Saturday to Tuesday 1-4 August

Back to LPR on Friday and a reasonably easy drive. All the Cubitts are here and we settle into 2 pm lunches under the Cherry Tree, swims in the pool that Johnny has maintained and what could be called “gin clear” water. Some have a nap before gin and tonic time, then it is an 8 pm dinner.

Everyone takes a turn at cooking and we enjoy some hand made pizza, beautiful salads, crusty bread and cheeses, quiche and EL’s famous green lentils, goat cheese and sundried tomatoes.

As a cheeky challenge, she asked Flashy to make a paella. No drama there, except she didn’t want chorizo, rabbit or chicken. Not too spicy either. Goodness me.

Lady P managed to get some succulent prawns, firm white fish, local mussels and a squid tube from the market. Juicy tomatoes the size of cricket balls and some saffron were also acquired. Prawn heads and shells made an excellent stock. And as you know, that's the secret.

We re-jig the Weber and using a large paella pan and metres of aluminium foil - we made it fit. All present were happy with the end result. Champagne and Sancerre paired well.

The only complaint was that the neighbouring farmer decided to spread ten tonnes of cow manure over the paddock at our back fence just before dinner. A day later and it still smells like a dairy on a hot day. It also brought millions of flies. There’s probably only one person other than Flashy who hates flies more than him and that’s Casper Cubitt. They both gave up counting after 50 swatted each. Nonetheless we soldiered on.

On Monday, with great fear and trepidation, we drove to Landes, a village just up the road, to the local post office, where with Google translate and head nods, we managed to post a tracked letter to Australia. For some reason to do with transit through the Middle East, France will not post parcels to Australia. So, you have to make sure it is a letter in a plain envelope. Our previous attempt at Chevilly Larue la Post failed. Our French only speaking mature lady at the Landes post office “ummed, ah’d, ‘ello, ah ha!” and stamped them. Phew!

A light shower of rain has not diminished the fragrant odour of cowshit.

Tuesday and the flies and smell remain with us. The carpenter turns up and starts to put on the roof of the extension and it’s taking shape.

The Cubitts head off for the 12 hours drive and ferry to the UK in the morning and we take stock of remaining food and beverages.

Roof timber arrives.

Jamie makes an excellent pizza.

"You reckon the dining table will fit in the new kitchen?"

Seafood paella.

Soon to be the 'old terrace'.

Patrick the carpenter starts the roof.