Sealing the deal

It’s never a very exciting job, but I needed to get a coat of undercoat on the new wood. It would give a much better finish to the paintwork. We were due to have our french lesson this afternoon, so I wanted to get finished and tidied up in time for that.

After french we were heading out to look at some tools which a neighbour of one of our friends was selling. Brian had his eye on a drill that he knew was there.

It was such a glorious afternoon we couldn’t help but stop on the way to take some photos.

I know the vines have had a hard year this year, but they are still managing to look stunning in the late afternoon sunshine.

Artist’s day

Today is international artist’s day. It’s a day to celebrate the contribution made by artists across the world, and to honour their lives. It’s also the date when Pablo Picasso was born in 1881.

The word artist encompasses painters, photographers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, writers; in fact any discipline where the creative mind can express itself. Most artists will vary their mediums to achieve their creative vision. Picasso, for instance, was not only a painter but also a sculptor, ceramicist, poet, and a playwright. Not sure I actually knew that before writing this.

Art is a way of communicating ideas. It plays an important role in recording our history, and has a unique way of connecting with the subject matter that has an immediate impact on the viewer. It has always been a medium to capture, record and to challenge. I know I’ve learnt so much about history through the many visits to galleries and museums that we’ve enjoyed.

Earlier this year, a very dear friend of ours, Peter Møller, passed away. He was an extremely talented artist, with a unique way of connecting to world events, and recording them through his art.

We were honoured when his cherished wife, Robyn, made us the custodian of one of his works, on a topic that is very close to our hearts and minds. We had it framed in a manner that recalls the deep history of the subject, and we love how it’s come out.

If you are interested in seeing more of Peter’s work, you can click these links to visit the website or see more on instagram.

Coming and going

We woke to another morning of gorgeous blue skies, so I felt it was a good day to do a few jobs in the garden.

My friend had helped with trimming the lavender in the courtyard, when she was here in September, but I still needed to do the plants at the front of the house. Some of them are looking a bit old and tired now, so I’m planning to plant a couple of new ones in the spring. I do love their soft mauve colours against the white stone of the house, and to be greeted by the scent of lavender as you arrive is very calming.

In-between gardening I was kept busy by all the little conversations I had with our neighbours, as they were coming and going about their business. I was also joined by the cranes, chattering away overhead as they circled to get more height. It’s always a delight to see their arrival.

Panel pins

The moulding we’d bought to fit on the inside edge of each of the panels was slightly too big, so Brian needed to cut a small slice off of each strip. With the moulding being a thin, 3 metre piece of wood, he needed to find a way to ensure he could keep the cut straight, so first he set himself up a jig on his bench saw to control the piece of wood he would feed through it.

This worked perfectly. After cutting the moulding into smaller lengths, and chopping right angles into the ends, he then secured them to the wall with little panel pins, to fit nicely inside each of the panels.

The final thing to do, before I could get on and paint it, was to fill in any joins or gaps. We don’t want it looking too perfect, as the original panels across the rest of the house have imperfections. We had left a crack in one of the original side panels, as it gives it some character. I have to say I am really pleased with what he had created. I like how the new panels now align with the old ones.

Groovy

We did have a wooden panel fitted to the side of the cupboard. But it was slightly too big, it didn’t match the panels of the cupboard well and it was fitted badly. It just didn’t quite look right. So Brian had an idea to remove it and create his own panelling, something he’d been thinking about trying for a while.

He started by marking out the squares of the panels he wanted to create on the wall.

What he hadn’t planned for was a wall that was bent in every direction, in fact nothing seemed to be square. I’m really not sure why this was a surprise to him, when it comes to walls nothing in our house is very square.

Undaunted, he then started cutting the wood to frame the panel, to give it depth. When he went to fit it, he realised he needed to add some vertical cuts on the back of the boards to enable him to mould the panel around the curve of the wall. He also needed to cut away a couple of grooves where the light switch was going to be fitted.

