Studio Roof

We've lost a few days due to the rain, but the roof started to go on the studio this week. The wood was cut off site, numbered for placement and closely inspected by cat.

The main diagonal beam was hoisted into place by the forklift.

Then the supporting structure grows around it. I reckon it's in the shape of a big Y thereby monogramming the studio for my exclusive use, but Henny's sooo not buying it! Once the insulation and plaster boarding goes on, the structure you see here will still be evident. It reminds me of a peace symbol.

This roof is being built in the more traditional method of charpente and thick insulation. I wondered why. Kevin said, it's too fiddly to do with the foam panels, but it looks like the wooden substructure is also quite labour intensive. We're going to use sound insulating plasterboard so I can wail to my heart's content and hopefully not disturb the peace. Greg says, when I walk the dog and notice the studio walls vibrating, I'll know you're in. Otherwise it'll be Henny, with her more tranquil pursuits. We can't wait!

Skylights

The 3 skylights in the extension are now all present and accounted for. You won't see them together in one glance for long. The furthest one is in the buanderie. The smallest one is in the hallway. The other big one is in the ensuite bathroom. It will be controlled by remote, as it's almost 5 metres off the ground.

Haydn Concerts

Last week was concert week, our pre-Easter program. The centrepiece was Haydn's Seven Last Words of our Saviour on the Cross. It's sung in German (which I love) so of course Henny understood the lyrics while I was practicing: blood, sin, pain, sacrifice, anger, revenge. Another light-hearted evening then. Actually, I grew to like the piece very much and my lovely, devoted friends who schlepped to Montpellier for the concert really enjoyed it. Our conductor Vincent Recolin is so inspiring.

On Palm Sunday we sang the Haydn again in Avignon, with an excellent string quintet, different soloists and with Vincent's children's choir. A friend recorded it. I always listen in fear and trepidation of utter disillusionment, but I was pleasantly surprised. We sounded good, and I believe we're getting better. It's a lot of hard work, but it's great to be singing again. Next stop: Brahms German Requiem.

Collégiale St. Agricol, Avignon, 24 March 2013

Wintery Photos

There are people who believe the south of France is in the tropics. Au contraire, we do get winter here when icy winds sometimes blow and it can dip below zero, especially at night. I've chosen this theme in order to share some pictures I like.

The neph and the niece now both play rugby. Their extended family support pitched up for two matches in the perishing cold. To quote my hale and hearty Canadian friends, there's no such thing as cold weather, only inappropriate clothing. Here's our attempt at proper seasonal attire. I think Lizzie's sporting at least 7 layers.

Last week, Henny and I were lucky to spend 2 days in the Pyrenees with the boys. We were doing some research on ski stations for their fabulous website about our region, Creme de Languedoc. There was still plenty of snow on the slopes, and as you can see, we had great weather. It makes for a fun break -- you can be there in just over 2 hours.

As I write, another day of torrential rain. Our building works are on hold, but I love the seasons here. 

The roof goes on

We're using the same system we used for the new roof on our kitchen. The insulation panels are made of high density foam with marine plasterboard on the inside. It slots into place in no time, saving labour costs. Kevin Kelly says we're using panels even thicker than when we renovated the kitchen 5 years ago. This thickness wasn't available then, so will hopefully provide even better insulation. (With this photo, I'm reminded for an instant of The Angel of the North!)

The panels rest on top of the beams leaving the entire beam exposed. It took the two roofers two days to put them up. It's always a little scary when you're used to looking up at a big sky and the room starts to get darker and darker as the roof goes on. We're comforted by knowing 3 skylights will be installed in this part of the house. Here our friend Sam and I are inspecting the results. Man, that ceiling is high.

Beams

We had 2-3 days of biblical downpour this week, causing the roofing team some delays. So of course our massive reclaimed beams have arrived while I'm working in London. Darn. I hate to miss the big stuff.  Henny says it curiously makes the space seem smaller now that the main walls are connected, but the beams are rather handsome. We're thrilled with them.

Happy 70th Teddy

For Teddy's big birthday we gathered together all available mates yesterday for this photo. Today it was sent to him in Oxford with all our love and best birthday wishes. We were lucky with glorious sunshine. Thank you Debbi for hosting, and to Sam, Hugh and Gary, our photographers and videographers. The result was even better than I'd imagined, and we've just heard that Teddy is delighted by our efforts. Well done everyone! What a fab gang we run with!

To see 'The Making of' videos, here are the links:  Gary's video ; Sam's video