Hedgehog stranded in the Ark roof, while sweeping chimney.

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Ark hit by plague, when shingle isn't a beach.

  A week or so ago, I found I was getting pain in my right ear, together with pain in my mouth and swollen gland in my jaw. I visited my doc and she and I agreed that there was an infection best combatted with Amoxicilin, an antibiotic. However, a week later, I got all sorts of puzzling symptoms, including pain in my hair and teeth, a rash on my face including my beard and ache in my ear. Back to the docs I went suspecting an allergy to the Amoxicilin, but the doc brought me up short, making a definite diagnosis of 'Zona' which I found, is French for Shingles' !  Well, that was a new one for me....the doc  prescribed an antiviral medication plus an Alcohol wipe to treat the rash, which had developed into small pustules like chicken pox spots.
  Well, it was back home and dive for Google to see whatever is Shingles. It seems it is a strange recurrence of the chicken pox virus, which hides in the nervous system and lies dormant for many years before emerging when the patient is stressed, or his resistance is low. Relatively common in over seventies, it seems. A strange symptom is that the effects are one-sided, on one side of the body, not crossing the mid-line! A great aid to diagnosis...
  A comforting fact I learnt is that the condition is not infectious, you can't catch shingles from a sufferer. You can, however, pass on chicken pox to someone who has never had this illness, so you have to be careful, especially around children- no polite kissing as is usual here!
  The condition usually goes away after about four weeks, but can be quite painful while it lasts. The antiviral medication is chiefly to reduce this and reduce the risk of a recurrence, always a possibility. Rather worryingly, the doc asked if I had plenty of Paracetamol, I got the impression I might well need it...
  I suppose it's early days yet, but the pain isn't too bad, an ache in the ear and neck, chiefly but the painkiller is comforting especially when you're trying to sleep. Kim has been looking after me well, I'm really glad she's back from the UK.

   Bye for now, going to continue my convalescing.

In the teeth of the evidence

Yesterday, Mr Noah  was feeling a bit sorry for himself, the dreaded appointment had arrived for the pulling of a tooth. Three weeks ago, M. Fresch, our dentist, had reluctantly informed me that there was nothing further to be done to one of my lower right molars. The nerve had been removed ages ago, but now apparently the remaining stump had perforated and nothing could be constructed on such a poor foundation.
  I feel part of his reluctance was due to the fact that a patient's surviving tooth can be a source of dental revenue for year, as good as a pension... Still, I have several crowned teeth which are still valiantly chewing away, so we both benefit.
  One of the things I most appreciate about M. Fresch, is that he avoids hurting his clients, and yesterday he injected loads of local anaesthetic all around the doomed molar before cutting it in half and pulling the two stumps with a minimum of pain or fuss. His job was rendered a bit more difficult as I take Kardegic or soluble aspirin to thin the blood, which means I bleed more than normal. Still, he managed well in spite of this, though I did leave the surgery with a cotton pad clenched between my jaws like a dog with a bone....
    I'm glad to say my mouth feels better today, though it will be several days before I can eat crispy food. One (further) down, still loads to go, not bad at seventy plus. I wonder how the original Noah fared, he was said to be over seven hundred years old when the Ark floated off.....

    Bye for now, going to eat something soft...

Sad News-- Death of Toffee, Ark Crew-member

For several days, we have not been happy with Toffee`s health, he seemed lethargic and was not eager for food or walks, not like his usual self. Additionally, his breath was getting very smelly, as it had a few months ago before he had several teeth out and the remainder de-tartared. So we made an appointment with Francois Marty, our vet,  this afternoon to have him checked out. We had resigned ourselves to more teeth to be extracted but in the event it was far worse than that. Francois found a large cancer growing in poor Toff`s mouth, which was causing him a lot of pain. As this had not been present two months ago when his teeth were done, it was obviously a rapidly-growing form, and the vet advised that it was not operable successfully. so we found ourselves faced with the dread decision. We agreed that it was best to end it quickly and painlessly and after an injection Toffee slipped away. Rest in peace, Toffee, it`s been a pleasure knowing you... we console ourselves that he has had a far happier and much longer life than he would have known if we had not rescued him from a concrete kennel in death row at the Melle dechetterie.

  We shall bury him tomorrow afternoon in our orchard, where many of out deceased pets lie. A peaceful spot... we shall remember him.

   Bye for now.

Controle Technique, the French MOT

  Today, it was time for our Green machine to undergo its first C T, or at any rate, the first since we bought it. One of the best things about the French system, is that it only takes place every TWO years, rather than annually, like the MOT. The other major difference, is that the test is carried out by a separate unit, NOT a repair garage. This does away with the obvious clash of interests between the fairness of the test and a sneaky yen to provide work for the repair side of the garage. I have had my doubts about several English garages...

  In the event , there were not too many unexpected shocks. I had, in fact, asked the examiner to check the rear tyres, as the car had shown a slight vibration and snaking at low speeds. As I had suspected, the tyres were slightly deformed, although not badly worn and will need to be replaced. The other two 'urgent' fails were two or three yellow indicator bulbs which are now white and will need replacing and, a real surprise, the 'stop' lights are not working, all three of them. I suspect a wiring or pressure switch fault. There were also some non-urgent worn items to keep an eye on. Our garage is shut today and tomorrow because of the 15th August bank holiday, so it'll have to wait until Tuesday. Could be worse, then!

    We witnessed a funny occurrence when we arrived at the Testing Station, though. The very competent and affable chap in charge was having a tense argument with the previous client, in for a re-test. His front tyres were unsatisfactory and needed to be changed. He HAD changed them, in fact before re-submitting his car, but only by exchanging them with the tyres on the rear wheels! Unfortunately for him, the tester had noted this subterfuge , and failed the car once more on the rear tyres.... The client was furious, saying he didn't have the right to re-test items which were already passed! What a brass neck, to wax indignant when one's little trick was found out! No shame, some people...

   Bye for now, nearly animal feed time in the Ark.

She's back!

   I see my last article was to give the news that Kim was off to the UK to spend ten days with Alyson, Kerri and the new great-grand daughter Mimi. Well, she arrived safely, passed a very enjoyable time with loads of baby-dandling but has been persuaded to return and I picked her up off the Brittany Ferries vessel Armorique on Sunday. After spending the night at the Quick Palace hotel at St Brieuc, we arrived back to La Mort Limouzin on Monday afternoon and found all in order, the animals having been well looked -after by our friend Agnes. A bit tired after a round trip of over a thousand kilometres but we are now settling down to French life again together.

  Bye for now, animal feeding time!

Up,up and away!

   Yesterday Kim jetted off from Bordeaux airport to spend ten days in the UK at Plymouth, visiting Alyson, Kerri and Mimi. Dont worry, she has promised to return on the second of August, but in the meantime, the Ark will be sailing single-handed....

   Bye for now, got to trim the sails.