A Decade Later 2018

Instauration
Noun (in-staw-rey-shuh-n)
Renewal; Restoration; Renovation; Repair.

Whether used to describe an action or state of mind, the word for our year is INSTAURATION.
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This New Year 2018 rings in 10 years of the instauration of Montegut. We have reached a milestone, a decade of ownership quite literally a sea change in our lives.

While structural repair of Montegut may appear visually profound, it is the process that forever altered our lives.  So when I say or write Montegut, it is the entity, literally, to which I refer.

Our first glimpse of Montegut came with the unexpected reunion of a large extended family separated by more than a century. Each trip reintroduces us to more of its personal history and reinforces our resolve to restore what remains of the nearly lost legacy of Dargeles' Montegut. We still eagerly listen to stories passed from generation to generation, renewing a bond that seems to have come full circle. As each family member shares their connection to the maison familiale, our understanding and appreciation increases.

Here is a small section of the Crazy Quilt of projects crossed off our To-Do list!

Foremost was replacing a very big section of the roof. Operating heavy equipment was a bonus. Withstanding a major wind and rain storm the following year unscathed was the reward!

While Barry was supervised and drove the Manatu, I kept busy painting the shutters returning them to their original bleu ciel (sky blue) color. I happily left the heavy lifting to those with nonrational fear of heights.

The new year also reminds us how much we have accomplished. And much more there is to do. Year after year, our trips have become more focused as our projects are planned in advance—first the preservation of la maison, then the room by room restoration. We gradually extended our time from 3 or 4 weeks to 3 months and then to 5 months, completing essential and discretionary projects.

They really are the color of the sky!

Then giving the ancient oak doors a boost with numerous coats of beeswax and hand polishing.

All while Barry re-built damaged interior walls, re-plastered, sanded, and painted walls and window frames and doors.

So far, he has completed 6 rooms plus the loft space, which is approx 20'X 45. The stairwell which is close to 30' high and 10' X 14' ....  of course, the ceilings had to be scraped, patched and painted as well!

Together we managed to renovate the entire upper level of Montegut!

There were many exterior upgrades, including a new Septic Fosse, Exterior paint, Courtyard gravel, new hardscaping to create a shade garden, a stairway to the upper barn area.

 The instauration of Montegut shall prevail!

And if you have, thanks for reading.

    Aurevior