Living in Brittany

It seems I got the week wrong for the local election the first round is on next Sunday and voting tends to be a popularity contest the first week with a more discerning vote the following week.At least I can wind up my Irish mate in town although he is marries to a French woman he hasn't been registered as she didn't think he was eligible so I can tell him,criminals ,the insane and Irish don't vote.
Have been doing the most boring job of the year getting the accounts in some sort of order before depositing them at the accountant. I always find it a depressing job seeing how quickly money flows out we have to get 4k before we can eat of that 2 and a half thousand are taxes,social security and pensions all obligatory so its no wonder the French economy is such a mess as independent enterprises are positively discouraged. Now i know how the system works ( or doesn't ) I should really close the business then start again and be registered as retired and keep the business in the micro regime which would exempt me from half the taxation.
Max has yet another interview at the prefecture St Brieuc for his naturalisation I think he has to recite the words to the Marseilles and swear allegiance to the republic.
I have been practising playing with a rock band its quite fun reminds me of the stuff I did about 30yrs ago but we have to organise our own festival to get a gig

It was a poor weekend for the Celtic fringes on site with most of them losing their matches and South Africa looking ominously good it looks as if I'll have to swap the rose for "le coq " as the French team are looking on form. I am almost worried that England might have difficulty beating Samoa in Nantes the match I have a ticket for in 3 weeks time. Paulien's friend Inika has visited again from Holland with her 2 daughters which was fun and different as we are very much a male dominated household with 3 boys. The funniest highlight last week was Inika's daughter Rose sparring with Eileen wearing boxing gloves and chasing her around the gites one evening.
Our hot water heater packed up this week so have had to change it the plumber we use is a brilliant guy he actually rings back the same day and will visit promptly ( not sure if he's really French ) lets me do most of the grunt work then inspects. A unique French worker, the irony is I buy the heaters in the UK its a German make but the price is about £200 cheaper than in France and is actually cheaper than the plumber can buy it for. He can install for me but can't buy in the UK as it has a GB sticker in it and he can only buy and install heaters with a F sticker although the heaters are identical. Vive le Marche

Peter finally won the pool competition having lost 2 previous finals and collected the much sort after trophy a cup donated by our local bank CMB. The final was a 3 way affair with John and Phil competing hard but out classed by the wily shots of Peter. Fortunately the contestants aren't drug tested as all 3 would have failed with too high alcohol content. Xav retained his junior title ( its slightly unfair as he gets to practise on the table throughout the year ) and Paulien won the Plate competition ( the losers Cup ). The last couple weeks it almost feels as if we are on holiday as most of the clients are repeaters ( some for 10 years ) and other than doing the basics it a very socialable time for us. Paulien even had time to make some division curtains for a gite with Frances who is a top curtain designer with her own range and label of interior fabrics designs.Some very happy weeks much enjoyed by all who stayed here.