Fritillaries et friperie

Colours of the lighter Loire and the darker Vienne as  they form a confluence  at the village of Candes Saint Marten, France courtesy of Google maps

 

 

 

The confluence of two rivers, the Loire http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loire and the Vienne, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienne conjoin the wealth of the Touraine and Anjou regions of France.   At first they swirl alongside each other before eventually settling in combination in their descent to the Atlantic Ocean. The river valleys bring together Man, his habitat, his ancestry; his longstanding, developing relationship with the rivers’ waters and the land’s flora et fauna. 

As I crossed the bridge at Candes St Marten  I read a panel all about the oxbow lake that is there to help pike spawn. Fascinating.

For some years I have wanted to come to this point and today, it was because Susan had told me that the snakeshead fritillary flowers were in bloom here in abundance. I wanted to walk in the area to find them but glad I didn’t as it is GI-NORMOUS area! I’d like to do that maybe when I’ve studied a local map. However, in the car, I drove down many tracks alongside flooded dykes / ditches and there, through (maybe they were poplar) trees and lo, peeping between green grass blades were little pinkish treasures….SUCH JOY to see them.

I once planted fritillaries in a UK garden … they only flowered the one year.

It was fascinating to view small fields called bocage, feel history amidst ancient coppiced trees, newly planted or maturing tall silver barked trees,  hedges that meander,  tracks that go to wherever,  and swathes of celandine or were they winter aconites?  Though there are more cowslips in my region than there!

My early morning departure was delayed as I’d been asked to look after two year old twins…. That WAS fun… reading books, playing ball, singing songs.. as well as changing a nappy! So I arrived in Chinon a little after 1pm. It was necessary to find lunch. I had a feeling it would be pricey but I found a very nice Café des Arts where Boeuf Bourguignon and a glass of Chinon was 15e in immaculate modernistic setting. Lovely glasses!

There was a REAL bric a brac sale in the streets which deterred me from roaming where once I'd been before though I did have a browse.

 Another reason for why I headed into this direction (an hour and quarter drive north of where I live) was to catch a glimpse of the Loire-a-velo route! Don’t ask!!!! BUT .... I dream of having courage to do some solo cycling.  I’d prefer company for camping wild but chance to find anyone of my age to do that is a fine thing!!!!! I can but dream! Anyhow... one never knows, but maybe in the Summer I could just do a shorter velo trail than the grand aspiration which goes from St Nazaire to the very east of other European cultures once the Loire is far behind one's journey.

Hence after wandering in fen land, I headed towards the Loire where I knew that if I turned left I’d meet the Vienne and sure enough over the bridge is the ancient village, Candes Saint Marten, where I climb up high to have a panoramic view of the confluence, then potter about the narrow village lanes steeped in history.

I’m tired and cannot find a place to have tea, so indulge in dried pears and naughty Easter chocs I have in the car, whilst heading home via a different route, though one I know, once near St.Maure du Touraine.

In addition, the following amused me:

Medical matters

I have to make an appointment for the other bunion to be operated, so says my GP, without me asking.  He thinks that the Hallux Vulgus is causing the irregular shooting pains in my feet and so kinaestherapie is prescribed! I had intense deep massage from the osteopath in UK for the problem!
I'm putting both treatments on hold whilst the series of two hour return journeys to various clinics, establish the current urgent medical problem for a friend who has experienced a sudden onset of double vision.
Within ten days before Easter he visited the GP, the Opthalmologiste (eye specialist), had a blood test, visited another office to make appointment for brain/head scan which was on a different day, made a phonecall for an appointment with Orthoptique (eye test) which was the day after telephoning, had a Cardiologue chest xray.  After Easter there is a further appointment with the Opthalmologiste and a revisit to the Orthoptique with a possible visit to the Neurologue!!!
One of the eye muscles is weak and so has to wear a patch to rest the eye.  Hopefully for him it will not be long before it repairs itself.

