Lovely week with just two of us for the first time in a long time. Lots of cleaning, Thalia's floor given a fresh coat of white and some trips out. Ile d' Oleron was interesting - a bit like Cromer maybe?. Niort felt solid, traditional, proper, with a good range of sensible lunchtime eating options to explore. - Just follow the locals.
More tiddling around with the cinema/stable.
Better sound and comfort, sculptural bicycles (well, I like them) and selected 'art' from the Depot de Vente's endless supply of intimate windows into out of date French domestic taste. All wonderful.
Also managed to move some roof tiles around to keep out a bit more rain in here and re-pointed some of the loose stonework. Hopefully that will slow down the rate at which these buildings are returning to the earth.
Despite the cold we spent hours watching films in here, - which we normally wouldn't bother with at home. Something to do with time available each day, being away from work, plus a bit to do with - it's becoming quite an appealing space.
- You can just make out in the forground of this dark photo, one of Norman's old trestles. These long lived, much used tools are now installed as side tables for your glass. Could this be their final resting place, are they indestructible or will they reinvent themselves in the style of Madonna, one more time?
Angie came up with a cunning use for the kitchen's innaccesible corner. - Thought the old, steel wine rack was a bargain at 8 Euros..
I hadn't thought that through. No change from 200 Euros so far and still some empty rows at the bottom.
This wine is "display wine" and matches Carl's "display logs" in the hall. 'DO NOT TOUCH' signs to come.
Another lesson in how much care needs to be taken when travelling:- I dropped my phone while loading up the hire car. Didn't realise until next day. Fortunately it had been found by someone who answered when we rang and she agreed to leave it at the airport for us to collect on the return journey..
Turns out, I also ran it over.