It was lovely first thing this morning and Dave and I took off straight after breakfast through the woods to the rear of Paul's place, past the wishing well and down the track to the road. Here we turned right and passed the house as directed and down a track which disallowed cars. We strode on enjoying the peace of the morning and soon saw the lake through the trees on our right.
We came out on a sandy beach and enjoyed the full panorama of the still waters of the lake with fish leaping, the restaurant on a knoll above and to the right of us, and a small well-worn footbridge over what we in Scotland would call a burn running into the loch. It was a scene of particular and gentle beauty. Having drunk in the views, we sauntered round to the Quai Sud restaurant for a cuppa and a sandwich before setting off in the direction of the swimming pool. No sooner had we set out than the rain started so we redoubled our steps to return to our starting point. The rain became a torrent and looking back we decided to take shelter in a log cabin almost completed and ready for occupation. As we drew near we noticed that the cabin was not empty. Indeed there were three adults and two young German Shepherd dogs also standing in the doorway.
My uncertainty over the dogs was only matched by my desire to get out of the pouring rain as we were already quite wet. However we were assured by the owners that the dogs were well behaved, and we were glad to join them in a house which belonged to neither of us. The couple were Dutch and the ladies' mother was visiting them from Holland, where she assured us that the weather was excellent. The young bitch ( the dog I mean), was taking an inordinate interest in me, and the young lady owner commented on this. I had to explain that we were staying in a gite where there was a handsome black labrador who was a real "ladies' man". They found this quite amusing so I suppose that's another visitor Sidney will be having before long.
We finally made it home over fairly wet terrain and spent much of the rest of the day trying to dry off our meagre supply of clothes. In particular we needed our towels which we had been trying to dry for three days. We could have asked Paul for more, but didn't wish to impose upon him. At last in the evening the weather cleared, we dried things off and went for a stroll before bedtime coming back by the light of the full moon. Maybe that's why the young dog took me for a canine companion!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Chilling Out - Saturday - Day 13
Two days of rain and not much sun have left us all feeling a bit chilly and wishing for improvement. Strange how, just like home,the weather always gets better when it's time to start work again. The young guys returned from their night out in Angouleme and we all spent the day fairly close to La Giraudiere.
After lunch, Dave and I walked down to the village in the rain. We met Geoff who had returned from his few days away and promised to visit next week. We stocked up on wine and other necessities! and trundled back to curl up with an Alexander McColl Smith book - not that I'm pining for home, but just wanted to finish it and see if I could pick up a few tips for writing my blog.
Michelle and Donnie took a turn of cooking tonight. They prepared a good old fry-up which none of us had had since leaving the UK, and Michelle maybe hadn't experienced at all - well at least not with the old " boudin noir" (black pudding to the uninitiated). Strange reaction to this delicacy. You either seem to love it or hate it and the opinion round the table was just about split down the middle.
The young people were on the move again. Celine, the French teacher had offered to drive them to a reggae and blues evening near to Angouleme and off they went to enjoy a late night bonanza of music and entertainment.
After lunch, Dave and I walked down to the village in the rain. We met Geoff who had returned from his few days away and promised to visit next week. We stocked up on wine and other necessities! and trundled back to curl up with an Alexander McColl Smith book - not that I'm pining for home, but just wanted to finish it and see if I could pick up a few tips for writing my blog.
Michelle and Donnie took a turn of cooking tonight. They prepared a good old fry-up which none of us had had since leaving the UK, and Michelle maybe hadn't experienced at all - well at least not with the old " boudin noir" (black pudding to the uninitiated). Strange reaction to this delicacy. You either seem to love it or hate it and the opinion round the table was just about split down the middle.
The young people were on the move again. Celine, the French teacher had offered to drive them to a reggae and blues evening near to Angouleme and off they went to enjoy a late night bonanza of music and entertainment.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
A Visit from M. Le Maire- Day 12
Ah Lovely! A lie-in followed by a leisurely breakfast. Now, no work today, so time to experiment with the next type of flour, the aim being to produce a batch of scones, in the hope of tempting M. Le Maire, who was to visit in the afternoon. The scones turned out quite well and prompted me to produce a second batch. Sidney who had now fully recovered from his mystery illness was champing at the bit for a little taste. If I ever wonder how a particular dish will be received, I only have to gauge Sidney's reaction. This time on a scale of 1-10 it must have been about 8 - hard to say though, as Sidney doesn't give out compliments lightly!