Photography

I realise that I don't have a reason for the fact that I seem to have fallen out with cameras, having not been inspired to take photos. Or possibly it is the techno thing of downloading, uploading, digital enhancement, etcetera, or the fact that batteries have to be charged or replaced or that the winter bag has not been sufficiently commodious. Perhaps the mind, the organisation, the weather and a myriad of other  nouns could form potential excuses for why photos have become fewer on this blog.  I'm sure the level of enthusiasm will improve.  Probably, new adventures, less hibernation, will trigger the button, so to speak.
In fact, the clickability of cameras allows me to collect so many digitial photos, too many!  I haven't been very good at FILING, nor ruthless about which to keep, so trawling through photos, looking for THE ONE becomes tedious!
However, as it is April Fools Day - Le Jour du Poisson - in the unruly archives, is ceramic art that I was drawn to at a Bretagne Museum in Quimper, September 2012.

Une Brocante quand il fait froid

The clocks sprang forward last midnight! Arriving at Angles sur L'Anglin at 6h30, I was as early as last year when people thronged at 7h, but this morning, people did not emerge much before 9h, except for one or two professionals looking for coins, stamps, postcards, hoping to drive down the price of more antique looking items.  Mainly, I had what I thought was trash... lots of little items not sold before, diy things, some clothing, and now I wonder what DID I sell?  Interest was for a toy tank without tracks, an attractive blue vase for which I wouldn't provide a giveaway price,  a rusty woodworking plane, a child's wooden chair.  Some things I'd bought, I made a profit on, but much I sold at below the price I'd paid as new.  C'est la vie for unwanted items! That is normal.  I confess that since my first car boot stall I have had  a small kick from making a one or two euros profit on some things. My main interest however, HAS been to dispose of things without taking items to the dechetterie. I don't have a problem with moving things to charity shops but here in France they are few and far between.  I support Emmaus.
It was a lot of work for 12 hours on site in the cold but I suppose it was a reasonable profit but one third down on last year's effort.  My first sale was my mothers old "snakeskin" patchwork handbag to a man who I think was theatrical because later I saw he carried the bag and distinguished looking cane!!!!
Once I'd got used to talking to people again in English and French it was quite fun being smiley and happy, even thinking it was 'fun' now that the trauma and anguish of the previous evening had been dispelled.  It's physically hard to get the wooden tables in situ without help and realise that if I do one further afield I need a shorter table or a longer car!
I look at all "the stuff" and initially become embarassed but the French have a very good sense of humour so one doesn't feel that once behind the table!  "One person's rubbish is another person's treasure," is what I had to say to myself! A good measure of success was that the boxes were lighter for the return journey. 

The Bedroom Decor

I have returned to feelings of being in heaven and earth like a princess in paradise! 

Room Aspect and Details: 
The room faces West - colder in the morning than the afternoon.  It measures 240cm high x 410cm long and 330cm wide. The windows are within the doors of the French windows to the courtyard and within the doors of the French windows that lead into the Salle de Sejour. There is also a door without windows leading into the en suite bathroom.
Ceiling: Dulux Roman White between original, fat, sand-blasted, oak beams.
Woodwork: F&B Skimming Stone no. 241: Described as a highly versatile off-white.  'Skimming' refers to its original use as a 19th century skim colour.

