tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3267063886675527772024-03-13T19:32:58.217+01:00Home Wasn't Built in a Day!Our experiences building a house and home in France and other nonsense.Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-76006845609799484242015-05-10T00:43:00.002+02:002015-05-10T00:50:07.106+02:00I said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie, The hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it..............<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">You will probably be aware that there’s not much to blog
about as there has been no building work.
Actually that is not quite true as we have had some major structural
repair. The LGB has had his hip
replacement. That’s pretty major. Strange isn't it how building or more
precisely property blurb can also describe those of us in our dotage. In need of structural repair – I’ve just
covered that one with the LGB. Would benefit from modernising – we all get
stuck in a rut and could do with a little help.
Would be enhanced by an extension – yes, I’d certainly be enhanced with
a 38FF extension; I don’t suppose the LGB would complain either. Lovingly restored - has a sugar Daddy to pay for all the cosmetic surgery. You get my drift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.bestfunnyjokes4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/oh-so-funny-joke-about-implants.jpg&sa=X&ei=NIhOVaTdLcn-Uo-lgbgJ&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH4kq-fbbPgjNjOFU-aKcweQ76WdQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.bestfunnyjokes4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/oh-so-funny-joke-about-implants.jpg&sa=X&ei=NIhOVaTdLcn-Uo-lgbgJ&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNH4kq-fbbPgjNjOFU-aKcweQ76WdQ" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whilst the LGB was undergoing structural repair I stayed
with him in the hospital the first night.
Twenty eight euros for bed breakfast and an evening meal seemed too good
a bargain to turn down, especially in a city and a private hospital to boot. Not so!
In true French fashion the veggie meal was a no show. I was offered the same cordon bleu as the
LGB. Don’t get me wrong but last time I
looked a cordon bleu thingy contained something representing (or imitating) chicken. Just the vegetables for me then. The LGB said it was more cordon
blah than cordon bleu!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast didn’t arrive either; this deal was looking less
and less attractive. They bustled about and returned with two teeny eeny weeny
intsy tinsy winsy packets of melba toast, one pat of butter and one square
plastic pot of jam. Yummy, that really
filled me up for the day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://duralpark.com.au/images/dp-blackberryJam14gPlastic.jpg&sa=X&ei=GYlOVandCIHbU9GQgKAO&ved=0CAkQ8wc4mgE&usg=AFQjCNElOa-HN6bvySW0YW-UJPvmsATPKw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://duralpark.com.au/images/dp-blackberryJam14gPlastic.jpg&sa=X&ei=GYlOVandCIHbU9GQgKAO&ved=0CAkQ8wc4mgE&usg=AFQjCNElOa-HN6bvySW0YW-UJPvmsATPKw" height="310" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No really, I can't eat all of that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then the onslaught. Half a leg, one buttock and a bikini
line shaved. Him not me. Boy, oh boy,
there is going to be some scratching and itching there. Nurses came and went.
Blood pressure taken, blood samples taken, urine samples taken, temperature
taken. The anaesthetist practised his
English declaring, “All zee women luuuurve a man wiz a French accent,
non?” The nurse raised her perfectly
plucked eyebrows skywards. The operating surgeon walked in, looked at the LGB
said “Okay?” the LGB nodded, the surgeon said “marvellous” to guffaws of
laughter from his medical staff audience and exited curtain left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Later that night we popped downstairs for a coffee and
breath of fresh air. Outside the front
doors we read a sign stating what the visiting times were and outside these
hours the doors would be locked. We had chosen ‘outside these hours’ to go out
for a breath of fresh air. So there we were, locked out of the hospital. A
little, tiny hint BEFORE we exited the building would have been so much more useful.
So with me wearing the LGB’s pyjama bottoms and slippers we followed the
terribly useful instructions on the door and walked along the main road and
around the back of the building, pressed a buzzer and explained our
predicament. That was just the first
night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was categorically forbidden to take a picture of the LGB
pre op in his natty paper knickers and matching mop hat with coordinating
slippers!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/66/6609/583E100Z/posters/danny-shanahan-so-what-s-with-the-paper-dress-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg&sa=X&ei=lIpOVfr0N4WxUaz4gagD&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNETR9KnR6B5LZrs4QgYgRLdUXs9iw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/66/6609/583E100Z/posters/danny-shanahan-so-what-s-with-the-paper-dress-new-yorker-cartoon.jpg&sa=X&ei=lIpOVfr0N4WxUaz4gagD&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNETR9KnR6B5LZrs4QgYgRLdUXs9iw" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Allposters.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When the LGB was being kept awake by the thunderous snoring
of the patient in the next room the nurse stuffed some tissue in his ears. He
found the screams of another patient in an unknown room a little disconcerting
and the banging and clattering and loud voices night and day was enough to wake
the dead. During the day there were building
works outside, which made the LGB feel a little more at home but was not
conducive to a peaceful recovery.
Needless to say I was instructed to purchase earplugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Medics came and medics went at all hours of the night and
day. One came whilst the LGB was immersed in his book. She studied the cover
and said “The Physiotherapist”. The LGB
looked up and replied “No, The Hypnotist” and pointed to his book, The Hypnotist
by Lars Kepler. The medic replied “No, I
am the physiotherapist”. Our lives are
like an episode of ‘Allo, ‘Allo!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.independent.co.uk/migration_catalog/article5303135.ece/alternates/w620/bookreviww.jpeg&sa=X&ei=I4tOVc-eDcv2UpfCgbgH&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFVBcGOenDBM6hO7-KcTOgR0jVdkw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.google.fr/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://www.independent.co.uk/migration_catalog/article5303135.ece/alternates/w620/bookreviww.jpeg&sa=X&ei=I4tOVc-eDcv2UpfCgbgH&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNFVBcGOenDBM6hO7-KcTOgR0jVdkw" height="320" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I stayed another night, but taking no chances I went self-catering
and duly brought in the ear plugs, sandwiches and a kettle (the tea was dreadful).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">All went well, apart from the epidural hurting like
hell. We could not fault the staff or
hospital………..just the food. How can one
make a soup in so many different beautiful rainbow colours all taste like dish water?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The LGB is doing very well. He says never before have his drawers been pulled down so many times by so many women! At no gain. He is walking a good distance. I still have
to put is ruddy socks and shoes on for him.
I think he can do it himself really, he just likes that feeling of dominance
over me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">So there you have it, the LGB has had his structural
repair. My building blurb? What would that
read? Looking tired and rundown. Could do with a
facelift and re-thatching. Yeeees, some of you know what I mean!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-54649564254768570502015-03-29T03:05:00.000+02:002015-03-29T03:05:00.178+02:00How Did That Happen?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It only seems like yesterday that I was going to 18th
birthday parties and it seemed sooooo grown up to be invited to a twenty-first
party. Aahhh, those salad days. These days we are invited to 60th and 70th
birthday celebrations and Dad will celebrate his 80<sup>th</sup> next
year. In May the LGB aka Hop-Along is
celebrating a big birthday. When I say
big, I mean he will have to call on all that wind he is so full of to blow out the
forest of candles on the cake. He’s a
few years older than me, but as an official spinster of the parish I will soon
be saying ‘my <b><i>boyfriend</i></b> is sixty’! How
did that happen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rlv.zcache.com/funny_60th_birthday_gag_gifts_print-r7b4ac66e35374f0db3c9918739912b51_wfb_8byvr_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/funny_60th_birthday_gag_gifts_print-r7b4ac66e35374f0db3c9918739912b51_wfb_8byvr_512.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of zazzle.co.uk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Many men when they reach a certain age of crisis get
themselves a new car or clad themselves in leather and hoik their arthritics
legs over the shining metal of a motor bike.
What’s my old man getting? A new
hip. My street cred has just plummeted. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Joking aside, Hop Along has been suffering. I finally managed to get him to visit the
doctor when he had saved up enough ailments to warrant, in his mind, wasting
the doctor’s time. So with himself limping, coughing, nursing a sore throat and
a tooth infection (he doesn’t do a sicky by halves) we set the alarm for the
crack of dawn for our 7 am appointment. Later that day with a tome of prescriptions in
his mitt and a referral to a specialist we visited the pharmacist who swapped
the pieces of paper for a bagful of creams, potions and tablets. She even threw in a free bar of very nice
soap!! Always good to keep a potentially lucrative client on side.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A visit to the radiographer followed. He informed the LGB he
had ‘special bones’. Puzzled we returned to the doctor who on seeing the x-rays
confirmed the LGB’s hips were kaput and in fact one of the problems may have been ‘congenial’. I think he meant
congenital. A subsequent visit to an orthopaedic
consultant confirmed the diagnosis when the consultant told the LGB his hips
were completely worn down and in fact he had the hips of an eighty year old
man! We are now looking for the aforementioned
octogenarian to give him his hips back because they are no bloody good to us. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">That was just the start.
No such thing as a one shop stop here. He had urine and blood samples
taken. Next stop was the cardiologist. This rather rotund man whilst extremely
pleasant was in no condition to advise anybody that they ought to lose weight
for the sake of their health. He wired the LGB up and Eureka, found a heart. A little drop of antifreeze should do the trick! Back to the pharmacist to buy crutches and
bandages as instructed then another drive to Angouleme to the hospital to book
his room. Then back to the lab to collect the results for the blood and urine
tests. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today we returned to Angouleme for the final appointment
before the operation with the anaesthetist. The LGB is still trying to
pronounce that one. En route we somehow came to discussing whether, in the
event of the worst outcome he would come back to haunt me! We’re a bundle of joy and laughs us two! I said he would have to so that he could tell
me how to finish the house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I can watch
all kinds of surgical procedures on the television but the LGB hates them. He is very squeamish about these things. He says in the event that he may have to have
one of the interventions he would rather not know what is happening to him on
the table. He has been very relaxed
about the whole process and just eager to get the new hip and back to work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The appointment with the anaesthetist went well until he
told the LGB he would be awake during the operation. That went down like a lead
balloon. The LGB is no longer the
happy-go-lucky-pre-oppy-chappy he was this morning. He’s gone a little nervy
and is muttering that perhaps he won’t have the second hip done after all! I am trying to console him by telling him he
won’t feel a thing, he will just be able to hear the sawing and chiselling,
with a little bit of hammering thrown in.
Just the normal sounds of a building site really. For some reason that
information is not going down too well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Amazingly, from the first visit to the doctor to the
operation will be about three weeks.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://png.clipart.me/graphics/thumbs/925/surgeon-on-a-white-background-vector-illustration_92509477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://png.clipart.me/graphics/thumbs/925/surgeon-on-a-white-background-vector-illustration_92509477.jpg" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhOY63lAMmg/VRdD4USROiI/AAAAAAAABo8/wnu1HJBfKvE/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3Sg2CxwMj8/VRdFQXUTiDI/AAAAAAAABpg/X_5KKOxDXYc/s1600/137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3Sg2CxwMj8/VRdFQXUTiDI/AAAAAAAABpg/X_5KKOxDXYc/s1600/137.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue for a day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Before Hipsgate the LGB had nearly finished plastering the
house. We have undercoated everywhere
except the landing and one bedroom. I have been varnishing the bedroom
floors. I mixed a shade of cappuccino for
one of the bedrooms, had to repaint a little and spent forever trying to mix
the right match again. I painted the
en-suite a sunny shade of sky blue. Two
days later I mixed a shade of mocha and repainted over the sky blue. A girl can change her mind can’t she? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIHceztCppM/VRdFcRhZ3UI/AAAAAAAABpw/ubhOqWF-I4Y/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JIHceztCppM/VRdFcRhZ3UI/AAAAAAAABpw/ubhOqWF-I4Y/s1600/140.JPG" height="222" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My paint mix looks good enough to eat!<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A few pictures of what has been done so far. The kitchen units aren't fixed yet as they will have to come out to tile the floors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQkORWqW86g/VRdDShm34ZI/AAAAAAAABos/u2-Rq7hedr8/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5P9vJyHH3AM/VRdDfQTwIRI/AAAAAAAABo0/Yphvwzt2v6I/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5P9vJyHH3AM/VRdDfQTwIRI/AAAAAAAABo0/Yphvwzt2v6I/s1600/051.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I now have doors to replace the curtains under the sink.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBn0xDYXAas/VRdEUrMoCEI/AAAAAAAABpE/-PatfsE3sfM/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBn0xDYXAas/VRdEUrMoCEI/AAAAAAAABpE/-PatfsE3sfM/s1600/072.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhOY63lAMmg/VRdD4USROiI/AAAAAAAABo8/wnu1HJBfKvE/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhOY63lAMmg/VRdD4USROiI/AAAAAAAABo8/wnu1HJBfKvE/s1600/063.JPG" height="111" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YhOY63lAMmg/VRdD4USROiI/AAAAAAAABo8/wnu1HJBfKvE/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBn0xDYXAas/VRdEUrMoCEI/AAAAAAAABpE/-PatfsE3sfM/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4z7VEMeuc5U/VRdEVzonKRI/AAAAAAAABpM/d2AwixFL42w/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4z7VEMeuc5U/VRdEVzonKRI/AAAAAAAABpM/d2AwixFL42w/s1600/082.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawers painted in Fired Earth carbon blue.<br />
Handles in Annie Sloane charcoal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTn5QUqPcJc/VRdE8_XB7EI/AAAAAAAABpY/ZD9f_BZ4gwc/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MTn5QUqPcJc/VRdE8_XB7EI/AAAAAAAABpY/ZD9f_BZ4gwc/s1600/084.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egClMn9iWsQ/VRdFXtxeXVI/AAAAAAAABpo/3IVnxRFLntc/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egClMn9iWsQ/VRdFXtxeXVI/AAAAAAAABpo/3IVnxRFLntc/s1600/087.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-egClMn9iWsQ/VRdFXtxeXVI/AAAAAAAABpo/3IVnxRFLntc/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">With my
mixing stick still smoking I mixed a green/grey for the dining room and
hallway. I’m pleased with the outcome; the LGB is just dizzy with the mixing
and changing colours.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJDHi0m1Lfs/VRdGCVz550I/AAAAAAAABqo/Ue3xgW1NzA4/s1600/214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xK8Z98ghezE/VRdF99zynTI/AAAAAAAABqg/h8UV07Ga2K0/s1600/210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xK8Z98ghezE/VRdF99zynTI/AAAAAAAABqg/h8UV07Ga2K0/s1600/210.JPG" height="112" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFB8HYIEGQ4/VRdGCwT2POI/AAAAAAAABqs/9cDUwai9Oso/s1600/213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFB8HYIEGQ4/VRdGCwT2POI/AAAAAAAABqs/9cDUwai9Oso/s1600/213.JPG" height="200" width="112" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJDHi0m1Lfs/VRdGCVz550I/AAAAAAAABqo/Ue3xgW1NzA4/s1600/214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJDHi0m1Lfs/VRdGCVz550I/AAAAAAAABqo/Ue3xgW1NzA4/s1600/214.JPG" height="111" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">He has been tidying the garden to make life a little easier
for me whilst he’s recovering. The consultant says he will be out of action for
three months because of the nature of his work. He’s made a couple of raised
beds to grow veggies. We have been tidying, bringing in some furniture from
storage to the house, generally doing the things he won’t be able to do for
some time. I’ve been painting pieces of
furniture, emptying boxes and moving boxes. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osCZOC0ZVCs/VRdFlO-c73I/AAAAAAAABp4/wXJMvGw8f7M/s1600/142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-osCZOC0ZVCs/VRdFlO-c73I/AAAAAAAABp4/wXJMvGw8f7M/s1600/142.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Some lovely days and evenings in the garden</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDRKk-9m4Jo/VRdFov_GwqI/AAAAAAAABqI/tKjv1fD_pHE/s1600/161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DDRKk-9m4Jo/VRdFov_GwqI/AAAAAAAABqI/tKjv1fD_pHE/s1600/161.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T48BLfrRmt8/VRdFygflzEI/AAAAAAAABqQ/CRmXTyuTkRE/s1600/201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T48BLfrRmt8/VRdFygflzEI/AAAAAAAABqQ/CRmXTyuTkRE/s1600/201.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr2yI5wixcI/VRdFmNUzktI/AAAAAAAABqA/I2IZCVdwxng/s1600/194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mr2yI5wixcI/VRdFmNUzktI/AAAAAAAABqA/I2IZCVdwxng/s1600/194.JPG" height="108" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cranes coming back.<br />
Summer must be coming!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BBdMW7J-UA/VRdFz55XyqI/AAAAAAAABqY/ZxnWeaMx-k0/s1600/203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BBdMW7J-UA/VRdFz55XyqI/AAAAAAAABqY/ZxnWeaMx-k0/s1600/203.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I’ve never stayed in this house on my own. I shall be
checking under beds and in cupboards before turning in at night. I’m not sure who will be more scared, him or
me.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-28208730910758546322015-01-04T11:44:00.000+01:002015-01-04T11:44:43.893+01:00'Twas A Week Before Christmas ..........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
As usual I am a little behind, so what's new in my world. So humour me just for a few minutes and pretend Christmas hasn't happened yet.<br />
<br />
A few of weeks ago we had our own little Rosetta moment. Okay, not on the scale of landing on a comet but our own little momentous moment nonetheless. All along the build there have been little milestones, little hurdles to overcome, stages that have played on my mind at least, if not on the mind of the LGB.<br />
<br />
We successfully laid all the pipes for the underfloor heating. Miles of it. Well, eventually it was a success. We fought with the pipe as it snaked itself into a tangle time and again and then fought with each other and after one little punch up sent each other to Coventry for an afternoon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw4LI1zeOhU/VKkQ0WoLG9I/AAAAAAAABng/WF6jZfuFj4U/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qw4LI1zeOhU/VKkQ0WoLG9I/AAAAAAAABng/WF6jZfuFj4U/s1600/086.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spaghetti of pipework</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next big stage was screeding the whole ground floor. Our helpers, three old age pensioners arrived at the arranged time. You can always rely on "Rent A Wrinkly" to put in a good days work for a cup of tea and a slice of soft cake that won't play havoc with their dentures. However, what you can't rely on is your delivery arriving at the arranged time. A phone call informed me that because of a problem with le chauffeur we could expect our delivery 45 minutes to an hour late. However, when he arrived le chauffeur who has delivered to us before was delightful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_uxyfhOU74/VKkRp9OxS1I/AAAAAAAABno/Ju-t3KaY-Mg/s1600/113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_uxyfhOU74/VKkRp9OxS1I/AAAAAAAABno/Ju-t3KaY-Mg/s1600/113.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the hard work commence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was hard work but by Friday evening I was overjoyed, the LGB was overjoyed and knackered and had horrible cement burns on his knees. We uncorked a celebratory bottle of Pomerol. Now the floor must be left to cure for three months after which time we can lay the flooring. However we had my Dad, Sister and nephew coming for Christmas so we had to make the house comfortable and put in place some improved cooking facilities than we had the previous year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6bc8el7o7Y/VKkTx58x4AI/AAAAAAAABoI/qsEql4G_RWc/s1600/203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i6bc8el7o7Y/VKkTx58x4AI/AAAAAAAABoI/qsEql4G_RWc/s1600/203.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad's room the day before his arrival. No pressure!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwhVkMRQz4s/VKkSqraKmUI/AAAAAAAABn0/6kRrwJzimmY/s1600/166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YwhVkMRQz4s/VKkSqraKmUI/AAAAAAAABn0/6kRrwJzimmY/s1600/166.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less than 2 weeks before the arrival of the Christmas guests!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Twas a week before Christmas when all through the house,<br />
