Ah, that's fantastic. We're not expecting anyone English speaking. My German will get me by but it's more formal, not really conversational though the non English speaking Germans I've met on holiday always appreciate the effort... especially a group of Schalke fans I met at our hotel in Marrakech one tim, good bunch of lads! We're going to download some stuff and hopefully learn a few phrases in Ukrainian. Mrs Fez has a friend and former work colleague who grew up just outside of Leipzig and had a Russian wife. Lovely fella, but has some odd things about him probably from growing up in the East. Yes this is an unknown quantity for us but we have the odd glimmer of an insight.
Fe I haven't really paid much attention to news recently, I have had my own personal battle. What has happened is so grim, been "catching up," on news today. Realy disturbing. I have welled up reading international news today. What you are doing is more than admirable. I am not wise, but give them time and respect. I am sure you know that, but that is 2 things I think they'll REALLY need. (Might be wrong mind!) Good luck and thanks, reading what you are doing gives me hope for humanity.
Morning all. A bright and breezy Sunday morning in rural France. Managed to cut and shred about half of the buddleia yesterday, and will have to do the same amount today. It didn't get done last year, so has grown a lot and could be in danger of blowing over in a strong wind. When it is blowing about it tends to set off the outside light, something that is not needed with electricity prices being so high. So the job will be worth it when finished even if I have a few aches for a couple of days. Enjoy your day whatever you will do.
Good for you. Mrs H swears by Duolingo app...has learned Norwegian, Swedish and struggled with a bit of Danish!
Good luck Fez. The Slavonic languages are all very related to each other so the Eastern Europeans can mostly understand each other. Hungarian and Rumanian are the exceptions here but Polish, Czech, Serbo Croat, Russian and Ukrainian are all so closely related that anyone from eg. Poland can understand a great deal of what is being said in eg. Belgrade or Prague or even in Moscow. Most Poles can understand Russian and Ukrainian and could play a key role in the initial welcoming of refugees to the UK. In addition to my in laws in Berlin the wife of my wifes eldest son now works at a central reception centre in Bochum for refugees from Ukraine (amongst others) - she comes from Serbia and so has a contact to these languages, as well as having had Russian at school.
Maybe not such a surprise, but my son in law went to a Welsh speaking school and understands Breton quite well. Although closer to the Cornish language many of the roots come from Wales.
Morning all. A beautiful Spring morning here, blue skies and blossom and flowers everywhere. As we now have moved into the longer days than nights it reminds me of a neighbour in England who really suffered badly from sunlight deficiency, often taking to her bed for a couple of days at a time. Her problem didn't go away entirely, but was alleviated to some extent by the purchase of a daylight bulb. She had it in her desk light where she spent a lot of her time, but found it didn't last that long before having to buy another one from her local craft shop. I am not sure if anyone has found the exact reason why some people suffer in this way, but I feel a lot more energetic when we have the longer evenings. Have a good day everyone.
Think it is a bit late for that as she died sadly a couple of years ago. Our doctor here prescribes Vitamin D capsules to Mme four times a year as standard practice to those of a certain age. The theory is that they do not go out and about in the sunlight enough, so bringing on Osteoporosis. On my infrequent contact with the doctor she always asks about the amount of time I spend outside and how much exercise I get. So far I haven't been given any.
Morning all. Another lovely day ahead, except that having started on the restoration of the garden after winter I am not getting on with the preparation needed down the fields to have some vegetable growing space available. The protests, les escargots, have been underway with lorry drivers blocking the autoroutes because they cannot afford to fill their lorries with fuel. The prices at the filling stations are bouncing around by €0.20 a litre daily, so use the car as little as possible is alright for people like me, but a lorry company earning their living on the roads has a real problem. Right back to the gardening. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. The beautiful weather continues as does my gardening. Received some sad news last night saying that my last cousin had died. Our parents came from a large family of nine children, but I only had five cousins. Strangely the youngest of them died first, then the older ones, and now just me from the middle. I am now thinking how to put in neutral terms why I do not intend to visit England while the virus is still alive and increasing, meaning that I will not be at the funeral. My cousin was a Lord Mayor no less, and it will be a large event, so mingling with a crowd is the last thing I intend to do. It is a shame as he was a great football fan, and people have been asked to wear football shirts to the funeral if they have them. Perhaps not going will save me the problem of explaining Watfords current plight. Have a good day everyone.
