It's a bit cut off here, cold too. I have a daily ritual at the moment to try and capture the evening light. I don't really do it justice but it's one of the perks of being here.

 We have a new thing to get us out and enjoy our surroundings. Also you can easily seize up at this time of year so we need to find exercise. We drove to nearby Panneçot and set off towards the Loire. It's, I think around 30 kms from Panneçot maybe a bit more. After 3 hours cycling we reached Chaumigny near Cercy La Tour and got back to Panneçot. It's just along smooth flat tracks along the canal but it's a start. I used to cycle lots but since living up in the mountains without a bicycle it's been impossible. We are still trying to get our van fixed. After taking it to a local garage to get a new starter motor it's been quite a saga. Now we are looking at the spring to get it going again. It's a big, tight heavy diesel engine that needs warmth after being stood for so long. It will mean we can take bicycles on outings namely down South again.

Most buildings went up around here around 1830's this one unfortunately fell down around 50 years ago. I'm sure it's still savable. The arch has survived well.

I find dresses appropriate attire. Hats gloves and scarf too.

Lots of this long outstretched paths. We did see a couple of dog walkers, one other cyclist a dead fox frozen in the canal.

He must have tried to cross the frozen water. Unfortunately I couldn't get the image out of my mind.

Ragodin. We also saw 2 water voles and Comorants an Egret and a flock of birds I couldn't identify. Need binoculars.

Icy.

Isenay.

Panneçot pronounced Pan-sew.

Tonights flash of orange.

I've had all these small square canvasses for awhile. Needed to reinvigorate what I'm doing. I also took outside for a short while today before the sun went in and it looked like it might rain.

Crazy clashing painting clothes.

 Sun was shining today so we took advantage and cycled from Chatillon en Bazois towards Corbigny. I used my new bicycle. I never buy new things. I did try looking for an old one but I cracked this time. It's such pleasant and gentle exercise. Not a warm day but when winter comes crashing in here it's a great way of being out and about. 

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The écluse is a french lock.

Comorants and I saw a kingfisher and Coypu the large rat like creature that swims below.

Iced over water.

Fancy being a river rat? This boat called Manouche means Gypsy Jazz. 

Looking a bit messy. It's strangely addictive
 scraping off the layers. I'm hoping it'll be worth the effort but I'm not sure at this stage. It feels a bit like I'm de-constructing a house. But for me I love to see what's underneath and to reveal the parts of the buildings that seem to me to be the most precious. It still feels that I'm treading a fine line between mess and beauty.

Sinks.

The original sink in the background was at some point painted in red gloss paint.I have been trying to remove the paint but it's strangely pretty.   Under low light it's more attractive almost churchy 

Imagine doing all your washing up here.

The sun came out today so I did a bit more scraping. The windows of my cottage are built of thick stone beautifully chiselled

The paint on the stone has begun to degrade, it's started to flake off so scraping is quite simple with a palette knife then a wire brush. It's just knowing where to stop. I just went back and wire brushed off the tile sides along the window sills. I love the way it's coming along. Sore shoulders now.
I am looking for cuisinieres now. There are some beauties for sale. It's the French equivalent of an Aga, Rayburn or a range. They burn wood or coal and they also can be used to cook on and heat water. There advertised as heating the whole house. There are still a lot of old ones for sale here. They can be rather expensive new or there are second hand ones especially 60's plain white enamel ones or 1930's type enamel ones all sorts of colours and can be highly decorated. Here