Living the Dream, Year 2, February to April 2018

Friday 26th April
Our last day this visit! We had a lovely evening with Manuel and Myriam at the pizza restaurant in Riberac last night, we were the last to leave at 9.45pm! We then had a walk round Riberac, Manuel showed us places of interest many of which we hadn't seen before so it was very interesting. After breakfast we went to the Friday market in Riberac, it was bustling and a typical French market with lots of fresh produce. We treated ourselves to a coffee and pain au chocolate in the Café du Colones, we felt like tourists! Once back at the barn we did the final packing, defrosted the freezer, cleaned the caravan, Kevin took the bottles to the bottle bank  and then had a lazy afternoon, the first for ten weeks! We return in June so its Au revoir, jusqu'a la prochaine fois!

Thursday 26th April
We had a lovely evening with everyone last night, it worked really well in the 'dining room' lots of chatting in both French and English. Today we have mainly been preparing for home, I packed the suitcases and tidied the van then washed the awning before we took it down. We both washed the awning roof once we could reach it! After lunch I strimmed round the caravan then Kevin took over and strimmed and cut the grass in the front garden, all looks neat and tidy to leave! Kevin also took detailed measurements of the barn so he can work out how the ceiling is lined and insulated. When I was watering the new grass seed Manuel arrived, he has come back early for the weekend, we asked him to join us for a pizza in Riberac tonight, he phoned Myriam and she is also joining us so looking forward to a final night out.

Wednesday 25th April
We nipped into Riberac after breakfast for more plumbing bits and some nibbles for tonight. We have invited Danielle, Gerard, Myriam, Maureen and Mike for drinks at 7pm. Once back Kevin continued with his plumbing whilst I continued with my strimming! After tidying the barn we decided to have drinks in the dining area as it had turned dull, we cleaned the garden furniture and set the scene with the LED work light before having showers and early tea. I prepared smoked salmon blinis and French stick with pate and opened various crisps/nibbles before our guest arrived.

 

Tuesday 24th April
Spent a lovely couple of hours with Maureen and Mike last night sat in their garden enjoying the Spring evening and each others company. A busy day, trying to get everything done before we go home! Kevin continued working in the utility room and by the end of the day he had two walls covered in plasterboard, with temporary electrics and water moved into new positions making it easier for him in future. I raked and prepared the ground at the far side of the pool and then put grass seed down during the afternoon. I then started the final strimming of this visit, cutting the grass in the back garden. After sweeping the barn it was time for showers. We sat and ate dinner outside, a beautiful day and evening. Before moving inside I watered the newly seeded areas, there are already signs of grass growing! Hopefully we will have new grass by the time we come back in June!

Monday 23rd April
Our last week this visit so beginning to get ready for home. We nipped into Riberac after breakfast for some food shopping and for Kevin to pick up the electric box he ordered on Friday. Once back Kevin continued with his electrics and I raked and prepared the back garden for seeding. After lunch we both continued with our jobs! After dinner we went to Mike and Maureen's for drinks.

Sunday 22nd April
Had a lovely evening at Nev and Barbara's last night, BBQ steak with lots of different salads, Kevin was driving so I had prosecco and wine! After a lazy start to the day, Kevin levelled the soil at the front of the barn where the earthing rods are. Manuel arrived and invited us for dessert at 2pm. So after listening to the Archers I continued levelling the back garden ready for reseeding whilst Kevin continued with his levelling. We spent a lovely couple of hour at Manuel and Yannick's. They had also invited Maureen and Mike and Manuel's mum was also there. Yannick had made a very nice pear and chocolate flan, washed down with either tea or coffee. We had a BBQ for dinner sat on the new patio watching the sun go down. A perfect day!

 Saturday 21st April
A beautiful day. Kevin continued with the electrics. I did loads of washing and ironing. Manuel popped down and had a quick coffee sat round the pool before going to collect Yannick from the train station. After lunch we popped to Brico Marche for a junction box, on our return Kevin concreted the earthing rod boxes in place whilst I sorted equipment in the kitchen area and gave it a good sweep, filthy once again! We are going to Nev and Barbara's for an informal meal outside, really looking forward to it, it's a perfect evening for sitting outside.

Friday 20th April
Well another beautiful day. After breakfast we decided to go to Brico Marche in Riberac to buy two sunbed and then called in Tip Top for a parasol, it then took us about an hour to erect them! Fortunately Nev and Barbara arrived before we began to argue! We christened the new patio with Nev and Barbara by having a glass of flavoured water! After lunch I washed and vacuumed the car whilst Kevin put in another earthing rod. Maureen and Mike called and invited us over for a drink on Monday evening. Before having showers we went across to Danielle and Gerard's and tidied up their front drive and put some grass seed down for them, hopefully the grass will grow and it will be back to normal when we return. We had our first BBQ of the year and christened the new patio furniture, in fact I am writing this blog whilst sat on one of the new sun loungers as the sun goes down, Kevin is washing up! This is the life!

Thursday 19th April
Yet another beautiful day, 30 degrees. After I got back from food shopping we both set too and cleaned the outside of the caravan, Kevin cleaned the roof which was filthy and then I cleaned the sides and windows. After Kevin had sorted a shopping list for electrics and plumbing we went to Periqueux to buy everything. Just before we set off the pool men arrived with the concrete for round the sides, that's the last job finished until we return in June when the pool liner will be fitted and I will be able to have my daily swim! Can't wait!

Wednesday 18th April
Another beautiful day. It is Mark and Neil's last day this trip. They completed pierre apparenting the bottom half of half the side wall, it looks so much better. Can't wait until all the outside walls are pierre apparented. Kevin continued working on the electrics and plumbing whilst I prepared the side garden and reseeded it with grass seed. We continued working until 6.30pm as it was too nice to go indoors, it was also 39 degrees in the caravan! Just for Louise, Kevin threw away his second white work shirt today! Just one more to go!

