A doggy bit

Both dogs have settled well into their new life. After a lifetime of being an outdoor dog Rambo has soon adjusted to being a pampered indoor dog. Although the house is all on one level we do have a staircase which goes up to the attic from the garden room. Rambo decided, straightaway, that he would sleep at the top of the stairs. Strange as he had never been upstairs before. Perhaps he feels safer up there, I don't know. Luna has a basket under the stairs. During the day they both like to lie in the sunshine by the French doors. Sadly Luna seems to be showing her age although she still runs around and likes her walks. Her eyes are becoming cloudy and showing signs of cataracts. We also think that her hearing is much less acute, thought at first that it was selective deafness but she doesn't hear things like people coming into a room so it seems to be general.

Double Glazing

Our double glazing man had said that the work would be done during the first two weeks of December. However it was quite a shock to recieve a phone call on Tuesday the 4th to say that they would be here the next day. Great excitement. Two men and all the windows arrived at the appointed hour of 9.30am.Windows were installed in the lounge, dining room, spare bedroom, our bedroom, bathroom and the toilet on the first day. Day 2 saw the kitchen door and garden room windows fitted. The garden room has large French windows, sadly one of them is cracked, only a little, but it will be replaced early in the new year. Friday saw the finishing off and tidying up done. So good to have windows and doors that close and fit properly. A great benefit heatwise as well.

Fete des volailles

Saturday the first of December we set off for St Sever to the annual poultry festival. On the way there it started to rain heavily so we decided to leave the fete until the next day. Before returning home we (well N really) spent a happy hour in a new DIY supermarket in St Sever.

Next day the sun was shining so off we went again to St Sever. St Sever is the centre of the poultry industry in Les Landes and is known, nationally, for its free range, maize fed poultry. The whole of the town centre was closed to traffic and the car parking was very well organised. There were numerous stalls selling chickens, ducks, cheese, wine and various handicrafts. Inside the "halle aux grains" was a display of various breeds of chickens (alive) and also several tables beautifully decorated for Christmas dinner. In the square in the middle of town, outside the abbey, we watched a display of stilt dancing. In years gone by, before Les landes was forested, the shepherds used to guard their flocks on stilts. This gave them a much wider view of their flocks and as the ground was very marshy the made mobility much easier. Postmen too, and indeed anyone who needed to cover long distances used stilts. It is a tradition which is carried on and it was refreshing to see that there were several youngsters in the demonstration. We had lunch in one of the heated marquees lined with trestle tables. For 13 euros we had, garbure (a local soup), salade landaise, coq au vin, sheeps cheese with cherry sauce and apple tart. All accompanied with red wine and coffee to finish. We had a very pleasant couple from St Sever sitting next to us and we had a good chat with them. Very good ambience.

Unseasonably Cold.

Friday and Saturday the 16th and 17th November were very cold for the time of year and this part of the world. Lowest overnight temperature was -9, compensated slightly by the bright blue skies and sun during the day.

Friday saw the arrival of Sjef and Leonoor, visiting us from Ariege. It was so good to see them again. Just before they arrived N came back from "school" and brought in a couple he had met there. Richard and Karen from Totnes and now living in Hontanx just up the road from here. I made a cup of tea for everyone and served some Christmas cake with it which went down very well. Richard and Karen left and we had lunch then went down to have a look round Eugenie les Bains. Didn't stay too long as it was so cold. Back home, fire lit, heating turned up and we had a good evening chatting and eating.

Next morning we took Sjef and Leonoor into Mont de Marsan, had a brief look around town and at the sculptures before adjourning to the warmth of Ghandis Indian restaurant for lunch. They left early afternoon for the drive back to Ariege. So good to be with old friends for a day or so.

Next day we set off to go to the mountains. Had lunch in Pau then changed plans and decided to visit Lourdes as we were quite nearby. I think we picked a good day to go as it was relatively quiet and most of the tatty souvenir shops were closed. Once into the area of the grotto it is very beautiful and I have to admit that standing in front of the grotto I felt a sense of peace and serenity. I can understand why so many want to visit there. Photos were forbidden although there was a family taking photos. I felt it wasn't right to take a photo though so I had to content myself with taking a photo of the street outside and buying a couple of postcards of the grotto.

Back to normal

After a trip away and managing to string out my birthday for 3 days back to normal now. Scrabble has changed to Wednesday afternoons for this month so that makes it easier. Can now revise and relax for strenuous, as far as brain is concerned, bridge session on Tuesday evenings. N has started "school", he goes for French lessons all day Thursday and Friday mornings. The weather is very autumnal but no rain for a long time. Some crisp mornings and beautiful blue skies and sunshine. Occasionally some mist in the mornings and just the odd dull day. Most of the maize has been harvested so the landscape has changed considerably. Now, when I go out with the dogs I can see far into the distance, before it was like walking through a tunnel of maize. Yesterday Nigel went over, with the wheelbarrow, to collect some horse manure from our neighbour Alain. Wheelbarrow was dispensed with as Alain kindly brought over 3 loads of manure in the link box of his tractor. We gave him a beer, had a chat and he then pruned the vines for us! On leaving he said if we ever need any help to give him a shout as he is usually at home. What a nice neighbour. So good to have a muck heap again! After having horses and or other animals over the last 30 years or so it felt strange not to have any manure for the garden.

