tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78938615467207158712024-03-13T21:13:35.922+01:00Des Reves in FranceA tale of two rivers, from the Tyne to the Lot. How two Geordies found a new life in France.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-61083596711545144462009-10-21T10:43:00.007+02:002009-10-22T20:41:54.652+02:00Llangollen....................<div align="center">Trevor Hall</div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7y3m77mV3EK_3TrZw9Lr_YhG4NOPp69YSJdgF9az2jgP1aGqa2vBA4jDya128Ys-t-w7pb4KfPvEe-QNr_b-k8Sa9-Rx_hNCIayrETCRHijdsofceJazl7HZb28Cj9SW719AfQbZvChn/s1600-h/trevor+hall.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394977628079923666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG7y3m77mV3EK_3TrZw9Lr_YhG4NOPp69YSJdgF9az2jgP1aGqa2vBA4jDya128Ys-t-w7pb4KfPvEe-QNr_b-k8Sa9-Rx_hNCIayrETCRHijdsofceJazl7HZb28Cj9SW719AfQbZvChn/s320/trevor+hall.jpg" border="0" /></a> Trevor Hall, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Llangollen</span>, North Wales or as we say to all our french friends Pays <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Galles</span>. A beautiful and special country house set in glorious countryside and the venue for the most wonderful and happy weekend ever.</div><div align="left">Yes Matt and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bethan</span> were married at 3.30 on Saturday 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> September 2009, in front of family and very special friends who had travelled from all corners of the globe to witness and take part in the best wedding ever, in the best wedding venue ever............ </div>Even the Welsh weather behaved itself on the day and we were able to enjoy the grounds of the hall while drinking champagne and meeting new friends and family.........the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Jones's</span>.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTounWSPmZo8AYnC1WtS7MPx8C6BOMllJSVF_dLh1e3OmUfNkb6r7PDy38_8UKHd4d-FNI4MlrQeaXvIuVIs-ZIwIb1goZOjOzhH6taAfUIAl-Mn3AOZbo7cw6ZiwM3nrrFHsJvlKptro/s1600-h/bethanbro.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394977503044327346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTounWSPmZo8AYnC1WtS7MPx8C6BOMllJSVF_dLh1e3OmUfNkb6r7PDy38_8UKHd4d-FNI4MlrQeaXvIuVIs-ZIwIb1goZOjOzhH6taAfUIAl-Mn3AOZbo7cw6ZiwM3nrrFHsJvlKptro/s320/bethanbro.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPU5zwjJ82Pv8Wj_aEZRlTVSXJmN403nCPn-kuVyUft4QPaXLJNqxG8arEfU84MHGc5qjt_UopGOMa0MSs197OHK54cg60Ij2xJyuOSwDw2ppsv5eFm5N__GUinrgghPYEyMCtUPmYkSd/s1600-h/IMG_0201_edited-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394977046324224642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPU5zwjJ82Pv8Wj_aEZRlTVSXJmN403nCPn-kuVyUft4QPaXLJNqxG8arEfU84MHGc5qjt_UopGOMa0MSs197OHK54cg60Ij2xJyuOSwDw2ppsv5eFm5N__GUinrgghPYEyMCtUPmYkSd/s320/IMG_0201_edited-1.jpg" border="0" /></a> What a stunning couple they make and obviously so happy together. We are very happy for them both, Matt is a very lucky man, not only does have a loving and beautiful wife but he also gets to be part of her wonderful family.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394976458475710434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbY3sJkdE0w5D8qUt8cB_Vz1jWmlfeLL-olOFtUsbnHTIMf8qWOO3o4xA-74rzrgJ-2EjSgriMzOJfyocIdHt7BCJbt1myc6VxfqL778sD7lMGkWdiYb-wxIMGfW0O_xlfoAewl0A-85u/s320/fosjon2.jpg" border="0" />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jones's</span> and the Fosters</p>We are now back home in south west France recovering and getting ready for the coming winter. The potager has given up most of its harvest, much of which is stored in the sous sol. We helped our neighbour with la vendange (grape harvest) and the other day there was a present from this years vintage waiting on the terrace for us. There is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">definitely</span> a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">rhythm</span> to life in this part of the world, that follows the seasons and the rest of the animal kingdom very closely. The busy summer is now over and the tourists have gone home, all the associated industries have closed down and what we are left with now is our village and countryside. It is time to gather in the wood to keep us warm in the coming months. Like other animals and plants we are shutting down for the winter, we will make the occasional forays for food but, like most of our neighbours we will spend time indoors until the spring is here and then we will cast open the shutters again and start the preparations for another busy summer........and so it goes.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-2765460856115500082009-08-21T23:44:00.013+02:002009-08-23T19:09:59.015+02:00Fete a Luziers.............................Time to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">celebrate</span> and what better than a chocolate fountain!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDowKAYfSNgK_fjbeXGpRXNOZw3JVIg_W8chv-JxfT4UMzapVyGG6u7_xac2HKpBajwL7SXkf93xi5Nw9UOzC8KwOzOvHg8SoP_x61IaIjdNkVKxksjADaG8L-ucd2qDVGgN8yswVhpaN/s1600-h/DSCF0321.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373194656554856898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDowKAYfSNgK_fjbeXGpRXNOZw3JVIg_W8chv-JxfT4UMzapVyGG6u7_xac2HKpBajwL7SXkf93xi5Nw9UOzC8KwOzOvHg8SoP_x61IaIjdNkVKxksjADaG8L-ucd2qDVGgN8yswVhpaN/s320/DSCF0321.jpg" /></a> August the 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span></span> was the Feast day of the Assumption of Mary and in France a public holiday. It also heralds the invasion of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Luziers</span></span> by our neighbours extended family. They come from all parts of France to spend the holidays with ' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mami</span></span>'............ in all around forty five, husbands, wives, children and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">grandchildren</span> and next year maybe three great grandchildren (they have said the new additions are staying with us next year!!) They are a wonderful family and it is a privilege for us to be part of the family when they are here.<br /><br /><br /><div>However, we do have the old bread oven of the hamlet!!</div><br /><br /><div>We knew when we bought the house that we would be expected to host the annual pizza party on the 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. It is the highlight of the holiday and the whole family and other neighbours gather at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">chez</span> nous, around the bread oven, to make pizza and drink wine and enjoy '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">une</span> belle soiree'. </div><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNlZ-AdOY0IyszaAFmuyXKZQEKJRz8vyiEg-aOIsCLIJevdLUG6CqfuXVOQuFWIqWaXfCsXuMUfAOdFFhS1PfZ7AzhqTZAUYNtfulDH7leP8ThrntdVcQzotpAeZ5tlez3OcLAzIxV9W0/s1600-h/DSCF0246.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373161881743549618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNlZ-AdOY0IyszaAFmuyXKZQEKJRz8vyiEg-aOIsCLIJevdLUG6CqfuXVOQuFWIqWaXfCsXuMUfAOdFFhS1PfZ7AzhqTZAUYNtfulDH7leP8ThrntdVcQzotpAeZ5tlez3OcLAzIxV9W0/s320/DSCF0246.jpg" /></a><br />The night was very warm and as you can see '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">les</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">pizzaiolos</span>' decided to work a la <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Chippendales</span>. Can't blame them really, they spent all night working in 50 degree temperatures around the oven. This of course made them very thirsty................</div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIHZSQDBKtybqH-TqXb3lRuUMUlAbHQsuFqXTpwlxIUKSInfPoPMM9-n8xDFNEZemSLHDtf70kjTgqM2MJexcs1Sa3yxWkGQQ7Za_OthK4CwBngdzLTUzsBEXWJ3Ow5ycQKF1ggmelOaa/s1600-h/DSCF0284.