Well we are back for a few days whilst we wait for a moving date to be confirmed. We decided to bring a car load of equipment down to save moving it to the new house. We arrived at lunchtime yesterday after a very good journey. Leaving home at 6.30am on Bank Hoilday Monday was a good move, there was very little traffic on the roads at that time and we managed to get an earlier train. We spent the night at our usual hotel in Alencon, had dinner and an early night and then set off for the barn after breakfast. As usual the roads in France were quiet. Once at the barn we unpacked the car, went food shopping and then Kevin started to cut the long grass whilst I sorted the caravan out. We went to Brico Marche this morning and bought twelve joists for the temporary floor which Kevin put in place on our return. It was raining this morning so I made chicken in mushroom and Dijon sauce for dinner. After lunch we went back to Brico Marche for floor boarding and wood for filling the gaps in the trusses to support the plasterboard. The weather had improved so I started strimming the grass and then cut the grass again. The newly sown grass has grown really well, just a few patches to sort out! Kevin helped with some strimming once he had put some floorboards in place.
Thursday 31st May
Kevin continued putting the floorboards down for the temporary floor whilst I cleaned the laundry room trying to get rid of all the spiders who have taken up residence! After lunch Kevin started rubbing the main joists down ready to treat with insect repellent. I spent the time brushing the barn and sorting equipment out as everytime I decided to cut the grass it started to rain. Robert and Caro popped over for drinks and cheese at 6pm. Lovely to see them and catch up. They are going home on Saturday but return in July.
Friday 1st June
Heard today that we will not be moving on the 8th June, hoping it will now be the 22nd June. We nipped to Riberac market to pick up the BBQ meat we had ordered from Franklin's, on our return Kevin started to treat the wooden joists while I did the ironing. We nipped across to see Robert and Caro' s finished new build and had a quick coffee with them. After lunch Kevin continued treating the joists whilst I spent the afternoon cutting and strimming grass, still got lots to cut! We are going to Nev and Barbara's tonight for a BBQ with Phil and Lesley, after the stressful week we are really looking forward to it. Guess who is driving though! Kevin says its my turn!!
Saturday 2nd June
We had a super evening last night with Nev, Barbara, Phil and Lesley, Nev cooked tuna on the BBQ and we sat outside until 10.30pm. After coffee and a digestive for some! we left for the barn at about 12pm! Whilst drinking our morning coffee in bed I booked my flight to Leeds Bradford for next Sunday. After breakfast I nipped to Le Clercs for the weekend food whilst Kevin continued sanding the roof trusses. On my return we decided to put the awning up as Kevin will be here until the 15th June, it makes such a difference, it's like having another room. After lunch Kevin continued his sanding whilst I strimmed the outside of the garden, a tough job as the weeds are so long and tough, they kept breaking the strimmer wire. After showers, as we were both absolutely filthy, we had a BBQ and a relaxing evening in the garden.
Sunday 3rd June
After breakfast we nipped to Le Clercs to have a look at some outdoor furniture which I had seen yesterday reduce to half price. Unfortunately, when we sat on it we decided it wasn't very comfortable so we came back without it. Kevin continued working on the trusses whilst I made the famous white chocolate cheesecake ready for next Saturday night when we have invited Manuel, Yannick and Myriam for a BBQ to celebrate Manuel's birthday. I then did my usual Sunday jobs, washing and ironing the bedding and cleaning the van! After lunch I continued and finished strimming the garden, so at last the garden has all been cut back. Kevin finished a harder bit and managed in two minutes to wreck my strimmer! We need to buy a new one now, this will be our third strimmer in a year! After showers we had a BBQ and enjoyed the lovely summer evening sat in the garden.
