A few weeks ago some friends asked us to stand in as ' buyers' for building materials and antiques so we could be photographed for their website- here are a few of the results!


This is us studying the plans of a mansion to be built in the USA using Provencal building materials which Mike & Rosi buy and ship.


Here we are in a bespoke door and furniture makers in Apt, employing 60 craftsmen they create beautiful doors,windows & furniture, all hand made and very expensive!


We watch the craftsman carve this Oak door destined for the USA

These chandaliers are rather sparkly!

And some lovely dishes - worth a thousand pounds each - from Sweden I believe!

This cow gave us a good laugh

That old cliche 'its cooler in the shade!'


Lovely dish! Just like being on the Antiques road show

Not quite sure what I said but seemed to be pretty serious!


Some fairly hideous ornaments!


I am going to read you a story......



This is a cobblers table and tool set which I found rather fascinating


And finally a well desreved lunch!

This is beams r us! any size, all very old and expensive too


If its a fountain you are looking for look no further!

And to create a good impression a nice set of entrance gates!

We finally have the roof on, well the insulation and cover plates - the tiles will be added later but at least we are protected from the elements. We have had a fantastic February weather wise but March has been quite unsettled, rain and snow is forecast so its good to know we are protected.The room to the left is the Study.

It is now just 14 weeks until we will move into one of the Gites. The first coat of'chappe Liquid' was poured in the Gites Monday. Next comes the under floor heating pipes then the second coat.
This is Thijs in a very respectful position discussing the upstairs layout with Karen.


When you enter our hall the upstairs landing will be open,as will the roof space give a feeling of both height and openness.



The sky might be grey but it is always dramatic! the dark clouds hang over the Luberon whilst the sun shining through causes this rainbow - this rain I can live with especially as this morning it has cleared and we return to clear blue skies albeit with a cool wind! Happy Easter.

Last weekend we returned to the UK, well Wales actually, for my sisters wedding to Neil. I took my Dads role and had the honour to 'give her away' (well you never get much for sisters do you!). I was very proud and Gillian looked stunning. Despite the rain it was a lovely day which we wouldn't have missed for the world. Dinner for about 65 was followed by a disco which we really enjoyed - its the first opportunity we have had since moving here to really dress up and also dance!

Gillian with her husband Neil, Karen, I & Richard and Gillians 3 sons Mark, Adam & Micheal.



Me and my big sister !


Sunday was spent with Gillian, Neil & there families which was very nice , Monday we dropped them off at Heathrow and then headed for Kingston for a little retail therapy before heading to Essex to spend the night at Karens Mums who came back here with us for Easter.

Karen and I have spent most of this week house hunting with clients taking in 19 houses in two and a half days - hopefully interest in 3 of the ones we saw may come to fruition. Here are a few of what we saw to give you a taste of some of the houses here.









Meanwhile we continue to advance with the roof now added except to the study.





This is the kitchen to one of the gites, the chappe liquid forming part of the underfloor heating is to be poured Monday.




And the view from our terrace which I now you have seen before but I never tire of it in such beautiful light.

The vaulted beamed roof is advancing , the plumber and electrician are both doing the first fixing in the Gites where we now also have windows and doors.


The bay window is getting its rust colour added before the glass is installed.


We also have a new entrance which we arranged with our French neighbour. I would love to say the Irish ladies face when she next visits as we drive straight past her and into ours! and she unknowingly paid for most of it!


These are the windows we are currently painting. They are 'hardwood' delivered primed. We are rubbing them down before applying two coats of undercoat. Once installed we will then give two top coats to ensure long life! Then we have to do all the shutters for both houses! help anyone?

The week began with Spring, the Walnut tree blossom is out, its warm and sunny. By Tuesday one of the strongest 'Mistrals' blew in dropping the temperature by abt 20 degrees! Thank fully by the end of the week its warmer and calmer again although some much needed rain is forecast for this week.

Whilst I was away Karen continued to keep the build on track and prepare the electrical plans for the Electrician who started today.



Eric cut (rather severely) our Olive trees, a necessary evil! they have been neglected for years so our Olive crop will be curtailed this year but be better next - we hope!
Unfortunately as went to burn all the branches we learnt there is a ban on fires until mid April due to the dry weather and risk of Mistral winds which could cause a fire to spread quickly.


