Got wood?

Carpentry Fest 2011 is well underway in our new (very old) house. I've just finished building my first staircase, which was an awesome bit of glory work - four days starting from rough timber and it's all done. Beats breaking concrete hands down!

We've used Douglas Fir from the local sawmill, which gives a great pinky-red colour. Infact all the floors use it too. Downstairs you can see some slightly fiddly plastering and a Flintstones-esque woodburner. Just one more flight of stairs and a kitchen to fit and we're in!

That's all, next time I'll stick to riding news I promise!

Sun's out, guns out!

Summer 2010 saw the men of Bikevillage liberating their upper arms and shoulders by ripping the sleeves off their biking tops. It was a bit like feminists burning bras, just a lot more pongy...
Anyway, by the looks of things summer 2011 is shaping up in a similar way. I believe we have Chris Herraghty and Ewan Thorburn to thank for this phenomenon which started at the Trans Provence 2009.Like it or hate it, it looks like the beater is here to stay. Sam is even looking into getting some BV ones made up - watch this space!
As you can see from the photos, spring has definitely sprung. Temperatures have been up to about 28C - apparently the hottest it's been in April since 1946. The blossom on the cherry tree is out about 2 or 3 weeks earlier than normal and I have even managed 10 minutes in the hammock, snoozing in the sun.
Sam was out mountainbiking in les Arcs today, making use of the funiculaire & said he felt a wee bit guilty standing in his beater and shorts next to a family arriving for their ski holiday. It's been so dry & hot, some of the trails are as dusty as they get in the summer!