Tuesday 17th April
Another beautiful sunny day. Mark and Neil pierre apparented the upper half of the side wall. Kevin started putting in the stud walls for our bedroom but decided to wait until he had a temporary floor in place so he can reach the high beams He then continued working in the utility room, putting in more stud walls and pierre apparented a small section near the door. I stimmed outside the back garden and then swept the barn. Nev and Barbara arrived during the afternoon for Barbara to have a look at progress so far. We enjoyed a quick break sat in the garden with cold non alcoholic drinks! Before dinner we went to Brico Marche for various odds and ends and to Tip Top to look at garden furniture. A beautiful evening 35 degrees in the caravan at 7.30pm!

                           Its a dogs life! Mark's dog Rusty finding the shade under the trailer!

Monday 16th April
At long last a beautiful day! Neil and Mark started preparing the outside side wall for pierre apparent, they managed to complete half of the wall by the end of the day. Kevin managed to get the electric wire from the electric box in the utility room across the ceiling to the far side of the lounge and then outside ready to be connected to the swimming pool electrics. I went food shopping then prepared lunch. After lunch I strimmed the front garden. Nev called for his weekly inspection at coffee time it was good to see him, he always passed on some excellent advice on.  Maureen and Mike arrived at their home during the afternoon and we have invited then round for a drink tonight, it will be lovely to catch up with them again.

Sunday 15th April
Had a lovely evening at Phil and Lesley's with Nev and Barbara. They have a beautiful house which they have renovated near Chalais with fabulous views across the Charente. We all enjoyed roast beef and Yorkshire puddings cooked by Phil washed down with a few glasses of wine! It was 2am when we finished chatting and all went to bed! We were all up and dressed by 8.30am although looking a little worse for wear! After leaving Phil and Lesley's we called for petrol in Riberac, nipped home and unpacked before going to St Severin to look at a plasterboard lifter that Kevin had seen advertised for sale on the Dronne Valley Network, unfortunately it wasn't quite what he wants so back to me being the plasterboard lifter! Once back at the barn I made butternut squash soup, with a squash Neil kindly brought last week, for tomorrow's lunch, then did the ironing whilst Kevin planned the electrics and plumbing system on the computer. Think we both need an early night tonight! At around 5.45pm Manuel and Yannick arrived, whilst they were sat having a drink in the awning Myriam arrived home from her holiday, she came across and joined us, we spent a lovely hour catching up with each other.

Saturday 14th April
Another busy day, Kevin continued preparing the utility room for the electricity and plumbing. After changing the beds and cleaning the van, I prepared a section of the newly cleared garden and sowed some grass seeds so will see if it grows! I then strimmed the back garden and tidied up some of the builders rubbish! One of the swimming pool men arrived at about 10.30am and worked all day preparing for the concerted base around the pool. Manuel called during the afternoon to look at the progress since he was last here, think he was pleasantly surprised. After early showers we packed overnight bags and went to Phil and Lesley's for the evening, staying overnight so no driving tonight!

Friday 13th April
A day on our own so after a lazy start we went to Angouleme to Le Roy Merlins for plumbing materials. We then went to Castorama to see if the kitchen carcass's are the same as BBQ, the assistant was very helpful and he spoke very good English, he sorted us a price comparison. After a quick lunch at the barn we nipped into Riberac for Kevin to buy some plasterboard, I did a quick food shop in Intermarche. Kevin then started organising the utility room, putting up timber batons for lining the wall. I cut the grass round the awning and then did some strimming, with all this rain and warm weather the grass is growing quickly! It was a lovely spring day 25 degrees until about 6.15pm when it started to rain again!

Thursday 12th April
Another rainy start to the day, it eventually cleared by lunchtime and the sun came out in the afternoon. The pool workers continued filling in the sides and removing all the remaining rubble. We paid them an extra two hundred euros to remove the pile of rubble behind the outbuilding, two hundred euros well spent, it would have taken us weeks to move it ourselves. Mark and Neil prepared and finished the pierre apparent on the front lounge wall. It looks superb, that's all the pierre apparent finished inside. Kevin moved the lightweight scaffold onto our bedroom floor ready for putting in the stud walls, he sorted out the electrical plan for getting the wires to the swimming pool and started to organise the utility room ready for putting in the stud walls before the electric hub goes in place. I removed the varnish (that I had managed to paint on by mistake! ) from the window and door seals! Sorted the screw and nail box whilst looking for wall plugs for Kevin and then swept up all the sand from the pierre apparent. Lots of progress today especially with the swimming pool.

Wednesday 11th April
Well another rainy day, it cleared up later in the day but overall a dull day. Kevin continued putting up the stud walls for the guest side of the barn. Mark and Neil finished the pierre apparent on the entrance hall inside wall. I pottered in the barn, clearing up after the men and organising equipment. At about 4.15pm the pool men arrived to start back filling, so at last the garden is beginning to get back to normal.

Tuesday 10th April
It rained most of the night and was still raining when we got up and continued on and off during the day. Kevin finished fixing the floorboards over the lounge and then fetched more sand and cement. He then started to put the stud walls in on the guest side. Mark mortared the long wall on the guest side of the barn, this will not be seen eventually but it has made the wall more stable. Neil finished preparing the front lounge wall for pierre apparent. I went food shopping then cleaned the van and fed the boys. After lunch I cleaned the sticky labels off the downstairs windows and door, what a job, I tried acetone, white spirits, hot water, furniture polish and then my hairdryer, a combination of all these eventually removed the stubborn plastic!

Monday 9th April
Another hard day working. Kevin continued fixing floor boards over the lounge and almost finished. Mark and Neil pierre apparented the end wall of the front guest bedroom. I went food shopping, fed the boys, cleaned 6 pairs of muddy shoes! prepared chicken in mushroom sauce for dinner, tried to get the plastic film off the windows and then brushed the barn. The electrician arrived in the afternoon and prepared the cables ready for the pool. A dull and rainy day which improved to sunshine early evening.

