2007

February 2007 - To see Photo's click here

Two weeks of this month we spent on holiday in England, well it was a bit hectic and didn’t really feel like a holiday. It was very good to see friends and family albeit briefly. We had problems trying to get the boys to their friends and to see ours too!!

We also had to go to Worcester as I was doing a talk, but on the way up it began to snow and the talk was postponed, we found this very funny and enjoyed a night in a hotel and an Italian meal. It had taken us almost 2 hours to travel 8 miles cos no one else had snow tyres!! We managed to drive past a few cars on a duel carriage way until a car pulled out, he probably thought he was saving us from a nasty accident!!

The rest of the month was spent cleaning out the old crumbling mortar from the walls for Ben’s bedroom and the games room, sitting out in the sun for lunch- yes really it was warm enough, filling in the holes we had made and enjoying a sprinkling of snow.

Boys a bit disappointed at lack of snow and therefore lack of skiing, but I was ok!! I have bought a book called ‘Inner  skiing’ which is supposed to be brilliant, so I now have a year to read and understand it.

We found another fantastic walk- we call it the labyrinth. It is not in any of the tourist guides that we have seen, just a simple walk marked on the map – but it was fantastic and somewhere we will definitely take friends and guests and will return often to explore.

It is full of holes, caves and fantastic stones – hard to describe really – some of the stones had been enhanced with some paint to look like faces and creatures. There were signs and information plaques explaining how the rock formation had occurred through erosion- well we think that’s what it said!! Ten the walk goes over a road and into more of the rocks- just like a labyrinth – we loved it- as you may have guessed.

Well February was a short month and its over.

March 07 - To see Photo's click here

Well, what a funny weather month this was, first we had sunshine and we began to do some gardening in 19 degrees of heat- yummy.

Then it decided to snow and we had snow every day for 6 days, the ground was quite warm so it did not get too deep, but was great fun. We had a cousins three children come to stay and we spent 2 hours making snow caves in some drifts, it was snowing the whole time, but we were protected from the wind and didn’t get chilly. Their dog ended up with huge snowballs hanging off his hair- he had to have a bath when we went back home. We also built half an igloo, had some fantastic snowball fights, rolled down some hills and did some sledging

The filling of walls had to go on hold because the temperature was not high enough, so we had a bit of a clear out of the store room- which needs a wall building in it for the new floor to rest on and to support the existing walls.

A huge order of sand, gravel, cement, cement blocks, and wood arrived via a lorry and it was all hands on deck to get it moved inside- the pity was that the concrete bricks were too heavy for anyone except Martin, so the boys and I went back to school work.

We then visited the local timber yard to order the wood for floor beams etc, and we managed to get them to understand.

Later in the month my cousins husband came over with 2 boys and his van and the wood was brought up from the yard to our barn- we all had new muscles that night!!!!

Of course now it has all arrived, floor can be concreted- so off again for a concrete mixer, the boys and I have a quick lesson on mixing and its all hands on deck – snow in the gravel made it a bit of a wet mix, but all went ok – the entrance hall is a bit smarter now.

More wall clearing, new wall building and hole filling.

Another good walk is discovered, this time we were adopted by a French lady from about half way around, she talked to us in a mixture of French and English and we were able to understand and chat back. It was an easy walk, with small stone buildings, probably built by farm workers to shelter from the weather, there was an amazing view over a huge ground collapse – a valley really with a village far below. Later on the walk we found a cable car type pulley from the village at the top to the village at the bottom, this was used to send milk down to the building below, where it was turned into cheese.

Ah we do love this life.

April 2007 - To see Photo's click here

We decided to explore the fishing in the area, but were not too successful. We went to Lac Vouglans and the fishing shop on the way was closed. I had to pluck up the courage to ask a chef on his lunch break where we could buy a ‘permis’ for fishing. He understood me and I understood the answer- amazing!!

We got our ‘permis’ and went to the lac- bit of a surprise it  was about 10m lower than last year, caused by lack of snow and no rain this month.

We did try and fish, but no luck so the boys and I and the dog decide to brave the water- very cold- and wade out to an island- good fun, legs were numb after a couple of minutes so it was not too bad. Saw a fantastic green lizard too.

We were invited to visit our next-door neighbours who speak no English at all. It was good, we found out that the houses next door to us had burnt down very quickly one day, leaving our neighbours with just the clothes they had on!!! They showed us some pictures of before the fire, they were having some work done when the fire started, because of the wind and straw there was no chance- lucky for us the wind blew away from our house. We enjoyed the visit and asked them to come to ours.

