Tours, France

Recently a visit was possible on two different days because I had to deliver and collect a friend from the airport, which is more than an hour's journey from where I live.  On the first day I wandered, re-acquainting myself with the town, walked the long length of the outdoor antiques market after browsing the Christmas chalets.  Photos tell something of a story for the second day, but I forgot to record the beautiful île-flottante dessert.  My solo dining experience lasted almost two hours. It was a treat for being single.  Aha!  My adventure took me to the flower market for anemones as the art gallery was closed.  A nightmare ensued as I was not allowed to use the 3d kitchen planner with the whole of France circumnavigating the IKEA 'pathway', which I skipped (as in deviated from).  Tired, I headed to a basic hotel to read and watch tele as I don't have one at home! I took my own duvet, turned the radiator to HOT and indulged in 'cosy and comfortable'.

Sunrise

The flooded River Gartempe

The day dawns

as I frequently stop to capture the sky.

 

and mist above L'Anglin.

and water at a weir.

My lunch starter - St Jacques

No place was left unseated.

Main course - Salmon

A huge goats cheese platter

The Carousel

Le Prefecture where the Truffle Fair was held.

Beyond me!

The trams are not yet on track.


THIS IS POST 200.

An Epiphany cake

I was inspired by a reference to an Epiphany cake by Nigel Slater.  He advocates using a machine but making it without is much more fun.  In fact I started it yesterday afternoon but finished it today lunchtime!  I noticed how many this serves but I advise you to make it anyway and freeze half if there is any left!

It’s an enriched yeasted dough with icing or glacé fruits. I didn’t have any, so used dried fruits (I was thinking of les mendiants)  and honey and served it with thick cream.

My own addition of raisins and spices was spurred by the thought of Hot Cross Buns!

If you compare with Nigel’s recipe you can see I have adapted it a little.  Here’s my version.

RECIPE:

200ml water
160ml milk  I used 200ml but this was a mistake making the dough too wet and needing more flour! See below.
one Clementine, tangerine or small orange    I didn’t have any so used orange flower water and orange juice
lemon 1  the zest and juice of one lemon
125g butter
125g sugar
2 eggs
600g plain flour – actually probably about 800g if you add extra milk (see above)

nutmeg, mace, cinnamon  ( my addition)
2 teaspoons dried yeast  I used 2cm cube of fresh yeast.

Pinch of sea salt

A handful of currants or raisins (my addition)
beaten egg mixed with a little milk ….. I forgot
whole crystallised fruits  or dried fruits cut into small pieces as necessary and runny honey.

I used cranberries, raspberries, crystallised ginger, pineapple, papaya, mango, cherries, pear, apricots, cut mixed peel, I nearly added a few nuts but then felt it was already rather crowded on top!

For the Chantilly cream:
mascarpone 250g
whipped cream 200ml

METHOD

§  Put the water and milk into a saucepan with the grated zest of citrus fruits then bring almost to the boil. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse until warm.  

§  NB I added orange juice to the flour and yeast mix to avoid curdling the milk. Again this was too much liquid!

§  Meanwhile, cream butter and sugar until soft.  Beat in the eggs.

§  In a separate large bowl, mix yeast and salt with the flour.  Then add the warm milk mixture, beating the liquid into the flour with a wooden spoon.

§  At this stage I let the yeast mixture rise in a warm place. Put a damp tea towel over the top of the bowl. It will take time. 

§  Then when it is nice and warm and showing evidence of rising beat it into the creamed butter, sugar and egg.  Give it a good knead and return to the large bowl. Again leave in a warm place for a few hours to rise to about twice its original size. 

§  Knock it back and at this point I placed it in the fridge overnight in the covered bowl.

§  The next morning after I’d warmed it up near the woodburner it had a beautiful elasticity once it had risen again. 

§  Onto a floured board I kneaded it again.

§  Cut it into two halves and rolled each half into a sausage shape.

§  Then each one was formed it into a ring on its own flat, oiled baking sheet.

§  I could have brushed the dough with a little beaten egg and milk but I was inventing so drooled runny honey around the top of each ring. Then I stabbed the fruit into the surface of the dough.

