The furniture vans have been fair coming and going on our doorstep. Our downstairs neighbours moved out this morning and the new owners in this afternoon. Mr F has met them and reported a friendly young couple.
Meanwhile the Works in Villa Firenze continue. I think/hope that's the repainting of the hall, stairwell and front doors complete - white white for the woodwork and ceiling, Farrow &Ball Wimborne White for the walls.
The kitchen however hit a Snag - the space for the cooker in the new units too small. Solved, after a fashion, but I will be going into the W/end with about 50% useable kitchen and a large amount of dust and clutter still outstanding.
A rollercoaster week for me. I submitted all my research ethics stuff I’ve been working on for weeks on Monday, then on Wednesday my supervisor told me that the research school had decided they would prefer students not to do a pilot in year 2 (I’d known this might be on the cards, the programme is a 4 year one and the first two are ‘taught’). Not a major issue but obviously a change in my plans for the year. But at least it means I have everything already written for when I resubmit in the spring.
I am also waiting for last year’s results, which are due at some point this week. I assume I’ve passed as I can access the year 2 programme! So this week I’ve started the study early to get ahead before my own teaching starts in the next week or so.
Youngest went to his first face to face college tutorials this week (he’ll be in alternate weeks) and my eldest is going back to his uni house tomorrow. It’s all go.
Yay for the new Casa Piglet! We love Edinburgh and Linlithgow sounds lovely too.
Hope the Firenze kitchen is soon sorted and glad to hear of the friendly new neighbours. We've had new neighbours within the past year too - a nice little family who have completely re-worked the house and garden and we're looking forward to an invitation round to see what they've done. On the downside, there have been days (including weekends) when the noise of workmen has meant that sitting au jardin de Nen has not been as restful as we could have wished.
Lawns have been mowed and the cooking of tea will commence shortly. I didn't have a good result on the scales at Slimming World yesterday, having had what I thought was an On Plan Week apart from one evening. I am pretty fed up about that and feel like eating all the CAKE and drinking all the WINE and GIN to cheer myself up.
Excellent news @Piglet !! That definitely calls for celebratory cake. Except, I had celebratory blackberries and cream instead, there not being cake in the house these days.
Provisional closing date is 23rd October; if what I think my plans are at the moment come to fruition, I probably shan't move in straight away, as there are a few things I'd like to do to it first.
The kitchen at the moment is very small, but I think the wall that divides it from the living-room might be removable, and could be replaced with some sort of peninsula arrangement, to make a nice open space (which would also let in more light and generally make the place look more spacious).
I'll see how things go.
It's another glorious day, so amblage will occur - I wonder how many more lovely days like this we'll get? I noticed last night that the nights were really beginning to draw in - the sun was almost set by 8 o'clock. Not that it bothers me - I'm very philosophical about the seasons, as there's the square root of bugger-all we can do about them!
It’s definitely cooler in the morning when I go for my walk. But still sunny here and a rather comfortable 20 degrees now.
I’ve just waved goodbye to my older son who is off to York Uni again. We decided to take him up there before it gets locked down! He has a house share this year with 5 others and it will be good for him to mix with people his own age again. They are a bunch of maths/engineering students so unlikely to be a raucous household.
I’m in the house alone now for the first time in ages as younger son is at college today. I’m going to have a vegan pie (sag aloo I think) and then do some study while it is quiet before another walk.
I am currently wearing my special ear-defenders, on account of the foul noise of a gusty north-east wind (straight from Mordor) whistling around the Ark...
@Piglet - part of the fun (?) of moving to a New Abode is working out what might/will/should/MUST go where, IYSWIM, and also planning changes.
Squared Graph Paper, a Pencil, a Ruler, and an Eraser should all be purchased forthwith.
I wonder how many more lovely days like this we'll get? I noticed last night that the nights were really beginning to draw in.
Well, we are very nearly equinoctial - just a few days to go (which makes me immediately think of the song "O 'twas in the broad Atlantic" and The King's Singers).
Still very hot here, 30° today. I am now the proud owner of a delightful spangly red sequin-encrusted face mask. If I've got to wear one of the buggers, I at least want it to be a fun one.
Yesterday I logged into my personal training account - in France your employer is obliged to contribute a certain amount of money every year for training, and then the employee can choose what sort of training they want to do and use the money to finance it. If one is in employment you generally need your employer's approval, but as a jobseeker I can do what I like with it. I have never used my training entitlement and have a very healthy amount of money to spend. I am most pleased to have found a course called "selling and promoting your translating services" which I can get financed 100%. It's a remote course, which suits me because I don't need a babysitter and can do it a couple of hours at a time while Captain P is napping. I'm waiting for them to confirm that they'll accept the registration.