Not a bedstead was standing from which guests could rouse.<br />
The curtains were nailed up at the windows with care<br />
A gesture of comfort for guests sleeping there.<br />
We hunted all corners in search of the beds<br />
Tore open boxes and found pillows for heads.<br />
The LGB was plastering and hanging up doors<br />
Whilst I with my paintbrush was varnishing floors.<br />
We cobbled together a kitchen with sink<br />
Brought in tables and chairs and two sofas of pink.<br />
(They are red actually, but it didn't rhyme!)<br />
We laid down some rugs on the concrete floor,<br />
I varnished the work tops, then varnished some more.<br />
Good will to all men was beginning to wane,<br />
The LGB was shouting and calling my name,<br />
"Oi, Deborah, get a dance on!" "On Chancer" "On Vixen!"<br />
"Oh come on!" "What Stupid? Folks are coming, get a blitz on!"<br />
I hung fairy lights and a picture or three,<br />
Searched out some baubles and my eighteen inch tree.<br />
The effort's been made, the LGB's poured us some wine<br />
Now all we can hope is to have a good time.<br />
Sit down on the sofa and turn off the light,<br />
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.<br />
<br />
<br />
"Have you put the cat out?"<br />
"We haven't got a cat!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lo5QqK5CEIA/VKkTkh7hHzI/AAAAAAAABoA/0XJfOdP7QoI/s1600/276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lo5QqK5CEIA/VKkTkh7hHzI/AAAAAAAABoA/0XJfOdP7QoI/s1600/276.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All's well that ends well.<br />We managed to cobble together a comfortable, warm and cosy room for Christmas.<br />:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-54473191429929577062014-09-06T10:49:00.000+02:002014-09-06T10:58:03.026+02:00Is There Anybody There?Hello............. Hello............is there anybody there? Remember us? Long time no see.<br />
<br />
I forgot all my blog details and passwords and have had the devil's own job trying to get back here!<br />
<br />
And so.............<br />
The wanderers have returned. To say we wandered isn't quite true, we actually stayed with my Dad. We were in the UK for what seems like an eternity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The New Year did not start well with the news that Big C, the LGB's bigger, younger brother had the Big C. The decision was quickly made to return to England to help finish a loft extension and act as chauffeur for hospital visits. Little did we know we would also be accompanying Dad for scans and later three operations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjQwWDQ4MA==/z/JukAAOSw9NxTsHa4/$_35.JPG" /><br />
We know Chelsea, Brixton and Tooting intimately now. In our work clothes we window shopped at Harrods and wondered if we would be allowed past the door men in their smart uniforms, us in our scruffy garbs. To his credit one did wish us a good afternoon but seconds later as we passed a Bentley with cream leather interior we noticed the waiting driver lock the doors. Don't judge a book by its' cover Sir! Minutes later we saw two well dressed gents stealing from Boots. Like I said, books and covers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--BZuNlM6ZGw/VAq9m6RxgqI/AAAAAAAABmc/CU6T3v7wCl0/s1600/551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--BZuNlM6ZGw/VAq9m6RxgqI/AAAAAAAABmc/CU6T3v7wCl0/s1600/551.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVk-tGg0a08/VAq9n5Eeq_I/AAAAAAAABmg/C_hO6hr-t0M/s1600/556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gVk-tGg0a08/VAq9n5Eeq_I/AAAAAAAABmg/C_hO6hr-t0M/s1600/556.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brixton is vibrant and a bustling melting pot of ethnicity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Big C is doing well eight months on and is thankfully clear of cancer. Dad is awaiting another op which may precipitate my return at some point. We are mightily glad to be back. The garden is not going to win any medals at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. Having said that we are hugely grateful to our lovely friends who once again came to our rescue checking the house, forwarding mail and strimming the field. We came back to flowers, champagne, home grown goodies and lovely meals (we must go away more often!).<br />
<br />
<br />
Everything mechanical had seized up; the car, both sit on mowers, the digger, whacker and cement mixer to name a few. A mouse had made a nest in the engine of the mixer and invited a few snails to squat too. The LGB has had his mechanic's hat on and to his credit has everything up and running again. It has been a long slog getting on top of things but we are getting there.<br />
<br />
The summer visitors have gone, a job to do for clients and then time to knuckle down and work on the house again. That's not to say we have been completely idle. The LGB has almost finished the fireplace, we need to choose tiles for the hearth. A damned fine job he has made if it too, although it irks me to say it as there was a minor domestic when I was not allowed to help in the construction. I said he could have all the credit for it, but no, I was banished to floor sanding! It is a beautiful feature in the room and my floor sanding was bloody good too!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUTfnEMT8bs/VArEqcTg9DI/AAAAAAAABm8/QMZUZg2xC88/s1600/P1030859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUTfnEMT8bs/VArEqcTg9DI/AAAAAAAABm8/QMZUZg2xC88/s1600/P1030859.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch for 14 and picnic area for the children. A glimpse of the fireplace.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bRseDyhnKI/VArEn9x33aI/AAAAAAAABm0/pNCJi1boqU0/s1600/P1030862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_bRseDyhnKI/VArEn9x33aI/AAAAAAAABm0/pNCJi1boqU0/s1600/P1030862.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deborah free zone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTbfdQ7zdug/VArEysJ4K4I/AAAAAAAABnE/nUsiLNITFu4/s1600/P1030871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTbfdQ7zdug/VArEysJ4K4I/AAAAAAAABnE/nUsiLNITFu4/s1600/P1030871.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were treated to a play from the picnicers, looking like the Von Trap family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We have laid all the insulation on the ground floor in preparation for the pipes for underfloor heating. Installing the heating is the biggest job left to do and a little daunting for me but as usual we will overcome. Still, no pressure, we only have three guests coming for Christmas. Remember last year? In fact my last post was about cooking Christmas lunch on a camping gas ring and a one temperature cooks all cooker. Déjà vu. Sorry to mention Christmas in September.<br />
<br />
The Boy graduated in July and has found a job. How proud are we? Peacocks come to mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2BnvfJF9Pg/VArGvr9-hHI/AAAAAAAABnQ/WYxSCs5vKvY/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m2BnvfJF9Pg/VArGvr9-hHI/AAAAAAAABnQ/WYxSCs5vKvY/s1600/103.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That brings you quickly up to date and I will endeavour to write on a more regular basis from now on. Famous last words. A bientôt.<br />
<br />
<br />Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-54616715003977148212013-12-27T11:51:00.000+01:002013-12-27T11:51:51.222+01:00Tis the Season <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Hey! I said </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>not
even a mouse<span style="line-height: 115%;">! </span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">A critter behind the wall is disturbing my Christmas Eve tradition of present wrapping whilst <strike>guzzling</strike> sipping wine. The creature is making so much noise I am fearful we will soon have no insulation left. This may be the season of goodwill to all men but that does not include mice and if they think my sofas are on their Christmas menu, think again. Meanwhile </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">The LGB is wallo</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">wing in the long awaited bath complete with bubble bath,
candles and wine whilst morphing into a prune. (Yes, we have a functioning bathroom and even builders can be in touch with their feminine side! I could be in big trouble now.)
I hope he is out by Boxing Day because
we are spending the day with Old Bones on Bikes. The rain is lashing at the window pane and the wind is howling a gale.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Bah Humbug!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">We have a table and chairs set up in the upstairs makeshift
living room. Christmas morning I headed upstairs with our traditional breakfast
of Buck’s Fizz and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on toast. </span></span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">I'm</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> no Nigella, but I make a mean scrambled eggs. These however looked watery. I had poured hot
water on the plates to warm them and forgot to pour it off before serving up!
Scrambled eggs on soggy toast! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Bah
Humbug!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1MsK1rpsps/Ur1Pf08UJbI/AAAAAAAABlo/w0bung8Mb-w/s1600/SDC11918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1MsK1rpsps/Ur1Pf08UJbI/AAAAAAAABlo/w0bung8Mb-w/s320/SDC11918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where else would you want to spend Christmas?<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 21px;">After a luxuriant shower (did I mention we have a bathroom now?) we made a little effort and dressed up in something other than work clothes. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16pt;">On Christmas day traditionally we go for a long walk but the pouring rain scuppered our
promenade this year. More Buck’s Fizz it is then.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bah Humbug!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The
starter was king prawn and lobster cocktail. I bought frozen lobster. I could not have dealt with the demise of a live one on Christmas day (but that bloody mouse better stay out of my way). </span></span><span style="font-size: 21px;">I've</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> never cooked
lobster but there was no problem there, plonked it in hot water and hey presto.
The LGB then took a hammer to it. He asked if I wanted to dress it.
What! I'd managed to pick out a few smart clothes for myself, the least dusty ensemble I could find but I certainly </span></span><span style="font-size: 21px;">wasn't</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> going to start thinking about dressing a lobster. Apart from assuming they would look good in a contrasting shade of orange or green for a chrismassy look I really </span></span><span style="font-size: 21px;">wouldn't</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> know where to start.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bah Humbug!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next stumbling block was how I would cook a sumptuous
meal for two on a one ring camping gas burner, a gas oven with no temperature control and one saucepan. The gas burner is fed by a hairspray size canister which
unfortunately has a habit of catching fire.
Subsequently I have to stay within view with my pompier hat on, ready to
flick the safety switch off before the thing explodes and ruins all the LGB's hard work. Watching a saucepan of potatoes cooking is neither
convenient nor stimulating. Everyone
knows a watched kettle never boils. The gas oven is a one heat setting <s>burns</s> cooks all. The control knob just turns round and round. The LGB says if it’s brown it’s cooked and if
it’s black it’s ******! You get the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bah Humbug!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cONJD0g3Vc4/Ur1P6MR5KqI/AAAAAAAABlw/RIp2uJyiZmk/s1600/SDC11924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cONJD0g3Vc4/Ur1P6MR5KqI/AAAAAAAABlw/RIp2uJyiZmk/s200/SDC11924.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All mod cons here</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1BWFXkBufA/UrzIuOpw_iI/AAAAAAAABj8/XNbMfoLgJQs/s1600/189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1BWFXkBufA/UrzIuOpw_iI/AAAAAAAABj8/XNbMfoLgJQs/s400/189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self combusting gas ring</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The LGB decided to throw another spanner in the
works and make my task a little more difficult by doing a little plumbing on the only day of the year we are meant to do no work and
placed a step ladder in the middle of our makeshift kitchen! With my lonesome saucepan
and the limited cooking facilities and a little jig around the ladder I did
manage to produce an edible spread fit for human consumption. The LGB
thoroughly enjoyed his festive feast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah big hug!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-infLiwgWK_M/Ur1L7D535dI/AAAAAAAABkw/0tBO4LZ502o/s1600/148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-infLiwgWK_M/Ur1L7D535dI/AAAAAAAABkw/0tBO4LZ502o/s640/148.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eNistb0W-A/Ur1NDop2LFI/AAAAAAAABk8/NHf7BclnxaY/s1600/256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eNistb0W-A/Ur1NDop2LFI/AAAAAAAABk8/NHf7BclnxaY/s400/256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnEwHnWHgXI/Ur1Nn1IcCbI/AAAAAAAABlE/HslnNAlPZfw/s1600/259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnEwHnWHgXI/Ur1Nn1IcCbI/AAAAAAAABlE/HslnNAlPZfw/s400/259.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The beautifully decorated shop fronts.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16pt;">Strasbourg Markets</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before Christmas we enjoyed a few days in
Strasbourg with friends. It was well worth
the nine hour plus drive to get there. It has been a crowd puller for hundreds of
years. We stayed in Maison Rouge a great hotel situated in the heart of the city. We were a stone’s throw from
the main square Place Kleber that housed the biggest Christmas tree I have ever seen and an
amazing light and music show across the façade of a building.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kGtKbDNqRkY/UrzLVcr4rMI/AAAAAAAABkQ/d2mczEx5vro/s640/212.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QYoXkU0Yh4/Ur1O2cSaCKI/AAAAAAAABlQ/AZqL44T1hFQ/s1600/303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QYoXkU0Yh4/Ur1O2cSaCKI/AAAAAAAABlQ/AZqL44T1hFQ/s400/303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The historic centre is an island circled by the river which was our circuit for
the first day. La Petite France was my
favourite area. It was full of fairytale character and teeming with old higgledy piggledy timber framed buildings. Artists sat in the streets
peddling their wares whilst painting.
The LGB bought me a very pretty watercolour from a lovely man. The
second day we wended our way up and down every street possible and viewed the
beautiful Gothic Cathedral. The third day we took a train to nearby Colmar another wonderfully historic town with more fabulous Christmas markets. We came across more
artisan stalls there with beautiful handmade pieces. Well worth the visit.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7eNistb0W-A/Ur1NDop2LFI/AAAAAAAABk8/NHf7BclnxaY/s400/256.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GnEwHnWHgXI/Ur1Nn1IcCbI/AAAAAAAABlE/HslnNAlPZfw/s400/259.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The evenings were magical when the stalls were
illuminated. The smell of mulled wine, gingerbread men and bretzels wafted through the chill air. Many of the
shop fronts are elaborately decorated with huge efforts made to outdo one
another. I have never taken so many photos in one place. It was a great kick start to Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhO_LuRRvyc/Ur1LQk_5WRI/AAAAAAAABko/QuLGKWVpeq8/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HhO_LuRRvyc/Ur1LQk_5WRI/AAAAAAAABko/QuLGKWVpeq8/s400/053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Building
update<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Family bathroom up and running. Tiling to
finish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Plumbing for bathrooms completed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unit for family bathroom sanded and painted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kitchen ceiling plastered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Angouleme stone to finish fireplace ordered and
collected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Logs stacked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More details to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By now Christmas will be over, but I hope you have all had a wonderful time. I wish you health and happiness and all that your little hearts desire for 2014. Thank you for popping by the blog and for your comments on the blog, facebook or by email. Each one is much appreciated. xx</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did I mention we have a bathroom now?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS3dUik-twQ/UrzJOWHGyXI/AAAAAAAABkE/FaSxIP_KNMs/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yS3dUik-twQ/UrzJOWHGyXI/AAAAAAAABkE/FaSxIP_KNMs/s320/011.JPG" width="180" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B1BWFXkBufA/UrzIuOpw_iI/AAAAAAAABj8/XNbMfoLgJQs/s320/189.JPG" /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-59038500151693728922013-12-05T23:01:00.000+01:002013-12-05T23:01:07.629+01:00It's Rained, He's Plastered and I'm Annie Sloaned.<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Summer arrived! There
was no forewarning. Spring didn’t stroll
along with us, holding our hands and lead us sedately into summer. There were no little teasers for the heat to
come. There was no mellow preamble, just wham bam here I am. The heat was
intense with no let up. However, those sizzling
days of summer now seem a distant memory.
The cranes are departing to warmer climes shouting their goodbyes as
they fly overhead. Since the last post basically it has
rained every day which meant the LGB couldn't do what he planned to do so he's plastered every day. Let me rephrase that because that doesn't show the LGB in a very good light. The LGB <i>has</i> plastered every day, not the LGB <i>is </i>plastered every day, although I am
sure he would not turn down the opportunity to get plastered any time soon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gZAS7ffqF0/Up-uiVl0taI/AAAAAAAABjg/WfQQN9FpJIQ/s1600/129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gZAS7ffqF0/Up-uiVl0taI/AAAAAAAABjg/WfQQN9FpJIQ/s400/129.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RX_xHyN3Qw/Up-uioubBoI/AAAAAAAABjk/F3ohCtzJsUA/s1600/132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7RX_xHyN3Qw/Up-uioubBoI/AAAAAAAABjk/F3ohCtzJsUA/s400/132.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">A couple of boring little photos of plastering in progress.</span></h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">He was coming along swimmingly with
the fireplace and chimney in the kitchen/family room when Sod’s Law came a-calling. No sooner had he opened up the roof and begun
building the chimney than the rain arrived and he had to cover it all up. Do you know the Charente is meant to be the
second sunniest department in France?
Well someone tell the Big Man because you could have fooled me. I
have hardly been further than the post box for days. It is during these days of relentless rain I
miss having a shopping mall close by just to escape the weather and enjoy a mooch
in the dry. Then to rub salt into the
wound we had a flurry of snow …….in November!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvczNEc11qA/Up-vOMrbETI/AAAAAAAABjs/Iaeyt0dlQqk/s1600/099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WvczNEc11qA/Up-vOMrbETI/AAAAAAAABjs/Iaeyt0dlQqk/s640/099.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">A tasty tease of the fireplace coming along nicely or so the photo would have you believe. We are out of the picture having a domestic about how we are going to get the heavy lintel into position. More about the fireplace to follow.</span></h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But every cloud has a silver lining
and the rain has meant we have just knuckled down to working indoors. The
bathroom floor has had a fourth coat of
varnish. The LGB has worked like a
Trojan from morning until late and has now plastered every ceiling and wall
upstairs. What a difference it
makes! My next job is to paint the
rooms. White to start, until I decide on
colours or wallpaper! Sales of paint
brushes will go through the roof. I’m
still not washing the brushes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Whilst the LGB
has worked his little socks off my days are much easier. I have been varnishing
doors and I have spent many hours sanding down a unit for the family bathroom.
It would have been easier to head to everybody’s favourite Swedish shop for a new one.
