Intermission in-between Island Reportage

Thursday:
Last night a storm with over 30cm rainfall! Logs arrived at 8h30 - six steres which is two cords. They weren't much wet... meaning they are good dry logs, three years old!
It is true that I had agreed with the man that the second week of September was better for me because I'd anticipated assistance from a friend, whose agenda then changed!  Instead, I was invited to 'les iles'  and as I hadn't got there by myself as intended,  it was all speed ahead to get Autumn garden, admin and household tasks sorted for an impending visitor to come and help me with some moderate tasks that need four hands!
Although I had thought about doing so, I didn't leave a note for the man to say my holiday week had changed unexpectedly from the first week to the second! Anyway, he was OK about it.
Last year, it was a nightmare when I had a female friend to help, AND I paid her son to help, AND the man had to chainsaw the 50cm logs into halves!  It took she and me eight hours each!
Yesterday, I prepped the areas for potential stockage, contacted two female friends to see if they were likely to be available. It's OK ... I get used to challenges!
Logs arrived at 8h30. Annoyingly the bulk was discharged onto the road just near the back entrance. I wanted the lesser amount there. Not to worry.  His vehicle cannot get into my courtyard. For an hour and three quarters I cleared the lesser pile of logs sprawled onto the roadside. Important to get the road clear!
Then coffee time! I ate that Ile d'Oleron croissant stuffed with apricot jam. But, as I put the pot onto the table it slipped and spilled onto my furniture and carpet! Coffee grounds everywhere! Fortunately, the chair fabric had been scotchguarded! Can I say that word with the referendum today? Also, the French say Scotch for sellotape! It was/is a brand name! Will they be able to say that word?
Then low, an Angel from heaven appeared, her name meaning Light, to help for an hour!  She brought another wheelbarrow.  Between us we moved the larger split logs and round ones, but as quite a few are weird shapes, they were set aside for the electric splitter at a later date!
My man has been good and not only has he delivered the logs in the requested 33cm lengths but also split quite a few. 
First of all, find the half moon shaped logs and start to build the end stacks. Gradually fill the space between with the other logs. Keep the lengths the same and marry up the front edges (which I did not do!) In today's case, I had two rows developing, the shorter thirds and the longer thirds. It has stacked quite well.  Small, thin round logs have gone to the back of the house as they are lighter to carry further to the indoors in the winter!
Half past noon and the risotto from yesterday was warmed.  Need to take on carbs!  I rested for less than an hour including 15 minutes with my back on the floor following the advice I received from the Alexander Technique man whom I saw in UK in April!
Worked for another couple of hours when I needed tea and cake. Thank you to those from the CCC whose cake slices are stashed in my freezer! Taken a second ibuprofen as my back reminds me it exists! It's a 45 minute break whilst I type and rest my back. Get back to it girl! 
At this point all the logs have been removed from the road and now there are those that have been brought to the courtyard. Split and stack. After the rain the sun! It's hot again! I'm fading fast! Well done me and Claire. Good day working.  It's satisfying to see logs stacked!
18h Will continue tomorrow.
UPDATE:
Monday 22 September
It did seem surprising to me that I managed to clear the pile of logs, mostly alone in effectively about 8 to 10 hours and it did seem surprising to me that the initial pile did not look as much as last year... need to compare photos... but I have measured and it seems that I have 3.65 cubic metres of logs and not 6.00 cubic metres.  It seems to me the man has charged 50e per square metre plus 40e perhaps to cut the 2 cords into thirds.  In which case I am about 100 euros out of pocket! 
In my other residence my former partner made a big song and dance one year of the measurements checking the space and the logs and verifying in a way not to embarrass the French supplier and neighbour ... and after that we were never supplied short measure.  
I think that I have been short measured!
TODAY  I have measured the existing logs bought in 2013 including those I bought from my friend when he sold his house and I have 10 steres.
Making a visual comparison of the section that measures 5.70 sq metres and the amount I have just stacked accounting for the smaller logs I have put elsewhere as there wasn't sufficient space, it is my opinion I have been definitely been short measured! 
I'm not sure what I can do. I think nothing, but next time, I need to make clear with big gestures and the tape measure that the space I wish to fill measures six square metres!!!  
THAT would indicate I know what I am talking about!!!!!!

Logs and Bathroom progress

LOGS
With a lot of help from a friend we moved one trailer, in France it is called a remorque, of one metre logs that are cut into thirds.  Five stères, that is 5 cubic metres are waiting for collection.  I do this because they are a) a good price b) the supplier is known c) the logs are always three years old d) it gives me more exercise as if I don't have enough to do, and e) because I have not yet spoken to a supplier nearer to me.  It will take about 6 journeys but even with petrol costs it is cheaper than some suppliers of oak logs. Anyway the car makes that daily journey. They are being stacked with the 1.75 stères remaining from last winter. Stacking takes time.
N.B. Looking back at Mathematics that means I have burnt 8¼ steres during the last winter months.

