French Escape

  Back in France after a month in England escaping the heat, humidity and hordes in Menton in August.  I visited and enjoyed three very different counties.  Cambridgeshire,   Somerset,   and Yorkshire.   https://www.hansomrestaurant.co.uk Many things had altered since I had last visited Somerset and North Yorkshire, but in spite of all the physical changes, so much felt the same. The towns that we visited had High Streets populated with the store and restaurant chains that you find the world over but somehow they remained totally English. We went  to places with memories of childhood holidays and areas neither of us knew. I spent many miles in the car navigating with a 2017 AA atlas and an out of date satnav and often, if the screen were to be believed, we were driving over fields. I caught up with family and friends, (apologies to those I missed this time), met my newest great-nephew and discovered that  for all the difficulties and troubles that...

It's May, the beaches are being tarted up for summer visitors, roadworks along Les Sablettes are nearing completion and I have collected my carte de séjour and posted my first tax return. I've decided to call the weeds in the garden wild flowers and let them have their way. With all the rain last month and now warm sunshine everything is going a little mad. Wild gladioli ( the purple ones) Who knew there was such a thing? I love the crazy air plants Last May I began the online renewal process of my (one year) longterm visa. I finally reached the final stage last week.  I  received an SMS saying my carte de séjour was ready. Having received all other communication by email or message through the website, I thought it was a scam. Just as well I checked with someone more knowledgeable.  I had to collect the carte de séjour from the prefecture in Nice. The relevant office is open for an hour and a half each day.  The trip to Nice last Monday involved a train journey and ...

  I seemed to hit the ground running on my return to Menton all those weeks ago and it's been busy ever since.  My first aid course in the library seemed to go down very well with lots of questions and very enjoyable tea and cake afterwards. Big Ted competently played the part of choking baby and infant requiring resuscitation. All in all it was fun and hopefully useful for those attending. Back home after his exertion The Kermesse (church jumble sale) at the end of March was a huge success raising over 4000€ for the church. Clothing, bric-a-brac, jewellery, books, tombola prizes etc etc gradually filled the back of the church and crypt until the day came. I did a little baking for the cake stall and added to the clutter in the church from the clutter in my garage. The day before, a team of us moved the pews clearing the church to set up the stalls. Then it was all hands on deck to put out all the goods that had been donated (Naturally, I was on the bookstall).  On th...