Sitting Still And Biding Time
10 days of winter and then it was over.
We saw the last of the snow this week. A brilliant play as it shone in the sun and then slowly melted away. Our driveway was frozen and impassable for around three days, a slippery and icy slope that made us wonder if we’d ever get out. But soon it thawed and during that time we were gifted with panoramas of white and pastel light, peeks of the high mountains in wispy clouds, and that ever-present silence that snow provides.
It was just a short interlude, and it was perfect…
We’re about half-way through January now, our first in-between time of 2021 and so far it’s been good. Apart from the melting snow, an unexpected hiccup in our house heating, and a few extra Pandemic restrictions there’s been nothing really to mark this week or set it apart. No big changes or worries, no festivals to celebrate and no special days to cross off the calendar. The Epiphany has come and gone, Spring is still far enough away that it remains but a whisper on the wind, and so we just are; dormant and waiting. Another day in another month with only Mr. Winter himself to take us through what is to come.
So far he’s been a most charming companion too.
He’s given us snow and frost, enough to to make it interesting, but not so much of it that the wonder of it has been lost. He’s gifted us rain and mist, prompting several cozy days inside, but not so much that it’s dulled our spirits or mind. And in-between we’ve been delighted by sun and beautifully cool days, the kind that make you fall in love with this season all over again.
This is the essence of January, the month where time stands still, and for the moment we’re OK to stand still too.
A Lovely Time To Be In Southern Europe
Winter is one of my favorite times to be in Southern Europe.
It’s a time of quiet, where few people travel around yet the weather, depending on where you go, can be near spectacular with sun, and crisp, clear days to warm the soul.
Under normal circumstances we’d be right across the border in Spain, where winters are typically pleasantly cool and beautifully sunny to boot, especially in the southern parts of the country. Of course things have been crazy this year with a massive cold snap just this past week (heaps of snow in Madrid, freezing temps in Seville) on-top of ever-changing COVID restrictions. We’ve been tracking both, including the various semi-confinements that keep popping-up throughout the country (the N332 Facebook group keeps great track of this, by the way) and just haven’t found a good window to go. There’s still a small chance we’ll get there, but right now it doesn’t look great.
As for here in France, I can’t complain.
We get an average of 2000 hours of sunshine a year in our little corner of the world, and although that can become a little tiresome in summer, it’s an absolute joy in winter. It’s a bit chilly to RV around this time of year and there’s less places to stay (most campgrounds are shut, although Aires tend to remain open), but when you have a home-base it’s near-perfect. Just pop out and explore when the sun is out, and the come home and hunker down for the rest. I can live with that.
As Long As The Electricity Works
Of course hunkering down in winter requires a warm house. And one of the joys of living in rural France is that you can never quite predict what kinds of random problems you’ll run into.
Naturally there’s the usual suspects; moles digging up your yard, septic tanks that overflow and the like. But what I’d never cast a thought towards, at least until this week, was our house electrical supply. I guess modern life and city living will do that to a girl. You just assume that the wires that supply your house do what they’re supposed to do. Then again, I really should know better. During our many years on the road we saw our fair share of over-loaded RV parks, and learned to recognize the groan and struggle of a low-voltage supply on our air-conditioner. Why didn’t I notice it here?
But as with many things, you tend to ignore the little quirks of life until something serious happens, like your brand-new pellet boiler shutting down during the coldest night of the year. Ooooops! Thankfully this little escapade turned out to be one of our more successful French stories, and did not {{gasp}} require any paperwork on our part.
The day the boiler stopped working, our wonderful local installer came by and quickly narrowed down the issue to low-voltage on our incoming supply. 195V to be specific….eeeeeek! A call to the local electric company deemed this an immediate emergency after which, much to my astonishment, a technician appeared at the house only a few hours later. On a Sunday!! Within a day our issue had been recorded and within two days our supply had been stabilized.
It was the fastest repair we’ve ever achieved in France, and just goes to show that that the minutia of bureaucracy can sometimes work in your favor, if you happen to be on the right side of the pen.