Why do I do it? I seem to be under the delusion that I was put on this earth to
rescue things that other people have made redundant and save them from the
scrapheap. One person’s junk is my piece of well-made furniture at a fraction
of the cost of a new piece (unless you go to the Swedish shop). This one has dovetail and mortice and tenon joints. (I wrote that like I really know what I'm talking about, didn't I?) Other bits I have bought have place names and surnames
pencilled on them, maybe the maker or the client’s name? I do wonder at the
history of my bits of junk, who owned them, where they were housed. Hence the
garage is full of pieces of furniture waiting to be spruced up. <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_VSnxtyWJI/Up-uis14q4I/AAAAAAAABjo/OD87g8jf__w/s1600/165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_VSnxtyWJI/Up-uis14q4I/AAAAAAAABjo/OD87g8jf__w/s400/165.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Doors mid varnish</span></h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFJBKbTVwSo/Up-s6igiKiI/AAAAAAAABi8/BVH24OU42uE/s1600/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFJBKbTVwSo/Up-s6igiKiI/AAAAAAAABi8/BVH24OU42uE/s320/136.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Bathroom unit before I started work on it</span></h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I was back in the UK I partook of an Annie Sloan furniture painting
afternoon at <a href="http://www.marilynandmelrose.co.uk/" target="_blank">Marilyn & Melrose</a> in Alnwick, Northumberland. Annie Sloan developed paint
that you can use on almost anything even fabric covered furniture and shoes!! If you don't believe me have a look <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTD_l_LbCKQ" target="_blank">wriggle test here!</a> The
afternoon was enjoyable if a little pricey at £65, but we did get a delicious
slice of cake and coffee. The LGB says
if he stands still too long he is fearful of being Annie Sloaned! That could become a bit of cockney rhyming
slang ‘Cor blimey, he was Annie Sloaned last night!’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Now we are enjoying a little break in Strasbourg at the Christmas Markets. Hopefully some time in the not too distant future I will post about it.</span></div>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-7040982866862105152013-10-27T11:04:00.000+01:002013-10-27T11:04:21.642+01:00My Knight in Shining Lycra<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Running Hummock</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Oh ye of little faith. I
did it – I completed the pledge. In fact
for good measure I did 34 days of continuous cycling. Through wind and rain I
was there battling the elements. I have
to admit I didn’t cover any great distances on these knolls and hummocks, in
fact one evening after a late finish I cycled a few times around our field! Did I enjoy it? I cannot tell a lie – no! The hills were alive with the sounds of me
groaning. I am not sure what was most difficult; the hills or keeping my face
resembling something that looked vaguely human. Every time a car passed I tried
to relax my face and look like I was really enjoying the torture. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The LGB tells me I pull very strange faces when I am merely
putting on my mascara. Can you imagine what
my boat race resembles when I am schlepping up an excruciating gradient? I have the agonised look of someone sitting
in a dentist’s chair having her wisdom teeth extracted through her backside. I
would win any gurning contest hands down. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/article-1288803152711-0be0a325000005dc-183349_636x343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/article-1288803152711-0be0a325000005dc-183349_636x343.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trying hard to look normal on those hills.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtest of metro.co.uk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We have just returned from the UK where I persuaded the LGB to
come for a little gander on the bikes with me. The day before he had purchased a new Trek bicycle and was keen to try it out. It was lovely being back on the
country lanes with the odd gentle incline. The bridge over the ford is only a couple
of feet wide and I have to admit the first few times I gingerly teetered across
it, gradually building up confidence and speed. On this occasion with me
leading the way and the LGB following up the rear, I admit it to you dear
readers, I was showing off as I scooted across the bridge with confident
rapidity. Suddenly I heard a clatter and the air clouded with the expletives
emanating from the mouth of the LGB. He
was hanging over one side of the bridge and the new bike was hanging the other side
of the bridge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--W71kgEhpgU/UmzdfcQLoHI/AAAAAAAABiE/ns6Es4vCvfc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--W71kgEhpgU/UmzdfcQLoHI/AAAAAAAABiE/ns6Es4vCvfc/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Site of catastrophe!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Unfortunately, I am not good in times of crisis. Nerves take
over and the giggles kick in. It took a while for him to extricate the bike
from the grips of the bridge rails. His wheel was all skew-whiff and the bike scratched and unrideable. (Is that a real word?) As luck would have it a
knight in shining lycra pulled up, offered assistance, straightened out the
LGB’s wheel and we carried on our merry way with the LGB commenting that at least his bike didn't look brand new any more! It’s at times like this one feels a bit of a silly billy wearing a padded gusset, a cycling helmet and sitting on a good make of
bicycle with not an inkling what to do with a wonky wheel. We carried on, the LGB
nursing a grazed arm and knee and enjoyed an 18.5 km ride.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Some building news, because after all this is a blog about our
house build. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I bought a selection of sample paints last time we were in the
UK, painted pieces of wood and finally made a decision on a colour for the kitchen units. You will know by now the deliberations I have
gone through to arrive at my chosen paint colours. I chose Poetic Justice and Fog. The colours proved to be aptly named because by an ironic twist of fate I was left in a fog when</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I
sauntered up to the paint counter with my paint order to be told they have discontinued the colours. Back to the drawing board, or
colour chart!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I have made a decision for the flooring! Yes really. Travertine
stone in random sizes. Quick put the order in before I change my mind. I chose the
accent tiles for the en suite too! I’m
getting good at making decisions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The LGB has plastered another bedroom. The French tend to just dry line their walls
but the LGB likes to give himself a little extra work and has decided to
plaster every ceiling and wall! It’s a nicer
finish, so I am not complaining. I am
actually full of awe and admiration that he can get the walls so smooth when he
can’t even pull the bed covers straight. I might get him to ice the Christmas
cake.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tD9mkTiPfA/UmzknoTjQYI/AAAAAAAABic/sP5wp7a6ySs/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tD9mkTiPfA/UmzknoTjQYI/AAAAAAAABic/sP5wp7a6ySs/s400/028.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppBmh-5DF5Q/UmzkOydXpCI/AAAAAAAABiU/592sRItXps4/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppBmh-5DF5Q/UmzkOydXpCI/AAAAAAAABiU/592sRItXps4/s320/052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The stone fireplace is well under way. I have painted a couple more windows and a headboard for my niece. We have finished insulating the loft. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">At this point I would add a few photos but the ones I downloaded yesterday seem to have disappeared! Another blonde moment. I really will try to keep the blog more up to date. Thank you to all of you who continue to comment and sorry I don't always reply but you know the situation. I will just have to spend more time in McD or Quick Burger!</span></span></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-40768912872479300162013-09-15T10:41:00.000+02:002013-09-15T11:16:18.769+02:00Pledges, Wedges, Sludge and Suds<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Pledge</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve done it I’ve taken the pledge! I’m not talking furniture
polish here of the Mr Sheen variety. I
have no need of polish in my present circumstances but I am looking forward to
the day when I will need to dust the furniture, for a week at least. And no, I
haven’t pledged to abstain from consuming alcohol. Given up drink, heavens no. I have taken the pledge to cycle for thirty
days. Not continuously you understand
and no specific distances stipulated, I just have to go for a ride every day
for thirty days. I may live to regret
the decision and that is all I have to say on the matter for now. I found the pledge at <a href="http://30daysofbiking.com/" target="_blank">30 Days of Biking</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who Said Romance is Dead</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now my man is not the most romantic homo sapien, any mention of
St Valentine’s Day and he goes all ‘bah humbug’ on me. I have had one bunch of flowers from him when
he came home from the pub at closing time but I think my brother knew the
florist and she was selling them off cheap. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.toonpool.com/user/4034/files/homo_sapiens_weeding_724745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.toonpool.com/user/4034/files/homo_sapiens_weeding_724745.jpg" height="400" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of Toon Pool <a href="http://www.toonpool.com/user/4034/files/homo_sapiens_weeding_724745.jpg" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print'; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.toonpool.com</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He buys
chocolate quite often but for his own consumption and usually of the dark
variety which I don’t care for. Lucky for him I’m a cheap date; I’m not a big
drinker as I am always the driver, I don’t hanker after all the latest
fashions, have no desire for a flash car (although I wouldn’t send a Mercedes
Sport back if he bought me one) and I don’t have regular manicures, pedicures
or hair dos (some think I should). However, I must admit I’m no Liz
Taylor but I have always had a desire for a huge ‘eff off’ solitaire diamond,
but I’m not holding my breath for that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He has however excelled himself in my books; he’s plumbed in my washing
machine! What more could a gal want. No more visits to the launderette. No more will I have to share a machine with a
hairy arsed trucker who puts his flip flops and dog blankets in with their
smalls. Said machine is temporarily
located in the downstairs loo. I can sit
on the throne complete with soft close lid and fill the machine in
comfort. The only downside is my drum
will only fit about 5 kilos whereas the launderette had the 18 kilo
machines. Still, it’s a small price to
pay. Who says romance is dead!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Septic Tanks and Stink Pipes</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are not hooked up to mains sewerage here. This means we have had to install a septic
tank or fosse septique. This requires a
4000 litre concrete tank that catches our pooh, pee and waste water. The pooh settles at the bottom of the tank (the
sludge layer) and the liquid goes through pipes to a 30 square metre filter bed
and finally down a 20 metre pipe. A very nice lad from SPANC has been out to
inspect and passed it. We just have the
20 metre trench, a grease trap and a stink pipe to complete the process and be
awarded our certificate which will take pride of place on the wall next to my
10 metre Swimming Certificate and the LGB’s City and Guilds Building
Certificate. The stink pipe has to pass
through the roof and beyond the roof ridge line. It does what it says on the tin and carries the
smelly gases and thus the stink and throws it out through the roof pipe to be
wafted away by a passing breeze and blown through someone else’s open window
and in turn we get someone’s smells floating through our window. There’s lovely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSHU4FrrkG4/UjVar3jhCwI/AAAAAAAABhg/_h10-nGSxQg/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSHU4FrrkG4/UjVar3jhCwI/AAAAAAAABhg/_h10-nGSxQg/s1600/010.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ePEzJdStZI/UjVax2XFIsI/AAAAAAAABho/HozUgIT11KA/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ePEzJdStZI/UjVax2XFIsI/AAAAAAAABho/HozUgIT11KA/s1600/018.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AGOCn1-jR4/UjVax8e2dHI/AAAAAAAABhs/zfuBbc27_zM/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9AGOCn1-jR4/UjVax8e2dHI/AAAAAAAABhs/zfuBbc27_zM/s1600/049.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I continue to paint as and when I am not needed by the LGB (the
windows that is not amazing masterpieces).
I am looking for flooring for the ground floor. Of course everything I like is hugely
expensive so a compromise has to be reached.
The LGB wants to start the fireplace before the bad weather sets in so
that we can get a wood burner up and running that means thinking of a design
and ordering stone. I am all for that, I don't fancy showering in 1.5 degrees again this year. Decisions,
decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wash Day Blues</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hey boys, do you think I could renew my membership with you at
the Wash Day Blues Club. It’s just that
after the LGB kindly plumbed in my washing machine I discovered the drive belt
has gone on it and the drum won’t go round!
Would that be okay then? No, no ‘hairy arsed’ is an English term of
endearment we endow on hard working macho truckers. Yes, really. In fact I have my own hairy arsed builder at home. So when you’ve finished washing your sweaty
vests and y-fronts can I use that machine!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-22057265607573462752013-08-25T08:57:00.002+02:002013-08-25T08:59:51.146+02:00We Are Still Here!<div class="MsoNormal">
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">A La Carte</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Most visitors arrive with a little offering; a bottle of wine, groceries for the duration of their stay or a bunch of flowers. This lot - nothing, not even a morcel of cheese. Nevertheless, they ascended upon us, treated us like a five star restaurant, ate their fill and caused irreparable damage.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">'What do you fancy from the menu Minnie?'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">'Oh Mickey you spoil me. I think I’ll have the stuffed sofa seat
cushion. What about you?'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">'I’m going for the cushion back with stuffing and as a special
treat let’s share a little cushion piping shall we?'</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">War has been declared! We
shall fight them on the settees. We shall
fight them on the sofas. We shall banish
the mouse from the house.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">More unwelcome visitors. The mice </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">among</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> the clothes was bad
enough now we have found the little sods have been squatting in the sofas we
have stored in the house and munched through two sofa cushions and worse still
through the covers too. My fault entirely,
I should have removed the covers as I have done with the other sofas. Do you
think patchwork settees can ever catch on?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cEqevzW2kk/UhmoTKY9WCI/AAAAAAAABg4/J7kDreBHZC8/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2cEqevzW2kk/UhmoTKY9WCI/AAAAAAAABg4/J7kDreBHZC8/s1600/026.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A delicious helping of stuffed cushion<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Bienvenue</span></h4>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Back to the building work.
Come on in. Wipe your feet – on
second thoughts wipe them on your way out!
Let me show you around. It’s been
a long time since we were all on site.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-op6VJXhtIkU/UhmpNqVGfDI/AAAAAAAABhE/pAhY8COwXnI/s1600/412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-op6VJXhtIkU/UhmpNqVGfDI/AAAAAAAABhE/pAhY8COwXnI/s1600/412.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Since we arrived back from the UK the LGB has built a temporary
staircase. At the time I wondered why he
was expending his time and energy building something that would later be pulled
down; however, it really has made life so much easier than climbing a
ladder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyB8ZzVl0bg/Uepgy43dNQI/AAAAAAAABgk/TzrKyEaTs68/s1600/SDC11539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyB8ZzVl0bg/Uepgy43dNQI/AAAAAAAABgk/TzrKyEaTs68/s1600/SDC11539.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBoiuJPcBxU/Uepgzz_qPnI/AAAAAAAABgs/qwgr9KbF0TM/s1600/SDC11541.JPG" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolby surround sound cinerma screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBoiuJPcBxU/Uepgzz_qPnI/AAAAAAAABgs/qwgr9KbF0TM/s1600/SDC11541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We have put the picture window in the kitchen/diner. The mountain of earth has been moved and
we have a view down the garden. We sit in our reclining garden chairs like Derby and Jone in an old folks home. It is like having our own little cinema screen, but the only action is when the wind blows and the trees sway a little or a deer wanders through the garden, but pleasing to us! The front door is in and I am
chuffed to bits with that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I Can Sing A Rainbow</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I have actually
made a decision about the colour for the windows, yes really. It is a lovely shade of snotty green. Actually, I don't know the name of the paint colour, probably something like rolling stone moss. They always have marvellous names for paint colours don't they; watermelon pink, clotted cream, driftwood grey. Sometimes we would never guess what the colour may be. The career's adviser never told me I could have a job naming paints. I'd be a little more real so you would really know what colour you were getting; shitty brown, gloomy day grey, varicose vein blue, yellow jaundice, pasty face pink. I'm liking this, I could go on and on. Anyway, I have chosen snotty green and I am
quite happy with it – this week! So the
picture window and the front door frame have been painted. I’m even washing the
brushes!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">The LGB has plastered the family bathroom. We have made great progress with the insulation and plaster boarding the ceiling and the
walls. What a difference! It really is all coming together. The electrician is getting us all wired up before we get cut off again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We have had many visitors not including the rodents and I will write about that soon. They had all been forewarned. People holiday abroad and complain because
there are building sites next to their hotels, but we actually have friends and
family coming fully aware they are staying on a building site! No refunds or compensation will be given! Amazingly, everybody so far has enjoyed their stay. The pee bucket, concrete floors, make shift shower, downstairs toilet with no door (there is a curtain for some privacy) is putting nobody off.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A rather rushed and disjointed post I’m afraid, my
apologies. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-13405250196706298632013-06-16T10:00:00.000+02:002013-06-16T10:00:03.470+02:00No Place Like Home<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home. Believe me when I say the way we are living
at present is humble at best or basic for want of a better word, but we are glad to be
back. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it has. Strangely, calling France 'home' has never tripped off the tongue easily, but this time it does.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">Circumstances meant our stay in the UK was much longer than we
had first intended. Our journey back was
uneventful. The LGB disguised as White
Van Man was pulled over by customs.
When he got out as requested Mr Customs said ‘I used to have one of
those’ The LGB thought he was referring to his trusty VW van. He was actually referring to the neck cushion
the LGB still had hugging his neck like a pet ferret. Just ten minutes earlier he had walked into
the Eurotunnel building with it around his neck and me bent double laughing at
him and still a few hours later put diesel in the van with his appendage still
attached. And he accuses me of having
‘blonde’ moments, the cheek of the man. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">No great surprises awaited us; the neighbours spied our arrival
within seconds, there was nothing nasty lurking in the post box and the grass
and weeds were waist high - happy days. We walked around grinning like Cheshire
cats, happy to be back – to be <i>home</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBB-BxPsQog/Ub1h71rT-5I/AAAAAAAABgQ/V3zMc-lsYz8/s1600/SDC11513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DBB-BxPsQog/Ub1h71rT-5I/AAAAAAAABgQ/V3zMc-lsYz8/s1600/SDC11513.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tackling the Jungle</span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">The LGB had hardly started strimming before
the local farmer called by and offered to cut the grass for us (I think he felt
sorry for the LGB!) and the next day Hugh arrived with his strimmer to give us
a hand. Our first night back we stayed with The Old Bones On Bikes and Thursday
evening ate with the Welsh Contingent; good food, laughter, banter and easy
company - back to normal. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">In a Lather</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">All good things come to an end.
The euphoria lasted all of a day before I discovered a sodding mouse had
moved into a chest of drawers in the garage. Obviously thinking I had nothing better to do during these lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer he left his mark over seven
drawers of clean, ironed clothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">Now there is nothing I like better than to
spend a few hours in the local launderette where the smell of wet doggy
blankets assails the nostrils at a hundred paces and strangers' short and curlies cling to the glass of the washing machine door. Where is the Levi man in his undies when you need him? I filled two 18kg machines and a 10kg machine. I usually like to live and let live with
critters but……..<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">Sadly the other things that had grown were the two of us! I think our clothing was giving us hints
whilst we were in the UK but the scales on our return confirmed the bad news
when it squealed in breathless agony as we stepped on and each of us declared
they must be wrong or faulty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">What
happens when we return to the UK, I don’t quite know. We seem to go into famine mode and seek out all the things that </span><span style="line-height: 27px;">aren't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> readily available to us living in the wilds of woolly. We indulge in the odd Indian take-away (even
though the LGB makes a mean Indian). We
enjoy a portion of fish and chips, especially when they are eaten from the
paper on the coast at Seahouses in Northumberland. Pub grub, a couple of restaurant visits and
my Dad’s sweetie drawer all help to expand the waistline. A little helping of
will power would solve the problem but will power is on ration when we are in
the UK. So we just get fatter. I have a feeling the strimming will be a lot
easier to tackle than the slimming!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 36px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.neilsrecruitment.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/fish-and-chips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.neilsrecruitment.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/fish-and-chips.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
Health and Safety won't allow the newspaper any longer!</h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;">Just in passing, I would like to say the Charente is very hilly!
