So here we are at the end of February already. We've just had the most glorious week's weather. I've just got back from walking the dogs along the River Charente which runs alongside the field at the bottom of the garden. The wild flowers are increasing in number every day--celandines everywhere now. The birds are singing loudly and today both dogs decided to go for a swim to cool off. Once upon a time I would have panicked at Battie going in the river, when there are lambs bleating loudly on the opposite bank. In Anglesey I quickly realised that if I could see sheep on the horizon, so could she--and without anything better to do she would go & round them up.
Here, in France, as long as she has her ball, she doesn't seem to give sheep a thought! --of course, there are times when you long to go for a walk without having to throw the wretched thing for her!
Not only has the weather been great, but I've had B&B's 2 weeks running. The first couple came with their 3 gorgeous dogs--2 bulldog bitches--both as soppy as they come-- and what I think was called a 'spinoli'-- a large Italian hunting dog. They'd all driven down from Yorkshire, come through the tunnel--signed the 'Acte de Vente' for their new home in France--and then they crashed out with us for a couple of days whilst waiting for their furniture to arrive.
Then yesterday I had my next visitor. Another prospective house buyer-- this time for a holiday home. The house purchase is nearly complete, but a few plans for house improvements were being sought. The ultimate compliment:-- 'if my improvements turn out as well as yours, I'll be thrilled!!'
Anyhow, it all went very well--we've made some new friends, and also got back into the swing of B&B-ing!
This morning, Gilles, our French farmer rapped loudly on the door & told Geoff that he'd got 'un problem' -- the upshot of this means that Geoff is driving him, and a hired trailer to Chalon-sur-Saone ( about 5-6 hours east)--starting off at 3.00 this (tomorrow?) morning, where they'll collect a 2-furrow reversable plough. They anticipate being back by 2pm! I think we're getting about 12 month's supply of wood in return. Although Gilles doesn't speak English, and Geoff's French is a little wobbly ( & that's being very polite!)--I can't see that they'll have too many problems. For some reason it is much easier to communicate with the local patois-speaking peasants--who talk slowly--and mime everything, than with the more educated French, who have a much greater vocabulary and insist in speaking horribly fast.
On Sunday--March 1st-- Jacki at Beau Regard ( next door--well, 100m up the road!) is holding her 2nd eventing/showjumping week-end.
The first was at the end of November. After building a super course of 17 fences and jumps--in duplicate, so that beginners and more advanced riders could cope, the turn-out was non-existent ( 2 horses!). This was because there was a'tempete' the night before. Trees were uprooted--rooves were blown away-- and , although we turned up to serve teas, and the fish & chip van turned up with food, most people stayed away. It was all incredibly disappointing.
I'm back in the tea caravan --and I hope we have a lot more people taking part this Sunday.
see:-
http://www.centredebeauregard.com/ for details.
1 comment:
Well done Maureville!!!!
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