dpnice - Archived Blog Posts

[dpnice]

My prolonged absence has left me with the impression of being a complete stranger here, someone standing on the outside of the circle not knowing what came before, or whom the people are. Yet nothing seems to have changed.

My return to reality after the holiday in Spain was brutal. Was it just the unwinding from such a wonderful time or perhaps just me reverting to my usual mundane existence? For a week my lethargy plumbed every hour of the day; supposed to be working I did nothing but the basics. Mind you the final volume of Harry Potter didn’t help – it was there awaiting my return. An uninterrupted speed reading revealed all the secrets and unravelled all the mysteries. I then had to reread the two precedent volumes to remind myself of the story and its many twists. Only finally to settle down with the final tome once more to read it slowly savouring the final outcome.

Now I have a week in front of me where I must complete all my given tasks freeing me to take my second fortnight’s holiday. Squashing everything I should have already done into seven days is not going to be easy, not impossible, but it means working all day and evening. So that is my programme for the immediate future; work with the occasional break to log on here and update this blog with my holiday experiences.

My photographs are now on-line so you can have a look if you want; just click on Spain07

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpnice1/sets/

 

[dpnice]

I wonder if people still clean their homes. By that I mean really clean them; move out all the furniture, roll up the carpets and take down the curtains. If any of you still do that once a year then I sympathise completely with you as for the past eight days that is all I have been doing.

Finally everything here has been either washed down, dusted, hoovered, polished and cleaned. Eight days during which I have been questioning why at my age I am doing such mundane and boring chores. I have constantly had to remind myself of all the advantages I have working here and how pleasant life is; how I won’t have to do a “spring cleaning” again until next summer.

Eight days during which the only time I opened my mouth to speak was to call the dogs and as I had a stock of cigarettes I didn’t even need to leave the grounds avoiding the need to communicate with another living soul.

So here I am on holiday again for a fortnight. Guess what I am doing today? Well I don’t see why madame should have a villa pristine and spotless and my flat be the opposite. So yes I attack down here today; at least it won’t take eight days, if I apply myself it will be finished tonight and I can start my holiday with a peaceful mind.

Unfortunately I shall not be going anywhere exotic as money is tight so I must put some thought into what I want to do. As the Côte d’Azur is a major holiday destination for many I suppose I should disguise myself as a tourist and do the sorts of things that they do.
Money being short is not exactly true but due to the fact that with the purchase of this third apartment I have to allocate all my savings to that. I must admit that I am regretting having made this decision as I had decided to stop making financial sacrifices to assure a comfortable retirement. I wanted to ensure that I had sufficient money to enjoy life to the full now, not later. It isn’t that I can’t afford the expense but without that hanging over my bank accounts I could have taken myself off to Rome, Paris or anywhere. I have my friends to blame as their encouragement to buy more property was quite insistent that I let myself get carried away.

Oh well in a few months everything will be back to normal, financially that is. The rent will pay off the mortgage and I can start filling up the saving accounts once again and plan future holidays.

 

[dpnice]

Coping with being alone is really not that complicated and just requires a little planning and effort to ensure that life becomes full of little pleasures rather than a profound pit in which one wallows in one’s depression.

So I cleaned my flat which in itself gives an enormous amount of pleasure. There is something satisfying about sitting down and seeing everything clean, shining and tidy. Finished around 14hrs leaving me time to take a nap before doing some shopping for this evening’s meal. The cat has a new method of taking a nap with me; before it consisted of being spread-eagled across my chest. Now he squeezes in between my arm and ribs placing his head and one paw on my shoulder. I must say it is extremely comforting, similar to having some one to hug.

So I now have two weeks of being totally on my own and with, hopefully no work to do. Loneliness could easily become the dominant factor of anyone’s holiday but all required is a little enthusiasm to ensure that the time passes enjoyably. So I have planned out a few garden visits, there are museums that I haven’t wandered through for a long time and the zoo is just down the road. Add to that the occasional stroll around the coastline, camera in hand, and the two weeks should be reasonable full of things to occupy me.

I have planned my meals for the week as that is as much a pleasure for me as anything else. My glass is full whilst I type this, the chocolate cake and ice cream are made and I am just waiting for the potatoes to cook.

