Friday 22 November 2013

Freedom out and about

A haircut whilst speaking French and English with my friend was excellent therapy.  Seeing the rising rushing river against the bridge towers made me feel alive.  I was in wonderment at how quickly the new development of a new car park, cinema and tourist office in Chatellerault has been achieved.
I always try to go to Chez Fred in the market place to have a hot chocolate drink or lunch.  Yesterday was a surprise. I entered to find the floor covered with straw.  On walls and surfaces were veggie crates filled with straw and cut out paintings of rabbits and chickens.  From the ceiling and light fittings there were branches of wisteria, cutout paintings of bunches of grapes and maroon balloons to represent the grape. Some people sat on straw bales. No I hadn't made a reservation.  Never mind I said as I was about to leave without being served a coffee as there was nowhere to sit.  Meanwhile, Fred is waving an empty glass in front of me and indicating the barrel and bottles of Beaujolais Nouvelle, asking if I wanted lunch and finding a place for me to squeeze into. Despite my good intention to save money and to eat frugally my sandwich, "Pourquoi pas" sprang into my mouth, an opportunity to participate unexpectedly. For 10 euros I was stuffed with the buffet volonté, which Fred brought on huge serving dishes. There was no space to wander about.  Apple bread rolls were on plates.  The terrine was so delicious and I did not dare ask which meat!  I declined the black and white pudding and rillette or is it rillande, but accepted the most tasty of cold chicken, carpaccio, cheeses and green salad with tomatoes.  It was cheaper to buy a bottle but I couldn't drink that and when the French people on my table chinked glasses they were reluctant to do so with me because I had water after two small glasses of wine but when Fred brought a third glass they cheered appreciatively for it was that day in the year when Beaujolais is officially released and why they were there for the ambiance and atmosphere of Chez Fred. It was really a paid party!!  With a dessert of pears, cherries and Beaujolais wine confiture and an espresso coffee, my bill was just under 20e without the tip. BRILLIANT. What did it matter ?   I was stuffed.   With colour to my cheeks, sober and within driving limits. I felt alive again. 
I should never leave home without the camera. I considered it but thought it unnecessary,
I'm putting the date in my diary for next year and must get a small group of friends together to make a reservation. 

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Hauling an elephant


Yesterday, and for several days, it has felt as if I am hauling an elephant around my house and garden.
I like elephants. A ride in Sri Lanka about 14 or 15 years ago was amazing with the elephant's matou leading the way.  Shall I call my be chum "trum" ?
I need to get fit ... not that I was ever, ever fit, but stamina is now at zilch. Today, we, that is, me, me and me, wrapped the incoming water pipes positioned in the attic with even more insulation material at huge expense to alleviate anxiety of  potential burst pipes. Most probably unnecessary but I am listening to intuition.  I think there was just one tiny leak last winter but it's better not to take risks. Winters in France have been sub zero and yes, I do need my winter fuel payment.
I made myself tackle the courtyard plant troughs because they are not frost proof and have to be taken indoors. A nuisance. I replanted the zonal geraniums altogether to move them into an attic to see if they will survive. I was without success last year when I put them into the exterior building which must have been too dark and cold. The village gardeners keep geraniums in a room indoors throughout the winter so I am spurred to try again.
The troughs of heavy water saturated soil were lifted carefully using my weak arm and wobbly foot whilst the elephantine feeling began to disappear. I managed  to do what should have taken half of the time.  Some plants like my camellias in pots will be wrapped in bubble wrap.  I pruned the rose rambler, moved things to the back garden, swept the paving slabs and split a few logs with the indispensable electric log spitter.  With a brief blue sky above, I admired the view as I sat with a cup of tea and a slice of Liz's banana and pecan nut cake which was nicely squidgy and JUST delicious!

Now where is that elephant hiding?





Tuesday 19 November 2013

Roof pre replacement and a healing foot

I can't access older photos until I get my laptop repaired but if you click on the link below you will access a photo near the start of  this blog.

My house roof before replacement. Terracotta flat tiles and plastic guttering.

Now my roof has ardoise because the pitch was incorrect to meet modern regulations for flat tiles. However, artisans had to raise the pitch anyway because they had to instal a panne faitiere so maybe I could have had flat tiles. hmmm......ANYWAY, I am very pleased with the result. Let's forget about an empty pocket!  I would suggest that money disappears at the speed of light to the comment from Doris Lessing that life disappears faster than water down a plug hole, Nevertheless, I have peace of mind that timbers are not going to collapse in my lifetime in this house and who knows how long that will be? ! I saw and felt how soft and broken the rafters and beams were when on the ground. Another metaphor!  I've been soft and broken when on the ground. I started to write ...haha.. here, but it was no joke.
END of story. I am trying to change the story.

