May 2020

Having spent a frustrating few months in the gite we rented since January, from Ena and James we finally moved up to Brittany on 20 May. During these months we enjoyed the visiting wildlife, and occasional visits to the port to chat to ex-fellow boaters. The corona virus delayed movement for some time and we got a go-ahead from the removal man on 17th May. As no-one could authoritively state sources of an Attestation to move, we typed out our own. We felt quite happy in doing this as we were intending to drive through all 'green' areas. We took our own picnic food, only stopping for fuel and toilets.  It was a long day, leaving Castelnaudary at 8am and arriving at Gouarec at 5.15pm.

The first night was weird as we had no table nor chairs. On investigation we found a small double white plastic seat, which we took into the kitchen and placed in front of a pull out table top. So then all we had to do was work out how to operate the oven, and we could cook and eat dinner. We cooked, ate, drank champagne then went to bed!

The next day we investigated the garden chalet and found table and chairs. Hooray. Getting sorted.

We spent a few nights on air beds, until Ni drove 5 hours back to Poitiers to collect beds, and other furniture from his brother. Trying to hire a removal van was an exercise in itself. Supposedly we had to produce 3 months household bills. Well in all our 8 years in France we've never had household bills. The only thing we've had is fuel bills and mooring fees. The latter don't usually show an address or any details. Anyway that overcome, mission was accomplished.

Getting the furniture into our house was an exhausting and muscle straining exercise. So we took the following weekend off from moving boxes.

 The first picture to be 'placed' if not actually hung, was the brilliant Hommage to Vermeer

Now where would ex-boatees go for a walk on a sunny Sunday but to the canal of course!

April 2020

Nigel asked me if I was going to continue with the Gesina blog. I think perhaps it will keep going for a little while longer. I feel we have a bit of a saga to come before we finally move into our landlubbers role!

Although the Notaire and Mairie in the centre of Castelnaudary were closed to the public, it was fortunate for us that the Mairie here in Fendueille was open, and prepared to witness and sign the Proxy forms to purchase our house in Brittany. This was done not inside the their building, but through an open window. I wish that I had photographed the proceedings, as it would have become an historic document, reflecting back on how we tried to live through our daily chores during the 2020 Corona virus pandemic!

I'm full of admiration for wild life photographers. For many years now I've tried to capture a good picture of the little  Red Start.  It gets to close to us wherever we go. But each time I reach for my camera it flies away. Still no luck. I have many blurred images of it, but nothing satisfactory.

However, after many unsuccessful attempts, I finally got a photo of this gorgeous little chap (I suppose it's a 'chap'?). He visits us regularly and sits just outside our French window.   My one concern is that he sits in this tree, just above the nest of a pair of Great Tits who are dashing back and forth frantically appearing to be feeding young. I hope the beautiful red squirrel doesn't think that the chicks would make a tasty meal!

Cutest pose ever!

 Perhaps I'll be lucky with a Red Start here in this garden, though to date I've never even seen one here! Wrong type of  foliage I guess.

March 2020

We had hoped to move into our new house up in Brittany by mid-March, but that was not to be. Various things delayed our departure from Castelnaudary. So, by 2nd April, we are still in the rented gite 5Km from the town centre, surrounded by our packing cases.

Our last trip out before France went into complete shutdown was a drive through the hills along the route to Mirepoix. We took a picnic lunch and enjoyed watching the birds of prey swoop and dive through the air. On our return journey we stopped by a farm where the owner had put a Pyrenean Mountain dog to do the job for which they were bred, i.e. guard the sheep. He didnt seem to be unfriendly towards us, but then we aren't wolves!

We have pleasant views from both the kitchen and bathroom windows.

Wild anemones in the lawn.

View of the Black Mountains from Bathroom window.

A RED squirrel visits the garden regularly, as do magpies, a pair of nesting blue tits, and a multitude of different coloured butterflies, all scuttling away when 3 different cats prowl through, and just before I can get my camera out to photograph them! In the field alongside the property we see an egret, and peregrine falcon.

Luckily there is a boulangerie in the village, and I take the very pleasant walk down there daily for some exercise.  There's always something interesting to see.

Ant's nest.

 I muse on this little heap of gritty sand pushed up through the path by all those hundreds, thousands even perhaps.  There they are busily living their lives free to travel where the whim takes them. Whilst here we humans are with time to stroll by and observe them. Normally we would be whizzing somewhere most probably by car, in too much of a hurry to notice all the other life around us.

