There is a lot to do and arrange!
The job at Vitry was confirmed on Tuesday, I start on Wednesday 3rd March- our wedding anniversary! Which means that here we are preparing to move into an unfurnished flat (next week) whilst completing my old contract with the publicity.
Every day is busy.
On Monday, we hope to hear if we have the apartment. If so we pick up the keys on Thursday. Then we hire a van and collect the things we are preparing now to take them back to the flat. That will take up most of next weekend!
Our neighbour Soly is the custodian of our keys here, not to mention the cats. He has offered to drive the van, but that means hiring it here (logistically hard) and doubling our travel costs. So it would be nice to have his help, but easier to arrange from Virty.
Those on my email list will get our new address when we have the confirmation it is ours. We don't want to mess your address books up too much!
Friday, 25 February 2011
Friday, 18 February 2011
And so towards a job- step 2?
So after the Wednesday I was asked to stay for a second interview with the engineer who was absent on the day. The up side was I had a verbal offer of employment with Acthom so that they could present a commercial proposal.
Thursday came and passed without an interview.
Friday morning, we met to chat with the engineer. It went well. He would talk to the others in the afternoon. I would go to the offices in Nancy to sign on with Acthom. Meanwhile I tried to quit my scooter distribution job. "No I cannot let you" she complained. "There are legal issues preventing you", she insisted. I asked Acthom about this because she was right. "It amounts to 1 months wages" they told me- small beer with their pay being the minimum with part time hours. However, we compromised. I was offered a 2 week notice period, and Acthom agreed.
So I am signed up with Acthom, but still have not heard if I start work Wednesday with their customer.
Hence I am employed, but still wait to hear if I have a job!
On the way back to our hotel, June and I played tourist visiting Jean d'Arc's house. Too late for opening time. Too late for daylight! I am sure we will be back one hot sunny day.
Thursday came and passed without an interview.
Friday morning, we met to chat with the engineer. It went well. He would talk to the others in the afternoon. I would go to the offices in Nancy to sign on with Acthom. Meanwhile I tried to quit my scooter distribution job. "No I cannot let you" she complained. "There are legal issues preventing you", she insisted. I asked Acthom about this because she was right. "It amounts to 1 months wages" they told me- small beer with their pay being the minimum with part time hours. However, we compromised. I was offered a 2 week notice period, and Acthom agreed.
So I am signed up with Acthom, but still have not heard if I start work Wednesday with their customer.
Hence I am employed, but still wait to hear if I have a job!
On the way back to our hotel, June and I played tourist visiting Jean d'Arc's house. Too late for opening time. Too late for daylight! I am sure we will be back one hot sunny day.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Change your life- Totally!
So out of the blue I was asked for my CV on a company's format. "We have a client who may be interested in your profile". I have heard this before. I won't hold my breath.
Then the following Monday, June received a call whilst I was at work. "Can you make an interview on Wednesday at 10am?" Yes but where? "Vitry le Francois". We looked it up- about 6 hours away.
Thankfully the scooter work on Tuesday was unusually quick. We set out Tuesday evening and got as far as Troyes.
Wednesday was an easy drive to our rdv in Mc Donalds..... Not hopeful. My contact arrived, a young girl, very pleasant and helpful. "You would be working for us", she said, "we lend you out on short duration contracts". Ok. We went for the interview. One of their number could not be there so a question remained.
So I have to wait. But then we heard, the client wanted to have a commercial proposal. The hiring company wanted to respond so they needed me on their books. They offered me a contract with them right away. This was not expected. If the client company does want me, I start on Monday. Either way, I now have a job in engineering!
Watch this space!
Then the following Monday, June received a call whilst I was at work. "Can you make an interview on Wednesday at 10am?" Yes but where? "Vitry le Francois". We looked it up- about 6 hours away.
Thankfully the scooter work on Tuesday was unusually quick. We set out Tuesday evening and got as far as Troyes.
Wednesday was an easy drive to our rdv in Mc Donalds..... Not hopeful. My contact arrived, a young girl, very pleasant and helpful. "You would be working for us", she said, "we lend you out on short duration contracts". Ok. We went for the interview. One of their number could not be there so a question remained.
So I have to wait. But then we heard, the client wanted to have a commercial proposal. The hiring company wanted to respond so they needed me on their books. They offered me a contract with them right away. This was not expected. If the client company does want me, I start on Monday. Either way, I now have a job in engineering!
Watch this space!
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Celeriac
June's new vegetable is celeriac.
Today's roast included mashed celeriac and garlic with carrots and cabbage from the potager and chicken and potatoes from the supermarket. I am not sure where the gravy was sourced.
Delicious.
So much so I went back for seconds of everything.
Today's roast included mashed celeriac and garlic with carrots and cabbage from the potager and chicken and potatoes from the supermarket. I am not sure where the gravy was sourced.
Delicious.
So much so I went back for seconds of everything.
Communication day
Today has been marked by communications. In the morning I gave my first 'word' in the church at Jarnac. This church encourages the congregation to contribute prayers, prophesies and similar things during the worship. One aspect of this is the use of 'tongues' for which it is expected that there will be an 'interpretation'. Well I have taken part in these things before but here in France, I was reluctant to do so in the French language in front of a French congregation. Still, it is not usually just my choice anyway!
But to the point. This morning a tongue was given and the pastor specifically asked for the interpretation. I knew I had it, but only the first 2 words, "soit benis". It can be like that. You get the rest only after you start. I plucked up courage and went for it. A simple word and timorously given because I knew my grammatical errors would all be spotted immediately!
After the meeting, the man in front, who I have heard prophesy quite often, turned to me and encouraged me. The prophets judge the prophesy, and he told me I was in step with the Spirit of the meeting. He "was greatly encouraged" and so was I!
And the Jon's Skype was back on and we could talk at last. Quite important as he and Hina had planned to come over within a week. We had problems communicating for this reason and because his email was sending spam. So at last we could talk again- apparently a stoic work on Hina's part to restart the Skype aspect of the phone. They proposed coming later but the phone cut off before I could reply.
Before I could chat to June about Jon and Hina, my mother rang. She chatted until 'skating on ice' started. I took my chance and replied to Jon.
We had an email (via Facebook) from Sean. This, it appears, is a rare event. Good to hear from Thiland.
And now John Gasson, June's brother, called with news of her sister. Incredibly she has married an Egyptian waiter over 40 years her junior. I will wait for confirmation of this before I add it to the family tree! June is currently communicating this news to her son Andy.
John also told us he is planning a 3 day celebration for his 60th birthday.
But to the point. This morning a tongue was given and the pastor specifically asked for the interpretation. I knew I had it, but only the first 2 words, "soit benis". It can be like that. You get the rest only after you start. I plucked up courage and went for it. A simple word and timorously given because I knew my grammatical errors would all be spotted immediately!
After the meeting, the man in front, who I have heard prophesy quite often, turned to me and encouraged me. The prophets judge the prophesy, and he told me I was in step with the Spirit of the meeting. He "was greatly encouraged" and so was I!
And the Jon's Skype was back on and we could talk at last. Quite important as he and Hina had planned to come over within a week. We had problems communicating for this reason and because his email was sending spam. So at last we could talk again- apparently a stoic work on Hina's part to restart the Skype aspect of the phone. They proposed coming later but the phone cut off before I could reply.
Before I could chat to June about Jon and Hina, my mother rang. She chatted until 'skating on ice' started. I took my chance and replied to Jon.
We had an email (via Facebook) from Sean. This, it appears, is a rare event. Good to hear from Thiland.
And now John Gasson, June's brother, called with news of her sister. Incredibly she has married an Egyptian waiter over 40 years her junior. I will wait for confirmation of this before I add it to the family tree! June is currently communicating this news to her son Andy.
John also told us he is planning a 3 day celebration for his 60th birthday.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Rotavator Later Data
As a post-script, our neighbour was rotavating his plot next to ours today. His plot is larger and runs up and down the slope, so seeing him working with ease made me eager to see him up close. His rotavator was rather larger than mine, and with two large wheels, was clearly easy to use. But the main difference was that it was indeed a plough.
Jaquline, who lives down the road, also suggested I was using far too much effort. Time and experience will tell no doubt. Jaquline then asked why we have a light on all night. "For security" we answered. "But I am here to look out for you" she said.
It's a small village.
Jaquline, who lives down the road, also suggested I was using far too much effort. Time and experience will tell no doubt. Jaquline then asked why we have a light on all night. "For security" we answered. "But I am here to look out for you" she said.
It's a small village.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
The Englishman, the French Potager, and the Chinese Rotavator
Today was forcast to be fine, like yesterday, so we decided it would be a good day to be working on the potager. The sunshine, and the lack of clouds, also meant it was a great day for the morning hunt! We just heard the sounds, the dogs, the horns and occasional shouting; but no sign of the game today.
We started with breakfast- outside on the front patio despite the slightly cool start to the day.
June looked at my efforts. "Oh," she said, "I thought you would do all of it?" So after tea I set out again. This time I let the thing run a lot faster and not so deep. We (it and me) fairly shot along! Making the turns at the ends was something to learn, and true, we did get stuck sometimes, but the rest of the land was gobbled up in no time. It must have been the tea-break! In the far corner of the ground I found a huge shackle that could have come from the titanic. We normally come across blacksmith stuff, not shipwright things! Time for some lunch.
The temperature reached 20 Centigrade so after lunch we found ourselves working in shirtsleeves in February. The after-lunch activity was some 'trenching' for Terry and weeding for June.
Weeding we know about. Trenching was a new concept- so I read up on it first.
We started with breakfast- outside on the front patio despite the slightly cool start to the day.
