Friday 25 December 2015

Latest project finished

Sorry I have not been around and have still not taken any pictures of the lights. We have been so busy. Since last writing we had a week back in the UK sorting out our English which has sold. We have now exchanged contracts and the sale will complete on 5th January. This is a huge event for us as not only will we no longer have a house in the homeland we will have paid off our mortgage. We have no debt against our French house so finally we will not owe any money!
The photos are the stairs P has built in the cave that is daughters house. They are oak! He built them from scratch  after lots of measuring and is the third staircase he has built. We are hoping to move them in early in the new year.
The extension is up and looking good. My tumble dryer is installed properly. Once the rest of the wiring is done and the plumbing we can get the washing machine into there too. This will mean I can start sorting out my kitchen. I am planning to use a large heavily carved four door cupboard that will be the base unit. I have bought some chalk paint in duck egg blue that I will use to paint it. I'll take photos as I go.
We still have a lot of work to do but I can see the light at last.
It is very un December like so far! The ducks have started laying eggs again! Lots of rain which is creating lots of mud! I have a flowering cherry that has blossom and the Virginia creeper is growing leaves. Not sure what will happen in Spring.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

December has arrived!

Over the last week my village has gradually been transformed. Old friends have returned but new things too! The Marie has the canopy of lights cascading over the entrance...it does look beautiful. The carriage and fake horse is in place with the bride sitting in it and an old fashioned gentleman just getting in! The big illuminated candles are on every lamp post and various other lights around. New this year is a model village all lit up. The candy and crepe shed is in the church car park along with the giant manger scene. The church spire has lights on it. All that is missing is Santa in his rocking chair outside the boulangerie but I am sure he will appear soon. The big switch on is yet to happen and after that the coach loads of people will start touring the best decorated villages of which we are one. The shops are being decorated too!
I am not big on Christmas but the village does look pretty just now.
Did the shopping today ( yes in a big supermarket) and it was full of specially wrapped chocolate, toys and Christmas foods. That is as far as it goes except of course for the carols being played in English!
Most of the cows are now in barns, the leaves have fallen off the trees and no crops are growing. Time to prune trees and do fencing!
Before we know it Christmas will be over for another year and Spring will be on the way.

Sunday 29 November 2015

Making my stand!

For animals that is. I have heard recently that some French farmers are going in for mega dairy farms. This will mean dairy herds being kept indoors all their lives. I feel this is totally wrong and is exploiting animals big time. It is all about profit which I want no part of. I will no longer buy meat or dairy products from big supermarkets. I will use a local butcher for my meat where I can ask the source. Today we are having a chicken that I paid a lot for but it was raised out side, fed non GM grain and lived a mimimum of 81 days. No artificial feeds or antibiotics to make it grow fast. My milk is bought from a neighbour with a dairy herd and I can see where the cows are kept. We are coming up to the time when the cows will be in a barn mostly but will be in the field when weather permits and will walk to the milking shed twice a day!
The sooner we get to being self sufficient with meat the better. This stand will mean we have less meat but that is no bad thing. When we eat out I will only have a vegetarian meal unless it is clear where the meat came from and meets with my standard.
I am sounding rather militant I know but I feel very strongly about this. Animals are there to provide us with food but not to be exploited.
I still have not found any ethical pork so that is off the menu until I do. The majority of pork here is raised in big sheds in confined spaces. That I will not support.
I plan to buy cheese and cream products from markets where small farms sell their own produce. Again it will cost more so we will have less. Not a bad thing really as we eat too much anyway!
I currently have a freezer full of local lamb which will keep us going months.

Monday 16 November 2015

As France mourns

It was a complete shock to us seeing the events unfolding in Paris. This is my adopted country and I feel the pain with true French people. The world is truly a horrid place now and I will never understand why humans do such awful things to each other.
Meanwhile closer to home...hubby has been unwell ever since his last accident. The wound healed well with no problems but he has had a general malaise for a few weeks. On Saturday he had an upset tum. Yesterday he deteriorated at an alarming rate and I was truly worried. I called the emergency Doctor service who were wonderful. Although the lady did not speak English she told me to speak French slowly which enabled her to understand me. She was concerned enough to call an ambulance. Two lovely young men arrived one of whom spoke some English which was a great help. They checked him out and called the hospital to say we were coming. It was not the one I had taken him to before so did not know where it was. It is policy here for relatives to follow on. It was good it was a Sunday as the roads were really quiet but I drove way too fast trying to keep up. I knew if I didn't I would not find the hospital! I had to check him in and complete the paperwork and by the time I joined him in the room he was in a gown with an intravenous drip going. They were just taking bloods to identify was clearly an infection. At all times I was expected to stay with him which surprised me. In less than an hour the bug was identified and two lots of antibiotics were given intravenously along with paracetamol to reduce his temperature. He has a gastric infection! He improved rapidly once the medicine was given. All the staff were lovely and did not have a problem with my bad French. We were both very pleased to be allowed home. I was given a prescription to sort out the next day. He was ok on the drive home but once home was shivering violently again and totally exhausted. The whole episode from the time I called the emergency to the time we came home was just four hours. That includes a half hour drive home! Once again I am impressed with the healthcare here.
We had a really rough night up every hour! This morning I collected all the drugs and have had to push him to eat a bit to help absorb them.
On top of this I currently have a rotten cold.
Sorry to be all gloom and doom, sometimes life goes wrong.
Right now I am grateful I live in the back of beyond in peace.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Latest finished project

