Day 22: Lockdown in France - Collier du Boeuf

Tuesday  7 April 2020

Sunday was Dining Alone in Lockdown... well ...
I do it every day and have done it alone for countless years.
Good tobe independent.
Saturday 4th April:  This is how I prepped  meat purchased from the village butchery van which arrives on Thursday. mornings.

BEEF CASSEROLE
PART ONE

1.200g portion collar of beef butterflied, stuffed with garlic, herbs of garden sage, garden basil, coriander, using old herbs) tied with string, seared on outside with onions. 

2. 250g beef collar in strips sautéed in olive oil high heat onions + diced turnips behind.

3. carrots, leeks, fennel bulb, moroccan lemons, tomato purée,

balsamic, olive oil, white wine, stock, Italian parsley, garlic, then the meat, cumin, ginger, 

marmalade jar scrapings instead of sugar. 

The pot at the back is circa 1970 a wedding gift and that at the front belongs to DW who bought it from the first independent second hand but not antique shop before charity charity shops were born.
in Beccles, where we used to live,
I never knew this, but both are made by Pearsons of Chesterfield est. 1810.
The second is dishwasher and microave proof... 

 PART TWO

Sunday 5th April evening at 7h30: I dined al fresco in France in my courtyard shade.. temperature 21C fallen from about 25C . Earlier, I had played my accordion in the courtyard as so cold indoors.

 The meat was very good and shredded, not keen on turnips, veg were too mushy apart from carrots.
The jacket potato variety melted in the mouth with the butter. A nice meal; worth the effort.

Tuesday 7th April ventured forth from my cocoon home to buy good bread, take prescription to pharmacy,  fish and wine from suoermarket.  I was very very lucky to find hardly any people and I managed to get the quiet slots in each shop!  I wore the mask for a prolonged period and discover I cannot breathe easily with it... too many layers of cotton perhaps?
Also: who can hear me speak?????
It was out my home zone but permissable for three categpries: food, pharmacy, exercise and mental  health.
I met a friend and we kept a big distance as we walked along the track into the woodland, sat on tree trunks and chatted.  On the way there I heard the cuckoo once and on the return journey the nightingales were singing but stopped as we approached where they were. Lots of butterflies , yellow and speckled browns, masses of bees around the yellow rapeseed.
It was a joy to be out, to have distant contact with a friend and to be able to wander in the supermarket with few people mid afternoon!
Lucky me!

Day 21: Lockdown in France - The Vegetable Plot

The Vegetable Plot Revitalised
Today 06 April 2020
for YESTERDAY 05 April 2020:
John the Gardener who cannot return to work in the garden because of the Lockdown turned over one quadrant of my vegetable patch on March 16th.
Since then, Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the quadrant which I had hoped to leave grassed over are now finished.
Warm sunny weather helped me to fork dig friable soil where grass and other weed fell easily from the soil where there are not many worms after years of digging in domestic garden waste and scattering with log ash. I have no idea about Ph levels of acidity and alkaline!

I shall have to find another subject to write about!
Postscript:
Today - First rain (currently light drizzle) since 21 days or more... the ground and seeds need it.
Yesterday - In courtyard shade at 17h30  +25C - the skin and morale needs it.

Day 20: Lockdown in France - a. bubble of isolation

Sunday 5 April 2020  Day 20 but I write on Saturday 4th  Day 19 for Friday 3rd April which was Day 18..

I think the effects of Days Passing without calendar agenda is having an effect on my postings and Days of Confinement marrying!!!!!... however, in my defence, posting and editing sometimes takes me time and effort. Not as fast as I used to be ....  plus there are more things to life.  BANISHMENT OF HELPFUL or UNHELPFUL thoughts is required!

I hope that yesterday was the last of several days of trying to process LIFE in France in my isolated bubble.
A blue bubble balloon, sky blue, which was ready to burst and end its life but not mine.  I persevere.
Mercifully, it became deflated by news media overload of information and stories of life, death, science, medical, political, governmental information concerning the VIRUS pandemic, the loss of hope and the gaining of hope and my worry and concern about many people who I have not yet contacetd but some of whom have contacted me.... to see if I am coping and alive.  Hey ho!

I am TRYING TO pump air into my solitary blue bubble balloon to increase its buoyancy in the wind, whilst anchored to my house and garden.

It really helped a few days ago when the instigator of a French Amity Language Group that I joined just before Christmas sent me a funny video where a dog was copying moving yogic moved....and a hilarious "Bonnie and Clyde" style pic of themselves in home-made masks.  I don't have permission to publish. She is unwell for other reasons so I admire her tenacity for humour.

