Sausages

One of the subject's I forgot to mention the other month was our attempts at Sausage making. Before coming to France we purchased a large hand mincer & filler, and a large tub of salted pig intestines. Well we had a go with the willing help of Sally & Steve who were staying with us at the time, after mincing one & a half kilo's of pork and adding the breadcrumbs and spices it was time to fill the skins ( cant think of the right name for them) it was quiet easy and linking was not to bad after a few false starts. The finished product,seven fat sausages, these were placed in the fridge until the following morning to allow the spice's to permeate the meet. Well if I must say it myself they were the best sausages I have tasted in a long time, We all enjoyed them even Jill who is not a great lover of sausages.
Hopefully this is only the beginning.

More work

Well the last three day's have been hard graft, First off make new fire surround out of Oak and fit, then install log burner (that thing must have weighed a tonne), in and out three times before it fitted right. Then the last day sand the kitchen floor and then two cotes of polyurethane.
Damien and Rob arrived this morning after taking the overnight ferry ( calm crossing) after a very big cooked breakfast we had a long walk through the Forrest.
Hopefully the next ten day's will be restful.

Hi, All
Been very busy over the last month or so , Had Marcus over for a week, then Alanta & Mitchell for Two weeks, That was hetic, then last month Sally and Steve with Ashley & Jo for ten day's, then two day's later a flying visit from Dean & Caroline who were on their way from Normandy to Central Brittany it was great to see Family and Friends. We have Damien and Rob coming over on the 16th for ten day's just hope the weather improves.
While Sally & Steve were here they helped start the decorating in the Master bedroom ,removing some old woodwork and re-plastering the wall's and ceiling, (a big thanks for that) there has been no further progress on that room but plenty in the Kitchen and Dining room (see pictures).
We have also started installing a Log Burner and new Fireplace over the last few days ( We need heating as the evenings are starting to get chilly. The fireplace is made of Oak ,it took me just one day to make at the cost of 50 Euros ,the log burner cost about 450. Well thats about it for now, Take care all, will post again soon.

Before and After.





















A vast improvement over the old kitchen
and all our own work,
but not finished yet.
The Log Burner will be fitted in the next day or so.

Well we have settled into the new place and been very busy. We had a builder in to remove a wall and block up redundant doorways. the Electricians were in for a full week, complete rewire.the weather has been a bit mixed rain then plenty of sun.
We had a visit from Marcus who stayed for a week and enjoyed himself, out walking and cycling.
there have been delays updating the page because of Internet connections (all sorted now)
Below are a few picture updates to give idea of what we have achieved so far.

Moving House

Well the date has been set,

The Caravan has now been sold and we return to Bristol on the 1st May. We have had some great times and made some good friend, on the south coast and it is now time for a change.
The Furniture is to be collected on the 7th May and we fly out on the 8th, hopefully the furniture will be delivered on Monday the 12th as promised. We then have plenty of work ahead of us and are looking forward to the challenge.
When we were in Huelgoat last, we purchased a new cooker ( bottled gas) and a fridge/freezer at a very large supermarket at Morlaix. We have a very close friendship with Douglas and Betty our Hosts over the last four months who have helped us in every way possible, We will always be indebted to them.

New Paint Job

Before

( Ignore the Date's)

The New Paintwork

Well the house is now ours , we signed on the 17th March and then spent the next fifteen days decorating, we have managed to finish two rooms upstairs ,the landing and stairwell. We returned to the UK feeling very tired but pleased with ourselves.The Builders are working at the house well we are in the UK (removing a wall and blocking up a few doors)

More Pictures of the house. ( click pictures to enlarge)

The Stairs, solid mahogany

Kitchen ,Plenty of scope there.

View of Front Door, not visible in yesterdays photo.

Living Room looking towards back garden.

A bit dated, but nothing a good lick of paint can't fix.

A Back view of the house from garden.

The Front, It just needs a coat of Paint.

New House in France

All's going well so far on the house front, We paid the deposit on a three bed breton House in Huelgoat, Finistere last week and have to return next month (15th) to pay the remainder and sign.

The house was built about 1952/3 and is situated only a short distance from the Town Square, it is detatched with about 80ft front garden and about the same at the back, the front of the property faces the Forrest, wich is a National park.there is quite a bit of work to do but most of it will be painting & decorating, although the electrics and heating need an overhaul .

Over the next few months we will be adding pictures ( before & after) as the work progresses