A Relaxing Weekend

I have decided to have a relaxing weekend!! Andrew though has been busy continuing the hedgelaying, well, he has got plenty of hedges to do!! The kids have been busy getting into mischief and Josh is trying hard to build a hedge around their base. He has decided that it is hard work and that it may take a little while.

Meanwhile, preparations are afoot for our visitor to leave!! We will all be sad to see him go!! It is taking a while to gather together belongings and repack. I am sure we will be finding reminders for several months. At least it is a great excuse for him to come back, not that he needs an excuse of course!!

I will attempt to write some more blog tomorrow for those people feeling the need to know what we are up to!!! xxxx

No school on Wednesdays

For those of you oblivious to the French schooling system, you may be surprised to learn that there is no school on Wednesdays. There are some benefits to this, the best one being that daddy gets a lie in. Well he would if Kirsty and Peter wern't both early birds.

We managed to do another 20 feet of hedge today, clean out all the animals, get on top of the washing back log and generally catch up with bits and peices.

It looks like Tony will soon be departing for the next part of his adventure so we shall endeavour to work him hard during his last couple of weeks. It would be nice to get the concreting finished in the servants quarters whilst the extra muscle is here.

Just for FIL!!!!

Laura and I went on a mission today to take some photos of the local ditches!!! On the way we encountered a small cow in the middle of the road! After trudging through a large cow yard to the nearest house I came to the conclusion that there was noone at home!! I then thought it would be an idea to usher the cow back to the yard, as he was dangerously near the main road. Hmm, he had other ideas!! Thankfully the farmer appeared at this point and came to my rescue. After turning to take him back to the yard, he realised that Laura and I were then stuck in the ditch at the side of the road!! Typical. He came and gave a push, along with Laura and we were soon unstuck. Unfortunately, his shoulder left a nice dent in the boot of the car. I obviously found the local farmer who eats his spinach!! Oh well, at least we got the ditch pictures!! xxx

As Promised

As promised, I have been taking photographs of the new hedge today. It is coming on a treat. Peter and I also took the dogs to the stream today, they appear to have learned how to walk on water!! Surprise seems to be taking everything in her stride still, Josh had a lovely walk today, as did Peter. Meanwhile, all of the animals are growing, the goats seem to be getting plump and the pigs are increasing in size nicely!!

Hedgelaying

For those of you who dont know I bought Andrew a very special Christmas present this year, a half day hedgelaying course! After several days of preparation by a very special bil, the stakes and withies were ready. Simon, hedgelayer extraordinaire, arrived early this morning with chainsaws, choppers and billhooks to commence the training!! After several hours of training and hard work we now have at least ten metres of professionally laid hedge!! Well done boys and thank you Simon. Rosie, Simons wife, arrived with Tom and Ben for a well earned lunch. It was lovely for the children to be able to play with some English counterparts for a change. I am sure we will all become good friends.

Now that Andrew has the knowledge, I think the hedges in La Ferriere will soon all be laid beautifully!! It may take a while though!!! I have added some photos of the works today, I will add some finished product pictures tomorrow.

We love Gordy!!

We had to say goodbye to Gordy last night. The kids have loved having him here and so have I, he has kept me warm for several evenings!!! Thanks for your help Gordy.

Happy New Year

We have now spent our second New Years Eve in France. I was let out of work early and we spent the evening partying!! New Years Day is passing by very quickly as well, after we spent two hours walking to the village and back!!

The last few days has been very exciting here in Danvou. We had our second fire a few nights ago in the house. Gordy saved the day though as he was sleeping next to the source in the living room!!!! To cut a long story short an ember, that must have attached itself to the fire glove, slowly burnt through the mantelpiece!!! Thanks to the efforts of everyone left at home, when I went to work the following day, they disinfected the living room, including washing the curtains and rug, sweeping the ceiling and cleaning out the fireplace!!

Steve and Laura spent their wedding anniversary evening bopping!! Thermoman came to visit as well!!! We love you Thermoman!!!!