Car repair

Apart from noises at the front of the vehicle to do with the offside wheel and steering, which necessitated two visits and of course a cost, the garagiste heard a noise from the rear wheel and on investigation discovered that the rear drum brake had broken into two parts!
The initial noise was 3 clacks - one as the car started to roll forward and two as I drove onto the road turning in a sharp right S shape. The car was oiled at suspension points and 12 screws tightened under the chassis, I think for the steering rack joints. When I started to leave the garage there was a different gravel crunching noise.  I called Monsieur J who listened, who called Monsieur E who listened, who suggested I take my car as it was not serious and when the French MOT is due in February and I still have the noise in perhaps warmer weather then to let them know!  Hm?  After I left the garage and within a very short distance I had two new noises that weren't there before:

1. a squeak as I turn the steering wheel to the left 

2. the brakes squealed as I journeyed to the petrol station. 

I found myself writing about the differences between the language of France and England in an email to a friend.
"The car repair bill made a large dint in the pocket but now the vehicle is safe.  It was unknowingly dangerous before the repair.  It was a blessing that there was no accident."
This set me thinking about the use of the word  bless .

LANGUAGE:
It was a blessing that there was no accident. 

C'était une bénédiction qu'il n'y avait aucun accident. 
A blessing in disguise = mal pour un bien

 blesser  verb transitif =  to injure, to wound 

Il a été blessé dans un accident de voiture.    He was injured in a car accident.  

blesser = to hurt physically as well as to cause offence

Il a fait exprès de le blesser.    He hurt him on purpose. 

 blessées = casualties
  
 to bless = bénir
 A blessing = une bénédiction (as from the Catholic religion)
Bless you! = a tes souhaits!
Bless you! when thanking someone = Merci mille fois tu es un ange = Thank you a thousand times you are an     
angel.    

If you are blessed with a gift  =être doué(e)  de  
 Elle est douée d'un immense talent.= She is blessed with immense talent.  

First Tuesday Salad Days

Two beautiful songs to celebrate the first Tuesday moving stone, sand, gravel, garden pots then clearing and sweeping the courtyard now that the drainage solutions are complete.  

Another load for the déchetterie.  

Another fine lunch: different salads with fresh smoked mackerel from the fishmonger - a whole fish which I skinned and deboned, flaked with aioli and served on toasted 'sweet chestnut and fig' bread from the local bakery.   

In French markets and supermarkets, cooked "betterave" is often a long variety. I love the way the crunchy, darkened, brown skin can be pulled off.  A favourite salad is to chop beetroots, garlic, leeks, cooking/eating apple, then mix with sultanas or raisins, mayonnaise or aioli, lemon juice/rind and season to taste.

The whistling wind arrived late afternoon and so it was to batten down the hatches,  keep warm by the fireside with less physical activity.

First of all, The Moody Blues and Tuesday Afternoon 1967

followed by 

The Rolling Stones and Ruby Tuesday 1967

 

 

She would never say where she came from

Yesterday don't matter if it's gone

While the sun is bright

Or in the darkest night

No one knows

She comes and goes

Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday

Who could hang a name on you?

When you change with every new day

Still I'm gonna miss you...

Don't question why she needs to be so free

She'll tell you it's the only way to be

She just can't be chained

To a life where nothing's gained

And nothing's lost

At such a cost

Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday

Who could hang a name on you?

When you change with every new day

Still I'm gonna miss you...

There's no time to lose, I heard her say

Catch your dreams before they slip away

Dying all the time

Lose your dreams

And you will lose your mind.

Ain't life unkind?

Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday

Who could hang a name on you?

When you change with every new day

Still I'm gonna miss you...

FRENCH LANGUAGE:

betterave /bɛtʀav/ feminine noun =  beet ~ rouge beetroot

aioli = garlic mayonnaise

ail  pluriel = l'ails or l'aulx /aj/o/ masculine noun = garlic 

poireau, pl ~x /pwaʀo/ masculine noun  = leek

The no-bathroom scary moments

As it's the last day of the year I thought I'd report about not having a bathroom for 18 months.

