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# An eco friendly barn conversion in the Ariege, French Pyrenees

Alun & Breezy's Weblog

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.radicalfish.eu/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Blog](https://www.radicalfish.eu/blog/)
- [Better Late Than Never!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/better-late-than-never/) - Well it has taken 18 years to get H and Clare to see the barn but it was well worth the wait.... Juggling the logisitics of having 4 kids and trying to get away to see you sister in the middle of nowhere is a challenge but THRILLED that you and Clare have now made
- [Special guest](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/special-guest/) - Linn is an old friend from Derbyshire days. Now living in Bristol and happened to be in the south of France so called in. Her first visit to the barn and she stayed for a few nights. We managed to get some quality hikes in just around the area. She also introduced us to Molkky,
- [Ridge hike from Pic de Girantes to Pic de Fouroul](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ridge-hike-from-pic-de-girantes-to-pid-de-fouroul/) - Initial plan was to do the Pic des Trois Seigneurs from Port de Lers. This we have done many times and is a favourite. Looking at the map we had never walked the ridge on the other side of the valley. Then rather than drive all the way to Port de Lers we decided to
- [Shower antics](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shower-antics/) - Our outdoor shower is an old recycled wine vat with a gallows like affair to hang a solar shower bag from. We set the vat on legs and cut out a section to get in and out. This was then attached to a deck we built about 16 years ago. Strangely enough, the framework of
- [Pujada 2025](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pujada-2025/) - Always the first Saturday in August. The French meet the Spanish at the Port de Salau. I should say the Ocitan meet the Catalan. People bring a picnic and musical instruments. There is some fairly random music, very random dancing, some speeches and some cheese and wine to share. The weather was great and there
- [Pic de Seron](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-seron-2/) - Pic de Seron has a little of everything in just the right order. Set off from Cirque de Gerac where there is ample parking. Then the first steep ascent will be in the shade up to Col de Cerda. From then the path jiggles up and down (but predominantly up) following yellow markings to get
- [Social walk Etang d'Ayes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/social-walk-etang-dayes/) - There's something nice about walking and talking, especially in a group of 5 or 6. It's a great way to catch up with folk and have quality conversations with different people. Starting at Parking d'Ayes on the piste from Lake Bethmale. Up through the forest to the Col D'Auedole. We decide to go clockwise up
- [Chemin de la Mature 1772](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chemin-de-la-mature-1772/) - We had read about this section of the GR10 years ago but never even looked at where it was. Back in Napoleon's days there was an area of forest with particularly good oak trees for making the masts of ships. These had to be carried out of the forest to the nearest horse drawn transport.
- [Rioja Road Trip](https://www.radicalfish.eu/travels/rioja-road-trip/) - Last year we went to the Dordogne with Breezy's Father. At the end of that trip he stated that his traveling days were over. We said that if he wanted to we would love to go away with him again the following year, but he had to decide where. It didn't take him long to
- [Call to arms](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/call-to-arms/) - The fishing association of Salau put out a request for anyone willing to help clear the river banks in the village. The aim was to give the fishermen better access to the river and hence the fish. In return they offered a meal in the evening. We had the time and never turn away food
- [End of the Helipad](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/end-of-the-helipad/) - In 2015 Charlie and Becks Breese brought their two elders kids out to the barn with Breezy's Father. Charlie is always up for a project; and so the "helipad" was built in a weekend. We had cut most of an old pine tree down behind the barn and the project was to build a terrace
- [3 Dutch 2 dogs and 3 tents](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2024/3-dutch-2-dogs-and-3-tents/) - Great friends from the village asked us to go with them on an overnight in the mountains. Bearing in mind that it was snowing the day before at the Port de Salau we had to choose the destination carefully. The group was us, Olaf and Silvia plus Miriam (who hiked with us into Spain last
- [Stormtastic](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stormtastic/) - Well, we have certainly had plenty of weather. We don't have a shortage of water in the rain water containers. If we had a wind turbine, I think we could have lit up the Ariege. Chores have been split into “indoor” and “outdoor” tasks. When we have had a window of opportunity to get outdoor
- [2 go hiking to Spain and back](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2024/2-go-hiking-to-spain-and-back/) - The weather gods indicated that a suitable window was available to get away with a tent. Actually it was an app on the phone and nothing to do with any god. We set off from Cirque du Gerac (Guzet) with two days rations with a view to head into Spain. We left the barn in
- [Goodlad Family Visit the Pyrenees](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2024/goodlad-family-visit-the-pyrenees/) - The last time Kate had seen the barn only half the first floor boards were in place, no stairs or pointing was done and she ate in the Naughty Corner (small building out the front). In fact the Naughty Corner was named when Kate was here, but that's another story. So when Kate turned up
- [Balaitous Plan B](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2024/balaitous-plan-b/) - Day 1. Every year we try and get away to explore a different part of The Pyrenees. This usually involves a 2-3 hour drive so we try and stay away for 3 or 4 nights, either in refuges or with the tent. Opting for lighter bags at the moment we booked into 2 different refuges
- [Destruction](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/destruction/) - Yesterday evening a storm came through. Thunder lightening and hail. Not just a little bit of hail but for an hour it chucked hail down the size of broad beans (not the same colour but it gives you an idea of the size). The broad beans in the garden faired pretty well considering. The courgette
- [Tree Fellers](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tree-fellers/) - Most of our time recently has been dropping trees along the terraces beside the meadow. Partly to tidy up the bent and broken wood at the edge of the forest and partly to preserve the pasture. Anything hard wood worth seasoning as firewood is stacked and the rest is burnt. A long standing debate has
- [Spanish lakes, ridges and heat](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/spanish-lakes-ridges-and-heat/) - The forecast was for 34 degrees and we woke to rain on the skylights. After a swift breakfast we set off from the barn towards Mont Rouch with big packs. Passed the cabane Clos de Dessus and up to the frontier at 2677m, to the east of Mont Rouch where we gained the trail down
- [Celebration and social](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/celebration-and-social/) - Last week it was Rene's Birthday down at the Auberge in the village. Breezy made a cake, well actually two Mars Bar cakes, one in the shape of a 5, and the other in the shape of a 0. That is two cakes each with 2 Mars Bars in, recipe is here. We joined Rene
- [Maintenance and Art](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/maintenance-and-art/) - With any old property there will always be maintenance. You have oly just finished the place and then you have to start maintaining the stuff you started with. The first floor we laid was the bathroom. In fact that is the first place we slept (because it was the only place with a flat, dry
- [Grande Fache and Pic de Cambales](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/grande-fache-and-pic-de-cambales/) - A slightly longer drive than expected due to a head on collision between a motorcycle and a car got us to La Ralliere where we abandoned the van by the side of the road. Traffic was slow and being turned back there as the parking at Pont D'Espagne was "saturated". Strange expression for a car
- [A beautiful day and a great hike](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-beautiful-day-and-a-great-hike/) - Lane Formente to Pic Montaud Blue skies and no clouds, Lee and Suzie arrived at 9.30 with a picnic (and a box of veg from their garden). We set off up the piste towards Port de Salau. Just before Pouille, the shepherds cabin we took the path to the right following the old pylon line
- [Kitchen Island](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/kitchen-island/) - That's it, we only have a week to go before we head North again. There is a substantial list of chores, and in true Management Consultant style they are ranked in terms of "Must do", "Nice to" and ease to complete. At the beginning of the summer, well actually the spring, Breezy had a request
- [Getting Started](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-started/) - Having driven from Chamonix in a day and stayed overnight with Rene & Anouk at the Auberge in Salau, we got up to the barn with a very laden van. As well as “stuff” we brought over from the UK at the beginning of the winter, we had acquired quite a lot of random salvage
- [Subirou traverse](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/subirou-traverse/) - After some internet comms with Sheri, Michael and Ian we arranged a car drop to enable us all to traverse Subirou. This is a mountain ridge you can see from the barn which gives magnificent views of the French side of this area of the Pyrenees. Starting at the old mine above Salau and climbing
- [Making stuff](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/making-stuff/) - On our return from the UK we had 7 days of voluntary quarantine. Not quite sure how that fits in to a Nation managing Covid, but we did it anyway. This gave us plenty of opportunity to fix, fettle and create things. As well as gardening. Noteworthy examples were: The steps out of the front
- [Exploring more of the border](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2021/exploring-more-of-the-border/) - There is something nice about being able to get straight out the door and into the mountains. There is a great temptation to say that having been up to the border from the barn that it has been done and we don't need to go again. There are however so many little deviations and detours
- [Pic de Seron via Crete de Seron](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2021/pic-de-seron-via-crete-de-seron/) - Met up with Lee and Suzie for an explore. Again it is a peak that we have done several times before, along from the ski station at Guzet, though never by this route in this direction. Starting at Gerac and heading round to the quarry at the bottom of the Crete de Seron from where
- [Tuc des Fourmiguet and Cabane D'Aula](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2021/tuc-des-fourmiguet-and-cabane-daula/) - A grey day as we set off from Col de la Pause but that burnt off as we climbed to Etang D'Areau. We tried to find a path behind the refuge to contour around to the Col above Cabane D'Aula. In this respect we were wholely unsuccessful. We found a path that headed in the
- [Pique Rouge de Bassies](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2021/pique-rouge-de-bassies/) - After two days of life inside a cloud at the barn, the weather turned and we capitalised on the opportunity to venture out. Destination Aulus and Pique Rouge de Bassies. Parked at Coumebiere and headed south past the old gold mines to Col de las Fouzes. At the Col we turned right to follow the
- [Upcycling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2021/upcycling-2/) - After a couple of days of being inside a cloud at the barn we have a couple of small projects completed indoors. The largest was to replace the bathroom sink. This is best shown with a before and after shot. Thanks to: Debbie White for the barrel and Dave R for transporting it to Yorkshire,
- [Spanish Jaunt](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/spanish-jaunt/) - With only three days before we had to leave to travel North we had a weather window. That is, we had a “good” weather window, and in the spirit of adventure we packed rucksacks and headed to Spain. From the door we went over Port de Salau and down to the Fornet Refuge for the
- [Chamonix Visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chamonix-visit/) - We had appointments to attend at the Prefecture in Annecy. They wouldn't do us both on the same day so we had 4 nights in Chamonix between appointments. As getting there provided an opportunity to see different parts of the country we had 3 nights in Buis les Baronnies on the way and 2 nights
- [The shitter eating critter](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-shitter-eating-critter/) - For over ten years we have had a composting toilet at the barn. In the bathroom there is a conventional looking toilet seat. This is connected to a base unit in the room below via a flexible black rubber tube (Poo pipe). There is a chimney vent from the back of the unit with another
- [Pic de Trois Compte to Barlongere](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-trois-compte-to-barlongere/) - We have been holding off from heading away for a couple of nights waiting for a weather window. One finally arrived so we licked up the rucksacs and drove to Col de Pause. The plan was to head into Spain via Port D'Aula and traverse to Etang Long near Mont Valier to camp. From there,
- [First visit in a while](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/first-visit-in-a-while/) - Laney and Hoggy are our first visitors (except for locals) since COVID. Laney has made the trip a few times in the summer but never before with her husband. After a cycle around some vinyards in the St Emilion region and a visit to St Sebastian they arrived (with wine) at the barn. An action
- [Air crash](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/air-crash/) - We collected Michiel from his place in pea soup cloud and parked at Col de la Core still in the clag. Headed off on the Chemin de Libertee through the woods towards Cabane de Luzars. Once out of the woods we appeared above the surging sea of cloud. It seemed like waves crashing against the
- [Frechendech and Tuc de Bouc](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/frechendech-and-tuc-de-bouc/) - An early start to meet Lee and Suzie and share travel to Frechendech. Not too hot a day made for perfect hiking weather. We set off up the river valley, slowly ascending to the dam below the Refuge D'Araing. A quick scooby snack and a coffe at the refuge and on up to Tuc de
- [Pic 3 Seigneurs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-3-seigneurs/) - Met Sheri, Michiel, Lee and Suzie at the Col to head up to the Pic des 3 seigneurs. A couple of hours to the top where we had lunch before heading down to the south on a cairn marked path which took us straight down to the lake. Some people took a dip. Nice new
- [Post COVID travels Nicaragua](https://www.radicalfish.eu/travels/post-covid-travels-nicaragua/) - After several travel plans have gone to the shape of the pear over the last couple of years we have finally got away. Destination Nicaragua. As per normal we planned to stay in different places and explore for a few days before moving on. Grenada, on lake Nicaragua, was a great first stop and eased
- [All in the mix](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/all-in-the-mix/) - That's the first week at the barn done. We had a fun week, doing chores about the place. Nothing megga, and chopping and changing. A little weeding here, make a new base for some water butts, then a little more weeding. That sort of thing. We knew before we went travelling that the batteries in
- [Have they got legs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/have-they-got-legs/) - Early morning start to drive to Guzet for a trek up Pic de Seron. Having bailed on our walk last week we were hopeful to actually get some exercise. Deliberately not beasting ourselves on the first proper walk since the winter in Chamonix we went for familiar territory and not too much ascent. Headed round
- [Port de Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/port-de-salau-3/) - There is something really nice about being able to walk from the door of the barn into Spain. Less than two and a half hours and 1000m of ascent carrying a sandwich and a salad for Breezy and you're there. Generally it's not the most interesting walk but this time of year the flowers are
- [Running repairs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/running-repairs-2/) - Having converted a barn and made it habitable one would hope to be able to put one's feet up and relax a bit. Maybe read a few novels, or even write one. However, stuff starts to rot, slates slip, fences go slack, etc. This is compounded when most of the building materials have been recycled
- [Papa Breese](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/papa-breese/) - Breezy's Dad hasn't been to the barn for a couple of years and quite a lot has changed in that time. We collected him from Carcasonne airport and had 3 nights at the barn. Then drove over to Cassis for a couple of nights en route to Grimaud to meet up with other Breese family
- [Steve and Anne](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/steve-and-anne/) - Anne has visited us at the barn a couple of times before but Steve has never been. Friends from Chamonix, they drove down for three nights and had fantastic weather. Having said that, I think the whole of Europe has had fantastic weather. It did rain one evening which completely refilled our water butts. Two
- [Cagataille](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/cagataille/) - The weather forecast said it was to be 35 degrees so an early start was called for. Alarm set and no coffee in bed. Breakfast made up in ice cream containers and we were off. Got to the parking, breakfast and away for just gone 8am. Most of the way up to Etang Hillette was
- [Pique Rouge Bassie Loop](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/pique-rouge-bassie-loop/) - Another hot day dictated another early start to beat the heat. Breakfast at Coumebiere before heading off via Col de la Fouzes. At the Col we turned right to take the ridge in the sunshine to Pique Rouge Bassie. There was a welcome slight breezy on the ridge, and on the lee side there was
- [Neouvielle National Park 4 day Explore](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/neouvielle-national-park-4-day-explore/) - We'd been keeping an eye on the weather and looking for a 4 day window to get away with the tent into the mountains to a new area. Weather forecast kept changing but we had a plan to leave on Friday no matter what! So when we woke to cloud and mizzle at 6am on
- [Soubirou ridge walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/soubirou-ridge-walk/) - One of our favourite walks locally and the ridge we see from the kitchen window at the barn. From Col de Crusous to Col de la Serre is an amazing ridge with fantastic views on each side spanning miles of the French Pyrenees. It is not technical though being sure footed is essential. We liaised
- [Jack and the Broccoli Stalk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/jack-and-the-broccoli-stalk/) - As with guests at the chalet in Chamonix, we always ask what people eat and don't eat. One of the things that Jack (Breezy's nephew) preferred not to eat was broccoli. Jack had not had roasted broccoli before, and now loves it. This was fortuitous as we had rather a lot in the garden, ready
- [Last visitors of the summer](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/last-visitors-of-the-summer/) - Simon and Lucy started their road trip to Spain by visiting us on the French side of the Pyrenees. Originally clients at the chalet in Chamonix, they have turned into great friends. Just three nights at the barn, two full days of getting out and about. First day we set off from the barn up
- [Spring flowers weeding and strimming](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2023/spring-flowers-weeding-and-strimming/) - Having arrived again from Chamonix we had a week to get installed in the barn and set the garden up for the summer. It's a great time of year full of little surprises. Finding plants amongst the weeds and giving them space to breath again after the winter. And let's face it, when we say
- [Slovenia](https://www.radicalfish.eu/travels/slovenia/) - What an amazing country to visit. Beautiful countryside, lovely wine and fantastic people. Mountains, lakes and coast. We planned to stay for a month, mixing camping with staying in small guest houses and apartments. We took the van and drove through Italy with mountain bikes, hiking stuff, camping kit and climbing kit. A good place
- [Solar Dehydrator](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/solar-dehydrator/) - With the fruit bushes laden and plenty of jam already in the cupboard for the winter season in Chamonix we decided to make a dehydrator. It is basically a box with a glass pane and some vents. There are a couple of shelves inside to put produce on. Pop it in the sun and the
- [Chemin de la Libertee and the Crete de Balame](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2023/chemin-de-la-libertee-and-the-crete-de-balame/) - Started at Col de la Core and followed the Chemin de la Libertee past the plane crash site and up to Col de Craberous. Lunch at the Col and then turned right and followed the ridge line which turns into Crete de Balame before dropping back to Col de La Core. It was baking hot
- [Fruit Leather](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-begining-2006/fruit-leather/) - Having made our own dehydrator, we have successfully made some fruit leather. Started with blackcurrant as these ripened first. Not a difficult decision. So took some fruit and added some lemon juice. This is to help keep the colour apparently. put that in a saucepan and simmer until soft. Blitz that with a stick blender
- [Tarbesou and Carlit Adventure](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tarbesou-and-carlit-adventure/) - Another weather window appeared for the Carlit area to the East of us. This is the year to go places anew. Two nights away so potential for walking 3 days. Day One – Pic de Tarbesou Left the barn early and picked up a map (and had a coffee) in Ax Les Thermes before heading
- [Cirque de Cagateile circuit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cirque-de-cagateile-circuit/) - One of those lucky days when the choice made was perfect for the weather. Left the parking early enough for the ascent to be virtually all in the shade. Had a snack at Etang Hilette by the erratic boulder, then on to Etang D'Alet for lunch and a dip in the water for those who
- [Port de Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/port-de-salau-4/) - It's great to be able to walk out of the door and access the French Spanish frontier. It's about a 1000m of up and is quite gentle. There are always new things to see and it is always changing with the light and the clouds.
- [Certescan from Col de Colatx](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/certescan-from-col-de-colatx/) - Always got a plan. This time it involved a trip to Spain to stay at the Certescan Refuge. We left the barn early to get to the parking for Cirque du Cagateille. Picked up a couple of hitch hikers on the way who were also heading for Certescan. Set off up to Etang Hillette in
- [Sauze Patrick and Tood](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sauze-patrick-and-tood/) - It has been 8 years since they visited us at the barn from Chamonix. I honestly can't remember what stage we had got it to then. I think last time Patrick was helping dig a drain at the back to alleviate some of the humidity inside on the ground floor. This time was much more
- [36th Pujada](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/36th-pujada/) - The Pujada is when French and Catalonians meet at the Port de Salau. There are speeches, sharing of wine and cheese, some music and some very dodgy dancing. We needed the exercise and it is on our doorstep so we went. The clouds were down but there were odd windows where blue sky was visible
- [Col de la Core, Estagnous, Valier and Chemin de Libertee](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/col-de-la-core-estagnous-valier-and-chemin-de-libertee/) - A gorgeous day without a cloud in the sky. Parked at Col de la Core and set off on the GR10 to Etang Ayes. Broke off from the GR and headed over to Etang Milouga where we stopped for lunch. A 1hr climb up to Col de Pouech overlooking Refuge Estagnous, our destination for the
- [Breese family visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/breese-family-visit/) - Due to an administrative issue we only hosted Charlie (Breezy's younger Brother) and Liv (his daughter). If all four who planned to visit, had made it out, the fridge would have struggled to keep up with demand for nourishment and refreshment. As it was, we ran out of rose wine on the last night and
- [Last visitors of the summer](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-visitors-of-the-summer-2/) - Carolyn and Dawn met at the chalet in Chamonix in the winter and have become firm friends. They flew out to Carcasonne and then drove over to the barn. Keen walkers we had a list of possible itineraries depending on the weather and fitness levels. An interest was expressed in hiking in to Spain for
- [Pic de Montareing Montagnoule and Cap de Rhuos](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-montareing-montagnoule-and-cap-de-rhuos/) - A windy day with blue skies. We started from the mine above Salau in the shade and only got to sunshine when we reached the Pis Noir after 2 hours in the cool. Ascended to Tuc du Pis Noir with great views of Mont Rouch to the west. Picked our way up to the French
- [The mouse challenge](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2024/the-mouse-challenge/) - Before heading to Sicilly for a relaxing holiday we spent a few days at the barn to unload the van and plant the garden up. This year is one of those when the mouse population soars, then they get some disease, then the population decreases again. This is, apparently normal every 5-7 years. As per
- [Cool reflections](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cool-reflections/) - Cirque de Cagataille is a fantastic loop walk from the parking at the end of the road beyond Moussures. We set off early to avoid the crowds and started walking before 8am. The trail follows the river up passed the cascade and steeply up to the granite slabs above before you reach Etang de la
- [Hot hiking](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/hot-hiking/) - Forecast was looking good even if a tad hot! So we decided to head off to the hills for a 2 day hike. Both were long days, made longer by the heat! The plan was to make our way back to the barn from Col de la Core. We headed off with our great friend
- [Pic des Trois Seigneurs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-des-trois-seigneurs/) - One of our favourite hikes. Started from the bend in the road where the path from Etang D'Aube comes out. After years of starting at the Port de Lers we have taken to parking at the end of the track and walking back up to the Col to start rather than having to walk back
- [Pic de Cabanatous](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-cabanatous/) - The barn was still inside a cloud when we left to meet up with Lee and Suzie in Oust. Sherrie and Jenny also joined for a short hike up and over Pic de Cabanatous. Parked at Coumebiere where the GR10 crosses the road and walked up through the old silver mines to Col de las
- [Pic de Seron](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2024/pic-de-seron/) - One of our favourite walks from the end of the track from Guzet Neige. Starting at about 1800m is great for a hot day. As per usual we went clockwise to Etang D'Alet and then follow the red markers up to the summit. We even found some snow patches on the route up. Descent is
- [Dad's Trip to The Barn and then on to The Dordogne.](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dads-trip-to-the-barn-and-then-on-to-the-dordogne/) - We have had mixed weather since getting back to the barn after our UK trip but felt very lucky that we had weather windows to tame the jungle a wee bit before Dad's arrival and the weather gods decided to be kind to us. We collected Dad from Carcassone late afternoon and as we got
- [A walk to Cirque D'Anglade](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-walk-to-cirque-danglade/) - Woke up to Blue skies again..yippee!!! We were hoping that was the case so we could get our walk into Cirque D’Anglade which starts just by the old mine. We headed up to the barn first to do a quick second varnish on the floor, looking good and to do a few measurements for our
- [Great walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/great-walk-2/) - An early start and picnic making as today we went off for a walk with Ian and Lee. Met up at the mines and set off from there for 2 hours of steep uphill to Cap de Ruos overlooking Spain. Great walking weather with sun, clear skies and a cold wind. Having gained the col
- [Refuge Estagnous](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/refuge-estagnous/) - First time we have set an alarm this morning. Final packing of bags, making sandwiches and closing up shop before heading on our adventure. Fantastic early morning drive over the Col de la Core and into the Bethmale Valley. The views going up to the col were fantastic with cloud in the valley and the
- [Cirque de Cagateille](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cirque-de-cagateille/) - Needed to set the alarm to make sure we did not sleep in as we had a walk planned for the day which we estimated at about 6 hours. Woke up to blue skies which was great and made packed lunches and had brekky before getting away by 8.45am, not bad for us!!! It was
- [Port D'Aula](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/port-daula/) - I love getting up in time to watch the sun come over the mountains, gradually approaching the back of the barn. The light on the southern side of the valley sets in shafts, akin to the front of an old fretted radio front. As the sun envelopes the slope the grass lets off steams as
- [Port de Materat](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/port-de-materat/) - A bit later than anticipated as we had no alarm clock!!! We managed to get away from the barn about 8.30am for our explore into another area.We had looked at maps and come up with a plan to do a circular loop up to Port de Materat and back via another couple of cabanes.We arrived
- [Cascade D'Ars](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cascade-dars/) - An early start as Lee had planned a walk over near Aulus Les Bains in the next valley for a 9am ish start. So we were up just before 7am to make lunch etc before the 40 minute drive. A cracking choice of a walk with loads of variety. Lee and Ian turned up and
- [Another Day in the Hills-Etang D'Aube](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-day-in-the-hills-etang-daube/) - Autumn is here, we had our first frost this am. So getting up this morning was a chilly affair!!! We made packed lunches and had some brekky before heading off to above Guzet which is the ski area closest to us. Lee who is our fantastic source of local knowledge on where to go and
- [Refuge Bassies Day 2](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/refuge-bassies-day-2/) - After a reasonable nights sleep with not too much snoring going on in the dorm we woke to see the sun just coming up over the etangs. Brekky and packed up before we headed up quite steeply to the Port Bassies on past Etang D’Alate and then dropping down to the Port Saleix. It
- [Refuge Bassies Day 1](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/refuge-bassies-day-1/) - An early start for us as we wanted to get going early for the walk as it was quite a big day ahead.Made lunches had brekky and out the door by 7.15am and it was looking clear.We headed over to just the other side of Aulus Les Bains and climbed up to 1400m where we
- [Mont Rouche](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mont-rouche/) - Woke up this morning in a cold cabin under Mont Rouche. After a couple of cups of tea and a cereal bar we set off. More steep climbing up grass to start and then up onto boulders and scree. Summit Mont Rouche The views from the summit were spectacular from Mont Valier and Port
- [Breezy's Birthday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/285/) - Every Birthday should start with opening cards in bed, and this was no exception. I even got Breezy a fizzy water with grapefruit cordial to sup while she did the cards.Packed lunch, flask of tea and a few other bits and pieces and we set off to Col de la Core to start a walk.
- [Col de la Serre du Cot and Stevie Blown Away!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/col-de-la-serre-du-cot-and-stevie-blowa-away/) - Hans was having a day off to spend with Claire so we decided to do the same. The forecast was for a dry day even if cloudy. So after brekky in the sun, cats and washing we drove up to Rouze at 963m and started the steep climb and muddy climb up to the Col.