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373161154074221106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIHZSQDBKtybqH-TqXb3lRuUMUlAbHQsuFqXTpwlxIUKSInfPoPMM9-n8xDFNEZemSLHDtf70kjTgqM2MJexcs1Sa3yxWkGQQ7Za_OthK4CwBngdzLTUzsBEXWJ3Ow5ycQKF1ggmelOaa/s320/DSCF0284.jpg" /></a><br />............this is Frederick, the boss(written on his back in marker pen!) doing his stuff with the pizza. As the night wore on there was as much pizza on him as in the oven...................<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQThLDSzzo-3vhxeorF1R4aEQGMc0jhxT7ULvE9MuonAt2QjYQVBAPJl5-m6SrN0pKlZqSlr6Npuwd1BAu_zcxoA3LIelkjd91cPRqOWb7v2rQ_3XnUs_3jc2D8V1GchysAkx-KrMe5mbl/s1600-h/DSCF0308.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373160414063779442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQThLDSzzo-3vhxeorF1R4aEQGMc0jhxT7ULvE9MuonAt2QjYQVBAPJl5-m6SrN0pKlZqSlr6Npuwd1BAu_zcxoA3LIelkjd91cPRqOWb7v2rQ_3XnUs_3jc2D8V1GchysAkx-KrMe5mbl/s320/DSCF0308.jpg" /></a><br />..............and as Frederick, Arno and Simone quenched their thirst more and more(not with water) the thicker the dough became and the toppings became heavier and heavier...................<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtLEt6SiG6i4JLnNve42QN2lGmcWF_ZJ062VMEllwElShLxaRUlJN9saV9entwD1I_Br3oUTU-YbIzk-mLh95Uehpj44XgIDDJSssqashnutuIZSBZt8KLMSXp0Wjsh0NwYty0vTBDKXA/s1600-h/DSCF0297.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373159686948793730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtLEt6SiG6i4JLnNve42QN2lGmcWF_ZJ062VMEllwElShLxaRUlJN9saV9entwD1I_Br3oUTU-YbIzk-mLh95Uehpj44XgIDDJSssqashnutuIZSBZt8KLMSXp0Wjsh0NwYty0vTBDKXA/s320/DSCF0297.jpg" /></a> ..........joking aside the pizza was great and everyone <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">appreciated</span> their efforts and of course they made a great show of it. To finish the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">celebration</span> one of our other neighbours had provided a chocolate fountain as dessert.............chocolate hands and faces all round!(see first photo)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpbKL7jSK4iQMx42guFTqW-L8eJBdZprv9Un4evXCJVYLs7DUGHMQOxNPJKTGX0AOL0rLRTdLlg3GBMSKCAhY52WObBOIrMoH11OGAIQ34cmKGV1lMHrJoEQ_U3KdUCeI4JMj9PJRwaaW/s1600-h/DSCF0253.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373159007794837826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpbKL7jSK4iQMx42guFTqW-L8eJBdZprv9Un4evXCJVYLs7DUGHMQOxNPJKTGX0AOL0rLRTdLlg3GBMSKCAhY52WObBOIrMoH11OGAIQ34cmKGV1lMHrJoEQ_U3KdUCeI4JMj9PJRwaaW/s320/DSCF0253.jpg" /></a> After the party we all moved to our neighbours house for a game of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">petanque</span>.........<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQm7JeGsXDSfVtySdG0IpSJPFGBcEj1ASVRdNSYrgUrt425HDWyeB4zEfbj_eNjEtLzsPsk9FSI9b_lvo5VUoeFqn9ArSrS-EoVwUAwjHRZ8ML0bJ5UDCSbnU5DXNTAKY3UFp-HuHTR9a/s1600-h/DSCF0338.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372537980102612114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQm7JeGsXDSfVtySdG0IpSJPFGBcEj1ASVRdNSYrgUrt425HDWyeB4zEfbj_eNjEtLzsPsk9FSI9b_lvo5VUoeFqn9ArSrS-EoVwUAwjHRZ8ML0bJ5UDCSbnU5DXNTAKY3UFp-HuHTR9a/s320/DSCF0338.jpg" /></a> ........in a wonderful setting just beside the church.............it's very difficult to play <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">boules</span> in a dim light and after consuming several pints of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">vin</span> rouge! At least that was my excuse for a pretty dismal effort in front of all those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">frenchies</span>!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_HDOSSLbZ7i_-SjzKYOddIunApHFDmZwF1tY0EllSWuPrcp9hN5n1u5kXny-PtBemQusrgh7T7QdK68dxMHtz5_HEPrnplIWI-iMA03kvJKK7PRHPyeBj64WMV5HVGEc_oju2c6HQ3oc/s1600-h/DSCF0337.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372537315248785506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_HDOSSLbZ7i_-SjzKYOddIunApHFDmZwF1tY0EllSWuPrcp9hN5n1u5kXny-PtBemQusrgh7T7QdK68dxMHtz5_HEPrnplIWI-iMA03kvJKK7PRHPyeBj64WMV5HVGEc_oju2c6HQ3oc/s320/DSCF0337.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-41590242611995772402009-07-21T15:59:00.021+02:002009-07-22T16:17:20.134+02:00Mon Soixante .......................Last Friday I joined the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">sexagenarian</span> club and because Matt and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bethan</span> and my brother Keith were here for the weekend so were the celebrations. So with apologies to Jude this a birthday shoot out in no particular order............I would have had to think to carefully about how I was loading the photos to get the order correct.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bethan</span> and Matt arrived just in time to see their sunflower seeds come to fruition. They are the tallest <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">sunflowers I</span> have ever seen. Remember Matt is over 6 feet tall!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E8KrP8kxftxZcPbYyE0ThgN8JffeQ1CVkMkXZWID-PO1m-siT2FHN9EFqPumUWY23bjz-k2smW3eO5a_Tw25xdfSO-wqeKhqhHe0eDYngx-uhcQJdKQppqdKa-Lf6X2C32zvRb5Vh11Z/s1600-h/DSCF0202.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361255164537834658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E8KrP8kxftxZcPbYyE0ThgN8JffeQ1CVkMkXZWID-PO1m-siT2FHN9EFqPumUWY23bjz-k2smW3eO5a_Tw25xdfSO-wqeKhqhHe0eDYngx-uhcQJdKQppqdKa-Lf6X2C32zvRb5Vh11Z/s320/DSCF0202.jpg" /></a> On the Saturday after the party we had a lazy day in the garden after a late and long breakfast. Breakfast then morphed into a long boozy lunch, with much talk of wedding plans and the day <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">culminated</span> in a wine tasting session, more wedding planning and a session of dancing practice......<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCqdcc_bOIJQyhaRT07FQ77FEiL8aocxnv178wiunpSgKhzSeNI6x7lGVB-IpSVXOW509Hn4JPw2u4NRRfMNNNJJcA2tyETriioQGf7evrpiOmNGjn23Hcehy_FOAc2mcUf70N1OV-8QI/s1600-h/DSCF0193.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361254235456863538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCqdcc_bOIJQyhaRT07FQ77FEiL8aocxnv178wiunpSgKhzSeNI6x7lGVB-IpSVXOW509Hn4JPw2u4NRRfMNNNJJcA2tyETriioQGf7evrpiOmNGjn23Hcehy_FOAc2mcUf70N1OV-8QI/s320/DSCF0193.jpg" /></a> .............which as you can see didn't start off too well, mind you they were 2 bottles of rose and 4 bottles of red down by now!...................... however.............<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_2t714sashNm87Vslp01kyhT43VIf-K3WjTxOWFihUMvirCJaDrj_gMSdbhaHJ1lgXwsk2QSNtkUbMJ3MvzwTtJ7BR6ihpMJZuf30LVpn8RGjrEXM_ahxUIQFjqhE_G1ZAl86uQ8cWXR/s1600-h/DSCF0191.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361253649463730706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_2t714sashNm87Vslp01kyhT43VIf-K3WjTxOWFihUMvirCJaDrj_gMSdbhaHJ1lgXwsk2QSNtkUbMJ3MvzwTtJ7BR6ihpMJZuf30LVpn8RGjrEXM_ahxUIQFjqhE_G1ZAl86uQ8cWXR/s320/DSCF0191.jpg" /></a> things did improve as you can see............so hopefully the first dance will be fine..........no it will be more than fine! </div><br /><div>This photo shows wine tasting and wedding planning in progress. The 4 bottles of red in question, not quite finished.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BOfA8m78SgBrJP7JzEt2s36zR0rTtGVA6bV1kcRkoRGlFxY3B5HdkaS5QAx28ueuARqXbNY-d3PJzxyG8aCehUWeNgTMXEKemcBWGs_LsrnwFbd1fXRb5-CCrz4TngQJaQeSiPHWZtXa/s1600-h/DSCF0188.