The Truck & the Box go their separate ways

Finally, today Paul & Tracey’s first home (the Box) was separated from the Truck! The word was out in Puycaquier that today was the day, the ground was just right –hardened by summer sun- so the crane didn’t sink, and there were plenty of straps, ropes and helping hands for the task.

it went from this

 

t

 

 

 

to this   

then, with some help from the van, the truck moved …

and, finally, the box was put in its new resting place

Hopefully, it won’t be too long before the scrap metal guys return and remove the truck –apparently its not going anywhere as the clutch has gone!

All this was done in the wonderful October sunshine that’s still with us –although we have had a couple of brief, very wet, storms. The tomatoes and french beans continue to ripen and Paul has pulled the first parsnips.

And the stone wall is looking very good, with pointing almost as far as the front of the house … well done Paul and Tracey for all your hard work this week.

A special garden for the dogs and other stuff

I’ve been out and about with my camera recording the changes at Enmatte in the past few months and days. We now have a dog proof garden under the old oak tree –very useful at reducing the number of times we are distracted by the task of looking for Macaroon or looking for Crumble.

 

When the dogs go walk about they are almost always looking for the cats –an impossible quest as Tom and Geo are wise to this activity and know where to go to not be found. But that doesn’t stop the dogs trying and the new fence gives them freedom and limits!

 

  There’s lots of toys for them to play with –but one small stick was very much in demand this afternoon.

 

 

 

Work is progressing on the stone wall. Paul has fixed the power hose so the water goes where it should and importantly not all over him.

 

After the cleaning comes the pointing –the stone looks so good once this is done.

Today is hot and humid –wonderful weather for October. The sunflower harvest continues, Paul’s tomatoes are still ripening and (not good this) the cabbages are populated by Cabbage White butterflies. The wasps continue to be a bother despite a special trap and most likely attracted by the fragrance of Peach & Vanilla Jam Paul made last week. And late last night I did battle with a very noisy mosquito –no bites, thanks to the wipes I bought for the South American jungle and bought home untouched.

Its market day in Fleurance tomorrow and I’m hoping there will still be soft fruit for sale –peaches for breakfast is just the most wonderful way to stretch the summer.

Moving week … its wonderful on the 1st floor

I’m not usually at Enmatte in October but this has not been a ‘normal’ summer, Anyway, I am here at last, the sun has been shining since I arrived and best of all I have moved into the 1st floor space. Its almost impossible to describe just how wonderful it all is … spacious, light, airy, full of character and now full of me! The large pile of boxes of books and other stuff is no more, although more book shelves are needed (no surprise there, I hear you say),

I have spread all my sewing stuff across the middle space and sorted out an office space, and the sitting room is a calm, quiet place. 

One of the best things about this space is the mix of furniture from different places i have known all my life. I am writing this on our dining room table bought in 1967, over there is a small table that used to be at the top of the stairs in my Grandmother’s house, behind me is the camphor wood trunk that belonged to John’s parents. Two of the bookcases once belonged to John’s Grandparents and I have a chair from their house in my dressing room. In front of me is the brass chess table we bought in Iran, Peggy’s Singer sewing machine … it makes for a memorable and practical melange of everything a home needs.

Then there is the bedroom,  through the sliding doors …….

 

and (very posh this) a dressing room. The wet room has a great shower, the best lit loo ever and the tiling is, naturally, Tracey’s finest. 

Paul’s electrician skills are so very good –the lighting scheme he designed and built for this space is perfect & Tracey has built me a wardrobe that has swallowed all my clothes in a way that means  I can see everything behind the large mirrored doors. Clearly, I am in love with it all.

 

More pictures to follow ,,, will try to also post some of little Macaroon who is the best puppy ever, and is growing up fast. He is slowly learning what belongs to me up here  -my slippers and the content of the waste paper bin - and what is his to play with. Crumble is quite adult beside him, and has made the spot at the end of my terrace her very own. It is a joy to be greeted by them each morning as if I had been away from weeks not just overnight.

And the work continues. Paul and Tracey have been cleaning the west facing stone wall of the house today, ready for pointing. I’ll try to post some pics of that this coming week.