- [Cirque D'Anglade](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cirque-danglade/) - Fi seems to have survived the night sleeping in the barn with no visitations from creatures of any type....phew. Not a great day weather wise, cloud was quite low but due to improve later in the day. So after brekky we opted to do 2 hours of pointing before heading off with a picnic lunch
- [Port de Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/port-de-salau/) - Alarm went off at 7am giving Breezy and I a bit of time to sort out emails ad internet before a quick breakfast with Fi, making a packed lunch and setting off from the barn. Blue sky everywhere. Reached to Col and had lunch and then turned around to return. Stopped at the Cascade Leziou
- [Fi s birthday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fis-birthday/) - Having already done the internet thing, washed up from the night before and made sandwiches Breezy took Fi a mug of tea. We headed out in the van to the Lac Bethmale on the other side of Col de la Core. From there we followed the GR10 up to Cabane D'Eliet and up to the
- [Pic de Fonta](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-fonta/) - The forecast was good for today so we planned another walk to explore another part of our little paradise. We had a couple of hours before leaving sorting out Ski Breezy e mails comme d'hab! and making some butties for our walk. We left the barn about 915am. On the way down we passed Clive
- [Birthday Hike, Pink Fizz and Bottles of Prosecco!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/birthday-hike/) - Another blue sky day perfect way to celebrate my birthday. After brekky, cards and pressie opening we did a car drop and then headed in Vinnie up to the mine and headed up to Col de Crusous 2267m which is a steep 2 hours hike up. The ridge over to above Rouze is something we
- [Pic Montaud](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-montaud/) - Another glorious day and a few fuzzy heads after the Prosecco.... We had planned another adventure explore walk we wanted to do from the barn. We headed up to Cabane Pouill which is just over an hour from the barn on the way to Port de Salau. From there we headed off on small paths
- [Cascade D'Acouzan](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cascade-dacouzan/) - Weather looked good when we woke up so we made butties, had brekky and headed off around 930am for an explore, mainly to recce out a walk for when Dad visits in September trying to find something which is not too steep, not easy in this neck of the woods!!! First obstacle was trying to
- [Walking the Soubirou Ridge](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/walking-the-soubirou-ridge/) - As Adam and Lisa were up for a walk we set the alarm early to make a picnic and get out the door. We drove up to the old mine above Salau and set off up to Col de Crusous (2217m). Breezy has wanted to walk down the ridge that we can see from the
- [Cap de Bouirex](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cap-de-bouirex/) - Quick breakfast and internet / emails, make a packed lunch and out the door for a walk. Drove up to Col de la Core and then set off up Cap de Bouirex. 500m of climbing to fantastic 360 degree views where we sat for 45minutes identifying the mountains and different walks we have done. Absolutely
- [Frontier Walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/frontier-walk/) - Breezy let me choose the walk for the day so we set our alarm early and got a packed lunch sorted and headed for Port D'Aula. Having done some exploring of the frontier to the West of Port de Salau last year, I wanted to walk the ridge from Port D'Aula towards Port de Salau.
- [Pic de Fonta](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-fonta-2/) - Another walking day with all 3 of us but not before Breezy and I have had a fried breakfast with some of the bacon that Laney brought out with her. Then off to Col de la Pause to set off on the traversing path under the ridge towards Pic de Fonta. It is a lovely
- [Etang D'Ayes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/etang-dayes/) - Early start as we planned a trip to Col de la Core for a little explore walk to a lake as the forecast was hot, hot, hot. Lovely breakfast of our usual fruits and yoghurt before we trundled off in Vinnie. Col de la Core is about 50 minutes away from us. A relatively easy
- [Espana Here We Come!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/espana-here-we-come/) - So something we have been thinking about for ages was to head into Spain walking and have a night in a refuge in Spain. Maps had been browsed and plans made. We had already changed dates due to bad weather but the forecast for the next 2 days was good so we decided to make
- [Pic de Certascan](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-certascan/) - Another early start and another glorious day. Had a basic hut breakfast but lots of coffee for Al which is always the main thing! and we wer out the door at 745am and in the sun about 15 minutes later. It was lovely just being up high, early and in such glorious weather. We were
- [Cirk Vost](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/cirk-vost/) - Today we have arranged to go over to Carcassonne to see Stevie & Debs and Andy & Mimi at Cirk Vost. Stevie and Andie have built a bamboo structure for the latest show, Boo. Having arranged to meet up about 4pm we only have the morning to get stuff done at the barn. Breezy is
- [Sunny Spain](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunny-spain/) - Back at the barn now after our road trip in Spain. Started on the Costa Brava... Montserrat next for some culture, climbing and walking with a day trip to Barcelona. And finally onto Pedraforca. Came back with some lovely pottery, cheap floor tiles, some lavender and Cava plus wine.
- [Cirque de Cagateille](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cirque-de-cagateille-2/) - Another glorious day. After brekky on the terrace big fruit salad and coffees we headed off to go for a walk and a picnic. Quite difficult finding a not too steep a walk around here but I think we succeeded today. We strolled up to the cirque, stopping and seeing loads of wild orchids, butterflies
- [Port de Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/port-de-salau-2/) - Another glorious sunny start to the day. Healthy breakfast on the terrace loads of fruits and yoghurts before heading off up to Port de Salau and a picnic lunch. It is a good walk up of 1000m but nothing too steep. Al and I were quite interested to see how much snow was about further
- [Pic de la Fonta](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/pic-de-la-fonta/) - Up early and picnic made for a trek up Pic de la Fonta. Parked at Col de la Pause and took the traversing path through the patches of wood land and then back along the ridge to the van. Popped down the valley afterwards to Seix for a drink just as the heavens opened. Cherry
- [Fete de la Glace](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/fete-de-la-glace/) - After the usual internet session sorting out emails and website stuff for the winter season in Chamonix we tackled the list for the day. It is great when you have, not just a list of jobs, but a list for a particular day. And today we managed to scrub all the items off the list
- [26e Pujada](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/26e-pujada/) - We have wanted to do the Pujada for ages. Last year it rained so we decided that DIY was a safer option. Essentially the Pujada is the day when the Catalan people come up to the Port de Salau from their side and the Ariegoise come up from their side. They all say hello, exchange
- [Cabane de Bonheur](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cabane-de-bonheur/) - Another glorious day so we decided to do a little work before brekky and the sun hit us. I set too with the strimmer on the bracken which we are gradually getting the better of. Al had the more unpleasant job of de composting the toilet! Breakfast in the sun on the bottom terrace for
- [Mr Rouch Ridge Walk to Cap de Ruhos](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mr-rouch-ridge-walk-to-cap-de-ruhos/) - Early start, up at 645am and away and walking bu 645am. I slept OK but Al not so well, he was a bit cold. We decided to get going and have breakfast on the frontier. The ground was bone dry so the hike up was very easy. Still fairly steep and some boulder hopping on
- [Port D'Aula Ridge Walk to Port de Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/port-daula-ridge-walk-to-port-de-salau/) - Early start...it was dark at 7am a bit of a shock to the system. We thought an early start was a good idea as we knew we had a longish day ahead of us. Breakfast, sandwich making, rucksack packing and we were all out the door with kit, recycling, rubbish and water containers by 815am
- [Pic des Trois Seigneurs et Etang D'Arbu](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-des-trois-seigneurs-et-etang-darbu/) - An early start as we had a walk planned for today... Main criteria was no more than 700m vertical, start high, good views and some water to flop in. I managed to look at the maps and come up with a plan near Massat just over an hours drive away. Stunning drive over via beautiful
- [Spanish Explore 2nd-4th August](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/spanish-explore-2nd-4th-august/) - We bought a small hiking tent 2 years ago with the aim of heading off into the hills exploring and being self sufficient as such. We had been busy looking at maps to do a 3 day loop from the barn into Spain and back again and had come up with a plan. Forecast looked
- [Aiguilles Tortes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/aiguilles-tortes/) - After a hard few days in the UK our walking trip to Spain seemed an even better idea to clear the heads before next guests arrive. We had been trying to get to the Aiguilles Tortes National Park a few years ago in spring time but snow stopped our plans. We headed off from the
- [Refuge D'Araing and Pic de Crabere](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/refuge-daraing-and-pic-de-crabere/) - With such a great forecast we decided to head off into the hills for 2 days and booked into a refuge for a night. We had a superb time, not a cloud in the sky at all and 90 degrees plus the whole time so it was nice to be up high. We started up
- [Pujada Spain Meets France Fiesta](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pujada-spain-meets-france-fiesta/) - The Pujada happens every year when lots of Spanish and French folk trundle up to Port de Salau for exchanging of presents, singing and dancing and really just an excuse for a party. We have been once before quite a few years ago but decided as the weather was lovely to go up. About 400
- [Wild Camping Fun](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wild-camping-fun/) - One of the things we had wanted to do this year was use the little tent and go and do some explores with it. So Saturday and Sunday the forecast was for yet more sunshine. I am totally loving this sun sun sun! So we decided we would go for 2 days away and an
- [Mt Valier Adventure](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mt-valier-adventure/) - This explore has been on our list for a while and we finally got to do it in fabulous weather with an abundance of wildlife and absolutely nobody around, what more could we have asked for. Lee as always was a fund of information on the area which helped giving us a plan of attack.
- [Spain Trip-Aiguilles Tortes National Park](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/spain-trip-aiguilles-tortes-national-park/) - We made it to Spain on the 3rd attempt and have had a ball!!! Sunshine, loads of isards to see, nobody about and stunning scenery with my hubby what could be a nicer way to spend 4 days. We left the barn on a gorgeous morning but the snow was at 2000m and temperatures had
- [Cirque D'Anglade](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cirque-danglade-2/) - We seem to have been at the barn for too long without getting away. Sometimes just a wander down the road is good for the soul. We have plans to get over to Ordessa but unfortunately Billy (the VW) has developed a calliper issue on the driver's rear wheel. Apparently the part is original and
- [Ordesa National Park hiking trip](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ordesa-national-park-hiking-trip/) - We have been meaning to get to the Ordesa for years. Either thwarted by weather or huts being closed or booked out. Determination does reap rewards and this year we made it, just before the holidays when it is super busy. Decided to make a number of day hikes in different vallies to get an
- [Chemin De La Libertee Walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chemin-de-la-libertee-walk/) - A much needed escape to the hills. Weather was not quite as good as we expected but we set off nonetheless. Started from just below Col de La Core and headed off on the Chemin De la Libertee path towards Cabane de Suberou. Initially through the woods where we found a few mushies, after a
- [Pic des Trois Seigneurs Variation](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-des-troi-seigneurs/) - The start point was Port de Lers at 1517m equipped with a packed lunch, map, compass, camera and binoculars. We ascended from the carpark north as per normal to gain the ridge to the Pic des Trois Seigneurs. The weather was fabulous with not a cloud in the sky. We passed a couple of people
- [Pic Montgarie from Col de la Core](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-montgarie-from-col-de-la-core/) - It was a scorching hot day and Lee and Suze picked us up from the bridge in Seix and took us up to Col de le Core. The initial plan was a walk and catchup with a dip in a lake. The GR10 took us up to Etang d'Ayes which is a great swimming spot
- [Cascade d'Ars](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cascade-dars-2/) - Yesterday was another scorcher and although the garden is getting more frazzled each day, it is perfect walking and exploring weather. We set off from Alus les Bains and took the GR10 for the first time to get to Cascade d'Ars. Considering the lack of rain it was a torrent due to the snow melt
- [Vultures Next Meal](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/vultures-next-meal/) - There seemed to be a lot of vulture activity around the Port de Salau the other day. Then we realised there were a crowd (I don't know the collective noun for vultures - chorus maybe) of them on the grass and others just kept joining them. All of a sudden they all took to the
- [Orri and Icebergs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/orri-and-icebergs/) - An orri is an ancient shelter built for shepherds from dry stones with a rock roof, then covered in vegetation. An iceberg is not. Booked in to the Refuge Fourcat for two nights we walked in past the dams from the French side. The 1300m ascent took us past a number of orri in various
- [Espana with a tent](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/espana-with-a-tent/) - Weather has continued to be gorgeous so Breezy had been perusing the maps as usual and enticing Al away for a few days with the tent. Always nice to walk out straight from the barn for the off! Our new Osprey packs which we got for Madagascar are great and perfect size for a few
- [Pujada 2018](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pujada-2018/) - As if we hadn't done enough walking, we teamed up with Lee & Susie to head up to the Port de Salau for the Pujada with a picnic. Great catch up time and very entertaining people watching at the col.
- [Flamisella Frolics, Fun and "That looks like a path!!!"](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/flamisella-frolics-fun-and-that-looks-like-a-path/) - Lee and Sooze kindly asked us to join them for 2 days hiking with the tent and with 2 of their lovely friends Sheri (USA) and Michael (Dutch) who live just out of Seix. Great to get some hill time with S&L and also to meet some new like minded buddies in the area too.
- [Etang Soulcen – Pic de La Rouge – Pic des Lavans](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/etang-soulcen-pic-de-la-rouge-pic-des-lavans/) - Just us and the tent, plus some fodder, something to cook on, something to sleep in... Parked up at Orris du Carla and headed up the steep track to Etangs de la Gardelle, on to Etang de Canalbonne and up to Port de la Gardelle. Beautiful views of the lakes in both Spain and France
- [Birthday in the Mountains](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/birthday-in-the-mountains/) - As is the custom, each year at the end of September we hope to celebrate my birthday by a mountain walk. This time, I had a plan and it involved 3 days of hiking and a couple of nights in a refuge, since it is getting a bit chilly now. A friend who we met
- [Col de la Core Mont Valier Refuge and back to the barn!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/col-de-la-core-mont-valier-refuge-and-back-to-the-barn/) - This trek had been on the back of our minds for a while and seemed an ideal training yomp for Stok Kangri with a night up high at the Estagnous Refuge just below Mont Valier. After keeping an eye on the forecast we booked into the refuge for the Friday night hopefully giving us 2
- [Birthday Frolics](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/birthday-frolics/) - As is the custom, we plan to get away for my birthday in the hills. This being a big birthday we really wanted to get out and explore. Plan A and Plan B failed due to refuges being closed or full so Plan C it was.... We headed west from the barn about 3 hours
- [Cascade de D'Ars](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cascade-de-dars/) - With the recent rainfall and the more relaxed travel limitations we decided to venture out of the valley for a hike up Cascade D'Ars. Having parked in Aulus we took the GR10 towards the cascade rather than taking the 4x4 track from the hairpin. It is a much more interesting route up the gorge and
- [Social snowy walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/social-snowy-walk/) - An invite to walk in the mountains with other people. What an exciting opportunity. Lee and Suze picked us up from Seix and we headed up to Col de la Core to meet the others. Another couple we knew and some newbies, even more exciting. From there we trundled up to Etang D'Eychelles for an
- [Col de Pause to Cabane D'Aula](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/col-de-pause-to-cabane-daula/) - Breezy got the maps out again and selected a fantastic route which we had never taken from Col de la Pause. From the car park we took the 4x4 up to the first shepherd's cabin and then a path off to the right towards a col and then down to Cabane D'Aula. Beautiful flowers on
- [Pica d'Estats](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pica-destats/) - For a much needed change of scene we headed to Auzat (to the East) where we parked at Cascade de l'Artigue after a coffee in town. Donned the hiking boots and large packs with food and camping kit and set off up the hill towards Refuge Pinet. The ascent was via Etang Sourd where we
- [Pointe Hilette Arrete to Pointe Rabassere](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pointe-hilette-arrete-to-pointe-rabassere/) - After a few days of rain the weather broke and allowed an opportunity to get out in the hills. An early start at 8am to get to Guzet and the parking at Gerac with a picnic and after the usual mugs of coffee. It's not our usual route to head down the ladders to the
- [Pic de Montareing traverse to Cap de Rhuos](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pic-de-montareing-traverse-to-cap-de-rhuos/) - Breezy and I had already decided to go hiking when we got an email from Lee with an idea. This involved meeting at the mine above Salau at 9am the following day and following Lee. Not strictly fair, in that we did know where we were going. Montareing was on Lee's short list of peaks
- [Andorra](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/andorra/) - Having been monitoring the weather forecast for a couple of options for a cheeky getaway a window opened up to go to Andorra. Toys in the van and off we set for 4 nights camping in Canillo. Breezy found a lovely small campsite in the town centre within easy reach of supplies and restaurants. On
- [Billy meet Poppy](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2022/billy-meet-poppy/) - The actual meeting was quite sad. Billy had failed a crucial exam due to one his wheel bearings being too clunky. We tried as hard as we could to find a technician to coax him through the test but not even his makers could rectify the problem. We found Poppy via internet dating and though
- [Flora Fauna Guests and other News](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/flora-fauna-guests-and-other-news/) - So, I have learnt to value flowers over the last couple of years. I can't say that I have learnt the value of flowers as there is so much to learn. Most of our colour appears on plants that have either been given to us, been snaffled from other peoples gardens or we have grown
- [Recent exploits](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/recent-exploits/) - With little of note to write about here is a selection of pictures for you. Local walks over old and new terrain included Pot de Salau with Sherie and Michiel, Cirque D'Anglade with Spike the dog and a couple of little explores. The first was up to the old ruins of a Chateau above Pont
- [Cloche or Solar Oven](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cloche-or-solar-oven/) - Having more time this season we are making better use of the garden. Rather than buying plugs and planting the salad crop we have taken to growing from seed. As most people have more time on their hands there is a lack of plants available to buy. Similar to toilet paper and bread flour. In
- [Wellington Boots](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wellington-boots/) - Now I have had the same set of wellies since I started caving in Derbyshire. They were all the rage when I bought them. Everyone (I say everyone, but actually only the people I caved with) had the same brand. I think they were called Sure Treads, but they were known as Sure Slips as
- [Real weather](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/real-weather/) - Although the temperature has dropped it has not gone below zero. This is good news as the seedlings are still happy. It has just been wet. All sorts of wet from drizzle to downpours. Today for example it was mizzle in the morning, we had lunch in the sun on the front terrace. and then
- [Quarantine](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/quarantine/) - Well our quarantine time flew by which was great and we had fab weather too which definitely is a huge bonus. We have had one trip to St Girons since we were allowed off the land and that was fairly busy with the usual large load of laundry, DIY, garden and food list. Things take
- [Deafeningly quiet](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/deafeningly-quiet/) - As part of the agreement with the local Mayor we are in isolation for three weeks. While the rest of the country is still locked down we are in a very lucky position to be living in isolation anyway. Anouk from the Auberge is ferrying fresh water and food shopping to us which is amazing.
- [Morel season](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/morel-season/) - We have managed to escape Chamonix and COVID-19 and make our way down to the barn. We had special paperwork to travel supplied by the Mayor of the Commune down in the Pyrenees but fortunately did not get stopped en route so never actually had to produce it. There have been a couple of leaks
- [Indian Affair](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/indian-affair/) - In the winter in Chamonix, a great friend, Sauze, asked if we fancied joining her and her husband, Patrick, on a trip to climb a 6,000m peak in Kashmir. As any invitation for adventure or travel always receives a "yes", we agreed. Later we started hearing of unrest in the area and some pot shots
- [Feathered Friends and Showers](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/feathered-friends-and-showers/) - When we got back we had squatters in one of the bird boxes. These have now flown and are eating our nuts. This spurred us on to develop some more accommodation for feathered friends. We have now opened two more boxes for great tits, a wren box and a robin's "shelf". All made out of
- [Yorkshire Visitors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/yorkshire-visitors/) - Well it's been 12 years coming but chuffed to bits that Liz (My Mum's god daughter and my friend from day dot) plus hubby Mike and Mike's son Harry could squeeze in an action packed few days with us. The weather was just superb and they totally lucked out because as they left the rain
- [Ruth and Pete's Visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/ruth-and-petes-visit/) - We had been so so so looking forward to seeing our great friends Ruth and Pete, friends initially from Chamonix now living in Australia. Have not seen them for 5 years so just great that they could squeeze in 3 nights on their European hols so we could have a proper catch up. They arrived
- [Greece Climbing and Islands](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/greece-climbing-and-islands/) - Armed with the latest climbing guide for Greece we flew to Athens, hired a car and headed north to Meteora. An area of conglomerate pillars with half a dozen monasteries on top, this is bedlam in the summer months with tourists and a great spring destination for climbing. Having said that mid May is starting
- [Home Improvements](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/home-improvements/) - The scorching weather is lovely but slightly too hot to get anything big or heavy done outside. So small indoor projects have been ticked off. The biggest of which has been to freshen up the stairs. Having salvaged the staircase from a mate's house in Chamonix; dismantled and cut the stringers in half so it
- [End of another summer](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/end-of-another-summer/) - The colours have changed in the leaves giving that golden mosaic on the hills. The nights have drawn in and the indoor shower has seen some action. The garden is all set for winter. We have had an amazing summer with more explores than DIY days. At last the balance has shifted and even the
- [Hillary and Ralph got married](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/hillary-and-ralph-got-married/) - We were fortunate enough to be invited to their wedding in a field near Manchester. The dates coincided with Dave and Helen from being in the country so we were also lucky to catch up with them too. So Friday night we had dinner with them and Ken in Derbyshire before heading to the wedding.
- [Bumper mushrooms](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bumper-mushrooms/) - There was a time when foraging for mushrooms was a little like cruising the isles of the supermarket looking to see what you would find that looks vaguely appetising. You would gather some specimens, some of which you knew and others you would have to look up in the book to establish their worthiness. Now
- [Parasols and Pintxos](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/parasols-and-pintxos/) - Iain, Breezy's Father, and Jo came to spend 3 nights with us as part of their Southern Europe tour. Iain had not been over here last year and so there were some considerable changes. An indoor shower definitely met with approval as did the flowers and the sedum roof. Jo explored the valley and helped
- [Raiders and Freeloaders](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2018/raiders-and-freeloaders/) - Not a fair title for a post as Freeloaders are uninvited. It is true that we have been having issues with Raiders though. They come at night usually and eat the lettuce hearts, the spinach, the beatroot leaves and worst of all they eat all the growing tips off the raspberry plants. This is very
- [Path rebuild](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/path-rebuild/) - A couple of jobs on the MUST do list this summer were to clean the main water buts, well over due and to re do the main path along the main entrance to the barn which has gradually been slipping away as the wood has become more and more rotten. We have been putting both
- [Flowers and Foraging](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/flowers-and-foraging/) - I am amazed at how well the flowers are doing in the garden this year. So excited that another two flower beds are being made. Mushies are not doing so bad also.
- [Gorgeous Gemmilies Girlie Galivanting](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/gorgeous-gemmilies-girlie-galivanting/) - So we might have had a few sherberts before agreeing to having 2 of my nieces in their teens to come and stay for a few days but we were looking forward to spending some time with them both. It was an early start for all of us as Gemma had been staying with a
- [Moj Clare and Vic](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/moj-clare-and-vic/) - We had a delightful couple of nights and a wonderful walk with Clare Vic and their dog Moj. Breezy was at Uni with Clare and the 3 of them decided to pay us a visit. On our full day we trundled up to Port d'Aula for a gander at Spain and a swim on the
- [Gooseberry and Elderflower Jam](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/gooseberry-and-elderflower-jam/) - The last time we made gooseberry jam it came out more like some industrial adhesive suitable for use underwater for repairing oil rigs. Though there may have been a market for it we had insufficient sully to meet the probable demand. This time we think we have a winner (on the edible front without removing
- [Strimtastic](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/strimtastic/) - So we are back at the barn after an amazing trip to Madagascar. There has been rain here virtually non stop since we left. I think the courgette and cucumber plants drowned and the grass around the buildings is knee high. We are now in possession of two petrol strimmers (courtesy of Iain and thanks
- [Mushrooms and Wild Boar](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mushrooms-and-wild-boar/) - Another winter season in Chamonix is over and the next adventures begin. Â With a heavily laden van and a stow away from Chamonix in the back seat we drove down to Salau. Â The passenger was hopping a lift down to Justin and Emily's pig farm for a "work away" and had been renting a friends
- [Distant Relatives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/distant-relatives/) - Breezy's Aunt and Uncle from came all the way from Australia and stayed with us at the barn for 3 nights. Frank & Judith braved the outdoor shower and the food for the duration. Adventures included; rabbit, chicken and chorizzo paella, a walk up towards Port D'Aula, visiting the church in Salau and the waterfalls
- [Final furlong](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/final-furlong/) - We are now into the last couple of weeks before we head off to Italy on a road trip. We have got loads done this summer even with our reduced time here. There is, however, an increasing list of things to do before we go and we still need some quality time "on the hill".
- [The Hunting and Fishing Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-hunting-and-fishing-lunch/) - For the second year we have been invited to the Hunt and Fishing Lunch in the marquee in the village. As an a-political and free meal it gets a good turnout. About 150 people from all over the valley sit down on benches at trestle tables and eat, drink an' chat. Sadly we did not win
- [Indoor Shower](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/indoor-shower/) - Looking back you occasionally remember life changing moments. Like when you got a colour TV (for those of a certain vintage). Some life changing moments here at the barn have been things like the fridge, being able to keep food fresh for more than a couple of days and chill wine without having to dunk
- [The Baird Clan](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-baird-clan/) - Andy Baird has been a skiing client of ours in the chalet in Chamonix for over ten years now and this year he came to visit us in the Pyrenees with his family. They are staying at the Auberge in the village with Rene and Anouk for a week before heading to the coast. They
- [Rhubarb and berry flavoured Gin](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/rhubarb-and-berry-flavoured-gin/) - Last year we found about 8 litres of Gin in the barn. Some we gave away and some we drank but we still hd 2 litres this summer. So we have masserated a litre with rhubarb and berries. 300g of berries - strawberries, raspberries and blueberries 200g rhubarb, roughly chopped 150g sugar 750ml or 1litre
- [Borneo with a backpack](https://www.radicalfish.eu/travels/borneo-with-a-backpack/) - After the winter season in Chamonix we are both in need of a recharge of the old batteries. This year we headed East to Borneo. Outline Itinerary Flew in to Kutchin and stayed a couple of nights to get orientation - brilliant free museums which give a flavour of the country and history Bako National
- [Walls capped](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/walls-capped/) - Thats it, the cement mixer can go back. It was great of Clive to loan the mixer to us while he was on holiday. The walls are finished; the roof timbers are in place and there is a reinforced concrete ring around the top so (fingers crossed) it 'aint going nowhere. Next shopping trip we
- [Visitors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/visitors-4/) - So far this summer, apart from Nicole and her family we have had a handfull of folk over to eat and some have stopped overnight. Last week we had Clive and his family over for the evening. We chose an Italian theme with salamis and salads followed by home made pasta and a trio of
- [Fun & Graft](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fun-graft/) - The days are busy whatever the weather. We have lists. Lists of indoor things to do; outdoor things; internet things; food ideas for the winter; new recipes to try out; walks to do; emails to send. The tables are covered in lists and we really ought to start a list of lists so that we
- [Sedum roof completed](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sedum-roof-completed/) - We now have 3 buildings. The later Breezy has dubbed "The Man Cave". We have a roof of about 7 varieties of sedum and the bast thing is that we no longer have any scrap wood in the main barn. It's all in the cave. Actually I think it is slightly bigger than the first
- [Nicole, Niq, Sid and Bibi's Visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/nicole-niq-sid-and-bibis-visit/) - I worked with Nicole in Meribel many moons ago now and they came and visited us two years ago on their campervan trip and decided they would like to come for another visit this year too. Niq is the guy who had researched water pumps for his garden and gave us all the info on
- [Upcycling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/upcycling/) - If you can call building walls out of random rock upcycling. You can certainly call making bookshelves out of a salvaged drinks bar upcycling. And then there is definitely upcycling when we made the final splashbeck to go behind the cooker. All the splashbacks have been based on some old red painted plywood. The boards
- [Torrorised by mice](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/torrorised-by-mice/) - Not that they carry bombs or even wave flick knives but they just get everywhere. It's not just us. The village seems to have a plague as well. They even managed to get into the Qwikle box and chewed the bag (its a great game by the way). They have eaten holes in some curtains
- [Fleeting visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fleeting-visit/) - We had a short time to plant up the garden and get stuff sorted at the barn before heading away on holiday. First thing we noticed was the porch door had blown open in the wind. This would not really matter too much if intruders wanted to steal anything as the outside door is still secure
- [Lists](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lists/) - I know there is a theory of JDI or "Just Do It" but we are definitely list people. I generally have one list with everything on a single sheet where Breezy will prefer to have separate lists on different bits of paper. Towards the end of our stay in the Pyrenees there is always a
- [Breezy's Birthday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/breezys-birthday-3/) - The sun always shines on Breezys Birthday and this year was no exception. Also it has become a tradition to venture out for a walk to somewhere new. This year we set off from near Aulus and headed up the valley to Etang Garbet. A fabulous path leads through the trees up to the magnificent
- [Visitors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/visitors-3/) - I don't know why we do it but just as we are getting ready to leave our beautiful abode in the Pyrenees we realise that we have been hermits and not seen anyone. Tis the time to wine and dine friends. Tis also an opportunity to try out new recipes and get feedback with a
- [Social Catch Ups](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/social-catch-ups/) - After our Spain trip we decided to pop in and see Clive and Jacqui (Stevie and Dave's Dad) who live not too far away. We stopped at the border for a little Spanish fodder first though which was scrummy and then on to their lovely house in the Gers area. They had friends staying so
- [Hallway Progress and Bird Boxes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2015/hallway-progress-and-bird-boxes/) - We have stayed clear of digging and heavy work to give my back the chance to recover properly so we can enjoy the last month here. Consequently we have done lots of little jobs, some creative things which Al loves. I am really rubbish as being creative unless in the kitchen! But I am trying.....!!!
