Tennants Lager Girl

I was working in LouLesBelles today and a lady came in for a browse.    We got talking after she hear heard my accent.   She told me she used to work for Scottish Television and had appeared as one of the 'Tennants Lager Girls' in the late 1960's early 1970s.      This was a long running series of different model's pictures on cans of lager.     The ladies name was Susan.    Tennants Lager girls on cans

It brought flashbacks of my upbringing in Scotland when it seemed quite normal for parents, uncles and aunties to gather and get unco' fu'.    I remember the Tennant's tins lined up (empties!) with all the different girl pictures and my Dad and Uncles Jack, Joe, George, Ecky and David liking to look at them.   I think they were considered quite racy in their day (the tins not the Uncles!).   The word sexist has not even been thought about at least in our part of Scotland.  

When 'the crowd' gathered we children (me, my two brothers and my sister) and various cousins were usually left at a loose end to amuse ourselves.    I have many, many memories some hilarious and others horrendous of what nowadays would probably be considered abuse. Nothing really bad, but just being 'looked after' by daft drunk (kindly in their way) adults - all smoking like 'lums' and either singing or snoring sometimes quarrelling over nothing.     It was particularly awful when we were on holiday in the caravan and there was no escape.    I used to dread the clink of the whisky bottle and still feel the same anxiety today.

On the other hand - I can proudly say I never had a school dinner in my life.   I was driven to school and back every day in a lovely Wolseley, or Jaguar or Rover car.   My mother cooked wholesome food and we lived in a 'posh' new bungalow, had holidays and many happy days out.    My Dad was born in 1910 and my mother in 1921.    He lived to 79 and she to 53.    When Mum died suddenly in 1974 I was a rebellious surly 17 year old caught up in the tail end of the swinging 60's and the start of the 1970's 'awakening'. against a back drop of power strikes, miners strikes, unions strife surrounded by adults who liked nothing more than to recall war time memories, 'hae a wee nip' (and a Tennant's Lager) and tut tut at the state of the world and the length of our skirts.    I lived in my false eyelashes!   I was insanely jealous of my 'big' sister and let her know it by behaving badly.    

I am sure the Tennant's tin pictures were a huge influence on me - something I thought I was supposed to aspire to.    I don't recall anyone telling me there was a different path - or maybe i didn't listen.

Gosh Susan of Tennant's Lager - a lot of powerful memories have been unleashed today.

Happy Birthday to my big sister

Dear sister Mary you are fair pretty

So I thought I’d write you this wee ditty,

You have a special birthday soon,

With all your boys in Tbilisi Toon

You are Mary Poppins to everyone

Riding your bike and never done

Now this wee gift is not a stick

But to help you walk and get there quick!

For going up hills it will be a boon

Or prodding John if he sits doon

I hope you like it and walk many a mile

With this walking pole – do it in style!

Happy Birthday Mary – here’s a virtual hug

Have a wonderful Christmas – nice and snug

We will go walking in the New Year,

With plenty of laughs and a glass of beer!

Ginger has arrived

This evening we went to our neighbours farm (Jean-François et Christine) who have kindly donated another chicken to keep Mrs Mac company.     It is amazing as she looks just like the character Ginger in Chicken Run, so no problem thinking of a name for her!     
http://dreamworks.wikia.com/wiki/Ginger?file=Ginger.jpg


No pictures of Ginger yet as she was quite traumatised with the journey and seeing her new home.    The two of them are now ensconced for the night and we just hope they get on ok.     Ginger is a lot younger and hopefully she will enjoy hearing all Mrs Mac's adventures this summer....

Moon shot on Ginger's first night....

Fright night!!

Last night I was walking down through the garden in the pitch dark to put Mrs Mac to bed with her hot water bottle and two large plastic bottles filled with hot water - to keep the chill off.    

As usual I 'chatted' to her in a loud sing, song voice as I approached.   It was very, very dark and my torch batteries were fading.....    I thought I heard a rustle in the hedge and fleetingly thought maybe a fox or big feral cat was prowling.   I talked louder

"Hello Mrs Mac" I boomed into the dark, feeling around for the catch to the hen house.   "coochy, coochy coo.   So how are you wee hen?" I shouted  

"are you cold?   It's a frosty one tonight" I told her

"look here's your bottle there's a good girl" I clucked

I caught a flash of her tiny wee eyes and carried on making loud cluck, cluck, clucking noises (this to comfort her) as I carefully laid the hot bottles next to her nesting box and then locked the hutch for the night.    I shouted 

"night, night then Mrs Mac there's a good wee girl - see you tomorrow"

 ... and then I heard a car engine and loud hooves like a stampede - which it was!    It was the French farmer herding cows in the dark up our lane to the back field.    By the light of his car headlights I could see two farm hands who must have been standing in the bushes waiting on the cows - and listening to me!!     

