For those of us who live vicariously through the adventures of Val and Patrick (might have said that before - must be something to with my own jealousy!!!) we have an update to the story of Escape to the Chateau St Gengoux
Apologies for my slack reporting efforts over the last few weeks. We have been quite social and at times the house has felt like a Youth Hostel… without the youths. It began with Geoff and Sharyn, Rotary friends from home, swiftly followed by Patrick’s brother, John. We worked out that it had been over 20 years since they had spent so much time together. It was wonderful. A couple of days later Neil Williams (another Rotary friend) arrived, so for a while we had Geoff and Sharyn upstairs, we had our bedroom and Neil and John shared a room downstairs. And only one bathroom. Thank heavens for the great kitchen. Everyone sort of helped and we had community cooking, cleaning up. Good fun and everyone got along really well.
Our days consisted of touring, working on the house in dribs and drabs and plenty of socializing, eating and drinking wine. We couldn’t fit everyone in the car so on occasions sent them off by bus to the local chateau, and another time Michael and Mariella joined us and gave us extra car space so we could head further afield.
On a day trip to Tournus, we visited the 17th century Hotel Dieu (Hotel for the Poor) . It also houses one of the largest apothecaries preserved in France, much smaller than the one in Beaune, but no tourists. A stunning building and history.
On another day trip to Cluny where all the university students wear Hogwart style gowns. The creativity of some of the gowns is fantastic. But good heavens, you feel so old in Cluny amongst all this exuberant youth.Meanwhile, the rubbish removal continues each week and gradually the attic is being denuded of crud. Phillip has become a regular… great worker and strong as an ox
Neil has been with us for 3 weeks. And in between the comings and goings Neil and Patrick continue to paint the troublesome windows. Having Neil here has kept me sane and Patrick calm. The windows were in SUCH POOR CONDITION, but they worked so diligently and patiently to overcome every obstacle and the result has been outstanding.
He is a saint in our eyes!!! He leaves on Thursday and we keep thinking of ways to hide his passport.
During this time we also had visits from Alan Stevens, Jill Woinarski, Michael Stillwell .. in fact we could almost have called it a Rotary Event.
On one occasion Alan decided he wanted to bbq a Charolais Entrecote steak. Our friend, Nicole, had the bbq and took him off to her butcher. He ended up with a 3 kg. steak for 7 people!! Much deliberation as this massive steak was cooked to perfection and .. We ate well for 2 extra days!
Then as Alan left, my brother, Jim arrived for 3 days. Jim was here last year and wanted to view progress and so we left the boys to continue their work as we spent time together. A day trip to old town of Chalon and a trip on the “tourist train” was fun. I generally only get to see Castorama (Bunnings) and other building outlets. Also, he supervised me as I took to driving cautiously. It was great, just to spend time together
Another trip was a day out in Lyon, a lovely city which I look forward to revisiting. A two hour walking tour through the old city was fascinating. Apart from the architecture which was stunning, the old city of Lyon has about 400 Traboules (secret passageways through the buildings) Famous for its silk, the traboules allowed workmen and craftsmen totransport textiles through the city while remaining sheltered from inclement weather. They were also used extensively by the Resistance fleeing from the Gestapo in WW11.
Meanwhile back in St.Gengoux le National, our weekly attendance at a local puce continues. The best buy for the last few weeks was this lovely Turkish rug. A mere Euro 40. And life continues in our quirky village. This Saturday is the Medieval Procession as the village aims to acquire UNESCO heritage status. And on Saturday night as we were working away we heard music coming from the Bookshop Café, only to discover a Tribute to Bob Marley concert in full swing.
In the barn behind the Bookshop. You never quite know what is going on. Last week was a Music Fete in the old village. We were working away when we heard singing in the wash-house across the road. On closer inspection, we found the choir singing away and conductor doing her bit while standing in the water in her gumboots. All the villages have festivals throughout Summer and you have to keep your eye out to discover where and when they are.
And no report home would be complete without a bathroom update. Well, the good news is that the wading pool has gone. The bad news is that the plumber has gone walkabout … we are hopeful that he will return next week, but we have learned to be philosophical about such things. So although the wading pool has gone, it has not yet been replaced by a new shower. Moreover, what appeared to be a simple makeover in that room has ended up being an intensive remake. We are back to a stone wall and will need to remodel the floor to accommodate a shower base. Happy Days! Hopefully it will be finished by the end of July.
On a lighter note and a parting bit of nonsense. Our very techo son, Michael has set up lights for Bastille Day. Or important occasions. I think I will leave town on the night they put the lights on.
And so we continue After a very cold and wet Spring, Summer is at last here and we are making progress