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Teresa Mays
Teresa Mays

Teresa Mays

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  • French Frolics

    18.04 Day 214 . . . Another Day Lost

    18 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    Well I’m not gonna be long telling you about today - don’t want to bore the pants off anyone.
    After getting up fairly early to make sure we hit the currency market early, we managed to trans get the monies we needed to sort.
    A quick email to the notaires here and in the UK to update then followed at which point we stopped for brekkie.
    A call then arrived from the estate agent, which always fills me with dread, normally it’s because something has changed or gone wrong - or mostly that she is about three emails behind everyone else.
    Anyway it was to arrange a meeting at the Chenay house on Saturday evening. We again asked her to confirm the water was on at the house and we’re told she has arranged for the water company to attend on Tuesday next - to re-connect. I’m so glad now we chased her on this as we had been told everything was ok!!
    I then got to work on my company year end accounts, which I hate, while Tre completed some medical forms for here for our Carte Vitale. In amongst scanning and printing and trying to download internet documents with a crappy wifi - it took for ages.
    I finally finished everything at about 4.30pm, Tre had finished a little earlier.
    Good news today was Lauren and Pete moved into their new rented place and Mim and Dad managed to sell their corsa without any issues - phew!!
    So the day had gone with admin yet again - tomorrow will be no admin.
    The evening passed with dinner and a couple of films on channel 4 while watching Chelsea crash out of the Champions league with a whimper!
    Tomorrow will be a better day.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    17.04 Day 213 . . . Lancaster Bomber

    17 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    We had set an alarm to make sure we were up this morning. A restaurant we had been to a couple of times previously - Auberge du Noyer at Londigny - had started last week, to do a full English breakfast twice a week. Tre had seen the advert and booked us in. We’ve not had a full English for months.
    So we were up and at it and ready to leave in plenty of time.
    We hopped into Roxvanné and pulled off the driveway into the country lane - our only route to anywhere. At which point Tre shrieked at me and pointed to a very large bird waddling down the centre of the lane, blocking any traffic - had there been any apart from us.
    The bird which we now know to be a Muscovy Duck, wasn’t much for moving until I got right behind him and revved the engine a little. At this point it took off like an overloaded WW2 Lancaster bomber.
    The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) is a large duck native to the Americas, from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Mexico south to Argentina and Uruguay. Small wild and feral breeding populations have established themselves in the United States, particularly in Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, the Big Island of Hawaii, as well as in many other parts of North America, including southern Canada. Feral Muscovy ducks are found in New Zealand, Australia, and in parts of Europe.
    It is a large duck, with the males about 76 cm (30 in) long, and weighing up to 7 kg (15 lb). Females are noticeably smaller, and only grow to 3 kg (6.6 lb), roughly half the males' size. The bird is predominantly black and white, with the back feathers being iridescent and glossy in males, while the females are more drab. The amount of white on the neck and head is variable, as well as the bill, which can be yellow, pink, black, or any mixture of these colors. It may have white patches or bars on the wings, which become more noticeable during flight. Both sexes have pink or red wattles around the bill, those of the male being larger and more brightly colored.
    Obstruction dealt with we drove in the sunshine to Londigny and parked up.
    The breakfast was blooming lovely, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tre eat so much so fast - and never have I seen her eat fried bread, so without doubt we will be back.
    We headed back to Sauze and stopped at Bricomon - we forgot it was Monday and also now lunchtime, so it was shut. A quick stop in SuperU to check for some cleaning bits we might need next week and we were heading home. Nearly at home we noted the Lancaster Bomber had taken up residence on a roadside pile of compost and gravel.
    After a very brief stop at home we were heading out again on our way to Niort, again to check for some bits we might need next week but also car hunting.
    We found our way straight to the Peugeot and Citroen site which also housed Spoticar - so lots of cars on site. We spent the best part of 90 minutes looking for specific models we’ve sort of settled for and sitting in a few to check sizes. Each year model is obviously different to the previous year - some better than others.
    After finding nothing that met both our size and financial needs we departed and headed to Leroy Merlin.
    Once parked up near to Leroy’s we opted to quickly pop into GiFi which is another B&Q/The Range type affair - only to find nothing in there we were really looking for.
    Across the road we quickly checked out Leroy but by now I think we had both had enough and shopping boredom had set in, so we very soon gave up and found ourselves back in Rox heading home.
    Nearly back at Melle we stopped into DSI Automobiles, a garage we’ve visited before and there saw the same guy as previously ‘Charlie’. Again we trolled through the cars he had on the forecourt but with no luck. He is a lovely guy though, so always good to have a chat with him - in pigeon French/English.
    From Charlie’s we headed for home, still bathed in sunshine.
    At home unfortunately the patio was in full shade as it was late-late afternoon.
    We bother skipped evening meal as the brekkie this morning was still filling out tummy’s!
    It didn’t seem long until bedtime called - the days are now slipping away quickly towards the new house at Chenay.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    16.04 Day 212 . . . Here Comes The Sun!

    16 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Up relatively early for us - the sun was shining straight through a little bedroom window.
    Downstairs we had breakfast fairly quickly and then retired to our patio chairs to soak up the sun - and there we stayed, doing nothing but getting hotter.
    About 3pm our neighbours stopped for a natter, which went on a lot longer than any of us probably expected.
    It was gone 5pm by the time the batter continued and we came indoors to sort dinner - which was some marinated pork steaks we’d picked up at SuperU a couple of days ago.
    With slightly red and warm sun flushed faces we sat to watch some TV for the evening before bed.
    What an exhausting day!    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    15.04 Day 211 . . . Car’s & Tondeuse

    15 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    After our very late night last night, weirdly we both woke about 8am. We chatted for about ten minutes before both falling back to sleep. We were then very late waking up. Tea and an almond tuile in bed and then down for breakfast.
    The weather was lovely and sunny with Simpson clouds . . . the big white puffy ones against a rich blue shy . . . like at the start of a Simpsons episode.
    Once ready we hopped into Rox and headed to Civray to check out some cars. On route we took a detour past the Chenay house to see if clearing out was still under way. We think we drove past the woman and son we met before Christmas, then driving the opposite direction. At the house the field fence had been removed and at the house there was obvious car tyre marks in the driveway to the front door. These had never been there before - so looks like things are progressing. A few photos of the fields nearby as we left Chenay - including a sort of lady bird. I’ve tried to identify it a number of way but can be positive as the photo I doesn’t have enough detail.
    We then headed to the Citroen garage at Civray and checked out some C3 cars they had. We think they might be too small for my masculine bulky (overweight) frame. So we headed across the road to Peugeot and spoke to a very nice man about a 3008 that they had.
    Five minutes later Tre and I were out on a test drive on our own, no agent with us, no checking if our driving licences, no taking of our home address or phone numbers - just set loose for a drive. We both had a drive - primarily Tre, as I’d driven one before that we had hired. Back at the garage safe and sound we sat and went through some stuff with the very nice man (who keeps Donkeys - much to Tre’s delight) and got some prices. We left the garage with some thinking to do.
    We drove to Civray and dropped into Intermarché to grab a few bits for tonight and tomorrow.
    From there we drove down the road to another form of Brico to check out Tondeuse - ride on mowers again. They really didn’t have too much to look at and so walked across the road to another garden/land equipment place. Now I’ve always worked on the premise that if there is no price tag on an item and you have to ask the price, you probably can’t afford it so why bother asking. So we didn’t stay long!
    Having had most of the afternoon out and about we decided to head for home enjoying the late afternoon sunshine - and discussing our needs when it came to a car. There is only the two of us most of the time - so do we really need something large and fairly luxury, not really. So time to re think our brand choices.
    Home about 6pm Tre quickly smashed out the same chorizo salad we had a couple of nights ago. We enjoyed it so much the other night it was fab to have it again. Also uncorked a bottle of our favourite red.
    We then watched a few episodes of The Night Agent - leaving us the final two episodes for tomorrow.
    Match of the Day finished our evening and finished any hope I had of Chelsea getting some pride in themselves.
    We may go to Lenzay tomorrow - let’s see what time we surface in the morning.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    14.04 Day 210 . . . Who Killed 007

