Devoid of colour

 

At least we have been spared snow and deep frosts so far this Winter. I can't wait for Spring to arrive, and the flowers to burst forth.

Am I breeding Moles?

 

Judging the number of hills in my field, and knowing that I had a fraction of the number last year, I can only think that the area is extremely popular with all the moles in the village. When Spring arrives I am going to clean the grass up by scalping all the hills, and carting away the earth. I can't do much about the moles, as there seem to be too many of them. Little blighters!

Shopping in Poitiers

 

This is the best shopping centre in Poitiers, taken at Xmas. The FNAC store shown is an excellent place for Computers, TVs, Digital Cameras and Books.

Amanda

 

Taken on New Year's Eve, Amanda views 2008 with caution.

Panasonic Headphones

 

I have had so much trouble with headphones over the years. Either the earpieces keep falling out, regardless of the choice of the size inserted, or the sound quality is inferior. I have just bought these Panasonic headphones (RP-HNJ300) and they are excellent. Highly recommended.

iPod Touch

 

I recently acquired an iPod Touch (16Gb), as well as a case from Sena. Though I already had an iPod (3rd Gen.), this new product is excellent. I'm able to view movies on it, or on the TV via a special Apple A/V cable and dock. The WiFi internet access is brilliant, and there are new web sites coming online every day that specialise in content optimised for the iPod Touch. For example, www.seeqpod.com allows you to find tracks from all major artists, and play them immediately at a very high quality level. I just can't recommend this product enough.

Amanda visits Limoges

 

We took our friend Dennis to the Limoges airport, and took the opportunity to walk around the town itself.

A proud owner of Bas Etang 2

 

Jason visited us a few days ago to celebrate Amanda's birthday.

Today's visitor

 

This little chap came today to Bas Etang, and has been hanging around all day.

Roses at Bas Etang

 

These glorious specimens are photographed today. Summer isn't over yet.

Oysters at the Ile D'Oleron

 

Yesterday we went to the home of Oyster beds - they are everywhere to be seen. And I can't even stand looking at them, let alone try one to taste!

Beautiful in Angouleme

 

I should have taken a cutting!

The Laurel hedge is shorn

 

Our local friend Dennis is helping us with this mammoth task. The Stihl Hedge Trimmer is a great tool, but the height of the hedge nearly defeats us.

An elaborate church in Civray

 

This exotic architecture takes the biscuit.

Classic cars in Angouleme

 

We went to the annual classic car rally in Angouleme, and saw cars from all over Europe. This little beauty is British, having originated from Italy of course.

Autumn is coming

 

The lilies in the river are retreating into the water, and the leaves are begiining to fall from the trees - a sure sign of the onset of Autumn.

What a whopper

 

A friend came to visit today, bearing this enormous, and very expensive, watch. An Eichmuller. Very impressive, but somewhat "prominent".

A new trailer

 

I decided to upgrade my old trailer by painting it to match the colours of my John Deere tactor mower. After many coats of paint, here is the final result - they now looked a matched pair.

Mother & daughter

 Amanda and her mother, Mimi, are in good form today.

Exercise Bikes

   I now have all the hardware needed to maintain a sleek and fit body. Whoops, the word should be "attain". The bicycle has been lent by a very good friend in Lavausseau, and the static bike, which is a sophisticated German model with LCD displays, has been provided by the French national health service and my private health insurance. In addition, I have a large Oxygen bottle which can refill a small one which I can wear on my back while cycling. Furthermore, a rather attractive lady has been detailed by the Hospital to visit me regularly to check my progress. So, all in all, this breathing problem, which stemmed from 30 years of smoking (stopped 10 years ago), seems to be getting under control.

Swanning around

 

We visited a friend near Saumur today. She has a large river next to the house, and this swan was seen flying nearer to us to get food. We had some scraps of bread for it.

Bastille Day

 

We had a lunch celebration in Lavausseau, held in the communal hall grounds. Then in the evening we went to Parthenay to see the most amazing firework display.

Wild Boar festival

Our village of Lavausseau had a lunch of boar a few weeks ago. About 80 people attended, and a good time was had by all.

Exterior repaint

Our very good friend Dennis Hallas kindly offered to paint our house. He is an Englishman living in Lavausseau. It took him 6 days to finish painting and varnishing the window frames and shutters. Once that was completed he moved onto Bas Etang 2 and did the same there. The finish is superb, and will last for many years.

Vandal in the night

A few nights ago we woke up to find that a car had smashed into our wall. The driver had fled the scene minus his front bumper, and many smaller parts of the car. The wall was not cracked, fortunately, and the application of the paint we used the last time this happened has concealed the effects of the impact. This is the third time this has happened since we have been here.

Our first visit of the season

Amanda's brother, Paul, and his daughter, Rebecca, visited from Sweden, and stayed for a week. They hired a Peugeot 1007 for a few days. On the first day the car was struck in the back by an Audi A6 while stationary. Fortunately, Paul had fully insured the hire, and it was the other driver's fault anyway, and so he didn't have to pay anything.

But, then a problem

I found that the John Deere tractor was unable to cut waist-height grass. I had to then buy this Pubert machine which specialises in clearing tall grass. Though it is motor driven, it is still hard work walking behind it, and steering round objects. However, it functioned perfectly, and, so long as I keep up regular mowing with the John Deere, I shouldn't need to use it until next year.