We need to start getting the produce started.

I dont know when exactly because we have so much to do but the spuds need to be planted and rowed up. I then need to select the produce we require and plan the phased sowing.

One thing is for sure, we will not plant 14 Courgette plants because we do not need hundreds of courgettes!

M 'J' has been back and forth this week. No real progress on the two small rooves. Cedric his Son who is building a new house about 5 miles away in Montaut has had the week off to ironically do the roof. This means his Dad has been split with his attention and intentions. No real worries from our point of view because our main aim was to be water proof.

The Pigeonnaire is completed entirely so we can work within.

Next week I intend to focus on building the bathroom walls so the plumber can do the first fix. Luckily this week we have installed the floor boards.

So many jobs its difficult to see the wood from the trees.

We asked the question some time back about Ikea kitchens or building our own. The concensus was overwhelmingly to build our own.

So I have constructed supporting walls using 100m concrete block and plastered them with the Lutece 2000. On the top I have used 30mm waterproof chipboard and tiled directly on the top.

When I have time I will make cupboard doors from either oak or Chestnut.

The Kitchen is getting close to the finished article. Today, Donna and I brushed on the first sealing coat of  Linseed Oil and Terps. We expect to do at least three applications as it sucks it up quite readily.

Meli our adopted cat surveys the ground below looking for Hector who is oblivious that she is above his head watching his every move.

Now the weather is getting better with the birds in full cry and the fields perking up and breaking into life the attention has turned to the Veg patch. Last year was a raging success and we are still eating some of the Garlic, Onion, Potatoes and Leeks. In the freezer we have a little of the Tomato puree and the Tomato and Courgette chutney.

Before coming to France, although I grew veg very successfully in Oakhanger I had never grown Asparagus. Its not a crop for the impatient as all the books will tell you and last year we just had to watch as a few spindly shoots appeared and matured. It will be possible to harvest some of the spears this second year mainly to stimulate new growth but it is essential that most of the energy is re-used by the roots. The third and successive years is when they will come into their own.

I rowed the line up a month or so back and added manure and didn't give them a lot of thought until yesterday.

Wow what a surprise! Better than could be imagined for sure. Really strong and healthy spears with new ones on nearly all plants breaking their sleepy heads from the winter slumber above the cracking soil.

The spears here are about 10 inches tall and as thick as a hammer handle.

Cabbages were not that successful really. I think we planted them a bit too late to reap rewards during the winter but there are a few that we might just be able harvest before the food season turns to salads etc.

Even so, architecturally they are worth having just for their form and colour.

The Poplar cuttings went well although they still remain in the ground and we have not transplanted them yet. I decided to strike another 30 or so cuttings just in case.

Henners took the cuttings and plants them. All you have to do is wait and by summers end they will be romping away.

Due to the delay in getting the Kity repaired we have only just started making widows for the gite

So with my friend Mark who has a Kity the same as mine we decided to put our resources together for mutual benefit.

Today though was a learning and setting up day and I chose to make two small non opening windows for the pigeonnaire. Using oak that was taking out of the barn, 

we ripped it down to the required size with the band saw

before surface planing

and then thicknessing

Then the mortice and tenon joints

and the finished product, all thats needed now is the glass and glazing bars.

We were hoping to have the kitchen floor jointed today but unfortunately it didn't go to plan. It will have to be completed Monday.

Tomorrow though is a fun day because Mark, a friend who lives locally and has a Kity the same as me will be making windows.

Kitchen floor done. Tomorrow it will be jointed.

Which one did we choose?

Click here to find out