Morning all. Very happy that it will not be as hot today as yesterday, when by the afternoon it was heading back towards the 40°C mark. The Tour de France finished with the race over the cobblestones in Paris. It is part of my summer viewing, although I have not been able to watch as much as I do most years. I am still a seasonal sport supporter, and do like a bit of a break from football. The riders from the TdeF do get a break Dec/Jan although that is getting shorter as they head off for better weather. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Overcast currently, but the sun is expected to break through before long, with an agreeable 24°C being the maximum. Up early, not because of the heat, but the district nurse came at 8.00 am to do Mme's blood test, a weekly event. I think it is actually a means of checking that I am not trying to poison her with my cooking. The women's Tour de France is now underway. A much shorter eight day event than the mens one. Spectacular crashes suggest that if it was much longer no one would be left. Have a good day everyone.
Off to Cancún, to see my mother (if flights work out), should be a nice week in an all-inclusive. But, not sure until we arrive if it'll be real, had a few cancellations over the pandemic. Take care y'all.
Morning all. Good day to be out and about, but that is on hold until I can finish changing a light bulb. It is one of those little two pin ones that you push in then twist. The problem is that the metal shade covers it and it is so tight you can only use your thumbs to try and twist it. I have removed the defunct one, but still haven't managed to replace it. As it is above my head, I need steps to reach it, and now all of the blood that was in my arms has flowed to my feet. Time for a coffee I think. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Man at the météo says it will be 29°C today, a temperature I can live with. The photographer and his wife from Norfolk have arrived at their holiday home in the village, with a car, motor home and bicycles. Around 5.00 pm we have the hottest part of the day, so as true English they take to the bikes, him with just a pair of beach shorts and her in a bikini. At current temperatures some of the folk around here are considering if it is warm enough to take a jumper off. Have a good day everyone.
Great celebration here to commemorate 20 years of our house in our hamlet en France, Tables set out in the farmyard...everyone came... 25 of us..... We provided aperitifs..... lots of..... and gateaux... lots of...for dessert. Everyone else brought a dish. Even the local hippy couple came with home made buns and beer Surprise surprise.... a speech was made commemorating our stay..... at the beginning no one thought we would last long.... and we have outlasted all the Brits who have been and gone...then we were presented with a voucher to one of the best restaurants in this area..... and one of the neighbours had found, by total chance, an old postcard in an antique shop Paris written many years ago by the French lady who used to live in our house and she had it framed and mounted and presented to us. We were totally gobsmacked Much food and drink followed and general hilarity ending with crazy mad dancing round the farmyard.... umbrellas out as it grew dark and damp..... and we crawled home.... Village community life that is so lost in the UK in many areas
Great description of what community life can still be found, mainly in the rural areas. Our small hamlet has become smaller since we first arrived. Four of the original inhabitants have died, and four more are now in residential care homes. Two children with English parents have been born here, but that is not enough to replace those no longer with us. Four houses are owned by English families as holiday homes, and when you speak to them find they would like to be here more, and say that the restrictions on time were not something they ever expected to happen.
Hiya Hornets, Just thought I would drop by to wish you luck for the season ( obs apart from two games ) in the spirit of friendship between the two clubs and Canary Dave.
Morning all. Overcast and light showers expected. My duties today take me to do the weekly shop including searching for a different light bulb. The spare that I have appears to be slightly too well made, and is a fraction too large. I will look for a cheap Chinese one that is less robust. The physiotherapist that I used in the next town has retired, so I needed to find another one for Mme. It appears they are all busy. Call back today and we will see if we can fit you in said one. Called back, and no, not a chance. Mme is now phoning friends who needed to use one. This may take some time as she has to catch up with the latest news of course. Have a good day everyone.
Over the last couple of years, whenever I had a need for physio, appointments always seemed to be conducted by telephone. It's reached the stage where, before bothering a physiotherapist, I use Google - more often than not with some degree of success.
Morning all. No showers yesterday, so back on the watering can today. Further to your comments about physiotherapists BB, Mme spoke to one friend who had a hip replacement and didn't visit one. He was given a series of exercises to do before he left hospital, and describes them as exactly what you can find on the internet. She is now thinking does she really need to go and see one? Another friend went to two for treatment. One young one with lots of the latest equipment was described as brutal, while the second much older one who had not replaced any of his aids to recovery for decades enjoyed giving out recipes for his latest experiments in the kitchen. I am not sure she wants to see either of them. Have a good day everyone.
Highly recommend some physio will strengthen the muscles and stop stiffening etc.... Going to be hot here today...prepping the house for the family next week... keep stopping for breaks
Lovely letter to the Guardian suggesting that Scots should adopt Welsh as their main language rather than Gaelic. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/29/a-broader-view-of-old-scotlands-languages
Morning all. Not a cloud in the sky, so it will be a hot one today. Watering done, Mme's downstairs bed put back to sofa mode, and breakfast now finished, apart from some coffee. Mme can make it up and down the stairs to our bedroom, but is far safer on her own as I might well score the winning goal for Watford, with all the actions, in the FA Cup Final. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. It is going to be pretty warm today, around the 32°C mark, but expected to rise to 37°C by Wednesday and Thursday. My daughter who has been in England for the past week has complained about how cold it is there, and they have been putting jumpers on. We have arranged to go out to dinner on Thursday with the football friends. It will be the first time that Mme has been out and about since her operation, but she is making good progress and hopes that with the aid of a cushion, a lengthy French meal will be enjoyable. Have a good day everyone.
Good news for Mme....... very hot here.... 35+ on the terrasse in the shade. Elder daughter and hubby and two kids arrive tonight Son, wife and two kids arrive Weds Younger Daughter and Boyfriend arrive Thursday...and will be camping as house full ( even though storms forecast for Friday) Going to be interesting...first time all together for years......... good way to celebrate 20 years en France
Morning all. An early kick off today as the vampire was turning up to take Mme's weekly blood sample. It is good to feel some freshness outside before the temperature starts to climb. I have invested the princely sum of €4 in a little gadget that might help me to get my new light bulb into the fitting. As usual some reviews say it is great, while others say it is rubbish. I will hopefully find out today which is right. Have a good day everyone.
I am so pleased for you. The sense of community - although they do expect the family or the state to deal with crises - is very strong. We are so looking forward to returning to our little cottage - it's been far too long - as soon as Mme Bodbo feels up for it.
Morning all. Bread collected, haricot vert picked, field watering done, and already I am overheating. My light bulb changing gadget arrived yesterday by courier, and it worked a treat. How they can afford to deliver that way when the total cost was only €4 is a mystery. Our daughter was stopped by French customs in Dover and her car was searched for drugs. Every now and then we read that lorries have been found on the main autoroute from Spain to the UK and Holland with shipments of cocaine hidden inside. With no checks on incoming goods at UK ports, the country is open to those lorries that are not detected before crossing the Channel. The search of my daughter's car suggests that intelligence says small quantities are now coming back, as neither of us have ever had this check before in countless crossings. Have a good day everyone.
