The gas is fixed! Well hopefully so. Michel came and looked at it (so my answer phone message was understood), twiddled something, tried it and it worked- and then it didn’t- and then it did- and now who knows until the next time I try it! Heyhoe.

I called Will to update him on gasgate and he mentioned that the clocks go back in England this weekend so that will mean I will be 2 hours in front. I don’t know if the clocks change in France? I guess I should try and find out!

I looked online at properties in the Loire region today. You can buy an apartment for as little as 54,000 euros. Just saying 🙂

It’s officially boots and tights weather! I’m so happy! Summer is so difficult cos I love wearing dresses but have rather horrid short, fat, white legs so I’m back in my comfort zone now of dresses, tights, boots- and my fab fur coat will soon make an appearance too. Happy days 🙂

Off to the Château de Chambord today. On the way I drove through some beautiful countryside and some lovely little villages. I saw a little girl putting the wheelie bin out by towing it on her go-kart then when I got to Chambord there were lots of children around (largely, it seemed, with Grandparents) and it dawned on me that it must be autumn half term here.

As in Blois, I had something to eat in one of the little cafés and then headed off to explore. The waiter in the café was, might I add, rather lovely!

Chambord stands alone in it’s own grounds, unlike Blois where the chateau overlooks, and is part of, the city. You drive through a little village and then, all of a sudden, you’re on a long tree lined road leading to the car parks and grounds. It was built in 1519 for François I and it is stunning. The «Sun King » Louis XIV used it for some time until a large palace by the name of Versailles took it’s place in his favour! It became the private estate of Henri, count of Chambord in 1821 (although he never actually lived there) and was finally purchased by the state in 1930. Because of it’s design, particularly it’s amazing spiral staircases, some experts feel that Leonardo da Vinci may have had a hand in it’s design.

It is full of room after room of beautiful furniture, fabrics, paintings and more. Some of the rooms reminded me of those in Marie Antoinette’s private residence at Versailles. Gorgeous. I even took photos of the wallpaper in the little ante rooms it was so pretty.

There was so much to see that it was around 6 o’clock, and closing time, when I left. Vanessa had called me whilst I was in the château so I called her back and had a chat on the way back to the car. She asked if my blog was private or if she could share the link at work. I said I’d love her to share it. It’s a nice way of keeping in touch with all the lovely people there. Bonjour tout le monde! 🙂

I drove back to Vendôme as the sun was going down over the beautiful countryside. Edith Piaf was playing on Spotify- and a bit of Plastic Bertrand! I love it here. Quelle un beau jour 🙂

Bonne nuit 🙂

After cleaning the bathroom yesterday I discovered that I couldn’t get the shower to work. It’s one of those integral things that comes off the main bath taps and, try as I might, I couldn’t find anything to push or pull or turn to change the flow of the water. But my help desk team in Glasgow came to the rescue. I sent Will some pics, he spotted an arrow and said « pull that » I did and hey presto! Water from the (now clean) shower head! Note to self- wear glasses next time you’re doing something like that. Oops!

That aside I have to say I was pretty chuffed with myself today. I set off for Blois and the weather was glorious! I’ve been sticking to my satnav like glue so far but I needed petrol and also some food and more cleaning products, so on the way to Blois I went off piste and went to the supermarket and to the petrol station. I still need to find out where the local launderette is but if push comes to shove, as Charlotte B had already told me, there are washers and tumble dryers at the supermarket.

Ooh and I bought wine glasses and wine too! 🙂

The traffic here is much busier than in Dol so more to cope with at junctions, at roundabouts and in the city too. I got pipped at a bit but only because I was being cautious.

Another car park moment coming up. I found a car park easily- it was another underground one. I pulled up to the barrier, got out, ran round the car, pressed the button- nothing. I tried again- still nothing. By this time there was another car behind me so I went and asked the lady in it what I was doing wrong. She said I needed to lift up the flap and press the button in there, which I did and a voice said (in French) « what do you want? » I said « I want to park my car please » (after all it is a car park!) He said « OK » and raised the barrier. Sorted, but why so difficult?