    14 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    After waking we heard a knock at the door. Tre wasn’t happy that I asked her to go down to answer and even less happy when she dropped an Amazon package on my chest saying what have you ordered now. When I convinced her to open it and found a book she liked the other day she was decidedly happier with me 😂 I do create aggro for myself with stupid surprises!!
    We then got downstairs for breakfast.
    There wasn’t much on the agenda for today but I still had some outstanding admin.
    An email to the Notaire to check they had received the money we sent, an email to the Brocante lady who had a table and chairs we were interested in. A call to the UK to order a new battery for Rox that will be fitted when we return in May. Finally an email to the Douane in Niort asking about importing my scooter - hopefully I can bring that over.
    Meanwhile Tre had completed some more boring tasks of laundry and sorting the place out.
    The weather was lousy outside - on and off rain but generally dismal.
    I sat and wrote up a couple of Penguins and then set about servicing my clippers! My barnet was in need of sort out and it’s been ages since I serviced these things - which I’ve had for years!!
    Tre and I both settled down mid afternoon and watched a few episodes of the Night Agent on Netflix.
    Dinner was a Tre masterpiece of Turkey and oven roasted vegetables, with Soy, Balsamic and Garlic - we also had Tabbouleh, which was anew one on me . . . Bulgar Wheat, which was lovely with the soy/balsamic/garlic sauce running through it.
    The evening drifted with a couple more Night Agent followed by a Bond film on TV - Die Another Day. Whoever decided it was a good idea to kill off James Bond needs their head examined. I know 007 continues, but now no Bond 🙁
    We did do a little planning of how to get to the Italian town used in the film in which Bond does a motorbike leap - alike the jump in The Great Escape. Only 18.5 Hrs to drive there from here!
    We finally rolled into bed at 2.30am - dirty stop outs . . . and then couldn’t sleep!
    Hopefully we will sleep in !    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    13.04 Day 209 . . . Mixed Weather

    13 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    And so another day begins . . . Not too much planned today as the weather looked a bit mixed.
    We weren’t up overly early and after breakfast pottered about with some chores and a couple of admin things.
    We then attempted to transfer some money which turned into a drama - when the bank is trying to protect you from fraud but ultimately stops you getting access to your money when you need it . . . Like today!
    Anyhow - it was resolved after some very lengthy phone calls, Tre staying decidedly more calm than me!!
    That all sorted finally we decided we needed to go to Sauze to get a couple of bits - so we hopped into Rox and set off, remembering we really did now need fuel.
    When we set off the sun was glorious and we stopped to take a couple of photos as we drove the back roads. 20 minutes later as we arrived at SuperU, with my intention of fuelling up immediately before the the weather changed, it changed and started to pour down.
    At exactly the same point I got a call from a local bee keeper who I had made contact with, just asking what I was looking to do and giving me some advice on bits and pieces. He was really helpful and I’m sure I will be speaking with him again . . . When I have some bee’s.
    By the end of the call the rain had eased and we did our shop. Once back out we fuelled up before the rain started again.
    We decided to take a drive past the Chenay house - can’t keep away now as the days are ticking towards our possible ownership.
    Not much had changed and no-one seemed to be about.
    As we drove home I took a couple more photos of the rapeseed and turbines - they look brilliant out here, but the photos never do them justice.
    Once home Teresa set about making a new chorizo salad we’d seen - the only downside was I had to hunt through my spices box to find the fennel seeds that I’d safely packed away.
    The salad took no time and was bloody lovely.
    The rest of the evening drifted away, the light outside now keeping the evenings alive a little longer - spring has defo sprung and summer is on its way.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics
    Hoopoe

    12.04 Day 208 . . . A Hoopoe Calls

    12 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    So waking up at 4am wasn’t the plan. So after a few hours of trying to go to sleep, speaking to Craig on WhatsApp as he was awake as well, watching a bee keeping course and other rubbish social media rubbish I finally drifted back off to sleep just before 8am - then waking at 1015am. Tre had only just woken up from a full nights kip 😂
    Tre made tea in bed at which point we heard the same sound we had heard the day before yesterday emanating from the forest area across the road. Once heard you will never forget it. A batch of three or four hooping calls. Bird chirp activated the result came back as a Hoopoe. We have been waiting to see one of these birds, but at least we have now heard one.
    Hoopoes are colourful birds found across Africa, Asia, and Europe, notable for their distinctive "crown" of feathers. Three living and one extinct species are recognized, though for many years all of the extant species were lumped as a single species. The Eurasian hoopoe is common in its range and has a large population, so it is evaluated as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, their numbers are declining in Western Europe.Conversely, the hoopoe has been increasing in numbers at the tip of the South Sinai, Sharm el-Sheikh. There are dozens of nesting pairs that remain resident all year round.
    The diet of the hoopoe includes many species considered by humans to be pests, such as the pupae of the processionary moth, a damaging forest pest which few other birds will eat because of its irritating hairs. For this reason the species is afforded protection under the law in many countries.
    Hoopoes are distinctive birds and have made a cultural impact over much of their range. They were considered sacred in Ancient Egypt, and were "depicted on the walls of tombs and temples". At the Old Kingdom, the hoopoe was used in the iconography as a symbolic code to indicate the child was the heir and successor of his father. They achieved a similar standing in Minoan Crete.
    In the Torah, Leviticus 11:13–19, hoopoes were listed among the animals that are detestable and should not be eaten. They are also listed in Deuteronomy as not kosher.
    The Hoopoe, known as the hudhud (هُدْهُد), also appears with King Solomon in the Quran in Surah 27
    ‎ٱلنَّمْل Al-Naml (The Ant):
    And [Solomon] took attendance of the birds and said, "Why do I not see the hoopoe – or is he among the absent? I will surely punish him with a severe punishment or slaughter him unless he brings me clear authorization."
    The connection of the hoopoe with Solomon and the Queen of Sheba in the Qur'anic tradition is mentioned in passing in Rudyard Kipling's Just So story "The Butterfly that Stamped".
    In the pre-Islamic Vainakh religion of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan the hoopoe was sacred to the goddess Tusholi and known as "Tusholi's hen". As her bird, it could only be hunted with the express permission of the goddess's high priest, and even then only for strictly medicinal purposes.
    Hoopoes were seen as a symbol of virtue in Persia. A hoopoe was a leader of the birds in the Persian book of poems The Conference of the Birds and when the birds seek a king, the hoopoe points out that the Simurgh was the king of the birds.
    Hoopoes were thought of as thieves across much of Europe, and harbingers of war in Scandinavia. In Estonian tradition, hoopoes are strongly connected with death and the underworld; their song is believed to foreshadow death for many people or cattle. In medieval ritual magic, the hoopoe was thought to be an evil bird. The Munich Manual of Demonic Magic, a collection of magical spells compiled in Germany frequently requires the sacrifice of a hoopoe to summon demons and perform other magical intentions.
    The bird's crest indicates his royal status, and his long, sharp beak is a symbol of his violent nature. English translators and poets probably had the northern lapwing in mind, considering its crest.
    The hoopoe was chosen as the national bird of Israel in May 2008 in conjunction with the country's 60th anniversary, following a national survey of 155,000 citizens, outpolling the white-spectacled bulbul. The hoopoe appears on the logo of the University of Johannesburg and is the official mascot of the university's sports teams. The municipalities of Armstedt and Brechten, Germany, have a hoopoe in their coats of arms.
    After recording and identifying our new favourite never seen bird - we made it downstairs for breakfast.
    Then the day fell away as it was another day being slave to the accounts spreadsheet, calling banks and companies, signing off letters and generally getting a back ache hunched over the laptop.
    At 6pm we called it a day and sat down to have a glass of Rivesaltes in front of the TV.
    We had lentil chilli and salad for our evening meal and then sat to watch TV again, the occasional shower now appearing, tapping on the windows. I kept an eye on the Real Madrid v Chelsea game, not quite the car crash I had expected - just a 2-0 defeat.
    We both went to bed about 1030pm and watched some bits on social media that did make us laugh and that was it.
    15 Sleeps to go!!    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    11.04 Day 207 . . . Pékin Chickens!!

