We're coming to end of our Summer here in Brittany, and my couple of months off work has gone so quickly. We've had lovely visits from lovely family, and spent time together - walks with Arthur the dog, and a few days (admittedly too few....) sitting outside enjoying the sun, and the peace.
It hasn't been a great Summer, weatherwise, but it has been nice to be home, and I feel quite relaxed and prepared for my return to work next week.
Ironically, Craig has been very busy while I have been home. We try to plan that while I am here, we relax a little more, but Craig has been trading/bartering work, and can't really afford to decline, as he needs help in return. This has meant that I have had several days on my own. It's an unusual situation for me, but I have made the most of it. I can understand though that for Craig being on his own, for weeks at a time it's a different kettle of fish. Especially when the weather is poor, and the days are short.
Now that the decision has been made to return to the UK - at some point - we've met up with several other families who have decided to make a move onwards too. Our near neighbours shocked us with the news that they are to return too, and in fact, made the decision, and have actually gone, in the space of a couple of weeks !! Another couple are moving to be nearer children and grandchildren, to the Nantes area of France. So, our small community is changing ......I wish everyone luck in their future homes.
What have we achieved while I have been home this time - well, we have made changes to plans for the house. Choosing finishes for ourselves, is different to choosing finishes to 'sell' the property for example. We were going to put a window in the back of the house, to bring more light into the kitchen, but it's a lot of work, and won't necessarily increase the value, so it's one idea that has been shelved. Of course, a new owner could choose to do it, and we have got permission, so it wouldn't be too hard to renew that, as it has been agreed at some point.
There are lots of things I will miss from here - the peace, and the quiet roads for example. Although, saying that, the road outside the house can be very busy at harvest time. Tractors, with trailers and combine harvesters travelling past, in some cases as late as 11.30pm. It is something that we accept of course, as we appreciate that the farmers need to get the crops in, within a small window of opportunity. Other times, we don't see a car go past all day !
Customer service is strange here too. I think we have got used to the standards of the UK - and it is very rare to find it here. Craig had a problem with his nail gun, and after a lot of investigation, we discovered that it was easier to take it back to the UK, and get it repaired/serviced there. Here, we would have had to SEND it - yes, you read that right - to a depot in Southern France, where they would deal with it, at an unknown price, within an unknown time frame. The English repairers could give us a cost and a time frame immediately ! Which would you choose ???
Well, we've started to stock up on materials to keep Craig busy while I am away - we will complete this exercise in the next few days of course, and with food for him too. I have made copious amounts of cake to keep his sweet tooth at bay, and he has fuel for the fires, and gas for cooking. All that is left for me to do, is to get the washing, ironing and cleaning up to date. I try to leave the house as clean as I can, so that he can concentrate on other things.
Au Revoir for now, Bientot, until my next trip home x
Sunday, 30 August 2015
Sunday, 23 August 2015
Up To Date.
Well, this is a first ! I am up to date with the Blog, and am going to be writing about things that have happened in the last few days/weeks, instead of playing 'catch up', and writing about things that happened several years ago.
I do appreciate those of you that read this, but I am pleased with myself as well, that I have managed to create a record for ourselves of our French adventures - with all it's trials, but rewards too.
I have been home now for nearly two months - I have been able to have the Summer here in France - although to be honest, the weather hasn't been very 'Summerish'. It has meant that I can relax a little, and enjoy my time here, without the constant thought at the back of my mind that it's nearly time to think about going back to work.
We've also been lucky enough to receive family visits. Two of our grandchildren, Charlotte and Henry came with their Mum, Becky, to stay for a few days. Last year they flew into Dinard, but the drive from there is quite long for two small children (and for us, as of course, we had to do the journey, there and back !), so this year, they flew into Brest. This was much better, and we were very excited to meet them there. In fact, Craig hadn't seen them, in the flesh, for over a year, so he was a little emotional. We watched them come off the plane, and walk across into the airport, and then along the glass walled corridor, and into the Luggage Reclaim.
We had a lovely time with them - we went to the beach a couple of times, we went to the Trembling Rock,
to the Fair in Huelgoat,
and visited friends with horses and goats. They fed our rabbits, and the chickens, and walked Arthur - not sure whether Arthur was very impressed, but he played along very well ! Craig enjoyed some male bonding with Henry, while the girls were baking.....
We even had a Birthday party for Charlotte, who turns 5 in September, and wanted us to go to her party. Of course, we can't, so the party came to us ! We had a barbecue, balloons, banners, and of course, a Birthday Cake. Even if it was a 'pretend birthday - you have to have a cake eh ?
All too soon, it was time for them to leave, and for the next set of visitors to arrive. Tom and Jo arrived by train into Morlaix.
They had travelled from London, to Paris, to Rennes, and were completing their trip with a short visit to us. Their time here was a lot less tiring than the visit from the grandchildren, but no less pleasant. A slight disappointment, was the fact that I developed an abscess on my tooth, and had to pay a visit to the dentist, and had three lots of antibiotics to contend with. I looked as those I had gone three rounds with Mike Tyson - my face was that swollen. Of course, I was told that it wasn't very noticeable. But I knew it was !!! Nevertheless, Tom and Jo were able to explore the area a little, we visited the market in Carhaix, and had a meal in Huelgoat to celebrate Tom's birthday. I wasn't well enough to make a cake for him this time, so we made do with lovely cakes from the Patisserie - it wasn't too much of a hardship !