I was mortified and fled to the house!!

drawing and napping

I have been going to a lovely beginner's drawing class for a few weeks and find it very relaxing. We are learning about techniques and different pencils/papers.   

I love the power of the pencil and the look of it on paper - kind of like black and white photos, they always seem more detailed?         After sketching for an hour, I feel like I have had a little nap - refreshed and chilled.

This is a little sketch of cart of straw we had to copy for our homework..... 

Des hommes et des dieux (of gods and men)

We watched an amazing film that will stay with us for a long time.     It tells the story of nine French trappist monks of The Monastery Notre-Dame de l'Atlas of Tibhirine in Algeria during the Civil War in 1996.

They led a simple life living in harmony with the Muslim population serving the poor community that was raised around the monastery. They were threatened by terrorists but decided to stay in Algeria and not return to France with devastating consequences.

The Tragic Romance of Africa

It has been a really thoughtful week world wide as Mr Nelson Mandela passed away, which has highlighted the plight of Africa.   

I just happened to read a really good book written by my step daughter-in-law's grandfather Dennis Hubbard:

The-Tragic-Romance-Africa-Adventure

It is a tender true story revealing the memoirs of a young man setting out from his daredevil ‘Dennis the Menace’ upbringing in post war Sheffield to work for a railway company in the little mining town of Broken Hill in Northern Rhodesia in the early 1950s.    The book is a real page turner with laugh out loud moments as the story beautifully unfolds.   The descriptions of Africa in the 1950s are breath taking and I felt as though I was there.    The narrative brings to life an amazing country and the wonder of seeing wild, wild animals – up very close!    

The tragedy unfolds against the shocking backdrop of Apartheid through the eyes of a plucky young adventurer, unbelievably naïve in the world of complex adult relationships.   The author develops influential and powerful allies but is tragically blind to an illicit love tryst involving his closest friends, until it is too late, with horrid consequences. 

It was a privilege to read this honest and heart felt coming of age account in contrast to today’s usual unbelievable gory best sellers.

If you have received a stack of book vouchers this Christmas – this is an absorbing insight to another life, another place, another time.

Mrs Mac made snug

I have just been down to tuck Mrs Mac up for the night and even though Jeff has put down a thick layer of straw, I think she might be cold as it -2 at nights and she looks so lonely in her wee coup.    So I went and made up a hot water bottle for her and wrapped it in one of Jeff's old pillow cases (he will never know) - so hopefully that will keep her frost free.    I might go down later and top it up.... here is the sunset and the moon rising on the way back to the house....

The mysterious Mrs Mac....

Well, well, well!     readers may recall that in September my three gorgeous chickens (Mrs Mac, Val and Mick) started behaving strangely - refusing to go to bed, roosting up in the trees and running amok with the cows in the field.... then they disappeared and were never seen again.     I wept a bit as I scoured the local forest and bushes and eventually accepted they were gone and had probably made a fine dinner for Mr and Mrs Fox and their family - survival of the fittest?

Then about two days ago I spotted Jeff lurking down by the chicken shed.  I thought he was measuring up to extend the run in readiness for new chickens planned for next spring.... then today he led me down the garden to 'see something' and there was Mrs Mac in her coup!!

It seems in the last few days Jeff had seen fleeting glimpses of a sleek, black Mrs Mack zooming in and out of the garden near the coup.   Unbeknown to me he had gone down and opened the gate a little to allow her access to the coup.   Then today in she went and..... slam Jeff shut the gate!

So that is the end of free range and Mrs Mac is now safely ensconced in her coup.   We have sent pleas to the farmer nearby to ask for another chicken to come and live through the winter with Mrs Mac..
Of course this all has a very poignant feel as Val and Mick have not reappeared and Val was named after my good friend Val Midgley who died just a few weeks ago   
So here is the heroic Mrs Mac our intrepid bush dweller... after all these weeks when I have been out weeding and mowing and tidying I always had a feeling I was being watched - aha!