Blois is beautiful. I loved it. I went primarily to visit the castle so headed straight there. In the courtyard in front of the castle were places to eat, so I ordered a croque monsieur with frites and salad and a coffee. The sun was shining, it was warm- wonderful. Whilst I was sat there the automated dragons that live in the Maison de la Magie woke up. Both children and adults alike were fascinated by them. La Maison de la Magie is an exhibition all about magic, which puts on a show every day. Plus it has an exhibition all about Houdini. I didn’t go in though, I headed straight to the château.

The Château de Blois was home to six French kings and is stunning! Full of fabulous art and archeological and architectural relics. There is a special exhibition on at the moment too. Catherine de’ Medici lived at the château during her reign and it is the 500th anniversary of her birth this year. She’s often viewed apparently as a dark character but this exhibition I think seeks to show her as quite an extraordinary and learned Renaissance woman. She was buried five times too, between 1589 and 1817! The guide made me laugh who was checking tickets on entry to the château. She clearly didn’t speak much English at all and so, when telling me about the Catherine de’ Medici exhibition, she said « it’s de do de do de do » and pointed to where it was! She and her colleague were still laughing about it as I walked away! Sometimes humour and a smile is all that is needed 🙂

I love history but I don’t really know much about the history of France apart from major things like Joan of Arc, Napoleon, the revolution, Louis XIV and the two great wars. So I bought myself a book in the château gift shop today. It’s a children’s history of France (in French) so hopefully killing two birds with one stone!

After having photographed everything in the château several times and from every possible angle I set off down into the city. It’s just beautiful. I wandered around the old part of the town and then crossed over the bridge to where it seemed a lot of the university was located.

I also went looking for a jazz club called « Le Velvet » I thought perhaps they might know of places to dance. I couldn’t find it so I asked a guy in a shop if he knew where it was. He said he didn’t really know the city (I think he was a student) but he very kindly asked someone else for me and came back and told me where it was- but it’s closed on Mondays! Heyhoe!

I drove back to Vendome, rang Mum and Dad- all good with them- and had some food.

I’ve had some lovely messages from people saying they are enjoying reading my blog. Thank you so much. I am really enjoying writing it 🙂

Bonne nuit 🙂

Chilling day today. Got up late, although in my defence as there isn’t a sofa bed is the most relaxed place to be.

FaceTimed with Charlotte K from Japan. Isn’t technology just incredible?!

I rang Michel to ask him to come and sort out the gas/cooker but had to leave an answer phone message again! I was more prepared this time and I think I made myself clear. Time will tell. If he doesn’t come, then……….perhaps not.

I had a bath!!!!! 🙂 It was lovely 🙂 Then I had a delicious apricot pastry that I bought from the supermarket. There’s one for tomorrow too.

I did some writing and also got in touch with Brittany Ferries and AirBnB to alter my dates for going home. I’ve been in touch with BRI and the lovely Aneela (one of the ENT secretaries who is just so helpful) and I’m definitely having my op on the 20th December. I was going to be here until the 19th December but now I’m leaving on the 13th so I have time to see Mum and Dad and Nancy and Co. before I head up to Yorkshire on the 17th.

I walked into Vendôme in the afternoon and found a little supermarket there. I bought some cards, wandered back through the park and watched a bit of television- well YouTube actually. I never used to use YouTube at all in England and when Tom put it on my iPad I honestly almost took it off again! But, having no tv here, I’m using it all the time now. Thanks Tom 🙂 I watched the professionals dance from this week’s Strictly results show. A-MAZ-ING!

