Brrrrr

It was cold today. There was low cloud and sleet and snow all day long. Brrrr. It's the sort of damp cold that goes right through to your bones.

It has always been a problem to heat these vast rooms. It is criminal that the chimneys were destroyed when the building was split up into apartments - a big roaring log fire is exactly what is needed in these spaces. Instead the little electric radiators cost a fortune to run and stuggle to make a difference, not helped by the draughty window frames and huge windows or the fact that nobody has been here for the last five weeks.

It wasn't too bad this morning whilst I was doing physical work. There were curtain tracks to fix and light bulbs to change both inside and outside in the courtyard and a shower head to repair - all of which involved carting ladders about the place and much climbing. I still feel a bit nervous on ladders on my own even though it is now over two years since I came off them during the renovation.

I really noticed the cold this afternoon when I was working on my computer. When I got up from my desk my nose was frozen and I had shivers running down my back. Soup and casserole is what I have been eating today - on and off all day actually because the effect seems to wear off after about an hour. I shall go and put myself in bed shortly - that's the warmest place.

I was very impressed that the car started first time and seems to be non the worse for being neglected and sitting about in all weathers for the last 40 days. I think maybe I should get a cover for it if I am going to be away for longer periods next year.

Obviously it wasn't the sort of day for being out and about so I still haven't been down to see what's new in town or catch up on any gossip over a coffee with anyone. Maybe tomorrow.

Bath Christening

Debrah has waited so so long. She has asked if it was possible soon for about a year now. She has begged us to try and finish it as soon as possible. She has pleaded with us to do it more quickly than scheduled. She has vented her anger at us for not getting on with it. She has stamped her feet in frustration and desperation at the thought of it never happening.

The very beautiful and large white double skinned bath has sat in our 'dining room' for far too long. Not before time, it was finally fitted by Chris and I in the last couple of weeks and today, Debrah arrived from London for the first time since the installation was complete.

It was a lovely sunny day and I collected Debrah from the airport with the roof down on the Audi, as is my custom whatever the weather as long as it's not actually raining. The old Audi continues to attract lots of interest - a French guy came up to me at the airport for a chat about my car which he was clearly admiring - then his wife arrived in their new A4 Avant - once an Audi driver, always an Audi driver.

After a look round at all the changes since Debrah's last visit, we went down to the square for a hot chocolate and a brandy chaser. I love the South of France - it's the last day of November and it was minus four last night, yet here we were sat outside as the sun disappeared over the top of the buildings and we weren't alone.

I'd put a beef casserole on the hob this morning that had been cooking all day - you could smell it as soon as you came back in through the front door, a homely welcoming aroma that immediately made you feel hungry. When I took the lid off the pot the beef had gone black in the red wine sauce. It was delicious with boiled potatoes and buttered cabbage and, naturally, a bottle or so of the exceptional local red wine.

Just when I thought Debrah was going to slope off to bed, she looked up over the top of her computer and said "Shall I have a bath?"

So it was the bathroom and the bath was finally christened. Another first for our French home. Apparently the lighting isn't quite what it should be though - too bright with the lights on, not enough with a candle - it seems that we should have fitted a dimmer switch which is another one of those fabulous hindsight insights that have dogged our whole refurbishment.

In the meantime, it appears that the search has already started for a suitable candelabra to give the required bathtime ambience!