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17 December 2007
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So its Monday. My great niece/nephew was due yesterday. Its the first baby for my nephew and partner and the first ' great' for me . I am not sure that I want to be known as Great Aunt Sue. Nothing happened yet but I will keep you informed.
Yesterday we managed to get all those polystyrene tiles down in the kitchen. Underneath are some lovely old beams, which we intend to whitewash to make the kitchen a little lighter. The tiles came off easier than we thought but have left blobs of cement behind. Whilst I write Bob is tackling those with a wire brush. I've touched up some paint in the downstairs loo, that was also damaged by last years leak. I think we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However I don't think we will finish this visit. Its back home for us on Thursday. I hope the Channel isn't too rough. We leave at about 7.00 am here and collap[se in our beds just after midnight, Thursday will be a long day
Today I got outside for a few minutes and cut back a few dead herbs andplants. I noticed the daffodil blubs are just beginning to show in the pots, I hope these temperatures ( still -5C overnight) don't damage them. I still have healthy sage plants in the herb garden so will take a large bunch home with me for the turkey on Christmas day. I pulled some beetroot and managed to pickle about 5 jars worth. There are loads more in the ground but my fingers were beinning to freeze so I had to give up
Well I think that is all for today.I don't know what job tomorrow will throw up, but Wednesday is vino shopping etc for all our friends back home ( and a little for us too!)
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16 December 2007
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Thanks Doc, I was a little tired the other night. However my computer kept giving me an error message so I kept hitting submit. Its an old computer and well passed its retirement. It has been put out here to 'grass' in sunny France. Sunny it is warm it is not. This must be the 4 th day ina row when we have got up to thick frost and -5 C temperatures. Now I know that our visitors in Canada are quite used to these temperatures and to them it must seem rather tropical, but to a Brit from the North West who is more used to rain. it comes as a shock to the system. I am never good at getting up in the morning, but even more so now. I claim it is the one hour time difference but I don't think my excuse has been accepted
Last night we had our neighbours round for AperitifsAnglais pour celebrer La Noel. We live in ahamlet of 5 houses, and most of the neighbours came. There were 17 of us in all including our British friends who live near the local supermarket. They are permanent residents here and its nice to have someone to talk to in English every now and again Their were 8 children ranging from 2 years to 14. We have ahuge lounge so there was plenty of room for the children to play.
Well last nght we introduced our guests to Christmas Crackers. Try explaining those silly jokes. First translate then explain!!.Tiffaine, who is 10 has collected all the jokes to take to school . I wonder what they will make of them. Last year we introduced our guests to mince pies and Christmas cake. They love them both. On departure we gave our neighbours the last of the mince pies, with instructions to warm them slightly in the oven.
17 people and only 2 English speakers, taxes the old French. Certainly my private French lessons have come in handy. We have spent the last 4 months having a 2 hour lesson once a month. However discussing world affairs and the problems of householders in the UK who were flooded out in the summer was certainly a test of my ability.
Today will be a quiet day, a bit of decorating and lunch out at a local restaurant. I shall than have to have a doze to recover.
bon journée toutes le monde as they say
à Bientot
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14 December 2007
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And it seems my computer is tired out too with its multiple entries!
[Sorted by Doc]
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14 December 2007
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Its been another day with the paintbrush. Not a lot to report execpt to say that if anyone wants to paint a wall with look-a-like masonry paint. Think again. The previous owner of our house had covered the walls of the kitchen in a sort of cement coloured gritty paint. There is no way it can be removed so it had to be overpainted, hence the brilliant white emulsion. I have never painted anything so difficult in my life apart from Moonlight over Kelbrook, but that is another story.
After 4 long hours ( over 2 days) and the destruction of more than one paint brush it is finished. Next task? Well I have a ceiling full of white polystyrene tiles to remove.
I think another galss of vinp is called for!!! OOPs sorry glass of vino. It appears I have already drunk it!
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13 December 2007
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13thDecember
I have never written a BLOG before, infact I don't even know what BLOG means. I gather it is B something LOG. Anyway this is myfirst entry ever
Its been a cold day over here in France. After a late start ( well it doesn't get light until nearly 9.00am) we thought we had better get down to the butcher to get food for tea before we hit the 2 hour lunch. The sun was bright and sky very blue which lifted the spirits . It was agood job because by 2.00pm it was foggy
The afternoon saw me with apaint brush in hand. We are redecorating the kitchen after a major plumbing leak last winter. When we bought the house the kitchen was the only decorated part. We didn't expect to have to redo it so quickly. Whilst I cover everything in sight with brilliant white emulsion ( ie hair , face, clothes, floor and just alittle on the walls) hubby is tackling the laundry room. He is grouting the tiled floor which used to be a soil floor.
I think its now time to have small glass of vino after a days hard work
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