Just for Sian on Life on a Small Island, here's a recent picture of Henry, our cat. As I said, he's not the most photogenic moggy and this was the only shot I got of him with his eyes open!!Now he is trying to walk across the keyboard .....
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Henry
Posted by Rosie
Just for Sian on Life on a Small Island, here's a recent picture of Henry, our cat. As I said, he's not the most photogenic moggy and this was the only shot I got of him with his eyes open!!
Now he is trying to walk across the keyboard .....
Just for Sian on Life on a Small Island, here's a recent picture of Henry, our cat. As I said, he's not the most photogenic moggy and this was the only shot I got of him with his eyes open!!Now he is trying to walk across the keyboard .....
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Boris is a dad, a dad, a dad......
Posted by Simon
....a dad, a dad, a dad, a dad. This afternoon I was suppose to be helping our friend Ian to get 2 lambs ready for the freezer, but to my surprise I was told that Isadora had gone into labour and Jane was with her.
....a dad, a dad, a dad, a dad. This afternoon I was suppose to be helping our friend Ian to get 2 lambs ready for the freezer, but to my surprise I was told that Isadora had gone into labour and Jane was with her. Two piglets had already been born by the time I arrived but I watched the next four come into the world. 
It was great. We kept them away from mum for a while whilst she was in labour because of the risk of mum rolling on the piglets, then we got them feeding from mum.
It was great. We kept them away from mum for a while whilst she was in labour because of the risk of mum rolling on the piglets, then we got them feeding from mum. We were not sure if all the the piglets had been born but as the placenta had not been pushed out the was a chance of more to come. And sure enough one more little piglet popped out - and looked very much like dad. Now she has the name of 'Boris Minor'.
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
That's France for you
Posted by Rosie
When you have a new Septic Tank (Fosse Septique) in France, you first need a soil study to ascertain what system you can have then when the pipework is all in, you need an inspection to check everything is as it should be, then you can close it all up and use your new Fosse. Well, that was what we were told.
So we had our soil survey, ordered the relevant materials and started to install the system - with a considerable amount of difficulty because it was necessary to leave all the trenches open for inspection. Once Simon finally got to the point we could call in SPANC (the Fosse checking body) I tried to phone up to arrange for an inspection.
Phone call Number 1 - after fumbling to explain what I needed the lady eventually cottoned on and said I needed a different number. She did however very kindly give me the words I needed (Un certificat de conformité sur les traveaux de notre maison)
Phone call Number 2 - ah yes she said - right office but we don't cover your commune so she gave me the number she thought I needed.
Phone call Number 3 - well I should have realised this would be the wrong number as it was not a local code - it was in fact in the Loire Valley! I explained I needed a Calvados number and she said ring another number.
Phone call Number 4 - "Sorry" a very nice lady answered, she couldn't help and I should go to my Mayor's Office.
Next day - trip to Mayor's Office. "No" said the secretary, "I can't give you the number because there is no SPANC to cover Lénault." She thought we didn't need an inspection but I should ring the planning authority to check.
Phone call Number 5 - "I'm sorry" said the lady at reception but the person you need has gone home. "Can you ring back tomorrow please."
Phone call Number 6 - I FINALLY got through to some-one who gave me a concrete answer to my request for a Certificat de Conformité. "You don't need one" she said, somewhat surprised that I had even asked.
Ahhhhhhhhh. If only we had know this earlier Simon would have been able to progress so much faster and the system would now be in place rather than a mass of gaping holes, that can't be back-filled because the digger has once again broken down. I repeat - Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
When you have a new Septic Tank (Fosse Septique) in France, you first need a soil study to ascertain what system you can have then when the pipework is all in, you need an inspection to check everything is as it should be, then you can close it all up and use your new Fosse. Well, that was what we were told.
So we had our soil survey, ordered the relevant materials and started to install the system - with a considerable amount of difficulty because it was necessary to leave all the trenches open for inspection. Once Simon finally got to the point we could call in SPANC (the Fosse checking body) I tried to phone up to arrange for an inspection.
Phone call Number 1 - after fumbling to explain what I needed the lady eventually cottoned on and said I needed a different number. She did however very kindly give me the words I needed (Un certificat de conformité sur les traveaux de notre maison)
Phone call Number 2 - ah yes she said - right office but we don't cover your commune so she gave me the number she thought I needed.
Phone call Number 3 - well I should have realised this would be the wrong number as it was not a local code - it was in fact in the Loire Valley! I explained I needed a Calvados number and she said ring another number.
Phone call Number 4 - "Sorry" a very nice lady answered, she couldn't help and I should go to my Mayor's Office.
Next day - trip to Mayor's Office. "No" said the secretary, "I can't give you the number because there is no SPANC to cover Lénault." She thought we didn't need an inspection but I should ring the planning authority to check.
Phone call Number 5 - "I'm sorry" said the lady at reception but the person you need has gone home. "Can you ring back tomorrow please."
Phone call Number 6 - I FINALLY got through to some-one who gave me a concrete answer to my request for a Certificat de Conformité. "You don't need one" she said, somewhat surprised that I had even asked.
Ahhhhhhhhh. If only we had know this earlier Simon would have been able to progress so much faster and the system would now be in place rather than a mass of gaping holes, that can't be back-filled because the digger has once again broken down. I repeat - Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Bed Time
Posted by Simon
We have another 'helpex'er' arriving tomorrow and it was with a sudden realisation that we did not have enough beds. Sleeping on the floor is okay for a while but for a few weeks is not so nice. Also one of the beds is Ben's old toddler bed and he is now too long for it. So I decided to make a new bed for Ben.
