The Ellis Family in France

Happy New Year or, as they say here, Bonne Année

I wasn’t going to bother with a 2009 Newsletter, but a few people have expressed an interest. (Their tellies must be broke)

I have heard on the grapevine that Hollywood is interested in making a film of our adventures in France but the producers can’t decide between Russell Crowe and Daniel Craig as to who should play the male lead. After a short fight Kate Winslett narrowly beat Keira Knightley for the female role. (Must be the boobs)

I believe Steve and Sarah’s parts will be taken by Orlando Bloom and Katie Price.

janvier

Early in the month we had a “Games Night” with our friends Brian and Ingrid (Les Confituristes) and not a drop of alcohol passed our lips.

Brian is absolutely crap at everything, Pictionary, Cranium etc.(we must invite them again)

Steve and Sarah came back from the UK on the 7th (Sarah’s birthday) with the flu and went straight to bed.

They’d been in the UK for Christmas visiting Sarah’s Dad and their friends in Ascot, David and Taufiq.

We had been looking after Holly while they were away and really missed her when she went home. We’re really torn about getting another dog after the heart-breaking loss of Sasha. Even after 3 years it’s still hard.

A very cold month and we had lots of fires, did lots of reading and watched loads of DVDs.

We’ve joined the English Library at Dun-le-Palastel and it’s been an absolute Godsend.

Later in the month we were shopping in Limoges and decided to pop to the animal rescue place in Bellegarde (S.P.A.) “just to have a look”

We asked if they’d got a young, female German Shepherd by any chance and they said, “Just one”

This is what we found…

Sometimes things are just meant to be.

She was 15 months old and had just been spayed, hence the collar.

There were about 250 dogs there, all barking like mad and she just looked at us as if to say, “What kept you?”

They took her out of the cage for us and she was an absolute delight with a beautiful disposition. How can people bear to part with a dog like this?

We wanted to take her straightaway but, this being France, there was “paperwork” which would take a couple of weeks!

Her name was “Twix” for some unfathomable reason which we immediately changed to “Maya” in remembrance of our friend’s GSD which had recently died.

After what seemed like months the S.P.A. finally rang to tell us we could pick her up on the 29th

We picked her up in the camper and she just climbed into the cab between the seats and went to sleep as if she’d always been there.

Suffice to say, she just moved in with us as if she had no previous history.

Holly is “Mum” and Maya is definitely the baby.

They get on very well together, but Holly definitely has the upper hand.

We took them up the lane and met Anthony (our neighbour) and his dog, Purple, and they played very well.

It seems ridiculous that we waited 3 years now, but sometimes things work out for the best.

She slept on our bed “just for the first night” and kept coming for a cuddle (Come to think of it, she still sleeps on our bed!)

After much thought and lots of research we decided that she was going to be a vegetarian dog. After losing Sasha to cancer at 9 years old and reading about what chemicals and rubbish is in commercial dog food, we decided we’d start her on a puppy diet of Weetabix, scrambled egg and yoghurt for breakfast and lentils, pasta and Fromage Blanc for her evening meal.

A year on, after closely monitoring her progress, we’re pleased to say she’s put on weight, is a bundle of energy and is absolutely thriving. (And she absolutely adores mealtimes!)

My 62nd birthday was on the 30th and we had a lovely Chinese and the last of the Perle de Lac.

We intend to go back to Xavier Jacqueline’s vignoble in the Savoie in the summer to get lots more. It’s really much better than any “Champagne” we’ve tasted so far.

The “64” on the cake is Maggie’s childish, puerile attempt at humour!

fevrier

The weather suddenly turned nice, so much so that we were sitting outside!

We took Maya to the Vets in Ambazac for her jabs and Pet Passport and to get her registered to us on the national database. She’s already been chipped but the records needed amending.

First time off the lead up the lane and she was great although she managed to find something disgusting to roll! Two baths later and she still stinks!