§  Back to a warm place to rise for about 15 minutes. 

§  Then bake in a HOT oven for 25 minutes or until a knife in the dough comes out clean.

§  Cut into slices and serve cream. It was DELICIOUS.   Won't be any left for the freezer!

Unfortunately, some of the dried fruits got a bit blackened but didn't taste unpleasant. All very yummy for a return to work day when temperatures are falling and we need comfort food. 

For lunch I followed a Prue Leith recipe for fish curry, did my own dry fried turmeric potatoes and invented a carrot ribbon, mint and creme fraiche accompaniment.

Another Epiphany

I've managed walks of between 30 minutes and an hour or a cycle ride each day of this year, except for yesterday when I failed!  There are 299 days left to keep this thought of getting out of the house in all weathers to walk / cycle every day.  Must do better.
Now to have guilt for letting myself down, not meeting standards, failing to do what I promised. So if I can't keep promises to my SELF, how can anyone trust me to keep promises I may make to others...... and therein is one element of self-destruction.
I know I say I want to help people and sometimes I haven't always had the wherewithal to do so.
It is what my friend complained about. Usually small things, like not being quite on time, or in the last 5 years forgetting what I'd said I'd do, like phone someone or wash up!   I blame the trauma I've been through, because my memory is better now.
Yesterday, I did not walk because it was more dreary than today and I kept procrastinating. However, I DID do a task that I had procrastinated on for some time.  It is true that I could have done both!
See how I can be self-punitive!

6km walk today at quite a fast rate but was glad to have a stick when two black labradors rolled towards me barking loudly. Mostly, their bark is merely a threat but never trust a dog.  I knew I mustn't show fear nor put my back towards them, so I spoke harshly towards the one travelling quite near and shook the stick, whereby it retreated a few steps whilst I stood still, looking towards houses to see if an owner was coming. NOPE. So what to do as they were on my route?  Forwards. Onwards. Show no fear. They went forwards and back, eventually giving way to sit in the field, nonchalantly, but as I passed, the braver one  intimidated me further. Aha, the owner showed up at the buildings.  Again, I shook my stick at them, circumnavigated the beasts and took the road route home.

I'd accomplished a mission and investigated a new chemin / footpath. At the same time I discovered that there are other paths worthy of investigation to create one hour or more circuitous routes from my house. I should think they can be cycled in summer.

I wonder about my ability to backpack or cycle alone? Can I do that? Can I?  I'm waiting for my own epiphany.

Starting good intention

Yesterday, I cycled 16km, slowly, as it was more rigorous than anticipated.  When I can allow another 2 to 3 hours with good weather, I'll do the same route in the opposite direction. Beautiful day, becoming windy.  I have to confess that I walked the bike in some places as my legs were weary! Witnessed beagle hounds on the scent of the hare which was trying to outrun them. Then the dog owner arrived in a van looking for them! Hmph!!!!! 

Huge garden pots standing outside a very interesting private manor house.

Out with the old and In with the new

Hello 2013  

 may the year bring peace, happiness, health, love, hope, faith, grace, truth, charity, progress, travel, a home within a home, wisdom, safety, opportunity and friendship!
Goodbye 2012

The mathematical beauty of the majestic marquee, 

brought down in the storm within hours of being set up.

The Midsummer day storm threatened the fabulous marital party
for my dearest only son Seb and his darling Bee
which happened on a different site than the one planned.

Emotionally proud of the effort that these two lovely people had given
towards making their wedding a success in the face of adversity.
The wedding was the highlight of 2012.
I can't believe that the planning, expectation and excitement was over in the blink of an eye.
Be happy in 2013 ........ for days are short and gone before one can count them.

Happy Seb and Bee with their seaside wedding cake.

