Shopping day: the good and the bad

This afternoon I set out for a trip to Bordeaux, which is where the closest Ikea is to Duras. It's about an hour and 20 minute ride, but very pretty with vineyards on both sides of the highway. My GPS took me right through the center of Bordeaux and I could see the boardwalks along the Gironde, the massive stone buildings, fountains. It's really a very impressive city and I look forward to going back for some leisure time.

My Ikea trip was fruitful and I got TONS of stuff for the Clocktower Cottage--new bedding, towels, dishes, glasses, kitchen gadgets, etc. I literally filled my cart and when I could not shoe horn one more thing in there, I said "fini, " and headed for the cashier.

While my Ikea expedition was a success, I had a total failure with Maisons du Monde this morning. The order I made online on May 20 was scheduled to be shipped on June 2, which is the day I arrived in Duras. On my order confirmation it said that the shipping company would contact me to schedule a delivery, but I didn't hear anything from them until I received an actual letter in my mail slot yesterday informing me that I must call them to set up the delivery. So after being on hold several times and repeating my information time and time again to a series of disinterested employees, I was told that it was impossible to deliver my order before  June 13, which is 3 days after I leave the country.

My painter, Jasmine, stepped in to vigorously make the case in French, but, alors, she didn't have any luck either. Even when we told them we would have to cancel the order, worth more than 1,000 euros, they would not budge. I cancelled the order. Now my plan for the living room is in complete disarray. Needless to say I am totally pissed off about all of this.

On a good note, I had a meeting this afternoon with my new housekeeper, Sue O'Neil, who is an absolute gem. Retired and living about 5 km from Duras, Sue is efficient, cheerful, enthusiastic and is exactly the kind of person I need on the ground to make the Clocktower Cottage a successful rental.