The last 2 weeks

Since Rich left we have been busy again.
After dropping him off at the airport we explored the DIY stores in Angouleme. Many people have recommended we go to them but we have been happy to get building materials in the village and Plisson give us a good deal. However there are some things we can't get locally and/or the selection is not so large. We don't need the tiles for the kitchen floor yet but we wanted to check out what is available and the prices. I am hoping we will find some nice large tiles that are light enough to make the room look larger but mottled enough not to show the dirt for around €9 per square metre.

We have done so much in the last couple of weeks that it is easier to list.
I have put Ton Pierre (literally 'your stone') paint to cover the nasty grey concrete that has been used to 'mend' parts of the outside.
Work has begun in the kitchen. the day after Rich left the electrics and plumbing in for the washing machine were done. This was placed in situ and was working by that evening.

I have painted shutters to Bedroom2 - which Rich helped take off and bring in through the window when he was here.
Outside the door to what will be Gite 1 and the front door have also been painted in the blue-grey that is permitted here. I have undercoated the huge door to the new kitchen. After that only two windows to do on house number 1.

Since plumbing in the washing machine  in we have the stud partition up for the utility room and it is plasterboarded and the door is hung.
we have chipped concrete out of the long kitchen wall. Someone went mad with it at one point i the past and it is hard work to get rid of. This wall is going to stay au natural and I have started pointing it using the same chaux and sand mix as when we did our bedroom all those months ago. This is yet to be finished as Phil wanted to get into the kitchen to install plumbing and electrics.
Of course this was easier said than done. Phil started to lay the electric cabling and came across stone under the floor. it was too big to go round and had to come up. the stone soon became a boulder and this is what we had to remove and take out of the house. Phil's words were - 'I only wanted to lay a bit of cable'.

I only wanted to lay a bit of cable

Boulder leaving the house

The first night we had a kettle sitting on some worktop.

The start of the kitchen

We now have a working sink - with hot water, after boiling kettles for 3 weeks. There is a plumbed in and working dishwasher and the cooker that Maria and Mike donated to us which Phil converted to LPG gas is in and working. We have to replace a couple of parts. The timer knob has come off and also a part that holds a small splashback at the rear of it is missing. Also the diagrams for the cooker knob showing cooker, grill and temperatures has worn away so we need to come up with a cunning plan so we know where to set the dial. We're managing well so far and it is a joy to be able to cook again. There have been some leaks and parts that haven't fit properly. The disadvantages of using English pipes. If we embarked on this again we would definitely use French plumbing. Poor Phil was solving one leak and another would appear but finally he has cracked it.

It's going to be a long haul but it's great to have it starting to look like a real kitchen.

Coming together

Meanwhile outside we have been trying to keep on top of the garden and courtyard. Our honeysuckle is having a second burst even after Phil cut it back and the roses just keep on blooming. I guess dead heading works! Phil has put a new washing line and post up for me as the old post was rotten and invariably washing would end up on the ground when it collapsed. I have painted the legs of a table that we are rejuvenating for the kitchen and I have bought a colourful tablecloth and cushions for when we have guests. Phil has added more of the fairy lights to the covered terrace and it looks so pretty at night.


I have taken a few photos below which I will probably use for our website and Facebook page when I start work on that this winter. What do you think?

Outside Gite 2

Outside Gite 2 looking towards Gite 1 and our bench under the honeysuckle

Hope to post more very soon. Thanks to my loyal followers - I hope you like what we are doing and get to see for yourselves very soon.
Much love xx