A day at the seaside.

Decided to go to Cap Breton for the day and introduce the dogs to the sea. An easy trip there, took about 1 hour 20, trees on the way were beautiful so many different colours at this time of year.

The dogs weren't too sure about the sea, Luna did approach it with some trepidation but Rambo kept well away! They did enjoy running on the sand though. Had lunch in a beachside cafe, no problem about us having the dogs with us.

Catching up

No sooner had we got the central heating than I was off!. I went over to Ariege on the following day. I stayed with Leonoor, Sjef was away so we had a good "girlie" chat and caught up with things since we moved. The next day I picked up Jik and we went up to Andorra. A longish trip as it seemed that half of France was going there, I had forgotten that it was half term holidays. Anyway it took us 21/2 hours to get there. Had lunch then we split up for a while. Somehow missed our rendezvous and spent an hour looking for each other. Did a quick shop before going back to the car. It took us an hour to get out of the car park and other hour to get down to the customs post, so many people leaving at that time. Eventually got back to Jiks' at 8.30. Back to Leonoors for supper, Sjef just arrived back from Holland. Next morning picked up some more of our belongings from Jez' and then came back home. It was my birthday so opened cards and pressies when I got back. Went out for lunch the next day to celebrate my birthday. A nice day.

At last

The central heating man came this morning, YIPEE!! Boiler is serviced and working. House is warm and wonderful. Added to which we bought, yesterday, an armchair with footrest which is for my exclusive use. My cup runneth over, warmth and comfort what more does a girl want!!

Doctors and nurses.

When we moved here I had to register us with a new doctor. I had had one doctor in Grenade recommended so rang his secretary. I was told that he was very busy but that I could register with a new doctor in the practise. So I made an appointment to see him. I went to see him thinking that we would just have to go through the formalites of registering and was surprised to find that I was subjected to a virtually full medical!! A very nice young man, obviously pretty newly qualified and very keen! We have seen him since then when Nigel went for his first visit and I have to say that he seems to be very efficient. No feeling of being rushed and very thorough.
I had to go for a routine blood test and I made an appointment to go and do so this morning with the nurse in Grenade. Had to be there before 9am, no drink or food before going which is very difficult! Was very surprised when I got there to find that the nurse was no chicken!! Please don't accuse me of being ageist but she must have done her training about 50 years ago!! I have to say that she looked like the typical elderly French lady one sees in the market or the boulangerie dressed in her rather unstylish overall. Nevertheless she was extremely pleasant and seemed to be reasonably efficient. The first attempt at getting blood was a dead loss so she decided to try the other arm. This time we had success. As she pulled the needle out of my arm she stuck it in her wrist (glove, what gloves!!). No panic from her just oh dear I have pricked myself with the needle I have taken out of your arm so now I must ring the doctor!!!!!!! Do you think you have hepatitis she asks me, no I say no worries on that score. Still of course we have to go by the book. After explaining to the doctor she puts me on to him and he says oh yes of course I know you there is no problem but I have to ask you if you will have another blood test so that we can check for hepatitis and HIV. Of course I agree to this and she takes another sample of blood, then rings the laboratory to explain to them what has happened and to say that she too has to have a blood test. What should have been a quick 5 minutes in and out turned out to be a thirty minute drama!!

Meeting the neighbours.

A few weeks ago I met the neighbour who lives up the road from us when I was taking the dogs out. We had a brief chat and she said we must go up to visit them one afternoon. Didn't really know what to do as she hadn't specified a day. Anyway last week I met her again and she was quite definate so I said I would give her a ring and set a date. So...... we went up on Monday afternoon. What a welcome!! Such nice people. A mother and daughter live there. Mother must be about 80. She told me that she married and came to live there in 1946, Cristel, the daughter, was born in 1948 and her husband died in 1952 at the age of 30. When Cristel was old enough they went to live and work in Mont de Marsan and the house was shut up for 34 years. When Cristel learned to drive they were able to come back here at weekends and over the years they had the house renovated. Cristel retired four years ago and they came back here permanently. A really nice couple of ladies who gave us coffee and apple pie and lots of local info. Also there was our neighbour from over the road, Sophie, and her one year old daughter Anna. Anna is a real sweetie, very outgoing and forward for her age and obviously adored and spoiled by the two ladies. Sophie is married to Phillippe who is a fireman in Mont de Marsan, she is from Bordeaux and I think finds life in rural Castandet a bit boring! Sophie and Phillipe also have a son, Thomas, who is ten years old. At the rear of their house is another house which is occupied by Phillipes father, Alain, and his wife. We were saying that we needed manure for the garden and Sophie went back to see Alain and asked if we could have some as he has two horses. No problem, Nigel can go and get it when he wants. All in all a very pleasant afternoon and nice to know that we have such good neighbours.

