Thursday, 27 January 2022

Living the Dream, Year Six, January 2022

 Sunday 23rd January

Well we didn't think we would be back in France this soon after Macron closed the border to the UK in December. Fortunately for us he open them again on Friday 14th January so we quickly booked our Eurotunnel crossing! We need to prepare for the permanent electric installation which is booked for 7th February. 

As usual the car was jam packed full, this time with an oak writing desk that Andrew and Kath have kindly given to us along with the usual materials and food. We had to pack the drawers and shelves in the desk with clothes and food to make sure we got everything in. 

We set the alarm for 5am and were on the road by 6.15am. We had an excellent journey to the tunnel and once again managed to get on an earlier train. No problems at border control so the six mini pork pies made it across the pond ready to give to Nev and Barbara!

We had a good drive and arrived at Le Mans, our over night stop, by 4pm. We had booked an Ibis hotel, basic but you know it will be clean. We were the first guests this year, covid is still having an effect on the tourist industry in France. We managed to get a very basic lasagne and ice cream evening meal in the hotel and then had an early night. 

Monday 24th January

After a basic breakfast we were back on the road at 8.20am and arrived at the barn at 1pm. The barn had wintered well, lots of flies but no sign of any mice! It felt very cold so Kevin switched on the electrics and then the water. Manuel arrived and invited us for a coffee at his home, he invited Danielle to join us, so good to see them both again. After coffee we emptied the car and then I vacuumed up the flies and cleaned our bedroom before making the bed, putting the electric blankets in ready to switch on later!

We switched on the electric radiators in our bedroom, the kitchen and lounge only to trip the temporary electric supply! So we had to reduce the number of radiators, we decided to make sure our bedroom was warm and the kitchen. We can spend our evenings watching television in the bedroom! We then went food shopping before having a quick pizza and retiring to the warm bedroom. The electric blankets were a good idea as the bed was aired and lovely and warm. it was minus 6 over night but we were cosy in bed.

Tuesday 25th January

Kevin started the day by putting up our new house number,  904, we have all been given a new address over winter and ours is 904 Route des Fauvettes, Bertric Buree 24230 France. The house number indicates the distance in metres from the main road. A good idea for the emergency services and of course Amazon deliveries! 

He then started drilling a hole in the front of the barn to indicate where the permanent electrics will enter the barn, a tough job as the walls are so thick. 

I continued vacuuming up flies, this time downstairs, one way to keep warm! Manuel came down for a quick coffee at 11am as he is working from home at the moment.

Whilst Kevin continued digging and drilling his hole I started gardening, as usual it looks like it has never been done. It was a beautiful day, 16 degrees and brilliant sunshine so too nice to stay inside. After dinner we hibernated in the bedroom. At 8pm the electrics suddenly cut out again so Kevin went outside in the freezing cold to try and switch them back on again, unfortunately he couldn't get it to switch back on, so he nipped up to Manuel's to see if he could contact Bruno, our local electrician. Unfortunately Bruno didn't answer his phone so we were without electric all night! Fortunately we were warm enough in bed but the barn soon went very cold. It was probably the coldest night of the year so far.








Wednesday 26th January

Neither of us slept very well last night, both worrying about how to get the electrics sorted. We were up and sort of dressed by 7am, its difficult trying to find clothes etc with only torches for light! Manuel sent us a message at 7.15 am inviting us for breakfast and showers, he is just so good to us. We went round and had coffee whilst Manuel tried to contact Bruno again. Unfortunately he had left for work at 6am but said he would come and have a look during his lunch break which was really kind of him. 

We decided to go to Brico Marche and buy a gas portable heater which would relieve one problem. Fortunately Brico had a heater in stock but what a performance getting a regulator and gas bottle to fit! Brico told us to go to Intermarche, Intermarche told us to go to Le Clercs! Neither had exactly what we needed so we decided it was time to get back to the barn before Bruno arrived, we had a heater but no means of getting it to work! 

Bruno arrived at 12 .10pm, it took him an hour to locate and sort the problem but we then had our electricity back working which was a huge relief, you don't realise how much we rely on electricity until you don't have it. After lunch and quick showers we then went to pay the deposit for the digger hire, we have hired a digger for the weekend to dig the trench ready for laying the electric cable. We then called in Le Clercs and managed to buy a regulator which allows us to us our BBQ gas bottle with the heater. We then nipped to Nev and Barbara's to collect the conduit which Kevin will use to house the permanent electric cable. Nev has kindly given us the conduit. We sat and had tea and cakes in their garden, lovely to see them again and great to wind down after such a stressful morning. 