    11 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    I woke to find the Snoozing Princess still asleep and so decided to do some more social media surfing. At just gone 1030am the Snoozing Princess awoke and immediately got up to leave the room. During this short walk Tre asked me what the time was . . . I looked at my phone and replied ’1030’ to which I got a very quick reply of ‘ Yeah right’. I turned my phone so that Tre could read it - ‘Oh my god , why did you let me sleep that long, why didn’t you wake me?’ . . . so apparently it was my fault 😳
    Fairly rapidly we were downstairs having breakfast, as I had mentioned that at this rate we wouldn’t make it to the Arc Charity place by closing time at 4pm - I think I hit a nerve. After brekkie Tre marinaded some chicken for dinner tonight and I remembered I needed to use the pork skin I bought today to make some scratchings!!
    Breakfasted and showered/ready we headed out in Rox. We took the back roads, our newly found direct route to Sainte Soline, again driving through an untold number of rapeseed full fields.
    We arrived at Arc so that I could pay for and collect the two books I had won the previous evening. Whilst there we had a look around and picked up another couple of books, one on keeping pet chicken (less of the pet bit) and another on antique identification. Tre has designs on being the next big thing on Antiques Roadshow with a brilliant French Brocante find. To be fair it is worth knowing what you are looking at out here, there are lots of little hidden gems in the Brocantes and Vide Greniers. After paying for the newly found books and the charity auction winnings, we stopped to have cake and tea’s. Tre selecting a lovely cherry and almond affair, whilst I selected a rather lovely looking Bakwell cake - which when eaten reminded me of a mouthful of petrol when syphoning a car! Not the best.
    From Arc we drove to Melle, we needed fuel but I also wanted to check out the local Mr Bricolage (Wickes) as I was under the belief that they stocked bee keeping equipment. Parked up we entered. We then did a full sweep of each and every aisle and found no bee stuff at all - however we did discover some very nice ride on lawnmowers, which weren’t to expensive either. That bit of research is tucked away for a future date . . . and not too long.
    Mr Bricolage completed we decided to pop around the corner to a garden centre we’ve not visited - Game Vert.
    As we walked towards the store we immediately saw a large cage with about 30 chickens and one very regal looking cock inside. Having spent five minutes checking these out we walked to the front door, only to find more cages with very different chickens within - Poule de Soie, Caille Caramel and also Poule de Pékin - the last of which were quite comical.
    Inside we did another full sweep finding everything for animal welfare, beekeeping equipment - which cheered me up, country lifestyle clothing and more expectedly gardening equipment. Outside we found the majority of the plants with some lovely small fruit trees which I think Tre and I will be back for.
    On finally dragging ourselves out of the shop, we decide to not now go for fuel (but to get that tomorrow) and just to head home - which we did.
    At home I immediately started on making the scratchings, so the pork skin didn’t go out of date, after which I coated the marinated chicken Tre had prepped earlier with sesame seeds. The latter we popped in the air fryer and were soon sitting down to have it with a salad.
    The pork scratching were also completed as the evening went on, whilst watching some TV with Tre . . . . and sampling the warm pork scratchings!
    Just after 10pm we retired - Tre needs her sleep !!    Leia mais

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    10.04 Day 206 . . . Packing Up Early

    10 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    So, I don’t want to make it sound like Tre sleeps for England - but yep she is sleeping for England. In all the time I’ve known her I’ve never known her get up later than 7am . . . But when in France 😂
    By mid to late morning we were actually downstairs having breakfast.
    The weather was still ok and so Tre took advantage of the patio while I decided to try and do some catch up work on Penguins. I’ve got notes for all the days I’ve not written up but I haven’t kept up with actually writing the notes up. Today was that day. So I stuck my head into the laptop and cracked on.
    Tre then got some domestic stuff sorted and also disappeared upstairs. She then shouted down to me that she was packed - ready for the house move. Tre had left just enough clothes out to re-circulate to see her through the next couple weeks. I think she is getting excited - I’m still sort of holding a lid on it, almost scared to believe it’s gonna happen.
    For late lunch/afternoon snacks we had some cheese and chorizo sausage and watched some really really rubbish TV.
    Some messaging with Craig and phone calls saw the late afternoon drift away.
    We decided to finish off the lamb from yesterday and so effectively had a second day of roast dinner.
    Both of us were stuffed after dinner and flopped on the sofa. I kept sight of the two items we had bid for on the Arc charity auction. One I really wanted which was a book on butterflies, insects and all manner of other little creepy crawly’s and fliers! We won both.
    Bit of a waste of a day, but we both feel we are treading water waiting for the house move . . . We also don’t want to get too involved in anything as we will be so busy once we get the house.
    Bed wasn’t long in coming, with an intent to crack on tomorrow and visit Arc to collect the charity winnings!    Leia mais

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    09.04 Day 205 . . . Lamb Shoulder

    9 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Possibly the last day of sunshine for the best part of the week - so the forecast states. We were up relatively early for us and down to have breakfast. Sat in the sunshine on the patio eating our brekkie it was really quite hot, to the extent that a little bit of shade was a relief. We decided to make the most of the sunshine before it broke and so set ourselves outside for the remainder of the morning, cold drinks at hand, some snoozing and some social media falling down the rabbit hole stuff. We were again visited by Le Petit Chat, who hung around for about an hour - the point she stopped getting stroked.
    About 2pm I wandered inside to make some mint sauce to go with our impending Lamb shoulder. The mint was really fragrant and it wasn’t long before the room was full of its scent. That made Tre came in to start on the Lamb and everything else - I ably assisted with sorting out the white asparagus . . . . very technical.
    White asparagus is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin C. It also contains fibre, iron, niacin, and vitamins A, B1 and B2. White asparagus is a good source of antioxidants rutin, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, glutathione and ferulic acid.
    White asparagus is simply green asparagus that has never seen the light of day. The plant is grown under soil or some other covering to block out the sun's rays, preventing photosynthesis and the development of chlorophyll, which turns the spears green.
    The weather had clouded over a little and so I went in search of TV entertainment and found ‘Uncle Buck’. Yep, I watched it and joined by Tre once she had finished the dinner prep.
    Dinner was fab, the shoulder of lamb was lovely (Chef Teresa smashed it), with smashed potatoes, cauliflower cheese, asparagus (white and green) and lashings of lovely mint sauce . . . and a nice bottle of Rose. Oh - and an Easter egg for pudding.
    After dinner we settled down to watch the end of Countryfile and then David Attenborough’s Wild Isles. We finished the night off with Liam Neeson in a film called Grey . . . it was ok and a little predictable, but made me jump twice . . . to Teresa’s amusement.
    Easter Sunday done - tomorrow the French recognise Easter Bank Holiday Monday . . . but as per every other Monday France is closed for the day 😂    Leia mais

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    08.04 Day 204 . . . Yellow !

