THE OLD CAFE

THE FINISHING LINE ! OR IS IT ?

2012-01-17T09:17:00.005+01:00

After what seems an age we are finally approaching the finish line with the renovation of our huge cowshed into our home and the Gite for some well earned income. However since we decided that we are going to let out this year, the list of jobs seems to have doubled, what seemed to be a small list of snagging jobs has grown. I think a snippet of paranoia has set in as every corner I turn seems to present me with another job. Oh well a larger piece of paper and more ink in the pen this list just got bigger.

THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER

2011-06-04T12:28:00.002+02:00

I hate the old line I told you so but we deserve it this time, an offer that was just to good to be true and we jumped feet first into a situation that really is a bit of a nightmare. Sparing you all the details, needless to say we should have stayed put. Our little corner of rural France seems ever so inviting right at this moment in time. So after a whirlwind 7 months around the monopoly board of the southeast we can here the sound of silence in our little village calling us. So watch this space, we need to pass go collect our £200 and stay out of jail, next stop Burgundy.

Vide Grenier

2010-04-28T09:10:00.002+02:00

Its been a busy week making the most of the good weather planting veggie seeds for a bumper crop later in the summer, well I hope so!! Yesterday afternoon I planted two tomato plants in a small bed outside the back door, this morning they have been eaten right down to the stalk?? any clues bloggers. On a lighter note our village are holding another vide grenier, boot fair to all my anglais bloggers. I have been rummaging around to get some things together for a stall. Whilst it is nice to make some pennies it is seen much more as a social gathering so here is hoping for the sun to last until the weekend. I will post some piccies next week.

ANONYMOUS

2010-03-18T07:45:00.003+01:00

how do I stop the anonymous comments on my blog, they are so annoying and usually utter rubbish. Can any of you help?

No More Pets

2010-02-01T08:30:00.003+01:00

My pet duck George died yesterday, we were all sad as we had got used to him strutting around as if he owned the place. More worrying is that this leaves little Mildred, his partner alone. We have a neighbour who has several hens, ducks and turkeys so we may let her go and live with them so that she has some company. We were planning on getting some hens but maybe we will give it a miss.

HOME ALONE

2009-12-21T17:36:00.003+01:00

So off to England he who thinks he should be obeyed went. A list in hand of all the goodies I can't get here in my beloved corner of rural france. Cheddar cheese, bacon, quality street the list is really quite endless. First came the snow, then freezing ice made the roads so dangerous, then the water pump on the van, enough you would think for one simple trip. NO then along comes mister eurotunnel and puts his twopenneth in. Your train is cancelled we have nothing til wednesday, turn up at silly oclock in the morning and hopefully we will be running a service. Oh well the 2 chicken portions I have in the freezer are looking decidely like christmas dinner for me and charleigh, good job I don't have a liking for duck as my miserable barbary duck george would fill my oven nicely. Only joking George you are safe to live out your days with mildred in my wood at the bottom of the garden. Well thats my moan for this year. Merry Christmas Bloggers and A happy new year

A French Day Out

2009-09-02T13:32:00.002+02:00

A couple of weeks ago we decided to take part in our villages annual Vide Grenier, to those of you who don't speak french Boot Fair. We loaded at some ungodly hour and made the 2 minute trip to the village square. Thinking to ourselves surely no one will be there at this time, we turned the corner and there were our friends and neighbours already setup and raring to go!! So we took up position in the shade as the weather forecast was SUN, SUN, SUN. After a slow start people began to buy word soon got round that the crazy english couple that took on the old house no one else wanted were selling english china and other across the water goodies. At lunchtime most of the stallholders abandoned their tables and stood in the shade of the makeshift bar. We gave this a miss and in true brit style made a pot of tea(much to their amusement). At 6 in the evening the thunder clouds rolled in and that was our excuse to leave, a brilliant day was had and a few euros in the pot as well

