Well the sale is going slower than we expected, looks like it will the end of november before it is compleated, so should be back for christmas .not much to do most of the house contents have been packed into boxes, that just leaves the every day stuff , we have to get it all up to Douglas who will keep it in storage untill we get the next house. We have had a long look at property on the internet search sites and quite like the look of Orkney for our next home.

The House Sale & Visitors

Well the house is up for sale, we have a buyer lined up and with luck the sale will be complete by the middle of next month, (October). Damien & Marcus were over for six days and had a good time, the weather was kind to them and only started raining on the last day.

In July we went back to the UK for five weeks, stayed with the boys and mum. While we were there Kim arrived from NZ via Canada & America ( she has been studying at uni in Canada).
When we returned home Kim came with us and stayed for a week, it was great to have her staying with us and we only wish she could have stayed longer, ( the place is quiet with out her). One Good thing that came out of her stay was that she learned to make sausages with real meat & real skins.

Back in August an old work mate Nigel and his wife Evelyn popped in on their way through France, It was great to see them and catch up on old times. I have since been told that the Old factory may be bought by another company instead of closing ,which would be good news for all my old work mates .

Well another update in a few weeks time when we know more about the House.

Interesting few weeks

Well its been an interesting few weeks ,first we had Damien over for ten days,its great when the boys come over, it really puts a smile on Jill,s face , the weather was not that bad for time of year.

We managed to get out bird watching most days, and as usual Damien managed to add another new bird to his list ,this time a Black Woodpecker very rare in this part of Brittany.Well the days went quick and Damien headed back to the UK.

A week later Marcus and his friend Lee came across on the Ferry to Roscroft and then cycled down to Locmaria-Berrien just 7k from where I was to meet them ,well they had problems finding the cycle path and I ended up doing 32+k  before reaching home at 7.20pm.

We had some long walks and the two boys got in some long rides ,I think 147k was there best in a day. they had fourteen days of sunshine with only light frost some mornings .They Returned home on the 21st March promising to return in September. 

Huelgoat in Winter

Winter in Huelgoat

Well we are well into our first winter here, we have had some good weather, quite warm and sunny at times ( almost like spring) . Two weeks ago the temperature dropped to -12 and the lake froze over, then we had snow which only lasted for a day.
The rain at times has been torrential which is spectacular to watch as it leaves the lake and cascades down into Chaos . This has given me inspiration to get out with the camera, instead of staying in the warm. I have had some really long walks ,down through Chaos to le Gouffre. down the valley to the Old Mine and up to the Canal , back through Chaos to home , a round trip of about four hours. We have had snow again for the last two days (2nd & 3rd Feb , the lake was partly frozen this morning but it turned out a bright and sunny day. Managed to get a tractor load of logs the other day plus a delivery of heating fuel so we are nice and warm.

The first two pictures of the forest were taken just outside the front door, the last two are at le Gouffre waterfalls just down the valley.

New Bathroom

Well the last couple of weeks have hard going, We started striping out the bathroom but the problem with that is we have to put everything away each evening as it is the only bathroom. The first thing was to replace the shower, as this was going in a different position no problem, it took fourteen hours to assemble and connect, a few setbacks like no water pressure and then kinked flex connectors. All the walls were striped of tiles and then plaster boarded ,then it was time for the WC new one in first then connect to the old down pipe no problem, except when we flushed ,the waste would not go down ?, Septic tank full ,two day’s and €166 poorer , septic tank & soak away emptied and cleaned ( No need to worry again for four years) . We have still a long way to go, all the tiling and a new window to install.
We have to get planning permission for the window from the Town hall and from our next door neighbour, because it will overlook his garden.
Well update soon.