For weeks now I've been immersed in various DIY projects that seem destined only to be finished by the skin of my teeth. It's always like that. Last week was spent playing with a mini -digger scraping out the top fifteen centimetres of soil over a six by eleven metre area, ready to receive two grades of gravel for my soon to be created Pétanque court.
This week I'm stripping wallpaper in a high stairwell and making good any marks left behind with filler. I've devised various support mechanisms using carefully balanced, different sized ladders and scaffold planks that enable me to reach to the ceiling. It looks a little precarious to say the least, so if it goes hideously wrong, well, it's been nice knowing you all!
Just for the record, I currently have a half tiled bathroom which has remained unfinished for six weeks now as the remaining tiles are somewhere in Spain. The DIY store has been experiencing distribution problems and so there they sit, in a factory near Villa-Real, seven boxes, seven metres squared with my name on it. Just bloody well get them here!!!
If you're wondering what relevance these photographs have to my current handyman misery, well very little except to say this is where I'd rather be, wandering through the beautiful gardens at Sardy. I took these photos on a previous visit back in 2009. Warmer weather and a little bit of freetime, I'd take that right now.
Well, yes, you've got to think of other pretty places as you improve your digs, one projec at a time.
ReplyDeleteLove these pictures. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Well, the gardens at Sardy might be among the most beautiful I've ever seen. Sublime!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures.
ReplyDeleteIf it makes you feel any better, I am stuck on several projects I have going because I jammed a brand new (read: very sharp) wood chisel into my left thumb, which is butterfly bandaged and splinted, so now I can't do anything until it heals, which has been very slow. So no gardening, no working on the hutch for the kitchen, no working on my husband's medicine cabinet- nothing that requires the use of two opposable thumbs.
However, I daresay that when your tiles finally do show up and are installed, that bath will be lovely! Will you show us when you're done?
And I think it swell that you're putting in a petanque court, which I would love to have.
Stripping wallpaper is no piquenique, however. No envy there, friend.
Thank you for the sublime pictures; my heart actually skipped a beat when I opened the page and saw the photo of the canal pond! I must come to France to see that garden this year!!! I hope your tile arrives soon; I know how frustrating it is when your renovation projects stall mid-way through. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow, what beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteRichard and I always hover over your gorgeous photos! :-) The gardens at Sardy look spectacular and I see why you daydream about being back there.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a run of warm weather and I've been pruning and raking and such.
We'll be in France too early for many blooms this year -- 1-18 April -- only tulips and other spring bulbs is all I expect. Still, we'll be in France!
We were thinking of a 2nd trip in the fall, but Chris and Nicole are going to get married in Cabo San Lucas, so that will be our trip!
My house is one constantly unfinished project too. I have to go on hiatus at some points, and just say, "enough for this year" and move on to the enjoy life part.
ReplyDeleteWell, they looked like they might have been in your garden as you have such a beautiful one. This is a gorgeous one too. So many beautiful gardens over there! Around here we had a car break down, well pump go out, bathroom flooded, and a few other things that has given my hubby quite a few headaches! Lots of projects for us too so hope you get your tiles and all of your work done!
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without projects? likely more relaxing things. ;) Do be careful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful garden and that first photo is especially grand and calming.
Sounds like you have been really busy... I agree...walking through a beautiful garden on a warm day would be much more fun. Carla
ReplyDeleteBe careful with that handyman work. A fall can change your life forever. You remind me of the endless chores awaiting--once the snow finally melts.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens are Sardy look like a piece of absolute heaven. Beautifully framed pictures of heaven.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you could use a vacation with all of the work you've been doing. Stay safe!
Where we'd all rather be Rob, cold and grey here. I have a green thumb but not one that works with DIY so can only wish you good luck.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! Hope all your projects get on track for you...looking foward to seeing your Petanque court!
ReplyDeleteSo it's not just here in the UK where DIY stores have problems with distribution :) Himself would be in seventh heaven sitting atop a mini digger. It sounds as if 'Monsieur Bricolage' has morphed into Michelangelo this week - good luck and let us know when your feet have touched the ground again Rob. Hope that you are getting a chance to fit some gardening in.
ReplyDeletePS Do push the warmer weather this way when it arrives!
This is the time for indoor projects but, good grief, take care on the precarious scaffolding, Rob. Would hate to see you out of commission or miss another glorious spring visit to the stunning gardens at Sardy!
ReplyDeleteYour photos of the gardens at Sardy should provide more than enough inspiration for your DIY projects. I hope you get your tiles soon.
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling most of us would rather be in warmer weather and beautiful places also.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots, make me long for summer.
Good luck with your tiles.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Rob, What fun that you will have a Petanque court! That is so perfect for how I imagine your part of the world. I am amazed at all you can do . . . where I must hire and hire and hire. Good luck with your tiles. I hope you have them by now. I hope someone is holding on to the makeshift supports you have for holding you to pull off paper. Do remember that it is only paper, while yours is flesh and blood. Harder to come by and to replace! How lovely to stroll through your images while reading of your travails. Beautiful images of a gorgeous garden.
ReplyDeleteI believe I can smell the roses...
ReplyDeleteThose gardens are so beautiful! Good luck with all those projects, and enjoy the spring in France.
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty, the flowers, the roses. so different to where we live, in the jungle where it's wild and rough. We are looking to find a farm in the S. France. Your place is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful garden you have, and such beautiful roses!
ReplyDeleteI love wandering round Monsieur Bricolage and am always tempted to buy useful looking things!
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy Rob - where are you putting the petanque court? (not that I can play it very well, but I do like to watch!)
I've spent the day sadly digging up all my blackcurrant bushes, so the Sarlat gardens are a lovely bit of respite and peace to my soul!!!
Take care up that stairwell :)
I too would like to be in those places. France would be one of my places to see before I die. :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, your photos are to die for. I just posted a link on my Facebook page (where I have many gardening friends who love nothing better than drooling over garden pictures.)
ReplyDeleteGlorious and inspirational as usual! Of course you'd rather be in the garden. We all deserve endless sunny hours of "play" in the garden.
ReplyDeleteAlways a joy to visit,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island
Aah, these photos are beautiful. If only my transporting machine was operating properly...
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog, and it is truly an eyeful. What a beautiful place to live and garden. I will be following it gleefully!
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog & good post.Its really helpful for me, awaiting for more new post. Keep Blogging!
ReplyDeletethe gardens