Pyrénées adventure

Tour of Cirque de Campuls

2012-01-28T22:25:00.005+01:00

A glorious day out in the mountains. I had a late start (after a late night finishing the plumbing) but by 10.20 was on the hill heading for the cabane de Campuls. It was icy as climbed into the cirque above the cabane and soon put on my crampons. They stayed on my boots for the whole day.
The Etang d'Ayes was frozen and I continued to climb up to the smaller Etang de Bellonguere where I caught the first of the sun. The icy crystals were sparkling and the combination of warm sun and cold air magnificent.
From here I followed a vague ridge steeply upwards to the east before striking south along the ridge to the corniced summit of Pic de la eyre Blanque (2176m). The snow here was hard as ice and great care was needed as only the tips of my crampon oints could penetrate the snow and give me grip. Good practice of "french crampon technique". After lunch on the summit I contemplated descending to the cabane d'Eycheil where I stayed with Susie, Jasper and Ruby last spring - but the snow here was soft and balling up under my boots. So instead I stayed on the ridge and descended northwards to Tuc de la Seube and then Col de Auedole, before the descent on GR10 back to the car.

My only company the whole day was an Isard.

Moo

2012-01-24T20:41:00.003+01:00

Yesterday evening a visit from escaped cows.

A change of tack today to escape plumbing for a short while. Infilling the window openings in the flank of the front dormer (weatherproofing is more important right now and I won't have the time to build the windows for some time), sealing around the frames and a bit of tidying in the fields.

Tomorrow a day in the hills as the weather is set fair.

I f***ing hate pumbing

2012-01-23T18:29:00.000+01:00

The never ending torture that is plumbing continues. Three delayed action leaks (24 hours after filling the pipework) all in the same run of pipework and each one occurring about 3 hours after the preceding was one fixed, have driven me to the point of despair. The water dripping from the first woke me at 5am this morning, water everywhere. I'm beginning to wonder if I have a bad batch of solder. In which case the last 3 days work will have to be dismantled and completely redone. The entire trip will have been a waste of time.

I need a day in the mountains as far away from plumbing as is humanly possible.

Windows, walls and tractors

2012-01-19T19:02:00.006+01:00

A beautiful day with clear skies, cool air and hot sun. In the morning I added some new mouldings to the windows which had leaked in the storm in December. Then I put silicon between the timber beads and the glass and mastic between the frames and sub-frames. Hopefully that should sort it out!
After a quick lunch I pressed on with finishing the retaining wall and clearing the pile of rubble next to the new entrance. All finished but before i could take a picture John and Nat arrived.

Nat had managed to get his little tractor stuck in one of the fields below Pinsou - the engine wouldn't start and it sounded terminal to me. About 100m of rope and a pulley were required to pull it out with John's landrover. I was middleman relaying commands and retying the rope when required. Once on the road the job wasn't over as we had to get the tractor into the barn. John's landrover couldn't pull it up the muddy track, so I went to get my jimny which did the trick. The last manoeuvre required all our effort as we had to push the thing into the barn manually.

Back to Quelebu

2012-01-18T18:13:00.002+01:00

Back to France and a flat battery in the car which was parked at the airport. No idea why as nothing was left on. After several futile attempts at pushing and bump starting the car single-handedly, I remembered that breakdown assistance is included with my french car insurance...what a relief!

Weather here lovely, though I think that may change in next few days. No worries though as I have plenty of indoor work to do on the house extension.

AVIVA insurance "taking the piss"

2012-01-10T19:08:00.009+01:00

I've been driving since 1985 and never made an insurance claim, but do you think I can get a UK insurer to recognise this? In France I have 6 years no claims bonus (or a Coefficient de reduction-Majoration of 0.68). Because I haven't had insurance in the UK for more than 2 years, I now have 0 years no claims bonus.

I got an insurance quote and the broker said that the underwriter AVIVA would accept my French CRM provided I got the relevent documents from my insurers and had them translated into English, which I have spent the last 5 days doing. Now it transpires that AVIVA won't accept the statement of CRM, but must have a letter from the french insurer stating the number of years without a claim, they then want this letter translated into English by a certified translator, then the translation of the letter to be printed by the French Insurance Company on their headed paper, then the reprinted translated letter to be sent back to the translator to be officially stamped, then the stamped reprinted translation of the original letter to be sent to AVIVA in the UK for consideration as to whether or not they will accept it. I can guess what the answer will be.

If I had car insurance with AVIVA in the UK and decided to move to Iceland, I wonder if they would agree to translate all my car insurance documents into Icelandic and get them officially certified for me?

Pheasant Casserole

2012-01-10T14:50:00.004+01:00

A lovely new recipe. Game is very reasonably priced these days because most people (in the UK at least) don't know what to do with it! A brace of pheasant is cheaper than a single chicken.

I marinated the pheasant in a mixture of olive oil, fresh ginger, orange juice, a little grated orange zest and tarragon leaves for 24 hours before making my traditional slow stew by browning the meat in a pan with some butter and lardons, deglazing the pan with some red wine, then adding some stock, carrots and a bay leaf before slow cooking it for 2 1/2 - 3 hours. An hour before it was ready I added some lightly fried whole shallots. I served it with roast potatoes, curly kale and carrots.

