Monday, August 25, 2014

A Special Un-Welcome Back


I'm just back from two lovely weeks in the UK: one week chez mum, and one week in Rhossili with my big bro and his family in a fantastic house for nine, including four teenagers...

Yesterday, it was back to France on the train. My suitcase had finally given up the ghost on the journey over, and been taken to the dump, so I was going back with a massive one my mum didn't need any more that used to be used by my dad on his visits over when it had been filled with goodies. It was heavy... and unreliable. Sitting in a train on the Circle line, my eldest, who'd been given the task of hauling it around, realised the trolley handle was stuck and wouldn't retract. Ah.. We decided to worry about how to get it into Eurostar's luggage space later.

I popped into M&S in St Pancras to pick up a couple of their tasty salads for the journey, and found myself also paying for four bottles of ale that my son added to the basket. He discovered ales such as Gower Gold, and 1555 this summer and took to them like a bee to honey.

Almost first on the train, my suitcase found a home in the roomy empty luggage space but had to be jiggled about later to make room for others as the train was heaving. Crossing Paris was as ghastly as usual. I'm so glad I don't live there and have to travel on the RER every day! We had enough time before our train to Montpellier to venture outside Gare de Lyon to buy the boys some kebabs and chips at their favourite Turkish place next to a sex shop...

The TGV was half an hour or so late much to my eldest's disgust as he was planning to go out and see his buddies when we arrived home - I don't know where he finds the energy! Eventually we were let on, and I managed to get the recalcitrant suitcase snugly stowed on the luggage rack as I was one of the first in that carriage too. Thank heaven!

Back home, my cat welcomed me with neurosis and revenge poo on the bed. Not the first time either, the little sod even though next door pop in and keep his dishes full and give him attention. Shame catteries are so expensive because he'd be in there like a flash!

Next up was the fridge. My eldest had joined us (just) in London, travelling by himself from Montpellier to London. He nearly missed the train however, as he partied the night before he left and didn't hear the alarm, or me calling his phone. As a result, he didn't do all the things on the list I left, such as to put all uneaten chicken breasts in the freezer, and ten days later, they were not a pretty sight, or smell. You can imagine how happy I was throwing out six raw chicken breasts!

He also left the dishwasher full and unwashed despite me telling him not to use it. It was a repulsive sight in there, I can tell you, and the smell was foul. One wash was not enough either, and one of my wooden spoons has been consigned to the bin covered as it is in mould even after everything the dishwasher could throw at it.

Finally, this morning, my car wouldn't start so I had to call out the Assistance, then watch as the car was taken away to deal with the battery, and wait for a taxi to take me to the car rental office. A morning's worth. As I was in the taxi heading for the centre of town, I saw the truck with my car on the back that I'd seen off an hour before going in the opposite direction to where Toyota is located in Montpellier. Bizarre. I presume it's all okay... and will get to where it's going eventually!

The rental car is a snazzy DS3 which is black with a white roof, runs on turbo-charged diesel and goes like a bat out of hell. All paid for by the Assistance. Could be worse...

15 comments:

  1. How many lives has your cat used up so far...?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's getting dangerously close to the limit, that's for sure...!

      Delete
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeZWXYIIWaI

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "It's so much nicer to come home"...That's debatable at the moment! :)

      Delete
  3. My eight year old child doesn't listen either. I thought kids mature with age, or does this only apply to girls? Did you make the boy clean up his pigsty?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not sure boys mature very fast. Some, at least, mine for sure! I just chucked out the meat, and turned the dishwasher on so there wasn't much to clear up; it was the smell that was so unpleasant. I had to put the dishwasher on twice too to get the smell off the plates! Yuk!

      The cleaner had been in twice after his departure so the rest of the house (apart from my duvet!) was all clean. She obviously didn't feel it was her job to clear up after the sodding cat.

      Delete
  4. I think I might have a solution for my naughty little treasure:
    http://www.servicemalin.com/Garde-Animaux/34/Montpellier.html

    €4-5 per day is totally acceptable!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, what can I say? Welcome back. I understand where you are coming from...I was so happy to be back from France yesterday...And as my grandmother used to say, it will be alright in the end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it always is, isn't it? Time is a great healer. :)

      Delete
  6. Never mind the cat- how many lives has your eldest used up? You'll probably find it a bit easier to wave him off to the Fac after that. :) Glad you had a good holiday, despite the nightmare return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am looking forward to waving him off, except that I know he'll be back every evening as he couldn't find a cheap enough flat to rent. I'm hoping he'll find something with other law students during the year. He is too...! :)

      Delete
  7. Totally agree with Miss P - strangle factor 10. I remember that fridge experience - the pong could floor and elephant at fifty yards. Hope that the boys left you some ale, and that your car is out of intensive care...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, I got no ale, but my car is okay. We found an ale shop in Montpellier opposite Stade Phillipides. You can buy bottles of American ale for €17 if you're mad enough! :)

      Delete

Comments are bienvenue.