Friday 15th February 2013
We have arrived in Normandy at our next house sit. A lovely farmhouse built in 1700 with its own moat and used in World War II as the Forward Command Post by the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles). It is right behind Utah Beach with lots of history to explore over the next few weeks. The owners have kindly let us use their car whilst we are here.
The drive here was relaxed and easy as we keep forgetting how uncrowded the French roads are meaning you can plan to drive far greater distances in one go than you would normally consider in the UK. The sun came out half way and has shone for us ever since we arrived.
A friend of the owners of the house came over with a set of keys for us and being an avid historian himself on the local history, soon advised us on the best places to go and visit. We are both amazed by the bravery of those who fought in the D Day landings and the resulting history is everywhere. The church next to us was used by the 101st Airborne as a military hospital and still has its bloodstained pews.
We took Bradley to Utah Beach the next day and it was lovely to smell and be beside the sea again as we have been landlocked since last August. Bradley went loopy on the sand and after a good walk we all went back for a lovely tea and what better movie to watch than Band of Brothers.
Our new website album 'Normandy' has been started and can be seen here
Lots to see and visit over the next few weeks so back again soon.
Au revoir!
Tuesday 12th February 2012
We are packing up the Farmhouse here in Aigurande ready to travel north to our next house sit, few days travel and arriving in Normandy near Carentan on Friday. We will settle into our new house till the end of March when all the campsites are open again. This new house was captured from the Germans in World War II and used as a forward command post by the 101st Airborne Division so looking forward to walking on Utah Beach and the surrounding history. Catch up again when we have arrived.
Sunday 3rd February 2013
Just realised how much time has passed since our last blog. we are still having a lovely but peaceful time here in the centre of France. Believe it or not we have had plenty to do but as yet do not need a diary apart from reminding us of family birthdays etc back home. It is so easy now to fit in with the local lifestyles around here and one thing we enjoy is going out for lunch every so often. Its a strict 12 o'clock stop for lunch as all of France stops work and the local brassieres and restaurants quickly fill up with locals giving a lovely atmosphere. One waitress who speaks good english and loves Bradley has spent some time chatting to us at our table telling us how the French feel about various issues which has been really interesting.
Lorraine's shoulder is gradually getting better now so I will have to watch the left hook again soon!, it's the swimming that seems to be doing the trick and one more trip to the local physiotherapist before we move north next week should make things even better.
The sheep are constantly getting stuck as they search for more food in amongst the brambles, I now have a technique on quick extraction without getting thorns stuck in me everywhere. The one that got wedged in between the large rolled hay in the barn was another issue though and had me doing gymnastics by crawling over these large rolls of hay that stand higher than me and hanging onto the beams before she finally reversed and saw the light of day again. I must have been swinging from the rafters for about 10 minutes and later Ruth pointed out there was a door I could have used to get in to the stuck sheep!… duhhh, I'll never get my shepherds badge at this rate!
It rained on Friday so we drove to Chateauroux to get some bits and bobs and have lunch. Not much to see as it was a very wet day but only one unlike the poor UK. We watch the weather maps and for whatever reason all the bad weather seems to curl right over and around the UK, yes we get wind and rain here but it doesn't last and there are many drier days for things to recover.
Today we are giving the motorhome an early spring clean and start to get things ready to move north. We plan to leave here on the 13th or 14th Feb to arrive and be settled in our next house sit on the 15th Feb.
Thats about it for now so will check in again soon.
Au revoir!
Sunday 20th January 2012
Another week has passed and its only 4 more weeks before we move on again to our next house sit in Normandy. We will be right by the landing beaches used in the second World War so looking forward to visiting that area.