Our neighbour, Michel, asked if we would take his floor up while he was away ready for the builder to come and concrete it. Lots of nice wood for kindling!

Got camper ready for our Languedoc trip.

Anthony and Noëmi came over for a Chinese and Poker night and brought Purple with them. All dogs are good buddies. Purple did his “5 legs” routine. (Dirty boy!)

Left home under grey skies expecting nicer weather down south, little did we know!

We got there just after the worst storms they’d had for years.

The damage was terrible, boats overturned, trees uprooted and roads blocked everywhere.

We’d certainly picked the wrong time to visit, and it was colder than home!

We decided not to hang about and followed the Pyrenees up towards Bordeaux.

Nice and snowy en route, although I don't think it bothered all of us!!

We found many France Passion sites in and around Bordeaux and stayed on a few and, incidentally, spent a fortune on wines!

Vinyards are great places for dogs to play Frisbee and “Jumping Games”

Well, they’d gone to so much trouble to make the wine, it seemed churlish not to buy a few bottles!

As if we hadn’t spent enough on wine, Maggie also “accidentally” found an IKEA in Bordeaux!

We really liked Bordeaux and fully intend to go back in 2010, after all there are hundreds more France Passion sites we haven’t been on yet!

After IKEA we returned to the original France Passion site which had electric hook-up at 4€ per night.

This enabled us to fully reharge the secondary battery, charge the laptop and use the electric oven.

The central heating seems to be very frugal and is very efficient

Maggie's birthday on the 18th so we had showers to celebrate.

Maya still wants to be up at 07:30 every morning, but we're slowly getting her into our "more relaxed" ways!

Went to Pomerol via St. Emilion and stayed at a FP site "Lalande de Pomerol"

Had a nice dégustation and bought a case of 2004 at 10€ a bottle. Cough! It's all Dave Lindop's fault!

Managed to find a McDonald's in Libourne and got a Wi-Fi connection and e-mailed Steve and Sarah.

They'd been helping Anthony and Noëmi put up poly tunnels for their organic potager.

Filled up with fresh water before we left as we're finding many Aires de Service are disconnected for the winter.

Went to Brantôme via Perigueux (where we parked by the river and went round a flea market) and found a nice grass field to park in.

Brantôme has a fascinating history and we intend to spend some more time here in the future.

The next day we moved on to Angouleme, filled up with diesel and Maggie did a "big shop" at Auchan.

We found a France Passion site at La Sorin, a Chardonay vinyard!

All organic, only 1.5 hectares and worked by horse.

Personally, I'm not normally a white wine lover, but this was outstanding!

Also Maya fell in love with their dog, Cous-Cous and they ran each other ragged.

After dégustation we were even introduced to the horse!

Still having trouble finding service points with fresh water.

Headed for Dun-le Palastel to the English Library and our GPS (Mimi Catastophe) insisted on taking us through Limoges!

Even the Aire de Service at Oradour-sur-Glane was off for the winter. I think this is turning out to be a major problem for winter tours.

We managed to get our books changed finally

Found a good, modern Aire de Service at St. Dizier next to a lake with a very nice walk round it.

We intended to walk round the lake the following morning but, while Maggie was brushing her hair with a stiff brush, Maya managed to barge into her and poked the bristles in her eye.

Maggie was in considerable pain so we moved off into the village to find a pharmacy.

We got some jollop but decided that it was safer to cut our journey short and get back home to see our GP.

We got back just in time and he kindly made time to examine her eye and gave her lots more "jollop"

Got back home and her eye soon started feeling better.

As ususal, we found it strange sleeping back in the house after a spell away in the camper.

The following day we assembled the IKEA bookshelves, DVD racks and fancy lamp.

mars

After a lazy day to recover from our holiday, we thought we'd invite our neighbours, Michel and Martine, for aperitifs.

Maggie baked snacks while I pruned the roses

We had a lovely evening before their departure back to Lille.

