Just to let you catch up with our lives here in the Belgian Ardennes.
Not quite sure where to start really. It is certainly a full household. both sons are here. One out of work, and having great difficulty finding work. There is work and in his line ( hotel management ) but its not open to him. One of the great ideas here, well crap idea really , was to get people off work for over two years back into work. To do this the Gov, pays 50% of the emplyees wages for the first 12 months. So Peter goes for an interview locally. The employer said great you are ideal,four languages and a brain , just what we need..... " er how long have you been out of work " reply.. " two months "..... " oh, sorry I need someone thats been out for two years or more "
Voila !
Other son enrolled for year 4 of his college course in specialized cabinet making. Course has been stopped, no mnoey for teachers..
Voila !
Anyway during this time off general sillyness, we had a family meeting. For the next three months we have decided to do all the work needed to be done at home. In return the two sons get enough money to go out at weekends, and they must spend one day a week minimum out and about looking for work. Its working ok.So far we have refused the unemployment benefit, and it will probably remain that way.
They both enrolled on a local course to discover what can be picked and eaten in the woods and fields. We are pretty tuned into this already but there is always room for more learning. It keeps thme busy.
Last week we went into the forest and collected over three two hour visits, 65lb of mushrooms. The parasol variety. I have dried, strung up , cooked and pickled the lot. We have enough for the year now. I just take a few dried ones out of the jar, put them in water so they swell, and then add to the menu.
We have been in serious de clutter mood. I managed to get back 400 euros by selling some stuff on ebay.
The flat in Brussels is still for sale, but very little interest,less if you discount the huge amount of Africans that turn up to look. Usually men in smart suits and trainers. Turns out that they want to rent it out for their high class prostitutes, who are in demand with EU officials ( flat is in the European quarter )
Nothing, really nothing suprises me these days. No proper offers though or anywhere near it.
As a result we have shelved our venture into a wee cottage in Scotland , for now at least.
Thats about it really, well all I can remember at the moment !
Kevin
Topic: A ramble of sorts (Read 3515 times)
