Sunday 27 March 2011

Sunday 27th March





The garden did become a bit of a distraction this week - but Dave is relieved to have given all the grass two cuts already. This is all a bit of a shock for the mower after its winter rest, so it is requiring quite a lot of TLC! We have also started digging over the vegetable plots ready for planting. We decided to allocate afternoons to the garden and mornings to the Pyrenees Suite - we now have lights up in there and have almost finished the floor tiles. Another couple of mornings grouting, then my knees can have a break!! More photos next week!


The weather has been warm and sunny, if a bit windy at times. Yesterday afternoon we decided to take some time out, so drove up to the 'Prat d'Albis', which is just the other side of Foix. Another lovely open plateau with suberb views of the snow capped Pyrenees in one direction, and Foix and its castle in the other, this is an ideal area for walking. We also saw a huge group of parascenders both flying and taking off from near the summit, which were very colourful and interesting to watch.


The ground is now drying out sufficiently for us to think about finishing off the pool - another job for next week!

Friday 18 March 2011

18th March 2011





After a wet week - warm sunshine has returned to the Ariege. Daffodils and tulips are in bloom, the grass is growing - and so are the weeds! The sunshine looks set to stay for the next week, which will be wonderful.

Work in the 'Pyrenees Suite' is progressing -see above - but the garden is sure to become a distraction!



Tuesday 15 March 2011


We are now back at La Maire again, after 3 hectic weeks in Maidenhead. We managed to decorate the hall, stairs and landing, as well as our bedroom, and get new carpets fitted all in time for Jean Paul's arrival last Wednesday.

It was Jean Paul's first ever visit to England and London, and he appeared to enjoy every minute. It was interesting for us to see what he found interesting about England! He loved the old phone boxes, the cottages in Bray, the pubs, Guiness, sticky toffee pudding and tube stations!
He even decided that English food is much better than French - and has clearly returned home a few pound heavier! He was an excellent guest to have - very appreciate and good fun. We all spoke a mixture of French and English - in fact Dave probably spoke more French last week than he has done since we arrived in France!!
It is good to be back at La Maire, and to finally be able to start decorating and finishing off the 'Pyrenees Suite'. It is forecast to be wet and windy this week, so ideal for indoor work. However it has been mild so the grass is already growing - it will soon be time to get the mower out again!