This page has about 30 pictures, covering further work on the house and local events and activities.

A first job was to tackle the " lower ground " where stinging nettles and brambles had grown to well above head height ! The pipe against the wall is about 5 ft in height ( it carries the rain water from the roof - and could be useful later for a garden water supply)

Gradually the ground was cleared ...... the cuttings heaped to dry out in the sun

Two or three bonfires ... a hover cutter and a good raking left both the upper and lower grounds looking tidy. The wire fencing ( on top of the terrace retaining wall ) may later be replaced; although later this year the wall top will be planted with forsythia and other shrubs, to create more shade.

Another outside job was to rebuild the back door steps, and to point and repair the brickwork. A hand rail will be added later.

The Gorron Saltimbanque festivities ( see also last year ) made a welcome break to work ..... everything from the local Post Office (?) brass band to an excellent jazz group.

Another event was a small troupe providing medieval entertainment. It was amazing to see the support which turned out to watch the short plays, dancing and other entertainment.

The Brece school had a BBQ for the end of term ... which provided the opportunity for parents to meet each other, and the teachers, in an informal way.

Back at the house, the upstairs A frame was altered to provide a head height walk through, although I was still ducking automatically for a few days after ! The frame was braced against uprights, which went through the floor to rest on the main beam below and against the floor joists.

Further struts will be added in the construction of the partition wall, which also houses some of the electrics. Most of the timbers on the bedroom side will still be visible since the plasterboard panels will be inset.

The stair side of the A frame will include an upstairs toilet with wash basin, together with a large open landing area.

The mass of electrical wiring, as seen in earlier pictures, has been brought together in two main distribution boxes, to be fed from a new main fuse box. Most of the electrical work for the main house is now completed, apart from two or three power sockets, and a few lights and switches ( especially where walls etc. have to be built to hold them !)

This switch had to be inset into the existing solid wall .... these power sockets are being set into a new stair wall, where the stairs are being rebuilt.

Two main power breakers have been box mounted ready to connect up the new wiring and fuse boxes to the EDF supply

.... the peaches are from the garden.

The nearby public washing facility is indeed still used ... it is down behind the tamarisk tree and flower boxes ... Ambrieres is a Village Fleuri .