Hello. It’s not been that long since the last entry, but one is nonetheless definitely due. Sometimes, we can go weeks at a time out here when essentially, nothing happens. And then along comes a day like yesterday. The four of us were up relatively early, having had a restful but crowded night in bed.
Some time back, we subscribed to a Google group called the “Dronne Valley Network” – a sort of classified site for the English in the area. We have been on the lookout for a dining table and chairs but had been unlucky so far. Being up early yesterday meant that we were quick enough to be the first to see a post offering a large mahogany dining table, 6 chairs, and a matching sideboard, all for €600. Bargain. Mahogany wouldn’t have been our first choice, but it all looked decent, so we rang the number and were gratified to learn they were still available. After quick showers and my workout, we piled into the car and drove the 45 mins to the pretty town of Villebois Lavallete, in Charente.
The seller was a very lovely man called Barry. He’s English, but has been here for about 6 years. He is the owner of a restaurant in Villebois, one we we went to in November of last year with Sharon for her birthday. He is selling the place and, as he currently lives above it, is also moving, so has lots of stuff to get rid of. We immediately hit it off and ended up staying for a cuppa and a chat. He is the first other gay man we have met out here so far, and we hope this is the start of a good new friendship. He was most kind and also threw in a matching stereo cabinet, as well as offering us the free use of his van to transport the stuff to ours. We agreed to return this Friday to collect, and we shall probably have lunch at the restaurant.
As a special bonus, on our return, we passed through Mareuil, where we used to get our bread in the old place, so we stopped by and grabbed a baguette. Our new bakery is excellent, but the Mareuil lady is some sort of sorcerer and her bread is extra, extra good, so lunch sandwich was even better than normal.
The weather out here has gone back to blue skies and sun – 17 yesterday, 19 today and supposedly 20 on Sat – so we enjoyed the garden when we got back. Matt mowed the front lawn again while I sat and revised “Le Code” – the French highway code. At around 4:30, a phone call disturbed the peace. I picked up and was immediately vexed to hear it was a representative from Darty, our despised and perfidious ISP. I wrote them a letter in mid-Feb as a last-ditch effort to try and get out of our contract and by now, had given up all hope of hearing back. I was staggered when the caller said she understood completely my frustration and would now immediately cancel our contract with no penalty fees to pay! Result! I asked for a stay of execution as we need time to sort out a replacement, but hopefully we shall soon be on a decent internet connection here at Port 80.
To round off a good day, Matt had a physiotherapy appt. at 6 that evening in our nearest town, St Pardoux la Rivière. I had been trying to get him one for weeks but no-one there ever picked up the phone (and of course, they have no answer phone). A couple days ago, I decided to try calling at lunch time for a change. This is normally the worst time to try and get anything done out here but to my surprise, my call was answered immediately. The therapist himself was a very lovely man (and cute too – I think I might need a mild but painful back injury so I can claim a massage or two of my own) and Matt now has a series of well-needed sessions planned. I amused myself walking around the pretty town centre while Matt had the appointment, sneaking in a cheeky pastis in a bar over the road too.
Feeling jubilant after such a full and successful day, we rounded it off back home with a bottle of 2007 Bergerac, a yummy meal and an open fire. Glorious.