Progress on renovations & general life in France
So far we have spent most of our time repairing the broken down fences and installing gates on fields in place of the bits of wire mesh that was present when we took over the farm.So far we have spent most of our time repairing the broken down fences and installing gates on fields in place of the bits of wire mesh that was present when we took over the farm. On several occasions we have had our neighbours warm us that some of our sheep had escaped and were roaming around the roads therefore these renovations and additions had a very high priority. We then ran into the lambing season and that involved all of us to provide virtual 24 hour cover. As the old farm buildings leave a lot to be desired as far as lambing indoors the sheep were left in the fields, as they are in most of France, but this means that lambing becomes very labour intensive as you have to keep an eye out all the new for newcomers and then take them inside to get them through the first week or so. We have now completed lambing and quite sucessfully with over 300 new additions to our flock. We managed to get some preliminary work done on the first house for renovation and of course a certain amount in the woodwork shop and garage workshop as these are essential areas !. We then had to return to England, me to sort out things on the sale of my house in England and various other business issues and all of us to attend the GT40 Enthusiasts Club's annual general meeting and see some of our many friends. On our return to France the priority will be to complete the renovation of the first house although this will still be hampered a little by the essential work needed around the farm as it is still somewhat primitive although we are still upgrading and enhancing the facilities to bring it up to modern farming standards. The next big outing for the group will be our annual pilgrimage to the 24 hours at Le Mans although this will be the first year in recent years when both Mike and I will not be taking our GT40 replicas as they are both in need of work and our work load won't allow us time enough to complete before Le Mans. Instead this year will will be taking one of my large American vehicles and Mike And Margaret are taking their Chevy Camaro so at least we will be attending the event in V8 machines. More soon until then my final comment is this. I always thought that when I retired early it was the best career move that I had made, however although a lot of work and a few worrying moments my move to France and the French way of life and of course the better weather takes the top as Best career move to date. Ken
When I nod my head you hit it !!
The pictures above show mike and I digging hols for gate posts and erecting some of the many gates. When we took over the farm it had no gates at all, just bits of old twisted wire across openings on the fences, not very good for keeping livestock in as our first few weeks proved with us chasing sheep up the road to stop the before they reached the main trunk road
The picture above here show me demolishing some of the old pig pens that had been erected in the middle of the farmyard. This area will eventually be a paved water garden with shady trees, but not for a while yet !!.
Above are pictures of some of our new arrivals, you could call them the Forty Towers football team !!
We have erected a poly tunnel which initially we used to house some of the new lambs but was destined to be used as part of our home produce production. Now that the lambs are a little larger and out in the fields the area has been ploughed, harrowed and seeded with all manner of vegetables and fruit and we look forward to eating our own produce latter in the year.
We have used the newer of the two houses as our temporary home whilst the renovation works carry on. One thing that we were missing and I just happened to come upon was a kitchen table. As I could not resist this purchase this requirement has been filled although we did have a bit of a struggle getting it into place.
Progress has moved on quite considerably and both houses are near completion. I will update these pages as soon as possible