Set off to the Channel Tunnel after voting at 7am. Arrived in good time and managed to book on an earlier train only to find when we got to departures that there had been a petrol spill in one of the trains, so we were delayed by 20 mins, so actually crossed at our booked time.
Made steady progress during the afternoon and reached Alencon at 6.30pm, our over night stop. After an evening meal had an early night.
Friday 9th June
Set off after breakfast and arrived at the barn at 1pm. The grass looked like we had never cut it! Managed to find our way to the caravan, it had weathered well whilst we were at home. Unpacked the car and then went to Le Clerc's for food shopping. Whilst in the shop our neighbour Damien's wife recognised us and spoke to us in French saying Damien would come to see us tonight to discuss excavating the barn floor. On our return to the barn we unpacked the shopping and started putting up the awning. At 5pm a tractor arrived along with a digger, something had been lost in translation, Damien was ready to start the barn excavation tonight! Whilst Damien and his brother Luke started cutting down three trees and digging the drainage. Kevin and I quickly emptied the barn of trailer, scaffold, cement mixer and lots of other equipment. Whilst we continued putting up the awning Damien and Luke stared digging out the barn floor! They left at 8.30pm telling us they would return at 8am tomorrow. We had cheese and wine for dinner and then went to bed shattered!
Saturday 10th June
An early start! Damien and Luke worked on the excavating whilst Kevin went to fetch sand for bedding the water pipe, as usual disturbing the pipe had caused a leak! I made Dijon chicken for dinner before starting on the grass cutting. A very hot day 35 degrees in the afternoon. During the morning Manuel and Yannick arrived to say hello, they were on their way to look at a new BMW convertible, perfect weather for one! Glad we have brought the sun umbrella and have hats to wear whilst working! Before dinner Kevin decided to put the BBQ together, would have been so much easier if the instructions and the parts had matched! After dinner we sat in the shade enjoying the sunset. Manuel and Yannick walked passed so we invited them round for a beer, spent an enjoyable hour chatting about cars and holidays in French and English!
Sunday 11th June
Another early morning, Damien and Luke arrived at 7.50am to finish the excavating, they finished by 9.30am. We both continued grass cutting and strimming until quiet time which is at 12 on a Sunday. Kevin then worked in the barn starting digging a hole through for the water pipe. I started the blog in the shade! Another very hot day 35 degrees. After lunch we went to Nev and Barbara's for a welcomed swim along with Lesley and Phil and then we all went for an Italian pizza in Riberac. A perfect end to a beautiful day.
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Monday 12th June
Got up at 7.30am and went to Brico Depot in Perigueux where Kevin bought materials for the drainage.
After lunch we went in search of a gas regulator for the BBQ, unfortunately that was not a simple task as they are not the same as the ones at home! we managed to buy a regulator and gas but still have a problem of how to connect to the new BBQ!
We then set too and cut up the three trees and filled the trailer for the first visit this time to the dechetterie, wonder if the manager will recognise us!
Kevin then started to put together his new circular saw table whilst I organised dinner. After dinner we sat enjoying the view whilst the sunset, another hot day 30 degrees.
Tuesday 13th June
After breakfast we took the garden rubbish to the dechetterie, the manager was on the phone but recognised Kevin and waved to him! Bet he is wondering how many times we will be back!
We then went to Le Roy Merlin at Perigueux, bought a jet wash so I can wash the car and caravan, wood for a wall plate and bolts for the wall restraint system. We then called in Auchan for food and managed to buy a pigtail pipe for the BBQ, which actually fitted, we can have a BBQ now!
After a late lunch Kevin went to fetch a trailer full of sand whilst I cut the front and back grass.
Kevin continued putting the circular saw table together whilst I prepared dinner,
It is forecast thunder and lightning during the night so we moved all the garden furniture into the awning. hopefully all will be safe! Another warm day,32 degrees.
Wednesday 14th June
The first day that Neil came to work with us. It was dull and raining when we got up but no thunder or lightening over- night. By 11am the sun was out and it was as hot as yesterday. Neil arrived at 9am and after coffee, Kevin and Neil began setting out the right-hand side of the barn getting ready for the foundations. In the afternoon Neil, eventually, after a lot of hard digging, managed to dig through the barn wall ready to connect the water pipe. Kevin finished the setting out and putting the saw bench together whilst I washed the caravan walls inside the awning and the car using the new jet wash. Before dinner we went into Riberac to buy another spade, food and to look at a fridge freezer to put into the outhouse. Had our first BBQ for dinner and sat enjoying the sunset.
