Last Friday we went along to an event locally run by Connect the local English speaking group.  They were all British and we reduced the average age somewhat.  It was a scouting trip to see what they do and how they operate, not a desperate attempt to find fellow fans of the Telegraph and Marmite.  They do some events that we may pop along to now and again but we probably won’t be going to every meeting.

That night we had dinner at our hosts, Jan and Keith laid on a delicious spread that I did my best to consume – just to be polite, honest.  It was a great evening.

Fitba bit!

Game 3 watching Saint Yrieix saw another win.  15:2 against the worst side in the League, it’s difficult to keep track after a dozen.  I thought it was only 14 and the home side having a couple goals disallowed didn’t help.  The visitors had a chap wearing glasses, three guys who were in the late stages of balding and their keeper – who did ok – is apparently 59.  I was joined by the old bloke who I’d spoken to a couple of times and he patiently tried to decipher my comments as I struggled with some of his.

SYlP were in charge much of the game despite resting a few players but were hindered rather by the visitors linesman who in Scotland would be called flag happy amongst other things.  Here he is called a “Chef de Gare” namely a railway station staffer who is constantly waving off trains!

One of their players had been booked and in his understandable exasperation later on kicked the ball away and the ref got a card out but after shouts from the small crowd didn’t book him for a second time and sneaked the yellow back into his pocket.  That was a first for me but I was assured if the game had been closer it wouldn’t have happened!

The match was soured a little by a nasty sliding tackle/assault on a SYlP man which the visitor clearly followed up with more  enthusiasm on the ground.  The home man was unlucky to see red tho his assailant more than deserved his.

I also had confirmed its 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw and 1 for losing – even heavily.  It was pretty cold for the first time but entertaining all the same.  J

SYlP remain second and their goal difference has improved, the visitor’s is now -85…

End of fitba

On Sunday we went to Janailhac and Nexon.  The former is small but very well kept and the latter larger and featured a rather impressive Mairie/Hotel de Ville.  Most large Town Halls here have public loos nearby and in Nexon’s case they were within the building and they were even open on a Sunday.  Former CEC colleagues may wish to make their own comments about that and the shiny, members of the public free edifice on Market Street…

On Mardi we went along to the Armistice Day event at 11:15 at the War Memorial outside the Hotel de Ville in SYlP.  There is an open area which has an old field gun sitting on it.  Here it’s a blue cornflower that is the emblem used rather than the red poppy.

There were lots of uniformed representatives of various organisations, the Police, the Military and the Pompiers were there in their shiny helmets.  There was no religious element and around ten flag bearers with tricolours.  The Pompiers were called into action when a teenager near us fainted – hitting the ground with quite a wallop – and they tended to him promptly and efficiently.  The Mayor spoke as did a couple of others and two youngsters who did well.  About forty pigeons were released, wheeling around overhead before heading homeward – which was a nice touch – and then school children sang the national anthem bringing the ceremony to a close.

A friendly looking chap had stopped and spoken to us as we waited for things to begin catching us unawares and we apologised as we shook his hand.  This a bit embarrassing as it seems he was the Mayor!

Having been to the equivalent event a few years ago in Kirkcaldy it was a much more mixed crowd here.  There was not much mention of 100 years since WWI starting more reference to the end of WWI.  There is a nearby exhibition about the centenary but I thought the anniversary would get more of a mention – it may have done we can’t promise to have followed every word.  However, this may be another indication of the slightly different way these issues are considered on this side of the water.

Our trip this week was to Brive which we visited in March as part of our scouting.  En route we stopped to break the 60 odd kilometre journey in Objat which is a nice wee town.  We had a wander about there then I managed aided by my co-pilot to find our way into the Centre Ville and park where we had planned.  Having had some difficulty finding places to eat in March we managed with ease to find somewhere to lunch.  After a wander around the old centre we paused at a previously chocolate shop – my fault not S’s – and did our bit to boost the local economy.  Having successfully got out of Brive without incident we took a slightly different route home checking out other places we plan to visit en route, I won’t however give anything away just now, the tease that I am…

Today I am off to try and get a haircut.  I’ve already made clear before and after pictures shouldn’t be going on this Blog but S may have different ideas.  Anyway if it goes badly as I often say, not enough people wear hats…

Since the last update we have been pootling along nicely.

We had a quiet weekend pottering about in the last of the great weather. I was out for a walk when migrating cranes went over there were about two hundred of them in a few staggered V formations.  They were a bit shouty and circled a while before heading on South.  Keith (50% of our hosts) had only mentioned them as due earlier that morning.  They were quite a sight and sound.  S was painting on the patio and got a similarly good view.  I nipped out later with the camera to try and get a picture of another lot but they’d moved on.  (Sorry).

It was cloudy on Sunday and rained a bit. No more shorts are likely for the foreseeable which will be good news for the locals and their animals.  The weather has become a bit more September like (for us).

