Good morning all. A very frosty start to the day, but clear blue skies and not a trace of wind. We have been to see the Inspector about the wind turbines and while waiting had some interesting conversations. Two communes are involved and both Mayors want to see turbines, but out of the blue both of them have realized that they have a personal interest. Quite illegal of course. One couple have a four hundred year old small chateau that they have been restoring slowly over the years as money would allow. It is now proposed to put a 180 metre tall turbine 500 metres from their front door and another one 500 metres from the back door. One farmer signed up for the deal until he found the promises of riches were not as they seemed, so said he wished to withdraw from the contract, but has been told he cannot. There are ten farmers involved in the total scheme, and seven have refused to sign up, so there is hope that it will all unravel. The Inspector will have a year to do his report and judging by the pile of letters on the desk he will need all that time to read them all.
Evening all. Journeyed by tram, bus and shanks' pony today to Maguelone, crossing salt lagoons via a causeway to the sea. Flamingos, herons and a host of seabirds on the way and a restored 12th century cathedral standing on a raised hump of land. To cap it all, sun and blue sky all day. A very good day altogether.
It really is a very good area for exploring, but what we really need to know is what you had to eat and drink, or was this the none food day?......
It was a basic lunch day...baguette, jambon, mature Cantal...because we ate it on a deserted beach but a pintade is roasring in the oven and we have opened a lovely syrah/Grenache from nearby Faugeres. There is a wine merchant specialising in the Languedoc next door so each evening we describe what we plan to eat and he suggests a suitable local wine. All have been very drinkable so far
The guinea fowl was lovely...roasties with some dried herbs from the market and spinach. The boulangerie round the corner makes wonderful creme caramel (only available from early afternoon onwards) so we'll have some of that with fresh raspberries. Sorry if I sound like a Waitrose advert, but the food and wine is one of the major reasons for vacances en France! Good point, Frenchie....I will enquire about import possibilities! Is there an emoticon for pleasantly full up but willing to toy with a bit of dessert? I was only 11 stone when we left England...
Good morning all, rather overcast today, so no frost. Don't you just love it when a website you wish to use to order some Christmas presents is too clever by half. Living in France there are certain things that can be imported, while others are not allowed. Logging into my account, no problems, but as soon as I put an item into the basket I am told it cannot be delivered and it's removed from said container. If it asked first where the delivery address was it would see it is in the UK, so no import problems. Next thing is an e-mail arrives asking if I really meant to leave the site with items in the basket. Spoke to customer services who said this needs sorting out, but they said that two years ago when I first came across the problem.
Good morning all from a wet and windy Weston-super-Mare! Have a good day and good luck to your Golden Boys!
It is the most beautiful warm sunny day here and I having been out on the estate clearing out some undergrowth from a spinney. The whole time I was there I had company from a Robin who is looking for grubs as I remove dead leaves and moss. Having just seen the pictures of Sunderland with snow, I think I will stay here.
Good morning all from a damp and mild Weston-super-Mare! Normally I'm very happy to see Man Ure lose, but NOT against bloody Bournemouth! Have a good day! Edit:- I've just read about Harry Arter and I am humbled, I'm now happy that they won!
Morning all, our spell of bright sunshine and lack of wind continues. Six days out of the last seven we have not had any wind, so while the solar panels on the barn roofs have been producing, turbines would not have been. The second round of regional elections are taking place today, with the FN hoping to make gains. Reducing the number of regions so drastically looks as if it will backfire on Hollande, but we will see. His personal popularity has jumped dramatically since the attacks in Paris, but it does not look as if that has been passed on to his party. Fuel prices continue to tumble to around 70 pence a litre for diesel, so I have seen that the government will be imposing additional taxes to make up the shortfall in their revenue. With transport being vital to shops and businesses it can only mean a general hike in prices for the poor consumer.
