I am a member of an association that tries to safeguard our unspoiled countryside and wildlife in these parts. This afternoon was the AGM, due to start at 4.00 pm, but as is normal it was half past when it got underway. After an hour there was a refreshment break of 30 minutes when the bottles came out from behind the bar. There were a few nibbles, largely untouched, but the bottles were emptied with gusto, and there were a few questions about why the restriction on numbers. My French held up fairly well before the break, but I was quite pleased to see a great deal of information being displayed on a screen for the second part. To read it at your own pace rather than try to keep up with a man on a mic. is easier as text does not have a regional accent. I have given up on improving my language skills, I think they are as good as they will ever be. A friend who was there has the same problem. He uses a translator on his phone quite a lot, which is largely useless when you are in a gathering such as this. Still both of us have a fair knowledge of certain words relating to food and drink.
Mornin' all. Well a bit hotter today but 3 degrees lower than Watford and Weston according to the Beeb. But I now see the forecast here is for a gradual rise in temps so by July I guess the normal sweltering summer of 30+ will be here. Here seems little reaction to what I thought was a poor performance by Spain. But while watching the game in my local bar I had some Iberico Pork and it was delicious. The chips, fried onion and glass of dry white certainly added to it Well enjoy one and all
Morning all, bright and sunny at present, but how long for? We seem to have a pattern at present of decent starts to the day, then by afternoon it is downhill. There was a big thunderstorm last night, including hail. Think I will have to check to see if the tomatoes are still standing.
I thought for a moment you were describing England in the world cup OFH are the locals saying that your weather is normal or do they talk of a change? It's just that I remember camping in France and thunderstorms, very heavy ones, seemed the norm. I guess I'm mainly remembering July and August so a bit later. And once I think near Bergerac a storm lasted all night - so it seemed - and in the morning there were over a dozen green woodpeckers in the field eating crazily. No idea what was so tasty. Many happy memories of France. If teachers hadn't made me hate the French language I might have ended up there and not Spain
Our weather is not normal at present. This time last year I returned from my holiday and immediately had to start a regular watering scheme, and we had little rain until October. Thunderstorms are more frequent in high summer when we have a very hot period that often ends with a major storm. The temperature for this afternoon is forecast to be 25°C, but it says that it will feel more like 35°C. I have just come in from the fields, and as soon as I left the shade to walk up the lane the heat hit me. Often when it does get hot, say above 30°C it is quite tolerable because it is fairly dry heat as opposed to the humid conditions that are frequent in the UK. Because we are three hours away from the coast we do not have the influence of the Atlantic, so we can get very low and very high temperatures.
And good mornin' from me, and good mornin' from him. I'm in a two ronnies mood Beautiful day here But busy day. Must visit Cooqui for a hair cut, the accountant to finish my tax declaration, get some english learning materials printed (*), give the wife an english lesson (dangerous territory ), talk to my brother and persuade him to send a parcel to India for me (if he hasn't eaten all the Kendal mint cake ), and make a curry. Busy day. Enjoy one and all * Sick to death with printers drying up through lack of use so get the local shop to print anything at 0.05 euros per page. Much cheaper than buying ink cartridges.
Morning all. Massive storm here at 4.00 am, thunder, lightening and heavy rain. I normally sleep through such things, but I was awake for 10 minutes or so until I concluded that staying awake would not stop it. Mme does not like storms and was awake much longer. She tells me it passed over then another one followed half an hour later. My runner beans will be loving it. They are not grown by the French for eating, but a few grow them for the flowers. I am hopeful for them with the number of bees that are around, there are certainly more than in the past few years.
Just back from a visit to the doctor. Nothing serious, just an annoying tickle in the back of the throat that will not go away. Seems that I probably had a dose of hay fever when there was a huge amount of pollen around, something that I have never suffered from before. An impressive bag full of medicines to take over the next week, including one that is 2% proof. You certainly get the works when you go along to see her. Blood pressure, sounding of the chest, peering down the throat, suggestion that you might like to have a blood test, and a visit to the hospital to check out that some dry skin is not cancerous. Seems that I am ticking along fairly well despite the age. I consider myself lucky to be in the system here, and just wish that such a service was available to all wherever they live.
No wonder the French medical system is (allegedly( bankrupt. That said , use it while you can. The pharmacists really do have a racket- happily oversupply knowing they get paid on supply, not need-and a monopoly on almost everything ‘Medical’.
Mornin' Dave, Mornin' all. At last it is set to be warmer here today than Weston or Watford. And should remain so from now on. Normality is restored One thing I liked in the News, after jumping over lots of photos of two fat guys shaking hands , was Trudeau, Merkel, Macron and May sticking together. Is the world order at last changing? But enough of the world and looking forward to the world cup. Only three days to go to Portugal vs Spain I keep practising my best Spanish "You was robbed", "what a referee", "Never mind, you'll still qualify" while not smiling - if Portugal win Thankfully Spain vs England is virtually impossible but if it happens I'll have to grab a flight back to blightie. . Enjoy one and all
Morning all, it is bright and sunny at present, but as I have a picnic to go to it will probably change. I have seen a technical paper on why our weather has been so strange. Seemingly there is cold air 6 km above us having a battle with the warm air at a lower level. Hopefully things will change here before long, but the temperature is great if you want to be busy. Trying to get into the World Cup, but it doesn't create that much excitement any more. Maybe when it starts I will feel more enthused. Firstly I want England to do well, but at least I can always switch to my second team.
I am not fired up at all... the thought about tense boring group games decided by one goal if at all is not very interesting..... yet
Evening all. Just had another stay of 2 nights at Jersey General - my first for 13 months. They didn't move me from the Intensive Care Unit to another ward as they had the space in ICU. One of the nurses there is an ex of mine (9 years ago), but we had a civilised catch-up. She now has a 11 month old daughter and is getting married soon.
