A few weeks in France to clean up the cottage ready for selling, then back home

 

As soon as we hit land after our cruise, we headed out to France. This time the crossing wasn’t on water, but under via the channel tunnel. For me the simplest, fastest and normally the most efficient way of crossing into Europe. Albeit the most expensive.

The recent labour actions and enforced redundancies with P&O ferries resulting in the cancellation of the whole fleet had put a pressure on the tunnel. Not surprisingly, the lorries were stacked up for miles on the M20. Nevertheless the journey for us was smooth, and it wasn’t long before we were shooting south, down the empty motorways towards Bors du Montmoreau, just an hour north of Bordeaux.

First week was spent with our friend Annette, allowing us time to get the cottage fit for habitation, after virtually three years being locked up. That’s applies to us and the house. 

In fact the weather was so un seasonally cold, it was nice to be in a warm house. Great fun, catching up with gossip, eating and drinking too much and playing Mexican train most nights.

But it was also great to eventually get into the cottage once the sun came out in earnest and the temperature heated up.

Views from Annette’s, overlooking the recently plugged and sown fields

Michael had been keeping the lawns in check, so we only had the flower beds and grape vines to tend.

Albeit, there were the weedy edges to attend to. But that was taken in small hits, so not outfacing. Especially as we were dashing around like headless chickens, reacquainting ourself with the area and catching up with old friends.

The clear skies without any light pollution, sun setting. Peace and tranquility 

The views at the back of us. Just open spaces, undulating patchwork of forest, farms and grassland.

Another evening out with friends, food, drink and good company. Plenty of laughs.

Judith taking a rest, in between cleaning and tidying up the cottage.

Sat on the veranda watching the ever changing weather. Glorious rainbow.

Views from our cottage. Fruit trees in the foreground.

Our neighbour has erected a few tree houses that he rents out to holiday makers. Quite ingenious designs. One is perched over the top of his wild boar compound.

Our little place, but not sure for how long. Decided to put it on the market. We were just not getting out to use it. In fact our Scottish neighbours were  using it more than us. 

Our little orchard, apples, pears, cobnuts and the most delicious giant black cherries.

Red kites hovering over us. The farmer had just ploughed the field, so they were up looking for a meal.

Vines cut back

We were on our way round to see our good friends in Chatignac, only to get a message to say that Mike had just passed away the day before. Totally shocked. Mike had started feeling unwell at the weekend from all accounts. He will be sorely missed. 

Then two days later, one of our cruise buddies dies under similar circumstances. Very quick and unexpected.

Yvonne was always a cheery soul. 

And when great souls die,

after a period peace blooms,

slowly and always

irregularly. Spaces fill

with a kind of

soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never

to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.

We can be. Be and be

better. For they existed.

Life continues, and for us this meant more visits to friends. Unfortunately no rambling on this occasion, my Achilles was not mended, so it was impossible. Made do with relaxing and enjoying life. As well as dealing with the estate agent. Up to now he had only seen French buyers for the house. Most of which were looking for a permanent home. Typically they wanted a new house for very little money. Our little cottage was a summer home, it didn’t have a modern heat source pump providing heat and air conditioning for the extreme temperatures. The roof was not new, yet it was sound. So obviously this was not the one. 

Then whilst relaxing in the sun he appears with a viewing. Our first Brit. Seemed interested, but who knows.

Then a day later, he arrives with an Irish couple working in Dubai, looking for a little retreat. It goes well.

A week goes buy and we are about to depart on our journey back home and the message comes through that they have put an offer in. We decline, it’s too low. They up it and we accept.

Now the long drawn out wait to see if it all comes to fruition.

We head out after saying our farewell’s and head north back to Dover for the crossing to the U.K. 500 miles ahead of us. The sun is out and we are sorry to be saying farewell to our bolt hole n France. We question if it’s the right move.

The journey was pleasant and uneventful until we reached Drieu, when we encounter road rage from a driver who tried to force us off the road. In typical British fashion, ignored him. Although there were times when l thought he would just smash his car into ours. Put it down to him being pent up from Le Penn failing to win the election. But it wasn’t  pleasant.

Arrived too early at the tunnel, so headed for some food before returning to catch an earlier crossing.