Les Etoiles de Pau

For the first time, Pau is hosting a 4 star 3 day event (CCI). Pau now joins with Badminton, Burghly, Lexington and Luhmuhlen to host an event at this level. As it is so close to here, about 30 miles, I just had to go. Nigel was not keen to go and I wasn't keen to force him! So much easier to be on ones own if the other half isn't willing !
I got there about 12.30 and managed, after driving round an industrial estate by the airport, to find the parking. Most people seemed to be parking in the industrial estate but I reckoned it was worth 5 euros to be a bit nearer. I found 2 disinterested looking chaps hovering around in the road and asked where the parking was.
Man A: It's paying.
Me: Yes, I know, no problem.
Man A: to me You're English? to man B: She's English.
Me: Is the parking only for French, can't English park here, look my car is French registered.
Man A: (straight faced) but , after the rugby...................ha, ha, just a joke!! 5 euros please, have a good afternoon.
Only had to walk over the road and I was at the entry, so well worth paying. Large "village" there selling food , drinks and lots of equestrian stalls. Also 3 large screens for watching the course from the comfort of a chair, not the same though as seeing it in the "flesh". Once I had sussed out and tried the toilet facilities I decided it was time to get a sandwich for lunch and make my way to a viewpoint. Not many places in the world, I suspect, where one can get a very generous foie gras sandwich for 4.50! I walked part of the course and found a good viewpoint by the lake. One large fence into the area with an easier option, then a jump in and out of the lake. I thought that the x country started at 1.30 but it was in fact 2.30 but it gave me a chance to sit and have my sandwich and watch the world go by. Lots of English voices around me, suspect many people had flown over especially to attend. The competition finally got underway at 2.30 and I stayed in my place for over an hour. Many English riders, many French, some American, Italian, Irish, Belgian,1 NZ , 1 japanese and 1 Brazilian. Mary King (GB) jumped the fence the hard way and in and out of the lake no problem. Many riders had a problem here, jumping in was easy but a very tight turn into the water to get out over the next fence. Decided then to walk back to the village and watch some more at the start and finish of the course. A good viewpoint as one could see the riders on one side starting out and see others at the other side coming in to the last but one fence. Great joy from the French as Nicholas Touzsaint (European champion) got a clear round. Pippa Funnell and Mary King are in the running for GB as is Andrew Nicholson for NZ. X country finished about 5 and I left to come back home in time to watch Strictly come dancing!!!
Sunday. Nicolas Touzaint held his lead, Mary King was second (with her dressage score, clear x country and show jumping).

Double glazing and central heating

The weather has turned pretty chilly and we have had a frost each morning since last Saturday. Thoughts turn to having a warmer house. Ludicrous to have central heating and not be able to put it on. I rang the firm who installed the boiler here, a couple of weeks ago, and was promised that Monsieur Dubois would call back to make an appointment. I called again a couple of days ago and was given the same message. I rang again today and finally got to speak to the man himself, hallelujah! He has promised to be hear before the end of the week, I shall believe that when it happens. Neither of us want to start it up before it has been serviced, that is assuming we could anyway, both of us being somewhat ignorant of central heating boilers. So until then it is warm clothes and an open fire in the sitting room.
We had another quote for double glazing on Monday. Big company, pleasant and efficient chap but more expensive than the man in Aire. We went down to Aire in the afternoon and signed the contract for him to come and do the replacement windows. He says that the work will be done in the first half of December, watch this space!!

