But what’s all this about SPANC? It’s the acronym for the government office responsible for the inspection and (forced) modernisation of ‘assainissement non-collectif’ in France – private sewage systems to you and I. I’m fairly sure that they are not aware of the laughter and relief from tension their name affords English-speakers when they get their ‘côntroles’ through from … Continue reading SPANC!
We had a light sprinkling of snow overnight and a superb Sunday afternoon. Failing the opportunity to garden, I took a walk down the valley, past the monument to Châtillon-sur-Saône’s most famous son, Jan Monchablon (of whom more later) to the old village lavoir. Many reading will know that lavoirs (or communal outdoor washing areas) … Continue reading Les lavandières
A cautionary tale of why dreamers shouldn’t buy houses in France! For a long time I’ve not considered blogging about our renovation project here. I wanted to keep it a secret – mainly because I was frighteningly sure that my neighbours would tell me: ‘But you can’t do that!’ (C’est pas normal/correct, Catherine!) And also because any … Continue reading In the merde
I had Nick here for three weeks at Christmas – no, he didn’t create that amazing effect you can see above, but he made a start on our own espalier divisions in the garden. WordPress seems to have deprived me of the possibility of setting up a link to something on my own blog, but if … Continue reading Good things … what we did in our holidays
Charb, Honoré, Wolinski, Cabu et Tignous … and all the others, including the children starving in Syria tonight. Continue reading Je reste Charlie
December images of Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland. Heart’s home. Continue reading Wordless Wednesday
Garden Dreaming at Châtillon 