New Car

2012-01-06T10:21:00.004+01:00

For the last year or so Dominic has been lending us his car when I was back in the UK and in need. Finally though, we have our own wheels - a 1974 Saab 95! A day of fiddling and it's all in working order except for the heater control (the broken cable for that is on order). Just need to find a passenger door wing mirror and a spare wheel.

Walk on the moor

2012-01-01T13:16:00.003+01:00

A reasonably long walk (12.5 miles) on Dartmoor with Susie and Dominic yesterday. Rainy and windy all day with poor visibility but good to stretch the legs nevertheless. The River Dart was in spate and we watched some kayakers tackling the river.

UK again

2011-12-30T17:16:00.004+01:00

Back to blighty for Christmas. Whilst Jasper and Ruby were with their dad, Susie and I crept off to explore Salcombe with Anna, lots of swanky clothes shops which the girls loved!

Then a flying visit to see the Hewitts at Shenmore and a very blustery walk up table mountain.

2011-12-30T17:13:00.004+01:00

The two days of rain striped away the snow around the house, but walk around Guzet Neige enabled us to have a good trot in the snow and an epic snowball fight lasting most of the day.

The following day the weather was warm and balmy so after a walk upto the airstrip at Joubac to admire the view and sunbath, there still time to squeeze a little bit of retaining wall building back at Quelebu.

Warm

2011-12-22T10:22:00.000+01:00

Horray! The central heating is working. It was bloody frustrating as we had to fill and drain the system three times before we found all the leaks - only three leaks which wasn't bad considering the total number soldered joints. I still have a permanent cold water feed and all the hot water to plumb but that can wait. The house is warm and cosy and after the snow and torrential rain of the last few days. We found a xmas tree in the woods and with the Rayburn working we had a lovely pork roast last night. Today off for a bit of snow shoeing!

2011-12-18T19:31:00.003+01:00

Susie, Jasper and Ruby arrived on Saturday. As did the snow which made for a nice xmas feel to the start of the holiday. The central heating isn't finished yet but hope to get it done in the next few days. We're keeping warm around the fire until the weather improves. Susie and Ruby added some decoration to the living room and the front door.

Doh!

2011-12-15T21:37:00.002+01:00

All the radiators are connected to each other, but removing the old water cylinder today proved problematic.

First of all I couldn't empty it. I'd put a drain tap in the cylinder when I installed it but to connect a hose to the tap required several adapters and with them attached there just wasn't room for the hose without crimping it. Eventually I succeeded but not before several leaks into the kitchen below.

After dismantling all the connections I was ready to remove the cylinder, but then I remembered the cupboard in which it sits needed to be dismantled to get the tank out (I'd forgotten I had to do this when I installed it). Once out, the header tanks (feed and expansion and cold water) had to be separated from the cylinder (it's a combination cylinder but I want to reuse the header tanks). Some careful sawing and voila. Needless to say after a trip to St Girons to get more pipework and fittings, and re-assembling the cupboard there isn't gonna be time to get all the central heating working before Susie, jasper and Ruby arrive on Saturday!

A big clean up tomorrow, some essential small jobs, washing, chopping firewood and shopping. There's snow forecast for Saturday - we'll just have to keep the fire going as I can't light the rayburn until it's plumbed in or I'll damage the back boiler.

Race against time

2011-12-13T23:24:00.003+01:00

All morning fetching plumbing supplies then working late into the night plumbing in the radiators. Slow work, but I've started at the difficult end where I have to join into existing network. Hopefully things will go quicker tomorrow.

Getting there

2011-12-12T19:29:00.001+01:00

All the radiators hung, lots of little tidying up jobs done...tomorrow pipework!!

2011-12-10T18:49:00.001+01:00

Another long day (aren't they all?) and the dining room floor is ready for varnishing.

Flooring

2011-12-09T18:38:00.002+01:00

Got the kitchen tiled last night and have now started on the oak flooring. Nail gun problems so have resorted to good old hammer and punch.

Early this morning...

2011-12-07T08:24:00.002+01:00

Progress

2011-12-06T18:00:00.006+01:00

It's been a busy few days since my last post. Besides trips to fetch plasterboard with Ian, another to collect the new water cylinder and radiators, and yet another to give Justin some urgent advice with his latest construction project and see Emily and the twins, work has been progressing here.

The construction of an attic to house the feed and expansion tank, infilling the last piece of first floor (Susie's walk in wardrobe), patching the hole in the living room floor where the stairs used to land, studwork, plasterboarding, hanging two new bedroom doors, screeding the kitchen floor (1/2 tonne) ready for ceramic floor tiling and working out some of the electrics! Oak flooring to be collected on Thursday, once that's down I can start on the central heating - at last.

A dusting of snow

2011-12-02T17:38:00.001+01:00

Field clearing and studwork today.

Works resume

2011-12-01T17:41:00.003+01:00

Back to the continuing Indian summer in the Pyrenees (26 in the sun today) but work has now switched to indoors. Next week the central heating, but first all the necessary preparation work. Today I installed the rayburn - knocking through the wall to connect the chimney and positioning it on the plinth I cast before leaving for Totnes.

