Fiona Alderman: From Fibre to Frelons

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Fiona Alderman: From Fibre to Frelons

Well what a month ! Yes I am sitting in the Cafe de la Place with a well earned “Piscine ” ie rose wine with loads of ice cubes.

Fibre Optic Installation

I managed to get the fibre optic installed after quite a hassle . The technician didn’t come as planned on the first RDV so waited another two weeks for him

It took 3 hours of work and I had to help him! The cables are passed underground from the top of my hill down the road to my door then passed in through the house. I had to signal to him from my house that the yellow cable had gone through to him at the top of the hill. It involvedlLots of waving and gesticulations.

Finally it was done but then the computer didn’t work at all. The technician had finished his work so he left me wondering what to do.

I spoke to several friends who got me another cable to install. All new technology for me and in French!

Does it now all run more quickly and better now ? I’m not sure.

Frelons

hornet buster

Frelons. Another new word, meaning hornets.

I look after a Gite for Dutch people throughout the summer and normally there are very few complications. However, in the last few weeks with the very high temperatures a lot of strange things have appeared in the gardens and in the trees. Huge hornets nests.

Guests at the house told me there was a lot of buzzing coming from the chimney .We thought it might be bees, but no. After consulting the Mairie who alerts the professionals to investigate, they confirmed they are Asiatic hornets –horrible and getting bigger by the minute.The nest apparently develops very fast at this time of year. Guests couldn’t stay there until the problem was sorted out. Two weeks later it was dealt with very efficiently with the Hornet Buster as is says on his card. He came with his super “space suit ” and I took this photo of him.

Of course I was lucky to find him and he was able to deal with it now. After all we are still in August, when theoretically France shuts down !

Happy birthday Fiona

happy birthday

Well I seem to have arrived at the grand “old ” age of 70. Where on earth has the time gone? I decided I wanted to celebrate and have a party. Especially as my friend Kate would come all the way from London. We have known each other for a very long time. It was almost 50 years ago when we met at a dance class in the heart of London, The Place.

We had a lot to catch up on after not seeing each other for 15 years. However she had been here before and is an excellent French speaker.

I invited friends I have made here in 25 years. French, Scottish, Canadian, Dutch and English. Some people couldn’t come as we were in the middle of the Canicule ie heat wave of nearly 40 degrees. They didn’t want to travel in the heat.

I was very touched by all those that did come. Bearing gifts, flowers, cards and love.

I gave a little speech to thank everyone, but most of all Barry.

He brought me here 25 years ago.

Thanks to him really and I say Merci Barry !

That’s all for now. Until the next time.

Fifi’s stories from rural France.

August 2025

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Written by : Pat Byrne

Publisher of Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End; the community guide to the West End of Glasgow. Fiction and non-fiction writer.

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