We got the camper cleaned inside and out and the builders have started work at Michel and Martine's, concreting the floors.

Very cold, so lots of fires and DVDs.

Still getting chest pains quite regularly and made Dr's appointment.

Steve and Saz helping Anthony and Noëmi erect more poly tunnels, came back absolutely knackered.

Dr says I've only been taking half dosage of my heart tablets! Could explain a lot!

Got an appointment at the heart clinic for stress tests.

Ordered an OHP for our soon-to-be clubhouse, "Baton Rouge"

Malc will bring it over when they come over in April.

Sudden warm spell on the 12th saw a frenzy of activity in the garden.

Maggie sorting greenhouse and came up with the idea of moving the geese up to the more secure part of the building.

That was her fourth good idea in 39 years.

Lit the garden brazier and sat out for aperitifs.

Finally (FINALLY AFTER 5 YEARS) got our Cartes Vitales sorted out at C.P.A.M. SHOCK!!

Maggie sowed lots of seeds and I started clearing the raised beds and fed the roses.

More work on goose house and clearing old wood for kindling.

Cleared barn, cut down bay tree and had a bonfire.

Evenings pulling out now.

The Cardiac Clinic at Clinique Chenieux is brand new and like a 5 star hotel.

Thank God we're out of the UK! I saw the specialist as soon as I walked in.

Got the stuff for the goose run etc. from Castorama while we're up this end of the city.

Planted shallots and mulched raised bed paths.

38th wedding anniversary on 20th and Maggie was baking all day.

Pate de Pommes de Terre and Tarte aux Citron Meringué.

Anthony and Noëmi came for dinner and the six of us had a lovely evening.

Cut a load more hazel branches and finished the raised beds.

1st BBQ on 22nd

Steve and Sarah finished the goose house.

Prepared guest bedroom for Malc and Deb's imminent arrival.

Moved greenhouse up onto concrete base and decided where to site new chicken house.

Cleared modelling gear from present room to start building walk-in wardrobe for our bedroom.

28th Fish and Chip Night! Clocks put forward.

More work on new chicken house.

We all went for a picnic to Plan d' eau de Jonas. We had a lovely salad and the dogs had a great time running around the beach. It's lovely seeing them together.

Put racks and hanging rails in walk-in wardrobe.

Got more racks from Mr. Bricolage to finish wardrobe and stuff to finish chicken house and Steve and Sarah's shower cubicle for their bathroom renovation.

Moved modelling gear into new room

avril 2009

More work on chicken house
Planted lettuce plants out under cloche
Filled all water butts from well
Maggie sowed millions of seeds

Had a bonfire in the chicken run with all the rotten wood from the old chicken house and cooked a BBQ over the embers.

Finished all the last fiddly bits on the new chicken house, we’re all very pleased with it.

Steve and Sarah started building new fitted wardrobes in their bedroom. There’s not a square angle or plumb wall anywhere.

Maggie made pizzas for tea.

Tidied barn ready for new projects.

Got Maggie’s new sewing room set up.

Planted more shrubs out in front garden and cleared under big pine tree.

Moved the pile of roof tiles against goose house to give us room for another water butt.

Watered lettuces and shallots.

Lots of seedlings coming in greenhouse.

First cut of the year of back lawn.

Fetched 6 ready-to-lay chickens from Les Billanges @ 9€ each

They were a bit timid to start with but they’ll soon settle in.

Had a nice drop of red looking out over the mountains.

Peed down all night.

Chickens still not coming out.

Cleaned and tidied guest bedroom ready for Malc and Debbie.

Painted window recess with anti-humidity paint to try and stop staining.

Set up tables in modelling room for battery charging.

Lettuces coming nicely under cloches.

Chickens peeping out of pop-hole but not brave enough to venture out yet.

