It's not as hot. High 30's forecast for this afternoon after the tarmac melting 40 plus seen yesterday. The Tour de France riders must be breathing a sigh of relief. Here at The Rickety Old Farmhouse the water came on late last night but has inexplicably gone this morning.
It is however cloudy. The sun beating down from above and the heat rising from the ground makes for a decidedly 'clammy' start to our day. Storms and cool air are forecast for tonight.
Sophie has a five thirty walk, followed by a six fifteen walk. The German billionaire is up and about early working on a new addition to his car collection. We discuss the natural gas shortage in Germany. ' Our government is almost as bad as yours' he informs me with what may be a rare flash of Teutonic humour.
There may be a seven thirty walk but neither PONette nor her companion are currently keen on battling the humidity.
We head of at high speed with the cars air conditioning set at the lowest temperature it will go This mornings croissant offering warrants a 9.1/10 from me and a 15/10 from Sophie. The orange jumpsuit wearing council refuse workers are enjoying a pre-work coffee and jambon beurre. They greet Sophie by name. Angus is ignored.Over coffee 'The Font' raises the pros and cons of spending half of our year in Florence, Oregon. Angus points out that neither of us has ever been to Oregon ( barring a business trip by Angus to Portland 30 years ago ) and wonders where this idea might have come from.
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18 comments:
I can't comment on the pros and cons of Florence, Oregon, other that it is unlikely to suffer from 40C heat. I look forward to seeing if any other readers have views. A (liberal) friend from the US once memorably characterised Portland as the city where "too many people looked like they never washed"!
Cheers, Gail.
Never expected that idea... if half your year is in "Florence, Oregon" what is the plan for the other six months? Also, how do you think Sophie will be on a trans-Atlantic flight... do you need to start stocking up on ear plugs (for every passenger on the plane) now?
DIL is from Bend, Oregon. When we were out there for the wedding two years ago, it was beautiful, but crowded. The in-laws complained about housing costs and traffic from all the California refugees. You could get a shack for $250k American back then.
It seems that Florence, Oregon is quite close to "Exploding Whale Memorial Park"? Could that be part of the attraction?
The Pacific Coast, in the northwest is spectacular. A moderate climate, not to cold, seldom to warm. Pair that with someplace warm for the depth of winter. I have no idea how complex it would be for Sophie to go back and forth. I know Americans who moved to France with a dog, and while there were health checks needed, it didn't seem too difficult.
Yes, years ago that would be a nice place. Today I would never move there, never. Where you are is 💯 better.
Sophie would love the Oregon coast - all coastline is public (up to the high water mark). As for temps, shhh. The weather here is benign - on average not too cold, not too hot. It does rain in the winter, but these days that is a blessing. Also, there is a whole lot of state outside Portland. Here's to rain coming your way!
So the ROF is to be sold, and you'll move on? Seems the decision has been made.
I have only visited California on the west coast, so can't comment on Oregon.
Poor Sophie, it's a long journey across the Atlantic stuck in a crate in the aircraft hold. I assume you'll choose somewhere else in the U.S. for the rest of the year? Somewhere with constant 15/10 croissants and exceptionally large curly croissant ends. Do they have Jaffa cakes too?
We'll miss the colourful characters that you've introduced us to over the years.
Are you really moving from your beautiful home and lovely location? If true then it is sad news. 🙁😢💦
Do not move to the US- not now! Especially Oregon, hub of the KKK for years and now they have all come out of the wood work. Oregon has seen better days, the present is not kind and the future does not hold any promise either. 120 degrees in Portland,which has become so crime ridden and full of homeless that walking is disgusting and dangerous. Hope that helps...My son lives there, he hears gun fire every night through his bedroom window.
I agree with this statement. Where you are is safe.
There's a lot more to Oregon than Portland and Bend. Florence appears to be located on a beautiful part of the coast, though very wet. Close to the university at Eugene and not too far from Ashland, home of the annual Shakespeare Festival. A nice place to be in the summer. Very rainy otherwise. Oregon is very dog friendly. I'd suggest an Air B&B first, though.
What Linda Sue said.
The coastal weather is an acquired taste. Wet, foggy, windy, sometimes there is sun. Florence is a tourist trap, in the summer you will contend with too many tourists, lines for everything and etc.
Have you sold the ROF? Are you casting about for somewhere to live within 30 days? I do not know your ages, but I strongly suggest not living in a red state due to restrictions on medical treatments for women, as well as drugs. Oregon is still voting blue, but there is no telling how much longer that will be the case.
Honestly, if we were younger, we'd be trying for an extended stay visa in France, the US is no longer the shining city on the hill. It's crazy town.
We are partial to our home state of Washington, though coastal Oregon is also beautiful. Have you ever considered renting an RV and touring various parts of the U.S.?
Check out Daniel Island, SC! Lots of dogs and happy people from all over the world.
Back again... When you and "The Font" are discussing options if somewhere "peaceful" to spend your days if safely is high on your list (along with weather and good food!), I suggest you have a quick look at the Global Peace Index, published June 2022. Of 163 countries New Zealand (my country) is 2nd best, Sweeden 19th, UK 34th, France 65th, the US 129th and Afghanistan 163rd. I love where I live, for many reasons other than safety, and obviously within large counries there will always be some regional areas that are better than other parts of the same counrty, however there are some interesting points in the reprot about these changing times. https://www.visionofhumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/GPI-2022-web.pdf
I wish you and the Font (and Sophie) well with your move. I have to be honest, I will miss hearing & seeing your little idyllic corner of the world. You've been blessed to live there.
If you are thinking of living in the States part-time, take a look at Minnesota. It has 4 beautiful seasons, where you can live in a rural area, but be close to several large metropolitan areas. We live in Southeastern Minnesota, close to Rochester & the Mayo Clinic. It's a gorgeous area!
Best wishes to the three of you!
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