Narrowly missing falling chandeliers

March 5th 3pm

As the wind has blown away the the electricity for a while there is no internet, so until the (thankfully) fully charged battery of my laptop runs out I will write about the day's events on a stickie note.

Yesterday was a day of studying tying up loose ends and cooking so not much to talk about. Today was much more fun. As I write there is a gale force wind blowing through the apartment, its actually quite concerning because as I returned to the aprtment about 45 minutes ago, the kitchen doors - which were firmly closed when I left - were wide open and banging and the floor was covered in pieces of glass. The wind is so strong that I could not even manage to lean against the doors to keep them closed. Dishevelled is probably the best way to describe the atmosphere, both of me and everything around me!

So I look for a broom, and there isn't one. I picked up the biggest pieces of glass and put them on the table. The doors blew open again and as I went to close them the chandelier that I had just passed underneath fell onto the floor. I couldn't believe it, although I had heard thumps from the apartment above a minute or two before it happened. The wind is an incredible thing. I have figured out how to shut the door properly now - meaning it blows open every 20 minutes instead of two. The whole flat is shaking and there is a ghostly howl working its way up and down the street. The stiff old yellow wooden shutter in my bedroom had also managed to work its way open. I can't even manage to open it that easily, it needs a right old wrench.

Anyway, enough about the wind - I think you get the picture. I met Jean Thomas this morning by Napoleon in Place St Nicolas, and I could tell it was going to be a good day immediately. He's a jolly fellow, extremely camp and very friendly. We spoke only French, but he was easy to understand and helped me alot with my grammar. We walked all around the Quartier de centre - the district he is responsible for - and he showed me another way into the citadel where I live.

(am writing this at 20.56 as have just spent the last few hours with a power cut and a glass covered broomless kitchen) I went out to buy candles in case the night was going to be spent in the dark. Marcel has just visited me and spoken to the landlord. With a name like maxime I had made the mistake of assuming it was a woman. Now I hear that Maxime is a very educated and very beautiful single man. Hes coming at 11am tomorrow morning with a new light for the kitchen. All is now clean and I have electricity. Marcel also informed me that the wind was 100km/hour today. No bloody wonder I couldn't close the door. Its not the end of those winds either.....

I'll continue with the story.

After picking up some pain au chocolats we went to his friend Anna's house and he seemed quite excited because she "was Greek and had good coffee". Anna lives in a house not disimilar from the one in Totnes near the Waterman's Arms pub with plants and pots and sculptures all outside it. A few of them were broken by cars or naughty children. She was extremely friendly and I liked her instantly. Her flat was a big cosy room with a mezzanine level, and a big buddha in the lounge. She sat us at a table and brought us a delicious cup of coffee and some madelines.
Her English was very good and we got on well and talked about photography and my ideas. It turns out she knows a wide range of bizarre women for me to photograph in Bastia. I feel a lot better after the meeting! Lunch was paid for with a book of vouchers by Jean Thomas - courtesy of whatever job he does at the town hall and we had a lovely mexican meal at the old harbour. Now I have some buddies to hang out with the next two months looks a bit more fun!

Bon nuit,

Grace