The return of Mrs Mack!  after 3 months exploring....

When we got the chickens in the summer we asked the kids to suggest names and Ella has suggested 'Lucky' for Mrs Mac - so maybe we now call her Lucky Mrs Mac.

Amy's boo boo

I was speaking to my friend Amy who is working hard with her partner Richard (the Punk) to run a splendid new Bistro 'Les Bistro des Amis' at Fomperron, Deux-Sèvres.     They serve gorgeous food and have delighted customers French and English with their Fish 'n' Chip nights on Fridays.    
Anyway yesterday Amy was practising her french language as she took orders for Sunday roast dinner which included lovely roast beetroot.    She was trying to think of the words and told Madame they were serving 'roasted beet'.   At which point Madame chocked and spluttered going bright red in the face.... seems beet in French is something to do with the equivalent of 'dick' in english.... oops!
If you are ever in this area (near St Maixent L'Ecole) well worth a visit!

https://www.facebook.com/BistrotDesAmisFomperron

Pies and Pudds

Well that Paul Hollywood has got a lot to answer for!     Jeff is hooked.    There is a gleam in his eye, or is it a bit of pastry?
    
We had a serious heart to heart about 1 month ago.   'No more biscuits Jeff' I said.   'Just don't buy them and then we won't eat them, right?'.    'Yes dear' he agreed (sensibly).  

 Next thing I know there is Jeff in the kitchen clutching a rolling pin and the latest 'Pies and Pudds' book by PH.   

Turns out he is a dab hand at pastry (yes Jeff you are) and now every other day is 'baking day'.   (normal folk bake cakes for celebrations or special weekends... oh no not us, we have to do it 3 times a week!!).      He started with some old tins, rusty from disuse and now it is like Silicone valley in this house!!    Jeff has discovered silicone rolling pins, tartlet cases, rolling surfaces - you name it.     I don't know how to break it to him, but this has got to stop!!   Groan.

baby Daniels first visit to a bouncy castle...

My friend Val

I had a very good friend called Val Midgley.     We met about 9 years ago when I went to live in her village - Thornton in West Yorkshire.   She had lived in the same house for 38 years and I was a 'newby'.     We met and took to each other instantly.    She was one of the most funny and fun loving women I have ever known.   We walked Hadrians Wall together for charity and laughed all day and night 'I can't sleep me' said Val every half hour, waking me from my deep sleep (snores she said).    We walked up the three Yorkshire Peaks our hair stood on end in howling winds.   She always hugged me tight and told anyone within hearing distance 'I luv 'er'.   'I love you' she'd say and laugh.    She was a strong Yorkshire woman and we just clicked.    She died suddenly in November.   I feel numb with grief.    She was a young, lively 69.    Everyone who knew Val will miss her like I do.    I know its Christmas and time for cheer and I know what Val would want... so there will be plenty of that.

  

Mick, me and Val at the top of Pen-y-Gent in 2010 - she was over the moon!
and not just because we had reached the summit......

In 2011 our friend Carol (yes the water baby) hosted a 'wee tea party' one saturday afternoon and we all dressed up for the occasion (just us girls).    Val loved any occasion to dress up! 

Val at Carol's tea party with my parasol

me, Val, Carol and Irish Mary at Carol's tea party

Sheila, Mary, Val and Carol in Carol's garden

Val, Mary, Carol and Sheila at the tea party

Val - what a wumin!!

I had three chickens living in the garden last year and called them Val and Mick.... Val thought that was hilarious and I so looked forward to her visit to see them.... not to be.

Mick (a bit hen pecked) and Val (the bossy one)

2013 in summary (first Blog posting)

This is the last Christmas 'letter' from me and no more letters from the cat either!! From now on all I have to do is update this blog thingy every now and again, you read it and hey presto, no more need for the annual round robin!   Hooray!

I have been promising myself this little indulgence for a long time and after a training session with Joel in the summer, started blogging .... Blogs are supposed to be little daily diary snippets and will be just that from now on, but to bring readers up to speed, this item is just a wee bit longer...

The year got off to a lovely start when we heard in January the wonderful news that Jonathan McMillan had got engaged to the gorgeous Kate (Wareham) and we look forward to their wedding next year in Scotland (yes DJJeff is booked and plastic 'air'-guitars on order!).        