I dont get enough play time and  humour... but the accordion is suggesting that I open the box.
Thing is: I dont like playing on my own.

Recently, I did 30 minutes practice in front of 'an old friend' who made no mention of the new accordion or the playing, which was not good at the time. I  can't remember if much later he made some comment but if he did it was without grace and politesse as was most of the visit.
The weekend was like a fog,  as I processed this person and what I thought we meant to each other sone 23 years ago and 15 yeasrs ago, in these 3 days that had been granted to WORK an clear old stuff and junk to Emmaus and the decheterie. That which is left is for me to dispose of.
Hey ho indeed!!!!!!

Day 19: Lockdown in France - Seeds

Today: Friday 3 April 2020
First Part
Yesterday, and today, I sowed straight into the ground short rows of various OLD seeds in packets. 
If they germinate, good, but if not, no worries.
I have benefited in mental and physical exercise and so my morale is mainly raised.
As the soil is dry I hauled the hosepipe to the end of the garden to use rain water in the cistern.
In order::
Found in the soil potatoes are replanted / lettuce and lettuce / radish / Italian chicory / Parsnips / Italian Parsley / Black Magic Kale / Coriander / Basil / Edible Flowers protected by string from hungry birds / Oriental Poppy harvested in 2018 /19 from poppies in the garden.
There are Yellow Raspberry Canes moved from being near the rambling roses by the wall and an ageing Gooseberry plant which fruitfulness depends on my ability to prune or not prune.

That's half of  two quarters sown.
Now to continue fork digging / weeding the other half before it rains.
I am slow!  Need to make more effort!

Second Part
A few days ago I had a terrible psychological meltdown about people I know in UK who seem to go out every day for a newspaper or food shopping and how their lives have suddenly it seems to me diminished into talking about trivia, others and the absence of toilet rolls.
These people may have lived alone but they do not know cultural social isolation. Equally, I don't know how those who work in the Arctic or Antartic or other challenging, hostile environments or live as a couple on a remote isaland mange their social isolation. We are all different.
My point is THAT it IS NOT SOCIAL ISOLATION,  nor social or physical distancing, to be seeing people and vehicles whilst they are out buying newspapers or going for a cycle ride or a drive to buy pants or items here considered to be non essential.   Nor is it social isolation when people entertain friends in their own home whom they have kept away from for two weeks, when those people have been going out and about into the social world, even if at a sort of distance from others, and now they say it is safe to meet up again. Maybe they should just move back together. Maybe they already have.
IS IT SAFE? Who knows?
My brain wonders at what point do I go out into the world as I have not been out for a drive to a supermarket for 3 weeks.
HERE in this village the few people in the street keep a good distance from each other.  It is safe from meeting others in close proximity.

Day 18: Lockdown in France - Eating

3 April 2020

I should have been in Nottingham by now with my daughter and grandduaghter.
Hey ho!!!!!


One day I ate scrambled eggs.... two.. with milk, butter, seasoning and added about one heaped tablespoonful mashed cooked sweet potato, chopped flat leafed Parsley beaten vigourously over heat until cooked. Delicious on toast.

Another day I made from The Guardian Tamal Ray's Swedish marzipan toscakaka. Another day I made itas it keeos and is delicious with fruit as a dessert or morning coffee.
It's dead easy to make. BUT we are alive.  Praise be to God!

40g unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing- 100g caster sugar- 2 large eggs - 90g Greek yoghurt - 50g plain flour (i added baknig powder)- 100g ground almonds

For the topping

50g unsalted butter- 25g caster sugar- 00g marzipan, grated- 25g double cream or yoghurt - 10g plain flour- 60g almonds in slivers.  Icing sugar, to dust

Line base of 20cm round cake tin with greaseproof paper grease with olive oil.

Heat oven 170C (160C fan)/gas 4.

Cream butter and sugar,  stir in all ingredients. Pour into tin & bake 30 minutes.
Melt together butter, sugar, marzipan in a saucepan over a low heat.  Remove from heat, add cream, flour, almonds. Mix. Once the cake is ready, remove from oven, increase heat to 190C (180C fan)/gas 6.

Pour topping over cake, covering the surface, return to the oven for six to eight minutes, until golden. Set aside to cool, then remove from the tin. Dust with icing sugar just before serving.

The second time the second bake took longer I don't know why!

