Welcome to My Diary - 2009
Comments from the author:
Whilst not exactly a blog, I hope that this will read like a list of things I would tell you, if I were sat next to you in the pub. Or, perhaps sat across a dinner table (enjoying a great meal), with me trying to explain what it is about my life that makes it different to the way it used to be.
Just little, ordinary things that happen to me that may not happen to you. Unless, of course, you also happen to live in the beautiful Breton countryside (where, it is rumoured, God comes for his holidays - when he needs a break from Heaven!).
Older Diary Entries
Older diary entries for the past three years are available here....
Latest Entries
“Real life stories from my often strange little life in rural Brittany.....”
Tuesday - 26th January - 2010 - Changes Afoot!
Well, this is going to be the last post in the present version of BretonDiary.
I've decided to embrace the modern age and, from now on, use WordPress as my blogging platform.
Doing everything in raw html (and then FTPing it all up to the server), has just got too time consuming. I'm scared to post because of all the work involved.
Thus the move to WordPress. I'm already using it for www.aTasteOfGarlic.com and am pretty confident that I am up to scratch on the mySQL and PHP background stuff.
I've recently converted www.MushroomDiary.com to WordPress and would like to say that that was a brilliant success.
That, however, would be a total lie!
I did manage to delete all my work when I deleted an old backup database that turned out not to be the backup after all....
But, I'm sure I've learned from that!
The new BretonDiary will be at the same place as it currently is. It'll just look a bit different. See you there, I hope!
All the best
Tuesday - 26th January - 2010 - Here today, gone tomorrow!
Well, the snow visited south west Brittany and for a few days we all thought... "Oh, how nice."
Then we all got sick of chopping wood and continually feeding the fire.
We all thought about trading in our perfectly decent cars....
For four wheel drives that would cost an arm and a leg.
We panicked about not being able to get to the shops.
And starving to death.....
Unless we succumbed to hypothermia first!
We cursed the estate agents who swore to us.....
That south west Brittany has a micro-climate.....
And never gets any snow!
And then, before we knew it.
It was over.
Just a tale for us to tell our grandchildren.
"You youngsters don't understand. In the olden days we didn't have any of these mod cons."
"You should have been there in the freeze of January 2010."
"Snow up to the chimney and we had to eat the dog and the budgie, just to survive!"
"And that lot down the road ate their Granny.
But then, they always were a bit strange."
"Oh, you kids of today, with your centrally heated four wheel drives. You just don't know that you're born!"
A touch too much Monty Python, perhaps?
All the best
Tuesday - 26th January - 2010 - It's a cats life!
Sometimes I wonder where I have gone wrong in life.
I think the real mistake was not being born a cat.
I look at my two sometimes and think... "Yup, you've got it cushy!"
Fed and kept warm - and cuddles on tap!
I suppose I ought to admit that the Girlie is fairly well trained.
She's a good cook and is great at starting the fire.
And, as for the cuddles on tap.....
I do wonder if cats have ambitions though?
They don't seem to think about the future.
Perhaps it's a concept they don't understand?
And maybe that's the secret to a happy life?
Personally, I think that plenty of sleep and a nice warm coat have got something to do with it?
I do wonder what they dream about, though
And what do they really think about us?
Slaves or masters?
I've got a feeling I'm a bit of both.
Or perhaps more of an aged retainer, past his prime but kept on, out of charity.
And the cats are too polite that strange smell and the dribbles......
Oh dear!
I vowed that this would never become one of those... Look how cute my pussy cat is..." type blogs!
And look what's happening!
I'm going to have to write an Anti-Cute system, to delete all those cute pussycat photos as I download them from the camera.
In the meantime, please feel free to go an vomit in the corner!
I got a feeling the cats won't mind.
All the best
Tuesday - 5th January - 2010 - A Taste of Garlic - revisited - again!
Well, www.aTasteOfGarlic.com seems to be going from strength to strength.
I've recently interviewed the lovely Karen Wheeler who was kind enough to answer all my silly questions AND send a signed review copy of her first novel, Tout Sweet (I understand that if you can find an un-signed copy, it is worth an absolute fortune!)
Jenny was also kind enough to feature me on her blog... www.ToutSweet.net
Last night I finished an interview with probably the hottest chick-lit author in the universe (definately the hottest one that lives in France), Jenny Colgan - her interview is scheduled to be published on the 8th of January.
Jenny has written loads of books, once worked for the NHS and was a stand-up comedian (not all at the same time, one hopes!) If you can't wait for the www.aTasteOfGarlic.com interview with Jenny, take a look at her site at... www.jennycolgan.com - you'll be able to find out all the stuff that I don't ask Jenny!
I've got more interviews coming up and plenty of Life in France blogs to review. If you haven't taken a look yet, I suggest you have a little peak at... www.aTasteOfGarlic.com.
All the best
P.S. It's so nice to be interviewing authors who don't have a beard and wear old vests! Sorry George but... it's true!
Tuesday - 5th January - 2010 - RoadsideTales.com
For a long long time I've been writing.
There are numerous novels that I've started and never finished, one novel that I have finished but haven't managed to get published... as yet.
And a whole load of short stories.
Some of the short stories are influenced (in style and content) by Jim Fogg, who used to write stories for motorbike magazines.
I have collected together the best that I have done and am intending to publish them towards the end of February 2010.
To get an idea of what these will look like (4 complete stories and teasers for all the rest), take a quick look at www.RoadsideTales.com
All the best
Thursday - 10th December - 2009 - A Taste of Garlic - revisited
My new website - www.aTasteOfGarlic.com seems to be going well.
Only a week after I launched it, the visitor numbers are increasing each day and I have already managed to interview two world famous authors.
There are plenty more interviews lined up (it takes time getting past famous people's agents and personal assistants), and of course, each day a new blog about Life in France will be highlighted.
I can't really tell you about who I've got lined up for interviews (just in case they read some of the previous interviews and chicken out), but I can let you know that I have fired an email off to the Palais de l'Élysée asking some famous chap who lives there (I'll give you a hint - he's the one married to that pretty Italian burd that sings a bit), if he'd me give an interview for www.aTasteOfGarlic.com.
