Monday

An early start to the day as we need to take the car into the shop, I really hope that we have it back before we go into any sort of lockdown. I do so hate mornings though so it’s time to take my cup of tea and head back to bed for a little bit. I heard a horn tooting so must be the postie with most of the €1000 of plumbing bits that Matt’s ordered.

An hour later and the French phone goes. It’s another delivery driver. Matt’s on a call so I’d best go meet him. Seems that it’s even more plumbing stuff.

• 

• 

Once work is done for the day Matt went back to work on framing up the kitchen wall.

• 

• 

Since I can’t really help with that I figured I’d finally get the onion sets in the ground. A few of them were already looking rather worse for wear (they should have gone in a while back but the bed wasn’t ready). Still, they’re just going to rot if I don’t put them in, so may as well hope that they either grow or are the ones that the birds get. About 80 went in so hopefully we should get half maybe?!

• 

• 

• 

• 

Now that’s finally done I’d best get a bit more work done. I made a lovely tart for dinner then blog updates and it’s time for bed.

[29 March 2021]

Tuesday

What a brutal way to wake up. Even worse than Matt dragging me to the garage at 9am is some random plumbing company calling the French phone at 8:30 to talk about a part that they don’t have in stock. It was far too early for all that, I wouldn’t have understood what he was talking about even if he was saying it in English, but thankfully he was happy to put it in an email.

Busy working away when a van horn started beeping. Seems that the company’s new IT stuff has arrived so we should now have good wifi all over the property (outside included), and a couple of CCTV cameras.

• 

• 

As I went to have a quick look around the garden, definitely a few pretty tulips out but I also spotted this tree. No idea what it is but check out those flowers.. there are tons of them all the way up and bees were going mad for it!

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Ah, I’d managed to forget about the mess out here in the front meadow. I’d gone to quickly deadhead the daffodils but guess I’d best press on with getting it cleared up. Doesn’t look like much but I assure you it was more work than it looks as there was a lot of ground rubbish that had to go too. After about an hour I’d had enough. Not quite done but looking better.

• 

• 

We’re really going to have to start thinking about getting some of our seeds started soon. Time for a nice easy job, putting together the new cold frame. It’s rather flimsy but I guess you get what you pay for. Hopefully it will do the job ok.

• 

• 

• 

With that ready I needed to sort out a nursery and with few options decided it would be the mantle in the living room. I know that there are plenty of windows up on the top floor but I just know that I will completely forget they are there and they’ll die so better to start them off where I can’t miss them. I’ve tidied it up and now know that I should have enough space for 5 trays, that’s 120 plugs. I plan to spend the evening catching up on a few more bits and pieces and planning what I am going to put in first.

[30 March 2021]

Wednesday

Since I had an early briefing meeting this morning I figured I’d made some more bread. I love mum’s bread maker. 5mins prep and just leave it do its thing for 3 hours. Back-to-back meetings and before you know it the bread is done and lunch is ready. Suddenly remembered that the second load of washing was still in the dryer from last night. It seems that I must have left my badge on my jumper too.

After yesterday’s prep I was ready to make a start on the nursery. Matt even made me a little push tool to help me firm down the compost, ‘to get good contact between the seed and the compost.’ It’s super, I love it. Monty would be so proud.

• 

• 

• 

Anyway, I planted the following seeds: 24 cornichons, 48 scotch bonnet chilies, 12 broccoli, and some rosemary, coriander, thyme and chives. Although with the stupid tiny seeds I accidentally put the thyme and chives in the same cells.. d’oh!

• 

• 

When he finished work Matt and I took a tour of the garden. It really is lovely watching all the different things come up and trying to work out what some of them are.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I’ve still got work to do so Matt is making dinner this evening. Seems Meow is getting in on the act too..

Unfortunately work goes on pretty late as another project popped up this morning so need to get prepped for a call tomorrow. Quick update of the blog but will deal with the pictures tomorrow as I need to get to bed.