Friday and today we do finally get the deliveries that I was expecting on Tuesday.

First up, Amazon. 9am and another call on the French phone to say that he is here but this time I was prepared for a delivery driver, admittedly not him. I have however saved his number on my phone now as I guess, maybe unsurprisingly, that we only seem to have one Amazon delivery guy in rural France. Pretty sure that he will be getting to know us pretty quickly then and will agree a place for him to leave things to save this whole calling and answering the door business.

Looks as though today’s haul is fire extinguishers and chopping boards. But more excitingly some cards too 🙂

• 

• 

• 

• 

Time to settle into some work anyway and await the ‘big one’. About half an hour before my regular Friday morning catch up the French phone goes again. It’s them and they will be in … blast, didn’t quite catch that but soon was the impression. At least I hope it was.

About 5 mins later they arrive. Two very nice chaps. Managed to haul the big front door open (after a little cajoling) and then remember that the kitchen door is held up by a somewhat makeshift metal twizzly thing. Need to remove the door to get the fridge in. Dash off to find the step ladder, thankfully I saw it in the salon the other day as there was no way I could reach it on my little kitchen step.

Door out and in comes the fridge.

• 

• 

• 

Next up the washing machine and dryer. Forgot the French for ‘dryer’. They seemed a little confused by my poor explanation of where the I needed the other things and, at least as I understood it, didn’t think they had anything else.

A few paniced messages to Matt ensue that we might only get the fridge today and what was happening with the other two. Seems that since they were on a different manifest that the delivery guys hadn’t realised that they were also mine. Panic over. They back the truck round to the back door and gently unload them. Looked very precarious going down the stairs to the cellar and not too happy about it but they got there in one piece and so did the deliveries.

• 

Off they go and I am now the proud owner of three large pieces of equipment that I don’t have the skills to plumb in.

At least I can unwrap the fridge and plug that in, even if I have to wait for Matt to make the chilled water and ice dispenser work.

• 

• 

Anyway, enough of that. I have 15 mins before my call so I duly get ready. Just remembered that it can be really annoying for the other person if I am typing notes while they are talking so join the call and dash off upstairs to get the other laptop. Come back to see the venerable Professor Sir Robert patiently waiting and looking at the kitchen door which has been removed and placed by the opening to let the fridge in. He was very understanding, had enjoyed the video tour and is genuinely interested and supportive which was really nice.

Intermarche is closed by the time I’ve finished work for lunch so instead do a bit more work until it’s open at 2:30 and I can get the cash for the wood delivery at 3. Minimal food shopping as distracted by work but got the essentials (chilling in the fridge – booyah!)

Back at 3:01 and the delivery is here not long after.

Ok, that’s quite a bit of wood but it’s manageable. Oh… that’s just the first load, he’s off back to the mill to go and fetch the next 4 steres.

That is not quite a bit anymore, that’s quite a lot. I’m so glad I am here on my own to stack it all!!

• 

• 

• 

Well Matt is brave. Showed Matt my first hour’s work and his response: “Oh, you’re stacking them like that. That’s not how I would have done it.” Well when you are here you can have an opinion, but when you’re not the right answer is “Great start, you’ve got this!”

• 

• 

First off, a few emails and a cup of tea. Now to move some of that wood.

Today’s wood moving motivation is bought to you by: Chaney – ‘Just keep stacking (Dory, Just keep swimming – it’s from Finding Nemo);  ‘I will stack wood’ (I will survive) and ‘Wood stack’ (Love shack).

Getting dark now, phone has actually stopped recoding as it is out of battery and I deserve a beer. Also, my hand is a bit sore as it’s been bashed a number of times while stacking.

• 

• 

Inside, respond to work emails. Realise I am too tired to do much but the kitchen will need to be tidied a little before I can do much, so hide in work for a bit more.

Tired so can’t put it off any more as I want to sit on the sofa. Since this packaging is so light I’m going to have to drag it down to the cave as it will blow off outside and break up all over the garden. Seems I’d cut my hand again, not sure when but probably on the wood I would expect (see – funny!)

Internet is down so will start on the blog. Half an hour, and three resets later, and internet is back. In the meantime, the wonderful Kevin and Dave have done two viewings at my flat – they’re such a godsend! Hopefully they’ll be more successful than I’ve been as an estate agent!!

Quick call with Matt to explain how much work I did moving and stacking the wood and how lucky he is to have me. Quarantine looks pretty rubbish by the way, I suspect he’d rather move the wood on his own than be stuck in the bedroom doing nothing – the weekend is gong be even worse for him than me it seems.

Bring in some wood, make fire, make dinner (pizza again, I knew I’d be tired) and settle into call with Matt. Just off and a call from Dodd accompanied by a message from Heather. It seems that my screw up last night accidentally publishing a post and then pushing many buttons to prevent the draft being viewed has created minor panic – I am safe and Matt is cosy but bored.

Rang mum.

As much as some say I shouldn’t sweat over writing these every day, it has been confirmed that at least if something terrible happened you would have noticed and I am not in fact alone.

Tonia rang and then had a chat with Lee and Vicky before bed.