Well, I think that was summer!!!!!!!!!

Standing on the doorstep this morning at 6am watching the most terrific thunderstorm made us think that yesterdays scorching temperatures was the only summer that we will be seeing this year!!! At least we had some sun I suppose, we cant complain!!

We spent a lovely day shopping yesterday in Bayeux. Auntie Heather and Wendy did not take up the offer of one of the nicest dresses on the stalls in the market. We did look at lots of cheese, some very expensive chickens and bags though!!! After lunch in a bistro we visited the tapestry for some culture. There was some dissention in the ranks that the man talks far too fast on the recorded history and that you need to walk around at least twice to appreciate it!! Wendy and I checked out the man with the .....!! I actually found two men this time without clothes on!! Must have been Wendys bad influence.

We got back to exhausted children and adults who had played and worked hard all day. Richard had got excited with the quad bike and the chainsaw. Andrew worked hard and finished the beautiful staircase in the gite. They had also spent half an hour looking for Jennys glasses after she carefully gave them to Richard to put in his pocket when she went on the quad bike. He then forgot and lost them in the field when it was his turn!!! Oh well, they found them in the end.

The weather looks a bit uncertain today so it looks like a day of rest for us!!!! Auntie Heather and Andrew are on their way back to England as I write, I hope the ferry is not too turbulent with the storms!! Auntie Heather has spent a very busy ten days here, I just hope she wants to come back again. We now have apple sauce, blackberry jelly, pies and a beautifully weeded border. Oh, and a lovely pruned hedge as well!!! She was a busy bee!!!!

The Young Riders etc!!

After a lovely day with Ian and Mellanie the children decided that their ponies needed riding. Josh did absolutely brilliantly, even going freestyle down the lane. Unfortunately, I left Andrew in charge of the camera and we don't appear to have a photo of him. Next time!! Peter thoroughly enjoyed it and was most indignant when he was told that the ponies needed a rest!!

Andrew had his evenings exercise again attempting to get the goats out of the orchard. He has now pegged down the fence in the hope that they stay their side of the fence!!!

Almost a Day Off

We have spent a lovely afternoon eating scones, jam and clotted cream courtesy of Auntie Melon and Uncle Ian!!!!! aka Auntie Mellanie and Uncle Ian!!!! A real taste of old England and a fabulous gift as well, thank you so much. After a lovely lunch and pleasant conversation we had a short tour of the grounds!!! Doesn't that sound POSH!! He He!!! For those of you not liking the ferry they made the trip from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and it cost approximately 65 pounds!! That was the fast boat. It is nice to know that it is now feasible to do a day trip to us. So no excuses for anyone now!!!

Andrew is getting on well with the first gite still. We now have four stairs!!! It is an arduous task but each stair is being lovingly created from old oak timbers salvaged from Chateau Antoine! Andrew is hopeful that by next summer we may have another habitable building and hopefully the starts of an income!!

Love to all.

xxx

Cooking with Kaye and Auntie Heather!!

The Holidaymakers Return

We have finally returned to France following our ten day torture of Grandand and Grandma Irene!!! Auntie Heather survived her first ever trip on a ferry even though the children tried their best to be a pain in the bottom!!!! We have returned to a clean house and no washing!!!

Today Andrew and Mike have been working hard on the first gite, I think we now have some doorways and a floor almost complete!!! Robin and Ayla are staying with us as well, and are being very good house guests. They are transfixed with English TV this afternoon!!!!

Kaye is busy cooking with the children and Auntie Heather is chief searcher of fruits and elderberries!!!

Not long now

Well, hopefully all going well, in about 15 hours Jane and co will be rolling up the drive to be reunited with moi. Hooray. That should give me just about enough time to clear up the cups and glasses, dispose of the numerous empty bottles, work out how the washing machine works, attempt the vast piles of washing up, clean out the puppy, clean out the chickens, make the beds etc.... etc... etc.... I'll be pleased to have them back so that I can focus on my work for a week before it's my turn to swan off back to the UK. During her absence, I've finished the roof on the servants quarters, stripped out the rotten floor, knocked a doorway through to the end room, salvaged some timbers for the new floor and staircase, made a gate to retain escapology puppy and a few other bits. Hopefully she'll be suitably impressed on her return.

Time has flown

The holidaymakers have nearly finished their whirlwind tour of southern England!!! We spent the evening with Steve, Laura and Madison last night. The children played nicely, lol!!! Peter thoroughly enjoyed all of the toys!!!

Today we have already been to the Dragon Chef with Grandma Jenny for lunch and visited nearest and dearest!! We will be having a traditional English Indian tonight (!!!) before making the long trip home tomorrow.

Thank you loads to everyone that we have seen.

xxx

Only two more sleeps!!!

Well, this week has flown by in England. I do believe that the time has been slightly slower in France!!! I think the one hour time difference does it!!

