Simon has been with us for the last four weeks. A twenty-two-year-old from Bordeaux, he is a sheet metal worker by trade but has worked at whatever we have thrown at him - welding, plastering, painting, concreting, placing joists and laying chipboard flooring.
Girls, he can also wash dishes and fold washing. Not to mention, he is quite cute!
Now he is moving on to paid employment (as opposed to slave labour) with a builder in York. This is an ideal situation for Simon; he will be earning wages and have accommodation provided. We have also let him know that if it all goes pear-shaped, he is to contact us and we will come and collect him.
If all goes well, he will earn enough to buy a car and continue his Australian adventure at his own pace.We are very happy for him and wistful at the same time. Simon has formed a mutual love affair with Pip, our Jack Russell, Sascha our Weimaraner and Ruby our Beagle (though it is questionable how close one can get to Ruby as she eats dog pooh...). Ruby the cat is tolerating Simon's presence, which is pretty outstanding, as Ruby tends to be very, very choosy as to whom she associates.
Michael, Simon and Gary have achieved an amazing amount of work in the last four weeks. During this period, Michael had a hospital admission for four days, as well as a week off recovering. So, Gary was solo mentor/supervisor and co-worker with Simon for nearly two weeks.
In spite of various medical disasters. we have finished most of the floor in Shop 4. Simon will move on, we will have a frenzy of activity getting the house and garden ready for Michael's birthday, go to Gin and Andrew's wedding on 19 September and then disappear for ten days to rest and recuperate in the Goldfields.
Now, we just need to find a house, dog, cat and bird sitter!
Simon - day 1
Simon and Gary - after three weeks.
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