I only went for a 4 mile ride and it was tougher than 20 miles in
Hampshire! This could put a spoke in my
cycling career! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-969782558254051602013-06-03T01:44:00.000+02:002013-06-03T01:44:52.153+02:00My Ride in Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I last posted I had no photos so for the last couple of rides I have taken out my trusted little Samsung. This one behaves and the photos end up where I can upload them.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I usually head straight for the ford for no other reason than loving the route. It's just down the road and a nice tranquil start to a ride. This marks the Hampshire/Berkshire border.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8AtFxpNDf2A/UavMUsv3v2I/AAAAAAAABeY/pTwxfp26LdI/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8AtFxpNDf2A/UavMUsv3v2I/AAAAAAAABeY/pTwxfp26LdI/s1600/005.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxOCzV1lM0E/UavMWFhO0bI/AAAAAAAABeg/7Hh6Zo4Tp9w/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rxOCzV1lM0E/UavMWFhO0bI/AAAAAAAABeg/7Hh6Zo4Tp9w/s1600/006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcVMYxSnbrk/UavMWr9GwLI/AAAAAAAABek/ZlT-DlUoupk/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcVMYxSnbrk/UavMWr9GwLI/AAAAAAAABek/ZlT-DlUoupk/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure how much use the little red box gets in this quiet lane.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxZe5oe6e4c/UavMX7Y-unI/AAAAAAAABew/HGxtAgqJxAg/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxZe5oe6e4c/UavMX7Y-unI/AAAAAAAABew/HGxtAgqJxAg/s1600/014.JPG" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_fV-ObTxzI/UavM_bbmeKI/AAAAAAAABfA/7cwOq46_zUQ/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_fV-ObTxzI/UavM_bbmeKI/AAAAAAAABfA/7cwOq46_zUQ/s1600/046.JPG" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UT0didgKAfw/UavMYNvtcjI/AAAAAAAABe0/r5ftaalnjUc/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UT0didgKAfw/UavMYNvtcjI/AAAAAAAABe0/r5ftaalnjUc/s1600/020.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I love this entrance. The big house? Not really for me, but I would love to have a look around nonetheless.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nosey? Me? </span> </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KM4LeT_j9OU/UavNN6xExDI/AAAAAAAABfI/MLfvakHHrEw/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KM4LeT_j9OU/UavNN6xExDI/AAAAAAAABfI/MLfvakHHrEw/s1600/026.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was dismayed this morning to see a dead swan on the road ahead.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On closer inspection I identified it as a cygnus tesco bagus! I should have gone to Specsavers. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLJW2FTeflA/UavNPXH1ydI/AAAAAAAABfU/bboSufbPRAk/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLJW2FTeflA/UavNPXH1ydI/AAAAAAAABfU/bboSufbPRAk/s1600/030.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what you would call a country pub.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVN5ykpO25k/UavNQzTx0aI/AAAAAAAABfg/UpiHlAOZkj8/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sVN5ykpO25k/UavNQzTx0aI/AAAAAAAABfg/UpiHlAOZkj8/s1600/035.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://parish.finchampstead.co.uk/history/st-james-church/" target="_blank">St James' Church, Finchampstead</a> is set in a beautiful position within a pretty village with little more than a pub and a few houses.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6de4Ices_J4/UavNSbtBINI/AAAAAAAABfs/4V-mSPJvmOs/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6de4Ices_J4/UavNSbtBINI/AAAAAAAABfs/4V-mSPJvmOs/s1600/036.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WaE-Y4ikXg/UavNSYpb87I/AAAAAAAABfo/VDSS5l9jNqM/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--WaE-Y4ikXg/UavNSYpb87I/AAAAAAAABfo/VDSS5l9jNqM/s1600/040.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's me!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PeX6u0yOPbg/UavNTHp9hOI/AAAAAAAABf4/CUBekzHsJyM/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PeX6u0yOPbg/UavNTHp9hOI/AAAAAAAABf4/CUBekzHsJyM/s1600/042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was having a little gander at the lake when I spied a cyclist heading off down a path. I took the same route and enjoyed a wonderful ride around the lakes. I only passed two people who appeared to be bird watching. I am feeling a lot more comfortable being in secluded places alone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We return to France on Tuesday. The hills of the Charente will be a challenge I'm sure. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, some building progress too.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-65654030856676274242013-05-13T10:11:00.000+02:002013-05-17T01:35:26.509+02:00On Yer Bike!Apologies for posting without photos, but I have a new camera and being the techno whizz I am I can't work out how to upload photos. Thank you for the advice some of you have offered but I still can't do it!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've bought a new bicycle and before I go any further I will
offer my beginner’s tips in case there are any other cycling virgins out there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Handy Hints</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thongs are a big no no unless you are up for a little masochistic
bottom flossing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When planning a route avoid places with names like;
Bramshill, Farley Hill, The Downs, Lower or Upper anywhere because the clue is in the
name – chuffing hills. If you go whizzing
down a hill, the wind whooshing through your hair, legs akimbo, inevitably you have to get back up the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Keep your mouth closed.
Flies supposedly contain some protein but I would rather have a handful of peanuts any day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/25158_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.drinkstuff.com/productimg/25158_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Choose your cycling clothing carefully</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://assets1.howtospendit.ft-static.com/images/15/f2/93/15f293c5-1ab3-4d5d-8539-04f9e1295426_seven_hundred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://assets1.howtospendit.ft-static.com/images/15/f2/93/15f293c5-1ab3-4d5d-8539-04f9e1295426_seven_hundred.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">courtesy of howtospendit.ft.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I paid more for this push-bike than I did for my
first car. In fact I paid more for the blooming helmet than my first car. My old bicycle is hard work; I can only equate the difficulty of riding it to a jockey
riding a donkey in the Grand National.
Whilst my new bike is not quite a thoroughbred it is proving to be a good little runner. I figured if I paid a little more for a bike guilt alone <strike>may</strike> will get me out riding. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have many pieces of exercise equipment. I have an exercise ball, an abdominal roller, a lateral thigh stepper, a dyna-band, a chest flexer and a mat to name but a few. In the old house I always managed to get these into the water heater cupboard and squeeze the door closed. They never saw the light of day again until the next piece was shoe-horned in. I am sure a psychoanalyst would have a field day about some event during P.E. in early childhood, a Freudian gym-slip or something. It is a standing joke now if I see a piece of equipment and mention that it looks good the LGB will ask if it will fit in the cupboard! So, my thinking is that the bike <b>won't</b> fit in a cupboard and each time I pass it in the garage it will look at me accusingly and remind me that I could have had a nice little beach holiday sipping Pina Coladas for the price I paid for Bella the bike.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I rode it back the 13 kilometers from the shop the day I
bought it and nearly put it straight out to pasture. Only yards from the shop a van pulled across in front of me. I had to get off and walk up one hill. I felt every bump on the road and I thought I may have to have the seat surgically removed at the end of the ride. But I persevered and we now have a passionate
love affair going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What to wear? I wanted to look the part but didn't want people thinking 'who does she think she is Lance Armstrong?' Minus
the drugs of course, well I do pop the odd Ibuprofen, just for the sore
muscles, you understand. But I have now
treated myself to a cyclist's jacket. It
has little pockets on the back for my phone (in case I fall off or get lost), some money (I
might need a drink or nourishment or a taxi home), tissues (it’s a runny nose
hobby) and of course my lippy (a girl can't leave home without it). <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: large;"> I have also purchased </span><span style="font-size: large;">a skort, which is a pair of shorts with a skirt attached and I wear that over my leggings. I figured it would be a little less scary for drivers coming up behind me and encountering my big arse. They would recognise me as a female in a skort and not as an eclipse of the sun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youcanbikethere.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/400x400/team_photos/fat-woman-on-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://www.youcanbikethere.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/400x400/team_photos/fat-woman-on-bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have done a few 9 to 11 kilometer rides and was pretty
chuffed to do 25 kilometers one day.
There are no great speeds involved during my rides but I did reach 24 miles an
hour going downhill. That almost made
the 30 mile an hour road signs worthwhile. I don’t plan my routes, I just head off. Dad lives in a lovely area in Hampshire. I meander up and down lanes; all the places
you wouldn't go with a car. I daydream about which gated house I would buy if I
won the lottery. I convert garages and
out-houses into beautiful abodes. I have
found terraced cottages overlooking village greens that I never knew existed and small business tucked away behind trees. I avoid pot holes and when some idiot passes a little too close for comfort I shout 'tosser' and hope he can't lip read in his rear view mirror.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am frequently overtaken by uber fit young things and wrinkly
old things. Today the only things I
managed to pass were a rabbit grazing in the hedgerow and an old biddy with a zimmer frame, no really. On one ride I
thought I would go left at the roundabout until I noticed a fellow cyclist
complete with high definition yellow jacket ahead of me. I knew with a little push I could overtake
her. So, I went for it and I did! Yay, give that gal the yellow jersey! How sad am I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I headed off in the rain. That’s dedication for you! I just followed my nose. I go down cul-de-sacs and back up again, along unadopted roads and if the name of a
road takes my fancy how can I resist turning down it? Today it was Nutbean Lane and it didn't disappoint. I approached an old man with a walking stick and a dog and as I drew alongside I said 'good morning'. The poor old fellow visibly jumped and yelled 'Aaaaahhh' before returning my greeting. I apologised for frightening him and cycled on giggling I'm ashamed to say.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">En route I decided I would like to go further
than my previous 25 km. I thought 32 km (20 miles) would be a good distance. I was pleased as punch when I reached my goal, but that quickly
dissipated when I realised I hadn't yet reached home. By now I was struggling a little. My thoughts turned from beautiful lottery win
homes to the length of the NHS waiting list for a couple of replacement knees. I won’t even go
into how my derriere was feeling and my nether regions are fairly well padded,
how do these skinny Tour de France riders keep going?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">With no membership to Roadside Recovery I had no choice but
to carry on. I was pretty chuffed to get
back all red faced and wobbly legged to tell Dad I had just cycled
35.405568 kilometers. He said he had
been tip-toeing around the house because he thought I was still in bed!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am reporting my progress in kilometres because that is what I am now
used to since living in France. Okay, I'm lying. I am really doing it because </span><span style="font-size: large;">35.405568 km s</span><span style="font-size: large;">ounds so much
further than 22 miles!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For now I am thoroughly enjoying the freedom the bike offers. I am not so sure how enthusiastic I will be around the hills of the Charente. Holland looks like an appealing place to live. I wonder if I pushed reaaalllly hard do you think I could get the bike in the water heater cupboard?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-8142051526927226032013-05-02T02:06:00.002+02:002013-05-02T10:34:56.545+02:00Mind the Gap<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I have been asked why I haven't been posting on the blog. Well there is not a lot of building going on at the moment. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">We
are still in the UK. This is how I came
to be on the 8 o’clock commuter train from Richmond to Waterloo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">It is not a mode of travel I have often taken and a number of things struck me. As the doors opened I was sucked onto the train <span style="line-height: 20px;">with the crowd </span>with barely the need to use my feet. I had to stop myself from greeting the hoards with a ‘Bonjour, tout le monde’. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">With standing room only for the plebs I had
my nose pressed up against the glass door to the first class carriage looking in at the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;">privileged few </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">and feeling a certain amount of seat envy. While the hoi polloi stood and jostled for a
little personal space the lucky buggers behind the glass not only had the luxury of one comfy seat but also a spare one next to them allowing them to spread one bum cheek on each seat if the fancy took them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">These
people probably travel on the same train day in day out, surrounded by the same
faces but there was no interaction. Each
one was ensconced in their own little bubble world of techno gadgets. Wires were hanging out of </span><span style="line-height: 21px;">ear-holes,</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> thumbs
were texting with dizzying speed in danger of being disjointed, kindles were
being flicked, laptops were being tapped
and one first classer was watching Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear whilst texting
on his gismo – show off! More amazingly some were playing with their Pou! No, not pooh - Pou! These people are adopting <a href="http://www.pou.me/" target="_blank">Pous</a>. A Pou is a virtual I don't quite know what who live in fear of being neglected, starved or deprived of sleep and if you don't feed, clothe, tickle and take care of them they die! Oh, don't ask! It's enough of a worry for me to decide what to cook for the two of us each evening without having to remember to feed, clothe and put to bed some virtual alien pet. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1rIYxEnoOOVp1JXMMpyODXIZ30uHhuuYtMR7p2Wz13B02yYAfIA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR1rIYxEnoOOVp1JXMMpyODXIZ30uHhuuYtMR7p2Wz13B02yYAfIA" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Pous have been dressed in their Sunday best</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5624/pou117781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5624/pou117781.jpg" width="198" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Say please!</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photos google.com)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">The technophobe that I am prayed the
LGB </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">wouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> phone me because that would have meant getting out my little Nokia
pay-as-you-go and I could not face the elbow nudging and giggles that would ensue from the state of the arters with their super-duper all singing all dancing gadgets. But I am sticking with my little relic, my little dinosaur of the mobile world because
I know how to send a text on it and it is very useful to call the LGB and b*ll*ck him when I
lose him in the supermarket. (He is the
only man I know who loves shopping and can spend twenty minutes in the biscuit
aisle.) Besides I really shouldn't be let lose with anything of any more technical than a tin opener these days because my 'blonde moments' are getting more frequent, as the LGB likes to point out. I put the kettle on the hob for a cuppa last week - electric kettles do not like gas hobs, they simply melt!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.txroadrunners.com/images/pics/funny5/BigNokiaCellPhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.txroadrunners.com/images/pics/funny5/BigNokiaCellPhone.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I googled 'old fashioned mobile phones' and an image of mine actually came up.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This one is the newer version!</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo theappslab.com)</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Another thing that struck me was that I stuck out/stood out like a
sore thumb or an overgrown Little Red Riding Hood in my red coat. I seemed to have broken the commuter dress
code that stipulates mornings must be monochrome. ‘You vill not vear colour, you
vill not speak to your neighbour, you vill not make eye contact’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I was meeting a friend later in the day so with time to kill I trotted
off to the Tate Modern for a mooch. I
think a visit to any art exhibition would beg the question ‘But is it art?’ I
am more of a grand master gal myself.
Dali’s plastic Lobster Telephone just </span><span style="line-height: 27px;">doesn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> float my boat (or ring my
bell), having said that I love street art and graffiti but I will save that for
another post too, together with my visit to <a href="http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/light-show-69759" target="_blank">The Light Show</a> at the Southbank Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Shivering on a platform waiting for another train, the lady next
to me commented on the weather. As we
chatted and established that she was Austrian living in London and I was
English living in France she commented that ‘Nobody is at home’! How true!
We parted company smiling. My opinion of the miserable commuters was changing. Later
I asked a lad for the direction to the nearest tube station. He was carrying his lunch but turned around
and walked me back some way to an information board to show me where to go
before retracing his steps. I have
visited London a few times since I have been back and have been pleasantly
surprised by how friendly and helpful people have been. I wasn't too impressed however to be offered a seat on the tube by a young lady. I'm not sure if she thought I was old or pregnant! Just a spot of wind love!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">There is an amazing employee at Mortlake station called Daniel
who greeted us on two </span><span style="line-height: 27px;">occasions</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> with a huge grin, joked and told us the best deal for
travelling. We watched him greet the other commuters by name and they greeted him likewise. The punk ticket inspector at another station
happily posed for photos for us and a flower seller gave us directions with
good cheer when I thought she may have been sick to the back teeth of tourists
asking the way. I was heartened by the
responses I got from them and others including policemen and a road sweeper.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfPlw_4WEx8/UX7P00k2hbI/AAAAAAAABdo/3kUidK1_IfI/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfPlw_4WEx8/UX7P00k2hbI/AAAAAAAABdo/3kUidK1_IfI/s640/073.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a legend. You just have to smile!</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">My photo</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">So, for anyone who says The Smoke is an unfriendly inhospitable
place I would have to disagree. Perhaps
my attitude has changed since living in France. In France it is the norm to walk into a room
and greet everyone. People say ‘bonjour’ just joining the queue in the local shop, walking into the doctor’s surgery or into
a bar. Strangers wish you ‘bon apetit’
in restaurants and even when they walk past when you are munching a sandwich on
a park bench. I like these little
niceties. I do pass little comments and interact
with strangers more, whether that comes with age or living in France I am not
sure. But will someone tell the LGB I
still don’t do noise and heavy conversation first thing in the morning! Sometimes silence is golden!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-52672296223200580032013-04-08T22:21:00.000+02:002013-04-09T20:14:28.568+02:00You can take the girl out of the town............<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5935074088_27d104bc6e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5935074088_27d104bc6e.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">but you can’t take
the town out of the girl. I use the term <i>girl</i> very loosely. I was
born in West London and raised in suburbia in Berkshire but I have always thought
of myself as a country girl at heart. It
must go back to my roots. My family on my paternal side are from farmland Wales (no sheep jokes, thank you) and my maternal side are from the bogs of rural
Ireland (rumour has it via France, booted out during the revolution).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I love my own company. I would venture into any large city on my own yet I am not terribly comfortable walking in quiet locations alone. I experienced a ‘girl about
town’ moment of fretfulness recently when I was recycling on the outskirts of a local village.
The rubbish and recycling bins are tucked away in a little area opposite the cemetery behind some hedging, next to some
woodland. It was dusk as I was emptying
the van and thinking to myself it was a little bit of a spooky place to
be all alone. My imagination always goes into overdrive. Who would notice if somebody leapt out of a wheelie bin to...... to what? It's not like people round here do their recycling wearing a Rolex watch or the Crown Jewels or carrying a wallet stuffed with notes. It would also be highly unlikely that someone would snuggle down amongst the black sacks in such a remote spot in the hope of a potential victim turning up. They could be there days nestled between last weeks chicken carcass and the used kitty litter. I was startled out of my daydream when I heard the clippety clop of footsteps. I looked across the road to see a man and his
lass walking past the cemetery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I called
‘Bon soir' and monsieur returned a salutation but his lass, the cow, didn't answer. I’m not
casting aspersions over some woman I have never met; she really was a cow of the heifer variety. I love the unexpected sights of country living. He was nonchalantly leading her along the road towards the village. I am not sure where
he was coming from with his bovine friend or where he was going or what his
intentions were, I was just relieved that I wasn't in imminent danger of being
mugged for my empty jam jars by one man and his cow!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeDBJ3KwdIw/UWJ8FHMmpeI/AAAAAAAABdM/L93dzt8V3DI/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeDBJ3KwdIw/UWJ8FHMmpeI/AAAAAAAABdM/L93dzt8V3DI/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">On the way home from choir I passed a couple of wild boars
just up the road from the house. I took
a wide berth and slowed down but the little bugger head butted the side of the van and left
a scratch down the side. I presume his tusks made the scratch and it wasn't a wanton act of vandalism with a key. I was a little
disconcerted as we had walked that route in the dark at about the same time a
few weeks back and it had gone through my mind then that we may have a close
encounter with a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_boar" target="_blank">sus scrofa</a></i> and what would I do. I decided
I would hide behind a lamp post, well, not exactly hide as that implies I wouldn't be seen and I most certainly would be seen, even standing sideways breathing in. However, there are no lamp posts! Run? I understand they can run quite fast and I can't! Maybe I should carry an emergency packet of pork scratchings or a pot of terrine de sanglier to waft at it's snout as a warning as to where he could end up. Seriously,
what does one do in this instance? I
don’t think I will be walking home in the dark again any time soon. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Young_wild_boar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Young_wild_boar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was like this, but MUCH bigger, naturally, and lighter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy of Wikipedia)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am now moving around the land when it is dark
with a certain amount of trepidation. During
the summer I was scanning the awning for snakes before entering, I am now
scanning the area for boars before exiting.
