You walk into a bakers with a big family of tourists together.
Numerous children cannot decide what they want and allow me to pass them.
A baguette please and there are 2 chocolatines left. The family want them I want them.
It all felt uncomfortable.
So my good deed for the day was to buy something else.
I wonder if they would have done the same?
Tuesday 29 July 2008
Thursday 24 July 2008
Eymet Market
I would like to say the market today at Eymet was a delight.
Perhaps because the weather was a bit overcast there was a 'good turnout' however my favourite
section has to be by the Church and La Poste.
So many people to say Bonjour to!
The cushions and embroidery "Lily Loves Roses' are exquisite and how anyone has the patience
to design and sew with such meticulous attention to detail is astonishing.
I hope she continues to be successful.
I also love Mels herbs and the mix of permanent shops on this 'drag' are well worth visiting.
Many 'knock' Eymet due to it's popularity with the British, but today there was a strong multi-nationality
mixture of both stalls and visitors. What on earth can be wrong with that?
Perhaps because the weather was a bit overcast there was a 'good turnout' however my favourite
section has to be by the Church and La Poste.
So many people to say Bonjour to!
The cushions and embroidery "Lily Loves Roses' are exquisite and how anyone has the patience
to design and sew with such meticulous attention to detail is astonishing.
I hope she continues to be successful.
I also love Mels herbs and the mix of permanent shops on this 'drag' are well worth visiting.
Many 'knock' Eymet due to it's popularity with the British, but today there was a strong multi-nationality
mixture of both stalls and visitors. What on earth can be wrong with that?
Wednesday 23 July 2008
The youth of today
Our teenage daughter has gone to visit relatives in the UK.
Her host asked if she would like to choose some of her favorite supermarket food.
She said she likes boiled eggs for breakfast and her Aunt promptly picked up a box of
six eggs. "I can't eat THOSE" she said, "They are caged hens and I only eat eggs from hens reared in the open air".
Armed with wholemeal bread, free range eggs and organic salad she was taken home for her
Aunt to clear the fridge throwing in the general rubbish two plastic bottles. "Don't you recycle? followed
by a lengthy speech on lifespan of a plastic bottle and the manufacturing of fleece material.
Then the worst crime against the planet, disgraced Aunty 'filled' the kettle to make 'A' cup of tea, to which the energy
consumption and deposits in the water from continued boiling lecture followed!
We came to France for a more peaceful life and now have a bilingual 'eco-warrior' for a daughter.
It could be worse seeing the UK news is frightening but it shows the softly softly approach of care of the environment in
France rubs off without us realising!
Her host asked if she would like to choose some of her favorite supermarket food.
She said she likes boiled eggs for breakfast and her Aunt promptly picked up a box of
six eggs. "I can't eat THOSE" she said, "They are caged hens and I only eat eggs from hens reared in the open air".
Armed with wholemeal bread, free range eggs and organic salad she was taken home for her
Aunt to clear the fridge throwing in the general rubbish two plastic bottles. "Don't you recycle? followed
by a lengthy speech on lifespan of a plastic bottle and the manufacturing of fleece material.
Then the worst crime against the planet, disgraced Aunty 'filled' the kettle to make 'A' cup of tea, to which the energy
consumption and deposits in the water from continued boiling lecture followed!
We came to France for a more peaceful life and now have a bilingual 'eco-warrior' for a daughter.
It could be worse seeing the UK news is frightening but it shows the softly softly approach of care of the environment in
France rubs off without us realising!
Sunday 20 July 2008
2010
Looks like from 2010 we are only allowed to use 'low consumation eco' light bulbs.
They appear to last for years, you also cannot put them in the your household rubbish and
must only be disposed of in special bins at participating dechetteries.
So we use less energy in our homes but more fuel and driver emissions getting them there!
Eymet Brocante today, not too hot so looking good!
They appear to last for years, you also cannot put them in the your household rubbish and
must only be disposed of in special bins at participating dechetteries.
So we use less energy in our homes but more fuel and driver emissions getting them there!
Eymet Brocante today, not too hot so looking good!
Friday 18 July 2008
Oooh it's hot!
Miramont de Guyenne night market tonight, they were setting up tables at 9am so expect a good turn out.