Monday (not much is open on Lundi) we had a wander around the large supermarkets having accessed some cash successfully, not that this was an issue. After I got in from a walk it rained and in the evening there was a cracking  thunder storm with the bright flashes unhindered by buildings and the thunder close by for a while which was cool.

Tuesday we went into town in our efforts to get better web access which was foiled by not having all the correct paperwork with us… The local Orange shop always has a queue which seems to be the norm there.  Limousin is famous for porcelain and we got a pot for cooking in probably the most dangerous shop in the world – shelf after shelf of cups, saucers, plates, bowls, etc, just too close together for people to walk around.  My bomber jacket sleeve, much to the amusement of a fellow shopper, nearly took out a few fancy wee cups which would have been embarrassing and costly…  We then lunched locally and I had a very nice starter then a chicken burger type thing (which appeared undercooked) but was very tasty followed by rice pudding – all excellent.  They sorted out a pasta and veg dish for Susan which was envied by one of four Brits who came in after us but who didn’t get a special dish and that table also discussed the less cooked chicken.  It was a bit disappointing that there were other Brits there but it wasn’t really our fault.  We arrived home to discover many letters and things from the Bank including cards.  My wallet is getting fatter with that and the two loyalty cards.  It was awfy thin over here having removed the unnecessary and irrelevant bits and bobs from it.

View by the bins! Some woman joined me for the trip…

One of our neighbours are quite self sufficient with many ducks, pigeons, rabbits and a few cows (the ones that briefly held up my first fitba trip) they also have a few semi feral cats. One which has had a nasty looking neck wound for about a year.  He seems unaffected and hissed at me one time.  I spotted him in our host’s chicken run and told Keith who said the cat doesn’t seem to understand the food chain and doesn’t bother them nor them him.  It turns out he doesn’t meow just hisses and is much less grumpy than I would be in his position.

Wednesday saw a visit to Jumilhac le Grand which is in the Dordogne but not far away. It was a chateau spotting trip and their one will take some beating, pics to follow.  It apparently inspired a few writers and is brilliant.  We wandered about the village which would no doubt be stuffed with tourists in the summer but it was quiet.  Susan was a little surprised to spot a man changing his trousers by his van in the car park before going for his lunch – as it’s no-longer shorts weather the unveiling of underwear was brief (pun intended).

They have a little memorial to those deported to Concentration Camps which is something that us Brits are unused to. For example last year in Normandy we saw a war memorial that had three sections – Killed fighting, Deported & died, Civilians killed.  Also they often have memorials to those who died in the Resistance.  Disturbingly Jumilhac le Grand had nine locals killed fighting in WW2 and eleven died after being deported – which is thought provoking.  It’s a reminder of one of the reasons why the whole European/EU thing is seen differently on the Continent.

Anyway we popped into the local Bar/Cafe (I don’t think S was trying to see the flasher closer up) for a drink and but not lunch. This was annoying cos duck was on the menu dejour which was an utter disaster for me.  Susan somehow didn’t share my anguish…

On our way back we got added a deer (wild) to the growing list of wildlife we’ve spotted before successfully getting another SIM sorted out from a helpful Orange person (who had a queue after she’d finished with us) and activated our new bank account.

Today Thursday we didn’t get up to much, I went for another walk (doing the recycling) and Susan popped to the shops in the car. Oddly it was her first solo trip for no reason in particular but she managed and even made sure she got her loyalty card thing swiped!

Mitzy has been pottering about and hasn’t been chased lately. She keeps an eye out and makes a tactical withdrawal inside at the first sign of peril – which means the door has to stay open.  As it’s getting colder we’ll have to have a talk with her about that.  She spent a couple periods today transfixed in the barn through the wall where mice seem to use a large pile of old roof tiles as a maze much to her frustration…  She’s only brought in one ‘offering’ so far but there will no doubt be others as she gets out and about more.

Fitba bit

Update for those who are interested – SYlP won 3:2 away last weekend. Interestingly the two sides I’ve seen them play met – Sussac won 3:1 against Foot Sud 87 Thirds.

SYlP are now second and face the bottom of the league side on Saturday night. I’m hopeful of witnessing another win in that the visitors got somewhat stuffed 15:1 at home last week.  J

For info – http://www.fff.fr/la-vie-des-clubs/4628/infos-pratiques

End of fitba

Tomorrow, Friday, looks busy but more on that next time.

Today was our 4 week anniversary. We’re decided we’re going to stay a bit longer!

Since the last update we’ve been out and about a bit but I’ll make you read on to find out more!