Village Chateau

February 2020

As a tribute to our dear little dog, Tashi Delek, I had a  metal work dog made by our friend Willie. It was to be a Christmas present for Ni. But of course when I first asked about this, I didnt know that Tashi would no longer be with us.  So it remains a poignant reminder of her presence, as if we need that!

Spring has definitely sprung here at the moment. Cherry trees are blossoming away, as are japonicas. Today on our drive to Carcassonne we saw rows of daffodiles sparkling in the sunshine.

Everyone in port is busily scrubbing away and cleaning, repainting their boats ready for the off. Some have indeed already left for waters new. Others yet to return.

We are looking forward to the British Film Festival week, with lots of good films in VO.  We have the added delight of C&C fish & chips. Gosh, you miss them SO much when you can't get them, even if you only ate them twice a year in the UK, but they were there to be had.

Having packed and transported our belongings from Gesina to the gite, The Old Lady looks quite tidy, but bare.

Empty galley!

 And this is where it has all gone, temporarily, but not for too long we hope!

January 2020

Once the Christmas festivities were over we thought it wise to begin packing up the boat, so that we do just a little each day. This proved a good decision as we both succumbed to January illnesses.

We realised there will be a lot of boxes as we arrived in Holland with a completely full 3.5 ton van. All the contents went onto the boat. So it would seem logical that 3.5tons of belongings will need to be removed!

Boxes on the quayside, and nothing fell into the water!

Luckily it was a dry day, so lets hope that it will be the same when we move into our house.

However we started removing the easy things. First the pictures came down. Sorry BOFs you were the first!

Nigel's making the fatal mistake of reading things as he packs.  Newspapers we found are particularly interesting, when wrapping fragile objects!

On New Years Day it was so beautiful and sunny that we couldn't resist a walk around the Basin.

Wonderful blue skies, 1 January 2020

December 2019

Having looked at many properties for sale near Castelnaudary, and not found anything suitable, we decided to look further afield. Again we trawled the internet many times and arranged viewings on several houses in Brittany, Normandy and near LaRochelle. After driving many miles, and stopping near Poitiers for an overnight break with Geoff and Jill, we reached an excellent B&B in Glomel, as it seemed to be a good central point. During these 10 days away we made an offer on a typical Breton house near Saint Brieuc, the other side of the estuary from Saint Malo.

One Sunday we drove to Saint Malo for several days, and then across to Saint Brieuc to get a feel for the area.    There we found a nice little restaurant to have lunch, and were lucky to find a free table as it was very busy. Afer this we strolled the quay side, and were relieved to see that we didn't have such tidal waters where we are moored!

Tidal drop at Saint Brieuc!

We later had time to wander around the village in which 'our' house is situated.

Market square of Gouarec.

It seems to be a typical small market village, still having a boulangerie, butcher, snack bar, tabac selling newspapers and magazines in ENGLISH(!), a post office, small grocery, banks and cash point. So all the basic needs.

Then it was time to head home, again stopping at Le Petit Manoir with Geoff and Jill.  The traffic on the motorway was horrendous, particularly approaching Bordeaux, with lorries nose to tale for miles and miles. It was a welcoming sight when we first saw the sign by the roadside bearing a familiar name!

Mas d'Argenais - it felt like we were nearly home!

This is an unusual sight on the canal -

Legionaires in dingies, rowing their way home!

In all the four winters mooring here we've NEVER seen them on the water before. We've seen them running along the canal paths, exercising in their gym kit, running in camouflage with guns at the ready, smartly dressed with their sparkling white hats. But never before on the water. What do they know that we don't?

On Christmas day we had another jolly good feast, with various dishes being provided from all the boaters.

Christmas lunch at Quai 10, Castelnaudary 2019

 Two days later followed by a cocktail party onboard Steve's boat, Porthos, to celebrate his and neighbour Elaine's joint 70th birthdays.

Great fun opening all their presents!

November - 2019

Early morning in Castelnaudary.

Well the month certainly began with a dramatic sky.

This was a rather sad month for us, as we had to have our dear little dog, Tashi put to sleep. It was a bit of a shock as neither us nor the town vet was aware at the seriousness of her illness. It wasnt until she was taken to Carcassonne to have a scan that she was found to have tumours on her kidneys. That was the reason she wasn't responding tothe medication she was being given.  We are still grieving her loss many weeks later. She was such an integral part of our lives. She loved everyone, and everyone it seemed loved her.

Beautiful Amerylis

When our neighbour went away she handed me this bulb, asking me to look after it for them. While we enjoyed its flower, sadly she missed it. Hence the photograph.

Meal at LeCory.

We couldn't not go out for a meal when Sally came to visit, all the way from Auxonne!