Upthread, I am bemused by Heavenlyannie’s thought that maths/ engineering students are unlikely to be a raucous household. Why not? I am sure many engineering students of my previous acquaintance were quite raucous. Which subjects generate quiet studious types, and which generate the rowdy types?
I think that it takes a particularly strong constitution to consistently party one's way through term and still make all those 9am lectures, which are more a feature of STEM than the humanities.
Upthread, I am bemused by Heavenlyannie’s thought that maths/ engineering students are unlikely to be a raucous household. Why not? I am sure many engineering students of my previous acquaintance were quite raucous. Which subjects generate quiet studious types, and which generate the rowdy types?
I’m married to a quantum physicist who is now an engineer and owns a tech company, and my eldest son is an engineering student. We know loads of introverted engineers.
A current house favourite from xkcd https://xkcd.com/2355/
Saying that, I’m an ex-nurse, now university lecturer, and I’m an introvert. But an introvert with very good social skills (as is my younger computer obsessed son). It takes all sorts.
Thanks again for all the good wishes - I suspect I may become rather boring about the whole enterprise, in which case give me a nudge and mutter darkly at me about apple sauce ...
Re: relative rowdiness of students of different disciplines - David reckoned that the rowdiest ones were the Divinity students, as they were having a final fling before becoming vicars.
Having bought some smoked haddock the other day, I made kedgeree for supper, and though I say it what shouldn't, it was really nice. I think I've worked out the right quantities for a fairly hungry piglet: 200g of fish, half a cup of rice (cooked in 1 cup of the fish-poaching water), one shallot and half a cup of peas, with about half a teaspoon of curry powder, a squirt of lemon juice, a couple of teaspoons of crème fraîche and a rather indecent amount of butter (the recipe was called Buttery Kedgeree).
I think I may be in for a rather nice weekend: I think I heard S. making arrangements that involve potential Archie cuddles, and on Sunday I'm getting to meet Rosie, the newest little member of the family.
Revelling in not actually having to trudge out into the autumnal night to get dinner.
Kitchen is about 50% done. The guys had left unfitted units, ladders, paint pots etc neatly stacked in one corner - but unfortunately in front of the door to the drinks cupboard. However I am perfectly prepared to chew my way through aluminium to get to GIN.
Re: maths/engineering parties. In university, despite being in arts, I had a number of friends in engineering. (I actually "played" on one of their hockey teams.) Their parties did not encourage optimism for civilisation's longevity. The maths guys (they were all guys I knew) had the best toast: "May our work be useless for 500 years!"
I think I may be in for a rather nice weekend: I think I heard S. making arrangements that involve potential Archie cuddles, and on Sunday I'm getting to meet Rosie, the newest little member of the family.
Congratulations @Piglet hope it all goes well. If it ever becomes possible to travel to the other side of the world again, I will visit both you and the Falkirk Wheel.
Just been for a short walk; I got back early as my plants are being delivered this morning and I knew no-one else would be up yet, especially as older son is not here. Just relaxing with a cup of tea and an apple flapjack (made by husband with home grown apples, very sticky).
I for one will be delighted to hear updates on the new Chateau Piglet.
Me two!
Today I am stewarding at our Church for a wedding. I’m not a steward by trade, but it’s been decided that all who help out in any way must be under 70 - and there are not many of us left!
It’s going to be the weirdest wedding ever. 21 guests who must arrive in household groups, masked, 15 minutes apart. They’ll then sit on designated, distanced, seats. Short service and out. No mingling, photos for households only.
I know the mother of the bride but not well enough to ask - I bet she wishes they’d waited for a normal wedding. I don’t understand the rush. 🤷♀️
Who knows when, if ever, 'normal' weddings (and I know what you mean) will again be possible?
A young couple, baptised at Our Place earlier this year, are (is?) getting married this weekend, though not in Church. I daresay they'll have to have something similar as regards restrictions...
I have friends getting married soon, having already delayed once. I think they have just decided to accept that it is what it is, rather than wait any longer.
A side effect of my eldest son not being here is that my husband is attempting to engage me in a conversation about advances in graphics card technology. I have not understood much, even when he attempted to make it more understandable (after I told him I did not understand a word he was saying).
Off to start some gardening = choosing the better part!
I think many people are indeed having to accept the situation as regards weddings and baptisms - and funerals, too, which really can't be put off.
We have several baptisms (infants all, IIRC) due to be held at Our Place, but nothing definite seems to be happening - maybe these families, too, are waiting for more propitious times?
