Kitchen Wall

Work on making our new kitchen has started. We've already had the wood burner put into the main lounge and decided to expose the stone wall which was behind the fire. Have taken off the plaster covering it - resulting in a LOT of rubble and dust. We took buckets of rubble out the window and bagged it up in the garden, which saved some of the dust from getting in the rest of the house, although despite our best efforts there's still a lot of dust around. We also discovered the back of an old oven in the wall and are still deciding exactly how we are going to use this feature.

Next we had to remove the old grout around the stones which is very fine and also very dusty! So far we think we've taken around 20 bags of rubble and grit to the tip. Now we've started on the repointing.  Another new skill! It's going well and we're pleased with the result. It will be a great feature in the kitchen - eventually.

The first stage of removing the plaster - and discovering the old oven.

Half-way through the repointing:

Summer's almost over

We've had the last swim in the pool for this year - the water a lovely, 'refreshing' 20C - always quite a sad moment realising summer is definitely over. Packed away the sun umbrella, deck chairs and sun loungers. 

Today we put on the winter pool cover and cleaned the terrace tiles - mainly because we are about to go away for a few weeks. Temperatures have still been in the mid-high 20C so still warm enough for swimming. Washed all the pool towels before they get packed away for winter too.

Also,

Oh I forgot to mention; the large radiator right next to the fire will be removed too. A bit superfluous now. It will be put at the other end of the room as when we don't have a fire in winter, we'll still need some heat in the lounge.

Fireplace almost done ...

The chimney has been plastered, the original mantelpiece and surrounds reused and new tiles fitted around the wood burner. Which means all there is left to do is some painting, grouting the tiles and finding some slate to put in front of the wood burner. And then we can start on the kitchen. 

Fireplace progress

Fireproof surround of wood burner and chimney now in place. We can re-use the marble mantlepiece and facade pieces. Just ordered some nice tiles for the front too, so we are getting there.

Back to dust, rubble and noise ...

Work has started on moving the wood burner from what is currently our office - and will become the kitchen - into the main lounge. A sure sign that summer is nearly over.

We've moved as much as possible out of the office and lounge to protect them from the inevitable dust. Here's how it did look:
Office side. The mantel piece has fortunately been removed in complete pieces without any damage so will be reused on the other side.

Lounge side. The dresser has been emptied and moved to another wall, as that is where the wood burner will go. The radiator to the right will be moved also.

Here's where we're at so far:

Late summer activity

Our summer is still going strong and is actually hotter than in August. Merv is home for a couple of weeks before heading off for the last two weeks of cycling trips for this season. In the meantime we had walking clients here for a long weekend - so no break for him - and this week some self-guided walkers staying in the gite. We've been sorting out winter cycling training routes in glorious sunshine. Also, stopping for the occasional 'grand creme' and croissant while we watch all the activity happening for the grape harvest.