France - April 2006

Work continued on the last downstairs room ... refurbishing walls, ceiling and the fireplace. The floor tiling was completed and grouted out after removing the front door to trim the bottom for clearance over the tiles.

A small fuel store was built to house the mazout containers and protect them from the heat. The burner flue was changed to the rear to enable the lid to be closed for a neater appearance, and a metal sheet was fitted behind the burner to better reflect the heat.

The tradifarge jointing of the exposed stones is almost complete. Remaining work on the steps to the second house, and wood trim to doorways etc. should be completed next visit .... furniture can then be repositioned between the downstairs rooms for more comfy living.

Unlike last year the weather remained quite cool for the first half of the visit. In general flowers and tree blossoms are about 4 weeks later than normal. The grass was cut for the first time.

The pear trees in the garden are full of blossom, the cherry for the first time

The peach tree also seems to have recovered from the severe pruning last year.

Many of the surrounding fields were bright yellow with dandelions, while white hedgerow and fruit tree blossoms completed the picture.

The Brece school open day. .................... Sunshine at Cherbourg

On my next visit work will resume on the upstairs room in the first house. This room should be completed and fully usable later in the year. Outside jobs and gardening will also get some priority ..... as will a few days relaxation !