                                     

                                     

Sunday 8th April
We almost had a complete day off! Kevin spent a couple of hours putting floor boards down before Jeanette and Trevor arrived at 11.15am for coffee. We all went for lunch at La Lunaire which is near Cherval, fifteen minutes drive away from the barn. We had a fabulous meal, a set Sunday lunch with four courses and cheese all for 25 euros a head so very good value for money and certainly somewhere to take friends too. It was lovely to spend time catching up with Jeanette and Trevor, both looked really well. Once home we booked our return euro tunnel crossing for the 29th April, only three weeks away and still a lot to achieve before then!

Saturday 7th April
When we woke up it had stopped raining and was another lovely spring day, not as hot as yesterday but no rain. Kevin started putting the floor boards over the lounge whilst I washed the caravan outside and then the car. After a late lunch and showers we went shopping to Perigueux for electrical supplies, wine and various bits and bobs, we didn'tt get back until 7.30pm so had a late dinner, chilli and garlic bread and of course a couple of glasses of wine!

Friday 6th April
Another gorgeous spring day. Kevin spent the day at a photographic experience. He arrived home at 5.35pm having thoroughly enjoyed the day and with a framed photo!
Whilst on my own I decided to wash everything in sight! Did six loads of washing and ironing, strimmed outside the fence, swept the barn, wire brushed and varnished the lintels over the French doors, washed the outside table and BBQ and swept sand out of the trailer finishing at 4.45pm just in time to have a shower before Kevin got home. We went to the fashion show and art exhibition at Aubeterre in the evening, a perfect evening for it. Well we almost managed two days without rain, it started to rain on our way home from Aubetterre and continued for most of the night!

Thursday 5th April
A lovely day today, sunshine all day, which ment hard work all day! Neil and mark had a day off today. I strimmed the garden whilst Kevin put the floorboards on the bridge. The pool men arrived and worked hard all day putting the edging tiles round the pool and then putting another layer of concrete on the floor of the pool. It's looking like a swimming pool now so getting excited! Anya came after dinner and cut both of our hair, she is opening her own salon in August so we wish her luck with it.

Wednesday 4th April
What a night last night! We have a horrendous thunder storm, I have never seen lightening like it, it lit up the whole of the sky, we switched of the lights in the van and watched it through the window, a bit scary though as the awning was being battered! Another sleepless night with the pouring rain! We woke up to sunshine and it was a lovely morning, but the wind and rain returned in the afternoon and again the awning took a battering. However, we continued working! Mark and Neil finished the pierre apparent in the dining room and started preparing the front guest bedroom. Kevin worked on the joists in the lounge, regulating and putting in noggings to stop the joist warping. I vacuumed the car then strimmed part of the front garden until I was rained off. After lunch I swept the wood shavings up. The boys finished the day by putting in the back French door so the back of the barn has windows and door now and the back internal walls are all pierre apparented. Really pleased tonight!

Tuesday 3rd April
Guest what, it was raining when we woke up, in fact it woke me up during the night it rained so hard. It cleared by 9am and the sun came out. Mark and Neil pierre apparented the top half of the dining room end wall whilst Kevin secured the end joist in the lounge. I made mushroom soup then went to help in the barn. Nev arrived mid morning, kindly delivering the tickets for Friday night's fashion show. After lunch I started strimming the side garden only to be stopped by the most horrendous thunder storm, lots of rain and lightening. It cleared at about 3.30pm and the sun came out and we sat outside having our afternoon cup of tea before Mark and Neil left. Kevin then decided to go to Le Roy Merlin's in Perigueux to buy the two extra joist he needs to complete the lounge ceiling.  I stayed at the barn, had a shower and prepared dinner.

Monday 2nd
After breakfast Kevin went to Brico Marche to buy more floor boards. Whilst he was gone I did the ironing. Kevin continued and finished putting the floor boards over the utility room and the downstairs toilet, one side is now completed, ready for Mark and Neil to pierre apparent the bedroom wall. Kevin then moved some of the spare stones to the back of the garden and unscrewed the floor boards over the lounge ready to be glued into position. I strimmed the back garden, cleaned the outside toilet and swept the barn again! Another lovely day so managed to wash and dry all the dirty work jumpers.

Sunday 1st April
Well what a difference a day makes! Woke up to a lovely sunny day and it stayed sunny all day. Kevin worked hard regulating the joists above the downstairs toilet and utility room, one joist had warped so much that he decided to change it, a major job lifting another joist from the opposite ceiling! He straightened the bridge and then started putting the floorboards down. I did my usual Sunday jobs, hung the washing out for the first time in over two weeks, made chicken in mushroom sauce for dinner then went into the barn and cleared up all the wood shavings. I took a bag of rubbish up to the bin and met Manuel who invited us for a coffee at 4.15pm. We spent a lovely hour sat in their garden chatting.

Saturday 31st March
Well we woke up to pouring rain again! It continued most of the morning then was very windy and raining during the afternoon. Manuel,and Yannick called at about 9.30am and stayed for a coffee, Myriam joined us when she saw us sat in the awning as she drove past, so we spent a lovely hour catching up with everyone. Whilst we were chatting two of the pool workers arrived and worked in the pouring rain putting in walls to support the filter and motor unit. Kevin continued working hard in the barn, he regulated the joists above the kitchen, then completed fixing the floor boards above the kitchen and for the guest bathroom. I made four meals worth of chilli! then went to help Kevin by moving materials and sweeping up all the wood shavings. We enjoyed one of the chilli's for dinner washed down with a glsss or two of wine! Both tired tonight but pleased with the days work.