The view from just up the road that welcomes us home

Last Sunday we went to Dournazac which was having an Apples and Chestnuts Fete. After taking the least efficient route possible which took us down many a wee road – marvelling as we do at all the lovely houses – we were waved into a field to park.  The village is not large and much of it was fenced off.  After paying 2e to get in we wandered around the stalls and managed to get Macaroons which we felt we’d missed out on the other day.  J  There were many, many stalls selling all kinds of things – like at the SYlP market – and more.  Little sausages were bought, S is beginning to think I have a habit, and a few other bits and bobs.  It was busy but we got a drink by the bar and look a few pics.  The Friday Market in SYlP has a bar as well but there hasn’t been any bother or agro at any events we’ve seen and there is rarely any sign of the Police.  I fear the Links Market would be rather different with a bar…

Slightly different angle of the same view

S’s back etc was playing up so we wandered back around and out fuelled by some non-French churros. As we left the tide of people down the hill had grown significantly and there was a cue of cars for the car park.  Many had obviously decided to go along as it was a lovely sunny afternoon.  We got home much more rapidly without any scenic meanderings.

After a few days of chilling as S recovered a bit from her back/leggy problems we plotted a drive to Eymoutier. We nearly rented a place at that end of the Department but ended up where we are – which has proved much better on every level we can think of.  We were operating with a Tourist map the deficiencies of which were more and more obvious as the day wore on.  Eymoutier is much further away than I thought but we stopped in Chateau-neuf le Foret for lunch.  We watched the Pompiers (Firemen) heading along the road and followed them into a restaurant where we had the very decent three course set menu (four with cheese and wine already on the table).  S’s Beef Bourguignonne was replaced by an omelette.

We then drove on to Eymoutier and had a potter around there in the car – it’s higher up and hillier at that end and tho pretty we were pleased to see we preferred where we have ended up by fluke. S was ‘attacked’ by a spider – yellow body, brown legs – as she took a couple of pictures.  I saved the day.

On the way back having realised we had quite a trip home we stopped at Saint Laurent de Noblat (which isn’t pronounced knoblat to my disappointment). We had a drink in a cafe in the square and popped into a patisserie to get provisions, to keep our strength up I’m sure you understand.  The drive back was where the Tourist map showed itself to be less than brilliant and the less said about our turning around in front of a Citroen garage the better.  S nearly wet herself at the look I got off the mechanic I “Excuse-moi’d” at…

Last night we went to the cinema. They had had a couple of Jacques Tati films on and we saw Traffic which was good and it had subtitles for the bits in Dutch and English.  Monsieur Hulot did well in colour.  It was a bit of a cheat we knew as the film wouldn’t be heavy on dialogue but the cinema was really good.  It’s got two screens either side of the entrance the sound was very good, the seats excellent and unlike the one at Halbeath South the carpets were not sticky.

• In other news the Bank account has been confirmed as set up – however we are not looking for donations yet.
• I’ve continued to add to my tan going for walks aided by the pointing out a foot bridge which gives a few options route and distance wise.
• Weather wise I regularly exclaim “It’s nearly November” as the sun splits the sky again – the further south you are the better the weather is… It’s however taking a little getting used to. I’ve not worn shorts this late in the year since I dressed as an explorer at Cubs for Halloween and then I wasn’t outside.  I didn’t get a prize despite the Pith helmet, binoculars and snake – I was robbed!
• We think we’ve got the hang of the internet access, here’s hoping!
• We’ve also bought a proper map which will mean our detours can be as frequent but only when planned.

Fitba wise SYlP are away against the second bottom team and tho it’s not far along the road I’m keeping my power dry for more crucial/interesting away games later in the season… Don’t tell Susan!

We learned a few things in a hit and miss few days since our last update.

Firstly, I can look after chickens! All four made it through the week.  Secondly, the cats all survived too and one of them even clocked we were looking after them sufficiently to having missed her meal time plonk herself down outside our front door and shout until we noticed!  She then got fed…  Thirdly, the pool had been turned off and thus hadn’t broken during our time in charge – this was something Susan was sure of but about which I had a small nagging doubt.  I genuinely didn’t know if it had been running on the Thursday night but did recognise that it wasn’t on the Friday when it had loads of leaves and frogs in it…  All these things are good.

We also discovered that a Royal Mail Three Day Delivery is not necessarily that but eventually received details required to finish setting up the bank account. Sixtine at Banque Postal was happy so that was good too.

Otherwise we had a quiet but mostly efficient week. Tending to the cats and chickens was not an issue but they had a routine and I took preventative action in the form of raking up leaves downwind from the pool thus significantly reducing the time spent removing them from it with the poley netty thing (which I got quite good at).  Pool Boy may not be added to my CV but the tan and body could be my aim next summer…

Another view from the garden

We are trying to live within a cash budget each week – quite successfully so far – we have been able to by extras like a scratch post for Mitzy and the like from within said. There is a separate holiday fund for touristy type stuff too, which is a little bit of a cheat but it’s our trip so na-na-naa-na-naa!  We can afford to spend more each week but don’t want to get into bad habits now that could end up with us having to head back to sunny Jockoland earlier than we would wish if something went wrong.  This does mean that this Blog will be less exciting but bear with us.  J  We may have a month of excess next summer to make up for it!

