Ennui

Ennui: listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest or boredom.

That is my situation at the moment.

Life is not, or does not seem to be, offering what I need. In fact, I don't really know what I need at this time.

I occasionally get these moments in time and am going thought one of these moments right now!

I do not know what the trigger is or was.

Is it to do with 'biorhythms', weather (hot & muggy), hormones (are mine still ticking?) or just being here? Not too much analysing please, it can only confuse. But I do really feel 'out of sorts' as they say.

I found a haematite bracelet that I have had for many years and thought that I would wear it today. I put it on my right wrist - it felt too heavy to wear so I changed it to the left and it is sitting comfortably without any effort. I have some other crystal bracelets that need repair - will do so and then see if they will help my well-being.

It is no use me trying to explain to himself. He hasn't a clue about these things at all. Is he the cause of my 'ennui'?

I will get over this, have done before and will do in the future..

Vegetables versus Weeds

Rose fairly early this morning, had breakfast and then went and did a bit of weeding and hoeing before it got too warm. Just did a little bit around the Aubergines, French Beans and Sweetcorn (love corn on the cob - just cannot buy it reasonable out here). Will do the same tomorrow and gradually work my way down the garden.

Whilst weeding I found, what I think is, Purslane growing in the garden. Having a read up in my Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Herb Growing, I know it is full of vitamin C and has been used for centuries either cooked or in salads. I just need to confirm that it is the said plant! There is an English lady out here who has a cookery Blog and I thought that maybe she could help with this plant late last year. She hadn't a clue! Oh well.. never mind! My man went to the pharmacy this morning to renew his prescription and I suggested that he took a sample of the plant with him just to check that it is comestible - he forgot! I will have a word with my 'wise' neighbour, who found the most wonderful bolets growing around my spruce last autumn, and see if he knows.... failing that back to the pharmacy. Out here it is not what you know but who! We have lots of Fat Hen growing and there is also a plant that a Greek born friend said that his mum would harvest and cook like spinach. I don't know the name of that one at all. What I am thinking is just let the weeds take over and we eat them instead of growing veg. I will avoid the deadly nightshade though!

I have found a website devoted to all things naturalistic in France (www.planetepassion.eu). I love wild flowers (weeds included), birds and wild animals. I suppose it is to do with the way I was brought up. They (planetepassion) have a posting showing how to grow potatoes successfully above ground. You put your seed potatoes on the ground and cover them with straw... simple. Obviously the last sentence is a potted version but it seems as though it works well. Maybe I can get himself to try it next year. If the hay used will keep the weeds down then all to the good!!

If I see a butterfly or bug that I do not know then I try to find out what it is, when I was a child my Dad answered the questions. When our daughters were young and they asked a questions that I did not know the answer to I researched it so that I had an answer for them. I acquired a library full of reference books in order to help them! (Thank you Readers Digest!). The books are now distributed between our children so that they can pass on the 'knowledge'. A few years ago we had a nocturnal visitor into our house. My husband thought that it was a bat as it was flapping around in a blind panic, but it was a moth with a 5 inch wingspan, absolutely beautiful and amazing. I did an internet search and found a website via Google France and sent them a (poor) photo of the moth. The website was www.leps.it an italian website devoted to butterflies and moths. Absolutely amazing, they identified the moth as a Giant Peacock Moth (female) and wished me well in La Belle France.

So I think I will use planetepassion just to satisfy my curiosity with anything natural in La Belle France along with these other wonderful websites that I have found, and of course, my neighbour!

At the moment it is 'Soldes' in France, nearly everyone I know is off to find a bargain, me NO! I don't think that there is anything that I need. I have the furniture, linen and clothes that we need. What I would like to find though is the elusive woven, and cool, cotton clothes for the summer. Do you think I can find them reasonably priced? No!! There are plenty of knitted (jersey) cotton garments about but very few woven cotton. My body needs to breath! So I will need to find patterns (if they are suitable) and then the fabric to make the said clothes. Grrr I don't mind sewing at all, although it is a long time since I have done so. I think the last actual clothes that I made were for pre-teen daughters and that was a long time ago!! I just cannot imagine my dear man trying to pin hems for me!!

