Things are getting busy here at La Giraudiere and slowly all the rooms are being filled with our volunteers. Our first arrival at the beginning of April was Courtney from Chicago, USA. She brought with her a range of skills and has a medical background. Let’s hope that we don’t need to call on that before she goes!

So far Courtney has been busy painting window frames, the ironwork on the original window locks, and filling in the holes in the concrete walls. She did a great job draft proofing the windows in our Gites. Its been so cold and windy lately so it really helps.

Next in the Gites was Susan from New York, USA. She has been hard at work doing various jobs such as taking out ivy roots, sorting out an unruly hedge with Dan, our volunteer from Liverpool, and bringing some organisation to the old house by sorting through all sorts of important items that will be necessary when the house is done.

Dan is from Liverpool, UK, loves cricket and fantasy football, and is really keen to get his hands dirty. Looking around at the grounds and weather, it is apparent that they will be dirty very soon. Muddy, too!!

Next was me, Alice. I’m from Nottingham, UK but live near London now. I hate computers and need to learn to love them a little, so I’ve been sat in front of the screen since I got here doing photos, blogging and checking emails. So, if you apply, it could be me or one of my successors reading and replying to your emails. It could even be you one day soon!

Before Dan and I came Cullen from, you guessed it, the US! She comes from South Carolina and has the most beautiful Southern accent. I have a feeling a little of that will rub off on me before I leave. Her job here is “Mum”, which means cooking, cleaning and organising the house: a very important job here!!

So, everyone, good times behind and good times ahead. Welcome and Bonne étés!!