This week's sunny skies have laid to rest the dismal experience of our historically wet winter. Granite buildings stand the test of time but sometimes, there's just too much water and wind damage for even the sturdiest to absorb without gasping for relief. NTG's Le Moulin de Quanteraine, a sleepy valley hamlet in St Pierre du Bois, took an inescapable hit this year. No surprise, as the properties are in a classic mill location, making the most of naturally streaming water. We had a little more than that, with flood waters reaching well over a foot at entrance doors. Being the sponge that it is, the Granite did a natural job. The damp rose and migrated as a passenger, free to roam. Then came the wind and our lovely barn, which was just about holding her skirts down, lost bits of her hat. Too much of the roof flew into the wind. Spring is here and so are urgent repair work. At time of writing, the granite is being re-pointed and the roof is being repaired. When your roving reporter went down to catch a glimpse, the day was hot, the sun was high and hessian sheets hanging against the granite, were being sprayed with water to prevent the new pointing drying out too quickly. Whether you live in Guernsey or are visiting, this secret corner of Guernsey is unique. There is nothing to hear, other than a babbling brook, birdsong .. and, right now, geese protecting their young. It's truly a time and nature capsule. Our lovely stonemasons sigh at being 'on location'. I wish I'd taken a picnic and a chair ... Moulin de Quanteraine NTG's Moulin de Quanteraine's Waterwheel 2013 NTG's Moulin de Quanteraine's Barn in 2013 prior to 2014 restoration to repair damp and water ingress NTG's Moulin de Quanteraine's Barn 2013 prior to 2014 repair for damp and water ingress NTG's Moulin de Quanteraine 2014 repair work due to damp and water ingress NTG's Moulin de Quanteraine. Re-pointing granite work and examining the roof.
