It was 23°C with clear blue skies and dry at the weekend. Today it has been 7°C, cloudy and wet. Although it not really so cold, it just feels it. If there is a benefit of the rain, it is that it might suppress some of the pollen that is not only from the blossom on the trees and hedgerows, but now in some fields of flowering oil seed rape. It really makes the eyes prickle, something I had not experienced until a couple of years ago. so a quiet read is not as relaxing as normal. Another couple of weeks and it will be over, and Spring will be back with the fresh green leaves.
Filthy morning, throwing it down with rain. Mme requested I take her to the coiffure, so I am now watching the world go by. It is the day of the month that sees the huge market set up in the next village. Not sure I would enjoy being a trader on a day like this. At one time there were bargains to be found, but not many any longer. Have a good day everyone.
Yesterday the heavy rain didn't stop, and in the twenty years I have been coming here have never seen flooding like it. The roads are closed, meaning long detours if you wish to get to one side of a river from the other. My bank is completely cut off, and many of the shops in the high street have water lapping around them. Opposite the bank is a marker on a wall showing the height that the water reached [1.4 metres] in the last great flood back in the 1930's. Tomorrow I get an Easter dinner with the family, but a detour is the only route to get there.
Fook hope you are ok. Here, back in England after 11 years, it's strange. A reverse culture shock at full whack.
This is the market square in Montmorillon, our largest town. The town hall is there and seemingly flooded. please log in to view this image
The past few days have been a bit of a nightmare. The storm that started all the flooding took 24 hours to pass through, during which time it produced the massive rain fall. On Saturday, we were informed that 10 communes, including us and our daughter, should not use tap water for drinking, due to flooding at the treatment works. Bottled water would be available for us at the town halls. By 1000 yesterday that had been lifted for us, but not our daughter who is eight miles away. Today all is well here, but there is very little water pressure at our daughter's house, and so they will be coming here later to have showers as our granddaughters return to college and university tomorrow. The road between us is now passable, but the damage caused by the flood water is very visible. Stone walls have collapsed, landslips have brought earth down into the roads, and a giant sinkhole has appeared in the car park that was used by the restaurant when is last operated. At least there are no reports of lives being lost.
It is blowing well in rural France today, so the clouds are dropping their contents before moving on, and bright sunshine appearing for a few minutes. My building works are finally completed, after fighting the crazy angles with materials that assume everything will be straight. Off to get the car serviced this afternoon with the man from Accrington. He seemed surprised that I knew where it was, until I mentioned Stanley. Not a ground that I have been to, but it seems to be a popular place if you are a visiting fan. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. A bit blowy, but sunny and dry, and the temperature is rising. The pollen in the air must be dropping, as the sneezing is decreasing for me, which is a surprise with the pear and cherries in the garden in full bloom. Mme is now suffering with all the same symptoms that I had, on the day she goes to see the doctor for her quarterly check up, and new prescription. The chances are that even more medication will be coming home with her. Have a good day everyone.
Where are you staying Mex? I had the best meal of my life in a small place near the Trevi fountain. PM me if you want info.
Yesterday afternoon, as we entered our large supermarket, there were pictures of cats and kittens on display. The cat rescue centre down by the river was totally flooded out when the waters rose, and although all the cats were brought out, they lost all of their food and litter. The appeal was for replacements, and judging by the overflowing trolleys, the public responded in the same way that they do when requests are made for human food. Not being familiar with pet foods before yesterday, I wonder why the cat food is so much more expensive than that for dogs? Have a good day everyone.
Was down south of the Station. Thanks for the offer, too late now. Off to Madrid in a tick for a few nights.
One of my sons lives in Madrid - haven't a clue where, but if you bump into a 6' 3" long red-haired Aussie toting a guitar you'll know it's him. There can't be too many fit that description there...
Thirty years ago I was the best man at my friend's wedding in Dorset. It was a second marriage for both of them, but has worked out well. Both of them are now in poor health, but wanted to travel to celebrate the event. The cost of health insurance was horribly expensive, so they decided to have a week in Jersey, which they felt would feel foreign even if it wasn't. A seafront hotel that was happy to accept their two dogs, and all was set up. They have found the island to be very expensive no matter what they wanted to do, a meal for one costing the same as for the two of them in England. Then the ferry company contacted them to say that due to the weather, they would not be able to sail on the date booked. Leave early, or wait for three days for the next one. The hotel where they were staying couldn't put them up any longer, and they couldn't find another one that would take the dogs. So their happy event was cut short, as they had no option but to return home early. It is a bit like being a Watford fan. What you would wish for just doesn't work out, but there is little you can do about it.
Morning all. More overnight rain, but drying up now, until this afternoon when more is expected. When my car was serviced last week, it was obvious that I needed to get two new tyres. My garage man doesn't keep any, you buy them online, have them delivered to him, and he fits them. Looking at what is available, and the price of them, leads me to wonder is it worthwhile buying a well known brand that is twice the price of one you have never heard of? Although there are now guidelines on fuel economy, water dispersal etc, there is no guidance on how many kilometres you can expect them to do. Anyone else had experience of the car tyre market?