Poule au pot

Our first social outing in the village this lunchtime (Sunday). We had an invitation through in the postbox and made our reservation at the mairie. It was advertised as starting at 12noon for aperitifs and the meal at 12.30.It was held in the "salle "polyvalente", which is like a village hall in the UK. We arrived at 12.15 and there was only a handful of people there, typical France!!!!!!!!!!! After standing around for a while, no doubt sticking out like sore thumbs, a very pleasant lady came to talk to us. She told us that the meal was organised by the "troisieme age" (the third age) which I suppose is a very nice way of describing we "elderly" people!Soon more people began to drift in and another couple of ladies came to chat to us. The tables in the hall were laid out beautifully, 16 people to a table and about 10 tables. One of the ladies pointed out the mayor to us and explained that he is generally a very popular mayor although some have reservations about him and think he spends too much. I must say that the area around the mairie and village hall is beautifully laid out and landscaped. Shortly an elderly man in a beret came in and we were told that he is one of our neighbours. Opposite the house is a very large vegetable garden and he and his wife arrive daily, on their tractor, to collect the veg. and to work in the garden. He soon came over to speak to us and was very friendly and chatty. Filled us in on our neighbours and told us about the people who had been here before us. Apparently a couple lived here for many years and the land at the back of the house was planted with vines, whilst the whole of the front garden was a veg. plot. I asked about the vines that are here as they look very sick and he has promised to come over and prune them for me. A lovely chap. He also filled us in on the lake we have at the side of the top garden, it belongs to the people who live below us, he is an aneathetist in Mont de Marsan and bought the house a couple of years ago. The previous people bought the house which was a ruin and 3 hectares of land. They renovated the house, landscaped the garden and made the lake. He did tell me how much this all cost but as he was talking in old francs (not the last lot, the lot before) I didn't understand how much it all cost apart from the fact that it was a large amount.
Finally, about 1.30 people started to sit down. After a bit of confusion we realised that names were on the tables so we started to look for our names and eventually found them on one of the first two front tables. Our "neighbours" were a couple from the neighbouring village of Maurrin, Gerard and Helene (in their 60's) and their son Phillippe who was very pleasant but I would think not "all there". They were very chatty and we were soon on first name terms and we were treated like old friends.
The lunch cost 12 euros and included wine.
Consomme aux perles du Japon. A very tasty consomme made no doubt from the liquid from the chicken which was the main course. The Japanese pearls were a bit of a teaser but they turned out to be tapioca.
Tomato salad.
Poule farcie et ses legumes. Chicken and beef simmered together, stuffing made from pork, onions, garlic and herbs, served with a huge bowl of carrots, potatoes and leeks. It was truly delicious and the amount put on our table was certainly on the generous side, enough to feed at least twice as many of us.
Cheese and salad.
Fruit salad and pastis. Pastis not being the liquid kind but a Landaise type of cake which is very popular apparently. I have to say "apparently" as it is very dry and doesn't have a lot of taste. Or perhaps it was just that my tastebuds had given up by this time!!
This was all rounded off with coffee and digestif, the digestif of course, here in Armagnac, was locally produced Armagnac.
I think we eventually said our farewells at about 5pm and managed to stagger out of the hall and come back home.
A feast fit for kings. Certainly didn't need anymore food for the rest of the day!!
Sadly I can't post any photos of the occasion, don't think it would have been appropriate to be rushing around with my camera.

More mushrooming

Picked Lily up and went to the meeting place by the church at Uchaq about 1/2 hours drive away, to the North of Mont de Marsan. Chantal was waiting there, her first foray with the group. Also there were a couple of chaps from the local radio station who interviwed the president of the association and then followed us around for an hour or so. From the church we drove to a farm called Chourdens where we were to walk and collect fungi. A beautiful place, typical landaise house and buildings set amongst woodland. Amazing how different to here although not so far away. Very sandy with lots of pine trees. We were to collect different sorts of funghi for an exhibition in Dax over the weekend. Contrary to my first outing with them there were lots of funghi about and we collected a fair few basketfuls. It was great to be out in such beautiful surroundings although I have to say it was rather chilly. We had the first frost last night and the air feels decidedly cooler despite the bright sun. A bonus was that we saw and heard the cranes flying over, a sign that winter is on the way. We made our way back to the farm and had a picnic, outdoors. There were only 6 of us (Chantal had to leave before the picnic) and we had a pleasant lunch and chat.

Exhibition

We went into the exhibition hall in Mont de Marsan where there is a 3 day "habitat" exhibition. A big exhibition with many displays of ecological ideas for the house. Made an appointment with a double glazing firm to come and give us a quote on Monday. Had lunch in town at Ghandis, the Indian restaurant.

Next Day

Ruud and Kitty left about 9.30 and I took the dogs out. Met my neighbour, Christel, on the way and had a chat, she asked us to go up sometime and I said I would give her a ring next week. She looks to have a very nice garden. Then off to Mont de Marsan as N had an appointment with his new asthma specialist, Dr Lheureux. A very pleasant and efficient young lady. In the afternoon I went over to St Pierre du Mont where the group who have the Scrabble sessions were having a fashion show. There were some very nice clothes but I did notice they didn't give the prices!! I suspect that they were pretty pricey!! The models were all ladies belonging to the group, one of which was Ann-Marie one of the Scrabble ladies.

Ruud and Kittys' visit.