It took him most of the day, as he needed to be very careful with each of the panels not to cut through too deep. His final job for the day was to ensure all the little tacks he’d used to fix them with were tapped in sufficiently with a home-made centre punch.

One by one

We were keen to get the planks back on the wall today, as they were taking up way too much space on the floor in the dining room. Brian carefully carried them back into the library, and one by one secured them to the wall.

I was enjoying the sunshine outside, listening to the last couple of chapters of my talking book, whilst painting the coving and some wooden trim to add to the base of the coving.

It really didn’t seem to take him that long to screw it all in place, although the clock said differently. the day seemed to fly by.

Short straw

Making the most of these balmy autumn days, we wanted to get our grass cut before the cold days of winter set in. We split our resources, I headed up to the slope with the battery powered black & decker, whilst Brian did the walled garden.

He managed to finish the walled garden and strimmed all the edges, but there’s still more to do on the slope.

Hopefully we can find the time and weather to do it together this week.

A blog…about my blog

I am always so humbled when I check in on my stats for my blog and see how many people read, and subscribe. It never ceases to surprise me that friends, family, guests (past and new) and people I have never met still find it interesting enough to click through and read each week.

My first entry was on the 4th July 2020, over four years ago, when we first moved to France, but I still enjoy writing it and have every intention to keep it going, certainly for the foreseeable future.

You may have noticed that I don’t always manage to get a blog out every day. Even though I have something to write about, some days it can be more difficult to find the inspiration for the words, so I have to let it sit in my head until it’s ready. I often start it with a photo and some words, then revisit it throughout the day, whenever I get a moment. If I can, I do like to try to produce one daily, as I find it provides me with a little focus point for my days, which I find very beneficial.

Something I have noticed, over the past four years I’ve been writing it nearly every day, is that my style can change from blog to blog. I think this very much reflects my mood, or what’s going on in our life at the time, or even what I’m writing about. In that way it often feels more like a diary to me when I read it back, it would be interesting to know if you notice the differences as a reader. It’s also important for me to vary the topics, sharing different highlights of our adventure, or some of the challenges which often bring their own laughs along the way. But mostly, of course, our love of living in France and the joy that brings.

I also get inspired by other writers online, and this week I discovered a blog by Kristi Espinasse, who has been writing for 22 years. Crikey! I thought four years was a long while, looks like I’ve still got a few to go yet.

Sunset and misty mornings

I thought I’d share some landscape photos that we’ve taken this week. This was taken at the lake, when we’d gone to visit some friends and enjoyed a lovely little walk just at sunset.

The following three are from Friday morning when we’d headed into the market, the mist was still hanging low over the vineyards and forest. With the blue sky desperately trying to find a way through.

This is looking across to Celles-sur-Ource, the vineyards are now starting to change to their beautiful autumn colours, just delightful.

Butting up

Today my plan was to paint the little cupboard in the corner of the library. We’d decided to have it the same colour as the walls, it will help make the room seem larger, and certainly help reflect the light that pours through the doors from the walled garden. The colour is Joa white by Farrow and Ball. I find F&B paints have great coverage, and can change colour with different reflected light, which helps change the mood of the room.

Brian was working on getting the planks prepared to be fixed back up on the wall. He wanted to try and butt them up together as best he could, without any gaps.

He achieved this by planing off small slices from the edges of the planks. He has a good eye to see what needs doing. They are very often just really subtle changes.

Day by the pool

It was another beautiful autumn day today, and we decided it was an ideal day to head up to the pool and try and finish off the chaux work along the edge of the paving stones.

The section we’d done previously had dried really well, without any problems. We’ve found that not allowing it to dry too quickly prevents it from cracking.

We do this by simply covering it in cardboard, keeping the sun off of it.

Between us we soon had the job done, one side of the pool finished, and our target for the end of this year hit.

What better way to spend a day by the pool.