Nothing much has happened here and the cold weather and snow is with us now so thank goodness we are not in the motorhome for a while, we remembered to drain all the water out and every now and then we go for a drive to keep the batteries charged. There is a pleasant town called La Chatre about 30 minutes drive away where we visit a lovely restaurant called Fredys that has to have the oldest and biggest radiator in France. The owner see's us come in out of the cold and immediately points to the table for two right by the radiator, the hats and gloves are placed on the top ready to go an hour or so later. Needless to say lunch is not rushed and we have a lovely meal before walking back to the supermarket where we have parked the motorhome before doing a shop and returning to base.
On the farm I am getting my animal skills back now as the sheep will often get caught in bramble or tangled in a fence somewhere so you have to be on your guard. Also their water gets constantly frozen over so that needs regular thawing. Ruth who owns the sheep has two lovely dogs, one is a flat coat retriever called 'Dillon' and the other a very large and shy Griffon (French Hunting Dog) called 'Stella'. Bradley loves them both and on a recent visit Ruth suggested I bring him in the field with the sheep as Dillon and Stella are both used to them. I had him on the lead at first as Bradley has never been allowed off his lead near sheep, as we walked into the field suddenly the whole flock were behind Bradley sniffing his rear and watching his every move from about a foot behind, my goodness these Dutch sheep are really friendly to dogs as well!. I was told to let him off so with a bit of hesitation I released the catch on his collar and Bradley shot off like he normally does being watched by the sheep from a distance. Bradley has a good nose for a delicacy and he suddenly realised like a kid in a sweetshop that there were very tasty blackcurrant shaped things all over the floor in neat heaps that he could feast on!, some where still warm which made it even more pleasant!. At this point the watching sheep took a dim view of what he was eating and without warning made a charge in his direction and the 'back to front' French sheep trails started with the sheep in hot pursuit of Bradley. With all this going on Stella decided it was time for a poo so she stopped to do what dogs do in fields when suddenly the 'pack' turned towards Stella and chased her off!. I was in hysterics by now and wished I had my camera as the sheep wouldn't let poor Stella stop anywhere until we all got out of the field.
We have met some more friends called Tom & Rosemary (Who used to live in Braunton) who now Iive at a nearby town called Bonnat. We were supposed to be going over today for lunch but unfortunately the snow has prevented this. We have plenty of time so will reschedule for another day. Lorraine will meet Rosemary over in La Chatre on Tuesday for a swim at the towns swimming pool so it will be another visit to Fredys as well.
Thats about it for now so will check in again soon
Au revoir!
Made our first French bread today following a simple traditional recipe and it turned out a treat. Of course you just have to have it with real butter (The French wouldn't have anything less!) and it did literally melt in your mouth.
Whilst we have the time I am also perfecting a fantastic curry recipe using all natural ingredients, something I have always wanted to do and so far with the second attempt we are nearly there. Just got to find some better chilli's in the market and it will be the perfect curry.
Lots more time now to try some traditional local recipes and using the log burning oven and hot plate to cook with is a real treat.
More pictures of the progress can be seen here
On a hectic shop over Christmas I bought some quality sparkling wine to make our Kia Royale drinks, I knew it must be good as the locals were buying it!. Last night on closer inspection whilst making said Kia Royale I had only gone and bought 'Sans Alcool' Sparkling Wine.... That translates to 'Alcohol Free' in English
I really must learn more of the language! :-(
Tuesday 1st January 2013
Happy New Year everyone and today is a 'Fête Day' here in France. The meaning being a 'Day of Feasting'. Its starting with a giant fruit brioche (Local speciality) for Breakfast followed by home made Tarte Nature (Like a giant custard tart) which leads nicely to the Roast Duck and cranberries with real English type roast potatoes!!. I won't mention the pudding but its huge and made of chocolaty type stuff before the selection of local cheeses and sausages come out. Things lighten up a little then when the hot toasted garlic bread and goats cheese is made and if you feel hungry there is a multitude of light snacks to have whilst it is all being washed down with local wines, d'Artigney (Sparkling wine) and shots of Creme de Cassis.
And..... not a box of Quality Street in sight!!
Bonne appétit!