I'm specifically interested in his views about all the English who sell up, move to France (especially Brittany) and then go round growing beards and wearing old vests?
And, if the behaviour of British women in Brittany wasn't bad enough, what does he think about the men?
All the best
P.S. If any of you are thinking about growing a beard and wearing old vests and want to know how to do it properly, you may want to read a book or two by the expert of all things beardy and vesty in Brittany - George East. Take a look at some of the funny accounts of his life in Normandy and Brittany below.
Thursday - 10th December - 2009 - Clench your buttocks!
The Girlie and I went to Redon today to buy our Christmas tree.
We decided to get a small one and then also make some Christmas tree sort of thingies out of Holly that we can gather locally.
I'm not too sure if this is to save money; I have a horrible feeling that the Girlie watched all too much Blue Peter when she was a little... well, Girlie!
This is the tree we decided on, it'll be unwrapped and installed in the living room and then, tonight, the Girlie and Josh can decorate it.
I'm not getting involved. I know that my job will come every morning until festivities are over - putting the bloody thing back up after the cats have spent the night playing Tarzan and Jane, climbing all over it!
Still, I expect it'll look pretty enough when it is decorated - it'll just need a pretty little angel to sit on the top.
"Girlie, where are you - got a job for you! Might be an idea to clench your buttocks first!"
All the best
Thursday - 10th December - 2009 - Take my Handicap
It's easy, sometimes, to feel sorry for yourself. I've recently been having trouble with the mask/respirator that I have to wear during the night.
It has a built in humidifier; that works great, most of the time. Recently, however, because of the sudden drop in temperature during the night the moisture condenses and I wake up with a mask full of water - that's fun, that is!
I could get all grumpy about it but I had to laugh, the other day, when I met (via www.aTasteOfGarlic.com) someone else who suffers from Sleep Apnea. He has to wear a a gum shield top and bottom which keeps his jaw from dropping back and closing his windpipe. I told him that I was glad I didn't have to do that - it doesn't sound like much fun.
He replied saying... "My mum's best friend has a sort of Darth Vader outfit. She has a nightmare each time she flies anywhere. All straps around the head and a vacuum cleaner type oxygen feeder making gurgling sounds next to the bed. Bloody hell, I hope you don't have that too!"
Um, that's exactly what I've got. But little things like that are sent to try us. You can't let them get you down.
I saw this sign outside E. Leclerc today and it made me think.
All the best
Friday - 4th December - 2009 - A Taste of Garlic
Another day, another website!
I've long thought that it was a shame that there was no detailed directory of the sort of blogs that I like to read - namely, those that deal with the various aspects of Life in France.
Of course, there are the open directories but they are just listing services. I thought that there was a need for a more in-depth type of site; one that gave a basic synopsis of each blog so that the potential visitor would get an idea of what to expect.
Anyway, I hope that that is what I have done with www.aTasteOfGarlic.com - I'm sure that people will let me know, one way or the other.
All the best
Thursday - 3rd December - 2009 - Images of Brittany
I decided to launch Images of Brittany when I realised, after looking at the visitor statistics on here, that many people were searching the internet for information on Brittany.
I felt that, as “A picture tells a thousand words.....”, an image based site would be of aid to those people planning to move to Brittany, already living here and looking for places to visit or people just planning to come here for their holidays.
I knew that there was a wealth of images on the internet that were available for re-use, either being in the public domain or released under one of the free use licenses.
It is my hope that more and more people will share their own photographs by releasing them under either one of the appropriate licenses or directly into the Public Domain.
As photographs relevant to living or holidaying in Brittany become available in this fashion, I shall attempt to add them to this site.
Why don't you take a look at www.ImagesofBrittany.com
All the best
Thursday - 3rd December - 2009 - Naughty Knickers in Redon
Thank God it only happens once a year - that's all I can say!
The Girlie decided to have a birthday and, to keep things simple for me, she had it on the same day she had her birthday last year.
Now, that was nice of her, wasn't it?
So, I was despatched to Redon to buy a surprise birthday present for the Girlie, with strict and detailed instructions on exactly what sort of "surprise present" would be acceptable (even down to the relevant sizes!)
Friday - 20th November - 2009 - Market Days in Brittany
Looking through the logfiles on my web server, I realised that lots of people were coming across BretonDiary as a result of searching for the phrase.. "Market Days Brittany".
Thus, the Girlie and I decided to create a site to specifically detail Market Days in Brittany in more detail.
As well as giving you the details of the Markets Days, we have also created downloadable guides that you can print off and take around with you.
I hope that the new site is of some use to you, whether you live over here or just visit for holidays. I've certainly discovered a few markets that I didn't know about; ones that I want ot visit soon (or as soon as it stops raining - possibly Easter, next year!)
Please take a look at www.MarketDaysinBrittany.com
All the best..
Keith
Tuesday - 17th November - 2009 - French Public Holidays
The Girlie and I decided to create a site to detail French Public Holidays/Bank Holidays.
We realised that there was a need as many people seemed to be getting confused about the dates and meanings of French national and public holidays.
I suppose that I should be ashamed that in my first year living in France, I went into work twice, not knowing that there would be no work because of a bank holiday.
As well as giving you the dates of the holidays, we have tried to explain the meanings and reasons for some of the Public Holidays in France. You are welcome to download PDF versions of any of these guides to print off for your personal use.
Why not take a look at www.FrenchPublicHolidays.com
Tuesday - 17th November - 2009 - A Visit to Loheac Car Museum
The Girlie went to England last week; to stay with my sister, see her daughter (and her parents), go shopping, do more shopping, drink tea and natter about the shopping and..... all that other Girlie stuff.
Joshy and I were left at home to be Bachelors Alone.
So, as well as pigging out on microwave burgers, we decided to visit the car museum at Loheac - it's a man thing!
As well as cars, there are a few boats and motorbikes - and a few things that could be best described as an amalgam of all three!
Thursday - 29th October - 2009 - Three Minutes Slow
Over the last month or so, I've had plenty of opportunities to return to Josselin for the day.
