French Countryside Life # 58 A week in Charente.

[@janewolfe9137]

About funerals- I didn’t appreciate when I was younger is the gathering of family, friends, & neighbors when someone dies, the stories told, the memories shared, the farewells wished…. I’ve come to see the layers of appreciation that funerals provide.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Jane. My brother was a pragmatist who never wanted a fuss made about anything. Thank you for your kind words. It's much appreciated.

[@Susi-hz9rh]

Loving the T-shirt. Good to see you're settling in to your new home. It's looking fab. Boys and their toys🤣. Can't wait to see your craft room Jane. I enjoy doing crafts, hopefully I'll get some idea's or I should say pinch some idea's from you. Stay safe all of you. Glad to hear Bella is all good. You don't need me ( a stranger) telling you how you should feel about losing a loved one. I admire a person who wants to take control of how we say goodbye to them. I use to work for Marie Curie, doing End of Care Life. He'll be listening when you feel ready to say your goodbyes, in your own way. We lose the person but not the memories. 😊

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Susi3. The craft room will be the first room to be done. It's a nice square room so it'll be a bit of a test for getting the chip paper off the walls. Thank you for your comforting words. I still can't believe I'll never see him again.

[@catherinanolan-ruffle6167]

Love the T-Shirt! Regarding the garden tools and that bit of a wall- if you use 2 screws and keep them the handle distance apart in sets of 2, you can hang the garden tools up on the wall out of the way. Just an idea. Love the space you have in the workshop. So easy to find things when you need them. Hope you have both been ok.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Catherina. I’ll have a look at that idea. 👍🏻 I think we’re just starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the amount of stuff to do. Thanks again for watching. 👍🏻

[@PhilG0BVD]

Cannot beat a nice well equipped workshop. Enjoyed the video lots of interesting content.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Philip. The workshop is slowly coming together nicely. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. 👍🏼

[@chrislarsen2684]

Maybe you could plant a memorial bush or make a memorial bench in the garden for your brother. Sometimes the ones left behind still need a way to grieve and to be happy their loved ones are in a much better place. To have a spot for that remembrance would be a great memorial for him....

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks for your kind words, Chris. When I build the bar I'm going to call it Lloyd's Tiki Bar. That would make his day. 😀

[@chrislarsen2684]

@@FrenchCountrysideLife LOVE THAT!!

[@chrislarsen2684]

The DIY shop should have wall mounted hooks tool organizers for your garden tools to stay up off the floor. Just go to the organization area. Garden Tool Hangers.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Cheers Chris, good call. 👍🏼

[@robinmeek7593]

Excellent video. I love your calm demeanor. So sorry for your loss.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Robin. I think I'm still in the "disbelief that he's gone" stage.

[@westpacificmarketanalytics2384]

Sunday is a day in France not to cut the grass and keep it quiet in the garden....what a great rule!

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks WPMA. In many ways present day France is like Britain used to be 50 years ago. Sunday was a day of rest. There were no shops open at all. It's all about being respectful. Thanks again for watching. 👍🏼

[@LCamp-cr7fs]

I love that rule too. It’s so nice to have a quiet period of time when you can sit outside or nap without machinery going just across the fence. It’s also great to have the stores closed over the weekend. It just takes a tiny bit of planning.

[@westpacificmarketanalytics2384]

@@LCamp-cr7fs yes should be a global rule! Life on a Sunday is a day we all need rest and a time to reflect! A day everyone should respect!

[@yvonnemoss9062]

Not only would you not keep Itshy out of that pool, he would kill the robot!!! 😂😂😂

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Ha ha. Kill the robot !!!! I'll call you over the next few days. 👍🏼

[@traceysseasidestudio8357]

The Pure cremation or unattended funeral is getting very popular now - we did this with my hubbys Mum as most of the family did not want to travel with covid. So we then had a sort of wake at hrer house with the close family and chatted and looked at pictures etc and had lunch as a Chinese which was her favourite takeaway. It sounds strange but we were still able to celebrate her life but in a less traumatic way. As you say its a lot to go through and this was a really lovely way to remember her. Every body said they preferred it to a regular funeral and perhaps you can all get together sometime to remember your brother in a different way.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thank you for your kind reassuring words Tracey. I'll show this comment to Sue and I think it'll help her.