This month we hosted a 'united nations' Burns Supper (of course) 'ben the gîte' with 22 guests.      Jeff did his usual Yorkshire address to the Haggis - hilarious and we had a good show of poems and songs from the guests.  

To the Haggis: "...and then, O what a glorious sight, 
Warm-reekin', rich!"

The braw Mr and Mrs Black fae Mauchline now resident at Villedieu, Charente

The rest of January passed quietly apart from a charming visit with Phil (oh-dear-the-cellar-is-flooded-and-I-can't-get-to-the-cognac) and his long suffering gorgeous wife Fran, to an old family run cognac distillery (Neuvicqo-le-chateau) complete with ancient cobwebs... The merchandise was superb and the proprietor Monsieur Balluet most entertaining!

Cobwebs to add flavour!

Monsieur Balluet's distillery

The Tasting - oh well someone has to do it....

Then on 4th February we were delighted to celebrate (handy we had the cognac!) the birth of baby Daniel - a gorgeous wee brother for Peter, Susie, Sophie and Zach and another cousin for Ella and Harry.    He is blond like his sisters and as they say here a bavard ('talks' a lot - we know he is there!!).      So we zoomed back to the UK to see the new arrival that week and then again in March.

Daniel Paul Barrow - 1 month old

Daniel at 8 months
(on his dedication day in October)
 with his Mum Tracey xx

I managed to nip up to Scotland in February for a few nights at Mary's.    We had a splendid walk on the beach with Liz Russell (of the Patterson variety).   Mary and I visited Auntie Dorothy at Bankhead who was as ever full of interesting tales and family snippets.    We also had an amazing tour of Fa'Side Castle courtesy of the resident family.  It was a ruin when we were children and has been beautifully restored.   Quite magical.

 

Mary and Liz on the beach at Dunbar

Mary and I with obligatory flask of coffee
.... and oatcakes

We also met up with Allan and Alison (Jeff's brother and his wife) and had a grand singsong.   

Alison, Carol and Allan

Allan and Jeff - 'Mack the Knives'

In March Jeff and I moved 60 miles north from Charente-Maritime to our current house in Le Retail, Deux-Sèvres (about an hour from Poitiers) and we expect to be here for quite a long time (remind me I said that!).     

We love this house and the area - very tranquil with awesome sunrise and sunsets.     Spring in April and May was just heavenly with lots of walking in the superb Forêt de Secondigny next to the house, and making new friends.

old barn and abandoned orchard
 at the bottom of the garden

We also had good news in May that at last the house in Bradford had sold (although it did not complete until July!!) so that was huge relief.     

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in May on the Ile de Ré with David and Natasha who brought Harry and Ella to visit.    It was a splendid action packed week.

Dave, Natasha and kids at the La Vallée des Singes

  

Dave, Natasha, Harry and Ella buying bread 
at the Fenioux bread festival

In June we had a hilarious week when Mary and Liz came to visit.   

Liz got a bargain, Mary got a hat!

'Two Old ladies' 
after a hard days bartering at the market...

.

LtoR: Val, Mick, Mrs Mac

This month we received a gift of three chickens (Mrs Mac, Val and Mick) who kept us going all summer with gorgeous eggs and funny antics.   They came from a neighbouring farm owned by the amazing Jean-Francois and his charming wife Christine.    Alas they were a bit too free range... (the chicks not Jean-Francois and Christine...)


Jeff and I had a week camping (this was a real novelty for us) on the Ile de Ré at the end of June - which was fantastic.    We cycled around the island and enjoyed people-watching the hordes of european tourists....

me chilling at 'tent' after a day cycling

Jeff getting shirt off on hammock - its not easy!!

Yes June was a funny month!!     

July brought our friend Carol to visit followed by John and Barbara Barrow en route down south.     

Carol (waterbaby) Robinson - Jeff was that a pose?

This month DJJeff went 'into print' (see page 32 this link) Deux-Sevres magazine  resulting in some local fame and I now find everywhere I go I have become known as  'The DJs wife or La femme du DJ'.... I am thinking of wearing a badge too!

Jeff also joined a local 'cricket club' (some other rusty ex-pats with a bat and ball) with the inevitable aches and pains and groans after each match (thought we had put all that behind us!!) - oh joy.

