We bought the chairs in Ikea because they were, for the money by far the best around.

The Ikea choice of covers however was not going to agree with our simple decoration scheme, either they were too chintzy or the wrong colour altogether.

We picked the plain white covers knowing that we would probably have to dye them.
And so it came to pass.

After a couple of weeks the white started to show its age.

We found an olive green dye in the local Brico shop and Síle dyed three in the washing machine.
They were perfect.
But of course M. Bricoman had only that one packet of olive green so we had to go to the far larger Castorama to find some more.
We did notice there was a slight difference in the packet but Síle carried on and our second three came out of the washing machine streaky and unusable.

Undaunted Síle headed again into Castorama where she bought some dye removal and some black dye.

So we are now quite pleased with our mismatched set of chairs, three olive green, three black and four still (but for how long!) white.

And then with our first guests due on Saturday and half the house still to be painted the Super U got in some cheap Reine Claude (little Greengages) so I had to make some jam.

But the good news is that the second arrivals will be Caitriona and Aonghus carrying the much missed Fionn.

(Photo pinched fron Caitriona’s Blog)

This paint by Farrow and Ball was Clive’s choice for our kitchen here.
It is a fabulous colour and, for some reason I couldn’t place, perfectly French.
Despite its price (and it is hideously expensive) we decided to order in some and paint the woodwork in the kitchen to match.

It was interesting to read an article in yesterdays Sunday Times (which arrives punctually into the village each Sunday morning) by journalist Karen Wheeler who is also doing up a house in France in which she says
” I have poured over paint charts searching for that elusive blue-grey which is typical of French shutters (the nearest I have found is Farrow and Ball’s {you have guessed it} Lamp Room Grey)

Of course, that is why it looks so French.

Our Shutters

Our Kitchen

Talking about colour Síle has started to dye the covers of our dining chairs (white was never going to be practical)

I got the correct bulb for the beautiful Pezenas Lamp

Oh and I found this wash stand in the Trocante in Carcassonne and bought it for small money- €45. It should be our last purchase (except sheets) for the moment.

A long time ago, around 32 years ago in fact, Síle and I arrived back from England jobless, with our first child to stay with my parents in Cork.
As we had been legitamately employed in England (and before that in Ireland) I decided that I should sign on until one of us found a job.

There were of course difficulties and before I could collect my entitlement of £22 per week papers had to come from England.
I was only entitled to assistance as my last place of work was England.

I did however have to queue up at the assistance desk and sign on twice a week while the red tape was being sorted.

Eventually the day arrived, six weeks later, when all was in order and the girl behind the counter started to dole out my £132 onto the counter top.
(It must be remembered at this stage that the only criteria for the amount given on assistance was the amount of dependants)

I distinctly heard the man behind me say to the man behind him.
“Jaysus, How meny childer have he?”

More lights cobbled together by Michael from old, new, and borrowed sources in our efforts to create lights which are in keeping with the house; á l’epoque

The first two shades we found in the house (in fact we found three of the second one) the third is another shot of the milk-glass given by Francoise.

Yesterday Michael and I headed over to the marvellous Viaduc de Millau to meet
his sister Teresina (travelling from Albi to Annecy) for lunch in Séverac le Chateau.

Michael and his Sister

we met Teresina and her husband Peter in the excellent Hotel de Causse (where I pigged out on Aligot-mashed potatoes with fresh Tomme cheese and Garlic)

On the way home we stopped in Couvertoirade, a little Templar village which was a little too full of Artisans- (had become artisan anal according to Michael) but where they had an excellent stock of Cabardelle making my Terrace one look particularly tatty.

We also stopped at the little chapel of Notre Dame de Peyrou where I has seen and photographed my very first St Roch so I was able to get another shot of him.

My noble friend Michael has been connecting my lights for the last few days.

Here are some of them.

This brass Chandalier was a present from our neighbour Francoise
(“It is much too big for my house”)

This wonderous glass globe Clive spotted at a Brocante fair in Pezenas

This hand painted (with Fuschias) shade was exactly here , we rescued it and conserved it before the electricians came.
(Also note the wall lights, picked up for a song at last summer’s Braderie in Castorama)

This beautiful milk glass shade was another present from Francoise.
(“It is more in the style of your house”)
It now shades in Manolete’s little chamber.