I've got clients there and have also had to visit Helga's House of Pain (as the abattoir where I used to work is commonly known!), to sort out my redundancy stuff.
The Green Beastie (my car), and I have been clocking up the miles (or, should that be... kilometers) and, so far, we not managed to kill anyone. Give it time?
One of the things that I've noticed about Josselin is that the Church Clock is always three minutes slow.
Thursday - 29th October - 2009 - Speeding up the Internet
Over the couple of weeks, I've been trying very hard to improve the speed of our internet connections at La Maison des Fleurs.
When we lived at Rue St. Nicolas in Josselin (and when I lived at Les Croix), we had 2Mbs internet access. Now we only have 512Kbs (about a quarter of what we had before.)
We suffer (or, at least, used to) from intermittent failues and general slowness.
Wednesday - 9th September - 2009 - The Adventure Begins!
Well, the jobs have started trickling in.
It's only Wednesday and I've already visited 3 clients, travelling as far as Gael on Monday and Cruguel yesterday.
In order to be able to visit clients without having to ask the Girlie to drive me, I am in the process of getting my car (the Green Beastie), back on the road. Two visits to the insurance office and it's nearly there. Perhaps third time lucky?
Being serious for a moment, when I was ill I had a nasty habit of falling asleep at the wheel - this didn't bother me so much (we all know that... "The Sleep Apnea sufferer died happily in his sleep; his three passengers died screaming!"), but I think it may have scared a pedestrian or two!
Friday - 4th September - 2009 - My New job!
Well, it's finally happened. I've received my final pay packet from Helga's House of Pain (the local name for the abattoir where I used to work), and am now reliant on my own efforts in order to feed myself and family (and keep me in the manner to which I've become accustomed.)
The Siret number (a sort of license to run a business that you need in France) has arrived - the delays were entirely my fault! I am now on some computer somewhere as 514 452 838 00014.
Everything is ready, all we need now are some customers!
The Girlie is busy researching local businesses that don't appear to have websites and I am working on setting up our websites.
Of course, as the picture above testifies, I am no stranger to hard work, having been sent down t'pit at an early age!
Tuesday - 25th August - 2009 - Busy, busy, busy
In the previous post, Spanish guests, I detailed Thursday and Friday night's entertainment.
On the Saturday night, the Girlie drove us down south to St. Gildas des Bois to visit Kevin and Charlie who have a holiday home there.
It's non-stop; this constant whirl of social events in sleepy southern Brittany!
Tuesday - 25th August - 2009 - Spanish Guests
We've had some guests from Barcelona staying in the end Gite.
Xavier and Teresa (and their two daughters Bertha and Clara) seemed to have an enjoyable time and the weather behaved itself during their stay.
In fact, they seemed so happy that they invited the Girlie, Joshy and me out for a meal last Friday, to say thanks.
I didn't like to mention that the good weather wasn't all down to me!
Wednesday - 19th August - 2009 - Lawnmower
A successful week - even though it's only Wednesday!
On Monday I visited the work's doctor who declared that I was a danger to myself and my colleagues and that I wouldn't be able to return to work. Not only that, but... I was so dangerous that there was no point in having a second visit to make sure - he'd sign me off straight away.
And, just to make sure, he'd write a letter to me explaining all that!
Now, that was nice, wasn't it?
Wednesday - 19th August - 2009 - Sunflower Thing
I have got to admit, I do have a thing about sunflowers.
The Girlie planted some when we lived in Josselin and they got transplanted when we moved to La Coudrais.
They seem to have taken the move very well!
They seem to be taking over!
Wednesday - 19th August - 2009 - Family Visit
The Girlie and I moved from Josselin to La Coudrais about 5 weeks ago.
My sister Briony, her husband Rick and various of their children decided to visit Josselin for a holiday.
Was this just a coincidence, I wondered?
Rather than let them enjoy Josselin in peace, the Girlie and I (and Joshy too), decided to pay them a visit.
Finding that my brother Martin (and I guess he must be Briony's brother as well???) had already decided to pay them a visit, we realised that peace would be an unknown quantity in Josselin - for a while!
Wednesday - 12th August - 2009 - In the Garden
Summer has finally arrived at La Coudrais and the garden seems to have realised it.
The cats have settled in to their new home and even survived a De-Fleaing without too many complaints.
And I seem to be trapped in the office trying to get my new business off the ground!
I've got a meeting with the Work's Doctor on Monday and then, 2 weeks later, I should be free! I can't wait - Siret number has been applied for and business cards have been printed - all I need now are customers!
Saturday - 1st August - 2009 - Harvest Time
No sooner have we moved in here at La Coudrais, than the Girlie is digging up stuff that she had planted earlier in the year.
Harvest time - apparently.
I do have to say that her shallots look Lurvely!
I do like a shallot or two!
Saturday - 1st August - 2009 - Sunflowers in Brittany
I've only ever seen Sunflowers being grown commercially much farther south in France. I didn't realise that they were also grown in Brittany.
This year, for the first time in the six years that I have been over here, I have seen Sunflowers being grown.
I like Sunflowers!
They seem to have a character unlike that of any other flower. Perhaps it helps that they are a lot taller than almost every other flower!
Monday - 27th July - 2009 - A New Start
Well - what a month it's been!
The Girlie and I, Joshy and the cats have all packed our bags and moved again - this time to the Girlie's house near La Gacilly. We had decided that with my imminent redundancy that we'd be better off living somewhere where we didn't have to pay rent. It also was becoming obvious that the Girlie was not going to be able to sell her house (even at a vastly discounted price) and that the Clients just weren't queing up to book her gites.
And so we moved! Of course, that was just the stimulus required for the Clients to start enquiring about the Gites!
The last 2 weeks have seemed just merged into an endless saga of building furniture, building fences, having bonfires and unpacking. The Girlie has been busy planting and digging up stuff (I'm not all that up on this gardening lark), and we have been eating our own potatoes, onions and beetroots.
Once the chickies arrive (when I have finished building the fences), we shall be eating our own eggs,as well. And, if the eggs don't arrive, we'll be eating our own chickies!
