<p>Wooden pallets for a bed. A family flannel. A toilet that froze solid. A husband sleeping next to the Rayburn all winter so it didn't go out.</p><p>Nobody's Instagram feed is showing you this - but Rosie, Sue and Micala are! In this episode, all three hosts share their own living-on-site stories, and they've asked listeners to do the same. The results are equal parts hilarious, grim and genuinely inspiring.</p><p>Expect to come away knowing how to make living on site work - without getting burnt out, destroying your relationship, or going without a wash!</p><p></p><p><strong>Resources mentioned:</strong></p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/renovationsinfrance">Renovations in France</a> — the Facebook group where listener comments were gathered for this episode.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/jan/11/year-in-provence-peter-mayle"><em>A Year in Provence</em></a> by Peter Mayle — referenced by a listener as the root cause of many a French renovation pipe dream.</li></ul><p><strong>Mini glossary:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Fosse septique</strong> — a septic tank; the standard wastewater treatment system in rural France where mains drainage is unavailable.</li><li><strong>Ratafia</strong> — a sweet, fortified fruit liqueur traditional to several French regions, often made by local farmers.</li><li><strong>Rayburn</strong> — a range cooker that also provides central heating and hot water; popular in older rural properties but notoriously demanding to keep running.</li><li><strong>Franglais</strong> — a casual mix of French and English, often used by anglophones living in France when their vocabulary runs out.</li><li><strong>Lieu-dit</strong> — an informal place name used to identify a hamlet or locality in rural France, often used as an address where no street number exists.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Connect:</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/frenchrenodiaries">Facebook</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/frenchrenodiaries">Instagram</a></p><p>Subscribe to the newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.frenchrenodiaries.com">www.frenchrenodiaries.com</a></p><p>Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>