Tough cookie

For a bohemian hermit recluse comme moi, the thought of having guests is absolutely terrifying. So when old college chumette and fellow blogger 'countrybumpkin' confirmed last week that she'd be visiting for a few days, I immediately flew into a blind panic. So much to do! - clear flies and cobwebs out of the big loft room, make up bed, clean kitchen (an impossible task), scrub loo with disinfectant, make washbasin area fit for human useage (or as close as possible), sweep stairs, sling out dog beds and blankets for an airing, open all windows and attempt to get rid of overpowering dog smells, get some grub and vino in, shake tobacco, breadcrumbs and dog hairs off settee blankets..., the list is endless.

I knew it'd take days (or weeks - maybe years!) to make the place vaguely presentable. So, as she'd be arriving on Wednesday, I decided to begin work last Sunday. Typically though, I left it 'til Wednesday morning before getting stuck in. Worked like a maniac for a couple of hours then got sidetracked by doing some washing. Halfway through hanging rags on line (taking advantage of rare sunshine), chumette arrived. Luckily she's been before so wasn't surprised by distinct lack of preparatory work. Stayed for the full three days (tough cookie). Drove off this morning for Limoges airport and home after risking a shower before departing (really tough cookie).

Very relaxing three days. Extremely lucky with the weather. Glorious sunshine throughout. She's a country lassie with dogs so was happy (I think) to be dragged along on every dogwalk. Did the granite cross route in the mornings followed by the lightning tree, bottom stream and Magnat reservoir runs in the evenings. First time I've been to the reservoir for months. Amazed at how the water level has dropped over summer. Sandy beach areas now exposed. Rain needed soon. In-between dogwalks I dragged her 'round Aubusson on Thursday and Felletin market on Friday. Strange: most times I show visitors the delightful sights of these two fine old towns, it always seems to rain. Not this time though. As I said, extremely lucky with the weather.

Back home, my hardy guest passed some of the time relaxing with a book beneath a sunshade while I, somewhat rudely, took afternoon naps. However, I compensated for my obvious inadequacy in the perfect host department by magnificent displays of cordon bleu cookery skills. First evening, I opened a pack of frozen paella (you may mock but it was a major breakthrough when I recently discovered how to heat this stuff, thus making it almost edible). Second, pork chops, fried eggs and fresh mushrooms picked from the garden (guest displayed noticeable lack of confidence in my opinion that said funghi wasn't poisonous - fear of death eventually evaporated after vast quantities of vin rouge). Guest appeared to be pleasantly surprised by still being alive the following morning. Third evening, I did my piece de resistance: chicken curry with rice and beans. Brilliant. Well, probably not brilliant but, again, lashings of vin rouge clouded judgment.

Perhaps the highlight of her stay was our visit to my 'rebel caff' in Felletin after Friday's market. This is a little-known (and I hope it stays that way) hostelry which is also a 'tabac' (fag shop), run by a couple of marvellous and typically French rebels who allow customers to smoke at certain times (usually when there are no minors around) in defiance of that daft no-smoking law (yes, I know this is a contentious issue but, as I've said before, I honestly believe smoking should be permitted in tabac caffs but not ordinary caffs or other places - as Sarkozy promised before being elected, changing his mind immediately after). Er..., just remembered she's a non-smoker so maybe she didn't think it as much a highlight as moi.

As I said, guest departed this morning. Gave her directions for the airport by traversing the streets of central Limoges. These are somewhat complicated so she probably ended up lost in some dark, dead-end backstreet and consequently missed her flight.