faceache

I learnt a new French word this week - un zona


I have been laid low with an attack of shingles on my face from my scalp to my lips. Very painful and very scary as it was around my useful eye ( the other one being pretty well hopeless). Luckily our local doctor services meant I could get to see a doctor very promptly ( a good deal more quickly than in England) and got the appropriate antiviral medicine in time for it to have an effect. All of this week I have looked like someone who has had a very bad botox experience and then an acid attack.
 
The swelling has gone down a lot now so with a serious amount of make up I can face the world albeit with a droopy eye and lopsided smile. 

 I have even even managed the odd  hour of gardening and uncovered my hellebores which had started flowering under a blanket of old leaves and winter debris.

 
 

Although on the mend I am still very tired all the time and with a bad headache so actvitiy doesn't last long. Our hammock normally lives in the shade for reading on hot sunny afternoons - we have just moved it for "out of season " use so I can rest and read in the lovely spring sunshine rather than curled up ( poorly on chairs) in front of a fire indoors.


 I have been fascinated at the number of people (even those I would normally think quite rational) whose first reaction is to insist I should find someone with a "secret" to " lift the burn". No less than three of the ladies at patchwork claimed the power over burns and un zona. I suspect it is a countryside thing - there are a lot of old fashioned superstitions, some religious , some not still current. Anyway I have been well administered unto although I think perhaps the prompt antiviral treatment may have had the most significant effect ( I'll just keep quiet about that )

have you forgotten anything?

When we woke up the Autun was blowing with a vengeance ( orange alert from the meteo for worse to come) so we decided it would be a good day to head down to Pavillon to get a coat of paint on the recently repaired shutter.



I usually try to get out of going as I find visiting our seemingly unsellable, erstwhile holiday paradise retreat somewhat depressing as nature reclaims it but I today I was happy at the prospect of escaping the wind but still being outside.

reminder of the olden days!

Pavillon is near Bruniquel is 40 kms away so not on the doorstep but it is always a lovely drive  through the beautiful scenery of the Aveyron gorge. We were pleased to find the river well within its banks ( it's several years now since the house was  flooded) and I was set to work collecting wood. A few minutes later the air was rent with unsuitable language as TC discovered  he had paintbrushes , white spirit , rags but no PAINT!



Just as well there was some wood to collect !





We were also amused to find that Pavillon ( an isolated riverside house without electricity )now has a new address : number 3472 a swanky metal number plate delivered free!

Back home and the wind is still raging, it was a good idea to get away to the shelter of the Vere valley even if the shutter still needs painting.