So this is it! Two years to make. All in double knit wool and a combination of knitting and crochet. I am very pleased with the result but have to say I will not make another this size!
I am now finishing a throw for our first Gite.
We have had a very successful second year with our first Gite. We have taken the decision to close it now until 1st Match due to all the work we have to do this winter.
We set up our business to get us into the health system here. We did lots of research and decided a Gite worked better for us. We prefer for guests to sort themselves out. I had visions of food allergies and food preferences if we did the traditional bed and breakfast or chambre d'hôte as it is known here. We also did not want an endless stream of strangers in our house. So we converted one end of a large barn into a Gite. We had identified a gap in the market for small Gites for a couple so this is what we went for. We started with an old barn, earth floor and loads of old farm bits in it! If you want to see pictures go to our website. Www. Letertregites.com , be careful with the spelling! We, the Royal we that is, although I did do quite a bit, did most of the work. We had a builder replace the roof and put in two dormer Windows. He also put in the first floor and concreted the floor. Then it was over to us.
When we signed up for the business regime we chose we had two years to show earnings. We just made the deadline! P designed and built the stairs, did the plumbing and the wiring. We insulated and plaster boarded the whole thing. We painted all the walls white and put in a red Ikea kitchen. We laminated upstairs floors and tiled downstairs. It is called Le Tertre rouge, after an area at 24hr Le Mans of which we are fans. It is a lovely mix of old beams and modern kitchen and bathroom. We put in oven, hob and washing machine and enough kitchen equipment to allow guests to cook full meals. We also had to sort out outside. The back garden was a jungle of brambles and self seeded saplings. Now it is a fenced lawn! There is more work to be done outside but that will have to wait.
We were ready by 1st May our first year. We asked the opinion of our guests as to whether the rest of the barn should be a family Gite which was what we were planning. Everyone said they would not want children next door. So we had to replan and work out getting two staircases in. It took a while to work out but we did it. Both the other two Gites have been insulated and boarded and had first fix electrics and plumbing. The staircases are in too.
Gites were originally brought into being to help farmers. They were very basic holiday accommodation  on a farm and cheap! Today a much higher standard is asked for. So they are well decorated and equipped. We have wifi in ours too and English television!
I provide all bed linen and towels. Also tea towels, oven gloves, kitchen hand towel, bath mat and all cleaning products.
We plan to have all three Gites up and running by next May. We have another smaller barn with an old bread oven attached we plan to make into an English style bar. Just for guests. We will also sell produce from our small holding. We have plans to create a petang court and a fire pit. It is our plan to make Le Tertre a social place that guests can take part in if they want to.
We have had to be aware of French laws to ensure we do things correctly. We have public liability insurance and have installed a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher. It is a challenge keeping up with rules as we are not informed, we have to find out.
We enjoy having people visit our place and giving them a comfortable holiday. Most come to wind down and enjoy the quiet!
We are on our own, no other buildings in sight, no street lights, no roads.

Monday 9 November 2015

Am still here!

Busy busy just now! In a good way though. We are pushing forward with converting a small barn into a house for eldest daughter and her husband. Have just planned the kitchen so will shortly go to good old Ikea to get it! You can plan and choose it on the English website then take the print out to our French shop and it is all the same! Makes it so much easier.
Our builder is getting on well with the extension, I am looking forward to having a utility room and daughter will enjoy the added dining room their side.
Tomorrow we pick up an old armoire we have bought privately. At least, I hope we will. It has shelves inside and I need it to store the clean Gite linen. It is the princely sum of €10.
On the sustainable living front I have ditched makeup remover wipes and now clean my face with good old gentle soap and water. I have also invested in two dozen cotton handkerchiefs and will no longer buy tissues. Progress is slow but I am moving forward.
My big news is I am on the last lap of my bedspread! Just sewing in all the ends now. Once done I will put a photo on here. It has taken me two years to make!
Wood burner is going most evenings now as it gets chilly. The days are still quite warm though, unusual for November.
Chickens are still laying well, up to 7 eggs each day.
Daughter living with us has secured an interview at a college to help support the teaching of English. It will be amazing if she gets it. We are all rooting for her!
Will be back again soon with photos!

Monday 2 November 2015

Progress

today the concrete arrived. The base for the log store, the duck, geese and goat house and the extension to our house has been laid. The lorry driver was very skilled in negotiating our fencing. It took a 12 meter tube to reach the animal area. All smoothed out and drying now.
The daft ducks have left their footprints in the base of their house. I was concerned they may get stuck but all was well.
Tomorrow our builder will start on the extension. It always boosts me when I can see us moving forward.
My attempt to join the meat eating world is not going too well. Two weeks ago I had a small amount of lamb and my tummy is still upset. Tonight I tried to eat some wild salmon but did not get far as just did not want it. I will persist but continue to take it slowly. I find I always prefer vegetarian food.
On Wednesday we will go to the prefecture to sort out the carte grise for my mini. This will transfer it into my name. I am still smiling when I drive my mini. It is always a challenge dealing with French offialdom! Hopefully all will go smoothly.
It has been unseasonably warm the last few days, a sort of gentle introduction to winter. I cannot help feeling the temperature will drop quickly very soon. The early mornings, evenings and nights are rather cold.
The chickens are still laying well, I hope it continues. I think the sunshine has helped.
Life feels very gentle at the moment something I am grateful for in such a turbulent world.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

What a busy week

last guests arrived for the Gite so daughter had to move into the caravan. That meant leaving our back door unlocked so if they needed the loo during the night that could come in and use the cloakroom. Dogs were very good, barked the first night but not after that.
Yesterday I collected my Mini Cooper and have to say I absolutely love it. Takes a bit of getting used to being left hand drive but that will come with time.
Today the guests left and daughter moved back into the Gite where they will now stay until their house is finished. We have removed some of the furniture so they can have some over their things around them. Took daughter shopping today and helped her find thevFrench version of things. Also got her signed up for a loyalty card so she can start building it up.
Also builder started today and has been busy with the digger. He has dug out the footings for my uitilty room, daughters dining room, new animal/ bird house and log store. We used some of the earth to build up the sides of my tractor tyre pond making it easier for the water fowl to access. It is great to see things moving forward.
The darker evenings have caught us out and we have to adjust our schedules to be here in time to put all to bed.
Major step for me..I had some roast lamb last Sunday. I know where it came from and that it had a good life chemical free. I have had an upset tummy since but guess it will take a while to get used to.
I am working on free range outdoor pork now as I will not eat factory farmed pork. If I can find someone who rears pigs ethically I will buy it. Once we start eating our poultry and water fowl we will be self sufficient with meat.