We have our middle daughter and her son, our first grandson - now 12 yrs old, coming to visit at the end of the month. We are really looking forward to seeing them. Our daughter has been going through a rough time over the last couple of years and for her this will be a well earned break. Our grandson has also been through this trying time as well and, we feel, is growing up too quickly due to familial circumstances. Plans are being made for trips to various places and other delights for them and for our grandson to enjoy his childhood a little longer. It will be so very good for us all.

Have updated my profile picture. Again it is of Clematis Jackmanii - again beautiful this year and we have more and more bloom. The picture has not been digitally enhanced in any way, the sky was that colour that morning... Absolutely superb, I love it!

Puy du Fou

Oh the Hill of Fools... went there this afternoon hoping to catch the 'Gladiator' experience and what happened? they changed the times. c'est pas grave, we went to see the Mousquetaire de Richelieu instead. At least it was under cover and not in the sunshine, what a wonderful experience. Totally different to what we expected but, nevertheless, very accomplished. d'Artagnan and his cohorts along with Cyrano de Bergerac and the Duc de Richelieu strutting their stuff.. Costumes, lighting and special effects were fantastic!

We also watched 'les grandes eau' a brilliant musical/fountain experience. Loved it but my camera did not!!!! It would not take a single picture... Probably too much sunshine. Grrr, will have to see it again and see if I can take a good picture. I am so glad that we took the option of a season ticket this year, just drive up there for a couple of hours of 'chill out' it works and is doing himself so much good, he comes home really relaxed, best therapy in the world at the moment!!

Have been in contact with someone today who I have not seen for absolutely ages. It is quite strange, her husband, I think, used to be an immobillier, whether he is or not I don't know. She needed some equipment that I happened to have but it was not for her but for a friend. These friends have a mill on a river a few kilometres north of us and, about 5 yrs ago, I accommodated in my B&B a couple who were looking to buy out here, that stayed with them for around a fortnight, but they stayed with us for longer. The couple that own the mill had, I believe, a little contretemps with some neighbours (apparently a lawyer?) down river regarding ownership of 'part' said river. I am looking forward to meeting them (mill owners) when the equipment is returned. Curiosity is my thing, I am intrigued!!!!!

Am I so awful observing the ex-patriot community on the sidelines... I hear so many things and am embarrassed at being English and seeing what the English are up to. I hate being in the supermarket during the summer months and hearing those that have their holiday homes out here, or even those staying in an English owned gite, who are 'slagging' off the French... Why the **** are they here if they don't like it?? It really annoys me.

At least I see that more people are selling up and going back. There is a nice modern house just outside the village that is now up for sale. The price that is being asked is just astronomical. I know the house and the original French owners. It was around 85,000 euro 5 yrs ago. A lovely house with land and a lake. It was bought by an English guy at probably less than asking price. He lived there three years and after a few improvements sold it via ebay and shot off to who knows where (the tax-man and gendarmerie would love to know). This house is now on the market, via its English owners, for 3 times as much.... Is it worth it? NO!!

Oh dear, I am on a run aren't I. But then, that is what is happening out here.

I have some lovely English friends out here that love the country and are here for the duration. They embrace the whole French 'thing'. They are learning the language and prefer to go to French gatherings and ignore the ex-pat thing.

Maybe 'the hill of fools' is where a lot of the ex-pat community should be sent!!

birthdays

We celebrated my Dear Man's birthday on Saturday night with a Barbecue. An annual event that has been happening over the last thirty plus years (BBQ that is). In the UK we used to invite the nearest neighbours (that way they had no reason to complain about the music and revelry that went on into the early hours) as well as family and friends. We were never let down by the weather in the UK and never here!

So last weekend we invited our group of French friends as well as some English friends. There were a couple that we had invited that had never been to one of our 'gatherings' before and they brought the in-laws. The in-laws were worried about spending an evening with a lot of English people. They were in for a pleasant surprise as there were only four English there including us out of the 16 people! Unfortunately there were others both French and English, that could not come due to other commitments, it would have been great if they had.

Three young children, 2, 4, and 8 yrs came with their mama and mamie. They got on famously and Jensen was as good as gold, especially letting the youngest drape his arms over his back and walk with him. We couldn't have wished for a better behaved dog. All in all it was a good evening. The weather was fine, the food was good, the wine flowed but nobody got drunk (except for the birthday boy). A very restrained party indeed compared to ones in the past!!!

