Moving In

After the special blog on the building of the Preau, we return to our timeline.

       It begins in March when:

• Michael returned after having a break in Manly Vale where he enjoyed summer sun and surf.  
• Dylan and Michael worked together for a few weeks before Dylan returned to Oz (and Indonesia) for a short holiday.
• Deb finally retired and joined Michael about 6 weeks later (yipee!!!).

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

 There is still lots of snow on the mountains when  Michael returns.

He was excited to find that Dylan's hard work over winter meant they could move into the house, but it was still basic living.

 Typical dinner in front of the fire with wine and bikes.
Not sure if the bike is there for company or is being worked on.

Not all was smooth sailing.  Michael had to rip up and re-lay some of the bathroom tiles due to poor levels – drainage a bit better now but still not perfect.

First pieces of furniture – an armoire and chest of drawers.

Dylan using his new plastering skills in the kitchen.

Where would we be without skype?

Michael is excited.  
Now that the Preau has a roof, his woodworking machines are finally delivered …

and he is quick to put them to good use building stud walls to 
enclose the building and separate the rooms.

 The master bedroom and master are looking good.

  

                Our friend Anibal shows us how to build the stone facade onto 

Michael's cedar stud walls.

Fran and Whitney dropped in to visit Dylan and put in a few bike rides in the hills.  
They visited Carcassonne where  Fran tested the arrow slots in the castle walls.

View of the ramparts in Carcassonne.

The boys enjoying a drink.

Local forest in morning mist (copyright Fran)

An early morning selfie as Michael does an overnight 400 km-bike ride.
The final qualifying ride for the 1200km Paris-Brest-Paris ride in August.

Changing of the workers: 
Dylan returns to Oz for a holiday and Deb comes to France as a retiree (on paper only).

When Deb first arrived, we had a couple of days being tourists in the area around Lourdes.  

This is the scene from our bedroom window.

La Cirque de Gavarnie - amazing scenery and walk.

Native bear patiently waiting to be fed at the local zoo.
Bears are being reintroduced into the Pyrennes but the farmers aren't happy.

Deb arrives in Campgast and our 'boules de neige' (snowballs) plant is still in flower.

Yeah! a salon and semi-functioning kitchen - fridge, oven and washing machine
(temporarily hooked up to dishwasher taps)!

We never tire of the view of outside our upstairs windows. While the chateau doesn't change, the foreground does.
It has often been windy and the wheat field shimmers in the sun, giving a good impression of Van Gogh's inspiration.

Deb is soon back into work removing the concrete and plaster from the stone wall which will be a feature in the Preau bathroom.

Spring time around Campgast – beautiful time of year!

The boys (Annibal, Alain and Michael) moving our latest find.
We were hoping to find another well in this concrete pipe section.
No such luck, but will use it as a planter box.

One of 6 cherries from a new cherry tree.

Dick, our plasterer, who survives on ciggies and tea (he keeps up with Michael's tea drinking).

The stairwell after Dick's plastering.

Sunday markets at Esperaza is a weekly excursion – buying the local produce, chatting to the sellers and having coffee with friends.
Michael buying cheese and saucisson from his favourite stall.

The patisserie is where we meet up with friends for coffee and croissants at the market.

Adele, our lovely French neighbour, organised a Fete de Voisin (neighbourhood party).
Lots of great food and wine and a some eau de vie to end a long afternoon in the sun.

THE END (middle of June)