FRANCE - 28th July to 30th Aug 2011

Taking the MPV meant I had to use the afternoon fastcraft from Portsmouth, but the journey was improved since the Hindhead tunnel was now open.

The first few days were taken up with the usual chores of grass cutting, etc.. The pears still looked good but the grapes had suffered since it had been so dry. Wasps, flies, other insects and lizards were seeking moisture wherever they could find it. On the next visit I shall undertake considerable pruning, in particular to thin out the vine. Hopefully resulting in less bunches but larger.

On the first weekend there was the Couesmes Vaucé fête, which centred on Le Chat Noir. During Saturday there was a boot sale ( vide grenier ), with a BBQ available at Le Chat Noir.

In the evening there were three groups performing, including Tone and the Tonettes. There was also a fire show by Simon Allen.

A videoclip covering the fête day will be on patrickclips in due course.

Indoors, tidying up stonework was the first main task, both in the downstairs loo under the panel made on the last visit, and in the lounge to finish off the stone infill between the beams.

A Sunday lunch at Le Chat Noir was followed by a visit to Bagnoles de l'Orne, to listen to a Cuban music group, La Yuma. Unfortunately the visit was cut short by a sudden rain shower.

The following Tuesday there was a Pop Rock concert at the local Parc des loisirs de Vaux, featuring the duo, Soulfinger. A videoclip will shortly be on patrickclips.

The main construction job was outside. Some thirty or more slabs were laid in the sunniest corner of the top garden to make a patio area. A stone wall, to form seating, was added. Other stonework will be finished off in September. In the event of poor weather I shall tackle the landing and stair area indoors.

The window cupboard top was also edged and varnished to finish off this area. Just the window, to double glaze and paint, remains.

At the local Relais de la Varenne there was an open air grill and concert by the Krisma Duo.

A video clip will be uploaded to patrickclips shortly.

The outdoor concerts at Mayenne were transferred indoors. In the event, and since no recording was possible, I decided against the hot and sticky indoor concerts... dark and claustrophobic.

The Jazz concert, Les Fils Canouche, at Bagnoles, lost out to the Belgian Grand Prix !

On a couple of evenings there were thunderstorms, after hot and humid days. A videoclip will shortly be uploaded to patrickclips.

Very noticeable were the fruit trees, especially apple, pear and plum. There was so much fruit that boughs were bent or broken under the weight of the fruit.

Based on the nearby holly tree, are we in for a hard winter?

The usual visits were made to Le Chat Noir, also for Steve's regular fortnightly " Fish and Chip " evening - the steak and kidney pudding was very good, the local Magal'ette Creperie Restaurant, and to family and friends.

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