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Another trip to A &E

so another good test for our language skills. On Monday I was out with a friend when P called to say he had had an accident so could I come home as quickly as possible. I was a good half hour away in my friends car having left mine at her house. She took me straight home.
For some time I have been asking P to build the front step to daughters house. The step is a piece of chimney with a patio slab balanced on top! He had stepped on whilst carrying a large bag of adhesive and lost his balance. The slab had tipped over and caught his shin. He had a large L shaped cut with bone showing. Sorry if anyone is squeamish! I put a sterile dressing on it and took him to hospital. Fortunately many medical things are the same being Latin based. The doctor and nurse were lovely. Within 10 minutes of checking in we were in the treatment being seen by a specialist. He and the intern did the sewing. 20 sutures later and we were on our way home.
Problem was our daughter and son in law were arriving to begin their new life with us. I had to arrange for a friend to wait here as did not want to worry them by phoning. Fortunetly I had loaded the slow cooker that morning so dinner was sorted.
Also the lamb I had ordered was delivered whilst we were out. Friend put it in the freezer and I have yet to sort it out!
This is not the first time I have taken P to the emergency room and think it will not be the last!
Phoned our insurance company yesterday to tell them about my new car. New insurance ticket arrived this morning. They will insure my current car free for three months during which time I can drive to a garage or take someone on a test drive. This is to allow us to sell it. Also called the bank to organize a sort of bankers draft to pay the balance for my car when we collect it next week. That should arrive by recorded delivery tomorrow.
No sign of my French driving license yet but it is less than a week since I sent the papers off. Hoping all goes smoothly.
Also signed the contract for the sale of our English house today so will send that back to the
conveyance company. Will be happier once we have exchanged.
So, lots sorted.
Now sitting with the wood burner blazing, a time of year I love!

Sunday 18 October 2015

And here it is...my new to me car. She is French and left hand drive. I hope my new French license turns up without any problems now. I collect my car on 27th and cannot wait.
P is working on his new car too..it will be yellow like mine but much bigger and American! When we moved here we sold our American car as it could not be imported here. We used the money to buy our micro station. It was a yellow C5 Corvette we bought on American eBay and shipped from New York. P is working on finding a yellow C5 or C6 , European spec. Then we will also buy a van to carry the building materials and take the dogs out in. Finally we will both have clean cars that we keep that way. 
Just a quick few lines today....big day tomorrow with daughter and son in law arriving.

Saturday 17 October 2015

Another 1st

today we went to look at a car advertised on. French website. P is treating me to a new car and I have had trouble deciding what to have. All I knew was I wanted a left hand drive and something smallish. He found me a Mini Cooper! We found the house and managed to inspect the car do a test drive and negotiate the price all in French. The way it works here is the current owner has to get a new controle technique (MOT) so that will be done next week and we will pick it up on 27th. All we have to do then is complete a form to change the ownership. It means a lot to me each time we succeed in doing something like this and boosts my confidence. The family were lovely and had no problem dealing with us.
It has taken a long time to feel at home here but I am now feeling I will stay here. Since dad died I have not wanted to go back to the UK at all.
My eldest daughter and her hubby arrive on Monday which is the icing on the cake! It will be so lovely to have both my girls here. We have so much planned now, plenty to keep us busy and fired up to push forward with our self sufficient life style.

Wednesday 14 October 2015

Another bit of French bureaucracy sorted...I hope

For some time now I have wanted to change my English driving license for a French one. It is normal to have regular document checks and be breathalised here. It always complicates it because I live here and drive a French car. So this morning I went into our village Marie and asked about changing over. The receptionist speaks no English so it was a challenge. I managed it and also asked for a list of the things I need to send to the prefecture. She had a hand written list so is obviously used to having 'etrangers' making this request. So, I have filled out the form, photocopied my birth certificate, passport, plastic license card and paper license and a utility bill in my name. All along with my original licenses, two dreadful photos and a stamped self addressed envelope all in one big envelope ready to be sent to the prefecture tomorrow. No charge amazingly and hopefully my new French license will arrive before long. Meanwhile I have a photocopy of my English license for when I am stopped by the Gendarmes. I am very proud of myself for doing this. I have no intention now of ever going back to Blighty so it makes sense.
The winter weather has arrived so wood burner cranked up. I love this time of year!

Monday 12 October 2015

My boys

This is Frank and Bruno. Bruno arrived first as an eight week puppy we rescued. P was doing some contract work in the UK leaving me alone here. With three cats and various chickens and ducks. I cannot say I was too bothered by it but he felt a dog would be good. We have never had a dog before, mainly because I will not take on any animal I cannot look after properly. We have both always worked apart from my few weeks off for each child. As I was a nurse I worked nights so we could manage the child care 'in house'. It would not have been fair to leave a dog on its own. Now we are retired and felt we could give a dog a home. We have the space here too for a dog to roam. P suggested it whilst he was away and I started the search. I found an English run rescue centre and saw  a photo of Bruno on the website. His mum had been brought into the rescue centre and shortly after gave birth to six puppies. Bruno and a sister had been homed with a couple who decided after a short time they could not cope with them. By the time I found him he was the last puppy to go. P came back and we set off for Brittany to collect him. I had bought a collar and lead to bring him home. We also had a puppy cage. It was love at first sight. He was so good on the long journey home, we stopped once to see if he would wee but the collar I had bought was too big! Once home he settled in very well and never made a fuss. At night he went in his bed in the cage and never cried. We knew he had Boxer in him as he had the look and color. We had him vaccinated and snipped and his passport and documents were changed to my name. Our sil named him, as he was part Boxer! The first few weeks were easy, I googled for information and bought a couple of books on dog training. I was determined to do things properly. Then a friend told us about an English couple running obedience and agility classes. We signed up. It was here we were told Bruno was a Boxer/Mastiff cross. We did the classes for a year knowing  it was us that needed training more than Bruno. He did really well and loved the agility part. We came away confident with handling him and with a good understanding of his character. Our trainer kept telling us he would be quieter by 18 months. Almost to the day he calmed down. He has taken a lot of work to keep him under control but now at 3 1/2 he is a lovely gentle dog. We have continued to use the kennels our trainer runs and Frank came from her. Frank is a Tekel/Yorkie cross. He was one of three puppies rescued from a litter being drowned. He was homed but it was discovered he was being badly treated and came back to our trainer. Again it was love at first sight. She was happy for us to take him. She kept him a couple of weeks to be sure there were no personality problems resulting from his bad experience. She also helped him get used to being with big dogs. When we went to collect him we took Bruno so she could see how they reacted to each other. They were fine and have been ever since. Bruno is very gentle with Frank. Bruno is 44kgs and Frank is 4kgs!
They are both very much part of our family now.

