Morning all. Grey and damp, so not much cheer outside. A degree of confusion here as those that put their shiny new bins out for the dustmen were disappointed as they never came yesterday. As many of the hamlets have narrow lanes, often with a car parked in them, I did wonder about the scheme returning to doorstep collections and how a large dustcart would get around. It could be that the scheme was devised by someone sat in a nice warm office who doesn't know where the countryside is. Still wondering why a lane that was closed for a week to be repaired and resurfaced has a 30 metre stretch untouched in the middle of it. Have a good day whatever you must do.
Morning all. Bright and breezy, but still cold. Received an official looking letter this morning that made we wonder if I had gone through a speed trap somewhere, and not noticed. It turned out to be a communication from the water board apologising in the most heartfelt way of sending me a bill last year for a whole years water use, rather than a six month estimated one, followed by an actual read meter one at the end of the year. All due to changing their computer system, how many times do we hear that? Seems that complaints had arrived about having to cough up €100 just before Christmas, rather than €50 twice in the year. Good to know that it will not happen again. Have a good three point day everyone.
Morning all. Sun trying to break through the cloud, but not winning currently. Found a missive from the town hall in my letter box yesterday to inform me that there was a census form that I had to fill in on line. It had to be done by today, so not sure what I would have done if I didn't have a computer. Strange questions in it, such as do you have a toilet in a separate room to a bath or shower? No interest in if you have more than one. Or, is your kitchen more than 12m square, if so count it as a room, but if less do not count it? Still it is done, sent off and now forgotten. Have a good day all.
Well don't leave us in suspense, ofh - do you, or don't you, have a toilet in a separate room to a bath or shower?
I have two, both of which have a shower, and one a bath. In the early days after buying the house, the upstairs was still a space with hay stored in it, and there was no hot water, or toilet. There was a shed across the garden which had a seat, but nothing else. Having become very dirty while working on the place hot water became vital. A leanto on the side of the house was converted into a wet room, with a shower bought in a sale in England for £30. So hot water, and a toilet in the same room. The shower now twenty years old blew a safety valve a couple of years ago, but to my amazement I was able to buy a spare via the internet. Once the upstairs was opened up, with access via a staircase rather than a ladder from outside, a bathroom was built with a bath that I can soak in the relieve the aches and pains, plus a second shower. Lucky that I did not have to try and explain that on my census form.
Morning all. Bright blue sky and an overnight frost, but the man from the météo says it will be 9°C this afternoon. Discussion going on this side of the Channel about the rise in petrol prices and how to mitigate them. One school of thought says reduce VAT, while another says give low income people a cheque of €100 to help out. With the population being spread out across the country and poor public transport in rural areas, it is thought that 25% have to have cars, and are feeling the pinch. It is believed these high prices will continue into the summer, so some action will be required. We will see what happens. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Lovely sunny morning, but it has not warmed up greatly. The French who have little trouble in hauling their politicians in front of the courts, have been showing little interest in the goings on across the Channel, until today. "Partygate": l'étau se resserre sur Boris Johnson avec l'ouverture d'une enquête policière. "Partygate": the noose tightens on Boris Johnson with the opening of a police investigation. Although if an investigation finds that he is guilty, I somehow doubt that they will bring back hanging just for him. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Cold, frosty and foggy today, and despite a promise of sunshine this afternoon it is not expected to warm up greatly. Talking to Mme this morning we both remember from our childhood days when it was cold, and you would wake up to find ice on the inside of your bedroom window. No central heating or double glazing then, you would keep one room in the house warm with the coal fire. A hot water bottle at night, which if you were lucky stayed warm enough to give some tepid water to wash in. The coke boiler to heat the water had to be lit, and coke could be difficult to get going. A different world to where we are today. Have a good day everyone.
I remember the ice on the inside of the bedroom window only too well - and the little plastic whirligig things for ventilation. Every winter it had to be replaced as the freezing cold caused the plastic to crack and break - making the room even colder. I even had ice form on the mirror of my wardrobe.
My grandparents used to keep a freezer in the back bedroom of their London flat. The standard joke was you had to lift the lid of that to warm up the room.
Morning all. Well the frost and fog hung around all day yesterday, and although the fog has gone the hedgerows are still white. Not a soul is stirring in the hamlet, and apart from my next door neighbour who went to get his car I haven't seen a single person out and about. The east of the country is getting warnings about snow arriving, at least that is not expected over here. Fetch a few more logs in and keep warm is my sole objective for the day. Have a good one whatever you are planning.
