Reaching Limits
Nous avons besoin d’un permis de construire???? (We need a building permit????)
The moment had been 4 months in the making, maybe 6 if you put it all together, and I guess I shouldn’t really have been surprised. But alas, my naiveté and the bane of French paperwork had collided yet again, much like the time I obliviously walked into the corner of the RV while looking the other way. Sometimes I don’t pay close enough attention, and then I get knocked out cold. At least this time around, I wouldn’t need head staples, at least not physically.
In essence it should have been simple.
Our motorhome has been sitting “out in the open” for a few years now, and since we haven’t been traveling as much as we expected we decided we’d like to build a little cover for it. Just something super basic, ya know; a few posts, a roof and maybe two wood-planked sides. Of course I did my homework, to some degree. I talked to the builder who assured me I wouldn’t need anything special, maybe just a “prealable” from the Mairie, maybe nothing at all. Then I called the Mairie who essentially told me the same thing over the phone. I mean we’re not building a house here, just a cover for our motorhome.
And yet there it was, that nagging feeling that this was all just waaaay too easy….
I ignored it of course, that imminent nag, having only just barely recovered from our multi-month septic tank installation saga, and still mentally somewhat delicate thanks to our 2nd confinement. There’s only so much a human can take, you know? So I coasted along in mindless oblivion, blissfully free of concern, a fluttering butterfly floating on the wind of ignorance. This euphoria of paperless life lasted right up until the builder suddenly turned up with the digger to start work this Monday. This was it, the start of the build! We were finally going to our motorhome covered, and it was all going to happen to plan, right?
Nag….nag….nag….
I couldn’t shake the feeling. Call it my Scandinavian conscience, or just an innate skepticism of the whole French process, but something about the whole thing wasn’t right, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. So I hauled myself down to the Mairie to double-triple-check, in person this time with all the documents in hand. And that was when the wrecking ball of French paperwork was released and my veil of ignorance was shattered.
Parce-que votre abris est 30 m2 et pas 20 m2, en effet il vous faut un permis de construire…..(because your structure is 30m2 and not 20m2, you need a construction permit)
It was a stunning blow. The documentation for a construction permit is 18 pages long with 42 pages of instructions (!!!) and must be delivered in 4 copies together with 8 supporting documents including full plans for the building itself, the ground, and the surroundings. It’s an insane amount of paperwork, a literal mountain of dead trees, that could possibly, maybe, if you stretched yourself and drank enough wine, be justified for building a house. But for a piddling 30m2 RV cover?? I drove home in a daze, stopped construction, sent the builder home and collapsed in a weeping mess on my chair. I could take no more…
We all have our limits, and this week, at least as far as paperwork is concerned, I hit mine.
Ah yes, living in France is not always la belle vie, with wine and baguettes raining from the heavens. It can be, but there’s always that nagging little butt of paperwork trailing in the wind right behind it. And for everyone and everything, there’s a limit to what you can take.
The Limits of Confinement
Have we reached the inflection point yet?
We’re in week 3 of confinement #2 in France and everyone is wondering when the COVID-19 restrictions are going to end. Statistical data is flowing like never before, analyzed twenty different ways, in detailed graphs, pie charts and heatmaps that are splashed all over the newspapers and online pretty much everyday. Anyone who’s vaguely connected knows how many people were infected yesterday, how many were hospitalized and how many died. It’s a morbid pastime that’s become the new normal of 2020. You wake up, check the coronavirus numbers (much like you’d check the daily weather) and then go about your day.
There’s been some good news though….
In France confinement is making a difference, and this second wave is turning out to be not nearly as strong as the first. Over the past 2 weeks the virus numbers have finally, blissfully started to go down and all the curves have started to turn again, as we hoped they would. Infections have dropped, hospitalizations have dropped, even the ICU numbers are finally stabilizing and sloooooowly, but surely decreasing. We’re still not where we need to be, but we’re going in the right direction. Thank the 1km Gods!
There’s been some VERY good news too…..
A vaccine is on the horizon!! Final trails on ~6 Vaccines across the world have shown several to be over 90% effective. It’s an incredible achievement backed by some fascinating science. Many of the up-coming vaccines (including those by Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Arcturus Therapeutics and CureVac) are based on brand new tech that uses messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce virus spike proteins in the body. This essentially triggers the immune system to produce protective antibodies without using any actual bits of the virus itself. Revolutionary stuff. In practical terms, it means the end of this pandemic is really, truly, finally in sight.