Stayed in the Dover premier Inn overnight, but sleep evaded me. Possibly due to the occupant above in his size eleven hobnail boots stomping around until the early hours. Perhaps preparing for his Morris dancing event the following day.

Then at 6am someone’s alarm went off and was allowed to ring unchecked for an hour, when presumably the batteries ran out or the occupants returned from their early breakfast.

The next fiasco was trying to get soap from the empty container whilst slipping and sliding in the shower. 

Two coffee’s later and we head to see Stuart and Gwen at the cemetery. Tidied around the gravestone and then realised l had left my phone in the bedroom. Only a couple of miles away, so not too much of a problem.

But it was going to be one’s of those days.

We are held up at Ashford on the M20 contraflow due to a broken down lorry. Then crawled through one of Britains largest lorry parks, namely the Southern section of the M25.

But surprise, surprise, Birmingham was smooth, albeit a 30 minute crawl until we reached the RAC building, after which it was plain sailing. Singing along with Michael Buble on the radio, and scoring a magnificent seven points on pop master. Normally only score 1 if l’m lucky.

Sat nav had us reaching Greenock by 6.30pm.

That was until we reached Penrith.

Then hours  of holdup as the M6 at Carlisle was closed due to a petrol tanker accident, blocking both the North and South carriageways.

Eventually taken to Carlisle by the old A6 Penrith Road.

Stopped for a filet of fish at Mac Donald’s, a new restaurant in Botchigate, one of the rougher parts of town. Confirmed by a group of well oiled youths intimidating restaurant goers as they fight each other in the entrance. New inexperienced staff looked on with fear and trepidation. But the large fries, good coffee and solid bit of fish in a bun was a well earned refreshment, and a quarter of the price of the one last night in City Europe, Calais France.

Then to the new sainsbury’s for fuel and the odd essentials.

Exhausted we reached home, after spending  over 13 hours in the car.

Friday morning, the sun was out, washing over our already dried and parched plants. So the day was spent watering, clearing out those that hadn’t survived, along with the never ending job of emptying the suitcases that held our travel cloths and goodies from the past three months.

How is it that cloth hanger’s disappear after a prolonged departure. All the items packed came off hangers, but their is a definite shortage on the return.

But before we could do anything, realised that l had locked my padlock keys for the solum inside the solum. I mention this because the water stopcock is located in there, and if we want water in the house l need to get at it. Last night we were so tired we had just poured ourselves into bed. But now it was tea time. Water was required.

Good job l had spares. But it took a while to remember where they had been deposited. We had been away for two months, and the mind forgets. MSurprisingly enough, they appeared in the key cupboard. A first in our household.

Whilst we had been in France, Scotland was dry, so much so that many of our potted plants had given up the ghost and keeled over in desperation.

In fact News headlines were reporting the fact that we may need to ration water, banning hosepipes due to the reservoirs being empty. 

This quickly changed, and the skies dropped the liquid sunshine onto us.

We must have a little Cherokee blood in us. No need to perform a rain dance. Just come back home.

But the benefit could be seen almost immediately. Everything started to come back to life.  

The ferns are magical how they unfurl. 

Fete de Judith today 5th May

French flags and banners are out today in celebration of the Fete de Judith, although they are getting rather damp. It’s pouring down. Yesterday was moderately dry, enabling me to get into the garden. The satisfying job of weeding and trimming. Which gave me various cuttings that have been potted up in the hope of generating more plants.

Certain grasses have been moved to dryer conditions due to root rot caused by waterlogged ground. Hopefully the new landscape will enable them to recover.

Have all my jobs piling up, new towel rail was delivered yesterday, so should be fitted once l return from the voting at the local council ballot in the village hall. SNP are hoping for a clean slate win once again. Try my upmost to upset that with my single vote.

Having materials delivered today to enable me to put a hard standing for cars in the drive. So looking at the forecast to see the next dry day. Saturday and Sunday are looking good, 13 degrees, overcast, 10% chance of rain. Seems that l brought the cold and wet weather back from France.

Judith’s new hairdressing scissors arrived from Amazon yesterday, must have left the others in the house in France. So once the towel rails up, hair will be dropping onto to the floor.