On a different note - I am still going through the "Being made redundant" process and hope to be starting up in business for myself at the end of August.
With this in mind, I have launched a site for my Web Design interests. Please take a look in at www.BrittanyWebsites.com
I have also launched a long thought about Gite Directory for the region. This can be found at www.BestGitesinBrittany.com
Although I am unable to do any professional work until I am made redundant, if you do know of anyone who could use a website - I would be happy to talk to them even if the work doesn't start for a few weeks.
All the best....
Keith
Tuesday - 30th June - 2009 - Still Alive
I've finally realised (perhaps due to all the "Are you still alive?" emails that I've been receiving), that it might be time to post something on BretonDiary.com.
So, to all of you who are worried - Yes, I'm still alive and plan to be so for the next 100 years or so!
The truth is, a lot has been happening recently and I've been spending many hours away from the PC.
This is a list of various things that I shall be talking about in more detail in the near future.....
1). A visit to the doctor in May - he told me that I would not be going back to work at the Abattoir.
2). A visit to the works doctor who concurred with my doctor.
Between the two of them, it's been decided that I'll be made redundant in early August.
3).Thus, I've had to find something else to do with the rest of my life. I've decided to start up a PC repair/website design business and will be explaining more about that in the near future.
4). Also, the Girlie and I have decided to move - once again, more details when that deed has been done.
5). I shall be replying to all the mails that are in my inbox - I've been spending time at the new place and don't have a PC there - that's my excuse, anyway!
6). And finally, I shall be writing a post about a great car show the Girlie, Josh and I recently went to - lots of noisy videos to be included, no doubt!
Speak to you soon - all the best....
Keith
P.S. Some Bad News! My favourite Life in Brittany website (www.Brittany-Friends) has closed down.
P.P.S. Some Good News! It has been replaced (by the same people), take a look in at www.BrittanyFriends.com
Friday - 1st May - 2009 - Tracy Walters - Mobile Hairdresser
Tracy Walters - Mobile Hairdresser - 25 years experience
Recently, at the St. Patrick Day celebrations at La Taverne in Josselin, I noticed a woman (one of many, I have to say), who was dancing round a handbag to YMCA.Then, at the 60s and 70s Soiree Disco (also at La Taverne, Josselin), I noticed the same woman dancing (arms flying about - once again, one of many), to Abba.
I rushed outside to recover and have a ciggie - she came outside as well. We started chatting and it turned out that she is a hairdresser and lives in Mohon, not far from where I used to live.
I promised her that when we had both sobered up, I'd ask her a few questions for the benefit of the readers of BretonDiary.
Well, that was 2 weeks ago and I think we've both just about sobered up enough (it was a very good night, that disco at La Taverne!)
I started off by asking Tracy how long she'd been living in France?
Tuesday - 28th April - 2009 - Rainy Day
It's been peeing down for most of the day so I've been mainly stuck inside. It's alright though 'cos God told me that he wanted to get all the rain out of the way before the summer so that the holidaymakers don't get wet!
Also - The rain will make the veggies grow faster and I am getting hungry (but then, what's new?)
The one highlight of the day happened this morning as the Girlie left to take Josh to school and then go on to a job interview/open day thingy. She had left the lights on all night and so it was Bump Start city in Rue St Nicholas - Good job we live on a hill!
And just to cheer you all up if it's raining where you are...
I was down the bar last night when I ran into the Director of the local Loony Bin. I took the opportunity to ask him a question that has long been on my mind.
"How", I asked him. "Do you work out if someone deserves to be institutionalized."
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," I said. "A normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No." said the Director, "A normal person would pull the plug out. Do you want a bed near the window?"
All the best...
Keith
Tuesday - 28th April - 2009 - Haddock in the Kitchen
I have decided that, every Tuesday, I shall feature one of the sites that I look at on a daily basis.
The reason for this is that..... if a site interests me, it may well interest you, whether you are living in beautiful Brittany, thinking of doing so or just planning to visit for your holiday
This week, I am mentioning another of my favourite sites....
Haddock in the Kitchen
Although Helen's blog used to be what I would consider to be a "foodie" blog, it is now moving into a more "lifestyle" genre.
As well as updating her blog, Helen also writes about "Retro Cooking" for Flavour magazine and has just had an article published in the Telegraph.
Sunday - 26th April - 2009 - My first video!
If you thought that the Girlie's first video was pretty dire and that things couldn't get worse - well, think again!
This little video extract was shot before I read the manual and realised that there were different shooting modes/resolutions etc. Way too complicated for me!
This video was taken at La Taverne during the 60's and 70's night last week and is proof positive that people still dance to Abba in Josselin!
My first video! - warning... contains disturbing scenes!
All the best...
Keith
Sunday - 26th April - 2009 - The Girlie's first video!
I've just sold one of my kidneys and bought a cheap video camera.
The Girlie likes the look of it and seems to have appropriated it for herself!
This is her first video - I do apologise for the content - I didn't think she'd work out how to use it so quickly!
By the way, if you're worried about the main character in the video - it is someone who looks amazingly like me, who lives just round the corner. He is always getting mistaken for me (the bane of my life, really) - but is no relation at all to yours truly!
The Girlie's first video! - warning... contains disturbing scenes!
All the best...
Keith
Sunday - 26th April - 2009 - Fish and Chips for Tea
The Girlie and I both fancied fish and chips for tea.
So, armed with our new fishing licenses, we both hurried down the hill to the canal.
We found a comfortable spot and cast out our lines!
Surely it wouldn't be long before an accommodating fish agreed to be our supper?
I'm not sure that the Girlie realised that the chances of catching a nice plump cod were slightly less than zero but, then again, she is new to this fishing lark!
Saturday - 25th April - 2009 - Josh gets a haircut!
Josh has just come back from three weeks in England where he was learning French with my father.
The Girlie and I both agreed that three weeks away has done Josh the world of good and that he seems so much more grown up now.
I'm not really sure what my father did to him but, whatever it was, it certainly worked a treat!
Tuesday - 21st April - 2009 - Sixties and Seventies night at La Taverne!