[@LCamp-cr7fs]

I didn’t have a fancy robot but a sweep connected the pool’s circulation system. It made pool maintenance a breeze. Are you watching its antics for entertainment? I did 😉!

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks L Camp. It is fascinating to watch the robot do its thing.

[@LittleChena]

I know it is way to late, I’m catching up but I have to say it. 😅 I would have paint the walls first before I organize the work shop. My OSD went through the roof! 😅 Seriously why you didn’t do that??!

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks LC. I think we were so overwhelmed with the volume of things to do that I didn't even think of it. 👍🏼

[@reillybb1]

Yay Jane!

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Ha Ha, thanks Kate. 👍🏼

[@adrianpiek941]

Cheers, see you next week.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thank Adrian. I'll be the one in the cool T-shirt . 😀

[@carolranes91]

My mother died in 2014 and had paid for her funeral but after being the only one to care for her and exhausted mentally and physically with no help from anyone I decided to have her body cremated and scattered around a beautiful garden to help create more beauty. It was the best choice ever. No hassle with people no I am so sorry but yet they offered no help when she was alive. I knew I would never go to visit a grave. I just hate funerals and never go to them and never to grave yards. I have all them memories of my Mom in my head so I can recall the happy memories whenever I want to.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Carol for your view on my brother’s decision. It’s a very pragmatic approach to things. People expect a traditional funeral but it’s really not about them. Thanks again. 🙏

[@KrisanthiaMum]

Love the T-shirt ❤ shed is lookin good. My honey put together some wooden pallets, upright, screwed them to the wall and I store all my garden tools on them. It works perfectly. Good to see you again. Will see you soon. PS I store them all handles down 😘

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Siren Dipity. Brilliant idea. I might give that a go. 👍🏼

[@ivysavage5569]

It was so funny you two clearing up the tool shed and the Doggie’s racing around between your legs.Nice shelving too you’ll be able to find your tools now, lovely chicken house especially the extra netting to keep out foxes, and a very nice Peugeot now ✅

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Ivy, Bella just got stung on the paw in the garden so she's limping about like a wounded soldier. The chickens have got the full protection now so fingers crossed. 🤞🏻Thanks again for your support.

[@annquirke4008]

Hi Colin, good luck with your new car, it’s lovely. Great to see your getting settled in & sorting out all the tool shed. The pool cleaner is fascinating to watch 🤪💦 I had a good giggle at your new T-shirt 😂 It’s perfect 😁👍🏻 All there’s left for me to say is, ‘Mind how you go’ 😁👍🏻 & I look forward to seeing you next week 👏🏻😁

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Ann. I sort of can't take my eyes off the robot. It's fascinating. I'm glad you liked the T shirt. Thanks again for watching.

[@viviennemagee617]

We call it a celebration of life with the ashes Usually we have pictures up on a screen with music for a while then a nosh up and all have a chat rather nice really.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Vivienne. Much appreciated.

[@nativetexson]

Fun new t-shirt!

