Dylan time

Since he had been in France for most of the year, Michael thought it
might be a good idea to head back to Australia and spend some time at
his other home, and with his wife.

Dylan decided to stay in France and work on l'Ecole over the winter.
Somehow he managed to keep himself motivated and work progressed.

... as always, click on the pictures to enlarge ...

Each year they have a 'billy cart' race down the Col de Festes.
Michael participated in the inaugural 'Descente du Col' nearly forty years ago.
We built a family vehicle in 1998 and Dylan joined in again this year.

Typical 'vehicles' in La Descente du Col de Festes.  
Originally you were not supposed to begin building your billy cart until the day before.  
Things have changed!

Dylan sizing up the kitchen - the fridge in the box shows how creative 
we will have to be to fit everything in.

The local Mairie getting into the Christmas spirit.

Christmas lunch spent with the family of  Endurou.

Dylan ready to play soccer for the local team in Chalabre. 
Just the perfect outfit for a winter evening!

Match Day!

Crossing our valley in winter – the airstrip is on the right.

Winter really has arrived

Whose footsteps are those?

 A few hours, days, weeks of removing the old paint and rotten plaster.

A winter visitor!! Mim checking out the Chateau de Puivert.

This is how Dylan spent cold winter days – plastering, sanding, and painting the living room.

Then the main bedroom.

 Not much choice but to selfie on a rare sunny day.

Yipee, our first bathroom almost complete with a view of the Preau (to be built) in the foreground
 and Puivert chateau in the distance (not a bad view from the bathroom!)

Steve and Nick begin work on one of the Preau walls.  
Looks cold out there while Dylan enjoys the underfloor heating inside.

Paul laying the floor tiles in the kitchen and main room.

On a cold winters' day, with the fire burning and heating the house, 
Dylan plays with bikes and computers.