Schizophrenic Weather
We’re slowly trying to get accustomed to this completely different sort of weather. The temperature changes from day to night are drastic. Sometimes up to a 20 degree difference. Although that wasn’t the case for the past few days when it’s been hot during the day and only slightly cooler in the evenings. We also (often) get a whole weather cycle in a single day, as if four seasons have gone by. Cold and wet and dark, then mild, then suddenly sunny and hot. We’re at the heart of the Montagne Noire, where Mediterranean weather meets Atlantic/Oceanic weather, so that must have something to do with it. It’s unusual, but it does keep one from getting bored. I was finding the prolonged excruciating heat of Andalucia somewhat oppressive.
The mirror I got for the study was delivered this morning. Louis XV, rocaille, walnut frame, late 19th century. A perfect match in colour and style for the mantlepiece- but it’s incredibly difficult to find things of the massive proportions that are needed for rooms with this ceiling height. That mirror looked huge at the shop. It’s 150cm tall (just under 60 inches), which is big by any standards for a mirror- but we put it on the wall, and it doesn’t look big at all anymore. And there’s still a mirror for the dining room to think about. That will have to be between 180 cm and 210 cm tall.
We’re also having a coffee table made for the study. Wrought iron and glass, stunning and simple. And big, 130cm square- which is why we’re having it made, I just didn’t find anything retail of that sort of size.
And next week will be very interesting. The kitchen will be finished, and so will the new terrace! And off I go, there are roses to prune.
My Mazamet 
-grin- I live in Melbourne and we get four seasons in every day too. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have consistent weather. And that mirror is beautiful. 🙂
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I was just about to make the same comment about our changeable climate! Today it looked like summer, felt like winter…. 🙂
I always like Billy Connolly’s thoughts on weather.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes”.
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That’s what people from Scotland HAVE to tell themselves 😀
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Our former coast couldn’t be more consistent. It’s basically sunny and dry from (and including) March to October. An average of 320 days of sunshine a year, hence the name Costa del Sol.
At the moment Mike is furious at the amount of times I’m finding it necessary to change clothes during the day- as he does the laundry…
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-grin- We learn to dress in layers. Oh and you should never store your winter clothes away in summer. 😀
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You’ll find it difficult to plan anything more than a week ahead that requires good weather, except maybe in July.
The house is coming on in leaps and bounds. looking really nice.
Hugs
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It is! Tomorrow I’ll post more progress pictures 🙂
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In New Mexico, we’ve hit 100 F already – our annual milestone (38C approx.) We routinely get a 20 degree drop at night – mercifully.
Love all the progress reports. The mirror is perfect!
I can hardly wait to see the floating terrace. But I’m such a practical, prosaic type: I wonder how you will trundle dishes and glasses and food and booze through the camellia tunnel. Also if you’ll miss the sink in the fine scullery once you start entertaining. And how you will live without a self-cleaning oven. After 20 years with my head in a dirty oven, it’s my favorite feature. At least your oven is at a good height: no on your knees contortionist scrubbing.
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A Ha! That’s the thing, the terrace is directly opposite the central door to the grey salon, while the camella tunnel is to the left of the terrace- it’s hard to explain in words, but I’ll do it with pictures tomorrow 🙂
My last self-cleaning oven traumatised me. To be fair it lasted 15 years, but something went terribly wrong every time it self cleaned. Once, the glass door just shattered. Plus, I’m going old school for cleaning. I found tins of Marius Fabre Savon Noir when we moved in, and I’ve fallen madly in love with it. I’ve never known a better cleaning product. Stains on clothes, floors, kitchen, it is pure magic.And the smell is divine. I’m never using strong chemicals ever again.
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I clean my oven (the non-self cleaning bits) with simple bicarbonate of soda mixed with a little water – it’s an excellent non toxic way to remove any grease from inside the oven. My previous oven once had a shattered door when it was self cleaning at a high temperature – the noise was horrific, as was the mess. And it took hours online to find a replacement door.
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I’m a convert to bicarbonate too. And lemon juice or vinegar. A few years ago I used Cillit Bang and the skin on the tips of my fingers all fell off as if it had been burnt. After that I decided it couldn’t be good to use harsh chemicals.
For the past ten years my oven sounded like an aeroplane. Anything left on the stovetop actually trembled if the oven was on! When the door broke I promised myself I’d never have one of those again.
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AHA indeed! I think I get it: you take guests to the terrace and they discover the camellia tunnel, not the other way around. Still, I like the mental image of you leading your guests on safari around your garden, through the magical camellia tunnel to an oasis terrace where they find: TADA Cocktails!
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Exactly! It’s unfortunately not that big a garden, though. Only 2000m2, which is only half an acre. But for a townhouse I suppose that’s a good size.
It seems bigger because the trees are so tall. In the last house we had much more and we were also on the edge of a forest, which made it seem even bigger. But anyway, the dogs can still have a bit of a run 🙂
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The mirror is incredible. And only a couple inches shorter than I am! Good luck finding your even larger mirror in the dining room. Perhaps two large mirrors instead?
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