New Year Winter Blues

Our latest guests departed on the 2^nd day of the year and sadly took the bride with them back to the UK. Since then, this past month has given various troubles to cope with including snow, man flu, truculent work force and a failure of electrical power. Obviously the man flu was the hardest to cope with !

I’ll be much happier when we’re all here together as a family unit for good (me, the bride and our cats), but in the meantime our house in the UK continues to be de-cluttered and the bride pays frequent visits to check up on the building works.

Our little gîte, the Maison d’Amis, proved to be a warm and cosy nest for its first use guest and although we had insufficient time to fully decorate it, Sally felt comfortable enough to risk coming back again with her daughter in May. In order to ensure it measures up to our own expectations, I’m currently staying here myself and am working my way through a list of additions and refinements to make staying here even more of a joy.

I’ve also been working in the Grenier above and besides sanding and oiling the exposed roof timbers, I’ve been exercising my new found woodworking skills, as I finish off some unfinished joinery work started by our departed help. I’m confidently planning to install some timber wall panelling, a built in wardrobe, shelving and cabinets, so watch this space.

Last week’s gusts of wind reminded me to do something about the roof on our open hangar. This structure is destined to be covered guest parking and the corrugated iron roof will be quite in keeping with the enhanced rustic charm we are striving to achieve. Kevin our roofer called in the other day to look at the hangar and besides attending to this, reckons he can start the barn roof, weather permitting by mid February. That’s one of the major tasks on the barn and brings our moving in date forward at least in our minds. 

Still needs paint !

Loving the new hob !

I’m getting used to the new Maison d’Ami's kitchen and fortunately, that ‘new cooker smell’ when you fire up the oven for the first few times has gratefully gone and I’m also now a firm believer in the benefits of ceramic hobs, as they heat up almost as fast as gas and are so easy to clean and even provide an occasional extra work surface!

As I’ve finished my cup of ‘builders’, I have little excuse not to get back to work, so it's a cheery ttfn from moi as we are looking forward to the new life of spring and the warmer weather.

A bientôt,

LC