The evening is perfect and the candles lit on my terrace await me to relax and spend the evening eating, lost in my own thoughts.

I would not be honest if I didn’t say that deep down there is a painful longing to have someone sharing this with me. As there isn’t there is no point in slumping in front of the television eating a frozen pizza is there.

 

[dpnice]

Monaco with its mythical Monte Carlo, Casino and Grace Kelly and all possible desires that money can purchase is only 20 minutes by car from here yet, rarely do I aim myself in that direction just to stroll around. It is a destination for collecting the Haut Couture clothes for madame or deliver the Mercedes for a service; a rapid there and back during working hours.

Today I took myself off to visit the JapaneseGarden, a miniscule plot alongside the coast. I can’t explain why it is several years since I went there as it really is one of my favourite gardens. It is more in the style Japanese than an authentic garden zen. Within its walls there is a peacefulness and calm found nowhere else in the Principaute. The combination of running water and static rocks embraced by luxuriant but perfectly pruned vegetation is really beautiful. Few people find their way there so I was perfectly alone for a few hours.

Visiting gardens is, for the person on his own, a pleasure indefinable. One looses oneself in admiration of the design and the beauty of the plants. Having no one with who share it doesn’t retract an iota from the enjoyment it provides.

After a few hours I wander up to the casino gardens and went from the sublime to the ridiculous, from peaceful calm to frenetic commercialisation. Everything is artificial, one feels as one does at a theme park. Yet the plants and gardens are so spectacular that one easily forgets the architectural image, the money and the crowds.

It was an extremely pleasant morning and just sufficient to appease my feeling of doing nothing with my life. Returning home for a light, but late lunch and an afternoon nap I felt that my holidays are going to be exactly what I had hoped.

Wandering out to the supermarket to stock up on food for the week became an unexpected pleasure. Not being pressured to be quick and get back to work it was enjoyable wandering up and down the aisles looking at what was on offer.

So I have a chicken in apple and leeks simmering on the stove, naturally a glass of wine at hand. For all you on your own may you find the peace and enjoyment that I have found in the simple pleasures of life.

You can look at the photographs here by clicking on Monaco07.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpnice1/sets/

 

[dpnice]

If you are wondering where day 3 of my holidays went to I have decided to spend alternate days going on short trips and staying at home. I have so many fiddly jobs to do that I am content to have the free time to complete them; keeps me occupied and I do appreciate being at home surrounded by my life and belongings.

So today I drove into Nice to spend sometime repeating the visits that I must have done uncountable times with visiting friends. Every time it is an eye opener and reaffirms the pleasure that I get from living here. Small corners, hidden squares and lonely streets all discovered over the many years since I arrived here many years ago still evoke the same beauty that I recognised the first time I stumbled across them.

Starting early and taking the back route up I had the old chateau emplacement nearly to myself. It is not exactly a garden but pleasant to wander through nevertheless. It was one of my regular cruising spots when I first moved to France, so some agreeable memories are linked with each winding mounting pathway. I would cruise the chateau late afternoon and as darkness fell make my way to the rocks alongside the quay leading to the lighthouse.

Today I had other thoughts in mind though, reaching the view point overlooking the whole of Nice spread out below. There is a strange attraction, I think for everyone, in seeing buildings from above. Even the ugliest of cities can become quite beautiful when all you are seeing are the roofs and narrow lines of streets.

WhereasMonaco is manicured to perfection Nice has a slightly uncared for look, attractive even so.

For a few years it has been hell driving into town due to the roadworks the place has been undergoing in preparation for the installation of the new tramway. Finally the end is in sight and slowly but surely pavements are appearing, squares are being renovated and the whole place generally tidied up. In fact this complete face lift is really quite a success. The main square, now traffic free, is a large open space dominated by the fountain at one end and magnificent buildings at the other. It seems to be bustling with crowds all day long.

Having parked my car near to the port I had a long walk along the sea front to regain it. A gentle breeze reducing the temperature, the perfume of sun lotions pervading the air and a good supply of bare chested men made that a pleasurable hour. Beach holidays no longer attract me as they used to do; within minutes of spreading my naked body on a towel I am uncomfortable and ready to retreat to a shady bower somewhere. Shame because it does make holidays simpler; all one needs is a towel and a good book and the whole day spent on the beach.