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361252890673811650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BOfA8m78SgBrJP7JzEt2s36zR0rTtGVA6bV1kcRkoRGlFxY3B5HdkaS5QAx28ueuARqXbNY-d3PJzxyG8aCehUWeNgTMXEKemcBWGs_LsrnwFbd1fXRb5-CCrz4TngQJaQeSiPHWZtXa/s320/DSCF0188.jpg" /></a> On Friday evening after the party we had booked a table at a local restaurant La Recreation which is in the village of Les <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Arques</span>. We are just about to tuck into dessert.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47C85dGvYdiEwNeeid9-2XsuRsbLi_ff-PKB7pyekWeL7bF-Mnd-tJ_ohGZc5yZ2r5UB-L7CinreUlGt5tyGRw9JL-5m2HHsdhnNEbfDerqXWnskHfM-Uksj7UNaEOfNJnf2CWyc9mkQE/s1600-h/DSCF0185.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361252161422619218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47C85dGvYdiEwNeeid9-2XsuRsbLi_ff-PKB7pyekWeL7bF-Mnd-tJ_ohGZc5yZ2r5UB-L7CinreUlGt5tyGRw9JL-5m2HHsdhnNEbfDerqXWnskHfM-Uksj7UNaEOfNJnf2CWyc9mkQE/s320/DSCF0185.jpg" /></a><br />This Keith relaxing the day after the party............</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQckmfrzwAL_U_9xzGBsZSWGIVzFlztZMk7ipc2UjBqPbOPmo1WSnk_43Ew9TdZSAGH-zWT4ooL1Z_Q7AT001JusdoHm7xoIYPBTupMaQfKbgxlPlMc6RRVUCL-jgYeRvEP3xXaLgmGjOv/s1600-h/DSCF0184.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361250999707206434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQckmfrzwAL_U_9xzGBsZSWGIVzFlztZMk7ipc2UjBqPbOPmo1WSnk_43Ew9TdZSAGH-zWT4ooL1Z_Q7AT001JusdoHm7xoIYPBTupMaQfKbgxlPlMc6RRVUCL-jgYeRvEP3xXaLgmGjOv/s320/DSCF0184.jpg" /></a> .............and this is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">frenchy</span> John...........Guy and Christine our french neighbours came with a big box covered in wrapping paper and a card. The card said that the box contained everything I needed to be the "veritable <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">frenchy</span>". Inside the box was a baguette, a bottle of red wine, some cheese and a black beret!! Wonderful. This is the result.............<br />,<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzSzSqzAiayMQMPb7jVxrvTJp01PNqHUsqgcosdAS1bDjXyyHleRijFijlTViLXFPzwo_a0I7MDM5Obd8wLvPGyrpxOOgvkora74K5A_gjUWQ87BKRjHAVMYiBIgogkyANyTTKU_V3u7f/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361250126901111890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzSzSqzAiayMQMPb7jVxrvTJp01PNqHUsqgcosdAS1bDjXyyHleRijFijlTViLXFPzwo_a0I7MDM5Obd8wLvPGyrpxOOgvkora74K5A_gjUWQ87BKRjHAVMYiBIgogkyANyTTKU_V3u7f/s320/anniversaire+john+059.jpg" /></a> The weather on Friday was a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">changeable</span> so we were in and out of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> house in between showers....................<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20YAOyT1PcNjZVI7gXH7840Q5zqlUEO9uzKoEhfSrjD5Avh-5-uhs4HQX2AXoNOEl1-LY5JWjs0Rz78nybAajyEdMw63NtxQL1FZOw87lZczpNABUdgBicquk2awDHkI4I0qlneGx72FX/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361249124155031458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20YAOyT1PcNjZVI7gXH7840Q5zqlUEO9uzKoEhfSrjD5Avh-5-uhs4HQX2AXoNOEl1-LY5JWjs0Rz78nybAajyEdMw63NtxQL1FZOw87lZczpNABUdgBicquk2awDHkI4I0qlneGx72FX/s320/anniversaire+john+018.jpg" /></a><br />This is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bethan</span> and Matt listening to Alice singing...............<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">although</span> I think <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bethan</span> is thinking about seating plans................in front of them are our neighbours Madam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gau</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bernedette</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Douriac</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNuhaK_3C3-KTEiWVIUNbpJA29s5qYi2DAW65RZlQ-YPfzNilU0UHhfB47iRKouAFIVl0jhELpvTReMak8F4HWmjVJHb5X5IO81JtCeSI_jIorxysucyLzrVi3pqJxfYsy8W6oz86ZJjm/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+039.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361247569804933202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNuhaK_3C3-KTEiWVIUNbpJA29s5qYi2DAW65RZlQ-YPfzNilU0UHhfB47iRKouAFIVl0jhELpvTReMak8F4HWmjVJHb5X5IO81JtCeSI_jIorxysucyLzrVi3pqJxfYsy8W6oz86ZJjm/s320/anniversaire+john+039.jpg" /></a> In this photo Matt is cornered by two french ladies asking him, no doubt, about life in Saudi Arabia.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5VNkwQn7nBrX4rTK1T4MiNdLJVePDKsAHdGSik-yYc-Z_qGPeTp5mZM0MJIpIsAkbf9G3rY879phcI_PJe7WLZPDUQ9ZwFpeU2DgjKve75wk3hXN-4B-OVaXlaixfd0eUJyJrunZ0ySK/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361246392990230930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5VNkwQn7nBrX4rTK1T4MiNdLJVePDKsAHdGSik-yYc-Z_qGPeTp5mZM0MJIpIsAkbf9G3rY879phcI_PJe7WLZPDUQ9ZwFpeU2DgjKve75wk3hXN-4B-OVaXlaixfd0eUJyJrunZ0ySK/s320/anniversaire+john+033.jpg" /></a> Time to cut the cake and blow out the candle.................<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNHAoFg25p6dSz_na5GD31gIiJGPWIM-cRvXQOY4imi_MPg4_FBptmJq7IQXb70-G_AF-PW-UNPb1O70WT371GzysiG0ej5WKJpNGAMt41g5BIMobwRubF99HWrZ8SYN8ZpjgbLjPAYvs/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361245377528712146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNHAoFg25p6dSz_na5GD31gIiJGPWIM-cRvXQOY4imi_MPg4_FBptmJq7IQXb70-G_AF-PW-UNPb1O70WT371GzysiG0ej5WKJpNGAMt41g5BIMobwRubF99HWrZ8SYN8ZpjgbLjPAYvs/s320/anniversaire+john+011.jpg" /></a><br />Alice singing and playing the guitar....................<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g3TUvkcalBezEc2ZNlgVBIzZvb-ELiDuEC2BNHIlLe6uBeZP3HWmMCAr20CevNecA8C-u5I6V0QM-6J1G-7JWWweM470ca-APaE2lheunYvV4ESjRSSqbK_5AjmTiyxiAudEAxAM73ef/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+043.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361244312243875282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4g3TUvkcalBezEc2ZNlgVBIzZvb-ELiDuEC2BNHIlLe6uBeZP3HWmMCAr20CevNecA8C-u5I6V0QM-6J1G-7JWWweM470ca-APaE2lheunYvV4ESjRSSqbK_5AjmTiyxiAudEAxAM73ef/s320/anniversaire+john+043.jpg" /></a> And lastly our neighbour Guy wishing me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">bon</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">anniversaire</span> in true french style.............we remain just good friends..................<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFL7zFPbnGpScpVRtY8fHlWtUn6UbY8qlkrEvr3Pc_jcrnqB_iIlSDqfJ3fKb4DaJ5Atj9nBJCXn6grqwX1mkjDOoBF_ufWC9bdfnnZIyYdFsOBIjt87kzsxTk9ga4zjBl03nKmEtlma2/s1600-h/anniversaire+john+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360914262528967234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFL7zFPbnGpScpVRtY8fHlWtUn6UbY8qlkrEvr3Pc_jcrnqB_iIlSDqfJ3fKb4DaJ5Atj9nBJCXn6grqwX1mkjDOoBF_ufWC9bdfnnZIyYdFsOBIjt87kzsxTk9ga4zjBl03nKmEtlma2/s320/anniversaire+john+004.jpg" /></a> All the photos from the party are on facebook.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-78058826986502997702009-07-04T22:15:00.006+02:002009-07-04T22:53:44.691+02:00The Potager.....................These sunflowers were grown from seeds given to us by Matt and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bethan</span> after they visited The Eden Project. They must be 7 feet tall now and still growing!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WPxjyk2FpcQLmx_k2Y8iANiNE_56D2EAgEg8XgBGbmuEu8YBo_UTVZ1ctowmN1dgk5t0gSldAe15KIvypFLOUHkIm9M88awDOnei33xbCR_q9CJXe_DSSFDcFhXjIkdH3dOK1v67n3jz/s1600-h/100_1458.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354705778821257266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WPxjyk2FpcQLmx_k2Y8iANiNE_56D2EAgEg8XgBGbmuEu8YBo_UTVZ1ctowmN1dgk5t0gSldAe15KIvypFLOUHkIm9M88awDOnei33xbCR_q9CJXe_DSSFDcFhXjIkdH3dOK1v67n3jz/s320/100_1458.JPG" /></a> I mentioned the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">potager</span> in my last post but I was down there today and was amazed at how quickly some of the other legumes are growing, look at the size of my melons!!............... actually this is a double melon.......not sure how that will work out.......................