TV Times

Sunday 21st it's Barbara's birthday & I'm off to collect her from the airport at Carcassonne. This will be the third time I've collected her from Carcassonne & we still haven't visited the historic fortified town, there's always been a reason to head straight back to Lagarrigue and get on with some work. This time we were still heading straight back but only because we had a table booked at the 'Le Four à Pain' to celebrate Barbara's special day. As usual we had a great meal & it's such a shame that come the end of October the chef will pack his knives away & head for the south of France for the winter which sounds like a great idea, think we'll put the scrapers & trowels away & head south to.

With some help from P we've been able to make a start on the upstairs ceiling, something I've been more than a little apprehensive about. But I'm pleased to report that things went well & the first section of the ceiling has placo in place, has been taped & two coats of plaster applied to the joints. We'll finish each section, including painting, before we pull the scaffold down & re-erect it and although this takes a little time we're hoping in the long run it'll be the right way to do the job. Anyway we can now see the finished height of the living area and it's certainly going to have the 'wow factor', I just hope the 30cms of insulation we've fitted is going to be enough for the long cold winters in the Averyon. Talking about the weather, I have to mention it, it's been glorious for the last few weeks with us being able to barbecue & eat outside on the terrace a couple of times last week which is just as well as I haven't got round to setting up the dining room table. I have sorted one priority, the telly is back just in time for Strictly Come Dancing. Wouldn't want to miss that!!!!!

Thursday was the first anniversary of Barbara's French/English conversation group in Najac and a soirée had been organised for the evening. There was really good turn out & everyone had been asked to bring along some food and drink. There was a great selection including octopus & potato soup and carrot cake, a dish that really confused the French contingent. I'm sure if the French have a Peter Kay equivalent he'd have a great time with 'cake & carrots?' Needless to say the wine flowed and we all had great time and even I managed a little French conversation.