But we’re not quite there yet….
The vaccines are not going to be available before year end, and even then not in sufficient quantities to go around right away. Plus they need to be distributed, and folks encouraged to take them (a whole other can of worms). In-between now and then there are several big vacays where people will mingle and travel, together with intense pressure to re-open businesses again, and let Christmas “proceed as normal”. All this despite the fact that hospitals are still heavily loaded, and hospital staff are exhausted and in critically short supply, both here and in USA. One does not exactly support the other.
So what does that mean?
The debate here in France on this subject has been HUGE!
People are reaching their limits, despite the fact that the virus numbers are still not exactly where they should be. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 60% of French people had broken the rules of confinement at least once this second time around, a number much higher than expected, and it’s only likely to get worse over the next month. I’ve even noticed this in our little rural area. There seem to be more people going out and less Police checks than the last confinement, despite all the heavy rules. So, why not make it official?
It seems the Government is coming to that same conclusion, and we’ll know for sure next week when they make their formal announcement. So, whereas I initially thought the November lockdown would be extended, my new prediction is that they’ll actually start to re-open in Dec for Christmas shopping & limited get-togethers, simply because the pressure to do otherwise is too high. It may cause a third lockdown (early next year when cases spike again), but for now that is far to far away for most folks to care about.
Even the French, solidaire as they are, have their limits.
The Limits Of Non-Planning
As someone who always likes to have a plan, I have to admit I’ve been beaten down from all this non-planning stuff.
I know it’s important for my mental sanity to try and go with the flow, especially in a year like 2020 which (hopefully) will never be repeated again. And I’m generally fairly good at this, under normal circumstances. But this year has truly tested my limits, beyond anything I ever imagined. Not being able to look forward to the next step, or the next trip, not being able to see or even guess at what is around the corner. Or even just today, not being able to go for a walk outside of a 1km radius. These things weigh on me, as I’m sure they weigh on everyone. We all have our limits.
So a few days ago Paul and I started to do something new, something we haven’t contemplated for a long while. We started to make plans, to think about 2021 and what we might do. Obviously we’re not out of the woods yet and we won’t be for a while, but I’m hopeful that 2021 will get us there, eventually. So for the first time in a year we’re starting to think about that, and perhaps look forward to the future. We all must, if we’re to thrive after all this.
In the meantime don’t worry about me. I’m hanging in here, chugging along, staying safe, getting through the day-to-day. I may have reached my limit in certain areas, but I’m not over the line quite yet.
How are you this week my dear readers? Are you planning for 2021? Thinking about it? Have you reached your limits? Do share in the comments below!
You crack me up! Your sarcasm and wit along with peaceful photos to “break things up” have brought alot of much-needed comic relief, thank you 🙂 And by the way, where do you come up with these wonderfully descriptive analogies? . . . a fluttering butterfly floating on the wind of ignorance . . . . love it!
I like to think I’m a little bit crazy….the word pictures (the mental ones) just come to me as I write 🙂 Funnily enough I do “see” them as an actual picture in my mind. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Nina
Breathe in, breathe out… Go to your calm zone… But please have family members closely monitor you – as sometimes holding it all in ‘calmly’ – can result in massive eruptions pure FRUSTRATION!!! Oddly, bet since you had made your phone call and been given the verbal OK – if you had built it, suspect a 50/50 chance no one would have ever said a thing to you… (And if they did? Well on this date, I called and talked to xxxxx, and they said nothing would be needed….).
Does not help where you are now – and sorry!!!
You guys alway seem to bounce back, so here is another opportunity:)!
Best to you both,
Smitty
Thank you for your concern Smitty, and do not fear. We talk a lot together about all this, so the family knows where I am and do watch out for me.
As for the structure, yeah…I’m really in two minds about the whole thing. There is a possibility of fines & taxes owed if you create a structure without the right permits, not to mention issues if/when you ever sell the house. Plus and I am Scandinavian at heart which makes me a rule follower (for better or worse). On the other hand I’m sure there are folks that put up structures like this without the necessary paperwork behind it. Ah, the joys of living abroad.
