The other advantage was that, as we had chosen to spend Christmas with just the 2 of us for the first time, our incapacity didn\u2019t impact any personal guests.<\/p>\n We did however, have some lovely guests stay with us in our g\u00eetes.\u00a0 A large French family stayed for a couple of nights in Priory who enjoyed their r\u00e9veillon in French style on Christmas Eve and, from their photo, had a lot of gifts from Father Christmas waiting under the tree on Christmas morning; As it is New Year\u2019s Eve, I thought it may be worth looking back over 2017 and seeing what we have managed to achieve at Kergudon.\u00a0 Being here we are probably a little guilty in focussing on the things that we have yet to do rather than take satisfaction in those that we have achieved.<\/p>\n Obviously the majority of our efforts have been focussed on Grange which did become a bit of a time thief.\u00a0 I had hoped this would now be complete and in use but, as you may recall a familiar theme of my blogs, this may have been a little na\u00efve as most of the jobs I undertake I vastly underestimate the amount of time they require.\u00a0 Occasionally though it is worth comparing the then and now, just to realise where we are, and these pictures show the progress of Grange in the last 52 weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The things that I have taken a lot of pleasure from are those where we have made some visible change \/ improvement such as the woodwork or walling projects as, with maintenance, these will be around for many years.\u00a0 The new fences and gates I have built or replaced have been very rewarding and make a major difference to the appearance of Kergudon and will continue to do so as I construct others \u2013 many of which my blogs would have said I would get around to doing last year!\u00a0 Hopefully which are the ‘then’ and which the ‘now’ pictures are obvious!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We are really pleased with how the gardens are growing and developing and we continue to be amazed at how quickly things grow here \u2013 especially the weeds and brambles!\u00a0 Having time to create things is problematic enough but then when created, the maintenance becomes ever more essential!\u00a0 The massive hacking back and planting of new hedging we have done is starting to look great but, with the yews and hollies which are so much slower growing, we won\u2019t really see those for many years to come.<\/p>\n We are especially pleased with the flower beds we have made in the \u2018orchard\u2019, with the assistance of Storm Zeus in March.\u00a0 They should really establish themselves this spring, especially if we get the chance to plant a number of other trees and shrubs that we would like \u2013 but we also have a number of other trees to cut down as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the start of 2017 I often referred to the \u2018To Do\u2019 list that we had generated, although did less so as Grange and routine maintenance became THE focus!\u00a0 However, it still exists and has a number (135) of projects, jobs and plans on it that we would like to achieve \u2013 perhaps we will be a little more realistic on some of the timeframes now!<\/p>\n The one project that will continue to our focus is getting Grange completed in its entirety as early in the New Year as we can.\u00a0 This will allow us to tidy the back drive; create our, much promised, petanque pitch and sort out so many things that are waiting on the space to be created for storage \u2013 not to mention the family games room.<\/p>\n As well as sorting out the back drive I want, finally, to redo our \u2018jungle bed\u2019 (which I started talking about in blogs in March 17!) so we can re-gravel and tidy the front drive.\u00a0 While doing this, I will move the wood, currently in front of the boot room, to the wood store behind Grange when I have made the covers; we can then \u2018re-commission\u2019 the boot room which, this year, became a work room as the \u2018man shed\u2019 became chaotic; and finally I can eventually demolish and re-build the man shed!!<\/p>\n So, workwise, 2018 is looking like it will be no less active than 2017 has been, and hopefully just as productive, as we continue to develop, improve and maintain this beautiful location.<\/p>\n Socially too, the village will have its usual active calendar of Fest Noz and festivals and, with the Tour de France <\/a>passing so close to Kergudon for 2 days in July, 2018 is going to be busy.<\/p>\n![\"12](\"http:\/\/kergudon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/12-Treats-of-Christmas.jpg\")
<\/a>There are 2 (small) \u2018advantages\u2019 to our situation.\u00a0 The first is that all of the amazing treats David has cooked are left to be enjoyed and we can have our \u201912 Treats of Christmas\u2019 a little later as we started with an afternoon tea yesterday.\u00a0 This consisted of 5 mince pies (Dave\u2019s); 4 edible tree decorations (Nigella\u2019s made by Dave); 3 stocking chocolate gifts; 2 Christmas Cakes (sort of)(my Mum\u2019s recipe made by Dave) and 1 Yuletide log (only cheat as this year from LeClerc).<\/p>\n<\/a> and we had an English couple with their dog, Martha, for a week in Hayloft whose welcome hamper included some of David\u2019s piccalilli, chutney and a Christmas cake.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n