Friday 30th March
Happy Easter to all our readers! We woke up to pouring rain again, fortunately the day got better and by lunchtime the sun came out and it was a lovely afternoon and evening. Kevin and I are on our own today, Mark and Neil are having a long well deserved holiday weekend. We both worked hard, Kevin fitted our bedroom window and then the lounge window. The barn looks really good from the back now the windows are all in, just the back door to be fitted next week.  I stained and varnished the wooden lintels in the dining room then cleaned up all the stone and cement from when the dining room wall was prepared for pierre apparent. After lunch Kevin went to Brico Marche and bought 20 floor boards ready to put up over the weekend, he then fetched more cement ready for next week. Whilst he was gone I cleaned the downstairs windows, brushed the barn and tidied tools away. After showers we both went food shopping to Le Clercs. Had the usual Friday tea, cheese and wine!

Thursday 29th March
Kevin started the day by fixing the caravan toilet, no more going outside in my PJ's in the morning!  I went to Brico Marche for a wall bracket to hold up the floor joist then made leek and potato soup for lunch. Mark and Neil put the mortar on the the lounge window wall then left it to dry whilst they started preparing the wall in the dining room. Kevin continued working on the joists above the lounge. After lunch Mark and Neil finished the pierre apparent in the lounge and then finished preparing in the dining room. I started clearing the mud from outside Danielle's house, what a muddy mess! It was a beautiful day at long last, hopefully the sun will start to dry out all the mud!  Myriam arrived when she got back from work to have a look at our progress, she stayed for a quick drink, the first evening this trip that we have managed to sit in the awning enjoying a drink and chat in the evening sunshine.

                                     

Wednesday 28th March
Yet again it was pouring down when we got up and rained continuously during the day. We are beginning to become water logged! Everywhere is very muddy, will be glad when it stops and the ground begins to dry out. Another productive day. Mark and Neil completed the pierre apparent in our bedroom, it looks lovely. Neil finished preparing the lounge end wall ready to pierre apparent tomorrow. Kevin took the scaffold down from the outside, washed it ready to put up inside the dining room. He also built some stud wall and dug out part of the stone wall by the front door of tbe lounge ready to bear a joist. All three of them put up the scaffold in the dining room ready for pierre apparent preparation. I fed and watered them, was the builders mate putting up some vapour membrane for Kevin and clearing up the pierre apparent mess. The pump for the caravan toilet arrived in the post today so another job for Kevin! Hopefully we will then have a working toilet in the caravan!

Tuesday 27th March
It was pouring down when we woke up and continued throughout the day. The pool is filling up quickly without it's liner! The grass at the front is saturated and very muddy so have left the car outside Manuel's tonight. The boys made good progress again today, Mark and Neil finished the stones in our bedroom, then the three of them put the lintels in. Kevin fixed the windows in the guest bedroom and kitchen, so another major change to the look of the barn. I climbed the ladder for the first time and helped Kevin with the window. I was very wary about getting back down the ladder! The power cut out at about 2pm, Kevin thought it was because the mains cable was cut by the pool installers so he put in the new cable which failed to reconnect at first, he fiddled around and eventually we had electricity again! Neil and Mark prepared our bedroom and the lounge back walls ready for pierre apparent tomorrow. After they had left Kevin and I moved materials around so they have room to work tomorrow. A year ago tonight we were sat in the garden watching the sunset, a bit different this year, still pouring down! Hoping for a better weather day tomorrow.

Monday 26th March
Well a busy and productive day! Two concrete mixers had arrived by 8.45am with four workers, by 11.30am they had put the concrete base in the pool and levelled it. However, when they got into their van to go it was stuck in the mud in the field, it took the four of them with Kevin, Mark and Neil to push and dig them out! Kevin, Mark and Neil had lifted one side of the bridge in place before 9.30am. Mark and Neil then almost finished the stones in our bedroom window. The three of them put the lintels in the guest bedroom and finally lifted the rest of the bridge in place ready for Kevin to fix firmly in place tomorrow. I went shopping, getting some extra screws for Kevin, cleared up the sawdust, helped pull the chain hoist to get the stones up to the bedroom, stained, sealed and varnished the final lintels ready for putting in place tomorrow and fed and watered them!

Sunday 25th March
It was still dark when we woke up so had an extra half hour in bed with a coffee! Kevin worked hard all day building the bridge to go between the bedrooms, its ready to be lifted into place tomorrow. I did my usual Sunday 'job's' changed beds, washed, ironed and made pork in cider with parsnips for dinner. I helped Kevin with measuring, lifting and then cleaned up all the sawdust! A dull day with drizzle.

Saturday 24th March
After an enjoyable but very late night, we got home at 12.20pm, we were kept awake by the rain! We got up at 7.45am and team Dight at it's best today! I went food shopping while Kevin started measuring for the bridge across the dining room. After a quick coffee we both worked in the barn, Kevin continued on the bridge, cutting the wood ready for fixing next week. I wire brushed, stained and varnished the lintels in the kitchen and dining room ready for the windows to be fitted. After showers we nipped into Riberac for some cash, and a tenon saw then Kevin bought me a pair of trousers and a top instead of an Easter Egg (Good deal I think!) We called at the Cafe Du Palais for a quick drink, they have draft beer so guess who drove home! Got back just in time to watch the boat race, well done Cambridge! The clocks go forward tonight so an hour less sleep, hoping it doesn't rain!

                                         Good job my hair is the same colour as the varnish!
Friday 23rd March
A day on our own. Kevin started by measuring the side bedroom window wall and taking pictures so he can design a safe way of removing the window opening without the wall falling down! I cleaned the awning windows whilst Kevin tried to mend the caravan toilet but unfortunately the water pump has broken, he managed to order another one from The Caravan shop so hopefully it won't take too long to arrive! Before lunch I strimmed the outside area, trying to make the road look a bit better. Kevin fetched more sand and cement whilst I treated the lintels  above the guest bedroom window. We both emptied the sand from the trailer then Kevin fetched more stones into the barn ready for Mark and Neil on Monday. We had showers and tea and then at 8.30pm went to listen to Mark and his band playing at a bar in St Antoine Cumond, not sure if we will be able to stay awake long enough!