The second house now has its roof ( outer cover anyway) and is progressing well.

The weather this weekend was crazy - we measured 23 degrees in the shade and 34 in the sun on our terrace. Karen seems rather pleased with a little treasure she has found!

Before winter passes the opportunity arose for a brief skiing trip with Ian C, before he starts his new Job Monday. This is me ( looking a little nervous) before Ian sent me down this red!





I am on the left (I think!) going down!



My tutor Mr Camplin who patiently guided me around the slopes.



The weather was great, pistes in pretty good shape and food and wine to compliment.

This is Ian's wife Sheena, appearing to be trapped in his new passion wagon. - new job - new car!

Our 'Feronnier' has started to install our metal bay window. Once it is fitted it is treated and 'rusted' plus hopefully glass will be installed!




Our plumber has started with the first shower and loo being installed in the Gites.

Meanwhile...... the second house has had its roof added, Karen surveys the scene!




And the 'upstairs' of our house is getting there slowly!

This brings a whole new meaning to an advert 'painting holidays in Provence'! Martin is here for the week and in exchange for food, wine and a bed he is a willing helper - this weeks task the endless job of window painting!



Naturally a day off was granted combing business ( visiting bathroom show rooms) with pleasure (lunch outside) in Avignon on Thursday. Martin is celebrating a rather large birthday next month and is going treking in the Sahara desert for the charity he works for so we decided to join him training with a walk to Travignon.

The village we live in is known for walking holidays. From our villa you can walk a short way to several marked foot paths. We took the route to this now deserted village last occupied in 1914.


The walk is abt 13 Kilometres, quite steep rising from 350 metres to 925 with superb views and scenary. Right on our door step!


Is it left here or right?

It is now 18 weeks until we move into the New house - or I think Gite! But we are progressing with the roof put on the kitchen this week and the second floor advancing well.


We have ordered floor tiles, internal doors and are putting final touches to the pool design. The windows were delivered on Friday for the lower house which is also progressing well - our builder commented it was changing from an Ugly Duckling to a beautiful swan! ( not sure what he is on!).



The genoise have been added, these are layers of tiles that are under the roof line. The height of the genoise were a sign of ones wealth, ie a Grand Bourgeois house would often have as many 4 layers. In our case its just two or if a sign of our wealth after this project - none!

Our builder has added a forth member to the team and all is progressing well. The Gites are watertight, well roof wise although there are no windows! And our bedrooms are soon to be added to the main house. The building project is demanding more and more of our time,which of course we are happy to give! We have just ordered all the
internal doors and chosen sanitary ware - Its not easy choosing for 8 bathrooms!(but it is expensive!)


This will be our lounge. We have just bought a wood burner which will sit in the Chimney recess. We are about to order all the stone and floor tiles. We had quotes in December which are valid to the end of February,(prices have risen in the meantime) so although a little in a advance we can buy at last years prices.

As we are project managing the build it is up to us to prepare the working drawings for the plumber and electrician, both of whom are French and do not speak English so this also keeps us occupied. Karen and I have our distinct roles, I am the finance minister responsible for purchasing and socialwhilst Karen is on design and cuisine!I am officially the 'gerant' of our enterprise, ie the manager whilst Karen is known on site as the admiral - isn't that above me?




The second house is also coming on well. Despite some dubious building methods!

And finally for pet lovers - Ginger posing!

Where exactly are we in France is a question that often comes up! Well we live in the Vaucluse (county), facing the Luberon Mountain (1800 meters). We are 90 minutes drive to the coast at Marseille which leads to the Cote D'Azur. If we head North East we are in the Southern Alps, which is where we went for 3 days last week. Just over 3 hours drive away, the snow was fantastic giving perfect skiing conditions.



We were lucky enough to have the use of an apartment with some friends 'gratuite' which made it all the more appealing.It was literally on the slope enabling us to ski in and out directly from the apartment.


Being mid week and out of the school holidays the slopes were very quiet and peaceful.


This is me shortly before I decided to dive rather than ski 25 meters down a red run curtailing my skiing for the day. Having fallen over only the week before on our land hurting my ribs this fall only cemented the pain I had already been in.!



Despite us trying to persuade Karen the benefits of skiing she was looking rather warm and snug( or should that be smug) staying off the slopes and walking instead.