What a Difference a Day Makes

The woodburner fitter (Fred) rang this morning to say exactly what time he would be arriving. Fortunately it wasn't raining and both Fred and his friend set about their task with purpose, certainly not Patrick's approach.

They carried on in this vein all day, not even stopping for lunch, an unheard of event in France. As you can tell we are more than pleased with what they have done. They didn't even mind me asking them to turn the stove half a centimetre to the right as it didn't look level. They had of course measured everything but in old houses you end up doing things by eye as nothing is square.

Cement now has to harden and then Fred will be back to test the fire. (We know the 'pipe' looks wonky but it will be put right when he comes next week and John fits the plasterboard to seal off the inside of the chimney.)

Meanwhile Uriah phoned to say could he come before lunch to collect his cheque. I was very pleased that I managed to negotiate a discount for the inconvenience ... remember he is ever so 'umble.


I painted the boiler room floor today but unfortunately forgot that our dinner was in the fridge that is in the boiler room. No chippies here!!

John has been beavering away filling some holes in the beams and plasterboard that I deemed unsightly. He's a very good artisan!!

It's good to think that we will be back in control of events and able to press ahead how we want to!