A SHORTER STORY:
Yesterday, I drove to Poitiers ... a long drive there and back; my foot was just a little sore.
The surgeon almost danced with pleasure when he saw my foot...I'm not sure if it was an act or not. He said it had healed remarkably quickly;  he was impressed with my concoction even writing that in his report.   He is extrmely efficient. He dictates the report to his secretary after the consultation whilst one is there and then she collects payment afterwards.  When I said I was so very tired he said that it was not surprising as I'd had no physical or emotional  support needing to be mobile for the builders. He demonstrated how most patients at this stage after an op are still hobbling because they are French and from the SOUTH  and gave me facial grimaces which portrayed their attitude to recovery... and yet he hadn't seen me walk. I told him I need my foot to be mobile because it is liberté referring to the French trilogy..... Freedom is my achievement! Such a kindly man and how refreshing to have a fun, full of life surgeon... of course that is his job to replenish lives... to make lives easier for the human condition, to help people move and  allow Cinderella to go to the ball ... I am of course still waiting for those silver slippers!  My treat will be when I can wear my heeled boots and summer shoes to be mor feminine. Footloose and fancy free is what I wish to be.

Thursday 14 November 2013

We bless this house - une belle toiture




Time to celebrate,  so please raise a toast to my new roof.

The three artisans raised a glass of Cremant de Loire at lunchtime to the little bird installed on high whilst the rain and hailstones blessed the roof.  Before the light faded from the day they had cleaned up and ended the project which started on 17 October.  It looks so pretty and time will tell how it functions.   I wish to live within the attic but it is not yet habitable and on my income is unlikely to ever be so.  The lucarne window is being made to measure and will be fitted in January.
 I am knackered especially cos I looked after the twins this morning.  They are so delightful . They each talk demandingly at the same time so it is very hard to listen to each one and give full attention without ignoring the other... they are only aged two.  I lifted sods of grass beneath the rose arch and we  planted tulip bulbs, putting them in their beds to sleep for the winter, then we made marks on paper with coloured pencils and pens whilst I showed educational posters of "The Owl and the Pussycat" and I sang the poem and other rhymes. They had drinks and biscuits whilst I made the men coffee. They wanted the Easter bunny to make chocolates in the garden. What good memories they have!!! Instead, we made little pancakes which they had for pre-lunch before mummy took them home.

I am also wondering if there is something else wrong as I am so tired and have no physical energy.  The upper arm pain of almost three months is limiting.

Anyway, the good news is that my house looks so different and I feel proud for it. Yes indeed, for it.  Worth every centime but where is my sports car, kitchen and grand piano and my round the world travel ticket?  I jest in part.... I am lucky.

FOR blessings we do appreciate order rather than chaos in life...my heart cries for those who have no roof above their heads for reasons adverse and intemperate...hopefully whatever small amount we can offer will be used to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and will be distributed ASAP to save more lives and give dignity to humanity.   Blessings are needed.

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Double troubles

I think I have tried to post photos in too large a format not having learned how to edit to smaller size using iPad. I may have to investigate a friend's method for publishing photos but everything takes so long.  Evidently there is more than one method.  This is an aide-memoir of what I did.
1. go to photos on iPad which have been downloaded from camera. 
2. select with a tick then click square in bottom left which opens new window and click copy.
3. go to new post and press screen and click paste...
4. then I clicked publish so as not to lose effort.
5. then edit title and text as I am doing here.
6. click DONE and
7. click SAVE...... this last is very important or one loses a post like I did a few days ago..
8. click publish ... this is also very important or else no photo!!!
9... but  since writing this I click on the camera icon on edit post, select a photo from my iPad, copy it, position cursor where photo is to be positioned, and paste. 

ROOF and FOOT update:

My foot is still tender and being unable to wear a normal shoe I have not yet driven,  except I am being driven round the bend with roofers and home confinement. Fortunately, no one else is here to suffer my lapses!!!! 


The last tiles were laid on Friday and the hole by the chimney was left uncovered so the lovely rain that afternoon trickled down the chimney wall in the grenier and I did not know. At mid afternoon on Saturday I thought I had better check in the attic; plastic sheets and buckets came to the rescue...as did the patron of the business whom I telephoned. On Tuesday morning I heard my teacher's voice emerge to the normally very good workers to explain that it was irresponsible and lacking in thought to leave no flashing around the chimney, aka a hole!   I think they were so tired on Friday afternoon and looking forward to the long weekend when they told me all was safe as the roof was covered! It can't be an easy job. I wouldn't  like to have to work in the rain or heat of the sun. They were contrite.
The site is being cleared and cleaned. Guttering is being installed. The dormer window will have to wait
as it has to be made to measure. 
I am hoping that we can celebrate their hard work and congratulate their endurance and tolerance of the English Lady who asks a lot of questions and expects high standards. 
But I have provided coffee three times a day and they have used my kitchen every day to eat their meal. I am very impressed that they eat healthily and with variety.  If only they realised me how dangerous smoking is! 





Sunday 10 November 2013

As free as a little bird

Whilst Living in France continues I increasingly feel as if I am achieving more and more to be
 as free as a bird... 
I recognise that I am only imprisoned in my own cage when I forget how to sing and dance or when sadness creeps over me like a dark cloud. 
Yet, when the sky is blue and the sun is warm my varying persona emerge as one and then I love to fly free ... in fantasy, in reality and I become happy.
Is that poetic nonsense or an artistic creative literary style? 
I would have preferred  'l'hirondelle' but this chubby chappy is such fun ...
he will look down upon me and I will always look up to my little bird!