Thursday 22nd March
A bad start to the day, the toilet in the caravan had stopped flushing, guess who was using the outside loo in her pyjamas just after 7am! We think its the flushing pump that's decided to stop, Kevin is busy looking at u tube to see how to repair it whilst I am writing this blog!
Mark and Neil started the day by putting the mortar on the kitchen walls ready to pierre apparent. Nev and Barbara arrived for a coffee and to show us their new car, very nice, and to have a look at the progress on the barn and swimming pool. Kevin, Neil and Mark then worked hard getting the window cill up to the bedroom using the chain block, they are so heavy it takes all three of them to manover them into place. After lunch they continued lifting the stone blocks, using the chain block, into the bedroom and completed one coarse before Neil and Mark finished the pierre apparent in the kitchen. I continued with my strimming, this time concentrating on the side garden and around the caravan. Kevin finished the day by trying to dig up some of the mess on the road outside.

The pierre apparent to the kitchen wall

Wednesday 21st March
Kevin worked really hard today, starting at 8am cutting out our bedroom window and finished it just after lunchtime so Neil and Mark could put the mortar base down ready to put the cill in place tomorrow. Mark and Neil completed the pierre apparent in the guest bedroom and prepared the kitchen ready for pierre apparent tomorrow. Kevin also prepared the wire ready for reconnecting the mains cable that was cut by the excavator on Monday. I made mushroom soup and then spent the rest of the day strimming the front garden, raking it and digging the mess away left by the excavator. It was a beautiful sunny day, nice working in the front garden but cold for the boys in the back of the barn. Lots of progress today with the pierre apparent in the bedroom looking really good.

Tuesday 20th March
Another busy day! Two different installers for the pool arrived and worked hard all day, no catastrophes from them today! By the end of the day we had the outline of the pool ready for concrete to be poured at the end of the week. Mark and Neil finished the stones for the bedroom window and then prepared the window wall for pierre apparent tomorrow. Kevin carried in all the stone blocks and then started cutting out our bedroom window. I made French onion soup for lunch, went down a treat as it was so cold even though it was a sunny day, then became the builders mate, clearing up all their mess!

Monday 19th March
An interesting day! The ground workers for the pool arrived and promptly caught the main electric cable, cutting through it and causing the power to trip! Kevin, Mark and Neil worked really hard in the pouring rain to get the chain block set up, and then managed to get the heavy cills up to the bedroom. By the end of the day they had managed to get four courses of stones in place, using the chain block to get the stones to the first floor and then lifting the mortar onto the chipboard, hard work for all of them. The ground workers worked well and had more or less finished digging out the swimming pools by 7pm. Hopefully they are coming back tomorrow to repair the electric cable! I kept them fed and watered and cleaned up some of the mess in the barn. It's  forecast being a very cold night, just hope the water and pipes don't freeze up again!

                                     
                                           

Sunday 18th March
We both worked hard today, Kevin finished putting the floor boards over the lounge, he then put the scaffold outside ready to start cutting out the window tomorrow morning. I did my usual Sunday morning jobs, changed the beds and loads of washing and ironing, then finished painting the last window so all windows varnished twice and ready for putting in. I then swept the barn so all clean and tidy ready for them to make a mess tomorrow! We enjoyed beef bourgignon for dinner washed down with a glass of well deserved wine.

Saturday 17th March
We were both working in the barn by 8.30am. Kevin started fitting the joists over the lounge ready to start cutting out our bedroom window whilst I continued painting the windows. After showers we went across the valley to Robert and Caro' s at 12.30pm to look at their 'grand design' their new three storey building. Caro had made some lovely French onion soup followed by cheese for lunch. Once back at the barn we continued with our jobs, I put the first coat of varnish on a window and Kevin finished regulating the joists ready to put the floorboards over tomorrow. I then made the famous beef bourgignon ready for Sunday dinner. Kevin watched the Wales rugby match whilst I prepared dinner, chilli. Another good days work. It rained on and off all day.

                                   
                                              View of the barn from Robert and Caro's
Friday 16th March
It had rained all night so we didn't expect the pool workers to arrive at 8am and we were right! Kevin finished cutting out the bedroom window whilst Mark and Neil removed the needles in both the lounge and dining room and then filled in the gaps with stones. The three of them then laid a bed of mortar ready for the bedroom cill to be put in place on Monday. I continued with my painting job after I had been food shopping and then to collect the bin liners from the Marie's (You get an allocation of bin liners once a year from the Marie's in France, probably because you have communal dustbins). At about 2.30pm the pool ground workers arrived, just after a thunder storm! They had come to look at the site and also to bring the excavator which they have left in the front garden ready to start on Monday, weather permitting! We are going to the pizzeria in Riberac tonight with Nev and Barbara so looking forward to seeing them and having a catch up.

Thursday 15th March
A day on our own, Mark had a dental,appointment. Kevin worked really hard and has almost cut out one of the bedroom windows, a tricky job working from the scaffold and to begin with in the rain. I continued painting the windows, two completed, one with one coat of varnish and three more to go! A steady job. At about three o clock Pascal from Desjoyaux (swimming pool man!) Arrived to tell us they will be starting in the morning, he marked out the swimming pool with orange paint ready for the sub contractors to dig out the hole! Lets hope it's not raining in the morning! We finished the day with a trip to Brico Marche and Chaussons for more suppliers of cement and other building materials.

