So we got back last night after spending a week in a gite around 30kms from the mill. The aim of the trip was to introduce the concept of the move to Ben and Scarlett (and Cooper) and to show them the area, the mill and their new school. Breaking the news to the kids & their reaction to the move had been stressing us out a little over the last few months but it turned out we had been worried over nothing as they loved it! We also took the opportunity to meet a few local artisans and neighbours at the property to start planning the renovation.
Early on in the week we got some shocking news – that Al's mother Ruth was hit by a car whilst canvassing for local elections in theUK
We were relieved that the kids whole heartedly embraced the idea of living on a "farm". This was helped by the owner allowing us to plant up some potatoes, onions and tomatoes in his vegetable patch and to spend lots of time there exploring the various buildings and land. Scarlett was most impressed by the tadpoles in the lake (known as "têtard" from the word "tête" for head in French) and Ben was determined to dig up the half a century of the owner’s detritus with any blunt, rusty tool he could find! Lots of tip-runs will be needed to make the site safe for the kids and animals…….
Early on in the week we got some shocking news – that Al's mother Ruth was hit by a car whilst canvassing for local elections in the
We were relieved that the kids whole heartedly embraced the idea of living on a "farm". This was helped by the owner allowing us to plant up some potatoes, onions and tomatoes in his vegetable patch and to spend lots of time there exploring the various buildings and land. Scarlett was most impressed by the tadpoles in the lake (known as "têtard" from the word "tête" for head in French) and Ben was determined to dig up the half a century of the owner’s detritus with any blunt, rusty tool he could find! Lots of tip-runs will be needed to make the site safe for the kids and animals…….
Having only previously seen the mill in winter – it was incredible to see how the lush spring weather had transformed the site and we could see the variety of flora the owner had planted over the years. We are going to try growing everything to see what works. Kiwis, avocadoes and a pipedream of pineapples are on the list! The stables and pig shed are destined to be restocked - there is however a hung-jury over the snail farm….
What impresses us both is the sheer potential of the place - fuelled by the fact that most people we met on site said how lovely and original it is and how amazing it will be once renovated. The project is certainly daunting in its scale but we have all the time we need to do it, no particular deadlines and the knowledge that the kids (our number one priority of course) will thrive there.
On the last trip into the threshing room with the electrician, the greeting from a large rodent was a bit unexpected. We won't mention what type for the well-being of my mother’s constitution (although it starts with “r” and ends in "at") but it was a sobering moment! We might have increased the number of creatures on this sighting but Cooper soon restored a natural balance by wasting a free range cockerel (we discovered they can’t swim very well!). Oops. Note to self – enclosed chicken run!
The majority of the week however was spent making sure the kids had a great holiday and they were busy tree-adventure climbing, cycling and pony-trekking. They have pinpointed where to buy ice-creams in the locality so the trip according to them was a huge success!
On the last trip into the threshing room with the electrician, the greeting from a large rodent was a bit unexpected. We won't mention what type for the well-being of my mother’s constitution (although it starts with “r” and ends in "at") but it was a sobering moment! We might have increased the number of creatures on this sighting but Cooper soon restored a natural balance by wasting a free range cockerel (we discovered they can’t swim very well!). Oops. Note to self – enclosed chicken run!
The majority of the week however was spent making sure the kids had a great holiday and they were busy tree-adventure climbing, cycling and pony-trekking. They have pinpointed where to buy ice-creams in the locality so the trip according to them was a huge success!
