This week we have had cause to reflect on this phrase as the bulk of the structural work has got underway: the tower is gone, we now have 2 large openings on the ground floor where we are making doors instead of windows and upstairs we have opened up what we had thought was once a window but in fact was simply a façade. To achieve all this has in reality meant living amongst falling masonry, mountains of rubble, thick brick dust everywhere and constant noise.
To add to this, our local commune decided to pick this week to dig up the ground at the side of our house to replace leaking water pipes. There was one afternoon when I was sitting at my computer, wiping the screen as I wrote whilst listening to the diamond drill breaking through solid concrete above me, heavy machinery digging into the roads outside and Mr. Fix It cutting wood with one of his heavy duty English power tools upstairs. I had to laugh: I felt like a war correspondent carrying on regardless – there comes the phrase again: “Keep calm and carry on!”
We are overjoyed at the gradual result of this heavy work however. It is always joyous to see the light come in and this house is bathed in it from dawn till dusk, particularly now we have made doors on to the garden. The dust and mess will be easily cleared before too long and once the rubble is gone there will be little, if any more structural work.
I chat to a lovely lady each day who sits outside her house, just steps away from ours. She loves to watch our progress and said she is delighted to see so many English people in our region, why did I think they come here? I replied that the climate has a lot to do with it – and people like her have a lot to do with it: once you make an effort to integrate into the community, you are rewarded with smiles and friendliness. Mr. Fix It and I are always aware of this strong spirit amongst the people here: they just seem to have got it right! A smile and a cheery “bonjour” go a long way and kindness is rewarded with kindness.
Our visitors arrive this weekend and Mr. Fix It and I look forward to some outings in the hot sun: it is gloriously warm and still light until gone 10.30 pm each evening and he will no doubt relish getting out of these 2 ensuites (yes they are ALMOST finished!) to enjoy some richly deserved leisure time along the Canal du Midi, perhaps taking in some wine tasting in one of the numerous “caves” here, ambling around one of the many markets and contemplating life in the South of France outside in our garden.
We will have been married for one whole year next week and this, the happiest of years for us both, has flown by. Our good friends will be with us as we celebrate our anniversary, perhaps in one of the Michelin recommended restaurants close by. After that it will be back to work on the house, content in the knowledge that we have each other, a beautiful house in the South of France and a huge amount to look forward to in this most beautiful country.
Alexis
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