Big push to get Phase 1 towards the end

Let the tiling commence

This was Saturday and today we are here. Grouting finished, side panel on and just a few finishing touches left to do.

Also today the plastering has entered a serious phase. Phil is wearing a black paper number to keep him clean. Sadly the paper is stronger than the zip which broke and he has a very well plastered tummy.

 We are hoping to return to the UK for a visit either Sunday or Monday but will not book the ferry till we are a bit closer. We have to be back the following week because some very nice French chaps are coming to widen and heighten a doorway to open up the entrance. Just an idea I had to create a feeling of space when you come in. We'll see.

Yesterday Phil attended a French / English session where the French came along free of charge to meet les Anglais and help us with our French language skills.

Whilst a lot of it went by as a bit of a blur he has picked up and is recognising lots of words now. We can't all be good at everything and I am totally in awe of Phil's plumbing, electrical, plastering, woodwork and all skills construction related.

We also got a door bell yesterday. It seems we never hear the door being knocked upon as we are always working at the far end of the house. It was an interesting trip to Ruffec. The skies became black, the thunder rumbled and the lightning lit up  whole sky, whilst at the same time large hail stones fell and made the roads look as though someone had emptied thousands of big bean bags over them. We sat in the car outside a DIY shop and every crash of thunder made the car shudder. It was incredible. On returning to Villefagnan only 10 minutes away there was no evidence of this weather at all. 

So at the end of today we have walls plastered and a couple of strips of ceiling done. Another couple of days and we should be plastered and painted. Then the bedroom flooring can go down. This will be chipboard 12mm thick, followed by a green felt and then some laminate. Sadly the budget doesn't stretch to floorboards up here and I am saving the money for floorboards for the entrance which needs replacing.

Aching muscles now so a bath and then perhaps a glass of wine or two....