Walls: F&B Cornforth White no. 228: Described as Neutral/Cool.  In memory of John Cornforth, architectural historian and author of 'English Decoration in the 18th Century'.  Foremost in the 1970's / 1980's in reviving the Georgian palette of off-whites, stones, drabs and buffs. The Georgian era spanned the kings reigns between 1714 and 1830.
Bay window tiles: 30 x 15cm². Travertin marble bought at Bricomarché. Treated with clear anti-stain STARWAX .   
Oak Floorboards supplied by WoodWorksFrance laid by a competent, experienced builder, who was and is to this day, somewhat still, a very best friend despite all that has happened. I have since treated the wood with 60/40 linseed oil and turpentine.
Bed: Original Victorian iron and brass bedstead, widened and refurbished by Bed Bazaar with a hand made pocket sprung mattress. The story about this bed frame is that in about 1994, I inherited a third of the accident insurance after my father died in Spain.  Having slept on a mattress on the floor ever since my early twenties,  I decided to raise my sleeping level.  I tested lots of beds and mattresses which was fun,  but my heart made me inspect iron bedsteads, battered and bashed which had slept no-one for many an age.  Horrified at the cost, as I'd never spent this much on furniture,  I justified the expense by calculating that it would cost me apx 1p a night for the rest of my life, if I lived to a good old age!  I have never regretted the decision and indeed my retreat has given me great comfort for my soul as well as my body. A bed is very important and not just a sleeping place. It's my haven. I like white bed linen although I have been using a brown satin finished bed cover which has an elephant at the centre - a gift from my daughter's visit to Thailand.
Mosquito net: Ecru colour by Klamboe.

Curtains: Laura Ashley fabric circa 1994 (awaiting adaptation)Chandelier: I expect it is French but I bought it for my previous house - a 400 year old inn - where a mezzanine bedroom on  the third level overlooked the room in which this hang.  In many ways I regret leaving ... but sometimes one has to "move on" and traffic on the street created poor sleeping conditions by vibrating the house. Don't look back except with fondness and memory.
Cheval miroir: Victorian / Edwardian - Inherited from my dearest Aunt Ivy. A little wonky!
Vase:  Long Park Torquay. Possibly Aller Vale era. Terracotta. 45cm height. Inherited from my Aunt Ivy filled with peacock feathers and imitation lilies, chrysanthemums and ivy.
Teacher's desk: My school cleared out a storage shed and were about to dispose of this during the summer holidays on a day I went in to work .. the caretaker gave it to me when I asked about it's future!!!!! To remove the 'hot tea-cup' stains we sanded, oiled and loved it! It makes a good surface to store computer related items but it would be nice to move this from my bedroom one day soon!
Carrying the alarm clock and bedside lamp is a mahogany sewing table; lifting the lid reveals blue quilted satin.  My daughter inherited this from my Great-Aunt Milly (my father's cousin).My daughter will re-inherit it as I am only the caretaker of a house and items.
Chest of drawers: Inherited after my father died 20 years ago. Spanish - 4 drawers and 6 floral tiles. It is promised to my daughter. 
There is no space for the Pine Chest of drawers bought 30 years ago at an antique shop in Suffolk. Lovingly beeswaxed. The space is now the route to the bathroom en-suite.
A wardrobe will have to replace the table.

As mad as a march hare?

Puiseaux, Loiret dept 45 is about 300km north of where I live but I can't discover any mention of Ste Henry Bordry.  Note it is not HENRI! Sainte is the feminine form of Saint?????  Hmmm?

The expression:- "C'est du nanan"means that something is good, exquisite, agreeable, easy.

As far as I can understand, nanan is an old word dating back to 1640. Originally Nanan was meat but by extension for children it became something delicious like sweets, candy or candyfloss.
Then by further extension it came to mean something easy. In English we might say "as easy as pie" or "it's a piece of cake" or "it's a breeze".

This sign has intrigued me for some time.  I wonder why a hare, or, is it a rabbit?
Is it for the hare/rabbit as meat or to eat?
Is it as in folklore where the hare is a trickster or has magical powers?

I sent an email to my pottery teacher asking her if she knew anything about this sign outside her house. Here is her reply: La personne qui habitait là élevait et vendait des lapins. Nanan doit être une marque d'alimentation pour les lapins.  
Then I found a site written by a Frenchman who installed electricity for houses and industrial stes who wrote: Le Nanan produits alimentaires des animaux à Puiseaux. 
Enquiry solved!  

A room of retreat

At last flooring and decoration is ALMOST COMPLETE!...... other than touching up paint on the skirting board, putting battens on both sides of the door windows, adding draught-proof seal around  doors and painting external woodwork on doors.