Janet rang me and we had a good old catch up. I told her about the gas/cooker debarcle (M still not been) and she gave me a tutorial on microwave cooking. Merci Janet 🙂

Château de Chambord tomorrow

Bonne nuit 🙂

It rained really heavily all last night and I’m right up in the eaves of the building so even deaf lugs me could hear it! However, the advantage of having «a bad ear » is that if I lay on my right side I can’t hear anything, which can be useful sometimes 🙂

It wasn’t worth venturing out today so I decided to stay put.

For some reason Strictly is no longer been put on YouTube as a complete show, so I just watched the dances and the scores. Some fab performances and amazing outfits as always.

Being a little sparse, and having no carpets or rugs, means that this accommodation offers up a rather good dance floor. I found a video on YouTube which taught the basic steps of Lindy Hop and did that for almost an hour! Hope I didn’t disturb the people in the flat below- me prancing about like a fairy elephant! I loved it and really need to find somewhere to dance. Particularly as the C25K has had to go on the backburner for now as I’m not sure where to run here and there’s no-one really to ask.

Then, I realised I could put it off no longer……..the bathroom. I scrubbed the washbasin and bath twice. They were so grubby. And the shower head- yuk! Lots more hairs found 😦 Then I still wasn’t happy so I filled them both right up to the top with hot water and bubble bath, let it stand and then drained it away. I then felt happy enough to have a bath- but I’d used all the hot water! Aaaagh!

I spent a few hours publishing lots more of my blog, ate and then it was time for bed. The weather is going to be nice tomorrow so I’m going to Blois. Can’t wait.

Bonne nuit 🙂

I slept better than I had expected and woke to lots of lovely messages and a FaceTime from Julia. I spoke to Will again and said that I’d decided it was a bit of a Marmite situation because despite everything the place has a certain charm and is full of quirky artefacts. It also has a toaster and a bath (albeit a dirty one that I wouldn’t go near at the moment!) and it feels very French 🙂 It’s right next door to a church too and I am so high up that, through the (rather dirty) velux window, I can see the bells swinging in the tower. I can hear them too of course. Not too bad, they seem to just ring 3 times a day- fingers crossed! And they sound lovely.

I messaged Luca who owns the property asking about the kettle. He messaged back saying that Italians don’t use kettles but if I wanted to buy one he would reimburse me. In the meantime though I had had a brainwave! I could use the microwave to heat water for tea!

An interesting little fact I learned is that, when I was looking up the french word for kettle, I discovered that « une marmite » is also a kettle (or large pot) used for cooking over a fire, one of which is depicted on the regular Marmite label. But not on the one I’m eating at the moment…….

I was, I have to admit, feeling a little down in the mouth and putting off stepping outside. But I had a word with myself, channelled my inner Amelie (have you seen that film? If you haven’t you must) and went out to see what Vendôme had to offer.

I wasn’t disappointed. It is so lovely. Typically French and full of beautiful buildings, beautiful shops and just fabulous. I bought a Christmas present for Tom’s Mum Wendy in a little shop and they gift wrapped it beautifully, of course! I went into a big interiors shop too to have a look at their Christmas decorations (I know!) thinking I might buy some typically French ones but they all had English sayings on them! Disappointing.

I went into the Cathedral and also to the Tourist Information, which turns out to be right behind where I am staying, although I walked in a big loop to find it, and the lady there was really helpful. So many châteaux to see!

Another silver lining is that the internet here is great so I was able to publish some of my blog today!

Feeling much better about things now. Tomorrow it’s set to rain all day so bathroom, I’m coming to get you……….

Bonne nuit 🙂

So it’s moving on day today! Packed and ready to go at 10am. I gave Pascale a present to thank her for being so kind and lovely during my stay. I explained to her that leaving home and work and friends had been a big wrench so hers being my first destination had soften the fall a little and I was very grateful. Pascale took the photo of us- hence she is the one looking a little distracted on the photo and not me! I’m so not good at taking selfies!