Visits from family are great - but it's sad to see them go, and makes me even more determined to return to the UK to be nearer them all.
I do appreciate those of you that read this, but I am pleased with myself as well, that I have managed to create a record for ourselves of our French adventures - with all it's trials, but rewards too.
I have been home now for nearly two months - I have been able to have the Summer here in France - although to be honest, the weather hasn't been very 'Summerish'. It has meant that I can relax a little, and enjoy my time here, without the constant thought at the back of my mind that it's nearly time to think about going back to work.
We've also been lucky enough to receive family visits. Two of our grandchildren, Charlotte and Henry came with their Mum, Becky, to stay for a few days. Last year they flew into Dinard, but the drive from there is quite long for two small children (and for us, as of course, we had to do the journey, there and back !), so this year, they flew into Brest. This was much better, and we were very excited to meet them there. In fact, Craig hadn't seen them, in the flesh, for over a year, so he was a little emotional. We watched them come off the plane, and walk across into the airport, and then along the glass walled corridor, and into the Luggage Reclaim.
We had a lovely time with them - we went to the beach a couple of times, we went to the Trembling Rock,
to the Fair in Huelgoat,
and visited friends with horses and goats. They fed our rabbits, and the chickens, and walked Arthur - not sure whether Arthur was very impressed, but he played along very well ! Craig enjoyed some male bonding with Henry, while the girls were baking.....
We even had a Birthday party for Charlotte, who turns 5 in September, and wanted us to go to her party. Of course, we can't, so the party came to us ! We had a barbecue, balloons, banners, and of course, a Birthday Cake. Even if it was a 'pretend birthday - you have to have a cake eh ?
All too soon, it was time for them to leave, and for the next set of visitors to arrive. Tom and Jo arrived by train into Morlaix.
They had travelled from London, to Paris, to Rennes, and were completing their trip with a short visit to us. Their time here was a lot less tiring than the visit from the grandchildren, but no less pleasant. A slight disappointment, was the fact that I developed an abscess on my tooth, and had to pay a visit to the dentist, and had three lots of antibiotics to contend with. I looked as those I had gone three rounds with Mike Tyson - my face was that swollen. Of course, I was told that it wasn't very noticeable. But I knew it was !!! Nevertheless, Tom and Jo were able to explore the area a little, we visited the market in Carhaix, and had a meal in Huelgoat to celebrate Tom's birthday. I wasn't well enough to make a cake for him this time, so we made do with lovely cakes from the Patisserie - it wasn't too much of a hardship !
Visits from family are great - but it's sad to see them go, and makes me even more determined to return to the UK to be nearer them all.
Saturday, 15 August 2015
The Big Decision.
After a month away working, we both came to the same conclusion - we can't go on indefinitely like this. We didn't sign up for this ! The idea was to be less stressed, more relaxed, spend more time together, and generally enjoy life. At the moment, we are spending less time together, and the time apart is quite stressful, in as much as Craig is so isolated, and also we are not enjoying what we are doing. So......we have come to the decision that we need to move on.....and do you know what ? Now that the decision has been made, we both feel that a great weight has been lifted, and we are enjoying life more again. I feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The possibilites are endless - well, maybe not endless, but there are options certainly. Where shall we go ? What will we do ? When ?
First things first.....we are not in a position to do a lot until the house sells, and here we know people who have been trying to sell for years, yet others who have sold within weeks. There is not a lot of rhyme or reason sometimes, so it is something we are aware of.
With this in mind, we know that we need to get the house in a more sellable condition. It is at this point, a very large one bedroomed house ! However, Craig now feels he has an objective - a target maybe. So, while I am away he needs to work on the house, with the target to be, that next Spring we are in a position to put it on the market. He knows what he has to do, and we are both determined that we will be ready. Some of the plans we have for the house will be modified, as of course, they were for our benefit, and would not suit others.
We are very proud of our successes here, and feel that the adventures were worth it, but time to go now.
I do love it here, and I appreciate it more so, as I am not here all the time. On my return this time at the beginning of May, there is noticeable more greenery than when I left. The fields and hedgerows are blossoming, the grass is growing, and the wild flowers are blooming.
Craig has done so much work too. With longer warmer days, the incentive is there so much more so than when it is cold, wet and dark. He has painted the front porch - this was to be knocked down and rebuilt, but now we have decided to renovate it - paint, replace the broken panes, and replace the glass roof, with a slate one. One step at a time - he has painted it, and what a difference already.
He has put the fascia and guttering up at the front of the house,
dug out, and stoned the front,
and even started the decking at the back.
He has tiled in the Utility room too. He has even had time to add to the wood pile.
One big decision we made was that we would not move things from this house to another that we don't use or need. Over time, we have sold or disposed of things as we found them, but now we started to actively sort through things. We made a couple of trips to the Scrap Yard for example, a couple of trips to the Tip - (this will be an ongoing job I think !), and advertised items for sale. It's surprising what you can find if you want to !
