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!!!

Wish you were here!

At last we really are here. It's been a bit of a nightmare with cancelled sailings and flights all over the place, but all is now well.

This is another version of the photo I posted a week ago. It will be 33 C for the next week or so, and the pool is ready for use; the pump has been running permanently for over a week (unattended), and the water level was a bit low! I am really looking forward to my first swim (tomorrow). The water is 23 C.

No horrors. Everything electrical, plumborial, and gaseous, is working. The satellite internet connection is still operating, and the Champagne in the fridge was at the perfect temperature. The only thing that's a bit dodgy is the pool's 'pump' itself; it hesitates before coming on. Something will have to be replaced.

After an overnight Channel crossing (with cabin and ensuite), we drove almost non-stop, and arrived at home in the early afternoon. No hiccups, just a small rattling noise from the engine; which I'll have seen to next week. And Rory (our mower) won't start; he needs a new battery. 

We arrived in perfect sunshine, and, as Kimbo had left the Fridge running, cold drinks were waiting for us

Of course such journeys for an old codger are very tiring, and this was no exception. Both Lady M and I were exhausted, but in a good way!

It'll take a while for my health problems to settle, but all seems to be heading in the right direction. My extreme pains have gone, and I'm hopeful.

Actually, there is one other problem (with a friend/neighbour) but I'll report about that later.

Thank you everyone for all your recent comments. I hope you understand that in my predicament, I was unable to reply.

 

CATASTROPHE.... DISASTER.....

 

We are still in Brighton. My mobility problem became far worse and I literally couldn't walk. After a couple of sleepless nights, I was in a lot of pain and moving around was almost impossible. It was obvious that driving down through France was out of the question.

The car was packed, the tickets and hotel all booked, Billy's papers were all in order, and we were really looking forward to our trip. Then on the morning of our departure, I was struck down. Sod's Law.

Doctors were consulted, and serious pain killers requested.

Strangely, the doc' thought it was my Sciatica rather than an arthritic Hip, and some high strength Codeine tabs were prescribed. They didn't do much good.

For the  moment I am literally shuffling about, six inches at a time, and in so much pain that I can't sleep. I have an ambulance coming to collect me for a hospital appointment, so I may get some even stronger pain killers, then we can hopefully head south before the weekend. I shall NOT be driving.

Beam me Southwards Scotty

I shall be away from my laptop for a few days, en route to my other home.

So, the next time I write something on this page, it will be from here! (picture courtesy of my grandson 'Ollie', and his drone)

I'm not looking forward to the journey down, nor is Lady M, and nor (I'm sure) is Billy; it's tiresome. But arriving will be wonderful; I love my little cottage. 

Can you spot any difference between SW France and central Brighton?

This year will be the first since my mobility problems have become 'serious'; so it may well be my final visit. If I can't get around, I'll have to stay in the UK.

Kimbo has also just sent me another tempting photo; it was mid-Cherry season when he was there recently. I only have one Cherry tree (a yellow one), but there are usually plenty elsewhere. It's one of the true pleasures of the countryside in late May and early June. However, I fear we may be just too late!

 

p.s. Please excuse me if I don't reply to comments. My laptop is now packed away until about Wed/Thurs.

Enjoy yourself.

Anyone who has been lucky enough to attend a Jools Holland show will know that he always finishes his set with this song; and everyone joins in.

I first saw Prince Buster at The Metropole Hotel, here in Brighton. It must have been 1966-ish, and he was heading the bill, along with The Move; featuring Roy Wood. A very strange mix.

Anyway, here is The Prince himself, singing with Jools's band. 

Buster often claimed to have written 'Enjoy Yourself' himself, but I don't think he did. I'm sure it dates from earlier. Doris Day sang a version in 1950, when the song was attributed to Herb Magidson and Carl Sigman. Perhaps he just changed some of the lyrics, or the tune.

Eagle-eyed viewers might spot the late Rico Rodriguez shaking his maracas in the background 

 

Modern duels.

No, this didn't take place in the sugar cane plantations of the USA's deep South, but in the UK's county of Essex.

I won't say what 'cultural group' these people come from, but I will warn you to be very careful when encountering young men wearing either black or pale grey track suits, masks, and hoodies. And to keep away from most UK inner cities.

It has now become VERY common for such folk to carry Machetes hidden down their trousers. They not only attack 'their own', but will randomly attack 'locals' too.

I was reading in The Guardian about a 'Machete Duel' in Battersea, between a couple of these lads, and decided to look on YouTube for a video. I was amazed to discover that there were loads on offer. It seems that certain young men often fight these duels; no doubt over their drug businesses.

Fights take place in daylight, in open ground, at popular meeting places (such as Southend above). Onlookers are terrified, but can do nothing. It's not unlike 'Pistols at Dawn' from earlier times.

It seems that such behaviour has now become part of everyday UK life. It's not surprising that native Londoners are leaving their city for good! Who could blame them!

                                              

I was recently listening to David Lammy our 'Justice Minister' (on the radio). He was describing all the current problems these people are causing. Drugs, phone thefts, smash-n-grabs, people smuggling, antisemitism attacks, and general crimes and misbehaviour; his answer was the standard 'We need more Bobbies on the beat'. 

Well, with far too few policemen in the UK, I think we'll have to call in The Army to help-out. 

Everything's getting out of hand.

 

Haddock's evolution

When I first bought Haddock's, it was covered in Brambles and hadn't been cultivated for decades. I was told that it been the original veg' garden for our cottage.

I decided to have the area 'rotovated', then, after clearing away all the bits of Bramble roots etc, I split the whole plot into three sections (below). Rotovating was probably the wrong thing to do, all the Brambles became 'minced', and every tiny piece of minced root wanted to re-grow. 

The ground eventually became workable, but required a lot of cleaning & clearing. I soon also discovered that my crops were being eaten by wildlife, so the area had to be fenced.

I changed the layout, planted fruit trees, and built a Chicken run at the top end. I also fenced all around. It became animal proof, and the Hens provided eggs. It was a huge improvement.

Then much later I decided to establish a four section rotation system, which was much easier to work, and provided even more crops than before. I even kept a yearly record of what had been grown where.

Suddenly I had too much of everything, so I began to preserve the excess. My cupboards filled rapidly. I loved both the process of growing, and the process of preserving.

I also planted Vines around the exterior fencing; adding yet another crop. I had embraced 'efficiency'.

Then about 8 years ago, crops suddenly started to die. This coincided with my neighbour using his adjoining land as a 'land-fill-site'; inviting all his friends to bring their detritus to help build-up the level to about a metre above that of Haddock's; held back by an old stone wall.

Things got worse. I could see strange liquids seeping towards Haddock's, and an Oak Tree on his land suddenly died. I was worried.

A year later I admitted defeat, and quit. Something was seriously wrong, and my crops were all dying.

His dogs also killed my four remaining Chickens. I was seriously depressed. Haddock's had been my raison d'etre, and it had been destroyed.

Now, about 8 years later, I simply mow there just to keep it looking tidy, and this year I intend to plant some Peach and Cherry trees. We shall see what happens!

I miss those good times, but these days, as I am 'incapacitated', I wouldn't be able to cultivate the land anyway.