Wednesday 14th March
Another busy day. Kevin finished putting the beam up to hold the roof in place when he takes the wall out for the window, he started taking the wall out for the window and put the scaffolding up on the outside. Mark and Neil finished the lounge window, putting the final stones in place and then the lintels so three openings completed ready for the door and windows. I continued painting the back door and windows, each one has to have two coats of varnish so a long task. I finished off by sweeping the barn and we both emptied the trailer of sand ready for fetching the next load! Both shattered tonight.

Tuesday 13th March
Kevin continued putting the floor boards above the kitchen and then put in a beam to carry the roof over the bedroom window. Mark and Neil put the lintels in the back door, so thats another opening finished and then continued with the stonework in the lounge just one more coarse to complete before the lintels go in. I did my usual jobs then started varnishing the back door and then was the builders mate cleaning up all their mess! The weather was much better today, managed to paint outside and get the washing dried. After showers we went to Le Calise, the bar in Vertiallac for the quiz night with Robert and Caro. The meal was dissappinting but we managed to get a prize in the quiz, the booby prize, two wooden spoons, we were last! Don't think we will be going next month!

Monday 12th March
We were kept awake most of the night by high winds and pouring rain, this continued throughout the day. At one point I thought the awning was going to blow over the caravan the gusts were so bad! A busy and hard working day for Mark, Neil and Kevin, the weather didn't help them as the wind and rain was gusting into the barn so it made the work even harder and they found it difficult to keep warm.
Neil and Mark finished the stone surrounds for the back door. Kevin removed the needles in the kitchen and Mark stoned up the final bit of the opening so the kitchen window is finished and ready for the window to be put in. They also put in the cill and started the stone surrounds for the lounge window. Kevin finished putting in and then regulated the floor joist in the kitchen and then started putting tongue and grooved chipboard flooring on top. I went food shopping, made carrot soup, painted the kitchen windows with varnish, did some clearing up and sweeping the barn of all the wood shavings and then made leek and potato soup ready for tomorrow. Think we are all hoping for better weather tomorrow.

Sunday 11th March
A busy day, Kevin regulated the floor joists over the kitchen ready for putting the floor boarding down. I did the usual Sunday change of beds and loads of washing, ironing and cleaning! Then I gave the kitchen window a second coat of varnish. At 10.45am I saw a car drive past slowly and then turn round and drive back slowly and parked outside the barn. It was the groundworkers for the pool who had come to have a look at the site for access. They told us they hope to start on either Wednesday or Thursday depending on the weather so fingers crossed we will have the start of a pool next week. After lunch I swept all the wood shavings up that Kevin had made! We had just finished dinner when I heard Manuel shouting us, we went to see what he wanted and we had been invited to Myriam's for a drink. We spent a lovely couple of hour chatting in French/English with the three of them, we are so lucky to have such lovely neighbours.

 Saturday 10th March
A busy day for both of us. Kevin went to Chausson in Riberac for more OSB ready to protect the downstairs window openings whilst the upstairs windows are cut out. I cleaned the van and prepared dinner, chilli and garlic bread. After coffee I gave the kitchen window it's first coat of varnish whilst Kevin cleared the rubble from outside the lounge window. After lunch I cut the grass whilst Kevin continued clearing the rubble then we both worked on cutting the wooden lintels ready for the back door. After showers Kevin watched the rugby whilst I did my french lesson! A beautiful sunset tonight so looking forward to a sunny day tomorrow.

Friday 9th March
Another very productive and hard working day. Neil and Mark continued building the back door stone surrounds whilst Kevin worked hard on cutting out the stones for the lounge window. By the end of the day the lounge window was ready for the stones to be put in next week and the back door needs just two more courses of stone before the lintels are put in place. Nev arrived at about 11.30am to see the progress made so far, he was impressed with the workmanship! I went shopping and then made leek and potato soup for lunch, prepared cheese and wine for Caro and Roberts visit tonight. After lunch I went and helped clear up the stones and brushed the barn. The pile of stone is getting bigger by the day!

Thursday 8th March
Another very productive day. Neil and Mark continued with the kitchen and back door stones and by the end of the day the wooden lintels were in place on the kitchen window, looking very good. Kevin made real in roads into cutting  out the window opening in the lounge. I went food shopping and made carrot and orange soup for lunch and then became the builders mate, clearing up after Kevin and helping him cut the wooden lintels. A beautiful sunny day today.

Wednesday 7th March
Another productive day. Neil and Mark continued placing the stone surrounds in place for the kitchen window and the back door. They have almost finished the kitchen stones. Kevin finished installing the needles for the lounge window, so next job to start breaking out the window hole! I made butternut squash soup, with the squash Neil kindly brought yesterday, the soup helped Mark as he is suffering with an absess on a tooth and is only eating liquid food at the moment. I also was the builders mate for Kevin and brushed the barn out. After showers we went to Lidl and bought a block and tackle and then went to Brico Marche and bought a sack barrow, all set to lift the heavy stones up to the bedrooms!

Tuesday 6th March
Neil and Mark arrived just after 9am to help put the stone surrounds and windows in. After looking at the white sand Kevin had already purchased they all decided it would look too white so off they went to Peyrou to look for a better coloured sand. They then set too and started mixing mortar for the cill base in the kitchen. When Kevin and Mark went to lift one half of the cill they realised how heavy it was! Mark kindly offered to fetch his sack barrow to help with the lifting. Whilst he was gone Neil dug out the back door foundation as there was no wall left and no foundations! Kevin started preparing the needles for the lounge windows. I was the builders mate, this time for three builders, fetching equipment, stones, organising sand and cement for the concrete and mortar etc. Once Mark returned the three of them carried the kitchen cill and some how managed to manouver it into position, heavy and hard work but eventually they managed to get both pieces in place and mortared in. By the end of the afternoon the concrete base was finished and three side stones were fixed in place. A good days work but hard work.

