The last couple of mornings
have been a little difficult with aching limbs, stiff muscles and uncomfortable
movement!
No we haven’t taken up a gym
membership again – perish the thought – but instead made a rash offer to help
our neighbour who lived in the 5th floor appartment of our block move to her
new abode intra muros. The new apartment
was a mere 3 minute walk away and vans had been arranged but the 5th floor –
AND NO LIFT – Quelle Horreur!
This is one of the things we
love about living here though. An appeal
had gone out to the community a few weeks before and at the alotted hour 9am (9am
on a Saturday morning) a grand total of 15 strapping folk arrived to get the
job done. The spirit that ensued during
the mornings labours seemed to help us all make light work of the 10 flights of
narrow stairs both up and down not to mention the regular cans of chilled beer
and bottled cider that were being provided – and we soon gathered that there
was also a promise of lunch!
Whilst the navigation of the
stairs was arduous and difficult with certain pieces of furniture causing some
interesting problems the old appartment was soon emptied. The new appartment was on the first floor and
newly renovated in a block with wide staircases and large doors so the
installation of our neighbour was much easier but with everyone working
together the whole job was complete by 1pm.
As the last few boxes were
delivered to the new appartment there was serious counting of heads and making
of phone calls which we later understood to be the arrangements for lunch. Now we might have expected a vast supply of
sandwiches for the numbers involved but no not here in France. With the door securely locked we were all
directed to the appartment of the cousin of our neighbour who had spent the
morning preparing a delicious lunch (the counting of heads being required to
decide the number of chairs to be borrowed from other neighbours).
What transpired was a very
jolly and convivial 3 hour lunch of excellent pate, cornichons and salads, the
most delicious slow braised chicken with a bacon and herb sauce, cheese and
fuit and several boxes of both red and white wine.
Of course once the wine had
worn off the aching started but we were really happy to help and to be involved
in such a commuinty spirited day.
We think we have secured our
place in the community here and built some strong connections with people we
hadn’t known before and we wish Marie-Annick every happiness in her new home
but please ..........
........ someone pass the deep heat!!!!!
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