- [Light Duties Week](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/light-duties-week/) - Slight change of plan this week as initial plan was to be away hut to hut walking in Spain but my back went the day before we were due to go so we had to postpone. After 2 fairly painful days light duties could resume again and we had a really fun, productive week getting
- [Update and Wild Life](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/update-and-wild-life/) - Since Laney left we decided to have a few days of pottering and getting little jobs done. It has been boiling hot all week mainly in the 90's so we have been back filling the wall and or strimming pre brekky in the cooler part of the day before the sun has hit the barn.
- [Wall finished](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wall-finished/) - Just a quicky with a couple of pics of the new wall out the front of the barn. All we gotta do now is back fill it, plant up the slate slots, shift the unused rock (~3ton), shift the unused sand (~4ton), na na na...
- [Laney's Visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/laneys-visit/) - Our great friend Laney had planned a few days with us so we collected her from St Girons on Tuesday for a few days hiking. Our initial plan was to go to Spain walking hut to hut but all the refuges were full so we changed plans. Arrival day we managed drinkies outside and dinner
- [Other images](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/other-images/) - In no particular order; we have been foraging for mushrooms, made progress in the pantry and eaten loads of delicious food.
- [Paella Feast](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/paella-feast/) - During the wall building days we had been invited to Raegans Paella Feast in the Cabane de la Chase About a dozen of us there and Raegan's father was Spanish so he knows how to make a great paella. Aperos at midday whilst Raegan sorted out the paella with so many goodies in it truly
- [Wall Building](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wall-building/) - A couple of years ago was the fortress wall building event with Clive. After that we decided that we would like to continue the wall on a lower level around to the back of the outbuilding, not such a megga project but still quite a lot of shifting of materials. We had asked Clive to
- [Trip to Cornwall](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/trip-to-cornwall/) - Breezy and I were fortunate enough to receive an invitation to a skiing friend's wedding in Cornwall. Simon and Lucy have been coming out to the chalet in Chamonix for about 5 years now. We managed to drop off the van in Toulouse with Alison and Peter who have a house in Salau for a
- [A very social day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-very-social-day/) - Woke up in the clouds again and wondered if we ought to get in touch with Lee and give hime the option of postponing lunch. He is suposed to bring the family up to us for a BBQ but it is such a shame the sun wont be out. The day has developed a little
- [A quiet day at home](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-quiet-day-at-home/) - The morning was spent creating levels for the terrace between the building and the new front wall. Making sure that we had a slight slope on it and creating supports for a beam accross the middle. The supports are in the form of stone and mortar piers which have a length of studding (threaded bar)
- [A bit of everything](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-bit-of-everything/) - The alarm went off at 6:45 again but this time we got up. It feels like we are behind schedule, though to be honest we don't have a schedule; there is just too much to do in the time frame we have given ourselves. We both work better under pressure! Breezy headed off with the
- [34 mixes of mortar](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/34-mixes-of-mortar/) - Again the alarm went off at 0645 and again the kettle went on for my coffee (after the snooze button got hit a couple of times). Internet, then breakfast and then preparation for Clive getting here. Water containers filled, generator out & filled, power cables sorted, tarpauline removed etc etc. Just taken a moment to
- [Deck and tree](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/deck-and-tree/) - Pretty much teh same as the day before but in reverse. We did however finish the decking terrace out the front of the barn in the morning, Yippee, fizz tonight! Lovely salad lunch and then Breezy went up the tree with a saw again. As Breezy cut away branches I cut them up and burnt
- [Tree & Deck](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tree-deck/) - Autumn is definitely now with us. The sun hits the barn at just gone 10am. The leaves are all starting to change colour. Some trees are like orange beacons amongst the green. After the usual start to the day we kitted up and went round the back to the pine tree. Breezy nursed the fire
- [Three Fellas](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/three-fellas/) - Sunday is a day of rest everywhere except Breezy & Al's pad in the Pyrenees. Abnormal start to the day as we went 'shrooming first thing; without so much of a sip of coffee. Came back with a handful of ceps to go with the steak for supper. The whole barn seems to reek of
- [Bald tree](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bald-tree/) - Breezy was back up the tree first thing before the sun hit us. Once she reached the fork in the trunck near the to she came down and helped me clear up the debris and chuck it on the fire. After coffee and cake, it was my turn up the tree. After a bit of
- [10 days just fly by](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/10-days-just-fly-by/) - Ten days away from the barn. London for Fi's birthday; parents for a couple of nights; 2 nights in Paris and a wedding in Brittany.
- [Guests and more guests arrive](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/guests-and-more-guests-arrive/) - Having arrived back yesterday we had a load of catching up to do on the internet. And of course we still had to unload stuff from the van, clothes to dry having swept by the laundrette yesterday plus a lot of little things to sort out. Sauze and Patrick were due to arrive late afternoon
- [Catch up and BBQ](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/catch-up-and-bbq/) - A great day just chatting and catching up with our guests from Chamonix. We found time to go for a wander accross the valley in search of mushrooms but to no avail. A late salad lunch on the terrace and a BBQ in the evening. Bit of a shock opening the squid to find that
- [Boulot](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/boulot/) - After a short (comparatively) internet session we cleared part of the floorboards on the 1st floor ready to varnish. Earlier this year we only got so far before running out of varnish. Having been back to the UK, Crazy Ken did some shopping for us and we trundled around France for a week with 2
- [Yet more supplies](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/yet-more-supplies/) - An early start. In fact it was still dark when the alarm went off. Very quick instant coffee and fruit before heading down the valley and into St Girons. 1st stop was the builders merchant as we need more 100mm waste pipe. When we were walking the other week with Sauze & Patrick, Clive came
- [Lunch Guests](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lunch-guests-3/) - No hanging about today. Up early and a quick internet session to check for any urgent enquiries for the chalet this winter then preparation for Renee and Anouk coming for lunch. I had been through the blog entries for last year to find out what we fed them but could find nothing mentioning that they
- [Crackin' on](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/crackin-on/) - With just over a week or so left before we head back to Chamonix on route to the UK, there seems to be a bit of a spurt on to get things ticked on lists. Different people to see, jobs to do and internet stuff to get sorted. As per usual we booted up the
- [Tree day off](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tree-day-off/) - Almost a complete day of no chain saw use. We did manage to avoid cutting any trees down but not quite a chainsaw free day. Started in the usual fashion. I make coffee and pour Breezy a juice, fetch stuff for breakfast and boot up the satellite broadband. Up to a couple of hours work
- [Next sections to fell](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/next-sections-to-fell/) - Exactly the same start as yesterday. Once breakfast was out the way we got organised for the next sections of the tree to come down. Breezy got the garden organised and sorted for winter while I scaled the tree again. I shall be glad when I don't have to go up the tree again.Â
- [Scaffolding](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/scaffolding/) - We needed to be with Ian and Nina for 11am so started the day with a monster internet session to get on top of things. We were still late leaving once we got all the rubbish, water containers and recycling down to the van. Ian wanted a had to take the scaffolding down at his
- [Muck truck feeling better](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/muck-truck-feeling-better/) - A drizzly morning so I lit the fire. It is the time of year when the amount of sunlight, when it comes out, is limited. At the same time, one priority is to leave the batteries in the best condition we possibly can. Both at a time when our internet usage is at its most
- [Rain dodging](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rain-dodging/) - Another less than satisfactory day as far as solar charging goes. We seemed to spend most of the day dodging the showers to get some of the "outdoor list" ticked off. Bits of garden sorting; pulling out the beans and courgette plants for the compost. Pulling in bits of garden furniture etc. As the showers
- [Passing shots](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/passing-shots/) - The last day started as any other; coffee, internet, breakfast and a list. The sun finally made an appearance and what a lovely change that is. Batteries are charging both the barns and ours. The list is all the little things to do with shutting the place down for winter along with the logical order
- [3 day Road Trip to the Barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/3-day-road-trip-to-the-barn/) - We were very lucky and managed to snaffle lots of furniture for the barn from Chamonix for next to nothing. Only problem now was so much stuff no way was it going to fit in Vinnie so we had to come up with a plan.... Guests have all gone for the season in Cham so
- [Cracking Progress](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cracking-progress/) - A social start and end to the week. Alison popped up for coffee on Monday morning and then Monday lunchtime we were invited for an apero with Didier and Vero in the village. They bought a run down house on the outskirts of Salau and renovated it beautifully. Thin and long they have made a
- [Creative Pursuits](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/creative-pursuits/) - Since Breezys family left we have been on a bit of a detox. less wine and less food and some simple bits of DIY of a creative nature. We have been experimenting with chalk paint effects on the big dresserf and some bedside tables. Made a lampshade from a reject turned wooden bowl of Ian's.
- [Foraging Fun](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/foraging-fun/) - After our trip to Spain the fridge was bare so we headed into town after a chat with the Mayor who was on good form, a trip to the dechetterie to off load broken glass and rubbish. Food shop, hair cuts, a trip to a wholesale veg shop which was great and so much better
- [Social Week](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/social-week/) - So the last week has been lots of lovely social things going on but we did manage to get some tiling done at the beginning of the week. We had got some tiles for the hall way a few years back when traveling in Spain so it is good to start getting them on the
- [The Little Things](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-little-things/) - Another summer under our belts in the Pyrenees. This year has not seen the big dramatic changes of previous years, but it is the little things that make such a difference now. Water coming out of a tap upstairs inside the building. Not only that but it landing in a sink, flowing down the plug
- [More DIY](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-diy/) - Had a handful of days to get some things done before heading off to Chamonix for a wedding. We managed to get the whole of the area inside the fences around the buildings strimmed which is FAB. We seemed to have tools and materials strewn everywhere so that all got a general tidy up. We
- [Fun and Frolics for my Birthday and Mushrooms Galore with Sauze and Patrick](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fun-and-frolics-for-my-birthday-and-mushrooms-galore-with-sauze-and-patrick/) - Great friends from Chamonix Sauze and Patrick had decided to pop in and stay with us in the "naughty corner" for 4 nights and to celebrate my birthday. 27th, Sept - Al and I had a day of getting things sorted at the barn, lots of little jobs needed doing before the evening. Wood box
- [Bits and Bobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bits-and-bobs-2/) - So, as always a long list of things to do before our next guests arrived. One of the main thing we wanted to do was finish digging the drain out the back which took us about an hour on a lovely sunny day. After that we started to tidy up the fruit garden, pruning the
- [Shutdown](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shutdown/) - We can hardly believe that it is already time to pack up and head back to Cham and onto the UK again. The summer and the autumn have zoomed by. Last few days. We have been busy trying to tidy the place up both inside and outside before heading off. We had all the wood
- [Planting up the garden](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/planting-up-the-garden/) - Having driven down from Chamonix with a van full of stuff collected over the winter we opened up the barn to find very little animal activity over the winter. In fact all was pretty clean and tidy. The grass had grown and needed cutting but other than that it was all in pretty good condition.
- [Sri Lanka Adventures](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sri-lanka-adventures/) - Our month in Sri Lanka started with a night in Negombo as we arrived into Colombo airport late. From there we did a little tour staying 3-5 nights in different places taking in Kandy - Siguria - Trincomalee - Polonnaruwa - Arugum Bay - Ella and finally Galle. If you like curry the Sri Lanka
- [21st June-2nd July Welcome Back!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/21st-june-2nd-july-welcome-back/) - We have now been back at the barn for about 10 days and gradually getting on top of the jungle. We have been doing a lot of strimming of paths and all the areas inside the fencing, it just takes time. Anyway 2 more tanks and we should be done for the moment anyway. We
- [A weekend of little jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-weekend-of-little-jobs/) - Just a couple of pictures from the weekend before heading to Cornwall. When in Sri Lanka we had "egg hoppers" for breakfast. These are a sort of pancake basket made with coconut batter with an egg dropped in and then steamed. We found a pan for making them and so thought that we would treat
- [ROCKS!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rocks-2/) - So since Scotty's visit we have been doing lots of bits and pieces. One of the main jobs to get done before Cornwall is to get enough rocks for the wall we are planning to build with Clive on our return. Rene and Anouk said we can take the rocks that have been stacked outside
- [Scotty and Famille To Stay](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/scotty-and-famille-to-stay/) - Scotty, Andy and the gang all arrived on Sunday after lunch, in sweltering heat they walked up the piste to us. It was fabulous to see them and for them to make the effort to come and find us on their hols in the SW of France. Beaches to mountains. After a wander around the
- [Getting organised](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-organised/) - The variety of activities at the barn over the last few days has been great. One evening we had an amazing light show with an electrical storm over Spain lighting up the night sky. This was preceded by huge hail stones punching holes in the rhubarb and other veg. We got out for a walk
- [Trip to Chamonix](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/trip-to-chamonix/) - We had very kindly been invited to David and Asa's wedding who run a catered chalet at the top of the road from us so we decided to make a long weekend of it. Billy safely parked at Alison and Peter's again and we jumped on the tram to the airport which was so easy
- [Trio plus One](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/trio-plus-one/) - Wednesday and Fi, Paul and Debs are due to arrive mid afternoon. In preparation we have cut diced and sliced all that we need for a paella and a salad from the garden. Fi is picking up prawns and the fridge is stocked with wine and beer. All bed linen is sorted and the place
- [Tiling, Grouting, Fencing, Brambles, Mushrooms and Reminiscing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tiling-grouting-fencing-brambles-mushrooms-and-reminiscing/) - We have a few weeks until next guests arrive and in that time we also plan a week to explore the Spanish National Park Aiguilles Tortes so have been keeping an eye on a weather window to do that. Things to do before we get there were mainly tiling and grouting in the hallway and
- [Breese family weekend](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/breese-family-weekend/) - Friday evening and Breezy's Father, Brother and his two eldest kids arrived for the weekend. Iain has been out to visit several times and stayed at the barn with us on the last couple of trips. Charlie has also been out with Becks but it is the first time for Emily and George. So having
- [4 days with Lanester!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/4-days-with-lanester/) - A boiling hot day on Monday when we went to St G and to collect Laney. We had got a few chores done when we found out that Laney was on the wrong train and so we decided to go to Boussens and get her or it would have been 2.5 hours of her having
- [Sweet Chilli Chicken](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/back-country/sweet-chilli-chicken/) - A great marinated chicken for the BBQ. This is enough for about 4 people. Prepare the marinate with - A fresh chilli chopped 2 cloves of crushed garlic 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger 4 tbsp runny honey 2 tbsp soy sauce 4 tbsp lime juice We prepared the marinate to day before and marinated the
- [Jam making](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/jam-making/) - Tuesday, after the usual breakfast of fruit and nuts (and a litre of coffee for me) we set about picking the blackcurrants and gooseberries from the garden. Then it was the blackcurrants to be made into jam. Odd little jobs indoors while the jam got to setting point and a late salad lunch. Re-varnishing the
- [Running Repairs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/running-repairs/) - Time is just zooming by. We agreed before we got down to the barn that we would not be going hammer and tongs this year. We wanted to get the barn finished but not on a mission. Having said that we seem to be cracking on at our usual pace and not getting much chill
- [We're Back!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/were-back/) - A long day of travel. Ken kindly dropped us at East Midlands for our flight to Carcassone. Mark and Von who had very kindly looked after Billy for us for 7 weeks collected us at the other end and we landed to hot hot weather..... After cold drinks and chat with Mark and Von we
- [The last few days](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-last-few-days/) - Tuesday 30th June We have promised ourselves we will not go flat out this year and take things a little steadier..... Forecast is for a heatwave for the next 2 weeks so outdoor jobs need to be done early in the am before we over heat! Main jobs for the day were to start strimming
- [Early May stint at the Barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/early-may-stint-at-the-barn/) - So after packing up the chalet, loading up Billy (the newer VW van) with more stuff we headed south to the barn. Had a stopover on the way south to break the journey from Chamonix, which was great made things very easy. After not getting here at all last year we thought we had better
- [Anouk visits](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/anouk-visits/) - We have a stack of ballast left over from laying the concrete floor last year and we also have some sacks of cement which need using before they go rock hard over the winter. So most of the morning was put over to cleaning off the walls of the last little building at one end
- [Sauze & Kate arrive](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sauze-kate-arrive/) - We were up and out the door early as needed to get down the valley for the weekly stock up of food. Collected some sand, did the laundry, large food shop and then back and unloaded by midday hoorah!!!! Prawns in the sun for lunch and then we sorted out some food prep, collected brambles
- [Chilled Chatty Saturday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chilled-chatty-saturday/) - Having done some monster walks the last two days I could definitely feel it in my legs. Sauze, Kate and Breezy said that they felt similar. England were playing Scotland in the World Cup Rugby so after breakfast Sauze and Kate wandered off down the piste to see if they could catch the 2nd half
- [Gable window](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/gable-window/) - Last night we received and email from Hans sayings that he could make it over today to help us with the window in the gable end. We had planned to start building up the walls on the last little ruined building to use up the cement. Plans change. The alarm was set for 7am to
- [Window Finished](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/window-finished/) - Another blue sky day. We were up at 7am again as Ski Breezy stuff seems to be filling up and it is good to get all the Chamonix work sorted before we start the day. Good to have the fire going whilst we work though as it is fresh each morning before the sun hits
- [Donkeys Leave...](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/donkeys-leave/) - Another glorious day and after Ski Breezy bookings to deal with we set to with finishing off the 3rd wood shed at the back of the barn. We made short work of it and it was all chopped, covered and any small pieces put down in the lower wood shed for use when we get
- [Using up Leftovers](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/using-up-leftovers/) - After the usual morning start with internet bashing for the chalet in Chamonix we had a fruit breakfast with yogurt in order to deplete the fridge. Then straight on with mixing concrete to use up the cement leftover from laying the floor last year. It is already beyond its best but will do fine for
- [Rain & Food](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rain-food/) - Woke up this morning to that tinkling sound that water makes when it runs down a zinc downpipe. This could only mean one thing; that there is no need to get out of bed early. Indeed it had rained through the night, filled the water butts up once again, and is due to rain all
- [Pack Up and Away](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pack-up-and-away/) - It was still raining but not too heavily. Always takes a lot longer to pack up than we think. Solar panels, satellite dish and outdoor furniture all needs to be put inside the barn so that nobody walks off with it. Sky lights and windows needed covering up, outhouse needed cleaning, bags needed packing etc
- [Big Tidy](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/big-tidy/) - As we have a week of guests this week we set about a massive tidy up. I started with a broom while Breezy logged on to the internet and sorted out enquiries for the chalet in Chamonix. I had brushed down some of the walls yesterday when I had finished sanding but the floor upstairs
- [Stevie & Debs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stevie-debs/) - Started the day with breakfast in the sun outside the outhouse. Stevie & Debs just wanted a chilled out day at the barn and a play in the river. Before the sun got too hot I got Stevie to give a hand with three small jobs. First off was to get the log burner up
- [Frustration](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/frustration/) - 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
- [First Paint](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/first-paint/) - Torrential rain overnight. Don't think we shall have a problem with running out of rainwater capture this summer. No alarm this morning as we have been working hard every day for a while and fatigue is setting in. Leisurely breakfast with fruit, boiled egg and bread. Feels more like a Sunday than a Monday. Having
- [Barn Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/barn-day/) - A day at the barn pottering about and it was HOT!!! Another healthy breakfast before starting odd jobs about the place. Breezy and Laney set about repainting the decking while I found some suitable wood to make a frame for the relief map of the Pyrenees which Matt Rose gave us. The heat was relentless
- [Au revoir Laney....more heat](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/au-revoir-laney-more-heat/) - It was an early start as we wanted to go to the market before Laney jumped on the bus to head home. Up at 630am and it was a really hot wind blowing. Al and I got things sorted, washing up done, Vinnie loaded, internet, washed up from last night etc etc and then we
- [Sunday Breakfast](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday-breakfast/) - As we have fresh bacon in the fridge (courtesy of Laney) we just had to have a fry up. Although the sky was overcast it was still hot and humid. Not made time to work on the web while we had visitors so made up a couple of hours in the morning and gonna have
- [Kitchen Starts](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/kitchen-starts/) - Another hot day ahead of us so we prepped an area for the rocks which will come out of the wall before it got too hot. Just a few fence posts and tin as a quick fix for an easy place to where the window is going to be. It was then full steam ahead
- [More shutter making](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-shutter-making/) - Another sunny day up at the barn and making shutters for the new window is the main item on the agenda. Again old poplar for the outside and pine floorboards for the inside. By the end of the day we have a finished set of shutters with all the fittings; just
- [Colonial up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/colonial-up/) - Last nights chicken was great, definitely have that again. So: Butterfly two chicken breasts Mix together: desert spoon of olive oil 3 desert spoons of sheep's yoghurt (or Greek) 2 desert spoons of lime juice 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon few grinds of black pepper slap it all in a plastic zip lock bags and maul
- [Rain](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rain-2/) - Well after a glorious August with sunshine nearly every day a bit of a shock to have so much rain overnight but good for the garden and water butts are now full. A leisurely start 2 skype calls with Rodders and Scotty plus some internet Ski Breezy stuff and Al busy working on getting Clive's
- [Pointing starts again](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pointing-starts-again/) - After another internet session for Ski Breezy stuff I got a mix of lime mortar going for Breezy to start pointing up the last remaining wall around the new window. I then started to fettle the other wood burning stove to go on the top floor. It has a rather alarming gap in one of
- [Missing Piece](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/missing-piece/) - Another glorious day but the fire now goes on every morning to take the chill out of the place, no shortage of wood so not a worry about that. A little bit of internet, Ski Breezy work always on the go.... before starting work with fitting the wood burner. We managed to get the framework
- [More wood chopping](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-wood-chopping/) - Saturday morning and no alarm. Wall to wall blue sky and not too windy so after a short internet session we gathered tools and started coppicing. Worked all morning and then another hour after a late lunch. Now we are starting to see the impact as the area outside the entrance to the main barn
- [More stove fettling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-stove-fettling/) - Another morning with no alarm, I could get used to this. I think that we shall be back to the normal wake up calls on Monday though. We still have a long list of things we want to get done. Speedy breakfast and straight onto the computers again. Breezy took a booking and sorted out
- [Beating back the forest](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/beating-back-the-forest/) - Mornings have developed a set theme. First one up puts the kettle on so that I can get my fix of coffee. Then one of us gets stuff out of the fridge in the main barn for breakfast. Having the fridge has definitely transformed living in the mountains. Generally I light the wood burner and
- [Breezy's Birthday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/breezys-birthday-2/) - This is the first time since we have had the place in the Pyrenees that it has rained on Breezy's Birthday. Undeterred by the weather we prepared for a short hike up to Cirque d'Anglade to get some fresh air after breakfast. Charlie wanted to take us both out to lunch so we also took
- [Coppicing Bonanza](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/coppicing-bonanza/) - After enormous rain last night we were hoping that it would be blue skies but the weather gods not with us. Cloudy but dry so we had brekky in the warmth before having a massive Coppice attack with Charlie and Al wielding chain saws and Becs and I trying to keep up with getting rid
- [Catch up day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/catch-up-day/) - The alarm went off at 5.45am. Becks and Charlie had to be in the car at 6.15 to get to Carcassonne; and the car was at the end of the piste. Breezy refused to make them walk so we had to get up too. Once back from dropping them off and saying goodbye we went
- [Last day of work](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-day-of-work/) - Another blue sky day in the mountains. Autumn has arrived with vengeance as the mornings are crisp and the sun does not peek over the tops until late in the morning. Back to the normal routine of lighting the fire and putting the kettle on. Breakfast in there somewhere and finish up with a bout
- [Barn shut down day 1](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/barn-shut-down-day-1/) - Two full days to go before the doors are locked and we set off driving to Chamonix. As per normal we have a comprehensive list of "things to do". Everything from turning off the water to putting Walter (the wheelbarrow) away. There are a number of things that can't be done until the last minute
- [New Wall indoors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/new-wall-indoors/) - It would appear that this is the year for wall building. As the weather was not so good we decided to crack on with the internal walls downstairs. This time it is the wall dividing the pantry and the second bedroom. Started with cutting down an old kitchen cupboard carcas to fit into the ceiling
- [Catch Up Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/catch-up-day-2/) - Final brekky with Sauze and Patrick before they headed back up north. Twas really FAB to see them both, great company, brilliant tree choppers and even better to have an explore too. Thanks for coming to see us mucho appreciated. We then got turned about with lots of bits and pieces. I tackled some internet
- [Left Chamonix](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/left-chamonix/) - After a morning of sorting the apartment and paying bills in Chamonix, we headed south around midday. We were planning to stay with John another Chamonix connection who has a place just off the autoroute near Bezier so we thought it would be a good plan to stip en route and break the journey. A
- [OLD Door New Door](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/old-door-new-door/) - Another glorious day weather wise, so we set to with the door we had reclaimed from the skip to make it fit the outbuilding, a lot easier than building a door from scratch. We now have quite a reasonable door just a bit of tweaking to do to get it to fit 100%. We also
- [Picnic Invite & Roast Chicken](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/picnic-invite-roast-chicken/) - The day started overcast so Breezy and I set to filling the last of the large gaps in the walls of the outhouse with stones. The theory being that we have loads of stones and we have to pay for lime, cement and sand. True Yorkshire! Then to playing with lime mortar, slow to
- [Window frames](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/window-frames/) - A very windy night and disturbed sleep as doors blew open, sheets of iron flew about and cardboard flew about the inside of the building. Scrambled egg on toast is such a great way to start the day. We used some of the wood we had to make window frames in the outbuilding thinking
- [2000 litres of water storage](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/2000-litres-of-water-storage/) - Arrival and cleaning of Water Storage Containers No wind to disturb us overnight and sunshine to bring in the new day. We started with sawing up some wood near the bridge and then dug out a load of saplings which were threatening to turn the meadow into forest. All of a sudden you start to
- [Mayor's help and home smoked duck](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mayors-help-and-home-smoked-duck/) - A glorious lie in until 9 thirty; muggy weather but dry. Felt like we had to break the back of the pointing up walls in the outhouse so got straight onto it (after my morning coffee). Henri (le mayor) arrived as we were just mixing our second batch of goo. He saw the water
- [Table search](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/table-search/) - Bit of a shock to wake to the alarm but we knew we had a busy day ahead in the bright lights of St Girons. Good day to go to town as it was heavy drizzle all day. We collected some more cement from La Forgue before heading to the Tourist Office to find out
- [Table making](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/table-making/) - A hot day which clouded over later and we had a small storm which cleared the air. The morning was spent; guess what? Pointing up joints in walls. After a couple of mixes we finished the second wall (fortunately out of four) and it now feels like we will get it done. After a
- [Another all day lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-all-day-lunch/) - As we were invited to lunch at Alison and Peter’s we decided to potter about for a couple of hours in the morning. Fairly bright with a few clouds and odd showers. Had a bit of a sort out of kitchen stuff and food. Graded the last of the slate from the back of the
- [Walking and coppicing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/walking-and-coppicing/) -            After breakfast Stevie went off exploring for a couple of hours while Breezy and I set about a bit of coppicing. Having been surrounded by chainsaw contractors for the last couple of weeks we realised that if we don’t do some maintenance on our land then the forest will
- [Exploring](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/exploring/) - Â Drizzle in the morning gave way to patchy cloud and sun so the three of us set off to explore up the Mai Valley opposite the barn with the intention to get a route through to where Stevie explored the previous morning on the track up to Mont Rouche. A steep climb up through
- [Concrete those walls](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/concrete-those-walls/) - Today is the day we cap the walls. A double ring of steel reinforcement runs around all the walls in a trough created by building up the walls on the facing sides. Clive is on the cement mixer creating concrete which is bucketed all around the walls to a depth of 10-15cm. Murray is learning
- [Emergency shop](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/emergency-shop/) - Breezy took a trip into St Girons for 6cm nails required for the large slates. 40 mins each way just to buy nails. Should have sorted that in advance. First emergency run of the month. We did get some other stuff at the same time but the nails were the initiator. Today the scrubbing of
- [Work & Rugby](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/work-rugby/) - 10am start with Clive, Murray, Breezy and me. Breezy graded slate and cleaned them up for Clive to attach to the roof. Clive also sorted out the gutters and felt so that we could crack on Monday morning. Murray and I went on slate finding missions. Clive kindly donated his personal stash to our roof.