Sunday 11 October 2015

My happy geese

Sorry it is rather dark! This shows goose hall and the pond I have sorted for them today. I am very proud of my up cycled pond! It has been created using an old tractor tyre I was given free. We used the inner tube opened up and siliconed onto the the base to form the bottom of the pond. I dug out the earth about a foot and lowered the tyre into it. I then built up the outer edges with earth to create a slope for the geese to get into into the pond. As soon as it was filled they were in it.
I have been rethinking our duck area. When we build the new housing for ducks, geese and goats I will have them all in one area. The duck pond will converted into a wild life pond and we will plant it up with water lilies and such. The new pond is easy to empty and clean which is needed as the birds are very messy. When we dig out the footings for the new animal house I will use the earth to build up the sides more. Eventually it will become a grassy slope. And it hasn't cost me a penny! Or even euro!
Daughter and hubby arrived yesterday with all their worldly goods. It is now stored in one of the unfinished Gites until we have finished their house. They have gone back today to take the lorry back and sort out the final bits. Monday week they come back. We have already had lots of discussions about what we will do here. All positive stuff. We really will be living like a commune which I am very happy about. Together we will be self sufficient. Sil has said he thinks he can cope with killing the poultry and with help at first I can cope with plucking and gutting. I have a lovely lady who will show me and help me. With the small holders association I am planning on joining I will have a network to help me get my new life on track. I also have a good network of people to barter with, something I am very keen to do.
I feel very fortunate to be able to live this way.

Friday 9 October 2015

To continue my story

it seemed like a good plan to set up the Gite business but it did mean my house was abandoned! I have now lived here for nearly six years and my house is still not done.
We have a lovely Gite now nearly finishing the second season. Last year we had 14 weeks booked, this year 26!
At the end of last year my eldest daughter and her husband decided they wanted to share our lives here. It has taken a while to sell their property but tomorrow they arrive with all their worldly goods. They stay one night then go back to return the van and finish up bits in the UK. Next week they will move here for good. They will help with the self sufficiency bit and the Gite business. We have a smallish cow barn attached to one end of our house. We have just about converted this into a house for said daughter. Once it is done we then have to finish the other two Gites ready for next spring. Once all this is done then my house will be done!
We have learned so much since moving here. Not least a new language! In the early days we went to the DIY stores and spent ages trying to work out what we needed. Both plumbing and electrics had more than one system. Once started you have to continue with the same system. We made a few expensive errors but slowly worked it out. Fortunetly we are can do people!
When we first arrived we did not even know our way around shops. I found it very difficult in supermarkets trying to buy my usual stuff. I kept ordering things from the UK at great expense. Gradually I worked it out and now buy very little from the UK. It has made me cook from scratch and be more adventurous. Today I buy very little even from French supermarkets and many things I produce from home! I have not bought a jar of jam since coming here and have a pantry growing with jars of jam and jelly. My first batch took me ages and was a big project. Today I was given some black grapes from a friends garden. In the freezer I had some blackberries. So I made jelly from it all! It is no longer a big deal!
A good friend said to me yesterday that when she first met me she did not think I would stick it out. She never thought I would manage to become self sufficient. She has now changed her mind I am pleased to say! I was a complete townie! She did say though that I am the only person she knows who can look clean and tidy whilst cleaning out the duck pond! I take that as a compliment!
I know I will always be a foreigner here but I finally feel comfortable.

Thursday 8 October 2015

Progress on the self sufficiency front

so, yesterday evening I went to a meeting for the association of organic farmers. Called A.M.A.P. I am an amapian apparently! It was all in French which was a challenge but the farmer I am contracted to speaks English and sat next to me to help with the translation. He kindly told me during voting when to raise my hand otherwise who knows what I could have volunteered for. I have have renewed my contract for winter and paid my money for 10 weeks of veg boxes. I feel good about helping to support a new organic farmer. I have visited his farm and am impressed with the work he is doing. So far he is just growing veg and fruit for personal use. He hopes to get into animals at some point and I hoping he will invest in outdoor pigs. Here you rarely see pigs outside as they are kept crammed in large barns. Something I do not agree with.
I have also been put in touch with an English smallholders group in my part of France. It is just the sort of thing I need. Not only do they share knowledge they also sell and barter produce and animals. I plan to go to the next meeting. It will be good to have things in English.
A good friend said to me today that when she first met she did not think I would last. She knew of my plan to be self sufficient but did not believe I was the right sort of character. I have to admit I doubted myself in the beginning knowing nothing about that way of life. I bought John Seymours book some time ago and loved reading it. The reality is somewhat different. I have found my way round chickens, ducks and geese not to mention mice and other nasties. I am hoping that with help I can start producing our own meat. My reason for being veggie is I do not want to support the exploitation of animals. Being a full smallholder corrects this. We would only process for us or barter and not for profit. It will be the same with the honey when that starts, I will barter not sell.
It is wonderful to be able to do all this.
On Saturday my eldest daughter and her husband arrive with all their belongings. They go back to the UK on Sunday to finish up things then the following week move here. Then we will all work together to live the dream!
A diversion from talking about how we coped with settling here but I will get back to that!

Monday 5 October 2015

Getting used to Francet

one of the first official things we had to do was sort out health care. We had paperwork from England that said they would pay France for our care for two years but after that we would have to accepted by France. We went to the local government office where we struggled with French but amazingly came out with the correct papers and the promise our carte vitale would arrive in the post soon. By this time we had heard lots of horror stories about not being accepted. About a week later the cards arrived and they had included K on mine. Phew, we could shelve that for a while.
We had a large pot of money and set about getting our house sorted. I bought a duck and hen house. We bought our first chickens with a cockerel soon after. I started with Buff Orpingtons as research told me they were a good breed for beginners. They settled down quickly and started laying. That summer they hatched five chicks. I was hooked! I had never been anywhere near a live chicken before this but found it easy to handle and care for them.
Shortly after arriving we had a micro station installed. Our original toilet emptied into a concrete tank but everything else went into a field behind us. France had planned to inspect every private system to get all to conform by 2012. No chance! Many rural places still tip into fields and have local farmers emptying the tanks. Our micro station is very modern and processes everything to empty water into the river at the back of our house. We had a big 11 person one put in to future proof it. Whilst all the digging was being done we asked if a duck pond could be dug. One scoop and it was done. A month later the pond was done and ducks installed. I bought Rouen ducks, three girls and one boy. They are big Mallards.
We were beginning to get things into shape.
Our next big thing was to have solar tubes installed and a big heat exchanger to provide hot water. With hind sight I would not have done this and if it ever fails we will take it out. There are times in the depths of winter when I have a two inch bath of lukewarm water! There is an immersion you can set to kick in but it takes too much power. We have tried to put things in place to reduce our monthly costs. Certainly our electricity was drastically reduced.
Having built the shells of the rooms upstairs we removed the bedroom walls downstairs. This created a large room with the stairs going up one side. On the opposite wall was a very big fireplace with an equally big chimney. This was to be my kitchen. In the fireplace we installed my wood burning Esse oven. Royal blue with chrome plates to cover the hot plates. I still love it now. In winter it heats that side of the house.
Just before we removed the downstairs bedrooms K announced she was getting married. Our baby was finally going. She married a French postman! She now lives nearby and has a three year old boy whom I love to bits.
We were now coming up to two years here so started looking at health care again. England wrote to say they would no longer pay for us so we turned to France. They said no! The European law said they should accept us but locally they would not. This was major but we were determined to stay. It took lots of work to find a solution but we found one just before our cover ran out. We decided to convert a barn into Gites. We were able to sign up to a system that gave us immediate cover and we had two years to make some money and pay some tax!

