Chateau de Firbeix

Mark only arrived yesterday and he's dived straight into the dirty work of pressure washing the terraces. This is going to be a big and messy job but he's come equipped with the right gear, a hi-vis jacket anyway. The "before and after" pics are amazing, so much built up leaves, moss, etc. Although I make a brief appearance in 1 pic below, Mark did all the pressure washing! I was just using the pressure washer to clean the tile saw for the bathroom remodel.

Today the Chateau de Firbeix task force doubles in size as my brother Mark arrives by car from the UK. He is planning to stay for 6-8 weeks. It will be great to see him again and have company as it has been very quiet with only WhatsApp for outside contact, other than people in Intermarche, Leroy Merlin, etc! Mark is very knowledgeable on all things nature; birds, trees, plants, etc so it will be great to get some expertise on what is living in our garden!  Mark is on the right during a winter visit to Switzerland next to myself and our daughter Em. I think we were in Gruyere for the day. Very cold but helped by a cup of vin chaud 🍷😄

Great to see something is growing in this wet and cold weather

Sometime between when I went back to Switzerland on January 7th (when I came to pickup my van) and today, we have had a landslide at the back next to the future PMR gîte. I called Allianz, our home insurers, and they could take of everything. A guy with a chainsaw came first to clear a path for the tractor to come around the back to clear away the roots and earth. It had been raining on and off (mostly on) for several weeks so the tractor made a horrendous mess but they cleared up nicely afterwards and the grass is now growing back. More wood for stock pile!

I drove back to France yesterday so I could collect my new van from Renault Faurie Limoges. I booked a taxi from the chateau to Limoges as I have no one I can ask to give me a lift. The taxi guy, Pascal Mazeau, who owns Taxi Chalus was a great source of information and gave me a great price as a "local". The taxi company in Thiviers wanted far more and was not very gracious when I declined his quote!  Once my Merc is returned, this will be my only transportation and will be indispensable for moving building material, furniture, trips to the dechetterie (recycling centre), etc. It was a great deal as "destockage" and came with Apple CarPlay, 1260kg payload (3000kg PTAC), 6 speed automatic, upgraded engine for towing, wooden load space protection and trailer hook. Very pleased and comfortable ride. Heading back to Switzerland in the morning in the Merc.