We’ve had a busy few days, planting up the potager with the veg plants and seeds we bought last week, plasterboarding the last ceiling and trying to finish the bathroom in time for Alex, Graham and Izzy’s visit.

Once the floor in the bathroom was down and all the knot holes filled, I was able to seal it, then Nick and Kieran did the technical, plumbing-type stuff today while I made a quiche for them to take to the climbing club’s aperitif evening. I volunteered to tile the shower, but hadn’t a clue what I was doing, so resorted to picking a tiler friend’s brains (thank you John). It started off well enough, but I realised too late that the first row wasn’t quite level; I’m trying to gradually level it up, but I’m not sure it’s going to work. I’ve a feeling I may not be asked to do any more tiling in the future! I’ve had to leave it for now, though, as the water’s gone off; I asked my neighbour, who said that hers is off to and that when the weather’s hot they sometimes just turn it off for a while! Not too long, I hope!

If it hadn’t been for the bathroom, we’d have been out on the bikes with the cycle club this afternoon, so it was lovely to see them all, while we were sitting out in the garden, having lunch, (24ºC in the shade!)  as they rode past, waving and shouting bonjours and hellos to us. It may seem silly, but little things like that make the place begin to feel like home and as though we belong here.