Plug, Rodez & hangers

Flight back in to Rodez was bang on time which was great for us but a little unfortunate for the couple we met in the airport car park. They were dropping an elderly relative off and had thought the flight wasn't due for another 2 hours and I have the distinct feeling that Ryanair wouldn't hold the flight up while they checked in. We didn't hang about to find out and headed for home.

Whilst we'd been in the UK a message had been left on the mobile and we'd be unable to retrieve it. Now we were back on French soil I listened to the message which was from Thierry. He was going to be at Lagarrigue on Tuesday morning at 7:00 to remove the hanger, it was now Wednesday afternoon and was the hanger no more? It was still there when we got home which was a bit of a disappointment but at least I'll be able to help demolish it. The weather had been wet & cold while we'd been away (nothing new there) and Thierry and his friend, who was going to supervise the hanger's removal, had called the job off yesterday and now planned to be with us at 7:00 on Thursday. They arrived at just after 7:15 and got to work despite straight away. Despite the light rain the asbestos roof was off in no time and placed on pallets. Thierry has assured us that as he's a farmer and will be re-erecting the building the rules regarding safe disposal of the asbestos don't apply. Health & safety at work also appears to be another rule French farmers ignore. Watching them clamber along the girders with a Still saw was too much for Barbara and as they didn't want any help, which was just as well as there was no way I was going up a ladder in the pouring rain, we headed off to VDR to sort out the electricity bill and purchase contents insurance. Let's hope we don't have to make a claim on the compulsory third party insurance all French home-owners have when we get home. They're still in one piece when we get back and work through until 6:00 and return the following morning at 7:30. It's another full day for them and I'm sure Thierry was beginning to think was the hanger really worth the effort but as he sets off for home just after 7:00 he seams more than happy if a little wet.

We'd also had a phone call to say the cooker hood we'd ordered had arrived and they would call out on Friday to fit it. During the installation I asked the fitter if he required a plug for the electric supply. 'Plug?' he says and I show him one attached to the kettle to illustrate what I mean. Turns out a plug in French is an insult and means idiot. No wonder he looked at me a little strangely.

As far as work goes it's been a week of odd jobs and hacking out. Did get a tip from the builder next door to speed the hacking out up; hire a sand blaster. Might give it a try.