Spot the Difference?

Same web cam - 24 hrs later......spot the difference.

Simon spoke to James yesterday - he'd been to check the house was ok.  Covered in snow but water tight - here at home, we're all wanting snow for Christmas.  This is the first time that I wish snow wasnt around..... how perverse life can be!!

Mont Dore - 17th December 09

This is from the web cam today - looks beautiful, but it means there is no work on La Maison........James lives at Montlucon and it's probably to bad for him to get to Naves.......  :(

Out little house is still waiting for its new roof :(((

Looking into my crystal ball . . . . .

I see two people, sitting in front of a fire.  It's a crisp and cold night outside, but inside is all snug and warm.  Mouthwatering cooking smells waft past their noses, exciting their appetite after a day of walking in the sparkling powdery snow.  They are sitting, peacefully, glass in hand, listening to the crackel of the fire and the gentle, comforting tick of the grandaughter clock in the corner.  Tomorrow, the families arrive.  Christmas is just around the corner and the house is decorated in readiness.

If we needed inspiration . . . . .

This is Mont Dore - just an hour from us......If ever I need a pick me up during the day, then looking at this will usually sort me out!

Christmas is coming and the news on the house is that the end gable wall is now complete, so tiling will begin soon.  The next photo's from James should be of the roof completed - Yeay !!

Maybe next Christmas the house will be far enough forward for us to stay there  :-)

Where does inspiration come from?

Some weeks ago, whilst browsing for ideas for other people for Christmas, I saw a tapestry hanging on a wall on the stairs - I dont remember the subject, but something must have been hatching in the back on my mind.

I love making things - be it knitting, sewing, baking, cooking or people happy.   So browsing the internet one day I said to Simon that I fancied making a tapestry (never done one before.)  Found this in the search and instantly knew what I was looking at, having read about them ( Tracy Chevallier novel, the Lady & the Unicorn).  Simon thought I was off my trolly when I said quite excitedly that I want to do this one and the back ground to it, but I think there's something very relevant, as you can read below.  So come Christmas day, you know what I'll be doing.  The tapestry has arrived and is sitting under the tree.......I can't wait :-)

The lady and the unicorn and is part of a series of tapestries, which were woven in the middle ages.  I believe that these were the first tapestries to be woven, rather than the ones which were sewn and two dimensional pictures.  The artist was commissioned by a noble man  and  these tapestries were found in the late 1800's in a terrible condition in the Castle at Bussac, which is 40 minutes from La Maison Etoile.  The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are among the most beautiful art treasures of the world. They were woven  in the medieval style of mille fleurs, a "thousand flowers." Since 1882 the tapestries have been housed in Paris in the once medieval cloister, the Musée de Cluny. The tapestries represent the six senses — Hearing, Sight, Touch, Smell, Taste, and Love and the artist is believed to have been in love with the daughter of his patron but unable to declare himself. to read the story attached to the tapestries click this link

Surrounding areas - What's to do?

  Chouvingy - A beautiful gorge in the Sioule Valley - with plenty of history - see the Castle built in 1250 by William of Chouvigny.  Subsequently occupied by Trémoille Thouard then for 3 centuries, Lafayette. 

This castle guarded the gateway to the gorge.  Chouvigny stands between Ebruile and Menat - The river Sioule leaves the lake Serviere, on Mont Dore, situated 1200 meters (3937 ft) above sea level.  Rock Climbing is popular in the area.

During the spring and the autumn, the Auvergne is an explosion of colour, with flowers during the spring, fields full of yellow rape during late April, then in the Autumn, the trees are a riot of colour.

There are numerous golf courses in the area  eg :- http://www.1golf.eu/en/club/golf-des-volcans-clermont-ferrand/ 

there are also 3 ski slopes within easy reach, including Super Besse. http://superbesse.sancy.com/ and Mont Dore  http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Massif-Central/Le-Mont-Dore

In addition to all of this, there is of course the natural spectacular of the Puy de Dome.  The Youngest volcano in this chain, last erupted 5760 BC.  See following link for more information.  But be sure not to miss this spectacular:-  http://www.france-for-visitors.com/massif-central/auvergne/puy-de-dome.html 

The next instalment.  Just the front of the barn to replace now and then we're ready for tiling.......

Amy, Simon and I are getting the ferry on Monday evening - should be at the house by T time on Tuesday.  We're going to 'camp' in the snug.  Have candles, camping chairs, stove and we're going to see about taking a cheap piece of carpet, to protect the beds from any sharp bits on the floor, that may escape being swept up.  Only thing we dont have is bathroom facilities!!

If we were able to have a fire it would be the icing on the cake, but I think that temporarily, the roof has gone straight over the chimney.  James and I did discuss retro fitting the chimneys, as there will need to be one at the other end, against the barn, for the log fuelled range.  Would have been nice though to have a fire - we have a load of oak to burn!!