Osteopath

2011-11-24T08:10:00.003+01:00

The diagnosis is that fortunately I haven't ruptured a disc. I have put a torsional twist into my pelvis. The junction where the two halves of the pelvis join at the pubic bone was visibly misaligned and had to be popped back. The twist has knotted up my lower back/sacrum and various muscle groups that run from there to the groin (Psoas, etc) which have been irritating adjacent nerves. Hopefully, now the twist is gone things should get better.

Roof finished!

2011-11-19T18:22:00.002+01:00

Still trying to take things easy...but I have managed to finish the slating and with the help of nathaniel (a neighbour) finished the cover beads to the lead flashings where new and old meet.

Busy preparing for the next stage of works - the central heating!

Recovery

2011-11-17T17:52:00.002+01:00

A slow return to light duties as my back slowly recovers...still very sore and requiring painkillers and hot water bottles at night.

Some guttering, some internal studwork and a little leadwork.

The weather is still warm and sunny, but it's getting colder in the evenings and the fire is now regulary lit.

Ow

2011-11-13T19:40:00.007+01:00

Last roof 4/5ths complete. I could have finished it today but by mid-day I'd ran out of lead. I pressed on with finishing the guttering and then clearing some of the soil bank beside the timber extension which had collapsed in the rain and was impeding the ladder.
I felt a small twinge in my back from the shovelling so decided to call it a day. In the shower I reached for the shampoo bottle at my feet and slipped a disc! The pain was so intense I nearly passed out. Somehow I managed to make it upstairs to bed but the pain all night has been like nothing I've ever known often inducing nausea, despite pain relief. John and Sandrine my neighbours are beings stars - bringing me food, calling the doctor and fetching medication.

So frustrating that after all the building, I've been stopped by a shampoo bottle! 3 hours more on the roof would see the slating finished.

22 hours after the event now and I've managed to stand up. The ridiculously intense pain is thankfully subsiding a little.

Phew!

2011-11-11T18:19:00.001+01:00

Another lovely day - front roof finished and some of the guttering up too. Tomorrow I start work on the last roof, hopefully will get it done before the rain next week.

Roofing again

2011-11-09T18:12:00.003+01:00

Excellent (topless) weather for roofing and with John helping me today the work is speeding along. About a metre of snow fell above 2500m over the past few days....still too early for skiing though!

Back at the ranch...

2011-11-08T18:11:00.003+01:00

Sun, snow, mushrooms and of course more roofing! The wind over the past few days was strong enough to bring down some trees and branches in the fields, so there was some clearing up to do this evening and a few fences to mend.

Dartmoor

2011-11-07T18:19:00.004+01:00

Sunday was a lovely day, so we set off early for a walk on the moor, making a circuit between Haytor and Hound Tor.

On the way home we met a group hunting rabbits with 4 beautiful Goshawks.

An early flight this morning and I'm back home in France. Heavy rain and strong winds have filled the rivers, stripped the leaves from the trees and given the roof a good test.

Makeover

2011-11-04T08:57:00.002+01:00

With all the redecoration nearly finished at Susie's, we gave the living room a bit of a makeover. Susie made new curtains and I made some window seats.

Back to roofing and guttering soon!

Update

2011-10-29T12:13:00.004+02:00

Another trip to the UK and a break from the building works.

Earlier in the week Jon and I took down a huge eucalyptus tree in the garden of my flat in Bath which was now taller than the three storey terrace, alas I forgot my camera.With Susie, Jasper and Ruby, I made an interesting walk around the coast to Dartmouth for a fish and chips super before walking back to the car park arriving just as the sun set.

Yesterday an excursion in the estuary above Dartmouth on sea kayaks with Dominic. Beautiful calm conditions.

2011-10-19T18:28:00.002+02:00

Cladding the dormer before the rain and then some internal studwork...now for a big clear-up!

First roof complete

2011-10-18T19:30:00.004+02:00

Tony and John left early this morning leaving just four courses and the ridge to complete. They worked their socks off and their help was a real boost at a time when I was flagging. It was another hot day today (mid-thirties in the sun).

Virtually nowhere to stand on the ridge, quite difficult and frequently frustrating slating, but at last the first roof is finished. Even managed a little work to the front dormer before dark. Rain due tomorrow afternoon so a useful test for the roof.

Work progress

2011-10-16T18:24:00.004+02:00

Last night with rope and pulleys we managed to manhandle the cast iron bath upstairs to it's new resting place in the bathroom.

Today was a semi rest day. In the morning we helped the local farmer move the escaped cows into the field in front of the house.Then we went for a stroll up to the airstrip at Joubac. It was another amazing day and when we got there we were surprised to find 4 aircraft parked up. Another 2 came into to land shortly after we arrived and there was soon a grand lunch underway for all the pilots.

When we got back, we moved the rayburn and took down the last of the old chimney.

2011-10-15T20:02:00.001+02:00

More roof progress shots and a rare one of me as there's someone else to hold the camera!

2011-10-14T21:27:00.002+02:00

The amazing weather continues and Tony and John are here helping me with the roof and gutters. Quicker progress with three of us.

A quick wander in the woods yesterday even and we had enough mushrooms for a risotto.