Oh this evening’s meal, lamb in ginger on a bed of rice.

I did take some more photographs so just follow the link if you are
unfamiliar with this part of France. Nice07

 

[dpnice]

Arriving home after a pleasant day out walking, a shower followed by a glass of wine and preparing the evening meal and one finds the peace and calm that everyone must be searching in their complicated lives.

This holiday is proving beyond all expectations the privileges I have by living here on St Jean Cap Ferrat. This is a peninsular where some extremely wealthy people have bought villas as their holiday homes; an attraction which attracts tourists by the hundreds to stroll around the streets looking at the homes and gardens that they will never be able to afford.

Today, being Saturday, and not desirous of coping with traffic and attempts to park the car I took myself off exploring alleys, stairways and paths I have never wandered down before. The homes here, though barricaded behind hedges and fences, reveal the advantages of real wealth. Even though hidden from public view there is always a means of catching a glimpse of the garden through the vegetation surrounding them.

I took the high roads this morning and the coastal path this afternoon, returning between the two expeditions for lunch and a nap. It made me realise the advantages of staying home for my holidays. The promenade around the peninsular starts from my front door; the zo is a leisurely stroll down the road; the Gardens Rothchild a few steps further; the Villa Kerylos, a Greek reconstruction, found at the end at the coastal path. All this within reach requiring just a little effort to be appreciated.

Why does it require the fact that I have a holiday and not the means to travel to rediscover all these wonderful places so close to home? Am I so lethargic, when madame is in residence, to make the effort to rejoin the world and explore the delights it has to offer?

Dinner this evening – quail with creamed leeks and potatoes roasted in rosemary.

St Jean Cap Ferrat

 

[dpnice]

Lost track of the time this evening; musing over life and winding thoughts whilst gazing out over the sea sitting on the terrace. So I shall start to compose this entry whilst the apple and date cake is rising in the oven; I then just have a couple of pork chops in apple to grill and I can eat.

Drove down to the zoo this morning, I could have walked but I had decided to save that for this afternoon. It is one of the smallest zoos that I know but by an ingenious use of space and levels it must be one of the most intimate and pleasurable zoos to visit. With aerial pathways, sunken enclosures, tunnels, canals, expanses of water and interlocking spaces all smothered with a multitude of plants it gives the impression of absolute freedom. I must honestly say that I don’t appreciate zoos, I recognise the need for them, but even so I am not attracted to spending the day visiting one. Yet here one feels so free, like wandering around a friend’s garden, or a hike through the jungle. Many of the animals are on semi-liberty which adds an enjoyment seldom found in other zoos.

I also have a slight attachment to this particular one due to an amusing event several years ago.

One of these cute little fellows escaped and found his way into our garden, much to the pleasure and amusement of my patrons. The next weekend after working through dinner I crawled downstairs around 1hr in the morning. On entering my apartment I saw him in my kitchen rummaging for food in the waste bin.

What followed was both a comedy and a nightmare. Slipping into the kitchen, closing the door behind me I spent the next hour equipped with oven gloves and a spatula attempting to force the terrified beast into the cat box. I have never seen so much shit, it was everywhere, they are agile creatures and climb easily and fear obviously has a strong effect on their bowels.

The next day the director of the zoo came to collect him; was I rewarded for all my efforts. He arrived bare chested; after attempting to keep my regard on his beautiful blue eyes it slipped to his hairy, muscular chest and it was the force of gods that kept it from descending any further.

He still gives me a wave when he sees me and the occasional times that I visit the zoo I make the attempt to recognise my invader but to no avail.

This afternoon I strolled along the final part of the coastal footpath. All my final photographs are on my Flickr page just click on Cap Ferrat Zoo and St Jean Cap Ferrat. Some of you I know appreciate seeing foreign climes; for the others there is no compulsion as I know that other’s holiday snaps can at times be extremely boring.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dpnice1/sets/

 

[dpnice]

This morning I spent three hours in an oasis of beauty and calm. This is the first garden I visited on moving to France over 20 years ago and with each visit it seems more magical than before. Val Rahmeh encloses within its walls three gardens to amaze the visitor; a sub tropical promenade, an area for rare botanical plants and a garden loosely based on an English design.