Chance of rain nil (we hope) so lots of delicious seafood and local wine,
See you later
Chance of rain nil (we hope) so lots of delicious seafood and local wine,
See you later
Wednesday 16 July 2008
Driving
Summer driving has a bizarre twist.
In summer when the heat is outside reaching the upper twenties and thirties (centigrade) I blast my aircon at 16 degrees. I am wearing just the basics and chill in the car at cool temperature. Wonderful!
In the winter when it is 16 and below, I drive huddled in jumpers. trousers and a scarf, even a coat. The heater on the car blasts at 26 degrees. This too is wonderful.
Perhaps everyone has a perfect ambiant temperature. Personally I prefer less clothes, warm dry weather and cool car.
In summer when the heat is outside reaching the upper twenties and thirties (centigrade) I blast my aircon at 16 degrees. I am wearing just the basics and chill in the car at cool temperature. Wonderful!
In the winter when it is 16 and below, I drive huddled in jumpers. trousers and a scarf, even a coat. The heater on the car blasts at 26 degrees. This too is wonderful.
Perhaps everyone has a perfect ambiant temperature. Personally I prefer less clothes, warm dry weather and cool car.
Monday 14 July 2008
Bodegas, Bergerac & Bastille day
For anyone unsure a what a Bodega is, In Spain its a Warehouses specifically for wine, In New York City its a Corner Shop, and in Poland its a Brothel.
However in France, the local Bodegas are a great night out with music, dancing and free flowing wine and food! The open air 'repas' evening is not to be missed and last night was no exception.
However today and especially tonight every corner, nook and cranny of France will be reveling in the 14th July celebrations.
France is a country that often boasts areas with as few as 14 residents to a square kilometre yet you don't need to travel to Paris or Marseille to join in and Party. Bergerac has spectacular fireworks and is worth the trip if you can face the gridlock on the bridges.
Bergerac always has fond memories when one morning many years ago I needed to 'dash' into Bergerac to find a morning festival of the largest omelette in France taking place.
Bergerac obviously likes things to be big and bold. You only need to ask Hector Savinien de 'Cyrano de Bergerac', better known for his large nose (and by all accounts a great lover) if Bergerac celebrated things oversized. Perhaps the moral to that story was to ask the ladies!
However in France, the local Bodegas are a great night out with music, dancing and free flowing wine and food! The open air 'repas' evening is not to be missed and last night was no exception.
However today and especially tonight every corner, nook and cranny of France will be reveling in the 14th July celebrations.
France is a country that often boasts areas with as few as 14 residents to a square kilometre yet you don't need to travel to Paris or Marseille to join in and Party. Bergerac has spectacular fireworks and is worth the trip if you can face the gridlock on the bridges.
Bergerac always has fond memories when one morning many years ago I needed to 'dash' into Bergerac to find a morning festival of the largest omelette in France taking place.
Bergerac obviously likes things to be big and bold. You only need to ask Hector Savinien de 'Cyrano de Bergerac', better known for his large nose (and by all accounts a great lover) if Bergerac celebrated things oversized. Perhaps the moral to that story was to ask the ladies!
Thursday 10 July 2008
Bastille day cometh
Taking a quick peep at the history of our beloved France, it seems there has been a re-run of some of the US / European issues.
In the reign of Louis XVI, France faced a financial crisis, triggered by the cost of intervening in the American War of Independence. This was made worse by a system of taxation that was not in line with other countries.
There had to be a revolution. The 14th July 1789 the 'Bastille' was stormed.
Now we face oil crisis, the US has cash flow problems, crazy fuel and food prices.
Nowadays July is almost a permanent holiday in France, Garages, Notaires and Government offices totally shutting down (only beaten by a bigger shutdown in August!).
Bastille day is celebrated with village parties and street fetes, the best thing about living in France, they certainly know how to throw a party!
Remember after Saturday the shops are shut until Tuesday!
In the reign of Louis XVI, France faced a financial crisis, triggered by the cost of intervening in the American War of Independence. This was made worse by a system of taxation that was not in line with other countries.
There had to be a revolution. The 14th July 1789 the 'Bastille' was stormed.
Now we face oil crisis, the US has cash flow problems, crazy fuel and food prices.
