Got to say at the outset that this blog is for our benefit so we can get a book printed with a record of events. Some of the early parts are a bit Grumpy but a true version of sentiment. Skip over if you want to.
VISIT TO ROSE BAY IN SYDNEY'S EASTERN SUBURBS.
We took a one day excursion to see Mary Melody, her daughter Ruth and 3yo Grandson Teddy.
Mary has a cottage near us in Guemene. Her home is in Dublin. After this short visit to Australia these three were heading off to Ireland with Ruth's husband Evan. Ruth and Evan live and work in Sydney.
We were next to meet Mary three months later in Guemene with the rest of her family Pat and Robbie.
1st May 2022. Glenn and Liz had visitors from Holland, Liz's Brother in law Yorrick and his son Douwe.
Family gathering. L to R: Kira, Finn, Andrew, Bill, Elske, Cathy, Liz, Rebecca, Glenn, Mahalia and Soraya. (Aria couldn't be there)
We set off on our journey to France on May 6th 2022.
Andrew drove us into Rydges Hotel at the airport, where we were booked for the night, in order to be in plenty of time for take off next day.
Went down for a drink in the bar in the evening. The bar faces in two directions and there was only one staff member to serve both sides. I stood there for about twenty minutes as the girl at the bar served one person after another on the other side from me. When I did eventually get her attention she spoke with a distinct European accent and was obviously harassed. Kind of took the shine off the evening!
View from Hotel window.
We were booked to fly with Singapore Airlines and arrived about three hours before take off . The check in lady gave us a form to fill out which she said we would need to get into France. We found a quiet place and diligently filled out the questionnaire for about 20 mins. It wasn't asked for in Paris, in fact, we weren't even asked for proof of vaccination (The first time that was to come up was when we boarded the ferry at Plymouth for Roscoff on our return trip from the UK later)
The flight to Singapore passed comfortably and seemed quicker than in the past. The only thing I found a trifle annoying, which I put down to a full plane, was that a lot more people were being served 'special' meals than on previous trips. So it seemed like ages before we got to eat by which time the early starters were finished and looking for top ups for their drinks. Our host had to go back to his hidey hole for my Heineken and then forgot on first return!
Changi Airport, Singapore.
We set out with a certain amount of trepidation.
Covid was rife in Europe with many people dying and though we both have had our fourth vaccination, me only days before, there was still talk of 'virus mutations' likely. While we were in the UK the death toll attributed to Covid passed the 180,000 mark. Despite that hardly anyone were wearing masks. A bit disconcerting after Australia. (The only times we were required to wear masks were on the Bristol/Edinburgh flights and the Plymouth/Roscoff ferries. On Edinburgh's Princes Street we got the comment from a passer-by "Take those nappies off your face!")
Also Vladimir Putin of Russia and his associates had decided to invade Ukraine two months before and was already flagging the nuclear strike option using their recently tested hypersonic ballistic missile which they claim travels at six times the speed of sound. So much for respect of Human kind. How do people like this get to be leaders? In any society.
It was nice to load our cases into our lease car at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and take a deep breath before the 5 or 6 hour drive to Guemene. It was a Saturday so the Peripherique (ring road) was very busy with weekend drivers.
Our car was a Renault Dacia Pandero and it was the first time we had come across a car with NO handbrake lever. You need to have your feet on the brake and clutch at the same time before pushing the START button at which moment the handbrake light goes off to indicate the brake has also. Cathy wasn't game to have a go with this novel arrangement which was probably a good thing as she and I had a few problems at her first attempt.
The car has a small remote device instead of keys. With it the car doors unlock when you get close and the car gives a cheerful little 'toot-toot' and locks itself as you walk away.
THE HOUSE
We could smell mould as we entered the house which had been unattended, more or less, for 2 and a half years. Almost the first cab off the rank was to buy a new fridge as the one we have had for 20 years was grotty and the door wouldn't shut properly. Next came a new washing machine. It got a good workout immediately as just about every bit of bedding and clothing had to be washed. Fortunately the weather was perfect for drying. A lounge suite had to be tossed out as the fabric stank of mould.
La Chaumiere (Ruin) overgrown after 3 year absence.
Big works under way at Knauf factory across the road. Looks like waste water facility being constructed.
One reason we choose this time of year to visit.
Azaleas in bloom, daisies and climbing roses.
KIRA'S GRADUATION 27th May 2022
Kira was presented with her degree at The University of Technology Sydney UTS
'Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) and Bachelor of Arts (International Studies)'.