You see according to the reams of paperwork that cover this kind of thing, our electric company (Enedis) are required to supply 230V +/- 10% to our house, which means the lowest stable voltage (under load) should be no less than 207V. Anything less than this and they can be liable for anything that’s damaged which, as you can imagine, puts a speedy fire up the you-know-what to get it sorted. In a country with a lot of older wiring, especially in rural areas like ours, and more electrical loads coming on every year (e.g. aircons, heat pumps etc.) that’s not an easy task to meet.
But full kudos to Enedis, they certainly met their obligation to us on this one. And now one more house disaster has been averted…phew!
The Pandemic Is Still Here, Of Course
In the meantime we’re still in the midst of a Pandemic of course. Not a day passes by where we’re not reminded of it in some form or another, and this week the news from France was the next stage of its COVID attack plan.
Tier one of the plan is the new, revamped vaccination program. After a much ridiculed sloth-like launch last month, vaccinations are now (finally) a priority, and the roll-out to over 75 and those at risk is going into full bore next week. As of tomorrow morning at least 700 official vaccination centers will be open across the country, complete with online booking (through the website sante.fr or Doctorlib). And then vaccines will start to flow like the waterfalls of the Nile, or so we’ve been told.
According to covidtracker only 413,046 vaccines have been given so far covering a paltry 0.6% of the French population, so I’m keen to see how quickly this new plan will increase all that. I guess we’ll see?
Tier two of the plan is an enlarged curfew, the latest thing to try and dampen the ever-increasing spread. As of yesterday everything is now shut-down at 6PM throughout the country, including grocery stores. And no-one is supposed to mingle after that. It’s a patchy approach that I can’t see making much difference compared to the last (failed) curfew, but apparently it was the only thing the Government could justify doing for now.
Compared to our neighbors, we’re still doing relatively OK with only a small uptick in infection & hospitalization numbers compared to December. A lull period thanks to confinement #2, if you will. But going by past experience, I don’t think a curfew will do the job. With the more infectious UK variant on the loose (it’s already in France), it’ll only be a matter of weeks before numbers ramp again and confinement #3 becomes a thing. Ah well, until then?
I’m Not Thinking Much About It
To be honest I haven’t really been thinking too much about COVID these past weeks, other than following the vax roll-out and any news that directly affects us.
In some ways I guess you could say I’ve been putting my head in the sand, but in truth after a whole year of stressing about it, I’ve really, really just wanted to focus on something else.
The snow this past week has helped a ton, taking my mind off the intricacies of this crazy world and back to nature, a place that always calms me. And being here has helped too. There’s a certain comfort living this period in the boonies of rural France where everyone just goes about their local business, despite whatever insane things are going on elsewhere.
So I guess you could say we’re lying dormant for now, much like the our garden and the famers fields around us. We chat with neighbors when we walk Polly in the AM, we see a few of our “bubble” friends, we go to the weekly open-air market, work, cook & eat, and that’s really the essence of it. Everything else and the rest of the world, at least for the moment, seems far, far away.
Sitting still with Mr. Winter, and for now I’m A-OK with that, at least until the next, next thing comes along. Week-by-week, day-by-day we’ll just take 2021 as it comes.
HOW are you all doing this week? Enjoying your bubble? In confinement (all my UK friends & family are, sadly)? Or ignoring the whole COVID thing completely? DO share below!
We’re Biden time too! with Ms. Winter 🙂
Hi Terri,
I implore you to please keep your political opinions to sites that talk about that kind of thing. Please leave this website as a place for everyone to enjoy without any politics.
Thank you
Brian
Sorry Brian, I wasn’t thinking politics, was thinking puns . . .
OK the pun did make me giggle. And I also appreciate those helping to keep this blog politics free (Brian – I shortened your comment). Thank you both for your continued support and following.
Nina
I’m tired of Winter, ready for Spring! We’ve had Covid, we’re 68+ and 73. Wasn’t bad at all, we’re fine now. So according to several studies we should be immune now for 6-9 months until the antibodies slack off. So, bye-bye mask, I’m done. I’ll go where I want when I want, no testing, no shots. Yesterday I went to get groceries and it looks like just about everyone else here (small town, small # of new cases in the county) feels the same, not a mask in sight except the store owners and theirs were off when I got there.