Saturday night was the Sixties and Seventies Soiree/Disco at La Taverne in Josselin.
The photo shows me in the study pondering what to wear for it!
I was certainly looking forward to a good meal and a little bop, afterwards!
And if I couldn't find a girlie called "little bop", well... I'd have a dance with my Girlie instead!
Saturday - 18th April - 2009 - Tonight's the Night!
Up early as I have a busy day ahead of me.
Tonight the Girlie and I are going to the Soiree/Disco at La Taverne. I've got my costume all ready - I'll be the one dressed as a hippy!
If you've got nothing better to do - why don't you come down?
A suprise package that arrived yesterday mean that there might be a little suprise on this site on Sunday. I would tell you more but, that would ruin the suprise, wouldn't it?
All the best...
Keith
Friday - 17th April - 2009 - The Girlie!
One of the our favourite places in Josselin is the Bar, Restaurant... La Taverne.
The Girlie and I often pop in there for a quick coffee or beer.
We've become quite friendly with the owners and their two exceptionally well-behaved children.
It was only today that I realised that perhaps the owners, Fabien and Sandra, know us better than I thought they did.
Friday - 17th April - 2009 - The Girlie goes fishing!
The Girlie and I bought our fishing permits last week and today we decided to try them out.
After an obligatory beer at La Taverne, we wandered down to the canal, bunged a poor worm on the hook and proceeded to drown it.
I was rather hoping for a nice Zander or two but, the fish must have heard that we were coming and swum away.
The highlight of the Girlie's session must have been when I decided to clamber down the bank to get a perfect photo and slipped!
Tuesday - 14th April - 2009 - It's raining - so it's time for a joke (or two!)
Fristly - a joke that was sent to me from C....
A little old lady is trudging down the street, dragging two large plastic garbage bags. Every once in a while a piece of currency slips through a tear in one of the bags.
Noticing this, a policeman stops her. 'Ma'am, five pound notes are falling out of your bag.' 'Oh, really? Damn!' says the little old lady. 'I'd better go back and see if I can collect them. Thanks for the warning!'
'Well now, not so fast,' says the cop. 'How did you get all that money?' He arches an eyebrow and asks teasingly, 'You didn't steal it, did you?'
'Oh, no!' says the little old lady. 'You see, my back yard is right up against the parking lot of the football stadium. Each time there's a game, a lot of fans pee through the fence right into my flower beds! So, I go and stand behind the bushes with my hedge clipper, and every time someone sticks his thingy through the fence, I grab hold of it and holler 'five pounds or off it comes!''
'That seems only fair,' laughs the cop. 'Okay, good luck! By the way, what's in the other bag?'
'Well, not everybody has the money.
A video from my little sister, Briony... who should know better!
Why women need catalogues! - warning... Not man friendly!
Happy Tuesday everyone - hope you're all having a good time!
All the best...
Keith
Tuesday - 14th April - 2009 - Site of the Week
I have decided that, every Tuesday, I shall feature one of the sites that I look at on a daily basis.
The reason for this is that..... if a site interests me, it may well interest you, whether you are living in beautiful Brittany, thinking of doing so or just planning to visit for your holiday
This week, I am mentioning another of my favourite sites....
An English Rose in France
Rosalyn writes about living (with all her animals and her husband, Paul) on Half Acre Farm in Sixt sur Aft, Ille et Vilaine.
The site is updated at least every other day and contains loads of photos and a few videos as well.
Tuesday - 14th April - 2009 - Easter Monday
The highlight of Easter Monday was my little girlie, Cindy, catching her first mousie at Rue St. Nicolas!
The Girlie (the human one) and I saw a mousie a few weeks ago and since then Cindy has been prowling the back of the vegetable patch - she must have smelt something!.
Finally, her perseverance paid off!
Monday - 13th April - 2009 - Easter Sunday
One of the lovely things about Josselin is that it has lots of special places.
Little places that you can wander to and then sit down for a little ponder.
Places like this that you can view along the river from one of the many places to sit.
Sunday - 12th April - 2009 - A quick joke from Glenn!
All women should live so long as to be this kind of old lady! This story brings a tear to my eye!
Toward the end of Sunday service, the Minister asked, 'How many of you have forgiven your enemies?'
80% held up their hands.
The Minister then repeated his question. All responded this time, except one small elderly lady.
'Mrs. Neely?'; 'Are you not willing to forgive your enemies?'
I don't have any.' She replied, smiling sweetly.
'Mrs. Neely, that is very unusual. How old are you?'
'Ninety-eight.' she replied.
'Oh, Mrs. Neely, would you please come down in front & tell us all how a person can live ninety-eight years & not have an enemy in the world?'
The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, faced the congregation, and said, 'I outlived the bitches.'
Happy Easter everyone!
All the best...
Keith
Sunday - 12th April - 2009 - Roast Lamb for Tea - a perfect day!
Because I've been a good boy recently, the Girlie offered to cook dinner last night.
Because lamb was on special offer at the supermarket, lamb it had to be!
Also, as we've got things planned for today and are going to the Girlie's house tomorrow morning (she's got someone coming round to see it - hopefully a buyer), we decided to have Sunday Lunch on Saturday night.
Thus, I was banished from the kitchen (the Girlie used a Gordon Ramsay phrase; something along the lines of... Get the Fork out of my kitchen! or something like that!)
Saturday - 11th April - 2009 - Easter Market - Meeting Friends
Having had a wonderful night's sleep (I think the doctor has finally got it right with my medication), it was off to the market this morning.
The Girlie and I had arranged to meet up with Tony and Diane and their two children, Arthur (aged 9) and Abby (aged 4).
We'd only ever spoken on the phone (or via email) and both the Girlie and I were looking forward to meeting them as they own a house in Mohon (not far from Josselin), and are thinking about moving over for good (and it certainly will be good for them!!!) next year.
Before we met them though, the Girlie and I had to trudge around the crowded market, meeting friends and buying wonderful produce in the beautiful morning sunshine - it's a hard job living over here but, someone's got to do it!
Saturday - 11th April - 2009 - They Live - Day of the Gnomes!
