Obstacles Overcome

 

Another obstacle has been successfully overcome, in the journey towards residency in France.  

After three months in Menton, two letters arrived by email summoning us for a medical to assess our fitness to remain. 

The first part, a chest X-ray (presumably to exclude TB) took place in a very smart radiology department in Nice. Our X-rays were undertaken at lunchtime, so as not to disturb the paying customers.  

It was a short distance to the Prefecture and we parked easily—surprisingly, for a government building, there was plenty of parking (and just 1€ per hour). However delight turned to dismay when we arrived at the end of a very long queue snaking towards the entrance of the building.  We presented our appointment letters to the security guard, ready for a long wait.  I didn't know whether to feel smug or embarrassed, when we were whisked past the barely moving line of people, which continued miserably inside the building and along a corridor with no visible end.  

The guard led us off the main corridor and left us facing an area of curtained cubicles. A receptionist checked our passports and we were directed around a corner to a row of chairs, placed opposite doors marked medecin and infirmière.  The corridor was so narrow that when we sat down, as instructed, our feet were in the way of anyone walking past. 

Completion of a six page mental health questionnaire occupied the time, while waiting to be seen by the doctor and the nurse. 

The medical consisted of a brief interview about past illnesses and immunisations, a glance at the X-rays  and a blood pressure check.  Thankfully, it was deemed that we were neither mad, nor infectious, nor liable to be a drain on France's health services. Certificates de Controle Medical  were signed, stamped and handed to us. We were sent on our way, with dire warnings that we must not lose these precious documents— as duplicates will not be issued. Back we went, past the queue which hadn't shortened...

 I'm hoping that any future dealings with the Prefecture can be online, I certainly wouldn't want to be one of those people in line! 

On the day of the medicals, we arrived in Nice far too early, so we decided to do a little shopping to pass the time.

Although the apartment is largely under dust sheets (while the kitchen is being replaced), I have been looking for inexpensive, second hand bits and pieces to complement the furniture brought from England. The Monday brocante market in Nice is still a great place to visit but sadly, is now more bric-a-brac and vintage clothes than furniture or antiques. Menton has a small brocante market Friday and Sunday and two great shops. Last week Nat'Antic, one of those shops, yielded a marble topped bedside table and a mini chandelier.  

However the best place for real bargains is Open Troc, in Nice —a veritable Aladdin's cave of heirlooms and other people's cast-offs. 

The visit to Open Troc on the day of the medicals, resulted in the purchase of a marble table and an old campaign style desk. 

The furniture was delivered Saturday. 

The desk has a wonderful view to distract me while I write and, as it will require a little care and attention to bring it back to life, it will offer occupation if I can’t find the words to put on the page.

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If you drive for half an hour from Menton, into Italy, through Ventimiglia and up into the mountains and you enter a different world. 

A world of picturesque villages, tree covered mountains and a harsh beauty. There's a feeling of being in two time zones simultaneously, as the modern world co exists with its medieval heritage.

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In the background, work has continued on the kitchen at the apartment. 

To say that it has been complicated is an understatement. If only language had been the sole issue! The builder has been challenged at every turn and trying to shoehorn everything in to that tiny space was a nightmare. C'est compliqué was a constant refrain. Most of the time, tempers were steady and some of the time we just couldn’t help but laugh, but it has definitely been very difficult! Thankfully, now that Stuart has ironed out some of the difficulties and offered help and guidance, it will soon be finished.

To get away from builders and muddle I have been to:-

An enlightening talk, at the library by BBC Correspondent, Melanie Marshall occupied one evening. She kept the audience enthralled for over an hour with tales of war and disaster, managing to find positives in the most unlikely situations.

A magical concert in St Johns Church

As well as lots of lovely meals out—there has to be some compensation for living in a building site! 

If you have enjoyed reading this and would like to be sent a link when the next episode is published, please contact me on info@jacquelinejames.co.uk and I will add you to the list.

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