Soda easy

I’d been given some old silver plated cutlery from a friend, and it was in need of a little cleaning. There are some gorgeous little teaspoons, along with some everyday teaspoons, which are always handy. The challenge with older cutlery is that it doesn’t like going into a dishwasher, so people are less inclined to use them nowadays. Also, over time they tend to stain, and become very discoloured, making them tricky to look after.

A really simple and easy way to remove any discolouration is to use some tin foil and bicarbonate of soda, with boiling water. I use a shallow metal tray, which I line with tin foil – shiney side up. Sprinkle on some bicarb, then place the cutlery in (not too much at once) and carefully pour over the boiling water. This speeds the process up. When the bicarb has done it’s thing I remove the cutlery using metal tongs.

It’s great watching the tarnished silverware becoming shiny and new again within minutes.

A simple wash in warm soapy water, and a dry with a soft tea towel, brings them up looking gorgeous.

Sun and sand

We woke this morning full of energy to start back in the library. The plan was to remove the oak planks that line the wall opposite the bookshelves. We were keen to sand them and get a coat of linseed oil on them, as we both felt this would tie more in with the feeling, and look, of the library shelves.

So Brian started by taking them all down whilst I sanded the cupboard.

We then got on with the sanding and oiling, we were really pleased that we managed to get this all done in a day, including sanding down the cupboard.

Onion fayre

On Saturday we were invited do go to a local onion fayre with some friends. I can’t say that onions seemed like a very exciting theme for a ‘foire’, but it would be a nice day catching up with our friends.

We were totally surprised, when we arrived, at the amount of visitors that the festival had attracted. They’d blocked off the high street to the little village of Chavanges, and it was packed with stalls either side of the road selling all sorts of goodies.

Obviously there were onions, yellow, red, big, small and garlic of all types, including smoked, but here was also Champagne, cheeses and meats, plants and all sorts of homemade crafts. Further into the market there were stalls selling clothing, toys, books, tools, homeware etc. It was looking to be a surprisingly good event after all.

We started by stopping for a little aperitif with our Champagne producing friend Jérôme Cothias, who had a grand stand near to the entrance. Suitably fortified, we then tried some cheese and hams from a couple of the stalls, deciding that we would go back and buy some on our way back.

We then found a little eating area selling rather delicious looking, warmed onion tart with Champagne. I think I will try and make some at home with the onions I bought as they were very tasty.

Step up

We started our day with some locally produced apple juice, some lightly toasted nut bread, homemade pomelo marmalade and freshly made frothy coffee. Brian was then keen to get back to work in the library. He wanted to add in a step in front of the doors to the walled garden.

He started by evening out the floor at the front of the step with some small batons.

He had enough oak, and other pieces of wood, to do the job without having to buy any more.

Obviously his trusty laser needed to be used, to ensure the levels were correct. He cut the first piece of oak to size to fit along the front of the step.

He then cut the oak for the step itself and sanded it. To prevent any draughts he stuck some insulation between the back of the step and the wall.

Rather a lot of banging later, we were both very pleased with the outcome, it really helps to frame the door. All I need to do now is get some linseed oil on it.

Man-handled

During the summer our favourite little pickaxe for gardening broke. It’s not surprising, as our soil is a mixture of thick, claggy clay and limestone rocks. Whilst outside in his workshop Brian came across an old pickaxe head which he’d picked up from a vide grenier, so he decided to spend some time resurrecting it ready for next year.

First he cut a strip of oak off a piece he saved from when he made the stairs.

Then he whittled the end into a circle, to fit into the pickaxe head.

Once that fitted he turned to an old tool he’d bought for a few euros in another vide grenier we’d visited in the summer.

It’s a long blade, attached to two wooden handles, that you use to shave wood.

The blade worked brilliantly, and he soon had a smooth handle.

He cut a slot in the top, where the handle enters the pickaxe head, and then cut a small wedge to fit in it. This helps to spread the wood so that it doesn’t fall out.

Once it had been glued and hammered in, all that was left was to cut the end off, and ‘voila’, a new pickaxe for the garden. I can see me using that new old tool a lot in the garden.

