The view from my window

The view from my window
The view from my window

Thursday 4 March 2021

Where did the time go?

Wow doesn't this pandemic make time seem like it's standing still? I suppose no-one is doing much of anything and each day kinda merges into the previous one and just drags along doesn't it! Well that was how I felt until FB reminded me the other day that it's now been eight years since I went to Peru! Crikey, March 2013 saw me flying off on only my second "solos" holiday to fulfil a dream of mine, which was to visit Machu Picchu. It was bloody hard work though, the altitude sickness being difficult to navigate, but I did, indeed get to see Machu Picchu and the floating islands of the Uros - and enjoy wonderful weather on what was a bit of an "iffy" vacation weather-wise. Peru was also where I met Steve (RIP mate) and gave me the confidence to try out the longer-haul solos trips and not just the European ones! Gosh I'm starting to look forward to travelling again, although who the heck knows when that will be!

The floating islands of the Uros!


Machu Picchu - not my picture sadly, but I
couldn't find where to attribute it!

Since any kind of travelling isn't on the agenda right now, but with spring on the way, I'm looking forward to getting back up to the higher walks I'd been attempting before the snow came because I'm not getting any fitter just slobbing round here am I!


Max finally stopped by yesterday to replace the pump on my heating system which should prevent the condensation leaks I've occasionally been getting in my basement. He also took away the four BMW tyres (tyres and rims) that a friend of his wanted and that I had had in my basement for ages, so I also talked him into taking the final two tyres to the tip for me, figuring he owed me one, what with all the hassle I've had with my heating system. So yay me, I've finally got rid of - I think - 10 tyres/wheels from my basement so that's a move in the right direction!

Then today I drove my friend down to Annecy for her to hand over her paperwork for her resident's permit and we were yacking so much we ended up taking the "scenic" route again (i.e. we missed the turnoff)! Still we made it just as the immigration offices were opening up and all in all I would guess it only took about 40 minutes for her application to be processed. She was telling me that one lady from Côte d'Ivoire starting kicking off and yelling at staff because "there is obviously something wrong with the ticketing system, as some people have got numbers in the 100s and mine is number 550"! They tried explaining to her that each of the six different desks dealt with different situations so the numbers weren't consecutive. For instance, they had one desk specifically for Brexit Brits which moved pretty quickly because we would all have at least five years' residence in France at this point. Then they had a second desk for new immigrants, and others were divided into zones for people coming from different countries. But she was having none of it. In the end the head honcho told her to just keep it up and he would have her removed from the premises and she could start her application all over again - and lo and behold she must have figured it was probably a smart idea to shut up. I always think unless you've got a very good reason to be ranting it's always a better idea to remain civilized and polite because (a) these people are just doing their jobs, (b) she was not being discriminated against, and (c) in the end they hold the power ultimately don't they! But as I say, all in all it only took about 40 minutes for my friend to get her paperwork completed and I got to sit on the lake front at Annecy admiring the view in very pleasant weather!


I'm trying to make an effort to be more au courant with what's going on in France, despite not having French TV, so I'm at least picking up the news and a few documentaries online every couple of days. I was watching one report the other night to try to understand more about the proposed reform of French pensions and why there were massive protests. Well I can't say I understand all the ins and outs of what is going on but to see how some people are struggling along on tiny pensions is really sobering. And while much talk might be given to improving the lot of the little man, I'm not so sure that's how it works really is it! And then how about ol' Sarko getting a prison sentence???? Just in case you missed it, former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment for trying to "influence" a judge (read "bribe") investigating allegations of improper funding for his 2007 presidential run. His getting millions in campaign funding from the l'Oréal heiress, Liliane Bettencourt, was the main focus of their investigation - although not the only one - and apparently they have recordings of him offering "favours" to one of the judges involved in return for information on the investigation. So yeah, two years' suspended prison sentence and one year under house arrest (during a pandemic? yeah, that'll teach him)! He's been on the news doing the rounds these past few days saying how he intends to appeal and "defend himself vigorously" as it is all "fake news" basically, but either way, you can bet he won't be struggling to get along on a presidential pension of around €750 a month!

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy!