I have always been a size queen as far as plants are concerned. The metre long fronds of tree ferns, the sweeping fan-like banners of the banana, the towering scaffolding of bamboos or the gruyere like leaves of a monstera; all these manage to hold me in wonder at their size and formations. The twisted pathway through these gigantic plants was an unbelievable pleasure; one almost felt the need for a machete to fight oneself through them.

The botanical plantings were interesting in that the plants, in themselves, were spectacular or at the least unusual. But planted with no allusions to aesthetics all chances of blending different forms, leaf types and sizes were lost. But oh how I would have loved to bring some of them back here to ornament madame’s domain.

The rest of the garden you can see from the photographs that I took. In fact I ran out of memory on my camera there were so many delightful things to snap. Just click on Menton07

Amazingly it is a garden infrequently visited; for the first hour I was the only person wandering through and those that arrived later seemed to have satisfied their curiosity and left within an hour. Naturally my enjoyment was equally matched by the disappointment of not possessing a garden of my own. The diversity and beauty of the plants I saw produces a profound desire to nurture and be surrounded by similar plants each and every day.

This holiday is nearly drawing to an end. Off to the cinema this evening to see “Hairspray” so need to cook my dinner of gammon and pineapple, feed the dogs and drive into town.

 

[dpnice]

The liberty of being on holiday came to an end on Friday. Being the last day I lazed at home and caught up on things that had been left undone. Stimulated by my visit to the Botanic Gardens I attacked cleaning up my terrace and moving plants around. As I spend most of my free time sitting here best that it is as attractive as I can manage to make it. Due to the orientation it is in nearly perpetual shade which makes it difficult choosing plants which will survive. Plus those plants which I really would like growing in pots it is not even worth considering buying them.

One interesting aspect of the holiday is that finally I lost that feeling of not being bothered to go out. Usually it requires quite an effort to leave the villa and go somewhere. But after the first few days I found that I wasn’t even thinking of staying at home but quite eager to go out.

Having spent today working I see that desire to bury myself once again establishing its self. It doesn’t worry me nor make me depressed, I am long past requiring human company to make my days pleasant and worthwhile. Yet I am well aware that the holiday would have been more rewarding if I had shared it with a friend or even better a loved one.

Still a “loved one” is something that no longer seems possible so I continue to find happiness in the things that I can control and organise myself.

If I am really lucky madame will not return until the end of the month. The last week is always uncertain as her return depends on the weather and the state of the sea. Tomorrow everything will be finished and impeccable for her arrival so if the return is delayed I can take advantage of a few more days of liberty.

Shrimp curry for dinner this evening. I have already my glass of whisky at my side which is making me feel guilty as it is not yet 18hr, the civilised hour for an evening drink.

 

[dpnice]

The day at work yesterday was incredibly tedious and extremely monotonous. I spent the whole day standing in front of the sink full of soapy water washing glasses and cleaning the table ware. In total, yes I counted, I washed 336 glasses and 24 sets of table place settings which totals 216 individual pieces of silver.

But amazingly such a boring day transformed itself into a charming evening. I was extremely low on cigarettes so knew at some point in the evening I would have to go out and buy some. If there ever was a reason for giving up smoking it is that. In France only tobacconists are authorised to sell them so after 19hr I am required to take the car and spend an hour driving into Nice and back.

So I rustled up some salmon, red peppers in vinegar and pineapple rice; finished my bottle of wine all accompanied by the cat on my lap battling me for the salmon.

Deciding that as I was obliged to go into town for cigarettes I might as well make an evening of it. The evening was so warm and the moon filling the night sky that it was a pleasure to be out. It seems that the holidays are not yet finally over and the old town was full to bursting, all the restaurants were packed and the tiny streets bonded with people strolling around. The town in high season is so attractive; each restaurant, no matter its size, has its line of tables outside on the street. The animation and obvious enjoyment of just being there never ceases to cheer me up. Mind you the fact that the town is overflowing with attractive men helps enormously.