Monday 4th June
It was pouring down when we woke up so after breakfast we nipped to the shops to buy a printer lead, Kevin had left ours at home and we need to print my flight tickets. Whilst out we called in Aldi for water and ended up buying two sun lounger, so all set for Andrew and Kath's visit in August! Keeping fingers crossed the sun shines! Kevin then continued framing out inside the roof trusses ready for the plasterboards. I sorted materials and swept the barn, we might need to serve dinner in there on Wednesday night if it's raining! After lunch I gave some of the wooden beams a coat of walnut oil and turpentine, this really brings out the colour in the wood and also helps preserve it. It stopped raining at about 4pm so I decided to cut the grass, I then put some more grass seed down on the patches. A beautiful evening so hoping for a good day tomorrow.
Tuesday 5th June
A steady day, Kevin continued with the stud walls, rubbed down more of the truss and treated them with insecticide. I nipped to Riberac for more supplies of huile de lin and terebenthine, (linseed oil and turps) and then continued my job of coating the beams with it. It was a cooler day with a little rain but it didn't stop the workers! Kevin finished the day by nipping to Brico Marche for more timber so he is all set for more stud walls tomorrow! Danielle's daughter and son in law came across to have a look at our progress late afternoon.
Wednesday 6th June
Kevin continued with the stud walls whilst I went food shopping and prepared the food for a BBQ tonight, we have invited Nev, Barbara, Mike and Jan over and are looking forward to catching up with Mike and Jan, it's a year since we last saw them. We spent some time cleaning the barn as the weather forecast was not good, it rained most of the morning so we made the decision to eat in the barn. It looks quite good set out for a meal in the middle of a builders yard!
Thursday 7th June
Well, we are officially homeless today! We have exchanged contract on our house and agreed to move out on the 22nd June, we hope to exchange on our new property tomorrow and hope to move on 22nd June, keeping fingers crossed it all happens tomorrow!
We both worked during the morning, Kevin started putting up the head plate for the stud wall on the guest side of the barn. I did some gardening levelling the back of the pool area ready for sowing more grass seeds. I also helped Kevin with the head plate, he had me stood on top of the scaffold holding the piece of wood level whilst he screwed it in place! Patrice called during the morning to check on the roof works Kevin has asked him to do, all being well they will go to Point P on Saturday to buy the materials required. After a late lunch we decided to go to Perigueux to Brico Depot to buy insulation, plaster boards and one of the velux windows. On our return we had a BBQ of the left over foods from last night and enjoyed the evening sunshine. It was 36 degrees in the caravan at 8pm!
Friday 8th June
I nipped into Riberac for the weekend shopping whilst Kevin continued with the stud walls. On my return I sorted the van out, booked the removal firm and did the ironing. After coffee I cut the grass whilst Kevin continued the stud work. After lunch and showers we went to Angouleme to Brico Depot and Le Roy Merlin's to buy even more supplies for the roof insulation. We also bought some more solar lights and a new strimmer. On our return we put the solar lights around the pool area and Kevin put the strimmer together. The house sale has not completed because our solicitor is not at work today! Not happy but everything now in place to complete on Monday. We had our usual cheese and wine evening sat in the garden enjoying the evening sun.
Saturday 9th June
Kevin started the day by going to Point P with Patrice (our neighbour who is going to help with the roof work) to buy a tile which will allow the ventilation of the soil and vent pipe thorough the roof . They also looked at the chimney for the log burner, very expensive so Kevin said he had to check with me! Does that make any difference! Whilst they were gone I started preparing for Manuel's birthday BBQ, we are having melon and Palma ham, caprese, lemon chicken with new potatoes and green beans followed by cheese then the famous white chocolate cheesecake with fresh raspberries. The weather forecast is for some thunder during the early evening, (it's been very hot and close today so a good thunder storm is needed to clear the air) so we decided to have the meal in the barn. Manuel and Yannick popped by early afternoon and had a quick coffee and we will see them with Myriam tonight at 7pm. I also spent sometime packing my carry on bag ready for going to mum and dad's tomorrow, travelling light is not my forte! But I managed to get quite a bit in a small space! Kevin spent some time trying to find an overnight hotel for his return next Saturday, our usual places are already booked. He eventually managed to book into a budget Ibis in Abbeville (wonder what it will be like Kath!) Glad I am flying home! Its over to Kevin to keep the blog up to date next week!
