La Maison

The stonework for the Pigeonnier (small extension to the house) complete:

time for Dan to do the roof. I have to say, I didn't know where to start but in Dan's usual way, he read a few books, looked at a few photos, whipped up a plan and got stuck in.

Starting with the frame work, I ordered a few lengths of oak; they arrived and didn't look up to much, but in no time Dan had chisselled and sawed away making his M + T joints and other fancy named joints:

Slotted the bits together:

Then built it outside to check it all fitted together:

Next I knew, Dan had planed it all and the centre piece was up:

the cross beams went in:

And slowly but surely, the rest was erected:

And a close up:

Dan then put the chevrons and kick outs on :

So it looks like this:

The waterproof membrane and lattes go on next:

Underneath looks like this :

Finally it is ready to take the tiles:

So Dan put on the tiles and the pineapple on the top:

We also made a new window in the sitting room:

Using stone from the window that was on the opposite wall and which we are closing up:

The Garden

In the meantime, I decided to tackle the weeds that had grown up over the winter and last year when I was pregnant:

Tomato World, the New Beginning

This year tomato world has taken on a new dimension. Rather than having them in pots, tomato world has been planted in the ground with special fence supports to take its weight – professional!!!

This year's crop comes to you from L'Abbaye Nouvelle Fete de Fleurs. Sold to me as ancient French varieties. (Possibly, I might have been done because when I read the information sheet, they didn't sound ancient or French! )

We bring to you this years crop, starring:

1 x Tomate andines cornue, des Andes

(now my French isn't perfect, but I'm sure that means “from the Andes ” unless I'm mistaken the Andes are not in France , are they? – so not very French but could be “ancient”! Info says it is a plum variety, spicy red. It is one of the best tomatoes (bet that's what they all say!), very good flavour, very little seeds and juice (is that good?). Precoce (does that mean precocious?)

1 x Tomate black from Tula (origine Tulu Oceanie)

Still doesn't sound French to me but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt!

Very smooth and rich flavour. Fruits of 300 – 400g, slightly flattened – ummm aren't tomatoes meant to be round – weird! Colour of Flesh red-brown –ooooh, glad they told me that otherwise I'd think they'd gone manky!

2 x Tomate russe rose, Ispolin

This variety produces very big pink fruits up to 1 kilo, the plants can grow up to 2 metres high. – Better add a bit on to my special fence. This one also seems to be precoce – who ever heard of a precocious tomato – well may be I would be too if I produced a fruit that weighed a kilo! (It actually means early).

1 x Tomate potiron ecarlate, France

Ok, so definitely originated in France . This variety produces giant tomatoes of 1kg + . That's just one upmanship! Hope Alice isn't scared of the giant tomatoes. The last thing it says is “Tardive” – good so probably should have looked this up earlier, it means “late” – bon! So summer will be over before these babies show an appearance!

So, have now had enough of ogling all the different varieties of plant ( which frankly all look exactly the same – Emperor's new clothes and all that) so have opted for

4 x Tomate purple calabash

Again probably should have read the info sheet more carefully rather than think what a lovely name! The description is:

“Fruits a la forme tourmentee de couleur violet “(literal translation: fruits in a tortured shape and violet in colour – nice!)

“50g. Resiste a la secheresse, bonne conversation.” Great… they resist dryness (it's been the wettest summer on record) and they make a good talking point aka everyone will laugh at you, especially as you have bought 4!

Bon bon, tomato world starts with a boom, tune in next month to see the results!

Lettuce lane reopens:

After extensive work by our friends at the chateaux next door, I planted the lettuces that they gave to us and lettuce lane reopens:

Courgette City .

Only planted 3 plants this year so hopefully we won't be quite so inundated but courgette city has got off to a flying start:

The pool side

The pool is open, now we just wait for the sun:

I planted some nice lavender from the flower fete:

And tidied up the borders: