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09/28/2006

Learning an old skill

We have some Dutch friends who live about 10 minutes away who make their living by growing strawberries who have been doing a barn up for the last 5 years . Last year we had the pleasure of helping them lay 6 cubic metres of ready mix concrete ( unfortunately they are perfectionists and had it really dry so every bit was moved by wheel barrow ,lots of fun ) . This time they were insulating the walls with hemp ( they actually grew a crop of hemp but couldn't get it chopped up as its one of the toughiest natural materials so they bought it ready chopped in bags. It then has to be mixed with lime in a big concrete mixer for about 20 minutes until it becomes frothy and is then applied to the wall by hand a slow job but not heavy . The first layer is about 50mm thick and then a final layer is applies with much shorter bits of hemp to get a finish. Its a very pleasing colour golden and has an acoustic value as well.A useful skill to learn unfortunately a bit late as all our gites are finished.
At last have finished crawling around under peugeot classic having done necessary repairs to get it pass the control ( mot ) I think I must have spent nearly 800€ on it but car should be good for the next 5years and having learnt alot how it functions will be more aware of problems before they occur. Off to England next week for annual shopping trip now the season has about finished

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09/14/2006

Rentre

September marks the start of routine getting up at 6.45 to take Bas to the bus at the seafront then Xav has to be droped at Plestin at 8.00 he moved from St Jo (catholic school) to Penker college at Plestin when he had to use both hands to count the teachers he didn't like we thought it was time for a change. He thinks its much better as there are more spaces between the lessons I think they could do it in three and a half days good preperation for the 35hr week
The peugeot classic failed its "Control" but you get 2 months grace to drive a potenially dangerous car around it just needs a couple new tyres and some bits to hold the front wheels on more securely. Max has started at the Fac in Brest but probably will be back most weekends as he plays football for Plestin and to see the alleged "copine" For us its a matter of doing little jobs as we still have clients staying so can't rip any roofs of at the moment . Bookings are having a spurt with a couple gites already booked for the main summer period . I found a great site on the net another gite onwer doing a blog its called southbrittaycottage.com a good read on wet autumnal day

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