Im Still Here

2009-06-10T09:33:00.002+02:00

Hello all my fellow bloggers, I haven't posted for a while my digital camera finally gave in on me and I haven't replaced it yet, waiting for a bargain. I still drop by all your blogs to see what you are all upto and as soon as I can I will update my blog and website with all my renovation news from here in france
love jules xx

It must be my Age

2009-04-15T18:41:00.002+02:00

After a brilliant 50th birthday celebrated with friends I decided to get up early get a few things done before my guests awoke. First tread of the stairs and a few swear words later I find myself at the bottom, bruised just about everywhere and a very painful thumb and hand. After several ice packs and just as many cups of tea I am on the mend. If this is what getting old means you can keep it, I am off to buy a bungalow

BIG BIG BIRTHDAY

2009-03-26T11:09:00.002+01:00

I am on countdown at the moment to my big day, also my friends from england are paying a flying visit so that will be great. So if you see a huge cloud of smoke above you in a couple of weeks don't worry it will just be all my candles on my cake that I'm sure someone will make for me.

There's a Stranger in Town

2009-02-10T10:27:00.003+01:00

There we wer minding our own business driving back from Charleighs horseriding lesson when around the corner were these two guys. We usually play a game and try and guess how many deers or boars we will see on the way home, so imagine our surprise when we spotted these. These sort of animals don't normally roam our countryside, the circus folk were held up in a small village for the week and these two were taking full advantage of their new found freedom!!

Did I say All is Well.....Spoke too soon!!

2009-01-16T08:06:00.004+01:00

No this is not my actual kitchen, but wading around in the water is very similar, just when I thought heating and water was sorted, the pipes in the gite kitchen burst due to the freezing weather we have had recently. So there I was with a friend who came to my rescue mop and buckets at the ready. Well I can say the floors are lovely and clean.

New Friends

2009-01-13T08:51:00.004+01:00

I have a new friend living in my garden, we have a small piece of forest and he roams around there but at night he has been sleeping on the daybed in our summer kitchen. I know the picture is not the best but you can just see him peeking through the plants, my very own fox.

This week we finally moved into the barn, there is still lots of work to do but we felt enough had been done for us to be comfortable whilst we finish the work around us. WRONG!! Day one hot water packed up, day two ecofire in the kitchen packed up, day three friends arrive and help us move another fire from the gite into the kitchen, we spend allday fitting a new flue for it only to find it doesn't work on day four. Day five we take the godin that was intended for the gite and fix it up on the mezzanine instant new friend, so toasty I love it. Day 6 we finally find a supplier for the part that is broken on the ecofire. Day 7 all is well and more importantly WARM!!

A New Baby

2008-11-08T13:25:00.003+01:00

Hi all I'm back from the beautiful Isle of Skye, unfortunately the fairies didn't come while we were away and complete our list of renovation jobs, OH WELL!!

While we were away this little chap arrived, isn't he cute. Apologies of course to mummy cow for accusing her of eating all the pies she obviously had a very good reason for that huge round belly she has been carrying around recently. What a pleasure to look at him everday as I go about my chores.

PATTY POULET

2008-10-11T16:33:00.002+02:00

Hello Tracy my name is patty and I am looking for a new home, I'm not the prettiest in the brood but my mum does love me, it is now time for me to spread my wings and it has been suggested that you are looking for a new friend to look after your keys. Well if you like the look of me my mum will post me when she gets to England on the 23 October if not I do have an adoption advert in the local Tabac I'm sure someone will come along soon, Hopefully before the rent is due on this place.

love jules xx

MORE TEA NEWS

2008-10-11T16:26:00.002+02:00

More Tea News Help!! my tea obsession is evolving into the collecting of tea tins, as if I don't have enough to do here in renovation hell. I have started collecting tins for tea, I had a few that I actually use for my various flavours but today I went to the annual sale at our charity warehouse and found myself drawn to these little chaps. Maybe because the inscription on them was english "Liptons and Twinings" and I'm feeling a little homesick or maybe I'm turning into one of those collector types!!!!!