I bought an ice cream in one of the most attractive squares and wandered back to my car, which was parked right next to the cruising area. Not wishing to waste the opportunity I took a stroll to see who was around; this is not necessarily the main reason for being there as it is really the one place with the most magnificent view of Nice and the bay.

Driving home I took a detour by the second best cruising area, again with the most spectacular views of Nice. I was actually accosted by a young hooker. Now if exchanging money for sex didn’t exasperate me I really think I would have a taken advantage of the situation as he was quite cute. But these transactions are never what you hoped they would be. The sex is mediocre, after one wonders why one spent so much money for so little satisfaction and finally it isn’t rare that it doesn’t end in a more dangerous situation.

But the fact that he at least considered me acceptable as a “hit” did cheer me up.

Well I must now retire to the kitchen and rustle up something to eat. Something simple I think – macaroni cheese should do the trick.

 

[dpnice]

My prolonged absence was obviously caused by the expected return of madame and all the family from their Mediterranean cruise and the subsequent departure of the chef. So I have found myself totally alone coping with meals and my normal chores.

Life has consisted of perpetual anxiety punctuated by moments of extreme stress. That is how I exist when I have to take over the responsibility of providing meals for madame. It is not that I am not a good cook, nor that I have no ideas for meals; but I spend the whole day worrying about whether everything has been done and all is prepared and then at the moment to serve it I stress out wondering if it will be edible and to their liking. It also doesn’t help that I am never certain at what hour they will sit down to eat causing absolute panic over whether things will be over or under cooked.

Still everything is back to normal now; the cook returns to prepare this evening’s meal so my trials and tribulations are at an end.

Then there is the added advantage of the opening of the hunting season. Not that I am a great supporter of hunting but this means that Monsieur will be absent quite a lot as they both travel down to their second property to take part in various hunts. So we have several days free nearly every other week.

Honestly madame’s frequent absences are one of the major advantages in my job. I may work like a slave one week but there is always a few days free of all responsibility to look forward to.

Oh by the way I really missed my daily dose of JUB.

 

[dpnice]

Suffice to say that the weekend was extremely tiring; I crawled into bed at 1hr30 this morning to crawl out again at 6hr. The morning passed with preparing everything for madame’s departure and the afternoon spent putting the villa back into state after the passage of the all the grandchildren.

So I have two days of tranquillity ahead of me.

Having eaten I spent some time sipping my wine gazing out to sea whilst the sky became redder and redder as the sun, already hidden behind the mountains, sank lower. Strange but these moments of calm appreciating the beauty of one’s surroundings is something that madame, even with all her wealth, never thinks of doing.

This evening is allocated to slumping in front of the television watch Brad Pitt in “Seven”. I should record it and go to bed to catch up with my lost sleep but I can’t find a blank cassette.

No idea what to do with my two days but I suppose I will find something to fill up the time.

 

[dpnice]

Possibly this blog is going nowhere; but then that might be evident seeing that my life is heading down exactly the same highway.

I often wonder, at least I do have a great deal of time for inward retrospection, why I feel so content with my life and so at peace with the world. Is my mundane life actually really comforting or is it just a myth I have constructed to prevent myself going out hunting for something better? Have I convinced myself that happiness is sitting quietly alone on my terrace gazing out to sea lost in my own thoughts just in order to not be obliged to make the effort to go out and rejoin the real world?

And as I write those words I think who the hell cares so actually why should I.

The few friends I have purposely continued to be in contact with are sufficiently far away as not to impinge on my life until I invite them in. Is selfishness, desiring that one’s quiet solitude is only disturb voluntarily, really a distasteful character trait?

What amazes me is that they still think I am worth the effort, that I still have a contribution to make to their lives and that I have retained that element of being an interesting person. When in all honesty I sit here wondering if I do have anything interesting to contribute anymore.

It is strange that, as maudlin as this may sound and the fact it gives the impression that it has been written by someone in the depths of depression that, I actually am in the most agreeable of moods tonight.

