We went to a small city near Poitier to deliver our friends A&R to thier new RV. It was great fun, the drive over was thru the wonderful French countryside. THE tom-Toms (both) kept us on the straight and narrow so we never got lost. A complication arose in that there was some difficulty with the sellers bank (the noon-time respite was underway. We excused ourselves and went off to find lunch in the village. We drove by a large park and saw an array of umbrellas and many persons walking towards them. We parked and joined the throng. Chez Papy was it's name, Papy himself joined the hungry croud. We ordered steak hache (hamburger steaks...safe food here) and french fries (always good) and a beer (same) apiece. The food was fine, the crowd amused by Mr. Papy himself coming out of his kitchen and teasing the children. The scene was very nice. Very French. We finished our meal and rode back to the seller's house to seal the deal. The sellers were wonderful, they offered us refreshments and a turn at their Nintendo Wii game machine to boot. He likes the Tennis game. We watched while he played an array of avatar contenders and did very well. We excused ourselves and headed back home by whatever route our Tom - Toms (now separated) would take.
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Along the way on the A road we past our friends in the new RV. They remained behind us as we approached Chateauroux and too the exit towards the ring road that would direct us past Chateauroux proper and to Lignieres some 30 km distant. We never saw them again. As we were there we decided to frequent the Troc D'Lile on the road towards the centerville (Town Center). This store is a consignment operation, they take peoples stuff, price it and sell the irtem and split some percentage with the person. Good idea. We have used these Troc d'Lile stores to furnish and decorate our homes here, good prices and some wonderful items amidst The Rest. This day we were glad to be stopping and is our habit I tend to lead the way and miss all the Good Stuff that Kelly locates easily, I head for the rugs, the lamps, the kitchen equipment and the drawings and paintings. She trails after taking her own sweet time examining her own mental list of wonders. Most often we leave empty handed these days having filled out house with a myriad of all things French and cheap. This day however I spied a stovetop/oven...a countertop version in near pristine condition and was hooked! It was but 28 Euros and as far as I could see was perfect and more importantly...all there. Now we always Do This...I sought Kelly's approval as she does mine before we venture to ACTUALLY purchase and item...it keeps ME from duplication or worse and Kelly from things I think we don't really NEED...this day however we agreed this was a WINNER! I took off the tag and took it to the cashier, presented it and paid for it as Kelly indicated she saw nothing of interest. He rummaged thru a bin of plastic bags and came up with the burners (all enameled) and knobs and handed them over. Then he indicated that I should follow him...I did and helped him put the Champion stove on a cart and he rolled it to the car and placed it in the trunk. Off we went to Ligniere with my new (ancient) stovetop /oven. I was stoked!
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Once home I used a hand truck to move the stove to the olde, mouldy kitchen, then transfered it to a metal chair that allowed me to pull the object to the countertop then with Kelly's help transfered the stove to the heralded location. Soon I gathered enough french language thoughts to ask the Proxie owner his assistance in sorting out what kind of gas supply was needed for the stove. I went to the Proxie and joyfully he came with me to see the stove and pronounced the gas needed as Butane. Then I went off to the hardware store two blocks away to get a regulator for butane and the hose to make the necessary connections. That accomplished I returned to find the Proxie man standing at his door awaiting my return. He joined me in my kitchen and put together the regulator and hose assembly and I followed him back to the Proxie to purchase a tank of butane. The stove now works perfectly, has baked several tarts and a hunter's chicken I made tonight for dinner. I'm really happy with this ancient wonder and how easily it fits my olde and mouldy kitchen. A rare and fine find.
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