Linda, not to rain on your party, but I’m sitting at home with round 2 of COVID. You’re not immune, & don’t let your guard down yet …
I had a mild case in August, with low grade fever, coughing, lost sense of taste, but not smell. Seemed like the regular flu to me. I was released by county health nurse after 20 days quarantine and 4 days fever free.
I was required to retest in November so I could get a flu shot. I thought I would test positive due to it being within 3 months of my illness. It came back negative, got my shot, and got the flu type A 1.5 weeks later. I was sick for Turkey Day.
The evening of 12/19 I was dead tired after work. Came home and went straight to bed. Slept 11 hours straight without OTC meds. 12/20 – 12/23 I had a low grade fever under 100, left work on 12/23, & was sick in bed until 12/27, when hubby drug me down for COVID testing. I tested positive.
The symptoms have been much worse this time. Elevated fever for 13 days straight. No energy, body aches, dry hacking cough. No taste AND smell. Thank goodness no hospitalization required, but it was scary one evening when I couldn’t catch my breath. Within the last 2 days Im finally feeling “okay.”
I’m normally very healthy, no underlying health probs at all, except for seasonal allergies. I don’t get sick, usually only do stupid things like hurt myself skiing, hiking & running. Never smoked, exercise 5 days and run 20ish miles a week (at least I USED to). I just turned 54 on 01/01. Yep, I’ve been sick for ALL of the holidays and my own birthday this season.
I thought I was immune. I am not. I’m afraid if I get it again I will end up in hospital. My mask is part of my daily wardrobe. Please wear yours, too … for your own sake.
I’m glad you’re doing well, and that the virus did not have a serious effect on you. Personally I do not think we are out of the woods yet, at least not until the vaccine has been properly distributed, but I’m glad your small town is doing OK. I will keep masking until my area sees the virus under control.
Nina
A moment to share. This story is about our cat. In 2017 we lost our beloved Bri to cancer. We had ben on the road as she became a finicky eater. When we got back to Olympia, in to the Vet she went. Testing revealed an aggressive lymphoma. We did the humane thing. We miss her. After a few months Cheryl says to me “Let’s go to Animal Services and get another cat. I miss having a little one around.” We did. We found a Tabby that captured us. When we brought her home two days later, I was surprised at the length of her tail. As the worker took her out of their pen, she just kept coming and coming. We eventually named he Mea. After a couple of months Cheryl asked me if I thought Mea was growing. I confirmed her suspicion. Shortened story, she kept growing for about a year and grew a Ruff as well. We think she is primarily Maine Coon. She measures 30.5 inches nose to tail and when she does the full cat stretch she is 36 inches front paws to rear paws. When we are in Gracie (our version of The Beast) she will do things that put a grin on our faces. We have a North/South facing bed (no BR slide) she will stand on the bed and bridge over to the bolster to look out the window. On several occasions I’ve opened my eyes in the morning to see her head up against the ceiling , having climbed up a wall. She will get onto the top of the co-pilots chair and jump over to the top of the captains chair.
It is such a pleasure to have Mea. I just wanted to share with you this joy.
Take Care.
What a LOVELY story!!! Thanks so much for bringing a smile to my face. I wish you and Mea many happy travels.
Nina
I’m glad you were able to enjoy the pretty parts Mr. Winter provides and that he didn’t hang around long enough to expose his wicked side. We, too, are just sitting back and letting things go on around us. The vaccine roll out here (at least in southern California) is confusing at best so we continue to read, eat, sit in the sun and wait.
Maybe when we get to Arizona next month way will open and we’ll be able to get our shots…….we’re waiting.
Always good to hear from you and get your perspectives from the other side of the world.
Arizona seems to have started (at least I’ve heard of others getting their vax there) so keeping fingers crossed for you. ENJOY the SW desert for me!
Nina
Well, we had the election, the fallout from the election ‘steal’, the holidays, and finally the Epiphany riot! Lately, it’s been the dissection of said riot. My wife lives through it all by watching dog and cat videos on her phone while monitoring the news for the latest.
