Tag Archives: argeles

Odd things to do in Argeles -sur-Mer

Posted on April 30, 2019 by coteetcampagne

It’s a glorious morning in Argeles and the birds are singing like crazy in the trees outside. Bronte and Trevor are eating porridge. I am on apartment snag-list patrol. Long time followers will remember some of my previous rants about … Continue reading →

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Bedroom decoration and refurbishment

Posted on May 12, 2018 by coteetcampagne

Still no luck finding a new changeover person for the Argeles apartment, so doing that ourselves right now. As the apartment has not been decorated for a while, and the bedroom was just a white box, we decided to bite … Continue reading →

Posted in Antique and Vintage finds, Art, design and inspiration blog, What we did, how we did it and what we used | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Big Log- and (warning) this is a Rant

Posted on March 3, 2018 by coteetcampagne

So, the weather is, apparently, dire in the UK. So dire in fact that the UK offices I deal with (for the Day Job) were closed for part of this week for the first time in 25 years. So, Government … Continue reading →

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Argeles- and the sun set slowly over the shreds of my sanity…

Posted on October 5, 2017 by coteetcampagne

Well it felt like that anyway. With a significant increase in guests at the seaside apartment this season, we have also experienced a few “less kind” reviews. I won’t go into detail but it’s not been very nice. Fortunately, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, design and inspiration blog, Food and wine, Renovation and restoration diary- France | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Argeles-sur-Mer late spring cleaning, and another layer of the story #2 

Posted on June 24, 2017 by coteetcampagne

Takes the biscuit really.Why, if all you had to do was lift the drop latch to close the shutters, would you hack at the latch assembly & surrounding wood with a butter knife instead? We have no idea, but at … Continue reading →

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Argeles-sur-Mer late spring cleaning #1

Posted on June 20, 2017 by coteetcampagne

One of the many benefits of living here at the French house is that we can actually spend time at, or even have a holiday at the Argeles apartment! Many others have benefited, including family and friends, just NOT US.This … Continue reading →

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Project B- Argeles again

Posted on May 9, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Long term followers will know that our  Project B was, after  buying the village house in Campagne- sur- Aude, to find a second seaside bolthole. We had considered buying in UK, but that made no sense if we are relocating … Continue reading →

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Le Weekend en Argeles

Posted on April 9, 2016 by coteetcampagne

Well we could have done a spot more work at the village house. But the Pyrenees and the 7km beach were calling siren-style. So we went down to the apartment at Argeles-sur-Mer (Pyrenees-Orientales, Sud de France) Sometimes one forgets why … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three – little tapestry style mats and vintage themed bedlinen

Posted on May 14, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I have just acquired these little heraldic themed mats in coloured silk with the look of medieval tapestries and  edged in a gimp braid with fine old gilt wire woven in. All hand sewn I will look for a vintage … Continue reading →

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Ten things I wish someone had told me about letting a holiday home

Posted on May 3, 2015 by coteetcampagne

To wrap up the Argeles apartment posts for now, here are ten handy hints if you are thinking of letting any space, small or large. Some we learned the hard way, so you get the heads up right here- 1) … Continue reading →

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Episode 112- Argeles apartment, part 2

Posted on May 1, 2015 by coteetcampagne

There is still stuff to do at the Argeles apartment, but just minor things like boxing in a run of pipework and losing the textured wall covering in the bedroom. Oh, and the shower room tiles, though in good condition … Continue reading →

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Episode 112- Compact and bijou, a little pied–à–terre, part 1

Posted on April 27, 2015 by coteetcampagne

I don’t post much about the seaside apartment, as the village house tends to be all-consuming, but to save you wading back through this INTERMINABLE diary of mine, here are a few facts and a few photos.   Our apartment … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three- Serendipity and waterlilies; les nénuphars

Posted on June 11, 2014 by coteetcampagne

I have hung the first picture” Les nénuphars” (waterlilies) up at the French village house, in the terrace bedroom, which is not far off completion. This feels like a big step. I found this in a troc (junk shop ) … Continue reading →

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Episode 65- French living for beginners