Apparently put out by that well-known purveyor of lies and misinformation, The Sun - this is their reminder that rule changes come into effect on Saturday. I'm a little bit puzzled by their information - "changes on driving near cyclists". Numbers 1, 2 and 4 to my mind really aren't to do with 'driving near cyclists' - they appear to have more to do with more freedoms being given to cyclists (freedoms which, it has to be said, they already think they have where I live). I have to own up to having never read the UK Highway Code, so numbers 3 and 5 also look odd to me also. Both are what I do anyway, although I've never encountered a situation as in number 5 - where a cyclist has overtaken me on my right whilst I'm turning left - although giving way to the cyclist on the left is what I do as it seems like commonsense to me. And as for cyclists not having to use cycle lanes - I wonder which cretin came up with that? please log in to view this image
My wife and I used to ride a tandem - until a few years ago. In several places in the UK, we noticed that at roundabouts, cyclists were 'encouraged' to leave the road, join the footpath, and cross to the exit road as a pedestrian would. Laudable except the turning points on the footpath are difficult for single cyclists and impossible for those on a tandem. So, with clear hand signals and sensible positioning , we usually managed ok. In France they have a much better (and cheaper) system. A 1 metre wide strip round the whole of the outside of the rbt is painted green. Cyclists use that. It means that drivers can see the cyclist clearly crossing the road they (drivers) wish to exit the rbt into. It's all about being seen. I agree that cyclist not using dedicated available cycle lanes will annoy (some) motorists. However, some of the cycle lanes near us are completely useless and in fact dangerous. They have been put there by some recent road refurbishment, and end quite suddenly with no explanation or warning. They are also , often, littered with broken glass and other stuff quite injurious to cycle tyres. Some years ago we came back from 9 weeks wonderful cycling in France - no problems whatsoever, even , in fact especially, in large cities like Orleans, Poitiers etc. Got off the ferry and proceeded along a cycle lane off the road in the direction of on-coming traffic on a fast dual carriageway. This cycle lane finished just before the top of a hill with a blind bend and would, if you weren't aware, tip you straight into the oncoming traffic which couldn't see you. Get the picture ? (For what it is worth, cycling in Scotland is as good as France. Even going from Glasgow Queen St to Central station has always been fine - with extremely courteous bus drivers.) Fundamentally though, there is a serious attitude problem on the part of many motorists who think cyclists don't have any right to be on a road. The usual complaint when it arises, is 'You don't pay any road tax'. To which the answer is 'Road tax stopped being used for roads in the 1930's and is part of general taxation. I could go on about the attitude of drivers etc , but it ruins my BP. What is clear, and is evident in Europe more is that far more drivers are also cyclists. This makes a huge difference to attitude. Sadly, I don't think the new Highway Code will make much difference, until ALL drivers and road users are tested on it every 5 years - to keep their licence, and until the critical mass of cyclists as road users increases significantly. I doubt I'll be around then, but oh what a happy day it will be !
Morning all. The frost has gone, and the temperature has crept up to a staggering 4°C. On the cycling theme here in France, Sunday is the main day for the clubs to be out and about, but Wednesdays will also see small groups getting the kms in. Generally if they hear a car coming from behind they will go into single file, but not always. No real problem unless the car driver cannot see what is coming from the road ahead, and then most of the time he will follow behind the riders until it is safe to overtake. The cyclists seem to do more damage to each other than in collisions with cars. A friend had his racing career ended when he collided with another rider and spent the next week in hospital. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Grey and damp, but the temperature is rising and expected to hit 8°C this afternoon. No football, so no need to rush around to ensure I don't miss kick off. I need to add some more anti freeze to the radiator in the car. Seems I was a bit frugal with it after some problems, and the heater froze up on me. A gentle potter to get some, so might as well check out some wine prices while I am at it. The special offers on the good reds go faster than the rosé or white, and leave it late, and they are gone. Sometimes you discover one you really like by luck rather than good judgement. Have a good one everybody.
Morning all. Damp, but a little warmer. I am a little bemused after last night when the electric kettle decided that it no longer wished to work, and tripped the electric system. A second attempt, with the same result confirmed that it will be off the the recycling centre. Having quite a few euros in my Amazon.fr account I looked for a new one. This is where the first puzzle arises. Hundreds of kettles, that will do the obvious, even heat your water to a desired temperature, but there is one that operates by bluetooth and your mobile phone. So the question is, does it fill itself with water, or do you have to go to it and put some in? The second strange thing was having decided on a simple boil water one I then had to get approval from the bank to spend €0.00 from my account. Some days I think technology os getting too clever for its own good. Have a good one everybody.
Replying to my own post - weird. Anyway, as you will realise, cycling is a bit of a passion. So, yesterday I tried out the 'Dutch Reach' ( i.e. opening the drivers door with my left hand) which encourages you to look behind and (maybe) see a cyclist coming past. I was in a Peugeot 207CC ( my wife's pride and joy!) . It's impossible ! The steering wheel prevents you getting your left hand to the door lever, as it is so far forward. I have a thing about car doors opening, as our tandem , and our 10 week tour of France, Germany Switzerland & Belgium was wrecked by a French driver just outside Avignon opening his door as we cycled past. As a result, I cycle past parked cars vans etc with a wide berth just to avoid a repeat. I hope the car drivers on this forum will appreciate why cyclists position their bikes well away from parked vehicles. I prefer being hooted at than wrecking another bike !
Morning all. Sunshine and showers, so not much hope of getting much done outside. Still the first signs of Spring have arrived. The earliest clump of snowdrops are in flower and there are lots of buds on the next ones that will open. The cranes are on the move again heading north after their stay in the warmer climes. Maybe this year will be better than the last couple, let's hope so. Have a good day whatever you are doing.
The disappearing cycle lane reminds me of the now-replaced section of the Bruce Highway as it left Brisbane - a six lane highway heading north until it reached a left hand bend in the suburb of Chermside - around the bend it strangely became a five lane highway without any warning. The first time I drove it I did wonder why all the drivers were jockeying for positions in the other two northbound lanes. As for cycling in Scotland - it's a bigger place than you must realise, and isn't all like Glasgow. Like many others, our little corner of the country still suffers from the effects of the Beeching Report way back in the 60s. Rail transport disappeared almost overnight and no thought was given to upgrading the roads here until about ten years ago. Whilst things are improving now, the main roads have been little more than twisty/turny country roads, incapable of handling the increased traffic - cyclists using them do so at their own risk.