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks nativetexson. You too can be the proud owner of one. Amaze your family, impress your friends. 😀

[@kayradford3793]

It is in our Wills no funeral, private cremation followed by scattering where we first decided to venture into a second marriage for us both. Kids are happy with that.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Kay. I'm wondering whether the days of the huge elaborate funeral are over. It's a massive expense that really doesn't need to be spent and if you're not religious it's also a bit hypocritical. Thanks for your comment, it's much appreciated. 👍🏼

[@inabates8919]

Welcome back, hope life’s finding you both well and that your settling into your new home and making it yours.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Ina. There's a long way to go but step by step, we'll get there. 👍🏼

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Hi Colin, Things are coming together nicely in your new home. I did laugh when you said because it was raining you couldn't use the pool robot. I thought "But it goes in a swimming pool which is full of water" Love you T Shirt. The new car looks fantastic. Take care Colin and hopefully will get a notification for next week's video. Cheers, Huw

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Hi Huw. As soon as I said it I realised how stupid it sounded but I meant the non-waterproof bit i.e. extension lead. The t-shirts are available on the merchandise link 😀 👍🏼 All the best, Colin and Jane. 👍🏼

[@WoodenItBeNice]

@@FrenchCountrysideLife Thanks Colin

[@LimousinLife]

Hi Colin and Jane, Great video again, as always great content and superb editing. I've got a tad of workshop envy, you can't beat a great set of shelving. I was interested, did you make the whole thing yourself? Angle steel on the corners and wooden frame...I'm going to store that idea for future use. I was pondering your tool hanging dilemma, I guess it depends if they have hooks at the end or not. We used to make racks for hanging wellies, very simple and can be adapted to tools, I'll send you a pic. The other way could be to make a triangle wooden frame, long flat side at the bottom with hooks underneath. I love that poolbot! I take it that's a new purchase. Really kind of creepy crawling in the water, I was waiting for it to climb out as it became aware of its own existence.....you'll never leave that unattended now!! Great car btw! Very nice. How do the prices compare over there? I suppose its hard to tell. I spotted the t-shirt straight away and thought oy-oy! The boys doing merchandise! Mines an xxl please, I'll send the postal order in payment. Thanks for your brilliant contents and interesting insights into living in France. Definitely my KZbin highlight. Mind how you go. We'll see you soon. G

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Hi Gary, I bought the shelving in the UK from Machine Mart. Very reasonable. Brilliant but simple idea for the garden tool rack. Thanks for the pics. I've been waiting for the Robot to say " I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that...." If you really want a T-shirt you can order one from the link in the "about" section of the channel home page. Thanks for all your support.👍🏼 All the best, Colin and Jane.

[@christinaplaisted9563]

Morning injoyed this one too .The robot is a very clever investment. Would have run a mile at the site of large spiders. Has Bella had a go in the pool yet .so cute when she nuzzled up to you.she loves you. When you and Jane were moving everything out of the workshop .Bella running round probably thinking we moveing again lol.lovely new car.Stay safe both of you look forward to next Sunday x x

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Christina. We won't let Bella in the pool sadly, all her fur would clog everything up. Yuk. Jane said exactly the same thing about Bella thinking we're moving again. Thanks for your support. 👍🏼

[@christinaplaisted9563]

@@FrenchCountrysideLife you could get Bella a little paddling pool lol .just a thought x

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Hi Christina. We got her a hard plastic pool a few years ago and she wasn't at all interested in it. The only thing that will get her in a pool is a tennis ball. 😀

[@janeblandford852]

Great to see you and it is nice to see you settling in. Such a beautiful location and home. All the best!

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Jane. It seems like there's so much to do. I realise it won't be done overnight but we'll get there eventually. Thanks again.

[@ralphc3499]

Hello Colin, nice video. When I use the woodsaw, I tend to do it outside. Saves a lot of dust... Have a good Sunday !

