The building

Much of the materials are recycled from the original building: beams were given new leases of life, stone walls put back up. Most of the stuff not refurbished comes from the local area - they have tonnes of wood from their own forests, which they sent to be cut into beams and planks - but some of the more 'builders merchant' stuff comes from further afield.

Presevation of what was there has been their most important goal. They wanted to hang on to the place's heritage and vernacular by sticking to old traditions. They haven't changed the layout of the interiors, not added modern twists other than the essentials. Lots of exposed stone work etc. And they cleaned every roof tile by hand before putting it back.

Energy conservation

Lots of sheep's wool insulation throughout the building - this was one of his biggest jobs when sorting out the house. Many of the lightbulbs are low energy (even in their own house, so it's not for show), though not all. A solar hot-water (thermal) system does the showers and hot taps.

A biomass boiler is a sophisticated system that they had part-grand funded. Huge logs are fed into a central heating system that produces hardly any smoke, and does the central heating system in their house and the gites. Entirely fed by their own logs, which Andre cuts down as part of his sustainable forest management.

Double glazing throughout, to keep heat in. Their plan is to become off-grid, i.e. self-sufficient. But they have to scrimp and save to get to that point given that everything's so expensive (renewable tech) and their income comes almost entirely from the smallholding.

Reducing/recycling waste

They tell guests about the recycling bins in the garage - all organic stuff is given to the animals. They have a fosse septique, a septic tank that works on natural biodigesting principles. Means you can't put artificial chemicals down the drains. Water from the tank, once cleaned, passes out into the riverway.

Water conservation

Dual-flush toilet cisterns. Their water comes from a spring behind the house, so they are very conscious of where their supplies come from and the need to conserve it. Their pool - possibly the greatest oddity re water use - is fed from that spring and is salt water, not chlorinated.

Carbon neutral?

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