April 14th: whilst in the garden washing radiators the nightingale was heard in the distance.
I haven't felt like writing or posting for a long time.
Plus having guests leaves little time for my own indulgences.
In early March, my former partner returned yet again to help me tweak the last of the plan for the kitchen. Having confidence in final measurements and decisions has escaped me. But being able to discuss with a.n.other has brought about the final plan.
It is difficult to explain. My conclusion after months of a mathematical headache is that Ikea and Schmidt software cannot handle the fact that the furniture measurement of a linear length is differen from the worktop linear length. Now the fitter friend has cracked the problem and even he did not see what could be done for ages. He is a man who solves as he goes. I want the problem solved on paper before I waste money on an expensive error!
In addition to that conundrum as well as other things, my friend says he can understand WHY it has taken me so long, not to mention that in between addressing the KITCHEN PLAN I have had other things to do!
He seems to accept my claim that if it were UK I would have had my new kitchen well before now. Trying to have something suitable for the character of the house plus suitable for my pocket has been a scary issue.
One of the main problems has been that the estimate for the electricity*** is costing more than the kitchen furniture and worktop!
(*** this includes plumbing and replacing the last of the radiators to the walls and verifying the central heating system.. and now rather than staging payments and therefore WORK I have decided to PLUNGE ahead and hopefully avoid drowning!)
This week the electrical wiring has been replaced!!!!!! Quel horreur!
I will try to write about this soon but I am very glad I freaked out on Monday, after almost 9 months after getting the first electrician here to make an estimate for the kitchen. This he did not do until February as in September last year there was miscomprehension between us when I asked for estimates for the water heater. I decided not to return to them and that was based on my previous experiences with a different electrician.
I freaked out because all the work we did last year was being ruined. When he returned two days later he had a new system of installing the wiring, in compliance with my request that was agreed with the estimator. I might try and explain this better later. For now, I am too tired!
I am wishing I HAD asked this company to replace the water heater.
Never mind!!!!!! That was in the past.
It appears that I CAN get the water heater (chauffeau electrique) connected to heures creuses et pleins because very soon the new tableau electrique will be able to serve the system!
The other electrician ( not the one who caused me emotional angst) did not do that even though I had insisted it was HC and HP!
I am glad i did not choose a third choice of electrician, an independent auto-entrepeneur because he might have had to order materials whereas this company has everything in the van and seems to be a man who can!
The number of wires in a kitchen has more than surprised me.
How can one have more Surprise!
Oh, oh so easily in France!
BUT back to hearing the nightingale.
It is a song that insists I must get out into the countryside for walks.
I haven't done nearly enough walking nor cycling since before my fever in February.
March has received guests every day, First "my friend" (in inverted commas because the blog tells all and my friends will understand). Then my daughter and only grand daughter, now aged 8 arrived for 8 days. At the same time I hosted a friend who bought a house in the village but it is not yet habitable. Days were eventful with the worst scenario of a car breakdown. Maybe more later if I ever get time to write - the starter motor died in IKEA car park at 20h after a 5 hour marathon in not the IDEAL home base. We were an hour and a half drive from home and I had to get them to the airport the next day. For some reason my insurance would not take us home or get the car repaired in time!
Miracles then began.
See, they can in France!
Then "my friend" returned from UK because he did not wish to stay here at same time as all those females! It was best!!!!!!
And so... for the last week ...following all that has happened in the last year,
THE NEW KITCHEN IS HAPPENING.
Tra la la la la! A new song will be sung!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Malheureusement, not in time for April 30th, the 6th anniversary of me, myself and I owning this property!!!!!
Showing posts with label Signs of Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Signs of Spring. Show all posts
Thursday 14 April 2016
Tuesday 22 March 2016
Swallow in the sky
Into official Spring time ...
there above, in a blue sky,
flies a lone swallow,
flies a lone swallow,
so exciting to witness,
so hopeful a promise
of happiness and hope.
so hopeful a promise
of happiness and hope.
Wednesday 6 May 2015
A month ago
My daughter and grand daughter aged 7 wished for a French Easter. I discovered that in this region of France families like to get out and about on Easter Sunday, but on Monday eat French agneau on a plate and spend time "en famille" in the home.
On Easter Sunday we did a tour of the Brocante. It was bitingly cold and I was for once glad not to be selling! I bought a rhubarb plant and that is all! In the afternoon we hurried to be early for the St Savin Abbey Easter egg Treasure Hunt, which was absolutely excellently organised. It cost 20e for the three of us. At the signalled start we all rushed to the gardens... we were at the front! There we grabbed as many wrapped eggs as possible leaving some for those behind us who were catching up. Those children who had none were brought to the front of the queue to go to the first level of the former cells of the monks. Again our family sprinted forwards, collecting and leaving! We were well pleased. My grand daughter was trained to share her eggs with children who were rather timid and had not made 'la chasse'! After that we had a short pause before being taken to the next floor where children sat in the front, adults behind for a wonderful puppet show lasting 50 minutes. My daughter was so happy! We certainly got our money's worth!
On Easter Monday we went to Azay le Ferron but it was rather tame compared to St Savin. One had to collect three or five corks which had been scattered about the gardens and easily found in exchange for a small bag of chocolates or a key ring. My grand daughter chose the key ring which was the same price as her entrance ticket. We wandered around the arboretum where there is an orchard of specially protected varieties of apple trees as well as huge ornamental species of other trees. Very interesting! However, groundworks were happening and we were cordoned off from some parts of the extensive land. We could have gone for a guided visit in the house, and it would have been interesting for my daughter, but I had already done it and explained that once caught in the system it was hard to get free. My daughter would have had difficulty comprehending the French language. There were hardly any visitors so we declined. However, at the bar opposite we had an entertaining discussion with an English ornithologist / twitcher who had lived in France for 45 years and afterwards with the bar owner who once danced at the Moulin Rouge. People are full of surprises. Anyone wish to buy a bar as she wishes to move to Brittany????