Monday 5th March
A busy day, Kevin started by finishing knocking out the window opening in the kitchen. I sorted the caravan and did the ironing and the joined him. Kevin had finished the kitchen window by 11am, I cleared up the stones and rubble for him. After coffee we concentrated on the back door opening, eventually finishing it at about 4pm. Kevin made sure all the measurements were correct and set the centre points for the door and the window before we finished for the day. Hard work but ready for Neil and Mark to start putting the stone surrounds in tomorrow.
After showers we had the Normandy Pork for dinner, tasted even better today, must be all the hard work!

Sunday 4th March
Woke up to pouring rain which continued until 11.30am. Kevin went out into the barn and cut the needles ready for the lounge window whilst I prepared Normandy Pork and changed the beds. After coffee,listening to the Archers, we both worked on breaking out the openings for the kitchen window and the back door, it was hard work but almost got both completed by the time we packed in at 4.30pm. Another pile of stones and rubble made in the back garden! Really enjoyed the Normandy Pork and there is enough left for tomorrow night!

Saturday 3rd March
After a rainy night it was fine when we woke up and was a beautiful spring day 18 degrees at 3pm. We both worked on getting the window openings dug out all morning. By lunchtime we were both shattered so at 2.30pm we decided to go to Le Roy Merlin's in Perigueux to buy more supplies. Four props so we can prepare another window opening, varnish for the windows (another painting job for me!) and ten more floor boards and other bits and bobs. Got back to the barn at about 5pm, had defrosted a chilli for dinner with garlic bread, went down well with a glass of much deserved wine.

Friday 2nd March
Well, it was the calm before the storm last night, it was very windy and rained heavily most of the night so little sleep for us! However, when we got up it was raining but not as windy and the weather improved during the day and by lunchtime it was a beautiful sunny day. Kevin started knocking through the wall in the dining room for the back door whilst I went food shopping to Riberac. Nev and Barbara arrived at coffee time to have a look at the needles. It was lovely to see them and get yet more advice! After lunch we both continued working on knocking the hole through for the back door, Kevin knocking through and removing the stones whilst I cleared up after him and made yet another pile of stones!
We had Manuel's mum's duck pate and French bread for tea washed down with a glass or two of well deserved wine, both shattered but good progress made today. Hope the weather improves soon at home and everyone is keeping safe and warm.

Thursday 1st March
Well a much better day, we had running water and no frozen pipes when we got up so a positive! Kevin continued working on the window needles, packing the top with mortar. I cleaned the van and then, since its not forecast being below freezing temperatures,  took the insulation out of the outbuilding and cleaned it. At around 10.15am the stones for the window surrounds arrived they look superb, can't wait to see then in situ. Kevin then went to buy some white sand whilst I brushed and tidied the barn. Before lunch I satin glossed the piece of wood for the plumbing whilst Kevin made the anchors for the floor joists. After lunch since it was a lovely day I decided to cut the grass,  Kevin cut some joists and made a hole in the side wall ready for the pool electrics. A busy but satisfying day with some progress made.
Had bangers (Cumberland sausage bought from Riberac market last Friday) and mash for dinner, lovely!

Wednesday 28th February
Another frustrating day, another very cold start to the day, minus 6 degrees, so no water or outlet drainage when we woke up. Kevin continued working on the needles, I tried to be the builders mate but it was just too cold (even with two pairs of socks with plastic bags in between!) as no sun today. So after coffee I concentrated on getting water flowing in the caravan, difficult at first as we had to get water from the barn to fill the kettle! Eventually by 3.30pm we had running water and drainage again. Hopefully today is the last cold day, it's forecast being 15 degrees tomorrow and not freezing overnight so look forward to running water in the morning.  Kevin packed above the needles with mortar so almost ready to knock the window holes through.
Finished the last of the beef bourgignon for dinner!

Tuesday 27th February
Another challenging day! It was minus 6 when we woke up so had a coffee in bed until 8.15am in the hope that the sun would come out! After porridge for breakfast I washed up whilst Kevin started work in the barn. I soon realised the water was not going down the plughole, frozen pipes! It took us until after 2pm to defrost the pipes! In between times we cut a template of the kitchen window using the OSB which we bought last week, Kevin continued with the kitchen needles and I primed a piece of the OSB to be used as backing board for the plumbing system.
Once we had both running water and drainage we had quick showers before going into Riberac for food and cement. On our return the temperature had dropped from 13 degrees to 2 degrees, even though the sun was still shinning and it was lovely and warm in the awning, so I filled the kitchen sink with water and Kevin then disconnected it for the night. Hoping the temperature rises tomorrow! Had some of the beef bourgignon for dinner, still more left for tomorrow!
Note for Louise, the first white shirt has gone in the bin!

Monday 26th February
Yet another cold start to the day, the sun came out and the temperature reached the dizzy high of 5 degrees!
Kevin started breaking out for the needles in the kitchen whilst I prepared the famous beef bourgignon for dinner. After coffee Kevin continued preparing the needles whilst I sorted the tool boxes out and swept the barn. After lunch I painted all the prepared wooden lintels with preservative and insecticide to hopefully protect them from woodwork and any other creatures for the next twenty years!
During the afternoon Kevin noticed the water feed to the caravan was gushing water out, yet another problem to solve, fortunately with a bit of fiddling Kevin managed to get it to work without leaking.
We finished working at about 4.30pm as it was becoming very cold, forecast to be minus 8 tonight! Kevin took all the water pipes into the barn again so hopefully we will survive the cold night!

Sunday 25th February
Another cold start to the day. After breakfast Kevin continued working on the window needles whilst I changed the beds and cleaned the van. After listening to the Archers we went a short walk with Manuel, Yannick and Myriam, by then it was a glorious sunny morning, we watched the cranes flying north, what a sight. On our return to the barn we all had a coffee and chat sat in the awning, it was lovely to catch up with everyone. Kevin then continued with the needles whilst I did the ironing and prepared dinner, the last piece of fillet steak from home!