Sunday 4 October 2015

Part two

when we first bought this place we were working full time. I had left the NHS and joined a medical company as a nurse advisor. I taught NHS and nursing home staff a glamorous subject....the promotion of continence and the management of incontinence. It was an amazing lifestyle and so different from my role as ward sister. I progressed into sales and became a national account manager. I had a fat salary and a final salary pension! This helped us to move here.
For two years we came here for a weekend every month. We would work from home on Friday and be at Euro tunnel for six, getting here by midnight. We would work on the place all day Saturday and most of Sunday and leave here by four to be home again before midnight ready to go back to work on Monday. All our holidays were spent here and we gradually moved our things over. One of the first things we brought over was our chiming clock. I hated leaving here on Sunday, closing the shutters and thinking about the clock gradually running down.
Then the miracle happened. The bank P worked for started on a redundancy programme. He applied. At first it was denied him but by now I had been signed off with stress and wanted out. Bonuses and fat salaries are great but they have a price. P was also signed off with stress which led to him getting redundancy. Our youngest daughter had also been made redundant and as she could not afford to set up on her own decided to come with us. On 19th December 2009, K and I packed up my short wheel base Rav 4 with a large puppy cage divided into two levels. In here were our four cats. On top of the cage were her rabbit and Guinea pig! We had a small bag each for us. We did the Euro tunnel because of the animals. It was the first time I had done the journey without P and K at that time had no French. I had to cope with it all! When we were near home the snow started. We just about got here before it became impossible. The rabbit and Guinea pig had to stay in the cage as their eglu was on the lorry P and a friend were driving over the next day. With no central heating I had to get the wood burner going. We had basic provisions and the next day I walked through a couple of feet of snow two miles to the village shop for supplies. It was a difficult start.
P had trouble getting here due to the snow and when he arrived I did a quick meal for him and our friend, helped unload the van and they turned round and went straight back to England. P was then snowed in for a week leaving K and I to cope alone.
I had no kitchen or oven. We had brought over my American fridge freezer on an earlier trip and had installed a small table top oven /grill. We had English tv as P had sorted that out earlier but we had no computer as I needed P to set it up!
When we bought the place there were three bedrooms down stairs, a sale de vie which was kitchen, dining room and lounge and a bathroom tacked onto the back of this room. During the two years we had a builder put in a first floor and four dormer Windows. By the time we moved here we had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, constructed and plastered but nothing else. We had insulated up stairs but not down stairs. We also had double glazed Windows upstairs. Down stairs was still the same.
I was still very excited about it at this stage and had a positive outlook.
It is major thing to move to another country and become 'the foreigner'. The early days were very hard.

Saturday 3 October 2015

Making the decision to move here

I have been asked by a few people lately how I came to live in France. I thought this was the place to talk about it.
Firstly we had always wanted to live in another country. We looked at America, New Zealand and Spain over the years but none seemed right. Then we bought a Corvette ( car) and started going to the 24 hour Le Mans race.
The next step was selling our beautiful house and down sizing. We used the equity to buy this house. I had been searching the Internet for some time so it did not take much effort to draw up a list. I found 11 properties that fitted what we wanted. We wanted rural and we had a budget to stick to. I made up a list for each property to log things like mains electric and water. I also insisted on a working bathroom. We set up the viewings for an Easter weekend and viewed them all. The first one was near here and was in a town. We are can do people but the first place was awful. We came away thinking it was not going to happen if that was all we could afford. Then we pulled up here!
We arrived before the agent and stood at the entrance amongst the weeds and cried. We knew this was it. The agent turned up and opened up. The house was a mess and smelt musty. The agent told us someone else was viewing after us but as it had been on the market for 9 months with no viewings we did not believe him. We drove away and parked where we could see anyone turning into our access road. We saw another car go in! I had to push P but we went to the agents office at nearly closing and put in an offer. It was accepted. The agent took the sale photograph out of the window and gave it to us. We signed a paper that gave us 7 days to think about it. We viewed the rest of the houses on our list but nothing came close.  We went back toms the agent and told him we wanted the place and wanted to complete on the Friday of the Le Mans weekend.
We picked up the keys from the Notaire on the day we wanted!
We stayed a week and several friends who were at the race came to see us. Most could not believe what we had done...no vision!
The house was a mess. No upstairs and a basic bathroom off the main room. Our bedroom door led off the main room too. The house was infested with mice and had a resident toad. And we loved it!
To be continued....

