I have already written up half of today’s diary entry but I lost it through not syncing my notes properly. I’ll try not to do that again.
While waiting for Alex to arrive at 2 ish Maggi and I with Keir and Finn set off for Grand Frais for a little more shopping. The two boys happily play with each other in our presence until their parents return.
Adam with Sarah, Islay and Sorely drive to Villefranche and return at 2 pm. In the meantime Maggi and I have made lunch and laid the table outside for the 12 of us.
With all of these kids and Greg I’m expecting some complaints from the neighbours as we are outside so much of the time making a racket. So far this hasn’t happened.
After we have enjoyed a meal of salad, cheese, pâté etc with the odd glass of wine thrown in. Maggi and I left the younger members of the party to meet up with Fanny at our Orpi estate agency. She has no doubts that we will sell the property fairly quickly. Although she has only taken three people around the place so far she says she has had lots of interest from their internet advertising. I’m glad she has the optimism and enthusiasm for the property. I’m am fed up with hosting family and friends in our second home and will be glad to relinquish the responsibility.
Next stop our accommodation for the next 4 nights, a one room lock up facing St Paul. You enter via a locked gate, a locked shutter and a locked door. It takes quite a time as there is no indication which key belongs to which lock.
Inside is a small double bed which faces the street in a raised floor. Off this area sits the small shower room and toilet. In front of the raised area you have the kitchen section with a table and four chairs.
The place has obviously been recently refurbished in order to cater for the AirBnB market. However the owner has done everything as cheaply as possible. You notice this when you dry yourself on the one towel person you are allocated, on the poor cutlery that almost bends in half as you use it.
You can tell the place is managed by a man because there is no bin in the toilet and nowhere to hang any clothes. Anyway it is warm which is a major bonus.
We returned to the house for a few more drinks. The children were served first a cannelloni purchased from Grand Frais and then the adults. We played some silly games around the table.
We then left for our new abode where I watched an episode of Xmas University Challenge and Maggi went to sleep.