Sunday 2 May 2010

Home and Garden - Part 54

On Friday, I rubbed down the double wooden trapdoor in the kitchen ceiling. It is the original ceiling (or floor of the upstairs roof space) where previous owners, many years ago, used to store hay and feed for their livestock. The kitchen ceiling paintwork was badly damaged last year by water leaks associated with the huge hail storm we had late May. We had many broken roof tiles, and water came through the roof and ceiling in a raging torrent! Luckily, the wood dried out without warping, but the paint did not survive so well! The roof was fixed soon afterwards, but the ceiling paint needed to be fixed. After completion of the trapdoor, there are still four small fixed panels to be done, but unfortunately they are over the top of built in cupboards and more awkward.

No comment!! I hope you will soon see the improved version.

I cleared up all the mess after sanding, and as I was standing there looking like a ghost, covered in white dust from head to foot, the door bell rang. It was David; he was just going to look at the new building plot he has bought, and would I like to go and have a look. The purchase is an investment and he will build a small house on it and rent it out. Naturally I was keen to have a look, so after a quick brush of the hair to get rid of the worst of the dust, and a rapid change of track suits, we were on our way. Now I know where it is, I can cycle past occasionally to see how building operations are going. On our return, he kindly produced his chain saw from the back of the car, and cut up the branches that I had brought down from the large fir some weeks ago. This of course called for a small celebration, so a quick pastis later he was on his way. As I have said in this blog many times before, I am not sure what I would do without the help and friendship of David, Florence and the kids.  I might just add here, my French has improved very little while David's English has improved no end!! This was not the way it was supposed to be!
On my return I took a trip around the garden and discovered that the Viburnum, (Snowball bush), had suddenly started coming into flower.

I wish that there was a means of putting a perfume on the internet, the bluebells at the moment are quite overpowering.
Next I found this young chap trying to find a spot of sun on my upturned seed tray. Unusually, he allowed me to get quite close.  I say he, but maybe it is she! I have no idea how to sex a lizard!

I then decided that a shower was in order to get rid of all the dust only to find I had unwanted company! The change in weather must be bringing them out!! Yuck!




16 comments:

  1. Love the lizard but, eeek! ... that spider gives me the heebie-jeebies ...

    ... wish I could smell those flowers ...

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  2. Hi OneStonedCrow, I also hate spiders. In SA I used to stand and shout for help, but since being here and alone most of the time, I have had to be brave and get my act together. Not easy though. Your welcome to come and smell the flowers, I will meet you at the airport. Diane

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  3. You lead an interesting life. I love your positive approach to all that must be done. I love your viburnum and wish you well with the completion of your kitchen ceiling. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Thanks Mary. I spent another day sanding today as I decided that I had just not done enough! White dust throughout the house!!!! I now need a day of cleaning before painting. Have a good day. Diane

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  5. I enjoy reading your blog. Are you going to post pictures of the house being built?

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  6. What a hard working lady you are!! It is going to look wonderful by the time you have finished.

    You dont like spiders? My goodness, just think of all the mosquitoes they are going to eat this summer and then you will change your mind. :)

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  7. Hi Linda, Wish I had pictures of the house being built, it is over 200 years old so all we have done is to restore it.Diane

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  8. Hi Joan, No I do not like spiders! I will let them be so long as they are not in places that disturb me like my bedroom or the bathroom, I know they keep the flies and mozzies away but.... Some I do not mind, but the big ones that are all hairy and look ferocious I do not fancy running over my bed at night!!!! Mozzies don't usually bite me thank goodness just the midges in Scotland are a problem and I will not be back there in the near future. Diane

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  9. The snowball bush is lovely! The lizard is cute but I am not a fan of spiders - ugh!

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  10. Hi Pam, Joan is right about the mosquitoes but I have to agree with your sentiments exactly. I would rather the lizard eats the mozzies, we have hundreds of them, but mostly outside. They slip on our tile floors!Diane

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  11. I am so glad you are posting the photos of your scary spiders: they are the only thing in your garden I'm not jealous I can't see/smell myself!! I'm a total phobic too: though I have also had to learn to be brave and stop screaming when I seem them!

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  12. I'll enjoy the flower pictures, and leave the spiders to others! You know they give me the creeps. Our lilacs are in full bloom this week, and the smell is heavenly!

    As to the roof leak, we have a new one of those this week, too. Gotta get my sons up there when they get home to rip off the slate, put down new tarpaper and asphalt shingles, then replace the slate over the top. Then we're good for my lifetime. But then I'll be in the same painting pickle as you...you have my sympathy.

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  13. InnBrooklyn - Just taking the pictures of the spiders gives me the creeps but I am getting better!! Please do not be jealous, I have had many gardens that I thought were nice but now in retirement this is the best I have to say. Not only that, I also love our house and the French people. I don't think I have been happier. Just wish my husband could retire as well so we can both be here permanently. Diane

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  14. Hi Marjie, I love lilac, I have not seen any here but I am sure there must be some around.

    Roof leaks are a real pain. We should also now be OK for our life time, but I cannot put aside the fact that we could have another hail storm like last year which broke 15 tiles!! They said it was the storm of the century, I hope they are right. Diane

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  15. You have been busy ! I love the snowball bush in your garden ... and only wish I could smell the bluebells ! Don't know about your shower companion though ... mmmmmm ;)

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  16. Your right Lynda, the shower companion is not to my taste!! Diane

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