They came around and were impressed with the changes; they used to feed the 14 cats when the old owner went away!! We managed to chat about the area and where we lived before, it was good. Wouldn’t have coped with the French when we arrived so must be getting better with the language.

We have started the garden as the weather has been glorious, some flowers, herbs and fruit bushes.

Very hot sunshine and no rain all month!!

We found a wasp nest being built in the car!!

We also found a strange creature in the garden, it turned out to be a mole cricket- the creatures that make a lot of noise in the afternoon and evening!! Very scary looking though.

Daisy cut her paw on a walk to Mont Rival so we had to return to the car, we met a local photographer there who told us about some dinosaur footprints in a local village, we tried to find them but just ended up driving along a logging road, very pretty but…

We are building a wall in the room below the two new rooms to support the new floor as the wall is a bit dodgy!! And we are still filing holes upstairs.

We managed to ask the major for permis for the two rooms and windows and with my cousins help filled in the forms. Within the month the permis was back- fantastic and very quick.

Very busy in the village- the inauguration of the village hall, where I swear they tried to get us drunk!!! Many made the attempt to talk to us which was good and we tried to converse, but I never liked those do’s in English!! We did find out about 2 boys in the village who are them same age as ours.

The next day was a fete in the village, with a musician who had made some very interesting instruments.

We also found a car boot sale and bought 3 swords!!!!

A local 18yr old came to see us to ask if he could practise his English. He has an exam soon, and in exchange he will help us with our French- seems a good deal and he seems very genuine.

We went to visit the Dino Zoo, which has life size models of dinosaurs, it was a good day out and on the way back we drove through Salins Les bains, which looks a great place to visit sometime- it has a salt mine and thermal baths.

We also had a go at cleaning and re-pointing some of the wall outside so that we can explain to the mayor what we want to do and if we need another permis?

Martin’s bro came for a week, we had mixed weather but it was good to have someone to take to the lovely places we have found locally. He also helped with some of the work – clearing the patio area out the back of the house, a bit of gardening and he joined in with some home schooling!!

We took him to Geneva and spent some time at the Jet d’eau and in the old town. We had a lovely meal before a stroll and then drove to the airport. We do enjoy having people to visit and hope they enjoy visiting!!

May 2007

Ok work on the two new rooms – floor joists going in, its  a bit of keep fit climbing over them or a balancing act!! Christian helped Martin to chainsaw and remove the old beams, bit scary now as there is nothing beneath the new beams when working upstairs.

Looking good though.

Framework for walls up.

Found someone to make the holes for the windows, so hopefully they will be able to come soon.

The ceiling begins – a bit space age with silver insulation going up!

A young Frenchman needs help with his English in exchange for helping with our French- seems a good deal to me.

Lots of visits this month- to the library, we borrowed an assortment of very simple books!! Our French friend will help us to read and understand them.

A visit to Chateau de Joux, fantastic place with lots of layers, towers, history, steps and a huge well.

Visited the school at Loulle- enjoyed this very much, the children were great and they had some local food for us to sample and take away. They are so friendly here.

We have asked the English teacher of she will come and help us with our French in the autumn. I think she is keen.

What has happened to the weather- it rained- yuck! But at least the grass looks more like a lawn than a field now- its green.

While walking around the village we were invited into our young French man’s home in this village. It is a very old fashioned house with rooms off a long corridor. It belonged to his grandmother, so now it’s his families. His family came to visit us too, very social time.

We managed to do some bargaining at a local carboot sale!!

We had some great swims at local lakes, one time at Vouglans, we could see the clouds amassing and everyone began to leave- we decided to follow and just made it to the car before the rainstorm arrived. And what a rain storm, wow, it certainly knows how to rain !!

I was fortunate to see a white stoat playing, luckily Daisy did not see it, she smelt it but followed the old trail, not the new one!! What a very appealing animal a stoat is.

We were informed of a blacksmithing event at Chateau Chalon, so off we went. It was impressive, there were students from 3 local colleges, they were making pieces of artwork based on sundials for the village over the weekend, We had free wine, cheese, pizza, quiche and Comté cheese – well good and very tasty.

Very erratic weather this month- storms, hail- snow on the mountains!! Also sun and 29 degrees in the shade!! This mountain weather is very interesting.

