The town of Mansle is doing lots of ‘beautification’ work – putting in planters and some lovely cobbled sidewalks, etc.
It’s a bit of a pain while the work is being done but should look great when it’s finished.
The nearly constant rain has caused the local rivers to flood and the Charente is no exception.
We can’t take Max down to the campground for his run anymore as it, as well as the hippodrome next door are completely under water.
Colin goes out each Wednesday afternoon driving the ‘pickup’ car for the local cycling club and I’ve developed a habit of popping down the the kebab shop for a donair and fries to eat while he’s gone.
Max is ok when he’s with me but he does look for Colin.
They’ve completed pruning back the trees around the square – it’s amazing that in a few months they’ll be shading the whole place again.
The trip back down to Spain was good – a bit of rain on the way but not too tough. Getting back to the house was great – and the weather was so much better than it had been for weeks in Mansle.
There’s still a lot to do in the garden – getting water at first was a bit of a pain, but once the local orchardists and farmers started using it again we had no problem.
The pellet burner was great – having it on for a couple of hours a day gets the radiators heated and the whole house gets warmer.
We haven’t been out on our bikes at all, and both Colin and I were struck down with covid (we think). He got sick several days before me and we both lost almost two weeks being unable to do anything.
Max has settled in very well – he just needs at little more exercise to work off some of his energy. He’s a very well behaved fellow with an extremely gentle disposition – I think Colin lucked out with him.
Sally McKenzie's European Adventures 
So very lovely!
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