The weather has changed

 

The outside temperature is now 9 degrees Centigrade, and the sun has emerged. We have started clearing the garden of fallen branches, and pruning the fruit trees.

Snow has arrived

 

At last, the snow has arrived. Not only that, but there is sun too. The temperature is running at 4.2 degrees outside (read from indoors, courtesy of Ann's & Sebastian's birthday present of a weather station), so the snow and ice should not start melting too quickly.

Getting rid of staining

With a morning session of powerful water jetting, all the staining has been removed at Bas Etang 2. Here is a "before & after" composite photo.

Xmas at Bas Etang

This is our contribution to the festivities.

Frosted spiders' webs

The temperatures have been steadily dropping in Lavausseau. Just look at these webs that are accentuated by the frost.

Leo is watching you!

 

Bas Etang 2

The flooding is slowly encroaching the lawn, but is still a foot below the bridge. 

Winter rains pour down

The river "La Boivre" that runs through our gardens has risen by another foot overnight. We have not suffered any flooding yet, but are keeping a close watch on the levels. 

Dining at the Heendeniyas'

 

We had dinner recently at the Heendeniyas' house in Boussais, Deux Sevres. This shows how welcoming they made their room for the dinner. 

Alex visits Bas Etang

 

Alexander came for an extended weekend to visit his parents, Mimi and Tony, prior to flying off to Egypt on holiday with his family. Alex is starting a new job shortly with Johnson & Johnson. 

MG TF news

The work on the car has only just begun, and I've been told that it will cost 1,250 Euros. Seeing that I'm only driving a few hundred miles each month in it, I'm annoyed that it is costing so much. C'est la vie! It is due for completion in a week's time.

Up in smoke

 

We created a huge bonfire by gathering all the fallen branches, sweepings of leaves, and cuttings from pruning in Thomas's Field. Today we had a big bonfire, in lieu of celebrating Guy Fawkes. 

Bas Etang 2 in Autumn

 

The trees are beginning to turn a beautiful colour. The weather is still very mild, so the leaves are firmly attached to the branches. No doubt they will be falling down very soon, once the frost begins to take hold. 

Autumn is delayed

 

Here is a very healthy looking montage of flowers that are blooming right now at Bas Etang. 

Lounge ceiling repair

 

A constant problem with our house has been the leaking ceiling in the lounge. The roof has corrugated sheeting, covered by tiles. The problem is probably caused by the fact that the roof line is almost flat, and capillary action and cracks combine to allow the leaks to occur. So we are now having the sheets raised, and a sealing compound injected underneath. Hopefully, this will cure the problem. 

Flashing, but not as you know it!

 

Another casualty of the recent storms was our bedroom ceiling, which began to show damp patches. The culprit was the roof line that had no lead flashing. So, our local builder swung into action to cure the problem. 

The house has got a hat on

 

A few weeks ago it rained heavily, and water poured down our chimney, and onto the dining room floor. Thank goodness the floor was tiled and not carpetted. So we've had this new cover put onto the chimney to forestall a repeat performance. 

MG TF in repose

 I have only driven 32,000 miles so far, but it is needing some TLC lately. It has to have a new head gasket, accompanied by a bout of skimming. I understand it is going to take 6 hours to manage this process, with the skimming done at a specialist shop, so I am expecting quite a hefty bill. 

Carcassonne

 These battlements stretch all the way round Carcassonne, which we visited a week or so ago. Apparently, the town has only had two hostile attacks, both of which were successfully repulsed in the 15th century. Now, it mostly contains gift shops and bars, cafes and restaurants for tourists. 

Busking with a difference

Not quite what her parents had in mind for a career, no doubt. This was a scene in Madrid.