@Heavenlyannie , I sympathise. My husband is a professional video editor and I never understand it when he tells me about latest developments in the technology. @la vie en rouge , can I just say I like the sound of the sparkly mask. I'm trying to make sure I have a range of ones to co-ordinate with my clothes. Just bought some green ones as that is a colour I wear a lot. @boogie, enjoy the stewarding. Despite all the restrictions I hope the couple have an enjoyable day and a happy life together.
I'm looking forward to news re chateau @pigelet too. I've just paid out to have photos taken of villa Sarasa. In best Victorian style it is really is called a villa, though in actual fact it is a small two bed cottage.
Yesterday was a nice day. It was my first writing class of the term and our tutor had laid on lots of fun activities to do via zoom. Then in the evning we went out for a meal at an Italian place we've been meaning to go to ever since we moved here. It was good, so hope to squeeze in at least one more visit before we go. Today is going to be lazy as husband has gone to see his mum for the night. They are celebrating the birthday of one of his siblings and if I'd tagged along it would have made the numbers too big.
In between lugging bags of kitchen stuff about (and wondering why we ever got/kept half of it to begin with) I put on a much-needed wash. To come back to a flooding kitchen.
Gaffer had someone out to futter back the loose hose within half an hour - but my nerves are (even more) shot.
That's a bummer, Firenze, but at least you got it sorted.
S. and I are just about to head out to No. 2 Nephew's - apparently Archie is due to emerge from a nap in about half an hour and will be ready to receive a doting granny and great-auntie visitors. I think the plan may involve an Expotition, possibly to a Beach - S. is feeling the need to be near (or possibly even in) the sea.
What a nightmare, Firenze. That kind of thing is very dispiriting.
Have fun with Archie and co, Piglet.
Disappointingly, the box of plants turned out to be part of my second order (you know, the one with the plants you forgot to order the first time). But it did contain hellebores, which I love, so I planted those and husband is putting the free azalea which we don’t need beside the fence near next door’s leylandii. Nothing grows there and a free plant not surviving will be no loss but the ground is definitely acidic!
I am taking 2 weddings this week, one, masked, indoors which will have just the couple, two witnesses, photographer organist (Mr Cats) and myself. The other is outdoor in the garden for the sake of no masks, 20 people including me as is our Scottish rule (currently, I do hope it doesn’t change in the next 7 days) and possibly a light drizzle. Both will be odd, but I got them both written this morning.
My daughter runs a holiday cottage on her land, next door but separate. Normally a peaceful rural retreat for a couple or small family. She has discovered that her guests are getting married today then bringing back a number of visitors for a reception of sorts in the garden. She is livid. There have been comings and goings all morning, with cars parked on her grass.
( The holiday let has space for 2/3 cars).
None of this was mentioned or agreed beforehand.
I dread to think how much mess will be left behind.
My daughter runs a holiday cottage on her land, next door but separate. Normally a peaceful rural retreat for a couple or small family. She has discovered that her guests are getting married today then bringing back a number of visitors for a reception of sorts in the garden. She is livid. There have been comings and goings all morning, with cars parked on her grass.
( The holiday let has space for 2/3 cars).
None of this was mentioned or agreed beforehand.
I dread to think how much mess will be left behind.
How very frustrating and annoying! Perhaps the people will clear up after themselves...here's hoping
My daughter runs a holiday cottage on her land, next door but separate. Normally a peaceful rural retreat for a couple or small family. She has discovered that her guests are getting married today then bringing back a number of visitors for a reception of sorts in the garden. She is livid. There have been comings and goings all morning, with cars parked on her grass.
( The holiday let has space for 2/3 cars).
None of this was mentioned or agreed beforehand.
I dread to think how much mess will be left behind.
Quite apart from mess, noise, and damage to the grass (which will recover, of course), aren't they breaking The Rule Of Six?
I think the Prime Minister should be told.
Even if they're not being illegal, a modicum of CAKE and WINE as a peace-offering might be a Good Idea on their part...failing which, they should lose their deposit...
This may be something she should report; it’s illegal and inconvenient for her - and if the gathering is reported as illegal activity by someone else, she might need to prove that she, as the landowner, wasn’t aware of the plans. Otherwise she might be liable to share in any fines imposed.
We're preparing to have coffee in the garden this morning with some friends (we'll number six in total), feeling that it may be the last time we can do it for a while. I've made Flapjack.
Comments
Meanwhile the Works in Villa Firenze continue. I think/hope that's the repainting of the hall, stairwell and front doors complete - white white for the woodwork and ceiling, Farrow &Ball Wimborne White for the walls.