TEA BREAK

2008-09-29T09:22:00.004+02:00

Those of you who know me know about my obsession for tea, I have cut down but the cravings still raise their heads every so often. Yesterday was one of those moments, we had been working hard putting up gates, fences etc normal sunday I hear you say!! It was very warm and time for a break so mug in hand I sat on our wall with my legs a dangling watching the girls(cows) in the field that is next to my garden munching their way through miles of grass. I couldn't decide whether one in particular was just fat and greedy or maybe there will be the not so tiny patter of feet in the meadow before too long. I will keep you posted on that one. Since we have moved here September and October have always been glorious but this year so far not the case, but this weekend the weather redeemed itself and we made the most of it by working outside trying to get the building site in some order. Teabreak over, I turn around from my wonderful view and OH NO its all still there, piles of bricks and sand waiting to be put into some kind of structure, nice while it lasted!!

NEW WINGS

2008-09-10T19:40:00.001+02:00

New wings for someone special, love from me and your girls

ps thought your old ones might be getting a little worn xxx

My Day Out

2008-09-10T08:03:00.005+02:00

Sorry about the pics but I think you can get the idea, this place is amazing. My friend called on Sunday and took me out to this abbey about 20 mins from where I live. I can't beleive I have never been before. But Sunday seemed the day to go bad news was hanging over me and she couldn't have chosen a more fitting place to visit. It is called Fontenay Abbey and it has been prefectly restored every corner of the grounds and buildings are immaculate and I am so glad I went. I really should make more effort to explore this beautiful country I now call home.

I WON A PRIZE!!

2008-07-29T07:52:00.005+02:00

Today my prize arrived from Tracey over at www.tcalamity.blogspot.com she runs a lovely little blog with her day to day stories of her home and garden, her beautiful daughters and her homemade crafts, she really is clever. Drop by and have a nosey and leave her a comment. As for the prize I have just the place for them, my daughters room is nearing completion as part of our huge renovation here in France so I am going to use them to decorate her wardrobe doors. Thanks Tracey I love them!!

My Favourite Journey

2008-07-12T17:32:00.004+02:00

My least favourite place is the DIY store, our nearest is Auxerre and is about 40 minutes from here, however the road we take to get there is worth travelling along just for the view. It is a very hilly journey and as you wind your way along you are surrounded by grapevines as far as the eye can see all producing grapes for the famous Chablis wine. The nearer we get to Chablis the more stunning the views become, we decided to stop at one of the many picnic places along the way and take these pictures. I think you'll agree it was worth the stop.

From Little Acorns "Oaks grow"

2008-06-19T10:58:00.002+02:00

Well maybe not oaks, just a modest veg plot. I have finally cleared the ground next to the carpark and squeezed in four raised beds to try my hand at eating what I grow. I have for 3 years watched my neighbours here in France reaping the rewards of their hardwork, and secretly felt jealous as they walk past my gate with arms full of produce from their allotments. Often they would leave us a parcel of goodies like strawberries, cherries and courgettes. But now its my turn. It's early days but hopefully I should get something in return for the backache I have at the moment. So watch this space, appearing in a garden in Burgundy soon will be cabbage, broccolli, french beans and carrots to name but a few! Well fingers crossed. (That's GREEN fingers of course)

Happy Bithday To me

2008-04-09T10:14:00.002+02:00

A few posts ago I intoduced you all to Bill my wooden waiter, it is my birthday today and he who thinks he must be obeyed brought me this. I think Bill's expression has changed and there is a glint in his eye this morning once he realised she is here to stay. I think she is an old advertising model as her finger tips are flat so that she can hold a tray or something. She is about 3ft something tall and quite heavy, I couldn't find anything on the net about her so any ideas from my blogger friends will be most welcome. I think I will call her Saucy Sue no prizes for guessing why. She really is a cheeky gal.

