Here we go again........

So having finally combated the dreaded man flu, barring the odd snivel, it's now Janes turn to start showing the same symptoms. I believe it must be psychosomatic as we all know it's impossible for women to catch man flu. Fingers crossed she doesn't start craving sympathy now alongside the coughing and snivelling otherwise we may have to look into a quick trip to Switzerland.

Although now being almost 100% fit again my mojo is still missing, perhaps partying it up on some Caribbean Island or free diving for sun loungers off the Italian coast. They do say that for people in the Northern Hemisphere, January is the most depressing month of the year. All I can say is roll on February so I can kick start this year a little better.

Spending the majority of my life in solitude, as I do, I have plenty of time to plan ways of spending money I don't have. When I say plan I do me plan, right down to the finest detail. Yesterday, as justification for not doing anything productive, I decided to measure up the roof of the house to see exactly what materials I would need to finish the job that I started last year. Anyone who knows me well, or my father, will know that the chance of us actually finishing a job is a rarity. Back to my planning though. Last years section of roof used just under 3000 slates, the remaining section, all 430 square meters of it, needs another 15,100 slates. If I laid all the tile batten end to end, there would be enough to reach the church in Danvou, 3304m to be precise. To fix the tile batten alone will require 10,000 50mm round wire nails.

Money spent I decided to contemplate another project that will not cost much. In 3 weeks time we should have a house full of people including Steve & Laura, my mum with Adam, Harry and Hollie. I'm going to see if I can borrow a mini-digger for the week so that we can dig out a few tree stumps, dig a large soak away in the field to get rid of the bog that has appeared outside the stable again and clear a mound of earth that is in the field allowing easier access for the tractors when they do the hay. I'm also going to get the chainsaws serviced so that we can fell and log a few trees that are obstructing the views over our estate. Hopefully this week of guests will properly kick me back into gear.

Feeling fit.....ish

I finally seem to be putting this cold behind me and today I've actually managed to progress to doing some work again. Firstly I replaced the light switch in Peters bedroom that somehow managed to get broken. Then I took down his light fitting and removed the best part of 100 flys and few well fed spiders.

Next on the list was to strip the wall paper in the hall way outside Joshs bedroom in preparation for plastering. I took the decision to have another attempt at using the wonderment that is French plaster, a brave move after last time. Anyhow, the reason I'm here writing the blog is that once again the plaster went off almost before it got to the wall which, although a vast improvement on the last attempt, was still a complete pain in the arse. I reckon where it says 45 minute working time on the bag, it should really say 4 to 5 minute working time.

All plastering works have now been postponed until I can get some far superior english plaster shipped over. On the brighter side of things, I made bagels for lunch yesterday and they were still soft enough today for me to have a couple stuffed with huge slices of pork, whole grain mustard and a bit of salad.

Phlegm, what a great word.

It's very rare that I feel sick or under the weather but, for the last 5 days, I have been at rock bottom. It's quite normal, after the departure of the last guests, that I slip into a mild, sometimes deep, bout of depression for a week or so but this is different. It could easily be mistaken for a common cold with the usual symptoms of headaches, runny nose, sore throat and lethargy but I know this is something far worse. I have been struck down by the dreaded "man cold".

On Monday I tried to toast it out of me, spending the day huddled in front of a log fire wrapped in fleecy blankets. It was to no avail, however I did invent chocolate orange toast in the morning which put small smile on my face. Just the thought of nutella and marmalade on the same slice of toast would make some peoples stomachs turn but all I can say is don't knock it till you've tried it.

Yesterday I opted for another recognised cure, sweating it out. I spent 3 hours taking down the old fence around the pig enclosure and by the end of it I was sweating buckets. I followed this up with a hot shower, another rarity for me before getting comfy by the fire again. I've also been getting well drugged up although one of the drugs Jane sorted for me has a nasty side effect on my taste buds as both bottles of wine I drank last night tasted vile and I could barely taste the calvados I had as a night cap.

So far today I've been coughing loads and have a legitimate use for the word "phlegm", one of my favourites. If only I had the right letters when I was playing scrabble. More drugs, ready brek for breakfast and buckets of tea and coffee should be adequate for todays battle against the evil "man cold".

Just as a side line, on Sunday I knocked out a mexican favourite "churros" like a doughnut stick but a little daintier. Hence the picture at the top.

Peace & Tranquillity Returns

Let's hope that the start to the year is not a sign as to how the year will progress. Not only have we been robbed of a proper winter, so far, but you could be mistaken for believing that we have started the year with monsoon season. The last 5 days, we've been battered by the wind, drenched by the rain and the drive has evolved into a quagmire.

Christmas and the new year have however been an exceptional time at Chateau Larcombe. "Name Plate going up as soon as the rain stops." We were joined for Christmas by the Fromage-Droit family and, during their stay, our neighbour kindly gave them a history lesson of cheese making in Normandy and the origins of their surname. Although the weather was against us, nothing has really put a dampener on the party atmosphere here as straight after Christmas, we celebrated Maddisons birthday and then Steve and Lauras wedding anniversary.

On the run up to our annual new years bash more friends started arrive to see the new year in with us. First up was Nigel and Rebecca, a couple of virgins to the new years bash. They were followed by Russell and Lucy and soon afterwards Gordy, Dave and Kirsty.

I'm sure it would be no surprise to anyone that the alcohol consumption here went through the roof, culminating in the New Years party where we had 25 for dinner and made good use of the banqueting hall.

You may be wondering what the coming year has in store for us. I've been wondering the same thing but as I'm sat here writing this I can hear the tiles being blown off the roof and I can see the damp patches soaking through the back wall of the house where we have no guttering. With this in mind, I'm seriously contemplating building a swimming pool but I'm not sure Jane will be too receptive to the idea. Perhaps a bit more work on the roof is called for.