June 2007

Ok, this month began with an invitation to join some of the villagers for a walk, a whole day walk. It was great fun and we managed to have some conversations!! They all had their baguettes, cheese, sausage and bottles of wine. We had our rolls, eggs, ham and water!!!!

The walk began with a drive around the village, then we were off in a convoy. We began walking at about 10 and finished walking at about 4.30!! With quite a long lunch break. In place the ‘walk’ was more of a climb, but there were spectacular views.

We decided to look out for an apartment to rent out, saw a few on the internet, but no luck when we visited the estate agents, the couple we did look at had too much work to be done, so put that idea on the back boiler for a while.

My mum and Dad ventured out to the wild Jura highlands, and were treated to some mountain rain during their stay, once when on a walk. Mum and I were little drowned rats and the men and boys fishing ended before it began!! But they did have a good time and we did have sunshine too. The waterfalls were full to the brim so very spectacular 

Mum and dad helped sort out my tomato plants for me, and they are looking better now, in fact all the plants are happier.

The rain was torrential at times and it washed a new layer of stones in the local river, after a search we found some fossils, so that was fun.

We had some other visitors who stayed in the gite in the village, gave us a chance to be nosy!!! We had a good meal out and a good raclette evening with them too.

The boys and I began a woodwork project- making dragons, this was fun and many new skills were learnt!

House work this month was a little slow as we are waiting for the new windows to be made, so it was filling holes in walls – for a change- good job we like that task!! A lifting plasterboard machine was purchased, put together and used, very clever, the boys were the winch men, and it saved some severe strained muscles!! So the ceiling in one room was finished, the electrician came and electrics were sorted, some coving went up too. Oh and the 3000th plasterboard screw has been used!!!

The window men should be here soon- hurrah!!

We went for a visit to the labyrinth walk with more of the family, great fun and ugh- many strange bright orange slugs!! Weird looking fungi, and scary caves too.

All in all life over here is never dull!!!!!

July 2007

Interesting mix of weather this month, from 30degrees to 12 and rain.

The builders arrive to make the holes for the windows and oops – looks surprised when we show him the window in the sejour. Lack of communication in the company, but the door was not ordered – never mind, made us have a bit of a clear out and tidy, they will come back in September.

Martin and I work on outside and inside of fossil cottage as we cannot work on the 2 rooms.

The holes are made surprisingly fast, the 2 tons mountain of stone we manage to move in one day despite hot sun, torrential rain, hailstones and wind!!!!!!!!!

The boys had a little cooking frenzy so we had plenty of goodies to eat- chocolate biscuits, chocolate cake, quiches and flapjacks. Yum.

All goes a bit slow from the builders as concrete has to dry, do some work in rooms.

The builder is great and friendly and we show him around the house, he is impressed with what we have done so far, he has some old boards and fire back plates that we may wish to purchase for fossil cottage.

We measure fossil cottage and come up with a plan for the bathrooms etc.

One of the builders suggest we replace the nails in the floorboards with screws… as the nails are working their way back out – oops!!

It then became very hot and sunny, so lakes were vsiied and swam in.

One morning the boys and I walked almost the whole of the Herisson Falls walk, beautiful, we were in the water measuring water flow, temperature and depth as close the  falls as we could get. Loved it.

We were invited to a neighbours for a meal – that lasted until midnight, there were fireworks going off all over the place, may have been independence day?

The windows were finally finished and look great, so its on with the walls and floors. Just a little more work to be done in 3 weeks before the first guests arrive. AAAHHH

I sanded and varnished the home school table, looks much better now, as the boys practised and refined their blacksmithing skills, we managed to buy some proper coke for the job.

The end of the month sees frenzied activity and lots of work as the 2 rooms emerge.

August 2007

Well we did it, we managed to put down the floors, although the large floor in the games room was a bit problematic and we learnt some new swear words!!

We ordered beds, cupboards, chairs and a new dining room table. After all the boxes were delivered we braced ourselves for a few days of assembling flat packs!

Actually they were not too difficult – except for the slight problem of nothing to put the mattress on – we had frames with a hole in the middle – oops where is the bed base. Back to the shop to let them know they had forgotten to deliver all the beds……only to be told that we hadn’t bought the bases! What – oh yes in France it all comes separately. Ok bought bases and duvets and covers , oh and some pillows- square of course! Ok everything 2 boys and guests could ever want.