The Gang

2008-03-10T11:13:00.004+01:00

Meet my gang, we are about a dozen strong and have been thrown together by circumstance. We have all taken the plunge and moved our families from England for a better life here in Burgundy, our group grows and shrinks with various people coming and going throughout the year. Most of us live here permantly but a couple of us travel to and fro for high days and holidays. Tony and Racheal have been our friends the longest and Tony has helped so much with our renovation running hundreds of barrows of cement , scaling the roof in zero temperatures, lifting things with Paul that I couldn't even begin to move, his wife Racheal is known to some of you as a fellow blogger you can visit her over at http://www.milesawayinfrance.blogspot.com/she writes a brilliant blog and don't forget to visit her etsy shop she makes some lovely things. Sue and Barry are renovating a very pretty french cottage with the help of their son, Barry remains in England most of the time running the business and Sue stays here with her son overseeing the project, I can't wait for her to be here full-time, we hit it off as soon as we met and have become firm friends. Paul and Julie run an estate agency here selling all you lovely people over there in England a slice of the dream here in Burgundy their website is http://www.burgundy4u.com/ So if you are feeling the urge to upsticks give them a call and they will be able to help you. Greg and Louise are my maddest friends they both have huge personalities and even huger hearts, they are always at the end of the phone when you need help and nothing is to much bother, true friends. I couldn't have chosen a better group of friends if I had tried, I think the bond is that all our goals are similar, our problems are very much the same so we all no how each other are feeling. Moving away and starting a completely new life is exciting but there are always downs as well as ups and as we are all in the same boat we seem to hit it off very well. We get together every so often for various events, this Saturday we had a fondu, in the past we have had curry nights, quiz nights a pink party and several BBq's all these functions are a welcome break from renovating and it gives us all a chance to let our hair down and relax. So that is my gang, there is nothing like good friends

Wacky Races

2008-02-02T10:49:00.000+01:00

Nothing surprises me anymore, here I am in a village miles from anywhere, minding my own business when my peace is interrupted. I was awoken by what I thought were boy racers screeching through our village at some ungodly hour. I lookes at the clock, 2 o'clock in the morning!! so I get up and look out of the window to my surprise racing through our village were all manor of different racing cars with their big bold numbers on the sides. I can tell you although it woke me at silly o'clock I breathed a sigh of relief that hooligans hadn't arrived in my sleepy corner of the world. This was one of the main reasons we left our pretty little cottage in england late night noise and problems. So I smiled to myself, pulled on my dressing gown and went downstairs for a cuppa, there was no point trying to sleep with all this going on. So I ended up on the sofa watching early hours tv until I drifted back off to sleep. I can't help thinking what a shame it wasn't during the day we could have cheered them all on as they went by. Oh well back to normal today, you never know something else exciting might happen today, the last event here that caused even a slight stir was our neighbours cows escaped and we watched with amusement as he tried to round them up in the pouring rain. I know you are all probably thinking I am having far too much fun out here in france but hey the quiet times here are the best.

Before and After

2008-01-22T15:25:00.001+01:00

BEFORE!!
This sorry specimen was in a friend's barn and when they decided to move house they were going to throw it away, wait I said that would look nice in my new bathroom and so it became mine. Much to their relief I'm sure. I think they thought I was mad and for those of you that know me, they are probably right. Anyway it arrived at our barn here in France and it looked no better then when I first spied it. The rest of the bathroom here in the barn is made of reclaimed this and thats apart from the loo, which we brought new.

AFTER!!!
Well look at me now, a quick rub down and a few coats of paint and I'm ready to join my new friends in the bathroom. My friends were quite shocked when they saw the results, so now I've got the bug and anything rusty and cast aside should watch out as I could just be round the corner lurking with my paints and brushes.