Once back at the barn I prepared dinner, pork with leeks and apple, enough for Manuel and Danielle and we took it up to Manuel's to eat as his house as is much warmer than the barn! We had a lovely evening together, after dinner we played Mexican Train until we were just to tired, 9.45pm, and left to get a good nights sleep!


Thursday 27th January

After a good nights sleep we were up and working by 8.30am. I made porridge for breakfast to keep us warm whilst working. 

Whilst we have power we are being really careful when switching electrical items on as its still tripping when we overload the supply. The gas heater has made a massive difference with the warm air rising and warming upstairs as well as the dining area. 

Kevin went to fetch a trailer load of sand ready for bedding the conduit in whilst I vacuumed the spare bedrooms and did the ironing.  At 11am Lisa came over and cut Kevin's hair for him and then David came over for coffee and toasted hot cross buns. It was lovely to see David again, he is really enjoying his new life in France now. 

Kevin spent the rest of the day preparing the groundwork ready for using the digger over the weekend, he also fetched two more loads of sand. I helped him empty the trailer and also cleaned the outside windows, brushed up all the leaves round the pool and then did a bit more gardening. another beautiful sunny day, cold until the sun came out mid morning. So at last a productive day. both shattered but happy with the  progress made today.



Friday 28th January

Another beautiful sunny day and a  busy day for Kevin, he spent all day finalising  the ground work ready for the digger to arrive late afternoon. I did the weekly shop at Le Clerc's and then helped the worker. I also did another bit of the garden, its taking longer than I thought as so many weeds. The digger arrived at 4.30pm so all ready for digging the trench over the weekend and putting the electric conduit in place.

After baths and showers we went across to Danielle's for apero, Myriam arrived home at lunchtime, after spending several weeks at Freddie's recovering from her broken ankle, so it was lovely to see her walking again. We all ended up going to Manuel's to play Mexican Train until 10.30pm and I won!



Saturday 29th January

An early start for Kevin, he was outside as soon as it was daylight digging the trench. Not an easy task as there is so many large pieces of stone to remove. I nipped to Aldi for bread as I have offered to make chilli with rice and garlic bread for the gang tonight, we plan to eat at Danielle's as its too cold in the barn, even with the gas heater at night.

Kevin made steady progress and by coffee time had completed about a third of the trench and by lunch time about half.

I stayed inside and made the chilli! not much for me to do outside and not allowed to use the digger! so since it is a dull and damp day inside it was for me! I made soup for lunch as Kevin was getting chilled. 

After lunch I joined the worker and helped put the bottom layer of sand into the trench, back aching! Kevin nipped to get some gravel, lime and cement from Brico Marche whilst I continued putting sand into the trench. 

At 6.30pm the gang   can to us for apero before we carried the chilli, rice and garlic bread across to Danielle's. after dinner we played Mexican Train and once again I won!






Sunday 30th January

An early start, before going outside we prepared dinner for tonight, slow cooked beef  in beef with roasted roots. We were both outside by 9am. We stared by putting the conduit into the trench and then filled over it with sand. Kevin then spent the rest of the day back filling the trench and then levelling the ground. I was the builder mate and also continued with the weeding. At 3pm Nev and Barbara arrived with a birthday card and present for me, so kind of them. They stopped and had a cup of tea and chat. After they left we continued working making full use of day light. After showers we had the beef in beer, its the first time I have bought a beef joint in France and it was very tasty.









Monday 31st January

My 65th birthday, Where have all the years gone and no state pension! My first birthday spent in France. A day of rest for me. 

Kevin telephoned the digger company at 7.30am to organise the collection of the digger, they told him they would arrive at 11am. He brought me coffee in bed and I opened my birthday cards and presents. After breakfast Kevin prepared a mixing of concrete and put it into the hole he had dug by the front fence ready for the electric meter to stand on. 

I just pottered about and then at 11am I went to Myriam's for coffee with 'the gang'. Kevin waited for the digger man to arrive. Manuel, Myriam and Danielle sang Happy Birthday to me in French and gave me a lovely present, special toiletries and hand cream from the flower shop in Riberac, they are all so kind.  By 11.30am the digger man hadn't arrived so I went to fetch Kevin and Manuel phoned the company, the man had been delayed and will come tomorrow at 11am! 

