When I started clearing out this corner my intention was only to really clear the ground to plant some bulbs, but I got a bit further than that!
Nick is currently in the process of trying to complete the wash house gite. It was just a shell of a room when he started but he is making a lot of progress. The aim is to have it completed by Christmas so Nicks parents can stay in there independently for a week. The bedroom will have two windows that both look out onto the garden area at the front of the Maison de Maître. I wanted my mother-in-law to be able to look out of one window to see something slightly better than a construction site! so I went a bit further with this project that what I originally intended.
My first two days were primarily spent ripping out all the historical mulch from the ground, matted layers of ivy and moss. That all went into garden waste bags and a couple of trips were made to the tip.
The rain was quite heavy at one point but this did not deter me as I donned my new gardening look of a cut out bin bag and a shower cap – the rain does not stop me!
I then tackled the hedging against the wall cutting out years of dead wood and pulling out meters and meters of twisted roots of wisteria.
There was a pile of stone in the corner and a huge old chunk of yew tree that Nick helped me move.
The end wall of the wash house was in pretty good condition apart from a couple of holes that needed a quick fill with some lime render. I soon had this side of the building covered with two coats of masonry paint giving it an instant uplift.
Three large hydrangea plants went into the border – two blue one pink. Next was a layer of weed membrane over the ground to stop the weeds poking up thought the layer of gravel that was going down next. As you can see from the video ‘Full steam ahead’ there was a trip to the brico shop for some more gravel!!
As I worked my way along with the gravel, I used some of the stone that had come from the removal of the wash house chimney to make a bit of a border and a more decorative touch to the area.
It took four long days of hard work to complete this, but it still just needs a little something like statue or a fountain on the small mound near the window to complete it...
...All in good time as I am sure on our travels out and about, we will eventually see something that fits perfectly.
I am pleased though as at least the view from one window is not a complete mess – “only the best for my mother-in-law”!!
Clare x
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