When there is no more room in the garden centres, the gnomes will walk the Earth!
O.K. For those of you who aren't fans of the George Romero type Zombie films (of which Shaun of the Dead had got to be the best), I am getting a little worried about the collection of Gnomes in the back garden.
When I moved to Rue St. Nicolas from Les Croix, some of the garden Gnomes came with me. However, what worries me is...
1. There seem to be more of them than there used to be and,
2. They seem to move around when I'm not watching!
Friday - 10th April - 2009 - Scallops and Salmon
As I've been feeling better, the last few days, I decided to celebrate and cook for the Girlie.
The Girlie had never eaten scallops before, so that was going to be on the menu.
I fancied Salmon for the main course.
The nice thing about cooking scallops and salmon is that they are so easy to cook and, the less you do to them, the better they taste!
All the best...
Keith
Thursday - 9th April - 2009 - Soiree/Disco at La Taverne!
Following on from the very successful St. Patricks Day Celebrations they hosted (take a look at St Patricks Day Celebrations at La Taverne, Fabien and Sandra have decided to put on another special night for the local French and English communities.
It's sure to be a great night with a really good mix of French and English, lots of silly dancing and some very good food. The Girlie and I will be there but please, don't let that put you off!
I'll be the one dressed like a hippie (not sure about the Girlie, yet), attempting to dance to the music of my youth - it'd be nice to say hello.
All the best...
Keith
Thursday - 9th April - 2009 - Sick Note!
If you are wondering why there have been no updates for a while, this is because my medications seemed to have suddenly stopped working and I have been back down to 3 hours sleep each night.
Apart from making me feel very tired, the sleep that I have been getting has been filled with horrible dreams that don't seem to go away during the daytime.
However, I have had my medication changed and increased and last night slept like a log (with no bad dreams.)
I have got loads of updates to add to my diary so please keep checking in - I should be able to add them during the next week or so.
Many thanks to people who have sent in comments - I have received them and will publish them here over the next few days or so.
All the best...
Keith
P.S. Almost forgot to say a very special thank you to Rachel who a couple of weeks ago sold me an enormous amount of Lego (for a pittance), to help young Joshy with his rampant Legoitis - to say that you made a child very happy is an understatement - Joshy was pretty chuffed as well!
Monday - 16th March - 2009 - French Bank Holidays - Jours Feriés
The following is a list of National Holidays in France for 2009.
I only put them here because they confuse the hell out of me and I assume that they must do the same for you!
1st January - New Year's Day (Jour de l'an) - Too late; you've missed it!
Sun 12 Apr - Easter Sunday - Your village shop might be open in the morning?
Mon 13 Apr - Easter Monday - Nothing will be open - hope you did all your shopping on the Saturday!
Fri 1 May - Labor Day (Fete du premier mai) - Nothing is open - long live the revolution!
Fri 8 May - WWII Victory Day (Fete de la Victoire 1945; Fete du huitieme mai) - Who won the war?
Thurs 21 May - Ascension Day - Maybe some village shops open in the morning?
Mon 1 Jun - Monday following Pentacost - not really a bank holiday - we just don't work on it!
Tues 14 Jul - Bastille Day (Fete nationale) - Ooh la la! Get the hangover cures ready!
Sat 15 Aug - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption) - And the sunburn cream!
Sun 1 Nov - All Saints Day (La Toussaint) - Halloween - everyone goes to the cemetary.
Wed 11 Nov - Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice) - buy a drink for some of the old guys who were there.
Fri 25 Dec - Christmas Day (Noel) - proper day off - this one!
All the best...
Keith
Sunday - 15th March - 2009 - St Patrick's Day celebrations at La Taverne
On Saturday night the Girlie dragged me, kicking and screaming, to the St. Patrick Day's celebrations at the Bar Restaurant La Tavene in Josselin.
Actually, I don't think I protested too much!
The owners of the Bar, Fabien and Sandra, really pulled out all the stops to ensure that the night was a success.
Although there were many English customers, the French who were there seemed to really enjoy themselves as well - the general conclusion was that there was an excellent ambience!
Saturday - 14th March - 2009 - French Swearwords
One of the great things about getting a job as soon as I moved to Brittany was that I immediately started to really learn French.
Unfortunately, working in an abattoir, some of the French I learned wasn't the sort that teacher would have been happy with - and certainly not the sort of French that one learns (or otherwise, as is more often the case), from those silly Michel Thomas courses!
However, although the Bretons are a kind and gentle people who, in the most part, have welcomed us here not as strangers from another country but as distant realtives, recently re-united - there are times when you do have to raise your voice!
I'm thinking about the occasionally difficult bureaucracy one sometimes encounters here?
I'm thinking of those English holidaymakers in their four wheel drives who insist in talking loudly to you in English in your favourite bar , as though they have known you all their lives (just because you're English - we stick out like a sore thumb, you see!)
Well, just for those occasions I have compliled a little list of some of the words and phrases that I learned at the abattoir.
I suggest that you print it off and put it into your handbag - ladies, it might be an idea if you do likewise!
I promise you, nothing confuses an English holidaymaker more than another English person swearing at them in French (apart, perhaps, from the menu - that confuses the hell out of most of them!)
This file can be found on the The Free Downloads Page
Or you can view it here... A list of French Swear Words in printable form (PDF).
Friday - 13th March - 2009 - French Music Friday - Johnny Hallyday
Johnny was born Jean-Phillipe Smet in Paris, France.
His mother was French, while his Belgian father, Leon Smet, was a Bohemian celebrity who committed suicide. Hallyday's parents separated not long after he was born, and he was raised by his aunt and uncle.
Influenced by Elvis Presley and the 1950s rock revolution, Johnny, as he is popularly known, became famous in the 1960s for singing rock and roll in French.
His first album, Hello Johnny, was released in 1960.
Thursday - 12th March - 2009 - Im so, so sorry!
I'd just like to take this oportunity to appologise to anyone who followed my recent recipe for Pot au Feu!
Obviously I was mistaken!