Neil arrived at 9am and he and Kevin worked on the drainage moving the water pipe into the barn. They then moved the electric box and continued digging the trenches for the drainage inside the barn. Kevin set up the form work for the foundations in the afternoon whilst Neil continued digging the trenches.
I washed the outside of the caravan, it was filthy after all the grass strimming when we arrived! After lunch I did more strimming this time in the back garden.
Before dinner we went to order a fridge/freezer to put in the outbuilding so we can keep more food and drinks cold in this hot weather, it will arrive on Tuesday morning. Kevin has another plinth to prepare before then! We called at La Calise for a quick drink before going back to a BBQ for dinner. Another hot day but it cooled a bit during the evening so hopefully we will be able to sleep tonight.
Friday 16th June
Kevin and Neil continued working on the drainage system and managed to complete the main drain by the end of the day. They also continued working on a section of foundations, filled in some of the outside water main channel and prepared a piece of form work ready for a concrete plinth for the fridge. I changed the beds, did three loads of washing and ironing, cleaned the van, did more strimming and cut the grass. We were all shattered by the end of the day so sat in the garden and enjoyed cold drinks before having showers. Another very hot day 32 degrees in the caravan at
8.30pm!
Saturday 17 June
We went shopping in the morning to buy cement, an extra green garden table and food for a BBQ. Spent the rest of the day preparing the BBQ, Nev, Barbara, Mick and Jan arrived at 6pm. It was really hot, 35 degrees in the caravan, impossible to get cool and to keep food chilled for long. Spent a lovely evening sat in the shade enjoying their company. The BBQ worked well, caprese (tomatoes, mozzarella and basil) followed by chicken marinated in lemon, garlic and rosemary, new potatoes and green beans, lemon tart and fresh fruit salad followed by cheese, washed down with plenty of wine! Kevin had put the solar lights round the stepping stones, they worked perfectly, we will see how long they last before we cut them with the strimmer. We all sat outside till gone 11pm, the temperature was perfect, looking at the stars and planets that Mick pointed out. A perfect evening.
After breakfast went to look at a log burner that Kevin had seen on the Dronne Valley network at a good price, unfortunately it didn't have a big enough power output. We listened to the Archer omnibus whilst having coffee then Kevin mixed the concrete for the fridge plinth. He then prepared an electric socket so all ready for the fridge freezer. After lunch Kevin continued with the form work for the foundations. I was the builders mate today, fetching and carrying! After dinner Myriam came across and invited us to join her, her sister and her Greek friend for a drink, we sat enjoying their company until 9.30pm. It was still too hot to sit in the caravan so we sat enjoying the sunset in the garden as I wrote this blog. Kevin investigated air conditioning units, we are going to Perigueux tomorrow night to buy one as this heat makes it impossible to sleep! Went to bed at 11pm only to find the toilet in the caravan would not flush! Kevin spent an hour changing fuses and checking everything but didn't manage to sort it so we decided we needed to get some sleep, which was impossible as it was still so hot in the caravan. 35 degrees today.
Monday 19th June
After a restless night because of the heat, we got up to find we had no water working in the caravan, Kevin spent some time checking the pump and changing fuses but eventually had to decide that we needed to replace the water pump. I went into Riberac to see if I could find one at any of the builders merchants or the swimming pool shops but I was on a wild goose chase! So came back to the caravan and telephoned Robinson's caravans at Worksop, they had one in stock and agreed to post it to us at a total cost of £80, hopefully it will arrive in 4 days! In the meantime our shower is a hosepipe pushed through one of the caravan windows into the shower with a garden hose on the end! It's either too hot, as the pipe has got so hot in the sun or freezing! The joys of caravanning! Good job we fitted a toilet in the out building!
Neil came and worked all day with Kevin on the foundations, pouring a section of concrete and preparing the next section. I helped as the builders mate!
After a quick cold shower we went to Brico Depot in Perigueux to buy an air conditioning unit, they were selling like hot cakes and we managed to buy the display model of the one we believed to be the best for the size of the caravan.
On our return Kevin set up the air conditioning unit, we then had a quick BBQ and then went to bed exhausted after a very frustrating day!
