Shutters

While "la maison du coin" is not being renovated, I used the energy from my frustration for something useful. So bought myselft a new sanding machine and started renovating the shutters of the other house. The only problem is that I can't find the right colour paint. "Vert Basque" is repulsively too bright! I tried some other colour but no luck. I am thinking that I might try some eco-frienly paint (soy based) sold by www.ecobiomat.com/. Only 26 more panes to go....

Swimming

That's where we go swimming and so do the locals. We have a taste for adventure...

There is a door way

At least before the builder disappeared, he did some stuff. We have now a doorway between the main room and the new bedroom in the old garage. However, he did it badly so the walls on either side aren't staight...
There is the hope also to have a ceiling in the new downstairs bedroom.

Builder problems

I did not see that one coming... Turns out the builder, Mr M., had laid off his team just before starting works on the house (long story). And since he had another project, it looks like mine was put on the backburner. The project should be about finished now ready for the painter to move in and for me to sort out beds, white goods etc. Instead we have 2 MONTHS delay! So for the whole of April, Mr D (the architect) and I tried furiously to get some of the work sub-contracted to other companies. Now we are juggling 5 others builders....While doing this though, I lost faith in the project and lost sight on the cost... And the house is looking very abandonned.

Spring Time

One of the great thing about the country side ( and you forget about it when you live in town) is how much you notice the seasons. So last visit it was spring time. That some of the trees were is full bloom. I think this one is a cherry tree.

Website

This is a case of "vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tue" or "mettre la charru avant les boeufs". Got a site to promote the rental, but i haven't got the house finished!
www.lamaisonducoin.co.uk is going live soon. I rebranded the house because there are too many "La Bergerie".

La Carreleuse/The Tile Woman

Mr D, the architect, forwarded me the quote of the Mrs C, the tile woman. Its over 9000 euros including material and work. She made an error on the quote by charging for 30m2 when we only have 10m2; she also omitted a few things that we discussed. So the quote was misleading and I don't think we are going to work with her. The main thing thought is that she was gonna purchase the tiles via a local builders merchant (that Mr D and I are boycotting because they are rip off artists) and not directly with the tile manufacturer. She did not understant that everyone's margin was being lowered by using an intermediary and that it was important to have a working relationship with the manucfacturer... oh well, NEXT!

Provins

Provins is about 50 km from the house and really worth a visit. This a beautiful medieval town with a great past. Check out www.provins.net.
When we visited the old town, there was hardly anyone in the streets and it really felt like time had stopped somewhere in the 13th century. Atmospheric!
There is also an interesting manufacture of tiles (not that I am obssessed with building material) www.lecarreaudeprovins.fr.