Nina
Nina, dear girl, forget building a shed for the RV. Just buy a cover made of material that will fit it perfectly. I don’t know if Camping World delivers to France, but they have several styles. Perhaps some place in France makes RV covers? That’s what we did since no one could tell us where the electrical or plumbing lines were under our property, so we did not dig. OR you could sew one together yourself and personalize it! And please consider what my husband and I do. We DO NOT WATCH the news, nor read the papers, or know anything about the virus or the election. We just manage to find out the weather and that’s it. Life has become MUCH easier since we went mentally off-grid. Our minds are calmer, we think of OTHER things that are much more positive, we find OTHER things to do (like sewing that RV cover!) – in our case, taking online classes. We play board games, read books we never got around to reading, it’s a whole new world! Just delete the virus from your daily activity and do ANYTHING else. It works. Tren
I’m seriously thinking about a basic material cover. I think that may be the way to go, and they do sell them here. And YES….you are perfectly, completely right about how mentally draining it is to watch too much news. Thank you for that.
Nina
If you buy a cover get a really light weight one… even if reviews say it lasts a year. We have an expensive heavy duty one that is
Impossible to manage. It is now rolled up in a storage shed.
Stay well— hopefully we will all get through this.
I went for a walk Saturday and tripped in a hole and either sprained or cracked my ankle. I can’t believe one more piece of freedom has been taken. The walls are very important for well being/sanity. I will be ok. Be careful… out there on your 1km walk— who knew a little hole in the ground could twist so badly.
Your photos are lovely to see as always. Cynthia
I’m so sorry to hear about your ankle. It’s one more thing to bear, both physically and mentally. And in these times I know it hits extra hard. Hang in there!
Nina
Could you make 3 structures which are 10 feet wide and 10 feet long, put them back to back “not touching”, with the middle one a bit taller with “eves” hanging over the front and back one? Just a thought.
I think “I” look at the COVID numbers at least once per day since early March. Amazing how this wicked thing affects one person real bad, and many others not bad at all. No Rhyme nor Reason…
Your idea on the structure is a sound one. I’ve joined a “renovating in France” Facebook group and am going to explore some ideas there, also with the builder. There must be a way around all this, even if it means breaking up the structure somehow, or creating something different.
Nina
It’s hard not to be close to the line or a little over it most days. I have known 3 people who have taken their owns lives this year; one was very early in our lockdown in the states (Idaho). He chose to just walk away, literally, never to be found. I’ve begun to plan for camping in 2021 as well as a very hopeful trip to Norway if the world allows. In the near term, I’m trying to get creative with ways to have shared food and drink via video meetings with my family for Thanksgiving. We’ll see how it goes. All the best to the world out there–day by day, we can make it. Be kind and forgiving to yourselves and be gentle to every stranger as their battles are unknown.
Oh my gosh Jennifer, I am deeply sorry to hear about your friends who have taken their lives. This year, this crazy pandemic and all that goes with it has weighed incredibly heavily on all those with mental illness and depression. I can only imagine how terrible it was for your friends, and for those left behind. My heart breaks for you, for them, for everyone around them.
Take care of yourself, and hang onto that Norway trip. I do believe it will happen for you.
Nina
I’m afraid to tell you dear Nina that my limits have been reached and we’ve booked a flight from our home near Toronto to see our daughter and grandchildren in Calgary, Alberta. We’re scared as hell to fly and be possibly exposed to infected travellers but we haven’t seen our children for a year and it’s killing us. With numbers going up and Toronto locking down, we don’t know if the plane will depart or if we’ll end up trapped in Alberta, but rational thinking has fled. I’ll update you how it went when we return just before Christmas.
Honestly I don’t blame you at all. If it helps any, I’ve had multiple friends travel on planes recently and they all felt that crowds were low and that the airlines and airports handled it well. I hope it all goes smoothly for you, with no delays, and that you get some wonderful times with your family.
Nina
I simply cannot imagine being asked for that much paperwork to build a carport!! In Montana the only building permit required is septic and electrical–that’s it. Your statement…”Not being able to look forward to the next step, or the next trip, not being able to see or even guess at what is around the corner.”—is the gist of it all. I am so incredibly tired of all this and not being able to plan even a dinner party but we are excited about the vaccine news!
The paperwork here really is something else, and probably the biggest cultural shock we’ve encountered coming from the USA. Ah well, every place has it’s positives and negatives. And YES I’m super excited about the vaccine news too.
Nina
My favorite part of this post was the picture of Polly’s ears!!! I love my pups ears too!