Tuesday 20th June
We worked hard today and managed to complete concreting the bases ready for Mark to come tomorrow to start building the internal wall. The fridge should have been delivered in the morning but by 5pm it still hadn't arrived. I tried telephoning Le Clerc's and managed to make myself understood! They said they had tried to deliver it at 10am but nobody was in! We had been in all day so don't know what had happened, however, they agreed to deliver it and it eventually arrived at 7pm. We should have been at Anna and Ali's (the owners of the gite we stayed in last August) for drinks and nibbles at 7pm, we eventually got there for 7.40pm and spent an enjoyable evening sat outside their house enjoying their company and the views. Another very hot day, 36 degrees and still very warm in the caravan when we returned at 10.30pm despite the air conditioning being on all day!
Wednesday 21st June
Got up at 7am and did the ironing as it's just too hot during the day. I went food shopping whilst Mark, Neil and Kevin started the brick laying, by the end of the afternoon we had the outline of the kitchen. After Mark and Neil left we tidied up and then Kevin started digging out by the front door ready to extend the centre wall.
After cold showers we had a BBQ enjoying the views. Another very hot day 36 degrees in the shade at 8pm!
Another hot and busy day! Mark and Neil continued building the internal wall whilst Kevin and I went in search of two lintels. We eventually got then from a local metal fabricators, Madame was obviously in charge, she used the overhead crane to get the steel beams then without safety glasses cut the two lengths using oxy-acetylene! Health and safety would have a field day! After lunch Kevin and I fetched sand, cement and gravel so Mark and Neil can finish the walls tomorrow. Kevin then completed some more form work for the foundations. It began to cool down at around 6pm with a gentle breeze but still 35 degrees in the shade! It's forecast to get cooler over the next few days, thank goodness. Still no water pump!
Friday 23rd June
Another early start after a warm night. It was much cooler when we got up only 28 degrees today with cloud so much better for working. Mark, Neil, and Kevin continued working on the kitchen walls and by the end of the day the lintel over the kitchen opening was in place and the kitchen walls were completed up to ceiling height. I went shopping for bread and on my return the hosepipe rose was not working so I went to Merlaud's to buy another one. The good news is the postman delivered the water pump and it works! So we both had hot showers and cleaned our teeth in running water for the first time in five days and Kevin shaved his grey beard off, such luxury! I cut the grass after lunch and then we both worked on tidying the site before dinner. Kevin also continued back filling the water service pipe. Another exhausting day but lots of progress made and we have running water!
Saturday 24th June
Decided to have a quieter day after the hectic last two weeks! Kevin took a trailer of rubbish to the dechetterie whilst I changed the beds and sorted the caravan out. We then went to Perigueux to the swimming pool manufacturers, we made an appointment for him to come to see the site next Friday afternoon and then see what the final price is before making a decision! Once back at the barn I did the ironing whilst Kevin updated the barn accounts, not good news! We then decided to go into Verteillac for an evening meal.
Sunday 25th June
A day of rest, well almost! we didn't wake up until 8.30am! think its the lack of sleep catching up with us both. Kevin grinded the water test bung to the right size and then tested the drainage, it all worked without leaks what a relief! We listened to the Archers omnibus whilst having coffee. I did three loads of washing and then ironed it all and finally put all the pictures on the blog, this took three hours! Kevin put sand under the pipework ready for concreting over. Had a BBQ for dinner and a quite night.
Monday 26th June
It was much cooler when we woke up, 7am! It had rained a little during the night and the forecast was for rain. Met Jeanette and Trevor in Angouleme for coffee, had a look round the shops Jeanette and I bought t-shirts and then we went for a lovely lunch at Chez Paul. It started to rain as we left the restaurant and rained most of the way back to the barn. When we got back had a very lazy afternoon, Kevin read his book whilst I had a sleep! Need to recoup for tomorrow!
Tuesday 27th June
Up early and ready for work! We are on our own for three weeks as our friend Neil has gone back England to see his mum. We did our first continuous concrete pour! Completing the main foundation, this took two hours of hard work. Kevin then continued digging out the next foundation whilst I strimmer outside the front garden. It started to rain and then thunder and lightening started at 2pm and continued for most of the afternoon so curtailed my gardening. After showers we went to try to buy a pigtail for the caravan gas connection but with no success. Had BBQ for dinner as it had stopped raining. A much cooler day 25 degrees so pleasant for work and sleep.
