Morning all. Rain and storms forecast for this afternoon, so managing to get a few jobs done outside before that arrives. My 96-year-old neighbour has now a rota of family members who come and stay with her. She has managed fairly well on her own until now, but is not so steady on her feet now. I had to pick her up when she had a fall, and she is no light weight. Quite which family member is married to another I am still trying to work out, as there seem to be a lot of them. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. The storms arrived and departed, but more are likely this afternoon. Watching the rugby yesterday, I was not surprised when the stadium started to empty five minutes before half-time. You see it at football matches as well. Of course, this is to give people a chance to refuel sufficiently to get through the second half without the possibility of fainting. I wonder how long it will be before thirty minute intervals are introduced so that the catering can provide something substantial. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Not sure where yesterday went, but I was putting together a trip to the UK. Mme was a bit nervous about using the ferry seeing the storms, preferring to use the Shuttle, so an additional 150 kms of driving each way compared with the usual journey to Dieppe. Then there were hotels near enough to the terminal to be useful, that didn't require a mortgage for an overnight stay. A year ago I paid £5.99 for breakfast; now the same chain are charging £7.99 which is quite a jump in percentage terms. At least the suit is still in one piece and I can get in it with comfort. Nice to know that I am still the same size as twenty years ago. Have a good day everyone.
Afternoon all. Back from a very wet trip to the physio. Yesterday I had to apply for a sticker to put in the windscreen of the car that will allow me to drive through Paris. Cars are placed in categories of 1-5, and if you are in band 5 you cannot drive through a very large area around the city. Although my car is not in the first flush of youth, it qualifies in group 3, that allows me to drive there unless air quality is very bad. As other cities here adopt similar restrictions to cut pollution, it seemed that for €3 I would avoid a fine by applying for it, as this will cover the whole country, not just Paris. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Sunshine and showers seem to be in store for us today. We have street lights again once it gets dark until 10.00 pm. The bulbs have been changed to low energy ones, that seem to give off the same amount of light. I am not sure that we need them, as no one complained or was injured when we didn't have them. Have a good day everyone.
There was a huge outcry up here a while back when the Council proposed switching off street lights to save money - from memory, they wanted them off between midnight and dawn in winter, which would mean about 8 hours of darkness here. The main objections appeared to be a worry about the possible increase in crime, and one of safety - people would be unable to walk around in the dark without being molested (an odd one that, as not many people are seen out & about at that time of day when the lights are on). The No group won the day and the proposal was shelved - much to our annoyance as there are streetlights right outside our bedroom windows on two sides.
In our village in France one of the street lights outside our house was on all night for almost 20 years because one our French neighbours had argued that walking in the village , basically a farm yard, at night was dangerous for old people... we could say nothing..... ..... so very pleased that since covind all lights across the commune now go off at 2300
Morning all. In England, our Parish Council was trying to make the conservation area look better by removing a glass fibre lamp post, and replacing it with a metal one that looked far more in keeping with the area. It was done, and everyone seemed to agree that it was money well spent. A year after this happened, new owners moved in to the house by the lamp and started to complain that it was keeping them awake, so it should be moved. After costs were obtained, several hundred pounds, they were asked if they would like to pay for it. In the end, the lamp stayed where it was, and they spent some money on blackout curtains. Have a good day everyone.
Afternoon all. Lunchtime, so come in to refuel. Just watching a program showing how a brick and tile manufacturer is in full production mode in readiness for the additional building works required for the Olympics next year. Much of his work is using ovens and machinery that was installed by his grandparents when they started the business more than a hundred years ago. His low running costs compared to those with hi-tech modern equipment means he can compete very well, and win contracts. Have a good day everyone.
Morning All, was as far as I got before my daughter arrived with a card for our wedding anniversary today. We hadn't seen her for a couple of weeks, so there was some catching up to be done. I am in the good books of Mme by remembering to get a card and a small gift for her. She has gone to see friends now, and eat cake with them. I am left to clean out the inside of the car before our trip this weekend. Enjoy your day.
Morning all. Very peaceful in rural France this morning. The sun has broken through the cloud layer, and it will be a good temperature for doing things outside. All the things such as gardening that I would like to be doing, are on hold, as preparation for the trip to England come first. Simple things, such as getting out a pair of proper shoes that haven't been worn for at least a year, will need dusting as a minimum. Then I need to buy some more screenwash for the car, as the little I had left didn't go very far. Now it is almost time for the physio run, which takes out two and a half hours. Not to worry, I will continue to potter along, and should get it all together by the weekend. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Filled the car with fuel, then went to check the tyre pressures, except it wasn't working, and let air out rather than put air in. Lucky to have a neighbour who likes cars, and has a full sized compressor. We have lots of areas in towns with 30 kph speed limits, that most people try to stick to. The thing is, no one has thought to make political capital out of it, and it certainly is not front page news on a national paper. I sometimes wonder who these things are aimed at. Have a good day everyone.
Good morning Shamelessly in front of the TV today..... for the golf...... and erm....the ironing.............
Morning all. 4th C19 jab jabbed. Mrs Fez' battle against cancer is about to move into a new phase at the end of the month with an intense dose of RT and chemo as the operations alone (the treatment for this rare cancer) have not contained it. Prognosis is not great but not as bad as it might be. Currently 1:3 chance of making another five years, better idea after scans in January. No cure for this one: it's particularly persistent though not as aggressive as some, it just keeps coming back. We are agreed though that quality over quantity is the key thing for us now. Staying fit to travel is the main aim. Places to see! A bit curtailed due to the inoculations (can't have "live" ones, e.g. Yellow Fever so safaris are out.) It is what it is and we battle on!
