Etat des lieux

 The saga of the parking place continued a little while. The woman who manages our building spoke to her colleague who confirmed that he had indeed given us a card for the car park and told her the number. "You'll have to get a replacement card and return it to us on Friday", she said.

I contacted the company who manages the parking garage. "No such number exists. No such card exists. No such card ever existed. I can do nothing." said Nicolas for the company.

Friday came, and the Etat des Lieux. "I'll sort out this problem with the card, don't worry." After looking round the flat and finding a couple of things we had forgotten to clean (oops) she pronounced it a "very well maintained apartment". Wear on one of the parquet floors she pronounced "wear, not degradation". (Degradation is wilful or through neglect. Wear is normal.)

We'll see whether we get our deposit back or not.

Meanwhile Pat's sister and brother-in-law were staying with us from Sunday to Friday morning. It was a joy to have them stay and to confirm that the flat is big enough to accommodate visitors, at least for short stays.

Now it feels like the autumn can start. Moving in August was hot and exhausting. But it's done. And no more "Etat des Lieux" for us, now that we are proprietaires.


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