Rear gate looking in

Sunday 19 August – Posted

Sadly for last week’s guests, based on the weather we ‘enjoyed’ you could conclude that summer had ended.  In reality, while it was far from the searing heatwave we had before, it was also not wet enough to make much difference to the drought-affected garden.  It did however prevent me cutting any more of the…

Brandon Springer

Sunday 12 August – Hedgeonism

I don’t know where this week has gone.  Life is very different for us in France but it still seems to pass very quickly – more so now, during high season, when we are full and Stable, our chambre d’hôte, is changing over regularly. As last week, the principal activity has been continuing to cut…

First water butt plumbed in alongside Grange at Kergudon Gites

Sunday 5 August

As I write this blog at the end of another sweltering day’s heat, the rain of last Sunday is a very distant memory.  We are not surprised that the farmers of the UK are concerned about the state of crops and grazing land as this has proven to be an exceptional year – it’s unfortunate…

Summer 'storm' snapped the top off of our last apple tree in the orchard

Sunday 29 July – Summer Storm

I wish I wouldn’t make these bold claims at the end of my blogs as, last week, I thought that everything was set fair for me to make some good progress.  However, as we have now very definitely entered the high season and have guests in all of our gîtes, there are is lot to…

Kergudon's bin store and recycling centre

Sunday 22 July – Google Suck

Last week’s blog said that with far fewer distractions I would be able to make great progress on our outstanding projects.  That was half true!  I have at least managed to complete the 2 tasks that I started about 3 weeks ago which has meant that we have been able to make a start on…

North end of Grange cleared and rolled ready for the bin store at Kergudon Gites

Sunday 15 July – French Celebrations

Sadly, as last week, I haven’t achieved a huge amount on any of our ongoing projects in the last 7 days.  Again, this was mostly due to external distractions but also because the weather has remained so hot working outside is difficult.  Almost one entire day was spent watering the yews we planted earlier in…

Clearing the space between Kergudon's Grange and the boundary wall.

Sunday 08 July – Store, Moore, Tour

Last week’s blog picked up on my comment of the previous week, that we need to take more time off and enjoy the experience of being in France, and the weather when that allows.  While we didn’t do that last week, looking back, I am afraid that I can probably say that I have achieved…

Beach day at Dossen

Sunday 01 July – Drought or Deluge

Last week’s blog ended with a statement that we generally needed to take more time to relax.  It also started saying how amazing the weather had been – and looked like it would continue to be.  Thankfully, at least for the start of the week, the forecast was correct and the incredibly hot weather continued. …

Before the fire!

Sunday 24 June – Boule Gites

I finished last week’s blog hoping that this week would be more productive than the preceding couple.   Thankfully it was.  The first thing to say is that the weather has been amazing – and looks as though it will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.  Summer has arrived! I also said that, if…