the grumpy scot: Il Arrive!

Just like a proud mother boasting about her newborn child, I cannot help but continually sing the praises of the new addition to my life: Chevy – my little car!

I readily admit that I was very much looking forward to see my family when they came to stay before half-term, by my sense of excitement was heightened by the fact that their visit also heralded the arrival of what essentially is my link to anything outside Sarlat. During the summer, Dad and I (accompanied by the loyal Bonpapa, Mum and Ellie – cheers for waiting guys!) found a little voiture de l’occasion for use at Elie du Bois – something that the P-unit have wanted to invest in for a long time but never quite got round to it.

However, as no-one was going to actually be at Elie during the winter, and I was all but stranded in Sarlat, they kindly allowed me to take charge of the car until summer 2011. And so starts the beginning of mine and Chevy’s (long and meaningful) relationship. As I may have mentioned before, in spite of (or perhaps due to) the unspoiled beauty of the Sud-Ouest region, it is near impossible to rely on public transport alone. Nearly everyone who lives around here admits that life is extremely difficult without a car and one of the only ways to really profit from what the Dordogne has to offer is en voiture. So HOW LUCKY AM I NOW?!

Named after actor and comedian Chevy Chase (don’t ask why, just watch You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEjsIbWq88), this little second-hand Chevrolet Matiz is officially the new love of my life.

Cute

Check the insanely BAD parking. Oop

Parked outside Temniac

Life is already so much easier with a car. I am more mobile. On my return from Manchester, I was able to quickly and easily make the journey from Limoges airport to Bergerac for a Halloween party, on to Elie du Bois near Ribérac to change the car battery, and then home to Sarlat. I went shopping and bought more than 3 apples and a loaf of bread (Leclerc is a really long way away!) Also, having learnt to drive on the ‘mean’ streets of Edinburgh (well, they’re not mean... rather they are really busy. And there are loads of people. Which is why I crashed.), driving on the all but deserted smooth country roads of the Dordogne is akin to drinking cream after having got used to skimmed milk. Total bliss. I know what is coming next, and yes I am aware that French drivers are maniacs and always overtake on corners and sit so close to your derriere you can almost smell the stale smoke from their Peugeot 205’s, but even still, cruising on the continent, albeit slowly, is a complete dream.

I am eternally grateful to my parents for giving me this opportunity. Not just Chevy (although he is fantastic), but also, as the past few days have made me realise, for the introduction to this phenomenal region itself. Pulling up to Elie du Bois the other day, I was struck by the scent of long summer holidays and childhood familiarity. It astonishes how little some things in life change and, thankfully, Elie du Bois falls firmly into that category. Back in Sarlat, making ratatouille with some Elie bay leaves thrown in, I was going to thank my lucky stars that I have been fortunate enough to make the most of Elie du Bois. But instead I thought that it would probably be a little less clichéd and a lot more useful just to thank my family, and extended family for giving me, and everyone who has spent or will spend time at Elie, this opportunity. Cheers guys.

Anyway. Enough of that sopp. Bottom line is; Chevy is AMAZING. Life is good. Here's a few more photys of the fam visit and Elie...