Wednesday 28th June
Another rainy day with thunder and lightening during the afternoon. It didn't stop the workers though! Kevin fetched more sand and cement and then filled in the outside drain. He then continued trimming back part of the barn wall ready to get the kitchen floor in. I spent the morning cleaning the caravan windows getting the sticky tape off from the air conditioner, then cleaned the inside of the awning. After lunch I helped Kevin being the builders mate, tidying the floor area of loose stones ready for the next concrete pour tomorrow.
Thursday 29th June
Kevin started by finishing preparing the floor slabs/foundations in the kitchen area ready for concrete whilst I sorted the caravan and organised dinner. We then mixed and poured the concrete and I did a fine float finish on one of the areas, I knew my food teaching would come in useful sometime! It's just like icing a cake!
After lunch Kevin started digging out in the downstairs toilet and utility area, breaking back the wall/ foundation ready for the next concrete pour. I was the builders mate, picking up excess stones and sorting the sand and gravel out ready for the next mix.
It rained most of the day with some thunder but a comfortable temperature to work in 23 degrees.
Friday 30th June
Well, we have had two weeks with a heat wave and now this week we have had a week of continuous rain with thunder and lightening! At 4am this morning we were woken up by the noise of the wind blowing the caravan and awning about and it's not forecast to improve until Monday!
Kevin started building one of the walls in the kitchen, I was the builders mate again, fetching sand, cement and water for the mortar and then stones for back filling behind the wall. After lunch the representative from Desjoyaux swimming pools arrived, after two hours discussion, in pigeon french, we finally agree his price! Hopefully, I will have a swimming pool by next April!
Saturday 1st July
Got up early and went to Perigueux in search of a pigtail for the caravan gas bottle, at last we found one so we can now buy gas here, another problem solved! We called at Leroy Merlin's to buy floor joists and various other building materials.
After a late lunch we continued with the block work in the kitchen area. Whilst I did some ironing and prepared dinner, Kevin cut more blocks ready for the next session tomorrow.
Sunday 2nd July
Got up early and completed a mortar mix before going to Nev and Barbara's for lunch. Kevin managed to get four courses of blocks completed on the final kitchen wall so all set for the final course tomorrow. Had a lovely lunch, roast leg of lamb, Kevin's favourite, and spent an enjoyable afternoon chatting with Nev, Barbara, Lesley and Phil sat under their abri.
Monday 3rd July
A busy day! Kevin worked on cutting blocks for the final course before the wall plate is fitted. He had grey hair by the time he had finished! We checked the levels of the lounge area and fortunately we don't need to dig out the concrete as it's not too high for the floor level.
I changed the beds and managed to get three loads of washing dry, the first day without rain for a week. I then cut the grass and strimmer round the caravan area. We had a BBQ for dinner but had to eat inside as we were plagued by flies! A warm day without sun or rain, 29 degrees at 7.30pm.
Tuesday 4th July
Kevin completed the top cut course of blocks in the kitchen area ready to put the wall plate on tomorrow. A tricky job as he was working off a plank of wood sat on some blocks! Health and safety Mr Dight! He then continued digging out for foundations in the downstairs toilet and utility room. I did more strimming this time in the back garden and then washed the outside of the caravan and cleaned the outside windows. We had early showers and went shopping to Intermarche ready for Anna, Ali and Rocky the dog who came for drinks and nibbles at 7pm. Had a lovely evening sat in the shade enjoying good company and a beautiful sunset. Another hot day 34 degrees in the afternoon.
Wednesday 5th July
Kevin started by fixing the wall plate to the wall this was a tricky job as he had to keep checking it was level. He then continued digging out in the toilet and utility area, almost ready for our next concrete pour. I continued strimming, this time outside the front garden and also cut back some of the trees that are over grown. After showers we went in search of a metal fabricators for four brackets to replace the existing tie at a higher level. Hopefully we will get a price by next week. We also went in search of a ready mixed concrete supplier, unfortunately the nearest doesn't supply self levelling concrete so back to the drawing board! Another hot day 40 degrees in the caravan when Andy Murray was playing! We had to sit out in the shade after the match to cool down.
Thursday 6th July
Kevin completed digging out the large stones in the utility room, what a job, they were huge and refused to move. Eventually he managed to get enough out to enable a foundation to go in. After lunch we did a continuous concrete mix to cover the pipework under the utility room floor. We then went to buy 700 kilograms of sand and 4 bags of cement ready for the next mix tomorrow. Kevin finished the day by clearing the soil outside the front of the barn. I was the builder mate today getting sand and cement ready and then cleaning everything after! A busy day with good progress made. Another warm day 32 degrees but clouded over in the afternoon making it easier to work in.
