Lost in France

Today we decided to do a fairly short cycle ride as we had a Skype session arranged for 10.30 a.m. with my daughter.  Sarah lives on the other side of the world in Sydney so these sessions are very precious to us.

We planned to ride through the woods, a gentle descent through donkey valley, past the wood yard and back via our bastide town.  Back home in plenty of time for our Skyping. After we came out of the woods Paul suggested we try a different route down to the wood yard.

“Only if you know the way, I don’t want to miss Sarah.”

“Don’t worry, I know the way.”

We came to a fork in the road. 

“I think we should turn left here down to the farm.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Paul replied and without further ado turned right.  The hard surface turned into a gravel track leading upwards into the forest.

“I don’t think this is the right way.”

“There’s a horse sign, it will lead somewhere.”

Actually it was a very pretty ride through the forest, bouncing along the gravel track and trying to avoid potholes, except we didn’t have a clue where we were.  Eventually the forest spat us out and we found ourselves back in donkey valley on a road we recognised.  I did my fastest time ever cycling up the hill home.  I really didn’t want to miss that Skype session.

Sewing Bee was far more entertaining this week. The focus was on children’s clothes. Jamie’s tweed tailored cape was beautifully made and Angeline’s red cape with tartan godet and bow was delightful.  But what really made me chuckle was poor Ghislaine’s attempt at making a babygrow (sleepsuit).  It had a wonky gusset and one of the legs was inside out and just looked so funny lined up with all the near perfect ones.  You really don’t want a wonky gusset.

Trugs

Big Trug

Carved Mushroom

This giant trug was the splendid centrepiece for the town's Felibree celebrations a few years ago. At that time it was filled it with carved wooden mushrooms (this area is renowned for its mushrooms and chestnuts). Now it stands next to a roundabout as you approach the bastide town, empty apart from one forlorn mushroom.

This little trug is one that I bought recently at a car boot for two euros.

Little Trug

I was happily picking the strawberries this morning when I realised that I could only see half the strawberry bed.  The tell tale kaleidoscope pattern obscuring my vision signaled a sudden migraine.  I rarely get this type of headache but find it most peculiar because the headache doesn't start until about half an hour later, after the visual disturbance has subsided. 

"Take some tablets."
"No, my head isn't hurting, I just can't see properly."

Half an hour later.  "Where is the panadol?"

I think I'll just have to lie down in a darkened room for the rest of the day.

Far From The Madding Crowd

Diane the Dawg has just been round for her daily treat.  I’ve had to decant her biscuits into a plastic container after Paul stuck his hand into the original cardboard box and pulled out a mouse.  He let out a very high pitched squeak.  The mouse didn’t utter a word.

Another peaceful day has passed in our hamlet (apart from a few low flying air force jets). All I can hear is the chirping of the cicadas in the meadow.  We seem far removed from the troubles of the country – national strikes, city riots, fuel shortages, etc.  We do very little motoring out here so our tank of diesel will probably last the summer.  If we can’t get petrol for the mower then we’ll just let the grass grow high.  I suppose there’s always the chance that the supermarket shelves will be empty the next time we go shopping.

In the meantime I shall stick my head in the sand and continue to enjoy my quiet, pastoral life. While the world is in turmoil I have been messing around in the garden and turned Paul’s potting shelf into a fernery.  When the lantern is lit after dark it looks quite atmospheric – just needs a few dancing fairies and toadstools.

The Frenchman Who Kicked The Hornets Nest

One hot summer's day last year Paul was cutting the laurel hedge with his shears when he stumbled across a large hornets’ nest.  He made a hasty retreat! A tentative, closer inspection of the insects revealed them to be Asian hornets. This dreaded insect not only has a horrid sting but has colonised huge swathes of France and, with a few hornets capable of destroying 30,000 bees in just a couple of hours, honey production has plummeted.

Paul went to look for Philippe, our neighbour.  He was out so Paul spoke to his wife Patricia, to ask if she had a contact number for the local Pest Controller.  She did. “But they will charge you 70 euros,” she added.  A hefty fee but we clearly couldn’t leave the nest in situ. 

Later that afternoon, before Paul had been able to make any ‘phone calls, an apparition appeared in our garden.  It was Philippe dressed in wellington boots, a heavy oilskin coat and matching hat.  He was pushing a wheelbarrow containing a gas bottle with an oxy acetylene torch.

My pleas for caution were ignored and without further ado Philippe merrily lit the flame thrower and thrust it into the middle of the hornets’ nest.  The hornets were instantly incinerated, they certainly didn’t suffer.  Unfortunately a large section of our laurel hedge was incinerated too.  Still, at least it didn’t cost us 70 euros.

Photos for Rachel

Sitting Room

Through the looking glass

Candle Snuffer

A bit of rustic!

Too Much Wine

A hot, sunny day so we were out early on our bikes.  (I need to work on my cycling style as Paul says my feet stick out when I pedal.)

We rode out to Besse.  This is the view of the church before you drop down into the village.

This ornate metal cross depicting the Virgin Mary is at the side of the road just before entering the village.  A pretty rose bush has been planted next to it, the blooms matching almost exactly the flowers on the painted garland.

We had lunch outside on the terrace today.  We drank far too much wine.  It's too hot to write a blog so I will just post some more photos of the garden. Tonight they have forecast a big storm and rain tomorrow.

 

Tonight's storm will probably wreck these blooms

Herb garden.  I love sprinkling chive flowers over salads.