With a renewed vigour, Craig attacked the gable end wall, and with some more borrowed scaffolding, managed to finally complete the slating. He even manged to get the fascias up as well, before the scaffolding came down, and we returned it.
We bought another batch of day old chicks to raise/fatten for the table (sorry folks if you are a little squeamish about this type of thing !). The disappointing thing for me, is that I realise that it is another job for Craig to do while I am away. I feel that I am giving him more work, instead of making it easier for him.
We also bought some more hens, for eggs, from the market - if you remember, we lost our last lot to a pine martin over the winter - these need to grow a little before we get any eggs though.
The television in the bedroom was annoyingly only working periodically. Craig finds this TV very necessary, especially when he is on his own. It gives him company, and a bit of life, and if it is very cold, it means that he can be warm, without having to be too isolated. However, he very cleverly, has hidden all the wires, which meant that to remove and mend it, proved to be quite difficult. I did a little research on the problem on the Internet, and came up with the fact that the wires may be loose, so we spent a good afternoon, lifting the TV on and off the wall, and re-threading the wires through the plaster, insulation and batoning !! There were a few choice words uttered during this time, BUT it now works again !!!
Poor Arthur had to have his annual check up, and injections - I'm not sure why I said 'poor Arthur'. He doesn't do too badly living with us. He has a lot of comforts that other dogs in the area certainly don't have - a bed inside (two in fact, one upstairs, and one downstairs), regular walks, treats, good food, and caring owners. Bless him !
We had four - yes, FOUR - Public Holidays here in May.....all deliberately set to trip up the unsuspecting visitors of course !! No shops open - well, aside from the bakers !
Although the month home goes so quickly, I know that Craig will be busy getting the house sorted to move on to our next adventure while I am away again.
First things first.....we are not in a position to do a lot until the house sells, and here we know people who have been trying to sell for years, yet others who have sold within weeks. There is not a lot of rhyme or reason sometimes, so it is something we are aware of.
With this in mind, we know that we need to get the house in a more sellable condition. It is at this point, a very large one bedroomed house ! However, Craig now feels he has an objective - a target maybe. So, while I am away he needs to work on the house, with the target to be, that next Spring we are in a position to put it on the market. He knows what he has to do, and we are both determined that we will be ready. Some of the plans we have for the house will be modified, as of course, they were for our benefit, and would not suit others.
We are very proud of our successes here, and feel that the adventures were worth it, but time to go now.
I do love it here, and I appreciate it more so, as I am not here all the time. On my return this time at the beginning of May, there is noticeable more greenery than when I left. The fields and hedgerows are blossoming, the grass is growing, and the wild flowers are blooming.
Craig has done so much work too. With longer warmer days, the incentive is there so much more so than when it is cold, wet and dark. He has painted the front porch - this was to be knocked down and rebuilt, but now we have decided to renovate it - paint, replace the broken panes, and replace the glass roof, with a slate one. One step at a time - he has painted it, and what a difference already.
He has put the fascia and guttering up at the front of the house,
dug out, and stoned the front,
and even started the decking at the back.
He has tiled in the Utility room too. He has even had time to add to the wood pile.
One big decision we made was that we would not move things from this house to another that we don't use or need. Over time, we have sold or disposed of things as we found them, but now we started to actively sort through things. We made a couple of trips to the Scrap Yard for example, a couple of trips to the Tip - (this will be an ongoing job I think !), and advertised items for sale. It's surprising what you can find if you want to !
With a renewed vigour, Craig attacked the gable end wall, and with some more borrowed scaffolding, managed to finally complete the slating. He even manged to get the fascias up as well, before the scaffolding came down, and we returned it.
We bought another batch of day old chicks to raise/fatten for the table (sorry folks if you are a little squeamish about this type of thing !). The disappointing thing for me, is that I realise that it is another job for Craig to do while I am away. I feel that I am giving him more work, instead of making it easier for him.
The television in the bedroom was annoyingly only working periodically. Craig finds this TV very necessary, especially when he is on his own. It gives him company, and a bit of life, and if it is very cold, it means that he can be warm, without having to be too isolated. However, he very cleverly, has hidden all the wires, which meant that to remove and mend it, proved to be quite difficult. I did a little research on the problem on the Internet, and came up with the fact that the wires may be loose, so we spent a good afternoon, lifting the TV on and off the wall, and re-threading the wires through the plaster, insulation and batoning !! There were a few choice words uttered during this time, BUT it now works again !!!
Poor Arthur had to have his annual check up, and injections - I'm not sure why I said 'poor Arthur'. He doesn't do too badly living with us. He has a lot of comforts that other dogs in the area certainly don't have - a bed inside (two in fact, one upstairs, and one downstairs), regular walks, treats, good food, and caring owners. Bless him !
We had four - yes, FOUR - Public Holidays here in May.....all deliberately set to trip up the unsuspecting visitors of course !! No shops open - well, aside from the bakers !
Although the month home goes so quickly, I know that Craig will be busy getting the house sorted to move on to our next adventure while I am away again.
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