The cat nestling between my thighs, the night temperature seemingly like velvet and knowing that outside the moon is reflecting perfectly on an almost motionless sea seems reward enough in a life that is slowly heading towards its twilight end.

 

[dpnice]

The weekend as usual involved me over working and leaving me extremely tired; I am not as young as I used to be. Lunch seems to last longer and longer leaving me little or no time to get everything cleared and set up for dinner. Still it is understandable that they remain at table so long as the weather is perfect and it is such a pleasure just to sit there chatting surrounded by a beautiful garden. Oh but it makes my organisation difficult.

So my half day today was spent catching up on lost sleep and subsequently I have done absolutely nothing. Not an unusual occurrence in my life at the moment. Mind you it is a pleasure to spread out on the bed and not be bothered at what time one wakes up. Luckily it was early enough to pull my act together and get the evening meal prepared.

I have a cake in the oven and the ice-cream is revolving in the turbine. Once the cake comes out the potatoes go in which will accompany my duck in aubergines.

The house and terrace are candle lit and a glass of wine is at hand. I decided I was in drastic need of a romantic atmosphere this evening. Being alone does not mean a candle lit dinner is not possible.

 

[dpnice]

I have a well deserved day off today but have been up since the crack of dawn pottering around doing those ordinary things that can fill up your time. The real pleasure though is not having any deadlines, no timetable to keep to.

I bought a huge palm for my terrace yesterday and just spent some time repotting it. I am beginning to have to force my way between the plants to get to my door which is, of course, exactly the effect I am trying to achieve. I have always dreamt of living in a large greenhouse stocked with monstrous plants trailing their gigantic leaves everywhere.

My mortgage offer has not yet arrived through the post so subsequently I a in a slight panic. As soon as it is signed there is an obligatory 11 day period before it becomes final. Seeing that the date for the signature of the sale is set for the 1st October this is cutting it extremely tight. I am trying to patiently await the postman before I dash anxiously to the bank to sort things out.

The hunting season is now open meaning that madame should be absent quite frequently during the next few months. Annoyingly she doesn’t seem to think that it is necessary to give us advance warning of her proposed absences. I presume that hunting parties are always organised in advance so evidently she knows when she will not be here. I for one would appreciate being able organise myself according to her absences. Why the great secret I have no idea?

The daughter-in-law is pregnant and no-one seems happy about it, accepting but not exactly over the moon. My initial thought was hell another pair of greasy hands leaving messy fingerprints all over the furniture. Worst is the fact that the birth is expected in mid-December implying that madame will not be able to go away for the end of year festivities. Subsequently I think I shall be working over Christmas and the New Year, which I don’t actually mind but this implies working up to 20 hours a day over a long period of time. We will have a house full, three meals a day to serve and dinners that last into the early hours of the morning.

I think I will take myself out for lunch today. I need some comfort.

 

[dpnice]

I have been mulling over the images of his bedroom ever since seeing them and finally thought I should have the courage of my convictions.

If I am ready to say that I was horrified then I should show my own bedroom for him to comment on. So here it is.

A view of where I am now sitting to post this entry.

I have included other shots of my flat in my gallery so you are welcome to go and have a look if you wish.

"Chez-moi"

 

[dpnice]

The two main reasons for not keeping up with my journal seem to be the absence of something to say and more often the work factor, exhaustion isn’t conducive to creative thought.

A third reason is lethargy. Today has been one of those days; no aims and no plans. I have quietly watched today drift along realising that I was doing next to nothing and not really caring. Oh things got done but it was a pleasure not to do them according to one of the many lists of things to do that are stored in my computer.

At least it gave me time to lurk on JUB for a little longer than I usually do. I am surprised that it still amuses and entertains me with everything I read. When I speak of self control thankfully I also apply it to my own reactions. There are times when you really wonder where some people are coming from and if they really realise what effects their comments will have.

Perhaps the attraction is that I still come across people for whom I feel such a deep compassion that knowing they will be there sharing their thoughts, experiences and problems attracts me as does a flame to those night insects. It is not that I want them as part of my life, nor create bonds through Internet though in some cases my door would open to them wide if ever they came knocking. Strange isn’t it that through words on a screen you can develop such deep emotional feelings about people wishing them peace and success in their lives even if you can do nothing more than share their lives a traverse their words.