Sunday 10th June
We had a superb evening last night, we made the right decision to eat in the barn as we had a terrific thunderstorm at about 8pm and it poured it down. The only person who got wet was me as I fetched things from the caravan! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, we had prosecco to toast Manuel on arrival and then candles and sang Happy Birthday with the cheesecake! we got to bed at about 12.30am after clearing up and doing the washing up. After breakfast I finished packing and sorted a few things for Kevin, made him a list of food for each meal and tidied the van (not sure how clean it will be on my return!) we set off at about 11.30am after saying goodbye to Manuel, Yannick and Myriam. We decided to have lunch in Brantome on our way to the airport, we enjoyed a walk round the town and then had lunch overlooking the Dordogne. We made our way to the airport and arrived at 3.45pm. Eventually they announced the plane was delayed by two hours, it hadn't left Leeds when it should have arrived in Limoges! Once we knew it was on its way Kevin left to get back to the barn as its a two hour drive and it was 6pm by this time. I decided to go through customs, little knowing I would have a one and a half hours to wait stood up as all seats were occupied! I eventually arrived in Leeds at 8.30pm local time. It was lovely to see Mum waiting for me in arrivals.
Monday 11th June
Kevin has sent me a daily report to put on the blog! Sarah says he is sacked as Deputy Blogger!
A very busy day, after fetching bread, Mark arrived before 9am and we were quickly into starting work. The first job was to treat the woodwork with Xylophene, this was done to the North East quarter. We then put the first layer of insulation to the whole of this quarter. We then installed hangers, the second layer of insulation and the membrane to the area between the wall and the first purlin. This area then had the metal rails fixed to the hangers, this will allow the plasterboard to be fixed later. Finally we finished by treating the rafters and purlins in the north central area, making it ready to fix the insulation and metal rails. Apparently I have been beaten to being first to use the pool, Kevin tells me a frog has taken up residence!
Tuesday 12th June
We continued with putting up insulation, membrane and then the plasterboard. The only problem was the screws would not work on the metal support system. So the plasterboard was left on the lifter until I can get some more screws! The afternoon was taken up with putting mortar under the wall plate, making a new rafter and making timber to go over the window in the back bedroom to fill in the gaps. I went shopping for more screws and timber after we finished.
Wednesday 13th June
First thing we tried the new screws and they worked well so soon had three sheets of plasterboard in place. The first section of the guest bedroom is now complete. Moving on to the central area we repeated the process and got three sheets of plasterboard in place. We still have a small section to complete. We then glued in the timber filers above the window in the bedroom and stuffed the void with insulation.
Thursday 14th June
Friday 29th June
Well it's been a busy three weeks. I flew home to be with mum whilst dad had his hip replacement and them Kevin drove home on the 16/17th June ready to move house on the 22nd June. All went well with dads operation and we have just about unpacked everything, just the study to organise when we are next home in August.
So after just five days in our new home we re packed the car and made our way back to the barn arriving at lunchtime today. As usual the grass has grown although not as much as normal. After unpacking the car Kevin gave the grass a quick cut, it was very hot 32 degrees! I sorted the van, cleaned the out building, sorted the fridges/ freezer and generally pottered about putting things away. After our usual Friday night tea we sat in the barn to cool down. A long couple of days and we are both tired tonight.
Saturday 30th June
An early start, Patrice arrived at 8am to start work on the roof, he wanted to get finished before it got too hot. I nipped to Le Clerc's for the weekend food. Kevin spent the morning helping Patrice whilst I sorted the cupboards in the caravan and packed a suitcase of winter clothes, don't think we will be needing them this time! Manuel and Yannick called and had a drink of water with us mid morning, we sat in the barn as it was already too hot to sit outside. Manuel kindly invited us for a swim at 6pm after the French football match, very much appreciated as by 6pm it was 42 degrees in the caravan! We spent the afternoon working in the barn, Kevin starting the plumbing whilst I brushed the barn and reorganised the storage so Kevin had space to put the pipework. At 6pm after a cold shower, I went across for a swim, Kevin had a shower and then joined us. Manuel asked if we would like to join them at the Auberge Ferme restaurant, however when Yannick tried to make a reservation no one answerned the phone, so instead we ordered take away pizza and spent an enjoyable evening sat in their garden together.