Soon after the scone-making episode and the coffee cups were set out for Le Maire, Paul arrived at the gite with a couple of friends. I remembered he had said a couple of his neighbours were looking in, and so coffee and scones were duly served. No sooner than they had left and things were washed up and re-set than the Mayor arrived and we repeated the ritual. Fortunately, the scones went down well (tres bon) and he appeared impressed with all that was taking place with the work.
M. Le Maire took his leave and everything was again washed up and tidied. Yes, you've guessed - another set if visitors arrived. This was Ian and Win who had actually been originally expected. No-one can say Paul isn't popular. It was agreed that we would meet again later and enjoy an evening out at Mamie Bulles restaurant, which turned out to be a very good choice, and we had a lovely evening. On the way home we dropped by Patrick's place - What a wonderful house and such a picturesque spot.
Soon after the scone-making episode and the coffee cups were set out for Le Maire, Paul arrived at the gite with a couple of friends. I remembered he had said a couple of his neighbours were looking in, and so coffee and scones were duly served. No sooner than they had left and things were washed up and re-set than the Mayor arrived and we repeated the ritual. Fortunately, the scones went down well (tres bon) and he appeared impressed with all that was taking place with the work.
M. Le Maire took his leave and everything was again washed up and tidied. Yes, you've guessed - another set if visitors arrived. This was Ian and Win who had actually been originally expected. No-one can say Paul isn't popular. It was agreed that we would meet again later and enjoy an evening out at Mamie Bulles restaurant, which turned out to be a very good choice, and we had a lovely evening. On the way home we dropped by Patrick's place - What a wonderful house and such a picturesque spot.
First French Lesson wih Celine - Day 11
This was the last of the current 3-day work cycle. It was also the day of the first French lesson with Celine. It was a lovely day and the work progressed well. Celine arrived just after 10 and despite the different stages of our various grasps of the French lamguage, she managed in her usual charming way, to make the hour fun and interesting for all. We followed the lesson with an excellent al fresco lunch at the picnic tables in the front courtyard.
By afternoon the preparation work on the gates had been completed and the undercoat applied. We worked against the clock as the storm clouds were gathering again. We had a brief visit from Jim and Wendy who had stayed with Paul at La Giraudiere when their own French house was being completed and who had come to regard it as a second home.
Come the evening our three musketeers were keen for an adventure and took off to Chalais. Unfortunately, Thursday night in Chalais is a pretty quiet affair and so their return was sooner than expected. Undaunted though they set out the following morning this time with the delights of Angouleme in their sights. Bonne Chance!
By afternoon the preparation work on the gates had been completed and the undercoat applied. We worked against the clock as the storm clouds were gathering again. We had a brief visit from Jim and Wendy who had stayed with Paul at La Giraudiere when their own French house was being completed and who had come to regard it as a second home.
Come the evening our three musketeers were keen for an adventure and took off to Chalais. Unfortunately, Thursday night in Chalais is a pretty quiet affair and so their return was sooner than expected. Undaunted though they set out the following morning this time with the delights of Angouleme in their sights. Bonne Chance!
Annie and Jean Visit - Day 10
Loud knocking at the door of our gite where everyone assembles for breakfast made me awaken with a start, jump out of bed and rush downstairs. We had painted the front doors of the gites the previous day and the paint seemed to be sticking the door, preventing it from opening. I took the stairs two at a time to get Dave to come and open the door. By this time Dave had pulled on some clothes and was on his way downstairs when I took another look at the alarm clock only to find it was 6.30 and not 7.30 as I had originally thought. Sacre Bleu! I had been dreaming. Once the hearts stopped pounding we lay down again and tried to recover the vestiges of the night's sleep.
Later that morning, Annie and Jean came for coffee on their way to see their little great-grandson. I took the opportunity to do two things, practice my French with Annie, whom I knew would be very patient with me, and enquire of Annie as to whether I was using the correct flour for my crepes. I was pleased to learn that I was OK with the flour, and I was delighted that Annie was willing to share her secret ingredient to add to crepes, which grew nearby. She didn't swear me to secrecy but I'm keeping this one under my hat.
The afternoon work session was well under way when Patrick dropped by on his way back home on his bicycle from the village. I took the chance of showing Patrick my prize purchase from the vide grenier and asking his opinion - Patrick knows about these things. He gave my purchase his approval which pleased me immensely.
During Patrick's visit another car arrived in the road outside bearing an older couple with a dog. I tried in my best pidgin French to explain that M. Paul would be with them shortly. However, I managed to take from their reply that they hadn't come to see Paul, but to let their dog Nina visit Sidney! Well I never!. Sidney did his best to oblige with a short romp around, but he was a bit off colour and perhaps didn't provide the usual frantic courting his paramours have come to expect.
