I am currently in Sanxay, 'dog-sitting' for George and Anneke. I say 'dog-sitting' as this is George and Anneke's kind way of saying I can come round theirs and use their internet while they're out. I also get to walk a dog, who is called Snoopy and looks like this:
When I am not doing this, I am 'house-sitting' in a small village (nay hamlet) called Les Forges (rough translation: The Forges). I say 'house-sitting' because this is the language I use to describe very, very cheaply staying in a holiday let. In this instance, George's daughter Daphne's house, who's the sister of my friend Sophie. I have the run of the place, though I am chiefly using one room, on account of how I get a little bit scared alone at night.
Les Forges is a typical French tiny village in that there is basically nothing in it but some houses, a church and a mairie (town hall). The only place one seems to be able to spend money is the telephone box. There is, just outside Les Forges, a golf course, which I did go to the last time I was here visiting. I have yet to brave a visit to the course itself, though I walk past it occasionally and think it would be fun to roam the grounds, if it weren't for possible errant ball death. Perhaps that would make roaming more fun, I don't know.
It's about 4km to the nearest village of substance, Vasles. I have borrowed a bike from George and Anneke, but mostly I walk there if I need to. In Vasles they have a Mouton Village (rough translation: Sheep Village), and also a Spar. About every other day, I walk to Vasles, visit the Spar (occasionally I buy things), and then walk back. Sometimes people stop and ask me if I want a lift, but I never get in their car because of stranger danger, and I like the walk.
George and Anneke check in on me every couple of days too. They are incredibly kind and generous people. They also take me to a nearby (if you have a car) town called St Maixent L'Ecole (rough translation: St Maixent The School) where we visit Leclerc, and I get all me goods.
The rest of my time is for writing, which I couldn't possibly talk about. Also reading, and watching DVDs, and not being as cold as you probably are.
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