Friday 7th July
An early start, we mixed 10 continuous batches of concrete for the utility and toilet foundations using all 700 kg of sand and gravels we bought yesterday, we were shattered after as it was getting really hot, 36 degrees by the time we finished at 11.15am. After coffee I cut the grass whilst Kevin started digging out the back wall of the dinning area ready for the floor slab. After lunch we took lots of measurements ready to calculate the amount of insulation, reinforcement and concrete that we will need. After early showers we went to Riberac, I had my hair cut whilst Kevin bought 42 bottles of wine ready to take home! We then went to Aux Petits Oignons in Bertric Burree for dinner and had a superb meal.
Saturday 8th July
Got up fairly early to do the ironing as it is forecast to be another very warm day. Kevin worked on levelling the kitchen floor whilst I changed the beds and cleaned the van. After lunch we both worked on the levelling before going to Le Roy Merlin's for the insulation for the floors. Had a BBQ for dinner, pork with apricots and sat enjoying the view in the shade. 34 degrees today, hope it cools down enough to sleep tonight!
Sunday 9th July
After a restless night because of the heat we did an early double mix of concrete to cover the final pipes in the kitchen area. We then picked the small plums and I made a plum sauce for dinner, duck with plum sauce tonight! whilst we listened to the Archers omnibus. We gave Madame next door, Danielle and Myriam a bag of 1000 grams of plums each. Picked a total of 4000 grams from just the one small tree. One of the other tree branches has almost collapsed with the weight of plums, these are the large plums but they not quite ready to eat yet. We continued with the levelling of the utility and kitchen floor area in the afternoon. A cooler day, 28 degrees with no sun which helps when working!
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Monday 10tb July
Worked hard today on getting the levels right in the kitchen and utility area. Managed to get most of the insulation completed by the end of the day. Both shattered but a good days work. It rained most of the day with thunder and lightening during the morning.
Tuesday 11th July
Went to the dechetterie with a trailer full of garden rubbish and then went to buy the steel mesh reinforcement from Chaussons in Riberac, it was too wide for the trailer so tied it on and drove back to the barn very slowly, hoping we didn't pass any police! After coffee Kevin finished the insulation in the utility area whilst I strimmed the grass. After lunch we worked together, putting down the vapour control layer, in both the kitchen and utility area and then sealed the edges with very sticky tape and then put the reinforcement on top. All ready for concreting now! A lovely day, cloudy at times but warm 28 degrees perfect for working.
Wednesday 12th July
Kevin worked really hard today and dug out over half of the dining area floor getting it ready for the floor slab, hard work but lots of progress today. I cut the grass, it just keeps on growing! Did some cutting back of brambles and then tidied the storage area. A cooler day, no sun, 25 degrees so very pleasant to work outside.
Thursday 13th July
Kevin continued working hard digging out the dinning room floor area and levelling it ready for the sand and insulation. He used the excess soil to fill in the outside water supply trench so that is beggining to look at lot better. I strimmed the outside of the garden, trying to stop the weeds coming into the garden, an impossible task! but at least it looks a bit tidier. I cut back some of the trees on the boundary fence and then helped Kevin by picking up the large stones for him and started to sort stones from the spare soil by the trench. Kevin also fetched half a ton of sand ready to level the dinning floor on Saturday. We have decided to have a day off tomorrow since its 14th July! A warm day 25 degrees and sunny.
Friday 14th July
A lazy day! Went to Riberac market and had a wander round, lots more stall than our previous visit in March. Met Nev and Barbara for coffee in Cafe Collombe. Then went food shopping to Le Clercs, decided to have a light lunch in the cafe, I had omelette and chips and Kevin had ham and chips! After lunch we watched the men's semi finals before getting ready to go to the Vendoire National Day Celebrations with Anna. Ali was in bed ill so unable to come with us. Had a superb evening, for 14 euros each we had apperitif, salad, moules frites, cheese, dessert with wine and coffee and then a firework display to music at 11.30pm, sat outside! Very good value for money. Got home at 1am! Another warm day 28 degrees. The sunflowers are looking superb at the moment.