2011-10-12T20:07:00.002+02:00

Been pressing on with the front roof for the last day or so...south-west facing so even hotter and the great summer weather continues. A small contingent of cavalry arrive later in the shape of Susie's uncle Tony and a fellow biker, who've ridden down from West Wales via Le Havre on the back roads. They've promised a couple of days assistance in return for board and lodging.

First roof 95% complete

2011-10-10T19:32:00.004+02:00

A return to hot weather which should stay for at least the next week. Finally I have finished the first roof (except for a few finishes touches, the gutter and the cover flashing against the wall of original house).

The slating went better today, I got more organised with the work, bought a slater's hammer which is good for cutting and holing the slates - plus it's lighter which seems to reduce the bounce, and I had some better quality drill bits for piloting the battens.

2011-10-09T19:44:00.002+02:00

This morning I finished the insulation, lined out dormers and fitted the newel post. Then time for a break from building...god I needed it.

I took down some of the electric fencing from the fields, repaired other fences and did some strimming. Found some lovely orange birch bolettes for dinner too. The weather is still summer-like and the forest and fields are just beautiful. Tomorrow back to roofing.

More snow

2011-10-08T10:58:00.002+02:00

The church at Aleu this morning

Lots of rain yesterday which has brought snow to the mountains once more. I spent the day insulating the timber framed extension, a job I'm finishing today whilst things dry out.

Velux number 2

2011-10-05T19:37:00.003+02:00

Last night a lovely meal at Alun and Breezy's. I've barely seen them this summer so it was good to catch up. Their place is really coming on...had to fight past the donkeys to get in though!

Here the second velux is in, and I'm hoping I can finish this rear roof pitch before the rain comes on Friday.

Smoking!

2011-10-04T16:23:00.002+02:00

Another day of searing heat. Only smoke from the fires below Mont Valier have interrupted the azure sky.

Slating continues, the main roof is much less frustrating (bouncy) than the dormer.

Slating in death valley

2011-10-03T19:50:00.003+02:00

Been so hot here I've had to wear an oven glove to touch the slates...I never thought I'd say it but I wish the hot weather would end now...I'd rather be slating in rain...in fact I've realised I really HATE slating.

My biggest pain in the arse is that there is 'bounce' in the battens which makes driving the slate nails home near impossible. I'm not sure if its the hardness of the baked douglas fir, the warm roof construction or the 3.35mm diameter copper nails. I even bumped up the thickness of the battens from the normal 25mm to 30mm but it doesn't seem to have made any difference.

Ironwood

2011-10-02T18:58:00.003+02:00

Indian summer continues with temperatures into the high thirties - great for relaxing before the autumn weather arrives, but not so good for being on a slate roof devoid of shade all day. The battens have been baked hard...most nail holes have to be pilot drilled and even then the douglas fir is snapping drill bits at an alarming rate, such is the hardness of the dense part of each growth ring.

Got 3/4 of one of the dormers slated today...progress seems painfully slow and the roof enormous.

Although most of the swelling in my little finger has receded, I'm still unable to play my guitar as it's too painful when I use my pinky. Seems like ages since I've played.

First velux in!

2011-10-01T18:26:00.001+02:00

Cursing not going and buying a roof ladder today, but the first velux is in and some of the dormer leadwork too.

2011-09-30T19:47:00.006+02:00

A lovely week in Totnes. Some paid work kitchen fitting, an outing to the theatre to see Slava's Snow Show - excellent clowning, a walk on the moor and Susie got her wedding dress, a 1930's antique.

Back home and on with the roof. Some fiddling with the tilting fillet then on with slating. Slow progress and difficult to find a rhythm. Eventually I emptied and moved one of the crates of slates which was in the way which helped...but the slates are thick, the battens hardened in the sun and the copper nails soft.

The weather is still hot here and has been for several weeks. A little rain is forecast for Wednesday.

Battening over!

2011-09-20T22:46:00.000+02:00

Managed to finish all the roof battening today...yay!

2011-09-20T08:07:00.001+02:00

The weather clears again to reveal...

Snow!

2011-09-18T18:55:00.004+02:00

Rain all day today so have busied myself with laying and varnishing the bathroom floor, fitting the window ironmongery and boarding up the front door.

Through breaks in the clouds I can see that the first snows have arrived on the mountains - just a dusting.

Battening.

2011-09-17T18:42:00.003+02:00

Despite the rain this afternoon, three out of four roofs are now battened out, including one of the gables. Still one more roof and a gable to go, but rain is forecast tomorrow, possibly bringing the first dusting of snow to the high mountains. Plenty of works to do inside.

The little finger which I smashed a while back and had finally grown back it's nail - so time to clout it with the hammer again - ow, ow, ow! Here we go again.

2011-09-16T17:23:00.002+02:00

Back to roofing today...but of course that means rain :(

Battened out the smaller roof and started the eaves sprockets for the larger roof before the storm arrived.

A quick trip up Mont Valier

2011-09-15T19:07:00.007+02:00

I was a bit late getting up this morning and by the time I arrived at the Col de Pause it was already 9.45. I wasn't sure of my fitness, as with the all the building and travelling I haven't had any big mountain days this year. Still, I decided to head off at a good pace and see how far I got.

I made Spain at the Port d'Aula in 1 hour 10 mins and after another 1 hour 30 mins I was back in France beneath Pic de la Pale de la Clauere, I was flying along! After a quick stop for food I made the summit just 3 hours 30 mins after leaving the Col de Pause - a personal record.

