Spring may be here

I don't like to be too optimistic about it - you never know what's around the corner! But the signs are there. On Saturday afternoon Hugh, Nicole and I went for a walk that was mentioned in Birding Dordogne by David Simpson. It was around the L'Escourou Reservoir near Eymet. We didn't see much in the way of birds (our fault I suspect, as we were so busy enjoying the sunshine!), but I did spot these little signs....

Dog violet

Cowslip

 

 

I was thrilled to see these growing near the banks of the reservoir, it reminded me of the springs of my childhood.
The following may or may not be a sign of spring - but it certainly means the sun was shining!

Nicole at work!

Also achieved this weekend....

Thank you Hugh for my new compost bin.

Also now finished, is the study/library/lobby/entrance hall/vestibule.....room still to have a name settled on it!

Nicole and I managed to turn this around in just a few days, in time to welcome our next guests....so I suppose she deserved her rest in the hammock!
Talking of signs of spring......I am still looking for the perfect photo of the returning cranes. Every time we hear their distinctive call, I rush out to try again. However close they are, they always seem miles away in the photo! This is the best of today's attempts......

...still not clear enough!

Spring IS around the corner!

Overdue update

Things have moved on - as they do every time I lapse in my blogging duties! The main house is finished, bar the decorating and the odd light fitting to be fixed and one or two holes to be plastered over, and some of the roof to be replaced (not until the gite is finished).
One room is now more or less finished. The wisteria balcony room is ready to welcome guests -just as well as my friend Kath is arriving on Thursday, snow permitting. Kath, pack warm clothes! (I will provide a hot water bottle!)

The wisteria balcony room.

 

The other bedrooms and bathrooms are slowly coming together, and will be ready soon.

Fortunately, over the weekend, I ran out of paint (new lot now arrived!) which meant that I could take a (sort of ) break, while Hugh was here. We did manage to saw up loads of logs and pick up some pallets ready for me to make my compost heap, and have a lovely meal at Le Cabri on Saturday evening.

Pallets ready for my compost heap.

The gite is coming along quickly now, changing all the time. Russ and Alex are out there in all weathers, preparing for the roof, which should start to go on tomorrow.

 

All ready for the roof and floors.

While my David was here at Christmas he took some lovely photos, so I'm including some of them here - just because they're lovely!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're very happy with how things are shaping up, and looking forward to welcoming guests soon.