Manuel also phoned and booked us a table at a restaurant in Perigueux so after coffee we set off for Perigueux. We arrived at the restaurant at 12.45pm. We had a lovely meal, pate de foie gras, I had duck confit and Kevin had duck magret and then I had profiteroles and Kevin had the creme brulee all washed down with a glass of wine. Manuel had told the restaurant it was my birthday so the profiteroles arrived with a candle!  After lunch we had a wander round the old town, I managed to buy a pair of boots in the sale! We then went to Brico Depot (we couldn't miss a trip!) and had a look at possible tiles for round the pool. We also called at a furniture shop looking for furniture for the lounge area but it was all too modern. We picked up a bottle of gas for the portable heater on our way back to the barn and were back by 6pm. A lovely day.





Tuesday 1st February

Back to work today! Kevin back filled the remaining bit of the front trench with stones and then mortared them into place. I did the weekly bed change and cleaning. Manuel popped down for a coffee break at 11am. After coffee we decided to clean out the outhouse to try and make more storage space. Space is getting very tight now for the storage of all Kevin's tools and equipment as we near the finishing of the inside of the barn. After lunch we moved equipment from the lounge area into the out house to make space to finish the tiling. Kevin also put a coat of PVA glue on the area left to be tiled, he also cut some in fill pieces of plasterboard for round the bottom of the walls in the dining area, they will  act as support for the skirting boards. I finished the day by doing the ironing and then preparing dinner. 






Wednesday 2nd February

A dull and damp day but another work day. Kevin started by rendering the front of the barn where we had made the hole for the electrics. He then cut the tiles and started tiling the entrance area at the front of the lounge. I did pottering jobs. Manuel came down for coffee and then at 2pm Lesley called bearing gifts for my birthday, a beautiful scarf, a bottle of champagne and some home made chocolate brownies. We spent the afternoon chatting and catching up, so lovely to see her after such a long time. At 7.30pm we went across to David's for a Chinese New Year meal. As usual it was delicious, he is a fabulous chef. I drove and we were home just after 10.30pm.





Thursday 3rd February

Another  dull and damp day. I went to Le Clerc's for food and whilst I was gone Kevin continued cutting tiles for the entrance area. After coffee with Manuel I mixed the glue whilst Kevin fitted the tiles. By 2.30pm we had finished the floor area. Kevin decided to cut the upstands ready for fitting tomorrow so I decided to make a lasagne for tomorrow night, I have volunteered to cook for the gang we will take it up to Manuel's house to eat. 






Friday 4th February

Yet another dull and damp day. So another day working inside.  I started by mixing some tile adhesive for Kevin and whilst I nipped to Le Clerc's he fitted the final tiles in the lounge. another milestone reached! I went to Manuel's for a quick coffee but Kevin stayed at the barn waiting and hoping for Enedis to arrive. After coffee the A team worked together, Kevin grouting and me cleaning up after him! By lunchtime Enedis hadn't arrived and Kevin was getting a bit worried so once again Manuel to the rescue, he telephoned Enedis and they told him they would be arriving after lunch. At 2pm we heard the digger and van arrive so Kevin was happy again. It took them about an hour and a quarter to dig a hole and then fit the meter box. We continued grouting and by the end of the afternoon had done about half of the remaining area so a good days work. At 7pm we went up to Manuel's for the lasagne, Danielle joined us. After the meal we played Mexican Train and this time Danielle won, her first win so really pleased for her. Another superb evening. 








Saturday 5th February

A lovely sunny day but we decided to work inside and finish the grouting, the sun was streaming in through the lounge doors. We started the day by yet again moving equipment and materials so we could get to the tiles that needed grouting. Hopefully this will be the last time we move materials around! We moved the bureau into its final resting place, it fits perfectly, thank you so much Andrew and Kath. We then worked together, Kevin grouting and me cleaning up after him! Manuel came down for coffee. We finished the grouting after lunch. I then spent an hour on my garden project. I really enjoyed being in the garden, it was so warm and a shame to be inside. Kevin cut some more pieces of packing plasterboard ready to fix into place hopefully tomorrow. After early showers we got ready to go to Phil and Lesley's for the evening. They have kindly invited us for dinner and to stay over for the night, Nev and Barbara are also invited so will be lovely to all be together again after such a long time. 








