October - at home and abroad

September was such a lovely month. Great weather (after the cool August) and friends visiting.
Whilst my back was bad Phil carried on with lots of little jobs that were so important but didn't make much of a visual impact.
In October we had a flying visit back to the UK to get Phil's defibrillator checked and to pick up a few things. Also the van had it's first MOT which reulted in some new brake pads being fitted but we are so pleased with her and expected there to be a lot more work than that.
Thanks to Paul who took care of all of it for us.

The van came back for the first time not packed to the sides and top.
We did a night crossing coming back on a Sunday/ It was rainy on the way to Portsmouth and got dark so conditions weren't superb and the traffic was abysmal. Probably a bad time to be on the roads.

We got back to Villefagnan at 2pm on the Monday afternoon. As we opened the gates the sun was shining on the stone walls and courtyard and the warmth was just like the house was welcoming us back.

Since then we have done lots!
The kitchen is plastered now and I have done lots of painting of windows.
Rugs have been cleaned in honour of our next guests. 

The back door has been recovered on the inside which was a real state and I have varnished.

Back door

Here are some pics of the plastering.The ceiling has plasterboard on but is yet to be plastered. After that we can go shopping for floor tiles. I can't wait.

Looking good Phil

The space with exposed wall is for our TV

Bedroom 2 is virtually finished. 
All that remains is the skirting boards to be painted and the wooden floor given a bit of TLC. We have brought back the new Ottoman bed and made it up along with a new firm mattress for our guests. we now have the bed that was in this room and the old bed is being stored for now. The mattress was easy to get out but the base would NOT go down the stairs so we asked our friend Rob to come and help us get it through the bedroom window. Last night was a chilly night and we brought a circular table into the kitchen which worked really well. Rob came round to get the bed base out through the window. Phil and Rob guided it out of the window on straps and I stood in the street to stop cars and to guide it safely to the ground. It made the trip successfully which means Phil doesn't have to cut it up to get it out of the house and we now have a bed base for use in one of the gites.

To say thanks to Rob we went to Chez David to have a couple of aperos and then back to our 'becoming cosy' kitchen for chilli.

Our first proper meal indoors

Phil at our kitchen table after meal

Bedroom 2 which will be our first letting room now looks like this.
Curtains and holdbacks up and a few finishing touches. A sneak preview for all my blog followers.

View to window at front of house

The bed

View of window overlooking courtyard

Shower room en suite

We really feel we are making progress now and we are so happy to be back here in Villefagnan with our new friends. In 9 short months we have come a long way and met some lovely people. My French is improving, as is Phil's. We have friends both French and English and are very happy to be here.

Very much looking forward to welcoming my lovely sister and brother in law and their beautiful girls here next week. 

A bientot

xx