Every once in a while, I have to pinch myself. Over the years, I have met some pretty incredible people. Little old us has had dinner with a supreme court justice. (Details which I was asked not to reveal and haven't and won't) We have also been fed by a neighbor chef who is renouned in our wider area of the Riviera.
Then, most recently, a friend who happens to be a priest, who speaks at least 4 languages has celebrated mass with the Pope. (Father Maroun is in blue in the pic above) Michel, a retired French two-star army general, is on the right. His wife Soizik is to Janice's left.
Rubbing elbows with and picking these kind of people's brains is a pretty amazing experience, reminding me that whatever I might think I have accomplished pales compared to these folks.
Ta Da!
It's a wrap.
Once again, the season is over, and we have moved over the pond. If my math is right, this is our 60th such trip from one home to another since my retirement in 2004 and it is just as exciting as ever. As is our habit, we left things better than we found them, with more to look forward to upon our return. So far, our health is good, and we haven't run out of money so I guess we will just carry on.
We made a massive amount of progress on our pool project this season but did not get it all done. The previous story would explain why. As always, Janice was ready to hang the curtains before we build the wall. In this case it was getting some plants going, in some massive pots before the pool was finished.
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Just another 125 more feet to go.
We're backkkkk!
Once again, we left by emptying whatever was left in the fridge, got on the plane, got off and went to get everything to fill the fridge here. We do this 3 times a year, so it is safe to say not much gets a chance to get too old.
We have since gone through our arrival ritual. That is getting the water system up and running, putting all outdoor furniture in place, removing all tarps covering the BBQ, Tecumseth, the chimney, launching the flower boat full of flowers, outdoor plantings and, needless to say uncovering and launching our two boats and the jet ski.
Whew.
This year was different though. Every year can have a challenge or two when we arrive. This year we had 5. Toughest year opening in the past 20 years. First, the composting toilet did not work. This does not make for a happy household. Then, the motor on the small runabout boat did not start, making us temporarily marooned. Sounds sexy, but it is not really. The dishwasher was on the fritz and the washing machine leaked like a sieve all over the floor. No hot water, temporarily. I expected Janice wanting to return to France at any minute.
Little by little we resolved each issue and the place started to look better day by day, but it took a full two weeks. Soon, we will forget all about it and get back to living the dream.
Meanwhile, in the not all that important news dept., few people would think of me as much of a greeny environmentalist. Over the years, we have had deer run all over the island, muskrat, beavers swim nearby and threaten our trees. Then, a few days ago, I found this...
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Look, I would love to write more but it's 5 o'clock. Time for our daily boat ride and cocktails on the water. Gotta go.
The post office had to recall all of its
famous politician commemorative
stamps. Seems that people just
couldn’t figure out what side they
should spit on.
