Some other pictures we'd like to share with you

View from the top of the house looking out onto the road.


The market on Thursday mornings in nearby Boussac


The St Marien "swamp" as discovered by Mark.

View across the road from the front of the house.

With thanks to...

Here are some of the motley crew who helped us over the summer..




Mark - in charge of "inventions", renowned for asking questions at the most inopportune moments and supervisor of all children's channels.


Danni - grouter extraordinaire, remembered for her morning "dashes" to the village toilet before her first ciggie of the day, and champion texter!



Michael - joined at the hip to Danni, expert plasterer. Virtually nocturnal - do not disturb before 10:30.


Simon H - winner of the most annoying ring-tone award and support to Steven; can do most things without complaining.


Steven - fixer of everything and Brico-Depot's best customer 2008




Simon - electrician, slave-driver and organiser/planner of everything.

Liz (not pictured) - fantastic cook, expert painter and decorator, breath of fresh air when we needed it the most!




Ken and Jeanette (aka Barbie) - who provided a regular place of refuge, lots of wine and coffee and use of their shower facilities!

Before and After

The working "holiday" now over, we made out way back to the UK. Simon, Mark, Danni and Liz returned on 11th August and Steven and Michael returned in the van on 14th - making it back to the UK on a wing and a prayer with the clutch on the van about to give out.

Here are some before and after pictures of the house. We have lots more yet to do, but at least we have a sound roof, a functioning bathroom and an almost finished kitchen.

Brocante

We visited a Brocante today and bought a few bits and pieces. We found a fantastic dining table which will go well in the dining room (former shop) when the room is completed. Mark enjoyed himself with the old farm machinery and the french classic cars. It was a really hot day and we all caught a bit of sun.

Getting on with the renovations

We have made some progress with the internal renovations.




Getting to grips with the French wiring systems was challenging as the wire is much tougher and connecting to and fitting the sockets is quite different to any UK wiring we had undertaken before. However, the existing wiring supported only 5 working sockets and initially 5 (later on 3) working light fittings - something HAD to be done. We rewired the house completely, ripped out the old wiring and connected it all to a nice new fuseboard according to french wiring regulations, with 30mA RCD (Residual Current Devices) protecting the two phases to supply the house (the third phase will feed the old forge, when we convert it to living area).







Reassuringly, all the circuits worked perfectly first time. This enabled us to connect the water boiler, which Steven had fitted in the utility room, when he created the bathroom.




Work continued in the kitchen ...