#soundsofthe70's

[theretirementstory]

Greetings from a very wet Bar-sur-Aube, it appears to have rained through the night and looks set to continue until mid afternoon, all I can say is “hallelujah” as the fields, gardens and rivers have been desperate for water. I had managed to get letters written and I headed into town to buy stamps and get them posted off. I know my gorgeous granddaughter received her letter I just hope that the others arrived at their destinations. I have been making soup for the freezer, plus hunting out other recipes for something tasty to have during these Autumn days, found a recipe for Pesto Aux Champignons, I am going to give this a try, I do not like basil and this recipe says to use either parsley or chives in place of the basil. After Anie’s visit last week where she told me that in order to revive the new hydrangea I needed to give it some water (umm!) well I have given it some (when I remembered) and the leaves have unfurled and it does look “happier”. No need for me to worry about it today, it will get plenty of water. I started to read one of the books I had received for my birthday, Act of Betrayal by Michael Chaplin, I could not put it down, I gave myself up to it and finished it in two days (well I did have to make meals, sleep etc), I was “in that story” I can tell you. Now I am on the look out for the book “Dandelion Dead” which Mr. Chaplin thought may be on Amazon but I have only been able to find the DVD. I also received a book “Bursting Bubbles” a secret history of champagne and am now reading that. As well as all of that, I have had two sessions of physiotherapy on my shoulder, the physio has now found a new programme which, although I feel as if my shoulder is being held in a vice, has proved extremely beneficial. I think I must be a glutton for punishment as I first of all have my shoulder pounded by this “mini” pneumatic drill, then I have it relaxed with some gentle pulsing and finally this vice like grip and release, however, it really seems to be working as the pain in the biceps up to the shoulder is nowhere near as painful and I have greater movement. The French class and knitting with refugees is not taking place for the next few weeks as the bureau is being re-jigged. It is sad as I cannot see my friends but it also gives me more time to read, cook or whatever other thing takes my fancy. It has been “The Graduates” birthday this weekend, 23 years old, he has been to stay at “The Richmond” in Liverpool and has been thoroughly spoilt (by all accounts), thank you Lucy. Have a safe journey home, you two, and remember, Mr Graduate, it is time to get your head back into that dissertation and get it all finished. I had written to “Sounds of the 70’s” with Johnnie Walker requesting a record for my birthday earlier in the month, I also asked if it couldn’t be played for my birthday then well in time for my son’s birthday. Last Sunday evening I just glanced at the playlist and there was the song I had requested……..the phone was like a “hotline” first to one son then the other telling them to listen to the request. We were so excited, it was wonderful to hear, thank you Johnnie Walker. “The Daddy” and “The Mummy” have had their apartment on the market and they had a viewing on Wednesday evening and lo and behold they have received an offer, well after much discussion they decided to accept an uprated offer and although they really did not want to have to be moving out before Xmas it looks as if that will be the case. Exciting times. I hadn’t heard from Marie-Therese but I knew she had a busy week and we had already discussed going out this weekend for a look around Chateauvillain. Rain was forecast and I must admit I was thinking did I want to go out and wander around in the rain. We agreed that if the rain, promised, had not arrived by the time Marie-Therese was to leave her house we would go. She arrived at my home for 1.45pm and off we went in my car. Chatting as we went, we were travelling along a tree lined road when I saw this huge branch on a vertical trajectory land right in front of the car, breaking off large pieces and leaving behind a huge piece, wow if we had been seconds sooner, I dread to think. Anyway, on we drove and arrived at the “Expo” which a friend had described as “not for the faint-hearted” I wandered but Marie-Therese likes to take in everything so as I waited for her I glanced outside, it was pouring with rain, I was so pleased that she took her time as by the time we walked out of the door it was just a few spots of rain. We got back to the car and headed into the town, Marie-Therese wanted to see the “lavoir” and I thought I was heading in the right direction but unfortunately, lost the signs and ended up heading back towards the river Aujon, at this point I abandoned the car and we headed off on foot. I was pleased we had, we found the ancient ramparts and towers, the Moulin Bas, the Ancient Moulin a Huile, stumbled onto the Lavoir a parquet flottant, we also found Le Vilain Pas Vilain de Chateauvillain, sculptures by Michel Boussard. We visited the church which was wonderful and we spent a lot of time there. Then it was time to make the “ten-mile hike” back to the abandoned car. We finally found it and I got in to head for home thinking about the coffee eclair and cuppa waiting for me at there. The roads were quiet and I saw two cars approaching, lo and behold the car in the rear was a police car and he pulled the other car over. We were approaching the small village of Cirfontaines-en-Azois, we passed my friends house, just rounded the bend and there in front of me were a dozen police……..one indicated for me to pull over. Marie-Therese said “mask” and I donned my mask before opening the door to the policeman, he asked me to switch off the engine, he probably thought we would try and make a fast getaway, little did he know that I was quaking like a jelly. He requested my papers while another policeman was looking at my car. My hands were shaking I could hardly get the papers and licence out, he checked that my insurance sticker on the windscreen matched with my papers and then gave me the papers back and said I could leave. I put my seat belt back on and then set off, goodness only knows what my face looked like as Marie-Therese asked if I was ok and couldn’t understand why a “routine” check would make me so jumpy. It wasn’t because I was guilty of anything, it was because these guys frighten the life out of me, I always feel as if I have done something wrong even though I observe speed limits, drive carefully etc. Having never been stopped by police in the UK and now having been stopped twice to be breathalysed (they just stop everyone at a given point) and now being asked to stop and hand over my papers, it made yesterday quite an eventful day. Surprisingly, my friend, whose house was just around the bend was totally unaware of the huge police presence in the village. So today, well the birthday boy has been on the phone a couple of times already this morning, but now they are heading to a restaurant nearer home to have lunch and complete a fun filled two days. What will I do? It appears that the rain is due to cease so I may get in a little walk this afternoon. I must admit walking has really helped my back, after my walk yesterday I woke up this morning without the usual aching and it was a lot easier to get out of bed. A bientot.