Magical Mr. Fix It

Strangely, with a massive project such as this one, it is sometimes the little touches and not so much the large improvements (such as creating pipe runs, opening up doors, doing up bathrooms) which make one’s heart sing. Mr. Fix It was on his own for a few days this week whilst I returned to the UK to see family. “You will notice a difference when you return,” he told me, fully aware that there is little point explaining to me exactly HOW he does what he does, just that the end results will be there for me to see.

After a mesmerising welcome home from my 3 male housemates (Eddie and Alfie were ecstatic to see me and I think Mr. Fix It was not far behind) we came home and I was led upstairs to the first floor which, although by no means finished, is now graced with 3 large bedrooms, a family bathroom and 2 beautiful ensuite shower rooms. Rewiring this floor was a big deal and we had somehow become used to not having light switches yet, instead plugging in extension leads all over to light up each space as we went along. “Take a look at this,” said Mr. Fix It proudly. He had not only put all the plug socket switches in, he had installed lights in both ensuites, in the hallway and in the now double aspect bedroom. Not only that, he had put up towel rails, mirrors and glass shelves. At last I could unwrap my Floris soap from its wrapper and fold up our big fluffy white towels over the rails.

I confess to being so delighted with these little touches that each morning since my return I have lingered in all these rooms, not yet decorated of course, but beautifully lit and welcoming, and imagined myself in some sort of country house hotel. What a delight it is to know it is not a hotel but our home.

Jean-Louis, our carpenter, turned up to install the full length shutters over the new doors at ground floor level on to the garden. They make a huge difference and once painted, will lend the exterior of our house a graceful air. I have decided that Jean-Louis is Mr. Fix It’s French counterpart: of the same generation, he holds a similar old school work ethic and as we enjoyed a glass of wine in our garden yesterday evening and admired the new shutters, he told us somewhat sadly of how his art is dying out, that with the quick fix alternatives one can obtain in home stores even here in France and the lack of enthusiasm of younger folk to learn a trade, the attention to detail and craftsmanship is not the same as it used to be. Although he speaks no English and Mr. Fix It is not quite fluent yet in French, they understand each other perfectly. Communication goes beyond words.




Our evenings are spent outside, contemplating life, love and the next stage of this project. We know the sun will be up bright and early the next day and even though we have been here for almost 6 months now, still wonder at the majesty of the uplit Church so close to us as night falls.

Although we have a great deal still to do and don’t even have a kitchen fitted yet, I am continually grateful that we somehow found this house, this village where we have been made so welcome and that Mr. Fix It works on seemingly effortlessly to create a beautiful home for us.

As for Mr. Fix It and I, we still feel as though we have just begun: each little piece of renovation in this house brings its own reward and despite our having many more days and weeks of work to go, we enjoy the simplicity of life, the flowers, the natural beauty of this countryside and thank our lucky stars every day.

Alexis
http://www.francebuyinguide.com/