Etang Rond and Etang Long from below the summit

The last haul of zig-zags to the top

Glacier Arcouzan far below the summit

The summit

On the descent to the Col de Faustin I passed a young couple, the only people I saw all day outside of the Col de Pause. Vultures, Isard and Marmots were in abundance.

Two baby marmots quite oblivious of me, mum was long gone!

Isards

I decided to return by a different route and descended via the Couloir de Peyre Blanc to the Cabane d'Aula. 1200m (just short of 4000 feet) of knee jarring steep descent after which there's a cruel sting in the tail of another 400m (1300 feet) of ascent and descent to reach the Col de Pause once more.

Mont Valier on the right and Petit Valier to it's left. The final part of my ascent

followed the skyline left to right. My descent dropped steeply from the low

point left of Petit Valier all the way to the Cabane d'Aula visible bottom left.

It was a tough day and strangely a repeat of the first mountain trip I made when I first arrived at Quelebu. Then I thought I was pretty fit and it took 8 hours, this time 6 1/2 hours!! Not bad for over 2000m (6600 feet) of ascent - I'm tired but pleased.

Phew!

2011-09-14T19:49:00.003+02:00

90% of the cladding finished! Still some scribing in against the stone walls, the gable ends of the dormers and the barge boards to do. Time for a day off...a day in the mountains at last!!

Cladding

2011-09-13T20:13:00.001+02:00

Another hot still day had to find some shade to work in. Larch cladding progressing well - should finish it tomorrow.

2011-09-12T19:48:00.002+02:00

Another very hot day. Spent most the day doing preparation work for cladding, then a fruitless trip to St Girons looking for an "old" new front door.

Pressing on

2011-09-11T20:27:00.005+02:00

It's been incredibly hot for the last few days (38 in the shade) but today has been thankfully cooler.

The day before yesterday I finished knocking through to our bedroom, cut through the oak truss (the tie beam of which is securely bolted to the wall), fitted the oak frame, hung the door and finished the flooring.

Yesterday I had a huge clear up - burning the mountain of offcuts, cleaning out all the new buildings, using the mounds of spoil in front the house to fill behind the retaining wall of the last extension.

Today my neighbours collected some the surplus rocks and I've been plastering the scar from the staircase removal (the whole in the floor has already been boarded in and painted) and fitting the last windows.

A planned walk for tomorrow will have to wait until Thursday - I need to get provisions. Meantime I'll crack on with finding a door and cladding the extension.

All Change!

2011-09-07T20:38:00.003+02:00

No more staircase in the living room

Doorway to our bedroom at first floor - but what to

do with the huge oak traversing the doorway?

2011-09-06T21:10:00.001+02:00

Second part now watertight

The rear

View from the new porch

Another day

2011-09-05T17:42:00.003+02:00

Another day of roofing, another day of rain, another day and I'll be pretty much watertight...good weather arrives again tomorrow!!

Thanks Andrew and Jen for the mushroom guide, it arrived safe and sound - I will try some Russulas!

Enjoying reading "The Paris Wife" at the moment.

Roofing and Rain

2011-09-04T17:48:00.003+02:00

How come every time I start on my roof the heavens open? Torrential rain for the last 18 hours and more to come : (

Pressing on with making the second opening between new and old....into our bedroom at first floor.

2011-09-03T20:57:00.002+02:00

Big thunderstorm last night with lots of rain...just before I got the roof waterproof of course

Taking shape

2011-09-01T19:11:00.003+02:00

Very hot this afternoon and I have flu!! Still work continues, albeit a bit slower.

Progress

2011-08-31T20:21:00.003+02:00

A couple more days progressing the bathroom and entrance. Beam and posts are now up to support the covered entrance and the window opening over the bath is formed...next the roof.

Holidays

2011-08-28T21:36:00.008+02:00

A couple of blissful weeks of glorious sunshine with Susie, Jasper, Ruby and Susie's sister Jen, her husband Andrew and their daughter Rosa.

Mostly relaxing, a bit of swimming in the local river, a trip to Turguilla and swimming in the Etang de Reglisse, shopping at the market, local walks, some mushrooming, spotting glow worms and toads and a bit of scything.

Ruby's underwater pictures of fish in the lake

Onions and leeks were harvested, and the first aubergines are ready.

Jasper and I built the start of the next part of the extension for which he received a Djembe drum.

2011-08-16T08:50:00.002+02:00

Back home to a jungle! lots of strimming, weeding and some more building!! Windows in.

Blog views into 6 figures!

2011-08-12T10:38:00.006+02:00

Another lovely break in Totnes with Susie, Jasper and Ruby. Managed to buy some bikes for £10 each from the local dump and after a bit of maintenance we all have fully functional bikes for some family excursions.

Susie and I got away for a day trip to Bath and visit to the fashion museum, calling in at Glastonbury Abbey en route.

The weather has been good and we've managed a few trips to the beach as well as decorating our bedroom.

We're all back to the Pyrenees shortly for some home building and more holiday!

Phew!

2011-08-01T13:15:00.002+02:00

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Some very long working hours but finally before I left, everywhere was (more or less) watertight. Works continue whilst I'm away with a friend doing the floor slabs and foundations.