And finally, I saw the other night that Amazon Prime had Florence Foster Jenkins showing so as I'd wanted to see it when it originally came out I thought I'd sit and watch it. I didn't get all the way through it as it was late but I have to admit it's "watchable". Well anything with Meryl Streep in will do it for me. Hugh Grant - well he just plays Hugh Grant really, but I have to admit the real hit for me has been Simon Helberg (Howard, from The Big Bang Theory)! I think he's a talented comedian and watching his facial expressions when he hears Florence's singing voice and realizes he has to accompany her on the piano is a real treat. I've got the last part to look forward to tonight, but when you realize it's based on a true story it makes it that much funnier. So truly "light" entertainment!

28 comments:

  1. Come visit me and I can take you to FFJ's grave like I did Kim and her Sissie 2 years ago. Her parents were from here.

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    1. Sounds wonderful. I've just this minute finished watching the movie and I think Meryl Streep did her proud!

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  2. With discrimination being real and world wide, I guess I can understand the confusion and anger on the person in the resident office, but I agree that yelling in that situation and not listening is not the best way to be heard! We have our travel memories right! I'm planning at least road trips for hopefully after July, when I think we should hit the vaccination rates that will move us forward.

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    1. What this lady was not willing to understand is that nobody gets to go to immigration without an appointment so if people were there it would be because they had received an email appointment just as she had. The fact that some lines were moving slower than others is just bad luck I guess. Heck, when I went for my appointment the lady was giving some guy hell asking how far he thought he'd get in the process if he hadn't brought his passport with him! As for travel, while I'm very happy around here obviously, it would be nice to have something to look forward to/plan for also, wouldn't it!

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  3. Machu Picchu! I am so jealous! Saw that bit about Sarkozy and didn't feel sorry for him in the least. And I saw Florence Foster Jenkins in the theater. You are so right about Simon Helberg stealing the show. I thought he should have gotten a nomination for some award.

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    1. For some reason Machu Picchu had always been high on my wish list, but the day we set off there were two landslides, we got stuck on the train for eight hours and then turned back. So the next day our guide had us up around 3 a.m. to take the bus up there, which meant we were at the entrance gates around 6 a.m. and it truly was magical. Not crowded at that time of the morning of course and it met (and surpassed) my expectations. As for Sarko, yeah, I reckon they've all got their snouts in the trough haven't they! And while I thought The Big Bang Theory was ok, for me Helberg was probably the best as he really can do comedy!

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  4. I’ve just got up to date with your blogs after ‘stumbling’ across them by accident and starting at blog number 1. I have so enjoyed reading every single one of them. I miss France so much. We have travelled in a motorhome for our holidays for the last 10 years and been to the area around Annecy lots of times. We both retired last September and the plan was to spend more time travelling. COVID has put a stop to that! But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Love reading your blogs. Stay safe!

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    1. Hi Jo, and thank you so much for stopping by my blog. Crikey, even I couldn't be bothered to read my blog from post no. 1 - you must be a glutton for punishment! We had a motorhome for about 15 years and loved travelling around in it - mainly in France obviously, but also throughout Europe. You're right though, France is lovely and certainly lends itself to a motorhome doesn't it. And if you've been around the Annecy area you'll know how stunning Haute Savoie is too. I'm about 30 minutes from Annecy (when I don't get lost). Now that you're retired and once this damn pandemic has been put back in its box, you (we) will be able to get back out and start exploring again right? That's what retirement is for! Cheers. Anna

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  5. My husband and I are getting our first doses of Moderna tomorrow (second shots already scheduled for April 5th) thanks to our governor changing up how vaccines are distributed (he's going strictly by age). We can't wait to travel again! Thinking we'll keep it fairly local until next year probably, but even the thought of going one state over for a couple of days is exciting!

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    1. I'm so far down the list for getting vaccinated they probably wrote the names on toilet paper and I'm the last at the end of the roll. The French (the EU?) did not do a good job of getting in the vaccines so hardly anyone is getting them yet. But I agree, it will be nice to feel safe to travel "freely" again won't it. I just got off the phone with my sister who lives on the south coast of England and she was saying all the local camp sites are saying they are fully booked as from May???? I doubt I'll be going anywhere until autumn at the earliest even if they do loosen up the restrictions. Still, it's nice to dream about it isn't it!

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  6. It’s been a year but it feels years longer. We are up for vaccines soon and make take a weekend getaway just for some new scenery.
    Why all the tires in the basement, if I may ask? My mind goes right to horror movie and you luring people into the house to kill them, and then taking apart their cars and storing the bits in the basement.
    I hope our former president gets found as guilty [of ANYTHING] as your former president.