Then we decided to start a bonfire and clear some of the years of old branches stacked in the corner of the garden. Under the branches were piles of old grass cuttings (which will fertilise the garden another day) but self-seeded in this were some bulbs that June transplanted. The branches on the bonfire, once lit, burned brightly, but the greener stuff was smoky as in this afternoon picture- still burning!
With the fire going, it was time to prepare some ground for potato planting. This will be at the bottom of the potager to rotate the crops on the land. Time to try out the Rotavator.
Rotavating looks simple enough. And the machine started quite easily. We (it and me) set off; and dug a big hole right in 1 place. Slowly, with difficulty, we lurched from hole to hole. By the end of 4 rows I was exhausted. Time for tea.June looked at my efforts. "Oh," she said, "I thought you would do all of it?" So after tea I set out again. This time I let the thing run a lot faster and not so deep. We (it and me) fairly shot along! Making the turns at the ends was something to learn, and true, we did get stuck sometimes, but the rest of the land was gobbled up in no time. It must have been the tea-break! In the far corner of the ground I found a huge shackle that could have come from the titanic. We normally come across blacksmith stuff, not shipwright things! Time for some lunch.
The temperature reached 20 Centigrade so after lunch we found ourselves working in shirtsleeves in February. The after-lunch activity was some 'trenching' for Terry and weeding for June.
Weeding we know about. Trenching was a new concept- so I read up on it first.
The idea is to get muck and ash under the soil ready for planting in a couple of weeks time. Muck courtesy of some horses last year; it has been rotting in a corner of the potager ever since. So, according to the advice, you dig a hole at the start and move the mud to where you anticipate ending. Then muck and ash in the hole and dig a new hole next to it. The mud from the new hole goes over the muck in the first hole and the 'trench' moves along in that way. It is quite efficient, and with rotavated mud, not so hard as it may sound. Still we took a tea-break mid afternoon, this is supposed to be fun after all!
As the sun was sinking low in the sky, we decided to get in 2 last things before the day was out. For June, it was painting the new gates and for me, completing the cement step outside the garden shed. Hopefully there will be no frost tonight!.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
A Time to Buy
At last we have a verifiable plan for the back window at our cottage. Two artisans who are still to quote looked at making us a special window (French doors) for the narrow opening in the back wall. But frustrated with waiting we spoke to a friend and builder who came to look and suggested a standard window and widening the opening.
Our part in this was to buy the parts and this we have now done. First we ordered the oak beams for the wider sill above the new (wider) window, then we bought the door.
Soly helped us with the door which was exceedingly heavy. There was much discussion about how to hold it in the trailer. We tried it all ways but ended up with it vertical as first proposed, thin-edge to the wind in the direction of travel. Despite all sorts of concerns including the trailer tipping over, we arrived safely and unloaded the beast.
The next day the beams were collected. This was from a nearby sawmill where the bureau was an impressive looking house down the road. I had found this the previous day only by asking where it was. "La maison avec deux marches" I was told, it had 2 steps up to the door. Today I went straight there. A small dog attacked me as I entered before it was shooed away by the femme de caisse using a small cane and the words "allez oop". Very circus like except that the small dog largely ignored her.
Once paid I headed up for the wood. 3 identical beams. I found them outside the factory and looked for someone to assist me, or at least approve my taking it! Since there was no-one, I started to load the trailer. They were heavy! so I walked them on-end to the edge and tipped them in. As I was tipping the second one, a passing fork-lift driver stopped to assist me. Together we loaded the third one. I thanked him and he departed. No-one checked me taking them; you require honesty to live here!
Back at the cottage, the beams slipped off onto a wheelbarrow reasonably easily, so everything is now ready for the new rear door. All we need now is some warmish, dryish days to do the work!
Our part in this was to buy the parts and this we have now done. First we ordered the oak beams for the wider sill above the new (wider) window, then we bought the door.
Soly helped us with the door which was exceedingly heavy. There was much discussion about how to hold it in the trailer. We tried it all ways but ended up with it vertical as first proposed, thin-edge to the wind in the direction of travel. Despite all sorts of concerns including the trailer tipping over, we arrived safely and unloaded the beast.
The next day the beams were collected. This was from a nearby sawmill where the bureau was an impressive looking house down the road. I had found this the previous day only by asking where it was. "La maison avec deux marches" I was told, it had 2 steps up to the door. Today I went straight there. A small dog attacked me as I entered before it was shooed away by the femme de caisse using a small cane and the words "allez oop". Very circus like except that the small dog largely ignored her.
Once paid I headed up for the wood. 3 identical beams. I found them outside the factory and looked for someone to assist me, or at least approve my taking it! Since there was no-one, I started to load the trailer. They were heavy! so I walked them on-end to the edge and tipped them in. As I was tipping the second one, a passing fork-lift driver stopped to assist me. Together we loaded the third one. I thanked him and he departed. No-one checked me taking them; you require honesty to live here!
Back at the cottage, the beams slipped off onto a wheelbarrow reasonably easily, so everything is now ready for the new rear door. All we need now is some warmish, dryish days to do the work!
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