Thursday 1 October 2015

Another new venture

I am going to start making our own butter. As I now have only raw milk it will be possible. The cream that forms is beautiful and I plan to buy more milk that I will skim. The remaining milk can be used to make yogurt. This will also open an opportunity to make cream too. With the milk at €1 per litre it will save money. We do not use much butter just now but I would like to use it in baking and get rid of the commercial marg. I plan to use my Kenwood to make the butter.
I am currently making soup too. With the organic veg box every week I have lots to choose from. The tomatoes are yummy and made a scrumptious tomato and basil soup.
On Saturday I am having a day with the organic farmers! We are having a tour of two farms, a chance to do a bit of work and a lunch. No charge! It is because I have joined the association! I hope to pick up ideas for my own veg plot!
Lit the wood burner this evening, love the cosy feel it gives the room

Wednesday 30 September 2015

Buzz buzz etc

Sorry to have been absent, so much going on just now.
It has been a good summer for the ducks, seven ducklings safely raised. We now have 14 ducks. Two are definitely Drakes but it is looking like all the ducklings are girls. Here's hoping!
On the chicken front, no chicks this year for the first time and we lost one hen. So 11 hens and 3 cockerels. Had a bit of a lean time with eggs but found a couple were laying in the garden. That meant I acquired a mountain. All good though and I used them all. The geese were too young this year but hope next year to have some goslings.
We recently went to see our bee keeping mentor and had a lovely afternoon of instruction. We now know where we are going! We have a nuke booked for next spring that will have a queen to start us off. It will cost us €150! We are going to build a platform in a barn that has a hay window on the east facing side. Perfect for bees. The hive will be sited in the window opening and we will fill the gaps around it leaving a 'door' for them. This will mean the bees will fly above any people. We have to visit the tax office to get our bee keepers number and become registered. Once we are set up we will be visited by the bee inspector from time to time. We have to keep daily records of the temperature inside and outside the hive that the inspector will want to see. The next thing we must do is unpack our hive and put it together.
Next week we are having a day learning how to milk goats and make goats cheese. I am hoping this will make P agree to have a few goats.
I know that to be truly self sufficient I have to get my head around eating our stock. That is very big for me.
Daughter arrives here on 17th October with her husband and dog to start a new life with us. I am so pleased about this.
Also we decided to sell our English house and after just four days it is sold! In 6-8 weeks we will pay off our mortgage and have enough money in the pot to finish the renovations. Happy days!
We still have so much to do but are gradually getting to where we want to be.
Next year I will start on opening our well and using grey water. That is a big project.

Friday 11 September 2015

The wait continues

So here we are six weeks after my daughter should have exchanged contracts on her flat and it still hasn't happened. The buyers solicitor has caused problems throughout. She has failed to communicate  with anyone and has been very slow with each stage. If it does not happen by Monday lunchtime daughter cannot complete until 5 th October. This gives us more time to spend getting the cave ready but is very stressful!
Today we took big Bruno for his vaccinations. Had to take Frank too as he is unhappy being left in the house alone. Bruno has no fear of the vet and was very good. He weighed in at 41kgs! After the vet we took them for a good woodland walk which we all enjoyed.
Also today I have deleted all but one of the games I played on my iPad. I am tired of wasting time on them! It has meant this evening I have finished the crochet throw for the Gite. Well the crochet bit anyway. I now have to sew in all the ends then do the border. The throw is red and white and I am going to sew a red and white gingham frill around the edges. I have several other projects to finish that I am going to work through.
My hand reared ducklings are now outside. Yesterday I put them in the duck garden where they enjoyed a swim in the pond. It took two of us to get them into the house last night. They tumbled out of the house with the others when I opened the door this morning. They had no problem finding the feeder and although they stayed together they seem happy. This evening I was able to get them into the house on my own. Hopefully this means they are now happy being ducks!
We are back on track with eggs too although silly hen is still laying hers on top of the wall. Today the egg rolled off and broke! I am getting three eggs a day though as well as one or two duck eggs. It is good to be able to supply my younger daughter and two friends again.

Monday 7 September 2015

Another new venture and yes it is green

tomorrow afternoon I will collect my first organic veg box direct from a farmer. I sign a contract for a year agreeing to buy a box every week. The farmer has just been certified organic and is fairly new. At the moment he just grows veg but is looking at getting livestock soon. I hope to convince him to keep pigs outdoors as all pork comes from intensively farmed, indoor pigs. I do not agree with the way they are kept so cannot buy pork. Not that I eat it but OH and visitors do!
I have known about this scheme for some time but have not had one local to me until now. It will certainly test my French!
I have been having fun with my chickens. Egg production had really dropped off and I could not understand it. Also almost daily I was finding a broken egg, sometimes two in the barn. First I found 13 eggs in a pile in the garden. Then I saw two chickens up on the wall and one was sitting. I shifted them both off and found six eggs up on the top of the wall! The chickens were knocking the eggs off the ledge when going to lay the next one! I now have a big bowl of eggs! I plan to make cakes for the freezer so that I can check each egg. Now I know what is happening the egg supply will be good again! The ducks are kindly leaving one or two eggs in the duck house each morning. That will stop soon though as they do not lay over winter.
I need to get the winter cabbage and onions in soon. I would also like to get some kale in. Not really sure what else I plant now so need to do a bit of research.
I have a young lad lined up to help in the garden. He needs to earn money to pay his scooter insurance which he now rides to school. They are allowed to ride scooters at 14 here! I plan to get him sorting out my half built greenhouse as I want to start veg off in it next year. I want to get to the point where my organic box and what I grow keep us going all year. I no longer want to buy from supermarkets.

Sunday 30 August 2015

latest bit of green

Not easy to see as the light in my old farmhouse is not good. Being built in a time when there were no glass windows, just wooden shutters, windows were small and few. The French doors in the background we put in. This end of the the big room will be our dining room.To the left of the picture is a fireplace with a wood burner, we will build a halfway here and place vertical beams along it to separate the dining from the lounge. A future project but it helps me cope thinking about our house finished.
When we create our lounge we are going to build our sofa. We want a big L shaped one. I am planning to make the cushions and with this in mind have started collecting goose feathers. They shed a fair amount so they are going into a bag ready for the day!
We have settled into having raw milk and have had no problems. Once it cools down I will have a go at butter. I need to gather a few things for cheese making which will take a while on my tight budget.
I am currently searching for a linen cupboard to house both our and the Gite bedding. I will find one at a price I am willing to pay.
The chair in the picture is one of six we found for €50. Another bargain. We want another two chairs to go with our table that can seat 12. I think 8 will be enough especially as I have 8 place settings with my best China.
I now have a pantry full of jam, certainly more than enough to last until next year. Rather a lot is blackcurrant! Still have blackberry and apple to do once that harvest is in.
I am planning to have a go at making baguette which P likes every lunchtime. Not sure if I can keep it up on a daily basis but would like to replace some. I have made two batches of biscuits for the week too which I am very keen to continue and stop buying factory biscuits.
Once the Gite business has finished I will give time to looking at further ventures to clean up our lives. I want to have some goals in place for next year.

