Le noyer et les pommiers qui dorment - Winter 2017

15 January 2017

We received a very special gift recently: an original ink and watercolour of La Fromagerie done with meticulous care by our friend M, (he of window-washing enthusiasm, kitchen skirting board prowess and fellow survivor of the Paddling Pool Summer of 2016). The barn is depicted circa 2015 (sans porch extension), but every detail is carefully represented: the blue and white chair/table set, the staircase that can just be glimpsed through the open French doors, the grape vine... We were thrilled and touched, as you will understand.

Ink and watercolour by M Kelleher

It's been a wild few days, weather-wise, and one of the shutters from the upstairs window was ripped off the wall in a particularly vicious gust of wind. It's heavy, so it hit the ground with a crash. Luckily, C was indoors, and not sunning himself on the terrace...I sound flippant, but actually, I feel pretty freaked out about what might have happened.

Looking pretty naked. Check the reflection of the sky in the window, and the colour of the sky overhead. 

The shutter fixing has been torn and rotated clockwise about 120 degrees...

...and the shutter didn't get away without damage, either.

Gregg and Tom will survey the damage, ensure that the the shutter is re-mounted securely (and will hopefully ascertain whether the other shutters are OK)...

So, after what he assures me (despite wayward heating and shutter dramas) has been a pleasant and peaceful time dans la France profonde, C is coming to the pointy end of his sojourn at the barn. These are his latest photos...:

Objat market one wintry Sunday morning

C's caption: 'The beast is hungry...'

The beast

Local residents

The fallen apples are still delicious, and those that are damaged are perfect for stewing.

C's caption: 'Beautiful sleeping trees' - Le noyer et les pommiers qui dorment

And 'Different time different mood' - (le noyer again, in all its glory)

This one is taken from the road; a better view of the barn itself.

We are starting to rev our engines for our next visit, 5.5 weeks away now. Between now and then, Tom is hoping to point the long wall that faces the orchard (assuming the really cold weather gives way to slightly milder temperatures), and Brian should be able to finalise the electrics (i.e. hide the junction box) in the dépendance, so that we can set up a study/office in there.

Working from home has never looked so inviting.