Over the last couple of evening I have been working away in the workshop and last night it was finished. Ben was bought in, with eyes closed, to the workshop and when he opened them and saw the bed his face was a picture. Then he saw that I had routed his name in the headboard - he was over the moon. He then spent the next hour helping us sand it down.
This morning we moved beds and furniture around, as we'll have both Tom and Ben in our room for the next couple of weeks. Dragos (helpex'er) and I got the new bed into Ben's bedroom- through the window and tonight Ben gets to sleep in his new bed. But only for one night as our other helpex arrives tomorrow. Ben is back in the toddler bed.
And I'm sure you can guess - yes, I'll be making a bed for Tom next.
We have another 'helpex'er' arriving tomorrow and it was with a sudden realisation that we did not have enough beds. Sleeping on the floor is okay for a while but for a few weeks is not so nice. Also one of the beds is Ben's old toddler bed and he is now too long for it. So I decided to make a new bed for Ben.
Over the last couple of evening I have been working away in the workshop and last night it was finished. Ben was bought in, with eyes closed, to the workshop and when he opened them and saw the bed his face was a picture. Then he saw that I had routed his name in the headboard - he was over the moon. He then spent the next hour helping us sand it down.
This morning we moved beds and furniture around, as we'll have both Tom and Ben in our room for the next couple of weeks. Dragos (helpex'er) and I got the new bed into Ben's bedroom- through the window and tonight Ben gets to sleep in his new bed. But only for one night as our other helpex arrives tomorrow. Ben is back in the toddler bed.
And I'm sure you can guess - yes, I'll be making a bed for Tom next.
Friday, 20 November 2009
Protect the Tooth Mouse
Posted by Rosie
A friend popped in this morning and whilst chatting over coffee she recounted this lovely little story which I wanted to share.
Recently, her son lost his first tooth (kicked out accidentally by his friend but that is neither here nor there!). Now in England, America and I'm sure many countries, lost teeth are placed under the pillow and the Tooth Fairy takes them in exchange for some
money. In France and other European countries the Fairy is replaced by the Tooth Mouse. Young Raphael places his tooth under his pillow. So far so good. Then the panic sets in. Mice have many enemies. So to ensure the safest possible passage for this money-carrying rodent all the mousetraps in the house had to be unset and the cat had to spend the night outside!!
Much to Raphael's relief, the Mouse took the tooth and delivered his money. He was happy but I'm not sure what the cat thought about all of this!
A friend popped in this morning and whilst chatting over coffee she recounted this lovely little story which I wanted to share.
Recently, her son lost his first tooth (kicked out accidentally by his friend but that is neither here nor there!). Now in England, America and I'm sure many countries, lost teeth are placed under the pillow and the Tooth Fairy takes them in exchange for some
money. In France and other European countries the Fairy is replaced by the Tooth Mouse. Young Raphael places his tooth under his pillow. So far so good. Then the panic sets in. Mice have many enemies. So to ensure the safest possible passage for this money-carrying rodent all the mousetraps in the house had to be unset and the cat had to spend the night outside!! Much to Raphael's relief, the Mouse took the tooth and delivered his money. He was happy but I'm not sure what the cat thought about all of this!
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Works Update
Posted by SimonThe beginning of this week we have been organising and ordering materials for future works plus we went to Caen to get the doors and windows for the gites (see previous post). Yesterday I managed to get the windows installed but I hadn't chosen the best of days as the wind was howling. I now have to do some finishing work but otherwise I'm really pleased they are in and the difference is noticeable. Well I suppose it would be considering what was there before!
The first of our two 'Helpex'ers, Dragos, arrived yesterday and was put to work first thing this morning. He has done a lovely job back filling round one of the septic tanks - one down one to go - and another job can be crossed off the list. He did well but jet lag and lack of sleep finally got to him this afternoon. And I didn't slave drive him, honest - he volunteered.
I continued work on the filter beds and
finished laying the pipes in the third trench and got the final two trenches dug. These went much better. I decided to leave digging them until today as the forecast had promised dryer weather, which was the case today, and with the wind as well the soil had dried out. Also I did dig them further apart which meant I was not pushing soil, or sliding, into the other trenches - maybe all the practise I've had - but to me it looks a neater job.Tomorrow I'll get the gravel and pipes in and hopefully it can then be inspected before being filled it - a lot of work just to go to the toilet though!
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Well, if you don't ask
Posted by Rosie
..... you don't get.
Simon and I went to collect the last of the gite windows and it's new doors today. We had just paid when Simon looked down and saw that there was a promotion on for all exterior products. He remembered that the salesman had said that he would honour any such offers that came up between our ordering and collecting the windows. "I'll ask" said Simon. He asked. The salesgirl made a quick phone call to her manager and hey presto, they knocked 200€ off the price. Result.
Earlier we had bought a mattress and when the price came up at the till, eagled-eyed Simon noticed it was 30€ more than the marked price. He scooted off to check and found out that the price was now the higher one but as the mattress was marked at the lower price we could have it for that amount. "In that case," I said, "We'll have two!!"
..... you don't get.
Simon and I went to collect the last of the gite windows and it's new doors today. We had just paid when Simon looked down and saw that there was a promotion on for all exterior products. He remembered that the salesman had said that he would honour any such offers that came up between our ordering and collecting the windows. "I'll ask" said Simon. He asked. The salesgirl made a quick phone call to her manager and hey presto, they knocked 200€ off the price. Result.
Earlier we had bought a mattress and when the price came up at the till, eagled-eyed Simon noticed it was 30€ more than the marked price. He scooted off to check and found out that the price was now the higher one but as the mattress was marked at the lower price we could have it for that amount. "In that case," I said, "We'll have two!!"
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