We visited another Chateau at Rilhac-Lastours which was rather impressive.

Chateau!

As we walked towards it it was clear from the scaffolding that it was being worked on.  A chap with a splendid moustache spotted us and told us the entrance was around the side.  Sure enough he’d opened the gate by the time we got there and we were able to have a wander around.  He seemed to be working alone and has quite a lot to do – it would be worth getting him on Grand Designs just for his moustache.  But I fear Kevin McLeod would be very old when it’s finished…  As we pottered around the walls of the ruin we both said at the same time how Health and Safety would have prevented such a situation in the UK.  Perhaps the French are less litigious or the chap judged that we were sensible (or more likely that my carer looked like she could control me!)  I had a look at the church in the village which was up an odd little hill and pine cone hit me on the shoulder, this following S’s near miss last week will continue to be monitored.  As yet we don’t think the trees have it in for us…

Work needed!

Our use of the language continued in bits and bobs and we went again to the local market. We decided to not replace a pair of jeans that I’d brought out which I hadn’t noticed were on their last legs.  There does seem to be some change over from market to market in those attending – most notably there were no large macaroons for sale!  The bastards.  This week GAP again failed to make an appearance so replacement jeans may have to come from a different source, perhaps Celio (that’s a boy’s clothes shop).

Also this week we bumped into some ex-pats. Jan, half of our hosts, had a birthday and tho they were away various cards were hand delivered to the post box.  Susan spotted a car outside so I wandered out to see what was happening just in time to see the wife guiding the husband in their large white VW past my car.  I’d parked outside our door as we didn’t expect traffic.  When my car moved I knew telekinesis was not likely to be the cause.  They’d bumped into my car, well more of a gentle nuzzle to be honest.  They were clearly very embarrassed and he said the sensor thing had been pinging away loudly in the car as she’d continued to wave him on.  The minimal damage is barely noticeable and I am not actually bothered.  As we chatted more generally another car appeared bearing a card – they parked safely – so the five of us had a blether.  Susan had been busy inside and not realised the excitement that was afoot.

On Vendredi we went to an art event/fayre type thing in the village. There were a number of artists/artisans displaying their wares and very impressive most of them were too.  Some of the stuff was excellent and almost all of it expensive.  We were attendees 12 and 13 as it started that afternoon but this sort of annual thing seems to be reasonably common.  I’ll add some links, the contributors were from across France so it must be more than worth their while them attending.

The weather has remained kind and though not above 25 this week the largely sunny days feel a lot more like late August than mid/late October to us. I’ve had a couple of walks to the recycling at the next village – which is much more of a pleasure than it may sound.  It’s a four or five k round trip and the views are nice and changing with the leaves coming off the trees.  The local cows however seem more fascinated by someone wandering past.

Susan painting. Cash offers considered, for the pic not her!

Mitzy has been a bit more of a home bird this week but does like sitting just outside the front door in the sun – as long as it’s open and nothing strange happens… There are some little lizards there too which she finds fascinating and possibly tasty.  She’s still prone to loud purring at every opportunity so seems happy.

Susan spent a considerable amount of time being outwitted today by the combination of a SIM card and a Domino/Dongle thing. Hopefully, we’ll get that sorted out soon tho and I’ll then be able to break up this with pictures and the like.

Main Stand

Last night I went to the fitba again.                                                                                                                                                                                                   Fitba bit!

After hearing that Raith are sufficiently mediocre at the moment that they can do next to nothing against Alloa – despite the part timers being down to ten men for the last 15 minutes – I was not filled with glee at the prospect of a match. Chris however can provide updates quicker than the BBC!

Anyway I set off unhindered by cows and the game began in almost dreich conditions, (it was misty but soon dissipated), obviously to make me feel at home! Saint Yrierx were hosting Sussac who going into the match sat above them in second place.  I could see early on that they were a much more useful side than last week’s lot who let in nine.  I managed to sit with the right fans this time and indeed it does appear you can watch for free and that I am owed a drink after last week.  I’ll leave it.  The crowd was about four dozen.

The first thing I noticed was that after the Ref ticking off the home coach a couple of times last week for leaving his technical area said technical area had doubled in size and now reached the side of the pitch. Genius!

With both sides moob free this week there was more football and Sussac went one up when a defender mis-controlled and their number 7 was onto it in a flash easily putting the ball past the home guardian de but. He was older and bigger than last week’s keeper which makes the youngster last week’s performance even more impressive.  Fortunately the rapid number 7 injured himself a bit scoring and the threat of his pace was diminished.

