Monday 14th July 2025

Monday.

Bastille Day (France)

Non-rest day (Le Tour)

A day of chores.

First up, the lady from the kitchen people came round to see what we wanted and the measure up the kitchen and utility room.

This is quite easy, as we're not fussy.

But also, we know what we don't like, but not so sure of what we do like.

Anyway, and hour later, she had all the information and will be preparing an AV presentation of what they propose on Friday afternoon.

In the meantime, we have to find a builder to install the kitchen as well as correct the plasterwork and tiling.

We do our main shop now on a Monday, after the weekend when the shops are empty of people and restocked.

So after coffee we head to Tesco, just after nine so to avoid the school rush (last week before the holidays), and go in to buy the essentials: Beer, wine, cheese. Among other things.

And are out again after spending (just) under a hundred quid.

We get home and skip breakfast to go straight into lunch of breaded chicken and slaw in rolls, the chicken cooked now like always in the air fryer.

We wash and clear up, then go out to visit Jools's brother, as he has not been well and has just finished treatment.

Mike's life is more complicated than ours, but he is happy with his lot, generally, so its always a pleasure to catch up.

He's obviously glad the treatments have ended, and his son, George and his wife have bought a house, and are now renovating it before moving in, probably before Christmas.

Mike is also now a TV star, after appearing on a show about Dover Port currently being shown on Channel 4.

We talk for an hour, then leave so he can get his house back.

Back home for an hour, until its time for the weekly date with cards.

Before going to Mike's I had set the telly to record the day's Stage 10 of Le Tour, all five hours of it, and I will watch in the evening.

At Jen's, we have a pleasant afternoon's cards, even if Jen and John win heavily, and our pot of pennies is now nearly empty.

So it goes.

And so back home and as Jools make a brew and butters the remainder of the cheese scones, I settle down to watch the race, and this time being able to fast forward through the ad breaks.

And exciting day's racing, up and down in the Massif Central, 4,500 m of climbing.

It ended at half nine, by which time it was nearly dark and Jools had gone to bed.