More Airbnb bookings are flooding in, keep me busy this summer. Will have to get back into making my various breads. Will be putting on the pounds. Hot bread with lashings of butter. Mmmm’

Judith has the Airbnb room all ready for our first visitors

Wild garlic, now going to seed. We use the fresh young leaves for making pasta and also as a pesto sauce

The clematis has done surprisingly well this year. Must be the early spring sun that encouraged the growth, helped on with the occasional day or two of rain

Our first day out across the water, and a decent pint of Brewdog IPA. Yet it’s a bit of a struggle as my ankle is still causing jip.

When we were on our 42 night Caribbean cruise l played cricket every sea day. Last day before reaching The Azores l was hit by the ball on my achilleas and l haven’t been able to walk properly since. And that’s now six weeks.

From all accounts it will be a little longer before it’s mended . But only if l rest it. That’s the rub

I like the simplicity of this house. Perhaps my next project. But l will have to find a plot first.

Just amazing what you can find under an unremarkable piece of greenery.

The before and after photographs of a stadium in Turkey, recently unearthed

One of the old Puffers bellowing out the smoke. It still takes tours out for day trips. Wonder if they provide overhauls and face masks. If you look closely, you can see everyone is heading behind the wheelhouse to get away from the fumes.

One of the many small boats that takes small groups of guests on mini sailings around the Firth of Clyde and the Kintyre peninsula. 

With the deepest coastal waters in the British Isles, ancient castles, meandering lochs and an abundance of wildlife, this area is certainly best explored by boat.

The Kyles of Bute is said to be one of the prettiest sailing passages in Britain and, with fjord-like lochs and heather-clad hills, these waters make for perfect sheltered sailing experience.

HMS Portland, Royal Naval frigate heading out to sea

This month we have seen a real plethora of cruise liners head up the Clyde to Glasgow, stoping off before visiting the Scottish Isles and destinations further north.

Big and small boutique ships including Mein Schiff, Emerald Princess, MSC Magnifica, Royal Caribbean, Jewel of the Seas, saga Spirit of Discovery, Albatross Expedition Ocean Atlantic, Celebrity Apex and the luxury expedition ship Le Bellot on its way up to Iceland.

Paramedics are getting more like supermen. Just watched the BBC news which showed paramedics in the Lake District practicing with jet suites. Presently it can take two to three hours to get to a casualty on the hillside, but with the jet pack this could be reduced to three or four minutes. https://youtu.be/gtvCnZqZnxc

A More unusual craft seen shooting up the Clyde 

The latest in unmanned boats operated by the Royal Navy.

The 32ft vessel, named the ‘Madfox’, is packed with the latest gadgets and artificial intelligence kit. Built to head behind enemy lines or spy on drug gangs without the need of a crew.

The state-of-the-art drone, that looks like something from a James Bond film, is now being trialled by NavyX, a specialist naval branch dedicated to developing, testing cutting-edge technologies for use on the front line. It’s exactly what the Ukrainians need, especially as it can also launch rockets.

At least doing something right.

Still continuing to use my calorie counting app, just to monitor my daily intake. As you can see l was doing quite well until l went out for the day and consumed two pints of ipa 480cal, a Tennessee burger 823 cal, followed by three custard doughnuts 707 cal.

Sugar in wine

If you drink wine whether it’s red, white, rosé, fruit or sparkling, do you know how much sugar is in a glass or two? Research shows some bottles have up to 59g - more than a glazed doughnut . 

Analysis shows that it's possible to reach your daily sugar limit by drinking two medium-sized glasses of wine.

Must have been a vampire, or then again, the grave could have been near Edinburgh. The home of Burke and Hare, the grave robbers.

Heading across the water for the day. Makes a pleasant change to be up on top, out in the sunshine, not under cover away from the elements. 

Fortunate to see seals and pods of dolphins during the 20 minute crossing. Truly amazing.

Nothing changes - 

New steps in position, leading down into the wild garden.

Japanese garden maturing

Pond in the wild garden hosting a full range of beasties. While away the day seeking out frogs caddis fly larvae tadpoles water boatmen pond skaters and a newt

What a wonderful weekend celebrating the Queens reign.

So lucky to have such a stabilising monarch 

God save the Queen

Time to get the strimmer out and cut the paths through the wild garden.

Deck all ready for our Airbnb guests

Happy 70th to Catherine 

Had a great day, marvellous party

Quite a few friends have asked me for a simple bread recipe, they find my sourdough recipe a little complicated. So her goes.