    8 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    So we were up and about before 8am and grabbed some quick breakfast. Tre and I have cut back on bread and pasta and crisps and all other not so healthy options with a view to shedding some pounds before Summer, the ability to hide excess baggage under clothes then gone.
    We were out of the door before 9am and into Rox, then on our way to Niort. The weather again is glorious and the views on the drive stunning. Can’t believe a little over 6 months ago we were in our little place in Haywards Heath surrounding by houses, shops, companies and volumes of traffic. Sometimes we can drive for ages without seeing another car!
    It took us about 40 minutes to Niort where we parked in our now normal parking area near to the river, literally just next to the market area.
    We walked up to the market and it was heaving as expected. Easter holiday had brought out the masses combined with the lovely sunny and warm weather - unlike a couple of weeks ago.
    We grabbed a huge cauliflower for under €2 and then garlic, white asparagus, onions, fresh mint and then headed to the meat counter. We chose a shoulder of lamb which the butcher then without bother, volunteered to take it off the bone and string it into a joint for us - looks great, will update tomorrow. We also saw or a neighbouring stall huge artichokes which we decided against as neither of us was sure how to cook from scratch. More research required first.
    I then grabbed a couple of things off the Spanish stall, not sure what they were called but one with chicken filling the other beef filling - with a free chilli dip. Will try these later.
    Beaten to the first table and chairs in the sunshine at the cafe we quickly found another and then sat people watching for half an hour.
    Post coffee and red faces from the sun we went for a shop wander and also to find a bank. The nearest bank (with a long queue) happened to be right opposite my favourite vinyl record shop, so Tre volunteered to queue while I went vinyl hunting.
    Money collected and no vinyl purchased (nearly did - a Black Keys box set) we returned to Rox and headed out of the town centre.
    Now Tre and I have had an ongoing argument about her need for some trainers. She has some - packed in a bag in the UK and she maintains she can wait til we get all our stuff over - I maintain not a good idea. So off to Decathlon we went!!
    Once inside we waddled the aisles, me not wanting the pressure the issue by walking straight to the trainer aisle. However Tre had other ideas and we spent a good hour or so choosing summer clothing, skirts and dresses, shorts for me and finally - yes we got there . . . trainers for Tre!!
    On finally leaving Decathlon we realised we hadn’t bought eggs at the market and so headed for SuperU.
    Well the eggs Tre had in mind when she mentioned it come from hens, the eggs I had in mind come from a chocolate factory.
    So at SuperU we bought both - the not eating unhealthy has a clause about Easter I assured Tre.
    We took our normal now back roads tout home to take in the yellow rapeseed field or Rutabaga as my app calls it.
    It was so fab we did a second pass along one particular road and Tre grabbed a video.
    We got home about 5pm and our planned meal for the evening was shelved due to lack of time - so we decided on a second night of lasagne.
    I checked in Chelsea dreadful season with another loss, this time to Wolves . . . Lampard isn’t an instant fix. Also a little reminder research on how to use my wind metre for the drone, now I’ve put a new battery in it.
    The chicken and beef Mexican things were lovely and the chilli sauce - well it was really sweet to start with almost fruity and then turned bloody hot. Need to tap the lady on the stall up for the recipe for this.
    We had dinner about 7pm and then settled in for rubbish telly and another film - which we got half way through and binned it.
    So probably in bed about 1030pm and I nodded straight off.
    Sun, Mexican food, vinyl shopping, and country fresh air is all too much for this old timer.    Leia mais

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    07.04 Day 203 . . . Happy Easter

    7 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Happy Easter everyone!
    So after our late night film watching we didn’t get up at the crack of dawn - in fact we returned to late get up mode.
    Finally downstairs for breakfast we decided we were to have a day off from admin stuff and enjoy the sunshine. So after breakfast we retired to the patio to grab some rays.
    About 2pm we had some nibbles - we’ve found some new dark brown crisp bread things which taste slightly bitter, but with cheese on top are divine.
    After nibbles Tre decided to go make lasagne for the evening and I manned up enough to go try out the new cut throat razor I’d bought.
    Now there is definitely a knack to a cut throat which I hadn’t got. It wasn’t a bad first attempt, possible two nicks maximum but could have been better. The finished product was actually ok, once I’d stopped the bleeding 😂😂
    The sun drifts away from the patio late afternoon and so we retired indoors, we had talked ourselves out of another walk this afternoon and I’d cancelled my idea about flying the drone due to slight gusts of wind.
    By the time we’d had dinner - the quite lovely lasagne, drizzled with chilli oil we were set for another movie night.
    Film4 has been our friend this week with some old but quite good films - and tonight’s was Patriot Games. I think we’d both seen it a gazillion times but it was still good - and then it was bed.
    Market day tomorrow at Niort - should be busy as it’s Easter Weekend . . . and Tre needs some trainers despite her objections!!    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics
    Rutabaga - RapeseedBroad BeanBlackthornChickens 😂Cherry LaurelCow ParselySmooth BedstrawGreen Veined White Butterfly - Non Harmful To Humans ApparentlyShining Cranesbill

    06.04 Day 202 . . Botanical Knowledge!

    6 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Not an early get up again this morning, but once up and breakfasted we were straight back on it.
    A further email to the lorry hire company with driving licences and other info plus some questions, booking ferry crossings x3 which proved less easy than previously due to the length of the 7.5t lorry. Booking a hotel outside Dieppe for our return journey. Sorting some accounts stuff and emailing the bank.
    That all done we perched ourselves outside for another dose of sunshine - it was lovely.
    A few nibbles for lunch and we decided to go on one of our walks of the lanes nearby. Tre ran for a shower first, while I put some chicken with garlic ginger and green Thai curry paste for dinner and then we were off for the walk.
    Whilst doing these we’ve been noting the changes in plants and crops along the roadsides and the fields, trying to spot changes that actually help identify some of them.
    Today we noticed the following over our 2.5 mile ramble. Japanese Honeysuckle which is actually in our patio garden, Broad Bean, Rutabaga, Cherry Laurel, Cow Parsley, Smooth Bedstraw, Blackthorn and Shining Cranesbill . . . and add into the mix a Green-Veined White butterfly - a male, as he only had one spot and not two on each wing.
    Back at home an hour or so later we again chilled on the patio, joined again by the neighbour cat - ‘Le Petit Chat’.
    He/She/They/It hasn’t been around for a while - probably as we’ve not been outside on the patio too much.
    Once back inside we watched a little TV with a cold drink and then stuck the chicken on for dinner. We timed finishing dinner just right to sit and watch another Film4 called Skyscraper with Dwayne Johnson. A sort of mix of Towering Inferno/ Die Hard the Nakatomi Plaza one and Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol - the Burj Khalifa stunt on the outside of the windows. Tom cruise used specialised suction cups - Dwayne used inside out gaffa tape around his hands 😂
    After that we sat and watched the next film up which was Tom Cruise in Reacher . . . and that took us up to bed time.
    Another day and another lesson about the uses of gaffa tape.    Leia mais

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    05.04 Day 201 . . . The Safer Say’s No!

    5 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    So another morning that we needed to get some admin sorted. The possibility of the house brings on some added requirements that we need to crack on with.
    Tre then saw the email from the Notaires clerk saying that the Safer had no wish to take on the house - so now with that news and the news the Mairie was not interested either meant were all guns blazing for the move. Tre sorted House Insurance.
    Further emails to confirms dates and requirements for the lorry hire. Emails to our English Notaire to check he had seen the Safer update. We then did some more to the accountants spreadsheet - nearly complete now.
    We stopped at about 2pm and sat outside on the sunshine on the patio. Nibbles and sunshine - who could ask for more. We decided to stay longer than we had first thought and took in as much sunshine as we could.
    I carried on getting the schedule of our trip to the UK sorted and which days we needed the lorry and crossings back and forth.
    Then had a call from little Daniel during which an issue with his car V5 came up, which caused a bit of stress and nagging of him.
    We then realised we had left sorting a proper meal for the evening far too late and so cheese rolls and crisps it was.
    We settled in to watch some rubbish TV and then found a film called Sahara on film4 with Matthew McConaughey in the lead role. Surprisingly good if not a little far fetched at times.
    Then it was bed - we didn’t do the walk we had promised ourselves, but that sunshine afternoon chill session was the business!!
    Rumour has it Frankie Lampard may be making a brief return 😂    Leia mais

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    Rapeseed
    Unknown red crop

