A sprinkling twice this morning, but not enough to stop me watering Franās flowers.
I went to the local Notaire (not the one dragging his/her feet over the succession) yesterday to start the process of giving me legal right of access over one small corner of the neighbouring land which is owned by the commune. He is a pleasure to talk to, in French but we briefly switched to English to make sure of a figure he was giving me but we switched back because it turns out my French is better than his English.
He will write a letter to my friend, the Maire, making it official and then, on the reply, he estimates 2 months to complete the legal process which will cost me ā¬700.
Doesnāt really matter to me because both the Maire and our neighbour who rents the house on it from the commune, are friends and would never restrict my access. But it is well to make it official, not least because my son has expressed an interest in eventually living here, and who knows what a future Maire and/or future purchaser of the house and land (ācouncilā houses here are always available to buy to sitting tenants), might make things difficult.
Another small but HUGE win: My VW ID.3 summer rental car was bombed by pigeons that clearly did not like a āforeignā car in their neighborhood. Iāve lived near pigeons for the last 6 years, many, many pigeons. I have never had my car so utterly defiled! Did they not realize that Germany is a friend now?
So after three prior attempts where I retreated in quiet and (hopefully) unseen shame, I figured out a French free-standing car-wash system. I even went inside LeClerc to get coins*, in case the auto-lavage system here did not accept my credit card. My first attempt: a broken lavage (did not realize it was broken until a different day when another potential customer relayed that to me). My second attempt - only accepted French bank debit cards. Third time: success - a clean(ish) car!
and I have a fresh baguette and a box of on-sale LU/Pimās cookies. Rewards are important, jsā¦
Note to selfā¦if there is a parking space that is strangely empty and suspiciously convenient look above you. Some spots get well known locally for having after effects.
Itās how you get to meet people and practice French . I knew I had got beyond the schoolroom the day I lost my rag with a customer service desk - politely of course - and wore them down to do what I wanted.
. I knew I had got beyond the schoolroom the day I lost my rag 
with a customer service desk - politely of course - and wore them down to do what I wanted.
