BANG!

One of my Elderflower Champagne bottles has just exploded.

I only made 7 litres this year, so I can't afford to lose any more. We need something to drink this Summer!

At least I know that the alchemy has worked!

Bloody Cars.

Fizz, steam, hiss, panic, HELP, jeeeeze, garage, hands in air, shaking head, expensive, next week, take numbers, order radiator.

Yesterday: deliver car, no new radiator, wait half an hour, radiator arrives, walk around village, bloody hot, watch mounted Gendarmes riding about, visit church, back to garage, more head shaking, mon dieu, yellow liquid, prepare bill, pay bloody fortune, stinking hot, drive home, throw myself into pool, cold beer, life OK again, relax, breathe.

Old Pals.

Meanwhile (deep sigh), we have guests from the USA.

When Lady Magnon (left) was living in Caracas Venezuela, Jane (right) was her best friend.They would make mud pies together, play together with their puppies, and generally do what small girls do.

The last time they met was about 25 years ago in Monterey California, where Jane and her husband live.

Jane has been on a singing tour of Spain with her choir, and popped in for a short stay whilst en route to Switzerland.

Lawrence, Jane's husband (middle), is the author of  'In Defence of Chaos: The Chaology of Politics Economics and Human Action'. Don't you just love that word 'Chaology'... the science of Chaos. Wiki will tell you of all his other exploits.

It's only a short visit, but it's great to see Lady M with one of her childhood buddies; musing over old times. It's like they'd never been apart.

What a bloody mess!

                                       

Just a few days ago I was by myself in the pool doing my 100 metres leisurely breast-stroke, basking in 30C of clear sky sunshine, and (unusually for me), feeling incredibly fit. Everything seemed perfect, and I smiled outwardly as I swam. Life was good!

Now I feel depressed and angry; not only because the referendum vote went against my way, but also because the result has brought out the very worst in people.

The 'cheap seats' are insulting both Dave and Boris, the press are blaming northern lefties, the Scots are wanting to leave the UK, everyone is gunning for Jeremy Corbyn, Corbyn is gunning for Benn, and the leaders of mainland Europe are plotting reprisals.

The Conservative party is in turmoil, the Labour party is in turmoil (it always was), and the Liberal Democrats are promising to re-join the EU. Frankly there seems to be no part of European society that isn't angry one way or the other.

So, what to do. Firstly I suppose we should detach ourselves from all the hatred, we should try to be positive, and we should just hope that someone with real guts gets to deal with Brussels. There's a big mess which needs to be sorted.

The inept Corbyn has now sacked his only front-bencher with an ounce of common sense, and half his team have resigned as a result. No doubt more reprisals are already being hatched.

As far as the Labour party is concerned, Hilary Wedgwood-Benn would make quite a good leader; he's a clear logical thinker (unlike his father). As for the Conservatives maybe Theresa May could do the job; she is forthright, calm, and intelligent, and she doesn't suffer her fools gladly.

There's a lot of shit flying, and frankly I don't want to be a part of it; wake me up when it's all over.

If only the Common Market had remained the Common MARKET.

My little village. What's on, Summer 2016.

Having been a little depressed and confused over the past couple of days, here's something to boost my morale.

                             

Everything from spit-roasted lambs, to Baroque music, a Pétanque competition, and a boot sale; my dinky little village puts on a pretty good selection of events throughout the Summer.

Well done lads, and well done to all at the Mairie.

EU Blame.

                               

Over the years I have been VERY critical of the inefficient and interfering EU; and I think rightfully so.

It's not rocket science; if anyone is to blame for the UK's decision to ditch the union, it has to be those who run it.

There is no question that Merkel and her acolytes wish to control a European state. The Germans cannot forgive the loss of two world wars during the last century, and are now trying to spread their influence through financial and industrial strong-arm tactics instead. The people of the UK have simply said "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH".

Yes, I voted to stay inside the EU, but I can see quite clearly why the people of Britain voted to pull out.

I blame Merkel, the EU commissioners, the bureaucrats of Brussels, and all the recipients of gravy-train perks; I also blame the 'old boy network' at the top of the EU pyramid; just look at the Kinnock family if you want a classic example.

I also blame Blair's open door policy, and the pathetic Corbyn's limp-wristed stance.

But, don't worry too much. It's going to take a long time to detach ourselves from the club, during which time mainland EU countries will be shitting themselves hoping that, as the UK is no longer a member of their exclusive single market, we will still allow the huge amount of imports that we've been forced at accept over the past 40 years. We were even forced to accept 20% of our milk and dairy products from Europe; that can stop for a start.

If British politicians have the balls to take the upper hand, I'm sure the UK will thrive; if they allow themselves to be dictated-to as before, they will not.

Merkel, Hollande, Tusk, and Junker are all now expressing their sadness at the UK's leaving the fold. They really should have thought about that before, when Cameron was trying to negotiate terms.

In 1975 the UK joined a COMMON MARKET; not a COMMON PARLIAMENT.

Window Cleaning; French Style!

French hinges are not like UK hinges; ours slot on from above, and can be lifted off quite easily.

I don't clean windows too often; this isn't a show house by any means. But occasionally I do take the windows off, sponge them with soapy water, then hose them down to remove all the suds. It's easy, quick, and does the job.

These ones also needed a light 'oiling' with linseed; it preserves the wood and gives it a 'glow'.

The windows were made for us by a local man about 35 years ago, and have lasted very well. We replace bits of missing putty occasionally, but other than that they simply receive a really good cleaning about every five years; whether they need it or not.... More than enough!