The game continued to be even and I was worried when the useful home number 9 went down hurt but was able to play on. Saint Yrierx equalised with the best goal I’ve seen all season!  The number 8 stepped onto a ball about twenty four yards out and hit a dipping first time volley over the well positioned keeper into the far top corner – I was a superb goal and better than any the Rovers scored and many they have conceded with me present this season.  Interestingly their number 4 walked off looking annoyed after the goal and was replaced – there was no obvious reason for him to do so…

The home side nearly went ahead when a free kick came back off the inside of the post and 9 popped it past the keeper but a defender somehow managed to get it away keeping it 1:1 at the half.

The second half continued to be tight with a few players needing treatment and a couple of changes. The old bloke I had a bit of a blether with last time confirmed later than players subbed can go back on later if able – the home 11 had come back out for the second half and I feared my 2^nd team had scumfemline like tendencies when it came to registration and player numbers…  SYlPFC do not however cheat.

As the game went on the next goal was clearly going to be vital and came in the last ten minutes. The home number 9 did well by the corner flag and his cross into the six yard box failed to be cleared by three defenders and in a proper stramash fell to a home man who put it away.  Sussac clearly were aggrieved and wanted a flag for offside but they had had a man on the by-line when the ball came in and it was by no means certain that the scorer had got the ball from a pass rather than a deflection off a defender.  The linesmen are supplied by each team and the home man was covering that end to the visitor’s annoyance.  However it was 2:1.

I tried, probably without success, to explain to my fellow fan what a stramash was… As the visitors continued to moan and began an inquest they lost possession cheaply from the restart and number 9 dashed forward making it 3:1 – with no doubt about this goals validity.  As time wound down the Sussac keeper got a knock and wanted to be subbed but wasn’t.  I didn’t see any cause for him to be hurt and had flashbacks to McGurn’s achilles problem last year.  A kick out from the stricken keeper went straight to the number 9 and he ran forward and cool as you like put the ball in the far bottom corner to make it 4:1.

That see’s Saint Yreirx leapfrog Sussac into second in the league which is good and hasn’t put me off toddling along to watch them.

The cover on the other side – bench seating…

End of fitba bit!

Most of the hits have been hits and the few misses have been minor since our last update. We ain’t coming home yet!

We are connected to the world at last!

Brace yourselves for pictures, etc…

🙂

Bonjour tout le monde!

Oor wee hoose till April…

Back patio/view…

S by the pool

View from pool side…

Well we are nicely settled in. S and I have got the hang of the wee hoose – which is better than we hoped.  All excluding the gas oven which has been a bit hit or miss so far.

On Saturday we went into Saint-Yrierx-la-Perche and explored it a bit during the lunch hour (or two as they have here). That meant we could get our bearings nicely in peace and quiet but I’d be lying if I said it was on purpose…

It was lovely weather wise and we then sought out and found the larger supermarket and got some bits and bobs. I also found the fitba however missed the evening game of the First XI due to tiredness (they won 5:2).  The Rovers managed a point at Hibernian in my absence, updates were provided by Chris, (Merci mon ami).

On Sunday we went into town and got more bits and bobs and had a pleasingly quiet day. We had got up early and watched the Grand Prix a bonus which had the edge taken off it by the Bianchi’s accident – hopefully he’ll be ok…  L  We have many English language TV channels but no French, we are however continuing to listen to Kaolin FM which we did via the interweb.  Its studio is in SYlP.  Startlingly Irn Bru is available in our nearest shop (Casino) at less than a Euro a can, I however opted for a locally produced cola.  J

Today Monday we had a bit more of a wander in town and I managed to communicate reasonably efficiently with a few folk in the Tourist Information and a Pharmacy. S bought drinks successfully so that was good too.  We got a bigger, more efficient shop in and decided against some of the more unusual items available – I’ll try pig’s brain and opt for chicken hearts some other time…

The last couple of days have been showery so an excuse to get the hang of the wood burner. Me man, man make fire!

Mitzy is becoming a bit more relaxed. She kept disappearing under the bed if anything unusual happened however is a bit less clingy today.  She’ll get the chance to go outside on Wednesday so stay tuned!

Practicalities

On Mardi we chilled out in La Porcherie and went for a walk of about 3.2k’s. A tree threw a nut at Susan just missing her otherwise it was incident free.

Today (Mercredi) we were a bit more proactive and investigations have been made about getting connected – via a Domino – and have an appointment to sort out a bank account. We also had more of an explore of Saint Yrieix when it was not having lunch.  We sampled some lovely chocolates (Bogue) clearly inspired by the autumn which looked like conkers but taster rather great, (a lot nicer than they sounded).  They are not sold all year round – at least I think that’s what she said when I asked!

Mitzy had a wee go at the outside world and one of the local cats didn’t notice her which was handy. She had a bit of a wander about then had to catch her to get her back in!  She’s recovering from the excitement as I type.

This evening there was a lovely warm breeze so Susan and I sat by the pool for a while reading and relaxing which was rather civilised.