- [Repose](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/repose/) - A day of repose. A lie in and then phoned my folks in St Girons to arrange a rendezvous before they left for the airport. Took them to a flea market. Breezy survived it, having kept me away from junkyards for the last five years. We did find four large old hand made nails to
- [Slate Slate Slate](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/slate-slate-slate/) - A very Productive day. Hans and Clive worked together slating the front roof and fitting Chatiers (air vents) to the annex. By the end of the day half the front is done! Two more good weather days should see it finished. Having the scare of not having enough slate to do the front a few
- [Les Flicks](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/les-flicks/) - Started with a lie in. Yippee. It is what we both needed, Breezy more than Al though!!! Another glorious morning, blue skies and a real frost, my favourite time of year. We headed up to the barn around 11.30am just before the sun got on it and had a productive yet relatively easy day with
- [Penultimate day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/penultimate-day/) - Had a fab day as far as the roof went. All done on the back bar a few slates in the middle of the apex. Breezy had a fire going all day and got shot of a load of the old roof woodwork. It was baltic this morning so the fire was a good warm
- [Wrap up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wrap-up/) - On the Tuesday we completed the back of the roof at just gone one o'clock. There was a big cheer as the last piece of the ridge was nailed on. Unfortunately, Murray was in the UK but Giselle came up for lunch so between the five of us we consumed 3 bottles of champagne and
- [Wine and fois gras](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wine-and-fois-gras/) - A leisurely start with sunshine. Restarted the fir and loaded up the mixer to return to Annie’s place. En route we called by the skip and scavenged some underground conduit which will prove useful later (a habit I get from my parents, Breezy is slowly getting the hang of it). Then on the way through
- [Pizza night at Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pizza-night-at-salau/) - Catering tonight for Annie, Peter and Alison and pizza is on the menu so put a mix in the bread machine before we left the gite destined for the grange. Another day of fettling walls. Having got the framework for the roof in place the walls need building up to meet it before we can
- [Christmas News](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/christmas-news/) - Merry Christmas, New ideas, new contacts
- [VISITORS](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/visitors/) - Thanks Monti Bianco (Debs) Â you beast for getting me into gear on this front! We have had lots of interest from family and buddies some who are very keen to come and visit, lend a hand, sample the local wine, eat the yummy cheeses, wander in the mountains, or just to get away and see
- [May Time](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/may-time/) - So here’s the latest. We have decided to follow the Mediterranean style of building the Bergerie upside-down, with sleeping space on the ground floor and living / eating space on the first floor. In theory this means that we can use the natural light from the largest window and any skylights we put in during
- [March Update](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/march-update/) - We have managed to get the apartment we were looking at. There is a sofa bed and another single bed as well as our room so plenty of space for visitors. Gradually managing to get tools from the UK to Chamonix via friends who are driving our way which has been very helpful. Thanks to
- [Dust and Hay](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dust-and-hay/) - Rather a dismal day today but ideal for inside clearance. Looking at the main part all seemed a tad scary and daunting, to me anyway! Â Concern being that the whole roof would fall down if we touched the vital beams. Eek! Climbing hats went on, very good idea. We decided to clear a pathway
- [Debs Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/debs-day/) - Hi, Debs/Monti Bianco here, well not only have they got me lugging piles of antique cow manure they now have me writing their blog for them!!Well actually Breezy thought she’d just give you a rest from her babble so you can have mine instead!! W e all awoke to a howling wind breezing through the
- [Market & more slate](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/market-more-slate/) - 26th May Market Day….off we headed to St Girons in the rain. We had a few things to buy, mainly cement as we had run out for completion of the bridge hopefully tomorrow. Can’t seem to get the chainsaw looked at so may have to take it back to Chamonix and try and get someone
- [Planting and Depart](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/planting-and-depart/) - Today is a day of sorting and cleaning in preparation for an early departure for Chamonix in the morning. Yesterday we went exploring out of the valley and discovered a climbing area at Massat. On route back we had time to call in with Hans and his wife Marion above Oust. Hans is going to
- [Sunday Preparation](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday-preparation/) - So… it was a Sunday morning and so we did not set an alarm. Add the fact that we had early beers last night and then some gin while cooking, and lastly some wine over scrabble. Needless to say Breezy won. Life is generally easier that way. Back to the plot; set off about ten
- [Accounts](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/accounts/) - An early start for a trip to St G. A quick brekky and then we met Henri on the way down, plus all the donkeys from the otherside of the piste are now on the piste so think we will be seeing Olivier later. It was raining in St G and sunny up in the
- [Sheep Stampede!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sheep-stampede/) - Well it was a disturbed night sleep. We had planned for an early night so tucked up in bed by10pm. By 11pm the sheep bells were getting closer and louder. I had a quick look outside with the torch and a couple of hundred sheep had got loose and were all over our land, trashing
- [Charlie & Becks arrive](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/charlie-becks-arrive/) - Charlie & Becks were due for about lunchtime so the morning was taken up with odd jobs and preparation. I shifted the sand left over from the window openings round the back of the barn with the Mucktruck; bringing back logs to fill up the log store outside the outbuilding. Once the sand was clear
- [Reflections](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/reflections/) - 4am was a very rude awakening but it was a beautiful starry night when we headed back to Cham both of us very sad to be going, just seems a tad too soon this year.....but I guess best that way rather than having had enough! The 3 months this time seems to have gone faster
- [Restock](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/restock/) - It's rained and the water butts are full again. I guess that they were down to about a quarter full or less. Overnight we have caught about 1,500 litres and that is only off 25% of the roof. So we don't have to go get river water for the mortar mixing. Unfortunately the rain is
- [Prepare to climb](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/prepare-to-climb/) - We have been wanting to climb the ridge between Mt Rouche and Cap Ruhos for over a year. Decision made to go on Wednesday afternon up to the Cabane below the sumit of Mt Rouche. Today is all about prepartion both in terms of kit, and food, but also some of those little jobs to
- [Cep City](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/cep-city/) - The usual start to the day. Kettle goes on Snuggle in bed Kettle whistles Get up & make coffee Internet goes on Blogging & Ski Breezy emails and web stuff Breakfast Work started with fitting the next chevron (beam) into place for the deck behind the new wall out the front of the barn. Building
- [Rainy Day....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rainy-day/) - Although the forecast was OK for the day, it was wrong after internet and cake baking it rained on and off all day.....so inside work it was. Donkeys have decided they prefer this side of the the fence to the other so Al fettled some fencing around the veggies and fruit bushes so they don't
- [DIY Birthday....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/diy-birthday/) - September has been glorious and then only day it decides to rain is my birthday so our walk was not to be this year. So after a leisurely am with pressie and card opening we tackled the porch. Main thing was to get the ceiling in to the porch area. So used up any insulation
- [Peter & Alison](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/peter-alison/) - The social theme continues as Peter and Alison are coming to lunch with Alison's parents. Another mad morning of making salads, dressings and marinating chicken for the BBQ. Great marinate by the way. Ginger Soy chicken Can use chicken breasts slashed or chicken legs/thighs scissored. A great way to do it is putting everything in
- [More wood, more sun, more porch building!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-wood-more-sun-more-porch-building/) - Another glorious day here in paradise. September has just been stunning and has made working so much more enjoyable not having to think about what the weather is going to do. A session on the old internet and breakfast. We had run out of water so I headed to the village for a quick fill
- [Porch 2 Begins](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/porch-2-begins/) - Woke up to another blue sky day ahead of us. A stint on the computers catching up as always a few more bookings taken for Ski Breezy always a good start to the day! It was then back to the tree felling so we are gradually filling up another wood store for future use and
- [Trees are a Coming down....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/trees-are-a-coming-down/) - A leisurely start to the day, breakfast, lots of tea and coffee before we started with some very happy helpers to do some log chopping and tree felling. Many hands make light work that is for sure. A whole new section of the log store is now full of logs chopped and ready to season
- [Add to the frame](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/add-to-the-frame/) - Started the day the same as yesterday. And tehn we cracked on with the frame for the terrace. Having sorted out the levels and prepared the backfill for the first section it was just a case of fitting beams and cementing in the ends nearest the barn front wall. Progress was swift once we developed
- [The barn smells of mushrooms](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/the-barn-smells-of-mushrooms/) - Got up, had breakfast and out the door down the valley shopping. Picked up the missing 18cm nails on the way to the laundry. Machine laoded and started gave us half an hour to get some garlic and salami from the market. St Girons market is lovely at 9am in the morning. Just a few
- [Monday shopping](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/monday-shopping/) - The summer is gradually drawing to an end. There is one single tree on the other side of the piste and the colours are definitely turning. When the alarm geos off in the morning (not often set) the sun is not already beaming in the windows as it has not yet made it over the
- [Sore legs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/sore-legs/) - No alarm. Breezy is walking down stairs backwards and I have to hold onto the wall to do down the bathroom steps. Maybe we overdid the walking yesterday? Pottered about the place most of the day avoiding stairs and slopes. Not an easy feat considering our location. No regrets though.
- [Piss pot development](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/piss-pot-development/) - Still overcast and no sign of the sun. Had breakfast after a bout of internet sorting out emails enquiries for the chalet in Chamonix. When we lived in the little outbuilding we used a "bucket and chuck it" system. So if you needed a wee during the night you descended the ladder and pissed in
- [Home fires burning](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/home-fires-burning/) - When we woke up you could not see the van from the barn as we were immersed in a bank of cloud. It was not exactly raining but the air was so laden with moisture you see it getting blown about in waves like pollen in the summer. Very early the decision was made to
- [Long Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/long-lunch/) - Started the day preparing food and spent most of the day eating it. Blue skies and sun for a BBQ lunch on the terrace with Clive, Giselle and the kids. Nachos & salsa, toasted pittas and peanut dip, pork spare ribs in a caremelised BBQ sauce, sweet chilli chicken thighs, chipolatas, green salad from the
- [Electrical Storm has Scared away the Mouse!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/electrical-storm-has-scared-away-the-mouse/) - An amazing electrical storm last night which went on for ages and we could watch it from our bed until we fell asleep. Think it has scared the mouse away which has sneakily found its way into the roof. Al has popped some magic blue pills up through the down lighters and we hope that
- [Catch up and chill](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/catch-up-and-chill/) - It seems like we have been on the go for a couple of weeks now. Early mornings with a stint outdoors in the cool before breakfast once the sune hits. Then a list of jobs during the day or feeding Clive rocks and mortar. Finish late, shower, food, internet and bed. We have not made
- [New guest](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/new-guest/) - Now this has happened a couple of times now and it is slightly alarming. At 0630 we both woke up to the sound of tiny feet on the insulation in the roof. We think that there is only one animal but it either has to go or start wearing slippers indoors. Considering that we went
- [Clear up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/clear-up/) - Having topped off the wall yesterday all that remains is to point up the top surface between the stones and clear up. In no particular order: Shift the remaining sand up to behind the last ruin Shift the remaining huge boulders down to the front terrace Take down the scaffolding and pack it into Clives
- [The end of the WALL!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/the-end-of-the-wall/) - Yipee! Actually managed to get a lie in until 0730 as we are nearing the end of the wall and there is little preparation to do before Clive turns up. Less than 2 foot of wall to go but going is much slower as the steel reinforcement goes in and the stones are selected carefully.
- [More wall](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/more-wall-2/) - Monday morning and the alarm went off at 0645 again. Now eagerly anticipating the end of walling. Morning of walling in the sun with Clive while Breezy made a cake and some rhubarb chutney. Over lunch I sorted out the 3 waste pipes to get burried under the terrace between the building and the new
- [BBQ Marinaded Sword Fish](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/bbq-marinaded-sword-fish/) - This is a recipe I snaffled off Anne Swan (great friends of Mum and Dad's) and a superb cook. It is really delicious. Make sure you use chunky swordfish steaks. We had lots of fresh herbs from the garden so it was truly scrummy and we will be doing again for sure. Marinade 3 tbsp
- [More Wall](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-wall/) - Another glorious day. Al and I got everything prepared before Clive arrived and then it was full steam ahead again.....wall seemed to go up pretty quickly and the afternoon was put aside for back filling. More supplies brought up at lunch time before a lovely salad lunch on the terrace. Clive returned after lunch with
- [Visitors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/visitors-2/) - A slow morning for me, struggling to move and pain levels fairly high. Sun came out mid morning so I finally got going and Al pottered on again with prep work for Monday and knocking a work proposal out the door as well. I managed to varnish an old crate for another log box to
- [Another Shop Day!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-shop-day/) - Leisurely start before heading down the valley to do the usual DIY run, laundry and food shop. Al managed to get hold of his parents and Andy for a good catch up so that was good and we also had time for a coffee while the washing was on. Quick fill up of fuel and
- [ROCKS!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rocks/) - Another early start, sand up the hill, water containers and butts filled, tarp off wall, equipment all out, scaff unloaded and then brekky at 8am. Quick internet and start all over again! Another hot day. We got the scaff up to make life easier for Clive. We got rid of the big shoot and now
- [Leeks A La Greque](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/leeks-a-la-greque/) - John and Shirley gave me a lovely cook book last year "The Contented Cook" and I found this recipe in it. We both loved it, very simple and went perfectly with all our home grown veg and the lamb chops we had for dinner. Leeks cut into 5 inch lengths and steamed. Make a dressing
- [Wall Begins](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wall-begins/) - Another hot day. Clive arrived just after 9am and the boys set too. Mainly digging digging and more digging to get down to hard rock where they could dig a trench for the foundation. Sadly me back still not great and digging is the worst thing for it so I cracked on with sanding the
- [Shopping Day...Traffic Traffic Traffic](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shopping-day-traffic-traffic-traffic/) - Shopping day today as we will be full on next week with wall building. We dropped some of the floorboards back at Le Forgue and got a credit note for that so that saved a few pennies! Dad rang and so did J&S so we had catch ups all around before Al dropped me in
- [Rhubarb and Almond Cake](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/rhubarb-and-almond-cake/) - This is dairy and wheat free so I had to give it a whirl and result was FAB. Al loved it. 200g rhubarb 140g sugar zest and juice of half an orange 165g powdered almonds 4 eggs 25g flaked almonds Purée the rhubarb with 2 tbsp water, orange zest and juice and 2 tbsp of
- [Lovely BBQ](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lovely-bbq/) - Internet before brekky and then after that we attacked moving the internet up to the main barn in a few stages....take out all kit from down in out building, take dish down and re mount up on the main barn wall. Point the thing in which is always a fiddle and requires patience, consequently a
- [Visit from Daniella](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/visit-from-daniella/) - Another glorious day. After yesterday we were both quite tired last night so opted against the alarm wake up this morning but low and behold 630am wide awake!!! We did a couple of hours internet for Ski Breezy again before brekky and then into the veggie patch before too hot. The strong winds we have
- [Proper Sunday of being](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/proper-sunday/) - A lie in! I know it doesn't sound much but it is great when you get one. If we are not careful then work can take over as there will always be so much to do here that we will end up doing all the time. Breezy baked a cake while I did some work
- [Shops & Food](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/shops-food/) - We did not change the alarm and after a quick breakfast headed off down the valley with trailer, rubbish, recycling and an old sink to drop at the déchet (Council tip). Yup, it's not a typo, we actually had something to throw away. The article in question was part of the kitchen we salvaged from
- [Mountain Biking Bouriex](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mountain-biking-bouriex/) - After being here 5 years I think. We have not yet managed to get out and about on our bikes and it has been on our agenda for a while. Anouk had kindly taken the time to print out some of her recces for us so we had a few to choose from. We did
- [Varnishing, Electrics and Another Raised Bed](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/varnishing-electrics-and-another-raised-bed/) - A couple of hours before brekky of shifting rocks and wall prep before it got too hot, seems to be making progress albeit it slowly. One of the things that Ken mentioned when he was here that he thought the floors upstairs could do with another varnish. So we took his advice and spent
- [Second Bedroom Floor Down](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/second-bedroom-floor-down/) - We have decided with this heat the way forward is a couple of hours work before breakfast and the sun hits so alarm goes at 645am and we start at 7am. This morning the strimmer decided to work so I set to, to finish the large patch of bracken and then we only have a
- [Tuesday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/tuesday/) - For some reason we set an alarm for 6:45. It went off and we ignored it. I stirred later and set off with the strimmer to clear the area infront of the barn where we have to build the retaining wall. Breezy followed shortly after and sorted the shower bags, laundry and breakfast. Yesterday was
- [Montenvers Wedding](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/montenvers-wedding/) - The weekend was fantastic! Flew up to Geneva from Toulouse and stayed in Keith & Lynn's garage. Caught up with friends and were privileged enough to be invited to Brian & Elaine's wedding at Montenvers overlooking the Mer de Glace. Socialising continued all weekend until we flew back on the Monday. Shopped and picked fruit
- [Seix](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/seix/) - This morning we gave Ken a choice of walking up high in the mountains or walking in the foothills around Seix. The fact that Seix has a number of bars swung the vote and so we headed off with a packed lunch. Parked up by the Rafting centre on the Salat and joined the GR10
- [BBQ at the barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/bbq-at-the-barn/) - Not so favourable weather today for walking up high in the mountains so the decision was made to have a chilled day at the barn and try and get a BBQ lunch in before the storms. Breezy & Ken headed off down to the village to collect water and to print out some documents at
- [Collecting Ken](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/collecting-ken/) - An early start this morning to get off to Carcassonne to collect Ken from the airport. Not as early as Ken had to get up to get the flight out here from the UK though. Fairly uneventful drive over to find ken sat on his rucksack on the pavement. Stopped in Fanjeaux on the way
- [July 14th](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/july-14th/) - The French celebrations once again warrant our support, and this time we have volunteered Ken's services as well. Once again our local community are celebrating the day with a lunch at the Auberge in Salau and Renee & Anouk have asked us to help serve. After a fantastic fruit breakfast we took the van down
- [Doors in](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/doors-in/) - Another glorious sunny morning. This time it was my turn to pick up the strimmer. We did our internet stint and had breakfast before I swapped the strimmer head for a brushcutter and set off to tackle the bracken. We have an annual bracken beating competition as part of trying to preserve the meadow land.
- [Last bedroom wall](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/last-bedroom-wall/) - Breezy started off by grabbing the strimmer before breakfast and heading out into the field while I made a coffee and switched on the internet to catch up on some work. After the usual fruit breakfast we set about the front wall of the first bedroom. After lots of measuring, marking, sawing and screwing we
- [Iain on the bus](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/iain-on-the-bus/) - An early start to get Iain a packed lunch and on the bus in St. Girons for 0820. We took the trailer down with us to St Girons where we had a coffee and croissant before putting Iain on the bus. He has a train from Toulouse up to La Rochelle where he has a
- [Lunch out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/lunch-out/) - Wall to wall sunshine again. Last night however was a different story. During the evening the clouds built up and thunder and lightning started. And although it did not actually rain with us at the barn; the river suddenly went brown and swelled to such an extent that I have never seen before. The waterfall
- [Dad Arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dad-arrives-2/) - Early start as our plans had to change a bit for pick up since St Girons is closed due to the Tour de France being in town. So I left to go and collect Dad from Foix over a few passes and very narrow lanes twice as long as usual but very scenic! Al stayed
- [Saturday sort](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/saturday-sort/) - Breezy got out the door early with the strimmer before I had finished working on the website for the chalet in Chamonix. Breezy's Father arrives tomorrow so we have a list of "must dos" for the day and a list of "nice tos". The must dos are mainly cleaning but first we should take the
- [Back to the barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/back-to-the-barn/) - We woke up early in the tent as the sun hit us. All the crew and performers were still asleep in their vans when we left the site at 8am to head back to the barn. Managed to get to St Girons before noon to pick up some water containers and get the washing into
- [More wall work](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/more-wall-work/) - After the usual session of internet bashing Breezy set about a couple of small walls to block in the stairs. Again using some of the wood salvaged from Chamonix and some creative cutting and fixing we are making progress on the bedroom. This bedroom will have access to the area under the stairs as a
- [Skim & Electrics](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/skim-electrics/) - Having put plasterboard up yesterday the bedroom feels like it is rapidly taking shape. The best part of the day was spent doing all the little things that don't really show any advancement. Breezy set to with a spreader and filler going over all the joints and screw heads while I put up some lighting
- [Bits and Pieces.](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/bits-and-pieces-2/) - Al had offered to go and help Clive shift a very heavy stone table at Jean Claude's who is our neighbour 800m down the piste so while he got block and tackle and hoisted things around I did the final bit of strimming down the hill to Vinnie so we now have pathways strimmed, terraces
- [Stuff to do with a jigsaw](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/stuff-to-do-with-a-jigsaw/) - At the bar yesterday we picked up the post which included the conversion kit we need to change the new cooker to LPG. We have to do that before we can connect it to a bottle and set it in place in the kitchen, so that was the first job of the day. As its
- [Plasterboarding](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/plasterboarding/) - Another glorious day, summer has arrived so it feels. Up early as it was the weekly shop to St Girons and as usual a long list of things to get done whilst in town. A quick brekky and off we trundled. We had supplies at Le Forgue to collect, washing to throw in the machine,
- [Easy Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/easy-sunday-2/) - There is something nice about not having to get out of bed in the morning. I know that any pressure to get out of bed is entirely self inflicted but it is nice all the same. A leisurely breakfast and then I finished off the mirror for the porch (another jigsaw job). Finishing touch for
- [Lots of jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/lots-of-jobs/) - Every day starts with a list. Some lists are long and others only have a single thing on them. If, that is, a single item written on a sheet of paper can be called a list. Today's list has loads of things on it which means that there is lots of variety. Started with a
- [Sunshine Hoorah We Love it!!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/sunshine-hoorah-we-love-it/) - Well the weather seems to have finally changed for the better and it is amazing how motivation increases rapidly with the sun shining all day long. We are getting lots of odds and ends done and varying the jobs to make things less monotonous and it seems to be working. I had another bout of
- [Solar top up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/solar-top-up/) - The sun shone through the window early again today. Sunny all day with a cool wind. Breakfast outside for the first time in ages. Strimmer started first time so Breezy cut swathes away while I got on with wiring as the plasterboard was not dry enough to sand off. Before lunch we cut some poles
- [Supplies](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/supplies-2/) - The alarm went off at 7 and no internet session. Breakfast and head down the valley. Clothes in the laundrette then Breezy headed off to get her hair cut. I went to the hardware shop to get the bits we need for the new cooker then put the roofrack on the van. Both off to
- [Sopping Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/sopping-sunday/) - Someone installed a false ceiling in the valley today as the cloud level seamed to be merely metres above our heads. Some indoor work was called for so we set about the fiddly job of cutting plasterboard to fit around the chimneys. This was made easier by the fact that Breezy had made some cardboard
- [Sun makes an appearance](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/sun-makes-an-appearance/) - Saturday and the low cloud gradually burnt off to reveal the mountains. By the time we had finished working on the web sun was streaming in through the door so we let the fire go out. The appearance of the sun means that we can tackle some of the outdoor jobs on the list. The
- [Promising start](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/promising-start/) - Woke up this morning to the sunshine streaming in through the front window at 7.30am. All looked promising for getting chimneys in on the main barn. By 9am, after catching up on emails and blogging etc half the sky was covered with a layer of cloud. First job after internet was to collect our new
- [Tidy up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tidy-up/) - Once again we opened the door to our little abode to see water falling from the sky. The Mayor has assured us that the sun is on it's way though it has not yet made an appearance in Salau. We are gonna escape to Spain for a few days climbing and exploring so today is
- [Porch finished](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/porch-finished/) - For some reason I thought it was still Friday. Breezy has been busy over breakfast making a list of things that need to be "shut down" for when we head off on Monday and I though that it was a little premature. I was thinking that we had we were short of a little food
- [Porch Progress](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/porch-progress/) - Call it a porch or an entry or whatever, but the glass partition around the end door is definitely taking shape. Got onto it straight after internet in the morning by using 4 bits of offcut plasterboard and painting them a bright colour. Then adding more wood to the frame to fill the gap above
- [Glazed entry](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/glazed-entry/) - It is becoming predictable now; it's raining again. I am so glad that we got the deck done outside the little cabin that serves as home. Without it we would have such a mud bath just out the door that pigs would love. So indoor work it is then. Having started putting a stud wall
- [Supplies](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/supplies/) - Last night we went though a plan of what we want to get done before our road trip and what is feasible. La Forgue in St Girons have our chimney pieces in and I desperately want to get them before we go. If there is a problem I really don't want the French holidays to
- [Floorboard frenzy](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/floorboard-frenzy/) - Laying of parquet flooring is the order of the day. Having started yesterday; today we got across the room and under the stairs. That is over half way. Unfortunately to continue would mean moving everything that is currently stacked in the pantry area onto the floor we have just laid in order to lay some
- [Let the floor commence!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/let-the-floor-commence/) - Woke up to the sun shining again but forecast was to change in the pm so we decided to do some small outdoor jobs before the rain arrived. We swept down all the terraces from saw dust and then I gave the new terrace sawn ends a colour to match the brown wood rather than
- [Sunshine Hoorah](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunshine-hoorah/) - At last the sun has shone itself and we knew at 745am as it shone through our tiny window. Breakfast on our new terrace which was lovely. There had been a hevay frost overnight but in the sun it was warm. It has, however killed the courgette and cucumber plants hey ho. Well we were
- [Memorable weather - NOT](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/memorable-weather-not/) - As the weather was much the same we spent the first part of the day on the internet sorting out emails for Ski Breezy and web site stuff for Chamonix in the winter. At about 11 o'clock Peter turned up from the village for a visit. Having jumped up and down on the new deck
- [Change in the weather](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/change-in-the-weather/) - The alarm went at 7am today as shopping down the valley was on the agenda. The big surprise was that it was snowing outside. Not settling outside the door but all the trees only 100m above us had a fresh dusting of the white stuff. Undeterred we set off after breakfast with list in hand.