    We saw Florence Foster Jenkins a few years back and loved it …well, again, because Meryl!

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    1. I have a very large (unfinished) basement (it's where my fuel tank and wood supply is), so husband goes back to the States - stuff gets dumped in the basement. Kid no. 1 moves back in after divorce - stuff gets dumped in the basement. Kid number 2 grew out of his skis and drum set - stuff gets dumped in the basement. If I wanted to replicate the Texas chain saw massacre I'd have to do it in the garage because I have no room in the basement! And yes I hope 45 gets convicted of something at least, but they tend to "baffle 'em with bullshit" and tie them up with law suits so they get away with it! I enjoyed the rest of the film which I finished last night - and yes 'cos "Meryl", because she's wonderful and made FFJ a very sympathetic character!

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  7. I saw that about Sarkozy. Confined to his home? Oh yes. Horrible punishment. Almost cruel.
    I think I would love to watch that movie although the cringe factor might undo me.

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    1. Yeah, Sarkozy's terrible punishment is to be confined to his mansion, but I reckon if they took away his platform shoes he wouldn't want to leave the house anyway. He's screaming his innocence and "can't wait to produce the real facts" - ha ha, makes me laugh just writing that! As for the film, I did find it a bit cringe-worthy at first but in the end you just kinda fall in love with FFJ and the cringe factor seems to wear off!

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  8. I loved watching FFJ. I like how Meryl Streep will forego looking her best for a meaty role.
    The worst thing about politics is the politicians.
    Like you I am wanting to resume travel, but I am not willing to actually do it yet. I may be a covaphobe, but having three friends pass away in one week was more than a little upsetting.

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    1. I was thinking the same about Meryl while I was watching the film. They showed her wrinkles (real or fake), her bald head (fake) and she was quite "padded out" too and I thought how lovely that she played the role rather than being swayed by vanity. And yeah, tell me about politicians!!! (Or rather, please don't)! I didn't know about your friends though - gosh three in one week is dreadful. I'm so sorry!

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  9. I have to say that with the complete lack of travel over the last 12 months, I do now find myself looking forward to those daft memory posts from Google Photos and Facebook - in fact sometimes it can be the highlight of the day to receive one.

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    1. I know what you mean. I was doing a fair bit of travelling "b.c." (before covid) and it's rather nice to have the pictures pop up isn't it. I've also managed to keep a fair bit of money in my savings account because looking at pictures costs nothing does it!

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  10. Finally, someone who sings like me:) It looks like a good movie. I'll have to check it out.

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    1. It is a bit cringeworthy at the beginning but I did enjoy it. And I loved that she truly thought she could sing. You know, like the little kid at the school Christmas concert who has the loudest voice and is totally flat - god love 'im! Those kids are my favourites!

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  11. Your basement sounds like mine was!

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    1. If you mean a dumping ground - yep, that's it. But I have to say I'm getting there slowly!

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  12. We had planned to be in Australia for this month :( Looks like it will another year at least before we can go now. However I'm making photo albums (2) of our previous trip so that's keeping me amused and letting me relive the holiday for now. That looks like a good film. I will look for it on Prime. x

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    1. Yep I don't see Australia on your horizon this year either do you, which is a shame when it's family. I guess this pandemic will teach us a good lesson in patience and self-containment hopefully!

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  13. Didn't know about Sarkozy. What is it with leaders thinking they can get away with corruption!!?? Lucinda

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    1. The problem is, more often than not they DO get away with corruption don't they. They've got money and power and it takes a LOT to bring them down, and I mean a LOT - unlike you or I who would be hammered after the first infraction!

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  14. I laugh so hard when I hear "Florence Foster Jenkins" sing. You probably know that recording of hers is online and can be listened to.
    Now me, I grimace and turn away (so they don't see) when someone sings out of tune, especially in public; it's hard on the ears. But Streep as Jenkins is hilarious!
    -Kate, new to your blog, saw it at Lily Cedar's

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    1. Hi Kate, and thank you for stopping by my blog! I don't mind when little kids sing flat (and usually very loud) but when someone is convinced they can sing and they really can't well then it's more difficult to hide the giggles isn't it. I know someone like this who is convinced she can sing country music because she can make that "growly" sound they often use. It just sounds like someone torturing a cat, truth be told!

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