Idiot Car Glass arrived to change camper windscreen, just one fitter. This is after I’d told them over the phone that it was a motor home and they told me it would need two fitters because of the overhang. They’re coming back in couple of days.

Maggie sorting sewing room out.

Put fluorescent light and coat rack up in walk-in wardrobe.

Finally shoved chickens out with patent “chicken poking tool”

Went to Clinique Chenieux for heart tests and I’d got the bloody date wrong! It should have been yesterday! IDIOT!

They were very good about it and re-booked me for the tests. IDIOT!

Got pressies for Nina’s birthday.

Chickens put themselves to bed for the first time.

Maggie baking a cake for Nina’s birthday.

Car Glass finally turned up and did a good job. Total cost – 646€, luckily we only had to pay 110€ ONLY! Cough!

Maggie and Sarah took Nina’s pressies and cake.

Did a bit of work on seaplane

Easter – Sunday 12th

Had lovely curry with all the trimmings.

Cut a load more hazelnut branches for raised beds.

All went to various Bricos in camper for lambris for wardrobes and concrete blocks for Steve and Sarah’s cellar access.

Bought another water butt and tied it to bike rack

mardi 14ème - First two eggs! Bless ‘em!

Michel and Martine arrived for their holidays.

Had a lovely Gin and Tonic and watched the sunset.

Thursday 15th – another egg!

Told Michel I wasn’t going to help him with the wiring but that I’d plan the job and order the stuff.

Made another “Withered Willy” and an obelisk out of hazelnut branches. Maggie says it’s more like an odd-ilisk!

Still cool enough to have a fire at night.

Malc and Debbie are concerned about the port blockades and hoped it would be over before they came. It was over that night!

Got camper prepared for imminent holidays with Malc and Debbie.

Planted 20 strawberry plants.

Saturday 18th - Got all squared up for Malc and Debbie’s arrival.

They arrived a bit late after delays on the A20, it was really lovely to see them again. Had a lovely meal and sat in front of fire with a drop of red and chilled.

Let Malc and Debbie have a lie-in on Sunday morning. We all had a lazy day.

My famous egg mayonnaise and Maggie’s famous Paté de Pommes de Terre, Clafouti and too much wine. Lovely!

Monday 20th – away on hols!

Stopped for coffee on the usual Aire south of Limoges on the way to Collonges-la-Rouge. Weather a bit variable, but we had a nice walk round.

Bread and cheese and too much Merlot! Lol It took about 3 hours to get everyone organised for bed, but we all slept well.

Tuesday 21st - Boulangerie van came and we got baguettes, millefeuilles and flan.

Went to Martell after being told it was nice by a fellow camper. Had a nice walk round and Debbie bought some more strawberry jam to replace Maggie’s that we’d stolen. Lol

Found a nice Aire de Repos just over the Dordogne and had a tea-break and walk.

Got to Rocamadour just as the sun came out. Walked down and had ice-cream, beer, frites etc. etc. and got the lifts back up as we’d eaten too much. Lol Maya got fussed loads and behaved beautifully.

GSDs are very popular in France.

Wednesday 22nd - Went to Alvignac Aire de Service and did the do’s then on to the Gouffres de Padirac. Maggie stayed in the camper with Maya (luckily) as I think she would have had a duck fit down the caves. Lots of climbing stairs. Malc and me managed OK in spite of being a couple of old crips.

Went on to an Aire de Service in Turenne and walked all the way to the top of the old town! Blimey, we must be getting fit!

Went to the local bar for a couple of well deserved beers.

Lovely Mushroom Stroganoff for supper sat outside the camper. We stayed outside until after dark, absolutely lovely.

Thursday 23rd – Lovely and sunny Steve and Sarah texted that a BBQ was on the cards for this evening.

GPS playing up (again!) Turned out to be loose connection on SD card. Where’s the Gaffer tape?

Had a lovely BBQ when we got home.

Friday 24th – Sunbathed in garden. Malc and Debbie went into Ambazac shopping.