The weather has been gorgeous over the past couple of weeks, am spending a lot of time indoors, just taking a little time outside during the day as I do not want to get sunburn. Early morning and evenings are fine, so far all is OK!

Veg are growing, so are the weeds! We have had some new potatoes, delicious!! Peas have pods with peas that need to plump up and the carrots are coming along, beans need some water. There is a water restriction going on at the moment as well so we are being very careful. Helicopters come over and you don't know whether they are checking or not!!!

The grass is looking very dry and that weird line of brown that comes up parallel to the house is showing, I am sure there was a wall there sometime ago - for another building or not who can tell!! Do I call in Tony Robinson? Er, I think not....

There is a glut of cherries this year, so I have taken some and made (experimental) cherry aperitif - if it works we will see. I bottled it today and it seems a little 'raw' but after a few months it should improve. I made a cherry 'liqueur' seven years ago - I found the recipe on the internet and thought I would give it a go. It was made with yellow cherries which were growing in abundance. The tree has since been felled as it just died back!! This particular liqueur was a bit 'sheech' on the teeth when it was new. Now it is so mellow and delicious - but strong! So I have hopes for the stuff I have bottled today. Got to try and keep it for a long, long time.

I have nothing to say about the football!!

The dog needs a haircut, do I try it myself of get a professional??

The photo above is of one of our cherry trees, it's first proper flowering and fruiting. I hung some old cd's in the tree to keep the birds off and it worked, lots of cherries - yummy.

We had a pair of magpies nest in the top of a very high poplar tree (around 65ft). It was amazing to see the nest being blown around by the wind - a good 4 metre from side to side. They produced 3 youngsters!!! Wonderful to watch them try to get height on their first outing... But they did not go for my cherries!!!!

Retirement

I have just seen on the BBC news a report about the French marching and striking because of the proposals to increase the retirement age from 60 years to 62 years. We also discussed this problem with our plumber last week and he is thrilled to bits that he will reach the magic age of 60 before the new law is implemented.

In this area of France, a lovely, healthy, rural area I hasten to add, the elderly live in excess of 80 years, many well into their 90's (probably down to the daily nip of eau de vie, fait a la maison!). You only have to look at the weekly obits in the local newspaper. So these wonderful elderly people have had 20+ years of the state taking care of them with a very healthy pension but there isn't the money going into the coffers to pay for it and as the elderly population increases because of the wonderful healthcare, preventative medicine being to the fore, more money is needed. We have some wonderful French friends who raise their eyebrows in amazement when we tell them that in England ladies retire at 60 years and men at 65 years. "c'est vrai??, zut!!" "Oh oui, c'est vrai", we tell them. They shake their heads in wonderment!!

I have had some guys stay in the gite this week, one of them has finished early, why? Greve he said... hmm I didn't enquire any more but he will be back he said.... They find it very easy to down tools and strike out here!!

Last weeks budget in the UK was very harsh, but then it needs to be. The previous government had left a huge financial deficit that needs to be rectified. I remember this happening before and having to 'tighten our belts' in the the 70's. It was very hard as we also had three small children and only one income. We had a mortgage and the interest rate rose to 15%, yes it was difficult but we managed. People in the UK who have had it fairly easy over the past few years with a lifestyle beyond their means will have to adjust to a leaner lifestyle. We did not have holidays abroad, gym membership, huge tv's and obviously there were no computers or similar then but luxuries were just not entertained. We even gave up going to the pub on a weekend!! A vist to the cinema was an absolute treat, the theatre was never ever thought about...

We grew to appreciate a better life once the children were older and I was able to return to the workplace, until then the children, and keeping a roof over our head, were the most important part of our lives. Their future was paramount, we had had our past and our future (retirement!) was put on hold. Oh I do sound a bit old fashioned but then that was how we were brought up.

Speaking with our daughters they will cope with the changes, they are all grafters and know how to economise as well. I think that a lot of their friends are of the same 'ilk'. I haven't heard anyone I know complain about the new measures so maybe the journalists are just having a 'field day' reporting the most negative side of the budget.

Summer solstice and all that

I did not celebrate the summer solstice but no doubt my middle daughter did, she who professes to be a 'wiccan', did no doubt light some candles and perform a ceremony of sorts - me, I don't know what she does, but she does it! And I did not ask her! Amazingly enough, my dear man has over the last 40+ years that I have know him has done the countdown to the 'longest day' in the solar calendar, or the summer solstice, (21st June) but, this year, has not done so... I wonder why? The girls and I always used to try to pip him to the post, starting at the beginning of June and doing a countdown for him, and, as you can imagine, a lot of laughter ensued. This year though, totally different. Hmmm. He seems to have lost the plot.