                                                       Can you see the icicle!
Saturday 24th February
After breakfast we drove across to Le Brandeau, Nev and Barbara's 'holiday home' their most recent renovation to pick up the scaffold and acrow props which Nev has kindly loaned us for a few weeks. Their conversion is just about complete and looks superb, hope for us yet!
As we were about to leave Mark arrive and suggested we have a look at his sister Kate's barn conversion which we did on our way back to the barn. What a superb job Mark has done renovating it for her, its quite similar to ours but much bigger so again hope for us.
On our return Kevin unloaded the trailer whilst I made chilli, enough for four meals. When I went to sort the freezer out I realised it was not freezing up, yet another challenge to solve! Kevin took insulation into the out building and insulated the freezer and washing machine and stuffed insulation in every hole in the out building, fortunately this worked along with the fan heater throwing heat at it! and by 6pm I was able to put the remaining chilli's into the freezer, fingers crossed this works overnight.
Kevin enjoyed watching the rugby disappointed Wales lost but hoping England wins!
Guess what we had for dinner!

Friday 23rd February
Kevin has taken in the outside pipes last night so no frozen water today! We decided to go and investigate the local truffle and fois gras market in Riberac, a bit disappointing as there were only about five stalls, probably because of the very cold day, we had a walk round the outside market and then went to Le Clerc's for the weekend shopping. After a quick coffee and early lunch we went to Perigueux to get two more windows and preservative.
Had the usual Friday tea, cheese and wine!

Thursday 22nd February
Woke up to frozen pipes so therefore no water! Always something new to sort out! Although it was very cold the sun came out and soon thawed the water so by 10am I had a load of washing in.
Kevin continued working on the needles this time for the lounge window whilst I finished wire brushing the oak beams, twelve all ready for painting with preservative.
At about 2.30pm Brico Marche arrived with the joists and timber for the partition walls, everything has been delivered on time so far!
Managed to get the washing dried outside, it was a lovely sunny but cold day.
After showers we got ready to go to Nev and Barbara's for dinner, it was lovely to see them and catch up. Nev had cooked a leg of lamb which was delicious. Kevin washed it down with a few glasses of red wine, guess who was driving! A super end to the day.

                                    

Wednesday 21st February
A lovely sunny day but cold. I continued wire brushing the lintels whilst Kevin worked on the second needle for the back door. Kevin then strimmed round the flags so I could put the solar lights out, hopefully they will charge before we go out tomorrow night.
We had just finished dinner when there was a bang on the caravan side which made us jump, it was Manuel, he had been to a business meeting in Bergerac and was staying the night at their house so had called to welcome us back. He stayed for a couple of beers and a catch up. It was lovely to see him. He will be back at the weekend with Jannick.

                                                  

Tuesday 20th February
Woke up to rain and it remained dull and rainy throughout the day.
After breakfast I went food shopping to Le Clerc's in Riberac whilst Kevin started cutting slots in the back wall for the needles ready to support the back wall when forming the opening for the back door. After coffee and vacuuming the caravan I became the builders mate! I started wire brushing the timber beams, which we had previously removed from the hay loft floor, ready to be used for the window and door lintels, I knew I should have taught CDT! We continued this work after lunch, finishing after clearing up at 5pm. A good days work we are already ahead of Kevin's schedule!

Monday 19th February
After breakfast we went to Le Clercs to organise getting the washing machine delivered, thankfully they managed to find it after storing it over the winter. They are returning it on Wednesday, fingers crossed they have successfully repaired it! Next stop was Brico Marche in Riberac where Kevin ordered more joists and timber for the needles and timber for the partitions, all being delivered on Thursday. We then went to Brico Depot in Perigueux and bought the back barn door, two windows, various plumbing items and two OSB boards, looks like someone has a lot of work to do! We had missed Nev calling whilst we were out, on our return Kevin phoned him and we have been invited to a 'welcome home' meal on Thursday night, we are really looking forward to seeing Nev and Barbara again.

Sunday 18th February
Woke up at 7.30am after a good night's sleep. It was raining quiet heavily so we decided to sort things out in the barn first. Had coffee listening to the Archers then I decided to clean out the outside toilet and laundry room, I could just get in as the pool materials have been left just outside the door! Kevin started planning the window openings and checked his new long drill worked. After lunch the rain had almost stopped so we set too and put the awning up, a good job done as base camp now set up. I still can't understand how anyone enjoys putting an awning up! Fillet steak with Dijon sauce and jacket potatoes for tea with of course a glass of wine.

                             

Saturday 17th February
Got up at 6.30am, after showers and breakfast, coffee and teacakes that I had packed and brought with us, we were on the road by 7.30am. Made good progress arriving at the barn at 12.15pm. The caravan was still there! and looked ok on the outside. The grass had only grown a little so the site didn't look too bad. The daffodils that mum and I planted in September were in flower. We opened the caravan and all looked fine, the damp traps had done their job and were full of water, everything else looked fine. Kevin connected the electric and water whilst I started putting the seats etc back in their places. It took us all afternoon to empty the car and find places for everything in the caravan! Had shepherds pie for dinner, washed down with a glass of wine. Another early night after a long day but settled in and warm!

 

Friday 16th February
An early start! Got up at 3.50am and left home at 4.45am. Had a good journey to the tunnel, just caught the morning traffic at Luton then straight through to the tunnel. We managed to get on an earlier train so gained an hour arriving in France at 11.10am local time. It was a beautiful sunny day so enjoyed the scenery on the way down. As usual no traffic in France so arrived in Alencon just before 4pm. Decided to have a walk round the town, Kevin said I could go shopping knowing that we had no room left in the car for even a  mouse! We then went to the Campanile motel, our evening stop for the night. Had a dinner and then an early night, both tired after the very early start.