Our 83-year-old neighbor who has been shuttling between hospital and convalescent home for the last 6 weeks or more finally died on Thursday. He was born and spent his entire life here in Condadeuil. His grand-father built our house (in 1900) for one of his (the grand-father's) daughters. We attended the funeral on Tuesday morning. There was a service at the Mazerolles church, then most of the mourners walked up the hill to the cemetery, following the hearse, for a short graveside ceremony. It was all very sad.
Since French inheritance laws are a bit odd (the property now goes to the children, leaving the surviving spouse with nothing), we're a bit concerned with what will happen next. Madame is also 83 and it may prove too much for her to maintain the house by herself.
The stove repairman came on Friday and installed new thermostats in both ovens, so we're baking again now. For a while at least. We are assured that the manufacturer will give us a new stove if this happens again. Fingers crossed.
For new year's day, we had a big lunch with friends at our favorite local restaurant, where they put on a delicious 8-course feast for the day. There were vegetable munchies and soup and fish and meat and cheese and dessert and lots of in-between bits to clear the palate. A very nice start to the year.
Tuesday started clear and crisp, with a partial solar eclipse visible at sunrise at almost 9.00. Here's the pre-dawn scene:
And here's the first picture Kaye took of the sun just over the horizon. The gap at the right of the picture above is where the sun rose. Both of us were a bit surprised at the exact location where the sun made its appearance.
Kaye didn't think to try a photo through her binoculars, but did spend quite some time marveling at the moon blocking the sun.
Hope everyone has a healthy and happy 2011!
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