March and Spring

Laundry room

Wow ! Spring seems to be advancing at a fast pace with the cow lips flowering.  The vine around the Grange and Farmhouse has been pruned and has started to leaf,. The grass has had its first cut of the season.  The lilac is blooming and the cherry trees look spectacular, hopefully this year there will be a bumper crop.  We heard our first cuckoo on 21st and the Hoopoe are starting to arrive back for the summer.

Great views of the snow covered Pyrenees where friends trekked to a mountain retreat and skied back.  I went ski touring once in Gap, ten years ago and it was the most athletic endeavour I have ever undertaken.

Grange

We have been busy upgrading our gites this winter and spring.  The Grange floor is finished, skirting fitted and varnished.  Quite a job as its over 60 sq M!  We have a new granite kitchen worktop, along with a new sink, tap and induction hob which have been installed.

The cottage is undertaking a caterpillar to butterfly transformation, with a new island kitchen complete with black granite worktop.  New wooden floor and French doors onto a new deck overlooking the valley. It will be completed by the end of April.  I can then take a break!

I have joined a Tai Chi class to help improve my French and meet some local people.  I plan to take another French language immersion course in the summer.

The new apartment is close to finishing with windows and doors fitted.  The final fit for electrics and plumbing are well underway.  We are on the final leg and with its south facing view will be a great place to live.

Good news for kids is that we have a new Play-barn floor and fence to keep the under 5s in a safe play environment.  There will be a new table tennis table, which our kids are very excited about.

Evie in costume

M. Carival

We went to the school carnival which is a rather pagan based ceremony with the burning of an effigy - Mr Carnival.  This year a winter witch. The kids list all the things they blame M. Carnaval for in order to clear all the bad luck for the coming year like Brexit, not enough burgers in the school canteen and this year one that made everyone laugh blaming M. Carnaval for their cat's limp.  Our kids dressed up as Ladybug and a cat burglar.  Our oldest Tom who is at college attended, but for the first year since we arrived did not dress up as he is not at one of the three local schools.

All the kids had great fun throwing confetti and due to it being 22 degrees enjoyed playing outdoor all afternoon until their afternoon snack.

Pictures from class

We have friends arriving from 8th April so are busy completing all this years projects.  April is also the month of the Réalmont farmers market.  We will visit this year to buy chickens and ducks to provide fresh eggs.

Next year, will be the first year that we will have just the annual maintenance to undertake....and of course gardening and looking after our new flock.