It was a 4hr drive to Vendôme and a lovely day to do it. I had one minor issue with driving early on in the journey. My satnav said take a sharp left which had « no entry » signs on it so I began to take the next left but quickly realised I couldn’t go down there either (I was trying to get onto the motorway). I righted myself but a car blasted his horn at me (probably quite rightly) and waved his arms and I was a bit shaken up. I wanted to pull up at the side of the road and say « I’m not doing this » but that wasn’t an option! I drove on but kept thinking about what might have happened if I had gone down the wrong road etc etc. I tend to do this. I think it’s called catastrophising? James Acaster describes doing the same in his latest book «Perfect Sound Whatever » The book is about 2016- the year, he says, produced the best music ever. It’s also the year that his life was falling apart. It moves between in-depth descriptions of all genres of music to describing what was happening in his life and how he dealt with it. He says he had a tendency, whatever good may have happened in a day, to focus on what went wrong which, of course is a very negative thing to do. I thought about this as I drove along and thought « hang on, Jane. Nobody was hurt, the sun is still shining and yes you made a mistake. But now you know not to do that again. Also, you’ve done all these things- come to France, driven miles and miles etc etc. You’re doing ok. Give yourself a break! » And I let it go. Thank you, Mr Acaster 🙂

I stopped once at the motorway services to use the loo and ate TUC biscuits and chocolate caramels en route.

The man who owns the property I was heading for in Vendôme is Italian and lives in Italy. He messaged me to say a neighbour would meet me at the property to give me the key. He gave me a phone number to ring to let the neighbour know what time I was arriving. I sent texts but they all failed to send so I rang the number and after listening to a very long message in French left a very very bad message in French on the answer phone!

I reached Vendôme around 4pm and found the place I was staying at easily- phew! Then I waited to see if anyone appeared to give me the key. An elderly gentleman got out of a car and walked towards me. He said nothing but I saw he had a key in his hand. I said « hello are you Michel? » He said « oui » Phew again!

The loft I’ve rented is at the top of a rambling old house. There’s a code for the main doors and then a key to the actual door of the loft.

A thought had occurred to me the night before and that was that I hadn’t seen a sofa on the pictures of the property in Vendôme. But I’d thought to myself « of course there’ll be one! » There isn’t!

Michel spoke no English so told me all about the property in French, all of which I followed, which is great. I must have replied in what seemed reasonable French because then it seemed he just wanted a good old chat, which would have been lovely but I was really tired and was looking around me thinking « mmm, ok, so this is it …… » I just wanted to sit down and have a cuppa. But nowhere to sit and then it turned out there was no kettle either!!!

So I thought « ok, unload the car first » As I said I am in the loft so up 3 flights of stairs- gorgeous twisty, spiralling stairs that are wearing away as the house is so old- but 6 times!!!

Everything in from the car and I thought «I’ll boil a pan of water on the stove for a drink » Michel had shown me how to switch on the gas (a gas canister in the cupboard next to the cooker) I switched it on and nothing happened! Not working, and M has now gone to the Alps until Tuesday!

Then I looked around my home for the next 4 weeks and felt really really defeated. It was grubby. There is a sign above the toilet saying that it MUST be left impeccably clean- and it was. But the rest of the bathroom?! I found pubic hair in the bath and in the soapdish on the washbasin 😦 😦 😦

There were used dishcloths and sponges and half used bottles of toiletries everywhere and the crockery and cutlery all need rewashing before I could use it. Oh dear! I felt very alone and realised that this was going to be a very different experience to the one I had had in Brittany.

I messaged a few lovely people, spoke to Will and felt a little better. I had no appetite so just had (more) TUC biscuits and chocolate to eat; and in lieu of a cup of tea I drank red wine- 3 glasses

I’d shoved the bed against the wall by this point- it’s now a day bed! I hope it’s comfy!!!

P.S. I wrote this a couple of days after the event. It would probably have read a little differently if I’d written it on the day!

Pascale’s mum had a TIA yesterday. Thankfully she’s doing ok but Pascale’s parents live a long drive away in Southern Brittany and we discussed the difficulties of this because, as you know, my parents are at the very least a 5 hour drive away. You cannot get there quickly in an emergency.

