Looking Forward to Spring

February 2013 - we had a cold spell of weather, and there was a sprinkling of snow - it actually settled in Huelgoat in the town, but not here in the countryside. How weird is that ? It's usually the other way around. Our friends rang us to see if we were cut off, and we had a strange conversation as they were almost cut off, and we weren't, and weren't sure what they were talking about !!!

I had the disappointing news that the restaurant where I had been working had been sold, so although my work there was sporadic, from March it would be non existent. I was pleased for the owners though, as they had been trying to sell for a while. It was a lovely little restaurant, but very time consuming for them, and very limiting as far as having a life outside of the business. For me though, it had given me not only a small income, but a positive boost to my French skills, and my confidence.

Craig worked very hard after our UK break - a short holiday like we had last month, often gives us both a boost. He wallpapered the bedroom wall behind the bed (although now, we don't really like it, and it may need to be redone). The study was painted, the curtain pole and curtains were hung, and we put some family photos on the wall. Now, when we sit using the computer at the desk, we can look at the grandchildren. Makes me smile every time !

We decided that as we replace an item, or discover that it is not needed, or even in many instances that we have duplicated items, we will either sell, give them away, or bin them. Over the years, as many of you will empathise with, we have just stored them 'just in case'. No more, we try not to store what we don't need, so now that our 'proper' desk was in situ in the study, we advertised the table that we had been using. It started as a kitchen table, became the computer table, and then 'started' to become a table that everything was dumped on - it was time for it to go ! We advertised it, and sold it the same day - way to go !!

We decided that this year we would make a determined effort with the vegetable plot. The first point to start was with a polytunnel/greenhouse. It wasn't expensive, and wasn't big, but was a start. Then Craig sprayed the whole area with weedkiller. It wasn't ideal, but the ground hadn't been worked for about 20 years, and short of hand digging the whole area, there wasn't a huge choice. We are quite open minded about organic methods, and try not to pollute etc, but sometimes in some circumstances it is necessary to use a commercial product to help.

We had a few good bonfires to get rid of the garden waste that could not be composted. We are limited by the Mairie, as to what times of the year we are allowed to have bonfires, so have to be aware, and sometimes, I have to visit them to check the dates when we have forgotten. Basically, we are OK in the winter months, but the dates vary from area to area.

We babysat the rabbit belonging to our friends as they were off to Spain for a short holiday - to have some sun and blue sky - not that I'm jealous ! We have plenty of room in the cages that we have for the rabbits usually. They are only all full if we have baby rabbits to fatten up, but over the winter months we try to reduce the amount of animals that need looking after. We want the least amount to do outside, when it is cold and wet of course.

Craig did a lot of work in the workshop. Now that he had started in there, securing the exterior, he made the most of the area inside, putting up internal walls, even putting windows in, and enjoying the space that he wanted for his tools, and his projects.

The year was progressing, Spring was in the air, and it gave us a thrill to think that our second Winter here was coming to an end, and warmer times were ahead.

New Light on the Subject

OK, a New Year, and a fresh start and perspective on our life here ! 2013 would be a positive and fruitful year - that would be our motto.

Craig continued with his security work - fitting sensor lights, building doors for the workshop etc. He was determined that we wouldn't be caught out again. We discovered that we weren't the first people to be burgled around this area, and some friends called a meeting of similarly concerned people to discuss the problems. It was decided that the Mairie would be approached as it was felt that the Police were maybe not connecting all the information as the victims were in different communes, so different Police Stations were involved.

The Mairie was in fact very sympathetic and helpful, and agreed to have a chat with the necessary authorities - nothing came of this 'chat' though sadly, and we have recovered nothing, but has made us pull our socks up, and stop being so complacent and quite as trusting - how sad !

Craig had a significant birthday, and although I wanted to surprise him with a trip back to the UK to see the children and grandchildren to celebrate, I couldn't actually spring it on him in the end, as we had to prepare to leave the house and animals. It is not an easy task, as those of you in a similar situation will know - we have to arrange for someone to come here to feed and water the chickens and rabbits, and then find a 'home' for Arthur too. We could take him with us as he has the necessary paperwork, and he loves going in the car, but it would disturb his routine, and our friends love having him on a short term basis (well, they say they do !).

