[vc_row][vc_column][postgallery_grid id=”grid_20170210″ data_source=”data-4″ null=”” slidesetid=”SG_G6_20170210″ content_type=”image” columns=”6″ height=”200px” align=”aligncenter” lightbox=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This has been a week of very changeable weather. It has rained an enormous amount and it was very windy for a couple of days bringing down all sorts of debris; the temperature has not been brilliant and had felt colder because of the wind and the wet. We are in a valley so with the wet and the cold it has also been moodily foggy which is very atmospheric. Despite this there have been afternoons when we could sit on the terrace in the sun and Friday, which started out very unpromising with fog and damp suddenly brighten up to vivid sunshine and a high of 17 degrees.

With all the rain our little stream turned into a raging torrent, it was very deep and extremely fast but we were relieved to see that it didn’t look like breaking the banks. When we bought the house part of the legal discussion was the flood risks. Apparently this is part of any house sale in France. What is interesting and very sensible is that, unlike the UK, you cannot build on a flood plain. The north corner of the open barn at the back of the property is closest to the stream and on the flood plans it shows that there is a risk of flooding. This means that the barn cannot be converted into a residential property. In fact the previous owners who have known the property for about 60 years said they had only known of it flooding once, in the thirties we think, and then it wasn’t much. In fact more likely to flood, but not often, is the south field which is bordered by the stream; however we think this can be managed with the sluices.

We had a visit from the man who we hope will improve the south field. The field has very poor pasture and is riddle with weeds, enough moss to complete hanging baskets round Buckingham Palace, and brambles. It needs completely ploughing up and reseeding, we also will add a new drainage ditch to try and reduce the damp. We must also fence the field and also erect a shelter for the horses as there is no cover against bad weather or sun. Water will still be a problem as there is no water supply in the field and we will have to carry water over there, or fill from the well using the pump and a very long hose.

This week we were invited for coffee by a lovely local couple who have been here for many years but originally hailed from Scotland. They have travelled extensively and it transpires that they know our sister’s brother-in-law well. Funny the coincidences our adventure has brought: we have friends whose parents lived for eight years in Grezels; and another old friend whose father lives in a nearby village. What a small world![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”How it all started” style=”custom” custom_background=”#deead0″ custom_text=”#666666″ link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tormantil.com%2F2017%2F01%2F10%2Fhow-it-all-started%2F|title:read%20how%20it%20all%20began…|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]