Lundi 12^th

Susan and I are settling into a routine. S pointed out as we haven’t had a holiday we should at least treat the first couple of weeks as being one.  That and her continued leg/back/hip discomfort have been a good excuse for taking things easy.  Accordingly we now are in the habit of sitting by the pool in the afternoon sunshine reading or in S’s case doing the odd sketch.  Yesterday the pool was the temperature the Scottish news said it would be at home – which was handy as I twisted my ankle on a 6k walk in the sunshine.  Thus I’ve been in it, to mid calf, of my left leg.  It wasn’t a bad twist and I was fine the next day.  The majority of days have been 20 degrees and warmer, quite a few 25 degrees or more (or braw in old money) well beyond ‘taps aff’ temperature.

Otherwise on Friday it was market day. We didn’t know what to expect but as it was the first time in the village that we had to hunt for a parking space we took that to be a good sign.  The market is surprisingly large and varied.  It extended up a wide avenue and along the pedestrianised High Street  towards the small Halles building.  There were many cheese, fruit ‘n’ veg and meat stalls as well as a few selling clothing* and others doing things like sausages, knives, bags, shell fish and macaroons.  Also the Police and a couple of lonely Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as the opportunity to buy live rabbits and chickens – to what end I won’t speculate…

We toddled home with lots of fruit ‘n’ veg, I got a sausage (venison) just to be polite to a nice man with free samples and a couple of macaroons! He’d explained the genus of each sausage using pictures on his phone, which was a little embarrassing…  You could buy chestnuts by the kilo – which we didn’t as they occasionally throw themselves at us from the trees by the pool and are all around our wee bolt hole.  The walnut tree in the garden is also fruiting (nutting?) so we’ve a pile of them awaiting use.

* The beer commercial with Eric Cantona in which French farmers are lauded as if football stars seems to have nailed the rural fashions. Plaid and practical is how it’s best described and S had no difficulty walking past the clothing stalls…

I watched the Rovers game on BBC Alba – which was great for a neutral but rubbish for a Raith fan – why they play 4-4-1-1 at the moment with the players available goodness only knows. I had a can of Irn Bru in the fridge in preparation as the local Casino stocks it in the British bit – it’s our only purchase from such a section so far I hasten to add.  It also costs less than some charge back home!

Otherwise we went to Coussac-Bonneville a few K’s away and looked at the Chateau from the outside. There are lots more around to have a look at.

The nearby field of corn was harvested which was a picture of efficiency tho I don’t know how the machine separates the cobs from the rest of the seven foot high plant which it sliced into tiny pieces.

Mitzy has had a stand-off with the male cat of our hosts and has had a few wanders in the garden ending in her being chased back to the hoose. S enjoyed her wandering over to the male cat who was sat on the outside of the French doors hissing and sauntering away leaving his view obscured by condensation!

Language wise unlike at home when walkers pass each other with a grunt it’s always Bonjour here – which we can both handle. I it seems can blether my usual guff here we got a couple of things in the patisserie in Coussac-Bonneville and having decided to share a cake I stopped them wrapping it up.  We were then offered a sheet of kitchen paper and without thinking I was saying not for S but for me two sheets were needed!  This amused the woman and her colleague.

This week we are seeing the Bank (well the Post Office has a bank bit) about setting up an account and thus we hope will be able to get web access sorted more readily. Also we need to buy petrol which seems to be via the pump rather than a person in a wee shop.  On Thursday our hosts are going away and we have already been briefed in the process of feeding their three cats and four chickens.  Updates and a tally of those who survive our care will be forthcoming…

Jeudi 16^th

Today went to Limoges which was more testing driving wise than the pottering about we’ve done lately. We were in Limoges in March and got to know the centre of town and around the famous station.  Driving in however was a test as we didn’t know the geography at all.  Anyway we left the main road and were heading for the Centre Ville when we spotted the top of the station and parked successfully.  Thus we were where we knew and successfully changed some money and had a potter around.

We lunched in a place we ate in once last time – Le Bistrot Gourmand – which again hit the spot nicely. Research continued regarding web access – the main issue is you need to pay from a bank account.  Our new pal Sixtine at Banque Postal helped us thru the bank account setting up but the process needs to be completed and cards issued, etc..  Cash wise we are okay living quietly as we are, taking advantage of having not much to do after an increasingly frenetic time before we set off south.

A few more afternoons in the largely lovely weather we’ve had have been spent reading by the pool. Susan has been sketching which she’s been enjoying and my tan is coming on…  (No pictures will be provided at this time.  Cash offers one way or the other will however be considered)

As of today we are alone and thus responsible for Jan and Keith’s four chickens and three cats. No pressure! The pool hasn’t been shut down so I’m keeping an eye on that too.  If things go wrong we may be home soon…

Dimanche 19^th

The last few days have been a continuation of the relaxed theme. As the weather has been more the best a Scottish July can offer than any October we’ve ever seen before.  Both of use having lived near the coast almost all our days we are unused to a warm breeze which is something I’m more than happy to adjust to…

Chickens and cats update:

One of the chickens likes to flap up at me when I’m getting their food which was a surprise the first time. She also likes her back stroked!  All are still alive so far.  We are getting three eggs a day and having been given our hosts surplus before they left it means S is using her range of culinary skills.