<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB20nhqwRSbq7cNpYxz2rtLeP8l-z6Olx48O4-0TiI1rAQMAAm9dyH9v29rG91CfhdXzVpWYomP31Z5dNniKrniMsgRi9mMMpjyg9IJMqM8aJOdx64yIFv05HaWvRCjv5mGybOgVXprQcy/s1600-h/100_1471.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354704778220258066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB20nhqwRSbq7cNpYxz2rtLeP8l-z6Olx48O4-0TiI1rAQMAAm9dyH9v29rG91CfhdXzVpWYomP31Z5dNniKrniMsgRi9mMMpjyg9IJMqM8aJOdx64yIFv05HaWvRCjv5mGybOgVXprQcy/s320/100_1471.JPG" /></a> and when was the last time you saw a cucumber like that........................................<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG48_ux-OanGQ21PI0F8dYUjoq77BdN4KaNaqxfn-zVEXxuZVvDlu79WEJVBFL7UlAQO5jecskMAGADOAEtMhzcX5UkA2VFEPawYyVhshC7rsKG7Jwn0JArKMIM1o0cNNGqxHSSRh2L3b/s1600-h/100_1473.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354703986085551746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG48_ux-OanGQ21PI0F8dYUjoq77BdN4KaNaqxfn-zVEXxuZVvDlu79WEJVBFL7UlAQO5jecskMAGADOAEtMhzcX5UkA2VFEPawYyVhshC7rsKG7Jwn0JArKMIM1o0cNNGqxHSSRh2L3b/s320/100_1473.JPG" /></a> These two little frogs live in the stone wall of the terrace and they come out every night and sit next to each other and seem to talk to each other all night........like this........beep-beep.......beep-beep..........beep-beep........... yes all through the night!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDWH_P4awNwOWw8kzbd1fYG7t_ybkzfj_YYOtGs94pJpoeP-1ORlicDMNdPWAG7edjHVaKoANtAcxlyXDEwYTNJixYN_Yrvq11CSCAyKoW8sbsqMC5_lr7jTvrFxPoQhPPMXknZkLCVoc/s1600-h/DSCF0169.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354703207265585826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDWH_P4awNwOWw8kzbd1fYG7t_ybkzfj_YYOtGs94pJpoeP-1ORlicDMNdPWAG7edjHVaKoANtAcxlyXDEwYTNJixYN_Yrvq11CSCAyKoW8sbsqMC5_lr7jTvrFxPoQhPPMXknZkLCVoc/s320/DSCF0169.jpg" /></a> We were having <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">aperitifs</span> with some of our French neighbours last night and we asked them if they knew what kind of frogs they were, they didn't seem to know, except for Guy who said he thought they were just frogs that needed their batteries changing...................</div><div>Tomorrow is Cazals market and then Francette's for breakfast quickly followed by a liquid lunch and then I think the hammock will be calling...............<br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-12288434655526464252009-07-02T11:14:00.014+02:002009-07-02T13:38:40.381+02:00It's raining rain, hallelujah.............The heavens have opened this morning and the wet stuff is falling for the first time in awhile. It has been difficult for the last few weeks keeping the plants in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">potager</span> and in the pots alive and well, this last week has been especially hot, "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">canicule</span>" is the word they use here to describe very hot weather, it's a great word especially if you are a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">geordie</span> - it sounds exactly the same as canny cool, which in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">geordie</span> tongue means exactly the opposite!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtktxQ8JYaznRG18oFER5B8S0Q-ZpIa_pSv2j0-zctKxVYf13d4nEZgSCWxwl9DpQHzfXphyaGAgv9Fc3R42mqO-iYlR8nVQlRbHdi1K9w71uHTELXr7itok0xyUL7sEZLgF2EEUxb1eE/s1600-h/DSCF0124.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353822571770595586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtktxQ8JYaznRG18oFER5B8S0Q-ZpIa_pSv2j0-zctKxVYf13d4nEZgSCWxwl9DpQHzfXphyaGAgv9Fc3R42mqO-iYlR8nVQlRbHdi1K9w71uHTELXr7itok0xyUL7sEZLgF2EEUxb1eE/s320/DSCF0124.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Everything is growing well in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">potager</span>, and at the moment we have the usual glut of courgettes and cucumbers and Lindsay is getting out the recipes for everything with courgettes! We have had the first harvest of peas and are now eating the first crop of potatoes. The "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">murphy's</span>" have managed, so far, to survive an attack from the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Colorado</span> potato beetle, which are endemic in France apparently and very difficult to get rid of. We had friends to visit a couple of weeks ago and John spent a good few days picking grubs off the leaves and burning them. I have since resorted to spraying them with "agent orange" but they are still on the march and manger.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp1aXEZUG6uguL6fFZqVc0e38l63JK32eovMiX_Mk4wZnPF3_k31b_BlV_8p8Mw054AgIUtXAD_TqIk5_bDGNIOHdAqWPEum32aK1vgMT_D1hP6pWCm_edAY4VzWAtDtlOiAROKBvpI1N/s1600-h/100_1435.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353799413047986898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp1aXEZUG6uguL6fFZqVc0e38l63JK32eovMiX_Mk4wZnPF3_k31b_BlV_8p8Mw054AgIUtXAD_TqIk5_bDGNIOHdAqWPEum32aK1vgMT_D1hP6pWCm_edAY4VzWAtDtlOiAROKBvpI1N/s320/100_1435.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YLWJIISt0FjFYi8N6hcCxpfdo9eqIgsvbqipRLU4WqGcDK8SRztLOjNs77jEA_fnprh5jiK_8E9F9MF75-A-P9dvhIQpydvo4v8Rx41tkuBpw42KJscWSeaBsophRZGp8sgbrreEZr55/s1600-h/100_1433.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353797787388271250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YLWJIISt0FjFYi8N6hcCxpfdo9eqIgsvbqipRLU4WqGcDK8SRztLOjNs77jEA_fnprh5jiK_8E9F9MF75-A-P9dvhIQpydvo4v8Rx41tkuBpw42KJscWSeaBsophRZGp8sgbrreEZr55/s320/100_1433.JPG" /></a><br />We had twelve tonne of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">castine</span> delivered a few weeks ago to finish off the new terraces and the bottom of the drive. Thankfully it was not quite as hot as it has been lately as it had to be moved from the top of the drive by wheelbarrow!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0I9MJQZR9hlCVQ6D2WxSkX8jDhDa1Bmcr7_XkwEbt8hvIf_xjLp4CxM0A7Bkj_WwpL2re5XWbKVrfg4G4_EYoO70K7xwOTwe4-ZUsIkpbx88bpfNnfozzdN8l1rZa-M4k3Am24Ob0Dy4/s1600-h/100_1448.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353796431035752802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0I9MJQZR9hlCVQ6D2WxSkX8jDhDa1Bmcr7_XkwEbt8hvIf_xjLp4CxM0A7Bkj_WwpL2re5XWbKVrfg4G4_EYoO70K7xwOTwe4-ZUsIkpbx88bpfNnfozzdN8l1rZa-M4k3Am24Ob0Dy4/s320/100_1448.JPG" /></a> This is the gin and tonic terrace finished, it faces the evening sun and is a wonderful spot at around 7 o'clock!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw9y1Wrp4P2ohzeANraI2aRiI_sbn6yEU2oKKRJweSHTAt89ypKtN2ZGi1VUZmKj9HWYLeZuHVkU-5SiMJ-38h-EBbVMzC5dpN1DT2xmccd-7JFa73pohcjw89U-MvVSPKUR2NF0hakRP/s1600-h/100_1447.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353795326058407410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw9y1Wrp4P2ohzeANraI2aRiI_sbn6yEU2oKKRJweSHTAt89ypKtN2ZGi1VUZmKj9HWYLeZuHVkU-5SiMJ-38h-EBbVMzC5dpN1DT2xmccd-7JFa73pohcjw89U-MvVSPKUR2NF0hakRP/s320/100_1447.JPG" /></a> This is Lindsay leading another barrow load of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">castine</span> to the bottom of the drive! A few year's ago I could not have imagined Lindsay getting involved in this or planting and weeding in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">potager</span> but she does it all now and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">enthusiastically </span>!! Mind you she still insists on wearing gloves with flowers all over them ........ no soil must touch the hands, and sunflower wellies and shoes and now has her own wheelbarrow with flower stickers all over it!