Firstly I had a very pleasant surprise yesterday. I received a really lovely card from the mother of the girl who's bag I found a couple of days ago. Wasn't that nice of her; and totally unexpected.
At long last we've had some reasonably serious rain. We also had two nights of gentle thunder and lightning, and everything is looking refreshed.
It is actually raining as I write, so I've donned my new Barbour and dinky matching rain hat, and ventured out down to Boots for my prescription. I'm pleased to say that the new Barbour was put to task, and is extremely efficient, which is more than I can say for Boots. If you are a shareholder of the USA Co that is buying Boots; sell now.
My oldest (Kimbo) is in Venice. He's having fun touring around Italy, it's his favourite country and he loves the food. He deserves a break; he works too hard.
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Yesterday I picked-up my car from the 'garage'. They put a new clutch in for me, which took about four times as long as promised.
My mechanic in France, the wonderful Monsieur B, is one of those old fashioned types who seems to live in a permanent mess, but knows exactly where everything is. His workshop is about twice the size of the one below, but he never has more than two cars in it at any time.
What you can't see in the photo of my garage, below, was another four cars round to the left that were literally stuffed-in nose to tail, and being worked on. He was working on EIGHT cars. This guy seriously requires bigger premises.
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Anyway, all is now done. The Compact Royce no longer makes clanking noises in first and reverse, and changing gear has become an altogether different experience.
The garage boss previously owned a home in France, and wanted to tell me all about it. I think of myself as a reasonably good listener, but I have my limits. He went on and on and on and on.......
Our heating engineer has just been to make sure our boiler is up to scratch. He says it is.
It's been an extremely busy couple of days.
I've just noticed that all the comments on my recent postings have disappeared. I'm very sorry about this, I was trying to remove some spam and must have pressed the wrong button.
ReplyDeleteOops! Never mind, I just added one for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, that makes me feel far less lonely.
DeleteI no longer remember how to shift gears in a car. It seems to me that I have always driven an automatic car.
ReplyDeleteI used to drive my mother's automatic in London which was relaxing, but otherwise I much prefer a manual. I feel as if I'm really in control.
DeleteI'm surprised those cars don't end up scratched or dented.
ReplyDeleteThey probably do. I had a real job to force myself through to the office. Mine had no scratches!!
DeleteYou or Lady M don't ride the clutch do you? I remember cramped garages as you describe where cars had to be constantly shuffled around.
ReplyDeleteIt must be a nightmare for the mechanics; constantly moving everything around. And outside (of course) there were even more.
DeleteI imagine that The Magnon Fortune has only been slightly depleted by the garage visit and the heating engineer's invoice. Nice of that lady to send you the "thank you" card. Why don't you send her a "thank you" card thanking her for her "thank you" card?
ReplyDeleteI would but I didn't take note of her address. Maybe 'To the nice lady, N Norfolk' would find her.
DeleteI would expect nothing less from a Norfolk person.
ReplyDeleteShe was very nice, as was her daughter.
DeleteThis seems to be a trend these days. Young adults don't write thank you letters, instead their parents do so on their behalf. I find that strange.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that, but I suppose you're right.
DeleteThank you notes are important and today overlooked. My mother insisted on good manners and form as per Emily Post. As soon as we could write, she trained us to send a note acknowledging kindnesses and gifts. It's great to have everything in tip-top working order... especially the heating system and the car.
ReplyDeleteI was brought up in the very strict tradition of good manners etc, and I do like to see it in others. Sadly most young people have no concept of such things.
DeleteNow that I can no longer drive I can honestly say that I don't miss my car at all.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be car-less, but for the moment one is essential. My day will come!
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