Glorious weather, sunny and warm. Some visits to lakes for much needed swims after all the hard work in the house. Ahhhh – lovely.

Slight problem with the blow up dingy though- the bottom separated from the edge- so now we have a lilo and a very large inflatable ring…well sort of. We did get some strange looks I can tell you.

Nearly ready for our first visitors when we were invited to an evening at a neighbours, too much wine and a loooong  meal. Didn’t feel much like working the next day, but press on we did, it’s the fiddly finishing off bits that take so much time.

We sent the boys of to a climbing camp and the weather was a little wet for them- poor souls.

We worked hard – well we did take one day off to visit a salt mine and a museum of Franche Comte houses. Both were very interesting and it was good break.

We finished doors and frames, coving and skirting board, ahh clean house and just one day left to rearrange the furniture.

It was like moving in again – table from kitchen to guest room, chairs moved, boxes moved from sitting room to make room for more chairs, boxes sorted and shifted from store room to loft space….oh make dinning room table- ugh – very solid and weighs a ton – looks great.

Guests arriving after lunch- frantic clean, made lots of dust the day before. Cup of tea time and ……done.

Our first visitors to use the guest room arrive, they were such fun and loved the guided tour of the house and yep we were proud of our rooms.

They went off to visit a local chateau, Martin went off to collect boys and I prepared eve raclette meal. It was fun and great to have a large table, rather than throwing together 2 tables and an assortment of chairs!!

Boys really hyper over camp but very glad to sleep in their own rooms and beds.

We drove around the area the next day, taking in wonderful views and a wine cellar and a stunning waterfall. All too soon our guests had to go, we promised to let them know as soon as the holiday cottage is ready next year.

A few days later some friends of ours arrived, they had survived the flight and drive up the mountain in a car with the steering wheel on the wrong side!!

We didn’t really mean to..but we did sort of tire them out, walks, waterfalls, swimming…we had a great break and holiday ourselves. Lovely.

The week zoomed by and a few days after they left my sister with 4 children arrived, we had a lovely time again, the children adjusted to eachother! We ate well, played well and packed in some wonderful sights. We also had a family gathering of 27 of us!! The weather was absolutely perfect.

Ok, then we had a week before parents arriving sooo….it was time to begin stripping the outside walls – cleaning off all the old crepe and mortar…oh but it was hot.

Ooops that’s another month gone by….

September 2007

Ok. More visitors, parents this time and Home schooling has begun too, so its busy time. Just for a change!!

Weather still fantastic, so good for some walks, went to Dole and explored the steep streets and canal. Very pretty.

We had a surprise visit from a family from the next village who also do home schooling, they gave us details of a picnic- well ok we thought it was a walk and picnic…but then it was all in French!! Its soon, tell you more later.

Also were invited to a farmer’s house in the village fro drinks one evening. Sorry guests, but tea was a bit late!!!!!!!

After our tourist season was over it was back to serious work….the outside of the house, and oh boy did we work hard, cleaning off the last of the cement and crepe was not a piece of cake, but the compliments from people in the village make it worth while.

We moved a woodpile so we could do the side of the house; I think we were permanently grey with bad dandruff for at least a week!!

Small problem that we just can’t reach the top of the wall, but the most important and exposed bit was clean, phew- rest now? Oh no, we need to get it filled and sealed before we go to England at the end of the month. One evening we needed a torch to finish the work, but we did do it and it looks fantastic.

During the work we did take a day off to go on a walk with other home schoolers from the area on worldwide home schooling day. We packed out picnic into our backpacks and started out early. Found the place rather quick- before anyone had even put up signs! Well we’re British.

It took us a while to realise there was no walk, just a get together and picnic. Ok we can do this!! Only problem was there was French and German being spoken, and um…just a little English. It was a good thing to do, but I think we all had headaches by the time we left. Did make an arrangement for the local family to visit us though.

They were lovely and we will try to see then each week.

Apple chutney is yummy, so made some more, loads of apples, so I am peeling, stewing and freezing tons!!

We invited the farmer over to ours, it was a good evening and we managed to tell some jokes, well they laughed anyway… it could have been the French, but who cares.

Also had the French family we have seen quite a lot to supper. Another great evening…we certainly have more of a social life out here.

Then it was time to go to England for 10 days. I managed to survive doing a workshop for a wonderful group of people in Worcester, and we enjoyed seeing the sea…too cold for a swim, especially as we had colds already…very damp place …England. But we did enjoy spending time with our family and friends.

