Why is it that every DIY job throws up snags?  After stripping, wire-brushing, filling, sanding and washing the ceiling, I went to put on some paint and it immediately came away, together with flakes of what I guess must be distemper.  So we're going to have to spend a couple of noisy, dirty days scraping it all off.  Then no doubt filling, sanding and washing again.  We've decided to have a few days off.

Which is handy.  A former colleague of Martyn's and her husband have parked their camper up the hill from us, and spent most of yesterday afternoon and evening with us round the dining table, watching the rain and listening to the thunder.  Today looks better, so we hope to show them some favourite views up in the hills - and take them for pizzas in Limoux.  Then we're off to lunch with friends near Sète tomorrow.  Then back to decorating.  I estimate at least a further week's work, so it'll pretty much swallow up the rest of our stay here.