The bathroom was delayed because other rooms needed to be renovated for heating and hot water systems and there is not a team of tradesmen here. Many an ancestor had no such luxury so I thought I could manage like they did and I guess I felt noble for saving the water of the planet. However, I NEED running water as it fixes my brain, which helps my body to function better.
OUTDOORS First of all, it's not quite as 'primitif' as one would imagine because I do have "The Municipal Block", a flat-roofed out-building.  The Municipal contains an exterior toilet in it's own compartment.  The cistern needs to be tweaked by hand or else it continually flushes. This is a technique which involves keeping the lid off the cistern, putting hand into the clean cold water and manipulating the valves! The Municipal also has a shower room with bidet, sink and a place for a washing machine, but mine is indoors.  The gas water boiler was condemned before I arrived and we removed it for safety.  It was too expensive to install a water heater for a temporary arrangement and electric power showers do not conform to French 'normes' because they require a higher current then 9 or 12kw and therefore would continually trip the meter.  Also France has "direct" water feed.  No progress there!
Problem solving ideas resulted in an old hosepipe rigged on the roof for solar heated water for the shower. It didn't work terribly well but it was fun! One evening my daughter's family and I returned home to discover a waterfall in the courtyard.  The solar heat had rotted the already rotting plastic/rubber. Fortunately, it had not been cascading for long! I am on a water meter!  A bucket system for cold water and for hot water heated in kettles, seemed to sort of suffice for a summer shower. It was fun but when I scalded my leg and winter arrived I gave up and now have a weekly visit to a friend's house for a shower/bath/shampoo and 'make do' like our grandmothers did with a strip wash or a quick lick!  Back in the summer, I used the 50m garden hose, chose a specific point where no one could see me and  had a very quick, refreshing summer shower.
INDOORS The interior shower, sink and toilet were stripped out in the first week of purchase. In November 2011 work commenced although electrics and plumbing had been updated before this.

WINDOW  It's difficult to explain but the floor of this room is one metre below the grass level of my neighbour. I wanted to ensure that they couldn't see nor hear and I didn't wish to see nor hear them. The fixed glazing was unsightly, but if removed, I would be required to meet current building regulations, so a plan was devised for 3 windows in one.  The original glass bricks were cleaned and restored, then a second wall of glass bricks was inserted, followed by a double glazed unit with phonic and thermal glass.  Although it sounds OTT I am happy with the result, having tested sight and sound from their garden. Finishing touches will be made.

WALLS AND CEILING have needed extra plasterboard, filing and sanding to make them flat... my friend will not tolerate any bumps and dips.   My idea was to have MDF tongue and groove effect wall opposite the bath but now not at all. The ceiling had to be installed.  It is lower than the original and the beams have been hidden. If they become humid they will attract the death-watch-beetle and other woodworming insects.  All the time there is continual consideration of  measurements as to the positioning of sink, towel rail, toilet, shower, bath, cupboards, doors, mirrors, lighting, clothes hooks as the room is only 7sq metres.  The toilet cistern will be concealed and it happens to be a suspended toilet which is not quite what I planned but heyho!  The nice man at LeroyMerlin helped me choose. I've done all the angst ridden, decision making shopping for bath, toilet, shower, floor and wall tiles, some lighting. I bought a smallish sink but I think it should be even smaller.
FLOOR Yesterday the levelling compound was laid to raise the floor by 2cm to bring it in line with the future floor level of the bathroom so that it will be en-suite.  It just needs a light skimmed layer and then my new year gift will be helping to lay floor tiles.
EVACUATION As the end of year meets us, we have got to the bottom, so to speak, of the problems with the exterior drainage (excuse the pun). Because of known difficulties with French plumbing, my friend is rightly paranoid that "backing up" does not occur.  The French have been somewhat behind (woops, another pun) on their drainage norms but now, most, if not all, the drainage systems have been assessed.  The drainage pipes in my courtyard have been tracked and I shall make a map of their final position.  The flow was tested and all was not well.  In an attempt to adjust the incline they've had to be re-routed - thank goodness I hadn't yet decked this area!  In digging the gravel, a hole was accidentally made in a different, unexpected pipe coming at an angle.
Miraculously, we had found the mystery of the disappearing, guttering drainage. Testing that this WAS from the downfall pipe involved me climbing the ladder to be Mrs Raincloud.  This drainage pipe will  have to be re-routed because it is impeding the fall of the main evacuation pipes.   Each of the rainfall down pipes will have their own discharge pipes going underground into the mains sewers and the bathroom, sink and toilet will have another.  Lots of work but we can do it!  The drains have been tested!  This will be the first task of the year...oh, it can only get better!