A Faerie Bridge

On the return route from the airport I discovered a very short, muddy circuitous route through woodland, along a stream called L'Échandon, between Esvres and St Branchs in the Touraine region.
A stone bridge believed to have been built in the 13th century appears to be in its original state or possibly rebuilt or at the very least has been protected from  tarmac.  A revelation!
History says that this was a Roman route.
Legend tells that the Lord of Montchemin required a bridge instead of the ford so that he could cross the stream but no one offered to build one.  Prayers were said. Magically at night faeries built the bridge whilst ladies' backs were turned!
Stories are told that in the 15th Century, Joan of Arc rode with her retinue to see Charles VII in Chinon.  She crossed the ford and bridge on a route that connects Amboise and Poitiers.
The bridge has three unequal arches and as far as I can understand from French websites and poor internet translation, she was travelling to collect a sword from St Catherine of Ironwood or from a church of St Catherine.
Evidently, it is part of one of the four French routes to St Jacques de Compostela in Spain.
I love this bridge which reminds me of Dartmoor. 

I  borrowed this photo from the internet.

The wind went oomph

whilst I cycled mainly downhill to La Creuse at Lurais, then to Fontgombault,  uphill out of the ravine to return to my village. It was a route, I told myself, I could attempt in perhaps 3 hours. And so the day had arrived!  I could have a Christmas day picnic of smoked salmon in fig bread accompanied by Cheverny white wine, with a clementine followed by strawberry tea! 
Several cars passed me on the bicycle.  I saw one human, fishing, opposite my impromptu chosen spot by the river, where I'd found a proper stone seat under weeping willow trees, with sunshine glittering on water.
On the return journey, three English setters bounded towards me. Fortunately, a fence was between us. A human called, whilst in the woods, to a dog called Tempête.
On the return journey I sang a number of carols badly. Surprisingly this helped the difficult breathing whilst pedalling slowly up slopes which were hills.  I'm out of practice with gears... and unfit! There was no other human creature even in the heart of the village. Back through my gates and the black cloud burst itself and what a downpour there was. Lucky me!
20km or 12½ miles with probably a 20 minute or so picnic break.
Apx 8km per hour!  I was not in a hurry!
I think I might like to walk it one day!

Ooh... it's Christmas and the Great Google God has allowed me to upload or download, a photo!

And so in this wonderful wintry season 

I wish my readers

wherever they may be,

the very best of wishes from Restless in France

for happiness, good health, adventure and opportunity, self-development and fulfilment

in 2013

Phase Eight - sixth week

It was a tiring week even though shortened to 3 days work. The floor, fully covered with oak parquet, looks glorious. I'm going to give it a light wipe of turpentine, then a good coat of 50% linseed oil mixed with 50% turpentine maybe even 60/40, let it fully dry followed by a light buff. One coat rather than two as  I don't want 'glossy' but do wish to feed the wood before I reclaim the room as a bedroom.  We re-routed the computer and telephone wiring.
I'm not going to further report on this saga, except when I have a final photo. Needless to say jobs to be done are:
Skirting board, fully painted, is ready to be fixed.
Oak cover-strips in 3 doorways are almost ready to be fixed.
External and internal French doors need double glazed unit installment.
The same doors need several coats of paint on both sides.
Various holes in architrave and bay window lambris have to be filled, sanded, painted same colour as skirting board.
Bathroom door on bedroom side to be repainted a different colour.
Chandelier to hang.
I should think we might be finished by end of January!

Mid week I went to the final pottery session of the year to glaze my donkey and made a second donkey with raku clay. We started with a shared lunch! What a feast with several savoury choices and weighed down with gateaux. I made a chocolate orange cake, then there was a delicious to die for macaroon cake  - I'd like the recipe, then someone had made their own Broyeux biscuit cake, another lady had made chocolate and vanilla muffins and someone else produced hand-made chocolates.... plus a non-alcoholic punch to start with, wine, water and laughter!  Of course, we don't always have lunch but a combined pottery with learning to speak/hear French is a wonderful social occasion apart from pottery sculpture looking easy but isn't. Good for the mind though!

Thursday- our prayers were answered. LIDL sold Parkside sanders...we bought two! After a short shopping expedition for food and petrol we headed back to the funny farm to do what we could, tidy up HIS tools and say our blessings on my house being made into a home.

If anyone asks ... do not suggest house renovation in retirement!!!!!!! Unless of course one has no other dreams!