In August we hosted a French student for a week which was a wonderful rewarding experience.     Isis (age 15) came from Tours and had English lessons with me every day and touristy excursions in the afternoons.   She was a delightful guest and great fun (happy to be dressed as a Pearly Queen for a local 'cockney night').    

Isis said politely "yes I like your english customs"

This is something we hope to do more of next year (hosting paying students not dressing as Pearly Queens).    It was hard work preparing all the lessons, but so worthwhile.    On one of our excursions with Isis we were delighted to be accompanied by the veteran francophone and Thespian Linda Cass who managed to take time off from her busy schedule with Encore Theatre.

It was my brother Bill and his wife Ella’s Ruby Wedding in August too which we sadly missed, but we hear it was a splendid day.   Here they are...

Ella and Bill 1973

Congratulations - Bill and Ella 2013 

Mary said "What did the sea say to Santa?
 Nothing, it just waved" (groan)

In this picture of John, Mary and Rob at the Ruby Wedding - it looks like John and Rob must have heard that one before!!   Rob was having a well-earned rest from his busy role working as a volunteer driver with the RVS.   Well done Rob!

The autumn months were spent harvesting lots and lots of fruit from neighbouring orchards, forest and our garden, so we now have barrow-loads of jams and chutneys; and talking of Barrows....

Our big highlight in October was going back to Bradford for Daniel Barrow's dedication service and a huge glorious family party with 24 adults and 000's of kids!!     Many thanks to Tracey, Natasha, Sheila and Barbara for the most delicious lunch!!

The seven Barrows

Tracey and Joel watch with pride as
Daniel is carried round to meet the congregation
kids LtoR: Susie, Zach, Sophie and Peter

Mum, when's lunch, I'm hungry..."

Kids in girl's room....

...more kids in boy's room

So what else have we been doing?    First of all lots of other visitors for little pit stops throughout the year, too numerous to mention, have kept us on our toes.    All good fun and laughs and all very welcome as we hone our hosting repertoire!! (indeed!).     

We have been going to French language classes.   At first we went together, but then we were separated as our eagle eyed teacher identified that we have 'différents objectifs' she said wagging her finger....   So now Jeff plays cards (Happy Families) with his mates and has a good gossip (some of it in French) while I slave over grammar with a fiendish 'professeur principal' with a strange sense of humour..... 

...."non, non, non Mar-ga-ret it is not 'qui avez-vous mangé pour le petit déjeuner?' (who did you eat for breakfast?) but 'que mangez-vous au petit dejeuner?' (what do you eat for breakfast?).   so! what are you Mar-ga-ret - a cannibal!  is that why I cannot see Jeff today? You have eaten him huh?" (and this theme was kept up relentlessly for the next hour - with lots of gaélique tittering)

Jeff has been very busy building up his disco/karaoke business (in english and french) and now has a good following at local bars and some camp sites down south.    He has 7 wedding bookings already for 2014 (6 French and 1 Scottish) and 1 for 2015!!    I am picking up English teaching assignments which I really enjoy.     I have also been doing some voluntary work in a dress agency LouLesBelles helping out my friend and very busy young Mum Lesley - it has been good fun and a challenge sorting out my 'pantaloons' from my 'jupes'... 

It has been a fabulous year.    What more can we say? Probably loads actually as there are lots of family and friends not mentioned - but as I now have the Blog thingy started, it will just be constant flow of drivel - bet you can't wait!!

Nous vous souhaitons un très joyeux Noël et une Bonne Année.

Love from

The DJs Wife!

ps thanks to John Barrow Photos Inc for Daniel's dedication church scenes and Joel Barrow Inc for not sighing, huffing and puffing too much in response to my endless pleas for help in starting this Blog....

..... lastly here is a link sent by Isis's mother, Sabine - watch it on full screen and hang on to your PC for this one - it was filmed off the Finistere Coast - you will never take your fish fingers for granted again!!

http://www.wimp.com/angryseas/

and finally...

What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney?
Claustrophobia!

Why does Santa have three gardens?
So he can 'ho ho ho'!

Why did Santa's helper see the doctor?
Because he had a low "elf" esteem!

What kind of motorbike does Santa ride?
A Holly Davidson!

What do you call a cat in the desert?
Sandy Claws!

Who delivers presents to cats?
Santa Paws!

What do you call Father Christmas in the beach?
Sandy Clause!

What does Santa do with fat elves?

He sends them to an Elf Farm!