Ho hum.

Hello Dear Peeps. I hope things are good with you. Things are in various spots along a line from ho-hum to good here!

The ho-hum is the joys of French bureaucracy. And the sheer weirdness of it. I am in the process of changing my English driving licence to a French one. I started the process in a bit of a rush because it was pointed out to me that if Britain votes to leave the EU I might be required to take a driving test in France. So I went on the Central Government website, printed off the list of everything required, collected it all together, made an appointment at our Sous-Prefecture and Bob, one would imagine, is your Uncle.

 
But no, I look on the list of things required by the Local Government and suddenly there's a bundle more stuff, some of which comes from the DVLA (and I don't know how long that will take!) So I may have to cancel my appointment at the Sous Prefecture...unless the DVLA can fax this in the next two days. And - of course - the Sous Prefecture may not accept a faxed copy as being sufficient. But I won't know until I get there!

Also the Loire department requires a translation of one's driving licence - 50€ that's costing me! But in the next door department my friend wasn't required to provide a translation, a justification that she's lived in France for X number of years, or a Certificate of Entitlement to drive from the DVLA. Just the stuff on the Government website. 
So when I phoned to make my appontment (having already set wheels in motion for the translation...) I asked "Do I really need a translation of my driving licence?" 
"Well...it's not strictly necessary," the young man prevaricated. "We can understand a bit of English ...Maybe...maybe not" Which isn't the most helpful response! I may end up with someone else dealing with my case who thinks most definitely "Yes!"

What strikes me as bizarre is that central Government advice is one thing, but then local government can change it. Just, it seems, because. And even then, the Local Government workers don't seem to be that sure whether one needs the things they said you needed.

Of course all this panic may be for nothing because Britain may not vote "Leave"....And as Mr FD pointed out, even if they do, the rules and regulations won't change overnight, so I probably don't need to panic. But "Panic" seems to be my Modus Operandi at the moment.

We have also had another long and tedious experience with Government bureaucracy over something else, so we are both a bit Fed Up.

 

Yesterday was a good day, but also a bit "Meh". Our own fault. We went to Lyon to meet my sister - she's over with her Northern Ireland supporting husband for the group matches in the Euros. We wandered around part of Lyon - and went to the Cat Café!!

 

It was nice, but - sadly - the cats all played at being very aloof, so we didn't see that many. I think Judy and Mr FD thought I was a bit bonkers wanting to go there but never mind! (While looking for photos, I've discovered there's a second Cat Café in Lyon - I'll be trying there too!) We found it amusing that there was no carpet, but there was a floor covering of astro-turf - reasonably easy to wash should there be accidents, one assumes!

After that we drove to a small village not too far away where our friend Pierre was playing in a jazz concert - Judy wanted to see this. We hadn't eaten but thought that we could get a quick meal at a restaurant in the village...We were in at 7.30, but by 8.15 nothing had arrived - Pierre was on at 8.30. Mr FD kept saying "Don't worry...it'll start late and go on for hours..." When we rolled up at 9.30 Pierre's group had finished! We saw him and chatted and apologised; we then stayed for the second part of the concert which was a not-very-good local choir, so after abou t30 minutes we sneaked out. Disappointment all round  - although the meal was good! We started with crepinettes which are a sort of pork-and-greens meatball, which was served with a lovely salad. Then beef skewers with a delicious spicy pepper sauce and finally cheesecake. But sorry Pierre!

Today was the church open air service and picnic/barbecue on the Plateau de Gergovie. Although we didn't get wet (surprisingly!) it was cold and windy, so we didn't stay as long as we have in the past. The re-enactment of Vertingetorix's last stand against the Romans (which was apparently taking place at the same time!) didn't come our way. 

 

Vertingetorix would have been welcome to join us if he'd got his invitation! 

I haven't got my menus handy for this week - I know there's salmon and chilli planned as we didn't have it on Friday and I think chicken is also on the menu, but other than that I can't remember! Sorry...

On comments made on my last post, yes, Ang, I'm sure giving birth yourself counts, so you can cross that off the list! I wonder who put this list together in the first place...

Pompom, my cats are purring just for you. They think you're lovely!

 Super cute LolKitten just for Pompom!!