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the house will be lovely when it's finished…

the house will be lovely when it's finished…

living and renovating in France #livinglifemyway

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Author: haartwork

After a 25 year career in science and health and safety at a higher education institute in London I decided to make a few changes. So without much thought to the consequences I relocated to a tiny village in the Poitou Charente region of France to enjoy much slower and less stressful way of life reconnecting with my yoga practice and painting and generally being creative. I've taken on quite big project of renovating an old french house, gite, barns and gardens. Join me on my journey as a builders apprentice as I slowly start to learn new skills; plumbing, re-pointing, and up cycling bargains I find at the brocantes over the summer. And as if that wasn't enough I joined Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic as a consultant selling their lovely organic products. And so the adventure begins........
The Long Hot Summer of Temps in the 40s

The Long Hot Summer of Temps in the 40s

September 22, 2019 haartworkLeave a comment

Bonjour mes amis! How is it the end of September already?  Seems like only yesterday I sat down to write my last blog way back in June. Or maybe that’s because to look at the house it really doesn’t look that much different!??? First up and quick roof update.   Well short story is I’m still waiting… Continue reading The Long Hot Summer of Temps in the 40s

How is it almost the end of June already?

How is it almost the end of June already?

June 27, 2019June 27, 2019 haartworkLeave a comment

Bonjour mes amis, Well it’s been a busy few months here and my feet have hardly touched the ground since getting back from India – did I really go away??? Whether it was going to India, the continued wait for summer to arrive and my feeling of a lack of progress here or a combination… Continue reading How is it almost the end of June already?

Yoga-ing in India

Yoga-ing in India

March 31, 2019 haartworkLeave a comment

While I know this isn’t about the house and the frankly bizarre French admin systems, I thought I’d share my Indian trip with you. After a frantic 10 days of catching up with people in the UK with teas, lunches, dinners, birthdays and dancing I finally got on the plane to India. Slight moment of… Continue reading Yoga-ing in India

It’s Christmas!!!!

It’s Christmas!!!!

December 23, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

When I last left you I was just about to take some much-needed time out for me at a yoga retreat in Chamonix. Could not have picked a more beautiful setting – the photos show the view from my bedroom window and the hot tub. It was a very special week with lots of yummy… Continue reading It’s Christmas!!!!

The Long Hot Summer of Trips to The Tip

The Long Hot Summer of Trips to The Tip

September 21, 2018October 28, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

I thought I’d start this update with upstairs because I know you are all dying to see the finished photos.  Ahem, well, unfortunately it is still not quite finished but oh so close.   I have one last bit of repointing to do which will be done just as soon as I get the last… Continue reading The Long Hot Summer of Trips to The Tip

Summer is here and the sunflowers are back!

Summer is here and the sunflowers are back!

July 10, 2018November 4, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

When I last left you I was awaiting my first visitors of the summer and some much needed time out, but as you will see it doesn’t always work like that! Sue and Gez arrived at the end of May and were very encouraging about all the work I’ve been doing, having not seen the… Continue reading Summer is here and the sunflowers are back!

And the walls came tumbling down….

And the walls came tumbling down….

May 13, 2018November 4, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

Bonjour mes amis, How is it almost the end of May already? I guess I should start by explaining the title.  You know how you think you’ll do a 5 minute job? Well….  I decided it was time for the ugly concrete step to go.  Builder Dave doesn’t need much encouragement to get his hammer and… Continue reading And the walls came tumbling down….

A Year In The Charente

A Year In The Charente

March 14, 2018November 4, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

Bonjour a tous, Well here we are in March already and I’m finding it very hard to believe that come the 21st March I will have been here for a whole year. A big reason for moving to France was the weather. Now while I didn’t expect tropical temps all year I certainly wasn’t expecting… Continue reading A Year In The Charente

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

January 7, 2018January 12, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

So apologies for the lateness in this update and the slight venting, but it’s just been one thing after another here. When I left you Dad had just returned to the UK and I was getting stuck into work again but always here things take way longer than planned to do and each thing I… Continue reading Happy New Year

Winter is Coming!

Winter is Coming!

November 8, 2017January 12, 2018 haartworkLeave a comment

Now where was I? Oh yes the cousins were here snoozing. So what’s been happening since?? More visitors. It’s so lovely that everyone wants to make the effort to travel over to see me in my building site. A few days after saying goodbye to the cousins Sheila and Glyn arrived in their motor home… Continue reading Winter is Coming!

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