31 August – 7 September
As we had a firm commitment in Northern Italy at the end of August, we had arranged for Sue and Lawrie, our dear former neighbours in La Coste to stay with us for four nights commencing on 2 September. It was four years since they last stayed here – our house would provide them with a base to visit whomsoever and whatever they wished.
Stopping here would also give us an opportunity to survey what needed to be done to the house and remedy any urgent issues.
Overall everything was in good order. The interiors were in really good shape – thank you, Chris and Kirsten and your guests! Although it felt a bit like our first few days of the summer season, we were saved the effort of getting out all the outdoor furniture.
However, the first issue we faced was the missing windscreen insurance display on the Citroen, an offence carrying an unpleasant fine. Unable to locate the token immediately, we made a detour to Cordes to collect another, so that we could park risk-free at our local supermarket, SuperU, and buy food.
Although, the Nissan insurance ran out that day, we had happily managed to pick up the new insurance token during our speedy earlier transit through London. The Nissan, however, was now partially concealed in the overgrown hedge in the carport- extricating it was going to take some time, a ladder and some secateurs.
The grounds were looking cared for despite the heat. We were pleasantly surprised by how many plants in pots had survived (with some kind help from our neighbours), but our work is cut out for the autumn…and next year.
The weather was very hot. We did lots of laundry, some gardening, relieved our rucksacks of clothes and footwear that live in France and thoroughly enjoyed our guests’ company, when they weren’t galavanting about!
We also enjoyed a tranquil, almost empty swimming pool. Our neighbours held a lovely soirée with delicious food and plenty to drink for the benefit of Sue and Lawrie, which provided a continuation of the socialising we’d started in Udine. We need to recommence our fitness regime!
One of our pressing chores was to rescue the cat and four kittens which Kirsten had discovered living on our property just before she left. A combination of neighbours’ assistance finally caught them all and they have now been taken, together to the local SPA, la Société Protectrice des Animaux.
Perhaps unsurprisingly after so long on the road, we needed a few days to recover.
Back on the road again, tomorrow, destination Paris.
A welcome break on home turf, I’m sure. A wonderful place to draw breath.