Is this not the best way to spend an afternoon and early evening - yes. I did paint the 2nd coat on two of the doors before I left for the beach with the family and just have the other side to do tomorrow.

Really must press on with the work though and can only hope that I get it finished in time. I just love watching the children on the beach - one young family with the grandmother were having the best of times and the little toddler (a boy) just could not be kept out of the water no matter how many times he fell in. I love the way the people say bon appetite just as you are about to stuff your face silly and a man held a crab for Caleb to pick up and told him how to hold it - such patience for an unknown child. Caleb deposited it rather quickly into the water on its back as he said thats where its hardest and it would not hurt him.

We came home and did the usual chores of washing wetsuits and so on and now I must go to bed - I went down and had a cuddle with Zeus (Jessie's horse). Ah well off to bed loads more to do tomorrow.

Sunday 25 July 2010

Well yesterday was so busy. Lets put it this way have a young chap coming to stay for 15 days next weekend. Suddenly you see the house through someone else's eyes. So just 11 doors to paint and their door jambs and the front entrance hall and hallway and the front room could do with redecorating - damn.

Okay so started on 2 of the doors his bedroom and the bathroom. Worked in the garden pruning trees and weeds. Cleaned up changed bedroom, tidied up my utility room and workroom, made necklace - very strange one.

The first picture is of Mike and Caleb at the Aquarium in Brest in the tropical area.

My dog Miss Millie (above) was spotted on Friday doing what she could to further Anglo French relations with the long haired small dog across the road (yes she is in heat and sneaked out - oh dear) the speed with which she returned makes me think there was not a lock if you see what I mean - only time will tell.

I believe that the plum trees just have not had enough water as their fruit already looks like prunes. The mirabelle is fine and the pears are surviving well - the kiwi fruit is fantastic and has so many fruit on it I will take pictures later.

Well I must go as we have to go to exhibition and take down items. Love to all.

24 July 2010

Sat in bed until 8 knitting homespun Prairie Shawl - will put free range flowers on it when it is finished. Got up, went to La Poste for a friend and dealt with a fonctionaire bless him. Came home and had lunch and am now waiting for paint to dry on two doors and am plucking up courage to tidy up utility room and work room MUST MUST do this today. Ah.

Celia has not received her present for her birthday and I am pissed about that really I am - lets hope this does not go missing.

Well must dash and tidy workroom. Everything in garden is looking somewhat thirsty after so much watering too.

23 July 2010

Well what can I say - its a good thing that the weekend was spent with my dear friend Jill - I jokingly call it the Maison por Artistes Retrait and its true. The 20th (Tuesday) started fine I got up at 7 and thought I will just slip on my housedress (long black and covers everything) at 3.05 I was still in it.

9.15 Claire arrived with a request for Mike to look at the car - Mike drove her back in the 4x4 (with Jess) I was looking after Caleb and trying to get a parcel in the post for dear Celia for her birthday.

9.30 Phone call from another friend could they use the internet to just allocate a part having changed provider Orange had cut them off - okay come over at 1.30.

10.00 Phone call from another friend who was departing urgently for the UK could we please have his donkey (permanently perhaps) and could we get it NOW.

10.05 rang Jess informed her and Claire and her agreed to go and get said donkey with the horse box.

10.15 still trying to get package ready for the post. Phone rang again a friend from England was having trouble with La Poste account and could I please put some money in the account for her (I owed her some from the sale of her goods which are stored in our barn after she left for the UK).

10.20 realised that Mike had gone off with the joint account card so no chance of doing the La Poste job.

11.00 having tried without fail to put photo in package, in frame, took it out and then thought I will not be able to get this done before 12.00 when post office shuts so started to clean kitchen.

12.00 made lunch for Caleb and myself and Mike (which I put back).

12.30 Mike arrived back with Claire and her daughter and son, Jess then made sandwhiches for people. Another friend arrived to request assistance and the person needing internet access also turned up - it was manic.

1.30 people went to get donkey, leaving me to clean up the mess and try to restore order in my front room and the rest of the house (which is larger than I would like). Hung out 5th load of washing and thought at last and then another phone call from friend in the UK had I done posting of money in the bank - no I explained why. Mike had picked 3.5 lbs of cherries which I then had to de pip and make into jam the next day.

At 3.05 I got changed took parcel to the Post Office and as I arrived back there was a very loud donkey with an accompanying dog - could we look after this until the daughter who lives in Brittany could get it - bugger bugger bugger I thought can it get any worse.

Anyway situations then calmed down everything now resolved - extra dog picked up the next morning. Donkey still noisy and very badly mannered - Jess's horse very pissed off with extra 4 legger on property.

Aha peace at last. Wednesday okay jobs done 6 pots of black cherry jam made and 2 pots of gooseberry jam after lovely conversation in Intermarche with two older ladies who helped me find pectine (I managed in French yipee).

Yesterday all hell broke loose again as Mike decided that it would be a good day to deposit a kidney stone. Richard came to our rescue and helped out with the French language, doctor sent an intern to administer injection for Mike. Richard went to the pharmacy with long list of medications, he then went to doctor for explanation of how things should progress - bless him and then nurse arrived and Mike given medication - during the course of the day he was very sleepy but not in pain and after muscle relaxant given he managed to pass said kidney stone at 7.30 last night. Nurse arrived ready to give next injection but no need she was pleased and as she had been so lovely we gave out a pot of jam as a gift.

Friday grandson has told me he is not standing next to me for his health and can I please finish blog. Love to all. Bye for now.

Exhibitions

Jill Fitzgerald, Patsie Fear, Cristi Gibbons Molard

Creations Uniques Textiles et Papier

Galerie Tremel, 22570 Gouarec

17 - 25 July

Mon-Fri 14-18h

Weekends 11-18h

So another exhibition week begins. I have spent the weekend with my dear friend Jill Fitzgerald O'Connor and spent time with Cristi - have been well informed on the reasons why Monsieur Sarko is not good for the country and now understand a little more why people are aginst him. I have met the most generous people who forgave my rather inadequate French and liked my work a great deal what more can a body want - good company, good food and a good time. The weather is balmy and its lovely to be home again with my family - Caleb is as gorgeous as ever and everyone had cleaned up for me so just trying to update the blog now and hopefully post a picture.

I managed to purchase some rather nice items from a sale and have now hanging on the line a provencal wool filled quilt (double sized) in the most amazing yellow chintz with tiny roses on one side and plain yellow on the other. As soon as the camera is ready I will take a picture and try to show it to you.

I have finished the Initial for dear Celia's pillowslip and now need to post it out to her for her birthday together with picture of the family group. Bear (the collie) is finding the weather rather warm and Miss Millie is wearing a pair of Caleb's outgrown pants as protection as she is on heat - Poppy is somewhere else in the cool. The hens are waving their wings in front of their faces to keep cool - almost.

Well I will post again as soon as I can.