiz is not weekly and probably just a one-off.
2. In order to receive their prize, the winner must collect it from us after booking and paying for and staying a minimum of a three night holiday with us.
3. Three night stays are only available off peak season. During peak weeks, stays of 7, 14 or 21 nights only will permitted.
4. Only friends and family or known associates may enter the competition.
5. The value of the prize will not exceed 3 euros.
6. The name and address of the winner will not be published anywhere.