The kitchen however hit a Snag - the space for the cooker in the new units too small. Solved, after a fashion, but I will be going into the W/end with about 50% useable kitchen and a large amount of dust and clutter still outstanding.
A rollercoaster week for me. I submitted all my research ethics stuff I’ve been working on for weeks on Monday, then on Wednesday my supervisor told me that the research school had decided they would prefer students not to do a pilot in year 2 (I’d known this might be on the cards, the programme is a 4 year one and the first two are ‘taught’). Not a major issue but obviously a change in my plans for the year. But at least it means I have everything already written for when I resubmit in the spring.
I am also waiting for last year’s results, which are due at some point this week. I assume I’ve passed as I can access the year 2 programme! So this week I’ve started the study early to get ahead before my own teaching starts in the next week or so.
Youngest went to his first face to face college tutorials this week (he’ll be in alternate weeks) and my eldest is going back to his uni house tomorrow. It’s all go.
Hope the Firenze kitchen is soon sorted and glad to hear of the friendly new neighbours. We've had new neighbours within the past year too - a nice little family who have completely re-worked the house and garden and we're looking forward to an invitation round to see what they've done. On the downside, there have been days (including weekends) when the noise of workmen has meant that sitting au jardin de Nen has not been as restful as we could have wished.
Lawns have been mowed and the cooking of tea will commence shortly. I didn't have a good result on the scales at Slimming World yesterday, having had what I thought was an On Plan Week apart from one evening. I am pretty fed up about that and feel like eating all the CAKE and drinking all the WINE and GIN to cheer myself up.
Provisional closing date is 23rd October; if what I think my plans are at the moment come to fruition, I probably shan't move in straight away, as there are a few things I'd like to do to it first.
The kitchen at the moment is very small, but I think the wall that divides it from the living-room might be removable, and could be replaced with some sort of peninsula arrangement, to make a nice open space (which would also let in more light and generally make the place look more spacious).
I'll see how things go.
It's another glorious day, so amblage will occur - I wonder how many more lovely days like this we'll get? I noticed last night that the nights were really beginning to draw in - the sun was almost set by 8 o'clock. Not that it bothers me - I'm very philosophical about the seasons, as there's the square root of bugger-all we can do about them!
I’ve just waved goodbye to my older son who is off to York Uni again. We decided to take him up there before it gets locked down! He has a house share this year with 5 others and it will be good for him to mix with people his own age again. They are a bunch of maths/engineering students so unlikely to be a raucous household.
I’m in the house alone now for the first time in ages as younger son is at college today. I’m going to have a vegan pie (sag aloo I think) and then do some study while it is quiet before another walk.
I am currently wearing my special ear-defenders, on account of the foul noise of a gusty north-east wind (straight from Mordor) whistling around the Ark...
@Piglet - part of the fun (?) of moving to a New Abode is working out what might/will/should/MUST go where, IYSWIM, and also planning changes.
Squared Graph Paper, a Pencil, a Ruler, and an Eraser should all be purchased forthwith.
Yesterday I logged into my personal training account - in France your employer is obliged to contribute a certain amount of money every year for training, and then the employee can choose what sort of training they want to do and use the money to finance it. If one is in employment you generally need your employer's approval, but as a jobseeker I can do what I like with it. I have never used my training entitlement and have a very healthy amount of money to spend. I am most pleased to have found a course called "selling and promoting your translating services" which I can get financed 100%. It's a remote course, which suits me because I don't need a babysitter and can do it a couple of hours at a time while Captain P is napping. I'm waiting for them to confirm that they'll accept the registration.
Upthread, I am bemused by Heavenlyannie’s thought that maths/ engineering students are unlikely to be a raucous household. Why not? I am sure many engineering students of my previous acquaintance were quite raucous. Which subjects generate quiet studious types, and which generate the rowdy types?
A current house favourite from xkcd
https://xkcd.com/2355/
Saying that, I’m an ex-nurse, now university lecturer, and I’m an introvert. But an introvert with very good social skills (as is my younger computer obsessed son). It takes all sorts.
Re: relative rowdiness of students of different disciplines - David reckoned that the rowdiest ones were the Divinity students, as they were having a final fling before becoming vicars.
Having bought some smoked haddock the other day, I made kedgeree for supper, and though I say it what shouldn't, it was really nice. I think I've worked out the right quantities for a fairly hungry piglet: 200g of fish, half a cup of rice (cooked in 1 cup of the fish-poaching water), one shallot and half a cup of peas, with about half a teaspoon of curry powder, a squirt of lemon juice, a couple of teaspoons of crème fraîche and a rather indecent amount of butter (the recipe was called Buttery Kedgeree).
