An update on how the pond is looking, from time to time.
It does need some help with the removal of algae and pond weed by using the net and stepping in.
The Garden
Category: France
Kitchen Transformation
It has been a slow process but the new kitchen has been installed. Work still to do but it does make for a significant improvement.
From the choosing of the new kitchen months ago, to the removal of the old, living with the microwave as a friend and the basin tap, sanding the floors to the new set up. A lot of time and effort and stress in organising the repairs of the walls after my damage in removing the tiles and the plumber and electrician.
So the state of destruction:
To the progress of renewal:
One day it really will be an orchard
Two apple trees and a further pear tree to add to last autumn’s two pear trees. The latter doing ok now having spend a winter and spring with quite wet feet I think.
Visitor
The lad came to stay for nearly a week. He was lovely company, a good worker painting the kitchen and we managed a day out to the Pink Granite Coast.
I have to admit my memory failed a bit and we went to the wrong place first. In the end we managed to find Trégastal. The weather was not quite scorching but did improve. Nice desert.
The Pond
The work at the house continues. The pond requires daily attention to keep the algae down and weed. But it is manageable and looking good. The frogs are plentiful and now noisy. Great
St. Gilles vieux marché
There is a big gap in time and lots has happened. I have been back in France for four weeks. Doing lots or gardening to put things straight, preparing and trying to organise things for our new kitchen. Stress with the car.
But today I went to watch a recital of baroque music in a local chapel having picked up the flyer in the supermarket. Quite different but very good.
Autumnal morning
A beautiful morning. A classic. Cold with open skies with the fog and ‘steaming’ pond.
More house action
The men are here to fit the replacement ‘french’ windows and kitchen door, plus have done some work to sort out insulation and wall by one of the bedrooms.
And early progress:
PAC
Some changes are starting.
Le pompe à chaleur est en train de s’installer.
After five visits and quotes, and often telling me how difficult the work is, SebMan has started. He was delays because of Storm Ciaren and then the power cuts.
He has made a start- the old poele à bois has been removed and then are new holes in walls and the chimney is partially filled with boarding.
Here’s hoping for a successful outcome
Power cut
We returned to Brittany after a trip to Glasgow to the after effects of Storm Ciaran.
We had left by ferry just before it struck – taking an earlier ferry to Portsmouth than originally booked to avoid the cancellation.
On our return the house still lacked power , along with our neighbours, as our small sub-section of the network was less priority. The power came back today after eight days-though only two directly for us. A relief all the same.
A nice walk along the road yesterday evening to enjoy the hum of all the working generators in the neighbouring houses.