    04.04 Day 200 . . . It’s The 200 Up !!

    4 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    Day 200 - I never in my wildest dreams thought I would get this far, probably most people would wish I’d given up writing these a long time ago 😂😂
    So once up - and at a reasonable time, we breakfasted and then cracked on with the To Do list as we had promised ourselves yesterday. Today’s tasks completed were - reading over our options again on inheritance law in France and sending an email to our brilliant English Notaire for some further advise. Another email to our French Notaires clerk. An email to the lorry hire company asking some questions - trying to get our ducks in line. Checking dates re storage we have. Phone calls to banks in the UK for more info for the accountant spreadsheet and further completion of that spreadsheet. There were other bits but again it fogs your brain after a few hours of this stuff 😳
    At 2pm we got ready and headed out to get our weekly shop, deciding to go to Melle as we also needed to go to ARC charity shop on route as Teresa had one another auction item 🙄 I think we are the only ones bidding 😂😂
    The drive to Sainte Soline was lovely as all the rapeseed is nearly out fully and looks brilliant in sunshine with bright blue skies. Oh yeah it’s stopped raining yesterday!! Arc wasn’t to busy on arrival and after a bit of a phaff finding the right person to get the item we were sorted and two glass jugs better off.
    We drove from Arc to Melle and had a good old wander round SuperU. - picking up a couple of bits we’ve not tried before. One being a French black sausage which apparently is like black pudding - wait for the update on that. Boudin Noir or Blood sausage is one of the oldest and most traditional of French foods, with inscriptions and documents stretching back 2000 years showing its production. Up to the second world war, it was common for families in rural areas to keep a pig, which was raised to be slaughtered at the beginning of winter. This was a major event each year, with the entire family working from dawn to dust to slaughter, bleed, butcher and process every part of the pig. Nothing was wasted, even the blood and bones were used. Not only was this an important source of meat, but also a source of food during the lean winter months. As this tradition of keeping a family pig for slaughter had faded from being commonplace to being almost unknown, Boudin Noir has declined from being a staple of the average families diet to being merely one of many types of sausage available. However, you will still find Boudin Noir in any serious butcher shop. Nowadays Boudin Noir is prepared by butchers (or factories) using modern methods. Before being stuffed into its casing, the blood is mixed with various ingredients, depending on the recipe of the producer. These typically include some of the following: herbs, onions, cream, fat, fruit, vegetables, grain, apples or chestnuts. Although the name "blood sausage" may be unattractive to some, it is essentially the same idea as British "black pudding", which is not uncommon as part of a British fried breakfast. Except when fat or cream are added, it is a lean and healthy source of protein. Unless pre-cooked, Boudin Noir does not keep for a long time, so should be prepared and eaten within a day or so of being purchased.
    From Melle we drove home the reverse route simply so we could enjoy the views of the rapeseed fields. We did see in the way home some more fields which are a weird red tinted colour - we have no idea what this crop is, or if it is as a result of being sprayed with something. More homework needed on this. Anyhow the farmers are out harvesting this . . . and it is barely above ground level 🤔
    It was probably about 6pm before we got home and Teresa started in dinner, while I drew up some very simple plans about conversion we would like to do at the house - if possible. Tre had brilliantly come up with an idea while we were at Îlé d’Oléron, which I had obviously put a bit of input on, but both agreed I scribbled some ideas on paper. Let’s see if this ever comes to fruition 😂 Money, my building ability and the Mairie are three main factors in this 🙄
    After dinner we settled in for some TV and I tucked into a bag of liquorice we had bought in Melle. For some reason after years of not having it, both Tre and I have had some over the past weeks in mixed sweet bags found here. This however was a dedicated fairly large bag of entirely liquorice. To say I had more than I should have is an understatement. Tre had some but I was a little piggy and kept popping my hand in the bag.
    The morale of the story is - if you want a stomach ache at bedtime and a feeling of nausea, then eat as much liquorice as I did.
    Let’s see tomorrow if I made it through the night without my head having been down a pan at some hour if the night!! 🤢🤢    Leia mais

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    03.04 Day 199 . . . Nothing But Admin

    3 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    So the downside of having some days away is that when you get home you need to catch up on the less exciting stuff.
    Today was one of those days!!
    Tre and I still have a long list of ‘To Do’s’ for our French adventure - some more important than others. So now working on the principle of every day we do a few - we keep knocking them off the list.
    So once up and breakfasted we cracked on - email to the Notaires clerk re the Safer and Mairie enquiries. Phone call to insurance company re household insurance quote. Research of nanking and savings accounts - you wouldn’t believe the detail needed - for the accountant spreadsheet, to get us into the French system. Other phone calls re planning our move. Updating the accountant spreadsheet with more info. I can’t even remember what else we did but it took us through to mid afternoon. To be fair we weren’t helped by the non existant wifi and my phone having an off day!
    Breaking the monotony, I did get a message from my mum who was obviously searching through some photos at home - two photos showing an uncanny likeness between her and Lauren as small children.
    Finally finished, we decided to watch the last half hour of a film we had abandoned the day before due to the non wifi issue for Netflix. That half hour took us about an hour and a half to watch with continual buffering.
    We then say and had dinner - lovely chilli and the remaining cauliflower cheese from yesterday.
    A couple of emails came back from the Notaires clerk which we can sort tomorrow and that’s how easy you can lose a day to admin.
    Once the house is sorted and the accountant these sort of days will be massively reduced.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics
    Wheatear

    02.04 Day 198 . . . Happy Burvday Loz

    2 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    There was a promise of lots of tools being sold at one of the local charity places this morning - ‘Hope’ At Sauze Vaussais.
    Having rested quite well yesterday 😂 we were up relatively early and out the door ready for our jaunt out.
    We got to Hope at about 9.30am and then saw the sign about being open at 10am. So we decided to check out another road to the Chenay house - thinking about lorry access. The road didn’t end up where we expected it to and so we made a small deviation to drive past the house anyway. On route we saw a number of Buzzards in the ploughed fields and then a very small bird which appeared to have a mask around its eyes. A black line that made it look like a bank robber. No idea what it was, so some research needed later. Nothing had changed at the house - no sign of a mass clear out at this point.
    We returned to Hope and went to explore. There were next to no tools, just the normal charity shop bits and pieces - plates, cups, glasses and jigsaws. Hope also has a little shop that sells English food stuffs - we’d never visited before so took a look. As luck would have it we’d just run out of English tea bags and the shop had a large bag. I decided we needed some . . . 10 bloody euros for a bag of tea bags!! Won’t be doing that again!!
    Before we left we grabbed a bacon roll each from a stall outside - bacon is still something we miss here, only when we smell it 🥓🥓
    From Hope we drove to the small spar in Sauze to grab some bits for dinner and then back to the Chenay house so I could check the route we actually would have to use, to see if it was suitable for a lorry . . . All seems ok!
    From the house we drove to Caunay where we knew there was a vide grenier
    happening. It appears this weekend is the start of all the local village vide grenier and brocantes starting.
    We parked at Caunay and had a walk around the stalls, lots of bits that would be handy when we have the house, but not at the moment as we don’t want anything else to store or move.
    From Caunay we decided to visit Lezay and their vide grenier also on this morning. As we left we commented on how nice Caunay was, we’d not visited before. One particular garden caught our eye as we drove past its boundary wall covered in Grape Hyacinth and Succulents.
    By the time we got to Lezay the weather had turned and was overcast and rain loomed. There wasn’t really very much at the vide and so we didn’t stay long.
    Back in Rox we took yet another untried route back to home, using back roads now full of fields of rapeseed. It’s grown quite substantially in the week we have been away.
    The afternoon drifted away, more penguins to catch up on and dinner cooked. A ‘Happy Birthday’ phone call to Lauren, who was out enjoying herself and then a quick call to my mum.
    Social media provided me with a little envy in regards to a little red tractor we could have bought if we had been in our house, but some thankful news that Graham Potter had been sacked - at last. The small bird we had seen earlier, our bank robber, was in-fact a Wheatear. First time ever seeing one of these and not a name I’d heard of before.
    Fab cauliflower cheese and steaks were on the menu for dinner, some evening TV and another day was done.
    Now we are actually in April - the house seems less of a dream and possibly more reality.    Leia mais

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    01.04. Day 197 . . . Barely Out Of Bed

    1 de abril de 2023, França ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    We were so tired from our four days away that we felt we needed a rest. Tre didn’t wake til nearly 10am anyway and when she did apart from a few cups of tea in bed, some social media browsing some general catching up with news and another small nap - we did nothing. We finally hauled ourselves out of bed at 3pm . . . That is a new record for France!!
    Whilst in our bed we watched torrential downpours outside. One would stop then half hour later another would start - it was non-stop.
    Once up and about, I tapped up some penguin notes while Tre pottered about doing some little jobs around the place.
    As the afternoon turned into early evening the rain showers continued.
    We knocked up a very unhealthy dinner of kebab meat in a baguette with salad and sat watching TV whilst eating.
    At the point that’s film came on Tre had seen enough TV and retired to bed. I watched 10 minutes and decided to join her - probably the shortest amount of time I have spent between getting up and going to bed in many years.
    Anyhow we blamed it on the rain!!