I think I may be in for a rather nice weekend: I think I heard S. making arrangements that involve potential Archie cuddles, and on Sunday I'm getting to meet Rosie, the newest little member of the family.
I must get a gift-bag to put her teddy into.
Kitchen is about 50% done. The guys had left unfitted units, ladders, paint pots etc neatly stacked in one corner - but unfortunately in front of the door to the drinks cupboard. However I am perfectly prepared to chew my way through aluminium to get to GIN.
What a wonderful (and appropriate) Pooh and Piglet!
As it happens, they've got a bit of a Winnie the Pooh theme in her room, and I didn't need any encouragement to look for a Pooh and Piglet for her!
Awww!
I for one will be delighted to hear updates on the new Chateau Piglet.
The weatherperson on the radio announced that it will be a good drying day today, so laundry is planned Chez Nen. Also a foray to the shops later.
Firenze - surely the answer is simply to Buy More GIN.
Me two!
Today I am stewarding at our Church for a wedding. I’m not a steward by trade, but it’s been decided that all who help out in any way must be under 70 - and there are not many of us left!
It’s going to be the weirdest wedding ever. 21 guests who must arrive in household groups, masked, 15 minutes apart. They’ll then sit on designated, distanced, seats. Short service and out. No mingling, photos for households only.
I know the mother of the bride but not well enough to ask - I bet she wishes they’d waited for a normal wedding. I don’t understand the rush. 🤷♀️
A young couple, baptised at Our Place earlier this year, are (is?) getting married this weekend, though not in Church. I daresay they'll have to have something similar as regards restrictions...
A side effect of my eldest son not being here is that my husband is attempting to engage me in a conversation about advances in graphics card technology. I have not understood much, even when he attempted to make it more understandable (after I told him I did not understand a word he was saying).
Off to start some gardening.
I think many people are indeed having to accept the situation as regards weddings and baptisms - and funerals, too, which really can't be put off.
We have several baptisms (infants all, IIRC) due to be held at Our Place, but nothing definite seems to be happening - maybe these families, too, are waiting for more propitious times?
@la vie en rouge , can I just say I like the sound of the sparkly mask. I'm trying to make sure I have a range of ones to co-ordinate with my clothes. Just bought some green ones as that is a colour I wear a lot.
@boogie, enjoy the stewarding. Despite all the restrictions I hope the couple have an enjoyable day and a happy life together.
I'm looking forward to news re chateau @pigelet too. I've just paid out to have photos taken of villa Sarasa. In best Victorian style it is really is called a villa, though in actual fact it is a small two bed cottage.
Yesterday was a nice day. It was my first writing class of the term and our tutor had laid on lots of fun activities to do via zoom. Then in the evning we went out for a meal at an Italian place we've been meaning to go to ever since we moved here. It was good, so hope to squeeze in at least one more visit before we go. Today is going to be lazy as husband has gone to see his mum for the night. They are celebrating the birthday of one of his siblings and if I'd tagged along it would have made the numbers too big.
Gaffer had someone out to futter back the loose hose within half an hour - but my nerves are (even more) shot.
S. and I are just about to head out to No. 2 Nephew's - apparently Archie is due to emerge from a nap in about half an hour and will be ready to receive a doting granny and great-auntie visitors. I think the plan may involve an Expotition, possibly to a Beach - S. is feeling the need to be near (or possibly even in) the sea.
Have fun with Archie and co, Piglet.
Disappointingly, the box of plants turned out to be part of my second order (you know, the one with the plants you forgot to order the first time). But it did contain hellebores, which I love, so I planted those and husband is putting the free azalea which we don’t need beside the fence near next door’s leylandii. Nothing grows there and a free plant not surviving will be no loss but the ground is definitely acidic!
( The holiday let has space for 2/3 cars).
None of this was mentioned or agreed beforehand.
I dread to think how much mess will be left behind.
How very frustrating and annoying! Perhaps the people will clear up after themselves...here's hoping
Quite apart from mess, noise, and damage to the grass (which will recover, of course), aren't they breaking The Rule Of Six?
I think the Prime Minister should be told.
Even if they're not being illegal, a modicum of CAKE and WINE as a peace-offering might be a Good Idea on their part...failing which, they should lose their deposit...
We're preparing to have coffee in the garden this morning with some friends (we'll number six in total), feeling that it may be the last time we can do it for a while. I've made Flapjack.