I have thought over the last year that this is perfect territory for a hoopoe.

I’ve seen them in Tuscany, Naples and in the Camargue a few weeks ago.

But I’ve often wondered why they are not here.

Well wonder no more.

This huppe was actually in our neighbour’s garden but I’m claiming it.

It was using its long beak to dig worms out of the ground.

And when it heard a noise, it raised its crest.

Such a lovely bird.

Is Canadet masculine or feminine? And what about Réparade?

Both are place names near us.

If you look carefully at the road signs they can help you out.

Le Puy Sainte Réparade (f)

Saint (don’t you dare pronounce that final T) Canadet. (likewise, m)

Today we went to un immobilier in La Ciotat – one of the places we have thought about buying a house.

We had lots of questions and Samuel at Le Castel had most of the answers.

We explained we wanted a house within walking distance of the town centre with a bit of outdoor space, possibly with une piscine or if not piscinable.

We also want the house have l’égout – connected to the main sewers – no more fosse septique.

Samuel had a house he wanted to show us so off we went.

The house itself wasn’t quite right and the asking price was a bit high so it was a no. But hopefully Samuel will have some other good properties for us to visit in the near future.

Next stop some more questions for un notaire.

My sister and my cousin were on holiday in France and they stopped by to see us.

We met them in Marseille and went up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, known locally as la bonne mère for the best view of the city.

And then we went to Puyricard for an apéro before dinner back at ours.

There was even time for them both to try out the pool.

We have been thinking recently about selling up in London and buying a house in France.

Today we went to look at our first one.

It was in Bras – a property we had seen on Facebook.

It comes with a hectare of land and un poulailler – a chicken coop.

It also had the most amazing pool.

Which could be heated in the winter.

But I think it was a bit too big for us. The search continues.

*I know you don’t say it like that in French. C’est on recherche une maison.

We went for a drive to the seaside and once again encountered a herd of goats – or in French un troupeau de chèvres.

On a day trip to Arles we bumped into an old friend.

Lord Byron, river cruise ship. Often to be found moored at Confluence, Lyon near Euronews.

It takes people from Lyon to Arles via Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Avignon and Maçon to name but a few stops.

If you look closely it has a putting green on the top deck.

Two years ago, I saw a man practicing his puts here:

Un peu du golf sur la Saône?

It might not have been the Lord Byron but certainly one of its sister ships.

Like the William Shakespeare – also often seen in Lyon. This time from my old office window.

Anyway, it was nice to see her again.

We went for a day to the beach at La Londe-Les-Maures.

I learnt a new word in French – one I was surprised I didn’t know.

Le transat: a deckchair. And somewhat surprisingly you pronounce the final t.

At least I know for next time.

I read in the Times that France’s Prime Minister François Bayrou wants to clamp down on the country’s level of sick leave.

According to the report:

^{The French absentee level is one of Europe’s highest and about double that of Britain and the United States. The cost is estimated at up to €80 billion, more than the state education budget.}

I know from my time at Euronews that l’arrête maladie was a system that was easily abused.

In my two-and-a-half years working there there were at least two employees who I never met because they were on un arrêté maladie.

So there are definitely some loop holes to close.

And this is despite the fact that if you are ill and off work for even one day you have to go to the doctor’s to get a sick note.

The PM also wants to do away with two bank holidays and reform the unemployment benefit system.

The other thing I remember from my time at Euronews is the strength of les syndicats.

Alors M Bayrou, bonne chance.

Coutheron is the neighbouring village to ours. It seems to be the producer of vegetables par excellence.

Last year it was aubergines and then Swiss chard.

Now it’s:

And:

What a productive little village.