56) Work continues

For the past week or so we have been concentrating on the insulation (rather intriguingly called isolation in French).  It does, though, require quite a lot of preparatory work, and the likelihood is that by the time it is in the weather will have warmed up and we won't need it.

As well as constructing a framework of litteaux (battens), on which to staple the insulation, we have also had tio try and block up the numerous gaps and holes where the birds get in.  Our entire roof seems to be an enormous aviary or wildlife sanctuary.  Vast quantities of hay, feathers and other comfy (but combustible) material have been  removed from nooks and crannies within the roof space - and the main culprits seem to be les rougequeues noir (or black redstarts in English).

Apparently these rather endearing little birds start building their nests in March so it is now a race against time to try and block off potential entry points to the roof space.  Despite them being what appear to be the most common birds in France, on 17 avril 1981 they were given national protection and, as a consequence, it is interdit "to destroy them, mutilate, capture or remove them, to intentionally disturb them or to introduce them to another habitat, also to destroy or remove their eggs and their nests and to destroy, alter or degrade their habitat.  Whether they are alive or dead, it is also forbidden to transport, peddle, make use of, detain, sell or to buy them" (approximate translation of official edict).  Pretty comprehensive - and God knows what protection is afforded to bats here in France.

Once the battens go on (and after having blocked up potential rougequeues noir entry points) on goes the rather clever insulation we managed to find (after much searching).

The three Velux windows are now in and what a difference they make.

The electrician has been putting in his wiring, or more accurately, his gaines which are the plastic trunking pipes that the wires go in (later).  This necessitated us fixing up some somewhat challenging temporary lighting.

Whilst putting in his gaines, he made an unholy mess of our kitchen (again), and brought in some serious equipment to enable him to make a serious amount of NOISE and DUST ("Madame n'aime pas la  poussière!" he remarked jovially).

The expression " using a sledgehammer to crack a nut" kept coming to mind.........

Because we had to clear the kitchen and utility room, the sitting room became chaotic (again) as well.

Next we got back one of our English builders to help us put the plasterboard on the ceiling.  Not an easy task (they are really quite heavy and, at 2.7m by 1.2m, very unwieldy - particularly halfway up a ladder).  However, we developed a methodology which worked well.  This involved three step ladders, with G in the middle and the builder and me on either side.  As the two of us carried the board up the outside ladders, we then balanced it on G's head whilst we manoeuvred it into position.  Finally the builder and I screwed the board to the new ceiling joists while G passed us the screws.  It was such a successful operation we are considering taking out a patent (though G did complain of a sore neck afterwards).

The other tricky part was playing "hunt the gaine" once the plasterboard was in place.  We drilled a 65mm circular hole in the board and then had to try and fish out the gaine.  Sixty five millimetres is the right size for a standard light fitting (we have been assured), but it is just the wrong size for your hand (if you are older than about five).  In the end we made a very cunning hook out of some stiff wire which resulted in success every time (except one, when we had to take down the board part way).

We have not, though, allowed all this strenuous activity to dampen the pleasures of living in France.

We still have spectacular sunsets from the terrace..............

............and the wild hellebores flowering in our wood are a welcome portent of Spring.