- [New terrace](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/new-terrace/) - Not that we have had the weather to use it but the terrace immediately outside the outbuilding is somewhat lacking in grass. In wet weather it turns to mud. The moles continually dig it up leaving piles of soil on it and the legs of chairs and tables frequently disappear into the unseen tunnels spilling
- [Running out of odd jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/running-out-of-odd-jobs/) - As we are awaiting a weather window to go on a road trip to Spain we have not got our teeth into any large projects. Partly out of lack of materials but also the large projects are on the ground floor and to start them would mean clearing the space (moving everything) until the job
- [Solar day ... or not](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/solar-day-or-not/) - Sun shone through the front window of the outhouse this morning and we were optimistic enough to fill the solar shower bag with water. Breakfast included stewed rhubarb from the garden; our first home grown produce of the year (if you exclude the mint in yesterdays soup). Outdoor chores while the weather permits included chainsawing
- [Damp](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/damp/) - So, another damp overcast day in the mountains. The healthy streak continues with a fruit breakfast. Definitely indoor work for the day so we started by emptying more boxes of books, fabrics and table cloths. Then onto cutting down some roofing slats for the indoor dryer. Charlie and Becks bought us the cast iron ends
- [Curtains and a Coffee Table](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/curtains-and-a-coffee-table/) - It was dry first thing we finished the final bit of weeding in the veggie patch just in time before the mizzle arrived. Picked some rhubarb and got that cooking on the wood burning stove which is on all day. Plenty of indoor jobs to do though so not too fussed. Scotty had very kindly
- [Organisation and Paella night in the Village](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/organisation-and-paella-night-in-the-village/) - We were not in a major rush to get up as both quite tired. After very healthy brekkys of lots of fruit and yoghurt we came up with a plan of attack to get everything up and running by lunchtime. Long list, in short toilet compost shifted to flower beds so toilet is now ready
- [Arrival, Unloading and Departure Again.](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/summer-2013/arrival-unloading-and-departure-again/) - After handing back the chalet to Michel Burnet in Chamonix we trundled off heavily ladened with Vinnie full to the brim and the trailer we had borrowed from David and Orsa at the top of the road also full with patio doors, frames, furniture etc etc. We made good time 10 hours later and we
- [Arrival](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/arrival-2/) - An early start from the hotel for our flights and spent all the time until we got on the plane in queues, Al did not even get a chance for a coffee. Arrived to sunshine in Toulouse and jumped a taxi to Alison and Peter's where Vinnie was. We then planned to try and find
- [Barn shut down day 2](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/barn-shut-down-day-2/) - Now the list is shorter as is the amount of time we have to complete it. I fancied going for a short walk once everything was ticked off, alas it was not to be. We had arranged to go down to the village at about half five to see Clive and to say goodbye to
- [Stove up and pictures mounted](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stove-up-and-pictures-mounted/) - The day started as per yesterday but with the addition of rain. We did not get the washing up done from last night and, as the washing up table is outside, we have added the breakfast things to the pile. Chores started with shifting the big cast iron fire plate up stairs with the assistance
- [Coppicing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/coppicing/) - The sun hit us about 10:45 while we were still on the internet in our little cabin. I was still catching up on the blog while Breezy was sorting email enquiries for the winter at Ski Breezy. We had got up early and had a fried breakfast with a huge Parasol mushroom and eggs. Top
- [Finished Light fitting](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/finished-light-fitting/) - Today we have finished the light fitting made from the walnut Ian gave us. We found out that Ian was given the walnut that was in a barn when he bought his new house at Seix in exchange for him doing some architectural drawings for the vendor. As there was a whole tree planked in
- [Ticks off the list](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ticks-off-the-list/) - Saturday morning and only a few small wispy clouds in the sky. Quick breakfast of fruit and yoghurt then straight on to the web for the usual hour and a half of sorting Ski Breezy emails out and the website for the winter. It is definitely autumn now and the mornings are cold so we
- [A very productive day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-very-productive-day/) - Iain got a cup of tea in bed after a sound nights sleep (or so he said). The usual fruit and yoghurt breakfast with tea and coffee before Breezy took him back to the village to collect his car and make his way over to Provence. I stayed at the barn and cleared up. Breezy
- [Another miserable day in the Salat valley](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-miserable-day-in-the-salat-valley/) - It is such a shame the weather has not been so good for Iain's visit. Today we collected Iain from the Auberge a little later after a quick check on emails and responding to some enquiries for Ski Breezy. We also made up a bed in the main barn as Iain is staying up with
- [Long French Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/long-french-lunch/) - Sadly the forecast was right and we woke to low cloud and mizzle. Al and I cracked on with a bit of internet before picking Dad up. Change of plan due to weather. We decided on doing some collecting of things with a long French lunch in the middle. So we popped down to Lee's
- [Iain Arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/iain-arrives/) - Tuesday, and Iain arrives for lunch. Early breakfast and a short internet session to get on top of enquiries for the Chalet in Chamonix for the winter then work clothes. We want to tidy up the terrace area before he arrives so the Mucktruck is out and shovels in hand. Having built another raised bed
- [St Girons shop](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/st-girons-shop/) - An early start to get down the valley for shopping. Brambles supplemented the normal fruit and yoghurt breakfast. First call was the laundrette at 0830hrs then found the hairdressers that Anouk recommended. They don't open 'til 9 so a quick sprint around the market to find a duvet cover. Breezy then headed off for a
- [Last of the wall pointing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-of-the-wall-pointing/) - Alarm is back on and I started mixing lime mortar as soon as we finished breakfast while Breezy cleared up and did a quick email check. Unplug and move the fridge; then we are both attacking the walls with pointing trowels. The last little bits of pointing always take longer than expected. All those awkward
- [Shopping Day....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shopping-day-2/) - Early start as normal for a shopping day but hard to get out of bed!!!! Sun shining and we headed down to do the usual chores. Laundry in. Nursery to visit where we found a lovely climbing Jasmine for the barn wall. Collect laundry. Al sorted stove bits. Breezy huge food shop. Phone calls made.
- [Lie in and catch up day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lie-in-and-catch-up-day/) - No Alarm! Back in the land of donkeys with bells round their necks; we both slept soundly with only a couple of premature wakings due to the beasts outside. A leisurely breakfast before booting up the satellite internet and catching up with the blog and email enquiries for accommodation in the chalet this winter. After
- [More Pointing and odd jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-pointing-and-odd-jobs/) - Again, breakfast of fruit and yoghurt then straight to the mixing mortar. Had to disconnect the fridge and move it out the way as we are approaching the last section of wall requiring pointing. 2 mixes later and that is the lot. I then mixed up some normal mortar and set about filling a couple
- [Another morning of pointing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-morning-of-pointing/) - The pointing after breakfast seems to be working. 2 mixes and then find something else to do. Again we hit the internet to sort out Ski Breezy stuff and blogging etc. Got hungry about 1pm so Breezy knocked up a fantastic chicken sandwich for us before we started clearing the terrace of rocks and building
- [Technical Problems](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/technical-problems/) - Having learnt from experience, we started pointing straight after breakfast. Two mixes of mortar and all cleaned up by 11.30am. Cup of tea, fire lit and internet booted up for some desk work. About an hour in some of the lights went off in the outhouse and something started beeping. Further investigation revealed that the
- [The Baker clan](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-baker-clan/) - A quick breakfast and then on with the list of chores before the Baker clan arrive. Unfortunately it is overcast and not at all warm so we are gonna have to entertain indoors. Marinate the chicken and the pork Sort out the bulgar salad and the green salad Make up the sweet potato and beetroot
- [A Day Away](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-day-away/) - Alarm going off at 630am was a rude awakening but we were planning to get to Foix to do quite a few chores and everything closes at midday so we wanted to make sure we got everything done before then. First port of call was to Brico Depot which Lee had suggested as a cheap
- [Chilled weekend](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chilled-weekend/) - We thought that we deserved a chilled weekend. So we did. Last week was hard physical work and I definitely need to rest my shoulder. The osteopath put it right on Friday by so fairly fierce manipulation so it is a bit tender. Saturday started overcast and I think that we just managed to clear
- [Phew Window in, Walls Still Standing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/phew-window-in-walls-still-standing/) - Another early start to be ready for Clive's arrival. Al's shoulder still very painful so I shifted the sand up the hill while Al prepped all the other stuff ready to go. Breakfast and then off we go again. Last bit of wall to fill up and safety again. Al was mixing, Clive re building
- [Pantry Window Begins](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pantry-window-begins/) - Al and I were up early to get an hours work done before brekky and to be organised for Clive's arrival. Sand shifted up the hill, fridge moved etc etc. Clive was a bit late due to getting the van stuck so the boys started demolition at around 10am and the hole was big. By
- [Day 2 of window Opening](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/day-2-od-window-opening/) - The alarm was set for 7.30am to get all the preparation done before Cive arrived at 9.30 and have breakfast. First off was make a jug of coffee for me and a fizzy juice for Breezy. Then shifting sand, loading buckets of water, fetching scaffolding, generator out, cabling to mixer, brushing off yesterdays joints, etc
- [Kitchen Progress](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/kitchen-progress/) - The sun is still shining and the days are hot so Al set too first thing with some strimming of the bracken. One more hour and that will all be clear again for this year. I did a few chores after giving the work surfaces another scrape down and another oiling and then set too
- [Laney and Breezy Head to Spain....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/laney-and-breezy-head-to-spain/) - A gorgeous day with quite a wind blowing when we woke up. Brekky in the outbuilding, then Laney and I got our kit together for a trip up to Port de Salau on the Spanish border. Al had decided to have a knee rest day from walking so he can join us for the rest
- [Laney arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/laney-arrives/) - Laney is due in on the 2.30pm bus at St Girons. It is also shopping day so a delayed trip down the valley gives Breezy and I a chance to catch up on internet stuff and emails. We set off just before noon with a packed lunch and a cunning plan. Food shop first at
- [Do you recognise this place?](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/do-you-recognise-this-place/) - Woke up to rain in the morning so we cracked on with a bit of internet first before the huge clean up started. Lifting the plastic off the floor, moving furniture around, wood and anything we don't want in the near future downstairs and then sweep and sweep and sweep and mop and mop and
- [We Have Lights](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/we-have-lights/) - Another hot start to the day. Al did a lovely naughty brekky fried eggs and fried bread to start the day. He was going to do his speciality egg window but the bread was too small to make the window!!! We had brekky outside and came up with a plan and as always a list!!!
- [Shutters](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shutters/) - Woke up to another glorious day and we knew it was going to be hot. On a must do list was to get the shutters made for the back window to make it secure when we are not here. We were aiming to get them looking like the other old ones in keeping with the
- [It's hot](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/its-hot/) - Wow it's hot!! After the usual fruit breakfast and internet bashing session Breezy and I started making the frame and lintels for the 2nd window opening which is to go in the ground floor over the decking terrace. It will give loads of light in to the ground floor which is comparatively gloomy at the
- [Our 400th post](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/our-400th-post/) - This is or 400th web post on the blog. I know there are some random recipes and data stuff but it does mean that we have had at least a year of daily postings of activity on the barn and adventures on foot in the Pyrenees. When I reflect on that we have accomplished quite
- [No Pujada but Ready to Paint](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/no-pujada-but-ready-to-paint/) - 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
- [Wall rebuilding](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wall-rebuilding/) - 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.
- [Window Opening](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/window-opening/) - 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
- [Just the 2 of us](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/just-the-2-of-us/) - 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
- [Photos from Lisa & Adam](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/photos-from-lisa-adam/) - 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.
- [Just another day at the ceiling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/just-another-day-at-the-ceiling/) - 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 &
- [Insulation Over...](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/insulation-over/) - 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
- [Shops & Market](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shops-market/) - 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
- [Tidy Up Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tidy-up-day/) - Another beautiful start to the day with a cooler wind so brekky in the sun was a nice way to start the day. Stevie and Debs headed off after brekky for the next stage of their holiday near Perpignan before heading back to the UK. Sad to see them go, but very pleased they had
- [Small jobs Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/small-jobs-sunday/) - The forecast was for sun but the day started overcast. The filler in the plasterboard joints is not yet dry enough to sand to we went for a forage up the side of the waterfall opposite the barn. Armed with a pocket knife each, a net for carrying mushrooms, a bag for fruit and some
- [Early Forage](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/early-forage/) - As the piste is closed at the moment we thought it was an ideal time to get ahead of the locals and go for a forage and beat them to the mushrooms, well nice idea. We found one huge cep and one tiny girolles, sadly once we cut the cep it had signs of maggots
- [Dust](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dust/) - Woke to overcast day but dry so plan of attack was to attack the joints and finish half the roof. It does not get any worse I can tell you. Not much to say apart from masks on and set too. By lunchtime half the roof had had it's first sand and second fill and
- [Outdoor Tidy Up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/outdoor-tidy-up/) - We woke to low lying cloud when it was forecast sun but actually it worked out well as it was perfect for outdoor work, not too hot, dry and no bugs about. Hoorah. We cleared more great compost from under the terrace to fill the second raised bed. For once an advantage in being small,
- [Flora & Fauna](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/flora-and-fauna/) - An interesting start to the day. I was still bashing away at the internet and there was a commotion up at the main barn. Bearing in mind that there is only me and Breezy; I was busy working; it had to be Breezy and a third party. Breezy had been organising tools ready to
- [Sunshine and More Sunshine](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunshine-and-more-sunshine/) - After a failed attempt to get up at 645am we arose when the sun came through the little window at 8pm. We were both chatting about last night and how fab it had been to be outside with a delicous dinner, Ken's brassiere going and wonderful views of the hills and not a bug in
- [Fire on and Feet Up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fire-on-and-feet-up/) - No Alarm set this morning but still awake at a reasonable hour. A true Sunday morning breakfast of Egg Window.No big jobs to be done as we are well and truly out of materials and it is not worth starting anything new. Spent a bit of time planning what we want to get done and
- [Toulouse](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/toulouse/) - An early start for us as we planned to go to Toulouse primarily to get windows and hopefully a work surface for the kitchen. Alarm at 615am was a rude awakening but after an early nights kip not too bad. A quick brekky and out the door. We stopped in Salau to ring Bricoman just
- [14th July](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/14th-july/) - Another grey day but it is the 14th. After an early start we set off for Salau about half 8. Having dropped off rubbish and recycling, first port of call was the Auberge to find out what Rene & Anouk wanted help with for the Commune meal. Then up to Raymond’s house for his “vide
- [No Walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/no-walk/) - Saturday and as predicted blue sky. However we postponed our planned walk as my knee is not up to it. Too much kneeling down cutting plasterboard has aggravated it and I am hobbling. Going uphill and the flat is fine; it is just the downhills that would be a pain. So it is back to
- [Hot Potato Salad with Dill and Mustard Dressing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/hot-potato-salad-with-dill-and-mustard-dressing/) - I have been trying out lots of new ideas on the food front and thought I would share a few summer ideas for the taste buds!!!! Very simple to do like most of my recipes.....a potato salad other than something with mayonnaise makes a nice change Simply pre cook some potatoes. Whilst these are a
- [Cucumber Tomato Feta Mint & Dill Salad](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/cucumber-tomato-feta-mint-dill-salad/) - This salad has a good old Greek feel about it and is nice as a side salad if you having a BBQ. I am not giving quantities for the cucumber and tomato just go by what looks right for how many you are cooking for. Cucumber diced Tomatos diced Feta cheese cubed (you do not
- [Name the Snake Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/name-the-snake-day/) - Once again the valley is clagged in and drizzle persists. Another indoor morning playing with plasterboard and filling the joints. By Lunchtime we have run out of filler but completed another quarter of the roof space in the main area. Half way there!!! And when we went outside to prepare lunch, the clouds have parted
- [Forecast is accurate](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/forecast-is-accurate/) - At 8am we could not see the other side of the valley. Considering it is only 600m away that is not particularly good. Heavy Drizzle too. After the usual internet session and breakfast it was back to the top floor of the barn. I realised that there is 1 lighting circuit that I have completely
- [Out and In](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/out-and-in/) - Would love to get away from the barn and go for a walk in the mountains but the cloud was down this morning and the forecast is not good until Friday so we crack on. Started off digging compost out from underneath the top terrace to fill the raised bed. The compost is left over
- [Sunday Brekky and Plasterboard Bonanza](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday-brekky-and-plasterboard-bonanza/) - We had a little lie in before Al did the honours with a great Sunday brekky, fresh fruit for the healthy start and then an enormous cepe omelette, twas delicious and could have fed an army but we somehow managed to put it all away. Always better when most of the meal is free!!! Since
- [Profitting from lack of rain](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/profitting-from-lack-of-rain/) - Now Monday is not a great day to head down the valley to St Girons. A surprising number of places are closed. We have however, run out of plasterboard. By the time we had been for a short shrooming hunt, had breakfast, done the usual internet stuff and had coffee we would not have had
- [Productive day and dinner out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/productive-day-and-dinner-out/) - The sun shone and the wind blew. Once we had got going we set off with a couple of pocket knives and a basket to search for mushrooms. Now shrooming is an art form for which we are rookies. There is something about sun and rain and early morning starts. Add to that terrain and
- [Visiting Friends](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/visiting-friends/) - We woke to a dry but low cloud day and quite cold. So the usual clear up with washing up, internet and healthy fruit breakfasts before we set to with the DIY. We were quite keen to get the wood prepped for the raised veggie beds so we had a bit of a chopping and
- [More storms ahead](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-storms-ahead/) - The mornings had developed a bit of a routine. The alarm is set for just before 8am. If we didn't do that we would oft still be in bed at 9; outrageous! Put kettle on and a pan for washing up water if it hasn't been done the night before. Odd ablutions, washup, make coffee
- [Outdoor work](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/outdoor-work/) - Once again the sun is streaming in the window when the alarm went off so definitely a day for working outdoors. Cleared the ground between the two terraces for planting up together then I got back on the roof with a bucket of tools and attacked the leaks while Breezy started carefully taking forklift pallets
- [Small jobs and wiring](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/small-jobs-and-wiring/) - Started the day with pouring rain. That continued for most of the time which gave us another opportunity to check out the weatherproofness of the roof. Low and behold, one of the previous leaks is still persistent and another two have appeared. Yet again I shall have to venture up there with a hammer, screwdrivers
- [Plaster Board Entertainment](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/plaster-board-entertainment/) - Up early as it was the weekly St Girons day and lists were huge. A quick brekky, sun shining again which was good news and off we trundled. We dropped the strimmer in for a service as it is not running very well so makes things much harder work than they should be. then on
- [Kitchen considerations](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/kitchen-considerations/) - Not quite so sunny, though not cold. The whole of the morning we spent indoors rebuilding kitchen units which we salvaged from a chalet renovation in Chamonix over the winter. In order to get them all down to the Pyrenees we had to take a hammer and persuade them to flat pack. I suspect that
- [Hail Stones and Heat Wave](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/hail-stones-and-heat-wave/) - Before the sun hit the terrace we decided to weed the 2 flower beds there so we can get some plants in come Monday. Quick job and looks better already. We had a big sort out of bags upstairs in the hope of finding the missing wallet with no luck so have cancelled UK cards
- [Roof outside and in](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/roof-outside-and-in/) - Another morning of wall to wall blue sky. After breakfast and a quick internet bout to sort out emails Breezy headed off down the valley to make a couple of phone calls while I potted some plants then got up on the roof before the slates got too hot to touch. The torrential downpour and
- [Velux frames](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/velux-frames/) - After another very healthy breakfast, Breezy hit the internet while I washed up and then picked up the brushcutter to clear a pathway over to the van through the meadow. I only had to run away once from the swarm of horse flies that had built up on the way. The frame that we made
- [Arrival](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/monday-25th-june/) - An early start in Bonsal, Derbyshire in order to drop off a car in Wirksworth and then get to East Midlands Airport for 6am. Ken is a star and gave us a lift. Made the flight by the skin of our teeth to get to Carcasonne where we had left the van in the driveway
- [Getting Sorted](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-sorted-2/) - Had a lie in still a bit jaded from our trip back from Cuba and woke at 930am, sun was shining and great to see the mountains first thing too. A leisurely breakfast under the parasol as it was really hot already before continuing on the getting sorted progress. Not quite as simple as most
- [Cuba](https://www.radicalfish.eu/travels/cuba/)
- [Rustic Sicilian Bread](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/rustic-sicilian-bread/) - I found this on the web and tried it. Very easy and quick (30mins start to finish). Great for dips like humus or soups. Better serve hot and they can be reheated the next day easily; just run them under water from a tap and whack 'em back in the oven for 5 minutes. Ingredients
- [Tour de France, Dad Leaves, Stevie arrives....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tour-de-france-dad-leaves-stevie-arrives/) - Sunshine to start the day hoorah at last. We had to get down the valley before the Tour came through or Dad would have missed his flight. So we decided to go down early and have a coffee and then see the tour. We had a quick washing stop and cat feeding stop at Clive's
- [Odd Jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/odd-jobs-2/) - Sunday and no alarm. The forecast was accurate and it was raining. A great opportunity to catch up on bits and pieces and get some preparation done for the week to come. Stevie set about fixing a bench that I salvaged from the skip on the way back from St Girons the day before. Breezy
- [Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday/) - With a view to having a slightly more productive day than yesterday Breezy set an alarm and had a slightly longer list of chores. We fitted some pulleys to the ridge beam in the main barn and took down the scaffolding. That all went down to the van as we had arranged to go up
- [More Joints, More Rain.....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-joints-more-rain/) - Breezy here and oh yes, it is not just raining today it is pouring!!!! Slightly over it now!!! Got the fire going to dry the clothes in the outbuilding during the day. On to the bathroom, 2 more days and we should be done. It was a long morning, pointed until 2pm ish and then
- [Jet Lag....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/jet-lag/) - Well we had just been saying how great it was not to get jet lag and what was all the fuss about when we both woke at 2am for a few hours then the next thing it was 11.30am!!! guess we needed the sleep but will need to set an alarm for tomorrow to get
- [Sunshine and yes you guessed it.....pppppointing!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunshine-and-yes-you-guessed-it-pppppointing/) - Another early start as we were expecting Alison and Peter for coffee and needed to feed Clive’s cats beforehand. So a quick zoom down the road, washing on, fed the cats, collected lettuce and clean washing and back to barn for brekky by 930am. A&P arrived as we were just finishing so that was good
- [Day 2 Pointing Walls](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/day-2-pointing-walls/) - As per Day 1 but with an omelette and salad for supper. Breezy is still talking to me, great!
