Our visit in June...it's all about the back of the house

For once, we had time to check Portsmouth out before catching the ferry.

London Illustrated News now on the wall and me with a black plastic bag over my head ready for jet-washing the stonework at the back.

Raking the joints ready for jet-washing. Also defining the patio shape.

Bev pushing it. Stonework being cleaned to the left. The right still to do. We aren't sure what to do with the previous owners bodged attempts at pointing (the little bright corner bit).

I fully support the French siesta.

A walk down the lane with the family.

Juli learning how to relax

The new breakfast table

Taking a break from cleaning the stone...digging the soak-away

It's hard work...

David entertaining the kids...the next train leaves in ten minutes...

Unless you prefer just two wheels.

Chris helping me connect to the soak-away.

Soap, water, plastic and sunshine...perfect!

Breakfast marching band

Hardcore filled, connected and capped...only the soil and seed to go.

 

A visit to the French Resistance museum

And Auray. Where's Danny?

Not to forget the cyclists...they're really serious about this.

It was an all work, all play and all relax couple of weeks.

Very tiring but very special.

Special thanks to Martin & Collete for their help with submitting plans to the Mairie.

(See previous post regarding work completed.)

Flash Forward

I was disappointed with the TV programme Flash Forward but I like the title.

I've decided to Flash Forward to 2010 and our visit to Bel-Air last week. Incidentally, Bel-Air is not a name we gave to the place...it's on all the road signs even though there are only two houses.

The other house is for sale after the death of Joel. His brother had planned to renovate the place but decided against it  given the circumstances of his brother's death. We've seriously considered buying it but it will mean selling up here in England straight away. MIL will not consider coming with us therefore we are resigned to having new neighbours in France at some point.

As soon as I organise the photographs, I'll post details of what work we carried out this time round.

Here is a brief outline...
1. Rake, Jet-wash and backfill the stonework at the back of the property ready for pointing in July.
2. Dig a soak-away with pipework leading to it.
3. Level the worst of the undulating  (moles) grass area.
4. Dig out the patio area.
5. Define the shape of the patio with retaining stone.
6. Submit plans to the Mairie for storage areas.
7. Buy materials ready for the July visit.
8. Put something on the walls to personalise the place.