Nowadays July is almost a permanent holiday in France, Garages, Notaires and Government offices totally shutting down (only beaten by a bigger shutdown in August!).
Bastille day is celebrated with village parties and street fetes, the best thing about living in France, they certainly know how to throw a party!
Remember after Saturday the shops are shut until Tuesday!
Tuesday 8 July 2008
Just a bit concerned
...about
1. Constantly thinking about the weather
2. Wondering if I have missed Summer and I should be ordering gaz
3. Why on July 8th 2008 I am traveling to Eymet with my car heater on
4. My pool (with the solar cover on) is only 20degrees
5. Worrying what it will do to local tourism. Bodegas and Festivals are so good for villages, all that planning!
6. Where did I put my fleece, Oh yes! next to my hot chocolate!
1. Constantly thinking about the weather
2. Wondering if I have missed Summer and I should be ordering gaz
3. Why on July 8th 2008 I am traveling to Eymet with my car heater on
4. My pool (with the solar cover on) is only 20degrees
5. Worrying what it will do to local tourism. Bodegas and Festivals are so good for villages, all that planning!
6. Where did I put my fleece, Oh yes! next to my hot chocolate!
Saturday 5 July 2008
Target
Plug in, spray, battery operated it makes no difference,
Even hermetically sealed windows seem to be defied by their ability to break in.
In the dead of night the intruder somehow manages to effect entry, and the target is the unsuspecting.
By the time deep quality sleep has set in, the scene is set.
A leg, arm or better still a soft juicy cheek is all that is required.
Sometimes the stalker is stalled by supersensitive hearing, occasionally the lucky get trapped but never-the-less
the nocturnal feast is apparent to the victim.
Yes, a mosquito.
It takes one, just one, to get in, as if by magic and the extra lucky ones get in a mozzie net!
How can something so small get so hungry and how can they bite so many times.
I am sure they take the role of Santa and come down the chimney, the gift (in the form of Christmas, New Year and Birthdays all rolled into one) is me!
Even hermetically sealed windows seem to be defied by their ability to break in.
In the dead of night the intruder somehow manages to effect entry, and the target is the unsuspecting.
By the time deep quality sleep has set in, the scene is set.
A leg, arm or better still a soft juicy cheek is all that is required.
Sometimes the stalker is stalled by supersensitive hearing, occasionally the lucky get trapped but never-the-less
the nocturnal feast is apparent to the victim.
Yes, a mosquito.
It takes one, just one, to get in, as if by magic and the extra lucky ones get in a mozzie net!
How can something so small get so hungry and how can they bite so many times.
I am sure they take the role of Santa and come down the chimney, the gift (in the form of Christmas, New Year and Birthdays all rolled into one) is me!
Friday 4 July 2008
4th July
Today the USA celebrates independence.
In a funny sort of way every ex-pat does the same everyday.
We may live by the ways of our host country,
there may be those who certainly do prefer a croissant dipped in a bowl of chocolate
to a bacon butty.
But when it comes to sport the Brits are by nationality patriotic!
In a funny sort of way every ex-pat does the same everyday.
We may live by the ways of our host country,
there may be those who certainly do prefer a croissant dipped in a bowl of chocolate
to a bacon butty.
But when it comes to sport the Brits are by nationality patriotic!
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Why 'we' are here
In the past week Summer has arrived with blistering heat.
It was only two weeks ago that the gardens & fields were wet through, and the poor harvests were predicted.
In true farmers style now we are going to have a heatwave and water shortage! Yet from the English residents the same words
are uttered over and over again.
This is why we are here.
However many problems we have with language, electricity providers or property renovations, it just takes a river boat trip, meal
and a glass of wine on a sunny day, or lounge by a pool and it all gets forgotten when the sun is shining.
It was only two weeks ago that the gardens & fields were wet through, and the poor harvests were predicted.
In true farmers style now we are going to have a heatwave and water shortage! Yet from the English residents the same words
are uttered over and over again.
This is why we are here.
However many problems we have with language, electricity providers or property renovations, it just takes a river boat trip, meal
and a glass of wine on a sunny day, or lounge by a pool and it all gets forgotten when the sun is shining.
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