Sunday 28 October 2012
No Humming update
Wasps clamouring to reach the light on the outside of the windows make themselves an easy target for a shoe or flybat! Sleepy wasps on a tiled floor get stamped upon. Today, increasingly colder weather brings another 60 or so, in their death throes, fallen to the ground at the double doorway below the nest entrance. One lies dead in the spotlight above the bath in my brand new bathroom!!!! The crack in the wall received another spray on Tuesday but being inappropriately dressed, 'though well covered, swiftly did I descend when wasps appeared from east and west! Thursday, the crack was indirectly blocked by a sheet of metal but as the wall is wonky, they can still exit and enter. Evidently, green ant powder will do the trick....me thinks I need to drill a larger hole into the wall plus pump it in somehow. The week has passed and the poison control man never even contacted me! Hmph! My granddaughter was very brave, especially when she found a sleepy one on her clothing. I look forward to their full departure and am grateful that they don't appear to be humming anymore!
Sunday 21 October 2012
No Humming now!
What a saga!!!! We finished three cans that had been previously started to kill wasps nests in his and her houses! My friend wore a plastic decorator suit with a clear plastic bag over his head, pegged together and rubber gloves. He managed to do the deed without suffocating himself, nor getting stung. Another bonus was that he couldn't breathe in any of the fumes. That was good! I borrowed a ladder so we could put wooden planks over the plastic corrugated roof to tread on, to reach the crack in the house wall, which is above the roof, above the exit door. You can see that there is cement on this wall! Not good!!!!!
The wasps came from east and west, swooping over the rooftop but most got sprayed. It was lunchtime, not the righttime, but needs must! The vital task was to spray directly into the crack and this he managed. Within the afternoon there were 50/100 wasps in the salle de sejour, yet with all windows and doors closed. Attracted by daylight, they met their end by shoe and flyswat as they collected on the French doors. Then an equal number fell dead or almost so, into the atelier below the roof outside the exit door.
Some sprays destroy wasp nests, others kill only wasps. Although expensive I didn't have to pay the wasp man. Fortunately / Unfortunately he is too late. I expect he will be annoyed! He came and looked, then had to order the powder but meanwhile it rained a lot. He didn't come at the weekend because this is France although he knew I needed them to be removed urgently!
My friend suggests that we fill the crack with mousse foam to be doubly sure that surviving wasps do not return to the nest even though I have read that the queen flies and starts a nest elsewhere.
Now, another job will be to go around the external house walls, filling cracks and holes with chaux render! However, it is easier to own a French property when one has a pragmatic and skilled friend.
Ah!!!!!!
No humming now!
Friday 19 October 2012
Linked to the previous posting
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| Seated Art |
I refrained from taking photos of artists' works ( see previous posting ) but felt that outdoors, being in the public domain, the art of seeing with an eye, was permissible. Years ago, in the 1980s I once walked in the Forest of Dean following the sculpture trail. My children loved the giant forms transformed from nature.
Sunday 14 October 2012
L'Art et Lard - Le Petit Pressigny
The rain fell. Sadly, people did not appear until the afternoon when the sun shone, but as quickly as it arrived, so also did the temperature drop after an electric storm. Gusty winds eventually blew the grey sky full of rain into differently sized bulbous clouds of varying shades of white and grey. However, despite the gloomy weather, some people brought laughter and smiles and I was glad to have made an effort in order to support those who had worked so hard to present the event.
Glad too to have entered the tart competition because I learned from it, tasting the winner's offering. It was won by an English lady who'd added ground almonds, which was interesting in that we were not allowed to have any other form of tart e.g. Tarte Tatin, Tarte Alsace. So, I'd decided to let the pastry and apples speak for themselves rather than add cinnamon or other flavourings that I love to put in pastry and fillings. Many of the recipes I researched used apple puree as a bed for the sliced apples but I followed one where apples were on a bed of home-made Creme Patisserie! My apple tart was tasty but did not stand alone in taste as it needed cream or yoghurt. I discovered THAT afterwards. The Ariane apples were too acidic and too crunchy. I needed an apple that will squidge down more and cook until soft. I need to cut the slices more uniform. My shortcrust pastry was not sufficiently cooked despite having been baked blind and being in the hottest of ovens as well as baked on metal. However on the plus side I liked the rustic look of my effort! Well, it was fun to do. I was Number 4 of 12 entries - usually 30! Every participant received a litre of freshly juiced apple from the apple press. Not bad!