I’ve finally succumbed to the COVID-19 depression. I realized that because I noticed that I don’t enjoy doing the things I used to enjoy doing. The biggest reason for that is, I think, because I used to keep track of my friends on Facebook, look for RV solutions on the computer and generally keep busy fixing, maintaining and updating our ‘stuff.’ Out of concern for self and others, I don’t get out to ‘find’ RV fixin’ supplies like I used to. I don’t get to do social things like I used to. And being stuck at home most of the time means that I spend too much time accosted by the madness in the news. So, over time I’ve really become pessimistic about this country of ours. I read your stuff and want to travel again (Only been to the edges of France). I have an ex pat friend in Spain who used to complain about things there but now finds that it’s not so bad compared to here. I can’t visit my siblings because they are older than I (and I’m 75) and I don’t want to risk traveling and exposing me and them to potential virus spread. So I’m thinking, “If I’m isolated, maybe I should isolate in Europe?” But the wife won’t go. I’ve been eligible for the vaccine for two weeks but there are no available appointments. Now there’s talk about opening it up to everyone so there will be more arms looking for fewer shots. This is very new territory for me. I’ve always been a positive person. And here in Arizona, we don’t get snow – mostly. Okay. There. I feel better getting that off my chest. As soon as this clears up some, I think I’ll grab my dogs and wife and spend a summer in France, or Spain or?
HANG IN THERE! I know that depression all too well, and I know how quickly it can take over. But I truly, honestly believe there is hope this year for all of us. It feels tough right now, and I completely understand that. It is so hard to build up the energy to do anything when you can’t see the future clearly. But you WILL get the vaccine, you WILL have the chance to travel again, and you WILL feel positive for the future again. I truly believe that. And yes…why not Europe this summer??? I think it will be do-able. Countries will be going in and out of lockdown this year as the vaccine rolls out, but I do think we’ll have a chance to travel, especially if we’ve had the vaccine ourselves. We are making PLANS! Do the same…keep the hope.
Nina
Hi Nina,
Beautiful pictures and writing to match, as usual. We no longer watch the news and we ignore Covid completely. No longer will that dictate our lives and we are happier for it. We are in the southern Appalachian Mountains and have had a bit of snow lately – 5 inches last week, mostly gone now. Another 1/2 inch yesterday with a promise of a bit more on Monday. Little snow bursts like this do not disrupt life and are exceptionally picturesque. We have our 29′ Class A diesel pusher under its winter cover, snug and winterized. It’s our “watered-down” version of the 40′ Phaeton we used to full-time in for 3 years. But as soon as the weather warms up here, probably mid-March, we will uncover little Nellie as we call her, load up the dog and 6 cats, and take a trip over towards Tennessee to visit friends. However, I must pass on this tidbit: I read an article about the Spanish flu in 1918. There was a doctor who would visit farms to see if he could help the farmers and their families combat the flu in any way. He visited one farmer and his family where everyone was perfectly healthy. Surprised, he asked how they accomplished this. The wife replied that she put an unpeeled onion in each room of the house. The doctor inspected one of the onions under a microscope and FOUND the virus. The onion absorbed the virus! Why can’t that work now? Just a thought. We are all well over here in the mountains and enjoying the winter scenery. Take care. Tren
I love the onion story…and hey, I may be willing to try just about anything. Your 29-footer sounds perfect for part-timing by the way. If/when we go back to USA, that’s the size I’d go for. A perfect compromise between size and space.
Nina
You know what I am envious about? And have no right to be! The time that you get to spend with your dad. I too had time to spend with my dad and I did but gosh….I miss him so and it has been 8 years! I am happy for you….really!
Yes, we are very lucky. It can be hard being with family at times, but it’s also a blessing. I am very glad we’ve been able to be here through the pandemic, both for dad and for us. We will treasure this time.
Nina
beautifully written and evocatively captured. Enjoyed reading it alot from my desk here in the equator with zero chance of snow 😀
Sometimes I do miss the tropics…I especially used to love the summer thunder-storms we always got, and that fresh smell right after.
Nina
Been warm, dry and sunny (2625 annual hours of sunshine…..never thought of it like that before) here in Central Oregon.
Hoping to head south in March for some of that awesome Arizona and Utah (Escalante, oh-la-la) spring packrafting. Dry down there so far this winter so we’ll see if there is any H2O.
