4 April – settling in

I’ll admit I’ve had a few moments of “What the hell was I thinking!!!” I’ve not shared that with Howard although he’ll read this and now know. We could be on our lovely terrace in Oceanside blissfully relaxing with not a care in the world. Instead we are living in an ancient house that is frequently cold (we’ll be happy about that in a month or so when it’s hot as hell); we must mount many stair cases several times a day (my arthritic knees!); carry Lucky up and down the stairs (first we have to catch him because he’s scared of the stairs); frequently face not being able to communicate; stare at household products at the market trying to figure out what they are for (“Is that toilet cleaner or shampoo??). But then there is lunch at Catherine and Stephen’s place; a trip to a winery where the people are so nice and the wine is so good; a market in which you can buy incredible cheese in the “ordinary” deli case; great bread is ubiquitous; and maybe I am staving off dementia by forcing my brain to speak and understand French. Not to mention looking forward to seeing friends who probably would not be inclined to come to Oceanside but could be convinced to join us in France. So here we are and we are going to damn well love it–it actually will be very easy to love it.

We take a trip to the nearby town of Pezenas. We stayed in this area in 2000 and loved it! It’s about 15 minutes from our place and I’m hoping the supermarket will be even better than the one here in Servian. The market is a little bigger and includes a fish market and bakery (not available in Servian). I was looking at the selection of shrimp when the nice young lady asks if I need help. I ask her about the shrimp; there are several kinds. She first points out the shrimp her mother would NEVER buy. (I don’t want those even if they are on sale!!) Then she points out the shrimp (actually langoustines) that her mother WOULD buy. I, of course, buy the ones her mother likes which cost 25€ for 3; I’m not stupid, I think (?). When I get home Howard realizes that I’ve purchased cooked langoustines–I did not intend to do that. But he makes a wonderful pasta and langoustines dish. We have great, CHEAP wine. What more could you ask for??

It is COLD at night!!! We have a wood burning stove in the kitchen/living area (electric heaters in the bedrooms and bathrooms so we are warm there). We have a little wood but no kindling. Our fires do not ignite. It’s frustrating. The property manager says, no problem, in a day or two the temperature will be 26 degrees. What??? We will freeze! Howard reminds me she means 26 centigrade. HA!