Sad departure

 

Our son Jason leaves from the Poitiers airport after visiting us for 3 days.

The Snow has finally arrived

 

At last, the snow came overnight. It is really quite shallow, but the early morning covering on the roads had turned to ice, and were quite treacherous. However, by the mid morning the sun had emerged and began to thaw the snow. And by the afternoon the roads were clear.

Apropos nothing

 

I just happened upon this photo on someone else's blog. Their caption was "who could resist this face?", and they are right.

A heart warming scene

 

This is what greeted us when we visited friends on New Year's eve the other day.

The waters are rising

Later this time than before, the rains have become more frequent. So, the level is rising, and will probably exceed the height of the bridge. Fortunately, it does not inconvenience us as we need not make the crossing.

This is not what you think it is

 

Here the pump is ejecting the surplus water from the pool via a long hose, which is resting on a hedge. Really, it is quite innocent.

The Pool is full

 

 

As you can see, the swimming pool has a canvas cover over it. The water inside the pool has been emptied to 2/3 full, and covered with a black plastic agricultural sheet. The rainfall in the Autumn has dripped through the canvas, and filled up the pool back again. Today I emptied the pool down to the black plastic level with an electric pump. The lower photo above was taken before the light fell, and before the pumping had completed.

One of the culprits owned up.

The person (see previous story) who drove her car against our wall came round to see us. She needed to complete her car insurance claim form, and it requires signatures by both parties. So we should get our wall painted by the insurers for the second time. Meanwhile, the car left behind (7957 RR 86) on our bank has been taken away surreptitiously. In dragging it away the person made a groove with the tyres along our verge, and that of our neighbour and the land in between. Fortunately, the only damage is cosmetic, and the grass will conceal the gouging in a few months time.

It's happened yet again!

 

 

 

 

This morning we noticed some flashing lights outside the house, but couldn't see what was going on as the high wall obstructed our vision. Later on, after we dressed and went outside, we saw the results of three separate car accidents that had probably resulted from black ice. One car had hit our wall, and presumably managed to drive off (without reporting to us of course). The second had been on the other side of the road, going towards Lavausseau, and gouged out the earth in the ditch alongside the road. The third drove into our trees alongside the swimming pool, and embedded itself in the earth. As can be seen in the photo, though the occupants made off without apologies, the car is still there, with the registration number clearly to be seen. It had knocked down two warning posts that were installed by the council in the summer. As the police were in attendance during some of the crashes, we'll report the incidents and request insurance details.

Visit to Spain

 

 

I've just come back from a holiday in Spain. While Amanda was in the UK visiting our sons, I drove down to Marbella. I took my Tent, and went to a campsite that is right by the sea. The swimming pool photo was taken in the campsite, so you can see it was quite classy. The only downside was that whenever I tried to cook breakfast, the flies congregated en masse. They were so infuriating that I stopped cooking after a couple of days.

Travelling to Venelles

 

We stayed in Venelles, in Aix en Provance last week, with our friends Peter and Lucia Fieldman in their lovely home. I've known Peter for nearly 50 years. He has lived in France since his twenties, and this is the first time we've got together in the five years since we've been living in France. They visited us at our home in Lavausseau only two weeks ago.

It's been a long time

We're still here, and life goes on as normal. I took a vacation from it for 7 months, but I'm back

The usual January event

 

This flooding happens most years, but fortunately it does not cause any damage.

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.