#l'esteclair

[theretirementstory]

1. The Church at Pont-la-Ville 2. From the Railway Station Bar-sur-Aube A perfect way to start the week with a drive and a picnic. I went to a lovely little village (Pont-la-Ville) which had this beautiful church, I pulled up in what I took to be the village square (benches arranged in a square with a cherry tree in each corner and an old well). The breeze was blowing the blossom from the trees and the sun was shining brightly. The salad and hot coffee I had taken were just perfect! I also picked up a new word "Ruelle" (alley) I was looking forward to viewing another property this week and the flow of this one did not disappoint. When I was viewing the rather large garden I heard shouting from a neighbouring garden, thinking the people knew the immobilier I continued "snapping". The shouting continued after the immobilier acknowledged them and when I looked up it was one of "my boys" from the bar. We acknowledged each other and then I was thinking.......umm lift back from the bar with my neighbour. Seeing him again yesterday he confirmed that is where he lives! Class has only been on 2 days this week. I had an appointment on Thursday and was going to be late for class, however, as I walked towards "school" Jony met me explaining that Marie-Therese had not arrived and Patrick had said for them to leave. As Marie-Therese had said she would see me on Thursday, I sent her a message. I have not yet received a reply. I really hope that she is ok. No class so Jony and I went for a coffee and a chat so that was nice. There was an exhibition in Troyes with immobiliers and housebuilders, from Friday to Sunday. Entry was free (always a good sign) so on Friday I checked out for me to drive to St Parres aux Terres, park up and then get the bus into the city and go to said exhibition. I decided to ask Jony to go on this "adventure", we met up and set off. Firstly I was at the wrong bus stop, then got to the right bus stop and realised I had left my normal glasses in the car. Jony ran back for them, but halfway across the car park....yes you've guessed....the bus arrived. I had to let it go and the next one was another 30 minutes! Jony persuaded me to drive into Troyes. I followed the route I had taken with Marie-Therese and when we got to "Halles" and saw a car park I dived in and parked up. As luck would have it the exhibition was just across the road. I even managed to get myself out of Troyes without incident. We have had some lovely sunny days and along with the sun comes my desire to be in my own home. With any luck I will achieve this this year. I really hope so. So many things I am missing.....wandering into the garden with a coffee listening to the birds, hanging my washing outside to dry (yes, this really is high on my list of priorities), finally being able to fully unpack all of the remaining boxes and feeling "permanent" again. Just a little bit of sad news from England, another friend has joined "The Cancer Club", she will be having an operation later this month and I for one will be "willing" her to get well soon. Well, I hope the sun is shining for you today. Have a good week. A toute a l'heure.

[theretirementstory]

CARNIVAL 2018 The weather has been a mixed bag this week, some days no heating needed until very late afternoon and other days even the dining room (where I tend to spend my time) was not too warm. It was back to class and to be honest two weeks away does not help me improve. However, I must have improved as I cracked a couple of jokes in French at the Tricot Club. One of our ladies was telling us that it had been her 47th wedding anniversary and that was Cashmere. She had kept telling her husband "cashmere", "cashmere" to which I quipped "so did he buy you a goat?" Then she was saying her daughter looks after 11 children. I said "I only had two sons and this is what happened to my hair!" (it is very grey). All of the ladies are very appreciative of my attempts and are so pleased that I now form longer sentences. I also asked about a dress-making class and blow me down there is one! Meets on a Tuesday, Room 9, Madame Antoine. It coincides with my French class but I have arranged to go to French on Tuesday mornings. Paying a visit to CPAM (again) as the lady last time told me just one month and I would hear something. On Thursday, the lady told me to be patient! That word does not loom large in my life but I guess it will now. Preparing for my jaunt down to Carcassonne, everyone I have spoken to tells me how beautiful it is, well in my mind it will have to go some to be as beautiful as "my town". Anyway, according to the forecast, my jaunt is going to coincide with snow (again!!). I am looking forward to seeing Bernie and Paul and their home. I have not packed a swimsuit, truth is I don't have one!. Great news.....Thursday afternoon the men were back playing cards in the bar. Oh what joy to hear the arguments (well that's what it sounds like) and to be able to chat (a little) in French. So yesterday was the Carnival and as every intrepid reporter should be, I was there in the rain. Well I would have been if I hadn't checked the town website and found out that due to the weather the event would take place in the Market Hall. I arrived (early) as the photos show and finally made my way to a bench to sit and watch people arriving. It wasn't long before I was accosted by the two cats. I asked if I could take a photo and then they headed off. A short time later the "white" cat came back and told me it was my friend from Tricot (the one of the "Cashmere" anniversary). It was really lovely to see that her and her husband (the grey cat) are willing to participate and in fact they were in the dancing group which was really lovely to see. Apart from that dancing group there were also line dancers and as I was leaving they were getting people up to dance from the audience. I was introduced to a lovely family from Libya. The lady goes to the Maison Pour Tous for French but she goes to the morning class. Hopefully I will see her again when I turn up on a Tuesday. To say it has been a busy week is something of an understatement. I still have some jobs to do before I head off, so I will wish you a "bon dimanche".