Hola from.an increasingly hot Mexico. Tis the time of year. Nealry up.and walking again. Start to this year has been tough. But on with the show.
Morning all. Lovely morning again and had a chat to my neighbour who was putting kitchen waste into the compost bin. Her husband hardly ever ventures out of the house these days, not that he ever went very far. Holidays were not for him, so she would join a coaching tour for a week without him. She can be very helpful, and not so other times. One day I was explaining my route around Paris as I was going up to Calais. No, she knew a better way that would avoid traffic on the Périphérique. Following her instructions with care I finished up in one of the busy back streets of the city, with stationary vans unloading their goods to the markets and workshops. It took an age to get back on route, saving no time at all, and a very hot and flustered driver. Did I find it helpful she wanted to know? Didn't have the heart to tell her it was a nightmare, Have a good day everyone.
Sorry to hear your news....life passes.... eh...... as an aside we came through into France on the weekend and at the border they did not ask to see any covid passes or declarations that we were required to complete.. nor were we asked about any possessions we were bringing in having dutifully completed a list for customs purposes....
Morning all. A lovely Spring morning, I think you chose well when to come over here Yorkie. One of the local charities collects plastic bottle tops that they somehow turn into funds. Our bag of them was overflowing, so we went to the supermarket where they have a collection point to offload them, and start again. Although it no longer is a legal requirement to wear a mask in the supermarket, at least 95% of people still had one on. In France the removal of the law was never treated as some sort of freedom day. Was this something whipped up by the government or press, or the two working together? Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. The warm weather continues, so no need for any heating. One of the joys of being retired is that you can take life at your own pace. No need to set an alarm unless you have a French lesson, or a journey to meet friends for lunch. Then again you might expect to receive a parcel that you are notified will arrive between 0800 and 1400. No delivery vans make it to this outpost by 0800, but could this be the time that they do? So get yourself dressed, and then wait. The young man, who didn't look old enough to be in charge of a large van, arrived soon after 1000 with a present for Mme from family in England. So now a second coffee, and will consider cutting some grass, although the pollen levels are very high which could set off sneezing. A day for pottering I think. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Lovely morning and yesterday afternoon the temperature hit 27 °C. Yesterday morning my son in Leeds remembered he hadn't sent anything for his mother for Mothering Sunday. He went on the internet, and was directed to our local florist, but then had problems with the site, finishing up with our address, but also part of his own. He phoned to say that he hoped his order would be delivered, but the florist knows me, and by midday a fantastic bouquet was delivered. The internet really can be so useful when it is not being used for scams. Have a good day everyone.
Good Morning All. Weekend in Greenwich and now making my way back to work in Leafy Bucks. About a 40-60 in masks
Jubilee line was nearer 10-90 split, alas. I have my N95 on and frequent gelling. Out of Marylebone I have a carriage section to myself at present. There was time for a relaxeing latte at AMT in the station and watch the world go by for half an hour or so, big gap between trains to my destination alas. Have a grand day, Y'All!
Morning all. A little bit of cloud today, but still expected to be dry and warm. The pear tree and cherries in the garden are in full blossom at the moment, and they were in that state last year when we had some gales, blowing all of it away. The result was virtually no fruit. High winds are not expected this week, but maybe some frost at the weekend, so will have to have some fleece ready for the cherries. The pear is very old and way too big to wrap up. Three large bags of garden refuse that will not compost, so a trip to the recycling centre who will deal with it. Empty my bags, then start again. Have a good day everyone.