"I'm really happy" is an understatement, but it's been a long haul since November when my bedroom was vacated and the Salon became a workshop (still is).
I'm extremely pleased that I chose to repaint the walls which we had repainted with inexpensive Wickes Ivory.  Previously, it was only ever intended as a temporary base coat when the initial re-decoration was accomplished in 2010 when walls were stripped of paper. However, the walls continued to suck up the paint and became very streaky and patchy. So Farrow & Ball it was, at huge cost, but I like it!

My friend feels satisfaction that he then chose to remove the Three Valleys between the plasterboard sheets (positioned in 1985), then had to eradicate the teeny weeny air bubbles that appeared in the recent plaster filling. Lots of filling and sanding between painting was a nuisance, but the outcome is a happy one.  He says it is elegant.  How very nice!  How very kind! That is also an understatement.

No more bare concrete floor, no more carpet, no more gaps where there was no skirting board and I'm going to attempt to ban myself from storing stuff under the bed.  DIFFICULT when I need cupboards!

I'm looking for a suitable armoire for clothing (aka wardobe) but there's not a lot of space with doors on three walls.  In the Autumn I will have to consider whether to re-install the radiator because of the 'not much wall-space' factor.  I'm intending to hang curtains across the courtyard doors. I'm trying to decide which rail to buy when existing curtains from my UK house have the plastic hooks and gathers plus the hem needs letting down to make them longer. Hopefully hang one or two pictures without cluttering the visual space.  Minimalist is now an aim!  I've never been able to achieve that!

Achievement is a wonderful feeling... and so to bed, to sleep, and not to dream of re-decorating this room ever again!  Thank you to a friend.

Bats, Bumblebees and Ants

Yesterday evening 

I took a walk in the inverse direction from that which I normally take.

Now descending into the valley,

climbing la falaise,  all the while witnessing the river glistening below

 where the golden bronzed hue of last year's oak leaves shimmer in setting sunlight.

This path took me zig-zagging through the village, 

past the house where friends are going to live, 

down to the chateau, 

along by the river, 

where here I come to the mill, 

where here I stand and hear a rushing river, 

marvelling as it flows, 

mesmerized by frothy scum heading downstream 

to pass stacks of tree debris piled high in twisted mangles, 

wedged between trees that stand with heads aloft, 

not yet victims to pounding elements.

I collect a trophy from the river sand 

banked onto the bank with flotsam and jetsam of branches in various stages of river decay. 

This trophy is a very straight six feet long branch, 

useful for a tomato plant stake, 

too long and heavy as a walking pole.

Not joy to see teeny weeny ants on my kitchen floor 

but oh, how I welcome bees with different coloured bottoms,

not on my kitchen floor 

but visiting the purple flowering plant in my garden. Its name I do not remember.

Joy to see bats at dusk as moonlight shines. 

I leave my courtyard light on, door open, as it is warmer than inside 

just for a while,

 before I light a fire to keep me warm throughout the coming night.

Joy to see a newly-mown lawn making visible clumps of white violets and purple, 

leaves of cowslips a little late becoming into flower.

It may get colder again, so shall wrap up the camellias.  

My mother spoke to me of snow falling.  

She was surprised to know today I have Spring!

Basic needs

Yesterday morning was focused on a visit to the dentist.  I was happy not to need any treatment other than a clean (29euros) and that only hurt just a wee tad!   I do wish he'd give me better clothing protection as water seemed to spurt everywhere from the cleaning machine and my jumper got wet!  It was also a good idea that he gave me a small mirror afterwards to show me how whitened was the little tooth that I was concerned about being stained because of old age!!!!!* Like a child who'd been licking icing sugar from a plate, I had white powder around my mouth. **  I was impressed too because I experienced a panoramic xray of my mouth (21euros) which demonstrated that the hidden parts of my teeth were in excellent health. 

* just think how long those little enamelled items have had to chomp through three square meals a day for x years, with roots still holding strong, even though gums are receding!!!!!!!