Sunday 6th February 
We had a fabulous evening at Phil and Lesley's last night. Great food, superb company and of course plenty of wine! We eventually went to bed at 12.30am. After a leisurely breakfast we were back at the barn by 11am. Kevin finished grouting the front entrance area in the lounge so another milestone met, all the downstairs floor fitted and grouted. I vacuumed the lounge floor and then mopped it to remove the grout dust, it will probably need at least one more wash before it is all finally removed. 
At 6.30pm we went across to Danielle's for apero followed by another lovely evening meal, so much for trying to diet whilst in France! Manuel joined us and after the meal we played Mexican train until 10pm. Manuel won this time.





Monday 7th February
Another stressful day! It started well with Kevin fitting the infill pieces of plasterboard in the dining area ready for the skirting boards to be fitted. I cleaned the downstairs inside windows and after coffee moped the lounge floor again. At 1pm just as we sat down to eat lunch the men from Enedis arrived to connect the permanent electrics, or so we thought! They told us they only fit the cable from the pylon to the meter box and we needed to fit the cable from the meter box at the front of the property to the house! this was not our understanding or in the details they had sent us! Manuel came down to clarify our understanding and yes they were only going to fit the cable to the meter box. Manuel and Kevin phoned EDF, our electricity company, and eventually, after about an hour, managed to speak to a real person who sorted out a new contract and eventually after much waiting manage to organise the final connection of the electric supply for 18th February. Since we need to be here for the final connection we had to change our date for returning home until the 20th February. We then went to Brico Marche to buy a 20 metre length of the required cable. As we expected Brico Marche didn't have the cable so we went to Jamot and fortunately Kevin managed to order the cable at a cost of 8 euros a metre which will arrive tomorrow afternoon. The next problem is getting the cable through the conduit which is now buried in the ground! We returned to the barn and changed our hotel and Eurotunnel crossings at an additional cost of over £120.  Manuel came down at 6.30pm and we all had a much needed drink whilst Kevin and Manuel checked all the paperwork which had arrived by email. Thank goodness for Manuel, we would have really struggled without him today So a very stressful and expensive day! Fingers crossed it will all be sorted by the 18th February.







Tuesday 8th February
A productive day but not without its problems! It was a beautiful sunny and warm day after a frosty start. We decided to start cutting down the two trees in the field by the pool. We got all the equipment out and Kevin switched the chain saw on only to have no power, the outside socket was no longer working! He managed to sort the electrics and after a first cut with the chain saw it stopped working! So he took the chain saw to Jardin Vert and managed to get a new chain fitted for 40 euros. Whilst Kevin was gone David arrived for coffee, good to see him again. We started cutting the first tree down at 12.30pm and by 1.40pm it was down so we had a late lunch. After lunch we cleared up the tree branches and stacked them in the garden. We then started on the second tree, a bigger tree. At 3.40pm Kevin went to Jamot to collect the  electric cable, he came back empty handed as it had not arrived at Jamot! Whilst he was gone I continued with my garden project. At 6pm Jamot phoned to say the cable had arrived in stock so first thing in the morning Kevin will fetch it. A beautiful sunset tonight so hopefully another sunny day tomorrow.






Wednesday 9th February
A busy day! We were up at 7.30am, we stripped the bed and had breakfast and Kevin left for Jamot's at 8.30am. While he was gone I cleaned the bedroom and downstairs, hung the washing out and had just 
decided to start gardening when Kevin returned with the electric cable. By 11am we had threaded the cable through the conduit, much easier than we had expected and after two sleepless nights we were both relieved that job was complete! It then took Kevin over an hour to fix the two wires into the electric box, a difficult task as the wires are so thick, but hopefully we are now ready for Enedis next Friday, fingers crossed. We then spent the rest of the day cutting down the second tree and then dealing with the branches. In between I cut the back garden grass. By the end of play we had almost cut the tree down but we still have a lot more clearing to complete hopefully tomorrow. Kevin carried on clearing up while I had a quick bath and then did the ironing before getting dinner ready. We were both shattered but a good job done.












