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.