Sunday 1st July
After we returned from Manuels it was still 42 degrees in the caravan even with the fan going. We tried to get some sleep but were soon woken up by a tremendous thunderstorm, hight winds and heavy rain, it lasted about an hour and it did cool the caravan down a bit. There was another storm at 4am which woke us up again so a very disturbed night! I still woke up at 7am and decided to get up and start some weeding whilst it was cool. Kevin got up at about 8am and brought me a coffee. Kevin spent the morning starting the plumbing for the guest bathroom. I started strimming the back garden but it was soon too hot to work outside so I went inside the barn and helped Kevin. Nev and Barbara called on their way back from the Vertiallac Sunday market, they had a cup of tea and invited us for a swim, BBQ and a stop over which we gratefully accepted as it was 42 degrees in the van again. So we set off a 5.30pm enjoyed a leisurely swim, with of course a gin and tonic! and then enjoyed a BBQ sat outside until 11pm enjoying the warm night in the shade.
Monday 2nd July
After a really good night's sleep we left Nev and Barbara's at about 9.15am, we called at Brico Marche for plumbing glue and Aldi for water before going back to the barn. A cooler day only 32 degrees in the van! So whilst Kevin finished his plumbing job I cut the grass and did some more strimming. After lunch Kevin filled the trailer with rubbish, yes you have guessed, he went for the first visit to the dechetterie since we had been given a ticket. He then went back to Brico Marche for more wood ready for the bedroom walls. I continued strimming then when Kevin returned I had a quick shower and we went to Le Roy Merlin's for plaster board and insulation. We had a BBQ for dinner whilst sat outside, much cooler so enjoyed the view. Myriam came across to say hello and to update us on her holiday. Hoping for a good night' sleep!
Tuesday 3rd July
A early start. The swimming pool technician arrived at 8.30am to start putting in the liner. It took two of them all morning to clean out the pool, put in the underlining and then one of them continued in the afternoon putting in the liner, started filling it with water and sorted out the electrics. We have a big vacumm cleaner sucking the air out of the liner going all night tonight! Don't think there will be much sleep! But keep telling Kevin it will be worth it! Mark and Neil also returned to work with us, They started by digging out a trench down the back barn wall lowering the level so we can eventually put flag stones down. They then prepared the back barn wall ready for pierre apparent. Kevin spent the day sorting the water for the pool technician, fetching cement and sand and then started cleaning the joists in the front guest bedroom, a filthy job! After shopping,cleaning the caravan, ironing and sorting food for the troops, I went into the garden and did more strimming and weeding. At 5.30pm I had a quick shower and then went for a swim at Manuel's, the pool was 28 degrees so really enjoyed myself. We had a BBQ for dinner sat in the garden watching the pool filling with water!
Wednesday 4th July
Happy 4th July to our American readers, hope you have a lovely day!
After a sleepless night listening to the vacumm cleaner sucking the air out of the pool we were up early as the water board started working at the end of the garden! I went food shopping whilst Kevin sprayed more roof timbers with insecticide. Mark and Neil pierre apparented a third of the back outside wall. I swept round the pool, the barn and then did some strimming and gardening. Just as Mark and Neil left the sky turned really black. We had the most horrndous thunderstorm we have ever seen. The wind really got up and we thought the awning was going to blow over the caravan, we were stood holding onto the support legs for over an hour! The wind had blown soil into the awning so a real mess to clean up after. We had a power cut for about two hours fortunately we have gas for cooking and a battery for lights in the caravan. By 9pm calm had returned and the power was back on so hoping for a good night's sleep tonight. The pool is slowly filling!