These creatures didn't look at all like some I had previously seen from a distance, they were more like little prehistoric mini
woolly mammoths. No, they weren't sheep
and I wasn't drunk. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1V0eKbWVQ/UWMmeUHllEI/AAAAAAAABdY/Y8TAZRXYjKM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1V0eKbWVQ/UWMmeUHllEI/AAAAAAAABdY/Y8TAZRXYjKM/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't say I didn't warn you!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I went across to tell the French neighbour we would be away for a while. When we got to saying our see you soons and have a nice time he raised his hand and in not so much of a girl about town<i> </i>moment but more a Deb in the hood</span><span style="font-size: large;"> or Deb from the block<i> </i>moment I actually gave him a high five. A real '<i>yo bro, gimme a high five</i>' jobbie! I was absolutely mortified and can feel a blush coming up (again) just thinking about it. I realised a slap too late he was just waving me off. He flinched and looked a little startled. I don't know what on earth possessed me to do it, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I never do high fives! I hate it when sportsmen do it or contestants on shows when they get an answer right or anybody doing it. The only high five I have ever done was more of a low five to a three year old. I can add a 75 year old Frenchman to that now!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/5671867904/h15BF9963/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/5671867904/h15BF9963/" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(courtesy of cheezburger)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-74376404014230495132013-03-30T23:35:00.000+01:002013-03-31T21:48:52.940+02:00Some You Win & Some You Lose!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVpznxhV03LKzE1Ii5drGXsrC0R85YM_l5Xi_34j4mQSZ3udgmOg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSVpznxhV03LKzE1Ii5drGXsrC0R85YM_l5Xi_34j4mQSZ3udgmOg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Are you shopping with your wife today?” the cheery assistant asked my Dad. “No, this is my daughter.” </span>My Father is 76 years old. Thanks love, you've really made my Easter! I can only cling for dear life to the hope that she thought he was my Sugar Daddy. Now, give me another pot of that wrinkle cream.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But some you win……… </span><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhdr0u87fa4dydKQEDERfnGIYp4W1PELJwKM-E-AwHdHzQ1pXE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="68" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQhdr0u87fa4dydKQEDERfnGIYp4W1PELJwKM-E-AwHdHzQ1pXE" width="200" /></a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xts8dfKRRM/URLXwwU6tjI/AAAAAAAAANo/86WR80-y2w4/s1600/LIEBSTER-BLOG-AWARD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Xts8dfKRRM/URLXwwU6tjI/AAAAAAAAANo/86WR80-y2w4/s400/LIEBSTER-BLOG-AWARD.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oscar, Tony, Emmy be off with you, you can keep your
awards. I have been nominated for a
Liebster Award. Well knock me down with
a feather! I’m chuffed to bits. Thank you <a href="http://multifariousmeanderings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Multifarious Meanderings</a> for your nomination. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng6IDyTGQuI/UVa7lhrilfI/AAAAAAAABcw/uaFNBTHH3A8/s1600/114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng6IDyTGQuI/UVa7lhrilfI/AAAAAAAABcw/uaFNBTHH3A8/s400/114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm proud as a peacock's a...... oops wrong picture</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlnI6j2_vBg/UVa7kGsqecI/AAAAAAAABcs/oyl04juZy9I/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IlnI6j2_vBg/UVa7kGsqecI/AAAAAAAABcs/oyl04juZy9I/s640/103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm proud as a peacock!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what it is all about.</span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Life Savers', arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Rules</span></h3>
<ol style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: start;">
<li style="list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank and link back to the blogger who presented you with the award. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">List 11 random facts about yourself.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Create 11 questions for your nominees. </span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: decimal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 35px; padding: 0px; position: static;"><span style="font-size: small;">Present/nominate a Liebster Blog Award 11 newbie bloggers! </span></li>
</ol>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m not going to go into a Gwyneth Paltrow speech but I will say thank you to </span><a href="http://multifariousmeanderings.wordpress.com/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Multifarious Meanderings</a> <span style="font-size: large;">for her nomination. Have a peep at her blog some time; I want to write like her when I grow up. Thank you to all of you for reading the blog. I enjoy writing it and it is always nice to get your comments and feedback and know that there is someone out there enjoying it. Oh, and Alan for suggesting I start a blog. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">he Liebster award is for blogs with fewer than 200 members
(I well and truly qualify in that respect).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/RGS_13.jpg/220px-RGS_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/RGS_13.jpg/220px-RGS_13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, now I am meant to write 11 things about myself! I suggest you make yourself comfortable on a
bed of nails to keep yourself awake with a packet of Wasabi peas in case the
nails don’t work. Seriously, this is a
hard one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here goes;</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I
make little heaps around the place that drive the LGB mad. A little heap at the bottom of the stairs
(ladder these days) ready to go upstairs.
A little heap at the top of the stairs ready to go downstairs. A little heap at the door ready to go to the garage. A little heap in the garage to go to the
house. You get the picture I’m sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <!--[endif]-->I’m
a pescetarian, a fishy vegetable eater.
The LGB says I am just a pesky nuisance.
It irks him somewhat when he cooks to have to make two different meals. I manage, what can I say? I must admit I do feel a nuisance when we are invited
to dinner, but I really am more than happy to eat just the vegetables.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't finish my degree and one day I would like to.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <!--[endif]-->The
older I get the more impatient I get.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I
hate prejudice. There are good people
and there are bad people in every race and creed. Thankfully the good outweigh the bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <!--[endif]-->I’m
a fidget. I can’t sit still for
long. The LGB counts how many seconds I
can sit still while I am reading in bed ………… about nine!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <!--[endif]-->Ummmm………..I’m
struggling. I used to play goal shooter
for the school netball team and left back in the school hockey
team! I told you I was struggling!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <!--[endif]-->I
don’t like the cold……….and I don’t like the heat! Twenty six degrees will do me fine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <!--[endif]-->I
miss my ginger hair. Not because it has
fallen out (well not all of it) it’s just not ginger any more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>What do you mean I’ve still got two to go. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I used to work as a film extra. I worked on 102 Dalmations (the LGB says I
was the 102<sup>nd</sup> dog – that’s not nice <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Segoe Print"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>).</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I am scared of all you Grammar Police out
there! Despite being TEFL trained I know
my grammar is not up to scratch. I often
write as I speak but I have learnt not to get OFF OF the bus. (Thanks Al! Ooohh, that hurt! That's twice I've thanked you in one blog. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I said THEY say!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now I have to answer 11 questions from </span><a href="http://multifariousmeanderings.wordpress.com/" style="font-size: x-large; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0px;" target="_blank">Multifarious Meanderings</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">What’s your favourite smell?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first one that comes to mind is basil. Basil means summer has arrived. Simple lunches in the sunshine; garden
picked tomatoes with olive oil, balsamic
vinegar and basil and a hunk of fresh bread.
Delicious!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where would you like to go if you had an all-expenses paid trip?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the moment I would go anywhere the wallet holder would like to take
me. Somewhere we could spend the morning
exploring the area and the afternoon relaxing.
Lovely little restaurants within walking distance serving up good simple
food. Italy?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">What was your favourite book when you were little?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Comics were my thing. Dad had a
newsagent so I had access to every comic available. Bunty and Judy were favourites but the book would have to be Heidi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet or savoury?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was always sweet but these days I am going more for savoury. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">You have an evening just for you. What do you do?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">A glass of sparkling wine with nibbles or popcorn, a stack of magazines
and my feet up on the sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beach or lake?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love them both, but it would have to be the beach. I love waves
crashing along the shore but I’m not so keen on sand in my crevices and
sandwiches. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">You can only take one thing with you on a desert island… What do you
choose?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18pt;">I have always said it would be mascara; I </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">wouldn't</span><span style="line-height: 18pt;"> want to frighten the
natives if I bumped into them. Maybe a library worth of reading on my kindle (I
am a recent convert). However, the LGB
would be useful; he could build a shelter, find food and make me laugh.</span></span></span><b style="line-height: 18pt;"><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you look for in a blog?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Humour and honesty. I like the
blogger to have made a little effort. I
like their own thoughts and words. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">One thing you can’t stand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a serious note; injustice, especially against ‘the little people’ and
snakes (not injustice against snakes – I don’t like snakes).<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">One thing that makes you happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Watching small children always brings a smile. They have no inhibitions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">You have to give up one thing. What would your biggest sacrifice be?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eating.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 19.5pt; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #373737; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, that bit is over. Here are my questions.</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What’s your favourite book or film (or both).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What annoys you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any bad habits?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is your favourite city?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What would your last meal be?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is your fondest memory?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who/what inspires you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What do you look for in a blog?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you could time travel where would you go?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What three words would describe you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What would you like to do before you die?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I now have to nominate 11 blogs for the award. Herein lays the problem. As I rarely have internet access I only have
time to explore a few blogs. I would
love to read more because they take up far less room than magazines. I will tell you the ones I dip into and will also
nominate other blogs at a later date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.allaboutniamh.co.uk/" target="_blank">All About Niamh</a> Julie and Paul were hit head-on with every parents nightmare - a child with cancer. She writes about it in a moving and humorous way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sarahhague.com/" target="_blank">St Bloggie de Riviere</a> This is an honorary award because someone beat me to it. Having done a little research on the Liebster Award, you can apparently give honorary awards where the blog can accept without answering the questions and nominating. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://oldbonesonbikes.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Old Bones on Bikes</a> Mary & Alan cycle many thousands of miles and I am there with every turn of the pedal. This award is also honorary because they are not blogging until their next adventure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.basquefarmhouseinfrance.com/" target="_blank">Basque Farmhouse in France</a> Beautiful photos and delicious recipes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I do read a couple of other blogs but they have over 200 members. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A fellow blogger suggested I put a widget on the blog so that she could subscribe and get notifications of new blogs, so you will find 2 widgets at the top right of the page.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">And Finally</span></h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392784_10151583689765917_1026818411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392784_10151583689765917_1026818411_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your Easter!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-2911343135587058162013-03-17T11:21:00.000+01:002013-03-17T11:21:31.949+01:00Happy St Patrick's Day<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Counting Sheep</span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af257/NamineTheWitch/counting-sheep.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af257/NamineTheWitch/counting-sheep.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I often find myself counting backwards from a zillion to enduce a little
slumber when it evades me in the wee small hours, but to no avail. My efforts at counting sheep don’t help
either. I like to count my sheep one at
a time as they jump over a hedge, but I always get the miscreant masticating mutton who rebels and doesn't want to follow the crowd (or sheep) and stops to ruminate on a juicy blade of grass and then I forget where I am. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My best escape from
insomnia is singing a chorus to a song over and over again. Not out loud because that would wake the LGB
up and he would be none too pleased because by the time I start the singing I will already have tossed and turned and disturbed him, switched the light back on and read until I could keep my eyes open no longer, switched the light off </span><span style="font-size: large;">to huffs and puffs from the other end of the duvet,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> snuggled back under the duvet and immediately become a member of the Wide Awake Club again. So I just sing in my head. I compose (in my head also) the most amazing literary masterpieces </span><span style="font-size: large;">worthy of a nomination for the shortlist of Dozy Author of the Year</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">and witty, informative posts for the blog during these restless times. The words pour forth out of the darkness but when
the morning comes I can never remember a ruddy word! Actually, on this occasion I do remember
thinking about St Patrick’s Day but little more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-838FNIwwmr8/UUUhFJlpDQI/AAAAAAAABb4/t9-_ABcO-JQ/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-838FNIwwmr8/UUUhFJlpDQI/AAAAAAAABb4/t9-_ABcO-JQ/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Insomniac wanted for sheep census</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I touched on St Valentine in my last post, this time I feel
St Patrick is worthy of a little mention (in a non-liturgical way) if only because
my maternal grandparents were Irish and of course he is always a good reason to
have a little shindig. I wrote that the
LGB doesn't celebrate St Valentine’s Day but strangely he is always ready to
raise a pint of Guinness to St Patrick. His parents were Irish (not St Pat's, the LGB's) and he is often
asked what part of Ireland he comes from even by the Irish. They mistake his Northumbrian accent for an Irish one. I put their mistake down to his leprechaunian good looks!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1Si2Uto2Tc/UUWHQ5dj6gI/AAAAAAAABcU/pYkL3fUi44w/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w1Si2Uto2Tc/UUWHQ5dj6gI/AAAAAAAABcU/pYkL3fUi44w/s400/026.JPG" width="201" /></a></div>
<a href="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/toastkiller/Leprechaun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b220/toastkiller/Leprechaun.jpg" width="290" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span>T</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Those of you who know him best know how appropriate the image on the right is!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m36/InfoLandsknecht/leprechaun.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m36/InfoLandsknecht/leprechaun.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think I would have had a lot of time for St Pat, rumour
has it he drove all the snakes out of Ireland.
It’s just a shame he didn’t move his way around Europe and do a little
snake droving there. I really don’t like
snakes. It’s only in recent years I have
I been able to even look at them on television. You can tell me until I’m blue
in the face that they are more scared of me but it doesn’t wash. When we moved to France we lived in a house
with a round bedroom that opened onto the garden. A very long snake got in one day. My immediate response was to shut the
door. The LGB wasn’t too impressed
because he was still in the room. He was
even less impressed when I threw in a Vileda squidgy mop for him to fight it off! I have been trapped on the terrace by one
that I swear was giving me the evil eye.
I’ve been far too close for comfort to a coiled heap when picking
tomatoes and had one in the caravan awning.
I go into panic mode and my brain turns to blamanche. I would put them in Room 101 along with spiders,
flies, mosquitoes and rats.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://prescott-area-foreclosures.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/st_patrick_snakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://prescott-area-foreclosures.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/st_patrick_snakes.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to St. Paddy.
There will be many the world over having a shindig and enjoying the
craic today. There will be parades and celebrations in New York, Dublin, Boston,
Sydney and at D & C’s in Courcôme, France (which is where we should be). So, Happy St Patrick’s Day to you one and all.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>May
the roof above us never fall in,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>And may we friends beneath it never fall out</i></b>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Probably not the most appropriate toast from
a builder and lab</span><span style="font-size: large;">ourer but the sentiment is there!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wlrfm.com/images/stories/happy-st-patricks-day-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://www.wlrfm.com/images/stories/happy-st-patricks-day-banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-12590872539684682742013-02-27T22:26:00.000+01:002013-03-02T00:37:10.115+01:00Empty Glasses and Overflowing Cups<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Half Full or Half Empty?</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, is your glass half full or half empty? I can usually identify the half fulls and
half empties in life. The LGB is most
definitely in possession of a half full glass (it’s usually half full of red
wine), I on the other hand teeter-totter between the two. The last couple of weeks however, my glass
has neither been half empty nor half full – it has been positively drained,
vide!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dezJRHQNOQ/US0hDp7inAI/AAAAAAAABYE/t0KzjB7r4Ao/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7dezJRHQNOQ/US0hDp7inAI/AAAAAAAABYE/t0KzjB7r4Ao/s320/042.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We returned home a week past Friday, fresh baguette tucked under
my arm and homemade soup ready to be reheated.
I don’t like to say I told you so but I told you so, at least I told me
so. The buggers had cut off the
electricity! The Voisines said a man
appeared a few minutes after our departure (he was probably hiding behind a log
pile or a dung heap just waiting for us to leave). So much for keeping everything crossed I just
ended up getting my knickers in a twist.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://drjimsthinkingshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/knickers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://drjimsthinkingshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/knickers1.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Starving and seething we hot footed it into Angouleme to EDF.
We asked if their man could just pop back to the site and flick the switch back
on, but it wasn’t to be. To cut a long
story short, ERDF would not give us another ‘prolongation’ of our temporary
supply of electricity, instead we had to reapply all over again. This meant completing forms and supplying a
copy of the ‘plan de situation’ and a copy of the ‘cadastre’ (a map showing the
plot number and a plan of the house on the plot).
I pointed out that they already had a dossier with all this information,
could they not refer to this? It fell on
deaf ears and I suppose it provides jobs for the boys. To be fair the assistant at
EDF, on seeing my quivering bottom lip and the LGBs twitchy right thumb already going into spasm with the onset of cold turkey at the thought of being deprived of teletext (did I mention his obsession with all things sporty from football scores to tiddly-wink championships) did pen a covering letter to ERDF explaining
that we were living on site and could they please get the electricity back on
quickly. On day twelve we were plugged
back into the national grid.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.therecipedetective.com/images/Cookbooks/5x7_Runneth_Over.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.therecipedetective.com/images/Cookbooks/5x7_Runneth_Over.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">My Cup Runneth Over</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What on earth did you do for twelve days with no electricity
I hear you ask? A little legal squatting,
taking up those offers that were nonchalantly proffered over one too many
glasses of wine on a summer evening or the LGB being a cheeky bugger and inviting himself to stay!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There was a cold snap about the time of the cut-off and we
got offers of accommodation from friends who didn’t even know we were without
electricity. The LGB was building a
garden wall for a couple and they generously offered their home to us whilst
they were away and for us to stay on when they returned. This kind offer came from a couple we had
only met twice. Are they mad offering us
their home when they hardly know us? I
think those who do know us and still let us stay are probably madder! We stayed with The Old Bones on Bikes. When I managed to prise the television remote
controls from the grasp of the LGBs grubby little mitts we moved on to two
nights at Deidre and Conor’s whilst they were away, and a few nights with Jane
and David on their fermette</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtOw2_QVTgA/US00zJTuPaI/AAAAAAAABZA/F2qmz9yrk_U/s1600/112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtOw2_QVTgA/US00zJTuPaI/AAAAAAAABZA/F2qmz9yrk_U/s400/112.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jane's lemon drizzle cakes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed
lavish lunches and delicious dinners and great company. I have to say those twelve days would have
been very different without our hosts. Thank
you, thank you, thank you to those of you we descended upon and those of you
who made offers, your generosity is heart-warming and truly greatly appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">St Valentine’s Day</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I imagine by now reading this post you will have gathered
not a lot of building work has gone on whilst we have been sans electricity. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Did you have a good one?</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Did you celebrate at all?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Did you
even know it was Valentine’s Day and did</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">you even care? Some friends stayed at this gorgeous</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.couleursdutempsdordogne.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">chambre d'hôte</a> for a couple of nights.</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">I know another couple who give each other (and expect) ridiculously
extravagant presents and spend the rest of the year arguing and on the brink of
divorce.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6awn31vwVDs/UMYhO-tKzqI/AAAAAAAAADo/lCtmBEqGmYA/s640/Espace+Salon+'C%C3%B4t%C3%A9+Cour'+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6awn31vwVDs/UMYhO-tKzqI/AAAAAAAAADo/lCtmBEqGmYA/s400/Espace+Salon+'C%C3%B4t%C3%A9+Cour'+(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Couleurs du Temps</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I usually make a handmade card
for the LGB, but my craft bits are all packed away and besides all the
envelopes have stuck closed from being stored in the garage.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Me?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I
got a text and a yellow rose.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Aaaah, how
lovely!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, the text was from my lovely
Dad and the yellow rose was from the (female) cashier in the builder’s yard!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Bitter?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Me?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Who’s the patron saint of battered builders these
days? The LGB doesn't hold with the commercial nonsense of St Val's Day, he can express his love any day he wants (so he says) and I have to say I do agree but the old romantic in me would quite like a little recognition of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/consumerist3vv.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/consumerist3vv.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courtesy of www.boston.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">So you can see, in the one hand I have been holding an empty
glass but in the other hand my cup hath runneth over with the kindness and
munificence of friends.
