Rent  A  Traditional  Country
Farmhouse  in  South-West  France

Week 65

Monday 4th July to Sunday 10th July

The view has changed completely, with the wheat cut down. The weetabix like bundles of the remaining stalks make an interesting feature. Each day a large trailer arrives and a tractor fork-lift loads the bundles onto the trailer.

We have not had any rain other than a occasional drop, since March. There is a hosepipe ban, which means we have to water the trees, flowers and vegetables with watering cans. This is slow and laborious. As the weather is really hot, we have to water every day and while we do, the grass is dying and the ground is like rock.

The forecast this week is for a few cooler days; cooler means below 30°C. Therefore its roof time again. With the help of the Boss, we move the scaffold round to the front of the house, and we go to buy some new roof tiles.

As we're short on cash, I'm using the French equivalent of roofing felt. It's thinner, lighter and according to those that know, it's better. Being lighter, it's easy to move around on the roof. However, the real challenge is moving the tiles around without a professionals hoist.

The Boss helps pass tiles and wood up and down, and with the broken tiles, we're bringing them down in buckets. Throwing them down, they shatter and leave little pieces all over the place, so the hard way is the chosen way.

Richard comes round on the second day and helps. After three days, we've done another 4 meters of roof, but not completely re-laid the tiles as I've learnt the lessons of previous roofing. Get the processes right and its OK. Forget to leave yourself space to walk while cementing the ridge tiles, and you'll regret it.

No, that's not a dalek wearing a hard hat, and yes, you have to walk under the scaffold to get into the front door. Lucky we're not superstitious.

Three days in the sun, standing balanced on the slope and constantly bent over, has taken its toll, so Sunday really is a rest day.

And next week, get on with the lounge.