Monday 24 August 2015

A sorting out day

This is an old cupboard we bought a while ago. The usual silly price as this sort of furniture is no longer popular. We had filled it with books. My best China has remained packed away since moving here. P wants to have people to dinner regularly so I wanted to be able use my best China. When we finally divide our large room into lounge and dining room, this cupboard will be in the dining room to hold my China so why not start now. It has cheered me up no end to have my best stuff available again. I was also pleased to see it undamaged. I could never afford to replace this set.
I am getting more fed up with living in a mess and cannot wait until we start on our house.
The ducklings are doing well and getting big now. My foster duck is still indoors but no longer needs the heat lamp. It is eating well and enjoys a daily swim in the kitchen sink. Bruno loves to watch it swimming with his big paws up on the edge of the sink. The duckling does not seem at all bothered by him.
It is going well with our raw milk. Bought more today. Our guests in the Gite asked for another bottle too. As we now buy fresh milk as needed it has made some space in the freezer. I used to buy several bottles each week and freeze them. I still have lots of soft fruit in the freezer waiting to be made into jam. I must do it soon as before long a whole lamb will be delivered that has to be frozen. I buy from a local farm who butcher it for me. As a vegetarian I could never do that.
I have started thinking about winter clothes so have ordered some pale pink needle cord and some royal blue wool. I have some pale blue needle cord already so will make two longer length skirts that can be worn with boots. I will then knit a couple of cardigans to layer with polo neck jumpers. I will need one more length of needle cord so I have three skirts. With two pairs of jeans and several jumpers that should see me good for winter. All I have to do then is keep my weight roughly the same so it still fits! There is a bigger incentive when you make things yourself.
It feels like we have moved into Autumn already but I have to say I am not unhappy about this, it has been a good summer, sometimes too hot. I love the time when we start lighting the wood burner in the evening. Then my now very big crochet bed spread will come out again and I think this year I will actually finish it. I think then I will redo the blinds in our bedroom and bathroom and try to get it looking better.
Our big thing coming up is we are having our house re roofed. I will supply photos, before, during and after. Our current roof has been in place a long time. There is no felt as that was not used when this roof was tiled. It will make a great difference to the warmth to have felt. We have a roofer booked who will allow P to work with him reducing the labour cost.
Life feels good just now.

Friday 21 August 2015

My little duck

Well I finally managed to post another photo! This is the duckiling I rescued as an egg! It is now four days old and doing well. Still no idea what sex it is! I tried it without the heat lamp for a while today but it was cold. It is having a daily swim in the kitchen sink and loves diving under the water. Today I put some cooked rice in the water and it enjoyed diving for it. It is amazing how they are pre programmed to do things. It preens after the swim which will encourage the water proofing oils. I plan to keep it with me until much bigger.
The original two to hatch are very big now and are white. They are pure Aylesbury. They have learned that when I clap my hands they come out of the pond and go into the house. I teach all my ducks this. The next three are mallard/ Aylesbury crosses and will I think be very pretty. Brown striped backs and heads and white tummies, like the one in the picture. Mum took them out into the field with the cows today, they looked very small trotting around with the other ducks.
I did a deep clean of the duck house today as the nest is no longer needed. It took ages and when the ducks went in they were upset with the change. I would like a new duck house as our home made one is difficult to clean out. I looked at one on line but they wanted over £300 to deliver. I hope that when we have our roof done the tiles will come on wooden pallets. I plan to use the pallets to build a new duck house. The goose house is done this way and works well. My other option is to buy a small shed.
This week I sorted out my freezer. Everything is now grouped so is easier to find. I have had a week of not doing any shopping as I wanted to use up things in the freezer. Once the weather cools a bit I will light the Esse and convert the large store of fruit into jam!
I have asked P if when our English house sells I can have a plus two for my Esse. It is a ridiculous price but it is an electric oven with hob. It will be Oxford blue the same as my wood burner and will have a new chrome towel rail to make it look like one cooker. The plinth is replaced as well. This will then give cooking facilities for both summer and winter. Perfect solution and will look good! Just hope the house sells.
We are getting on well with the raw milk, no ill effects. Tomorrow I will use some to make yogurt.
I hope tomorrow will not be so hot!

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Another step forward

finally today we bought 3 litres of milk direct from our nearest farmer. We bought some glass bottles to transport it in which can be washed and reused. We are paying €1 per litre and it all goes to our farmer. This is raw milk fresh from the cows so it may take a while for our insides to get used to it. I will soon begin making butter and cheese. I already make yogurt so will use this milk in future. It is a very informal arrangement...we just turn up at 6pm with our bottles and money and they are filled. This fits very well with my green ethos!
On the duckling front we have five out on the pond doing well. I have one foster duck who hatched after the others and mum had left the nest to look after the ones already hatched. I found the egg with a small crack and it was cold. So I brought it in under the broody lamp. The duckling was very weak so I slowly broke away the shell so that it could breath. I left it in the broody box overnight. In the morning it was still attached to the remaining bit of shell by the umbilical cord. This usually dries up as the yolk sac is absorbed. The yolk had gone and the shell was hampering the duckling. It's head was down and it was not moving much. At this point I was sure it would die. So, I cut the cord! It bled a little but from that moment the duckling got going. We are now on day 3 and it is feeding well and running around the broody box. It has grown too so hopefully it will now survive. I will keep it with me until big enough to fend for itself with the other ducks. I have lost two ducklings and do not want to lose any more.
I have invested in a book about building backyard farmer things. I am waiting for it to arrive. I want to make a new duck house. I am not sure whether I am capable of doing it but will give it a go. I am hoping to get more ideas from the book.
We have a system here called amap. A farmer sets up a shop on the farm and invites other local farmers to join. There is a day each week when the public can visit the designated farm to buy produce direct from the farmers. At the moment we do not have one near us but it is a growing scheme. I will ask our farmer we buy milk from if he would consider doing it. He is working towards organic status so may well be interested. At some point I will produce more myself but it will take a while to build up to enough for all of us. I want to keep my food as local as possible. Next month we will receive the lamb we ordered that comes from a farm within our village. That will be the meat for the carnivores for several months.
I have recently converted P to eating my home made marmalade and he has realized he loves it. So no more Nutella or peanut butter. I sorted out my freezer today ready for the lamb and discovered loads more fruit. So another big jam making session is on the horizon.
In the future, once the bread oven is renovated we plan to create a bar. I will put out the things I make for our guests to buy to give a bit of money towards my projects! We have asked guests about this and many have said they would buy stuff. I put my jam, soap and bath bombs in the welcome pack, along with other things.
Today Gertie goose was in the tractor tyre pond. I hope this means it will be used now.
We had some old friends here recently and he is an architect. He suggested we use some of the hot water created by the solar tubes to run under floor heating in our lounge. Like the idea. When we get around to it that is what we will do. The dogs will love it!
Daughter has still not exchanged which is very frustrating. She cannot get a van on the ferry before 5th September anyway which makes the wait a bit easier.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Update

