Hi everyone,
OK, so I was going to write a couple of days ago but I figured I'd wait until my technology issue was resolved which it now is, for the most part. My writing head was also on holiday but I think it's back now....fingers crossed! So I'm a little behind but I'll try not to ramble on too much.
On Sunday I awoke to find the dogs had been left out all night and the chickens hadn't been put away either, plus the car was gone. On the way to the market Jan, Peter and I tried to figure out what might have happened and came to the conclusion that either they'd been out partying all night it something was wrong. Unfortunately there was nothing we could do until everyone was home so in the meantime we went to explore.
We parked up in Deauville so we could walk through to Trouville and see the difference. Deauville is basically the posh part where the rich Parisians an upper class types spend their holidays an on can tell instantly - designer boutiques with 200€ shoes in the windows, flash cars, classy red carpet casinos and calm, sofisticated beach goers. Even the market stall owners seemed more restrained - it was almost boring.
Fortunately the road lead through to Trouville. Here there was much more of a buzz - people killing about in the street, shops things things that the regular folk could afford, market stall owners full of life and actually interested in making some sales. The beach was alive with volleyball tournaments, teenagers sunbathing and donkey rides while British pop music played over the tannoy system.
Now most of the market held the same sorts of things you would see in any town market - cheap clothes, 1€ make-up and 3€ sunglasses; after that though there were the fruit stalls full of strawberries, refrigerators full of local cheeses and stall after stall of sea food straight to the harbour.
Eventually we grew tired of weaving between stalls, people and miniature dogs so we made our way back to the seafront for a crêpe and a coffee before walking back to the car.
On our return we found that Anne was back but Tom was not. He hadn't been feeling well the night before and after a phone call to the hospital the asked hi to come straight in and made him stay overnight. And of course Anne stayed with him for comfort and since he doesn't speak French. Anne was only back to pick up a few things since he was going to have to stay in a little longer. So I spent the rest of the day dog-sitting and reading.
On Monday it was back to work while Anne went back to the hospital. So I spent the morning strimming until the stimmer wire ran out, digging out fresh compost and tying on a new weedkiller formula:
1 litre of vinegar
50g salt
2tspns of washing up liquid
It's eco friendly, super cheap to make and acts ridiculously fast. Although it really does kill everything so you've got to be a little careful with what gets sprayed. I spent the afternoon weeding around the courgettes and then tried to help James (who stays in one of the other gîtes on site) with his car but it turned out the alternator was going to have to be replaced so off to the garage he went.
Anne got home just after the car fiasco with the good news that Tom would be back the following day. So we had nice meal - pita bread with falafels and salad - then I spent yet another even in trying to prevent next week's homelessness.
On Tuesday I went to the post office first thing and picked up my replacement technology before returning to strimming since I had more strimming wire. I continued along the edge of the lake, the boundary fence and outside the front gate. As I was finishing Anne and Tom returned so I stopped it lunch and then spent the afternoon in the office calling more potential customers. I finished a little early for the day and emailed a few more projects because otherwise it was going to be a case of just camping somewhere. My the end of the unsuccessful afternoon I also had a slight case of travelling blues. Now I know a few of on might think that that's silly, after all no one forced me to go travelling, and I get to see new things, places and people and spend my time gardening and going what I want. However every so often so start wondering more about things at home and what your friends and family are up to. It's just a part of being on the road on your own, especially when you aren't keeping busy. So that's one reason why after this week I'll be travelling a bit faster and diving further into this trip. Anyway after talking to Courtney and Skyping back home I felt much better and finite the evening with a but more reading. I'm still working through Paul Theroux's The Old Patagonian Express - it's a great book but every time i read travel books I start wondering about visiting the places written about there...even when I'm already travelling!
Wednesday morning was spent hosing out the chicken shed and then it was back in the office since it was chucking it down outside. Unfortunately almost everyone was out so it was a pretty unsuccessful morning but I did manage to pick up a new client with three or four houses to rent out so it wasn't a total waste.
I had the afternoon off so I spent it planning further ahead with my trip since last minute planning doesn't seem to work for helpXing. Luckily I also had a positive reply for this week coming - no more potential homelessness! So on Sunday I will be relocating to Deux-Sevres for the week to garden, paint window and look after kittens!
Speak to you all soon anyway, either before I go or as soon as I arrive,
see you all next time!
PS. I will get some photos on here of the market but I need to get a new connector for my camera first
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