April 28, 2017. On to the latest housesit

LOCATION:  Housesitting in a tiny hamlet near Poullaoun, Brittany, France

WEATHER:  Sunny and cool.  Highs in 50s

 

Our homeowner picked us up at the hotel.  We stopped in a grocery and stocked up a bit on wine, cheese and pate.  Just the essentials!  

 

Then, on about 45 minutes to the house where we will be housesitting for the next two weeks.  We are right in the middle of Brittany.  See red dot. 

 The hamlet where we are staying has 3 houses.  We met our neighbors (in rudimentary French) and got oriented.  We will be taking care of 3 cats.  They will be pretty easy, as they are mostly outdoor cats.  One sleeps with the chickens in order to catch mice.  The other had a run-in with a neighbor dog yestersday, and is recuperating.

 

After a nice French lunch, we chilled while the homeowners packed up.  Then, we got an orientation to the chickens.  There used to be 23, but now there are 21, due to the demise of 2 under the care of the former housesitters.  Yikes - we need to make sure we don't lose any!!!

In addition to feeding and cleaning up after the chickens, we will of course collect the eggs.  We learned the schedule of selling  them to their regular clients.  In addition to that, we will put some in our mailbox with a sign announcing 'eggs for sale" along with a collection jar so that passersby can buy some, too.

The homeowners own a field where people can camp at no charge.  There is a system here called "France Passion" where campers can camp in people's fields, wineries, etc at no charge.  In exchange for free accomodation, they are encouraged to buy whatever the homeowners have, like wine, cheese, etc.  In our case, it is eggs and the homeowners' paintings.    

One couple arrived this afternoon and bought some eggs.  It will be fun and challenging to communicate with them!  

 

DINNER:  Roasted whole chicken with asparagus, mashed potatoes and carrots.  Tasty!