- [Pointing begins](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pointing-begins-2/) - We rose early expecting Hans to come and start work with us. By 0830hrs he had not showed so we started ourselves. Last year we had a token start on the right of the bathroom door so we continued on that wall and the results were promising. I was delighted, not so much with the
- [Odds and Ends](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/odds-and-ends/) - A bit of a gloomy day but not raining so great for outdoor jobs as not too hot. We as always had a list of things to achieve before the end of the day. Getting the steps to the top terrace fixed in place was first on the agenda and very quick to do. Onto
- [Steps](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/steps/) - Another glorious start to the day, blue skies and calm. Al set to with the strimmer before the heat got too much. Within the hour he had got the bracken cleared and it looks so much better. I was on clearing out the heat box for the outbuilding, should be a 10 minute job until
- [Pointing Preparation](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pointing-preparation/) - An overcast day in the Salau valley. After a normal start of cereals and fruit, coffee for me and of course a diet coke for Breezy, we set about more preparation work before pointing the inside of the main barn begins in earnest. One window to finish and then fitting battens to the roof joists
- [Cloudless Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cloudless-day/) - We awoke to the sun streaming into the outbuilding, hoorah. I had a quick brekky with some cereals but no juice for Al’s cereals so he made do with coffee. We did a couple of trips up from Vinnie and then headed off with the trailer to St Girons. Slight panic on the way, as
- [Strimming Bonanza](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/strimming-bonanza/) - Woke up to the sun coming in through the little window which was a welcome sight as our plan was to get the new fridge up the hill today and if was wet it would be trickier. Breezy and I trundled down to Salau with a few chores to do first, filling up with water,
- [Arrival](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/arrival/) - After our great night just outside Mirepoix where I had delicious stuffed quail with foie gras we headed off through pouring rain to St Girons. Main aim to get food and some veggies to plant up. Amazing how quickly you can shop when the weather was that bad!!! Back to Salau and a quick coffee
- [1st Sky Light](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/1st-sky-light/) - Breezy was out the door before breakfast on cat feeding duty. Stevie was baking a breadstick for a packed lunch. Hans and I were on the back roof ripping slates off. The weather, though not wall to wall blue was looking rather more promising than it had for the last week or so. Stevie has
- [2nd Sky Light In](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/2nd-sky-light-in/) - An early start as we had to get Stevie down for the 8am bus from St Girons. So 6.20am alarm was a rude awakening for us all. Stevie and I trundled off with the trailer to St Girons while Al started work. He managed to finish the holes in the back wall and do a
- [Another Big Tick](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-big-tick/) - Last night Breezy was pooped so an early night was a must do. We have not stopped since we got back from Corsica. The whole of the big room on the 1st floor is pointed up. Today we braved the inclement weather and the 3rd sky light is fitted. The difference is amazing, though the
- [Easy Saturday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/easy-saturday/) - Both Breezy and I are knackered after 3 full on weeks. Progress has been great but tiring. The day started with a short list of chores, only one of which we completed. We shifted some lighting about in the outhouse so that we can read in bed then discussed ideas for windows and steps and
- [Wet Wet Wet](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wet-wet-wet-2/) - Low and behold, it's raining again. Breezy headed off early to get down to St Girons with the van for a new exhaust. I braved the weather and emptied the trailer of sand ready for mixing mortar then dragged the trailer up to the barn. Hand was dancing last night (folk) so turned up about
- [Window in](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/window-in/) - Would you believe it; rain again. Having got Hans to sort out the window area at the bottom of the stairs yesterday I left him to fit the window and point it up today. It looks great. Breezy and I got on with other bits and pieces around the place and prepared a few other
- [Market Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/market-day-2/) - We woke up the sun shining which was great, although autumn feels like it is here already as the mornings are a tad chilly. Brrrr!!!! We headed off down the valley for the weekly food shop and collection of supplies. We managed a wander around the market too and bumped into Lee for a quick
- [Shop Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shop-day/) - Another week goes by when shopping day comes around. Headed off to Seix to get a recorded delivery pick up and then trundled on down to St Girons. We have this shopping day sorted with dropping laundry, doing a 30 minute shop elsewhere, back to collect laundry, into a few more shops and back asap,
- [Floor goes down](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/floor-goes-down/) - So yesterday we pottered about in the sun shine playing with concrete and resealing decking. The concrete was to make good the wall around the gable end window to stop bats getting in, plus putting a post in for the washing line. Today we planned to work in the woods chopping back stuff and burning
- [Recovery](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/recovery/) - Started the day a little slower than normal after a little trop du vin the previous day. Never the less we still did an hour or 2 at the computers working on Ski Breezy and sorting out emails etc. Then 1st up was chainsawing wood that was in a pile at the back of the
- [Donkeys Back](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/donkeys-back/) - Internet stuff for Ski Breezy first thing until the sun hits us. It was another glorious day so we set too with clearing piles of wood left about the place from previous coppicing sessions. Our aim is to create a second wood shed with metre length pieces which can dry out and then next year
- [Escapee donkeys](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/escapee-donkeys/) - Woke to the sound of donkey bells, just this time they were just outside the door. It would appear that a piece of blue string with a few volts running through it is not enough to contain the beasts. After a quick run around to rope off solar panels I made some coffee and got
- [Cleaning](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cleaning/) - After the storm overnight with lots of rain, it seemed to clear up and was mainly a dry day. We have Fi arriving tomorrow so it was time to get the place in a state where she can sleep Ok we hope. Al set to with scrubbing the bathroom floor clear of lime at the
- [Fi arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fi-arrives/) - What a great day for Fi to get here; the weather was lousy. Breezy and I had planned to do a bit of an exploratory walk on the way to pick up Fi from the train station but the cloud was down and it would not have taken long to get a thorough soaking. Instead
- [Friday shopping](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/friday-shopping/) - Fi had a late flight so Breezy and I decided that we may as well tie in shopping in St Girons with dropping her off at the bus.So an afternoon of chores in town after a morning of small jobs in the barn for me. I drove Breezy and Fi up to the old mines
- [BBQ, Dipping and Trips up to the Platform in the Trees](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bbq-dipping-and-trips-up-to-the-platform-in-the-trees/) - Another glorious day, temperatures around 90 degrees so parasols were essential. Al and I had a full on morning, preparing salads, marinading meats etc for Alison and Peter and the gang. Alison had her brother over from Aussie so we were 9 altogether. We managed to get all 9 of us on the top terrace
- [Dead Tree Falls](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dead-tree-falls/) - A slightly overcast day which was great news for felling the tree as it was not too hot. Peter and Steve turned up at 930am with chain saw in hand. It was a really hard morning's work for Al especially as he was the only one with the skill to be able to hold the
- [Banister](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/banister/) - Started the day in the normal internet way sorting emails and web stuff for the chalet in Chamonix. After breakfast and before the sun hit us (currently not getting the sun until 10.30), we went down to the river to retrieve the logs / tree trunks that we left there yesterday. We left one down
- [Lunch Guests](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lunch-guests-2/) - Today we had Rene & Anouk up for a spot of lunch. They are really great to us, looking after computers when we go away, collecting post for us etc. We rose early and set about a list of things that needed preparing. Then had breakfast and headed down the valley to Seix. Breezy has
- [Front Wall Done](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/front-wall-done/) - Today was a great day. Another tick off the list. Phenomenal! After the normal internet session (you would not believe how much work goes into an internet business like Ski Breezy), we set to pointing. Now I thought that "pointing" would be a taboo word by now but no, Breezy is still keen. We have
- [Attacking the Gable End](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/attacking-the-gable-end/) - It started off being a glorious day but by lunch time it had turned and we could see that rain was on its way. Never the less we have decided we want to finish one more wall before we leave this time so after the normal Ski Breezy malarkey we set too at full steam
- [Hans and Clare for Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/hans-and-clare-for-lunch/) - We had got used to the lovely autumnal/summer weather and waking to rain was not amusing especially as we had Hans and Clare due for lunch. Anyway, nothing we could do about it. We managed to get some work on Ski Breezy done first and then we prepped lunch. We had the fire going and
- [Another Pointing day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-pointing-day/) - I set about a mix while Breezy was still bashing away at a keyboard sorting out Ski Breezy emails for the winter. I confess that I am almost as good at mixing mortar in a wheel barrow as Breezy is at making cakes in the chalet. By the end of the day we are but
- [Matt arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/matt-arrives/) - Today is the day that Matt Rose comes to visit. I left Breezy sorting out web stuff and emails for Ski Breezy and went up to the barn to mix up mortar. Having got so close to finishing the end wall yesterday we thought we would use the last of the sand and crack it
- [Shopping and getting organised](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shopping-and-getting-organised/) - Vinnie (the VW) had an appointment at the doctor in St Girons at 0830hrs. We had packed the van with rubbish for the skip and all the recycling so only had to remember the shopping list and the clothes to wash. After half an our of crawling under the front of the van, the mechanic
- [1st Banister](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/1st-banister/) - A normal start with internet and emails. Getting more enquiries through for the chalet in Chamonix which is great. Just means that more time is required to sort them out and to keep plugging away at the search engines. The morning was spent rationalising tools and materials. Metal trunks and stacker boxes full of nails,
- [Balustrade Finished](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/balustrade-finished/) - Woke up to low cloud hanging over the mountains, rain was forecast but we still have lots of indoor jobs to do. A good few hours on the internet and several bookings for Ski Breezy early season and some more booked in for Christmas which is great news, very happy about that. Then we set
- [Al to Toulouse...Breezy Home Alone....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/al-to-toulouse-breezy-home-alone/) - I waved Al off first thing as he had a RDV with some potential work people north of Toulouse. I set too with a couple of hours of sorting out internet for Chamonix. I then had a wander down river for some mushrooms with some success so that was good. The sun came out and
- [Annie Visits](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/annie-visits/) - Another glorious day not a cloud in the sky. We had the usual Ski Breezy to tackle first off then it was on to odd jobs. Securely fit the last window in the out building....now done, sort out the wood pile at the top so the donkeys don't trash it and it is snow tight
- [Odd Jobs day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/odd-jobs-day/) - Matt departed after a hearty breakfast, not that he is odd at all. It was great to see him and share our little piece of paradise. And we were very appreciative of the wedding pressie & screwfix delivery as well. A day of odd jobs. I have been dying to get the floor of the
- [Not fish on Friday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/not-fish-on-friday/) - An early start to head down the valley to go shopping. A little rubbish to bin, recycling to do and stuff to go in the skip on the way. Clothes washing went into the laundrette leaving us 1/2 an hour to get to Mr Brico and back. More white spirit, wire brushes and some paint
- [Lunch Guests](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lunch-guests/) - Clive, Giselle and the kids are due about midday for lunch so we got up early to start preparing salads and marinating meat for the BBQ. Fortunately the weather was great and we could eat on the decking under a parasol. The kids could run about and play in the river and the adults could
- [Back in the barn again](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/back-in-the-barn-again/) - Got back to the barn last night after a wicked trip down the Colorado, rafting and kayaking. Fresh prawns for sups and an early night and no alarm this morning. Solar panels are up and so is the internet. Got a jungle of courgette plants and loads of weeds. Grass and bracken are strimmed and
- [Walk from Col de Pause](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/walk-from-col-de-pause/) - Both Breezy and I took a day off pointing and went for a walk with Breezy's Father from Col de la Pause up to Etang Arreau and the refuge. On the way there we swung by Clive's to feed the cat. The cloud level meant that we did not benefit with great views but we
- [Dad Arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dad-arrives/) - Not great weather yet again, getting a bit bored of that now. Hans arrived at 9am and it was full steam ahead. More walls filled, 2/3rds of the back wall now done which was good, with a gap left for where we hope to out a window in, in due course. We all seemed happy
- [Day Off for Me, More Pointing for the boys...14th July celebrations too](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/day-off-for-me-more-pointing-for-the-boys-14th-july-celebrations-too/) - Not a very nice day, the weather does seem to be fairly rubbish at the moment. So Al decided as the forecast was better for tomorrow that he would work with Hans while I went and did something with Dad. We popped in for cat feeding duty on the way and then down to Seix
- [Hans Arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/hans-arrives/) - We set the alarm as we expected Hans to be here around 9am. Al got a mix going and we began. Hans turned up at 11am as he had to drive from Toulouse and WOW what a difference it makes with 3 of us working together. We as usual worked thought till about 230pm and
- [More Relaxed as it is Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-relaxed-as-it-is-sunday/) - We were expecting a rainy day but actually woke up to sunshine which was a bit of a bonus. It was time to continue with the pointing. We had a slow morning it felt like as the top of the gable end was really fiddly. Al started on the top right hand corner and I
- [Epic Shop and Near Disaster....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/epic-shop-and-near-disaster/) - A HUGE buy at Le Forgue, the Velux windows being the most important and expensive. Poor old Vinnie is once again heavily ladened!!! Got some Early start as we knew we had loads to do in the St. Girons. glass cut at Brico before trying to get Vinnie sorted for a new exhaust. Hopefully, the
- [Have to get sorted](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/have-to-get-sorted/) - We arrived back from Corsica last night at about 10pm. On route we bumped into Annie on the road who was desperately trying to keep 2 Malamut dogs apart as one was in season. We failed to find a food store to get supplies on the way which means that we will have to be
- [Window Making and a Social Afternoon.](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/windwo-making-and-a-social-afternoon/) - We woke up to a mad wind and torrential rain that lasted about 40mins and then it cleared to blue skies and hot and sunny. We only had the morning at the barn as Lee needed some help at his place to get some beams into place which was at 3pm. We decided to measure
- [Rhubarb Chutney](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/rhubarb-chutney/) - As we have got a couple of rhubarb crowns to put in to the garden in the spring I decided that now would be a great time to expand the blog with some recipes.Here's one I found in a gardening magazin.Add 2lb of chopped rhubarb to a saucepan with 2 2 crushed garlic cloves, 1oz
- [Plum Chutney](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/plum-chutney/) - A surfeit of plums can be turned into a spicy chutney which is great with cold meats and cheese. Found in the English garden Magazine.Chop 450g of stoned plums, an apple and an onionPut in alatge pan and add a handful of raisins, 230g of muscovado sugar and a tbl spoon of saltAdd some chopped
- [Herb Jellies](https://www.radicalfish.eu/recipes/herb-jellies/) - Windfall apples make the best base, but you can experiment with quinces, crab apples, medlars and currants. Combinations such as crab apple n sage, apple n lavender flowers and redcurrant n rosemary are all great. You can add food colouring to make each combo distinctive.Chop up 3lb/1.35kg of fruit and boil for 30 minutes until
- [Battle Resumes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/262/) - The day started overcast so we gathered our tools and set about cutting back more of the terracing behind the barn which has all become overrun by beech, bracken and brambles. As the sun came out mid morning we lit a fire to burn everything we had cut down which made the day even hotter.
- [Terrace starts to take shape](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/terrace-starts-to-take-shape/) - Over cast skies early on but not too cold. We walked down the piste to have a quick look for bollets before breakfast. Breezy found a tiny one just poking out of the ground so we decided to leave it until the evening to see what progress it had made during the day.Having got the
- [First whole day on site](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/first-whole-day-on-site/) - Having arrived last night in Salau and found the apartment. We went up to the Bergerie this morning with a packed lunch of ham, tomato, goat’s cheese and mango chutney sandwiches. The bread in the bread-making machine actually worked which was a bit of a surprise based on throwing something together last night in a
- [Information sharing & useful links](https://www.radicalfish.eu/ecofriendly-matters/13/) - Many thanks to Matthew and Esther Phillips for their information sharing on the eco front. They have sent through a couple of links which are really useful:-http://www.kyocerasolar.de/products/solar_faq.html which is an easy read FAQs on photo voltaics.http://www.naturalinsulation.co.uk/cms_items/20060607164406.pdf which is the result of research paper about making buildings 'breathable' and why it's better all-round than the modern technique
- [Ian and Nina for Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ian-and-nina-for-lunch/) - The wind was howling but the sun was shining.Ian and Nina were due for lunch about 12.30 ish so we wanted to get lunch prepped before trying to finish the lower terrace.Clive arrived for coffee and a chat and to ask us for supps on Tues. He left about 11.30am so it was a quick
- [Donkey's Arrival](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/donkeys-arrival/) - Wow, another wild wild night the wind was so violent it did feel like the place might blow down!!! Woke up and it seemed to have calmed a bit although the effects of last night were obvious. Washing up bowl down by the river, smoker in the field, buckets everywhere. Anyway, the rain had stopped
- [Al's Folks Return Visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/als-folks-return-visit/) - Woke up to another glorious morning, blue skies. I spent the first hour or so sorting out mails etc and then it was full steam ahead as Al’s folks were arriving for lunch. We prepped lunch, collected brambles for pudding and chilled the fizz. Al trundled down to collect them from the parking at the
- [Snowy Salau](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/winter/) - Breezy and Aluns Pyrenees project in winter
- [Terrace Prep](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/terrace-prep/) - The sun is shining again we love it....Al had a phone meeting at midday so we had a couple of hours propping up the the top terrace with some stumps. So we are now ready to deck.Al had to crawl underneath the lower terrace to put one more chevron in as it was a bit
- [Terracing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/terracing/) - We had a few little bits and pieces we wanted to crack on with before laying the terrace.We strimmed the final bit of bracken that we had missed and cut back a few new shoots that had reappeared but generally the whole area looks so much better. Lunch on the deck Lovely lunch in the
- [Departure](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/departure-2/) - It was a rude awakening 4am!!! but we had a long drive ahead of us so it was a quick get up and final pack up before heading north to Calais in Vinnie. A good trip sharing the drive and sleep time on the way and we got to Calais by 4,30pm and found somewhere
- [Terrace Building](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/terrace-building/) - A lovely day so we wanted to be outside so decided it was a terrace day.We attacked the top terrace framework which went quite smoothly and quickly and got them in place in holes in the side wall.We needed to build a small wall at the far end for the frame to sit on aso
- [Final Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/final-day/) - Another gorgeous autumnal day which made packing up so much easier. the leaves are all really looking beautiful now as they start to change colour every day. We had a last forage for some bolets for our pasta tonight and we had success a good couple for the pot and then picked loads of brambles
- [Result!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/result/) - St Girons day so off we trundled after brekky to the big city!!! Just needed to pick up some large nails on the DIY front and some tacks for geo textile fabric so that was quite quick.Normal load of washing and we then zoomed around the market picking up a few bits and pieces we
- [Freezing cold morning](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/freezing-cold-morning/) - It was so cold outside that it took us a while to emerge this morning. And the fire was lit before we did that. After breakfast of muesli and brambles Breezy and I went down to our favourite bollet field to forage, but to no avail.Once the sun made an appearance we set about finding
- [Solar at 100%](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/solar-at-100/) - Another sunny day though the time we get the sun is getting later and later. Again we trekked down to the bollet field for a rummage and again there was nothing to be found.Once the daily chores of washing up, kindling chopping and cleaning out the potbellied stove were out the way we finished off
- [Massat Beef Feast](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/massat-beef-feast/) - We woke up to hear the rain again and it was really cold. So we lit the fire, brought the next batch of clothes down to dry and did some Ski Breezy e mail stuff inside.Al was just about to start fettling the new machine we had bought for cutting wood for the window frames
- [Wet Wet Wet](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wet-wet-wet/) - After all the rain the last couple of days and then heavy rain again overnight the stream has grown to torrent status again. With it the background noise has risen to out do the crickets and the log pile is slowly being eaten into. This morning the snow limit is down to about 1700m.Its
- [Snow Brrrr!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/snow-brrrr/) - After heavy rain all night we woke to the river being rather high and we could just see snow to about 1800m. It is chilly.We headed off down to St Girons for the weekly shop and bits and pieces.Laundry, glass for the windows, get the trailer tyre puncture sorted and then meet Hans for a
- [Rain, Terrace, Joints and Rain](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rain-terrace-joints-and-rain/) - We are so used to autumn usually being gorgeous here, getting a bit disappointed with this non discript mizzle, drizzle weather and the heavy rain is even less impressive.A leisurely start to the day and then whilst it was not pouring we started on the terrace laying some more patio slabs as such (slabs we
- [Colours a changin' Shrooms a foragin'](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/colours-a-changin-shrooms-a-foragin/) - A quick internet session for Ski Breezy sorting out enquiries for the chalet in Chamonix, then off for a forage with bags and walking poles. Destination was back up the track towards Mont Rouche where we found the Trompettes des Morts.Started off thinking that it would be meagre pickings but then struck lucky, then again,
- [Tree time](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/tree-time/) - Time has accellerated and the leaves are changing colour rapidly. We know the last couple of weeks are simply gonna disappear and we are gonna be in a last minute thrash about to get everything sorted before leaving. Breezy scribbed and we came up with a list of must do jobs.Today was a tree day
- [Last Concrete Floor Down](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-concrete-floor-down/) - After brekky Lee arrived with his mate Ben who has aplace over near Foix off for a big day on Mt Rouch ridge so a quick coffee stop before they headed off.We were all prepped from the day before for the floor so it was just a matter of mixing and levelling, been here before.Pretty
- [Cabin Leziou](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cabin-leziou/) - Blue sky Sunday so decision was made to go for Mont Rouche. Head up to the Cabin Leziou in the afternoon, stay there over night and then go up and descend on Monday. After a bit of a late start chores and getting sorted took us to lunch time.Clothes all dried and folded, double the
- [Aches and Pains](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/aches-and-pains/) - Calfs and Quads are a little tender this morning after the steep descent yesterday. Weather, overcast so a good day to get stuff done outside.First off we have a monster internet session to catch up with the blog and emails and Ski Breezy stuff.Gather a load of tools and have another go at cutting and
- [Mizzle Drizzle](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mizzle-drizzle/) - Saturday and the weather is lousy. Forecast is much better for the next couple of days and as Breezy is hatching a plan to get up Mont Rouche we decided to bring shopping forward.Off to St Girons for provisions and clothes washing.Bumped into Clive who has had his satellite delivered from Nordnet so will get
- [Anuk and Rene Visit the Barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/anuk-and-rene-visit-the-barn/) - Had a slow morning as from the window we could only just see the bridge and knew the mizzle was settling in.After brekky we were just pondering what to do when Rene and Anuk popped up to see the place which was great to see them up here and to show them around. Not the
- [More tree Felling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-tree-felling/) - An overcast day but great for outdoor work.I did a quick bit of strimming around the outbuilding whilst Al fettled the chain saw, the chain was a bit too slack.We headed off to fell the last tree which was still standing after we were rained off a few days ago and decided to continue for
- [Diggin' Out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/diggin-out/) - Just when you thought we had finished digging, we set about building number 3.Thankfully the last and only 3m x 3m inside but the plan is to put a concrete floor in before putting the roof on. The walls are so low (derelict) and the roof non existant that we can mix concrete and pour
- [Monday ](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/monday/) - Beautiful day started with brambles on cerial. Out of food so had to shop in St Girons. As ever shopping also meant doing the washin', and rushin' around to get DIY supplies in for the week ahead.All done by midday and then off to see Ian and what he had managed to churn out from
- [Sunday Feeling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday-feeling/) - We woke up to another glorious day not a cloud in the sky but quite chilly. Had our first brambles this season with brekky which are delicious. Hope they last as long as they did last year. We gave the shelf we had made for the outbuilding a quick sand and first varnish so that
- [Door Making](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/door-making/) - Another glorious sunny day. Needed to get the stairs fixed to the floor. Al fettled that whilst I set to with finishing the floor.I sanded the floor and gave it another varnish, whilst Al fettled the step into the bathroom.We had an early lunch to let the floor dry before making a door for the
- [Internet Frustration](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/internet-frustration/) - A big internet session for Ski Breezy to start the day with some promising enquiries for the chalet in Chamonix for the winter.An overcast sky but warm weather prompted us to start sorting out all the old wood from the roof of the main barn. Chucking what was rotten and splitting what was good and
- [More error messages](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-error-messages/) - More error messages with the satellite. More frustration but this time we sorted it out ourselves using the good old Microsoft technique of rebooting and resetting.A couple of mixes of lime mortar and the rubber gloves were out to secure the bathroom windows in place and point up the wall around the entrance. Once the
- [Saturday Shop n Wash](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/saturday-shop-n-wash/) - Having run out of food and with Clive, Giselle and the kid turning up tomorrow we had to go shopping. We always seem to be on a mission when we go down the valley with a short list of what we need to get in each shop before the shut at noon. Add to that
- [Rainy Day Indoor Jobs.](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rainy-day-indoor-jobs/) - We woke up to hear the rain hooning it down outside not conducive to get up. Tackled the Ski Breezy internet catch up firstly and then we finished screwing and gluing the door. Fitted it, hung it and varnished it, looking good.Then I battled with making the window beading as we were using quarter rounds...my brain
- [Sunday Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday-lunch/) - All organised with a list of things to do preparing for lunch. Fortunately the weather was kind with brilliant sunshine. Lunch for 7 people on the terrace out the back is not daunting having catered for 10 every day for 5 months each winter in the chalet in Chamonix, however when you only have a
- [Fiddly Friday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fiddly-friday/) - Started the day by trying to cut old glass to fit the new window frames Breezy made for the bathroom while Breezy packed the sides of the frames to fit the random limestone walls ready for cementing the frames in. I had little luck with my old glass cutter and after a couple of hours
- [Wire Bridges](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wire-bridges/) - Woke up to another glorious start to the day blue skies. Sun not hitting us till much later now so Al decided to do some strimming before brekky while I set to with some more Ski Breezy work. After brekky we headed to the trees to see what the next stage is. Since we had
- [Fiddly Solar Panels](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fiddly-solar-panels/) - Another glorious day. Autumn feels like it is coming with the cooler mornings. Al set to with doing the strimming of the bracken before it got too hot while I sorted out Ski Breezy work and caught up with a few e mails. We then had a later brekky when the sun hit the front
- [Rest Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rest-day/) - Woke to up to a low cloud level but looked like it may well burn off. After brekky we headed down to St Girons for the weekly shop. A quick trip to collect some bits and pieces from La Forgue, chucked a load of washing in while we collected the generator which we now hope
- [Half a floor](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/half-a-floor/) - After a couple of hours bashing away at keyboards first thing this morning sorting emails and Ski Breezy web stuff we set about more floorboards. A short break for a salad lunch and by the end of the day we are over the half way mark. Before varnishing the floor Breezy scuttled off with
- [Wood Store](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wood-store/) - Woke up to a cooler start to the day, slightly overcast but with blue soon to appear again. After a bit of internet for Ski Breezy to get the day going we had a good day doing lots of bits and pieces. Al did a little bit of bush cutting whilst I finished off work
- [First floor going down](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/first-floor-going-down/) - It has been miserable weather today so having created some space the 1st floor is going down. Having managed to get hold of slightly wider planks (15cm) it is going down faster than either of the flooring efforts we have made in the past. In the absence of a generator all the cutting is being
- [Slash and Burn II](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/slash-and-burn-ii/) - The morning started cool so we decided to burn the remaining bracken that had been cut. It made sense to cut trees at the same time to feed the fire. We did not anticipate the weather and managed to pick one of the hottest days of summer to light a huge fire. By Lunchtime Breezy
- [A Day in the trees](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-day-in-the-trees/) - I sorted out tools and cut up some lengths of decking ready to fit out the platform we started last year while Breezy painted the half height wall we put up in the outbuilding.The morning we spent finishing the platform and starting the decking. We finished the whole thing at 7pm. We now have a
- [Shopping Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shopping-day/) - Market day in St Girons means that last night was the last one on blow up mattresses. Laundry in the machine and we have 35 minutes to find the man on the market and get a mattress before someone unloads our clean but wet laundry onto the floor to use the machine.He’s not there!Collect the
- [Bits and Pieces](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bits-and-pieces/) - Blue skies again and as Al said as we were having brekky this am. isn't it great to be up early and seeing the sunrise over the barn....well it was 9.15am but lovely nonetheless!!!My back was on the mend but still not keen to be swinging from trees or doing heavy work so we had
- [New Pictures uploaded](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/new-pictures-uploaded/) - Due to the random nature of our exploits and numerous cameras kicking about Iam slowly trying to catch up with what has and has not been uploaded.There are some new photos on Roadtrip Return, Bracken is cleared, Shower building at Lee's and Return Again. Enjoy
- [Return Again](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/return-again/) - Well we are very well rested after our 3.5 weeks away exploring Northern Portugal and Galicia in Spain. We were very lucky with the weather except for our planned week in the Picos de Europa which was rained off on the way down and due to Al's knee we decided against it on the way
- [Shower Building At Lee's](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shower-building-at-lees/) - We had looked at the forecast and since it said heavy rain we thought it would be an ideal day to go and help Lee as he is full on with this house. His tenants have moved in and at the moment no plumbing is in place.After a fab bonanza 2 egg window treat
- [Bracken is Cleared](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bracken-is-cleared/) - Hoorah at last the sun has decided to return, fingers crossed it is here to stay, makes all the difference.After a quick brekky we decided to set to and finish off clearing the bracken. In just over an hour the rest of the bracken was cut and now just drying ready to be burnt in
- [Roadtrip Return](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/roadtrip-return/) - Arrived back at the barn late afternoon after a great roadtrip into Italy. Started off driving over to Provence and staying just outside Gordes to see Stephano & Reikke (Danish friends we know through Winters in Chamonix). Camped there for 3 nights with them and Reikke's daughter, with a bit of exploring by car, on
- [We have stairs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/we-have-stairs/) - Gone are the days of scaling a ladder to get to the toilet. We now have a barn, with a concrete floor , joists for the first floor and slap bang in the middle is a staircase.Started the day by finishing off nailing the joists around the stair opening and then with the aid of
- [Paella Lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/paella-lunch/) - We had arranged for Alison and Peter to come and have a bite to eat with us for lunch.We had a lie in which was great and then set to preparing lunch, hoping the rain would hold of etc.Just before they arrived we managed to sort out the last bit of the stairs a bit
- [Saturday Market + more glue & screw](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/saturday-market-more-glue-screw/) - On Sunday we have Alison and Peter coming up for lunch and we fancy doing a paella so off to St Girons for a food shop. As ever when in town we have a list of stuff to sort out at the same time. It always includes laundry but today we also had wood to
- [Stairs Started](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stairs-started/) - Another day of miserable weather so it was indoor jobs. Having recouperated a set of stairs out of Rob Flemmings chalet in chamonix and transported it down here last year it was time to put it back together. Not having labledany of the parts it was a bit like a big jigsaw.Withe the aid of
- [Getting the measure of your mixer](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-the-measure-of-your-mixer/) - Wait for it, spent another day mixing concrete while Breezy put it in the right place and made sure it was level.The mixer has seen some action in it's time. Nothing like Afghanistan or the Balkans but it has been used over a long period of time. Not that that is to its detriment as
- [Bracken and Coppicing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bracken-and-coppicing/) - Since the weather was good we decided to crack on with burning the bracken and doing some coppicing. We made good headway and by lunchtime we had all the bracken burnt and quite a few areas of beech trees cleared. Hot and smokey work but we really want to make sure that we keep the
- [Housework](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/housework/) - First day back off hols and it is a bit of an odd job day. I started by disconnecting the solar panel and battery in the outhouse and redoing the circuitsto incorporate a buzz bar off a boat. Essentially it is like an elaborate choccy block but it just makes adding things in easier without
- [Donkeys and Ice](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/donkeys-and-ice/) - A rather random assortment of people last night gathered at Olivier's for the BBQ. Apparently in times past at the beginning of August a mule train trekked up to the mountains above Salau to collect ice blocks from the Cirque and carry them down to St Girons.Olivier has reinstated the tradition and gathered a band
- [Odds and Sods](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/odds-and-sods/) - It is good to have the sunshine back with us again.We had brekky in the sun before heading to Clive's for final raspberry picking and a couple of loads of washing. No sight of Flash their dog so do hope he is OK.We were meant to have Rene and Anuk for lunch but sadly they
- [Stir fried duck in peanut butter sauce and pasta](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stir-fried-duck-in-peanut-butter-sauce-and-pasta/) - A well earned lie in after the floor laying. In the morning we set about making a storage box to fit at the head of the bed on the mezzanine. Cutting up some planks that were salvaged from the déchèterie in Chamonix and fettling a piano hinge recuperated from somewhere else. By lunch time we
- [Dust and Door Widening](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dust-and-door-widening/) - We started with a quick job of removing a few rocks to fit a waste pipe where we are hoping to build a pantry, storeroom area.We had been putting the next job off and I was trying to convince Al into maybe it was not necessary but to no avail.The bathroom door upstairs had 2
- [Sun is Back and Steps are Finished](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sun-is-back-and-steps-are-finished/) - We woke up to see the sun coming through the window. Hoorah must be 8.15am!!Breakfast in the sun and then on to tackling the outdoor steps which have collapsed really, with all the muck truck action they have had.So we decided to repair the steps since we had the mixer and some cement and ballast
- [Another lazy Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-lazy-sunday/) - Eggy bread for brecky and real coffee again (we ran out a few days ago).Last night we talked through Ski Breezy and the coming winter at the chalet in Chamonix coming up with a plan to start organising things so the morning was taken up on the web until we both had enough of computer
- [Market Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/market-day/) - An early start and off to Clive’s to pick raspberries and to get some washing done then off to St Girons. On route we saw Dudley who is feeding Clive’s dog. He is away on Monday so we sorted out taking over from him for the last week Clive & Gisselle are away.Flew into town
- [The Floor is Down....Hoorah!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-floor-is-downhoorah/) - After astormy adn very wet night, we decided for a lie in, well I did anyway. I think Al had been awake for hours but finally we emerged after 9am BLISS!After brekky it looked like it might clear up but then the heavens opened again so we set to lowering the inside window in the
- [Sourcier News...](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sourcier-news/) - We decided to set the alarm as we had a RDV with the sourcier at 2pm and wanted to get another strip down on the infamous concrete.We had an enormous storm in the middle of the night but by 730am it was dry and misty but reasonably bright.The morning zoomed by with a slighty smaller
- [More Cement...We love it!!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-cementwe-love-it/) - We woke up to sun shining through the little window, must be 8.15am. Who needs an alarm clock?After a quick brekky with Muesli and Clive's rasps we set to.I zoomed down the road to the Mairie to get the numbers of the cadastres for the sourcier while Al prepped for the cementing day ahead.By the
- [Not so easy Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/not-so-easy-sunday/) - An early start and straight on with mixing concrete. Breezy had the inside job of getting it all in the right place and level. I had the outside job of mixing and carrying.5 hrs later and we have a good strip of concrete laid at the far end of the barn. Just another 4 strips
- [Floor prep done](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/floor-prep-done/) - Went down to Salau first thing and borrowed the ladders from the Auberge as ours have still not turned up. A bit of recycling and called at Patricks place he is doing up.Considering it had three walls and no roof 2 years ago it is almost there now and looks great. He has just been
- [Ballast Removal](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ballast-removal/) - An early start for us today as we had planned to go down to St Girons for the morning.A quick brekky before heading off. We were thinking of going via Clive’s on the way to pick his rasps but it had rained overnight and still quite damp so we decided we would hope the sun
- [Full-on Flooring Friday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/full-on-flooring-friday/) - Woke up the the sun streaming in through the window. A quick breakfast with Clives raspberries and off we go. Well, Breezy set to some emails, sorting out enquiries for the chalet this comming winte, while I fettled a draw to make it close properly. Then it was the floor of the main barn. Armed
- [Bastille Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bastille-day/) - 14th July, Breezy and I committed to attend the celebrations in Couflens. The Fete started at noon so we had a bit of time to potter about before hand getting emails sorted and planning for the winter and Ski Breezy. A quick shower and off down the valley. Passed loads of folk on the piste
- [Terrace Completed, Barn Cleared and Levelling Begins....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/terrace-completed-barn-cleared-and-levelling-begins/) - Woke up to another blue sky day, really enjoying this weather and great that we were both feeling almost 100% again.We decided to do an hour and a half before brekky to try and get the terrace finished. This seemed to go by far too smoothly and we have now created an almost level area.