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UdRzaxoKayk_pOOo_PEn3yxOB3MWoyOD_u6KuzDpP2Zr4BQbLhglDVn3pTdVQdwc32ylrsFTyWsO9SgODqifu_6n4svpV2m0JL7q0DUhfHBJQbHDENjCTymnGeEfWglhCg1AjQx9JCuU/s1600-h/100_1424.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353794221995556546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UdRzaxoKayk_pOOo_PEn3yxOB3MWoyOD_u6KuzDpP2Zr4BQbLhglDVn3pTdVQdwc32ylrsFTyWsO9SgODqifu_6n4svpV2m0JL7q0DUhfHBJQbHDENjCTymnGeEfWglhCg1AjQx9JCuU/s320/100_1424.JPG" /></a> Nearly there! Just about 6 tonne left to move!<br /><br />This is Lindsay and Ann scoffing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">moules</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">frites</span> by the lake at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Frayssinet</span> during La fete <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">de</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Musique</span>. They do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">moules</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">frites</span> every Friday evening at this small cafe by the lake and it is very popular with the local people and tourists alike.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg233c0vXi7ZmVpmvnGsHqnlzPtmEsfzObRE_D2C8kjyGw24geOztX-8wW8pSQiPaYLarvuvxd1vGkH-R1pwxZQAxy5jLgekYNvfBCAjZae4hsFxkVwg6XNVgiQCEvyc-pKXABnQT5txOwm/s1600-h/DSCF0135.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353792721647795362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg233c0vXi7ZmVpmvnGsHqnlzPtmEsfzObRE_D2C8kjyGw24geOztX-8wW8pSQiPaYLarvuvxd1vGkH-R1pwxZQAxy5jLgekYNvfBCAjZae4hsFxkVwg6XNVgiQCEvyc-pKXABnQT5txOwm/s320/DSCF0135.jpg" /></a><br />We also had the annual fete <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">du</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">vin</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grezels</span> a couple of weeks ago. All the local wine makers bring their wine for tasting and selling! It is a great event with picnic tables set around the wine stalls and you are able to choose and buy meat to BBQ yourself and eat with your picnic. It's great fun and much wine is "tasted" by everyone.<br />At the end of the day they finish with a barrel rolling competition.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQdvM-zNrpEYvXQIyOhS-Cob2D7DAvnKunkfkPDX5O2Cd5jiJzw4_UxKNhxwglZqSDwg9OnIP8ID4S1bqzXGEeHdNe4Y9Hujo2TaUKOtHkbAec_hv4eilhsjrOhXmaf8IKomb42iD7KX2/s1600-h/DSCF0100.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353792003567434018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQdvM-zNrpEYvXQIyOhS-Cob2D7DAvnKunkfkPDX5O2Cd5jiJzw4_UxKNhxwglZqSDwg9OnIP8ID4S1bqzXGEeHdNe4Y9Hujo2TaUKOtHkbAec_hv4eilhsjrOhXmaf8IKomb42iD7KX2/s320/DSCF0100.jpg" /></a> This bloke seems to have consumed his fair share of wine, and maybe emptied this barrel.....they didn't win! I don't think they made it to the end of the course.<br /><br />This is David, who approaches everything with great enthusiasm, in this case I think he approached the wine tasting with a little too much enthusiasm!<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Edz-DxSGMdS5f4lVrgj77DiZynii6UJQz_qNPXxu3oADz-rv12fXRdcK5RLXYTOQDyzO4hXAtdUnFaSwIGjPQJDLsDTPx_eCAzybX2evUBFpOD-jRlHR5QufMZtc92Irr-BWoHJwMWK/s1600-h/DSCF0104.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353791260349588722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9Edz-DxSGMdS5f4lVrgj77DiZynii6UJQz_qNPXxu3oADz-rv12fXRdcK5RLXYTOQDyzO4hXAtdUnFaSwIGjPQJDLsDTPx_eCAzybX2evUBFpOD-jRlHR5QufMZtc92Irr-BWoHJwMWK/s320/DSCF0104.jpg" /></a><br />And this is John, who is looking very happy as he has just made sure that he has enough wine for his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">picnic</span>!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH30sd-afOGDLEGQy3N59AfuqZIhmHzEa-LsOU7e1EFBA7CN74H80DZ9ri0wFNSVQl8xHAt_JGyoNefgTsh12V1oyDPzkd0oNfOGj-nSLY2fzbPxGTGNzvHUN541vmBF5h1gDrVcV8-orc/s1600-h/DSCF0080.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353790189085761890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH30sd-afOGDLEGQy3N59AfuqZIhmHzEa-LsOU7e1EFBA7CN74H80DZ9ri0wFNSVQl8xHAt_JGyoNefgTsh12V1oyDPzkd0oNfOGj-nSLY2fzbPxGTGNzvHUN541vmBF5h1gDrVcV8-orc/s320/DSCF0080.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-56890692991119121762009-05-26T20:40:00.003+02:002009-05-26T20:46:27.516+02:00A bird in the hand.............We were just watching TV when we heard noises coming from the wood burner(now not in use thankfully). Taking a closer look we found this little chap behind the glass door. He left us fit and well flying off into the trees.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX6Sr1i1mDQfJALgCIyVUpgQ5EP2_TGXxG7tPp64uQ6KhebK78h7IYBvuJ0973Avm7JQyKftT_vFoU5KFbs-ZT-su-6PZyt54hb_wnNtBvjE5yLZ0HKQtWpz8_tr6DvOe3qP_TGS86IKy/s1600-h/DSCF0074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340204826856190066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX6Sr1i1mDQfJALgCIyVUpgQ5EP2_TGXxG7tPp64uQ6KhebK78h7IYBvuJ0973Avm7JQyKftT_vFoU5KFbs-ZT-su-6PZyt54hb_wnNtBvjE5yLZ0HKQtWpz8_tr6DvOe3qP_TGS86IKy/s320/DSCF0074.jpg" border="0" /></a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-31916826210999727062009-05-21T20:25:00.012+02:002009-05-21T22:09:37.844+02:00Another day another fete...............Today we had the Fete <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">des</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fleurs</span> et <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">du</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Cheval</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Cazals</span>. We missed this last year as we were back in the UK. As it turned out the fete was not just a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">celebration</span> of the flowers but also a horse show.......<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFldeI9qaE-ItGmUQaB88qXB6TwcYno0GPtBAb7A9EZqhAl8zzrqM1VJ4Ssk2oUiNUWeRZpCHdBTwBNV6zVRMEeD9TP8YrMiZGbeGU6YZnboBnyZSWetAm4SivENDTIhpBCKJ7sxsAEth/s1600-h/100_1373.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338355577276512610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFldeI9qaE-ItGmUQaB88qXB6TwcYno0GPtBAb7A9EZqhAl8zzrqM1VJ4Ssk2oUiNUWeRZpCHdBTwBNV6zVRMEeD9TP8YrMiZGbeGU6YZnboBnyZSWetAm4SivENDTIhpBCKJ7sxsAEth/s320/100_1373.JPG" border="0" /></a> We arrived just as the action was about to start in the horse training ring and in typical fashion the compere was loudly telling everyone to get close and come out of the shady areas...."what's the worst that can happen...........you get a sun tan", he said. A bloke with a nice red cape rode into the ring and proceeded to ride very fast round the ring while blowing his own trumpet, well horn.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKI6e2iuWdrxPuk9fr0nHkoBjwdqx6liPOAWBGfoEjSL_xdSjgusAK3iJb6KRA3bCdl90lTI2F15o2psZ5XuoCXuk5fvfFBiu7cP6sGHFePiEfYy_z10-4mtH5cOT1HMxG5YJrsuKxvDN/s1600-h/100_1379.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338355090889121474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKI6e2iuWdrxPuk9fr0nHkoBjwdqx6liPOAWBGfoEjSL_xdSjgusAK3iJb6KRA3bCdl90lTI2F15o2psZ5XuoCXuk5fvfFBiu7cP6sGHFePiEfYy_z10-4mtH5cOT1HMxG5YJrsuKxvDN/s320/100_1379.JPG" border="0" /></a> He then got some beautiful black horses to run very fast round the ring while he rode alongside. Then he really started to show off by riding one of these horses bareback and jumping on and off the horses as it was moving.........he'd <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">obviously</span> done this sort of thing before. The show finished with him running around playing "catch me if you can" with a white horse and making it sit up for applause.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PsJ_hnCNapBXn6HHJVQ9OOwY2fbhwrusTC6MiFQRvPaxtFpoWQOPlvPMWFm7KdXLxlZLnd9qeYQxPIEwI-8u1C0OKIUJj_vpgK5aWzb9kKsv9mkGjpYtQOUy5vslu8tlwRgwI15bmDVA/s1600-h/100_1396.