We are happy for her as her studies were severely interrupted by Covid. She had to return in a hurry from her spell at a University in Germany which was part of her course.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
(Skip this bit if you find the subject boring!)
For years we had a fixed landline into the house in Guemene. We used to notify France Orange in advance and have the Internet connected and then ring them up and have it disconnected when we left. It worked reasonably well but then in 2019 they announced that this service was no longer available and we would need to sign an annual contract and pay by automatic bank deductions.
Given no option we went along with it. Then Covid struck and we couldn't get over and efforts to cancel the contract were fruitless. The money was still being taken out. Because I could get NO response from Orange and the bank said they are not allowed to cancel automatic deductions I even contemplated closing our bank accounts, It was costing us about $A 800,00 a year for nothing. Eventually one of my letters to Orange got through and the service was stopped. Then they asked for their equipment back which was reasonable but we were unable to comply as we couldn't get to France. So we get a bill for about $A150.00 which was deducted from our account.
I acquired a fancy new mobile phone in Australia and my Computer GURU there said "you will no longer need WIFI as the phone will do that job (HOTSPOT) and you will be able to tether your laptop computer to it".
He demonstrated how that could be done and it worked. "When you get to France buy a local SIM card and the phone will automatically do the same thing there" he said.
OH NO it won't! I went to Orange office in Pontivy 25km away and bought a PAYG card. "I'm not allowed to touch your phone" she said. Knowing how fiddly it is to change those miniature cards I went home to do it. NOTHING so back to the shop where I purchased a months supply of credit as I thought that was the problem. STILL NOTHING so back to the shop. "Oh you can't make calls outside of France with the PAYG contract" she tells me (which presumably includes using it as a WIFI HOTSPOT). "What's the point in having the card if I can't call anybody?" "You were told" she said "No I wasn't" I said. There was nothing in the paperwork to suggest that either..
There was a glimmer of hope as I found I could get FaceBook and thereby MESSENGER, I was able to make Face to face calls to the UK and Australia,. Also, surprisingly, when I got to the UK I could use MESSENGER and WHATSAPP. (My Australian SIM was too slow)
The bottom line though was that to send Emails or do this blog I would have to go to the local library or McDonalds. Apart from being slow the atmosphere there was not conducive and at Maccas expensive!
SETTLING IN
New under cover meeting place in Guemene where the catering college used to be. The mural shows Breton Dancing.
Considerable progress has been made with the new hospital just a Kilometer up the road from us.
It's not obvious from this photo but the lounge suite stank of mould and had to be destroyed. The legs were saved to make a coffee table.
This little electric vehicle was parked outside the Emmaus charity shop in Pontivy. Possibly the future of city transport?
Newly repaired gutter between houses 2 and 3 has put an end to leaks in the attic and ceiling mould in the room down below.
We bought this wheelie bin. Perfect for carting garden refuse from the house and ruin to the garden by the river. It seems these bins are not in common use as they are not readily available in shops. We looked all over and, to start with, decided against this one at the local shop as it was too expensive at 59 euros. Due to our rusty French we didn't understand we were being told not that the price was 50 something but that it was 50% off! We got it for 30 euros.
A sneak preview of things to come, passing our front door.
The Moulin (Flour Mill) is directly across the road from us. It dates from 1646.
CAVALCADE DES FLEURS
Every two years this event is held in Guemene but because of Covid it has been four years since the last one which is no doubt responsible for the happy smiling faces and a very high quality of floats. A big part of the parade is, of course, the loud music. We have got videos with the music.
Paying to get in.
Very old hotel now fully renovated and used by local government.
THE PARADE
The 'Where's Charlie' float which we know as 'Where's Wally'.
Outside the oldest pub in Brittany.
"Don't let it near me!"
Bob and Andrea Ellis's former house just up the road from us which they sold in January. The new owner is keeping up the flowers tradition.
We were later to meet up with B & A at their home at Loch Lomond in Scotland. We needed a 150mm diameter flexible stainless steel flue to complete the installation of the log burner in the kitchen. It would require 9 meters at 33 euros a meter locally (approx $A450.00). Bob was able to source a 10 meter length in Scotland for 180 pounds (approx $A310.00) so we arranged for him to get it. They were due back in Guemene for a week in August to collect the remainder of their belongings so could bring the flue with them. We then started to panic as we were told that, because of Brexit, French customs were charging duty on products purchased in the UK.
I love this story, word for word, from Bob.
Yes, funny story. After going through passport check, on our way out of the ferry port. Two guys from the port police stop the van and start asking questions. Where are you going to, Guemene.
