So sad

 This lunchtime I received a message from our friend Jo in the south of France to tell us that her husband Dave had passed away.

I first came across them when posting in Living France magazine forums. She and Dave had bought an old mill, the mill itself was derelict, but the attached barn was in fair condition. They travelled down for a number of years on holiday doing various jobs whilst they were there, even spent Christmas there one year. Conditions were spartan although they improved after they bought an old land Rover and took down a cast iron Rayburn cooker in various bits. Dave used the land rover when later they put up the joists for the bedroom floor. The joists were loaded onto the roof of the land rover and driven into the barn, they were then hoisted into place by Dave and a friend on two step ladders. Dave made fantastic french doors, 3 sets that were in the sitting room and replaced windows as well.

We visited them in 2008, we had been on holiday in Vias Plage and Jo invited us to stay a night. There were such friendly people, we went out to lunch with them and some friends, and spent the evening talking.......we intended to return for a longer stay, but Edwins health began to break down and we were not able to see them again, although we kept in touch.

3 years ago Jo mailed me that Dave had leukemia and was very ill. He was put on a very new drug and although he never really recovered he was able to resume life again.

We are so sad that another friend has passed away and wonder what Jo will do now. I have written to her.

Dave, myself and Jo in the sitting room just before we left to start our journey home.

The mill, as you can see the roof of the mill itself has fallen in, however the sloping roof to the right covers the barn which they had renovated when we were there. The mill was in a deep valley, the mill stream flowed through the grounds, and Dave blocked if off behind the house to form a natural swimming pool with  a diversion if there was heavy rain and the water rose. In the winter they were often cut off by heavy snowdrifts.