Thursday 10th February
Another beautiful day, 16 degrees at lunchtime. We continued clearing the field of the tree branches, we both worked hard until 2pm when we were shattered so decided to call it a day. We now had a pile of logs and lots of kindling piled up against the fence. We have probably another mornings work to complete the job. We had a late lunch and then had early showers and called at Le Clerc's and then Brico Marche before going to Nev and Barbara's for dinner.









Friday 11th February
It was midnight when we got back from Nev and Barbara's, another superb evening spent putting the world to rights, over a lovely meal and of course a glass or two of wine, with good friends. So a bit of a rest day today! Another beautiful sunny day. We decided to have a wander round Riberac market, since its winter the stalls were mainly food, fruit and veg. It was really good to walk round and watch the French buy their produce. We called at the Collones and had coffee and croissants before calling at Le Clerc's and Aldi where Kevin bought his duty free allowance of wine ready to take home next weekend. After an early lunch we went to Le Roy Merlin's for skirting boards and a sheet of plasterboard. The forecast is for rain next week so we are prepared! On our return I made dessert for tonight, Manuel has invited us along with Danielle for Raclette and I have volunteered to make a dessert, Kevin planned how he will make the guest bedroom door and also drew me plans for furniture in the lounge, we are finally thinking about furniture!

Saturday 12th February
Another beautiful day. At 8,30am Manuel arrived with fresh croissants and Pain au Chocolat from the boulangerie in Bertric Buree, he joined us and we all really enjoyed our French breakfast. We then started the day by finishing clearing the tree branches, we had finished by coffee time so a good job finished. We have a better view, there is additional light in the barn and hopefully not as many leaves in the pool during the summer months. Its been really hard work but hopefully worth it. Kevin then started making another door, this time for the front guest bedroom. I tidied up the garden and decided to cut the remaining grass. I had only been cutting five minutes when I ran over the metal piece by the gates and wrecked the lawn mower, needless to say I wasn't very popular, this is the second lawn mover to be broken in this way! We cleared up and had early showers so Kevin could watch the rugby. 









Sunday 13th February
Well we are still in France, we should have been spending tonight with Avril and Phillip, so disappointed not to be spending time with them and perhaps seeing their new granddaughter, Millie. Hopefully, that will happen soon. I spent the day preparing Sunday dinner for Manuel and Danielle tonight. Slow cooker beef in beer with horseradish sauce, roast potatoes and roasted root vegetables. I bought a piece of Limousin beef from the butcher in Le Clerc's, 32 euros! We are hoping to eat in the barn or at least for the main course and if too cold we will take the cheese and have dessert at Danielle's. Danielle is making crème brulee for desert, Kevin's favourite. 
Kevin made the boxing out for the main electric cable in the utility room, he just needs to cover it with plasterboard after the cable is in place. He then started putting some skirting board up in the lounge. He finished work at 3pm so he could watch the rugby. Another beautiful sunny day 16 degrees at 3pm.
Manuel and Danielle arrived at 6.30pm, we had managed to get the lounge to 22 degrees with the gas heater, they both complained they were too hot! After apero we ate the meal in the dining room, the beef was delicious, as was the creme brulee. We then played Mexican Train and Manuel won. another lovely evening.







Monday 14th February
Valentine's Day. We had a relaxing morning sorting paperwork ready for Enedis on Friday. At 11am we  went to Riberac as I had arranged to have my nail varnish remover at the beauticians, another first. Whilst he waited for me Kevin had a walk around the town. We were going to have a meal at the Chabrot restaurant for Valentine's Day but we both decided we had had too much to eat over the weekend, so we decided to call in the Collones and ordered burger and chips! not quite the meal we would have had with Avril and Phillip but we enjoyed it. After lunch we continued fixing the skirting board and completed the lounge. I filled in the gaps ready for painting tomorrow. We didn't finish working until almost 7pm so not really a rest day in the end! A dull day with some rain.