Several artists were not in their appointed places...too wet a day! I 'm not sure how the artistes and artisans fared with sales but it could not have been rewarding!
Unfortunately, I couldn't muster a wow about much of the art. My favourite work was by a photographer who was being interviewed by the press. His description of passion for his mother and her pasta making was a joy to listen to, although I did not understand all. I almost bought his book documenting French cafe-bars. Had I seen before the wonderfully large portraiture, where the crepes were to have been enjoyed? Feeling tempted to commission a study of my grand-daughter, I resisted the thought and edged away. Dominique's decorative pottery is always wonderful. The Illuminated painting on different materials was a marvel with detail and exactitude. The photography of a red paper dress was appreciated because there was no one present so I had the building to myself! I would like to see more craftsmen or women working as did Magalie, Eliane, a jeweller and someone who makes the zinc work for rooftops. There was jewellery made with hand made lace which though very interesting was not my style. Although solitary, I met people I knew. I enjoyed the event, as much as anyone could in such weather, but previous years were better. Such a shame for it was not the fault of the organisers.
The English tea stall had doubled the quantity of cakes they had made and seemed to do a fine trade in keeping us warm. Thank you Joyce and her team for English scones and Earl Grey tea! Nothing like a cuppa!
I enjoyed wandering the lanes and having my umbrella turned inside out around the muddied-watered lake but sunshine makes all the difference to an Autumn Fair.
Glad too to have entered the tart competition because I learned from it, tasting the winner's offering. It was won by an English lady who'd added ground almonds, which was interesting in that we were not allowed to have any other form of tart e.g. Tarte Tatin, Tarte Alsace. So, I'd decided to let the pastry and apples speak for themselves rather than add cinnamon or other flavourings that I love to put in pastry and fillings. Many of the recipes I researched used apple puree as a bed for the sliced apples but I followed one where apples were on a bed of home-made Creme Patisserie! My apple tart was tasty but did not stand alone in taste as it needed cream or yoghurt. I discovered THAT afterwards. The Ariane apples were too acidic and too crunchy. I needed an apple that will squidge down more and cook until soft. I need to cut the slices more uniform. My shortcrust pastry was not sufficiently cooked despite having been baked blind and being in the hottest of ovens as well as baked on metal. However on the plus side I liked the rustic look of my effort! Well, it was fun to do. I was Number 4 of 12 entries - usually 30! Every participant received a litre of freshly juiced apple from the apple press. Not bad!
Several artists were not in their appointed places...too wet a day! I 'm not sure how the artistes and artisans fared with sales but it could not have been rewarding!
Unfortunately, I couldn't muster a wow about much of the art. My favourite work was by a photographer who was being interviewed by the press. His description of passion for his mother and her pasta making was a joy to listen to, although I did not understand all. I almost bought his book documenting French cafe-bars. Had I seen before the wonderfully large portraiture, where the crepes were to have been enjoyed? Feeling tempted to commission a study of my grand-daughter, I resisted the thought and edged away. Dominique's decorative pottery is always wonderful. The Illuminated painting on different materials was a marvel with detail and exactitude. The photography of a red paper dress was appreciated because there was no one present so I had the building to myself! I would like to see more craftsmen or women working as did Magalie, Eliane, a jeweller and someone who makes the zinc work for rooftops. There was jewellery made with hand made lace which though very interesting was not my style. Although solitary, I met people I knew. I enjoyed the event, as much as anyone could in such weather, but previous years were better. Such a shame for it was not the fault of the organisers.
The English tea stall had doubled the quantity of cakes they had made and seemed to do a fine trade in keeping us warm. Thank you Joyce and her team for English scones and Earl Grey tea! Nothing like a cuppa!
I enjoyed wandering the lanes and having my umbrella turned inside out around the muddied-watered lake but sunshine makes all the difference to an Autumn Fair.