I was going to go to Combourg again today but now I had stuffing I could complete my sewing- which I did! Picture at a later date, when I’ve posted whatever it is to whoever it is for! 🙂

I also finished off the bag that Pascale and I had made together. I had a lovely time. I find sewing so therapeutic. So relaxing. I’m on the look out now for some lovely fabric to make an origami shrug. Watch this space!

I went to the supermarket, did run 3 of week 2 C25K and then started to pack my things up as I leave Dol tomorrow morning. I have loved it here but am excited to move on now 🙂

Bonne nuit 🙂

Up early and off for breakfast at 8:30 as I have to be back in Dol to meet Martine to go to Rennes at 1:30. Raining quite heavily.

We went to a little town called Plouray. We went into the boulangerie and bought delicious apricot pastries filled with confectioners custard and then went through to the tabac and ordered coffee and tea. Apparently both establishments belong to the same family, hence you actually walk through the back of the bar area. The pastries were to die for by the way!

On the way back to Richard’s we saw a red squirrel! Sue and Richard have both seen wild boar in the area before too.

I picked up my bag and was on the road back to Dol, only to be stopped about 2 minutes down the road by a farmer herding his cattle up the road and into a field. It was absolutely pouring it down. The poor man was soaking! And the cows looked none too happy either!

It rained all the way back. Not a good journey. Plus the pod cast kept breaking up. Grrrr. Quick change and off to the station to meet Martine. Still raining!

I got to the station, went to the platform on the opposite side of the station, realised I hadn’t validated my ticket so went back again and then back to the platform. I thought it was odd that Martine wasn’t there yet but thought she must have been held up at school. I got my phone out and saw that she had sent me a message yesterday via Pascale via the Airbnb site saying she had food poisoning, poor thing, and wouldn’t be able to make it. The message had only just come through- technology!!! I could have stayed longer with Richard and Sue too. Heyhoe 🙂

I was soaked by the time I got back home. My feet were even purple from the dye on my boots! Pjs on, I did some sewing, watched Bake Off and Queer Eye and messaged Martine to say get well soon.

I spoke to Will, and to Rob and Amy. Lovely 🙂

And still it rains……………

Bonne nuit 🙂

Up and off just after 8am to meet Richard in Rostrenen. A 2 hour drive. A beautiful autumn morning, blue sky and the moon still in the sky too. I felt very happy and excited to be out on the road on such a lovely day. I would say to anyone who is worried, as I was, about driving in France, don’t be. It’s great.

The further from Dol I got, the more rainy it became. I was literally crying with laughing listening to My Dad Wrote a Porno and at one point thought I would have to pull over to get a grip. I don’t know if you can be stopped by the police for laughing too much whilst driving but I was definitely guilty, Your Honour.

Parked in Rostrenen and was met by Richard. We went to meet Rachel and Sue in a little cafe and had coffee and pain au raisin. Rachel is a friend of Richard’s who has lived in France for 20+ years and Sue is a longtime friend of his from England who has come over with him to sort out the garden!

We went for a little wander around the town and then it was time for more food- all of us but Rachel that is. Lunch this time, in a little pizzeria called Le Kumquat. Delicious! Lots of local people in there. Apparently they open twice a day Monday to Friday but not on a weekend. This apparently is to avoid going up into the next tax bracket, which they undoubtedly would as the service and the food were both fab. Rachel joined us afterwards for coffee and brought me some stuffing! I’ve a little sewing project on the go that requires some stuffing and I gave mine to a charity shop when I was emptying the house. Thank you Rachel, I can crack on now.