Ingredients

• 500g strong white flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 tsp salt
• 7g sachet fast-action yeast ( make sure that it’s in date)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 300ml water

Method

• Mix 500g strong white flour, 2 tsp salt and a 7g sachet of fast-action yeast in a large bowl.
  
• Make a well in the centre, then add 3 tbsp olive oil and 300ml warm/hot , not boiling water, and mix well. If the dough seems a little stiff, add another 1-2 tbsp water and mix well.
  
• Tip onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for around 10 mins. (If you have a food mixer with a dough hook, mix and knead in the machine for 5 minutes.
  
• Once the dough is smooth, place it in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to rise for 1 hour until doubled in size or place in the fridge overnight. Because we don’t have a an warm airing cupboard l put my bowl in the oven. I don’t turn it on, instead l put a inspection light inside. The heat from the bulb is sufficient to warm up the oven.
  
• Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Knock back the dough (punch the air out and pull the dough in on itself) then gently mould the dough into a ball.
  
• Put it on the baking parchment to prove for a further hour in the oven with the light bulb until doubled in size.
  
• Alternatively, you could put the loaf into a cast iron casserole pot or a Dutch oven. This gives you a crispier loaf.
• Remove from the oven and set aside until the oven reaches 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. I always put a Yorkshire pudding tin, filled with water on the base of the oven to give off steam.
  
• Dust the loaf with some extra flour and cut a cross about 6cm long into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.
  
• Bake for 25-30 mins until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped underneath. Cool on a wire rack.

A few eco ideas.

Shampoo swap

“I’ve ditched plastic shampoo bottles for solid shampoo bars in my holiday washbag - as well as limiting the plastic I bring to my destination, they go further and are one less thing to worry about for the hand-luggage liquid limit.” Lucy Thackray

Refillable bottles

“I always travel with my own water bottles and keep these refilled - most airports have a drinking-water tap or fountain after security so you can go through with the bottle empty and fill up for free before your flight.” Mary Novakovich

Swap take away coffee cups for a reusable one

We all know travel leads to exhausting days, sleepless nights and early starts. Coffee is a necessity! Make sure to pack a reusable coffee cup

If you don’t have one yet, why not grab a destination mug to reminisce your travels? Worried about space? Purchase a collapsible cup that will slot straight into your bag. We can’t forget the best part – some coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own mug. It’s a win for the environment and a win for your wallet.

Swap single-use plastic straws for your own metal one

Enjoy sunset cocktails with a spectacular view knowing those straws won’t end up in the ocean. Language barriers can often get in the way when asking for no straw – they always seem to make their way in! Bring your own metal straw, show your waiter and it will help ease the language barrier.

Swap hotel minis for shampoo bars

As tempting as it can be take the cute hotel minis, they really are a waste of resources. Bring your own soap and shampoo bars. If you are short on space, cut the bars up into smaller pieces before you leave. Not only is this a great eco-friendly swap, it also leaves more space in your liquids bag if you are
travelling with a carry-on!

Swap tubed toothpaste for toothpaste tablets

This may sound like an odd swap. But once you start using toothpaste tablets, you won’t go back! Pack a handful of tablets into a small container and you are ready to go. Once again, this will save space in your liquids bag. Want to go one step further? Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one. Bamboo travel cases can also be purchased for your toothbrush.

Swap plastic bags for canvas totes

In addition to being eco-friendly, canvas bags are a fantastic accessory! They can be purchased in all sorts of great patterns and different sizes. Keep one folded up in the bottom of your travel bag. It will be at the ready when you find that perfect souvenir or if you need to grab groceries!

Opt to keep your towels and sheets

Holiday housekeeping can be a little extravagant. Opt to keep your towels for the duration of your stay. Most hotels will refrain from washing towels if they are hung up, rather than in a pile on the bathroom floor. Look through the hotel guide to find their policy. You should also discourage them from changing your sheets for short stays too – how often would you change them at home?

Swap takeaway containers for Beeswax wraps

Keeping your breakfast leftovers are a great way to save money whilst travelling. Pack some beeswax wraps and use them to pack up your leftovers. This is a perfect hack for camping trips, long road trips or even city breaks. Beeswax wraps are reusable, take up next-to-no space, come in a range of fantastic patterns and colours and of course are eco-friendly!

