At the end of last week’s blog I said that the forecast was predicted to become more Breton and more autumnal, and so it turned out.
Monday was actually the last of the decent weather so I managed to get a bonus afternoon continuing to cut the boundary hedge behind Hayloft that I started last week. However, as it was just continuing to clear bramble and tame the hedge, it didn’t look too different after a couple of hours – so I didn’t take any pictures.
On one of the better days, I managed to continue the hedge cutting and gave a second cut of the year to the lonicera hedge at our back gate. I had neglected for the last couple of years so when I came to trim it in May, I had to cut it back quite hard. The beauty of lonicera is that it is extremely tough and recovers well. To give it a second cut last week and the previous neglect is a thing of the past!
The upended bucket is where we had some lights that were another casualty of Storm Ciáran last November. We found some replacements we liked earlier in the year but they were in the UK so we had to have them sent to David’s Dad. Thankfully, he arrives back with us next Tuesday so I will be able to replace these in the next few weeks.
Thankfully, despite the weather our builders have managed to make progress on the pool house.
We have designed the pool house to reflect the style of the garage so it too is open fronted with pillars – 2 for the pool house against the garage’s single, and these are concrete rather than wood. To create these, the builders used a couple of tube moulds with a polystyrene insert to give the pillars an interesting shape.
Once cast they had to leave them a couple of days to set before progressing with the pre-cast lintel across the top and then continuing up with more cast concrete which is required for the pool cover to be attached to.
The building will be a tall but narrow space. Before the builders are back next week I cut back the yew tree on the rear talus which would impede the builder, and certainly the roofer. A year ago, the talus had a number of self-set sycamores and horse chestnut trees that we have thinned out – and will remove the rest when time allows.
We will keep the yew, and since it no longer has competition from a large adjacent leylandii it looks much healthier this year than it has it a while.
The pool house will serve a number of purposes. Principally, it will provide a space to sit and relax when at the pool but not swimming; it is the support the telescopic cover will be attached to so we can use the pool in any weather; and it provides privacy for our guests from the neighbours – and privacy for our neighbours from our guests as cutting the trees down, while having the advantage of giving them much more light, they were a little more exposed.
Knowing that the blog would be relatively short today, I thought it may be a good opportunity to highlight the changes about to be introduced for travellers coming into mainland Europe from non-EU countries.
After many delays, Europe is now preparing to introduce the long-planned Entry / Exit System (EES) on 10 November this year. This will involve all travellers having to have certain biometric information (finger prints and facial features) taken the first time they enter the EU after the launch date.
This has raised concerns that there will be travel chaos at some of the entry and exit points especially during busy travel times. Of course, if you travel at a quieter time there is less risk of chaos. Another reason to come and spend your Christmas with us at Kergudon so you can register your data at a quieter period!!
The EES is preceding the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) which will be introduced ‘at least’ 6 months after EES, so anytime after 10 May. The ETIAS mirrors the system in place to enter places such as the United States (ESTA) or Canada (ETA).
It will require travellers to fill out an online application prior to entering the EU and paying a 7 € fee for anyone over the age of 18 and under 70. The ETIAS will then be valid for 3 years before another application needs to be made.
We hope that the introduction of these systems won’t lead to excessive delays for travellers – and having been delayed frequently before it is possible that it may be delayed again! However, the changes are coming and we would recommend travellers having an understanding of what is required before travelling.
Next week’s weather looks pretty good at times so, hopefully, lots of progress can be made. We are welcoming David’s Dad back on Tuesday so the work should be mixed with some social and relaxing – again!!
Salut.