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338354466077530386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PsJ_hnCNapBXn6HHJVQ9OOwY2fbhwrusTC6MiFQRvPaxtFpoWQOPlvPMWFm7KdXLxlZLnd9qeYQxPIEwI-8u1C0OKIUJj_vpgK5aWzb9kKsv9mkGjpYtQOUy5vslu8tlwRgwI15bmDVA/s320/100_1396.JPG" border="0" /></a> We found that there were also stalls selling locally produced cheeses and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">charcuterie</span>. They had some wonderfully <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">original</span> decorations to go with the produce on the stalls.........<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">mmm</span>, I'm not sure...............<br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq9dAJaWw15XKAe-sg3ORodjWii3ce3G2-XGJKKYn6cBBVeicvWfBsDHdspO-GKRsNPo-c2mAHa1Hs2jxV6xxZKSdmm0H_r6IsYvJ4TwR3HjN0C20JLG11bUan7aXJdBU0GODtbMQ1iiI/s1600-h/100_1405.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338353827038656498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOq9dAJaWw15XKAe-sg3ORodjWii3ce3G2-XGJKKYn6cBBVeicvWfBsDHdspO-GKRsNPo-c2mAHa1Hs2jxV6xxZKSdmm0H_r6IsYvJ4TwR3HjN0C20JLG11bUan7aXJdBU0GODtbMQ1iiI/s320/100_1405.JPG" border="0" /></a> The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">sanglier</span> looks a bit too real...............<br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Bt2mjdpI_tDGpgiiyPfPoPk27tRCmpjhpwApT0LpYOfYjNNdr62WDHeeTdXM3IjOTbscKKJFstg_vawmOqrUSPq-5KJ9HfxJOBzeMV6ahMRtypttnWWerA1E4eJvXb4MzN346ABb5EXf/s1600-h/100_1406.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338353388194820306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Bt2mjdpI_tDGpgiiyPfPoPk27tRCmpjhpwApT0LpYOfYjNNdr62WDHeeTdXM3IjOTbscKKJFstg_vawmOqrUSPq-5KJ9HfxJOBzeMV6ahMRtypttnWWerA1E4eJvXb4MzN346ABb5EXf/s320/100_1406.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the way to see the flowers we met this horse trainer trying to get his pal to have a nice cool drink from the stream, he seemed to be content to soak his feet...............<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANI5JpKvb7B67jd7t2bFmtxZYl-FHvZQ-0_BQrg_THuFztDtimnEppIna2O9xT9_8zEE__jKsbZwaHvmHn46_FfwKzaBYinnqmJxMRljxe80reCQdcyDMgUqTLPDFTxcAWaPaj-h2I5z4/s1600-h/100_1402.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338352818000400178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANI5JpKvb7B67jd7t2bFmtxZYl-FHvZQ-0_BQrg_THuFztDtimnEppIna2O9xT9_8zEE__jKsbZwaHvmHn46_FfwKzaBYinnqmJxMRljxe80reCQdcyDMgUqTLPDFTxcAWaPaj-h2I5z4/s320/100_1402.JPG" border="0" /></a> The flowers at last. Today was also our son Adam's Birthday, he would have been 26 ...........We bought him a nice lavender that will sit in front of the small walled <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">garden</span> at the side of the house.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTaiC7PYN3mH9PlN47_ADzc9we3thgKf8OghXnkX0S04Qj5emiWw98g4lbpj8O1DjsPbkenLFokb6OiAQiGRyMQo0gZLh2SejIgAr7z7_Hi2Zd9Gdyqu1IbNBjgeD1UiU0P_B8dgBRAt0/s1600-h/100_1399.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338349936500310194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTaiC7PYN3mH9PlN47_ADzc9we3thgKf8OghXnkX0S04Qj5emiWw98g4lbpj8O1DjsPbkenLFokb6OiAQiGRyMQo0gZLh2SejIgAr7z7_Hi2Zd9Gdyqu1IbNBjgeD1UiU0P_B8dgBRAt0/s320/100_1399.JPG" border="0" /></a> As you can see the flowers were beautiful and numerous and again it was a pleasure just to take your time, walking amongst the displays looking and making the occasional purchase.........<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G6cZs9zrR7KRmK0MlxStXuJfDL9UhO4dryTh4VNTxSxV-zHXDuXlc6tJnsdYKT73qi2jHgebvLKmWYIQiKVLKBl7NoEoqtuAksxvm2B6RYtZSfebsFNwndtTp5iAcVfVqeAopY-dyroO/s1600-h/100_1401.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338349251286302306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G6cZs9zrR7KRmK0MlxStXuJfDL9UhO4dryTh4VNTxSxV-zHXDuXlc6tJnsdYKT73qi2jHgebvLKmWYIQiKVLKBl7NoEoqtuAksxvm2B6RYtZSfebsFNwndtTp5iAcVfVqeAopY-dyroO/s320/100_1401.JPG" border="0" /></a> You have to allow plenty of time to get around these local events, not just to see all the flowers but to chat and meet friends on the way. It took us about half an hour to travel one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">stretch</span> of about ten meters, without seeing any flowers! We had bought so much that we had to take it back to the car in two goes, stopping for a drink in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Francette's</span> in between trips.......it has to be done! Local economy and all that.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-34217413787324629312009-05-17T20:34:00.008+02:002009-05-18T09:46:53.023+02:00Fete des fleurs at L' Abbaye Nouvelle.........Another fete today, May is full of them, this one was at the old abbey on the way to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gourdon</span>. Specialist growers from around the region fill the grassed areas around the abbey with their plants......<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAoqPyqcBWKi_SUjcQd5qPpAMZ2uitJy_dojtiXvmudoewSF8g7lQ4QoUk1Tx2wRqLJ7KD8NTF_c2sp_6zd2LdJ3S7hk7418top5wHJw67KrnOO_g86VkFKaf-cOC3zSB5S5SLtCaOqz6/s1600-h/100_1366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336904035812393858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAoqPyqcBWKi_SUjcQd5qPpAMZ2uitJy_dojtiXvmudoewSF8g7lQ4QoUk1Tx2wRqLJ7KD8NTF_c2sp_6zd2LdJ3S7hk7418top5wHJw67KrnOO_g86VkFKaf-cOC3zSB5S5SLtCaOqz6/s320/100_1366.JPG" border="0" /></a> roses , lavenders, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, climbing plants, plants for shade, plants for sun, plants for fun, they where all there.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoz1yb-N5ZjLCo9wDU-9NlgRR4YdfW-tDB2wiYWaIX7a-w0dDdiOJkh8KPGixev6zwObVyw7lZVPrKW8j6E8c4vMI08yGzqYrZg1DbkWiRDxhJbuQgwisoKHQiBYUOgXcu3IK2xLJU0IS/s1600-h/100_1364.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336866329448091506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoz1yb-N5ZjLCo9wDU-9NlgRR4YdfW-tDB2wiYWaIX7a-w0dDdiOJkh8KPGixev6zwObVyw7lZVPrKW8j6E8c4vMI08yGzqYrZg1DbkWiRDxhJbuQgwisoKHQiBYUOgXcu3IK2xLJU0IS/s320/100_1364.JPG" border="0" /></a> We bought some Lavenders and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Salvia</span> 'Royal Bumble' and some Begonias.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ey5rS7yCzO3w6F2D_jFRkw7STMY60E1qfTTbUc9pvY9Fd5GiDdszXac1WX5wZ3WMYfojEPfDHt2hmyOr5pRgtOG01uUuJqlvzPLhSO5St1RnifCR08yN8cvqPsFrfM-6qVHzrJjQsZyk/s1600-h/100_1367.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336865687530674914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ey5rS7yCzO3w6F2D_jFRkw7STMY60E1qfTTbUc9pvY9Fd5GiDdszXac1WX5wZ3WMYfojEPfDHt2hmyOr5pRgtOG01uUuJqlvzPLhSO5St1RnifCR08yN8cvqPsFrfM-6qVHzrJjQsZyk/s320/100_1367.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYHqoQywg2o2Y7d4j3Wr4b1b2ISH-Ec7iw1LGAMbutePEQobf9zWsNEbgXV9PyOP6LvKkjFQ4SU1RQx1czeWI7pDVjS9W4juugVuAlxG8HOufXwR03ebuLdB7R8u7DvRq7359io9o7Y8R/s1600-h/100_1365.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336865240464578482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYYHqoQywg2o2Y7d4j3Wr4b1b2ISH-Ec7iw1LGAMbutePEQobf9zWsNEbgXV9PyOP6LvKkjFQ4SU1RQx1czeWI7pDVjS9W4juugVuAlxG8HOufXwR03ebuLdB7R8u7DvRq7359io9o7Y8R/s320/100_1365.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is one way to get your plants back to the car!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu-xdR5Fgi2yI-2xCdP9MaWL5c3kvldoaUTVZwp05IJ8kFAcxT4MUlPO7C0TqTaWJVSI-MXXHfB13q1N45JHL7U1q9FDH1hpPXDUVNNwHE-a-PUkvQDI91fMNv-a3XLjzCUD2QJffb62u/s1600-h/100_1368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336864629561194354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu-xdR5Fgi2yI-2xCdP9MaWL5c3kvldoaUTVZwp05IJ8kFAcxT4MUlPO7C0TqTaWJVSI-MXXHfB13q1N45JHL7U1q9FDH1hpPXDUVNNwHE-a-PUkvQDI91fMNv-a3XLjzCUD2QJffb62u/s320/100_1368.