The sounds of Brittany

VH and I are in Brittany again, for a short break. Outside in the garden, the stars can be seen shining brightly at night; if you look carefully you can see lizards; and if you listen, you can hear birds singing. It is enjoyable to sit in the garden, close your eyes, and listen to the birdsong. I was doing this when I heard the sound of... an elephant? Surely not, in rural France? As we drove to the supermarché later, we passed the origin of the noise: a travelling circus, with camels, llamas and donkeys tied up on a field. Quite a strange sight, one which you wouldn't see in England.

Another common sound here is the sound of VH's constant cough, caught from school. It doesn't stop, and now I have a very sore throat myself. So it isn't quite the relaxing holiday I had hoped for, but enjoyable to be with my family and little black friend nevertheless.

London and back

VH and I went into London for a day out today. It was a lovely, sunny day, and London looked beautiful. We walked along the Thames, and in the parks. We had an enjoyable meal out in Las Iguanas; it felt like the summer. Then, we went on the London Eye, and saw some fantastic views over the city. It was a nearly perfect day... slightly ruined, by one very selfish man we encountered on our journey home.

Our journey home was very very long. Sunday travel is never good, there are always maintenance works on the railways. And the dreaded replacement bus services.... We had taken a long journey on the underground, another train journey (standing, as there were no seats) and then we had to get the replacement bus. We missed one by a few minutes, so had to wait nearly an hour for the next. We eventually got on it, and just as we were about ten minutes away from home, the driver stopped to let some people on. Big mistake!

The bus driver refused to let them on because they didn't have tickets, and besides they wanted to travel in the other direction. One man however, refused to listen. He said that it was impossible for him to buy tickets as the ticket office was closed and the driver couldn't sell them, so he was getting in the bus anyway. He came in and sat down on the seat in front of us. The bus driver came over and started yelling at him to get off, or he would call the police, but the man stood his ground and shouted back. It was quite scary. The driver rang the bus company, who told him to ring the police, which he did. We had to wait for a while until they arrived. VH and I spoke to him a little; I did understand his point of view, as he did not have a way of getting tickets. When the police arrived, they asked him to leave the bus, but he refused. They said that he could not remain on the bus because he was holding everybody else up, and people had lives to get back to. When they threatened to remove him by force, he eventually got off, swearing at them. I was very impressed with the way the police handled the situation, and also very relieved when he left. I wonder what happened to him, he was still arguing with the police as we drove off. He was incredibly selfish, causing a scene just to try to prove a point, but I also think that this demonstrates how useless public transport is in this country.

Five days in the life of...

Thursday March 5th- Veggie Hubby went to visit a school, and they offered him a job! It was that simple! :-)

Friday March 6th - I had a nice meal out at Nando's with my colleagues at lunch (not the ideal place for a vegetarian, but I still love it, as they make the best veggie burgers). After work I stopped by at J&J's house and we made some delicous vegetarian pizzas, and laughed over old photos (and hairstyles!). Anglophile Veggie Hubby stayed home alone, ate fish and chips, and watched James Bond.

Saturday March 7th - Veggie Hubby and I went to visit my goddaughter and my other second cousins for my goddaughter's first birthday party. We gave them all presents which they seemed to love (I couldn't give a present - fluffy pink bunny - just to my goddaughter, and not the others). We got the boys "boy" toys (Power Rangers) and the cute little sister a girlie toy (a bright pink My Little Pony, which just happened to match her dress). I got home, and watched Lost which is my favourite TV show at the moment by far.

Sunday March 8th - VH and I went out for a meal at an Italian place nearby, to celebrate his job. We were just about the only people in there. The meal wasn't the best, but it was nevertheless enjoyable. It was a relaxing, rainy day before the big day today.

Monday March 9th - VH started his new job! This involves the commute from hell (15 minute walk, 4 train changes, followed by a very long walk) but is ideal apart from that. I'm so proud and pleased for him, for his persistence has paid off.

Friendship

It's the weekend, and I haven't blogged for a while, so I thought I'd let you know I am still here.... We just had a school friend and her husband over to visit for the afternoon. It was really nice to catch up with them, as we hardly see them anymore now we no longer live next door like we did we were growing up. My friend and I were inseparable as children/teenagers, and interchangeable. As we grew up, we grew apart, but still remain in contact. The last time we saw them was at our wedding over a year ago, and the time we both saw them was at her wedding three years ago. Veggie Hubby had never even properly met them - just on these formal occasions. We have decided to meet up again in the summer, to go to the beach!

Two weeks ago we went to visit friends who live up north, and next weekend we're going to visit family (including my goddaughter) to the west. It's always nice to have friends live nearby; it is something we lack here. We do not even know our (elderly) neighbours in our block of flats well, and are in a pocket of isolation as we don't have any friends in our town. I think it's sad as our friends and family live around the country - and in other countries - everyone is dispersed. I think it is important to keep in touch but takes an effort to meet up with busy lives. So my moral for the day is to make the effort to keep in contact with friends and family, because they are what matters in life.