- [Mixed Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mixed-day/) - Sun shine keeps coming. So we attacked the terrace outside the barn door before brekky.We had decided that since we are planning on laying the concrete floor on our own that we need an easy area to work from, to make life easier. The easier way we could see was to level out the area
- [Internet Works.....Truck Arrives up The Piste for Deliveries....Success](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/internet-workstruck-arrives-up-the-piste-for-deliveriessuccess/) - After a very stormy night with the wind howling, we woke up to a reasonable day weather wise, clearish skies but very muggy.We were expecting the delivery in the afternoon so aimed to prep areas in the morning ready for it's arrival.After brekky in the sun, I had a bit of a tidy up and
- [Cascades, Picnic, BBQ, Midge Free Night, Bananagrams and Cribbage....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cascades-picnic-bbq-midge-free-night-bananagrams-and-cribbage/) - What a corker of a day. Not a cloud in the sky all day which was fantastic so that Dad could see it at it’s best. Bit of a bad start with the internet playing up again saying we had the wrong satellite so need to call Nordnet again this afternoon. Our plan was to
- [Dad Arrives and The Sun Shines Hoorah!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dad-arrives-and-the-sun-shines-hoorah/) - Lunch in the Sun with Dad...Perfect Woke up to quite a bit of low cloud which shifted very quickly and it was soon really hot. We decided since Dad was arriving at lunch time not to do the final strimming and be too hot and sweaty, instead we moved most of the wood up
- [Easy Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/easy-sunday/) - Clive & Giselle fed us really well last night and we came away with about 30 lettuce plants. We also sorted out borrowing a cement mixer and wheel barrow while they are on holiday in exchange for picking their fruit and freezing it for them.I started the day strimming while Breezy cleared out the hot
- [Last delivery stowed away](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-delivery-stowed-away/) - As we were expecting another lorry load of materials this morning we got up at the crack of sparrows to make space in the barn. All the woodwork unloaded the day before needed hoisting up to the first floor. Only took two hours and at the end of it Alison and Peter called by so
- [Pau, and a visit to see Clive Robinson north of Tarbes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pau-and-a-visit-to-see-clive-robinson-north-of-tarbes/) - After a brief stop to say au revoir to Dad who was on his way northish to see the Pages with a couple of nights stop over on the way. We traipsed back to Pau for Al's new X ray on his knee. Sweltering hot day and we were wilting with no air con in
- [St Girons](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/st-girons/) - A big list for St Girons. We were up early and away. We saw Henri at the end of the piste so we gave him our cheque for the 14th July celebrations which we have decided to go to this year since we are about. We stopped at Le Forgue and the good news is
- [Inernet Traumas Continue](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/inernet-traumas-continue/) - We woke up to a glorious day again and decided we best set to again trying to sort out the internet before midday so we could call them if need be. Lots of frustration and getting nowhere in a hurry and a bit over hearing the old razor sound from pointing and not getting the
- [Sun, Washing up Area and a Social Day with Midges!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sun-washing-up-area-and-a-social-day-with-midges/) - Woke up to glorious sunshine again and no luck with the internet so we abandoned that idea and decided to make an area for washing up underneath the tree. We have been balancing washing up etc on a plank and each time things nearly fall off and break so we set to.We used some old
- [Getting everything straight](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-everything-straight/) - Started the morning by making a good old list (on one sheet of paper).Decided to completely clean the outhouse where we are living before unloading the van. Considering the inside of the building is only just over 3m x 3m it did not take too long. Unpacked the van sorting out food and stuff to
- [Sunshine and Gardening](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunshine-and-gardening/) - We awoke at 8am to the sun streaming through the little front window boded well for another hot day. It is so good to finally see some sunshine and have some warmth. After brekky we had long list of things to do as normal. Main things we wanted to achieve was to get some strimming
- [More Strimming and Cleared Veggie Plot](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-strimming-and-cleared-veggie-plot/) - Happy Birthday Laney we were thinking of you and raised a glass to you in the evening too. Sun shining again making the choice of what to do a great deal easier. We wanted to finish digging out the veg patch and strimming the back terrace in the morning so we could plant some lettuces
- [Arrival in the Sun](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/arrival-in-the-sun/) - After our overnight stop just outside Limoux we headed towards the barn in glorious sunshine. We had a quick stop in St Girons for some food before heading on the final stretch to Salau. The village was quiet, the new owners into the Auberge busy gardening ready for the summer season. Always good to
- [Thoughts for 2010](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/thoughts-for-2010/) - Planning 2010 and what projects to tackle in the Pyrenees
- [Departure](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/departure/) - The time has come again to move up north away from our little Pyrenees Paradise. We obviously did not want to leave and slept through the alarm so left an hour later than planned. The stars were still out and thank good ness we put the cardboard on the windscreen the night before too cold
- [Stairs Completed](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stairs-completed/) - More sunshine yippee!!! Spent all morning assembling the ladder which we had begun yesterday. We got the idea from the chalet in Chamonix re having the ladder hinged to the wall to create more space….very important in our little home. We finally got it assembled and then got it varnished and drying in the sun
- [Logs & Pulleys](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/logs-pulleys/) - We spoke to Clive the evening before and he said that we would see him at lunchtime after he finished off another job. Hans and I started to shift the large floor beams into the building while Breezy used the mucktruck to collect water from the river and decant it into the 500ltr water but
- [Breezys Birthday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/breezys-birthday/) - Took 2 vehicles to St Girons as Chris was keen to be a tourist for the day. Breezy and I had a list of things to do and buy which took slightly longer than anticipated so we missed the market and had to scoff lunch before meeting the guys for half a days work. A
- [Wet day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wet-day/) - Weather has definitely not aided work today. The morning saw the second frame being constructed very quickly. However, rain was threatening all morning and then it finally arrived. We had an early lunch before the boys started levelling the second frame into place. Not ideal in the pouring rain. I decided to leave them to
- [Beton and aches & pains](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/beton-and-aches-pains/) - After a grotty forecast for today the sky had patches of blue when we woke up. Murray had French lessons today so we were down to Breezy, Hans, Clive and myself. By the end of the day we achieved a complete roof structure and also fettled about a third of the walls up to the
- [It's Friday...rest time!!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/its-fridayrest-time/) - Two weeks to go and we have a skeleton of a roof. By all accounts it will happen. I am knackered and seriously need a day off labour. Breezy seems to be coping better but she has a brave face. Slowly dismantling the dry stone wall at the back of the pad in order to
- [Problems with Vinnie](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/problems-with-vinnie/) - A rest day. And boy does my body need one. Started with a lie in, scrambled egg breakfast and a trip to St Girons. Picked up another half ton of cement to go with the ten ton of ballast arriving on Monday then an amble round the market. Followed that with food shopping for the
- [Mc Donalds; would you believe it?](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mc-donalds-would-you-believe-it/) - Another shopping day. A bit of a slow morning with a lie in and then getting emails sorted and the right stuff on different laptops. First stop was fuel for the truck then on to La Forge for materials: insulation for under the concrete floor in the outhouse, guttering for the roof, pipe for the
- [Fete at Seix - Ugly Cow Competition](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fete-at-seix-ugly-cow-competition/) - I wandered over to the Auberge to put some meat in their freezer first thing and Freddy told me about a fete in Seix, down the valley. When I told Breezy plans for the day changed. The fete is to do with bringing down the animals from the mountains for the winter. They have a
- [Wall Capping](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wall-capping/) - A few clouds around but huge patches of blue, so we went straight up to prepare for the capping of the walls. Make it sound grand and it does not seem like mixing concrete and pouring it on the walls. First we need water from the river, ballast from the trailer that we abandoned at
- [Wood ont Roof](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/wood-ont-roof/) - Blue sky, snow down to 1300m and chuffing freezing. Undeterred we went up the hill to the grange. It looked like chocolate box scenery from inside a warm vehicle. Outside however it was different. Having read the instructions for the toilet installation (scant) we bolted things to floors and cut tubes etc at the same
- [Pink Fizz & Fire Basket](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/pink-fizz-fire-basket/) - Happy Birthday Al and Happy 40th Birthday Henry!!! As we still needed a load of ballast we headed off early, down the valley to St Girons with the truck and trailer. It was another glorious day. Loaded up and procured a few bits and bobs before the stores closed at twelve. Collecting Freddy’s ladders en
- [Cement Floor & Friends](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/cement-floor-french-friends/) - Today is the day that we give up the luxury of the gite and move into the barn. Frantic packing of bags, loading the van and cleaning before a breakfast of egg window. Ekke called by and we made arrangements to hand over the gite at two pm which gave us time to start working
- [Ekke's House](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ekkes-house/) - We survived our first night in the barn, bat free too. Mind you we are keeping up the mossie net just in case the odd bat or mouse decides to visit us!!! After a chilly nights sleep we rearranged bedding and got the fleece blanket out. Main priority was to get the toilet all connected
- [New Arival by Chris](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/new-arival-by-chris/) - Up to and including then anyway. Well…! We all seemed to have got up this morning. There was a loud guffaw from ‘the other room’ early on, (what I meant was early, as in not near to lunchtime but not near dawn either). Anyway, we all deserved a bit of a rest, A and B
- [Return to the Project](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/return-to-the-project/) - After a fantastic 10 days travelling down from Chamonix on holiday where we managed some great climbing in Italy and France, an exposed Via Ferrata near Briancon 3 leisurely days sight seeing with Dad in Provence and 3 days of decadence with Dad at the Swans at their lovely house in Grimaud (thank you both
- [To Sum Up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/to-sum-up/) - A really fun month. I personally (Breezy) have felt a huge sense of achievement by putting the small roof on the barn, laying a floor as well as getting the toilet installed as well as loads of other small bit and pieces. I know Al has done it all before but it is all still
- [Bits n Bobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bits-n-bobs/) - Left the barn early to get down to St Girons. First stop was Annie's to drop off the cement mixer. She was a bit flustered, trying to get horses fed and animals sorted before getting to work. Then onto La Forgue to pick up some additional stove pipe bits. Lee had given us a small
- [First couple of days back](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/first-couple-of-days-back/) - Flew out to Carcasonne on Saturday and were met by Von, Andie’s sister at the airport. Von and Mark had been looking after Vinnie, our VW van since the spring, a quick cuppa and catch up before heading off to Mirepoix to stay there the night rather than arriving at the grange in the dark
- [Breezy's 40th Birthday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/breezys-40th-birthday/) - We let the rabble have breakfast and get out the door before we surfaced. A simple breakfast of crusty bread, jam and plenty of coffee then out to set off. Once packed and paid up I realised that the school group must have taken my walking poles. They must have removed Breezy’s pack from the
- [Stove and Stairs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stove-and-stairs/) - Well not actually stairs but in the afternoon we did set to building a ladder up to the Mezzanine. No more dodgey stepladders to get in and out of bed. We managed to cut all the wood ready to assemble it tomorrow.In the morning we fettled the stove in the outhouse connecting the flue with
- [Generator & Flooring](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/generator-flooring/) - A full day was planned for today as Al was very keen that we should try and get all the flooring down in the outbuilding, mezzanine and main floor. Although small, these things still take time. Al was very patient whilst we went through how to floor again and I set to upstairs whilst Al
- [The Before and After of The Outbuilding](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-before-and-after-of-the-outbuilding/) - Always good to see the before and after shots, makes you realise what you have achieved.THE BEFORE SHOTS ANDTHE AFTER SHOTS!!!!
- [Packing up](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/packing-up/) - Blue skies and colder than cold!!! Heavy frost on the ground again, Vinnie almost looking white. We had a visitor this morning a young Spanish cartographer who had old piccys of the barn and needed to get the new GPS co ordinates. Sadly he was not in the position to give us the aerial picky
- [Rainy Sunday](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rainy-sunday/) - Egg Window - Always a winner More rain which was a bit dull as we were really hoping to get the battery charged up fully before we head back, don’t think that is going to happen so we are minimizing on electricity at the moment. We decided to light the stove first thing and get
- [Mouse out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mouse-out/) - A late start after the interrupted (mouse) kip. Drizzle and low cloud. Not much chance of charging the battery with solar today. It’s getting a bit alarming as we have only a few days left before we leave and the battery is showing 84%. We could do with getting it back up to 100% before
- [Hoorah!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/interupted-sleep/) - Hoorah!! An uninterrupted night. So it was the culprit in the solar box. He had not discovered that he could sneak under the ill-fitting door and regain the advantage. It was cold as soon as we opened the door. Autumn is definitely here. On a mission to save the battery we fired up the generator
- [Another mushroom education](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/another-mushroom-education/) - Woke up to another chilly morning but blue skies again so quite happy. I spent a while doing work stuff while Al tinkered with the generator which is still misbehaving. As soon as the sun was out Al was back on the roof with buckets of water and fingers crossed we think the leak has
- [Dinner out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dinner-out/) - The alarm woke us at 7am. The idea being to get down the valley to St Girons, do some chores and actually get to the market before it closed. Brilliant idea but we had not figured it would still be dark. Having dragged ourselves out of bed and picked up all the stuff we needed
- [We found some.....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/we-found-some/) - Woke up to lovely blue skies after a bit of a lie in. The blue skies did not last for long and we had sunshine and showers on and off all day. We decided to make a start on the ceiling in the bathroom, so first step was to make it bug proof. We found
- [More Donkeys and No More Mushrooms....](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-donkeys-and-no-more-mushrooms/) - Another stormy night and we woke up to rain but this soon cleared up and the donkeys reappeared, so not sure whether Olivier has got the message about them escaping yet. We looked at options for water catchment and what pipes etc we would need for what we wanted to do and Al also came
- [Platforms ](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/platforms/) - After an excellent sleep, not even the howling wind woke me…Al had to get up in the middle of the night to put the window back in. I heard nothing. The weather had obviously changed, it was really warm with a very warm wind blowing, but clear, clear blue skies. Brekky and washing up from
- [An education in mushrooms](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/an-education-in-mushrooms/) - After a stormy night, we woke up to mixed weather sunshine and showers. We decided to tackle making a holder for the container which catches any excess liquid from the composting toilet. Al had recycled some old crates yesterday so we continued to use them up. A nice simple frame and Al attached it to
- [Bits and Bobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bits-and-bobs/) - A windy night but still very warm. Nice to be able to have brekky outside, still having lots of brambles with cereals to get us going in the morning. I spent the morning sorting out work stuff while Al pottered around in the main barn identifying wood to finish the platform off. After a coffee
- [Treehouse Commences](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/treehouse-commences/) - Had a lie in which was lovely. Woke up eventually to a lovely morning, clear blue skies and not quite as chilly as yesterday. After brekky and sorting e mails we cleared the route to where we are hopin to start the tree house. Not too much in the way. We have purposefully chosen a
- [Funny Evening out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/funny-evening-out/) - Woke up to glorious sun shine again beginning to get used to this and so we decided the best plan of attack was to start on insulating the roof as it makes it a lot easier when the weather is dry, working from outside with all the cutting etc. Firstly, Al solved the down lighter
- [Touristy things](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/touristy-things/) - A leisurely start We had a good brekky with lots of goodies to enjoy. Then off we trundled to Bastide de Serou to find the market. A very small market but I mananged to find some lovely Brebis cheese for us. A disappointing trip to St Lizier as it was all closed up due to
- [Ceiling done and lights again](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/ceiling-done-and-lights-again/) - A bit of a cloudy start but dry so that was fine for us. We cracked on with finishing off the ceiling which took about an hour. Alison and the gang turned up for elevenses and we showed them round up dating them with the progress. Coffee in the sun very nice. They trundled back
- [Shops and Ceiling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shops-and-ceiling/) - We had decided to go to St Girons and collect supplies, the most exciting thing about the trip was this time we would not need to make a trip to Maccy D’s for internet access yippee do da day!!! We had a reasonably prompt start for us and were away by 8.45am and had a
- [Stove swap](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stove-swap/) - Another glorious day and we have decided that the Godin stove which we got off Lee is not quite right for the out building, we have other plans for where we are going to put that. We decided to use the pot bellied stove that we had brought out from the UK in the corner.
- [Sunshine so hot showers outside](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunshine-so-hot-showers-outside/) - Woke up to glorious sunshine which was great news after 4 days of rain it was getting a bit tedious!!! The sun does not actually reach the barn at this time of year until 10.30am so quite fresh first thing. Had brekky cereals and brambles from the land which although very small were delicious. We
- [Solar Box](https://www.radicalfish.eu/ecofriendly-matters/free-solar-heating/) - How to get free underfloor solar heating
- [More pointing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-pointing/) - Woke up to blue sky which stayed for most of the day which was great not to be in the drizzle to work. I shifted the sand up to the barn while Al got a mix going on the ongoing chore of getting the outbuilding pointed and bug proof, will we ever get there???? Henri
- [Great walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/great-walk/) - Day off YIPPEE!!! After a restless night with deflating lilo which needed constantly pumping up….moving back to the old ones which manage to stay up for the whole night!!! Absoloutely gorgeous day so we headed off to Trein D’Oustou just about 20 mins away and headed off on a walk recommended by
- [Inedible chicken](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/inedible-chicken/) - A real scorcher of a day and so much so that the water we heat in the solar bags was almost too hot and we nearly needed to add cold water!!! The morning was spent again with the dreaded pointing fiasco which we are both looking forward to finishing. That took all morning before having
- [Solar pannel and slating roof](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/solar-pannel-and-slating-roof/) - Complete contrast to yesterday with fantastic sunshine. Over breakfast I got all the solar PV components out to wire it all up only to find that the terminals on the battery and the battery leads supplied were not compatible. Boo. As we have some cement spare which will mot last until the autumn we made
- [Shifting stuff about again](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/shifting-stuff-about-again/) - We were planning to get down to St Girons today to the market and get internet and washing done. The transhumance started at Seix at 6am and essentially meant that 2000 sheep and an assortment of ramblers would be walking up the narrow road to Salau to arrive about 9am. Not a great day to
- [We have a slate roof and lights too!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/we-have-a-slate-roof-and-lights-too/) - After a stormy night with thunder, lightening and strong very gusty winds it did not look promising for slating.However, after brekky it had stopped raining so we decided to start and if it rained we would move inside and do inside jobs as such, but we were lucky it stayed dry all day and after
- [Big Clear Out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/big-clear-out/) - Another overcast day so we decided it was time for "egg window surprise" Al did a fantastic breakfast of egg window and sautéed potatoes to keep us going. It was a good feeling to have no pressure for the last day and not having to run around like headless chickens getting things done.Instead we gradually
- [Departure Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/departure-day/) - It seems to have come around very quickly again but it was time to pack up and head off to Carcassonne for our flight.We were up quite early for us 7am and had a quick brekky and then packed up for the next few hours before having a last shower and heading off. We said
- [Solar PV workshop](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/solar-pv-workshop/) - Our aim today was to get to just south of Perpignan and meet Nigel who deals with solar products and said he would set up a work shop for us to help us get started. We arrived there for 11am thinking it would take an hour or so but we did not actually get away
- [The Roof](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-roof/) - The Roof construction in slate
- [Update](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/update/) - So, we have found a friendly architect who is doing drawings for us. Well actually he is a student architect who has jumped at the opportunity to earn beer money. Fantastic, we like.Also got a structural engineer onboard who is going to design the roof. Martin Ward is happy to be paid in wine! So
- [So It's now ours](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/so-its-now-ours/) - Having parted with the cash the Bergerie is now ours! Received the paperwork today and broken open the fizz. A lovely pink number went down very nicely, followed by another.