10 Euros worth of meat, vegetables and wine won't feed a family of three for two days (with some left over for soup.)
It will feed a family of six for a week!
We're having bacon, eggs, mushrooms and chips for tea tonight (Super-U has started selling bacon), so the rest of the pot au feu is going to have to go in the freezer.
An interesting day today. The Girlie had to go and work on her Gites FarmHouseGites.com and I stayed home to look after Joshy (who is not very well) and work on a new website that I'm about to pubish.
Although the Girlie left her car at home (so that I could use it), she forgot to leave the keys - so I had to go to Super U on foot. Anyway, that's my excuse for having to pop into the Bar Duchesse Anne on the way home!
I did manage to remember to buy some Prawnies for the cats (who were very grateful) and, after they'd eaten them they both came out and joined me in the garden.
"Life's good, isn't it Daddy?" Sammy asked.
"Sure is, my boy, sure is", I replied.
All the best...
Keith
Wednesday - 11th March - 2009 - Told you so!
I told you so!
Only turned my back for a fraction of a second - just to pop downstairs to refill my glass (with some of that cheap red wine on sale at L'epicerie) and when I got back - where was Cindy - where do you think!
And, did the Girlie try to stop her? No - probably helped her up!
Just thought I'd let you all know what I'm up against!
"Tant Pis" - another glass of wine and I'll trot off to Bedfordshire - tomorrow is another day, after all!
Perhaps tomorrow I'll be allowed to use my own printer - who knows?
All the best...
Keith
Wednesday - 11th March - 2009 - A trip to the corner shop in Josselin
The Girlie and I popped out for a quick drink this afternoon.
We'd both been working hard; me on the computer on a new website (watch this space - exciting things about to happen), and the Girlie in the garden (I'd love to say that she knows her place but, I'm way too scared to do that!)
Anyway, we both felt that we deserved some fresh air and a wee drink and so wandered up the hill and then down the hill only to find ourselves outside one of Our Bars in Josselin! La Taverne, if you're interested!
Well... it would have been rude not to have gone in!
Tuesday - 10th March - 2009 - Blucamels in Brittany
I have decided that, every Tuesday, I shall feature one of the sites that I look at on a daily basis.
The reason for this is that..... if a site interests me, it may well interest you, whether you are living in beautiful Brittany, thinking of doing so or just planning to visit for your holiday
So I am starting off with one of my favourite sites....
Monday - 9th March - 2009 - Pot au Feu and Soup
On Sunday morning I cooked Pot au Feu, or should I say, I started cooking Pot au Feu.
It should be ready tonight. Well also eat it tomorrow. Then, what's leftover will be turned into soup!
Pot au Feu has to be one of the easiest meals to cook - and one of the most economical, as well.
Sunday - 8th March - 2009 - The Bar La Taverne
One of my favourite special places (of which I have many), in Josselin is the Bar La Taverne.
Situated in the Place Notre Dame (just across the square from the church), I always get a good welcome there from Fabien and Sandra, the hosts.
The Girlie and I have been using the bar for quite a while now and, between ourselves, refer to it as Our Bar - I'm not sure what it says about us but we do have quite a lot of Our Bars in Josselin!
Saturday - 7th March - 2009 - The Saturday Morning Market at Josselin
Saturday morning and I woke up having had a good 9 hours sleep.
This sleeping all night has got a lot to say for it - I can't think why I didn't try it before?
To celebrate, the Girlie and I went to the market.
I'm sure I've something before about how wonderful an experience the Saturday Market at Josselin is but.... well, it is!
Friday - 6th March - 2009 - French Music Friday
Edith Piaf was one of the most popular French singers of the 1940s and '50s, internationally famous for her husky, mournful voice and her songs of loneliness and despair.
Born in Paris to street entertainers, her childhood was marked by poverty, illness and temporary blindness. After a stint with her father's touring acrobatic act, she sang in the streets until she was discovered by promoter Louis Leplee, who re-named her "the waif sparrow".
The diminutive singer gained popularity as she toured France, singing in cabarets and vaudeville theaters and, beginning in 1936, performing on radio and recordings.
Thursday - 5th March - 2009 - Wet and Cold Thursday
It's been a wet and cold day today and I haven't been able to get out and take the photos that I'd wanted to.
I did think about a bit of devil worship but I'm all out of goats and besides, I'd only have to clean up the mess!
So, instead, I have been working on trying to improve BretonDiary and make it faster to load.
Wednesday - 4th March - 2009 - The Petit Bar
Looking back through some of my recent entries I realise that it might seem that, to a casual obsever, this is the online diary of a raving alky!
Every other article seems to be about a bar or a restaurant!
There is, however, a good reason for this.
Whilst I am off work on sick leave, I have the time to socialise (and believe getting out of the house does me some good), and anyway, I'm not driving at the moment (for which most pedestrians must be very happy as most of my recent driving did involve pavements), and I firmly do believe that, if you want to integrate, you do need to go the your local bar at least once a week. Josselin has lots of local bars so I am spoilt for choice. Anyway, that is my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Tuesday - 3rd March - 2009 - The Creperie La Sarrazine
I'll be saying something about the milk churn later on but for the moment I just want to mention that the Girlie and I went out to the Creperie La Sarrazine for a meal last Saturday night.
The Creperie La Sarrazine is to be found at 51 Rue Glatinier (phone number 0297 22 37 80) and, as the name suggests, specialises in Crepes and Gallettes.
However, Catherine and Nicolas (the owners), also do a range of alternative dishes and there is always a dish of the day.
Monday - 2nd March - 2009 - The House in the River
Of all the special places around me, the one that I enjoy going back to, time and time again, is the house in the river by the lock at Josselin.
For me, this totally impractical house in a beautiful situation gives me a thrill each and every time I go to visit it.
I don't know who lives there (although someone certainly does - look at the smoke coming out of the chimney.)
Sunday - 1st March - 2009 - My Father's Bench
Since I moved to France, my Father has been over to visit me three times.
On each occasion, he has stayed at the Hotel Pelican (now, sadly, closed).
He's not getting any younger and, I have to say, neither am I!
