Follow, some reasons why it was a good weekend.

First-off, the weather has returned to normal which means, of course, more wet weather. (This, unfortunately, provided Thomastown with another bout of flooding which will, not have made it a good weekend for those affected!)

But today, here, the sun shines on our little river where, even this early in the year, our dippers are courting.

Cinclus cinclus hibernicus

Secondly, after two failed attempts as a result of the abnormal, ice-bound and snowy conditions that prevailed since well before Christmas until late last week, Martin & Sile, our old friends from Thezan les Beziers, finally made it here on Friday for a night of food, drink and catching-up.

I had begun to fear that we would fail to get together before they set-sail back to la belle France at the end of the month.

This meeting provided the further good news, for me, that there is some more work to be done in Thezan in February in anticipation of the full, commercial launch of their Chambre d'Hote in the spring.

Another trip to Thezan is, without doubt, something to look forward to!!

The view from the terrace of the Chambre d'Hote looking over the roof-tops of Thezan towards the Pyrenees.

With any luck, this will be my view as I eat my lunch in February!!

Extraordinary, eroded rocks at Roquebrun just a few miles from Thezan where we walk and swim (when I'm allowed downtime from the work!)

Work in progress on the kitchen back in March 2009.

Bed and headboard in one of bedrooms.

We created a similar headboard, to provide an 'island of comfort and efficiency', in each of the four bedrooms and as a deliberate contrast to the charming old rooms and the eclectic furniture items that we found in local brocantes.

One of the wardrobes. See what I mean by the 'contrast'?

This trip down to Thezan will provide me with the chance to take some shots of the 'finished product'.

And finally, as a designer, I was delighted that it was a 'product design' project that won the Young Scientist competition this year.

Richard O'Shea's cooking stove, that can be made from recycled metal, without a need for sophisticated tools and is fuelled by waste matter or biomass, is not only innovative but shows an exceptional understanding of a universal need in the undeveloped world.

And, to my mind, that Richard's stove should come to prominence during the same week that the tragedy that is Haiti is unfolding gives it a particular resonance: it would surely be a god-send to each and every homeless family in that god-forsaken corner of our word.