Dirt

I hired a small tip truck and transported 20cubic mteres fo dirt last week so i could finally fill in the old trench that ran thru the yard.I then hired a mini digger to spread it and then finished it off by hand and threw some grass seedout.Ive evened out the levels of the yard and it lokks a lot neater now.I had prices of 4000 and 2000 euros from 2 different places.NO WAY!!!!450 euros and a case of beer later ,we have the same outcomeI bought the dirt form a local farmer and i did 10 trips in the truck .THe dirt was 6euros a M3 and was cheap ,but he had to keep loading me all day.It was veryhot So i bought him a case of beer before lunch ,but he didnt want to take it.I told him thts the way we deal in Australia and he was quite impressed.After lunch he kept on slipping me a cold beer in betwen loads and then another to finish off with.Lucky the bottles are small and i didnt have to drive far.Any way, he was happy and he learnt a little about the australian way.

Funny how 20 m3 can disappear to almost nothing

Summer madness

Julie and Kym were here for the weekend last week so we showed them some sights and of course some of the local delicasies.Lola enjoyed hanging out with her cousin.They were only here for 2 nites so it was a bit of a whirlwind visit.

Summer madness has well and truly started here with so many of the main roads blocked with incoming tourists.Theyve been lucky with beach weather, and ypically unprepared for the summer heat.Last week everyday was over 30°With 38° on thursday,so hot they are dropping like flies.I love to watch the french sweat and squirm in the heat.I always comment to them on the beautiful weather and they think i'm crazy as its too much for them!Wheres your scarf now you pussys?

I also had great pleasure in watching the overpaid,spoilt,underacheiving soccer team implode at the world cup.What a ridiculously embarrassing experience that was for them with their french pride!The french public,the government and of course the media have crucified all involved,with many sackings and retributions.Off with their Heads!!!!!!!!!

I picked up a gothic style antique backing for the fireplace in the second living room.Very solid,very heavy cast iron plate that should come up wellwhen restored.A guy renovating a mansion in Tyrosse gave it to me as it wont fit his style.I dont think he realises the value of something like that.I was prepared to pay for it but has a coupla broken bits so he didnt want anymoney.Cool!!!

Table

I just finished restoring our dining table.We bought it well over a year ago for 100 euros with a load of other stuff and i havent had the time to work on it.It was in pretty bad condition and the timber is so hard it laughed at my belt sander even with 50grit paper on it.5 pads and 2 belts later it still didnt come up as well as wanted.The wood was too hard!But after putting the 'vernis' on it has come up very nice,with some nice grain and all the damaged parts and imperfections give a lot of character.Its very low so i bought some brass egg cups to put under the legs and they work beatifully,bringing it up to a perfct height

End of year festivities

Lola had her end of year Gala for her gymnastics class on saturday nite with an impressive display of gymnastics and dance from all involved in her association, from toddlers through to adults.It was quite a professional display by all

Saturday morning Lola had her first surfing session for the year.The

water has warmed up enough now for her to go surfing and she was so exited to get back into it.She did really well and had about a dozen waves with 6 or 7 being really good long waves. It was only about 1-2 ft ,a perfect size for kids learning and she had a blast of a time and cant wait for the next time.trouble is , we have to wait till the swell is small enough and it lokks like being solid for the rest of the week

More apolgies for my slackness on updates.We have been busy,i've been busy working for Jez and Corinne has been busy with her job too.The weather has been crap,really bad for june which is normally one of the best months.No sun and no waves.Maybe good to rest my shoulder without the waves as it is much better now.

Lola had her school end of year concert /party which was a bit of fun for all

We had Lolas communion(i still dont really know what it is),with a long church service and short ceremony for the communion.Thr church was full with hundreds of people as there were 4 different villages attending the formalitiies.So many people that there wasnt enough room for everyone.Afterwards we put on a big lunch for the family,with plenty to eat and Geo brought along some magnificent wines.A big day.

The waether is finally warming up and there is also waves too-finally!I walked through the forest chasing waves a coulpe of days ago with Peter Lawson,who is back with his family for the second year in a row.the waves werent too good but we decided to surf anyway,and then after he tore his hamstring, we had a long, slow,painful trek ,about 2kms over sand dunes and thick sandy tracks to get back to the car.He then struggled to get in the back of my van.Poor bloke had a very painful trip back to his place.Not very happy!!3 weeks into an 8 week trip has just spoiled his holiday.

Work?!!!?!!!!

Sorry I havent been updating very often but i've been busy working.I had to build a catwalk for Element surfwear for the release of their new range.I had to build it and then transport it to San Sebastian, assemble it on sunday,which was a big day(12 hours) and then return to unassemble and pack it up and bring back monday night.We started about 9pm and got back here about 1.30am.next morning we unloaded and had to get the hire truck back.It was big hours but it paid well.Jez has had me busy with lots of work and theres more to come building stands for a trade show next month.

Ive been surfing a little more(nothing special) and the water is warming up.Shame ,my shoulder is still giving me trouble with physio work twice a week,sometimes too sore to surf,other times its ok.

Barry leaves Paris today and Kaye leaves next week.Sounds like they had a great time.

Not much has changed with the house as i havent had time to do much

I'll try and update more regularly

Kaye and Barry

Sorry ,i have been a bit lazy updating lately.No time!My sister Kaye and her husband Barry just left us after having a funfilled 2 weeks here.We showed them the sights and ate lots of good food and drank lots of good wine.Picnics,sightseeing,vide greniers,wine,wine, wine,cheese,cheese, foie gras,confit de canard,olives,cheese more wine,Spain,Biarritz,Rain ,rain and more rain,moule frites and so much more.So good to catch up,we all had a great time.Theyve moved on to Paris for 4 weeks,with a few other side trips as well.I hope the weather fines up for them

No waves !!!!!!!!!!!!!!The worst stretch of waves since arriving 3 years ago.I have surfed 3 times in the last6-7 weeks.Small and windy,crappy little swells that are not very enticing at all.

I have lots of work coming up,so i hope the waves dont arrive at the same time.I sold the left over oak beams yesterday,so i can continue cleaning up and build a garden shed,so i can empty the garage and start working at converting it into another bedroom