Thursday 5th July
At last we had a good night's sleep, no vacumm noise or thunderstorm! When we got up we saw the wind had blown some of the cardboard covering the pool cover into the pool, Kevin spent some time fishing it out! I nipped to Aldi whilst Kevin started work in the barn. Neil arrived without Mark as he needed to dig a trench round his house to stop the water from the fields, following the thunderstorm, flooding the house. So Kevin and Neil finished the stud work in the front bedroom, made the rafters and trimmers for the front bedroom roof light and worked on setting out the ceiling. I continued my gardening, strimming and weeding, I also fished some leaves out of the pool. The official opening has been moved to Monday as the pool is still only half full, Kevin is beginning to wonder how much it will cost to fill it, not much to keep his wife happy! After quick showers we nipped to Merlauds to buy two wine rack for using in the garage of the new house. We then had a BBQ for dinner.
Friday 6th July
A day on our own. Kevin worked in the barn setting out the guest bathroom, redesigning the roof above the bathroom and modifying previous stud work, whilst I did the weekly jobs in the caravan, changed the beds, five loads of washing, cleaned the van and sorted the awning out. I then swept the mess from around the pool area caused by the thunderstorm. Upstairs is beginning to take shape now. I swept the downstairs and upstairs of the barn what a lot of sawdust! Kevin decided to fetch more wood for the remaining dividing walls on the guest side. Just before he left one to the pool workers arrived to remove the wooden battons used whilst concreting the pool area, so the pool area is nearly finished now. After showers we nipped into Riberac and bought two small coffee tables to use at the side of the sunbeds. We then bought some wine and supplies from Le Clercs before going back for cheese and wine sat round the pool. A lovely evening watching the sunset.
Saturday 7th July
After a bit of a lie in, 7.30am! We got up, had breakfast outside and measured the pool area ready for going to choose some tiles. Kevin them put the framing in the the guest bathroom back wall and then put a ceiling joist across from the back of the bathroom to the roof truss at the front of the bathroom. I did the ironing and the cut the grass. After lunch we went to Le Roy Merlin's and Brico Depot in Perigueux. We bought some grey floor tiles for the guest bathroom in the sale, looked at and chose a shower cubicle for the guest bathroom, although didn't buy it as need to check it will fit in the space available!! and brought a sample of a tile back for round the pool area so a successful trip. We arrived back at 7pm. It was 35 degrees in the caravan so had a BBQ and sat outside until 9.30pm. The pool eventually finished filling at 9pm so four days and six hours to fill the pool!
Sunday 8th July
A rest day! We got up early 6.30am and by 8am we were on the road to Bordeaux with Myriam driving. We went to see Manuel and Yannick's appartement then after coffee we set off walking round Bordeaux with them. We walked 12 kilometres in 32 degrees heat! Good job we had water with us and suntan cream on!! We managed to see most of Bordeaux, had lunch by the river and then after a short rest back at Manuel's we went to a lovely Italien restaurant for our evening meal. We arrived back at the barn at 11pm, shattered but having enjoyed a fabulous day with special friends.
Monday 9th July
An exciting day! The owner of Desjoyaux arrived at 9.30am to open the pool, he had to clean it first and added eight large bags of salt and some chlorine. Eventually he was ready to show us how to look after the pool. Fairly easy to maintain, just need to get into the routine. He said we could use it tonight! Mark and Neil continued with the pierre apparent on the back wall of the barn and Kevin continued putting in the guest bathroom joists and studs ready for the plaster board. I made the famous white chocolate cheesecake ready for the weekend when we have Nev, Barbara, Phil and Lesley coming for a BBQ. I went food shopping, fed the troops, did the ironing and then at 6pm went for my first swim! (do you recognise the swimsuit Louise!) although it took Kevin some time to get in! Just love my pool! Worth working all those years for! We had a BBQ for dinner and then nipped to Myriam's to sort the internet out which had stopped working!
