Hmmmm, kind of, but you can't cook your food inside a website, and it's built from bits of code, not built bricks and mortar, so I have a lot of respect for the handy man with an aesthetic eye.

Well. Had a couple of good days. It helps that I'm building under cover! The vault is made. I need now to get on and cover it in the vermiculite layer to act as an insulation. From here on in it gets easier.

The chimney's started. Because we have good weather here, I can now take a couple of days to take off the roof of the lean-to, extend the chimney upwards then re-cut the roof to fit before sealing again.

A few pics of progress.

Wow, it looks really great, well done you.

I'd put up with the toenail clippings in the pizza just to get close enuff to examine that - were the arch stones pre-cut or did you do them?

As Klingons would say - "Impressive".

Hi Andy.

No, they're full refractory bricks shaped around a former I made out of cardboard nailed to wooden cut-outs in the shape of an arch. There were two of 'em screwed together to form two archways. One's for the chimney access at the front. The other, smaller arch inside allows the oven to be 'sealed' with a door I've yet to make.

Ta for the nice comments.

You're just too clever for your own good, it looks like something off the Jamie Oliver TV Programme.

Lol! Thanks Ann, I think!

Well, it's getting better. I've applied a coating of béton refractaire all over the coque (shell). This acts as insulation for the firebricks. The chimney is at the height I want it at now - just poking through the roof of the lean-to. I've put chicken wire all around the chimney so's the enduit will stick when I begin to apply it later today.

Tomorrow, when the béton's dried out more, I'll be lighting a very small fire inside to drive out any moisture. I'll keep this fire going for a few days, then if cracks should appear at this stage, then they're easily repairable. If & when I'm happy, then I'll start putting on the next layers of insulation - sheets of laine de roche over aluminium foil. Then it's chicken wire again and a final 3cm coat of enduit made from chaux and ciment!

Then we paint it white!

Pics of progress.

You realise now you've put all this time and effort into its construction (it's looking fantastic incidentally), you have to maintain the bread-making discipline. My parents bought one of those bread maker things, which was great for about 3 months, then it never got to see the light of day again. My GF wants to get a waffle making machine, but I told her, we'd use it for a month, then we'd be sick of waffles and it will just end up in a cupboard for the rest of eternity. We want to see monthly photographs of your oven in use to ensure it does not get neglected! And should any of us pass by your neck of the woods, I think a free bread tasting session ought to be arranged (with a touch of local cheese and red wine!). Ahhhhh, bread, cheese and wine - I think I could live off this combination without want for anything more.

You mean you don't already? Tsk!

I lit the first small fire in her belly yesterday, the curing process has started. In a week, she should be ready to cook pizzas and bread! Photos to follow, don't worry!

you really didn't have to go to all this trouble for us you know
looks fantastic.
can I have anchovies and capers on my pizza please

Sorry Val - NO FISH allowed in MY bread oven - sacrilege!

Had a BBQ with friends in the barn last night, I lit a small curing fire in there to show them how it works, it became quite toasty in there with the fire on!

Well, I have quite a big fire going on in there this morning, everything appears to be drying out nicely. No cracks in the outer layer, though it is a bit warm to the touch - to be expected I think.

All I have left to do now is make a door for the front of the woodstore beneath, place some nice lengths of wood around the horizontal to hide the refractory cement layer, and paint/crepi the parpaings.

C'est fini!

Pizza party at ours soon....

Latest pics taken just half an hour ago.

Are you in a position to take orders,if so can i be your agent in France?

Thats is for Ovens Not Bread;

Lol Stan! You get the orders mate, I'll build 'em!

They're actually fairly simple though. Not sure if folks would want to pay someone to build these things. Might be pleasantly surprised though!

No think you are right,but then again there are Brits with money to burn in France,so will let you know,
But think the walk each morning for the bread ,is better for my sante.
Bonne Chance

It's more of a drive for the bread for us each morning! By the time we got it back here, it'd be stale! Good job I have a bread oven, eh?

Spring & summer's different as we have a boulanger friend who delivers for us!

I know what you mean about some Brits having money to burn! Moi? J'ai rien!

Still, if you find a mug, er I mean someone who wants to part with their cash in exchange for a unique and belle addition to their garden furniture, then let me know! I've kep all the material costs & quantities, it's just time & travel then...

Bonne journée!

Well you get the place you pay for ,or hope for,we all make our own heaven or hell in France,
I can walk 10mins to the Canton and get the bread,and have a chat with the Gens on the way.
But the life i have and made ,would not be for all.