Lest We Forget

On the eleventh day at the eleventh hour......... I walked down to the town after breakfast to watch the Armistice Day ceremony on Place Le Clerc at the war memorial. There was a fair wee crowd as the small brass band wound its way around the narrow streets followed by some old soldiers, members of the gendarmerie municipale, some pompiers and other dignitaries. The band stopped some distance from the memorial itself whilst those and such as those stood in front of the flagpole at the memorial.

It was about 10.30 and the ceremony would take up those last 30 minutes until 11 o'clock itself. The flag was hoisted solemnly, flowers were laid at the foot of the memorial and various proceedings were to follow; the most notable of which was when a small group of children responded as each of the names of the local soldiers who had fallen in various wars were read out by the Marie.


Several speeches followed which I couldn't follow at all. The ceremony was concluded when two ex-soldiers were presented with medals by some dignatory on behalf of the President of France; one ex-soldier received his for services to the nation and the other ex-soldier received his for services overseas. The band struck up again and led the assembly off on another wee tour of the streets as everyone else dispersed and the church clock showed eleven.........Funnily enough, I can't recall the bells chiming??

I made my way back up to the supermarket for last minute shopping as the rest of the day would be marked by everything shutting and people remaining in their homes. And in keeping with French customs, that's exactly what I did.

Bus Tae Poitiers

Well an early start saw me walk down rue du Saint Clementin and wait at the bus stop next to the Laboratoire. Ma next door neighbour was waiting on the other side of the road for a bus going in the other direction. She was obviously trying to explain to me that I was at the wrong bus stop. I found it hard to convince her that I was going to Poitiers. She wasn't aware of a bus that went there.

I began to worry! Maybe she was right? I checked the timetable. No, it was there - 8.30 the bus to Poitiers. It was now 8.35!! Just at that it appeared round the corner. The ligne 106 to Poitiers! Gaun yersel!!!

Paying my 6€ for an aller simple I was soon on my way. A nice coach all to masel. It was a beautiful morning and the run afforded me the time to view the passing towns and villages on the way. It was only nearing Poitiers that I was joined by three other passengers and they were only going short distances. I got off at the Gare Routiere which is next to the Gare SNCF. I was familiar with Poitiers and made my way up to the plateau and the centre ville.

I had to post a birthday card for my god-daughter and found a post office where I bought a stamp and sent it off. A quick walk across to the Tourist Information Centre allowed me to access the internet on a free WiFi service and catch up on my e-mails. A handy toilet was also available and it being France the opportunity was not passed up.

I then spent an hour or so wandering about the shops and some interesting churches before going to the Bistrot du Bucher on rue Carnot. The maitre d' informed me that the table would be required by 1.15 (it was 12.30). I said that was OK and decided on the Menu Express at 11€. It was really good and I was able to relax when other tables became available and mine wouldn't be required



The afternoon was finished off with a couple of beers down by the Gare sitting in the sun. I was going to buy a Carte Avantage for cheap train tickets but the queues were so long ah couldn't be arsed. Besides the beer and sun were too tempting.

At four o'clock I walked across to the Gare Routiere for my bus back home. After a bit of a panic when I couldn't find my money, I was soon on my way. It was much busier on the way back and I dosed off in the heat of the evening sun.

Last stop and I was soon back in ma wee hoose havin a wee night cap after my exciting day oot!

A New Adventure

Well it's the start of another adventure. This time in France. This time for longer.

In early October the deed was done, the papers were signed and the furniture was unloaded and hastily arranged in my new hoose in Civray. It had been an uneventful journey from Scotland, stopping off in Ashford, Kent before an early morning EuroTunnel Shuttle and the journey down through France to Vienne. The weather was glorious and after signing a ream of papers, I was the owner of a 2 bedroom town house close to the centre of the pretty town of Civray.

It has been five weeks since then and I have been kept busy adjusting to my new life:

• arranging my bank accounts and money transfers
• arranging my house insurance
• arranging my direct debits for electricity, telephone / internet, and water / sewerage
• arranging and taking delivery of logs for the winter

It sounds easy enough but I had great help from my estate agent Chris, and my new neighbours René and Yugette. Without them I would still be floundering around in a daze.

Civray has everything you could ask for. All the services that you need; shops, supermarkets, church, doctors, dentists, bars, restaurants, hotels. It is in a beautiful situation on the banks of the River Charente amid the lovely Vienne countryside.

The early days were spent like a holiday before the reality set in....... I was now a resident of France! Initial visits from family left me with the business of settling in to a new life getting to know my surroundings and the practicalities of life in this lovely part of the Poitou-Charentes.

Transport basically involved my bicycles and local buses and trains. The latter two methods are a rarity and take a bit of planning to use.
There is a bus service - Monday to Friday - between Civray and Poitiers. It costs 6€ each way but if I buy a carnet of ten tickets the price comes down to 4.20€. Something I'll have to consider.

There is also a train service from the nearby Gare at St Saviol bringing Angouleme and Poitiers itself within reach. The four kilometres to St Saviol has to be undertaken by bicycle or - I have still to try - taxi. I have cycled to the station and it is no more than a half hour away. In repect of the trains, I will have to buy a Carte Avantage which for 20€ a year gives me the benefit of 25% off fares Monday - Friday; and 50% off fares Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. (I think?).

The furnishings are now all assembled and in place - though there remains some things still to be bought. A priority is a kitchen table and Ikea in Tours will need a visit sooner or later. I have chairs but no table!!!!!