La Fausse Compagnie

A little while ago I was fortunate to share a lift with friends to see and listen to  Le Chant des Pavillons produced by La Fausse Compagnie. 
If you go to their website you can access a document written In English that explains their philosophy, plus the work in progress as they study these instruments, bringing the songs of the horns to people in the street as public entertainment.

Phase Eight - fifth week

Monday: Checking the two French doors which access the courtyard, we realised they would not skim the surface of the new floor tiles and oak floorboards, both planned to be at the same level, as there was a miniscule rise in the chipboard level.  Slight planing necessary. Then, realised that bridging the gap between the oak and the tiles will be the oak cover strip and this will be a few millimetres deep. So it necessitates a greater amount to be removed from the bottom of the doors.  The doors came off and on, off and on, off and on, until down on our hands and knees yet again, we felt confident there would be no problems.  Problem solving, mathematics, anxiety, professional expertise, caution and two heads ensure the job WILL be successful.  If we hadn't spent time we would never have managed to remove the doors off their hinges. It really is not as easy as it looks!  Meanwhile, the rows of oak lengths have been chosen for one half of the room.  Lengths have to be considered so that the ends meet at staggered positions to avoid horizontal joints being visually displeasing.  I've mixed up the lengths from the packets so that a variety of colour, knots and grain look more interesting. I've tried to use the longer lengths as much as possible. Then they have to be stacked in reverse order.  We started at a central length in the room and went to the south wall.  Then he made a new oak splint to be the tongue so that we could go to the north wall. This was not easy as power tools are failing!    Each plank receives a number of screw holes, proportionate to length.  After ensuring the edge of the previous row is straight with the plumb line, which it normally is, he knocks the plank into position, ensures it is straight and level and screws home.  This not easy as the wood drill bits keep breaking....We've bought some recently and some were his older ones.  Got to buy more. Repeat along the length. Final piece has to be measured and sawn to create corrected length. A strap connected to the south wall edge pulls the plank into position onto this newly splinted tongue but which needed tiny splinters of oak to be pruned off with the stanley knife. 
End of Thursday - the 20th day: ¾ of oak parquet laid... but annoyingly two clicks at joints have occurred in two different places....I should have walked up and down each row as I did in the other two rooms!!!!

Phase Eight - fourth week

Continuing to get chipboard as flat as possible. I'm really impressed how my friend uses a straight metal bar to find the very slightest of rises on the cement floor. Although he used the grinder to make the cement more level, the chipboard began to move up and down very slightly in some places. Ingeniously, he manages to put 'mousse expansive' below the chipboard to counteract the problem.  Lots of vacuuming lifting every particle of dust made us seem obsessive but any minor particle can create a problem with floor level. We re-painted the walls with the same colour to erase the minor grubby marks. It was first painted 29 months ago! Day 3 - lengths of oak parquet are arranged on the floor starting at a central line.  Important consideration has been given to measuring and problem solving, so that doors can be trimmed to open and close above what will be the new floor level. there is a slight change of floor level between rooms.  Day 4 was a rest day but I took advantage to attend a pottery class. Day 5 - DIY shopping day and the TAX MAN!!!!!!

• I still won't pay to update Google Legacy storage plan.  HENCE even though I have just deleted some photos from Picasa, the system will not allow me to upload photos for this posting.
• Why has Picasa absorbed all the photos from my laptop?
• Does it mean this blog is full and I have to start another?
• How can I stop it doing that?
  Do I really have to pay to enter photos onto this Google Blog?

Black Banana Bread

with thanks to Nigel Slater for inspiration. However, my version is slightly different:

• 180g brown sugar and the same of butter 
• 3 eggs  
• 180g flour with a teaspoonful of baking powder
• one old banana at least a month old. For about two years, I haven't felt inclined to eat bananas, because they don't seem to have the correct taste, texture and ripeness.  This one was left in my cold larder when a visitor arrived at the end of October. 
• a handful of salted almonds (you could use walnuts)
• a large handful of chocolate GOJI berries
• a handful of oats
• drops of vanilla essence

1. Preheat a HOT oven and an oiled loaf tin or line with a baking paper container.
2. Beat the butter and sugar. 
3. Add eggs to butter and sugar mixture, then mix in toasted crushed ground almonds, flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, mashed banana and goji berries.
4. Mix well and pour into the tin. Dust with demerara sugar. Bake for about 1 hour.

