Barbeque time

At last some of the scaffolding is down in the rear garden and after a day of clearing up in the garden we braved the weather for a barbeque on the chiminea my mum and John bought us as a wedding gift. The shish kebabs and sausages went down well.

Ruby pulling her grumpy face

At the market we found a lovely hand painted tall boy chest of drawers which we purchased with the money dad and Jane gave us. The extra storage space has let us get rid of some the scrappy open shelves I built out of some ikea odds and ends. The bedroom is looking lovely.

Off to France on Wednesday and some much needed warmth and sunshine. Stairs to build and maybe some hay to make.

Books and Bikes

Most this week I have been writing. I'm writing an Architecture text-book, something I've been thinking about doing for some time and now our house in France is nearing completion and the weddings are over, the time to make a start has arrived. 8000 words so far. I'm hoping to have it ready by the end of the summer.

I also finally have my bicycle back in the UK (Paul kindly transported from France on the back of his camper van after the wedding). After some adjustment it's running beautifully - great to be out and keeping my fitness.

Stormy weather

Stormy weather on Saturday, though thank god we now have some sun. With the Dares and Anna, Susie and I headed for East Prawle and took a coastal walk watching the huge waves come in.

Starry Saxifrage

A retreat to the pub for a fish supper afterwards.

Both weddings in 2 minutes!

Click on the image below to watch....thanks Dommy for making this for us.

Movie ci dessous - cliquer de démarrer

A little snow

After the big clear up, a touch of fresh snow on the mountains. Found the time to scythe most the fields, but alas not mend all the fences, that'll have to wait until the next visit in a few weeks time.
A quick visit on Monday night from Rupert, Charlie, Austin and Jason on route to their annual motocross event in Northern Spain.

Pic des Trois Seigneurs

A quick trip up Trois Seigneurs (2199m) with Dom. Still some neve persisting despite the modest altitude. Good to spend some time with my bestman in the hills.

Soubirou

After the wedding and partying, Susie and I sloped off for a some extra fresh air in the mountains today. Following the ridge up to Pic de la Tese and Soubirou (2277m).

Col de Pause and Mont Valier

wedding no 2

Some photo's from our wedding in Aleu on Tuesday...more soon.

Back to France! Bumped into old friends John and Helen Martin at Bristol airport which was a pleasant surprise as I haven't seen them in 6 years.
Arrived home yesterday to a jungle and after a first pass with the scythe, was invited over to Sandrine's where her birthday party was under way. By 10pm a thunderstorm had rolled in and I so headed for home.

This morning I was up early and headed straight to St Girons only to find out that everything was closed. I had forgotten it is a religious holiday in France today.

On returning home I pressed on with hanging pans, mortar work, door locks and latches, plumbing in and moving the washing machine, then lots of strimming to get the garden growth under control. Danni and Serge came over in the afternoon armed with 2 more strimmers and after 4 hours of all three us strimming the garden was looking under control.

I also managed to squeeze in a quick meeting with Justin at the Mairie in Aleu to discuss plans for the hog roast.

Now I'm making lists 'cos there's still loads to do and not enough time!

Messing about in canoes and kayaks

Enjoying some lovely weather this week with evening excursions. Out with the Dare's on the River Dart on Tuesday. Back to France soon!

Wedding slideshow

Wedding (No 1)

On Saturday Susie and I got married in Totnes. It was a beautiful and amazing day. Thank-you so much to everyone who came and made it special and extra thanks to mum for the wedding cake and to Dominic my bestman. More photo's later....

For our honeymoon I whisked Susie away to Mevagissey and the Lost Gardens of Heligan.The day goes so quickly, but we get to do it again (get married) in the Pyrenees in a couple of weeks time!!

Bog Trotting

A blustery but bright day today so decided to head out to the moor. From New Waste (North of Ivybridge) I headed to the old tin works and waterfalls at Yealm Steps, then on nearing Yealm Head contoured around to Broadall Head in search of the Rosalie Stone (A granite outcrop with Rosalie carved on it).

Difficult to spot in a moor full of rocks

After 20 minutes of searching I was still unable to find it so pressed on across the barren wastes of bog and tussock grass on Langcombe Hill before dropping down Hortonsford Bottom to reach the upper reaches of the River Erme.

Milkwort hiding in the tussock grass

I followed the River until below Sharp Tor, where I headed West to regain my starting point.

Chicken run

Built Anna a chicken run in the last couple days, as well doing a few other DIY jobs at mum's. The weather here has been pretty crap - more irritating is that back home in the France they've had the hottest May day in 40 years.

Mothercombe

A lovely afternoon at Mothercombe writing out wedding vows and spot of fishing...still no fish!

After the rain

After yesterdays downpour (during which I finished plumbing the bathroom and utility room) today has been glorious. At last we have a front door - time for a big clear up!