On the personal side it seems that my quiet life may well be shaken up in the near future as it seems highly probable that madame is trying to sell the villa. At least that is my impression after the visits that have been occurring for the past few months. The people who came yesterday visited twice during the day, interested enough to want to see the place at night. Listening in to their conversations they were obviously attracted and definitely potential buyers.

Well it will be interesting to see what follows. Perhaps it is time for my life to be shaken up a little.

Time to get dinner ready. Just a simple roast chicken and rosemary potatoes this evening.

 

[dpnice]

After two days of aimless inactivity I felt it was really time to do something and not being able to think of anything worthwhile that I was tempted to do I just got on with some outstanding cleaning. What a life where all you do in your spare time is clean; which you have been doing whilst working.

Well at least there was some satisfaction at the end and I don’t feel that the whole three days have been wasted.

I was limited in my choice of activities as I was obliged to remain here all day as we had the contract gardeners in working on the Cyprus and pine trees. Quite pleasant having a garden full of muscular young men climbing up trees and messing about in general. One is an absolute dream; skinny tight body with dreadlocks but a smile and eyes which would make the most hardened cynic weak at the knees.

Finally the date is fixed to sign for the purchase of my third property. As soon as I get the keys I must throw myself into a frenzy of decorating and furnishing. Hopefully I can get everything done and the place rented quite quickly. I would like to be back on a secure financial standing by the end of the year. It will be painful paying the mortgage repayments out of my hard earned savings. In fact every month it remains empty is going to cost me quite a lot of money.

Well time to take the dogs for a walk around the garden; the gardeners have left so peace and calm reigns once again.

The fridge is nearly empty I think I just have enough things to rustle up a gratin de saumon and a large salad.

 

[dpnice]

Seasons change but here on the Côte d’Azur the rapidity of this change always takes us unawares. One day it is summer and the next………… well winter arrived today. Suddenly our summer way of life disappears and old habits are rediscovered and put into practice with no preparation or previous anticipation.

After many months of dining outside madame finds herself obliged to eat in the dining room. Lights are required and before long I will have the chimney lit for the few minutes they spend there.

Monsieur switched on the central heating and the cat has returned to his cushion in front of the radiator; not to move again until next spring.

Time for me to pack away all my linen trousers and shirts, replacing them with sweaters and corduroy trousers. At long last I shall once again be able to dress up a little when I go out; jackets and a nice shirt has always been my preferred way of dressing.

The strangest thing over here is that we have no autumn and subsequently no time to prepare ourselves for the cold weather. No golden leaves through which to run in childish pleasure; here we have maritime pines who drop their needles all year round and I have yet to see an olive tree bedazzling me with its autumn colours.

Certainly we will have days when the skies are clear and the sun out warming everything and perking up our moral. But once the heating is on and once madame retires to the dining room for lunch I know for certain summer is over and the end of the year is near.

 

[dpnice]

Well it seems that life without JUB is a definite possibility. Mind you it is not by freedom of choice that I haven’t been logging in lately. Every single day free from work I have been driving over to my new studio to get it ready for renting. Naturally everything possible has imposed difficulties and setbacks all which require time to overcome and deal with. Thankfully madame is absent quite frequently at present leaving me enough free time to cope with everything.

The place is now decorated and most of the kitchen cupboards put together leaving me the job of fixing them to the walls, installing the work surfaces and fitting in the sink and electric hob.

I have spent more money than I had budgeted for but I honestly don’t think it is correct to rent out a property that is not fully equipped and reasonably decent. I see no reason for someone who can’t afford to pay a great deal of money for their accommodation not to have the right to the basic minimums.

I should add that I am getting no pleasure out of doing all this work; in fact I never have liked DIY and decorating. What pleases me is when the work is finished and I can stand back and admire the finished results. Often it takes me an hour to do something and then two hours to admire and appreciate my work.

I have tried to catch up on all the blogs but it seems to be an impossible task. I notice that some members have suffered others are still having problems and others just coping with life. So if you have missed my comments please excuse me and I promise to return and participate as soon as all my commitments are finished.