France - February / March 2006
This visit saw major work on the last room, which has been used as a store and workshop over the last two years. The first jobs were a huge clear out and shelf construction.
The weather was quite cold, but once the oil fired burner could be lit the inside temperature in the room being worked on soon became a pleasant 20 degrees or so. There were sunny days, but not like last year .... when the weather was warm enough for a BBQ at La Petite Reigniere in March and most of the spring flowers were in bloom.
The first week saw snow showers but progress inside was rapid, and by the second week one stone wall was insulated and clad, and the tiling on the floor almost completed.
Light fittings were fixed on ceiling and walls, and power points positioned. Woodwork was completed and stained, the ceiling and other walls were made good and finished in crepi.
The fireplace and one corner of the room still needs more work, including repositioning the oil burner. The bottom of the front door must be trimmed before the tiling can be completed.
Some tradifarging of the exposed wall stones and grouting out the tiles will then see the room ready for final decoration, furnishing and use.
The upstairs room still requires work on the floor, fireplace and upstairs door area, but it was necessary to use the room as a temporary store whilst I worked on the room below. Hopefully I can finish off the stairs and upstairs room by the summer. Then back to the main house . . . to finish off there.
There was time for some socialising, the final " highlight " being a Poule au Pot, organised by the local hunting club of Brece. Sadly I forgot my camera. The local support for such village functions always amazes me. About 300 people turned out for this Sunday meal and dancing afterwards - about five hours in all.
By the time I left the tulips were showing well and the weather was improving, slowly.