Days 1 and 2, July 10th and 11th, 2025

This is a short video as we approached the house for the first time since renovations began this winter. As we kind of expected, the renovations were not completed before we came. I stopped recording when my husband started talking with the plumbers. Then I began recording again before the furniture was delivered. I will try to add both videos to this page for your viewing pleasure.

We had a refrigerator and a washing machine delivered the day before we arrived, which was difficult to arrange. Some of the surprises?

We didn’t have any heating oil for hot water, so we were lucky to arrange for its delivery on Friday. We also didn’t have any butane (or tank) for our cooktop. That necessitated a trip into town and after much effort we now can use our cooktop. The hot water? Not so much, the plumber tried helping but said the pump isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced. It’s Friday and Monday is the French national holiday Bastille Day. So, we will be managing with water, but not hot water until Wednesday at the earliest when the plumber promised to add us to his schedule.

One day and one step at a time.

We went to the local grocery store for not only food, but basic necessities for the maison. There’s a photo of one shopping cart filled with things such as a broom and dustpan, a dish drying rack, drinking glasses, rolls of shelf liner paper, and so much more. All that would fit into one cart. There will be more trips to accomplish the tasks of having household implements.

Oh, and here’s a picture taken from the center of Castillon-la-Bataille where you can see the flag that adorns our wine labels. Dinner tonight is grilled magret de canard and pommes frites made in duck fat. Yes, I love eating duck! Cheers!