In F-r-a-n-c-e for the 27th time think I. Nice as ever, the people that is. The weather, no...the climate has changed over the last while, like 15 years or so. Warmth of a higher magnitude that used to make up the period between June through September is now the rule. Two canicules (French heat wave) this year, like 2005's but lasting over a week each time, heat waves that warm the house until three shower days become the norm. The cats will not sleep with us, instead they lolly-gag about and spread themselves out full length on whatever spot they can find that is cooler than the rest of the house. The 3rd floor is a never-never land the whole three to four months. Any temp above 85, along with humidity above 60% and we are through with activities outside. Just touching becomes uncomfortable after a few seconds. It's a pseudo-Phoenix summer.
Beyond that, our major project, the Courtyard Jungle, is progressing nicely as we now are paying a gardener-of-high-repute for his services attacking the mess. His name is Sebastian, he speaks little English, but he works, works, works. The results each day that he comes continue to amaze. He is now attacking the former pigpen as we named it, totally over-grown with weeds, 1/3rd grown trees, ivy and dandilions. He's about a 1/3rd of the way with it. We now have 3 huge piles of debris that has to get outa here before he returns as he cannot put the material in any of the "too full" bags. We pay him 20 Euros per hour of labor, fair to us. We haven't planted any of the now ready plots as no plants will take well the current sunny, hot weather. After mid-September perhaps.
Kelly is off to celebrate Audrey's 50th B-Day, Yippee for her! They'll have a ball together in the Big City. Eat pork pies, bubble and squeek, drink a pint of Queen's Ale, yeah, it's London-town days for them. I will stay home and Kat-sit, feed 'em, watch 'em as they watch me. Who is sitting who? Empty litter boxes too, me, not them. They just fill them.
Here are a few pictures for you:
Kelly is off to celebrate Audrey's 50th B-Day, Yippee for her! They'll have a ball together in the Big City. Eat pork pies, bubble and squeek, drink a pint of Queen's Ale, yeah, it's London-town days for them. I will stay home and Kat-sit, feed 'em, watch 'em as they watch me. Who is sitting who? Empty litter boxes too, me, not them. They just fill them.
Here are a few pictures for you:
