Week Starting 2nd February - the insulation arrives!

A dry week - despite the forecast!

The stonework on the west gable has been completed and a use found for the curved stone that came out of the ruin.

A time consuming job has been the detail just under the roof line, this has been created with a layer of terracotta, then (standing out a little further) a layer of curved tiles (standing out even further) and finally a further layer of terracotta.

Thursday afternoon saw the eventual arrival (delay caused by storm damage to the factory in Toulouse) of the insulation and so now the building looks as if it is wrapped in kitchen foil.

The base has been put in for the entrance porch and the blockwork for this was started on Friday afternoon. The chimney stack has been begun (so we are hoping for no more high winds!)

Week starting 11th January - bright and sunny!

After the deep freeze of last week it has been easier for stone work to progress this week. Some of the days have had bright blue skies and warm sunshine - ideal weather for running up and down scaffold.
The main emphasis this week had been on raising the level of stone work at the front of the house. This has progressed well even though some delay is being caused by the non-arrival of some of the stone lintels that were ordered back in November!. Similarly the roof timbers were due to arrive on Friday morning but are now not due to be here until next Thursday - which may hold up progress a little (but this is France!).
The adventures with the old stone fire place have continued. The individual pieces of the structure are so heavy that it is quite an adventure getting it all set in place - but if there was a way with the pyramids then there is a way to be found here - and the structure has now taken shape.
The stone chimney breast is being built up and this will appear running right up through the mezzanine floor which is to be suspended in the middle section of the salon. Robert has devised a method of releasing any of the build up of heat from above the stove (which will eventually be fitted in the fireplace) - small vents are to be placed (in the chimney breast) at what he considers to be feet height - and where he guesses the desk will be placed - so there will be no chance of cold feet up there!