Tuesday 15th February
Yet another stressful day! Kevin looked at his emails whilst having his coffee in bed and Enedis had sent a rearranged appointment for the 28th February, no explanation as to why! So once again it was Manuel to the rescue, he came down at 8.45am and started phoning EDF to find out what was happening and if the appointment could still be on Friday. After a long wait and then a long conversation he was told someone would phone him back before 4pm with a solution! 
So Kevin continued fitting skirting boards and I painted the lounge skirting boards. At 10.30am Manuel arrived, he had decided to recall EDF and had pleaded with them to look for an appointment this week before we leave. Fortunately he managed to get a cancellation for Thursday morning between 8am and 12 o clock. He asked them to send Kevin a confirmation email which they did. So now we wait in anticipation that they will arrive on Thursday morning, we will certainly be glad when we have mains electric connected!
We continued working until after 5pm when Kevin had cut and fixed all the skirting in the dining area and kitchen. He also started fitting the plinth in the kitchen, so good progress made but a very stressful day. A dull day with a bit of rain. 





Wednesday 16th February
A busy day.  Kevin started the day by nipping to Brico Marche for a pair of pinchers as he couldn't find his in the outhouse. While he was gone I pulled up the masking tape in the lounge, vacuumed and then mopped the floor, it is almost finished, just a window cill to make next time. Once Kevin had removed the nails in the skirtings in the dinning room and kitchen I filled the edges and holes. After an early lunch I then painted the skirtings in the kitchen, dining room and entrance. Kevin decided to have a dummy run and try and fit the permanent electric cable into the electric box, he needed an allen key which he couldn't find so once again he went down to Brico Marche. When he returned he switched the electrics off and prepared the cable ready for hopefully a quick change over in the morning. He put the temporary cables back in place so we could have electricity. We had early showers and then called at Le Clerc's and then for petrol before going to Nev and Barbara's for a final meal together. Phil and Lesley had also been invited so once again we had a lovely evening with superb food, Nev had produced a Greek themed meal. We left just after 10.30am as we had an early start in the morning. 




Thursday 17th February
An early start, we were up and had breakfast before 7.30am. it was still dark but Kevin needed to swap the temporary cable for the permanent cable before 8am as that was the time Enedis had given as a possible arrival time! So we switched the electrics off and worked by torch light. I held the torches whilst Kevin fixed the cables in place. A difficult job, why are electrics so difficult, obviously designed by a man!  Kevin was trying to put thick cables through small holes in the dark, he persevered and eventually was happy with the connections. He put the covers on the electric box and we waited for Enedis to arrive. Whilst waiting I changed the bed and cleaned the bedroom and ensuite. We packed the car ready for leaving on Saturday. I then removed the masking tape from the dining room and kitchen and cleaned round the edges of the floor. At 10.05am the Enedis man arrived. It took him ten minutes to check Kevin's connections, both inside and out, leaving his muddy footprints behind! and then the final switch on. We finally have a permanent electric supply. so proud of Kevin, he has successfully completed all the electrics in the barn. What a relief, think we will both sleep much better tonight. After coffee I continued cleaning and preparing the barn ready for leaving. Kevin sorted the instructions for the electric radiators and switched most of them on. After lunch I used the new Karcher floor cleaner and washed the downstairs floors, its quite impressive, much quicker than using a mop and the floor looked clean after so a good purchase.  After doing the ironing and having showers we nipped down to Le Clerc Espace and had a quick look at televisions ready to buy one next time, we also bought a kitchen clock from the hardware shop. A stressful and busy day but a satisfying one.





Friday 18th February
Our last day for this visit. We had a leisurely day. Kevin switched the electric radiators on and the barn soon warmed up so we are happy that they will keep us warm in future. I nipped to Aldi for bread, pastries and cheese. We then sorted paperwork and managed to empty one large plastic box into the new bureau.  At 11.30am Nev and Barbara arrived and we enjoyed a couple of relaxing hours drinking coffee and eating pastries. I then made an impromptu lunch of tomatoes and mozzarella for us all. It was so lovely to have a relaxing time with friends.  We continued our sorting out during the afternoon and Kevin also notified all our French accounts of our new French address, he also contacted EDF to confirm the final electrics were connected. At about 4pm Myriam arrived for a chat, she stayed for a coffee. At 6.30pm we went across to Danielle's for a final dinner with 'the gang' She had made cows cheeks in beer and they were so delicious. Manuel arrived at about 7.50pm, he had just returned from a couple of days in Lyon for work meetings. With dessert we opened a bottle of Champagne to thank everyone for all their help this visit. We then played our final game of mexican train, Manuel won. We said our sad goodbyes at 10.30pm. A stressful visit this time but we have achieved what we came out to do, have permanent electrics and a whole lot more as usual. Hopefully we will return towards the end of April. Au revoir et a bientot.