I, like a previous commenter, have also not listened to or read the news in a VERY long time(years!)!! I have 2 friends that will let me know if something really important has happened. I am totally fine living without knowing what’s going on in the world!
I spend the majority of my days working in my gardens – this is the first year I was on top of the weeds!
I also love to bike and hike and do stuff with my dog – so things have been tolerable for me.
I’m happy that you are making plans – having something to look forward to will certainly help!!
Really sorry about the carport – that amount of paperwork seems ridiculous!!!
Hang in there!!
You’ve got the right approach…a sane and healthy one for these times (and any time really).
Nina
I can understand how tiresome the French lockdown must be. Not to mention the paperwork just to put up a carport for the camper. The virus hit here pretty good, quite a few people had it but nobody died. The numbers still keep going up in the county & surrounding area but so do the recoveries. I haven’t talked to anyone who intends to be first in line for any vaccine that comes out. Caution says we don’t have any idea what the side effects or long-term effects might be. Even if the vaccines conquer this pandemic, I’m sure the Communist Chinese Party is working on the next one and it will be worse. After all, isn’t this like the third one that came from China over the years? Creating worldwide chaos is what it’s all about.
It’s good to hear that the recoveries are going well in your area. Doctors have made great strides in treatment, so deaths are coming down (as a percentage of those hospitalized) all over the world. It’s another piece of good news.
Nina
Hello friends and happy thanksgiving week.
Sending warm happy thoughts from Southern California. Thankfully, even with the lockdown, we are able to find many open spaces (trails and the Pacific Ocean ♂️ ). Heading to one of your favorite places in January – AGM. Thankful most of our public lands are open….and so is the border to Los Algodones. Think teeth cleaning and tacos and AZ sunsets ….all of which we learned about from you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff , Deb and Sam
How I miss the SW desert! I do wish we could be there this year, but I’m glad to hear my friends are making it. ENJOY that open space for me 🙂
Nina
It sounds like living in France is like living in a community with the home owners’ association from hell. LOL. I understand hitting the wall. However, here in Apache Junction AZ the air is beautifully cool, finally. The doors and windows are open, the sunsets are beautiful. The bunnies romp in our tiny yard, the Gila Woodpeckers complain, and people walk the streets of our RV park sighing, through their masks, with relief. No plans yet, but that is a brilliant idea! A bit of hope! Be well.
I am balancing my own covid fatigue with wanting to stay safe. Seems we are all in the same pickle and somehow we just have to get through this winter. Time to start a new hobby… maybe crochet? Vaccines can’t come fast enough. I’ll get mine as soon as I am able. Hang in there Nina!
Funnily enough I’ve been looking at crochet recently…why I don’t know, but suddenly it’s on my radar LOL. And yes, I’ll be right there taking the vaccine with you, as soon as it’s available.
Nina
Love those Polly ears……
I’m in the camp of people who would, in this case, ask for forgiveness instead of permission! You asked two sources, they both said it doesn’t need a permit – it doesn’t need a permit! Ah well, too late not, onward march! I’m sure you’ll all come up with a solution that works, a rework of the original plans or a cover or that d amn paperwork. What else do you have to do during the lockdown! 🙂
Seriously though…..Dave and I are cautiously moving about, masking and physical distancing. We’re naturally sort of anti social so it isn’t as difficult for us as it may be for others. No festivals (drove past a huge one in Fountain Hills the other day), no movies, no meals that I don’t make, no Christmas shopping, no farm markets, etc. We haven’t seen Jesse and Erin since last Christmas, and we won’t until at least this summer – that’s been very hard – but it’s the way it has to be.
This too shall pass – sooner than later please?
I have to admit I find it mind-boggling that they’re having festivals during this time? I am very happy to hear however that you guys are out and RVing. I think that’s good for the soul, and I know you’re both cautious and staying safe. And I totally agree….sooner rather than later please!!
Nina
I always wonder just who added each of the “necessary” papers to the ever increasing pile required for what should be simple transactions! There’s a special place in Hell for them. Hope you find a solution that makes you happy.
Every day there are optimistic signs here, and every day there are signs of complete idiocy, so staying sane becomes a matter of balancing what I can tolerate with big doses of good news. The vaccine news is the best and although it will take time, at least we can see a way out.
All the best to you and Paul and Polly.