One more day to finish!

2011-07-29T20:49:00.003+02:00

A dry warm day, concrete early in the morning, dormer and valley gutter work all day, onion harvest in the evening...and what a harvest!

Windows have failed to arrive in time...which is a real pain in the arse.

Last of the rain?

2011-07-28T22:18:00.005+02:00

Raining again this morning so a trip to St Girons for cement and food. More concreting to finish one of the door jambs, then the rain stopped at 1.30, so on with the roof. It's gonna be tough to get everything watertight in the next 2 days!

Dry at last

2011-07-27T21:46:00.002+02:00

The rain continued all morning, so I busied myself with making shuttering for the one of the new door jambs and filling it with concrete. At mid day the rain finally stopped - hurrah!

I got on with the roof and have managed to finishing placing insulation and counter-battens on the front roof and have the rear roof watertight and the battening almost finished.

Rain

2011-07-27T07:53:00.004+02:00

Still f***ing raining....rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain....arghhhhh!!!! If it was drizzle I could cope but it's unrelenting heavy,torrential rain...good knows how many inches have fallen, all the rivers are bursting and Quelebu is a quagmire. Why do I have to build my roof during what has been one of the wettest months on record?...and it's July for Christ's sake!

Break through!

2011-07-26T21:25:00.003+02:00

A big demolition day today as Justin and I broke through the wall between my house and the ruin. Heavy, dirty work with percussion drills, hammers and crowbars. As is often the case the building dictated where the opening could go. The plans changed numerous times as we encountered huge granite blocks just where we didn't want them. In the end we have had to place the lintols and support them with acro props. The supporting walls will have to be built or shuttered in concrete later.

The mess was extreme and it's taken three hours to get the house reasonable ship shape. But the space is going to be amazing. Can't wait for Susie, Jasper and Ruby to see it.

The rain has continued unabated all day, but tonight it seems to be coming to an end....I hope so for the next three days I'm back on the roof.

Monsoon

2011-07-25T10:54:00.007+02:00

I have abandoned the roof works and I am using the materials to build an Ark.
The rain has been as heavy today as I've ever seen anywhere - including Wales and Scotland in winter! It started at 2.00am and noise woke me since then it's been unrelenting. I managed to build the valley gutters on one of the dormers and lay a few battens but I'm soaked through so have given up for the day. The saddle is a bit unorthodox but it's one piece of lead and as I can only get fairly thin sheet here there's a limit to how much you can boss it.

Tomorrow Justin is coming to help me make the first doorway between the buildings...tonight I knocked through to be able to mark out the door on the other side.

Batten down the hatches!

2011-07-24T19:17:00.004+02:00

After yesterday's frustrating day which has left the front roof half covered with insulation, I decided to change tack and try to get the rear roof felted and battened - afterall it was going to be dry and sunny today (ha ha ha ha).I've managed to do a little under half and build the two valley gutters ready for lining with lead - the saddle (where the two valleys meet) is going to be an utter bastard to make. The weather was brighter this morning but then it was back to the usual torrential rain showers.

Getting the building watertight before I leave for Totnes next weekend is looking less and less likely unless the weather improves.

Hello...I thought this was the South of France?

2011-07-23T18:22:00.004+02:00

The longest spell of shit weather I can remember continues and coupled with the impossibilities of safely accessing the top of the current roof pitch to fix the second layer of insulation, progress is slowing to a snails pace and work becoming frustrating.

A visit from Justin, Emily and the twins lifted my spirits.

Chanterelle (Girolles) from the woods

A spotted border moth

2011-07-22T22:46:00.002+02:00

Guess what....roofing!

2011-07-22T21:24:00.003+02:00

Inside

The dormer this side has windows in the cheeks too

Second roof progressing well despite the continuing crap weather. I'll try to post a picture of something else soon - honest!

Dormer

2011-07-20T19:05:00.003+02:00

The dormer is up!

Now I have to do the same for the other roof slope!

There's some leadwork to do for the dormer valley gutters, then I can get the felt and battens up.

More roofing

2011-07-19T20:11:00.002+02:00

A frustrating day with intermittent sunshine, heavy showers and wind. Hopefully I should have this side of the roof ready for felt and battens tomorrow.

Goodbye to the sheep

2011-07-18T21:00:00.002+02:00

Finished the roof boarding, built the sprocketted eaves, fixed the vapour barrier and insulation and the first counter-batten today. All looking good.

The sheep were collected by their new owners this evening. They seemed very nice and the flock is being kept together. Still very sad though.

More petty theft

2011-07-17T08:59:00.004+02:00

I am finding this really irritating...now someone has taken the hayfork from the barn. I use this to muck out the sheep every 3 weeks. The things which are being taken are of no great value to anyone but me...nothing has ever been taken from Quelebu for the 5 years I have lived here and now two thefts in a couple of weeks.

Cold and rainy today so been busy weeding and mucking out the sheep. The sheep are leaving tomorrow...it's very sad. A bumper onion and leek crop this year and the potatoes are also nearly ready to lift.

Progress

2011-07-16T19:56:00.001+02:00

Progressing the dormers today...hot and humid.