Saturday 15th July
Got up a bit later than normal 8am! Kevin emptied the trailer of sand whilst I changed the beds and cleaned the van. Manuel called to say hello, we went to have a look at his new car, After doing a stock check and making a shopping list of materials ready to finish preparing the dining area for concrete, we had an early lunch and then went to Le Roy Merlin's in Perigueux. Got back in time to see the end of the ladies final before getting ready to go to Nev and Barbara's end of term French class party! Another excellent evening. Superb buffet and meeting lots of lovely people. Yet another late night 12.30pm when we got back to the barn! A beautiful day and lovely evening 28 degrees.
Sunday 16th July
Woke up at 8.30am! Kevin continued preparing the dining area for the concrete whilst I did the ironing and prepared dinner. After listening to the Archers omnibus we worked together on levelling the floor ready for the insulation all afternoon. A very hot day 39 degrees at 7pm in the caravan, so looks like being an uncomfortable nights sleep! A busy but satisfying day.
Monday 17th July
Woke up early after a restless night because of the heat. Did the ironing before Kevin woke up! Kevin finished digging out and levelling the dinning area whilst I cut the grass. Then we both worked on levelling the sand before putting down the DPM and insulation then sealing all the edges so the concrete doesn't lift it, hopefully! Kevin ordered the concrete for Thursday whilst we had lunch and in the afternoon we finished the dining area ready for the concrete. After dinner we had invited Robert and Caro for drinks at 7pm. As Robert and Caro arrived so did the combined harvester to cut the wheat in the field, they spent the next five hours combining the field! Lots of dust and noise! We had to decamp to the back garden nearest the barn so we could hear each other! But we managed to spent a very pleasant evening sat in the garden looking towards their property and discussing our various projects! A very hot day 39 degrees in the van at 5pm!
Tuesday 18th July
Neil returned to work with us today and I bet he wished he hadn't! Since we might have too much concrete left after the downstairs area has been filled, we decided last night to dig an area outside the front of the barn where the excess concrete could be used to create a level pathway ready to put flags on. This was a much bigger job than we initially thought, we found lots of big stones which proved a nightmare to dig out especially as it was yet another very hot day, 39 degrees! By the end of the day we had managed to move almost half of the earth, so another busy day tomorrow should see it all gone!
Wednesday 19th July
Another busy day. Kevin and Neil almost finished digging out the front area whilst I cleared the weeds from the field side of the garden and then strimmed the garden. In the afternoon Kevin and Neil finalised the kitchen, utility and dinning area ready for the concrete tomorrow. Hopefully we are all set for the floor slab, fingers crossed the self levelling concrete works! A much cooler day as we had a thunder storm during the night.
Thursday 20th July
What a day! After a sleepless night worrying about the concrete,Kevin finalised the preparations.Then Neil and Kevin continued digging out the front of the barn, this took a lot of hard work as they hit solid rock! Nev and Barbara came for lunch and stayed to help when the concrete arrived. It arrived on time, however, it was a major exercise in trying to get the concrete pump between the electric and telephone cables! After some careful manouvering the driver managed to get the pump into the barn. It took less than half an hour to fill the kitchen, utility, dining room and most of the front of the barn, self levelling concrete really works! What a relief! Time for a glass of bubbly to celebrate, we have a floor in part of the barn! After a shower we went to Brantome for a meal to celebrate! A cooler day which helped with all the work.
Friday 21st July
Had to have a day off to let the concrete set properly! So we went to Le Roy Merlin's to buy floor joists and floor boards ready for Monday! We also shopped for the meal we have planned for eight tomorrow night, Nev, Barbara, Phil, Lesley, Neil and Dee are all coming for dinner. The forecast is for rain just typical when we organise a BBQ so we might have to christen the dining area of the barn! Michael and Maureen had arrived yesterday afternoon so they popped down during the afternoon to see what progress we had made since they were last here. We also signed the contract and paid the deposit for the swimming pool so all set for starting in 2018! Before dinner Kevin cut the grass and tidied the front area of the barn ready for tomorrow night. A cooler day, 23 degrees.
Saturday 22nd July
Spent the day preparing the food for the dinner party. Caprese, Melon and Palma ham, Lemon Chicken with vegetable kebabs and new potatoes, the famous white chocolate cheesecake and cheese! The weather couldn't decide what to do so after lunch we decided to christen the barn and eat in the kitchen of the barn! the first and last time we will be able to do this as hopefully I will have some kitchen units at some point! Our quests arrived at 7.20pm and we had a superb evening, it worked really well eating in the barn especially since the farmer arrived at 5pm ready to bail the hay, a dusty process so we had made the right decision to eat inside! Another late night, 12.30pm when our quest left, we decided to leave the glasses and sorting the barn until the morning and went to bed!