Today, Wednesday we had our first visitors from l'Ariege. Ruud and Kitty have a house near Fossat but their main residence is in Holland. They were going over to the coast for a couple of days, in their camper van, and called in to spend an evening with us en route. It was good to see them again, last time we saw them was the day before we moved out of Carol and we were in chaos. They rang to say they were at the mairie in Castandet, they had driven past the house without realising so I got in the car and went down to get them. Had a very relaxing evening, it was warm enough to sit outside and have aperitifs before coming in to have our evening meal. A very pleasant evening. They said goodnight at about 11pm and went outside to sleep in their van.

Sculpture and Landscaping.

Today, Monday, we went into Mont de Marsan to see the exhibition of sculptures and landscaping which is set in the old part of town around the dungeon by the river. Mont de Marsan is known as the town of the 3 rivers as the rivers Douze and Midou join in the town centre to form the river Midouze. Two famous sculptors of the early 20th century, Robert Wlerik and Charles Despiau were born in Mont-de Marsan. Despiau went to Paris and became a student of Rodin. Wlerik too eventually went to Paris and they were co-founders of the Salon des Tuileries. We first had a look around the museum which is in the dungeon and which has a permanent exhibition of their sculptures. The rest of the sculptures were outside and the grounds had been beautifully landscaped. Three students from the school of architecture and landscaping in Bordeaux have created a large area of stone and tiles and raised borders of scented herbs. This area contains many statutes inculding a huge one of an athlete with a javelin and one of Hercules. In the museum garden there is a design of the Davidson tartan constructed of many small coloured grasses. Apparently the designer, Anthony Freestone, looked in the local phone book and found a family named Davidson and this was the inspiration for this work. In the gallery he has continued the tartan theme with a series of tartan paintings. The whole thing is completely bizarre!! The students of floristry have made papier mache figures decorated with flowers to signpost the way around the exhibition. The town also has many sculptures on permanent exhibition in the streets and squares as well as many floral decorations.

Vide Grenier and Mushrooms

Saturday morning was another "vide grenier", boot sale, in Grenade sur l'Adour not far from here. We left home in the sunshine but when we got down there it was quite misty and cool. Not the best boot sale that we have been to but interesting to look around. We bought a couple of fire irons for our open fire-place, we did have some at Carol but they got left behind. There is lots of wood here that needs burning so it will be nice to have an open fire when it gets cold. I rang the central heating place up last week as we need to have the boiler serviced before we turn it on. Still waiting for them to ring me back and make an appointment. Talking of appointments, we had another quote for the double glazing yesterday. Definately a possibility depending on the price. A local firm down in Aire sur l'Adour, we have to wait until next week for the quote.

Sunday morning we went over to Lily and Arthurs' and then went on with them into Mont de Marsan where there was an exhibition of fungi given by the group I went out with last week. They had certainly found a lot more this week than when I went out with them! Of course we had a lot of rain followed by hot sun which is just what the fungi need. The people that I had met the previous week were very friendly, despite the English beating the French in the semi-finals of the rugby world cup the previous night!

Sorry to go on but...............

I have to say a bit about the kitchen! Any of you who have been to Carol will know that my kitchen there was rather primitive. I had a very efficient gas hob which was fine but the oven was a bottled gas oven and a pain. Although it had 10 settings there didn't seem to be a major difference in the temperature. I have made 10 Christmas cakes there and all 10 were burnt even though I cooked them as low as possible. The joy, this week, of making a cake that wasn't burnt is indescribable. One of lifes' little pleasures! The oven never got hot enough either, to make Yorkshire puddings, one of lifes' necessities as far as I am concerned. Several years ago Steve gave me a birthday present of a little electric cooker which was great but sadly didn't get hot enough to do the Yorkshire puddings. Another of lifes' joys is being able to make them again, provided that is, I have the right flour to make them. For some unknown reason I do not seem to be able to make them with French flour. So I have to bring back, or ask people to bring me, English flour. I am also now the proud owner of a new fridge with the freezer unit at the base, no more getting down on my hands and knees to clean out the bottom of the fridge. And as for the oak kitchen units with a plethora of cupboards and drawers, well, I am in seventh heaven !!

To bore you even further I must also go on about the bathroom. At Carol the bathroom was downstairs and our bedroom was upstairs, not the most convenient of locations. Added to which we could have used it as a fridge in the winter. Here not only is the bathroom next to the bedroom but it has a radiator as well for when it is cold enough to have the central heating on. The decor was quite a shock at first but it is surprising how quickly one gets used to things. As you will see from the photos the decor is mainly orange. I am sure that one could find a more attractive name for it, burnt sienna or some other such pretentious term, but basically it is orange. I suppose that we could change the tiles but bearing in mind the colour of the floor tiles there is not another colour that would match. The bathroom suite is sludge coloured and that will be changed in the fullness of time which I think will make all the difference as will the replacing (when they wear out of course) our bathroom linen which is lavender or pink.