Dormer

2011-07-15T20:53:00.002+02:00

Mostly catching up today...shopping, collecting materials, a viewing at Pont, then a little time to progress the extension. Worked late as I like some progress everyday and managed to get the first dormer window subframe in place.

Totters again.

2011-07-14T18:21:00.005+02:00

Back from a week in Totnes. Busy sorting out details for the new slate roof here at Quelebu and procuring random width slates at half the price of those available in France.

A fine day walking on Dartmoor with Dominic and Oscar on Sunday.
A bit more decorating at Susie's then a hectic few days making playing card costumes for Ruby and the other dancers appearing in "Alice in Wonderland".

4 viewings lined up for Pont - it's only been on the website a day, so fingers crossed.

Beautiful Home in the Pyrenees for Sale

2011-07-08T12:31:00.018+02:00

PONT DE LA TAULE is a small hamlet situated in the heart of the Parc Naturel Regional des Pyrenees Ariegeoises at the confluence of the River Alet and the River Salat. The hamlet benefits from an Auberge with a restaurant. The town of Seix with all local amenties (shops, post office, secondary school, doctors, etc) is less than 10 minutes drive away and the ski station of Guzet Neige is about 20 minutes drive away.

The area is perfect for walking, fishing, mountaineering, canoeing, cycling, (the Tour de France will pass through the village in 2011) and all winter sports.

The PROPERTY comprises, a HOUSE, a double GARAGE, a BARN, a small OUTBUILDING and LAND and woodland extending to just over 2 acres. The house has been completely renovated with completely new decoration, wiring, plumbing, insulation and septic tank.

The HOUSE is approached by a short path (20m) and stands slightly above the hamlet facing West, profiting from the most sunny location in the hamlet. Although neighbours are nearby, the house is not overlooked and is in a private location.

The building probably dates from 1813 and is built from local marble and granite which has been rendered. The roof is of artificial slate and the windows and shutters are of wood (painted).

Immediately inside the entrance is a small CLOAKROOM (2 sqm) with locally riven marble floor slabs, adjoined by a CUPBOARD (2 sqm) containing the water cylinder, and washing machine.

The generous BATHROOM (9 sqm) it carved out of solid rock. It has a shower, wall mounted WC and handbasin and there is ample room to install a bath if desired. The room has an extract fan, electric radiator and large double glazed window.

Also on the ground floor is BEDROOM 1 (24 sqm). The bedroom has exposed beams a new wooden floor and a large window with an original carved marble sink. There is a built in storage cupboard (under stairs) and an electric radiator.

The staircase leads to the first floor comprising the KITCHEN, LIVING/DINING ROOM and TERRACE.

The KITCHEN (15 sqm) is a bright room with original wooden floor, a new fitted kitchen with beech worktop, electric fan oven, ceramic hob and electric radiator.

Adjacent is the LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM (28 sqm) with original wooden floors, exposed beams, and large fireplace with cast-iron woodburning stove.

A half glazed door leads to the terrace. In an elevated, private and sunny location, the terrace has wood decking and is surrounded by damson trees. A wooden staircase leads up to the garden of approximately 340 sqm which is currently meadow.

The ATTIC storey comprises three further BEDROOMS. Each bedroom is insulated from it’s neighbours for thermal and acoustic privacy, and the roof is insulated with 120mm of mineral wool.

BEDROOM 2 (15 sqm). New wooden floor, rooflight and window (both double glazed) with view up the Salat valley to the mountains on the Spanish frontier.

BEDROOM 3 (8.5 sqm). Original wooden floor and double glazed window. A small L-shaped room, large enough for a single bed and chest of drawers.
BEDROOM 4 (17 sqm). Original wooden floor, rooflight and window (both double glazed).

Opposite the house is the BARN (two floors each of 50 sqm). A stone building under a roof of artificial slates and some original riven stone slates (lauzes).

The upper storey is under an original chestnut framed roof and could be renovated to provide guest accommodation (bunkhouse or similar). The ground floor is partly occupied by the septic tank, the majority of the space remains useful.
Further along the access path and below the garden is another two storey stone OUTBUILDING of about 5 sqm.

A short distance from the HOUSE adjacent to the road are a pair of connected GARAGES of approx 42 sqm. A large space in which a mezzanine could be added. A neighbouring garage has been converted in a chalet.

Further land comes with the property and includes a small parcel bordering the River Salat, a steep area adjacent to the road below the village and two large areas (approximately 1 acres) of steep mixed broadleaved forest on the other side of the River Salat and visible from the TERRACE.

The property is for sale for 140,000 Euros.

Please e-mail me at lee.inglis-sharp@orange.fr to view the property or for further details. French and English spoken.

2011-07-07T09:54:00.000+02:00

Chimney down!

Pont finally.

2011-07-05T19:07:00.002+02:00

After quickly finishing off the insulation and plywood sheathing to the gable studwork, I headed over to Pont. Last few bits of work done and a big clean. At last it's all done!!!

A mammoth day

2011-07-04T20:37:00.001+02:00

14 hours today but the roof is up!

Voila!

2011-07-03T18:11:00.001+02:00

A big day but what progress, despite having to deliver, rethread and instruct my neighbours on how to use my baler (which they were borrowing) and the pleasant distraction of socialising with my trusty volunteers after lifting the purlins...thanks Chris, Ian, Ben, Alun, Breezy and friends.