BATHROOM
Very soon, we will complete the bathroom renovation.
Today, cleaned tiling, repeated jointing powder where it had not pushed into spaces, began to fix  floor skirting tiles, sanded doors.


The whereabouts of the electrician is unknown and now I will step up contact. The bathroom is flooded with light for most of the day  so I can always like candles at night. I think the positioning of the door into the bedroom will have to wait.

It has been a difficult project and every day my friend starts with huge motivation and energy, even telephoning an alarm call every day. Two rings. I shall miss those!  I know it has taken a long time but there have been very difficult plumbing, drainage and other matters.  In addition, the client, that is me, had ideas in her head, drawings on paper, but did not know how to do the behind-the-scenes technical stuff which has all taken time.

There was

• the three layered window.....installed to overcome the existing unattractive window which overlooks a neighbour.  Now they cannot see in nor hear. Nor can we see or hear them.
• the preparation and insulation of walls and floor ensuring a flat surface.
• floor tiling
• The connection of hot and cold water to existing pipes but altering position.
• Plumbing of water supply and waste water to and from shower, bath and sink, including installation of taps and shower head.
• Measuring....... oh my ....... so much had to be measured on a constant basis.
• Sometimes two heads were better than one as we would talk through how something would be done.
• Wall tiling/Bath panel tiling/ Sink shelf tiling.  I chose two different types of tiles. Firstly my design required a small amount of black and white mini tiles to go with the very large white tiles.  They were on display on the shop where I measured against the measurements  in the bathroom and worked out how many I needed, checked with the sales person. However, white tiles are ceramic and mini tiles are glass and they need different glue, different thickness of glue, different jointing technique and polishing afterwards. We have been round with a stanley blade trimming the jointing powder where it would not fit neatly between the tiles!!!!
• Eventually the plan changed ... new ideas are set to try us! :) .. and I had to purchase a LOT more mini-tiles and return a case of 15 white tiles. So up went the budget!  When you see the design you may understand how much time I spent assessing how many 12 x 12  tiles I required. I had cut them into lengths of 4 x 12 tiles and 3 x 12 tiles and we even used the leftover tiles to form strips! Another challenge was cutting the glass mini tiles when we realised that where they butt together they needed to be halved!  The mathematical process was time consuming and challenging!  I have no regrets and I know that my friend is really pleased with the result.
• Just purchasing what goes into a bathroom: window glass bricks and a double glazed unit, a bath, suspended toilet, shower, sink, tap units, floor tiles, wall tiles, lighting, switches, electric towel rail, and then paint, and plumbing fittings, wood, plasterboard, screws, washers, etc, etc, etc and this involved several shopping trips where it is a 60 mile round trip and takes most of a day!!!!!!
• We've worked through the warmth and cold of winter and despite days off my friend has by and large worked 4 days a week for about 5 to 6 hours each day. We've eaten well and had regular coffee and tea breaks with home-made cakes, bread, tarts, pies, lunches. 

The First Daffodil

Yesterday a small yellow Spring flower dared to bob her glorious head at the edge of the village!

Yesterday with a little help from a friend and 7 return journeys we transported and stacked 5 stères of oak logs.  That will make 10 stères since May 2011. I will be interested to see how much I burn and hope that for the future I can find a local supplier.

The car, trailer and my old coat, covered in mud, had to be cleaned and the car is due for a visit to the garage. I am aware that my car is of a certain age and in 2011 it cost me several thousand euros to repair but it needs to survive for just a while longer.
UPDATE: The initial noise was 3 clacks - 1 as I started to roll forward and 2 after each other as I drove onto the road turning in a sharp right S shape. The car was oiled at suspension points and about 12 screws tightened under the chassis and I think for the steering rack joints. When I started to leave the garage there was a different gravel-crunching noise.  I called Monsieur J who listened, who called Monsieur E who listened, who suggested I take my car as it was not serious and when the French MOT is due in February and I still have the noise in perhaps warmer weather then to let them know!  Hm... this sounds very French.  Then within a very short distance I have two new noises that weren't there before:
1. a squeak as I turn the steering wheel to the left
2. the brakes squealed as I journeyed to the petrol station.
The following day it appeared that all noises had gone.
However, what I have ascertained is that apart from two new tyres at the front of the vehicle it should pass the Controle Technique in 2 months time. This is necessary every two years unlike the English one year MOT.  Fingers crossed! Hm??? Cars  and Houses ... aint life fun!

FRENCH LANGUAGE

A  stère /stɛʁ/ masculin (pronounced as in stair) is of Greek origin meaning solid.  It is a measure of volume, particularly of wood, equal to one metric cube.