Plenty of things to be done now Matt is back. Need to speak to the garage to confirm what time we are picking up the new car. Managed to negotiate it up to 1pm last night which was a relief. His starting point was 11am so I think I did pretty well. It will take the best part of an hour to get there.

Got there and seems that I was trying the locked door, Matt didn’t even try the door in front of him so I blame him for us looking like idiots while we stood waiting for them. Lots of paperwork to get the carte grise. The French do love to spend all their time completing paperwork. Bit of general chit chat while we get it all organised. Finally the paperwork is completed and we just bought my very first car, and I bought it in French! [I’ve been fortunate enough so far to have my cars bought by my parents and grand parents – thank you!] Of course I haven’t driven it but someone has…

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First stop BricoDepot. Bought a load of lighting gaines and some bits and pieces. Over 300 Eur later we left. All I understood is that we bought a light switch and a plug socket so seemed rather spendy.

Next stop, is Gallery Lafayette. We were just about to drive out as I realised we were about to go into the centre of town with two cars. Why?! So we left the new car in the car park and took the run around. Bloody glad I wasn’t driving. You could get a cigarette paper between the cars. Thankfully Matt parked up like a pro and we went to the shop.

As they can’t do a Christmas party Matt’s company is doing lovely hampers for their staff. Unfortunately, it seems that this store doesn’t do them and we don’t have another near us. That puts pay to that idea. Hopefully we will find another option that allows us to buy a lot of lovely food for Christmas.

LeClerc up next, via BricoDepot to pick up the hire car again. My first ever convoy as a driver! (And radio operator – this is exciting.) Matt is less chatty than I hoped. I ended up as lead driver, at least this way he would know if I went wrong or was pulled over by the Gendarmerie!

Still couldn’t find the suet balls I was looking for to start attracting some more birds to the garden that I could watch (in all that spare time that I am sure you have noticed that I have…) There was however a well priced bedding shop in the complex. I see Tonia’s Christmas present on the horizon. As far as Christmas presents go bedding for a weirdly sized French bed when you live in the UK isn’t the first thing you’d ask for (or indeed want) but I am sure that she will be grateful. Still doesn’t give her anything to open on the day though as seems harsh to get her to use a sleeping bag until then.

Next stop, Super U. Well I have no idea what was going on with my satnav but I am reticent to follow it again. Matt followed me (and Apple maps) on the weirdest tour. I was terrified the whole time that there would be an oncoming vehicle. Got through it though and finally met a road.

At Super U I park up, with remarkable incompetence. I have no idea where the right side of the car is, or indeed if it truly exists…

Matt pulls in and then suggests that we instead go to the Troc. As we are about to leave I realise our folly. Why drive both cars when we have to come back after for the food shop. Bugger! Means I have to park again but at least I get to ride shotgun in the new car for a bit.

Now this is awesome. I think I love Trocs and all they have to offer. Looked at these initially, but they got kicked, for the time being at least.

Matt checked Google and (to some degree of relief) you don’t have to barter here unlike a brocantte, the prices are set by the seller so there are no deals to be done. Matt’s birthday present offering just went through the roof.

I don’t know what he is expecting for Christmas but I think I have outdone myself for his birthday! He also got a couple of very good books…

Delivery will be Wednesday, and Tonia will have something to sit on for Christmas day.

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Matt also selected some lovely (but obviously delicate) glasses with a rather attractive bee design. [It seems that my champagne needed glasses to go with it.] I was less convinced when we had to get them home. They did give us a box but bugger me, there was one ‘clack’ on the way back to Super U and I was convinced we’d already broken one. [It won’t be long with me and Tonia.]

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Food shopping. Well I call it food shopping but we had about 30 mins and I think we spent 20 mins getting beer and wine. This is France. Manic rush to get the rest of the food we might need (it’s quite a bit cheaper here than Intermarche down the road – that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it).

Back home. Fridge and freezer full. It’s been a big day.

Best drink the rest of that champagne and plan the next steps.