Everyone seems to like the new beams

Yellow

We've been awaiting the plaquistes who were slightly delayed on another job. Yesterday a team of four arrived, and now the barn, as it's currently known, is yellow. The dimensions of this space are ever-changing in our impressions. The bare concrete slab seemed small; when the walls went up it felt big. The beams went in, made the room feel narrower. When the roof went on suddenly it was as enormous as the garage at Henny's old house, where you could comfortably service a Boeing 737. The insulation has given it back a domestic scale.

And the roof on the studio is now finished.

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

Studio walls up

The studio walls are all in place. It took the boys three days. You enter via the terrace.

The highest point of the roof is this corner on the street side of the building. The beam will go in diagonally creating a double-pitched roof. This was the idea of the architect to provide ceiling height the old garage never had, and to preserve sunlight on the terrace.

The windows looking into the garden. They are 3 metres wide. A desk will fit underneath so you can gaze out while you work.

Studio

The walls of the studio begin to go up.  I will miss the big sky we had for two months while there was no building here, but the thought of this new 'arts complex' has us completely enthralled!

Linda

For the past seven years my friend Bex has listened patiently to tales of our adventures here, having completely mastered the art of never looking bored. When we used to work in the same building, Pou's daily misdemeanour was often a source of amusement. And it helped me to talk about my better life when I was stuck at work in London. Bex is a true pal.

One thing that really tickles her is that we have a cat in our French neighbourhood called Linda. Lately Linda has been hanging out in our street, staring at a stone wall. I even caught her on her hind legs, front paws up in prayer-like stance, slightly crossed eyes riveted to the wall. Linda's quite fearless, as our workmen haven't deterred her, nor has a big barky dog a few doors down. I think she's intently lizard stalking, which has allowed me to take her photograph. Bex, at long last, meet Linda.

Going Up

On Valentine's Day the boys finished building the very peak of the extension.

And as tradition dictates, they fixed an olive branch to the highest point. Wonderful.

Bricks!

Yes, they're everywhere. From the street, the extension will echo what we created on the kitchen side.

  

The buanderie will also have a glass brick feature. It's been a success, letting westerly light in, but maintaining our privacy. The houses to the right are a terrace higher. Pre-glass bricks, I was surprised one morning to find the neighbours in our kitchen, or so it seemed on a still half-asleep nude fridge raid.

The new bedroom window and door have taken shape. One day we hope the garden views from here will be beautiful.

Workshop Walls

The boys began building walls this week. The sunshine is misleading; the winds were strong and decidedly cold. The pile of sand is in our parking area. The sloping wall defines the roof line of the new workshop.

Inside the workshop.

The workshop window will be one we recovered from the old kitchen. The orange bricks are the wall of the new bedroom. It's shooting up fast.

And we're off again...

Another 4 truckloads of concrete.  All floors are in. Michel said, the hardest, dirtiest part is now over. Next week, walls begin to go up. The boys did an impressive job yesterday. We had the perfect day for it and they finished ahead of schedule. They even cleaned up all the stray concrete spritzes. Henny remarked, Gilbert gets the windows cleaner than we do.  Everyone was happy and satisfied.

Again this morning, glorious weather. The terrace was dry enough for a good roll in the sunshine.