Tuesday 10th July
A very busy day! Kevin cut the hole for the velux window in the guest bedroom, a very hot and dirty job but he managed to get the frame in place by the end of the day. He put a temporary cover over the window opening for the night just in case it rains or a bird tries to get in! It makes such a difference having light in the room. Mark and Neil pierre apparented another section of the back barn wall. I nipped to Le Clerc's for food and bought two more garden seats! when I got back I tried out my new strimmer by strimming around the caravan and then washed the outside of the caravan as it was covered in grass cuttings. I also washed the car as it was still covered with all the flies from the journey down. Kevin and I finished the day by cleaning the pool and I then had a swim. It was after 8pm when we eventually has a salad for dinner.
Wednesday 11th July
Another busy day. Kevin continued and finished putting the velux window in place, just need some rain now to test it is waterproof! Neil and Mark completed pierre apparentng another section of the back wall, they should finish the back wall tomorrow. I went shopping, found two missing screws for Kevin! Cleaned the awning inside and out, it was a mess after the thunderstorm last week. Cleaned the side of the caravan inside the awning, emptied the trailer of sand then filled it with rubbish ready for a trip to the dechetterie, then swept the barn before having a swim. Kevin and I nipped to the dechetterie after lunch and called for more cement on our way back. After dinner we watched the England semi-final, hoping for a win, a final of England and France would be good!
Thursday 12th July
Yet another busy day. As soon as Mark and Neil arrived Kevin and I went to Brico Marche for the last ceiling joist for the guest bathroom. We also nipped into Intermarche for the days food and a replacement green plastic chair (Neil had leant back on his chair last night and it cracked! Too many sandwiches!) On our return Kevin worked on the guest bathroom walls and ceiling. I cut the grass, strimmed the garden, brushed round the pool area and the front garden and fed the troops. Mark and Neil have almost finished the back wall, just a small section to complete on Monday. After they had left Kevin and I spent an hour sweeping the barn and moving materials around, it looks a bit tidied now. To finish the day I got in the pool and used the vacuum cleaner to clean the floor of the pool, then had a quick swim before dinner.
Friday 13th July
A day on our own. Kevin continued with the bathroom wall whilst I did the weekly chores and then cleaned the garden furniture ready for Barbara, Nev, Phil and Lesley coming tomorrow night. The pool technician arrived to sort the automatic system, he just changed a circuit and all was ok. After lunch we decided to go to Brico Marche to buy the shower cubicle, but guess what they had sold out so back to the drawing board! Whilst in Perigueux we called at Desjoyaux for some PH minus liquid and then called at Grand Fraise for the vegetables and fruit for tomorrow night. Once back at the barn we sat enjoying the evening then had a swim before the usual Friday tea. A lovely end to the day.
Saturday 14th July
Bastille Day! We have invited Nev, Barbara, Phil and Lesley for a BBQ tonight. Guess what! when we got up it was raining! we had already decided we should eat in the barn as its much cooler in there than outside so we continued with our preparations during the morning. We nipped to Le Clerc's for the final shopping and then spent the rest of the day preparing food, the pool and the barn. By 11am the rain had stopped and the sun had come out. We watched most of the Ladies Wimbledon final before our guests arrived at 6pm. We all enjoyed a dip in the pool before moving into the barn for dinner. a good ideas to eat in the barn as it was 38 degrees in the caravan at 8pm! we had a lovely evening with special friends.
Sunday 15th July
A lazy day, we woke up at 8am and it was already warm. After breakfast we tidied the barn and washed the glasses from last night. We listened to the Archers and I updated the blog. After lunch of leftovers I had a swim to cool down then we both wathced the men's Wimdeldon final. Robert and Caro are coming over at 7pm tonight for a drink, think we will be in the barn to keep cool!
Monday 16th July
After a lovely evening with Robert and Caro we had yet another sleepless night as it started thundering and lightening at around midnight, we were both up at 3am bringing in the garden furniture as the wind got up before it poured it down. Think we managed about two hours sleep! It was still raining when we got up and rained on and off during the morning. It didn't stop the workers though! Mark and Neil finished the pierre apparent on the back barn wall, it looks superb. Kevin started putting up the waterproof aluminium first layer of insulation on the front guest bedroom. I cleaned up the mess caused by the storm then spent some time cleaning the sticky paper off the upstairs bedroom windows then cleaned the cement from the window surrounds. Whilst Kevin nipped to Brico Marche I cleaned the pool before having a swim. Hoping for a good night's sleep tonight!
