Now what? Life in rural Ariege

Burblings about adjusting to life in the deep south west of France or "la France profonde" as they call it here and the challenges of restoring a ramshackle collection of tumbledown buildings. I mainly write about local festivals, events and celebrations and, most of all, the weekly ritual of combing vide greniers and brocantes for pre-loved vintage treasures.

12 March 2014

The steel is in... enfin

I've been lax about reporting on our progress but yesterday was another milestone for us.

The huge 8 meter long steel beam that has been in the garden for nearly 2 years is in place in the building.

For once I'm going to let the pictures do the talking









There were some tense moments!


A combination of muscular men and machine power lifted it into a horizontal position. Next to thread it through the opening in the stone wall at the front. Then carefully slide it along the specially constructed wood channel running through the building. Then rest it in position in the back wall of the building.

C'est facile n'est ce pas?










Nearly there!




IT'S IN




Here it is in all its glory






Next step is to remove the 2 remaining old wooden beams and the remainder of the floor.

Then floor construction in this building can begin :)