Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Belle Mère's Move, Part 3, Market Day

For some bizarre reason, I thought Tuesday would be the easiest day of the move.  I was wrong.  Yesterday, the professionals were coming in to pack and today they were supposed to be moving the furniture, however the weather forecast for today was terrible so they put more men on the job to get as much done as possible.

At 7.45 yesterday morning, the doorbell went and an army of burly men spread through the house like a plague of hungry locusts, packing, wrapping and moving, even Belle Mère was in shock, "they are going too fast, I can't keep up". We had not even emptied the kitchen cupboards of food and jars, we started working frantically  so they could get into the kitchen. 

Things were whisked away so fast, mistakes were made, things that were supposed to be kept out have now gone into storage, it did not help, that we were all exhausted and still half asleep.

Antique amoires were taken to bits, blankets and bubble wrap were taped round valuable furniture and paintings, I have to say they were very gentle with the china and fragile objects. As they were French, we did not have to make them mugs of tea every half hour, they just stopped for a two hour lunch break and then returned to continue working at breakneck speed.

It is amazing how much one can accumulate, especially over 31 years, and after all the main stuff had gone Belle Mère, was trying to sort out 'the bits', you know, the bits, that have found their way into that draw or cupboard you always meant to sort out but just never got round to.

Anyway job done.  Well almost, MG and I are returning to the Pyrenees early tomorrow morning with a van full of furniture, kindly donated by Belle Mère. Which we will have to unload at the other end, and Belle Mère has to clean the house, I have already started cleaning and she will have help, before she hands over the house on Friday.  No doubt we will return hopefully in May, to help her move into her new home.

We did go to the market this morning, it was a bit of a damp squib, cold, wet and windy, with only half the usual stalls, but I still managed to take some photo's.


Poor Crusoe, he was shunted from one room to another yesterday, totally bewildered by the proceedings, so I took him for a pre-market walk, to let off some steam, barking at the waves.

Les Poissonnier's

Charcuterie

Du Fromage

Belissimo!

A quick coffee, and a chance to watch the passers-by. Ooh, he looks interesting!

He is worthy of the Sartorialist, methinks!

And another, wow, great turban.

My only purchase, Anenomes for Belle Mère

4 comments:

  1. Dash - I was laughing as I read this (although it's never funny when it's happening to you!) and thought of some of our moves - it's frightening how fast everything gets whisked into those boxes! When we moved first to Australia we were eagerly awaiting the air freight boxes so at least we had the 'necessities' - when they arrived and we opened them, we found them full of cycle helmets and skateboards....OMG...I feel for you - hopefully she isn't moving too far & will be able to locate everything at the other end..good luck! x

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  2. Hi Dash
    I was laughing too.. but also had that sick sinking feeling when life is moving faster than you can keep up with.. Reminded me of some of my moves.. I'm not too good with too many ppl in my face at the same time!!! Well at least it is done now..

    I love your ppl watching shots... very interesting... gee I miss that.. I used to work in more interesting parts of town.. ie Circular Quay and Paddington and the ppl watching there was excelllent... here at home... it's shoot yourself stuff!! hahahaha...

    Now everytime I come here I fall more in love with Crusoe... I'm starting to think I need my own little Crusoe to bring happiness to my day... He is such a darling...

    Well good luck with the rest of the move!!! You're doing a stellar job of helping Belle Mere and keeping us troops overseas entertained.. xx Julie

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  3. I think your belle mere has struck lucky with her belle fille. You have really done well and I am sure she appreciated everything you both did for her.

    As for the lack of tea required by French workmen - yes, it is astonishing. Whenever we have had work done on the house we have always chosen French people - even though there is a thriving community of UK workmen. With the French they just get on with the job at hand - I've never yet seen one stop to have a cigarette, use the toilet, stop for refreshments - I guess the al fresco toilet habit comes in useful here.

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  4. Aren't removal men terrifying!
    I had a British firm do some work for me...two guys like greased lightning, only one tea break, swallowed the lunch I offered them and got on with it.
    They were super...and well ahead of my game.

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