    No Photos    Leia mais

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    31.03 Day 196 . . . Home By The Sea!

    31 de março de 2023, França ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    Today was our last day, so we were up relatively early packing our few bits and pieces away. All loaded into Rox we went inside to say our goodbyes to the lovely receptionist lady and paid our outstanding bill.
    We had decided first thing that we would go and find one of the most popular beaches on the island, which actually wasn’t far from our hotel.
    Plage de Gâtseau had a fairly large car park and we could imagine it being murder during the holiday periods. We walked from the car park and onto the most glorious (windswept this morning) beach. The sun was out with a stiff breeze, but it was stunning - and we were the the only ones on the beach. Myself being The Lone Ranger meant that Tonto was head tracker and she deducted one other person and a small dog had been on the beach at some point before us this morning. We made a plan to return here again once the holiday period was over - September time, to come down here one evening with a picnic and some beers to watch the sunset. It really was a wonderful place to visit on a last day in the sunshine with lovely views of the Bay of Biscay. We attempted to take some timer selfies, which Tre thought was funny especially when my phone kept falling in the sand - I wasn’t that amused!
    Walking off the beach we called Le Grunge restaurant to book a table for lunch at 1230 - the French do like a Réservation and we have learnt to our cost that if you snooze you lose when it comes to tables at lunch time.
    We returned to Saint-Trojan and into a small bar for a coffee and then continued on down to the port. We had promised to bring some oysters shells back for someone - so they could use them for art projects. We knew there were piles of them around the port area. Parked up near to Le Grunge, we walked across to the port area and for once I took my proper camera with me. On route to collect the shells I stopped numerous times to grab some shots, most of which repeats of those I’d taken on the phone some days ago. The sun was again out and the weather was glorious.
    After collecting the shells and taking the photos, we dumped everything back into Rox and walked down the road to Grunge. The lady owner was on hand as was the waitress who the other evening had tried to avoid us as she spoke no English. However after finally chatting with her the other night, her confidence had obviously grown for today, as all she wanted to do was talk with us and try out her English.
    The food again was stunning, Tre had baked Camembert and I had six oysters (getting my count up) . . . scrummy. We both then had tuna steak with a sesame crust, which was served effectively raw . . . we had been advised at the time of ordering. It really was a fab last meal on Île d’Oléron. We said our goodbyes, assuring the owner we would be back - Im sure she was comforted by this !!
    From Saint-Trojan we drove to Saint-Pierre to buy some aftershave/perfume we had sampled the day before and decided to return for - we should have bought it then. In the same shop we had bought the earrings, we now purchased the scent, together with a ring for Tre.
    From Saint-Pierre we drove down to the east corner of the island to Le Château-d’Oléron which we had also been recommended to visit. Again we drove through many many oysters beds, mile after mile of them.
    We arrived in the Citadel of Château-D’Oléron and parked up within the area of the fortifications.
    A 17th century defensive citadel Built under Louis XIII from 1630, the citadel was probably completed around 1640 before the death of Cardinal de Richelieu, whose armouries were on its walls. When the arsenal royal de Rochefort became the main military port of the country, under the impulse of Louis XIV's minister Colbert, the need to protect the site from English threats became obvious. The fortifications of Château d'Oléron multiplied and became stronger around the original citadel. Largely built on marshes, these fortifications required pharaonic work. The ensemble evolved until the middle of the 18th century. Today, the citadel is a very accomplished example of the genius of Vauban.
    Under the Revolution, it received for a century those condemned to hard labor. In 1870, German prisoners of war during the Franco-Prussian conflict were imprisoned there. It then housed a garrison until 1911. After the First World War, it housed the disciplinary sections of the national military service. Occupied by German troops during the Second World War, it was liberated in 1945 but was badly damaged by Allied bombings. The period from 1959 to 1970 was devoted to its restoration. Left abandoned after the first oil shock, it was gradually restored from the end of the 1980s. Today it is an essential site on the island and is one of the most visited sites in Charente-Maritime.
    We walked from here down towards the port area. Again there were numerous brightly coloured ‘huts’ which were most probably once fisherman huts, but now are also occupied by small art type shops. The colours were lovely and shown at their best in the sunshine. We crossed a small bridge covered in empty oysters shells that rattled in the breeze - similar to the bridges in mainland France adorned by padlocks. We purchased some soaps in a local shop before finding the port entrance and further views to the Bay of Biscay.
    After some compulsory photos we headed back towards Rox, a little conscious of the time and our journey home . . . then we reminded ourselves that we didn’t need to be anywhere, by any time . . . it’s a lovely feeling, but takes some getting used to.
    Back in Rox we set course for home, deciding to avoid Rochfort and heading towards Saintes instead. I set the camera up for an hours time-lapse of the journey and set off.
    We waved goodbye to the island crossing the bridge to the mainland, the views today were brilliant and clear and we noticed even more oyster beds as we hit the mainland side - we hadn’t even seen these on the way over.
    We drove the A837 through to Saintes and then headed north east towards Saint-Jean-d’Angély. We avoided Saint-Jean-d’Angély due to roadworks and used all manner of backroads through to Chef Boutonne and our usual roads back to home, arriving just as a rain storm hit at about 7pm.
    We dodged the rain and unloaded our bags indoors.
    Due to our large lunch, dinner consisted of some Doritos with houmus and a tub of Haribo’s whilst watching TV.
    We have had the best four days away, we love where we are living but sometimes a small break away can make all the difference.
    Île d’Oléron - will now we think always be our little home by the sea    Leia mais

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    30.03 Day 195 . . . End Of The Island