Phase Eight - third week

Exterior and Interior doors have been adjusted to accommodate the new flooring. Interior ones need  double glazed units but otherwise these 4 doors are ready for painting. The new boiler had to have a new pressure valve so I may have to investigate a water softening system. Plastic film and chipboard are laid but we ran out of floor screws. The week skittled past fast.

Aerial view of the Chateau

A friend is not sure where this photo was found on the web. 
It is exceptionally wonderful where I live!

Phase Eight: second week without a fashion label

Day One:
Took two heavy, double glazed units, broken on delivery two years ago, to the dechetterie.
Acquired from the skip 6 rubber backed, blue carpet squares.  My friend wanted two.  I have 4. I don't know why except that two will be very good under the feet on a cold kitchen tiled floor whilst dining for breakfast or lunch.  I vacuumed them, scrubbed with carpet shampoo, a bottle of which I found in this house when I bought it and they now are a lovely, bright blue.
Yesterday woodburner would not create much heat. Today, developed a better technique.  Tip: Use a  firelighter as well as kindling wood. Overlap the unfinished oak log with another log so that a pocket of air is between and under the logs.
Retrieved clean washing from the line and hung out the washed dirty clothing.
Picked the last of his grapes, removed from stalks, ensured no tiny slugs fell into those we needed, washed several times. He'll whizz them into juice using the 20 year old Kenwood mixer that I gifted.
Assisted with preparing worktable and tools, responded to requests, cleared up at end of day.
My friend removed one French door, removed old glazing and prepared it for receiving the new double glazed unit.
Lunch: Chicken and Potato pie in Flaky Pastry. It contained onions, carrots and flageolet beans.
Created Lemony Apple crumble with crême anglaise which I now have to perfection!
Day Two: Erased by depression. Slept 36 hours in darkened room,cosy and comfortable and without a fire it was a pleasant 16 degrees in the room. Not hungry or thirsty.
Day Three:  Normality resumed by the end of the day. I started taking the tablets! Today was a two bath day since the nice new thermodynamique has not enough hot water since Friday.  Calcaire is the monster. I await the electrician.  I must remember to turn off the red mallet to stop the machine wasting water. It's just like the wonderful French toilet cisterns when they get stuck!  I must remember to flick the switch on the electricity feed as I don't want the boiler heating water all day!
Door two is being prepared. Door one is being sanded. Slow progress, but progress. Measured and neatly packed apx 6 square metres prefinished (brushed and oiled) oak flooring, either for sale or to my son's boat. Lunch was too much with Carrot, garlic and ginger soup made with chicken stock, leftover pie and apple crumble.  That was me for the day apart from liquorice root tea.
Day Four:  Awoken by the distant sound of the doorbell. Yikes!!!!!!  We both worked at cleaning my chimney because I had been worried that there does not seem to be much draw. I haven't been that warm in the evenings.  In fact, the chimney was not very sooty! However, now I will not worry and took photos with date stamp to prove that ramonage had been tackled!
As the weather looked glorious my friend decided that we would tackle the temporary repair of the valley between the two roofs until such time as I have decided who will replace one roof and when!
With his head out the rafters we took some good shots of rooftops around my house. Then the 3 cans of SprayFoam (mousse)  did not work. In haste I drove several miles to return the two cans we bought last week. The entire stock in the shop (all the same batch) was useless and behind the counter two other cans had been returned. Re-imbursed, I bought 3 smaller cans.
TIP: Always shake the cans to check they are healthy.
NOTE New lesson: Some aerosols are used UPSIDE-DOWN and others used at 360 degrees.
Job done, roof tiles returned on new rafters with several broken - old and crumbly, like me!  Fortunately, we had spare tiles. My concern is that the former barn roof also needs attention but maybe not in my life time.  I can't afford to repair two roofs!!!!!!!! I would love also to convert both attics to living accommodation but that would be serious money!
Lunch was goats cheese on toast with beetroot in walnut oil followed by apricot coconut cake from last week which is now beautifully moist and yummy!  I just love store-cupboard cakes because they always improve!
Day Five: (Day 4 of toil) My friend scraped off the dried, bulging yellow foam, neatening the view. We further propped up the beam with stones.  The test will be when it rains but it JUST HAS to have improved. I am so pleased for this gift for now I will feel less anxiety about the beam rotting further from water ingress. Then he moved onto sanding the doors even more and are ready for primer / undercoat. Lunch was a very thin slice of rumpsteak, sweet potato slivers, steamed carrots and broccoli, leftover apple crumble and yoghurt.

Movie view

Saturday Movie Nite  -  I loved 4½ hours of art house cinema, seats of basic velour, red and orange,  with vinyl flooring and not a lot of heating.  No sound or smell of popcorn, chocolate being unwrapped, slurpy drinks or smooching in the back seat (quel horreur or I wish!)
I never like to read detailed reviews of films before I view them but always happy to do so afterwards to see what I've missed or if I got it right. In a good film, like a good novel, the unanswered questions are fascinating.
First of all AMOUR, in French.  I had tissues at the ready and yes they were needed!  Poignant. The opening, rolls up the names of artistes in silence. Then BANG, an explosion of sound as les pompiers (the firemen) break in and the scene becomes apparent. I wished to have seen the flower gilded woman reappear at the end, but that was not the director's plan. If one can have a favourite part in a film as serious as this, it was at the end:  before the loving couple go out she reminds him to wear his shoes and coat.  Thought provoking too, was the daughter's last visit to the house. For me, to know the pianists had lost the power to play, was upsetting.  Like in THE PIANO.  On my first viewing when I couldn't stop sobbing, nor watch the screen, I had to make a swift exit to the toilet room until I'd gained courage and control.  I missed seeing THE PIANO TEACHER (same director as AMOUR).  I wouldn't say this a film projected violence BUT for me it was brutal.  Who cares for whom when the time comes?  Reminder of feeding my aunt when she could not swallow nor speak as she suffered with Alzheimer's condition. The arguments for and against hospice / retirement home  / domestic care and euthanasia are apparent. I know my choice given someone to help me (only if necessary you understand).  We are born alone and alone we die.  I very much liked the viewing of pastoral scenes to depict the passing of time.  I wondered about the light and dark of the skies within the paintings and thought of the metaphor with life and death.  The paintings were in their house. A beautiful film if you look for the beauty within life's harsh reality. Deeply disturbing throughout but every now and then I caught a smile within me.

Secondly, a different type of tragedy - LA CHASSE, a Swedish film with French subtitles.   Several times I was on the point of walking out once reasons for the HUNT had been established.  I don't mean the killing of a stag which also I'm not in favour of.   So I braced myself to the chair!  It was a very powerful film. One that is quite disturbing as a former teacher. With gender related issues and the global sexual climate as it is the film was explicit.  History does not change. Again many questions unanswered. Thought provoking and shockingly violent.  I was in tears.

To add,  there was a trailer for AUGUSTINE and a third short film (maybe 5 minutes or less)  ALL MEN ARE CALLED ROBERT.

At the moment I don't intend to see the former.  The latter was about a naked man (subsequently many like him) running through the forest, hunted and shot at by actors wearing deer and boar masks, collected in a van and I know not what after that because my eyes were seriously covered with my hands until I considered that the ultimate horror had passed.  Weird but not weird. Rather 1984 but shows the cruelty of deer and wild boar hunting. Shown in France too!!!

It was an excellent night out, just what I needed to get me into the real world of people, events and places.  Nice to understand most of the French language too and hard work!   In UK evidently, car parking can cost more than the price of a cinema ticket.  In France, I paid 6.10 euros for each film.  The man on the desk and in charge of the film operation saw my grey hair and gave a reduction!   There have to be some benefits to old age!!!! Haha. Most of the the 30 or so viewers for each film were of an age, mostly women,  some couples but interestingly more threesomes and double couples, and just a few like me "toute seule".  I like that! No one has to bear the embarrassment of my weeping, occasional expletive of shock or sometime comment or laughter......

Phase Eight and I don't mean fashion

Day One - a cold and foggy morning entailed taking rubbish to the recycling yard, transporting tools from house to house,  searching for Monday morning 40% supermarket reductions, making the kit into a wheelbarrow, correcting a spotlight, investigated the leaking roof valley, discussing the plan.  Fish lasagne for lunch.
Day Two - removal of bedroom / office furniture around the house. One job leads to another. The sun shone in the afternoon but a cold day. Lasagne is always much improved on the second day.
Day Three - My friend worked so hard, bent doubled, wielding a heavy angle grinder with diamond cutter to level the concrete floor, rather than levelling with compound. It was a very dusty day.  Roast Chicken and Coconut Apricot dessert were delicious but could not improve the grubby tiredness that only soaking in a hot bath can restore a feeling of well-being.
Day Four - An extremely bitter, dank, fog-held-hunkered-down-to-earth day.  The sun would not appear to burn it away.  My friend worked outside preparing wood battens for double glazed units that will replace the single pane brittle glass of French window doors. The doors have to be shortened to accommodate the "to be laid" oak flooring and adjusted to prevent external draught entering the room.  Last winter the gaps were stuffed with newspaper, a very effective draughtproofing material.  I helped to move tools, garden waste, re-organised diy materials,  swept and tidied, then became lazy in front of the woodburner.  It's not good for my body or my brain to stop moving around.  Leftover roasted veg, newly cooked broccoli, remainder of onions roasted in the pan, chicken gravy sauce, leftover fish lasagne chopped small made the most delicious country cottage soup followed by cold baked Bramley apples with date stuffing and cream.

We made much progress. I am eternally grateful. I appreciate much in my life.

Phases of renovation for my very own French house

Phase One - 1st May until 1st July 2010 - an enormous amount of emptying, taking apart, destroying, disposing, burning, correction and constructing was achieved in madness and mayhem.  My friend, my son and I tackled all that by ourselves accompanied by physical, mental and emotional breakdown.  Unrealistic, over-ambitious, grand ideas, with long hours and labour-intensive days were part and parcel of those two months. Survive or die!
Phase Two - July and August 2010 - escape to UK friends and family, tears but no sweat.... I holed up inside my property with severe sadness, loss, bereavement and depression. Negativity had to be swapped for Positivity. Unsuccessful. Despair had to be swapped for Hope.  I tried.  Making plans and doing research was meant to happen but thoughts took me to other places.
Phase Three - September 2010 to June 4th 2011- my friend and I tackled the reconstruction and redecoration of three rooms but in November and March I headed back to UK.  I obeyed instructions, learnt how much I could weep, learnt that fun could be summoned, learnt to keep to the regime being imposed upon me and which was GOOD for me, learnt to work hard and know that I can do it with a little help from some friends and a kick up the rear.
Phase Four - July 2011- escape to UK friends and family and then to Greece.
Phase Five - August 2011 to October 2011 - escape to Nimes and Arles then cycling, walking, swimming, exploring my village, attempting research for the plans for my property!  Sounds grand! November - escape to UK and return with flu like symptoms.  I decided not to take any more tablets for depression which had beset me on and off probably for all my life. Now is not the time to explain as it would be self-indulgent!
Phase Six - November 2011 to June 2012 - the drainage problem is revealed and we solve the problem after much digging!  Work started for a bathroom in a newly created bare room. It developed and like a butterfly it emerged to be a truly beautiful room. Bathrooms should be a joy!
Phase Seven - June and July 2012 - escape to UK friends and family, enjoy my son's wedding and have birthday beach parties.  August to November - time to consolidate, research, plan again for a roof repair that got cancelled, escape to Brittany, relax, become lazy and help a friend.
Phase Eight  - November 2012 - the start of bedroom flooring, door / window insulation of two rooms.
Future phases to further phase me include
1. roofs
2. kitchen
3. budgeting
4. sort, dispose and declutter LIFELONG STUFF - a VAST project occupying my attic and soul ... boxes of uncatalogued photos, craft materials, kitchenware, antique kitchen ware, lovely things that have nowhere to be displayed, beautiful things I have no need of anymore, books, sheet music, vinyl records to convert to CDs and so the list goes on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's just the tip of the iceberg. I still have my marbles which roll about a bit, but I do have good health and they say that is all that matters until the day we disappear! Ha!

