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.