User:Jouandediu

Jouandediu (Maison Jandedieu in French and Etchegoyen to many locals) is the name of my home in Montori (Xiberoa/La Soule) My interest in the Basque WikiProject was the reason for the creation of this userpage with that name.

I am David Marshall, an Anglo/Irishman who began visiting the Pays Basque in the 1990s, and finally bought the house (with my wife Natasha Isabelle) in 2004. I now try to live there most of the time, when I am not in Skerries, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

I have a strong sense of my own history, and carry on a family oral tradition running back over a thousand years. That history contains no reference to the Basques, but the Friels were part of the Norman invasion of England who made it over to Ireland (as Frizelles) a couple of years before Strongbow, followed by the Marshalls. And I think that history and my own place in it, leads me to identify with the rural culture of Xiberoa.

Jouandediu - the house - I'm still learning about the history of the house and the people who have lived in it... and their neighbours and the lives they led. Slowly we are restoring it. A new roof has taught us about the differing techniques of roofing across the Pays Basque. A traditional 4 slope Souletine roof. Slate on oak and no faitage, one small lucarne to the front of the house and a couple of velux "encastre" below the line of the slate replace the old lights. A distinct difference to the heavier red terracotta roof found over to the west. We've learned much about the uses of the grenier and the comble. Now we are restoring the traditional balcony...same story... lots to learn.

Basque WikiProject: If anyone want to contact me with a specific request for help, please do.