Lunch in Boussais

 

We were invited to our friends, Ranjith and Sigrid, together with Amanda's mother and stepfather, to an excellent lunch at their house in Boussais.

Chateau visit

 

 

We were invited last week to this glorious chateau. The stained glass window was in the chateau's chapel.

Celebrations at Lavausseau

The annual Fete was held in Lavausseau last Sunday. Amanda can be seen next to Dorsa on the Trap, lead by a huge carthorse. Dorsa's parents, Akhtar and Borzou, who came for the weekend, are looking at the stalls. The Apple Press was in action, and was manned all day producing excellent juice.

Street Sculpture

 At the new Poitiers Theatre inaugural day, this sculpture was being viewed by Amanda.

Menigoute Fete

 
 
 We went to the Menigoute fete yesterday. There was a procession of old farm vehicles, and veteran motor cars. Plus dancing in the main square.

Bastille Day

 
 We went to Parthenay to see their spectacular fireworks display. It is synchronised with operatic music with many loud crescendos, and is watched by thousands of people from far and wide.

Renovation in Lavausseau

 

An Englishman has bought a rather large house that is hundreds of years old. He has asked Amanda's stepfather, who is an architect, to obtain planning permission for a total renovation project. Permission has been obtained, and the work is well underway. Most of the roof has been dismantled, the walls raised by a foot or so, and the interior completely remodelled. It is a vast project, and it will be finished later this year. The family is moving from England next week, and will stay in a Gite they have already completed in the grounds.

More news from our foreign correspondent

The hands of the clock moved agonisingly slowly, but then I heard the diesel clatter of the van, the cry from the sales office (one of them was awake) “the salmonella lady is here” and I knew that THE time had arrived:

Lunch

and of course my daily dose of “Hell-o, Hell-o, I Will Say This Only Wenrce”, an everyday tale of a simple (ne’er a truer word spoken) friend who has had the gumption – no dammit, he’s had the sheer guts to forsake the excitement of dodging knife attacks in the “Garden of England” for the tranquility, fine fare, copious red wine, gentle beauty, the Monet light, of the French countryside and village life.

I made my purchase from the Expired Best before Bin and got back to my Amstrad. I ripped the clingfilm from a pair of Mother’s Pride slices, carefully wrapped around a slice of Iceland “SupaSava” frozen ham (only 18% added water, less than 14 g salt per slice). My taste buds were on the verge of exploding, and the best bit was yet to come.

I double clicked on the search engine, opened favourites. There, top of the list, “Le Blog”. To maximize the enjoyment, I treated myself to a trip to the vending machine for a cup of freeze dried tea (herbal perhaps, or is it the “Ajax” the cleaner uses).

I settled myself down, switched the phone to busy and my cursor hovered over the link, my anticipation heightening.

Will the canopy over the garden table have been attacked by ANOTHER storm?

Will the pool have hit 30 degrees C? (which is hotter than my herbal ? tea)

Will the water lily again decide to “Up Persicope”?

Will “mon ami” be tantalizing us with a hardware store he has discovered on one of his expeditions?

Or even, dare I hope, the septic tank has blocked again.

Excitement got the better of me and I clicked the mouse. Like magic my window into a wondrous world opened before me.

I scanned the latest entry and I was overcome by a strange feeling of

.

.

.

.

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Déjà vu

Still there is always tomorrow

PS – can I be your foreign correspondent

PPS – all opinions expressed are those of the author only and are not necessarily those of the publisher

Endorsement by "Disgusted of TW"

This is a response from my regular circulation readership, received today.

"It’s taking the trouble to respond to the requirements of your readership that marks you out as a publisher of much greater stature than Murdoch, Black and the lamented (or should that be lamentable?) Murdoch.

I predict a steeply upward circulation graph – I introduced Soni to your site at the week-end, so your readership has already doubled in a few days, a feat not even matched by the Sunday GetsMuchWorse (Express) when they gave away the unabridged DVD of The Sound Of Music (limited edition with introduction by Max Mosley).

Keep up the success – I can see the day when the Times will be restored to responsible ownership – you have all the qualifications (you do live abroad).

I look forward to lunch time amusement with anticipation, even excitement!!!!!!!!

Rgds

Disgusted of TW"

An excellent barbeque

 
 What a superb day to choose for a barbeque. It was 32 in the shade, and the pool reached 27 degrees.

Fish in the river

 

Here are some of our young fish in the river, playing around together.

Drama at Bas Etang

 
 
 
 Our septic tank started to overflow, so we had it flushed out last week. It is supposed to be done every 4 years, though we last had it cleaned a year ago. So, as it was unusually premature we had to find out where the blockage was. A local farmer came to clean out the filter beds with his equipment, driven by his tractor. The firm that flushed the tank last week will not deal with the filter unles it is exposed by us. All our tanks and filters are under a flower bed, so we have to dig it up each time - unfortunately, we had not revealed the filter last week. Anyway, for your edification, here is the process pictured in all its glory.

Karaoke in Boussais

 

Yesterday we were entertained by an excellent chap who sang his heart out, karaoke style. He specialised in Neil Diamond, who happens to be my all-time favourite too. It took place at the home of friends of ours in Boussais, in front of 40 friends. The singer was staying in their Gites, and performed exceptionally well - in fact he is a professional singer.

Downpour in a torrent

 

Yesterday, in the evening, 2 inches of rain fell in a few minutes. I know that as I left out an empty glass in the open, and the two inches of water were plain to see. The regular casualty of these torrents is our canopy which fills with water on the roof, which then collapses under the weight. Hopefully, the metal frame can be straightened like the last time.

First full day of pool use

 

At last the weather held for the day that we had 8 guests for lunch. The water is down to 21 degrees, but that is quite bearable once one has braved the entry.

53 Lambardes, New Ash Green

 

We lived at this house in the 70s and 80s for many years. I came across this picture in a book on the celebrated architect Eric Lyons (he was the RIBA President in 1977), who created the Span development in the Kent countryside. There were more than 53 houses on that neighbourood of Lambardes, and of all of those the author chose ours.

Hurdy Gurdy?

 

We came across this contraption at a market in Civray. The man playing it had left it there in the care of his dog, so I'm not sure how it is played.

Storm in Lavausseau

 

Last night there was a very fierce storm here. The thunder and lightning must have gone off at least 100 times, and it went on for a couple of hours. The only casualty here at Bas Etang was our new canopy that collapsed. Fortunately the roof is intact, but the metal frame is somewhat twisted. I understand that there has not been a storm as bad as this for the last 10 years. And the forecast is bad for the next fortnight too!

The first lilypad flower

 

Today this flower emerged from between the lilypads. It has been very sunny in the last few days, so I hope this will be the first of many.

Oh to be a sailor!

 

Doesn't this view of La Rochelle get you wishing to be out there in the brine.

Another view of the sweet shop

 

Absolutely immaculate.

Sweet shop in La Rochelle

 

This is how classy a sweet shop can be in France. Imagine that in the UK. No, I thought you couldn't.