The guns ring out

Yes, it sounds like hunting season has well and truly started on the surrounding hillsides. This evening we have heard a few rounds of really loud rifle fire on the hillside above us, so they are most probably hunting the deer that have been making those eerie sounds in the woodland! We are looking forward to seeing 'chevreuil' (venison) in our local butchers soon and in the meantime, 'don't go in them there woods'!

We had another big shopping trip down to Foix and Pamiers today to get stuff which will enable us to get the wiring finished in the attic and also some concrete with which we can fix rocks/stones into the spaces that are apparent high up on the walls where we have removed the wood panelling.We got 7 large panels of plasterboard up yesterday which was a job and a half and not much fun :-( Fortunately, the panels which need to be fixed above the two big side beams are smaller and hopefully more manoeuvrable but it is still going to be tricky and awkward because nothing is straight! But today, I got the new light fitting which will hang from the centre beam and also a blind for the velux window, plus some light fittings for our bedroom and a curtain pole and curtain which will make it nice and snug in the winter months.

While we were down 'on the plain' at Pamiers, we became aware of how totally different the attitudes of people down there are compared to our local community here in the hills. Here, everybody is so smiley, helpful and generally happy, whereas down there people are surly to the point of rudeness and totally unhelpful. Plus, the temperature on the plain seems to be around 10 degrees hotter than with us, so all in all, we were relieved to return to our little mountain cottage!

Had some lovely, fresh lemon sole, simply cooked, accompanied by French beans, for tea tonight

"Holy Cr*p"!! I have just been jolted from my wine-induced reverie by the preceding expletive uttered by my hubby! He has just spotted the biggest, longest-legged arachnid (spider to you and me!) crawling up the wall above his desk. It's leg span must have been 10-12cm+ - it crawled up to a joist which is 9cms deep and curled its legs around it

Now, I know spiders are fab creatures and kill nasty bitey flying things like mozzies, gnats and the like, but I'm sorry, this one had to go. After first threatening to kill the not so wee beastie, Andy was persuaded to capture it in a pint glass and throw it outside. We are just hoping he hasn't got a twin brother lurking somewhere amongst the beams and joists!