What do you have in your van. Personal clothing, food, and a wood burning flue, for our house in France.
Can you open the van to let us see.
Yes no problem.
Opened the van, they look inside and see what was said.
They ask can we look insides this large cardboard box, which the flue is in.
Yes no problem, they look and ask if I have any paperwork for the flue.
Yes, I show them the invoice which was in the box.
They look at it and ask is this the value here, pointing at the invoice.
I say yes, they look at it and say ok that’s fine.
Then ask how long we are staying for.
I say just for a week, returning to Scotland next Wednesday.
They say, are you Scottish. I say yes.
He then says, oh that’s made my day, we like the Scottish people, gives me a big hug, and says, have a great day and on you go. Smiles and laughter all round.
So your flue awaits your next visit to France. Safe and sound in Guemene.
MESS IN LA CHAUMIERE
Mess to tidy up in the annex to 'the ruin' which was just waiting for a pyromaniac to set light to through the open window!
CASSIS
A popular drink in these parts. A liqueur made from black currents. It's usually mixed with white wine or for 'Cassis Royale' with champagne or 'Cassis Breton' when mixed with local cider.
Coffee table in alcove made from remnants of the 'dough box' and settee which used to be in the lounge room.
Preparing timber for new gate between houses. The old one was severely rotten.
FLOODS IN AUSTRALIA July 5th 2022
We get this message from Andrew
Girls being evacuated in 10 min one step to go and in the top floor again thanks for trying this one is very big
For the third time in just over a year Andrew and Rebeccas house is inundated by flood water. It was supposed to be a 1 in 100 year event. This time it reached waist deep on the second floor.
Rebecca and the girls were evacuated to Wisemans Ferry where they were picked up by Glenn and delivered to our house.
Wreckage of their boat.
Fortunately they have been able to find a house to rent about 20mins from our place They moved in on 31 July. They were lucky as rentals are in high demand. They will get Government assistance for six months and the rent is reasonable anyway as it is not a modern structure although it is on 5 acres of land which used to be a lavender farm. They have a 2 year lease and plan to renovate the river property, once again, and rent it out.
School children on bikes assemble outside the house. It is 'Tour de France' time!
UK TRIP.
On 23 July 2022 we set sail from Roscoff to Plymouth for a 3 week trip to the UK.
Because of Brexit we were not allowed to take our French lease car with us. It remained in the long term car park at Roscoff. Inconvenient for everybody as it left us reliant on public transport and the help of friends and relatives in the UK to get about.
Just noticed that cars from the UK are now wearing UK stickers instead of GB.
The original plan was to spend two nights with my cousin Cathy near Plymouth then go to our Cathy's niece Gail in St.Agnes, Cornwall for two nights, then be picked up by my sister Sue and make a leisurely trip to Portishead, Bristol. Stay there for a week then fly from Bristol to Edinburgh, have a week with Wilma and Jimmy with visit to Helen and Alastair.
We had to forego the Cornwall visit as Gail's husband Paul was confined to a room with Covid. We thought it was an unnecessary risk to go there as we had, so far, come through unscathed and although 4 times injected we were still very much in the mind-set prevalent in Australia to be very, very cautious!
On the ferry. Container ship in the background.
Brittany Ferries have informative pieces posted round about. I didn't know that 100km or so to the West the Atlantic Ocean plunges to 4000 metres deep from 32 to 200 metres in the channel. The Ferry is also constantly collecting scientific data on the condition of the ocean regarding 'Climate Change' and gives a run down on the creatures swimming about in the Channel.
Warship in Plymouth harbour. Probably quite normal but a reminder of thunder clouds brewing in Ukraine.
With cousin Cathy in Plymouth. To the right are the steps from which 'The Plymouth Brethren' left for the USA and Captain Cook for Australia aboard 'The Endeavor'.
A variety of signs are posted around 'The Barbican' This one indicates the remarkable amount of fish caught locally, 60 tonnes on average every day ! Surprised there are any left.
PORTISHEAD
With sister Sue.
Sues apartment building covered in scaffolding. After the Grenfell fire disaster in London all buildings around the UK have been assessed for their fire worthiness. This building has to be totally stripped of its cladding and re-covered with fire resistant material.
We were amused by the quiet little tapping a bit like a woodpecker emanating from the flat next door. Sounds on the outside of the building manifested themselves in strange ways.
Also the builders discovered that shortcuts had been taken in the original construction and external wall insulation was missing along the entire length of the building.