- [The Purchase](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/the-purchase/) - Things in France just seem to take time. So we have finally sent money over to complete the purchase of the Bergerie. Now we wait for something to come back.We spent about ten days over there in October and measured up as best we could. We also managed to get a couple of really great
- [In The Beginning...](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/in_the_beginning/) - Once upon a time there was this small, derelict, stone building, up in the mountains and miles from any other habitation. The gorgeous views, and the several acres of land that belonged to it, made it irresistible ... Front view looking up the slope Another front view looking up the slope Running water at the
- [Structural Engineer](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/structural-engineer/) - Got the structural engineer's drawings. Martin has done a fantastic job. We gave him the architect’s drawings and a few sketches. He came back with two options for the roof and for each option he has put a table together of all the different permutations of wood thickness and depths of wood that will do
- [Chain Saw Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chain-saw-day/) - Having bought a chain saw for the project, thought it wise to be able to know how to use it (safely).Friends of ours Alan and Christine from The Peak kindly offered their teaching skills for a day. Another friend of ours Kate Daniels (see piccy below) joined us. A very worthwhile day, in the morning
- [Dinner Digging and Divining](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/46/) - Yesterday we spent the whole morning scouring the forest behind the grange for an “eau de source” or a spring. No luck. Whenever we see the Mayor, the first thing he says is have we found the source yet! It gets a little repetitive after a while. On the flora front; as well as naturalised
- [Roof repairs & access](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/roof-repairs-access/) - Woke up to more snow and looking very chilly outside!!! We headed up the valley again on roof restoration duties!!! Al donned his climbing head and trundled up and down ladders for the morning with tin for the roof, nails, weights etc in an attempt to make the hole in the roof smaller. Job well
- [Snow and More Slate!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/snow-and-more-slate/) - Snow down to about 1200m overnight gave the morning a very different feel to it. The day started with us returning Annie and Murray’s cement mixer. It had rained over night and was still drizzling. The footbridge over the river was slippery and the thought of one or both of us ending up in
- [Debs away - ballast](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/debs-away-balast/) - 5.30am was a rude awakening but we got Debs off to St Giron and onto the bus. Then we managed to tick our whole list of things to do while we were there. Most importantly was getting the papers from the DDE for the “Permit de Travaux” it looks a lot simpler than the other
- [Bridge to start - booze to finish](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bridge-to-start-booze-to-finish/) - Decided to make a prompt start with the intention of finishing the bridge access. So a full on morning, with the end result being access for vehicles…BRILLIANT!!! We had also partly finished repairing the main window shutter, so Al scuttled up a ladder to tackle the final parts so that we are now secure. Another
- [Finally propped up the roof](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/finally-propped-up-the-roof/) - On the way out this morning we liberate Freddy’s ladders, which protrude somewhat from the back of Vinnie, who is already laid down with a cement mixer and bags of cement. A slow trip up the road and then we start making concrete for the bridge. Adam arrives to sort out the roof as
- [Permit Seeking](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/permit-seaking/) - First thing we set about the “Permit de Travaux” filling in all the paperwork; gathering all the stuff we needed and preparing what we were going to say to the Marie in the afternoon. Having got 2 ½ ton of ballast in Murray’s trailer and left it at the start of the 4x4 track we
- [Dung Clearance and Chilly Swimming](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/dung-clearance-and-chilly-swimming/) - The mist was hanging over the tops again but you could see patches of blue above which was great. The aim for the day was to clear the inside of the barn which we knew was going to be hard work. A good system with 2 digging and one person trundling with Walter to the
- [Previous Owner](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/previous-owner/) - The sun was shining, contrary to the forecast which was a bonus. So we headed up with Debs to start another day… We had a morning of shifting the slate again…nearly there now and Debs and I graded it whilst catching up on the news. The bonfire was going and can hardly believe we have
- [Debs, roast chicken and locals](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/debs-roast-chicken-and-red-necks/) - Debs arrives today!! Went into St Girons in the morning early and sorted out a load of photocopying for the Permis de Construit; checked up on internet stuff and got over to the market. What a fantastic market. Got to take the camera next time, it’s great all the local produce, plants, paella, … Picked
- [Sun and bridge progress](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sun-and-bridge-progress/) - Today the sun shone all day so we set about outdoor tasks. Having fished a bent metal girder out of the river a few days ago we finally managed to move it up to the bridge. A foot at a time we covered the 50m uphill. Once in place it has finally given us the
- [Washed out](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/washed-out/) - Started the day dry but overcast so lit a fire and got the chainsaw on a few logs from the pile of stuff to burn. Once the fire was going nicely we cut the rotten ends off the beams inside and stacked them against the wall giving us more room to dig out. The rain
- [Digging and shifting](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/digging-and-shifting/) - Woke up to rain so we spent the first hour or so sorting out more papers and Al doing a bit of work for Unique Solutions. Then we headed up the road for a very productive day. It was still raining so we opted to start on the massive job of digging out the main
- [Disappointment at the Marie](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/disappointment-at-the-marie/) - Yesterday was a day in St Girons; photocopying, buying supplies. setting up accounts, etc.Al worked hard in the morning sorting out the plans for the Marie. Then we headed up to the Bergerie for a few hours. Managed to start a bonfire with the wet wood and slowly wading our way through it. Shifted another
- [Easy Door Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/easy-door-day/) - Started today by moving more slate around. Access to the roof is better from the back rather than the front so we are concentrating on getting all the slate we have graded up there. Plan is to do a bit each day. Finished the door to the annex out of salvaged wood from inside the
- [Firedoors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/29/) - Woke up to the sun shining and seeing the snow capped peaks which was great. A quick spot of paperwork for the Marie and then up the hill we go again! We started a bonfire to start getting rid of the woodpile. 26 degrees of heat and a bonfire going…very hot day! We have decided
- [Brain, Slate and more Slate](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/28/) - Spent an hour and a half reading through the application for the “Permis de Construit” and working out where we are deficient. Thanks to Andy (the architect) and Martin (structural engineer) we think we have it all covered. It is going to take a few hours to pull it all together and get it checked
- [Bear and Slate](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bear-and-slate/) - Yesterday we started digging out old slates from the outhouses. It would appear that when a previous owner of the barn saw that the roof was caving in, they stripped the slate off and dumped it in the outhouses that had already lost their roofs. Then they put tin on the roof of the barn.
- [Bridge, Brambles and New Barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/bridge-brambles-and-new-barn/) - A leisurely start to the day, the mist was hanging over the tops so we donned thermals and headed up the valley. We decided to try and finish the retaining wall for the access to the bridge, lots of rock carrying and within 10 mins the thermals were off and we were down to T
- [Stone and River](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stone-and-river/) - Having weighed up options we went into St Girons in the morning. We have got loads done but recognise that we will very soon run out of options with the tools we have, so tool buying it is. Picked up a couple of forks, PPE for chainsaw, string and a wheelbarrow. Back to the
- [Chris Cooked, new Pup](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chris-cooked-new-pup/) - A large lie in after a 2.30am finish from the antics the night before. We woke up to the sun shining always lovely. A few errands in the am and a visit to see Daniella’s new pup a border collie which is adorable. Much needed time for Al and myself at the Bergerie discussing the
- [Snow](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/snow/) - The sun finally shone but wow was it cold after the snow getting down to 1200m, a tad parky to say the least. We had a very successful day today and achieved loads. Chris collected an extra scaff tower from Murray’s and then helped Clive to get cement mixer etc on site too. Clive joined
- [First Delivery](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/50/) - Delivery day…will they won’t they drop the materials on the land? I was hopeful but to no avail as Monsieur Cazale was determined that end of the 4X4 track was as far as he was going. Not an ideal start but at least the sun was shining. So Plan B was to use Chris’s 4X4
- [Solving Problems](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/solving-problems/) - Very grey day with loads of rain over night and we still need to get the gravel up to behind the barn, not sure if the truck will make it up in the boggy conditions, we will see. Al loaded 30 sacks of gravel that then Chris tried to get up the hill. In the
- [Second Delivery](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/second-delivery/) - Delivery Day 2 and the truck had arrived at the end of the track before us and had already started unloading masses of materials….and we were just beginning to ponder just how long shifting all of it was going to take when peep peep Monsieur Le Mayor arrives in full force…luckily on our side, giving
- [Preparation for the back of the roof](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/preparation-for-the-back-of-the-roof/) - A day of sorting, cleaning and grading slate in preparation for the back of the barn. Clive soldered the guttering for the back of the roof and laid the first line of large slates. All the slate is stacked in lines and ready to go on the roof as required. A boring day but it
- [Massive progress](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/massive-progress/) - Today we had a really successful day on the roof. All the preparation yesterday paid off as the slates went on really quickly with Hans and Clive working together nailing them all on. Only two more lines of felt (2m) left to get to the ridge. In the afternoon the boys were fairly autonomous and
- [Celebration lunch](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/celebration-lunch/) - A beautiful day for a bit of a celebration. We got up fairly early to sort out the salads and get everything prepared. It was freezing up at the barn before the sun hit it at 11:30. Adam came by about half nine and sawed up some logs for us. Then Pierre came at 11:30
- [Front finished](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/front-finished/) - Slightly overcast start to the day but air temperature warmer. After arriving at the barn we had our first visitor of the day Monsieur le Maire. He walked up to the Bergerie with his dog to see how work was progressing. All good in his eyes with lots of advice too, which was more than
- [More slate](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-slate/) - How shall I say it…more slate!!!! Giselle, Al and I cleaned slate pretty much all day, covered in dust from head to toe. Only at the end of the day did Hans say “Breezy you look really funny” uum I thought why? He said I was a tad black!!! The sun shone all day and
- [Sarking & Gutters](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sarking-gutters/) - The poplar planking for the roof went on the front as well as gutters. Even the first layer of felt and some slate!! It looks like we could have the beginnings of a roof. Biggest concern is if we have enough slate for the front roof viewable from the track? Need to get on to
- [Productive Day with Gizelle](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/productive-day-with-gizelle/) - Van returned safely, Vinnie all healthy so back to normal. Mum and Dad left today via Carcassone, looking forward to hearing about it. Not sun but no rain all day until 7pm when we had just reached the bar!!! A day of getting things done, or so it felt like. We had Gizelle on site
- [RAIN!!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rain/) - Hoping of better weather was wasted, it was a foul day!!! I headed off to get the hire van, to my horror a HUGE van with new rear window…eek must plan route home to involve no parking and no reversing!!! Mission accomplished!!! Phew. Parked the van at the end of the track not going up
- [Mum and Dad's Visit](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mum-and-dads-visit/) - The morning was spent trying to sort out Vinnie. Patrick very kindly gave us a lift down to Vinnie to hand the keys over to the garage tow service and then gave us a lift home. Now we will wait and see what AGF say? Mum and Dad arrived at about 11.30 after a lovely
- [Big Progress](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/big-progress/) - Clive got on site before us and had already started whittling a truss. Security is not really tight with no roof at all and steps that lead up the back over the wall. It was a beautiful day, almost too hot around lunchtime and all of us guzzling lots of water. The morning’s challenge was
- [Construction Starts](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/construction-starts/) - Clive turned up still hung over from Saturday, to be fair he cleared up after the party on Sunday morning and started drinking again celebrating his wedding anniversary and spent the afternoon in bed. I gave him a bottle of water. Clive finished bashing out holes in the gable wall to accept floor joists while
- [Snow at the grange](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/snow-at-the-grange/) - No we are not there yet. A few days ago Lee sent us these images after he walked up to our place. We haven't actually met Lee yet but he lives locally and has his own Blog Here!Lee kindly let us use the images and we aim to get to meet up in May time.
- [Productive Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/productive-day/) - Guess what…??? It was raining again when we woke up. So we planned the day to get the last bit of the back wall sorted. Full steam ahead when we got there and we had an excellent day, the rain stopped for most of it which was a bonus so we got loads ticked off
- [Still Alive](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/still-alive/) - Still alive after eating puffball! Blue sky morning so Breezy and I decided to get up, get our arses into gear and get stuff done up at the grange. Breezy started off by painting the ironwork of the bridge with hammerite while I got the strimmer out and tackled the nettles and brambles at the
- [Sun Sun Sun](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sun-sun-sun/) - SUN SUN SUN!!!! We awoke to see the sun shining which was great news. We decided to head up to Port Salau for a walk something we have been trying to do for ages. We got a text from Lee saying he had the same idea so he swung by the gite at 10am and
- [Chris left for the airport](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/chris-left-for-the-airport/) - Chris left for the airport at about 5:30 am. We heard nothing!!! We woke up to blue sky, which inspired us to get going, a very pleasant change from all the rain we have been having. On the way up we filled the trailer with more stones for filling in the back wall. We cracked
- [More Rain](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-rain/) - Guess what – rain again. Left early as we had the VW booked into a garage in Seix. Vinnie has had a knocking near the drivers wheel when you turn right for ages but it is slowly getting worse. Dropped of the wood at Annie’s on the way and on to the garage. Took the
- [Still Raining](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/still-raining/) - Still raining, although the river has abated some. Chris left at 7:30 to get a lift with Eke as he had to go to the airport anyway. Breezy and I went up to the barn. We had wanted to do a walk for a day or two in the mountains but the thought of walking
- [Rain Rain and more Rain](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/rain-rain-and-more-rain/) - Rain Rain and more rain. Dropped Chris off at Annie’s to borrow her car for a rendez vous with Nikki. Breezy and I braved the rain and went up to the barn for some indoor work. The torrential rain has uncovered a couple of leaks in the roof. One is where the chimney is which
- [A Leisurely Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/a-leisurely-day/) - A very leisurely start after the party the night before. Weather still raining and dismal. Chris wanted to go to the market so we headed off there and got caught in a huge downpour running from shelter to shelter. Not the best day to see the market, however, we bought a few good cheeses. Chris
- [Party night](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/party-night/) - A brighter start to the day which was a relief, as we had Murray booked in to help us get the floor down in the annex. Plenty of muscle needed. Al and I got up there 40 mins before Murray arrived which gave us time to get the entrance to the annex sorted for wheelbarrow
- [Floor Preparation](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/floor-preparation/) - Up earlyish to get to St Girons and back before we wasted too much of the day. I did the food shop while Al sorted the material exchange at La Forgue, so we could sort the pipe out under the floor. We were back by 10.30am and up to the Bergerie soon after for a
- [Basic Plumbing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/basic-plumbing/) - Shopping day…..we headed off into St Girons to get supplies for the floor, insulation, reinforcement, waste pipes, conduit and pine floor for upstairs which all squeezed into Vinnie with a few ties to hold it all in on our way home. Had a coffee with Murray at midday and arranged for him to work with
- [Getting Sorted](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-sorted/) - A slightly better start to the day weather wise, and it was mainly dry all day which was great and meant we could get loads done. Chris turned up to help us lift the wood burner out of Vinnie and into the barn with the use of the Muck Truck and trailer. Thanks Chris
- [Market trip aborted](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/market-trip-aborted/) - Rain early morning gave way to sunny spells and showers. Intention was to get to the market at St Girons before dropping Stevie off at the bus which connects to the train to Toulouse where he starts work with Bambooco on Sunday. Peter showed up as we were sorting breakfast so he stopped for a
- [Last Day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-day/) - A grey day so we shelved the plans to walk up the Cirque D’Anglade. Instead we sorted out packing and cleaning the gite. Took a few things up to the barn to leave here and make the place secure. Back to the gite for lunch and finish cleaning. Ready for the next installment Blue flowers
- [Lunch Chez Nous](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/lunch-chez-nous/) - We were hoping for a nice sunny day as we had asked Lee and Peter for lunch. So we got a few bits and pieces done before they arrived at 1pm. We mainly tidied up the outbuilding brushing down walls, cleaning the floor etc so we were ready to attack flooring tomorrow. The rest of
- [Last of the cement](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/last-of-the-cement/) - You guessed it! It rained! Again rekindled the fire. Determined not to waste the cement and ballast we persevered with mixing concrete. This time concentrating on the walls on the river side of the barn. Part of the rationale for wall building is that at some point in the future we will have a load
- [Heavens Opened](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/heavens-opened/) - First off, rekindle the fire to burn more waste wood. With about half a dozen bags of cement left over and a load of ballast we searched for places to use it. Having dug stones out of the inside wall under the gable end window we cemented in a slab of slate as a step
- [Unstable Weather](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/unstable-weather/) - More unstable weather threatened in the morning so we tacked more of the outdoor jobs that could be dropped at a moments notice. Started off by lighting a fire to get shot of the wood not worth keeping and chainsawing more beams into logs for the wood pile. Also cleared random piles of rocks generated
- [Mizzle](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/mizzle/) - A mizzly morning so we decided to get some small must do jobs done before thinking about the roof. Started with the fence around the veggie patch. Big tick! Fitted the door to the outhouse and cut it up as a stable style door, fitted bolts etc. another tick. In the afternoon we made windows
- [Rebuilding the front wall](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/101/) - Started by driving up to the mines to see if we could find an Orange mobile signal to get the new internet key to work. No joy on that front but we did bump in to the Mayor. After the normal greetings we arranged to go to his office to get a permit for the
- [Short Shepards](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/102/) - Started straight on with the front wall of the out house. The building would have originally been for the shepherd to live in for some of the year while the beasts lived in the main barn. I think they were very short as the door was very low. Inside was a hearth, earth floor and
- [Small jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/small-jobs/) - Woke up to pouring rain. Al chased Clive re ballast delivery but not sure it will arrive today. By the time we got to the barn it was dry and the day gradually improved with it actually being really hot until we sat down for lunch and the sun went in!!! A day
- [Back home](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/back-home/) - We were awake at 7am so decided to get up and hit the road. The truck started a huge relief and off we went. Got to Boulogne in good time for a coffee and a croissant before sailing at 11am. Oh how we love the UK roads!!! Felt like we were back in Paris!!! Anyway,
- [On route back](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/on-route-back/) - We woke up again to snow. Al was happy as he could have a long soak in a bath while I used the wifi to catch up on work e mails. All looking good for a 9am ish start BUT oh no the car would not start. The steering wheel was locked and we could
- [Getting away in the snow](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/getting-away-in-the-snow/) - Happy Birthday Dad!!! We woke up and it had stopped snowing, yippee!!! Peter cooked us a wonderful cooked brekky to get us on our way. We headed up the hill with all the trees ladened with snow, it looked like a real winter wonderland. First obstacle of the day was the fallen trees in the
- [Odd Jobs](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/odd-jobs/) - A much warmer night’s sleep and we did not want to get out of bed. As we had an open bag of cement we got the mixer going again and used it up, concrete around the door to the outhouse, around the vent pipe for the toilet and around one of the windows in the
- [Refugees from the cold](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/refugees-from-the-cold/) - It had rained most of the night and the snow level was down to 1200m and it was a tad chilly!!! We had brekky and plenty of hot drinks before Clive turned up to solder the gutters for the out building. Al and Clive set too while I trundled to the Auberge to do some
- [More drizzle](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-drizzle/) - By the time we had finished gathering stuff in St Girons we headed back to the gite for our sandwiches. Still drizzle and cold. Everything up at the grange was sodden. A failed attempt to get the truck up the hill to unload the ballast meant that I had to reverse it down again onto
- [More ballast](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/more-ballast/) - Grim weather today so off down the valley to get more ballast. Only thing left is the concrete floor in the outhouse. We have all the insulation and mesh etc so we may as well get it done. Should only take ½ a day of mixing but we will need 2 ton of ballast so
- [Early start](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/early-start-2/) - An early start a bit of a shock to the system!!! Alarm went at 7am and we were out the door by 7.20am on our way to St Girons as the ballast delivery had not arrived so we needed to go and collect it to be able to progress with the roof on the outbuilding.
- [Egg window and rainbow](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/egg-window-and-rainbow/) - Sundays are great as it is egg window day. Get a thick bit of nice bread, cut a hole in the middle (best done by pushing a cup or something round into it on a hard surface so you get a perfectly round hole), lightly fry one side in a frying pan with a little
- [Digging and visitors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/digging-and-visitors/) - Still awaiting a delivery of ten tonnes of ballast so that we can crack on with the small outhouse roof. We have been tipping earth from digging out places behind the barn in a small walled area and today is the day that we dig out all the nettles and smooth it over. An overcast
- [New floor in the bog](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/new-floor-in-the-bog/) - Floor boards, floorboards, floorboards…but now we have a first floor in the annex. We spent the vast majority of the day laying floor boards. The petrol lantern was brilliant and worked a treat in allowing us to see what we were meant to be doing!!! Al was chief chopper and measurer and I was chief
- [Aerial view from Lee's walk](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/aerial-view-from-lees-walk/)
- [SRT on the balcony](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/srt-on-the-balcony/) - As it was Sunday we had a lie in and a leisurely morning with egg window for brekky, one of Al’s specialities…yummy delicious. Ekke popped around so Al could help him with some rope work, hanging from the balcony etc. which he really appreciated and then we headed up to the barn. The warm wind
- [Early start](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/early-start/) - Woke early and went straight up to the grange. The more time we spend putting a roof on the little out house the more we think that it would make a really cosy place to sleep. First off finished spragging the wall plates together. Although we had enough douglas fir left over to do the
- [Got the toilet!!](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/got-the-toilet/) - Spoke to Clive early to ask him if he could arrange a delivery of ballast for us. He has a contact with a 4x4 lorry who can deliver on site. He can’t get it over the bridge but can dump ten tonnes to just the other side. Should be plenty, and doesn’t go off, so
- [Weds Shopping day](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/weds-shopping-day/) - First time I have been let lose on the blog this time…change in the weather the mist was low down on the mountains and there was a constant drizzle all morning. So we made a plan to go to the barn in the morning and then go to St Girons in the pm as we
- [Sunday working](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/sunday-working/) - In the begining Having arrived in Salau yesterday evening about six, we unpacked the van of stuff for the gite in the village, cooked, ate and went to bed knackered. This morning we drive the works Toyota over the bridge and unloaded everything else into the barn. No need to do a day of strimming
- [6 hour picnic](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/6-hour-picnic/) - As we were due to be in Salau to go to the picnic by noon we had a constructive couple of hours digging out weeds and digging in compost at the rear of the main barn. Planted the red current bush and the chives we bought on the route down south. We feel like we
- [Scrabble & Sausage](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/scrabble-sausage/) - We woke up to low cloud but this soon cleared to be a lovely day weather wise. The morning we spent in the outbuilding, cleaning the walls and de vegging the place it looked a bit like a very neglected green house. We also managed to make 3 easy holes in the 60cms thick walls
- [Fix the toilet vent and more](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/fix-the-toilet-vent-and-more/) - It took most of the morning for me to get all the supplies up to the barn while Al sorted the pipe-work for the outbuilding. John and Shirley we think of you each time we use the Muck truck it is invaluable and gets so much use, life without it would be much harder. Al
- [Install in the barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/install-in-the-barn/) - Tree Felling and Open Vista Made the use of the hot shower before heading off in overcast weather but dry. We made a couple of stops on the way through to the barn to say hello to a few people. We popped in to see Scottish Annie and all her dogs, then on to Salau
- [Slate snaffling](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/slate-snaffling/) - Woke up to sunshine which was great, always much more motivated with a bit of sunshine. Had brekky in the sun and then set to on giving the floor a quick sand and varnish which did not take too long, looking good, we are both pleased with how the outbuilding is shaping up. We then
- [Stevie arrives](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/stevie-arrives/) - Vegie Patch As we were due to pick up Stevie from the train station early afternoon we set about some small jobs at the grange. First off we made another window to fit into the outhouse and then packed out both remaining frames with odd noggins of wood so that we could mortar
- [Finished Pointing](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/finished-pointing/) - Finished Table Three loads of mortar saw the end, yes the end of pointing up the walls of the out building. Yippee. A late lunch and then we finished assembling the table legs so that we completed the table too.
- [La La La](https://www.radicalfish.eu/the-project/la-la-la/) - Right side with window Back wall done! Decision was made to crack on with the joints so I mixed up a load and we did just that. Dug over some more of the veg plot while waiting for the mortar to go off before brushing it off. Just finished brushing as Annie and Jean
- [Eco Concepts](https://www.radicalfish.eu/ecofriendly-matters/concepts/) - Ecofriendly building concepts
- [Eco March](https://www.radicalfish.eu/ecofriendly-matters/eco-march/) - Generally getting lots of research done on eco stuff. Regarding solar PV pannel, we are currently looking at alternatives to incorporating them in the roof. This has advantages aesthetically. Also it allows for expansion easily and potentially offers us further rainwater capture for water (if we go down that route).

## Pages

- [](https://www.radicalfish.eu/) - Weblog for Alun & Breezys Barn Conversion Project in the Ariege. Completely off grid using as many recycled materials as possible.
- [Gallery](https://www.radicalfish.eu/gallery/) - Here is a random selection of Images from the Blog over the years. For more specific collections use the sub galleries. Let us know what you think? There is more on the interior and the exterior here.
- [About Breezy and Alun](https://www.radicalfish.eu/about-breezy-and-alun/) - Breezy is from Yorkshire and after doing a degree in Sports Studies at Newcastle decided to improve her skiing. 7 years later having worked for ski tour operators in many resorts in France and Canada she set up Ski Breezy, offering winter catered accommodation in Chamonix in a catered chalet. Alun and Breezy now run
- [Where is it?](https://www.radicalfish.eu/where-is-it/) - The property is right under Mont Rouch in the French Pyrenees at an altitude of about 1000m. We are upstream of Salau by the side of the Salat, a first-class trout river with a canoe-kayak centre just downstream from Salau. Nearest big town with builders merchants etc is St Girons (about 40 minute drive).
- [Contact Alun & Breezy](https://www.radicalfish.eu/contact-alun-breezy/)
- [The barn and surroundings](https://www.radicalfish.eu/gallery/the-barn-and-surroundings/) - Images from Al & Breezy's barn in the Pyrenees
- [Interior development of the barn](https://www.radicalfish.eu/gallery/interior-development-of-the-barn/) - Having reroofed the barn initially, slowly the interior is taking shape. Once the walls and windows were sealed the ceiling went in. Furniture and other items were salvaged from the cki resort of Chamonix and carted down. It is amazing what can be salvaged with time. The upstairs starts to take shape and down stairs
- [Architects Drawings](https://www.radicalfish.eu/architects-drawings/) - Got the plans from the architects. SW Elevation SE Elevation NW Elevation NE Elevation Floor Plan Section A-A Site Plan Outbuilding Plans Internal Elevations So this is what we start with now we just have to make it into something better.

## Categories

- [The Project](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/)
- [Ecofriendly Matters](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/ecofriendly-matters/)
- [Spring 2009](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/spring-2009/)
- [Autumn 2008](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/autumn-2008/)
- [Spring 2008](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/spring-2008/)
- [Autumn 2007](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/autumn-2007/)
- [Spring 2007](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/spring-2007/)
- [The begining 2006](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/the-begining-2006/)
- [Autumn 2009](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/autumn-2009/)
- [Summer 2010](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2010/)
- [Recipes](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/)
- [Preserves & Chutneys](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/preserves/) - What do do with food that would otherwise go off
- [Back country cooking](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/back-country/) - Anything on an open fire
- [Summer 2011](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2011/)
- [Breads](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/breads/)
- [Travels](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/travels/)
- [Summer 2012](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2012/)
- [Salad Dressings](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/salad-dressings/)
- [Summer 2013](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2013/)
- [Sweet things](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/sweet-things/)
- [Veg Ideas](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/veg-ideas/)
- [Fish](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/recipes/fish/)
- [Summer 2014](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2014/)
- [Summer 2015](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2015/)
- [Summer 2016](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2016/)
- [Summer 2017](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2017/)
- [Summer 2018](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2018/)
- [Summer 2020](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2020/)
- [Musings](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/musings/)
- [Summer 2021](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2021/)
- [Summer 2022](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2022/)
- [Summer 2023](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2023/)
- [Summer 2024](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2024/)
- [Summer 2025](https://www.radicalfish.eu/category/the-project/summer-2025/)

## Tags

- [Hiking](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/hiking/)
- [Carcassonne](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/carcassonne/)
- [Travels](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/travels/)
- [Food](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/food/)
- [Visitors](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/visitors/)
- [Heating](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/heating/)
- [Chemin de la Mature](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/chemin-de-la-mature/)
- [Community](https://www.radicalfish.eu/tag/community/)