A busy week, a new car

It was a busy week, as the electrician arrived so there was plenty of 'google translate' and sign language as we interpreted my lighting plans in conjunction with several panicked phone calls from the UK regarding changes in light fittings, reduction of downlights etc. My brain was fried! Then there was the delivery of the tiles, advised for Tuesday AM , but not eventuating till 3pm! It was a long day.

Feeling optimistic that everything was in order, on Wednesday morning we headed to Bordeaux to drop of our current Peugeot 308 and replace it with a new 180 day lease Peugeot 2008. The former is a fire engine red, sporty 5-door just like we had in 2024. Unfortunately, despite all the bells and whistles, it’s very low to the ground and uncomfortable to get in and out of. Our new 2008 is still a 5-door but narrower and shorter and much higher off the ground. Bliss for us! But there is one drawback. It is ' battleship grey' - Roger's description and pretty accurate too!

The delightful Irish lady, Diedra welcomed us like old friends and was up for a long chat. Their office was literally 200 metres from fire front at Bordeaux airport, and sadly this was where the two pompieres lost their lives. Diedra and her French husband, Brien continued to have clients arriving to collect lease cars throughout the fires, as the airport was not closed, so they spent hours taking the long route round the fires, negotiating with Hotels providing airport transfers, and staying 'undercover' - lights out etc to avoid being evacuated. She would be one of those staff members you wouldn't want to lose.

We returned to our Bordeaux Cosy BnB for the night and enjoyed a tram ride into the old town, a couple of pre dinner drinks and dinner at Frida. Great tapas and nice wine. Next morning our BnB provided a cooked breakfast, then we slowly headed home. We took the tourist route out to the coast, stopping at Mescheurs-sur-Gironde, another 'star' on my google maps, where there are some very unique fishermen's cabins known as carralettes hanging from the side of the limestone cliffs. Sadly 90% of the cabins were destroyed in a wild storm in December 1999 and a further 70 % in storm Xanthia in February 2010. Our final stop was at Royan, a large seaside town at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, where we had oysters and a cold seafood platter. A very early night followed.

By the end of the week, the doors are installed and the sidelight windows are in; plaster sheets are up on the ceiling and the scaffolding has been erected ready for the external rendering. We figure next week will be busy.Read more