Swap your normal sunscreen for ocean-friendly sunscreen

Keeping yourself safe from the harmful effects of the sun is crucial on holidays. At the same time as protecting yourself, be sure you are protecting the ocean. Many popular sunscreen brands today contain harmful chemicals and microplastics that end up in the ocean, harming the reef and animals. Protect our blue waters by purchasing biodegradable and reef-friendly sunscreen that contain zinc oxide as the active ingredient. Brand such as Sukin, Sun Bum and Stream2Sea have fantastic ranges.

Use a search engine with eco goals

Researching the best restaurants, tours and viewpoints go hand in hand with travel. Ecosia is a search engine, just like Google. However, Ecosia uses the profits from advertising to plants trees all over the world. It is free to use and gives you similar results as a Google search. Research the ins and outs of your trip, and help to plant trees at the same time!

On the food waste front.

The average UK family throws away £730 of food that could’ve been eaten each year, while collectively we in our homes throw away 4.4 million potatoes, 2.7 million carrots and 1.2 million tomatoes every single day.

Here are my top food storage tips to avoid waste, cut costs and, hopefully, help save the planet:

1. TOMATOES. Should be stored in a bowl on the counter top rather than in the fridge as they tend to go ‘mealy’ in the fridge.
2. APPLES. Work well in a fruit bowl, but any bruised apples should be quickly removed as they give off more ethylene — it really is true that "one bad apple spoils the bunch".
   
3. BANANAS. These also give off ethylene which accelerates their ripening. To slow this down, simply pop a beeswax wrap or tin foil hat on the top of a bunch to give them a couple of extra days.
   
4. BREAD. To make your bread last longer, buy whole loaves rather than sliced, and wrap them in reusable cotton bags or plastic and store in an airtight container on the countertop. Perhaps the most effective way to store bread though is in the freezer, so you can just pull out a slice or two whenever you need it.
   
5. CAKE. Keep your cakes moist by storing them with a slice of bread on top of them; the bread will dry out (and can be used for breadcrumbs) but the cake will stay lovely and moist.
   
6. WINE. Freeze the ends of a bottle of wine in jam jars then pull one out whenever you’re cooking a risotto, or making a stew or gravy.
   
7. AVOCADO. Pop a slice of onion in a Tupperware with an opened avocado and it will prevent the avocado from going brown. Alternatively, rub the open side of the avocado with lemon juice. For your guacamole, simply spray it with a light layer of lukewarm water to prevent the air making contact and so keeping it fresh for longer.
   
8. HERBS. Should be stored like flowers, so in a jar of water on your countertop. Another option is to store them in Tupperware with a damp cloth or piece of kitchen towel in the fridge. Or if you want them to last even longer you can chop and freeze them in an ice-cube tray in oil or water (depending upon whether you want to use them for a stir fry or stew); or freeze them on a tray before bagging up for later.
   
9. DAIRY. Store them at the back of the fridge where it’s coldest to give maximum shelf life, not the door. Milk and cream can both be frozen, although make sure to freeze the bottles three-quarters full to allow for expansion.
   
10. BERRIES. Give them a quick rinse in a water and vinegar solution (one part vinegar to 10 parts water) then pat them super dry and store in the fridge to stop them going mouldy so quickly.
    
11. CELERY. Wrap in tin foil and store in the fridge to keep it nice and crisp.
    
12. LEMONS. Lemons keep well at room temperature for about a week. However pop them into a sealed plastic bag or container in the fridge and they’ll last four times longer than when kept at room temperature.
    
13. HONEY. When stored in a sealed glass jar in a cool, dark place, honey can last forever. However, if it does crystallise, just pop the jar in some warm water and it will liquefy again, just like magic.
    
14. EAT ME. It can work wonders by having an ‘eat me’ shelf in your fridge so you know everything there needs to be eaten soon before it goes off. 
    
15. GIVE IT UP. If you know you’re not going to eat something in time, then why not make a neighbour’s day by giving it away on the OLIO app instead? Half of all food added is requested in less than 30 minutes.

Relax with a little sax

Best Sax Solos for Alto Saxophone | Alexandra Ilieva 

click on the link to enjoy.

The Best Sax Solos for Alto Saxophone | Alexandra Ilieva | Thomann - YouTube