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| Roof Art |
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| 15 kilograms Loaf Art |
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| Door Art |
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| Liquid Art |
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| Camer'Art |
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| Tart Art -'ard to win! |
Saturday 13 October 2012
Almost Midnight
......and savouring the first glass of red as I look at the first ever attempt at making a
It will be scrutinised and tasted by French experts! I don't favour my chances but everyone who enters gets something, so that in itself will be a reward. I am doing it for the fun of FIRSTS. I don't fancy being a judge. They are going to have to taste quite a few tarts! If there is part of my tart looking still edible, then I am allowed to collect it after prizes have been distributed!
I WOULD LIKE THE MIDNIGHT FEAST NOW!
Eventually after much decision making I decided not to add lavender to the pastry and not to add cinnamon to the apples. I thought the taste and texture should speak for itself.
Cheers... I deserve this glass of red!
It's been a wet and whiney day!
"Tarte aux Pommes Classique"
Yes, of course I have made many an apple pie that might even have looked me in the eye like this one....... but...... this has had to be special because it is for a competition. It will be my first ever "concours" if I can get it to the destination intact. The weather is forecast with an ORANGE alert meaning that there are going to floods and floods means RAIN RAIN RAIN... We've already had 18mm in 24 hours and before that 60 mm since Sunday evening. It will be scrutinised and tasted by French experts! I don't favour my chances but everyone who enters gets something, so that in itself will be a reward. I am doing it for the fun of FIRSTS. I don't fancy being a judge. They are going to have to taste quite a few tarts! If there is part of my tart looking still edible, then I am allowed to collect it after prizes have been distributed!
I WOULD LIKE THE MIDNIGHT FEAST NOW!
Eventually after much decision making I decided not to add lavender to the pastry and not to add cinnamon to the apples. I thought the taste and texture should speak for itself.
Cheers... I deserve this glass of red!
It's been a wet and whiney day!
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Five green bottles
After administrative visits to CPAM and then the Tax Office in order to have explained to me, yet again, the Avis d'Imposition, I took lunch at Fred's in the market place, Chatellerault. Highly recommended.
I understood much more as to how tax figures are calculated but now I must go to the Bank and ask them to explain other calculations! It is complicated living in another country and having to learn so much, but inevitably it must keep the brain active!
Now, five green bottles standing in a row were placed upon my table after I'd ordered a 'Croque Saumon avec graines de cumin et Salade et Tomates". In response to my asking for a glass of red, Fred starts to tell me the choice, gives up before he has started to speak, brings the large "ardoise" (blackboard), gives up quickly again, then brings a choice to the table!!!!!!! It's all very fast, furious and fun in his cafe-bar where he has no kitchen but telephones to the charcutiere one's order! I choose the central bottle because it is almost empty. I only have a small glass!!!! The food arrives with a flourish and he asks what it is in English. I say a toasted sandwich. A lady client amuses me as she tries to say "toasting sandvich". I meet my hairdresser and then a lady from my pottery class dining with her husband. We speak English, because he is, and now I was on my way to the next venue.
It was to "La Gourmandine" restaurant where there was an Independent Financial Adviser company presentation to us British Nationals living in France. I learn one or two useful facts. One is that I am poor but not as poor as some. However, I try to take no notice for I have other riches! Afterwards we are presented with Kir Royale and mise en bouches. There were small glasses of cold pea soup which was deeeeeeelicious, morue with waffle biscuits on tiny wooden platters, other savoury morsels, French honey cake and strange sweet nibbles with coffee! A bizaare 4pm gouter!
Onwards to the supermarket where I was brave enough to ask a lady which apples she would recommend for a Tarte Pomme Classique. She did not know in English!!!! After we'd summoned further help and I settled on Reine de Reinettes and also Ariane I asked her where she had learned her English. She became quite wistful and told me how she used to work with Nato and missed an opportunity to go to Germany with a certain gentleman but subsequently worked with the oil trade where she met her husband.
It is a joy to meet French people and hear their remarkable stories!