The cats are also alive, which is good. We hadn’t so far discussed our unfortunate record with cats which is probably a good thing when I think about it.  The mum seems happy to have us talk to her in French or English answering back no matter, the clever thing.  The daughter is elusive and the son still sneaks up on and chases Mitzy when he spots her but it’s his home after all.

It was windy the first night after our landlords left which meant I spent about two hours getting many leaves, a dead mouse and several elusive frogs/toads out of the pool. Frogs/toads are well designed for swimming but my admiration wore off trying the catch the buggers in the net thing.  One was removed and as I tried to usher it back towards the grass it sold me a dummy and two hops later was back in the pool.  I suspect that any nearby Limousin cattle in the field next door may not have heard such language before…  My removing of leaves from the grass downwind has proved time well spent.

Beau Village

We’ve pottered about a bit locally. We had time in Segur-le-Chateau which is one of the select bunch of Frances most beautiful villages.  It was indeed very pretty and it being October largely free from other visitors.  Around every corner was another reason for getting the camera out, I ended up stopping putting it away (pictures to follow).  As well as visiting there, in the Correze, we also drove into the Dordogne the other day.  Not that we meant to but not that it’s very far away either, we were looking for the other Madeline factory!

One pretty view of many

We have filled in a form to get a “Carte de Fidelite” which, I hope, is a loyalty card for one of the supermarkets. If not I fear we may face medicals and we’ll decline taking the process any further – my tan isn’t good enough for that yet!  This of course doesn’t mean we’ll stop shopping at other places and markets like the tarts most consumers are.

Fitba warning – those not afflicted with a love of football skip this bit.

I went to my second French fitba game last night. (I bought S’s understanding with chips and mayo at a Lille/Le Mans game a few years back).

SYlP’s Ground

Saint Yrieix la Perche were playing Foot Sud 87 Thirds in the League. Following another tactically inept humping for the Rovers I was not as gleeful as I may have been but set off early for the eight o’clock kick off.  I had to pause as some cows where heading down the road under the control of one of our neighbours but was soon on my way again.

To summarise – and I could go on at length as some of you will know – it was good. The Visitors had a fat goalie, really fat, the fattest French person I’ve seen so far.  I’ve seen bigger on holiday here before but let’s face it they were probably American tourists.  He made a good double save but was rubbish despite being team captain.  Several of his colleagues were not exactly moob free either and yellow tops probably didn’t help.  Some of the visitors had some skill but clearly too many of the French equivalent of pies had been consumed over the last few years…

YSlP started well scoring within a minute and running out 9:1 winners. The home side looked pretty decent and are apparently benefitting from a new trainer.  FS87 3’s did score a penalty and missed an absolute sitter but it still wasn’t as bad as Andy Kirk’s clanger at Alloa a few years back – they are village amateurs after all not ex-townie scum…

I will continue to attend and report back. Hopefully having learnt from my first game, not sitting accidently with the away fans and establish if my 2 euro entry gets me a free drink at the bar.  I’d also better not have to explain my “equipe en Ecosse” got horsed 6:1 every effing week.

Foot Sud 87 had won 2 of their 4 games so far so that makes the result more impressive!                                                                                                                              End of fitba!

Today we went to a broccant – which is a flea market – there was lots of stuff like you’d get in the UK but more French also there was a bar, pony rides and horses. I got a pork sandwich thing (like a hot dog but with meat) which was very tasty.  It held at the local Mart which is a couple of K’s away and good secondary use of the facility.

Some folk were visiting the next but one house, which isn’t usually occupied, and they played boules earlier by the road. J  Really, they were!

Off for tea now, it’s crepes tonight and there’s an egg mayo starter!

As if the fitba our journey of the thousand odd miles south was one of two halves.

Thursday

The removal men arrived to take our stuff to storage early – the swines – which led to some scurrying about as we finished getting everything ready. They cleared the house rapidly while Mitzy sat in her cat carrier no doubt wondering what the heck was going on now.  Then Liz from the pet transporter people came and collected her, no doubt adding significantly to her stress and aggravation.

That meant we were more or less ready. The hoover was run around the hoose and I made another trip to the recycling centre/tip.  I now fear that the men who work there are considering reporting my conspicuous absence to the Police so regular had my visits become over the last couple of weeks.

At 12:30 with the house locked, top box loaded and the car stuffed with what we hope is a year’s worth of stuff we sat ready to go. I innocently asked about extra strong mints and we realised that the cupboard they contained along with coffee, tea etc., hadn’t been dealt with…  Sweeties grabbed and more stuff put with the things for Susan’s sister, Debra, to collect we sat in the car again at 12.32.  I started the engine and we were off.