Tuesday 17th July
A bit of a frustrating day. I arrived back from food shopping and Kevin had run out of staples for the staple gun so I went back to Brico Marche, unfortunately they didn't have the same size, I tried to phone Kevin but his phone was on charge in the caravan! So I drove back to the barn to see if he wanted me to go elsewhere. We decided I should try Chaussons so it was off to Riberac again, they didn't have the right size either so after phoning Kevin I went back to Brico Marche and bought the size smaller. After coffee Kevin tried the stapler and after a few goes it decided not to work anymore, he tried to mend it but without success, so after lunch Kevin went to Brico Marche to buy a new one! In the meantime Mark and Neil had made a good start on the pool plant room and storage cupboard using some of the stones from the pile outside the back of the barn. After lunch I cleaned the downstairs windows, so for the first time all the windows look clean and are without sticky labels. At about 5pm Kevin had run out of mastic so off he went to Brico Marche again! Kevin continued working until 7pm, I prepared dinner then had a swim! The first sunflower came out today!
Wednesday 18th July
A better day! After food shopping and cleaning the van I set too and trimmed the trees on the roadside using the long handles loppers. Mark and Neil finished the walls on the pool house whilst Kevin continued his work on insulating the front bedroom. After lunch Kevin and I went to the dechetterie with the tree cuttings and then called at Brico Marche for wood to form the purlins and rafters for the pool house. I then stimmmed the roadside and most of the inside of the garden whilst Kevin put up some of the ceiling hangers ready for the plaster board. We finished work at around 7pm, it started to rain so missed a swim tonight. More sunflowers out today!
Thursday 19th July
Another constructive day. Mark and Neil completed the roof on the pool house, they should have finished for the summer last night but kindly came this morning to put the roof on, they left at lunchtime and will return in September to continue with the pierre apparent on the front wall. Kevin continued preparing the front bedroom for insulating and plaster board by putting up the remaining ceiling hangers. I cut the grass and then swept the upstairs of the barn. The pool technician arrived late afternoon and after checking the PH and chlorine levels told us we need to add some PH plus to increase the PH level in the pool, We didn't realise how technical this was going to be, we are on a big learning curve! After quick showers we left for Phil and Lesley's, we had been invited to a BBQ and another stop over. We had a lovely evening sat outside enjoying their fabulous views, lovely food and excellent company.
Friday 20th July
After a good night's sleep in a cool room and without mosquitoes! We left Phil,and Lesley's after breakfast, so grateful to them for inviting us. We called at Brico Marche for some PH plus for the pool and arrived back at the barn at around 11am. After coffee and reading the pool instructions we gave the pool a dose of PH plus and left it to do it's work! Kevin continuedf working in the front bedroom and by the end of the day had put in one piece of plaster board. I did the daily chores then after lunch levelled the pile of soil left from digging out the pool and put some grass seed over it, not sure it will grow in the heat and with little rain but will see what happens! At 3.30pm we went across to Myriam's and Kevin cut down one of her trees that had fallen during the storm two weeks ago. We had a cold drink with Myriam and her daughter Clara then returned to the barn and continued working. After showers we went back to Myriam's for an apperro. The sunflowers are in full bloom now and look fabulous from the bedrooms!
Saturday 21st July
Spent a lovely evening with Myriam and Clara, sat in Myriam's back garden eating nibbles Clara had prepared and of course drinking a glass or two of wine!
A steady day, Kevin started putting plaster boards around the velux window in the guest bedroom, lots of measuring and cutting but by the end of the afternoon he had completed it. I spent most of the day cleaning, just for a change! First the caravan, the swimming pool, then downstairs in the barn, upstairs in the barn and finally the outbuilding, reorganizing equipment ready for coming home! At 6pm we went across to Robert and Caro's to meet David their new neighbour over an apperro.
