A Little Bit of this, that.....

We were totally amazed to look up at the outside of the pigonnier this morning and see Cyrille doing some jointing. Not for long however as Alexi the apprentice finished it off. We thought that he made a pretty good job of it. They are trying to get everything ready for the tiles to go on on Monday. However, as normal, it threw it down this afternoon and everything is again behind schedule. During the downpour JP started to " crepi" (French plaster) around the arch in the kitchen. We were very pleased as we were not sure if that was one of our jobs or one of Cyrilles - quite a lot gets lost in translation.

It's funny how just getting a coat of plaster onto the walls changes the perspective. JP has only put the base coat on; he still has to put the top coat on, and then it will want painting. That's another small problem to be resolved, finding the right colour!!

For the last two days Thierry (the plumber) has been beavering away in the boiler room. When I eventually went to see what had been happening I couldn't believe my eyes. I am sure he is fitting a system powerful enough to drive the Titanic. I hope I'm not expected to be stoker!! The pipes and brass nuts and bolts are enormous and two more pumps have been fitted to the wall. Jean Jacque's cousin called in to black his nose last night and ooh ahed about the boiler. Lets hope he's right.

I would just like to put the record straight, as John's postings of the last few days may have left you with the wrong impression. I am the first to admit that I am a perfectionist so we are merely working towards that goal. This morning's inspection of my and John's efforts at applying lining paper to the plasterboard just proved that we had not yet achieved the required standard. After lunch we independently came to the conclusion that we should try this expensive French system of applying a thin sheet of fibreglass material to the plasterboard. We are now on plan "X" and fast running out of ideas, so fingers crossed.

John has continued to build the wardrobes in the bedroom and I am very pleased with them. Yes you did read right - he couldn't believe it either. Do you detect that the last few days have been a little bumpy!!