    30 de março de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    As normal we didn’t wake or get up too early. Once ready and our the door we had decided to head to the very north end of the island which comes under Saint-Denis d’Oléron but is even further north than that. We started off hugging the west side of the island, but due to some road works we were forced back to travel the main route, effectively up the centre of the island and finally along the D734.
    We finally parked up at our destination which we knew had a lighthouse as it centre piece. Once out of Rox and walking to the coastal path about 75m away we saw the views - truly breath taking. We had a fab day for it, but even in foul weather these views of the rough Atlantic must be spectacular. We walked along the north east side of the peninsula and then down some steps to a rocky beach area. Due to the time of year there was hardly anyone about which made this place even more special - in summer we guessed it is probably manic busy.
    Having taken untold photos we returned unto the footpath and along to the general area of the lighthouse Phare de Chassiron. There were a couple of interesting artefacts near to the lighthouse - an example of a fish trap still in use around the island and also a cross on a plinth made from iron chain.
    The lighthouse first commenced as a first fire tower, at 33m high, was built in 1685 on the orders of Colbert in order to mark the entrance to the Pertuis d'Antioche and thus guide the ships which joined the Charente estuary to join the military arsenal. of Rochefort. The increase in maritime traffic, the modernization of beaconing and the retreat of the cliff led to the construction of a new lighthouse between 1834 and 1836. Its strategic position and its height of 46m allows the Chassiron lighthouse to effectively warn sailors of the approach to the coast and the dangerous rock banks of the Pertuis d'Antioche.
    Originally entirely white, the lighthouse covered its black bands in 1926 in order to increase its visibility distance and limit confusion with its gray neighbor, the Whales lighthouse. The optic, made up of eight lenticular panels, was electrified in 1930 and today operates with a 250 W metal halide bulb.
    The departure of the last keeper dates back to 1998. Since then, the lighthouse has been fully automated and controlled by the Lighthouses and Beacons office.
    After walking around the lighthouse and viewing the gardens that surrounded it we entered a small shop that is onsite and purchased some salt - Set de Mer d’Oléron . . . lovely white Sea Salt made locally - oh, and a salt pot and spoon.
    All the other small shops and the restaurant were closed, again we were thankful as next week and onwards it is likely to be packed with tourists.
    We drove from the lighthouse and down to Saint-Denis looking for a restaurant - we didn’t even stop, there was nothing really to be had. We continued down and decided to stop at Saint-Pierre as there was likely to be a lot more choice.
    Arriving at Saint-Pierre we parked up on street and found a restaurant called Le Zing which we entered and ordered a plat du jour of cold plateau de charcuterie (meat board) for starter and bavette steak for the main. Both stuffed we rolled out of the restaurant and walked to the shop with the earrings that Tre had spotted yesterday. We knew it would be closed as it wasn’t 3pm so we stopped and had a soft drink in a bar sitting in the sunshine.
    At 3pm we walked to the shop - it was shut!! For what reason we know not as the shop door sign indicated it should be open.
    We walked some of the other shops and waddled into another shop called Detour de Plage - which was lovely, in fact better than the one we had been heading to. I happened to see a pair of earrings that I thought Tre would like and I wasn’t wrong. Firmly in our grasp we toured the rest of the shop before buying the earrings and a keyring for me.
    From Saint-Pierre we toddled along in Rox and found our way to an Intermarché - just to buy some nibbles for this evening as neither of us were in the mood for eating out tonight . . . still stuffed.
    Back at the hotel we collapsed. Balcony doors open although a little windy it was still sunny. We spent the remainder of the late afternoon chatting and lazing around. I did consider another visit to the pool but it was over 20m away down the corridor!
    We agreed on a relatively early night as tomorrow was our last day, which we wanted to make the most of as well as driving home.
    On our return to the hotel in the afternoon Tre had happened upon an update from the weekends demonstrations at Sainte Soline . . .
    France launches investigation after man gravely injured at water protest
    French prosecutors said Wednesday they were probing the case of a man seriously wounded at a demonstration over access to water, after his family filed a criminal complaint.
    The 32-year-old has been fighting for his life in a coma since Saturday's thousands-strong environmental protest against a new "mega-basin" gathering water for irrigation in the western Deux-Sèvres region. The probe was prompted by his parents, who filed a complaint alleging attempted murder as well as the prevention of access by first responders.
    Protest organisers said Tuesday that the man, from the southwestern city Toulouse, was seriously wounded when he was struck in the head by a tear gas grenade fired by police. "People close to him are determined to bear witness and uncover the truth about what happened," they added.
    The case is being investigated by military prosecutors in the western city of Rennes who have jurisdiction over France's gendarmes – police officers belonging to the armed forces.
    Warlike scenes of Saturday's clashes between around 5,000 protesters and 3,200 police in the open fields made headlines over the weekend.
    Fielding helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannon, security forces fired thousands of tear gas grenades and dozens of other projectiles in a response the DGGN police authority described as "proportionate to the level of threat".
    Authorities say officers were faced with "an unprecedented explosion of violence" and targeted with Molotov cocktails and fireworks.
    But Human Rights League (LDH) observers on the scene said police made "unrestrained and indiscriminate use of force" against all the demonstrators, rather than targeting violent groups or individuals.
    AFP journalists saw police begin using tear gas as soon as the marchers arrived.
    Prosecutors in nearby Niort counted 47 wounded police and seven demonstrators requiring medical aid, including two in danger for their lives – one of whose condition has since improved.
    Protest organisers complained of 200 wounded, 40 seriously including one person who lost an eye.
    In an audio recording published by daily Le Monde, a member of the ambulance service told the LDH that "commanders on the ground" were holding them back from the scene, without identifying individuals.
    The service said on Twitter Tuesday that "sending an ambulance with oxygen into an area with clashes is not recommended given the risk of explosion".
    Deux-Sèvres' prefect – the top government official in the region – wrote in a Tuesday report to the interior ministry that it was "very difficult" for ambulances to reach wounded demonstrators as "the clashes had not stopped or were starting again".
    Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has responded to the clashes by vowing to ban one of the associations that organised the protests.    Leia mais

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    29.03 Day 194 . . . Golden Balls

    29 de março de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    So - Île d'Oléron is an island and canton in the Atlantic coast of France (to the west of Rochefort). It is the second largest island of Metropolitan France, after Corsica. The capital, and largest town, is Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron in the centre of the island. With a length of 30 km and a width of 8 km. It has an area of 174 km2 and more than 21,000 permanent inhabitants.
    The inhabitants of Île d'Oléron are known, in French, as Oléronais (women: Oléronaises).
    Since 1966, there is a bridge that connects the island with mainland.
    It was at Oléron in about 1152 to 1160 that Eleanor of Aquitaine introduced the first 'maritime' or 'admiralty' laws in that part of the world: the Rolls of Oleron.
    In 1306, Edward I of England granted the island to his son, Edward II, as part of the Duchy of Aquitaine.
    On 20 March 1586, the island was taken by Agrippa d'Aubigné.
    During the Second World War, the island was occupied by German forces and fortified. It was liberated by Free French Forces in an amphibious assault code-named Operation Jupiter on 29 April 1945. The French cruiser Duquesne fired 550 heavy shells at the German artillery batteries. The garrison surrendered on the following day - they don’t like it up em’ Captain Mainwaring!
    Anyway we got up and pottered to the breakfast hall where we helped ourselves to all sorts of buffet types goodies. I think I over indulged with slices of cheese!
    Back to the room and grabbed our bits to go touring the island.
    First off we went searching for a restaurant near to us that was highly recommended for sea food and effectively sits on the beach at the waters edge. We wanted to book it for this evening. All along the strip where we thought it might be, the restaurants were all closed or being tarted up - probably for next week as all the children here are on holiday. We did however go for a lovely walk along the port and to where the actual restaurant was situated. It was obviously closed. Don’t believe everything Google tells you. The fisherman’s building here are all brightly coloured very much like the Caribbean and so we took a good few photos along the way.
    We set off north mostly to the west side heading toward La Cotinière which we had been recommended.
    We stopped once to check out an obvious entrance to the beach near a water sports facility at Wind Oléron Club - which was ok but nothing special.
    We continued on and found our way into Cotinière despite the road closures - again it is a tidying up of the port pre holiday season. We checked out the port and also a fish mongers. Inside we had a little French lesson trying to work out what all the fish were by their French name. One we keep seeing on our travels is Merdu . . . which is Hake - very popular here it would appear.
    We then drove east to the centre of the island and the islands capital Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron. Tre had decided to drive to give me a break and was going to drive the rest of the day. After almost parking Rox in a bush (rolling forward when trying to reverse up a hill) and my attempting to help her park in some weirdly marked parking bay lines, I guessed I would be driving when we set off again.
    On arrival as always we realised we had missed lunch time and it was also Wednesday afternoon so everything was shut 🙄. We grabbed a beer and a rose for Tre and sat outside a bar in the sunshine.
    The small church near to where we were sat, so obviously we had to have a look inside. Église Saint-Pierre was lovely - with stone walls making it look so much more rustic than many we have seen recently.
    We then did a little window shopping before returning to Rox to continue our travels. We really liked the feel of Saint-Pierre and there was obviously areas we hadn’t visited - so agreed we would return tomorrow - Tre had spotted earrings in a shop window 🤔
    From Saint Pierre with me driving - we headed north east to Sauzelle taking the roads through the numerous oyster bed areas that are massive in this island. I’ve not even mentioned them yet. On a map they look like very small separated farmers fields, but are actually small ponds split apart by grass banks rather than hedges.
    We drove straight through Sauzelle and south easterly towards Boyardville, again driving through the Miriad of oyster ponds. We stopped briefly in an attempt to get a photo of a Cormorant that was perched on a boat launching jetty.
    The Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo ) is a large, black, and conspicuous waterbird, the cormorant has an almost primitive appearance with its long neck making it appear reptilian. It is often seen standing with its wings held out to dry. Regarded by some as sinister and greedy, cormorants are supreme fishers which can bring them into conflict with anglers, thus causing them to be persecuted in the past.
    Onto Boyardville - yet another port packed with oyster boats but also some more regular looking shops. Again most of the shops were shut but we spotted an ice cream parlour (well it was a restaurant but all we wanted was ice cream) along the dockside. As soon as we sat down it began to rain - first time since we started this little journey.
    We took up residency at another table inside and both stuck into a full on totally unhealthy base of ice cream and whipped cream. One each - we hardly spoke to one another until finished.
    Back to Roxvanne we headed for home - that being the hotel.
    I had been trying to get Tre to go for a swim and sauna etc with me, but was not getting excited vibes. When I started my journey to the pool Tre agreed to keep me company - dressed with her book. Better than not at all I thought.
    When we arrived at the spa which was empty and so we had sole use, Tre was gone! She returned five minutes later with swimsuit on and towel in hand. To be fair the spa was bloody lovely, really warm, sauna, steam room, light room and pool with various jets and bubbles. We spent well over an hour getting healthy 😂
    Back in our room we dressed and headed out to try and find an open restaurant. The only one we had seen open was called Grunge - which we didn’t much fancy. We hunted all around the fairly small town with no luck. It was drive to another town and possibly find nothing or go to Grunge.
    So Grunge it was . . . and it was bloody amazing!!!!
    The girl that ran the place was as happy and chatty as you like with nothing being too much of an issue. We had six oysters for starters with shallots finely chopped in vinegar to add to them . . . Gorgeous!!
    Main course was Magret - now I and Tre have had quite a bit of Magret in various places and this was by far the best Magret we have ever had - words can’t explain how good it was. We did make a point of telling the owner lady how fab it all was which was handy as she said her husband was the chef!!
    We then shared a lemon citrus cheesecake with chantilly cream . . and golden balls 😂
    We spent an absolutely fab evening in the restaurant we had almost snubbed because of its name - lesson learnt!
    Back at the hotel we did nothing but pile into bed and reflect on a lovely day and fantastic food. Two nights of food and two nights of being bang on lucky little buggers to have found these two gems!!
    Tomorrow we head north.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    28.03 Day 193 . . . Oyster Virginity !

