Absolutely delighted for you both. I hope that the spiders will not object to the eviction. We did have street lights for three consecutive nights, then someone noticed, and they are no more. House numbers are everywhere now, and the postie writes notes if you get a missive without the number and street name. The Marie should provide you with a number plate, at least they have in the whole of this area. The upside down nameplates are a protest by farmers no less, complaining about something, but I am not sure what their current complaint is. Enjoy your stay, and I hope that it is a frequent occurrence now.
Hi. Thanks for the info. I'll write to the Mairie. Up to now the house neam and street name have sufficed. (Our name is on the postbox.) We are back in Cheshire now. An energetic week of cleaning and cutting. Sadly, our close neighbour ( and village matriarch) has died , a year after her marie. We miss them both, they were a real treasure and would help with anything and everything. Neither of them moved more than 5 miles from their birthplace all their lives - except for Roland in the algerian war. Comes to us all eventually of course.
So we had our fosse inspected, and eventually a letter arrived, by registered post no less, to tell us it didn't comply with current standards, but there was no place to put in a shiny new one. The missive stated that it needed to be emptied now, and it should be done when 50% full. So I telephoned for a lorry to come and suck it out. Two weeks later, the phone rings to say he will come this afternoon. The phone rings again to ask how to get to us as he is confronted with a 3T sign. By now the heavens have opened, but I go to take him the long way round into the village. Having been sucked and washed, I find it has cost the same as eight years ago. Mentioned the 50% full item in the official report, and he said, just get it done every four years. Seeing as family are coming next weekend, all should be tranquil on the fosse front.
We are in the situation of having a macerator ( brouiller ?) which apparently ( from a visit 4 years ago) is a no-no. The change is going to be complicated. I would like one of those microbe-based gadgets, but apparently they aren't allowed if the property is empty. The layout id difficult for a fosse , hot to mention having the garden dug up. And, the gardcen id mostly higher than the house. We'll see, but not yet !
There is nothing wrong with having a macerator, it is where that discharges to that is important. Ours goes into what they describe as an artisanal septic tank that doesn't meet current standards. My Dutch neighbour became embroiled in a battle when he bought the house, complete with fosse, only to find it didn't have one. He installed something that looks like a throne; which after use has sawdust sprinkled in it, and once in a while he empties the contents into a bag, and it goes out with the rubbish. I am not sure what the inspectors make of that. The inspections now are going into overdrive on grease traps. The council installed mine, but it doesn't have a chemical filter. I have four years to change it, or if I should sell it the new owner would have one year.
Well , our macerator appears to empty into thre drain running alongside the road outside , which I guess is the problem. Mains drainage was on its way, until the Council (?) ran out of money about 1Km away.
10 years ago we were in Denby Dale along with a dozens friends who had been at our wedding 50 years previously. Sadly, three of them are no more. As we didn't feel inclined to go to England this year, we have family descending on us this weekend. So instead of a taking Mme out today for a lovely dinner, we will be trying to get ready for the invasion. Maybe we should have gone to England!
Sad news about veteran of the screen Maggie Smith - died today at the age of 89 Amazingly she was still making films last year. RIP
One of my all time favourites, from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (saw that at a younger age than most and had a bit of crush on her) onwards. Fortunate enough to have and seen her on stage in the West End on more than one occasion. Mrs Fez blubbed earlier today, she's seen her quite a few times over the years too. Other favourites include The Lady in the Van, Gosford Park, Tea with Mussolini, Death on the Nile (with Bette Davis), and the criminally underrated Keeping Mum. Raising a glass!
Been doing up a house that we've bought, and it's been really hard work. Had a leak so had to smash the bathroom out, pipes replaced, new floor placed. I've done the back patio, had new iron work put in. Sorted the roof out and put waterproofing seal all over the flat concrete roof. Hope you are all well.
Family arriving today, no doubt just at kick off time. Did the shop yesterday, as they will want feeding, and what should have been a quick drive home turned into a 20-mile detour. A regional cycle race was underway, and no matter which route we tried, there was a Marshall with his stop sign telling us we couldn't go any further. Give a man a stop-go sign here and there is no point telling him they are still in the distance, giving you time to get through, as you will be met with a horrified stare, and a loud NON.
The baker returned from his holiday today, so went to get supplies in for the family. 11.00 am and the machine is close on empty. So off to the baker in the nearest small town, but just as I get there the gendarmerie are carrying out a document check. All in order, so I am invited to blow into their breathalyser. Disappointed that they can find nothing wrong, I am sent, without a smile, on my way. The baker in the town is shut, so off to the supermarket that has some, but very little bread. What should have taken five minutes finished up as over an hour. Not a good start to the day.
Our boulanger is on holiday...so we have no fresh bread and pastries for two weeks. However we go to the local market on Saturday and we can get sourdough bread from another baker which is lovely. Waiting on the wood cutter to come with our delivery of wood for the woodburner..... the weather in the last month has led to many evenings with a fire. One more month here and we return to blighty for the winter...
I am away from home, struggling with internet. Will someone please do a MATCH DAY THREAD for Saturday.
Well, I am still away with the English family. They thought it would be great to celebrate our special wedding anniversary by hiring a large villa with heated pool, that we could spend a week at together. It is a lovely place on the Ile D' Oleron off the west coast of France, but at this time of year has very unpredictable weather. Two days of glorious sunshine, followed by two days of heavy rain showers. There is a slightly deserted feel about the island, with many of the shops and restaurants closed for the winter, yet there are still quite a few tourists around. The beach just down the road is where you can learn to drive a sand yacht, but the tide being in prevented any thoughts of having a lesson. So sat and watched the surfers, some very good, They had to wait for the right wave to come-along before jumping on their boards. I just happened to notice that these rather athletic young men have their groupies of attractive young ladies. Three male members of the family seemed envious when a couple of these girls decided to chat with me. Probably thought I was harmless.
Last week we had a re-union. 8 of us met for the first time on 3rd October 1964 at Lincoln Hall Nottingham. Almost all of us with partners managed to meet up. one no-show was having an operation after a years wait. Apart from that, all ok. Great time, but I guess it will be difficult to repeat. A ban on discussing aliments helped. How lucky we were !
Afternoon, All! Just to let you know that Mrs Fez had her latest scan results this morning (11months on from her chemo and RT) and is still clear.
