THE RILEYS MOVE TO FRANCE

Well here we are with part 3 of the move, life is still great but it is wet and cold. We have reached, so far, the depths of -4degrees for 4 days, other than that it has been reasonably mild, allowing us and the builders to get on. Progress is being made but, as mentioned before, at a slower pace than anticipated to the extent that we have not renewed our advertisement with ‘French Connections’ (they were the web based organisation that we advertised the cottage rental through). Instead this year, 2014, we will, when ready be able to accommodate friends and family but not be ‘open’ for general renting and when we do advertise it will be with ‘Owners Direct’.

Many of you will know we came back to the UK for a long break over Christmas and the New Year; it was great to meet up with so many good friends at the SAM meal. We also took the opportunity to visit family and friend in Gloucestershire, Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Slough, Stansted and Hastings, travelling just under 1500 miles during our break. On returning early January, Keith came back with us for a weeks ‘holiday’, towing behind him a big twin wheeled trailer with yet more stuff from the UK, will it never end! More sorting and moving, don’t forget we are trying to get two fully kitted houses worth of stuff into one ground floor at the moment – pint into half pint mug comes to mind.

Prior to that and during the warmer weather that we experienced during September, October and early November, we were trimming trees, cutting and stacking wood (Viv has become an expert) and trying to tidy the mess inside and out, as well as ‘look after the builders, electrician and heating engineer. Viv even built a little ‘frog house’ to keep our ‘resident’ 4 legged friends comfortable during the winter months (frogs legs in garlic – now there’s an idea!!).

So where are we now –

• Two sets of French doors fitted (lounge downstairs and lounge upstairs)
• New kitchen installed with new oven and hob
• New window installed in kitchen
• Garage conversion more or less finished
• New log store and shed more or less finished
• Most of the ground floor radiators fitted and connected to the stockage tank installed in the garage. Tank plumbed and ready to go, as we write this the new log burning fire should be fitted and commissioned this coming Friday 17^th (central heating at last!!)
• W/c 13^th Jan should also see electrics extended and a leaking roof between the main house and the garage sorted.

We have already have family and friends to stay with more visits arranged for February (it keeps us busy) and makes us ensure the place is as clean and tidy as it can be.

Yesterday, Monday 13^th, we went to our first French speaking only class at the local village hall (an experience) and prior to that we visited our local farmer to purchase cider (the French stuff is good) and stock up with calvados, so 44-44-44 production can commence in 2014!! (for those who have not experience the ‘evil water’ get an update from either Pete C or Gary!!)

Agreement has been reached with our farmer neighbour to come in March and plough, roll and re-seed the rear garden (field). It has been left in a sad state with all the trenches, tractors and other vehicles churning it up. Once carried out we will at least have a ‘blank canvas’ to start our landscaping and allotment projects.

Those with an ‘eagle eye’ will note the bike is now tucked away in the comfort and protection of the garage.