A bit of a nuisance

We waved goodbye to our family this morning. It’s always a little hard saying goodbye, but for me, I throw myself into getting tidied up, whilst Brian headed to his workshop to start back on the bibliothèque.

He wanted to try out his router, and start cutting some skirting.

It was all going well, until his bit broke! Blast!! In actual fact though we think he’d already cut just enough. Which is fortunate as a replacement bit has about a three week delivery time.

Fête de la pomme

We decided to have dinner in Troyes last night, and enjoyed a delicious meal at ‘les Crieurs des vins’, a lovely little restaurant and wine merchants that serves delicious, typical French fare. It meant though that we got back a little late, and all a little tired from our eventful day in Troyes. we were all ready for a lazy start to our Sunday.

I suggested we could then either go for a walk through the local vineyards or head to an apple festival in the village of Laignes, about 30 minutes away.

Everyone was up for going to the ‘fête de la pomme’, as we hadn’t been before, and I think we were all looking forward to a little excursion.

We arrived just on lunch time, but the stall holders were still all keen to chat and explain their produce with us. We particularly liked a stall selling various ‘crème de’ liquors, which were around 18% alcohol. The lady mixed us a crème de raspberry, lime juice, mint and cider cocktail, which was rather delicious. It was enough to convince us all to buy some.

In the centre of the market square they’d set up a juicing stall, where a number of the growers were helping to squeeze the apples to make deliciously, fresh fruit juice.

Such a fantastic day out. for lunch, we chose a little stall where the lady was making spicy, salt cod fritters. We had a selection of them which included some aubergine and prawn ones, followed by some syrupy plantain for dessert. All rather scrumptious.

Prunelle de Troyes

We made a little trip into Troyes. We had beautiful blue skies, so an ideal day to do a bit of city sight seeing.

We first headed along to the Cathedral, next to the museum of fine arts. But before heading into the cathedral I asked my brother and family if they fancied trying some ‘Prunelle de Troyes’. ‘Love to’ was the general response. So we headed into the small, old shop on the corner just opposite the cathedral.

I knew they would offer a tasting, but they also offered us a short tour of the distillery, which turned out to be quite fascinating.

The distillery had been there since 1840, and pretty much unchanged during that time, as has the way in which they make the liqueur, which is made from the tiny stones of small plums grown locally. It used to be made only from the fruit, but that meant they couldn’t make it in winter, so they tried making it with the stones, that can be stored for longer, and the taste was so good they now only use the stones. The stones are ground down, then left to soak in alcohol. The liquid is then boiled and condensed twice over and a sugary syrup is added for additional flavour. This process is still followed today, and every Friday the staff fire up the stills and delight in making more of their precious liqueur.

The recipe has been the same for nearly 200 years, the only thing that has changed is the name. This delicious, nutty liqueur was once called ‘La Prunelle de Champagne’ but in 1998, at the request of the Champagne winemaker’s committee, they were asked to stop using the name Champagne. So they changed the name to Prunelle de Troyes, which we think is better.

After the little tour and explanation we were offered a tasting back in the shop. No harm in a little tipple. It has a sweet, slightly almond taste, which the lady said makes a great digestif. I’m also thinking it would be good as a little treat over some honeycomb ice cream.

Autumn Flowers

One little last thing to do, before our family arrived, was one of my favourite jobs, preparing the flowers for the rooms. I’d managed to buy some dahlias at the market, although not as many as I’d thought. I need to learn not to leave them behind the stall once I’ve paid for them whilst I go and do the rest of my shopping, as the flower lady seems to get very confused and inadvertently sells them again. Never mind, I had enough, and she refunded me my four euros for the bunch she had resold.

I made a couple of simple vases up for the rooms, and an eclectic mix of vases for around the rest of the house.

I then made up a little yellow jug of flowers just from the garden. I love the autumn colours coming through in the foliage and the flowers.