And so Goodbye to another year:
The courtyard garden is in chaos.
The living room is a cauchemar - a storage area and workshop.
A table is covered with screws and nails in the process of being sorted. Give me a ball of wool to unravel anyday! (It's now DONE)
My bedroom is an office and stationery work needs sorting.
Today I uncovered the piano to play Chopin, the settee and the red rocking chair so I can sit by the woodburner to greet a more progressive and positive year.
I am lucky woman for I have warmth, shelter, food, good health, happiness, friends, family, improving self-awareness, confidence and acceptance.


This is how it is.
This is how it can be if I work towards goals.
Happy New Year to everyone.


 FRENCH LANGUAGE:        cauchemar - nom masculin

1. A frightening dream. A nightmare.
2. An event, thing or person that is tormented and obsessed

The First Daffodil

Yesterday a small yellow Spring flower dared to bob her glorious head at the edge of the village!

Yesterday with a little help from a friend and 7 return journeys we transported and stacked 5 stères of oak logs.  That will make 10 stères since May 2011. I will be interested to see how much I burn and hope that for the future I can find a local supplier.

The car, trailer and my old coat, covered in mud, had to be cleaned and the car is due for a visit to the garage. I am aware that my car is of a certain age and in 2011 it cost me several thousand euros to repair but it needs to survive for just a while longer.
UPDATE: The initial noise was 3 clacks - 1 as I started to roll forward and 2 after each other as I drove onto the road turning in a sharp right S shape. The car was oiled at suspension points and about 12 screws tightened under the chassis and I think for the steering rack joints. When I started to leave the garage there was a different gravel-crunching noise.  I called Monsieur J who listened, who called Monsieur E who listened, who suggested I take my car as it was not serious and when the French MOT is due in February and I still have the noise in perhaps warmer weather then to let them know!  Hm... this sounds very French.  Then within a very short distance I have two new noises that weren't there before:
1. a squeak as I turn the steering wheel to the left
2. the brakes squealed as I journeyed to the petrol station.
The following day it appeared that all noises had gone.
However, what I have ascertained is that apart from two new tyres at the front of the vehicle it should pass the Controle Technique in 2 months time. This is necessary every two years unlike the English one year MOT.  Fingers crossed! Hm??? Cars  and Houses ... aint life fun!

FRENCH LANGUAGE

A  stère /stɛʁ/ masculin (pronounced as in stair) is of Greek origin meaning solid.  It is a measure of volume, particularly of wood, equal to one metric cube.

2011 condensed - hence small text!

January to June 2011
The year started with research; I was angst-ridden trying to find someone to make a toughened glass hearth of 12mm thickness and the a large dimension, trying also to find an oval trim for a 45 degree angle of pipework to enter the wall. Most trims were shoddy or expensive, and were called a variety of names, which is why it was difficult to locate them on the web and were non-existent in France.  Much to the questioning of the UK glazier in January, I sandwiched the glass between chipboard. It was heavy. Poor Clio. The glass rested on an airbed until May!

The oak flooring arrived just before Christmas 2010. The electricity heater stayed on minimum more or less day and night, (even though there was no one in the house), to help stabilize the oak, but in February I bought a dehumidifier to help remove humidity which came in from the partially open chimney vent. To begin with, the boxes of oak were almost impossible to lift but as the weeks passed the boxes became lighter. I was glad they'd had the opportunity to acclimatise. Floor leveling compound was laid and the painting of walls and ceilings began. We thought cracks had disappeared but then after a few days or even the next morning they reappeared and others declared themselves. This became tedious, frustrating, dispiriting, and merciless.   

The car became poorly again. A bitter wind blew. Days passed in struggles of all kinds from practical work, physical health, mental and emotional needs, depression and for me, a chatterbox brain.  I looked in the mirror and wondered who was staring at me! I reached in my boots for determination even though one can’t always get what one wants!!

With the severe weather the roof of the external toilet block began to leak, so we cleared the roof of moss and laid bitumen in the cracks.   Unusual pleasure arrived as the hard work spent on preparation began to pay off.  It was a joy to finally wax the pine kitchen door that had been sanded last October.  We began to be happy in our individual selves.

