So much to do

Much as I adore all my guests, it's so relaxing not to have any here tonight and much better for my waistline after two large boozy dinners over the weekend. I am going to get into bed just as soon as I have written this, read my much neglected book and catch-up on some sleep. Last night I think I was asleep before I hit the pillow and I don't think I moved all night.

I still had to be up at 7.30 to do breakfast and there won't be a lie-in tomorrow either. My trusty Audi needs an MOT or 'Controle Auto Technique' as it is called here which takes me firmly into uncharted language territory. I have no idea what all the parts on a car are called in French so it will be an interesting discussion at the garage in the morning. I know there are a couple of minor things that need doing and the garage I am using will do a pre-check and fix any issues before going to get the CAT certificate - well, that's the plan anyway - more tomorrow.

I also have to fix the curtain track that my guests managed to pull off the wall, collect my bike from the Peugeot garage (new inner tube) and Chris and I are going to have a look at the electricity phasing problem to try and stop the power going off every time a guest plugs in a hair dryer which is obviously very embarrassing. Oh, and the drain outside in the courtyard is blocked - so much so that when we had a torrential downpour over the weekend we ended up with a lake from the front door all the way across to the archway. The power chose to cut out just at this point, which meant I was stood in a couple of inches of water in the pouring rain and about to push back the trip switch on my electricity meter - I did wonder to myself if it was going to be the last thing I ever did. As you can see I survived.

Today was the usual round of bed stripping and washing and ironing and rubbish removal that makes up the usual post guest activity, as well as an airport run. The guests have been enjoying my home made jam so much that I was nearly out of it so today, between other jobs, I made another batch of 42rvh strawberry jam which will keep everyone happy I hope for another few weeks.

Denis has approved the budget for the refurbishment of his appartment upstairs so Chris and I sat down this evening to work on the timing schedule and discuss logistics. He's not really going to be able to stay in the Apartment whilst the renovation is going on and he can't really stay in my spare room when I have guests coming in and out, so he's looking for somewhere else to park himself.

I spent an hour and a half this morning just doing business admin - I can't believe how long it takes to keep track of all the enquiries and bookings and have all the paperwork up to date at all times, check the bank accounts online, pay some bills, transfer some money and work out the schedule for the week that will ensure two rooms are in pristine condition on Friday morning before the next guests arrive. I suddenly feel tired.