Sunday 22nd July
A steady day. Kevin continued with the front bedroom insulation whilst I sorted the chores. After coffee and listening to the Archers we both continued insulating the ceiling and putting up plaster boards in the front bedroom. A steady job as each piece of plaster board had to be cut around the truss and the veux window. After showers to get rid of the spiders! we both had a swim, in fact Kevin was the first in the pool! BBQ pork for dinner then a lazy evening watching tv.
Monday 23rd July
Another very hot day, 37 degrees in the caravan at 8pm! I nipped to Le Clerc's for some food, swept and cleaned the pool, did the ironing and then prepared coffee for Robert, Caro and David who have kindly volunteered to check the pool whilst we are back home. They arrived at 11am for their lesson in pool maintenance! Kevin put up the plasterboards on the guest bathroom ceiling before coffee. Once our guest had left we both worked in the barn puting up the remaining insulation and then some plaster boards on the ceiling in the guest bedroom. It was so hot working in barn. At 6pm Myriam and Clara arrived, after a quick cold drink Clara went to her karate class in Riberac, Myriam joined Kevin and I in the pool for a cooling swim!
Tuesday 24th July
Sorry not been a blog for a couple of days, the internet has gone down, Kevin spent over two hours trying to contact our provider by phone to no avail. He eventually managed to pay for a boost but as yet that hasn't kicked in! So the only way we can access the internet is to visit the local bar! What a shame we have to buy a drink! Anyway Kevin continued putting up the plaster board in the front bedroom, I was the builders mate today! It's hard work getting it to fit around the joists. Just one piece to go tomorrow. Hàd two swims during the evening as it was so hot we needed to keep cool!
Wednesday 25th July
Still no internet access so this will be the last post until we get home next Tuesday when we can hopefully phone from home and get it sorted! Kevin finished the final piece of plaster board in the front bedroom then put some more stud walls in the bathroom. I cut the grass and was the builders mate. We nipped to see Nev and Barbara before going to Le Clercs for wine. Once back at the barn we decided it was just to hot to cook so nipped to the pizza restaurant in Riberac and enjoyed pizza sat on their terrace. We both had a swim on our return to cool down!
Thursday 26th July
We left the barn at 9am to make our way to Rennes for the night, we are on our way to Torquay to surprise my friend Louise at her special birthday party that her daughter has organised. Couldn't fill in the blog until today (Sunday) as would have given to surprise away! Had a lovely late afternoon and evening exploring Rennes, another beautiful city. We ate in a restaurant in town before having an early night.
Friday 27th July
After breakfast innthe hotel we set of for Roscoff to catch the 4.30pm ferry to Plymouth. On our way we stopped at Morlaix to have a look round and for a spot of lunch. A lovely old French town, certainlybworthna visit. We had gallettes for lunch washed down with a cup of the local cider. The boat was 10 minutes late leaving but made up the time and we arrived at Plymouth at 9.30pm. The sea was very calm, I was very pleased!, six hours innthe boat with little to do became a bit boring though! We arrived at the Palace hotel in Paignton at 11.45pm, tired after the long journey. The hotel is an old mansion once belonging to the Singer sewing machine family, very nice and traditional.
Saturday 28th July
After a full English breakfast we decided to walk from the hotel into Torquay along the seafront and cliff top,it was about 3miles. It was very windy so we got pushed along the way! After a wander around the town, which looking a bit like all towns unkept and lots of closed shops, we headed back to the hotel. Calling at the beefeater for a light lunch. After showers we walked to the boat house for 6.15pm, about 5 mins away, for the party. Louise arrived just before 7pm and her face was a picture when she walked into the room. Marie had certainly managed to surprise her. When Louise saw us she was so surprised, it was lovely. After a good evening celebrating we walked back the hotel.
Sunday 29th July
After another full English breakfast we met Louise and Marie for coffee at 11am.