(Imagine a picture of a car and a winding road – until we are properly connected to the interweb you’re gonna have to work for your updates!)

We left Fife and crossed the border largely without incident. We stopped at Berwick at the Morrison’s at the top of the town – my knowledge from trips to away games being utilised.  The obvious steps were taken and off we went again.  Years ago we had a long weekend in York and at various points found ourselves on the way to Leeds against our will…  All was going reasonably well down the country until our very own version of the Bermuda Triangle the Leeds Rhombus got us again.  Our plot to get petrol at services and continue was thrown asunder by the split of the A1 and M1.  This caught us somewhat unawares and sudden frenzied consultation of notes was only finished after the point of no return – we were on the M1.  Suffice to say after finding that Pontifact has a large Asda where near as damn it a full tank of petrol was bought.  The preceding half hour of re-arranged route planning, petrol lights going on and my accosting an old couple in a Home Bargains car park (for travel advice) all kept us on our toes.

Fuelled up and more relaxed we set off realising that due to road works, the detour and the UK’s long term under investment in infrastructure we had a bloody long way still to go…

(Big unhappy face gif)

Onwards and southwards we continued. Being later than hoped the M25 was traffic free and we went over the Dartmouth crossing and headed across Kent.  We stopped and re-fuelled again near Maidstone paying a fortune for petrol and had something to eat at the back of ten.  We arrived at our hotel and got to bed at midnight with the alarm horrifyingly set for 4:30am!

Vendredi

The latest check in for the EuroTunnel drive your car onto the train that goes under the sea thing – which sounds odd – was 5:50. At 4:30 this seemed ok, as we reloaded the car at 5:28 this seemed fine, as we hit fog, effing fog on the short drive it didn’t seem good.  A thick fogbank made a short, unfamiliar drive look much more time consuming, caused some concern and several rude words.  Thankfully it was a small patch and at 5:46 we were welcomed by a touch screen that accused me of being Susan Mainland, S was driving, but I was tired and it was dark.  Despite this gender identification faux par we were able go thru the stages and remembering the top box join the oversized lane.  Then we drive down onto the platform and into a wagon/carriage/big trainy thing the exact term for which I am not sure of.

The 21 minute trip under the Manche was perfect and we soon swung out onto the correct (wrong) side of the road. We stopped for S to get a fortifying coffee and showed up the Brits who preceded us in the queue by speaking French while doing so.  The pained, hand to head, mumbled, immediate lapse into English performance from the guy in front was not going to win him any prizes or friends…

(Can you get a despairing shaking of head thingy? Let’s pretend you can)

Driving through France appears to be a breeze. There are numerous places to stop, the A roads we were on were excellent and it’s a long way from our nemesis Leeds.  S did the first bit then I took over – having never driven abroad – however it was easy on the motorway.  The kilometres flew by as we whizzed along the 275k’s to Paris without incident.  Due to bad planning on my part I remained behind the wheel as we went into through, under and across the French capital.  Various famous sights may be visible from the route we took however our concentration was 100% focused on the road and signs.  To our amazement and in equal measure joy we made it across the city without any problems – there was a hairy couple of minutes when there were no signs at all following a junction but eventually we were able to confirm we were still on the correct road.  Who needs Sat Nav?!?

The rest of the trip was easy and SO different from the UK. Weather wise it was a gorgeous sunny day – more Scottish August than October – the AC had to be on in the car.  (Sorry folks but I can’t lie).

We got to Limoges and I lost my French roundabout virginity as we found the D704. Nowadays people can look at Google Earth*/Streetview* and see places across the world which is brilliant.  However, it appears that some trees have been cut down since the Google* car went past the turn off for La Ribiere du Nord – so after a quick turn 50 metres up the road – and pulling out onto the correct wrong side of the road we were on the final stretch of the journey.  It only being six o’clock the scene was just like on the Googleness* and then we were at La Ribiere.  I guessed the right road in avoiding any embarrassing turns in some ones farmyard which may not have been the best first impression and we had arrived.

*Other sites are available however if there are any sponsorship deals available I’ll take offers in foldable denominations.

Jan and Keith heard the car and came out to welcome us and give us a wee tour. La Porcherie did not disappoint actually being bigger than we thought but more on this to follow.

Two other quick updates – Mitzy was delivered by the lovely Liz and we have many, many UK TV channels tho no French that I have found so far. This will not aid our immersion in the language but will mean I can see the Raith Rovers/Queen of the South game next week.  (Super massive smiley face).

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During our trip down the UK various people were waved in the general direction of as we drove tortuously along, namely Condie’s, Fyfe’s, Grant’s, Motley’s & Mackenzie’s. Thanks folks for giving us something to do.  J