And remember, whether your glass is half empty or half full there is
always room for more wine! Mine’s a
sparkly. Cheers!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.schooljotter.com/imagefolders/hollybank1/News/champagne-glasses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://www.schooljotter.com/imagefolders/hollybank1/News/champagne-glasses.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Picture courtesy of <a href="http://www.schooljotter.com/" target="_blank">Hollybank Trust</a>. Quality of life......for life</span><span style="font-size: 13px;">.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-21000452998590554882013-02-11T00:06:00.001+01:002013-02-11T18:12:01.202+01:00Speed Dating and Les Odeurs<span style="font-size: large;">These days seem so much calmer than those frenetic days last summer mixing concrete and lugging tiles and blocks around. The LGB has been plumbing and I have been cutting and putting up plaster boards. I enjoy plaster boarding; it gives the feeling that things are really taking shape.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8sAh54ow3I/URgdl4Y0yrI/AAAAAAAABWk/ZZj_no4TKv4/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R8sAh54ow3I/URgdl4Y0yrI/AAAAAAAABWk/ZZj_no4TKv4/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back bedroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luw9-FGuGdQ/URgdnMexp9I/AAAAAAAABWs/FKaqUytIOLs/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-luw9-FGuGdQ/URgdnMexp9I/AAAAAAAABWs/FKaqUytIOLs/s320/026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Front bedroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9OR0smMzGg/URgdBnpkRqI/AAAAAAAABWM/oGpkdKdEpE0/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9OR0smMzGg/URgdBnpkRqI/AAAAAAAABWM/oGpkdKdEpE0/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bathroom</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4T6YT8-B0vM/URgdEMQIgUI/AAAAAAAABWc/oXj-XTIYRMw/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4T6YT8-B0vM/URgdEMQIgUI/AAAAAAAABWc/oXj-XTIYRMw/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Landing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We've finished
upstairs, just the returns around the windows to do. So that’s it, we have four fully formed
bedrooms, an en suite shower room and a bathroom. If the LGB would only get the walls plastered
I could sand and treat the floors and then ………………… dun, dun, dun, dun (drum-roll of excitement and anticipation!) I can decorate!!!! What colour though? Let’s not even go there. No actually, let's go there.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45C6J8KC5JQ/URgei9f_8DI/AAAAAAAABW0/C3nrOtH1Qo4/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-45C6J8KC5JQ/URgei9f_8DI/AAAAAAAABW0/C3nrOtH1Qo4/s320/051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These are the colours I have opted for for the kitchen units (this week!). The dark one on the right and the middle one - I think! The darker one actually looks closer to black in real life. What do you think?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5dCrWKz44g/URgekNckrrI/AAAAAAAABW8/0rJWBrWjuF4/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N5dCrWKz44g/URgekNckrrI/AAAAAAAABW8/0rJWBrWjuF4/s320/052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The colour on the right is the latest choice for the shutters and windows???? Yes or no? </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Having decided where the bath and sanitary ware would go in
the bathroom we (the Royal we) had a complete about turn at the eleventh
hour. The LGB has now put the water
pipes in so there is no way back. That
is probably a good thing really. Perhaps
he ought to get to the point of no return with everything then I would have no
agonising choices to make.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let There Be Lights</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I bought a light and ordered three more lights for the
kitchen from Bentalls department store when we were in the UK, but I've changed
my mind! I was granted a day off this
week and mooched around the sales in Angouleme and…….. bought some different
lights! (It’s the LGB’s fault; he shouldn't let me out alone). I haven’t
shown them to him yet (or even told him in fact) so if I change my mind I’ll
just bury them in the garage among the rest of our <s>rubbish</s> worldly
goods. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A day out wouldn't be complete
without a visit to Emmaus and my favourite depot vente. Naturally I didn't come away empty
handed. I just managed to squeeze two
occasional tables into the car. I am not
sure where they are going yet, but I couldn't leave them there! I think the LGB wishes I had.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aOteHLvNZ0/URggceK7maI/AAAAAAAABXE/BleinNM3Ido/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aOteHLvNZ0/URggceK7maI/AAAAAAAABXE/BleinNM3Ido/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They came as a pair!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Smelly Problems</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have to fit a system into the loft that extracts the
humid air from the bathroom and kitchen and basically belches it out the
roof. It is apparently ‘obligitoire’ in
new builds. Just another expense I say. The garb said it was suitable for 2 bathrooms and a kitchen (activated when it detects humidity) and a WC (activated
by detecting a presence in the loo. Not
actually the presence of a pooh down the loo, but a person in the room). First dilemma - they only supplied the
outlets for one bathroom. Second dilemma
- we have a WC in both bathrooms so do we need the automatic WC extractor <u>and</u>
the humidity extractor in each bathroom?
I was dispatched to Leroy Merlin to pose the question. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Arrive. Search for an assistant. Try to explain the problem. Go outside to get a phone signal to tell the LGB
that we can use the humidity detector in one bathroom and the WC outlet in the other
bathroom, just cover the thing that detects a presence in the room. More questions from the LGB. Back in. S</span><span style="font-size: large;">mile at security officer with my finest I’m not a tea-leaf (thief) smile. F</span><span style="font-size: large;">ind
assistant. Yes, the WC extractor will
detect humidity (because it is terribly clever and knows hot air from a fart). Back out to phone LGB, funny look from
security officer. Will the humidity extractor
extract toilet smells? Thanks Bren! Wander back inside. Avoid eye contact with security officer whilst trying to recall the word for
smell or fart, but can only think of ‘vent’ which is wind in the meteorological
sense. Find the assistant I have been
talking to but he’s with a colleague and I just can’t face trying to ask two of
them about toilet smells (bad enough in English) so become intensely interested
in heating valves and radiators until they have finished their tête à tête. Will the extractor detect ……… (hold my nose and wrinkle it)? Yes, it will detect les odeurs. Yes, yes, yes (a Harry Met Sally orgasmic moment)!
That’s the word, odeurs/odours, no wonder I couldn't remember it!! Mission
accomplished.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://www.londonspeeddatingco.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/speed_dating.jpg" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I partook in a kind of speed dating night last week. It was an Anglo-French affair. I wasn't actually out to find a
new mate or romance though.
The English all sat one side of the table and the French sat opposite
us. The French were prepped with a list
of questions to ask us in English and thankfully we replied in English. After five minutes the French moved around to
the next person. I answered questions
from about three hundred French people (well it felt like three hundred). I repeated to each one; I
live on a building site and go to bed up a ladder; I’ve lived here years
but still can’t speak the language; I don’t have a swimming pool but we
grow potatoes. I refrained from telling
them I pee in a bucket at night! There
is such a thing as too much information, says she writing it in her blog! It was great fun and I met lots of lovely
people.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We have a number of family members on our ‘payroll’ – son, daughter, nephews and a niece. One of the above asked if they could have their birthday money early (nine months early) to pay for a holiday deposit. A couple of days later we received a text to ask if the money had been ‘transfused’!! Perhaps they have heard that getting money out of the LGB is like getting blood out of a stone!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-84632482893915028282013-01-31T18:06:00.000+01:002013-01-31T18:06:07.644+01:00We Shall Not Be Moved!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">In response to your messages I would like to clarify that we
aren’t selling the house.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Well not
anytime soon anyway.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">It was on my bucket
list of the things I want to do before I die and I don’t intend to kick the
bucket just yet, although there are no guarantees in this life.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">We will certainly be here for a while yet, at
least to finish the job and as we all know a builder never finishes his own
house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">Snowed In and Snowed Under</span></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KztWWL7BUE/UQqhc6u5EuI/AAAAAAAABU8/37e3PJnI1XE/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KztWWL7BUE/UQqhc6u5EuI/AAAAAAAABU8/37e3PJnI1XE/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Got snowed in chez Old Bones on Bikes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Most days on site are good days but I had a day last week
when I felt overwhelmed by the whole thing.
Waking with a migraine was a bad start to the day. The LGB didn’t help when he popped in to say
he had found a breakage amongst the paraphernalia stored in the garage; my lovely
Tiffany lampshade. (I’m still convinced the LGB was cack-handed when he was
getting the box down.) The postmistress left a notice that a registered letter
was awaiting collection at the post office.
Registered letters never bring good news and this one was from ERDF to
say they are cutting off our temporary electricity supply on January 31. We have started to move some of our worldly
goods from the garage to the house to avoid another winter in storage. Our
bedsit and kitchen, which were as neat as our circumstances would allow are now
a jumble of boxes and black bags. We
rounded off the evening with a delightful couple of hours in a freezing
launderette and to top it all off there’s a moose loose aboot this hoose! For my French friends, we have a mouse in the
house. Tomorrow is another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ring, ring, ring, ring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘Hello.’ says I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘Hi, how are you?’ says my little friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘Fine, but cold.’ says I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘Ooohh, I haven’t been out yet’ says she.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">‘Nor have I.’ says I ‘It’s only three degrees in the house!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Three Degrees is a good name for a Motown singing troupe but
not a good temperature for a house. Mind
you it was an improvement on the night before when I was in the shower and the
LGB called out that it was one and a half degrees in the kitchen! The shower <b>is in</b> the kitchen! Brass monkeys!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After terrific wind that took some ridge tiles off the roof,
rain, sleet and snow, Monday brought us a lovely sunny day. It was actually warmer outside than inside
and I even basked for a while in the sunshine cleaning an electricity box! Simple pleasures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully we have sorted the electricity supply but only
time will tell. I never quite trust
anything we do/sort/arrange here until it comes to fruition. I am not blaming anyone but things get lost
in translation. The lady at the
electricity company said they are sending out a technician and I am not too
sure why. She mentioned ‘coupe’ which is cut, so you will understand my
trepidation. As she had been shouting
at the couple ahead of us I didn’t want the same treatment because I may have
just crumbled into a blubbering heap beneath her desk, so rather than ask again
for clarification I just smiled and said ‘merci’. Quite what I was thanking her for I don’t
know, for not bawling at me perhaps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile
work continues with wires looping hither and thither, conduit being pulled
through holes and plugs and switches being fixed onto walls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E86yTK6YN4c/UQqjhTMp5eI/AAAAAAAABVE/FQ1W5Y4FrHg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E86yTK6YN4c/UQqjhTMp5eI/AAAAAAAABVE/FQ1W5Y4FrHg/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DdbM7jp6RA/UQqjjIV-jyI/AAAAAAAABVM/ikxL1NvZI30/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0DdbM7jp6RA/UQqjjIV-jyI/AAAAAAAABVM/ikxL1NvZI30/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxcdciQBD_A/UQqjjJtQURI/AAAAAAAABVQ/oBblUmfHKFg/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxcdciQBD_A/UQqjjJtQURI/AAAAAAAABVQ/oBblUmfHKFg/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The upstairs rooms are taking shape with all four bedrooms
and the bathrooms having been plaster boarded on one side of the metal partitions. The bath has been positioned in every
conceivable place in the main bathroom, bar the ceiling, to determine the best
place for it. As usual there has been a
complete turnabout in where the shower, toilet, basin and bath will go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">If I pass you in the street and I am walking funny and looking
a bit boss eyed it is because I have everything crossed in the hope that I
haven’t got my wires crossed and the electric supply will stay connected.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-13583464632075783202013-01-20T01:07:00.001+01:002013-01-20T01:12:17.857+01:00Bucket Lists and Resolutions<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>“Will you come out for a cookie?” </i></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>says the LGB and it's not even light outside yet. It’s time to crawl out from under the duvet. The Christmas break is over and we have to
get into work mode again. Here we are
back on site. I always worry a little whenever we are away from the sites. There were no nasties awaiting us. The LGB had even left the keys
to the transit van in the door of the van, but nobody took advantage!
Other than that all was well.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>New Year's Eve came and went. I left the LGB and Dad celebrating in the
village pub. They indulged with full
gusto, returned to eat a meal and promptly retired to bed. I spent the evening in the company of Jules
Holland and Hootenanny and celebrated the New Year to the sounds of fire-works,
Auld Lang Syne and two squiffy men snoring down the corridor.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uekyjQXowno/TPW6Kx9PpTI/AAAAAAAAGOA/3RUHYufOy6k/s1600/1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uekyjQXowno/TPW6Kx9PpTI/AAAAAAAAGOA/3RUHYufOy6k/s320/1231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>No, no, no, don’t feel sorry for me, well maybe a
little. Actually, I really didn’t
mind. I am not one for New Year’s
celebrations. They are often a big
anticlimax and Jules Holland doesn’t make a grab and smack a sloppy kiss on
my mush at the stroke of midnight. Why
do total strangers do that? Thankfully I usually manage to turn my head quickly enough for them to leave their spittle
dripping from my earlobe like a shiny drop earring. Yuk!<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Bucket Lists</i></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions? I don’t make any, well none that I say out
loud. I kind of whisper a few to myself.
Never give anyone any ammunition to throw back at a later date. Mine are usually; lose weight, get fit, do
the ironing as soon as it comes off the line.
Unsurprisingly I’m still a chubber and still get out of breath as I push
the ironing into the cupboard as it strains against the door to escape.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>A ‘Bucket List’ seems to be the in thing at the moment. It’s a wish list of the things you would like
to do before you kick the bucket. For my
French friends to ‘kick the bucket’ means to ‘pop your clogs’ or ‘pushing up
the daisies’, does that help? Perhaps
not, it means to die.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thehappymd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bucket-list-three-steps-to-living-yours-physicians-dike-drummond-physician-coach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thehappymd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bucket-list-three-steps-to-living-yours-physicians-dike-drummond-physician-coach.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>What would be on your Bucket List? Mine would read;<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Lose weight.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Get fit.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Do the ironing as soon as it comes off the line.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Finish building the house.</b>
(Actually, I’ll put that on the LGB’s Bucket List instead.) Blimey, I hope he doesn’t kick the bucket
before he finishes. He wouldn’t be so
selfish would he?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Sell the house.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Build a house.</b> (Are
you totally barking?) A much smaller
house, much, much smaller, ……… tiny, minuscule in fact. A bolt hole for when we are not travelling in
our camper van.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Buy a camper van.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Make a rag rug.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Learn how to use this laptop and my camera.<o:p></o:p></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>This is not a binding contract!</b>
I may do all, some or none of these things.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Ranting in the Mother Tongue</i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </i></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The main purpose of our trip back to the UK (besides
Christmas with the family) was to collect the remainder of the system for the heating system. An email to
<a href="http://www.iceenergy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ice Energy</a> before leaving France received a reply that all was well. A confirmation phone call the day before
collection brought the bad news that the equipment wasn’t there. The LGB was not pleased. However, he did say it was satisfying to be
able to shout at someone in English!