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-17379926827885145402009-05-13T21:14:00.002+02:002009-05-13T21:18:30.385+02:00Pizza night in Cazals.........On W<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ednesday</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">evening</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">the</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">takaway</span> pizza van <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">is</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">the</span> square in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cazals</span>.........<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">order</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">your</span> pizza and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">take</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">it</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">to</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Francette's</span>- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">sit</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">outside</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">with</span> a drink..........<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">what</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">could</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">be</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">better</span>!Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-89444456402536810922009-05-08T19:04:00.007+02:002009-05-17T23:39:16.657+02:00La fete de la VictoireToday is Victory Day in France when each village celebrates the end of World War Two and families visit the graves of relatives who lost their lives during the war. We were in our garden this afternoon and there was a stream of cars visiting the cemetery which lies about 100 meters from the house.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUa7axXG8iBir4x4Gxv9vM1RKkK5EqrJ3Rx2TtfiFSyQyPzfeVhJrQd0RnF0hCijMLjTgGY0eIHOrQyj42csPqOguqEhRFfZvhE_eCsMo6qCJN84qONMaWU4gV3ClEhqHd9PEKyfqITwe/s1600-h/100_1354.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333501616376783970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUa7axXG8iBir4x4Gxv9vM1RKkK5EqrJ3Rx2TtfiFSyQyPzfeVhJrQd0RnF0hCijMLjTgGY0eIHOrQyj42csPqOguqEhRFfZvhE_eCsMo6qCJN84qONMaWU4gV3ClEhqHd9PEKyfqITwe/s320/100_1354.JPG" border="0" /></a> At midi in our local village there was a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives in World War Two. The Marseillaise was played with fervour by the local band and traffic was halted in the village square.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv66wm39MnGi0W0QZCZ7LHoCgnDyUtvqsVluf1CxPmTI7CJ70Cv4SBql-7Xtw60UWj-D-QaluOF8oUu7wDO7_IH9zmbgbVkRNw1q6X6R9QZJEPFFaXSPPCtY722l6ePFXFoxDqHPT82H6d/s1600-h/100_1355.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333501189403877234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv66wm39MnGi0W0QZCZ7LHoCgnDyUtvqsVluf1CxPmTI7CJ70Cv4SBql-7Xtw60UWj-D-QaluOF8oUu7wDO7_IH9zmbgbVkRNw1q6X6R9QZJEPFFaXSPPCtY722l6ePFXFoxDqHPT82H6d/s320/100_1355.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zui1cBGq5yJlK5zQ8M_igO9OyMNaM2QO97Bu4aDL_YNtH457y13qVSMkSB2wa2zoM_E-k1cutkMziHvYuKL9JmChSe7Cwc-kmJX8ZJhq6FxrJ6rAXcL-H53-4m_vczVmcA46WKLK7nRm/s1600-h/100_1357.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333500730445838882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Zui1cBGq5yJlK5zQ8M_igO9OyMNaM2QO97Bu4aDL_YNtH457y13qVSMkSB2wa2zoM_E-k1cutkMziHvYuKL9JmChSe7Cwc-kmJX8ZJhq6FxrJ6rAXcL-H53-4m_vczVmcA46WKLK7nRm/s320/100_1357.JPG" border="0" /></a> After lunch we travelled to another local village to visit an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">exhibition</span> remembering the activities of the French Resistance. The exhibition was in two parts, one about the activities of the resistance in south west of France and the other part about Gilbert Renault, who was known during the french resistance as Colonel Remy and one of the most famous secret agents of occupied France during World War Two. We timed our visit perfectly and were very lucky to be shown around the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">exhibition</span> by Gilbert Renault's son, who explained with obvious pride and emotion, the stories behind the photographs and other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">exhibits</span>. A truly memorable afternoon. He asked us if we would sign and leave a comment in his visitors' book and we did so with pleasure.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-37161946312281599662009-05-01T20:05:00.006+02:002009-05-01T21:08:54.107+02:00Vive la fete du muguet......................We returned from sunny UK on Sunday, mission accomplished- wedding outfit found and purchased, to torrential rain and the potager once again under much water- hope the pommes de terre that I planted a few weeks ago can swim. I also found that my laptop had passed away in my absence, hence the blog delay. I have had to wind up my old desk top and sort out problems with internet security! But what a difference a few days make, the sun shines again and the waters recede enough for a few tentative steps into the garden. And -yes it's good to be back home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHc9kMD5zZNHZE3-nTBD_g4vaN5WoPhTVzYiEdlu7YKC_eRGoACtLkkosIbLbfq2Q-t47QDOfTCD25U3dyRzdff_34cfuPrrujJH9johllkEGAghKBgTZMpdnr-2z830q1a_npp1FpuYZ/s1600-h/100_1343.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330927395943508258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHc9kMD5zZNHZE3-nTBD_g4vaN5WoPhTVzYiEdlu7YKC_eRGoACtLkkosIbLbfq2Q-t47QDOfTCD25U3dyRzdff_34cfuPrrujJH9johllkEGAghKBgTZMpdnr-2z830q1a_npp1FpuYZ/s320/100_1343.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Today is 'la fete du travail' (workers day) and a public holiday here in France, and the sun has shone all day. It is also 'la fete du muguet'and the tradition is that people present loved ones and friends with a small posy of lily of the valley for happiness and good luck. This is a photograph of the posy that our neighbour Bernadette gave us this afternoon. It looks and smells wonderful.</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tJ_rj0kWLZ-CoAtEraJilWQFcFxtoUd1b2oNjGQ3uMTaXxUrjcT7EmypWfBwJukKg53Y-dvOucTG538SGqHufYHfyBcjZiQq34kXffz5BkvSQYmdO1wGNzKOLJDVysQkfWf6g1RDCrcj/s1600-h/100_1353.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330926756462954706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tJ_rj0kWLZ-CoAtEraJilWQFcFxtoUd1b2oNjGQ3uMTaXxUrjcT7EmypWfBwJukKg53Y-dvOucTG538SGqHufYHfyBcjZiQq34kXffz5BkvSQYmdO1wGNzKOLJDVysQkfWf6g1RDCrcj/s320/100_1353.JPG" border="0" /></a> The blossom is looking beautiful everywhere just now, and none more so than the lilac tree at the side of our house. Last year it produced very little in the way of flowers but this year it is superb, and smells wonderful, especially in the early evening.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOQSWZmcHEQbN63uLjYOQhx3sXatzRjBDcL-apVHzb5bCNwkVSHx_A8_ioUnsowlJc1Bsx98J4ynsAcLNRpVPlcQYB0nHhAN1DVobKqN98OPEE0kjEvThQZHxwAAyZnv03hCj2Dq1bMOw/s1600-h/100_1349.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330923491557764290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOQSWZmcHEQbN63uLjYOQhx3sXatzRjBDcL-apVHzb5bCNwkVSHx_A8_ioUnsowlJc1Bsx98J4ynsAcLNRpVPlcQYB0nHhAN1DVobKqN98OPEE0kjEvThQZHxwAAyZnv03hCj2Dq1bMOw/s320/100_1349.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-83928613543006086982009-04-22T12:09:00.002+02:002009-04-22T12:20:45.563+02:00Back in the UK...........We are flying back to the UK later today to spend a few days with my brother Keith in Leeds. There were three of us but sadly we lost David to colon cancer about this time last year. David and Keith lived together for many years, so this has been Keith's first year on his own, a difficult time for him.