Anyway, we had a lovely few days. It is always fun, and hectic, seeing everyone and catching up, but sadly, it is not possible to visit everyone, and needless to say, someone gets left out....but of course, not forgotten. The journey home is always a little sad, but then you have the promise of returning home, and the new found energy to start again and push on.

We had our first snow too !! It was very cold, but very beautiful in the lanes and hedgerows - however, it lasted just a few hours. We had received photos from the Winter of 2010/2011 from our neighbours, when the roads were impassable due to the snow, but as of yet (as I write, we are coming to the end of our 3rd Winter here) we have had nothing like that. We are always prepared - we keep a Weather Forecast app on the computer, and any signs of snow/ frost etc in the next few days, has us checking the fuel for the fires, animal feed, and our own supplies 'just in case'. It never hurts to be prepared - can't you just tell I was a Girl Guide !

While we were away, we made the decision to have the ceilings plastered in the bedroom, snug, landing, bedroom and bathroom. It is one of the only jobs that Craig doesn't feel confident to attempt. Because it is a 'visible' job - one that everyone will see, we decided that we would 'get a man in'. In fact, it was two men ! But the mess and disruption was horrible - well worth it afterwards, but not good at the time ! It took three days in all, from start to finish, when we could get back to normal, and clear up again. However, once again, it made another huge difference, and gave us another boost.

The study was plaster boarded, and the bedroom was prepared for decorating. Craig came up with this ingenious idea of bedside lighting to avoid having lamps, and the accompanying trailing wires. I was very impressed, as I hate the clutter, and it makes it a clearer surface - what do you think eh ? I'm not sure the pictures do them justice, but you get the idea !

Medical Care

We had our first experience of French medical care - Craig cut his thumb, and it was obvious straight away that he would need stitches, so we made our way to Carhaix hospital. We had heard that it didn't have the best of reputations, but we were very impressed with the quality of care and cleanliness etc, and have no complaints. After a very short wait (that in no way compares to the waits in a UK hospital ), Craig was stitched and sent on his way with two prescriptions ! The first was for all his dressings, and the second, we discovered, was to be given to the nurse who would visit daily to dress the wound, and then to take the stitches out at the appropriate time !!!!

This put a slight set back to progress, but against my better judgement, Craig was determined to continue with what he was able to do with a big dressing on his hand. He was working on the bathroom, building a wall to surround the shower, and a cute little shelf inserted in it, so that we could store the shower gel etc. He tiled the whole room floor to ceiling too, so that it is easier to clean, and no decorating to repeat. We now had a heated towel rail too - how exciting - the first room in the house with permanent heating in place.

Wardrobes were built, and we could start to fill them with clothes that had been in bags and suitcases for about 18 months. It felt as though I had a whole new set of clothes.

On the basis of Craig's good experience with the hospital, I decided to visit the dentist, as I had been having a few problems with my teeth. However, once he told me that my treatment for three fillings would be over 650 euros, I decided that they didn't hurt that much !

A major set back at this time, was the discovery that we had been burgled. Not from the house, but from the workshop and shed where Craig kept his tools. It was a bit strange, as for a few days Craig kept saying that he had mislaid things, but we just thought that he had put things in a different place and forgotten, as we had never encountered anything like that here. However, he then realised that boxes that should contain tools, were in fact empty. The burglar had emptied them and replaced the boxes so that nothing looked different - very clever ! We went to the local Police Station and made a statement, and two Policemen visited and took photographs of the area. They weren't very optimistic though, and in fact didn't seem particularly interested, if I'm honest. Two days later, the burglar returned !!!! We tried to report it locally, but the Station was closed, so we had to go further afield. This time however, they were a little more interested, and we had to visit them several days later, with an up to date list of stolen items. Nothing was ever discovered sadly, and we had to put it all down to a very bad experience, and even now, over twelve months later, we are still discovering items that are missing. Tools are being gradually replaced, but the quality tools have gone, and tools that Craig had received as gifts, or as hand me downs from parents and grandparents, can never be replaced. It put a big damper on our morale, and made us suspicious of everyone, and a lot more vigilant.

Work stopped on the house, and began in earnest on the security in the work shop. Craig was determined that we wouldn't be caught out again. He installed security lights, new walls and doors, and even windows. 2012 was ending on a sour note, but I was determined that 2013 would start better, and planned a surprise visit back to the UK for Craig's birthday.

We had a lot to be thankful for - our health, our family, and our life here in a beautiful part of the world, and Arthur of course !