Every cloud has a silver lining!<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thoughtfulweirdo.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/rant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://thoughtfulweirdo.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/rant.jpg" width="278" /></span></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Our First Visitor</i></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We didn’t get straight back to work as the LGB’s daughter,
Lily came to stay. I think she was
suitably impressed with the progress we had made, but not too impressed with
having to sleep on the floor in our ‘bedsit’ and even less impressed with the en
suite bucket. Strangely, nobody needed the
loo during the night! Meanwhile the
family Lily was holidaying with spent a night in <a href="http://www.thelavenderhouse.eu/" target="_blank">The Lavender House</a> in
Montemboeuf, a tasteful and very reasonably priced local Chambre d’Hote.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thelavenderhouse.eu/images/Lavender%20House%20001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://www.thelavenderhouse.eu/images/Lavender%20House%20001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The second night they spent at my favourite
local Chambre d’Hote, the beautiful Chateau du Mesnieux, my dream house. </span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.chateaudumesnieux.com/data/pictures/facadesud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.chateaudumesnieux.com/data/pictures/facadesud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfC3wjxB_Yk/UPscL43i5WI/AAAAAAAABQY/TD3NGAyoLgg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfC3wjxB_Yk/UPscL43i5WI/AAAAAAAABQY/TD3NGAyoLgg/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRoscZxifU8/UPsckqBpoRI/AAAAAAAABQ8/qP9h99lC0q4/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRoscZxifU8/UPsckqBpoRI/AAAAAAAABQ8/qP9h99lC0q4/s320/010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5_acCO0m70/UPscmmD640I/AAAAAAAABRE/0fpSBa3wAPo/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cL3ARbH0xE/UPscf7avyjI/AAAAAAAABQ0/yhsfos3Kk-4/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cL3ARbH0xE/UPscf7avyjI/AAAAAAAABQ0/yhsfos3Kk-4/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cL3ARbH0xE/UPscf7avyjI/AAAAAAAABQ0/yhsfos3Kk-4/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a> <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5_acCO0m70/UPscmmD640I/AAAAAAAABRE/0fpSBa3wAPo/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D5_acCO0m70/UPscmmD640I/AAAAAAAABRE/0fpSBa3wAPo/s320/044.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TuI1ZEVZ_c/UPscwJgSE9I/AAAAAAAABRM/m80-_DF3ekA/s1600/047+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TuI1ZEVZ_c/UPscwJgSE9I/AAAAAAAABRM/m80-_DF3ekA/s320/047+(5).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iPYDjw0lO0/UPsc0gGeAQI/AAAAAAAABRU/quoZfBf8PXY/s1600/059+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5iPYDjw0lO0/UPsc0gGeAQI/AAAAAAAABRU/quoZfBf8PXY/s320/059+(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDtL2HkHacM/UPsc3XsLMYI/AAAAAAAABRc/vtcnFevurF4/s200/058+(3).jpg" /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqdQaIo3y6Y/UPsc8UFSJBI/AAAAAAAABRo/NtZJbVutbAo/s1600/063+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqdQaIo3y6Y/UPsc8UFSJBI/AAAAAAAABRo/NtZJbVutbAo/s320/063+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwIDy3lDQHE/UPsdEJlXMiI/AAAAAAAABR0/_jrC0JfsarM/s1600/069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GADW4aMQTE/UPsdGrOw2PI/AAAAAAAABR8/c1JEWsRue1k/s1600/073+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GADW4aMQTE/UPsdGrOw2PI/AAAAAAAABR8/c1JEWsRue1k/s320/073+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY9bBzkX58s/UPsc8KTpfCI/AAAAAAAABRk/2aXuIC77adk/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aY9bBzkX58s/UPsc8KTpfCI/AAAAAAAABRk/2aXuIC77adk/s200/068.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bench is for sale.<br />
Circa 1900<br />
300€<br />
Call the Chateau for details</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-innCrkqOy7c/UPsdQYwvF2I/AAAAAAAABSE/J8DuAJ-l_kI/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-innCrkqOy7c/UPsdQYwvF2I/AAAAAAAABSE/J8DuAJ-l_kI/s200/077.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Back to Building Business </i></span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We’ve laid the chestnut flooring in the last bedroom and have
put up all the partitions for the bedrooms and bathrooms ready for plaster boarding
and first fix electrics.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvtF_NpHMzA/UPswjhmcnXI/AAAAAAAABS8/HrKeeoYp1IQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvtF_NpHMzA/UPswjhmcnXI/AAAAAAAABS8/HrKeeoYp1IQ/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ax4v_-gZkE/UPswlC6cJeI/AAAAAAAABTE/8k6Wq23dyqQ/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ax4v_-gZkE/UPswlC6cJeI/AAAAAAAABTE/8k6Wq23dyqQ/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forgot to take a photo of the finished floor before covering it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJfOswbpeIQ/UPswnMHPw_I/AAAAAAAABTM/_WPyOR8nVRQ/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJfOswbpeIQ/UPswnMHPw_I/AAAAAAAABTM/_WPyOR8nVRQ/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The camera battery was flat so I have no photos of the partitions :( I will put them on the next blog post (add to bucket list).</i></span></div>
<div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-32302860531174005322013-01-03T23:50:00.000+01:002013-01-03T23:50:46.679+01:00Busy Lollygagging <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lollygaggers And Scallywags</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After the season’s festivities and two days at the sales we
are now doing a spot of lollygagging. What a great word! It’s up there with
scallywag, golly and gosh (which I actually <b>do</b> use when I don’t have my
labourer’s hat on – then I can usually be heard effing and blinding) and
if the PC brigade will allow me to say it, golliwog is also there with those lovely 'olly ally illy' words. It conjures up
childhood memories of jam butties, collecting badges and soft toys. My Dad still has his childhood golliwog and a younger companion beside his bed. When my niece was about seven Brendan called
her a ‘scallywag’, she gasped and her jaw dropped. “You’re not allowed to call
me that! You can’t use that word!” It took some time and much laughter to realise she had got her
words muddled up. How sad that the PC brigade make us feel uncomfortable calling Dad’s Golly
by his full name.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haQNFZtzL1k/UN7YJUhN1mI/AAAAAAAABDM/YjrwyKlfOSg/s1600/089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haQNFZtzL1k/UN7YJUhN1mI/AAAAAAAABDM/YjrwyKlfOSg/s400/089.JPG" width="400" /></a></h4>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<span style="font-size: small;">The old gent on the right is over three score and ten now and the years have taken their toll</span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_a8CCf6rso/UN7YVZwfmaI/AAAAAAAABDU/bysN2NaCxB0/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_a8CCf6rso/UN7YVZwfmaI/AAAAAAAABDU/bysN2NaCxB0/s400/096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-size: small;">The handsome young whipper-snapper is about ten years old</span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Golly I've side-tracked again, way off track! Back to our lollygagging. When we are working hard I long for the time
when we can have a rest and spend time aimlessly, idling at leisure. However, now that we do have time on our
hands we are restless and are wondering what we can do to while away the hours. It has been too wet to clean the moss from the roof. I have asked Dad if he would like me to paint a
room. No thanks love. The front door? No. What about some furniture Dad? No! Well, can I paint the cat then? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So, we shall have to hope for some better
weather and don our walking shoes and wait for <a href="http://www.iceenergy.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ice Energy</a> to reopen so that we can collect the rest of the geothermal heating system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have ordered a bath (not too taxing) and today
we bought the top for the island in the kitchen. I suppose I could scour the
land for paint for the windows. That would kill some time.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">BBC Repeats</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As there has been nothing to report on the building front I
thought I would post a few pictures of the build from the start. If the BBC can get away with ruddy repeats I
surely can, and I don’t even charge a licence fee. Now there’s an idea! So here are my BBC (building blog cop-out) repeats.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjWSVZuiVHo/UOBwr2BAg2I/AAAAAAAABFE/ys6Lh872OUc/s1600/Garages,+La+Serve+269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjWSVZuiVHo/UOBwr2BAg2I/AAAAAAAABFE/ys6Lh872OUc/s400/Garages,+La+Serve+269.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Looking at this picture the start seems eons ago</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was only November last year!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLXw_kyv88w/UOBzXNYI2aI/AAAAAAAABF4/Le8s84p3nX8/s1600/SDC11628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLXw_kyv88w/UOBzXNYI2aI/AAAAAAAABF4/Le8s84p3nX8/s400/SDC11628.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And they're off! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTAvPlecmM4/UOB0FZwRPmI/AAAAAAAABGI/GIfLBQj0pOQ/s1600/321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTAvPlecmM4/UOB0FZwRPmI/AAAAAAAABGI/GIfLBQj0pOQ/s320/321.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was let loose tipping the concrete</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">January 2012</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAclS_CNVXc/UOBzxSSWmeI/AAAAAAAABGA/wJEziS-WtDY/s1600/014+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAclS_CNVXc/UOBzxSSWmeI/AAAAAAAABGA/wJEziS-WtDY/s320/014+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YX2Mr5WR4p4/UOB1Q4-vylI/AAAAAAAABGU/mDeLX6dOqMM/s1600/082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YX2Mr5WR4p4/UOB1Q4-vylI/AAAAAAAABGU/mDeLX6dOqMM/s320/082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: large;">March, things are taking shape</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohajqtAFCWY/UOB13aJriaI/AAAAAAAABHE/ncjngaBI2fE/s1600/Garages,+La+Serve+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohajqtAFCWY/UOB13aJriaI/AAAAAAAABHE/ncjngaBI2fE/s320/Garages,+La+Serve+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">April we moved into the caravan.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-9JgXFWse4/UOB2M8XNg_I/AAAAAAAABHM/oXrPLSn4be0/s1600/Garages,+La+Serve+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-9JgXFWse4/UOB2M8XNg_I/AAAAAAAABHM/oXrPLSn4be0/s200/Garages,+La+Serve+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...............and rained!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBCC0JtIw_Q/UOB2QwDO2pI/AAAAAAAABHU/TDZ6joJKKxY/s1600/Garages,+La+Serve+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBCC0JtIw_Q/UOB2QwDO2pI/AAAAAAAABHU/TDZ6joJKKxY/s200/Garages,+La+Serve+024.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It rained</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbIAtHW3SQg/UOB4L4zAiWI/AAAAAAAABII/sNfG5fRfrjA/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hbIAtHW3SQg/UOB4L4zAiWI/AAAAAAAABII/sNfG5fRfrjA/s320/046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then in May the sun shone</span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxod1vKBY-4/UOB4gewU8rI/AAAAAAAABIQ/jZE9IadgMyQ/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vxod1vKBY-4/UOB4gewU8rI/AAAAAAAABIQ/jZE9IadgMyQ/s320/063.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Some fancy details added</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8cWBGlG85A/UOB9e4O_zuI/AAAAAAAABJE/9NgDl4MIVcs/s1600/You're+in+charge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8cWBGlG85A/UOB9e4O_zuI/AAAAAAAABJE/9NgDl4MIVcs/s400/You're+in+charge.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">By June we were up to the first floor!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Still talking and laughing.</span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2eZTDuTc4Xc/UOB_IBZA6vI/AAAAAAAABJ4/glw6BlfXrdg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2eZTDuTc4Xc/UOB_IBZA6vI/AAAAAAAABJ4/glw6BlfXrdg/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq8dc_eIbRs/UOB_TbEqAYI/AAAAAAAABKA/H6If_mgDQl0/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq8dc_eIbRs/UOB_TbEqAYI/AAAAAAAABKA/H6If_mgDQl0/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The roof trusses were put up in June</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o4-eXHw4Os/T_DL3T5Q_UI/AAAAAAAAAZE/A13Ab0nh208/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6o4-eXHw4Os/T_DL3T5Q_UI/AAAAAAAAAZE/A13Ab0nh208/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Et Voila! The end of June the shell is up.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A celebration dinner</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Take away fish and chips.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HK1dMrc9pQ/UOX2j-a2QVI/AAAAAAAABLo/z_QV8hDAu7w/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HK1dMrc9pQ/UOX2j-a2QVI/AAAAAAAABLo/z_QV8hDAu7w/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_aQCjlnBqQ8/UOX3yRAx-HI/AAAAAAAABMY/bJJn8tM9Gxs/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_aQCjlnBqQ8/UOX3yRAx-HI/AAAAAAAABMY/bJJn8tM9Gxs/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">End of August oak truss looking lovely</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkGuiI-_JMM/UOX4kkbngdI/AAAAAAAABMk/XFE_ite8iNQ/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gkGuiI-_JMM/UOX4kkbngdI/AAAAAAAABMk/XFE_ite8iNQ/s320/059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_995082964"></span><span id="goog_995082965"></span> <span style="font-size: large;">End of August. Wow!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Give that man a pat on the back!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya3LbPj2Zmg/UOYEcLLVLlI/AAAAAAAABOs/aAlxzRhq1JQ/s1600/112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya3LbPj2Zmg/UOYEcLLVLlI/AAAAAAAABOs/aAlxzRhq1JQ/s320/112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The frisky slugs came a-calling!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jReuUxW0ufc/UOYAmZgznGI/AAAAAAAABN0/pU0yzu4WAeE/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jReuUxW0ufc/UOYAmZgznGI/AAAAAAAABN0/pU0yzu4WAeE/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">October most of the windows were in.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MN8D8G8ZDc/UOX_xtrbwpI/AAAAAAAABNc/v2qS4j-EK8s/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MN8D8G8ZDc/UOX_xtrbwpI/AAAAAAAABNc/v2qS4j-EK8s/s320/031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0eBVkQL2MM/UOX_z_mvIGI/AAAAAAAABNk/aL9JwjIPUFs/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0eBVkQL2MM/UOX_z_mvIGI/AAAAAAAABNk/aL9JwjIPUFs/s320/032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">November we moved into bedsit,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">first fix electrics are in.</span> </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uno_LHTQ_3M/UOYFTlyZ4bI/AAAAAAAABO0/BHYeacZCvSw/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uno_LHTQ_3M/UOYFTlyZ4bI/AAAAAAAABO0/BHYeacZCvSw/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Shower facilities improved somewhat!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBEQ8cQM3MU/UOYALI9rypI/AAAAAAAABNs/UtJ4YFHD50A/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBEQ8cQM3MU/UOYALI9rypI/AAAAAAAABNs/UtJ4YFHD50A/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Deluxe model.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So there you have it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you again for all the help and support and encouragement we've received from you all, it has been much appreciated.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">A HAPPY, HEALTHY 2013</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
XXX</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-41463188927798570582012-12-25T01:43:00.003+01:002012-12-25T01:43:37.080+01:00I'm Fat And I Can't Spell<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Spell Check and Mangoes</u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to new members. Once again I am being told that some of you
are unable to leave comments and I don’t know why. Two comments did come through this week but only got as far
as my emails. Here is a little sample of
the first one.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">‘far reaching effects on erection problems’ </span></b>– well, we have
already erected the main building, but thanks for the input.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">'erections improved when using pomegranate’</span></b> – actually we found cement
and sand did the job, but worth looking at in the future. I'm all for eco builds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">'When looking for erectile dysfunction treatment……’</span></b> hang on, hang
on, have I got the wrong end of the stick here (no pun intended
whatsoever)? Get off my blog you sad
little person, go and bother someone else! <o:p></o:p>Someone with a willy for instance!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was a little perplexed by the second comment. It came from a site called africanmangodirect
which at first I thought was a dating site – African Man Go Direct (dot com). I
wondered how somebody could read my blog and think that I might need a new
man. I am quite happy with the LGB. Okay, I have a little moan about him now and
again, but I wouldn’t change him for the world <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">(that’s
how I feel today at least).</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> I have copied and pasted the comment in whole exactly as I received it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-size: large;">‘of course like your web site
however you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues
and I in finding it very bothersome to inform the truth then again I will
definitely come again again’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you very much for your comment but may I say I in
finding it very bothersome to inform you <b>your</b>
post was rife with grammatical errors and a sentence starts with a capital
letter and I <b>do</b> use spell
check (when I remember) so blame Google and I already have an unofficial proof/critic/smart Alec reader who is quick to point out my errors (thanks Al) but thank you again for
feeling the need to inform the truth and please feel free to come again again!!!!!!
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Curiosity, however, got the better of me and I had a little
peep (I can feel Alan’s palpitations as I type! I didn’t go directly to the web
link, I Googled it Al.) It is actually African Mango Direct (dot com)
– a weight loss product. So as well as
being told I can’t spell, I’m also too fat! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway back to serious building matters. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-1gw2bUcyI/UNF5BjOVlNI/AAAAAAAAA6c/_Rfm5dJyasM/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6-1gw2bUcyI/UNF5BjOVlNI/AAAAAAAAA6c/_Rfm5dJyasM/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Looking at the entrance to the master bedroom</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUYYLD1zRsM/UNF5LcAlZBI/AAAAAAAAA6k/FPt5wSPRMcM/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OUYYLD1zRsM/UNF5LcAlZBI/AAAAAAAAA6k/FPt5wSPRMcM/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
Inside the master bedroom</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Loitering With No Intent<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have taken to loitering in shops to avoid going back to a
cold house and caravan. Usually I like
to go to the builder’s merchants buy the materials and leave (unlike the LGB
who would take sandwiches and a flask and spend the day there, complete with
anorak). The last visit, however, I told the LGB
to take as long as he liked playing with the tools. He skipped away and I mooched through the
books. We spent much of the afternoon in
Leroy Merlin. We did buy quite a lot and
ordered the glass for the picture window and front door. I hope the measurements are right! Leroy Merlin was closing so we headed to Géant and dallied
there using the Wi-Fi and keeping warm until finally we had to venture back to
the cold site.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><u><span style="font-size: large;">Bed-sit Land </span></u></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Never mind the soft-close lid; I should have pushed
for a heated toilet seat. We have had
some very cold days; in fact it has been colder in the house than outside. We are now sleeping in the house and I have
to say we are sleeping so much better.
We don’t hear the wind and rain, we don’t rock about during the night
and the LGB can get out of bed without putting in a gymnastic performance that
would win him medals in a competition.
He is actually seeing Dr Crochet again but a real bed is helping his
back and neck.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcEuUeE5-9k/UNjzKbvsO7I/AAAAAAAAA-I/PUahD4NSp14/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IcEuUeE5-9k/UNjzKbvsO7I/AAAAAAAAA-I/PUahD4NSp14/s400/030.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
The bed-sit, looking more like an old folk's home!</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have to climb up the ladder to get to our ‘bed-sit’ and
as it is the only warm place on site we are eating there too. I have mastered carrying up two cups of
coffee, or a coffee and a bowl of porridge or two plates of food. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been to two Christmas dinners and each time someone
asked us what we were doing about toilet facilities in the ‘bed-sit’, ……….a bucket dear Liza, dear Liza, a bucket!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGCvvOl1SxA/UNF6VzQ5w9I/AAAAAAAAA6w/NarqGws0fvk/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CGCvvOl1SxA/UNF6VzQ5w9I/AAAAAAAAA6w/NarqGws0fvk/s320/042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
The Contortionist</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXJD_m6hXfE/UNF6h02GxhI/AAAAAAAAA7g/01l33sMhBHE/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NXJD_m6hXfE/UNF6h02GxhI/AAAAAAAAA7g/01l33sMhBHE/s320/047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
In disguise</h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Shaping Up</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We are putting insulation into the loft
space. I hate, loathe, despise, abhor
and DETEST insulating. We are using
fibre glass; it gets in your clothes and hair, makes you itch and cough and
hangs around forever. I looked at the
possibility of purchasing Black Mountain sheep’s wool insulation, but as I
haven’t yet won the lottery our woolly friends still have their coats firmly on their backs to keep
them warm. I cut the insulation with a
bread knife and the LGB is doing the much harder task of fitting it in the
eaves of the loft; a job much better suited to a Munchkin than a grown
man. Little by little upstairs is taking
shape. We are deciding where to put beds
(because we will need sockets for lamps) and where to place showers, toilets
basins and a bath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADZYu_lxUnE/UNjj8oYOz1I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/O1bO7m3x-Hg/s1600/063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ADZYu_lxUnE/UNjj8oYOz1I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/O1bO7m3x-Hg/s320/063.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL0CCdlGi2E/UNj0GEI--iI/AAAAAAAAA-U/UZJ3AaeHDp4/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kL0CCdlGi2E/UNj0GEI--iI/AAAAAAAAA-U/UZJ3AaeHDp4/s320/046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After rehearsals for our concert we had time to kill so most
of us drove to Marthon to a photographic exhibition <a href="http://www.latoursaintjean.com/2012/11/les-106-ans-de-marie-gervais.html" target="_blank">106 Ans de Marie Gervais</a>. It was at <a href="http://www.latoursaintjean.com/" target="_blank">La Tour St Jean Marthon</a> which has recently been renovated and the owners
live on the top floors. The photos were
of villages and life in the area. The building is beautiful, the photos were
very interesting and there was an abundance of delicious fruits for
consumption. Just the display looked
amazing. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEaiZVpgPVs/UNjuMhcvYyI/AAAAAAAAA9M/eI8SJr-BNPk/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEaiZVpgPVs/UNjuMhcvYyI/AAAAAAAAA9M/eI8SJr-BNPk/s400/049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kaki (persimmon or sharon fruit), tamarind, nefle (medlar) to name a few.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1canvKBZIo/UNjunMmqE8I/AAAAAAAAA9U/O20si0TdDeM/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1canvKBZIo/UNjunMmqE8I/AAAAAAAAA9U/O20si0TdDeM/s400/051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We were
asked to sing a couple of songs for the guests, impromptu but fun. It was much appreciated with much applause. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The actual concert went quite well. A few mistakes ‘comme d’habitude’! I don’t think we will be winning choir of the
year just yet, but they are a great bunch and I enjoy it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As usual, I am a week behind with the blog!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. Thank you for reading and see you in 2013. xxx</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-35095627192533104502012-12-03T00:46:00.000+01:002012-12-03T00:51:21.109+01:00Are You Snug As A Bug?<br />
<h3>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Are You Sitting Comfortably?</span></u></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, are you wandering around in your
slippers and jim-jams all warm and comfortable with your central heating and
cosy log burners? There’s lovely! As long as you are snug and comfy, that’s all
we were worried about. B*st*rds!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am sitting
here in my furry jacket with a hot water bottle. Faux fur darling, faux fur. No animal was harmed in making me comfortable. I have already inadvertently eaten meat this
week. When I asked for a vegetarian meal
in a restaurant I was offered spaghetti with just tomato sauce. A little uninspiring but fine never the less. All they did, however, was sieve out the meat
from the bolognaise sauce, well most of it!