Start of another week

Up early (for us!) as Nigel had appointment for a scan at 10.30. No problem just a control scan to check up that all is well. As we hadn't been to the hospital in Mont de Marsan before we wanted to be there in good time as we weren't sure about parking or where in the hospital we had to go. It seemed to be very quiet and after we had done the paperwork in reception we went and checked in in the scanner place. He was seen on time and we were out by 11a.m. Results will be posted on to us (they arrived today 2 days later) and then he has to go and see the specialist with them.
Called in at a double glazing showroom on the way out of town, I had rung them last week to get a quote and been told that their technical man would call us to make an appointment. No call as yet so thought we would gee them up. Girl in showroom wasn't too bothered said he would be in touch this week. They are obviously not short of work, don't think I will bother with them. Then went to Leclerc to do a shop. A huge supermarket and I am only now beginning to find my way around it.
Monday afternoon we had appointment for quote at 2.30, no one turned up! Surprise, surprise! Had call a day later to say sorry and he would be here on Thursday. Doesn't fill one with confidence.
Tuesday, brain day again. Scrabble was good, the ladies on my table were very friendly and chatty. Bridge in the evening, fog is clearing a little, think I may get there given time.
Wednesday wet. Enjoyed myself in the kitchen. Prepared and soaked fruit for Christmas cake, made a cake, soup for freezer and marmalade.

SO-MY_LA

Societe Mycologique Landaise or Mycology society of Les Landes.
I thought it would be a good idea to join the above society as now that we are no longer at Carol I have no woods to wander through on the lookout for mushrooms.
It was my first outing with them yesterday. The weather was grey, mild and damp. As it was drizzling when I left I did take a showerproof with me and wore my rubber boots. The meeting place was at the lac de Gioule about 15 minutes drive away. When I got there at 9.30am most of the others were there and the rain was getting heavier by the minute. We were all present and correct by 9.45 and some of us left our cars there and went in other cars as the parking at the site we were going to was apparently rather limited. I went with Georges and Marie-Louise who had 2 adorable Yorkshire terriers in the car, memories of my dear, departed Titi!. The other passenger was another new subscriber to the group, I never did find out his name so I shall call him "newbie". We all got out of the cars at the site which was a huge beech forest. It seemed that the plan was to wander of individually or in pairs and search for any fungi. On finding any fungi one would carefully cut it and put it in ones basket. Memo to myself: next time bring basket and knife!! Fortunately the lack of basket and knife was not a problem for me as there were barely any fungi to be found! Too dry they said! One thing was for sure, the ground may be too dry but I am certainly not too dry, soaked to the skin would be a better description. I was torn between looking for non-existent fungi and trying to keep at least one other person in site so that I didn't get lost in the vast forest. After a bit more than an hour, apparently, someone called out that they were abandoning the search and returning to base camp. I say apparently as by this time I was virtually deaf because of the wet hood clinging to my head. I was also half blind because of the raindrops on my specs. Not a pretty sight!! Fortunately "newbie" was not far from me and he heard the order to abandon. The part of the forest that we were in was cut in 2 places by deep gullies. We had already been to the bottom of one to see some tiny fungi that someone had found down there. The descent and ascent were not easy and neither of us fancied trying that again. We set off in what seemed the right direction and eventually found what much to our relief, seemed to be a path which then lead to a definate track throught the forest. After walking along the track, for about 10 minutes we came to a clearing where the track stopped. Only solution was to turn around and follow the track back to its other end. At this point I had to say to "newbie" that I would catch him up in a couple of minutes as I had to relieve (pipi) myself!! I did note that he took advantage of this and did the same thing! Thankfully the track eventually led out onto a narrow lane and after another 10 minutes or so we were pleased to see just the one car waiting for us. George ferried us back to base camp where we were to have a picnic lunch. I have to say that I don't think I have ever been so wet in all my life and there was no way I could sit down and eat lunch like that. Being so near home I gave my excuses and said that I had to go home and change and would be back in half an hour. Back home, quick change and dry down and back I went. Everyone was settled and eating lunch in the, thankfully, undercover part of the picnic area and George and Marie-Louise had not only saved me a place they also had a folding chair for me. Another memo to self: bring folding chair next time. I have to say that French picnics have nothing on English picnics!! Most people take some sort of salad, cold meats, baguette, cheese, fruit, wine and coffee. One lady had made a large gateau which she handed round to us all. A veritable feast. The company too was good. I discovered that Georges has a wicked sense of humour and also speaks a little English. Marie-Louise speaks some English too and was eager to practise on me so the conversation was a mix of both languages. So depite the weather it was a very pleasant outing and good to meet the other members of the group.

