Enormous storms overnight and a huge amount of rain. We had set the alarm for 7am hoping to go up for the Pujada to the Port de Salau. Although there was blue sky about at 7, we logged on and the forecast was for rain at 2pm so we decided to do it another year as the thing was meant to go on till 3pm then a 2 hour walk back down again, in the rain was not appealing.

So after brekky we decided to get the barn into a state to be painted, no more dust after today was the plan.  We still had a fair bit of wood beams to sand down, half the ceiling needed it’s final sand, the wall where the new window now is needed pointing in and brushing down so yes the word dust was an under estimation!!!!

By lunch time the rain had come in so we were quite thankful we had opted out of the Pujada. We both resembled snowmen covered in white plaster dust and other dust and almost needed showers before we could have lunch!!!! but a quick wash had to suffice. We had the window pointed in,  all the wood sanded and only the final lower 1/4 left to sand and pointing to brush out!!! I do seem to use the word sand a lot…well we are a bit over the word and the job too now!!!!

After a delicious salad lunch with lots of goodies in which from an empty fridge was not bad! I did a quick trip down to Salau for water, rubbish and recycling. Al cracked on with the sanding and then I came back and finished brushing the pointed walls.

On my way down to Salau, huge works on the piste been done now resembles the M25 smooth as anything and on the way back I passed loads of very wet Pujada hikers on their way back to the cars. I was pleased to be in Vinnie as it was torrential rain and I got pretty drenched just getting up to the barn. Vinnie is really not sounding healthy some serious noise coming from the back wheel MUST get it looked at sooner rather than later.

By 5.50pm nearly drinks time we had got everything done, place swept up, tools away and even had a cheeky look at the colours of the paint since we had forgotten exactly what we had bought back in December!!! Bright is the name…exciting.

Rain coming down in large amounts so hot showers but quick ones and I think an early night and no alarm tomorrow, bring it on.

Having got the window framework in place yesterday, we cracked on with rebuilding the wall around it.

It all seemed to go swimmingly well with Breezy on the inside building up walls and me on the outside mixing mortar and passing rocks in. Then low and behold the window fitted the gap in the middle. Yippee!!

A celebratory drink of wine and a lovely hot sausage salad. Knackered!!

By 11.30am we had done the web stuff, refilled plaster joints and sanded some more of the beams on the 1st floor. We were waiting to see if the weather improved before tackling a window opening at the back of the barn. To start the day it was that heavy mizzle which soaks you in a matter of minutes.

It got better so we cracked on. Breezy had started ripping the wall apart before I had finished filling plasterboard joints.

Having had the forethought to put the lintels in the wall when we put the roof on it was relatively easy.

• take the wall apart under the lintel
• move the stone onto a pile nearby
• make a frame for the new window using old oak from the original roof (mortice & tenon joints)
• fit the frame to the lintel
• rebuild the wall
• fit the window to the frame

Having said that we got as far as fitting the frame to the lintel by 6.30pm.

Tomorrow is another day and my hands hurt now.

Having worked with Mr Cockup yesterday, he was distinctly absent today, which just left the 2 of us.

After the usual fruit breakfast and internet session for Ski Breezy we set about the ceiling again. But you have probably had enough of that (as we have), so here are some random pictures from the last few days.

The grass hopper had just shed it’s skin and was proceeding to eat it.

The boiled egg was part of Breezy’s breakfast yesterday served in an egg cup turned in oak by my Father.

And the pork curry was yesterdays supper. It was a Hugh Fernley Something recipe which was supposed to use chicken but we had pork. Anyway it was absolutely delicious and shall be served again; probably with beef.

Gorgeous blue skies to wake up to, always good to see.

We had a bit of a catch up first few hours, things on the paperwork front piling up, never enough hours in the day.

Wheel off trailer which seems to have gone flat, strimming around out building done, mix of vinegar for ageing wood underway and a tidy up so we could move in our 3m square home!!! and the old internet.

Then we set to with the finale so we thought of the plasterboard, but not sure what was going on everything seemed to take 3 if not more attempts and a few total disasters so the outcome is we have a middle piece missing which has been repaired and waiting  placement tomorrow, another area which needs a baton sanding down before we can attach it, and we will then be there. At 5pm we stopped as things still not working and we headed down to meet Alison and Peter for an apero and met up with Jean Claude our neighbour too.

Rain set in so it was a quick drink before trundling up the hill, fire on and curry cooking for tonight.

Just got a mail from Lisa & Adam with a couple of piccys from their stay. Apparently no permanent damage done from the walk we inflicted on them, just short term tenderness going down stairs.

When the sun hit us the steam rising off the grass looked incredible.

Just after breakfast I left Breezy doing internet stuff for Ski Breezy and jumped in the van.  small list of chores to do around trying to catch up with Clive. I only got a few minutes away and came across Alison & Peter coming up the piste to catch us for coffee.

No luck with Clive in the village but did the recycling, filling drinking water up, rubbish and called my folks for a quick chat.

Managed to see Peter & Alison at the barn for a brew before Breezy & I set about another plasterboard session. Half an hour in and Clive turns up. He is gonna help us put the window in downstairs in exchange for me building him a website. He also had some great advise for finishing the ceiling around chimney openings.

The rest of the day was spend scaling scaffolding and fixing material to the ceiling. We did see a grasshopper shedding its skin though.

Rabbit stew yesterday was great; would not want to live off it every day but as a tasty change it rates highly.

After a good sleep and no alarm clock we got up just after 9am. Had lots of lovely fresh sfruits for brekky before tackling the day ahead.

After huge storms last night the water butts are completely full and the leaks are totally dry so we can now crack on happily with the last stretch of the never ending ceiling.

Most of the day was spent nailing batons into the ceiling to attach the insulation. With the sky lights it is a bit more fiddly so just takes time.  we had one final velux box to attach too which we did first thing. We had a late lunch, a delicious caesar salad on the top terrace before finishing the rest of the insulation off.  Good job done. Now just the final plasterboarding to go, not to forget the skimming and sanding but each day is a step closer.

Just got showers in before the mizzle came in, so the fire is on and we are cooking a rabbit casserole for supper for a change, something I have never cooked and Al has only ever cooked it as a scout many moons ago!!!

The overnight rain has topped up the water butts which is great and the roof seems to be leak free. Yippee!!!

Want to get to the market so decided to shop for supplies too. Early alarm and away before 8am. First stop is up at Ian and Nina’s new place they are working on to drop off a gas oven and cylinder. La Forgue to get a bag of white cement. Laundrette to fill a machine. Mr Brico for a new sander and some decking treatment. Farm supplier for a water hose junction. Back to the laundrette to gather wet but clean clothes. Walk across town to a destockage shop selling end of line appliances (closed down).

Then we walked about the market and picked up some trinkets and a few foodstuffs before doing the supermarket sweep on the way home.

Very small areas of blue sky appeared so we chanced the laundry on the washing line while we set about working on the ceiling. Breezy sanding and me plastering joints. Finished off preparing a couple of light fittings to go in the roof tomorrow before showering. Got that in just in time before the heavens opened (laundry already moved indoors).

Now listening to fat rain outside while snug with the log burner going. New fish recipe tonight with broccoli from the garden.