Summer 2004 - Our Arrival in France

We've just been so busy since we arrived in France last month. First of all my Mum and Joe came over and then our friends Will and Cath with their 3 kids came for 9 Days. It was certainly chaotic but also great fun.The weather was brilliant so we were able to go and discover some of the really great sandy beaches on ther west cost of Manche. (kind of opposite the channel islands if you know what I mean). Then Simon's Mum Wendy came over as a foot passenger for 5 five days.

He's just been over for the past few days and brought his van with 1 load of stuff. We think it'll take three more trips to bring all his tools and materials. He's back again for my birthday in a couple of weeks which will be lovely. I have to admit I'm getting fed up with having to say 'goodbye' to him. I can't wait have him here, even if he's working. It'll be lovely to see him during the day, to take him a cup of tea or to shout over to him that it's lunchtime.

 

We are now really beginning to live 'the good life'. We have lettuces and radishes that we planted about a month ago. We are busy collecting blackberries by the bucket load from the hedgerows around our fields. I'm having to freeze them as we just can't eat them quickly enough. The chickens are now producing 4/5 eggs a day and the turkeys are growing well. Oh I'm sure I've mentioned the turkeys before. They're called 'cranberry' and 'bread sauce'! Simon's convinced that we're going to be eating them for our Christmas lunch, but I'm already unsure as to whether I'm going to be able to eat them!

Simon has still been at his workshop in Shere near Guildford finishing off the final items of furniture and therefore has been commuting to France as a foot passenger every now and again. We have finally made the decision that his workshop will be transferred over to France and so he has given in his notice on the unit. We are really excited about Simon being over here all the time and setting up his workshop over here. He is going to have all his phone calls transferred by BT.

Conor has begun school now. He's not settling in particularly well but it doesn't surprise me as he has always been quite sensitive. School have suggested that for the time being he comes home for lunch just so that he has a break from trying to understand the French. On Monday he came home from school and said 'it's Lundi today' which was really great it means he is picking up new words.

Archie could have begun school as well but he can't use the loo! I tried during the summer holidays and although he probably sat on the loo 100 times he couldn't make it happen! And on the day I braved going out with him in'big boy pants' he managed to wee at the checkout in a shop! I was so embarrased to explain 'pardon, mon fils fait pee-pee. Je suis tres desolee' !! It would be really great if Archie could start at school because he is desperate to go and play. I have had to drag him out crying because he wan't to stay, whilst Conor is crying inside because he doens't want to to! I know if Archie was there too it would help Conor to settle but there is nothing I can do about.

We have made friends with another neighbour Marcel who must be about 80. He reminds me of my Grandpa. His passion is breeding sheep. He regularly enters and wins sheep competitions (whatever that consists of) We've agreed that his sheep can stay in one of our fields for the winter.

Well, the weathers been awful here as well. The farmers crops have been ruined over here, just the same as the UK. We have been enjoying a few bright days. Lets hope it's the beginning of an Indian summer. The grass just keeps growing because of all the rain and you just don;t get a chance to cut it when it's damp. There's so much of it I really need to be mowing every week. It takes about 5 hours to do all of it! I think it used to take about 7 minutes on our garden in Pulborough!

Sabina, Simon, Conor and Archie

>> Next Newsletter - Autumn 2004 >>