Gable studwork

2011-07-02T19:28:00.002+02:00

Roasting hot today but the first parts of the gable are up and I'm ready to lift the purlins tomorrow.

For dinner produce from the garden - lettuce, courgette, chard, leek, chanterelles, tomatoes plus some left over chicken.

2011-07-01T19:55:00.001+02:00

2 holes for the purlins - more work than it looks!

Leeks

2011-06-30T21:45:00.001+02:00

After some scything a frustrating morning with misbehaving expanding bolts. It looks like nothing has changed but in fact everything is now fixed, level and plumb.

More much needed strimming in the evening and a meal with the first of my leeks!

Blood, sweat and tears

2011-06-28T18:50:00.001+02:00

Wallplates in place, purlins ready for lifting in a few days time and the two doors from Jasper and Ruby's bedroom into their shared bathroom morticed and tenoned in place.Third day on the trot of incredible heat and humidity. Finally in the early afternoon the mist rolled in and the thunder started. Mostly drizzly with a few short lived heavy showers. Despite the progress a hard tiring day of low motivation. The heat at night and the slow recovery of a neck injury from 5 weeks ago have made for some poor nights sleep recently. I have the valley almost to myself as both John and Sandrine and Philippe and Celine are away on holiday.

Tomorrow a trip to St Girons for materials and food then back on with Pont.

I wish Google would get their fingers out and fix the recent problems with posting photos on blogger.

Roof materials arrive

2011-06-27T15:36:00.001+02:00

Two lorry loads of roof materials arrived today. Temperatures of 38 degrees centigrade (100 fahrenheit) in the shade again...exhausting to work in but lots of drinks, a few cold showers and a siesta make it possible.

First problem has been to get the huge oak wall plates and two purlins into position. The crane on the lorry couldn't reach so I had to resort to levers, crowbars and muscle - tough but it's done.

Hot

2011-06-26T19:33:00.007+02:00

Bathroom window

Terrace balustrade

New colour scheme for downstairs bedroom
New colourful shutters

Super hot today over 38 degrees C in the shade! Working at Pont which is slowly grinding to a completion but there always seems to be another thing that needs doing...still the loft hatch, a cupboard, some varnishing and stair to the garden from the terrace...then final clean, strim and remove rubbish from the barn before it's finished.

Another neighbour put their car over the edge last night, this time the Celine's brother (last time it was her sister). Unfortunately, driving under the influence is pretty endemic here. A few weeks ago my neighbour's son was killed by a hit and run motorist - probably a drink driver. Makes me fearful for my loved ones.

A trio of airbus planes flying overhead in formation a few days ago (A380 on the left).

Theft

2011-06-25T17:28:00.001+02:00

Someone nicked my sheep shears out of the barn! Can't believe it. I still have three lambs to shear.

Today some pointing, prefabrication of a guarding for the terrace at Pont and then when it got too hot to work outside, I started to mark out the new connecting door downstairs. Removed the plaster and render which made a mountain of debris and dust.

Heart-breaking

2011-06-24T18:40:00.007+02:00

Last night lots of strimming and some weeding - then the realisation that there was only one hen. The fox has taken the cockerel and three hens whilst I was away. With two building projects, the farm and frequent trips to the UK something had to snap eventually. I can't do it all by myself and there are only so many favours you can ask of neighbours before they refuse. When I get behind with looking after the land and animals I find it heart-breaking. Nature takes back all my hard work so quickly. I have no doubts about my love for Susie and going to live with her, Jasper and Ruby, but abandoning full-time occupation here in favour of monthly visits (even if it is only for a few years) will be the hardest thing I've done in a very long time.

Today more strimming and a big day at Pont mostly painting (after decorating at Susie's with dulux trade it's shocking how utterly crap and stupidly expensive french paint is - I'd get better opacity painting semi skimmed milk on the wall and at least it doesn't cost £50 for 2.5 litres) and sealing windows. It has to be finished, photographed and on the market by Monday when the extension works resume. I will be there again tomorrow after some scything in the morning. Now for some more pointing.

Totters

2011-06-23T19:56:00.004+02:00

A way too short week in Totnes with Susie, Jasper and Ruby. The weekend we were in Cornwall and during the week I decorated downstairs and made Ruby a desk from leftovers. Managed to get the helical fixings for the warm roof here and hopefully have sourced some windows. Susie was busy preparing for a mock ofsted inspection, which seems to have gone well.

Totnes Castle from Susie's window

Back home to a jungle! much catching up to do before roof works start on Monday.

Topping out

2011-06-15T21:37:00.002+02:00

I didn't hold out any hope of finishing the walling before I leave for the UK - shame as I wanted to start the roofing as soon as I return. Anyhow I got up at 6.30 and made a start. I just kept going and by 2.00 I realised that I might just do it! It was very hot and humid and I moved about 2-3 tonnes or more of stone and concrete up the ladder. I was a bit worried loading out the big oak lintol with tonnes of rock - but I needn't have worried, there's no noticeable deflection at all. By 7.00 I'd topped out! Still some pointing to do but it'll only take a day or so. Elderflower Champagne to celebrate.