Often during his visits we would, after a good lunch, sit together on "His" bench by the canal and read.
Soon the reading would give way to snores and we would only wake up when people passed and said "Bonjour".
Each time that happened, my Father would say... "You'd never get that in England" and, you know what, he was right.
Saturday - 28th February - 2009 - Blogs I follow
I thought that it was about time that I shared some of the blogs that I read and follow. They mainly concern Brittany, France and/or Food.
One of the nice things about blogging is the sense of community that it engenders - it's nice being able to share the good things in your life.
Please take a look at some of the sites that I watch and read. Perhaps you'll follow some of them too? If you know of any other blogs that you think might interest me (including your own), please feel free to email me and let me know.
All the best
Keith
Friday - 27th February - 2009 - French Music Friday - Mina
I have recently been listening to more and more French music. This is possibly because every Thursday evening the Girlie insists on dragging me to Le Thy at Ploermel (more details here... www.le-thy.com) for the Karaoke night.
The really masochistic of you may wish to look at the MySpace page for Le Thy - I bet it takes you at least 5 minutes before you can work out how to turn the music off! This can be found at... www.le-thy.com on MySpace. Most of the songs at Le Thy are in French - thus my recent interest in French Music and thus French Music Fridays.
Although I probably shouldn't admit it, I really enjoy my Thursday nights at Le Thy. The crowd is youngish but everyone seems to mix well together. Nothing seems to happen until 9pm and then, before you know it, it is 1am and chucking out time.
Thursday - 26th February - 2009 - Le Lavoir - Josselin
Just to the south of the Chateau in Josselin is the public Lavoire.
A Lavoir is a public place in France set aside for the washing of clothes. The one in Josselin has a roof to provide shelter and is fed by a stream that runs down through the Jardin de Bois d'Amour.
There are steps leading down to the very cold water.
I suppose that in times past, this must have been a meeting place - even a place for gossip.
Wednesday - 25th February - 2009 - A Walk Along the Canal - Josselin
This morning I decided to go for a little walk along the canal.
I had actually just popped out to get a paper and a baguette but.... the weather was so nice that I ended up taking a little stroll.
I walked South from the Chateau and ended up by the Hippodrome - there was nobody about.
I took some more terrible photographs and vowed to myself to give up eating and drinking so that I can afford a better camera and a tripod - perhaps if I were to sell a kidney or two.......
Because I've been ill recently, I now know far more than I ever wanted to about medicinal drugs. That said, I know that there is no better medicine than an early walk along the canal - it's guaranteed to cure all known ills!
Tuesday - 24th February - 2009 - Spring is here - Josselin
Having had a bad night's sleep, I decided to go for a little walk in the Jardin de Bois d'Amour to clear my head.
It certainly did the trick because, no matter how grumpy I was feeling when I started, the world seemed a happier place by the time I had finished.
That might be due partly to the flowers that are struggling to appear.
Yes, it's true - Spring has arrived! in Josselin, Brittany.
Monday - 23rd February - 2009 - Pizzeria du Chateau - Josselin
I had promised the Girlie that I would cook Veal Milanaise for Saturday night but, I was tired and the cost of Veal in the local supermarket caused me to think twice.
So, instead, I offered to take her out for a meal at the Pizzeria du Chateau (details... Pizzeria du Chateau - 6, rue des Trente - 02 97 75 66 40).
She seemed quite keen as it is just 100 yards from us and they are advertising for staff at the moment.
On the other hand, maybe she was just relieved that she didn't have to suffer my Veal Milanaise?
Tuesday - 17th February - 2009 - Josselin's Hidden Garden
Although I have lived in, or near, Josselin for over five years, I am contantly discovering new places to visit - Josselin is that sort of town.
It was that way with the Jardin de Bois d'Amour. I had sort of known that it was there but had never bothered to explore. I'm glad that I finally got round to doing so.
Just beside the Bar de la Rotonde there is a car park. Behind that is the Jardin de Bois d'Amour.
Tuesday - 17th February - 2009 - Valentine's Night
As it was Valentine's Night, I took the Girlie out for a meal last Saturday.
We went to the Hotel Restuarant du Chateau (more details from... http://www.hotel-chateau.com).
It was a lovely romantic night; we ate well and the Girlie even managed to get me onto the dance floor - wonders will never cease!
Saturday - 11th April - 2009 - Easter Market - Meeting Friends
Having had a wonderful night's sleep (I think the doctor has finally got it right with my medication), it was off to the market this morning.
The Girlie and I had arranged to meet up with Tony and Diane and their two children, Arthur (aged 9) and Abby (aged 4).
We'd only ever spoken on the phone (or via email) and both the Girlie and I were looking forward to meeting them as they own a house in Mohon (not far from Josselin), and are thinking about moving over for good (and it certainly will be good for them!!!) next year.
Before we met them though, the Girlie and I had to trudge around the crowded market, meeting friends and buying wonderful produce in the beautiful morning sunshine - it's a hard job living over here but, someone's got to do it!
Tuesday - 17th February - 2009 - Market Days in Brittany
I have updated the list of Market Days in Brittany and have created a downloadable PDF file that you can print out and carry with you.
This file can be found on the The Free Downloads Page
Or you can view it here... Market Days in Brittany in printable form (PDF).
Tuesday - 17th February - 2009 - The Girlie's House
Although the Girlie's house is up for sale, she is also taking Gite bookings for the coming year.
If you are interested in booking a holiday in one of the Girlie's Gites, please take a look at FarmHouseGites.com
Should you be (or know anyone who might be) interested in buying a fully restored farmhouse near the pretty town of La Gacilly (with an adjoining cottage and a small appartment), the price is 230,000 euros.
The property has been successfully rented out as Gites and would suit someone who wanted a holiday home with an additional rental income.
Tuesday - 17th February - 2009 - A Short Break
The short break in postings on this site was due to an unexpected visit to hospital. I went in for a checkup and ended up staying for a month!
However, I am back home now and, hopefully, am finished with doctors and nurses sticking needles in me and doing other unforgivable things - at least for the time being!
Older Diary Entries
Older diary entries for the past three years are available here....
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