FRENCH HOUSE - JULY 2024
Wednesday 10 July
New beginnings, we now have a Labour Government (411 seats) and the Tories, who had too much infighting and nothing exciting to offer, are stuffed (121 seats). Reform with Nigel Farage have gained 5 seats and the Liberal Democrats 72.
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| Leaving Newhaven | Sue on our Lawn |
Jen and Hayden are going to stay with us as they have rented their house out for Festival of Speed. Unfortunately, they all now have Covid so we have had to escape. Lovely, calm Newhaven crossing £123. Rick hadn’t got around to applying for the Emissions Certificate so we had to take the longer route avoiding Rouen. We are disappointed to find we missed the Saint Ellier Annual Couchon Grille (Hog Roast).
Our lasagne, chicken and sausages got through customs. We enjoyed the lasagne while watching England beat Holland 2-1 in the last minute. Wow that’s the best they’ve played in this Euro competition.
Thursday 11 July
Rick Cutting Grass
Rick in Long Grass
Crikey, it’s only 8 weeks since our last visit and the grass is out of control. House not too bad; a dead mouse, a dead bird and a lot of cobwebs. Lots of weeding and cleaning and I’ve cut the rose down to below the kitchen window as it is too much maintenance. Interesting discussion with Lise up the road about the French and English elections. The French are very concerned about their health service, especially as they have to contribute quite a lot towards it. Lise said seven years ago when Macron became President the health service was already showing signs of decline and it has steadily deteriorated since then. I found it surprising that much like us, they have to wait too long for an ambulance and too long in A& E.
The Paris Florist’s have sold their house up the hill but the Presbytery is still up for sale. I’m not sure what is happening to Martine’s across from us, it was rumoured they had bought that as well. The ex Mayor is rebuilding the entrance to Monique’s house. In fact, the village is looking well cared for and very pretty.
Rob and Julie came round for aperitifs, they are such good company.
Friday 12 July
Passed through very busy seaside town of Arromanches-les-Bains on the way to the Memorial at Ver de Mer. There wasn’t anywhere to park and it was very smelly as the tide was out.
The British Memorial
Silhouettes of Soldiers
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All so very moving and definitely worth a visit. The metal soldiers and nurses are there until the end of August.
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| American Museum | Oyster Machine |
The American Museum opposite was closed for lunch, very French! On the way back to the house we saw this Oyster Machine outside a small supermarket in a rural area.
Saturday 13 July
It was great to catch up once again with Julie and Rob and having aperitifs in the garden whilst enjoying their fantastic view. We have had concerns about their bantam cockerels and geese. They’ve added another goose to the menagerie but have put in a separate run and those fearful cockerels are apparently behaving themselves. Rob cooked us a wonderful meal, he had taken a lot of care preparing the carrots and Hasselback potatoes.
Rob and Julie's View from their Garden
Julie with the Biting Geese
Sunday 14 July
Jobs completed:
Grass cut
Garden and gravel weeded
Garden up the road is next to another small plot that is out of control. We cut it back but the hedging has seeded on our side. Felt a bit bad as Lise paid the village gardener to cut it back for us.
2nd coat on kitchen door
Fixed leak under sink
Replaced some kitchen wobbly tiles
Borrowed Yves ladder to Cement some holes on outside kitchen wall.
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| Relaying Floor Tiles | Repairing Wall |
Special Church Service
View from Bedroom Window
Couple up the hill let us have a look at their renovations. They are doing a fantastic job, the décor is amazing. Picture above is a view from their bedroom window. There was a special service at the church with refreshments after.
Monday 15 July
This has been a unexpected but very useful visit. Stopped for moules and frites in Dieppe.
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2 Celebration Videos taken outside the church