A dog in clover

Mortimer in clover

Actually a dog and two humans, although we didn't go rolling in it, tempting though that was. One of the joys of Corrèze town is the marked walks that we have on our doorstep. This morning we decided on a favourite, 'fontaines & lavoirs' which is just a couple of hours duration.

Wild flowers in Corrèze

I have become slightly obsessive at documenting the wild flowers, particularly on the verges, around us but today's walk was special. The early summer flowers were everywhere, as was the sound of bees and crickets, and we kept disturbing the butterflies. Limousin cattle were happily grazing on rich grassland and we found a field of clover that had been planted. Clover, particularly red, is used by organic farmers to fix nitrogen into the soil and reduce the need for chemicals. Bees are particularly fond of it.

Mortimer enjoying his walk

President Macron has announced a target of 15% of French agriculture to be organic by 2022 (currently 6.5%), and is helping to fund this as well as financial incentives for young farmers. In comparison 2.9% of U.K agriculture in 2017 was using organic methods, but sadly organic farming has fallen by 30% since the peak in 2008. I hope Macron succeeds so we benefit from more countryside like this.

Corrèze countryside

The attic

Winter walk in Correze

I know that this isn't a photograph of the attic, nor sadly is it the view from there, however I knew that if I went straight in with photographs of my week I would lose many of you.

Work has been progressing in the Notaire's House. Andrew has been working hard in the barn, with help from a new friend and I've been in the attic. I think I've mentioned before that we have a lot of space under the roof with either none, or minimal, insulation. Laying insulation is not a skilled job so I decided that it was something I could tackle on my own.

First I had to sweep through, not to make it immaculate but at least to remove some of the centuries old dust and cobwebs. I didn't think I would fill three black sacks of the stuff! Fortunately there is no sign of vermin or birds.The first day and a half were the worst because I was kneeling on the rafters, stuffing insulation in between. Despite inbuilt trouser pads I still ended up with sore knees. I was wearing a proper face mask for the dust and the fibres that drifted about when I was sawing through the rolls. It's brilliant but my glasses kept steaming up. The section over the sitting room was much easier as it's oak flooring and I could roll out complete sections. Stuffing under the eaves was fun and I did get stuck at one point when I was lying on my stomach, head under a beam and trying to balance on the rafters. I was quite pleased at my last minute decision to wear an old baseball cap - can you imagine what my hair would have looked like?

In the attic

I've nearly finished, probably just another couple of days. We're not sure if it's psychological but it does feel warmer in the kitchen and sitting room.

I feel that maybe that the images may stay with you, so here's another pleasant one for you.

Correze evening

Yesterday...

... was glorious. The first dry day in ages, it was sunny and warm.

Morning walk in Correze

So did we get to play outside? Hell yes! 258 concrete blocks, 2 tonnes of sand, a couple of lintels and a few bags of cement all needed moving.

Welcome to a French renovation project!