Double Glazing day

Today we have the first people coming to give us a quote for double glazing the house. We have a lot of windows here and in the "garden room" and dining room we have double glazed doors. There will be a big heat loss in the winter time when we have the central heating on. As this is our principal residence and we have just bought it we are entitled to a 40% grant towards the cost of the double glazing as long as the work is done by the 31st Dec. 2008. Not to be sneezed at! Two very smart (typical D.G. salesmen) arrived at 10am as arranged. We did a tour of the house and they measured the windows before sitting down to do the nitty gritty. One of them showed us samples of the windows whilst the other one did the sums. We were pleasantly surprised with the quote, not as much as we had thought. Of course they wanted an answer there and then but we said we had to have other quotes and that we want their quote in writing. So they are back next Tuesday. Have done some research on the web and trying to find 2 other firms to quote. One is coming next Monday the others have not yet rung back. Watch this space!
A very mild day again but quite dull so good for being out in the garden and pulling out yet more brambles. Nigel carrying on with building the wardrobe.

Busy Day

Today was the day I launched myself into a new social life here in Les Landes!! After lunch I went into Mont de Marsan to play Scrabble. Unfortunately I got a bit lost and was late getting there but everyone was understanding. They play "normal" i.e everyone for themselves, as opposed to the duplicate Scrabble we played in Artigat. We played about 6 games and I was fourth out of four for 5 of the games! Still it is all good practise and improves my French vocabulary. I have to say that I felt quite young, always a nice feeling, as the other ladies were quite elderly. They were all very pleasant though and I shall continue to go. I got back home just before 6pm and was on the road again at 7.30 to go to my first bridge lesson. Thought I had better leave in plenty of time in case I got lost again! Luckily I had a map and although I went wrong at one point I did get there in time. The bridge club is on the edge of a vast sporting complex with a rugby pitch and many tennis courts. I have joined the 2nd year despite asking to go back to the first year. It is 10 years since I have played and they play a different system here as well, of course, speaking a different language!!I don't think there are enough people for a first year so we are 2 people from last years' first year and 3 of us who have some knowledge of the game. Our teacher is very pleasant, speaks clearly and obviously knows her stuff and is a keen player. I made a complete hash of the first hand I played, nerves more than anything else I think. Must do better. Apparently we usually get homework but haven't got any yet. The lesson went from 8pm until 10.30, I have to say I was losing a bit of concentration during the last half hour. Looking forward to next week though.

Monday

Another week. Weather has turned warm again which is good after the few very chilly days that we had last week. I went up to the paper shop in Villeneuve de Marsan where I have been able to order my fix of UK paper, the Saturday edition of the Daily Telegraph. After that I went into Mont de Marsan to get a wall bracket for the satellite dish and to do some shopping. After shopping I went into the hairdresser to have my hair cut, shampooed and styled. Desperately needed as I hadn't been to the hairdressers since I was in Devon in March. I was very pleased with them so shall go there again. Back home Nigel is still struggling with the satellite with no success. In the afternoon he carried on with building the wardrobes in our bedroom and I went back to the garden. The garden here has been very thoughtfully planted in the past and is somewhat overgrown. I have cut back a lot of the shrubs and released them from the brambles that were smothering them. We have a big oleander bush that was smothered with brambles and now that I have cleared them it is looking a lot happier. There is a nice little shrubbery at the front of the house with different coloured shrubs. Another patch is planted with ornamental quince, roses, rosa rugosa, berberis and juniper horizontalis. It was dreadfully overgrown and covered in brambles so we have cut it back and pulled out the brambles. There is a huge magnolia tree and a large silk tree, Albizia, both of which will look stunning in the spring. A camellia is struggling to find the light being shaded by a large overgrown laurel that we shall cut down. There are two borders with several old shrub roses which I have pruned back. In between the roses there are iris. The soil is very poor, sandy clay. At the side of the house are a large fig tree, bamboo and a hibiscus. The vegetable garden is still producing lots of tomatoes but the courgettes and peppers are struggling. There are several old vines which don't look to have been pruned for several years so I shall prune them when the leaves have fallen and hope that they will recover for next year. The hedges are composed of several plants, laurel, bamboo and wild plum mainly. Part of the laurel hedge is well overrun with brambles so that is my next task, to cut them out of the hedge.

