Visa

My passport is back, complete with a visa for a year. The process was interesting, easier and quicker than my UK visa. Mine came back in two weeks and one day; Jules had to get a new passport so he could reapply. Seems like a small tear on the ID page is not accepted. Take two as he reapplies after getting the new passport in record time, more printing and photocopies, and a new appointment this week. It should work this time, hopefully as quickly as mine did. We  have 90 days in every 180 free travel to France and while we have days left, we need this longer solution to live there. 

The house is coming along nicely. Andrea and I had our usual long chat catching up and planning next steps. The fans for the bedrooms are hopefully being delivered today and the ceiling in the living room is in progress. The painting in the bedrooms is done and the tiles laid this week so there should be progress photos to share at the end of the week. I'm not sure if I wrote about my toothache experience in Abu Dhabi and the temporary solution which has now become an extraction after throwing a bit of cash at it with various dentists. Today's not so pleasant job. 

We're getting new neighbours here and they've been renovating for quite a few months now. Their place is looking amazing and we had the tour today. I had kitchen and wardrobe envy. The wardrobe layout is perfect so I now have pics to inspire Andrea with. Best of all they're unpacking stuff and that means bubble wrap and large strong plastic bags and bits so I'm helping them by taking some for our use. Good recycling practice. We have some boxes with more to come from them in the next week or so. Our movers arrive on Sunday 28 June and there's a bit to do before then. Moving is a great idea, until the reality hits. Stuff to clear out; stuff to keep and pack; stuff to give to charity and friends; stuff to sell; and worst of all, stuff to clean. I'm a bit fussy about the final clean so I've already started doing the things I can, procrastinating here as I do. 

Beautiful poppys on display at our local park

Progress!

We've had another trip over to Carcassonne, a longer one this time to get the painting done on the second floor. It's looking good, and the floor tiles previously chosen have been replaced with more suitable ones. They were cheaper too, photo below, and should be laid in the next couple of weeks. It was so exciting when they arrived  and we could see them in the bedroom, perfect choice. We got one room completely done and another half done so plenty of painting to still  be done. I really enjoy painting, up on the small scaffold Andrea supplied painting the ceilings and high bits on the walls. So satisfying to see this the first bit of finishing completed. 

The weather was lovely and we got to spend some time enjoying the local cafes for a vino after a days work. The places we go frequently, like the tavern in La Cite, are getting to know us and we're greeted like friends. The wine is lovely, inexpensive and bought out in carafes. Andrea invited us to Marseillette for a BBQ and it was great to revisit the countryside again. We'd looked at houses there on our first buying visit. A fun night with yummy food and the best local chardonnay from a 10L box. I've ordered one of course. 

We took a local bus to a big supermarket and bought an air frier and some other kitchen stuff so we can stay at the house next trip. We also got some nice linen and towels half price at Monoprix in the Bastide. A great store with some lovely home wares. Feels good to be gathering pieces to use before all our stuff gets moved over. That's planned for 28-29 June, all going well. 

By then the living area and three beds will be ready for furniture and the roof should be replaced. Once we move we'll decide on the kitchen. It's currently useable but not for much longer. I'm planning a trip over in a couple of weeks, once I get my passport back with it's new visa. Jules' visa will take longer, a new passport needed to progress his. So it's all go with a house to pack up and clean, stuff to sort through, things to discard and a few things to sell. A new start without old baggage. 

I'm really looking forward to being there and out exploring the local environs. There's so much to see not too far away; Cathar castles, Narbonne beach, quaint villages, the Black Mountains where there are bears, and historic places like Arles with it's Roman history on show. Plus we can go anywhere in Europe so easily, just need a car really. A job for another day. 

If this works, it's the first room painted

Spring view across the River Aude

A much needed end of the day vino

The late afternoon view from Andrea's terrace

Bedroom tiles