We have had another busy couple of days and seen lots more people. Yesterday was spent shopping in Windsor and then having to pay an extortionate amount of money to get out of the car park. That is another benefit of living in France, parking is free!!! It was lovely to see Auntie Jean though and my mum, Sharon and Erin joined us all for lunch in Daniels.

My chef sent me a list last night of provisions that were required to take back with me, greaseproof paper, golden syrup, sugar and bicarbonate of soda!! As our mornings activities had been cancelled we decided to be brave and face the "BIG TESCOS"!! After finding a parking space we spent an hour with Peter wanting everything that he saw and wanting to go home, all at the same time!! Now I know what it feels like to have that child in the supermarket that everyone else wants to kill!! We did manage to get everything from the shopping list though so I am hopeful that the chef will be pleased.

Before going we had the drama of the day. Josh and Peter went to play in the garden on the way to the car. Josh was promptly stung on his eyebrow by another killer wasp and Peter fell over and had blood coming out of his mouth. What fun!!! My favourite father in law promptly brought some wasp killer foam home to cure the problem. The foam has had a great effect on the wasps!! Now they are so angry that we just have to open the door and run as fast as we can to the safety of the car!!!!! Oh well, such is life!! I am sure they will be gone soon. Josh was very brave but he was not as keen on the medicine as Kirsty is, something to do with Kirsty telling him that it tasted of mint!!!

Peter has been having great fun as well this week. The recycling boxes have enabled hours of fun!!! Who needs toys??

Anyway, love to all and don't worry Andrew, its not long now!! Have the bottle of cider ready for me please!!

xxxxx

Another busy day on the farm.

Well, all systems go again in weather that resembles anything but summer. Today I got the middle floor torn out in the servants quarters, not a single board salvagable. Poxy wood worm and rot. I've burnt most of the boards today as well as tripping the plum tree of all it's fruit and then proceede to make apple and plum jam, complimetns of Mrs Beatons as always. I really must invest in a Jam Thermometer, would make life so much easier. Once again, no pictures from todays activities as wifey dear has the camera. No tekers on the shopping quest or the drinking buddies, hopefully I'll survive till Thursday.

Well what can I say???

The holidaymakers have had another busy day today visiting and partying. After a morning with Granny and Grandpa we have also seen Gretta and Rene. The children were of course excited about seeing Rene as she always comes up trumps with a lovely bag of sweets!!!! Peter was most disappointed about the baby ponies. Not only was he not allowed to ride them, he could not understand why every time he ran over to give them a cuddle they ran off. After many tears he gave up. Granny and I tried desperately to explain that it was better to walk or stand still but for those of you who know him well, this was a very dificult concept to grasp. Needless to say, he was very upset that he did not get to cuddle them!!!

Irene and Ewan, aka mother in law and father in law, mummy and daddy, came up trumps again with a smashing party this afternoon. Thank you very much to them!! Everyone was fed and watered well and had great fun. My only problem, or problems, were my brothers in law, one of whom put a tomato in my knickers and then smacked my bum and the other one who threw creme de mure down my trousers!!! What a waste!!! Rob also created the entertainment by making a faux pas!!! I must learn Greek one day!!

Andy, my nephew, gave the younger generations several hours of fun. Not only was he a fireman for them to look up to, he was a fellow playmate and someone who liked being beaten up. Well, I think he did anyway!!! Thanks Andy, you are great.

Thank you to everyone who came, it was lovely to see all of our friends and family. Those who didnt make it missed the fun!!

I should also mention that my brave baby girl was stung by a wasp yesterday on her eye. She was very good but her poor eye is very swollen now. She says, "It doesnt hurt mummy, it just doesnt look right".

Take care all and see you all soon.

xxx

Anyone passing any shops?

I was just wondering if anyone in the area was passing any shops and could pick me up some essential supplies. The biscuit stash is severely depleted to the point where I've had no breakfast this morning. The sweets from Grandma are nearly all gone and I'm about to start on the kids sweets. I've forgotten what fresh bread tastes like and can't be bothered to light the fire due to a lack of kindling. Fortunately there are only 4 sleeps left before my 24/7 carer and masseur return to my rescue but it does seem like an eternity. Hopefully if the weather holds off I will finish the tiles and fit the last 4 windows on the roof today. Then all that is left is the capping strip which Jane hasn't bought for me yet. Once again, no photos as Jane stole the camera and no blog from England as she is obviously enjoying herself far too much. PS grab some beer on route as well if your coming.

Who'd own a dog?

