At Work for the Mission

      The first part of last week was spent in Rouen where the sisters needed a new stove for their kitchen and a dryer also.  We finished some work on their shower, ordered their appliances, replaced an old crumbling bookcase, and repaired two electric hanging lights before checking into a hotel for the night.  The next day the nearby Elders helped us remove the broken dryer out to the van, and then we looked at two apartments for possible rentals, one of which would be really good for elders, the second one an old, interesting walk-up with creaky, squeeky floors.  

We left for Le Havre, where they have plumbing problems, bright and early the next morning.  Both of the bathroom sink faucets were broken, so we drove until we found a Bricorama ( Home Depot wannabe ) and bought replacement fixtures.  After hunting all over for the water turn-off valve, finally out in the main hall a door opened to reveal valves for every apartment inside.  Hmmmm.  By holding our breath and quickly flipping switches, we determined which one was theirs.  Soon Jack was in his normal position once again, on his back, on the floor, this time under a sink as he worked to loosen the rusty screws.  It wasn't too long before things were back together again and we were on our way to Caen.  We spent the day there painting their formerly moldy kitchen walls, and spreading on more mud where needed.

For the sake of 'beauty', even French porcelain toilets are designed to look classy, but when something goes awry, pity the poor workers who have to try to figure out how to fix them.  Their toilet seat is a slip and slide affair not bolted down any more because the screws go in but do not come out anywhere.  We took pictures and just lately found a Brico Marche (this time) where we got some answers.  The man showed Jack how there was a hidden exit place way in the back of the whole unit, but very hard to reach if it is right up to the wall.  The poor elders will have to endure for awhile longer until we can return.

We left there for the long trip on Highway 84A to Vannes and Lorient where both sets of sisters need dryers for their apartments. Suddenly Jack said, "Look, there's Mont Saint Michel!"  I looked out my window and there in the distance, standing all by itself, was that marvelous national monument, an ancient abbey and fortress city built on a mountain of rock in the ocean.  When the tide comes in, the water completely surrounds the tower filled city topped with its distinctive pointed spire.  It looked all blue, way far away, yet so breathtakingly beautiful.  'Ohhhh', I whispered.  "We will come again", Jack told me.  I hope so.