Weekend

Still quite chilly but blue skies so hope it will warm up. Nigel did yet another run to the tip with more cardboard boxes and garden rubbish. It's not like Carol where we could dump all the garden rubbish in the field to rot down! I sat and looked at the garden and the birds. We seem to have a lot of bird life round here, tree creepers, blackbirds, robins, doves, wagtails and in the distance we see egrets flying over the fields. The doves are the most noticable and audible and are quite tame. I have seen them, several times, sitting on the patio outside the kitchen door.
The afternoon was devoted to trying to set up the satellite dish for UK TV. We have been told that this is quite a difficult and fiddly operation and may take some time! A whole afternoon was spent on this, mostly by Nigel, but no success as yet.
Sunday morning we went to a boot sale, vide grenier as they are called here, about 20kms away in a little town not far from the cottage we were living in before we moved in here. I didn't think it would be a large one but it was, lots of interesting stalls. Despite the fact that I said I wouldn't buy anything, particularly anything decorative, I bought a Crown Devon wash bowl in perfect condition. It is the first time that I have seen any Crown Devon for sale in France and I just couldn't resitst it despite Nigels' moans and groans. I have no idea where I can put it, it is far too big, but am sure I will find a home for it somewhere.
After the boot sale we had lunch in Eugenie les Bains. Eugenie is a little town about 15 kms from here and is a spa town. It's a place that I am very fond of, beautiful gardens surrounding the town. There is a hotel and restaurant there that is owned and run by Michel Guerard who is a very famous, and very expensive!, French chef. I believe dinner costs around 140 euros so we shall not be going there very often!! The spa is run by the French health service and is for people with rheumatic and obesity problems. The bistro there is very nice and we had a very good and extensive lunch accompanied by a couple of glasses of good local red wine.

Day of the tent

An early start today as I had to take Rambo to have a blood test at the vets at 9am. He has been chipped and had his rabies injections so once the blood test has been done he will be able to travel, if necessary to the UK. A cool morning but a nice drive through the village and the forest for about 8 kms before joining the main road. Saw some swallows lining up on the telephone wires getting ready for their long journey to warmer climes for the winter. Just at the point where we meet the main road there is the big Bonduelle, vegetable canning factory, where the sweet corn that was harvested here is being processed. The vet is in Grenade sur l'Adour, a nice little town on the banks of the river Adour. The vet was charming and chatty and we were with him for 40 minutes. Talked about horses, hunting, English in France, thought we were going to be with him for the morning! Put Rambo back in the car and went to get a morning paper and was tempted to buy a pain aux raisins for Nigel and a croissant for myself. Back home and we sat outside and ate the goodies along with a cup of coffee. The sun is shining and the temperature rising quickly.
Last week we bought a trailer tent that we saw advertised. Although we are within day trip distance of the sea thought it would be good to have the tent so that we can spend 2 or 3 nights at the beach in the spring and autumn. So the weather being good we thought we would have a practise at erecting it. We bought it from friends of the owner and had tried to put it up at the time but the chap who was showing us how to do it didn't have a clue. Well, it did take us most of the rest of the day to work it out but now that we have done so it should be much easier next time. It is very spacious and has a sitting area, a kitchen area, a bedroom and a large awning. It has another awning that fits onto the side but I doubt we should ever use that. As I was making lunch I also mixed up some bread dough so that it would be ready for the magic hour of 2 o clock. We have low rate electric from 2-5p.m and from 2am to 7am so try to use the oven, the dishwasher and the washing machine during those hours.
We finally finished "playing " with the tent and had it packed up again by 5.30pm. A good feeling to know that we can do it! Not too many cross words either!!

Next day

A surprisingly cool day for this time of year. After breakfast I took the dogs out. Just up the lane from here is a turn off onto a cart track which goes through the fields which are planted with maize. The track eventually goes back into a lane which leads, past a duck farm with several hundred ducks in the field, future foie gras, and into our part of the village. The walk takes about half an hour and the dogs are able to have a good run.

Back home Nigel is planning the built in wardrobes for our bedroom as well as trying to decide where is the best place for the satellite dish for the TV. We haven't missed the TV as yet but with the nights drawing in I'm sure we will be wanting to watch it. We do have French TV at the moment but I have to say that their programmes are not very inspiring!!

I'm meeting Lily for lunch, in Mont de Marsan, so a change of clothes, wash and brush up and off I go. I met her at 12.30 at Gandis a very nice Indian restaurant in the town centre. A great novelty for us as there was a dearth of such establishments in Ariege. The owner is very pleasant and always has a warm welcome. A set lunch menu is 7euros60, very good value indeed. I have to say the service is rather slow but we were able to sit and have a good laugh and chat. After that we went to the "maison d'Associations" a centre for clubs in the town. We have joined a local club that had its first meeting of the season. I particularly wanted to join so that I could continue to play Scrabble but they offer all sorts of other things as well. They have outings to various places of interest, a monthly lunch, cinema outings and a weekly walk in the area. Lily wanted to join as they also provide Spanish lessons. She was introduced to the lady who does them and I had a difficult job keeping a straight face!! The lady was white haired with a very white face and dressed completely in black, I have to say that she looked as if she had come straight out of the Adams Family!! Apparently Lily has met her before and she was horrified when she realised that she had signed up to take lessons from her as she had French lessons from her in the past and the lessons folded after a couple of weeks as she was so bad!! Anyway it was good to meet quite a lot of people there and I'm sure that I shall enjoy the Scrabble sessions.

Back home late afternoon and Nigel is making progress with the wardrobe.

Rainy and cold so no work in the garden today.

life at castandet