Spring eventually pushed the icy weather to one side.  On March 14^th lawns were mowed…daffodils had been in bloom some time and my friend made great progress with the external doors and windows as well as with the armoire / cupboard doors because he could work outside with sanding and cutting machines.  March 23^rd was very hot. Summer had arrived,   We were able to have morning coffee and lunch in the garden in full sunshine on many a day.  It was more than pleasant and harmonious. And so we came to April when I began to sleep in a different house on different nights.  Newly glazed and restored windows and doors were hung, painted with final coats of paint. Interestingly, I have an underground water cistern below the Atelier which collects rainwater. It is 2.70m maximum in depth about 3m wide and 4m long and at today’s date the water level was at 1.42 metres just before the huge rain storm on 25^th April.  It is set up so that water can be pumped into a 50m hose for watering the lawn and plants when the drought occurs.  This proved to even serve as a fun shower in the heat of the summer when I still did not have a bathroom! Fortunately, strategically positioned I could not be seen by neighbours! It warms up sufficiently for at least a 2 minute shower.

We started to lay the oak flooring having already laid the plastic membrane and chipboard.  The final rows of the oval room were laid on May 10^th and the small room must have been about a week after that.  There were many days caused for celebration but we never celebrated anything beacuse we were both exhausted and just able to function on automaton.  Tragically, my friend heard of the untimely demise and death of a school friend and I could feel his grief.  It was deeply sad.

The lawns are mowed again on May 7^th and cherries were stoned to make way in the freezer for other things.  I made jam!  We  started to collect 5 stere of logs, finished doorway tiling and glued and pinned skirting boards which were sanded and painted I don’t know how many times until my friend was satisfied.  It was grueling.  Whoopee - May 19^th, the second woodburner was installed, 5 months behind schedule, but it matters not! The weather was hot!  This later became a problem on more than one occasion!  Eventually radiators were returned to the walls. When they have all been returned to their positions I would be able to order fioul for the central heating. Oh, I'd forgotten about that possibility until now as I write!  Hope! Lighting was completed and the rooms are habitable.  It looks so beautiful I wish to cry but I smile instead with immense pleasure and relief. 

At The Last Supper we shared a bottle of 1997 Rioja – a very dusty bottle discovered in our cache. He cooked lamb. I think I bought a French patisserie.  Moving Day was on June 4^th when two young lads moved my piano, furniture and personal belongings. I wept but stayed strong.  I continued to move things after that date and my friend continued to help me clear, organize and install a washing machine.  I was launched into single womanhood again. He was launched into bachelorhood again. 

June to December 2011

In the Summertime we rested. My friend bought an electrically assisted bicycle and explored a wider region.  I went to UK, Greece, Nimes and Arles.  I felt re-generated and blissfully happy meeting new friends and being with my family. Happiness continued until October when another hurdle dragged me down.  By November UK flu had gripped me.  Is that why in France it is called ‘la grippe’?  I spent two weeks asleep and when upright, only half awake!  Research and a blood test showed that my protein levels were below the minimum requirement.  All other medical support stopped.  I was tired of taking tablets.  I don’t  need them though I have some inactive days when "ma tête est dans mes chaussettes."  In 2012, I intend to increase vitamins and minerals and continue to maintain the higher protein diet.  My problem as I get older is weight gain. Oh for the days when I was a sylphlike creature.  I need to exercise as I have really slowed down.  I long to walk everyday, cycle, swim in the wild river, and not eat winter carbohydrates!   

Since November we have been working on the installation of a bathroom but illness has beset us both, as well as other housing issues being a nuisance. The days will get longer but first we must make it through the winter months.

I am grateful for the help, to someone who has in the past held a special place in my life and although I do not have sufficiently worthy expressions, I have appreciated the benevolence and kindness in continuing to help me with this project that I am unskilled and unprepared for.  I have certainly not appreciated other stuff.  Despite the past differences and difficulties which I have not handled well, I have always tried my best to support this pragmatic, independent person as the need arises.   We are friends. I try my best, which is not good enough, to make changes in my  own inner Self and my 'reality life expectations' to solve the issues that gather around my feet and head!
And so it is as it is. 

FRENCH LANGUAGE

·      "ma tête est dans mes chaussettes." is a french, idiomatic expression describing low morale (mood) often related to being depressed, translated as having one's head in one's slippers! 

·      le fioul (masculin) = fuel. Domestic fuel = le mazout

·      l'armoire (feminin) is a cupboard with shelves and / or doors