October 07 – one year and still here

Pool table and camera – thanks great Nana

Judo lessons begin for B, he really enjoys it, they are very kind to him and hopefully he will pick up some French. Has made a friend.

Continue with walls outside till it got too cold

Finished off B’s room, and the cupboard in the games room

Continue with French family- home schooling

Sunny, sunny and sunny

Apples out of our ears – loads of raspberries, leeks and carrots.

Still some strawberries!!

Walk with 2 french ladies

Walk with village in swiss – mountain –8 and snow flakes…

Daisy has a scrap

Visit to place with no address and found it!! Homeschooling people – very social and good for us all.

Martin found the old bread oven with pottery and a bone in it.

Put more space age silver on new room walls the barn side –makes quite a difference to the temp in rooms

Piano tuner- ahhhhh

Drums

New walks – belvedere de 4 lacs…..in the foret near st laurant.

Finish H’s room

Start clearing rubbish in other side

November 2007

We decided it was time to clear the floor in fossil cottage’s living room – so a few car loads to the dump and a very large pile of wood later and we found ….a hole in the floor, full of coal briquettes, wood, broken glass and some treasure too.

We found a small elixir bottle, a lens from a pair of glasses, boots, tools and a silver 5 franc coin from 1808. We looked for the box that would be full of coins, but no luck! We did find more flagstones under the woodpile in the living room and can use these for the kitchen floor.

It became very cold – the old minus temperatures kicking in, but it was dry cold and lovely. Then the snow came for a week – sledging and walking and making a snowman, but no skiing – not yet.

I went for a walk with my French friend and she took me to a small lake that we didn’t know existed, very close to us too!!

We went to the Herisson falls and they were covered in icicles- loads of them, everywhere- absolutely fantastic. A wow walk and no one else there!!

We began xmas shopping on the internet- the poor postie is going to be busy!!

Some of the wood pile was taken by some people in the village, the rest we burnt- oh what a bonfire- so hot and lots of lovely ash for the vegetable garden.

We began to clean the old mortar off the walls in the living room and Martin managed to get the temperature high enough in the kitchen to put down some concrete for the frame for the ceiling.

When the rain washed away the snow we went to the Languette gorges – it was very impressive- so much water travelling through a small space in the rocks – wow.

We went to visit another family in the village, she is a friend of my French friend in the next village, we were very pleased with our conversational French and our understanding. Her children had a go at speaking English too.

Well it’s hard to believe but another month has flown by and we are still very happy here.

December 2007

We found a new walk, just down the road, very steep steps over a waterfall – the ‘Pertes d’Ain’, very impressive except that Daisy broke a nail – doesn’t sound much but you know what we girls are like! She had to visit the vets, have a little op and wear different coloured bandages throughout the month!! What a palaver. Pleasantly surprised at the cost though- very reasonable.

We have cleaned more walls and taken a beam down, cleaned it and put it back up in a different place. Using children and a rope it went up very well!!

The snow seems to have abandoned us after last months tease…but wait….yes snow up the road, so we went to try cross country- some found it easier than others and all of us had bruises!! The best bit was after going round a small circuit a few times we then looked more carefully at the map only to discover we hadn’t even got to the piste!!!! We had been skiing around the path to the piste- ah well we live and learn.

Decided to buy skis for Me and Martin and hire for the boys. That’s it, I can’t chicken out now.

Found a different piste at Bellefontaine, one very steep slope, the rest ok, although still testing the snow for softness!!!

Had an interesting experience with a home- schooling inspection- 3 inspectors for 2 children!! But the extra one spoke fluent English and so that made it easier- it was very disjointed with too many questions and lack of understanding but …well we wait for the report and ideas for learning French…..we won’t hold our breadth as others have waited 2 years and not received a report!! They were quite positive about most things- only really interested in French and Maths and workbooks- oops we don’t use those.

Had family for Christmas, which was lovely, took bro skiing and he loved it and was very good, Mum tried too, but it was a little too slippery!!!!! Ate well, chatted and enjoyed the company.

The village Christmas party was different this year- still had Santa, but there were less of the families that we know there. They also had a mad man who ate fire, lay on nails and broken glass while men stood on him and asked 3 women to throw darts at his stomach- couldn’t miss really!! The mulled wine was great too.

Well that’s the end of this year and what a lot we have done, seen and worked on…

Next year maybe Fossil cottage will be up and ready- hopefully for August, watch this space…….