Matt is up early again as today is the day that my Christmas present should be available from Lidl.

I’m busy working trying to get stuff finished off before Christmas but feels as though it’s a bit of an uphill battle. Meanwhile, in the kitchen (not the usual place you would expect to find her) is Tonia. She’t trying to make a start on the stripping. Doing anything at height when leaning on the railing can be a little nerve wracking. Doing it when you have burning hot steam in your hand is even more so. Also, every time you have done 1.5m you need to get down again to move it. It’s not really ideal. But it’s better than trying to do it on a ladder at 2.5m I guess.

Matt’s back from Luchon and isn’t looking too annoyed so he must have got what he needed. A few minutes later and I get a message that lunch is ready. More bread, cheese and pate.

After lunch we were going to go to the fireplace shops and St Gaudens for the Christmas food but unfortunately half of them are apparently closed on a Monday so change of plans. Instead, we are off to St Beat to the Tabac and post office. Well Tonia got what she wanted but the post office was closed. Next stop, Marignac post office. There is somebody there but, for some unknown reason, she can’t find the UK on the system – maybe when they stopped travel to the UK they also just deleted them off all government records, like a dry run for Brexit. She recommends that we try Cierp Gaud.

It’s open which is something. There is however already a queue of 3 people inside as it’s raining, however the limit is 1. As such I duly stand outside in the rain. Well I have no idea what the lady at the front was doing but in the time she was at the desk she must have opened 6 post office accounts for her grandchildren, restarted her pension and asked every question under the sun. Next guy up is only marginally better, but at least he’s done in 10 mins.

As soon as he leaves the woman turns off the lights. There’s still one woman in front of me with a package and another has recently joined behind me. Thankfully the lady in front is suitably pushy and makes sure that we get served – we’ve been waiting half an hour or more by this point so she’s going to have to work late. The three of us were in and out in less than it took the gentleman. But at least mum’s present is in the post. [If it doesn’t arrive on time I have photos I can send to her.]

Quick stop in at Intermarche on the way home. Don’t need too much as we’ll be off for the big Christmas shop tomorrow. I go back to work, Matt is working on the electrical plans and other Matt things, and Tonia is off to the second floor again for some more stripping.

Seems she’s come across a bit of a problem, after a health and safety inspection from Matt work is halted. It seems that the paper is attached to a thin sheet of polystyrene. If there was a fire you probably don’t want to be surrounded by that stuff.

I finish work as it’s time for dinner. Looks like it is fish taco time again 🙂

After dinner it’s time to start on the blog – these are taking much longer as while Tonia is great at taking photos I have to receive and download each one individually which is a bit of a ball ache. That said, without her this post would only have one picture!

Matt’s still working on electrical plans and Tonia researching her stripping needs.

We decided to have a brief break and call mum.

Call done and there are more emails to be written to accountants and insurance advisors, more electrical plans and other super exciting tasks. That’s done us in so time for bed.