Monday 22 July 2024

The tiler arrived at 0600 as he said he would. Although a full moon was still visible, it was very dark. He got stuck in though, and started laying down the fiberglass underlay. Tomorrow apparently, he will commence tiling. All this has been communicated in French, with lots of mime. Luckily Flashy is good at charades!

Tuesday 23 July 2024

Lady P is off to Paris today for her four days of Olympic stuff. Flashy drove her to Surgeres to catch the train. There were no crashes or near misses and surprise, surprise he managed to find his way back to Landes for a baguette and home to LPR.  Even parked the car in the garage. Amazing eh?

The tiler did arrive at 0600 and he is laying the tiles around the pool, although, when I looked out the window at 12.30 pm he was lying on his back on the lawn, staring at the sky. I didn’t think he needed CPR. I’ll check in an hour or so.

Just chilling he says.

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Johnny has arrived with two chainsaws, whipper snipper and hedge trimmer so after getting up at 5.30 am to let the tiler in the gate and an early breakfast, we plan the attack on the garden. First of all, the 2m apple tree stump is taken down in sections and what remains (about 6’) will be subjected to intense heat from piles of BBQ heat beads over the next few weeks. The cypress stump is likewise removed. Then, into the secret garden to remove a 4m high Bay Tree.

After cooling beers, as the day was a stunning 26C, blue sky and no humidity, we enjoyed smoked salmon salad and a bottle of Rose.

Thursday 25 July 2024

Another lovely summer day. It’s 9.00 am and EL is in the pool (it’s only 23C, so too cold for Flashy). A minor disaster this morning when the tiler says he has headache and vomiting and must go to the doctor! The dreaded Covid? The consensus is heat stroke from not wearing a hat. Flashy reckons he has some bug. Time will tell.

Friday 26 July 2024

Heat stroke and dehydration. He’s back this morning with a cap but no water in sight. Checking the ABC news this morning, Flashy discovered that at 4.00 am some group attacked the fast rains in Paris (the TGV) and the arson resulted in mass cancellations. This is on the eve of the Opening Ceremony. The crew here at LPR are on the internet looking for options to get Lady P back on Saturday and, as it is a ‘black’ traffic weekend, how best to collect Joanne from Bordeaux airport. Authorities are saying it might take a couple of days to restore service. Lady P is blissfully unconcerned.