Day 17: Lockdown in France - Masks and Gloves

2 April 2020

I haven't been anywhere to buy a mask. but have been wrapping two 100% cotton scarves around my face, when in the village shop for fruit, vegetables, eggs.

Today, at the Village shop, I was gifted a pink material mask made by the ladies in the village.  This village is renowned for a different type of sewing,  but without doubt the ladies have excellent sewing skills.  I am grateful.  It should be 100% cotton to be effective so I hope it is... It is not easy to wear and my glasses get steamed up.

I know that a mask or scarf can prevent the sudden clearing of the throat, cough or sneeeze sending particles of moisture to be airborne aw well a prevent myself breathing in germ-laden particles.
I am happy to wear one but will continue to wear scarf or scarves as well as the mask does not fit snug to the skin. The suppose my spectacles to some extent prevent particles arriving in the eyes.

The NEW RULE is we must wear a mask and gloves... disposable or material , when we go to the village shop and presumably, the bakery, but I haven't been there today; presumably other food shops.
I was told to wear it and wash it when I got home, ready for the next time.
I am happy to protect the community, myself and others.
I have washed it before use.

I've not been out since March 16th to anywhere and the supermarket, apart from a drive to the post office which was closed.
Apart from the village shop and boulangerie, I have had short walks in the local environment when I don't meet anyone.  The rules for the attestation form say not to walk for more than an hour and we must not go further than a km distance... this is not easy|!!!!!!

Everyone keeps a distance in the village ...
French bises and handshakes are now a thing of bygone times!!!!!!

Day 16: Lockdown in France - Gates and Doors

April Jour du Poisson.  - but I hope I am not the Fool

Cowslips

Recently cleared of neglected overgrowth which I was very fond of!

Day 15: Lockdown in France - Church, Shelters, Signs

A rare view of the church tower.

Two of the special cabanes near my house.

Day 14: Lockdown in France - Tulips

Photos

Tulips dance brightly in sumptuous dress on the day before clocks Spring forward and Winter arrives!

Day 13: Lockdown in France - Asian Hornet Nest

as we hear the French Lockdown is extended until April 15th 2020
and in UK the forecast warns it could easily be 6 months before the Coronavirus-19 is controlled.

How come young adult children of French people who have a second family home here have travelled from somewhere in France, when THAT is not essential travelling.   My neighbours did so before midday on the day of the total Lockdown so that was ok to my thinking!  They have been walking up and down my less isolated street.
I don't think I could travel a far distance even if I tried.

NO GARDENING today. Little at all for next week if I can help it,  as I must make myself do INDOOR paperwork ...   I must make/achieve targets and stop being lazy!  I am not in the frame of mind for doing it. Maybe slightly down!

The weather has become cold and windy.  I chose to walk this morning on an hour's circuit.

LOOK AT THIS: High at the top of the Lime Tree at the end of my land, the Asian Hornets Nest remains as the landscape gardener said it was too late. The hornets were not in it any more!!!!!
This I am sure is contrary to what I have read.
 I was told about it at the end of October, but the person to contact me never did.... then November and I was more than busy and still the man did not contact me.  then it was, he said, too late to do anything, so need to destroy it. That was December/January.  The wind and weather would destroy it.

I looked up, aimed zoom camera at it, unable with my eye to see what the construction is!!!!!  WOW!!!!!  What's that green grey ball thing in the next on the left of this page?

Day 12: Lockdown in France- Mowing

Saturday 28 March 2020
Steal myself in a cold wind to walk to the other land to make the first mow of yellow flowers in long green grass.  The land measure 550m2.  I checked oil and filled the lawnmower with the shop bought fuel.  What do I do when this has been used?  I need the land to be maintained.   I haven't mowed this one in two or more years.. always letting the gardener do it,  so am proud I can walk, push and pull that choke cable again!

Before and after in opposite directions!
Then to the front lane with the broken gate, which now needs to be broken from the metal fixing so worn out it has bent!  Must measure to get a replacement gate constructed.

Day 11: Lockdown in France - Mowing

Friday 27 March 2020
Second mow of the year:
Two and a half hours with an hour lunch and a 20 minute water break. Bit strong on the legs... 750.00m2 of 'jardin'  says 'descriptif habitation' ...but this may include the chicken coop and open shed to it.  
It takes more time emptying each box load of cuttings onto the rose and lavender bed as a mulch to prevent weed growth.
I also mowed 'le droit de passage' ...
I started to fork dig another quarter of the potager...I feel good - but tired.
PHOTOS: