Work in Progress

Since getting No 8, we have had the wall 'tied' to avoid any further cracks that resulted from the previous owner removing the end chimney and we have had all the old and broken radiators, piping, boiler and oil tank removed.

We have a new fosse septic installed, so that we could start our work on the rear garden, which is now taking shape and we plan to plant some soft fruits over the winter, as well as give the apple trees a prune.

The rear or the house has been refreshed and tidied with some shingle creating a patio area infront of the outbuilding.

Having secured No8 in 2013, we have proceeded to starting some small jobs to 'tidy up' the property and plan for the potential renovation work, when we can afford it.

We have removed the old Oil Tank from the rear outbuildings, the Boiler and the Central Heating System from the house.  The end wall has been secured with a metal cross support and the front elevation cracks were repaired, once a chimney stack lintel was installed by Aussourd Bros.

Shutters have been added to all the upstairs windows, for security and consistency and as shown here, we have painted the front to remove the old flaking red paint with something more neutral.  We used BEDEC Barn Paint, which is wonderful and we now plan to use BEDEC Masonry Paint this summer on the house.













We decided to install a new Fosse Septic and Reservoir in advance of any renovation work, so that we can use the garden and not have any plans subsequently disturbed. We have now tidied up the rear with a Gravel Patio Area, that eventually we will 

La Masion Grise

Be careful what you wish for....!!  It really can come true.

We start 2013 with a new future project and one we had dreamt of, but never thought would become a reality.

We share our driveway with No 8 and the family moved out in 2009, returning only occasionally.  By chance we discovered they might be considering selling and with the invaluable help of a local we put in a 'cheeky' offer at the end of October and they accepted!

The Notaire managed to prepare all the paperwork and just before the New Year we completed the purchase.  We start 2013 planning for the renovation on the house and will be able to use the barn for storage.  

In reality, the house will be secured and moth balled until we can afford to start the renovations, but we can start planning and dreaming again, as it might come true.

2012 Year Closes

2012 came to an end with rain and winds being the order of the day and the ground became very wet. It was this sort of weather that eventually resulted in us deciding to have the West Wall re-pointed.

Despite our walls being 0.75m thick the pressure of heavy wind and rain over many days results in water seeping inside, so we decide to get the mason, M. Aussourd back to help.

The work took 4 days and the end result is a clean and great looking wall. We decided to have Steve Walford make us 3 large brackets to support the growing Wisteria along three strands of chain.  Hopefully, the effect will develop during 2013 as the plant grows and flowers.

Black Frost !!

We visited the Grange last weekend and had wonderful warm weather up in the 30's, but with a few showers and were able to spend time in the garden pruning the dead and damaged shrubs.


We discovered that the damage was caused by what is called a Black Frost and thought this was just a  french name, but apparently not. Over a 3 day period from around April 11-15 the region experienced a dramatic drop in temperature.


It was a frost without snow that blackens vegetation and as defined by the Britannia Encyclopedia:
plants containing plentiful and dilute solutions in their leaves, fruits, and so on, are easily damaged. The occurrence of a killing frost without a hoarfrost deposit is sometimes popularly called a black frost.


cooling will cause condensation to occur. In the absence of sufficient moisture, hoarfrost does not form, but the water in the tissues of plants may freeze, producing the condition known as black frost.


This explains what has happened and why so many shrubs have suffered, although we are pleased that most appear to be recovering. 


We have now invested in a shredder to make use of all the pruning we will be doing and to avoid merely burning the waste, we can now create our own mulch to conserve the moisture in the beds and limit the weeds.