When I asked the waitress if there was meat in the sauce she said ‘peut-être’
- perhaps!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The North wind picked up this week and the site is well exposed to it. We will have
to resort to taking an evening dose of Sea Legs to get us through the nights
with the caravan swaying and rocking in the wind, a couple of sleeping tablets to give us a
little respite in the wee hours, and a hand-full of Pro-Plus to keep us going
during the day. Shake, rattle and roll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCntvuh1HKA/ULvYjU0XZ0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/om7bKPL2Vqk/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NCntvuh1HKA/ULvYjU0XZ0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/om7bKPL2Vqk/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This will be partitioned to become our bedroom<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Come Dancing </span></u> </h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Apart from
being cold, suffering from sleep deprivation and raging backache </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">I've</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> enjoyed
this week. We have been laying the
chestnut flooring upstairs.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">As we were
sticking on the final plaster boards Chet Atkins was belting out </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8kQghy30Cg" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">'Yakety Axe'</a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> My kind of music. The LGB calls it ‘thigh slapping, arse
kicking’ music. Despite that he asked if
I fancied a dance! I said we should save
it until the floor was laid. Well, we
have now laid three quarters of it, just one bedroom to go, so we did a little formal
dance followed by a little jig in celebration.
It’s like a little ballroom up there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kL16guoDMYA/ULvZX0W8cGI/AAAAAAAAA4k/9N3uvenzzsE/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kL16guoDMYA/ULvZX0W8cGI/AAAAAAAAA4k/9N3uvenzzsE/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A formal dance.............</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAKhgI4-mg4/ULvZfNpVB9I/AAAAAAAAA4s/TJeHQ0b-uY8/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PAKhgI4-mg4/ULvZfNpVB9I/AAAAAAAAA4s/TJeHQ0b-uY8/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">followed by a little hoedown</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>(There's life in the old boy yet!) <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We have a
good little system going. I lay out the
boards, we both fit them and the LGB nails them down. We have decided to do the bathrooms in wood
instead of tiles so we have to order some more chestnut from the
supplier. I am chuffed to bits with how it is looking. Just need to sand and varnish it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a
couple of big, strong men lined up to help us get the plaster boards upstairs
but decided to give it a go with just the two of us. We got another system going and I won’t say
it was easy but if we take it steady and haul a few up a day we will manage
nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><b>Razzle Dazzle 'Em</b></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">During a visit to La Rochefoucauld I stopped at the tourist office to
look at the posters in case there was something worth visiting or seeing. What do you know, there was I looking back at
me! There was a poster advertising an
evening’s entertainment with my chorale group and a jazz group. What was even more astounding was they are
charging Joe Public for the honour!
Hahahaha! Joking aside, it put me
in quite a tizz. Firstly I didn’t know
it was on so soon and secondly I promised at the last AGM I would learn the
lyrics to the songs this year. I can’t
even remember the chuffing tunes from one week to the next never mind the
words. We have just been given a new
song………in Portuguese! Polyglot I am not! I’m off to practice. That’ll upset the wildlife.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="http://uk.mg41.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=2_0_0_1_125609_AIRTfbwAAIJSUKTXlwfWshMOZoc&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="353" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blonde (OK white) hair fourth from the right</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><u>Ladies Day </u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had a day in Angouleme yesterday with Jane. It
was for my birthday, only two months late!
It was delayed because we had been back to England and Jane had fallen
from her horse and suffered broken ribs and amnesia. (Honestly, some people tell the most dreadful
porkies when they forget a birthday!) We
had a lovely day and the weather was kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Coffee and
macaroons at </span><a href="http://www.macarons-lolmede.com/" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">La Biscuiterie Lomede</a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span id="goog_834809444" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span id="goog_834809445" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a>followed by a little retail therapy, a lovely lunch with amazing </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">frites</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> (thank you Jane) and more retail therapy (just in case the first session </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">hadn't</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> worked). We drove on to a local dépot
vente (junk shop) and had a good old spend up there. I got a number of little gems including a
washing machine (machine a laver), plant stand/table, candle holders, picture
frames and more. En route home we
managed another shop and lots more knick-knacks. Together with my belated birthday present – a
beanie hat and a lavender filled heart (both made by Jane, you too can buy one
from her) I thought Christmas had come early.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lc4TM813M04/ULvdMPC9e8I/AAAAAAAAA5g/709dw8rLtGE/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lc4TM813M04/ULvdMPC9e8I/AAAAAAAAA5g/709dw8rLtGE/s640/020.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My new washing Machine.<br />What were you expecting a Zanussi front loader?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgEE643UT8E/ULvdSqP2zoI/AAAAAAAAA5o/aVSfZ0A-cy4/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgEE643UT8E/ULvdSqP2zoI/AAAAAAAAA5o/aVSfZ0A-cy4/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>Time to Say Goodbye</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we
continued to plaster board the ceilings upstairs. It was cold and I didn’t get warm all
day. Il Divo were on The One Show and
sang ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ and it was our time to say goodbye too, we were in
bed five minutes later! We may be cold
and stepping out of the shower into a freezing building and running from garage
to house to caravan to jumble together a meal but it is nothing compared to the
poor folks suffering in the floods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As usual I am a little behind but don't want to bore you by making the post too long.</span></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-70774376893696806402012-11-25T01:01:00.000+01:002013-05-25T13:05:25.784+02:00A Sh*tty Week<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Queen’s Got A Throne!<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am not
giving myself airs and graces or getting above my station when I refer to
myself in this regal way, but I consider that I am Queenie of all I survey around
and about (within the boundaries of my field).
We all know every man’s/woman’s home is his/her castle. The throne I refer to is the downstairs
lavvy, lovey! Yes, we now have a
fabulous, fully functioning, flushing Thomas Crapper! Complete with ‘soft close lid’ if you please. The LGB has been hankering after a ‘soft
close lid’. Not that that will make the
men put the seat down! The latrine is
curtained off, but is in full view of anybody working upstairs so for now I
will have to keep doing toilet emptying duties in the caravan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">A Word of Warning</span></u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">On a recent visit to the fabulous, fully functioning, flushing, lovely lavvy</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"> with the ‘soft close lid’, I lifted the aforementioned ‘soft close lid’ and turned to make ready use of it. I can’t have opened it quite enough because as I disrobed and squatted the ‘soft close lid’ had already begun its’ descent to close ……softly. My ample nether regions met it half way and it was nearly lost forever where the sun </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">don't</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;"> shine. It was quite a shock I can tell you. Perhaps it should come with a health warning or a beep, beep, beep like reversing lights on a lorry. Baaahhh, 's</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">oft close lid’, my arse!</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While the
LGB was busy this sunny, yes sunny Sunday afternoon with the loo I was working
on the picture window frame we had made by Chris at Perseverance Place Ltd,
Richmond, Surrey. Sanding
the frame and watching The X Factor repeat. Happy, happy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3tKaVCtaGQ/ULFXQqZ93JI/AAAAAAAAA2w/4gI_3ClC-PY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3tKaVCtaGQ/ULFXQqZ93JI/AAAAAAAAA2w/4gI_3ClC-PY/s400/002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday
morning Kevin gave us a hand to get the plaster boards, which were delivered
bright and early, up to the first floor.
We then used the hoist (money well spent) to get the chestnut flooring
up too. Two jobs well done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwXOc80Z8lg/ULFXjqmdGEI/AAAAAAAAA24/oxG-y5vKAew/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vwXOc80Z8lg/ULFXjqmdGEI/AAAAAAAAA24/oxG-y5vKAew/s400/034.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Late
Departure<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">The weather
has been fabulous, although we woke up in the caravan on Sunday about 4 am and
it was so cold my Kindle </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">wouldn't</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> even switch on! It hit 21 degrees in La Rochefoucauld</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> in the
week. We have eaten lunch on the terrace
(well </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">I'm</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> calling it a terrace) and enjoyed our coffee breaks there too in t-shirts.
We heard the cranes fly over last night.
This must be the first year we haven’t actually seen them heading South
and it seems to be a late departure for them.
Hurry back! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkePRWfROuE/ULFX2b-tclI/AAAAAAAAA3A/w3cqzjeA9tM/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkePRWfROuE/ULFX2b-tclI/AAAAAAAAA3A/w3cqzjeA9tM/s400/013.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week I
took a photograph of a rose in bud! (A
little celebration of the glorious weather.) In complete contrast, and in keeping with the
above Thomas Crapper theme, ten minutes later I took a photo of a big pile of
pooh/poo/poop, call it what you like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGLpyZIfSXo/ULFYLC7cZUI/AAAAAAAAA3I/65-cPE3sxBs/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGLpyZIfSXo/ULFYLC7cZUI/AAAAAAAAA3I/65-cPE3sxBs/s320/017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apologies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iK86xZcBxog/ULFYRqcFBUI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/mT8BZgLyNsY/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iK86xZcBxog/ULFYRqcFBUI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/mT8BZgLyNsY/s320/018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More apologies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The LGB has
been fixing a leak for some friends.
What he thought was a simple leak has turned into multiple leaks. He uncovered some pipes behind the boxing in
in the bathroom and we discovered a huge, and I mean colossal pile of
pooh! I thought it may have been a
squirrel because we had seen one on the roof, and the nuts in close proximity
seemed to confirm this. However, we
asked a French neighbour to identify the excrement for us and he recognised it
as ‘fouine’ pooh. A ‘fouine’ is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beech_marten" target="_blank">stone marten</a>, it actually translates as ‘the long pitchfork’. La Fouine is also a French rap artist, but I
don’t think it is him hiding in the loft!
This fouine is like a weasel. I have heard of a pine marten but not a
stone marten. What a well-trained marten to do it’s doings all in the same
place in a big pile, and in the bathroom too!
House trained? Two guesses who
will be clearing out that little heap?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Steinmarder_(cropped).jpg/379px-Steinmarder_(cropped).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Steinmarder_(cropped).jpg/379px-Steinmarder_(cropped).jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute! Courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, Wednesday
we began cutting the plaster boards for upstairs. I think the </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">LGB’s idea is to floor out
upstairs thereby freeing up some space downstairs of plaster boards which are
taking up a considerable amount of room. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XntUvcoaJw0/ULFZ1J3q-WI/AAAAAAAAA3c/BFgiOUGPA7w/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XntUvcoaJw0/ULFZ1J3q-WI/AAAAAAAAA3c/BFgiOUGPA7w/s320/005.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Tonight the LGB</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> is </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> happed up warm and cosy watching the England match. I know tomorrow I will be in for a
treat. He will have verbal diarrhoea
(there we go again, enough of the pooh theme), and chat on for an age about the
football, managers and players like I am some football crazed geezer! I quite like the fact that he feels I am
worth talking ‘footy’ with but see it rather that he is starved of male
company.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmaPOK_mRQ4/ULFaLe54TVI/AAAAAAAAA3k/xDY-fcgCukw/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmaPOK_mRQ4/ULFaLe54TVI/AAAAAAAAA3k/xDY-fcgCukw/s400/026.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living in the lap of luxury!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday
evening we had almost finished plaster boarding the exterior walls and had all
the pieces cut ready for the LGB to finish this morning. It is really making the shell look like a
house now. I was sawing away thinking
about where to position the beds and wardrobes and what colour to have each
room!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friends came
to see progress today and afterwards we ate lunch at the local golf course. It
was nice seeing you all and thank you Brenda for the lovely treat, you can come
and see us as often as you like!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WN9upGvfFn0/ULFaj9tByfI/AAAAAAAAA3s/OyDWjKtq2xw/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WN9upGvfFn0/ULFaj9tByfI/AAAAAAAAA3s/OyDWjKtq2xw/s400/039.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you
for all your comments. I was thrilled to
get one from Becca at http://www.roofingmelbourne.net.au/Australia this week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326706388667552777.post-26285010019337944862012-11-11T10:26:00.000+01:002012-11-11T10:26:24.142+01:00Fluffy Bits and Damp Squibs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7I651lWDI8/UJ9rEcQ2D7I/AAAAAAAAA2A/O4jQpNTzhws/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C7I651lWDI8/UJ9rEcQ2D7I/AAAAAAAAA2A/O4jQpNTzhws/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lovely evening on the site</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come out,
come out whoever you are! <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have to
say I am amazed and stupefied that the ramblings </span><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">(disguised as a blog) </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">of a middle-aged female
builder’s labourer has had over 5,200 views (5,263 to be
precise but who’s counting)! I am not so naïve to think they are all avid readers, probably
4,999 are visits from surfers who have misinterpreted some of my blog titles,
such as ‘Tits and Old Bones, Kerb Crawlers and Short and Curlies’ had a quick
glance realised it didn’t meet their needs and left very disappointed. Sorry about that! I have only 12 signed up
members and another handful who I know are reading the blog. I constantly get hits from the
United States as well as other more obscure locations. Being the nosey parker
that I am, if you are reading the blog I would love to know who, where and why? If you are shy and don’t want to come right out of the closet and
close the door behind you (by becoming a member) just poke your nose a little way
round the door and drop me an email at </span><a href="mailto:deborahmathias@yahoo.co.uk"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">deborahmathias@yahoo.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> to satisfy my curiosity. Be brave, come and say hello and put me out
of my misery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>I'm Rankled</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday
morning found us once again buying electrical supplies. All the way through the build I have just
handed over the bank card or signed a cheque without much thought to it being
real money leaving the coffers. We
needed it, so we bought it. However, for
some reason it is irking me to be spending so much on electrical materials and
I am not sure why. One length of cable
alone cost 260€ today. At this rate I
will have no money left for the fluffy, pretty bits.
Perhaps that is the reason I am peeved.
I have always pictured the finish of the build with cushions, curtains
and pictures whereas the LGB sees an empty plastered room. All the money spent on electrics and plumbing
will be hidden (I hope) behind plaster boards so we won’t see what our
expenditure has bought. It is all far
more essential than the fluffy bits I know but it still rankles! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbUCOi8FkEY/UJ9eztRx2cI/AAAAAAAAA0c/j9P88WHY6bQ/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbUCOi8FkEY/UJ9eztRx2cI/AAAAAAAAA0c/j9P88WHY6bQ/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But is it art?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Tardis and the Tea Urn<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The LGB has
been working on yet another shower. This
time we have a water heater as we can no longer heat our water with the
sunshine on the garden hose. As a
temporary measure the LGB has hung the heater on the wall in the dining
room. We had a French electrician come
round to advise us on some things and he didn’t even bat an eyelid at the
boiler adorning the wall in the salle à manger!
I can only assume he has either seen it all before, thinks it is a huge
tea urn (Brits do like their cuppa), thinks it is a piece of modern artwork or
he thinks the English are raving loonies!
Answers on a postcard. The shower
cubicle is on loan from the Old Bones on Bikes and is nestled in the corner of
the dining room looking like a phone booth or Dr Who’s tardis. When the LGB came to fit the toilet he was a
little disheartened to find the cistern doesn’t line up with the fixing
holes. Pack it all back in the box!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1O9TRP0GA0/UJ9fUt5lS_I/AAAAAAAAA0k/o8MUNLtqhtc/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1O9TRP0GA0/UJ9fUt5lS_I/AAAAAAAAA0k/o8MUNLtqhtc/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sorry, you must have the wrong number.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxMDXCAs4z4/UJ9faM8qkFI/AAAAAAAAA0s/7hFkUUGFbHQ/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AxMDXCAs4z4/UJ9faM8qkFI/AAAAAAAAA0s/7hFkUUGFbHQ/s400/021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the clock strikes three...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceMZvApfXTY/UJ9fhuzaOhI/AAAAAAAAA00/3Airxb3P8yo/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceMZvApfXTY/UJ9fhuzaOhI/AAAAAAAAA00/3Airxb3P8yo/s400/022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">everything stops for tea!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s a good
job the French don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes night because there would only be
damp squibs here. No rockets or firecrackers for us, we watched a DVD tonight, Monday, but will have to watch the
second half again because we couldn’t hear it for the rain! It is still raining, I am still peeling
snails and slugs from the side of the caravan, chucking out creepy crawlies
(okay, the LGB is chucking out the creepy crawlies), mopping water from the
awning floor and in charge of emptying the loo.
All a bit déjà vu isn’t it. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gUdir98-3Vo/UJ9qETrSmII/AAAAAAAAA14/UwC7lVCVhCA/s400/006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="311" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Spot the snail top right after a quick cuppa!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXBtT0QWSwM/UJ9nYoZ54gI/AAAAAAAAA1k/8MhPcZu0wEw/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXBtT0QWSwM/UJ9nYoZ54gI/AAAAAAAAA1k/8MhPcZu0wEw/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
friends, Jane and David, popped round today.
They haven’t been here since the summer.
It always gives me a little boost when people are surprised at the
progress because sometimes the build can seem to stand still for us when there
are no huge developments. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday
night we were in bed by eight thirty entwined like our <a href="http://deborahandbrendanbuilding.blogspot.fr/2012/08/frisky-slugs-feeling-blue-and-finials.html" target="_blank">frisky slugs (read the older post).</a> Nothing romantic you understand it was just an
effort to get warm. If we could have
fitted into the same pair of pyjamas for extra warmth we would have done
so. With me as the LGB's belly warmer, him snuggled up behind me, I
felt like I had gone to bed wearing a ruck sack. Crikey, it doesn’t bode well
for when the really cold weather comes, does it?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
insulated plaster boards have been ordered and will be delivered on Monday. I have no idea where we are going to put
them. I have been mooching about since
our return from the UK but that is about to change and it will be full on again
soon. Oh joy!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hollywood.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/yogi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hollywood.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/yogi.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hear
Ye! Hear Ye!</span></u><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A momentous
development on site today. You’d think
the LGB was JLB, John Logie Baird himself (more like Yogi Bear) because he has the television up and running. He has torn
Kevin away from his electrical duties to set it up. Would you believe he is watching football? Kevin has kindly loaned us a television but
as it is the size of a small car I objected to it being in the caravan, it was me or the TV. It was a scary moment when he hesitated before agreeing to putting it in the house! The LGB said it would be cold watching it in
the house. I have told him to pretend he
is actually at the football ground and dress up nice and warm armed with a pint and a
pie. Sorted!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJqLG6HW91c/UJ9oTsoojxI/AAAAAAAAA1s/3QdjtwMIpJo/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJqLG6HW91c/UJ9oTsoojxI/AAAAAAAAA1s/3QdjtwMIpJo/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">All ready for the rugby Six Nations</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Home Wasnt Built In A Day! - Deborahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07970405099169311637noreply@blogger.com0