Best wishes, Steve, Holly, and Tula
Arizona and Utah will be FABULOUS in Spring. I do miss Central Oregon and the time we spent w/ you there. Have some wonderful travels.
Nina
Lovely photos! I can totally appreciate the beauty of a snowy landscape via your beautiful pics but I am quite happy that we have not had any snow here in our little haven in the Sarthe. 🙂
It’s incredible how varied the snow has been in France. Even in our little area we’ve seen massive differences…snowed-in at our house, but snow-free down by the village down the hill. I’m glad we saw it, but I’m also glad it’s over.
Nina
Love all your snow landscape pictures! Beautiful views you have. Thanks for letting us all enjoy them.
Love your images and words of winter in France. When my wife and I did our ancestry studies I found I was 100 percent French, mostly Canadian since my grandparents are from Quebec and before that from Toulouse, so I especially appreciate your descriptions of life there.
Here in the Willamette Valley we continue to get snow in the Cascades. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are so popular these days that 200 cars were parked at our favorite snow park last weekend where normally there would be 10 or 20 max. The numbers outside on weekends are amazing, most with masks on. We are finally scheduled for the vaccine on Feb 10 if they can find any more supply. As more vaccines are developed we should be in a better position by April or May. Wishing you and family a healthy, lovely spring now that the Crocus are making an appearance in our backyard.
How FUN that you have French heritage. I wonder if that gives you any possibility for citizenship? And snow in the Cascades…I just pictured it in my mind when you wrote it. What a wonderful image!
Nina
Hi Nina, Paul, Polly!
Apparently (!) they still have winter here in Alberta, but so far it has been a relatively mild one. I’ve built an outdoor skating rink, and got a new small hot tub as survival options. I’ve also been spending a LOT of time in front of the big screen, – watching my pics and videos from the SW, as well as lot of Vlogs and bloggers, and drone videos of coastal and desert areas – and wishing I was there. Campendium sent out a list of popular boondocking spots, so I was looking at them and adding some to my Google Earth for possible future enjoyment. As I was reading some of the reviews, there was one there from Wheelingit! Then, I was watching a scenic video of the Oregon coast, and a beautiful shot of Cape Blanco came up!
It’s early yet, but Hailey and I are watching the weather reports from Vancouver Island, and may load up the truck camper and bolt out there at the first sign or rumour of a cherry blossom!
Hope you and Hailey get South again before too long. How fun that one of my reviews came up….seems like a lifetime ago.
Nina
Hi Nina,
You have beautiful photos…our snow is coming again today and for the next five days here in The high desert of Taos, Mew Mexico. The skiers will be thrilled and we always need the moisture for our aquifers.
I am reading “Paris to the Moon” by Adam Gopnik, and think often if your paperwork stories and some of the “ this is the way it’s always been done”, quirkiness of France.
I read the book years ago but now the reread is more meaningful because of your “footnotes” in the newsletters.
Our covid daily news seemed the worse that could happen but then to watch what happened in our Capital building made everything even more intense. Who would guess that we would need 25 thousand troops in our DC area for protection? The USA is unrecognizable with its violence. A very sad time. I know the world is watching and shocked by all of this.
So? Stay safe and enjoy your beautiful snowy France.
All the best.
Cynthia Huff
CynthiaHuff. Com.
I’ve never read that book! I am intrigued now and will add it to my list. Thanks very much.
Nina
Well, I appreciated your pun. Cute and clever.
Greetings from far far south of you, where Mr. Winter only means that the water temperature drops to “a bit cool”. We are so ready for the virus thing to be over and are studying the earliest opportunity to get poked in the arm. Will it be Florida? New Mexico? Mexico? All are early days … the race is on. This week we are hiding in the jungle again … few people, lots of wildlife. Perfect. Be well dear Nina! Hugs to Paul and Polly. BEAUTIFUL snow scenes!
I’ve been following your amazing adventures (and pictures!) in the jungle. It’s so nice to see you both traveling around in these times. I’ll be very curious where you get the vaccine.
Nina
Hi Nina.
I really enjoyed reading about life in France and all the beautiful pictures you posted. Thank You. We are hibernating in Anchorage Alaska this year.
It must be cold and wintry up there, but certainly the perfect place to hibernate.
Nina