Inside the chateau are more 'animal trophies'! It was a different era!
On Easter Sunday we did a tour of the Brocante. It was bitingly cold and I was for once glad not to be selling! I bought a rhubarb plant and that is all! In the afternoon we hurried to be early for the St Savin Abbey Easter egg Treasure Hunt, which was absolutely excellently organised. It cost 20e for the three of us. At the signalled start we all rushed to the gardens... we were at the front! There we grabbed as many wrapped eggs as possible leaving some for those behind us who were catching up. Those children who had none were brought to the front of the queue to go to the first level of the former cells of the monks. Again our family sprinted forwards, collecting and leaving! We were well pleased. My grand daughter was trained to share her eggs with children who were rather timid and had not made 'la chasse'! After that we had a short pause before being taken to the next floor where children sat in the front, adults behind for a wonderful puppet show lasting 50 minutes. My daughter was so happy! We certainly got our money's worth!
On Easter Monday we went to Azay le Ferron but it was rather tame compared to St Savin. One had to collect three or five corks which had been scattered about the gardens and easily found in exchange for a small bag of chocolates or a key ring. My grand daughter chose the key ring which was the same price as her entrance ticket. We wandered around the arboretum where there is an orchard of specially protected varieties of apple trees as well as huge ornamental species of other trees. Very interesting! However, groundworks were happening and we were cordoned off from some parts of the extensive land. We could have gone for a guided visit in the house, and it would have been interesting for my daughter, but I had already done it and explained that once caught in the system it was hard to get free. My daughter would have had difficulty comprehending the French language. There were hardly any visitors so we declined. However, at the bar opposite we had an entertaining discussion with an English ornithologist / twitcher who had lived in France for 45 years and afterwards with the bar owner who once danced at the Moulin Rouge. People are full of surprises. Anyone wish to buy a bar as she wishes to move to Brittany????
Inside the chateau are more 'animal trophies'! It was a different era!
 |
| Hippoptamus |
 |
| Alligator |
Saturday 14 March 2015
Violets
This week I am determined to do a morning and evening walk after having lived in almost closed orders! The walks are very leisurely. Bimbling even! There is a little black and white pony in the field that was recently sold. The big GREAT DANE sort of dog seemed playful in his HUGE garden but I am glad he was behind wire fencing...although at one time I thought he was surely able to scale it! Descending down the lane I came upon a beautiful heavy smell and stepped back to identify.. inhale the scent.. deep, melodious, heavy, fleetingly it escapes to return in the nostrils....
And as my mind made the connection with those sweet sugary drops that aunties used to have in their pocket, I saw their purple hue.... violet violets. Later I spied yellow celandines.
Nice to speak French to a stranger and English to an American.
I am beginning to be less 'off the wall'. Is there any hope?
Postscript:
But that was all written a week ago because I push postings forwards. The walks dd not materialise after the good start to the week when I concentrated all Monday, was proactive and clear several piles of "things to achieve"! OK there is more which has stacked up for quite a while... but I am tidying it!!! After a Yoga morning where I had to use muscles `i did not know I had, I idled over copious quantities of tea with a gardener who will help me finish the courtyard project. The larch will go. Thanks Tim for your help on this disturbing decision. Then the GP, bank, Tours sadness, IKEA visit to check out kitchens, a car service and thank goodness the electrics on the remorque are repaired. The bill was within my estimate. No electricity this morning bu then on my frequent search in the street for a helpful resident, the neighbour chez lui only for the weekend turned off all the trip switches until we found the culprit. The steam from the kettle hits the cupboard above, then condenses to the wall prise. Depressed, I rallied to a bath and drove to a plant sale, where plants were 25% more than Leclerc yesterday or so listless one would not have wished to own them! Then I did a walk and now my head feels better! The death of an expat has haunted me to keep things simple... but it seems he's left quite a lot of administrative headaches! At least I do have a UK will.
And as my mind made the connection with those sweet sugary drops that aunties used to have in their pocket, I saw their purple hue.... violet violets. Later I spied yellow celandines.Nice to speak French to a stranger and English to an American.
I am beginning to be less 'off the wall'. Is there any hope?
Postscript:
But that was all written a week ago because I push postings forwards. The walks dd not materialise after the good start to the week when I concentrated all Monday, was proactive and clear several piles of "things to achieve"! OK there is more which has stacked up for quite a while... but I am tidying it!!! After a Yoga morning where I had to use muscles `i did not know I had, I idled over copious quantities of tea with a gardener who will help me finish the courtyard project. The larch will go. Thanks Tim for your help on this disturbing decision. Then the GP, bank, Tours sadness, IKEA visit to check out kitchens, a car service and thank goodness the electrics on the remorque are repaired. The bill was within my estimate. No electricity this morning bu then on my frequent search in the street for a helpful resident, the neighbour chez lui only for the weekend turned off all the trip switches until we found the culprit. The steam from the kettle hits the cupboard above, then condenses to the wall prise. Depressed, I rallied to a bath and drove to a plant sale, where plants were 25% more than Leclerc yesterday or so listless one would not have wished to own them! Then I did a walk and now my head feels better! The death of an expat has haunted me to keep things simple... but it seems he's left quite a lot of administrative headaches! At least I do have a UK will.
Sunday 8 March 2015
An evening sky boils
Wednesday 20 March 2013
Wednesday 28 December 2011
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!
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 LANGUAGEA 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.
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