Sorry, still no photo, not sure what is going on but cannot get picasa to work at the moment. Will keep trying.
Bit sad today as our youngest duckling has disappeared. It was on the pond with the others this morning but when I next checked it had gone. Probably a crow although there was a heron around yesterday. Mum has had the others out and about all day which has made me nervous.
Had a migraine yesterday which has lingered into today so have had a slow day.
I have almost finished another dress, my third. Just one more to go then I have all I need for summer!
Tomorrow we are doing a road trip to collect a table I found on a French website. It will seat 8 and is Henri 2nd, a style we love. It will need cleaning and polishing but it is only €30! This will be our main dining table. We have six Henri 2 chairs so will keep an eye open for two more. We bought the six for £50! Old furniture is generally cheap here as not many people want it. Suits my green ethics!
On the diet front, I was doing well, but have once again lost my mojo. I just cannot be bothered! Oh well.
Daughter has still not exchanged. The lease extension is sorted but the buyers solicitor keeps delaying with silly questions.  It should be any day now but they will not be here until September which is very frustrating. It does give us more time to move ahead with their house though.
I am now tired of the heat, it is too much! I am happy for autumn to start now!

Friday 7 August 2015

Ducklings in the pond for the first time

The ducklings came out of their nest this morning and spent all day in and around the pond. The other  Ducks had a little go at them but nothing serious. When I went to put all to bed the older ducks waited for the ducklings then all went into the house in a line. I feel the ducklings are big enough now not to get squished but will check on them again before I go to bed. I took a photo of them with other adult ducks but am having problems posting it. I will get it sorted soon.
Today we have bought a second hand scaffold tower ready for when our roof is done. I can also use it for pointing, much easier than balancing on a ladder!
Tomorrow our guests leave and new ones arrive. I think they have had a good holiday. I ironed all the bedding today so all is ready for changeover. Just milk and a fresh baguette to buy in the morning for the welcome pack.
Did some re organizing today. My sewing table has gone back into the kitchen. I do not have any power in the sewing room to be and always have to use my machine in the lounge. One day my house will be sorted. I am pleased to have a kitchen table back.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

What a good day!

visited Emmaus to look for a kitchen table but nothing was right. Took back the shower and taps and bought the right ones!
Friend brought round our tractor tyre pond for the geese but the hose will not reach. We have another hose but need a connector to join them together. P will get that tomorrow. I started filling it with a bucket but it is too hot!
Moved the ducklings out to the duck area. They are still in the puppy cage and I have attached a run to it so they can get used to grass. I have covered the cage with a tarpaulin to keep them snug and dry. They seem very happy. It gives the ducks a chance to get used to them.
Big decision made today....we are finally going to sell our English house. The valuation is good and will give us a lump sum once the mortgage is paid off. At last we will be mortgage free!
Spotted some small butternut squash in the veg patch which is wonderful. I didn't think I could grow it.
Made another lot of soap today too ready for Gite guests. Meant I had to have the oven on! I am now saving up for a plus two to attach to my Esse. This will give me an electric oven to use in summer. It will look like one cooker and they put on new longer towel rail and a new longer plinth. It is expensive though so will take a while to save.
All the wheat is I now and the fields are being ploughed. On Friday I will be picking the first blackberries! Crazy! Will have to freeze them until the apples are ready as I like apple bramble jelly. Will mean lighting the Esse again! The produce from the garden has been amazing this year.

Monday 3 August 2015

Missing my readers

I found the posts from my original blog and added a comment to my final one explains what had happened. So far no one has found me which makes me sad!
The ducklings are growing so fast and are now starting to turn white. I am hoping they are full Aylesbury, certainly they are looking that way. They are now in the puppy cage in the kitchen and no longer need the broody lamp. Hopefully it will not be long before they can go outside.
Hopefully tomorrow my goose pond will arrive. A friend has made it for me using an old tractor tyre and inner tube. This is true upcycling and makes me happy. The farmers have to pay to dispose of old tyres here so are easy to get for nothing. The tyre will sit in the orchard where the geese live and I will let the grass grow up the sides. I will provide a photo once it is in place.
In the cave, the support for the hot water tank is in place in the bathroom ready for the cupboard to be built around it. Downstairs the first six tiles are in place on the floor. It is getting there slowly. Daughter has still not exchanged but it should come very soon. Meanwhile they have looked at ferry crossings for a van and there is nothing available this month. Complicates things somewhat.

Sunday 2 August 2015

Big grrr

So I have my new iPad and all is well apart from being unable to access my blog. I have spent hours trying to find it and can find the blogs but not the front page that lets me write a new post. So. I have started again! I will have to retake photo's some of which will not be possible. The ducklings are no longer balls of fluff!
So to recap where I am in my bid to go green.....I have solar tubes and a heat exchanger to provide hot water. I have a wood burning oven and a wood burner to heat the lounge. No central heating! This means we have a fairly low carbon footprint. Low electricity bills too!
I grow fruit and veg, make jam and pickles and bottle fruit. I make my own cakes and bread and am working towards making all the biscuits too!
My house is an old French farmhouse built in 1832. It is granite with thick walls. We have partially renovated our house. The once hayloft is now two bedrooms and bathrooms but is still bare plaster.
Downstairs we removed the walls that formed three bedrooms to make one big room. There is a giant fireplace that we put my wood burning Esse into and I have a butler sink with draining board. I have a stretch of worktop balanced for now on the frames of future cupboards. I will add some photos soon.
I do not know if my followers will find me but hope so.