I don't often praise myself but today I have been called "adorable" by one lady, then by another praised for my shape in the diet foods aisle, whilst discussing the merits of BIO biscuits containing sunflower, sesame and lin seeds....as a potentially nourishing biscuit to give my grand-daughter and prise her away from "rubbishy snack foods". My daughter is having a terrible time trying to get the little one to eat properly!!!!!! They will be with me soon just for 3 full days.
Yes, today I felt positive. Happy to be out and about in "April showers" and sunshine, with movement and colourful people, but dismayed at the emptying of the wallet and purse!!!!!!
I understood much more as to how tax figures are calculated but now I must go to the Bank and ask them to explain other calculations! It is complicated living in another country and having to learn so much, but inevitably it must keep the brain active!
It was to "La Gourmandine" restaurant where there was an Independent Financial Adviser company presentation to us British Nationals living in France. I learn one or two useful facts. One is that I am poor but not as poor as some. However, I try to take no notice for I have other riches! Afterwards we are presented with Kir Royale and mise en bouches. There were small glasses of cold pea soup which was deeeeeeelicious, morue with waffle biscuits on tiny wooden platters, other savoury morsels, French honey cake and strange sweet nibbles with coffee! A bizaare 4pm gouter!
It is a joy to meet French people and hear their remarkable stories!
I don't often praise myself but today I have been called "adorable" by one lady, then by another praised for my shape in the diet foods aisle, whilst discussing the merits of BIO biscuits containing sunflower, sesame and lin seeds....as a potentially nourishing biscuit to give my grand-daughter and prise her away from "rubbishy snack foods". My daughter is having a terrible time trying to get the little one to eat properly!!!!!! They will be with me soon just for 3 full days.
Yes, today I felt positive. Happy to be out and about in "April showers" and sunshine, with movement and colourful people, but dismayed at the emptying of the wallet and purse!!!!!!
Tuesday 9 October 2012
Tuesday 2 October 2012
My first accordion
When I was seven years old Santa gave me this little accordion.
And for a little bit of nostalgia:
I was told by my father that during the war he was mostly in the back of a lorry on signals, but whilst in Ancona, Italy he heard many an accordion. Today the factories still exist and museums too. Though I would love to go, I feel I would be filled with sadness, as well as, joy to hear the many sounds and styles of such an instrument that I love to play. It represents freedom for me!
A few days ago, an English lady whom I met 3 years ago arrived for guidance on how to play it. She had bought one exactly the same but darker red! I thought she'd paid rather a lot of money but I would need to research that! It was fun to teach and she made quick progress whilst I made a cup of tea. It's a very limited instrument as it is child-size.
When I was seven years old, it was my French teacher or she was a teacher who was French (possibly Madame Boucher who taught mathematics) ... who gave me lessons. I learned to play Three Blind Mice. She was impressed. It was my earliest recollection that I could be successful at something! After about three after-school lessons, she visited my house and told my mother I needed to have professional lessons more or less immediately. I started studies with Martin Lukins.
I can't wait until my grand-daughter who has already shown interest and ability at the age of 4, is ready to learn to play seriously. It would be nice to think that I could pass on 'heritage tracks' !!!!
And for a little bit of nostalgia:
I was told by my father that during the war he was mostly in the back of a lorry on signals, but whilst in Ancona, Italy he heard many an accordion. Today the factories still exist and museums too. Though I would love to go, I feel I would be filled with sadness, as well as, joy to hear the many sounds and styles of such an instrument that I love to play. It represents freedom for me!
When I was seven years old, it was my French teacher or she was a teacher who was French (possibly Madame Boucher who taught mathematics) ... who gave me lessons. I learned to play Three Blind Mice. She was impressed. It was my earliest recollection that I could be successful at something! After about three after-school lessons, she visited my house and told my mother I needed to have professional lessons more or less immediately. I started studies with Martin Lukins.
I can't wait until my grand-daughter who has already shown interest and ability at the age of 4, is ready to learn to play seriously. It would be nice to think that I could pass on 'heritage tracks' !!!!
Monday 1 October 2012
Changing my mind
Change the mind and change my world!
I've just had several days or was it weeks when apart from trying to organise the mess that I create and cleaning for a friend, I now feel optimistic!
