I mentioned at the end of last week’s blog that the forecast was for good weather during the week which would allow me to progress with my painting and would have allowed our tiler the ideal opportunity to lay some paving slabs on the pool terrace.
I did manage to get my painting progressed and the doors and kitchen window look so much better. Sadly, the photos don’t do them justice with it being brighter on the outside than the inside so you’ll have to take my word for it! Now they don’t have peeling paint and are no longer a slightly yellowing colour it has made a big difference.
As hoped, the living space is now done and I have started in the bathroom which should be quicker. All being well, we should be in re-build phase at the end of the coming week to welcome our first guests in the newly revamped gîte.
Thankfully too our tiler did join us for 2 days. We had hoped (and indeed were told) that she would be able to juggle her work so that when the weather is dry she can lay our slabs, and when wet she would be able to focus on the other tasks she has.
Unfortunately, she has apparently taken on a large house revamp that is taking more of her time so our project is delayed and this amazing weather can’t last forever. With the 2 days she has been with us we have at least got an impression of how the terrace will eventually look – and we think it will be fabulous although it is going to take her at least another 5 days laying and she tells us that she may only be back for one in the coming week.
This week we have also progressed a possible collaboration with a new neighbour who we first met a few weeks ago.
When we first considered moving to France we thought about what we could offer in addition to just providing accommodation and whether we could use the gîtes as a base for workshops or retreats. Also in our early years we provided a couple of services to guests that we are no longer able to do ourselves, including catered 3-course dinners and filling guests’ fridges and cupboards with groceries prior to their arrival.
Our neighbour, Burnell, has recently moved to the area from the Lot departement and is passionate about many things, including food and art.
Burnell can provide a private catering option to our guests and will start a grocery service again for those who would prefer to avoid the big shop on their first day of holiday.
However, she is also able to provide additional activities that we have never been able to including day workshops on local foods, cooking and art and we are hoping to work with her to create some residential courses and activities in these fields. We will update our website with options in due course but have a look at Burnell’s website to get a flavour (pun intended!) of what’s to come.
Today’s walk wasn’t as clear and sunny as we’d hoped, at least not at the start, and took us to another peninsular that we hadn’t walk before, the Pointe Doubidy, in the Plougastel-Daoulas commune.
Another pretty walk in another amazing part of this region – and walked us past the oldest house in the commune dated 1589 it makes Priory sound ‘modern’ at 1640, although is definitely, and sadly, in need of a lot of work although the stone framed windows survive and show how elegant the house would have once been.
Lots to do for next week. Hayloft, all being well, will be complete; we hope to be on the way to re-creating a lawn between the buildings and pool; and we welcome David’s Dad for a visit on Wednesday.
Kenavo.