Sunday 23rd July
After breakfast spent two hours washing up and clearing the barn. We listened to the Archers omnibus whilst sorting the barn accounts, paperwork and making shopping lists for home. Kevin then spent sometime measuring the barn ready for more design work whilst at home. Did five loads of washing and ironing! We have a mountain of bails left in the field, hopefully they will come and take them away soon!
We picked Barbara and Nev up at 7.30pm and went to the Italian in Riberac for pizza before going to the firework display at Siorac de Riberac at 11pm. What a fabulous firework display and a beautiful spot. Will have to go back and have a closer look in daylight.
Monday 24th July
Kevin and Neil put the floor joists in place in the kitchen whilst I did some gardening and washed and vacuumed the car. We then went to Le Roy Merlin's for extra joists and more floor boards before dinner. A cooler day 25 degrees and a busy day!
Tuesday 25th July
Had a bit of a lie in, got up at 8am! After breakfast took the rubbish to the dechetterie, including all the empty bottles! We then took some wooden planks to Nev and Barbara's before coming back for coffee. Kevin then put the final joist over the ceiling whilst I strimmmed outside the front ready for leaving. After lunch James and Su arrived and stayed for a quick coffee (They are the estate agents who sold us the barn) it was lovely to see them and catch up. We then went to see Nev and Barbara's new oak staircase at Le Brandeau, it's beautiful and really finishes the living room off, complementing the way they have renovated the property. We went to Michael and Maureen's for drinks at 6pm and met their son, Steve, his wife, Sally and grandson, Roman who are staying with them for two weeks. Spent a good two hours chatting whilst sat in their garden.
Wednesday 26th July
Neil's last day with us this time. Kevin and Neil worked hard and cut out about a quarter of the mangers, a difficult task as they had to hammer and chizel through concrete. They managed to remove the top stones without cracking them so hopefully we can use them as garden planters in the future. I continued strimming the garden and did some cutting back of the trees. We went to look at Neils property at 4pm so Kevin could check if it is safe to remove an internal wall as Neil is planning on removing it whilst we are back home. We had a quick walk around Aubetterre on our way home.
Thursday 27th July
Only two days left before going home. We spent the morning reorganising the barn and moving all the tools and equipment into the kitchen area ready for next time when work will commence on the dining area and removing the final mangers. It rained most of the day so we couldn't take the awning down or cut the grass, we are hoping for a better day tomorrow. Kevin packed the car with all the wine! I packed clothes and cleaned the caravan so we are almost ready to start the journey home. We have decided to spend a couple of nights near Le Touquet so will leave here on Saturday morning and get home on Monday afternoon.
Friday 28th July
Final day this trip. We decided to go to the Marie to see if we could get a ticket for the dechetterie as from September access is by ticket only! Fortunately we managed to complete the paperwork and hopefully when we get back we will have a ticket waiting for us. We made a quick visit to Robert and Caro's and went back to the barn and took the awning down. I then cut the grass whilst Kevin strimmer round the caravan. After lunch we defrosted the fridge, weed killed and finalised everything ready for an early start in the morning. We decided to visit the night market at Vertiallac before dinner.
Saturday 29th July
Got up at 6.20am and finished clearing the van, had breakfast and set off at 8.20am. A long journey but made good time and arrived at Montreuil sur Mer at 4.20pm. A lovely hotel right in the middle of the old town. After checking in we had a walk round the town to stretch our legs before I had a bath (first one in eight weeks!). We walked into town to one of bistro' s for our evening meal.
Sunday 30th July
After breakfast we drove to Le Touquet, it was blowing a gale so we certainly got a good blow by the sea! The tide was well out, we watched the wind surfing and kite surfing before having a walk round the shops, which were open on a Sunday, much to Kevin's dismay! We then drove to Berck sur Mer, not a lot there, a run down saeaside town. We walked into the town centre which was a better place and found a restaurant for lunch, we both decided to have a galette. After lunch we drove to Etaples sur Mer, it has a lovely harbour with some very expensive yachts. Decided to have our evening meal in Montreuil. Home tomorrow!