We left my car in Rostrenen and Sue, Richard and I set off in his van for a trip around the area. First we went to the Abbaye de Bon Repos. A beautiful ruined abbey that looked to me more like it might have been inhabited by nuns but actually it was the home to Cistercian monks until the time of the French Revolution. Now, every summer, the Abbey plays host to an amazing 2 hour, nocturnal extravaganza of light shows, pyrotechnics, music and theatre. It’s called le Son et Lumière de Bon-Repos. It looks amazing and I want to go!

We also drove to Lac de la Guerlédon, where we had a walk, and through some lovely little villages full of beautiful buildings, including the magnificent house where Richard has his orchestra rehearsals. What a place!

The landscape reminded me very much of the Lake District- very green and hilly. We also passed, on the pavement in one of the villages, a baguette machine! I will regret forever not stopping and trying it out!

So then back to Richard’s house in Kertanguellou. It’s lovely. So much land and several other little buildings apart from the main house. So much potential and he has many plans for the place but apparently everything is happening either « next Tuesday » or « in the Spring »

We had a lovely evening just eating bread and cheese and stuff and drinking red wine and talking. Oh and we had to watch last of the Summer Wine because it’s Richard’s favourite. Reminds him of home I guess. It’s yonks since I last watched it. Quite funny and very sweet 🙂

I slept in the cabin that Richard plans to put on Airbnb. Lovely place, very comfy. I would highly recommend it.

We looked for salamanders before retiring for the night. Apparently they are native to the area. But thankfully we didn’t see any!

Bonne nuit 🙂

Still nervous!!! Up early and a lazy morning before going to school. Pascale read my introduction (in French) and I’d only made one mistake! Ok yes it was only short but still, only one mistake.

Pascale is full of cold but still coming with me today. We walked to school this time and it’s a lot closer to where Pascale lives than I had thought when we went by car. Through a lovely little garden and past the old city walls. We met Martine and went for lunch in the teachers dining room. Lovely food. Three courses. I had salad, then fish and vegetables, then dessert which was a piece of cake AND a piece of lemon tart. There was roast duck on the menu too!

Then it was time to teach! I had prepared FAR too much!!! In France these days students can choose to take some of their lessons in English. Pascale’s son, for example, is doing his maths classes in English. So, in this class I spoke in English for a while then Martine asked the class what they had understood and encouraged them to speak in English- asking questions etc. I told them about my career, my qualifications, favourite areas etc. Then I talked about elderly care in the UK including prevention of hospital admission, reablement and residential and nursing care. The students in the class all had experience of placements in care settings and so we compared things like cost of care. It seems the cost for private care here is around the same as it is in England.

I did the same talk twice to both halves of the group. In the second group there was a student who was the spitting image of Will’s friend Bethany, including the red lipstick! I kept expecting her to say « eeh! I’d love a burrito » (Bethany famously delayed a cultural excursion to the Rosslyn Chapel because a new burrito place was opening that morning in Edinburgh and were giving away free burritos; imagine this said in her lovely Durham accent and you’ll realise why it was so memorable) Anyway the student didn’t ask for a burrito so it definitely wasn’t Bethany!

One student was interested to hear how I got my first practice nurse job and what the training consists of to do the job today. I was also asked what my current job is. I said I don’t have one because I am travelling around France and there were some exclamations when I said I was travelling alone!

And so it was over. My foray into the classroom. I enjoyed it with hindsight and was disappointed that I hadn’t got to say everything I had wanted to. It also, because of my background, seemed like a missed opportunity, in a classroom full of teenagers, not to be delivering a talk on contraception, relationships etc. I meant to ask Martine afterwards if that is part of the curriculum but forgot. I’ll ask her on Wednesday when we go to Rennes.

I went to the station to buy my ticket for Wednesday today as the ticket office closes at 11am and I will still be on my way back from Richard’s then.

FaceTime with the LSMP girls- lovely 🙂

Did Day 2 Week 2 C25K- hard again as running on consecutive days and should have a rest day but won’t be able to run tomorrow or Wednesday- too busy!

Homemade soup from Pascale for tea. Yum! Thank you 🙂

Bonne nuit 🙂