French House Diary
May 2022
Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th May
Used our Tesco vouchers to go through the tunnel, it wasn't busy and all went to plan but it’s a long drive. Arrived at the house about 5pm after stopping at Sees Intermarche. Although the house has been left since August 2021 it wasn't too bad. However, one of the loft windows had been left open and there were loads and loads of dead flies and a fungus on the kitchen ceiling. Also mouse had got into the kitchen carousel and munched its way through a packet of demerara sugar. Rick had a trying time fixing the fan on the pellet stove, but hooray he sorted it.
Rob and Julie came round for welcoming aperitifs. Caught up with the gossip, John from up the road has died and his daughter sold his house to a couple British couple, Nicky and Micky. They bought the house without seeing it and although he is a carpenter Julie and Rob think they didn't realise how much work needs to be done.
Weeding back and front, pot planting and fixing things day.
Friday 6th May 2022
Cycled into Carrouges, takes about 25 minutes.
Arranged for a house valuation with the new Agency. Had a coffee at the new cafe afterwards. Linen sorting day and cleaning.
We bought some scallops in their shell from the Super U at Pre en Pail
Saturday 7th May 2022
Cleaned loft. Some very suspicious big droppings in there, hoping it’s not rats, most like squirrels. Rick finished off canopy for stairs door. Supper with Julie & Rob. We had a special bottle of champagne that Julie had got from a gastro exhibition.
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Julie went to Drama School and when she was 15 for 2 years she played one of the children in The Sound of Music show in London, Her best friend at Drama School was Gale in Coronation Street, Julie was offered the part of Gale first but turned it down as she had just had her first son.
Sunday 8th May
Washed the mould off inside of the broom cupboard and gave it a good sort out. Rick thinks it’s the gaps in the pointing to the right of kitchen door which are causing the damp stairwell and cupboard. 
Left Rick at the house while I went with Lise to see Figaro at the Chateau, it was really good. Caught up with the local gossip, the Paris couple have bought Martine’s house and are thinking of maybe running a café. Can’t see that happening as only 1 car has passed by our kitchen door since last Wednesday. The man from small house adjacent to the old granary fell out of his car and hurt his head. After spending a few days in hospital he came back for a couple of days and hasn’t been seen since. Benoit’s house is still being renovated but the new owner hasn’t moved in yet.
Monday 9th May 2022
Replaced the boundary wire so we could hang the new bird feeder and see it from the kitchen. 
Warm day culminating in a barbeque.
Tuesday 10th May
Checking the pointing.
Rick attached his phone to a stick to see if there was any life in the rafter nest, fortunately there wasn’t. Our first meal out at the Le Parc in Renes. Got very nervous on the way there as the chance of it being open went down and down the nearer we got. Where are all the French people. It was fine, there were also four workman who were staying in the hotel in the restaurant. Went mad and had the set menu at 26 euros each.
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Wednesday 11th May.
Our day out but I felt really rotten. Have had sore throat and dreadful cough since the weekend and bad tum to add to it but I managed to make it through the day. For more than 20 years we have been wanting to visit William the Conqueror’s castle at Falaise. We almost did it a few years ago when we got as far as the car park in the motorhome but turned back after finding a Sudanese migrant under the bed ! Lunch in the square under a tree with a bit of a chilly wind. The castle has been refurbished and we were given a tablet with very clever commentary and pictures of each room. Over the centuries the Brits have very close ties with the French Royalty who were continuing falling out with each other.
Thursday 12th May
Mike and Thyra stopped over on their way to check out their daughter Emily’s wedding venue. Coq au Vin in the slow cooker 
Filling in the gaps between the loft floor and wall. First rose appears.
Sunday 15th May
Lots to see and do at the Eco Fete in the grounds of the Carrouges Chateau
Down came the rain, the thunder and lightening! We have holes in the roof and the rain poured in. Lise came to our rescue once again and arranged for the roofer to come.
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Monday 16th May
Martin and his son Bruce made a flying visit to next door to install a new hot water tank. They joined us for a very liquid supper.
Tuesday 17th May
Replaced the completely rotten coat hanger with one from Mr Bricolage, no time, no choice so we had to pay an extortionate amount.
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Rick worked very hard on the last day to put lights up in the loft area.
Martin and Bruce declined our offer of a barbeque as they were still recovering from last night. It started to rain so we had to move the barbeque to the other side of the house.
Wednesday 18th May
It’s an early start for us and next door as we are all heading for the tunnel.
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Looking forward to spending some more time at St Ellier Les Bois later in the year.
Jobs Achieved this visit
House cleaned from top to bottom
Cupboards, windows, curtains, linen washed and sorted.
Gardens weeded and lawn including bit by Lise mowed several times.
Pots planted up
Re-laid a few bathroom floor tiles that had moved.
Stair canopy fitted. Not sure whether a canopy over kitchen door would darken it too much.
Stair door rubbed down and repainted.
All outside windows and church door stained.
Loft floor edged with cement.
Loft lights installed.
House valued.
Roofer organised for following week to repoint the gully and make it waterproof.
Established the damp on the cellar stairway was coming from the pointing outside.
Job List
Move gas bottle
Some repointing by kitchen door
Another protective coat to staircase - George
Finish cementing steps with coloured cement
Paint railings – Helen
Replace registration plate to kitchen woodburner – Rob has a new tool to do this.
Replace acroprops to kitchen floor
