Saturday, December 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas in a stone caravan...
The annual Samaritans YouGov poll of 2,000 adults found that 2010 was considered a bad year or the worst year ever by 30% of the population – a rise from 24% in 2009.
An interesting result from the UK, perhaps illustrating that 2010 has been a difficult year for many...it certainly feels there is some truth in this for me...the silver lining of course being that 2011 maybe not so!! The soothing relief of the collective suffering is a curious thing, knowing others got caught by the dogdy chicken takeaway somehow reduces the dispair...either the pull to community or a more Freudian position of the dark forces within wanting the other sibling(s) to suffer too...
Having had a week in the UK, introducing C&L to the rigors of urban life, catching up with that lovely 21 year old before she battled her way through the masses of Heathrow (and managed to fly out! to the warmth of NZ), enjoying the latest arrival of the Davies tribe, young Saffir...a lovely happy n healthy baby...testing the in snow driving skills (very thankful for the old Landrover..especially this side early Saturday am, snow, ice, no grit (in France) and so driving on a skating rink from the port to home)...C&L were great to travel with and so all in all a great trip..
Have just finished the sand/lime render in the kitchen and so a milestone of sorts...January is the month for cutting wood out there so when dry I shall be on the end of my chainsaw and when wet beginning the floor base...aiming to replace the roof in February so I won't put a nice wooden floor in before that...
So this is Christmas...with the cold keeping much of the activity indoors the cabin fever begins to develop...adults, twins, dogs and all the associated stuff that goes with life crammed into our one room does have it's moments..certainly sufficient motivation to ensure next door will be ready for next winter!! For me, it is the lack of space, be it psychic, physical, emotional..after last week's intensity I am aware of a need for some space...A friend Duncan suggests building a cabin down by the river, not sure what the Marie will make of that!
C&L have caught on to the descent of Santa and so await with the usual anticipation for his arrival...we have people coming in the farm house gite over Christmas so a mid winter clean has happened, Heleen has put some lovely decorations above the fire so hopefully they remembered to send a redirection order to Santa...
Seeing that we are soon to be in a new year here is a tentative wish list...
* A neurological breakthrough enabling language downloads whilst sleeping..
* All Blacks to beat Australia in the RWC final...
* A new Marie for Plouyé (a nice one please!)
* Biologique certification
* A whole house!
* Being happy, healthy, wealthy & wise
* World peace (if you don't ask...)
Nadolig Llawen a'r holl bethau da i un a phob yn 2011...
Joyeux Noël et toutes les bonnes choses à toutes et à tous en 2011...
Happy Christmas and all good things to one and all in 2011...
Be thankful
Rxx
Friday, December 17, 2010
Home alone
To celebrate Siany's 21th birthday Rod and kids have gone to the UK. I've stayed behind to (finally) get some work done, look after the animals and maybe even do something with the horses.
I must say, I had to get used to the quiet for a day or two. But overall it's been a great week, got LOADS of work done, gone completely back into my single person lifestyle for a week when it comes to housekeeping: lovely.
Without my big warm snoring bear in bed I haven't been sleeping very well. During the day I'm getting used to the cold, but I don't like a cold bed...
The ground was frozen and sometimes slippery so not really good for a ride but have gone for two really big walks with the horses. Conclusion: Milo will not become an endurance horse, I had to drag him up the hill on the way back. My old mate Harry walking in the front, ears pricked in the air, loving every minute of it, especially on the tracks where he can walk of the lead. He's still going strong at 22 and loves the wintery cold.
While Rod and C&L are boarding on the ferry home I'm going for a big shop to fill our very empty fridge. Looking very much forward to hear the little twittery voices of my lovely kiddies tomorrow and to give them long a warm snuggles.
Hope Rod will write a nice post of his adventures in Bristol. With pictures...
I must say, I had to get used to the quiet for a day or two. But overall it's been a great week, got LOADS of work done, gone completely back into my single person lifestyle for a week when it comes to housekeeping: lovely.
Without my big warm snoring bear in bed I haven't been sleeping very well. During the day I'm getting used to the cold, but I don't like a cold bed...
The ground was frozen and sometimes slippery so not really good for a ride but have gone for two really big walks with the horses. Conclusion: Milo will not become an endurance horse, I had to drag him up the hill on the way back. My old mate Harry walking in the front, ears pricked in the air, loving every minute of it, especially on the tracks where he can walk of the lead. He's still going strong at 22 and loves the wintery cold.
While Rod and C&L are boarding on the ferry home I'm going for a big shop to fill our very empty fridge. Looking very much forward to hear the little twittery voices of my lovely kiddies tomorrow and to give them long a warm snuggles.
Hope Rod will write a nice post of his adventures in Bristol. With pictures...
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The school issue
Mondaymorning I first rang the teacher that the kids were not coming to her school anymore. She was quite civil to me but mentioned that I cannot just change schools, that I have to talk to the maire. I already knew that this was the case if I wanted to go to the school in Locquefret, but she suggested that I had to have his permission for any school.
At midday I talked to Mr le Guern, the maire of Plouyé. He was expecting me and he said instantly that he wouldn't sign for the kids to go to Locquefret or Landelau school or any other school...
His explanation was that the local community pays for the little ones education and that they have to go to school in the local commune. Besides that, if the number of pupils drop below 50 the school will have to go back from three to two classes. I'm not sure if C&L are the two pupils that bring the total up to 52. Sometimes my french is just not good enough to get all the details.
I thought in France everybody is free to choose where they have their education, but the Maire said this is only the case for kids that go to college (11 years and older). One of he teachers in Landelau told Rod that this is not true and that we are allowed to go to their school. We know several Plouyé kids that have been to Landelau.