** my mother used to do the most hideous thing of pulling from her pocket a hanky (short for handkerchief) but not a nice new, clean, ironed and folded one.... OH NO!!!!  If we children had dirty mouths, I would quake in my shoes as her Peter pointy finger would be wrapped into the hanky and then my mother would lick the hanky and wipe her saliva around our mouths!!!!!!!! YUK!!! I still to this day can conjure up the smell and the taste but it is best not to do that!!!! I NEVER EVER DID THAT to my children and was horrified recently to see me daughter do it to my only granddaughter.. Quel horreur is what I said!!!!!!!

In the afternoon, it was time for a shampoo and cut. Sandrine is excellent as we share conversation in English and French.  I learn to to correct my grammar! She remembers her vocabulary! To step out and  feel like a new woman was my treat!

A new bakery

Je monte et je descend les rues, the lanes, of my village to discover the news. Birds sing their evening songs.. still light at gone past seven, and the aroma of wallflowers, winter jasmine, blossom on trees and shrubs whose names I forget, fragrant the air..... Ah, it is the Spring. I note the warmer weather. I clip-clop in my heeled boots as an experiment for my feet, which have had problems. Locals are in good humour.  I observe a building shelved up with wood pushing against it and braced against the building about 2 metres opposite to stop it falling further!!  Quel horreur !!  I've been watching that building for some while, always pleased that I didn't buy the house next to it.

We have a new boulangerie. A very nice woman who has come from the Vicq bakery which I know has been proclaimed. I was brave and went in although I had no money with me. I explained how pleased I was to see the bakery open and also explained that I often bake my own bread because I like 100% wholemeal bread. She showed me that she has complét too. Good oh because sometimes I like to buy bread if it is GOOD bread, therefore GOOD for my system! And of course fresh croissants, a greater range of bread, little cakes and tarts. It was her first day open! They are locataire, meaning that they rent the premises.

Happiness is The Arrival of Spring

Chamber Music and Fire

Only in France are we turned out into"le soleil" during a refreshment interval of a classical music concert!  Under a crystal blue sky, necessitating that our coats, hats and scarves are braced around us do we sip apple juice, sparkling or still, with mini portions of quiche, florentine, chocolatey fudge type thingy, or broyeau biscuits (a local recipe).
At château de Cremault, Bonneuil-Matours there was a performance of piano, violin and 'cello:

❦Haydn Trio Hob.XV:25 'à la hongroise' en Sol Majeur in 3 movements - 

Andante-Poco - Adagio - Presto

❦Beethoven Trio op 70 n°1 'les esprits' en Ré Majeur in 3 movements - 

Allegro vivace e con brio - Largo assai ed espressivo - Presto

❦Mendelssohn Trio op 49 n°1 en ré mineur in 4 movements -                                                   Molto Allegro agitato - Andante con molto tranquillo - Scherzo Leggiero e vivace - Allegro assai appassionato                                                                                                                    ❦Rachmaninov Trio élégiaque n°1 en sol mineur

Very nice to be out and about and lovely to see a 5 year old child present though not listening, hear an American speaking French and two ladies speaking English. Average age for the audience .... 75!!!!!! ha-ah and ho-oh!

FIRE
There was a terrible sight at Archigny on my return journey. I showed caution  but having made a risk assessment, whilst others parked to watch, I felt that I could continue my journey. As I got nearer, the fireman signalled to pass. There were at least 5 engines; one with a cherry picker carrying two firefighters pouring gallons of water at roof level into the house. Well, there was no roof.  I presume a chimney fire started the destruction.  Poor souls! Hopefully no one was injured or killed. It was quite upsetting.  On Thursday late morning two fire-engines were at the local garagiste! A chimney fire. My friend had a chimney fire in February and the previous February.
I wonder if the severe cold causes a thermal shock so that wood-tar ignites. I know the problems with the installation of my woodburner were not my fault but the cold wet chimney created smoke in my lounge when I tried to light it. It was brand new.  However, the woodburner is now very efficient. Even so, I don't like the way it slumbers when there is not sufficient wind or when it is very cold.  I like to get it roaring at least once a day!

 

Being a Mother