This should do the job.

 

Mouches et Moustiques.

One of the most noticeable differences between the UK and France, are the Flying Insects.

We are sleeping in our 'Tower'; an outside room with a very comfortable bed. But somehow the Flies and Mozzies have already discovered that we're there.

I've given it a good spraying, I've installed a plug-in-insect-scarer, and I'm even wearing a yellow plastic anti-Mozzie bracelet, but still they come. 

I remember many years ago talking to our local Chatelaine about the problem, and she very indignantly asked me "So, you don't have Flies in England?".

"Of course we do", I replied, "but as soon as one is spotted inside a house, everyone rolls-up a newspaper, and we hunt him down". A very different attitude to here in France.

Like most people, I really hate hearing a Mozzie at night. It can completely spoil one's pattern of sleep.

If anyone knows of a foolproof system to keep the wretched things away, please let me (and the rest of the world) know.

A new member of staff.

 

Yes, we have a new member of staff here at the 'homestead'. He is amusingly known as 'Creepy Crawley', and is mostly found either beside, or in, the pool.

He's a hard-worker, and his demands are few. He works for just a few hours every other day; and does a grand job. 

Seeing as my poor old back hardly functions any more, we decided that we needed extra help with certain outdoor cleaning jobs. Then Kimbo found 'Creepy', who was desperately looking for work.

He takes life quite leisurely, mooching about and climbing up walls and steps. He does a bit of sweeping, then when he's tired he simply goes to sleep and I rescue him from the depths.

It's a bit like having a tame Turtle in the pool.

The Death Sentence.

I don't wish to upset anyone, but we've had a crime recently in the UK that is possibly the worst I've ever encountered. Please be warned.

I'm not at all a 'hang 'em high' person, in fact I'm 99% anti-capital-punishment, but just occasionally we come across cases that are so horrendous that, frankly, no other punishment fits the crime. Such criminals should be prepared to sacrifice their own lives.

This case is so awful, that I won't even suggest that you look too much into it; it's too harrowing. However if you do wish to know what I'm talking about just look-up 'Preston Davey' on the net; but BE PREPARED.

The treatment that this poor 13 month old baby boy received at the hands of his newly adopted parents is beyond belief.

In many ways, I wish I'd never heard about this crime, as it REALLY upsets me. I simply cannot believe that fellow humans could be so vile. 

Frankly, I think just hanging them would be too kind. 

The only solace I have, is knowing that they will have an extremely rough time in prison. I'm sure you know what I mean. Such people are not very popular; they'll be very lucky to get out alive !

All this little boy wanted was to be loved and cared-for; what he got was a bloody MONSTER who abused and eventually killed him. I literally SHUDDER when I think of what the poor child endured.

I just keep thinking of all those people who would have loved to adopt little Preston; including Lady M and myself. Instead he was given to these two scumbags.

If there's a better reason to re-introduce the death sentence; I'd love to know it!

Merci.

 

What a really lovely circle of 'friends' we have, here on the net.

I write a load of inconsequential nonscience, day after day, and when I have a few problems, I am offered sympathy and support by the bucket load.

When one becomes partially immobile, and lives in constant pain, one becomes crotchety and unsociable. It's not something I enjoy, but it comes with the situation.

So I wish to say THANK YOU to everyone. Your kind thoughts have meant a lot to me. Cro xx

RIP David Hockney.

 

I wouldn't call David a 'friend' because we only met on a couple of occasions. Had I lived in London rather than in France, I'm sure our friendship would have continued; but it was not to be.

We first met whilst I was at college. He was a 'visitor' to the Painting Dep't, and we seemed to get on very well (he liked the work I was doing). Later he invited me to his home in Powis Terrace, for tea. The tea itself was served by his friend Peter, wearing only a plastic apron (I had to look away). I imagine that tea was one of David's obsessions, as I remember being offered an extremely wide variety. 

Whilst there he showed me the job he was working on; a picture of two people sitting on a bench in the Luxembourg Gardens; viewed from behind. A rather strange symmetrical subject for a painting.

He'd bought a first floor flat in a terrace of Victorian houses, and when the first floor flat next door came up for sale he bought it and knocked the two into one, making a huge space.

I always liked his work, up until he began to use technology rather than paint. I owned a couple of his engravings of the poet Cavafy, which I sold at Sotheby's when I was in need of some cash.

He was England's 'most famous painter' from the mid-1960's to his recent death on the 11th June 2026, and his name became 'household'. Mention 'David Hockney' to almost anyone, and they will know who he was. Unusual for an artist.

So, RIP David. I'm glad we met each other. You looked just like your picture above when I visited your Notting Hill flat, and I remember our conversation fondly. Cro.

Day 1.

 

I came here to relax, but I still haven't been able to.

OK, I've had a few swims, but the outdoor temperature is very hot, and we've been dealing with our few minor disasters that needed to be fixed. We have mended the pool pump bit, but the car is a very different matter. It has to go to a garage; and after Kimbo flies back to Blighty, we shall be left 'High-n-Dry' without a vehicle (until it's fixed). The mechanic will pick it up, and deliver when fixed, so at least that's something! It's something to do with a 'Drive Chain' inside the engine.

On a more personal front, everything seemed to be going much better, but having to rush around, and with all the stress, I am experiencing pain once again; even though I can now actually walk.

Regardless of all our woes, we are wining, dining, and enjoying life. The BBQ has been host to some wonderful steaks. The landscape is delightful, and the constant silence is simply delicious. The area where we have lived for the past 50+ years has so much to offer that even our little problems hardly matter. 

As you can see (above), my favourite pastime is not being hampered, and at 22 C, the water is both cooling and pleasant.

It's not how we envisaged our departure and arrival, but what the hell!!!