Posted on May 6, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, forced relaxation…2014 I don’t want to relax, but we don’t have a choice right now. Trevor is not in any state to Do It Himself so we nearly have a proper holiday. (I say nearly, things are never … Continue reading →

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Episode 64- WWWHHHYYYY MMMEEEEEE???????!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on April 25, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, complete bloody frustration…. My friend Pam has sent us this image, and the way things are going, we will probably be about 100 before we manage to move full time to France and toast in front of the … Continue reading →

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Episode 63- An epic “to do” list….April 2014

Posted on April 24, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, apprehension Energy levels permitting (Trevor is not 100%) we have started a new “to do ” list for village house during our very imminent trip to France. This includes:- 1) Make & hang the Languedocien style door for … Continue reading →

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Episode 52- OMG what’s happening!!!

Posted on March 14, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, trepidation We haven’t been able to get over to France since October last. Naturally I am worrying that:- 1) The roof has blown off Maison Priest and all my new decor is ruined 2) The neighbours think we … Continue reading →

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Episode 46- South of France, colour inspiration

Posted on February 16, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation,restoration, colours and  inspiration-May 2012 I am beginning to understand why artists who have spent time in the South of France have rhapsodised about the quality of light and the way it creates the unique colours here. left- Snow topped … Continue reading →

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Episode 45- Angst and Anguish at Apartment 45-AAARRRGGGHHH!

Posted on February 13, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, bureaucratic frustration…..Summer 2012 It is a truth universally acknowledged ( As a famous lady author stated in a somewhat different context) that just when you are are congratulating yourself on how swimmingly things are pootling along, at last,  … Continue reading →

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The Thursday Three..

Posted on January 9, 2014 by coteetcampagne

Yes I have been out and about cushion hunting again ( I think this is becoming a certifiable medical condition) “But Doctor, the cushions are calling to me!” More Finds For France, bien sur Right- £3 from Store twentyone!    … Continue reading →

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Episode 35- In which I dream of kitchens and bathrooms…

Posted on January 2, 2014 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, insulation..2011 Thanks to my little incident with the light fitting in the salon (see earlier post-BANG!!!), we are literally in the dark for our first visit to France in 2011. I have had enough by day two, candlelight … Continue reading →

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Episode 31- 1,000 miles in the back of a Land Rover- Part 2

Posted on December 22, 2013 by coteetcampagne

Renovation, restoration, diversion …………..August 2010 We go over to some friends for drinks and are almost over the bridge when we realise we have forgotten the wine.We turn back and the elderly ladies who convene on the benches every night … Continue reading →

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Episode 26- Blown Away again

Posted on December 14, 2013 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, more inspiration I have been painting and drawing for as long as I can remember, but apart from using landscapes in some of my allegorical paintings I have never been inspired before to paint views. All this has … Continue reading →

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Episode 23- Allchange

Posted on December 9, 2013 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, decisions- Late March 2010 We drove over to France in March 2010 in the old Kia Sportage, packed to the gunnels as usual. What a workhorse!? She isn’t cheap on fuel and this is a long trip but … Continue reading →

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Episode 19- French property renovation(Hot Spots,part deux)

Posted on December 1, 2013 by coteetcampagne

Summer 2009-We take a break from work on the house as there is absolutely no point doing any further plastering, panelling or decoration or constructing new floors or ceilings until the rewiring can be done. This is frustrating for me, … Continue reading →

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Gallery 2- Argeles holiday apartment

Posted on November 27, 2013 by coteetcampagne

Compared with renovating the house, the apartment is a walk in the park- now available for rental. Contact us for booking direct & best holiday rental rates  and offers. Or you can book via Holiday Lettings/Trip advisor  – property ID … Continue reading →

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Episode 9-Hideous woman in holiday home horror!…

Posted on October 2, 2013 by coteetcampagne

renovation, restoration, reflection Winter 2007 Things seemed finally to be on the up, or so I thought. I seemed to have recovered pretty well from my surgery (the new saggy granny-belly apart) we had sold our house and had some … Continue reading →

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