“Les projets d’été”, as the do-it-yourself shops call them. In France August is the great holiday month. Most people go off for a month's holiday (the same month and to the same places, so the roads and resorts are packed) but a few stay home and carry out d-i-y projects around the house. Since Ruth and I are constantly on holiday and simultaneously and constantly "en projet", we line up for the summer months those jobs which need to be carried out before winter. Last year our priorities were to sort out the garden and insulate and improve the heating of the house. This year we were able to direct our efforts towards "desirable" rather than "essential".
When we bought the house, there were two ugly tin sheds on the adjoining piece of land awaiting the time when it was to become a building site. Every time we sat outside drinking coffee or having a meal, we would think how good it would be not to have to see the two sheds. Solution - we bought the bigger one for use as a studio for Ruth. Now parked overlooking the vegetable garden and chickens (see below) I provided it with insulated floor, walls and ceiling and power and light. Photo above and beneath. Ruth now has a refuge - although I may get around to putting a phone in there - where she can throw ideas and paint around without needing to be concerned about the mess, relatively cool in summer and warm enough, we hope, in winter. 