Being lazy on a Sunday afternoon with the sun shining warmly, I decide it's better to be a social human being. I decide not to shut the world out of my courtyard but to achieve what once a friend and I said we would do in France ... I open the gates, meet people, see places.
First port of call was a small Brocante at Bonneuil Matours. No more than a dozen stalls. But no vide-grenier which was a welcome change! Then I wandered to where I thought there was a Park, carrying my picnic basket. Realising it was too far, I returned to the car. However, with a 'no entry' to my right I decided to explore, driving into narrow streets of the old town. I wished to go into the church but at mid-afternoon the riverbank wall, warm with sunshine, urged me to eat my raw salad, yoghurt, scone and plums with Earl Grey tea. The dam was automatically operating and seeming to clean the vanes of the barrage. To my surprise, it is an old moulin which once created flour and now creates electricity.
I have to practice my French to read / understand more here and here. The noticeboard outside the mill was very interesting but I couldn't absorb all the history.
Then I found a park which will be ideal for my grand daughter as there is mini-golf, zipwire, climbing apparatus, the usual roundabout things for younger children PLUS space to play ball or fly a kite and in the summer a place to swim or paddle with lifeguard present. FREE!
Feeling quite buoyant I set off for home but took a different route and came upon L'Abbaye d'Étoile which was absolutely stunning. It is a redundant, salvaged Cistercian Abbey.... the only one in the region of Poitou. The Cistercians lived in Silence but used Sign Language to communicate. Unlike the Benedictines at St Savin, the Cistercians lived in austerity and poverty. Some of the buildings have received much preservation work but more is required. It will cost a fortune! How come I have not discovered this in the last 9 years of my knowing this region? I definitely wish to return. After my solitary visit, apt to get a feeling of the vastness and the space that monks created and prayed in, I had the opportunity to listen to the guide speaking to descendants (?) or people interested in, Les Acadiens. There was I think a twinning group from Archigny. After a while I sloped off, for I did not wish to be "Who's that woman in our photographs?"
There is quite a lot of history to learn!
I've just had several days or was it weeks when apart from trying to organise the mess that I create and cleaning for a friend, I now feel optimistic!
Being lazy on a Sunday afternoon with the sun shining warmly, I decide it's better to be a social human being. I decide not to shut the world out of my courtyard but to achieve what once a friend and I said we would do in France ... I open the gates, meet people, see places.
First port of call was a small Brocante at Bonneuil Matours. No more than a dozen stalls. But no vide-grenier which was a welcome change! Then I wandered to where I thought there was a Park, carrying my picnic basket. Realising it was too far, I returned to the car. However, with a 'no entry' to my right I decided to explore, driving into narrow streets of the old town. I wished to go into the church but at mid-afternoon the riverbank wall, warm with sunshine, urged me to eat my raw salad, yoghurt, scone and plums with Earl Grey tea. The dam was automatically operating and seeming to clean the vanes of the barrage. To my surprise, it is an old moulin which once created flour and now creates electricity.
Then I found a park which will be ideal for my grand daughter as there is mini-golf, zipwire, climbing apparatus, the usual roundabout things for younger children PLUS space to play ball or fly a kite and in the summer a place to swim or paddle with lifeguard present. FREE!
Feeling quite buoyant I set off for home but took a different route and came upon L'Abbaye d'Étoile which was absolutely stunning. It is a redundant, salvaged Cistercian Abbey.... the only one in the region of Poitou. The Cistercians lived in Silence but used Sign Language to communicate. Unlike the Benedictines at St Savin, the Cistercians lived in austerity and poverty. Some of the buildings have received much preservation work but more is required. It will cost a fortune! How come I have not discovered this in the last 9 years of my knowing this region? I definitely wish to return. After my solitary visit, apt to get a feeling of the vastness and the space that monks created and prayed in, I had the opportunity to listen to the guide speaking to descendants (?) or people interested in, Les Acadiens. There was I think a twinning group from Archigny. After a while I sloped off, for I did not wish to be "Who's that woman in our photographs?"
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| A model of the entire site |
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| Stars and Moons |
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| The Chapel |
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