Did a salad for lunch. Anthony and Noëmi invited us all over for a soirée tonight.

Had a guided tour of the poly-tunnels. He’s growing 80 different types of tomato!

Saturday 25th – Pissed down all night!

Got Malc and Debbie away at 9am and it kept raining all day.

We really miss them when they’ve gone, the house seems empty somehow.

Couldn’t get tatoes planted, too wet.

Had a look at the kit Malc had brought me, a Lake Buccaneer. Mustn’t start it yet!!!!!!!!!!! Get one finished first!!!!!!!!

Things are a bit quieter towards the end of the month.

Finally got tests done at the heart clinic and nothing showed up! Uh? Specialist said to stop taking heart medication but, as soon as I did, the chest pains came back badly. GP says to stay on them. Hey ho! C’est la vie!

mai 2009

Steve and Sarah started the new goose fence to segregate chickens and prevent George having his evil way with them.

Made three gates too.

George bit Michel in the bollocks - good lad! :o)

4ème mai - chickens first day out in the run.

5ème mai - planted tatoes

Zizzed all the pine tree branches and mulched front border

Weather changing for the better so we had a nice "chilli"

My arthritis is giving me grief and I can't do half as much as I'd like.

Steve and Sarah fixed chicken wire over back fences to stop George and Holly biting each other

Went to Michel & Martine's for a soirée. Martine was pissed again, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

7 eggs! :o)

Rover started making noise from front end - CV joint?

Having to shade greenhouse as it's so hot

11ème mai - Planted first of Maggie's lettuces out

13ème mai - Michel's birthday

Dr put me on Cortizone

Got new blood test machine, much better than the old one

Got new DHW cylinder from Cousseix

14ème mai - feeling better already - magic sweeties! lol

Got all the stores for Michel's wiring job.

Rain and sun - good growing weather

Changed Michel's fuse board to get the job started and left it with him.

Steve started new entrance to cave, I helped him with the footings. (Must be feeling better!) :o)

Got them finished just as it started to rain.

Phil and Julia arrived safely, they're staying in a gite in le Dorat

Cortizone has sent my blood sugar rocketing, will have to increase Gliclazide

18ème mai - Got fittings for DHW cylinder job

Went to Aeroclub de Limousin and joined for the rest of the year.

Really nice chaps and we're OK to stay overnight anytime we like. :o)

Maya loves it - good frisbying territory. lol

Frogs in nearby lake are VERY noisy at night!

Aire de Service only 8km away at Nieul too.

19ème mai - called at Delbard, Lidl and Au Bon Coin on way back home.

Had nice BBQ with Phil and Julia

Found out that I can fly on 35.000 and 35.010 legally in France :o)

Took Rover to garage.

Built raised garden near greenhouse for courgettes and Butternut Squashes etc.

VERY hot - had to go indoors a couple of times and make dogs go in shade.

Maggie's tomatoes are doing very well in the greenhouse.

Emptied compost bins and moved them to chicken run.

Filled raised bed with home-made compost and soil from chicken run - good stuff.

Planted up new raised bed.

Maggie baked Martine a birthday cake.

Had champagne and cake at Michel & Martine's

280€ quote for Rover CV joint job.

Went to ACL flying field for weekend of F3A aerobatic competition.

Fantastic weekend and weather, some really good flying

3 electric models competed very well

Stayed overnight at l'étang de papetrie on the Sunday

Upped Gliclazide to 3/day - Dr happy with that.

Faulty thermocouple on camper hob - order a new one from Cramer.

27ème mai - Michel & Martine loaded up to go back to Lille for 5 weeks

Camper battery flat, put on charge

Strimmered orchard and chicken run

Painted new garden edgings

Started to get "Rookie" glider flyable for new season

Going to make wings plug-in two-piece after I'd sawn them in half in the UK for transport.

Mulched strawberries and tatoes with straw.