It was intended to be a light lunch!

Four arrived to chat whilst nibbling smoked almonds with cashew nuts to complement bubbling Cremant de Loire.  Two woodburners kept my L shaped ground floor cheerful against the rain. Lunch was served:
Leek & Potato Soup
Cut lengthwise 3 or 4 leeks, wash to remove all dirt, then cut horizontally into fine ribbons. Into a large saute pan add a large shaking of olive oil, the leeks as well as 4 cloves of crushed, chopped garlic.  Add 800 to 1kg of peeled potatoes chopped into small cubes, with one litre of chicken or vegetable stock. Season with bay leaves. Simmer until soft. Use a potato squasher to squash some of the cubed potatoes. If you prefer fewer lumps you could whizz half of the quantity in the blender.  Add one pint of milk. Season to taste with more salt and pepper and I also added fennel seeds.  You could add a large dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche or add a spoonful to each bowl of soup which I think looks prettier.  Sprinkle with dill, paprika and black pepper.
Fish Lasagne served with Riesling
Prepare:
1. Saute onions and garlic.
2. Separately saute chopped chunks of red pepper and tiny chopped sweet chilli style pepper.
3. Make cheese sauce with a roux of flour, milk, cheddar cheese.
4. Cook diced carrots.
5. Cut filleted and deboned hake/pollack/colin fish (lieu noir) into large cubes.
6. Part of a inexpensive packet of smoked salmon pieces.
7. Packet of tomato puree.
8. Seasoning, herbs plus paprika.
Contruct:
1. Oil a lasagne dish. Scatter cooked onions onto base. Place 3 leaves of Lasagne pasta.
2. Scatter more onions, red peppers, carrots, seasoning, fish, tomato puree + 3 leaves pasta.
3. Repeat 2.
4. Cover with runny cheese sauce. Grate cheese on top. Sprinkle with paprika.
5. Bake in a hot oven for apx 20 to 30 minutes.  It can be left to cool but cook for another 15 minutes.
6. Serve with Mesclun salad or broccoli florets. 
St Maure de Touraine Goats Cheese with Mesclun.  
We donned wet gear to walk to Witches Rock. On our return we enjoyed 
Spicy Ginger Pear Roulade with Earl Grey Tea
1. Peel and core 3 or 4 large Conference pears. Dice into a saucepan, add 30g butter plus 60g sugar and simmer gently until soft but pears still in their shape.
2. 120g plain flour, teaspoonful bicarb or baking powder, spices of ginger, cinnamon, allspice, mace, nutmeg, tagine mix as you wish.
3. In a pan melt 30g butter plus 1 large spoonful golden syrup and the same of black treacle. Beat in one egg and juices from pears.
4. Mix 2 and 3 together... beat hard...
5. Pour into a rectangular Swiss roll tin lined with baking sheet paper twisted at corners which has been scattered with sieved icing sugar.  Bake in a hot oven for 15 minutes or so. Leave to cool for a few minutes and roll the paper and sponge cake. Unroll. Add pears (use remainder for breakfast!) and thick cream spread over the top... use the paper to help you roll. Keep wrapped tightly and put in the fridge or a cold place. Decorate with sieved icing sugar. Serve alone or with extra cream but that WOULD be naughtily over indulgent!!

NB  Mesclun is a  Provençal salad.  Mescla means "mixture".  The salad should include chervil and  rocket,  lettuces and endive in equal proportions, but the modern version may include spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, endive, dandelion, lamb's lettuce, radiccio, sorrel  or other leaf vegetables.

I have a problem loading photographs because Google tells me that Picasa wishes me to purchase more space... I am going to have to work on this because it appears that some photos on my blogs are too large... Oh tedium!!!!!! I do not like Picasa but I suppose I need it! 

UPDATE:

I received two suggestions but cannot find the 'purrfect' one that Ron Ron made.