Yesterday finally saw a great day for roofing. Up and out early with my usual packet of biscuit breakfast and a cup of tea. You'd think she'd have left me something sensible to eat. I made storming progress on the roof, the 2 hounds bathing in the sun beneath me. Or should I say one hound "Zorro, Zorro, here boy" no response!. Lots of shouting and walking about looking for him, knowing I'd be in the doghouse if I'd lost him, but he was soon discovered on the compost heap chewing bits of rotten veg and grass. A huge sigh of relief as I locked him away and headed back to work. Thats strange, wheres Sasha gone? Off we go again walking about and calling, off to the farm, round to the neighbours, over the valley. Not a sign anywhere. Into the car, drive round to the chateau, drive to Le Tronquay and finally a drive right round the block to Ondenofontaine and back. Gone, nowhere to be seen. I put in a quick call to Jane, just to let her know my day had gone pear shaped. Then, with Zorrow on the lead, we went for a long walk round, about 6 miles I think, nearly an hour and a half. Right up to the forest at the back, over past the Chateau, down to Le Tronquay, up the hill by the grotto, etc. etc. etc... As we were coming back to the house, a car was pulling out of our drive and I thought, as any Brit would, we've been robbed as well now. As the car approached there was a very hairy passenger in the front seat gazing out at me. Thankfully the dog had been seized by a tractor driver and fed to a man in a house down the road. That was my translation anyway, one day I'll learn the language. I was very greatful and thanked the man and his attractive daughter in my best Franglish. I would have invited them in for a drink had I known how. Anyhow, alls well that ends well as they say. I still haven't had a drink since Sunday night although I very nearly cracked open a bottle last night. Looking forward to some more roof work today once I've walked the dogs and locked them up.

CAN YOU SMELL GAS??

Thank you Gillie and Jim

The holidaymakers and the Bucks have been messing about on the river today thanks to Gillie and Jim. We have all had an absolutely fabulous time with the canoes, trips down the Thames, relaxation in the hot tub and a lovely barbecue.

Grandma Jenny had two portions and pudding !!!!!!

Well, the holidaymakers are trying to fit in as much as possible and visit as many people as we can. We have also managed to fit in lunch at the Dragon Chef with Grandma Jenny. The kids ate loads and so did Grandma ....!!!!! We have also seen Gordy, Judith, Rachel and the boys and more .....

We went to Staines today, a slight improvement on Slough I must say!! However, I am still missing France and cant wait to get back. We are off to Gillie and Jims today for a barbecue and mess about on the river. We hope to have some good photos for later.

Take care all.

xxxx

Sunshine and Showers

All I can say is I have never experienced such extremes of weather in one day. During the sunny spells it has been over 20 degrees and during the monsoons below 10. I have been up and down off the roof all day and have finally thrown in the towel, resorting to cooking dinner instead. As I'm writing this however, the sun is once more blazing through the windows. It has been 3 days since I have spoken to another being in the flesh, barring Monsieur Armand and the postman, neither of whom I understood. Only one response to my drinking buddy advert but I can't wait to see Kay and Mike Bank Holiday weekend. Anyhow, dinner cooked, beef steaks, poached eggs, fried onion on bread. A mans meal.

We made it to England

Poor Andrew has been left with the burst water pipe and the rain, while we return to the polluted, noisy depths of Slough. One trip to Slough this morning has cured me of any wish to return to England!!!! After dodging people who wanted my money for various charities and avoiding the holes in the ground where allegedly they are putting in nice new pavements, I finally managed to get to the post office!! Typical, I cant pay my car tax until after the fifteenth!!! For goodness sake, when is the ferry back home?????

We had a good journey on the ferry yesterday. I think I did pretty well on the driving part as it was my first time solo with the kids to get on the ferry. I even managed to find my way back to Datchet on the right side of the road, or was it the left??? The children became magicians on the journey as well. Josh and Adam are now plate whirlers extroadinaire!!!

Take care everyone and call me if you want to see us.

xxx

Wanted, Drinking Partner.

Well, the first 24 hours of life on my own are up and I am clearly lacking something. A drinking buddy to be precise. Things are so bad that I have not touched a drop since Sunday night. Quite a mean feat if you know how I drink.

Anyhow, beyond the day to day chores we had a pipe burst underground yesterday which left me covered in wet mud after digging a 4 foot deep hole down to locate the problem. I haven't fixed it yet as I was waiting for hole to dry up a bit. Unfortunately with last nights storms, it may not get fixed today either.

The wind and rain pounded the house all night and the scaffolding was banging against the guttering outside. It was nearly as noisey as Janes snoring but I managed to get off to sleep anyway.

I have no camera whilst Jane is away so you will have to cope with my archived images.

Applications for the drinking buddy position to be made in person, here in France, prior to Janes return. All drinkers welcome, plasterers and roofers especially so.

The Last Day of Chaos

Well, on the last day Grandma Irene got stung by a wasp and it hurts!!!! The boys built a dam in the stream and then went swimming. Andrew has nearly finished the roof of the gite. I packed lots of things, maybe we have remembered everything ............. Oh, and we lost Peter somewhere!!!!!!!!