Le Petit Moulin

Our friends Ranjith and Sigrid live in Boussais, which is about 60 kilometres from us, in the Deux Sevres. They have a delightful house that is situated next to a stream, and have beautiful grounds and a new swimming pool. They have built a Gîte out of a large barn, and can put up about a dozen people. To add to the attraction for children they have constructed a large "wendy" house. Tony did the architectural design, and we both helped with the construction. It is proving very popular.

Whitelining

This vehicle is travelling at about 20 mph and is painting white lines on the road as it moves. Very impressive, and efficient.

Thomas is dead

Our cat, Thomas, died today. He was almost 16 years, and we had had him from soon after birth, so he was very much part of our family. He had a stroke a few days ago, and lost the use of a front paw. He then lost his appetite, and could not be coerced to take any food or drink. The video shows him a few days ago, after the stroke, but before his appetite was lost. He will be sorely missed, but we have wonderful memories of him.

Canon Ixus 750

I have bought a new camera, and the attached picture is an example of its prowess at picture-taking. It has a resolution of 7.1 megapixels, so I am hoping for a great improvement in the quality of my blog pictures.

The weather is scorching

Here is the swimming pool temperature record that tracks the temperature since we opened it in the beginning of May. It is at our all-time-high of 30 degrees, which for a solar heated system seems exceptionally good.

Boating on the river

This boat was bought specifically to float on the river, but due to its comparative instability I am confining it to the pool. The thought of being tipped into the river doesn't bear thinking about. But considering it only cost 39 Euros, the reassignment is no hardship.

Bastille Day

Lavausseau held its celebration in the football stadium area. Trestle tables were laid out in a long line, and lunch was taken by a hundred or so villagers. It was a scorching hot day, and the wine flowed freely. In the evening the villages held their own firework displays.