The electricity supply

One strange matter about the land we have just bought is that 30 years ago the previous owners gave permission to a local farmer to have an electrical supply made available on the land. The electricity utility constructed a small shed to house the meter and supply (it is about 1 metre cubed), and is sited next to a small spring. The purpose was to run an irrigation pipe onto his land nearby. It has not been used for 18 years, and we would prefer it to be dismantled. Apparently, that can only be done by the electricity utility if the farmer (still alive) agrees, as he paid for the construction work. The Notaire has agreed to speak to the farmer about it, but has warned us that he is a rather irascible gentleman.

Another decorating stage is finished

We finally managed to finish the painting of the wall under the balustrade on the terrace. As can be seen from the before and after photographs, the wall had a lot of plant growth that needed to be scrubbed off with a wire brush. Then, as the wall has a very pitted surface, the painting had to be done in two stages. Firstly, a roller was used, then followed by a round brush that could be poked into all the crevices - a slow and painstaking task. The house is beginning to take shape. The next task is the painting of the cabin, which will have to be done soon as creepers will start spreading over the walls when Spring begins.

Newly painted gate

Tony sanded the gate to strip away all vestiges of the varnish - an operation that took days to finish because of all the nooks and crannies. I then painted it with 2 coats of undercoat, and one topcoat, of a superb material that should keep it protected for our lifetime. The gate looks as good as new, and the remote controlled operation works smoothly.

Panorama viewed from Bas Etang 2

Another view of the land between the two houses. The bridge is the only means of access for the tractor for land clearing. It is rather precarious crossing the bridge as there are only inches to spare on either side.

Bas Etang enlarged!

Yesterday we completed the purchase of the land between our two houses. It covers 0.8 acre, and has La Boivre running through. The land is designated for trees only, so building is out of the question. But the important thing is that we can walk through it to reach Bas Etang 2, without having to risk the roadway. The land has recently been cleared by the previous owners, and we have been keeping it in check with our tractor mower.

Where we are

This shows where in France we are. We decided on the location as we have friends in the region, and it would not take too long for our drive back to the Channel ports.

Winter is setting in at Bas Etang

Today I noticed the trees shedding their leaves continuously, even without any wind. The leaves are just dropping in a constant stream. I tried to take a photograph that
shows the actual leaves in mid flight, but never could catch them. The river level is higher than in the summer, after a few days of rain, but has many inches to go before it starts running swiftly. Meantime, I'm feeling a lot better after the operation, and have now been told that Tuberculosis has not been identified in the tests. But the doctors are still trying to find out the cause. Here is a site that touches on the topic for those that are not squeamish.

The doctors are baffled

The surgeon told us today that they have never before seen the calciferous condition of my lung. The only thing they can think of is that it might be caused by Tuberculosis. To that end they are testing the nodule for that condition. But that will take another month to determine. Needless to say, I am unaware of ever having Tuberculosis! Any readers with a medical bent have any other ideas?

Normal service has resumed

I returned yesterday from hospital after having a nodule removed from a lung. They found that it was calciferous, but not malignant. I'm seeing the surgeon later today to find out more.

The hospital in Poitiers is first class. It is a very large operation, set in massive grounds, with lots of room for expansion. It has the very latest and best equipment sourced from all over the world. During the recovery period I had about 15 nurses working on me, all at different times, depending on their shift. However, the nursing was seamless, to the extent that each one picked up where the other left off, without missing a beat. The staff are scrupulous with their hygiene, and were all very cheerful and keen to help. I am very impressed.

Now that I am back home, I can live pretty much as normal. Though I need to avoid stretching the area where the surgeon's knife has been. The photo on the left shows me exercising with an oxygen bottle that is piped to me through the nose. I'm trying to increase the blood/oxygen level.