Preparing for Rich's arrival and his stay with us

Whilst the walls were coming down downstairs we were locked away in the first guest bedroom's en suite.

The shower and basin were connected. mirror was fixed along with an over mirror light and then came the tiling and grouting of the walls and the floor.

We finished the evening before Rich's arrival, just in time.

Whilst the room itself isn't totally finished we reached a point where we could happily have a guest stay.

I made up the bed with the Dunelm Mill Hotel range sheets and duvet set. A lovely 300 thread cotton set which feels silky smooth to the touch. The curtain rail went up with green curtains so it was starting to look fresh and comfy.

We made up 2 bedside cabinets but the chest of drawers had to wait as we were out of time.

During this week we also erected our 3 metre diameter pool. It's about 30 inches deep and only took 20 minutes to put up. A lot longer to fill with water. Being so busy we had only managed to get in once or twice.

On the Saturday morning we got up to drive to Limoges Bellegarde airport to pick Rich up. We had to leave before his flight had even left Bristol! Due to thunderstorms he was delayed, but only by 20 minutes.

It was wonderful watching his Ryan Air flight land. 

The airport at Limoges is very modern and small but very well organised. We could sit outside in the cafe and have coffee and pain au raisins whilst watching the planes land. We watched as around 180 people disembarked. I was by the fence watching out for him and Phil was sitting in the cafe mouthing the words 'Wrong flight' at me.

However last to come off was my boy. I was so excited and waved crazily. As always it is my job to embarrass him but I did get a wave back. Inside the airport we could see him at passport control every time the door opened to release more arrivals. There he was just sauntering at the back of the queue. He does make me suffer sometimes.

I was quite emotional and it was great to see him. By this time the sun was coming out and the temperature was on the rise. After a drive back via Le Clerc our favourite supermarket we came back to chill for the afternoon. Rich has an interest in supermarkets because of his role in Stock Control at Tesco so it wasn't the purgatory supermarkets can be for young men.

We spent the afternoon chilling and in the pool which was great before going down to L'Etoile d'Or in the evening to show him off. Everyone knew he was coming and the landlord, John – introduced himself saying 'you must be My Rich then'.

The week flew by. We visited the Plan d'Eau at Les Gourds and Rich helped put the chest of drawers together in his room.

We visited La Rochelle on Tuesday and stayed over. Sadly Rich only saw the inside of the hotel room as he wasn't very well for 24 hours.

Phil and I left himto it – there was nothing we could do to make him feel any better and after a couple of fab cocktails we wandered along the front by the harbour where we had a bit to eat and watched some of the street acts.

One in oparticular was excellent. 2 acrobats who were very talented and very funny. Rich would really have loved them. It was such a shame.

In the morning he was feeling better so we had breakfast by the harbour and then wandered around town for a while before driving back. I think Rich just wanted to get back here and chill, which is exactly what we did.

On the Thursday evening Phil took us to Le Rejallant where we had an amazing meal by the Charente. A beautiful evening.

Outside Le Rejallant, Condac

Phil and I outside Le Rejallant on teh banks of the Charente River

Dining with a view - looks happy!

Me and my 'baby'

On the Friday we had arranged to meet friends at our own Plan d'Eau in Villefagnan for a bite to eat. I had booked a table (for 11 of us) and there was a band due to come on about 8pm. We got caught in torrential rain on the way down and were all very wet in spite of having borrowed an umbrella from the good folks at L'Etoile d'Or.

After our friends arrived it dried up and the band came on. I can honestly say they are the worst group I have ever see. The girls who were supposed to be backing singers were far too loud. In fact later in the evening when they disappeared for a few minutes and the men in the band played on their own it was much better.

They were called 'Never Too Old to Rock' and whilst they weren't old they also lacked any talent. In spite of this we had a great evening and our new friend Dee gave us a lift back so we could get some shut eye before heading back to Limoges very early for Rich's homeward flight.

The time had flown by and I hope he enjoyed his stay and that he comes again very soon.