Sara and Tony laid on a party, and relatives from Jersey and England came over to attend.
The weather was fine, and the food, as ever, was excellent - the pizza oven being well used.
FRANCE - July - August 2008
| The first weekend saw the
celebration of the 90th birthday of Tony's Mum, who now
lives over in France. Sara and Tony laid on a party, and relatives from Jersey and England came over to attend. The weather was fine, and the food, as ever, was excellent - the pizza oven being well used. |
|
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*****
At my place the peach tree was cut down leaving a couple of new branches, and the remaining area of the top garden was cleared and levelled using the last of the buried concrete edges. The lizards were at first concerned at the change in their surroundings, but soon settled down. As ever, the grass needed cutting !
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*****
This year the 14th July fireworks in Mayenne were less easy to see. The renovation work on the castle meant that the fireworks were presented from down the River Mayenne. At dusk people crowded the bridge, as well as the riverside car park, to get a view.
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*****
One day I went over to Dinan, calling in on some friends in Sens de Bretagne on the way. There was a medieval weekend festival, but I went to join the pre weekend meal at a meet of about 20 Sagazone members.
Dinan is a popular, and picturesque, medieval town. It is approached from the east by a fine bridge and there are vantage points giving excellent views over the river ( The Rance ) and the Port below.
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.......Many old streets and buildings ...................... Group playing at one of the many cafes
*****
At last the crumbling glass and iron door canopy was removed from above the front door, and work started on a replacement porch. The afternoon heat made it necessary to work later in the evening - with the midges biting !
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*****
In Ambrières-les-Vallées it was the 20th anniversary of the Musée de Tisserands ( weaving - see earlier information on Ambrières ). In the evening hundreds of people gathered to have an open air meal, followed by dancing and other entertainment. During the day there were also stalls exhibiting local crafts, as well as entertainment, and horse and buggy rides round the village.
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*****
Meanwhile, the new porch gradually took shape. A thick wall was built, with provision for flowers, to blend in with the house ... and to protect the structure from possible car damage ! The roof was tiled with slates to match the property, and the entrance laid with blue/grey tiling. In making the step I uncovered the original cobble stones which existed before the days of tarmacadam.
On my next visit I shall continue the wall to the right of the porch and complete the step tiling, to tidy up the front of the house.
This trip, although longer, saw more social activity. Apart from the visit to Dinan, there was a curry evening at Désertines ( The Red Lion ), Sunday lunch at Couesmes-Vaucé ( Le Local ) and a French style BBQ lunch at Hercé, visits to / by friends ( local neighbours and from further away ), and, of course, hospitality at La Petite Reignière ...... all of which provided welcome relief from work.