Moving the electric blanket to be under the mattress topper seems to have worked, it’s much more comfortable. I still woke up half way through the night. Once Matt gets out and I have all the duvets it becomes quite the nest though so becomes even harder to get up, or should I say for him to get me up?!

Today is a big day though, as we have to go back to Toulouse to pay for our new kitchen – huzzah!

It was a very important trip or we wouldn’t be taking the car that far until we have managed to get the clutch looked at.

Most of the way that drive was fine, but once we got to Toulouse I was glad that Matt was driving. The weather was good when we left but has deteriorated quite a bit and, even from the passenger seat, I can see that we aren’t having much joy with the clutch. Naturally, being the pro that he is, Matt got us there safe and sound, even if there was a bit of swearing and fighting for gears at times.

I have never spent so much time in a Castorama (aka B&Q, same parent company). For some unknown reason, you have to go into the store to validate your kitchen order (despite two video conferences to confirm it). We finally found someone, in the right part of the store (they can’t do it from any department even when one is empty). After the best part of 50+ minutes it seems that they are having problems with their system. She tries another computer, and another, and no joy.

Since we can’t do this immediately we break for lunch in the hope that we can get it done today; I don’t know that either the car, or Matt, will make another trip up here anytime soon. It’s Burger King again – there really is limited choice currently.

• 

• 

Back to Castorama and we get our store card – it costs 10EUR for the year but we get a 1-off 5% off which we can use today on our kitchen – so not a bad deal when we were already going to spend 3,500EUR!

The system is now working and the paperwork is printed. On the way out Matt has spotted a special deal on some old season stuff. We grab three plain blank panels (in the same colour as our new kitchen) and it is finally time to go.

Of course the queue is massive and I now have two trolleys (and drivers for them). We do the deal stuff first as we know that it’s going to be a little more tricky than – everything here is 5EUR – we weren’t wrong!

It seems that we had to speak to the people in that part of the shop to do the paper work for the pieces and take that to the desk as they weren’t logged into the main system. While the kind and patient lady deals with that and the kitchen team we pay for the rest of the kitchen and bits and bobs so that we can let others through while it is sorted.

Tonia goes to pack the car while Matt and I wait. It’s finally done and works out a little more expensive but we are desperate to go by this point. In the car we check the timer and unfortunately would only make it to the Troc 10 mins before closing. It’s not happening – there’s no way I can enjoy it with only that amount of time, and I don’t want to upset them as I see this as a long-term relationship.

Quick stop in at Super U on the way home. We didn’t buy too much but it was another 100EUR somehow. I’m pleased with my new pillow, even though it turns out that is smaller than the case I have.

After dinner we settle in for the evening with some comedies on Netflix and I crack on with the Doug’s masks.

Five down and I manage to snap the needle. I’m over that but I have many jobs. So I start on writing up the blogs. Christmas/Boxing day is almost done but needs some additional photos from Matt, then the 27th, 28th and now I’m just finishing the 29th. Well after all, it has already rolled on into my birthday and would be good to get you all caught up.

Pictures will have to wait though as I’d like to watch the end of this Money Heist episode with a glass of wine before I get to bed.

[29 Dec 2020]