Re: Easter Approaching . . . .

[SINNETT]

#17286

Hi everyone, and a happy and peaceful Easter to everyone.

I thought I would share how we spent Easter last year here in our quiet little hamlet – and yes, it's all true!!!! <img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

THE WEEKEND GOT OFF TO A FLYING START, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR INTO LIMOGES FOR IT'S FIRST SERVICE. TWO HOURS LATER AND A THOROUGH CHECK OUT IT WAS DONE. I ASKED HOW MUCH AND THEY LOOKED AT ME AS IF I WAS STUPID, THERE WAS NO CHARGE, IT'S PART OF THE WARRANTY. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT WAS A VERY WELCOME SURPRISE. <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

I HAD A BIT OF SHOPPING TO DO SO AS I WAS IN TOWN I WENT TO ONE OF THE HUGE SUPERMARKETS. TALK ABOUT LUCKY DAY, THEY WERE GETTING RID OF ALL THEIR FLOWERS AND SHRUBS FOR HALF PRICE. WE NOW HAVE ABOUT A DOZEN AZALEA BUSHES WHICH COST 1.5 EUROS EACH AND LOTS OF OTHER PLANTS – EXCELLENT.

THAT EVENING WE WERE INVITED ROUND TO MARCS (OUR NEIGHBOUR) HOUSE FOR DINNER WHICH WE WERE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO. THE FATHER OF MARIE-CHRISTINE (HIS WIFE) HAD BEEN A TOP CHEF IN PARIS SO WE WERE HOPING HE HAD TAUGHT HER WELL. HE HAD. WE HAD A FABULOUS MEAL, A COUPLE OF BOTTLES OF WINE AND HAD A LOVELY EVINING. <img src='style_emoticons//tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ />

SATURDAY WAS REASONABLY QUIET SO WE JUST CHILLED OUT.

SUNDAY STARTED WITH A SPARKLE AS WE WENT TO SEE EDMOND, JACQUELINE AND THEIR FAMILY( our only other neighbours in the hamlet) . WE HAD A COUPLE OF EASTER EGGS FOR THEIR GRANDSONS WHICH WERE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED WITH LOTS OF KISSES. EDMOND COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE DOOR FAST ENOUGH AND PROMPTLY RETURNED WITH A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE.

OF COURSE WHEN YOUR NEIGHBOURS OFFER YOU THEIR HOSPITALITY IT WOULD BE VERY RUDE TO REFUSE!!!! <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//rolleyes.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’rolleyes.gif’ />

FEELING SLIGHTLY SQUIFFY I WAS HAPPY THAT PAUL WAS GOING OUT FOR THE AFTERNOON. THERE IS A MOTO CROSS CIRCUIT ABOUT EIGHT MILES FROM HERE SO HE WENT WITH THE OTHER MEN AND BOYS FOR A BONDING AFTERNOON.

MONDAY STARTED WITH A BIT OF A TOUR ROUND IN THE CAR, GOING UP ROADS WE HADN'T BEEN ON BEFORE AND THE WEATHER WAS GREAT. WE TREATED OURSELVES TO STICKY CAKES <img src='style_emoticons//tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ /> AND ATE THEM OVERLOOKING A LAKE IN PEACE AND QUIET.

THE EVENING SUN WAS BEAUTIFUL AS WE STARTED THE BARBECUE AND THEN IT HAPPENED.

MARIE CHRISTINE CAME RUNNING ROUND TRYING TO ASK PAUL IF HE HAD SOME STRONG ROPE? WITH VISIONS OF MARC TRAPPED UNDER A TRACTOR OR SOMETHING WE FOLLOWED AS FAST AS WE COULD. <img src='style_emoticons//unsure.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’unsure.gif’ /> SHE DIDN'T GO HOME THOUGH, SHE WENT INTO DOMINICS (THE MAD VEGETARIAN) AND YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HAD HAPPENED.

CARBONELLE THE DONKEY HAD SOMEHOW FOUND HER WAY INTO ONE OF HIS OLD OUTBUILDINGS, THE FLOOR HAD COLLAPSED AND SHE WAS HAPPILY WANDERING AROUND THE CELLAR. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T HURT, BUT WE NOW HAD THE PROBLEM OF HOW TO GET A LARGE ANIMAL OUT OF A DEEP HOLE. <img src='style_emoticons//huh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’huh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//blink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’blink.gif’ />

MARC DECIDED TO GET INTO THE CELLAR WITH HER TO CHECK SHE WAS FINE. SHE WAS SO PLEASED TO SEE HIM, SHE CAME STRAIGHT TO HIM BUT GOT TOO CLOSE AND PROMPTLY STOOD ON HIS FOOT. <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ /> A LARGE DONKEY IS QUITE HEAVY AND FROM THE YELP HE LET OUT, NOT TERRIBLY COMFORTABLE STANDING ON ONES FEET. WE DID DISCOVER HOW AGILE MARC WAS, HE EXITED THE CELLAR PRETTY FAST!!!!!

MARC HAD A BLOCK AND TACKLE BUT IT WAS ONLY FOR HALF A TON, LUCKILY PAUL HAS ONE FOR A TON SO HE CAME BACK FOR THAT AND SOME LIFTING STRAPS. THE ONLY PLACE THERE WAS TO SECURE THE BLOCK WAS FROM THE ROOF BEAMS, ABOUT THIRTY FEET ABOVE – SO THE LADDER CAME OUT AND MARC GOT HIMSELF UP AND WITH PAUL FOLLOWING. THEY SECURED THE BLOCK AND THANKFULLY RETURNED TO EARTH SAFELY.

LIFTING A LARGE ANIMAL IS VERY DANGEROUS SO A MAKESHIFT SLING WAS CONCOCTED AND CARBONELLE WAS HOOKED ON. BEFORE SHE KNEW IT SHE WAS FLYING UPWARDS, FEET DANGLING IN MID-AIR. <img src='style_emoticons//ohmy.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ohmy.gif’ />
AS THERE WAS NO FLOOR LEFT WE HAD TO SPAN PART OF THE CELLAR WITH SOME PLANKS WHILE SHE WAS LEFT IN THE AIR AND THEN SHE WAS GENTLY RETURNED DOWN TO EARTH.

ONCE SHE HAD GOT ALL FOUR FEET SAFELY ON THE PLANKS WE TOOK THE SLING AND ROPES OFF HER AND SHE MADE HER WAY OUT OF THE BUILDING AND BACK IN TO THE GARDEN. SHE NEVER PANICKED OR MADE A FUSS, I THINK SHE WAS ENJOYING ALL THE ATTENTION!!! <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

SO WITHIN THE HOUR CATASTROPHE WAS AVERTED, CARBONELLE WAS HAPPILY MUNCHING HER SUPPER, AND WE CAN NOW ADD DONKEY RESCUERS TO THE CV!!!!!! <img src='style_emoticons//rolleyes.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’rolleyes.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ />

IT'S A GOOD JOB LIFE HERE IS SO QUIET WITH NOTHING HAPPENING!!!!

WELL GOT TO GO, DOMINIC HAS GIVEN US SOME CELERIAC AND I HAVE TO WORK OUT HOW TO COOK IT ON THE BARBECUE!!!!

So we don't have Easter Bunnies here, just Easter donkeys. <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ />

Hope you enjoyed the tale and were able to see the spectacle in your own mind.

Best wishes
Caroline