More Tea Vicar

2007-12-31T10:17:00.001+01:00

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am tea mad, if ever there is a party or get together you can usually find me sniffing out the tea making facilities in the kitchen. This christmas I gave a few hints that I would like some christmas tea, I ended up with two types a spiced plum pudding and a The de Noel. They came in such lovely packets that I don't want to open them, but I'm sure curiosity will gret the better of me very soon. I am the same if I receive bubble bath or candles, two of my other favourites, they always look so nice and new I don't want to spoil them by using them eventually I give in and almost feel a little aad that the candle has all gone. Sad I know, I'll just have to put out more hints around birthday time!!

Winter has arrived

2007-12-22T14:55:00.000+01:00

For almost 2 weeks now we have been experiencing -10, we normally get this sort of weather in February but Jack Frost has decided to descend upon us early, living in an old stone house is lovely in the summer as it keeps you nice and cool but in the winter it is a different story. My car windscreen has been frozen on the inside for several days now and finally yesterday the radiator cracked no surprise really as these things always happen in the middle of nowhere when you have no mobile and the outside conditions are arctic. I pulled into a side road and made my way to a friends farm which was the nearest to where I had broken down. I have driven that road a hundred times and never passed a car, so I was thinking to myself this is going to be a cold, lonely walk but out of nowhere came a car a very nice french man, who spoke no english offered me a lift to the farm les anglais understanding this part of his conversation I jumped in and offered my mercis, under normal circumstances I probably wouldn't of jumped into a stangers car so willingly but in these temperatures I thought to myself no one is going to be attempting anything that might involve parts of the body being exposed so I considered myself safe on this occasion. He dropped me at the gate of the farm and we bid each other Bonne Fete (happy holidays to you) and it tuned out he worked opposite the farm and knew my friends anyway. I've decided that I am going to take on the guise of a hedgehog each winter and only come out after the thaw, the renovating of the barn always seems harder at this time of year as I really don't want to move from the woodburner for any great length of time. Still I have been reliably informed by him who thinks he must be obeyed that this is the last winter of renovating and we will be finished by the spring. Watch this space !!!

New Forest

2007-11-30T09:56:00.000+01:00

Sorry its been a while, but I'm feeling better and thought I'd show you our piccies of our hols

Couldn't believe the shape of this tree when we came across what a brilliant shape ! Back to normality now, renovation has taken over our lives but it will all be worth it in the end. I don't know who made that quote famous but I would like to meet them up a dark alley. It is freezing here at the moment and we haven't got the heating on because we don't want to crack the new plaster, not sure if I can get any more layers of clothing on without falling over. Still it will be spring soon (wishful thinking)

Yum Yum Apple Pie

2007-09-23T18:56:00.000+02:00

Its that time of year again, our village is surrounded by walnut trees and as soon as the first winds come they start to drop, off we go bags in hand gathering our freebies that will see us through until next Autumn. We all love walnuts and not only do we eat them as they are but I include them in salads as well. I also have been given a recipe for carrot cake today from one of my favourite bloggers a saucer full of secrets you can visit her over at www.littlewrenhouse.blogspot.com and it includes walnuts much to my delight. My neighbour also came today with a box full of apples so it looks like I am going to be busy tomorrow stewing them ready for the freezer.

I'm so giddy my head is spinning

2007-09-21T10:56:00.000+02:00

I know its a line from a song but really my head is spinning, for a couple of years now I have suffered with the symptoms of vertigo. It chooses when to come and when to go, I seem to have no control over it at all. I have noticed it coming on when I am in supermarkets or brightly lit shops, also certain images on tv but the worse bout I have had has been since I have been blogging, too much computer and off it goes again, my reading suffers because I try to avoid concentrating too much and that is a real blow to me as I love books. So I have decided to limit my blogging, I will still try and visit my favs each week but I think I am just going to have to see how it goes. Still mustn't grumble it could be worse as they say. Who says these things, I'm sure some days I couldn't feel any worse but, it does pass so stop moaning and get on with it.