Later Sidney needed to visit the vet who tested him for various ailments and decided he had eaten something he shouldn't. He had two injections and was put on a water-only diet for the following day. He's such a good boy in every situation. From the vet's we went on to the supermarket, stocked up on supplies and retured to a lovely meal cooked by Ryan and Simon.
Good news today. Word of the work at La Giraudiere is spreading. The mayor is interested in looking at the work to date
Later that morning, Annie and Jean came for coffee on their way to see their little great-grandson. I took the opportunity to do two things, practice my French with Annie, whom I knew would be very patient with me, and enquire of Annie as to whether I was using the correct flour for my crepes. I was pleased to learn that I was OK with the flour, and I was delighted that Annie was willing to share her secret ingredient to add to crepes, which grew nearby. She didn't swear me to secrecy but I'm keeping this one under my hat.
The afternoon work session was well under way when Patrick dropped by on his way back home on his bicycle from the village. I took the chance of showing Patrick my prize purchase from the vide grenier and asking his opinion - Patrick knows about these things. He gave my purchase his approval which pleased me immensely.
During Patrick's visit another car arrived in the road outside bearing an older couple with a dog. I tried in my best pidgin French to explain that M. Paul would be with them shortly. However, I managed to take from their reply that they hadn't come to see Paul, but to let their dog Nina visit Sidney! Well I never!. Sidney did his best to oblige with a short romp around, but he was a bit off colour and perhaps didn't provide the usual frantic courting his paramours have come to expect.
Later Sidney needed to visit the vet who tested him for various ailments and decided he had eaten something he shouldn't. He had two injections and was put on a water-only diet for the following day. He's such a good boy in every situation. From the vet's we went on to the supermarket, stocked up on supplies and retured to a lovely meal cooked by Ryan and Simon.
Good news today. Word of the work at La Giraudiere is spreading. The mayor is interested in looking at the work to date
The Calm after the Storm - Day 9
Tuesday was a beautiful day after the previous night's storm. Work projects continued without incident and plans were made for a visit to the supermarket in Barbezieux the following day. Poor Paul! We're eating him out of house and home.
During the project, we take turns of cooking in the evening. Lunch is usually a selection of salads with meats, pate, cheese and quiche. Depending on the weather, which has been a bit more unsettled than is usual at this time of year for this area, we may eat indoors or in the front or back courtyards, one being more shady than the other. One skill which is therefore very helpful, is that of being able to produce a meal. We sometimes cook in pairs, as it does help to have an assistant. Not many are used to cooking for larger numbers, and on occasion there can be up to 9 people to serve.
Younger members of the group again took off to the village at night, while Sidney kept us company in the gite.
During the project, we take turns of cooking in the evening. Lunch is usually a selection of salads with meats, pate, cheese and quiche. Depending on the weather, which has been a bit more unsettled than is usual at this time of year for this area, we may eat indoors or in the front or back courtyards, one being more shady than the other. One skill which is therefore very helpful, is that of being able to produce a meal. We sometimes cook in pairs, as it does help to have an assistant. Not many are used to cooking for larger numbers, and on occasion there can be up to 9 people to serve.
Younger members of the group again took off to the village at night, while Sidney kept us company in the gite.
Market Day in Chalais - Day 8
Market Day in Chalais takes over the whole of the town centre. We arrived quite late and so didn't quite manage to sample the delights of all of the vendors ' stalls. There had been a giant paella cooked al fresco but it was finished by the time we arrived. We sauntered around in the beautiful sunshine and managed to snap up a few purchases before the traders started to close up. The market closes at 12 sharp.
Laden with goodies of one kind or another, the market sells a wide range of produce both of the eating and decorative varieties, we made our way to a local cafe-bar where we had a sandwich and a drink, again soaking up the sunshine and pleasant ambience of the day. Soon Paul came to collect us and drove us back to La Giraudiere where we had a relaxing evening prior to the start of the 3-day work spell. Once again there was a dramatic lightning storm that night.
Laden with goodies of one kind or another, the market sells a wide range of produce both of the eating and decorative varieties, we made our way to a local cafe-bar where we had a sandwich and a drink, again soaking up the sunshine and pleasant ambience of the day. Soon Paul came to collect us and drove us back to La Giraudiere where we had a relaxing evening prior to the start of the 3-day work spell. Once again there was a dramatic lightning storm that night.
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