The maire almost begged me to try for another month, but I've just finished trying for another month. The only thing the kids say is: The teacher didn't yell at me (good days) or The teacher yelled at me today (bad days). They don't know any other french then what I've taught them and I hear that they don't speak at all in school, not in french or english.
When they hear french outside of school or see kids form their school they just want to hide their heads under my sweater. Not very handy when you live in France!
The maire told me he'd tell 'Gene' to 'watch her mouth', but I don't need her to change. She's done this for 25 years, if it works for her and french kids, great, but it doesn't mean that it works for me or my kids.
Besides from intimidating the kids, she also does it to the mothers! I know of other women she has been going of at, including me. The kids are scared of her, and I'm not to keen on het either and I can't see it getting any better….
At midday I talked to Mr le Guern, the maire of Plouyé. He was expecting me and he said instantly that he wouldn't sign for the kids to go to Locquefret or Landelau school or any other school...
His explanation was that the local community pays for the little ones education and that they have to go to school in the local commune. Besides that, if the number of pupils drop below 50 the school will have to go back from three to two classes. I'm not sure if C&L are the two pupils that bring the total up to 52. Sometimes my french is just not good enough to get all the details.
I thought in France everybody is free to choose where they have their education, but the Maire said this is only the case for kids that go to college (11 years and older). One of he teachers in Landelau told Rod that this is not true and that we are allowed to go to their school. We know several Plouyé kids that have been to Landelau.
The maire almost begged me to try for another month, but I've just finished trying for another month. The only thing the kids say is: The teacher didn't yell at me (good days) or The teacher yelled at me today (bad days). They don't know any other french then what I've taught them and I hear that they don't speak at all in school, not in french or english.
When they hear french outside of school or see kids form their school they just want to hide their heads under my sweater. Not very handy when you live in France!
The maire told me he'd tell 'Gene' to 'watch her mouth', but I don't need her to change. She's done this for 25 years, if it works for her and french kids, great, but it doesn't mean that it works for me or my kids.
Besides from intimidating the kids, she also does it to the mothers! I know of other women she has been going of at, including me. The kids are scared of her, and I'm not to keen on het either and I can't see it getting any better….
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Curtains
The first anniversary of my mum's death in two days time. Time to remember her by sowing curtains with her lovely sowing machine. I finally have to learn to do stuff like this, now she can't do it anymore.
I've been feeling her peeking over my shoulder: Oh no this is not straight, oh no, don't you need to pin that first? And I bet she wished she'd also put some green string in with it.. Anyway, they're up, great fun, thanks mum!
Also thanks to Hansa who bought the fabric, not our first choice - green, but it actually looks allright.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Colds and snow
Greetings one and all...
Another month slips by as we descend into the winter depths, Thursday's market saw the first flurries of snow and today on my way to French it tried again...not enough to stay around (much to the twins dismay) but a signal that the winter has arrived and snow will happen at some stage (next Tuesday according to the forecast)...
Have met some lovely people of late, Simon, Audrey and the crew and this week Steve, Ali & wee Erin... although this is against the background of heavy colds, coughs and aches (not something I have had much in NZ)..Charlie especially has not been right for awhile...this has kept them out of school but in actual fact they have finished at Plouye (no-one knows as we are not brave enough to face Madame le Mat..!!)...There is a commonly held belief here that, as a parent you have the right to choose the school you wish your children to attend. However, in reality, I think we have to crawl, cap in hand to the Plouye Marie (he who holds all power in our commune..ie the person not to piss off) and tell him of our decision and seek his blessing to move.
We shall aim for somewhere in the middle (very diplomatic!), go and see him yet be firm on what we want for the kids...quite different if we were local of course...
What with sickness and cold, dark nights the hemp rendering has slowed considerably, I am 3/4 through the second coat and so may get the last one on before Xmas...
I have decided to head over to the UK for a week in December to catch up with Sian before she heads to NZ to thaw out..she will be 21(!! amazing really) on the 11th, is in Bristol on the 15th and so I shall catch her then...
Other than that no real news as everything slows to a survival pulse, the sap is sinking and first waves of the hibernative coma are felt....perhaps we shall post again when the days lengthen!
ZZzzzzz
Another month slips by as we descend into the winter depths, Thursday's market saw the first flurries of snow and today on my way to French it tried again...not enough to stay around (much to the twins dismay) but a signal that the winter has arrived and snow will happen at some stage (next Tuesday according to the forecast)...
Have met some lovely people of late, Simon, Audrey and the crew and this week Steve, Ali & wee Erin... although this is against the background of heavy colds, coughs and aches (not something I have had much in NZ)..Charlie especially has not been right for awhile...this has kept them out of school but in actual fact they have finished at Plouye (no-one knows as we are not brave enough to face Madame le Mat..!!)...There is a commonly held belief here that, as a parent you have the right to choose the school you wish your children to attend. However, in reality, I think we have to crawl, cap in hand to the Plouye Marie (he who holds all power in our commune..ie the person not to piss off) and tell him of our decision and seek his blessing to move.
We shall aim for somewhere in the middle (very diplomatic!), go and see him yet be firm on what we want for the kids...quite different if we were local of course...
What with sickness and cold, dark nights the hemp rendering has slowed considerably, I am 3/4 through the second coat and so may get the last one on before Xmas...
I have decided to head over to the UK for a week in December to catch up with Sian before she heads to NZ to thaw out..she will be 21(!! amazing really) on the 11th, is in Bristol on the 15th and so I shall catch her then...
Other than that no real news as everything slows to a survival pulse, the sap is sinking and first waves of the hibernative coma are felt....perhaps we shall post again when the days lengthen!
ZZzzzzz
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