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Ralph. I would normally use the hoover attachment but I was too lazy to set it all up. Halfway through the job I wish I had. Thanks for watching.👍🏼

[@juliejames3338]

great video; you certainly have your work cut out for you with that garden; so sorry to hear about your brother. my husband wants a pure cremation as well; but we need to check if its available in france; i think it is a bit sad because i want people to celebrate a persons life although it is a very sad day; i said i want one of those massive funerals but hey ho; i won't be around to see itx

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thank you for your kind words. There's a huge amount of work to do both inside and out. The house hasn't been maintained for at least three years. Jane and I plan to spend most of March out in the garden. 😀 We haven't enquired yet about the funeral options but that's something we plan to do this year as well. It's a bit morbid but it's essential. I hope you enjoy the rest of the videos. 😀

[@duncanblanchard334]

That’s a lovely home you’ve got there, and the pool looks beautiful 😁. Does everyone keep hens in France, I wouldn’t know how to look after them 🤔. Nice video for a Sunday morning 👍.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Duncan. Not everyone keeps chickens but I guess it depends where you live. Once you've got it all set up, the chickens are fairly low maintenance. Everyone that we give eggs to, loves them. Thanks for watching. 👍🏼

[@stephenarthy6593]

Hi Collin you. are Doing a great job keep going mate good luck from one Dagenham man to another

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Cheers Stephen. We lived on Heathway. Jane lived there for 31 years. Where are you ? When I told my son I was building a bar he said " You can take the boy out of Dagenham etc..." 😀

[@stephenarthy6593]

@@FrenchCountrysideLife hi Collin we lived in haskard road we are now in wilburton near Ely we enjoy your story like your new place lots of work for you both but you will do fine look forward to your vlogs keep safe mate

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks, much appreciated. 👍🏼

[@peterrider3471]

Hi Colin great vid has usual love the racking where did you get it from ? I could do with something like that lol don’t tell Kathy hehe ,car looks amazing great choice mate hope janes ok and not stressed hope to see you very soon take care

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Hi Peter, the racking came from Machine Mart in the UK. If only I knew someone in the UK.......They also sell it in France on the ManoMano website. I'm going to get some here for Jane's craft room so it'll be interesting to compare. Good luck mate, looking forward to seeing you back here. 👍🏼

[@OurFrenchHouseRenovation]

Great workspace Colin, love the pool Robot very clever.. can you send my ex mother in laws broom back to her ? Lol. I’ve been thinking of having a tee shirt printed, can you let me have the info on yours? Cheers mate

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Cheers mate. The robot is able to do a much better job than I can. There's a sign of the future.....I'll call you tomorrow with the info on the T shirts.

[@alvaalvarado2587]

What did you invent, the pool robot, I hope you feel better

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Hi Alva, I bought the pool robot. Thanks again. 👍🏼

[@rebeccathornton7408]

Hi Colin, please can you link the pool cleaner? Xxx

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

www.manomano.fr/p/robot-piscine-7320-opool-nettoie-le-fond-et-les-parois-17670242?product_id=17987666

[@rebeccathornton7408]

Many thanks!

[@carolranes91]

By now you probably found units at Brico for hanging all your lawn tools on the wall.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Carol. We’ve been so busy doing other stuff I haven’t even had a chance to look at any of those. All the tools are still in a big pile waiting for me to sort them out. Thanks for prompting me to get a grip on that though. 👍🏻

[@josued.pimentel2986]

From Rio de Janeiro to the friend in France, my feelings. "Nenhum homem é uma ilha isolada; cada homem é uma partícula do continente, uma parte da terra; se um torrão é arrastado para o mar, a Europa fica diminuída, como se fosse um promontório, como se fosse a casa dos teus amigos ou a tua própria; a morte de qualquer homem diminui-me, porque sou parte do gênero humano. E por isso não perguntes por quem os sinos dobram; eles dobram por ti.". John Donne

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks Josué. Suas amáveis ​​palavras são muito apreciadas. Obrigada.

[@OurFrenchHouseRenovation]

1st

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Ha Ha , Legend.

[@rufusreloaded1043]

Sorry to hear about your brother. Maybe he wanted to spare everyone the upset of a funeral. Unless you're religious they dont acheive much in my experience. No offence to anyone who disagrees.

[@FrenchCountrysideLife]

Thanks for your kind words. I think you're probably right. My brother wasn't religious. He only worshipped a good beer. 😀