I said at the end of last week’s blog that the forecast looked good and I will have to split my time between continuing Hayloft’s refurbishment and starting to get on top of the garden.
Thankfully, it did seem that spring had sprung at the start of the week and my first task was outside. We have had a relatively mild winter so far and the hydrangeas, of which there are many in the garden, had started to bud furiously and I feared I had left it too late to give them their annual trim.
The side of our garden we still refer to as the orchard (despite there only being 1 apple tree left!) has lots of well-established hydrangeas which grow large over a single season. I am not very always keen on banks of single species, or indeed mophead hydrangeas anyway, so since we have moved in I have added a few camellias, rhododendrons and other plants. With the hydrangeas being better established they tend to smother the new plants so I need to keep on top of them.
The bed also used to have a real problem with a hogweed-like plant that were almost as large as some of the hydrangeas although, over the years we have been pulling them out every spring and seem to be getting on top of them.
Monday was therefore spent on this annual task which always makes a big difference – we just hope we have had our last frost.
The week was warm enough to have our first BBQ of the year on Tuesday. At this time of year we generally have BBQs on Hayloft’s terrace so Tuesday was spent clearing the terrace, washing the garden furniture and generally making the outside space attractive which will also benefit the gîte for the rest of the year.
Wednesday onwards was back in Hayloft and continuing the painting. I mentioned in last week’s blog that we wanted to lighten the colour we used in the bedroom area in 2015 and add some colour into the living area which was still white.
The paint we have bought is quite viscous and the wall is heavily textured so can’t be painted with a roller. As such it took a loooooong time to get the first coat on. The bedroom area was easier in some ways as the colour change was more significant and I could see where I had missed. Painting the white was slower to make sure everywhere is covered. I am hoping that the second coat, which I will start tomorrow, will be considerably quicker.
You can see the colour scheme on Hayloft’s webpage but these pictures also have a couple of ‘before’ images too (I hope you can tell which is which!)
When the walls are done there’s only the door and window frames; skirting boards; sanding and re-sealing the kitchen worktop and then the bathroom …
This weekend has been quieter. Last night we were invited to a house warming by an ex-colleague of David’s and we took the opportunity to collect the new oven we have bought for Hayloft – although it will stay in it’s packaging until the last minute.
Today’s walk was local (Huelgoat) and shorter than usual as Garratt, who we didn’t take, seems to have been stung or managed to get a splinter in his pad that has become infected and swollen so he currently hops rather than walks; and David’s back is causing him pain again.
However, last Saturday (although I didn’t mention it in last week’s blog) we attended the launch of what is hoped to be a new initiative in Saint Cadou.
In the heart of the village is a farm with a farm house of a similar style to Priory, although not as old by many years, which used to be lived in by 2 sisters. Sadly, the second of the sisters passed away last year and the house had become vacant and it, and the surrounding buildings, were at risk of falling into significant disrepair which would make for a real eyesore due to their prominent position.
Some enterprising locals have launched a new association to try and raise money to buy the farmhouse and create a new community-run épicerie, café, library, social space and other activities.
One of the other activities is to convert a number of the outbuildings into commercial spaces for local artisans to rent and establish businesses. We understand, should it proceed, one of the spaces has been reserved by a local chocolatier and another by our favourite local potter. All of these activities would be a huge boon for the village so we have joined to and hope the plans come to fruition.
More of Hayloft next week and, I know I keep saying it, hopefully, finally, some pool progress …
Kenavo.