The search is on

2007-09-13T17:41:00.000+02:00

I know its only September and here in sunny burgundy its 30 degrees, but I have a request from all you clever bloggers out there. Each year I buy a special christmas tree ornament for my daughters in memory of their father. This year I would like to buy and angel and I am wondering if any of you have anything suitable in your online shops, it would be great to buy something from one of the many blogs I visit as I admire all the wonderful things you make during the year. So over to you to help me in my search.

Rummage Day

2007-09-02T07:07:00.000+02:00

There is nothing I like better that a good old rummage, so today was the day we went off to our usual secondhand place called Emmaus which is a charity run by and for the homeless, they have branches all over the world. Sometimes I go there and come away with nothing feeling quite disappointed but yesterday I struck lucky. We arrived early and managed to get 7 pairs of old french shutters for the barn and a couple of little french chairs. I also came away with some enamel pie dishes an old oak rolling pin, a butter dish, several white french cotton sheets and bargain of the day 2 pairs of huge salon curtains which I,ve started washing already. The whole lot cost me 80 euros which I think is about £50.

Thoughtful Gifts

2007-08-30T07:40:00.001+02:00

I was reading a blog this morning about how hard it is to find that special present for someone, I think it would be so easy to go out and grab something random off the shelf and think oh that will do, but is not that easy, when I give a present I want it to be liked not chucked in a cupboard and given away after enough time has passed for the school raffle. I think we have all probably been guilty of that. I can think of lots of special things I would like to be given, smelly candles, chocs, lovely writing paper, I would even love a magazine subscription (hope he is reading this) I then thought about gifts people have given me and Bill (pictured above) sprang to mind. I had always liked him when I visited a friends holiday home here in Burgundy, but was told you couldn't buy one as he had been handmade by her uncle Bill. Oh well I thought maybe he who thinks he should be obeyed maybe able to make me one! When my friend sold her house she came to say goodbye and with her came Bill, she thought I would like himand as he loved being on holiday here in France then he should stay. I was over the moon as not only did I love the gift, it was personal to her and she thought of me. I have a lovely place already and waiting for Bill when the barn is finished and I will show him insitu when that happens.

What a Difference a Day Makes

2007-08-29T09:03:00.000+02:00

The sun is shining, is this summer? I took the photos of the roses on Monday when the weather was absolutely baking. At last something that resembles a summers day, it has been very poor here in burgundy this summer, although most of my time has been inside this year with the renovation it is nice to look out and see a blue sky while I'm sweeping up my hundreth black sack of wood shavings etc. Well what a difference, to day I have woken to dark skies, pouring rain and a chilly nip in the air and the family wellies lined up yet again. Reading some of your blogs it seems that I am not alone in my four season week, all across england and europe everyone seems to be having similar problems. Oh well musn't complain I have been informed by he who thinks he must be obeyed that we are putting up the bathroom ceiling today so it will not matter what the weather does.

Things in common

2007-08-27T11:25:00.000+02:00

I am going to fill these old enamel pots with flowers

just a few of the things I have collected since arriving in france

I have spent nearly all weekend browsing the many lovely blogs out there, I just didn't realise how many people took the time to share with others things that are important to them. I enjoyed looking at all the things you have found whilst rummaging around charity shops and antique fairs and it made me realise how much we all have in common. I too love a bargain, and nothing gives me more pleasure than coming across an old piece of china that I then convince myself I will find a use for. I also see that many of you love home magazines, my biggest indulgence I must admit that and books, sometimes never even read just looked at and loved all the same. I have included a few pics of things I have come across since moving to france and hopefully I will find many more in the future even if I run out of space.

My first blog

2007-08-24T11:24:00.000+02:00

Today with a little bit of a struggle I have managed to create this blog, not being completly upto speed with the ways of the computer there may be teething troubles along the way. However I will do my best to keep you entertained with my stories of day to day life in rural France. I take all my inspiration from a fellow blogger who is totally au fait with all things in the blogging world. She runs a wonderful blog over at milesawayinfrance.co.uk, I log on everday and if for some reason she hasn't updated her site I am truly disappointed. Take a peek and let her know your thoughts.