It also highlighted the peculiar ownership structure within the building. Sue owns her apartment but NOT her verandah which NOBODY else has access to! She is expected to pay to have that replaced which is very irritating as the apartment was purchased in good faith a number of years ago.
MIKE SHEWAN
Mike is Sues brother in law and lives in 'sheltered housing' nearby.
Shewan 'Coat of Arms'
Mike and Sue
Sarah, Sues daughter in her florist shop in Portishead high street, 'Sarah Tynan Flowers', .
Lock gate mechanism for the Marina. Tides in the River Severn can be as high as 12 metres (40ft).
Note: Ukraine flag. Several of them in the Marina.
Sue feeding her friends, wild swans. They see her coming from a long way off!
Sue and Cathy with friend Sally Griffiths outside the 'Lock Keeper' pub in Keynsham
MEETING OF OLD SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Managed to arrange a lunch at this pub on Portishead Marina made up of shipping containers. Roy Hubbard and Tony Down arrived. Tony unaware that I would be there. We were at school together and played rugby in the same teams.
With Roy
And Tony
With Sue and friend Ian Slee at breakfast in the coffee shop they frequent during morning walks.
Coffee shop in corner behind car.
My cousin John Hardwick with his wife Chris who, surprisingly and pleasingly, made it down from London. I thought they were still on holiday in Africa according to their FaceBook page but they work on the philosophy that you never announce on FB that you are away from home. So the pictures we were viewing were posted after they got back.
TO EDINBURGH
Facemasks required at Bristol airport and on board Easy Jet flight.
They make it very difficult to avoid paying 5 pounds every time you drop someone or pick them up. Same thing at Edinburgh airport.
The Forth bridges.
Lunch at Howies Restaurant in Edinburgh with 'The two Margarets, 'Potato' Margaret and 'Black Margaret' ('Potato' because her father was a potato merchant and 'Black' because she came from the Black Isle). Old friends of Cathy.
I went with Jimmy to their flat which they rent out in Edinburgh, in order to help assemble two Ikea double beds.
Wilma and Jimmy's house 'The Stables' at Tranent.
Jimmy and Alastair Baptie close to Al's house at Dunbar.
Bunch of canyoner types leaping off rocks at Dunbar.
A round of golf at Luffness Golf Club. We nearly got blown off the course but I would have been disappointed if it had been otherwise! Luffness is next door to Gullane 3 and close to the Renaissance Golf Course where they were holding the Scottish open and it costs $A 150,000.00 a year to be a member. Saw some wild Roe Deer on the course.
A contact our Andrew may be familiar with. This guy's brother Dave Allen coached Andrew when he played rugby for Prestonpans.
VISIT TO LOCH LOMOND
7th July 2022
Bob and Andrea with Cathy on Sweeny's Loch Lomond cruise.
Bob is a budgerigar enthusiast and breeder and is also a judge at shows. He has many birds in the aviary at the bottom of the garden.
Cathy and I celebrate 55 years of marriage with friends at a famous Haddington restaurant.
Wilma and Jimmy's front yard.
MUSSELBURGH
The Roman bridge.
We visit an old friend, Moira. Known affectionately as wee Moira as she is the younger sister of Jacky whom Cathy used to folk sing with.
Floral clock in Edinburgh.
So much for modern all-electric cars. This VW decided to break down in the bus lane in Princes Street. No way could two of us push it and decided to abandon trying when the bus driver behind drew attention to the fact that the car was stuck in reverse, back up lights on. Had it taken off we could have been a sandwich!
The three musketeers in Wilma's garden.
BACK IN BRISTOL
We visit Sues daughter-in-law Karen, her partner Rob and Grand children Harrison, Max and Anna
Crossing Clifton suspension bridge on the way to Bristol bus station for our bus to Plymouth.
Bristol University tower.
Plymouth Ferry Terminal.
Breton flag being raised on departure.
Roundabout near Roscoff.
Two weeks left to replace rotten gate!
Floral decorations in Pontivy the nearest big town 25km away.
Finished gate. It was painted white before we left.
So was the door in the third house which gave me an opportunity to check it out before leaving.
Third house attic.
Props holding up chimney brest in third house. To be sorted, one day!
An advert for a painting competition which takes place in Guemene every year to whet the appetite of Elske shortly to finish her Fine Arts degree at the 'National Art School' Sydney.
Tuesday 2nd Aug: Arrive back in Sydney.
Tuesday 9th Aug
Liz, Kira, Harry and Finn fly to Holland. Finn plans to stay on but the others are there for 4 weeks.
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