Hello. Thought I’d do an entry as I am casting around for distractions, and in any case, one is (over)due. So, since the last post, we had a few quiet days leading up to the 12th, with the only thing of note being that we moved all the wood into our logshed, aided considerably by Lucien and his tractor. We also made a start on getting quotes to fix the damage I inflicted on poor Lola with a trip to a garage in Nontron on the Thursday. Apart from that, we were just holed up at home with the fire going all day. Matt left for the States on Monday, heading back to celebrate Jan’s big birthday, so I took him to Angoulême station that afternoon to catch a train to Paris Charles de Gaulle. He spent the night in a nearby hotel and then caught a morning flight to Minnesota from there. He has made it there safe and sound, although I hear it is typically cold, with temps well below freezing even during the day. Not nice…
Since then, I have been left to my own devices and am now beginning to feel the isolation somewhat, but I have managed to keep fairly occupied so far. On Tuesday morning, I took the car to Thiviers to get some more reparation quotes, then I returned home and, barring trips to the logshed for more wood, I did not leave the house again all day as it was cold and wet out. The cats and I stayed up watching DVDs till around 2am before I turned in and they went off out a-hunting. They, incidentally, are not coping too well with Matt’s absence. Well, that’s not true: Louis is the same as ever – independent and often solitary. The Smoo however is driving me a little nuts. Any time I leave the house it riles him up and he gets all violent and crazy, tearing around the house doing all of the things he knows are verboten. Once this subsides, he then goes into uber-clingy mode and wont leave me alone. He is currently on my shoulders, licking the back of my head and has been doing so for a good 10 mins. I’ve already thrown him off once but he just climbed back up immediately, so I am letting him be for now. It’s better than the violent mode at least!
The next day, we had some fairly severe weather: gales of around 75km an hour and lashing rain – I think we are getting some of what has been ravaging the UK over here now. This was the worst day for Smoo. I think he actually needed to relieve himself but couldnt go out, so he was a total nightmare. Fortunately, it all passed quite suddenly just after lunch, so he was able to go out at last. I also took advantage of the calm to drive Nontron for a supermarket run and some Christmas shopping. I bumped into Lucien & Mauricette at the Super U, so we chatted for a few mins (mainly about the weather) which was nice. The severe gales are due to return, starting this evening in Poitou-Charentes, Lee & Richard’s region, then moving over into northern Aquitaine where I am, over the course of tomorrow. Gusts of around 110km are predicted, so it’s going to be a lot worse than the first time round. Lucien advised closing all the shutters, and I think I will. I am expecting to lose internet and phone as a result of this, which I am dreading as then I really will be on my own. Fingers crossed it doesn’t happen…. Back home that evening, I cooked up a Cassoulet, wrapped presents and had an earlier night.
I had no plan for today, which is why I think the feeling of isolation kicked in. I did my workout first thing, then played a little guitar, but wasnt really in the mood. On a bit of a whim, I took the car to St. Pardoux and had a wee browse, having still a few gifts to find. I bumped into my old driving instructor so got to chat to her for a bit but she had a student to take for her test in Nontron so it was fairly brief. Unsuccessful in my gift hunting, I decided to give Brantôme a go, as it has quite a few gift-type shops. No joy there either, but at least I got to talk to a human being or two. That has been it for today – I got back, revived the fire and dealt with the madness of the Smoo (who incidentally, is now off my shoulders and seems now to be building up to something dastardly yet again).
As to the rest of the week, it is worryingly planless for the most part. I aim to learn something new on the guitar as it’s been ages since I tried. I also hope to catch up with les boys (Lee & Richard) at the weekend. Lee’s Dad was over briefly from from Tuesday till today, so I hadn’t heard from them at all, but now they are free again, we’ll hopefully arrange a soirée. Otherwise, I shall start forgetting how to talk at this rate! Ok, that’s all from me. I am sure Matt will do a USA-themed entry at some point. Bonne nuit.