Happy 4th Birthday Peter

Time flies when you are not paying attention. Peter is finally 4 years old today. I am not sure how he made it as he is a little ...., but he did. He had a great time opening presents this morning and a good day at school. Dinner this evening was KFC, chips and beans and a chocolate birthday cake. Yum yum!!

Beach Day and Peters Birthday Minus One Day

I will let the photos do the talking!!

Creative scrapheap strikes again!

Ever wondered what to do with some old roof timbers and a cider barrel?

Work, work and more work. Have a break........

As always, I've been working my not so little socks off. Mother in law and Tom have been trying to keep Peter out of my way and out of trouble but I really feel they're a little past it now. My recently constructed greenhouse has been one of many things to fall victim to the terrors of Peter this week. We have begun work fencing the field over by the church in preparation for moving the horse, donkey and goats in there to chew the grass down a bit. This will also free up the field by the pigs for hay this year. We have discovered and original entrance to this field opposite the church and are in the process of digging out years of tree cuttings and rubble that have accumulated in the gap. While the sun has been shining we have been planting vegetables galore. The first patch of onion sets is sprouting nicely, the radishes are poking their leaves through and we have one carrot leaf. The sweetcorn, garlic and beetroot are still to show their faces. If I can find some more bits of old wood, there will be another couple of beds going in later today for more onions and other bits. The bean poles are up and waiting for the seedlings to be transplanted from the green house, probably next weekend. Friday is Janes last day at work for a few months. Me being me, I have offered to cook samosas for her whole office. Sixty to be precise. An early start tomorrow should see them all knocked on the head just before Jane sets off to work. Monday is Peters birthday. Fingers crossed we have resolved the present issue, you'll have to wait and see Monday for pictures.

Lots Going on in France

We have been so busy acquiring bargains and working on the garden that we have neglected the blog. Sorry guys!! We are still alive though. Andrew has made a great start on the self sufficiency. He has built a greenhouse (!!) and the potato and onion crops are already well underway. The children have been helping to plant the vegetables too. At least Peter did not eat the seeds before we planted them. He does however, seem to have a neverending stomach and is constantly hungry!! Last weekend we collected some new garden furniture. After a little bit of TLC it is now fit for purpose for a good couple of years more. It is very comfy and just needs a nice new set of cushions to finish it off. Yesterday saw the arrival of our second bargain, a new buffet for the kitchen. I dont think I am ever allowed to complain about storage again!! Glasses moved into their new home and some relegated to the loft we are ready for any party!!! I am not sure how we have managed to acquire so many glasses but I am sure we can furnish the children with several sets when they move out!!! Hmm, some chance!! Today, Andrew, Peter and I took a trip to the seaside, Cherbourg to be exact, to collect the next bargain. This time a rather large buffet for the gite. We will now be able to store everything for the gite kitchen and means that we do not need to buy any more furniture for the gite. Well, unless I find some more bargains of course!! Last week also saw the arrival of Grandma Nett and Tom for their Easter visit. Grandma has already decided that Peter is hard work!!! I think she will be pleased to go home in two weeks!! Anyway, not long until the big party, so if anyone has any special requests or needs to book accommodation they better speak up soon. The spreadsheet is looking fairly organised and full but latecomers may secure a bed still!!! Last but not least, school reports. Josh, Kirsty and Peter all had very good reports again. Thankfully for them this secures their bedrooms and a bed for a little longer!!!!! Take care all and see you soon. xxx

Sober enough to write

After yet another really awesome weekend, I am now slowly winding down and sobering up. My fingers have stopped shaking enough for me to type without having to delete every 3rd letter and I am no longer sweating. The bottle count for our meagre weekend of just 11 drinkers was pretty impressive. There were over 300 beer bottles, 47 wine bottles, 3 calvados bottles and just the 1 port bottle. A useless statistic I learnt this weekend was that the average consumption of wine per person in France is 1 bottle a day per person, including babies and the infirm. I think we assisted greatly in maintaining this statistic. The usual adventures of rock climbing, abseiling, archery, softball and off roading, all whilst under the influence ofcourse, went on without any major injuries. During one of many night hikes though, Gary did go for a burton, twice, before falling sideways into a fence. This may be put down to the appalling weather of torrential rain and strong winds but in reality it's more likely the fault of me plying him with half a bottle of calvados before we departed. I did have a close call whilst climbing up the gable end of the house, I peeled from the wall and managed to break the carabina that was on the safety rope. Luckily I was quite near the ground at the time and the greater risk was the carbina shooting past my nose extremely fast. The heating in the gite worked a treat drying all the paint before the arrival of the first guests and taking the chill off the place so they could be comfortable. We did supply Sue with an electric blanket though which could now see the sales of electric blankets in the UK go up by 1. I'm taking a few days off from the gite now to get the first lot of potatoes and onions planted for this season and also to lay out some beds for the various other veg we are planning to grow. Anyhow, it's been nearly 5 minutes since I finished my last beer so it must be time for a beer. PS. NO CHILDREN WERE HARMED IN ANY EVENTS CONNECTED TO THIS WEEKEND

Easter Weekend Continues

We are continuing to have fun on the farm. We have an additional member of the family in the form of Hazel! Without knowing Granny Hazel, Sue decided that the beautiful new baby was to be called Hazel!!! Sorry Granny but she is beautiful!! The morning started with the children doing an egg hunt and the Easter bunny leaving lots of chocolate in the bedrooms. After a lovely breakfast of crepes we have had the most fantastic roast with too many vegetables to mention and too many puddings. There was the most fabulous fruit cake, chocolate cake and custard tart to name a few!! We have been joined by Jill, Chris, David and Chrissie for lunch which has brought the total for lunch to 18!! Walk in the park. How the guys on Masterchef made such a fuss cooking dinner for three we will never know!! It is also a special day in Lawn Close today. Hollie has reached the grand old age of 10!!! Double figures, how scary. Happy Birthday gorgeous girl. Big hugs from France and look forward to seeing you soon. xxxx

What are they doing to my baby??

Well, following the curry evening last night and the late night drinking the fun has continued today. The poor guests have been subjected to shopping, markets, off roading and archery to make a start .... Poor Josh was the target while I went to collect Tracy and Gary from the ferry. Apparently it is the most random thing that Tracy has ever done. Well, it is her 40th birthday today!!! We have managed to fit in a lunch of fresh bread, cold meats and cheese and have prepared the two whole salmons for dinner already!!!

Easter Weekend

The Easter weekend of mayhem and high spirits is finally upon us. Andrew has worked like a trojan for the past few weeks to try and get the gite further forward. Thankfully by the time Keith, Sue, Emma, Doreen and Paul arrived the beds were made and the bathrooms scrubbed!!! The staircase was finally completed and the sofas procured for the living room. They are currently in the kitchen and the kitchen table and chairs are in the living room but who is checking anyway!!! The children are doing brilliantly at school still and all of the teachers are pleased with their improvements over the last term. Peter is beginning to talk more and more in French. He now understands everything we say to him in French but still insists on replying in English!!! Andrew has also found time to complete more works in the ensuite and build a new tack room. His talents are never ending. Think I made a good choice when I married him!! We have had the most fabulous curry for dinner tonight in honour of the arrival of Gordy and Lauren. I have never seen such clean plates and empty bowls. I think Andrew excelled himself again. Sue did however lend a hand with making the bhajis and Keith is now quite adept at making samosas. We have also yet to eat the mounds of 'krusti' (yes, I know thats not how you spell it MIL). I am not sure how they have survived until now!!! We have also got a polish cheesecake that may not last the night!!!!