We now have some reasonably good weather. Veg are growing along with the weeds, or is it weeds along with veg? Potatoes are good this year, loads in every root! Peas and beans are coming along as well as the sweetcorn and aubergines. We have chillis, tomatoes and cucumber in the poly-tunnel which will suit us just fine. We wont be growing tomatoes for bottling this year and I have given up on the soft fruit. I just cannot be bothered any more. I have done it for too many years and just want a break. When I work it out it is not really cost effective any more. It is nice to freeze. bottle and make preserves and chutneys etc. but if you are not using what you preserve then what is the point? There is too much for us to do!

There seems to be a glut of cherries this year and our dear French neighbour has offered to us the fruit from his trees. Wonderful. I have used a kilo of cherries and am in the process of steeping them in sweet white wine and eau de vie. I do so hope that the resulting liquor will be a delight! So far it smells absolutely wonderful! It also looks like I will have another good crop of quince this year - more 'coing' aperitif - last years is yummy! There will also be wild plums and sloes as well - now that is preserving!!

We are not taking Wwoofers this year simply because it works out as un-cost efficient (for us that is). I did enjoy having them here with us over the last couple of years but when push comes to shove we still have to pay for their food and the cleaning up of their rooms, or whatever accommodation, afterwards. There is also the extra laundry and water costs!! So this year, fewer veg, more weeds, less preserving at the end of the season. After all, we are only needing to grow for two not for a family and B&B guests, or pigs or sheep!

I am glad that my man has 'seen the light' and is now slowing down and just doing what is necessary. We do have a man we can call on to do some 'heavy' work for us and we get on with him quite well. There is just too much for my man to do and I am not that physically fit either (damned arthritis!).

Have been watching the World Cup football, not that I really like it but he does. It is good to see that England have eventually got somewhere. I was beginning to doubt their talent. From what I have seen and read they seem to be more interested in money than the game! Of course I might be wrong (but I think not!). France just lost the plot completely - unbelievable - as one of our French friends has said 'disastre!!'

Whoever wins the World Cup will rightfully deserve it I am sure. In another couple of years it will be the Olympics in London - Oh my! Will England be able to cope with it when you see the level of debt that the current government has inherited??

Three of my grandchildren are 'judo-ists' and recently they took part in a local competition. The two newest (aged 10 and 6) at the 'game' won silver (10 yrs) and gold (6 yrs) and the one that had been playing longer won bronze against players some 3 years older and playing at county level (she did say "but I am only 8" when the others were 11yrs old). Maybe these youngsters (of my children) will be representing England in 2016 or 2020. It would be wonderful!!

World Cup Football

At the moment the Football World Cup in being played in South Africa. Very good for the South Africans, not good for some of the teams.

Being English, I should be an England Team supporter, and living in France I should also support the French Team. Well I have watched/listened to the commentary on both of England's matches and also on the one the French have played.

From what I have seen my young grandchildren and their primary school mates could have played better than these overpaid professional footballers.

I can't see the English team improving at all. They failed dismally in their game against America, an up and coming team by all accounts, and tonight's match against Algeria - well, what can one say? Capello should have taken some of the 'better' players off and given some others a chance to play for England instead of leaving them sitting on the benches. England were useless! France lost their game against a lesser team much to their disappointment, and mine. I hasten to add that I am not a football fan so there will not be too much from me over the next couple of weeks. Give me a good game of rugby any day.

Of course I have the Wimbledon fortnight to look forward to - a chance to sit and listen to the gentle sounds of the ball going from racquet to racquet and the murmuring from the crowd in centre court, very soporific.

Have had another visit to Puy du Fou today, warm and overcast with just a small threat of rain. Just took in one show, brilliant. Will be going again next week, weather permitting, to take in another couple of shows. It is so nice living so close and it is such a beautiful place. From our first visit 9 years ago they have made so many changes. I believe that it has been in operation for around 32 years now and it goes from strength to strength - I believe they have had in excess of 10 million visitors and bearing in mind that they are only open for 6 months of the year it isn't bad at all.