Not quite Villandry...but it's ours!

 

We have a new garden layout at the Old Walnut Mill - two flower beds, one veg.plot and a strawberry patch,which gave us its first fruit yesterday. Pauline had the pleasure of it!

Continuing my little projects...

Well at the stage where it is waiting for roof tiles,which may be a long wait as they are in 'confinement' at a friends property! Still, I can press on with new door.

Also started chipping out old pointing to the rear of the barn to redo so no shortage of things to do!

What is normal?

You may have seen the 'Bupa' campaign running on TV which focuses on mental health and challenges.  What’s considered to be ‘normal’? Last night as Pauline and I sat in the midst of our current renovation project,small though it is, here in Barrou, she stated that 'this' is normal for us but that another kind of normal might be nice. One where you were not constantly eating dust would be good, or one that offered a settled lifestyle where you knew instinctively where things were, as they would be in their 'normal' place. One that meant we were at a point in our lives where time demands were less important and our choices were,well, our own!

It could be said that choosing me as her life partner was perhaps not her best decision if she had been seeking a 'normal' future. Life has a funny way of directing us down particular paths, some of us choose to go there and others choose not to, preferring the stability of what might be considered as 'normal'. We have chosen to take the paths, was there a plan, not really, a series of events have led us to where we are but through it all we are fortunate to have had,through the ups and downs, choices, where many less fortunate have not.

I am very much aware that Pauline may,like many others, have unfulfilled hopes and dreams that as she toils away (and she does) in the garden or finds her hands stiffening while sanding, she must reflect on but we are doing what our life demands of us and yes at our age she deserves a bit of 'normality' whatever that is. 

We also have children who,to some, might not be considered 'normal' but as lovely people they should not have to worry about fitting into a world that puts unfair demands on them as if it is their responsibility to save it or demands they conform.

All of us have our 'normal' lives to lead and we can only hope we can contribute to the lives of others in some small way to make their lives a little more like the 'normal' they perhaps are striving for...whatever that might be.

As to what brought me to thinking about 'normality', well a 'memory' came up on social media form 2016 (pic above) from when we were creating a corridor and new shower room upstairs here and here we are (below) at it again - for us,for better or worse, this is  'normal' for now!

Wall done!

Finally finished the rear wall-facing behind the 'Old Walnut Mill' yesterday.

Knew once I got started wouldn't take me so long...the pic below is from 2017 when I moved some stone up to the wall in anticipation of making a start! What have I been doing?

The current project...

I have a number of projects on the go at present but the one that I am concentrating on at the moment is the facing of the block wall at the bottom off the garden behind the barn at the Old Walnut Mill.

I have completed the first part - replacing the missing blocks on the existing wall - I now have to face it with the stone that has, as Pauline reminds me, been moved by her over the years on a number of occasions. The anticipated good spell of weather should see a bit of progress, with the only cloud on the horizon being the need to dispose of 'stuff' from the barn becoming the priority. 

First guests at the Old Walnut Mill

Yesterday we welcomed our first guests of the season at the Old Walnut Mill after a hectic 4 weeks of decanting ourselves from Les Balcons' to accommodate our long-term renters, preparing 'Le Bourg' for its first (*and last) guests of the season and bringing the house out of it winter hibernation.

A bit early for a lot of colour but promising much! 

* Le Bourg is currently for sale...contact us re any interest.

Short lived blossom.

Our first guests of the season at the Old Walnut Mill do not arrive until Monday so will probably miss the best of the cherry blossom...which is a shame.

Cherry blossom time

At the Old Walnut Mill in Barrou.

Hardly a 'host of' but it is a start!

First daffodils are out in the garden of the Old Walnut Mill

Worth the work...

Working in sweltering heat is worth it when your efforts are appreciated...latest comment from our guestbook at the Old Walnut Mill.

4th August 2018

Thanks to Pauline & Jim for settling us into this lovely, quirky holiday home, it is full of charm! We also found it very comfortable and well equipped. The pool at Descartes was great for children plus the local river 'beaches' were good. It was a good jumping off point forisiting Villandry (beautiful gardens), Chenonceau (beautiful architecture and lovely interior) and  Azay-le-Rideau. The local prehistory museum at Le Grand-Pressigny was well worth a visit - very extensive and well thought  out  for children. Thank you for a lovely stay

Mel, Mike & Lily
Gloucestershire / Scotland / Australia

The 'Old Walnut Mill'...a very warm welcome!

We welcomed new guests to the 'Old Walnut Mill' yesterday under a blue sky and a temperature of 30+

First rose...

This is the first rose to open on our climbing rose at the 'Old Walnut Mill' last week...perfect timing for our guests arriving.

Blue sky and bright sun for first guests of the season...

We welcomed our first guests (Australians) of the season under a blue sky and bright sunshine yesterday to the 'Old Walnut Mill'. This is the second last leg of a seven week stay in France - just hope we add another positive Loire Valley experience for them.

February flower

Camellia is flowering in the garden at the Old Walnut Mill.

Americans visiting the gardens of the Loire Valley

Yesterday we said farewell to the latest guests at the Old Walnut Mill who were visiting France from the USA. Their favourite visits were to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire and the gardens at Chateau Villandry.

Here is their comment from the house's guestbook:

"Dear Pauline & Jim, Tom and I so enjoyed our stay. Your home is beautiful and so comfortable! By far the best bedroom I have had since I arrived (in France) and your suggestions for daily travel were spot on and very welcome. Thank you for being the hands on hosts that you were so, as to me you seem more like friends than anything else. I wish you the best of luck with all of your ventures. We will always remember your warmth and hospitality."

Joyce & Tom Semmes

Frederick, Maryland,

USA

Helping guests make the most of their Loire Valley holiday.

Latest comment from our guestbook at the 'Old Walnut Mill' 

22nd June 2017

Dear Pauline & Jim, thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality, your invaluable guidance/advice on where to go, what to see, where to eat etc and especially for your invitation to the 'moules frites' night in the village which was an unforgettable experience!!! We have gained a fabulous insight into the beautiful rural France and will take home lots of happy memories.

Many thanks and our very best wishes,

Jennifer & John

Forest of Bowland.

England,UK

Another day...another house to clean!

Just back from getting 'Les Balcons' ready for new guests arriving tommorow...

yesterday it was the 'Old Walnut Mill'

More pics of Old walnut Mill here

The strawberry patch just keeps on giving...

Pauline picked these yesterday from the garden at the 'Old Walnut Mill'  while we were preparing for guests from Australia to arrive. One for them and one for us.

First rose of 2017...

The first rose on our wall rose bush at the 'Old Walnut Mill' has appeared. This is well ahead of last year's 4th of May appearance, probably accelerated by the recent great spell of weather.  

Blossom time at the 'Old Walnut Mill'

Mexican orange blossom and cherry blossom in the courtyard of the Old Walnut Mill