    28 de março de 2023, França ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Up and at it - we’ll sort of. Bags quickly packed, cameras sorted, showered changed and ready we headed out of the door at about 1030am bound for Îlé d’Oléron which is an island on the west coast south of La Rochelle.
    We had to make a quick detour to the Arc charity shop in Sainte Soline (now free of protestors and police) as Tre had won an charity auction item which needed collecting 🙄
    We then hit the road proper heading first to Melle and then south west down to Mauzé-sur-Le-Mignon. From there continued south west in the D911 to Surgeres. From here we continued south west through Muron through to Rochefort where we stopped to grab a drink and some food - a lovely little chicken curry quiche for me and a salmon and spinach one for Tre, plus a couple of tiny chocolate doughnuts.
    We departed our snack stop only to get immediately into a traffic jam. When we got to the front of the jam we found our exit from a roundabout blocked by a Gendarme. We diverted through part of the town to another access point to our route only to be met by another gendarme blocking the alternative route. We then decided to drive out or Rochefort and back to our route approaching from the south. Adding a good half hour to the journey we finally crossed a minor river which had been the pinch points at the road blocks, through a small village and up a hill into a further traffic jam. This time for a motorcyclist laid prone on the floor in a field with medical staff all around him. Hope he was ok!!
    Through this jam it was plain sailing through to Pont de Îlé d’Orleron and over onto the island.
    Within about 10 minutes we found our hotel but as we were early we drove into the village that is Saint Trojan Les Bains.
    Parked up we went for a wander, not a lot was open due to the hour of day so we found ourselves a small Tabac, these are normally open and have bars!!
    A glass of beer and a rose for Teresa and it felt like we were in proper holiday. Now the Tabac you wouldn’t make a bee line for on any other day, really tired inside and obviously owned by (probably for the past 50 years) the one and only employee, a lady who deserved a medal for cracking on as she did. Tre and I being the only customers, she sat down at an adjacent table and promptly nodded off.
    She woke when Tre and I stood to leave.
    We returned to Rod and drove to the hotel. The lovely lady receptionist allowed us to book in early - it appeared we were one of hardly any other customers. We appear to have an entire hotel to ourselves - which means it was too expensive and we’ve been ripped off, or it’s a pit and we’ve been ripped off.
    Our room was fab with a small balcony overlooking the beach.
    We returned to the bar and grabbed a beer and a red for Tre, which came in a very long test tube, which was loaded into a machine and then dispensed at the exact temperature required for that wine a Saint Émilien Grand Cru. Never seen it before - the speed Tre polished it off it appears the machine works.
    We then pottered over to the beach - the tide was out and we could see men quite a way out tending to their oyster beds.
    A couple were also walking along the beach digging and after a short conversation we established they were collecting cockles for their dinner that evening.
    We then set about a fairly lengthy walk along the beach to a jetty area where we decided to turn around - using the path by the road above us to walk back. There were a number of notice boards on the way back detailing facts about local buildings and their history.
    Back at the hotel we chilled for a short while before getting ready to go out. Our friendly receptionist had recommended a restaurant around the corner called L’Écume. We chanced our arm and walked straight there in the hope we hadn’t needed to book. The sign on the wall ‘Michelin’ gave us a slight panic - standing there in jeans and t-shirts and not expecting to be quite so thrust into L’Oléron foodie heights.
    However being brave and having entered we found the two female staff to be lovely and made us feel immediately relaxed.
    We were determined to have oysters and found the perfect way to break our duck with a starter each that contained one oyster. In for a penny . . .
    I had done a bit of homework on how to know if your oysters are fresh . . . A fresh oyster should ideally have the scent of an ocean breeze and feel ice cold to the touch. If the oyster feels warm or gives off an offensive, pungent odour, then it is possibly about to go bad. Be sure to check this step before topping it with any sauces or garnishes, as those could potentially mask the odour. Also look for freak seaweed or small crustaceans still attached to the shell as a sign of freshness. Only eat Oysters in months with an R in them. All this info in my head we dived in!
    The remainder of the starter was brilliant and the oyster was stunning - so more tomorrow for sure. Never have I eaten anything like it - it isn’t like eating anything fish related.
    The main was hay smoked beef with millefeuille potato - which again was gorgeous. We opted for the cheats dessert and ordered what is effectively a small black coffee with normally five or six small versions of various puddings. Five for one - how can you not do that.
    We left the restaurant stuffed for our walk home. I’ve already told Tre I want to come here for my 60th. It’s not Michelin star - not sure what the plaque was all about, but the food was amazing and the staff were all you could ask for.
    Back in our room it was moments before we were turning off the lights and calling it a day. My only concern was that at some point in the night I might explode - due to feeling that full up. Weirdly we hadn’t eaten a lot quantity wis, as the dishes were all relatively fine dining size but it felt like I had.
    Hopefully see you tomorrow.    Leia mais

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  • French Frolics

    27.03 Day 192 . . . Spring Has Sprung

    27 de março de 2023, França ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    So we both woke about 5am for what reason we know not. Tre said she hadn’t slept all night. After a chat I. The dark we both finally dozed back off until about 9am.
    Whilst in bed and as mentioned previously there had been two days of huge demos in Sainte Soline we protestors and police injured. All to do with a planned and commenced huge water basin. Tre and I looked at some of the coverage on social media - truly brutal for such a sleepy tiny village. The police were well prepared but well outnumbered by protestors.
    Worth a watch: https://fb.watch/jxH0zLBS7b/
    We both got up as we were expecting a call from our English Notaire - which Tre thought was at 10am and I thought was 1030am. Guess who was right - we hadn’t needed to dive out of bed so quite quickly.
    At 1030am the call failed to happen. At 1115am I sent a polite email to the notaire kindly offering the option that one of us had got the date wrong or perhaps he had been delayed with other work.
    At 1130am he called and explained that he was as we knew in England and England was an hour behind here, therefore he was spot on time 😂. Laughed off due to our stupidity the call then went ahead to discuss inheritance. French law provides for a property in joint names to be passed to the children in the event of one parent passing - a fairly new law which isn’t going down to well in France. The call was to navigate our way around this.
    At just gone 2pm we left on route to Gilly and Paul’s for a catch up. We took a road we’ve never taken before and loved the fact that after all the on off rain over the past days, a burst of sunshine had made it feel like Spring had arrived and everything had screamed into life.
    We spent the best of the afternoon with Gilly and Paul before departing and popping to Sauze SuperU for a couple of bits.
    From there we drove home and hurriedly got dinner on the go as it was just before 7pm.
    We’d had a follow up email from our English Notaire which we need to read a couple more times before making any decisions.
    Post dinner a little TV before bed as we were both knackered.
    Tomorrow we go on holiday!!    Leia mais

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