<br />It will also give Linz the chance to continue the search for "the holy grail" that is her outfit for Matt and Bethan's wedding. September 5th is not so far away now and I think she would like to have it sorted, along, of course with the shoes and the bag.<br />I will be able to drink real beer again with Keith and recharge the batteries for a very busy time in the garden when we return.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-9709294521120961442009-04-19T19:20:00.008+02:002009-04-19T20:13:07.673+02:00Soiree at Francette'sYesterday evening saw another soiree at Francette's. This is Francette in the photo, she is a wonderful host and very kind. She invited about seventy of her regular customers and gave us a four course meal with as much wine as we could drink as a thank you for supporting her business. I can't think of anywhere else this would happen.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJ7gYE-AGi6hkbYwi0YPcs1DASramWRRIpp10VOz2LLKY5IJ0XvkhU6lYipXeTcDs05CcJE7gbffiWkCiWXO-E0VWtZHXn1dOy22_hr8gwExJi4Hh_aShHfgys73nmrKB6YCFPFn1wIFh/s1600-h/DSCF0035_edited-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326456760138125554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJ7gYE-AGi6hkbYwi0YPcs1DASramWRRIpp10VOz2LLKY5IJ0XvkhU6lYipXeTcDs05CcJE7gbffiWkCiWXO-E0VWtZHXn1dOy22_hr8gwExJi4Hh_aShHfgys73nmrKB6YCFPFn1wIFh/s320/DSCF0035_edited-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Of course as the evening progressed there was much silly dancing and as you can see Bob doesn't necessarily need a partner to dance with.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOo5c2H3gLz5ba_f0botQBuElFKsR-Pf0x4wYtxDv9FaJWraANqk5bSjLA38CPpTkI_oHltBMaJLPR0rqAljViWlgk2ghmj9TXCRAwd3U360FKkEwXYFyazaKOhzFBsgkUX6s7UJPoy4L/s1600-h/DSCF0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326456575119497074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOo5c2H3gLz5ba_f0botQBuElFKsR-Pf0x4wYtxDv9FaJWraANqk5bSjLA38CPpTkI_oHltBMaJLPR0rqAljViWlgk2ghmj9TXCRAwd3U360FKkEwXYFyazaKOhzFBsgkUX6s7UJPoy4L/s320/DSCF0033.JPG" border="0" /></a> Francette's is so small there is not much room to strut your stuff and you often finish a dance with a different partner!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLHAPw0s57Nc6AjZtPus_G1yxVv1RDZizPuTYfyfz-sAYM6FLruM0oIjlpoJGasry21-UVK3I1jeCt3omL3IAVy7opTS6LtlXOB-7tFaIW6JO-RrTu7RGjY226nNIZ8JSsuyCKeC2ZZ7P/s1600-h/DSCF0031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326456015276126722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLHAPw0s57Nc6AjZtPus_G1yxVv1RDZizPuTYfyfz-sAYM6FLruM0oIjlpoJGasry21-UVK3I1jeCt3omL3IAVy7opTS6LtlXOB-7tFaIW6JO-RrTu7RGjY226nNIZ8JSsuyCKeC2ZZ7P/s320/DSCF0031.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was one of the courses, a delicious couscous with chicken, veal and sausage.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQzyWeAmQIwULWDposhy1PPp38YNk3eWAPEYIMr_Apz58yfFdzs2Poa7dSDIdm-RH88BR4HDW7AgAY9F0s6OBABcIQVcZyw9aGxcPSFI07gcYPa75wWsFkVicVdYxddA9mQ8xCxxoGJ-i/s1600-h/DSCF0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326455439103035218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQzyWeAmQIwULWDposhy1PPp38YNk3eWAPEYIMr_Apz58yfFdzs2Poa7dSDIdm-RH88BR4HDW7AgAY9F0s6OBABcIQVcZyw9aGxcPSFI07gcYPa75wWsFkVicVdYxddA9mQ8xCxxoGJ-i/s320/DSCF0019.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the assembled company, a great mix of French, Dutch and English enjoying each others company. Martin was in charge of the music again, you can see him at back, underneath the lamp on the end of the bar.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozAUnFsEUUQajdlSoWJkAqMkQaxAQA3QqAhvvCs_iJ0axUIi9SZrq6QoDZgD5kklL91O-zm3Cqvu52iBYhqx8RoMPuiIep4HPPIYMkkZFF92yXNsaDMUX2W4TzRVe1uhjAJSJCYfbRpiA/s1600-h/DSCF0023_edited-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326454870668360898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozAUnFsEUUQajdlSoWJkAqMkQaxAQA3QqAhvvCs_iJ0axUIi9SZrq6QoDZgD5kklL91O-zm3Cqvu52iBYhqx8RoMPuiIep4HPPIYMkkZFF92yXNsaDMUX2W4TzRVe1uhjAJSJCYfbRpiA/s320/DSCF0023_edited-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> We were back at Francette's this morning, with slightly sore heads! We had first been to the market, which is now starting to pick up again with more and more stalls each week. The vin et fromage fete turned out to be a bit disappointing, although the weather was much better than last year. There seemed to be fewer producers this year and only one cheese maker. Mind you I had spoilt myself for the wine tasting by drinking far too much at Francette's last night.</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-14630719198796335162009-04-13T23:06:00.006+02:002009-04-19T19:19:56.905+02:00Rain, rain go away............The rain that has fallen all Easter weekend stopped briefly this morning to allow us to venture into Cazals for the traditional Easter Monday brocante fair. There seemed to be fewer stalls and punters than last year........this might have had something to do with the weather but more,I think, to do with the economic climate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMZUVcBuv-E6vf8stU4qA5h_9Q0B8hOa66fsp9araL3Vl-uw-DrEilci5LkSaqbhAEq0_VJLHcsfUYvhoo5fen0soRq7D0oj9iDNX0rwU7DtodMl2cd9KUD4b_R5BSoEqQXwxoGlRyeJW/s1600-h/100_1318.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324291079021470754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMZUVcBuv-E6vf8stU4qA5h_9Q0B8hOa66fsp9araL3Vl-uw-DrEilci5LkSaqbhAEq0_VJLHcsfUYvhoo5fen0soRq7D0oj9iDNX0rwU7DtodMl2cd9KUD4b_R5BSoEqQXwxoGlRyeJW/s320/100_1318.JPG" border="0" /></a> A fair few French were in evidence but not many English.......except for the "locals" Mind you, the dealers must not be aware of the economic situation........some of the prices asked were outrageous. We soon retreated to Francette's bar, our local, for a few beers and to debate the silly prices.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDtXyhhEGc12HZyMVLyE1-6UG5ySlm5WD2NnE-5475hyJvWameUPJ7vrupq6_sAuFH9TG5tF_jr-LFUMyvt74SFjCsHex4PqSl4j7r1YwerErNKMhtRWoME9JZhqJfL_T4hqrhFoOQ3kM/s1600-h/100_1317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324290611467336338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDtXyhhEGc12HZyMVLyE1-6UG5ySlm5WD2NnE-5475hyJvWameUPJ7vrupq6_sAuFH9TG5tF_jr-LFUMyvt74SFjCsHex4PqSl4j7r1YwerErNKMhtRWoME9JZhqJfL_T4hqrhFoOQ3kM/s320/100_1317.JPG" border="0" /></a> Next week is the vin and fromage fete............hope the weather is better by then.......there is much tasting to be done! ........still researching wine for Matt and Bethan's wedding!<br /><br /><div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-41484815079420368952009-04-11T12:26:00.003+02:002009-04-11T13:18:15.510+02:00April Showers.............April showers are upon us this Easter weekend so it's back to the blog. After returning from London with un rhume and mal de gorge and then having friends visit, the blog has been neglected. John and Norma's visit was a 60th Birthday present for John and it was so nice to see them again. It is wonderful for us to see all of our friends so obviously relaxed when they are here and enjoying the peace and slow pace of life, we owe them so much. We try not to drag them around the countryside too much and instead enjoy each others company the way the French do..........drinking good wine, eating good food and catching up.<br />As you can see we did find time to get into the potager and plant the first pommes de terre. Although according to Monsieur Dauriac, our farmer neighbour, we are too early and the potatoes should not be planted until quinze Avril precisely! Whenever I ask him when I should be planting various veg he is never vague as to the time and always includes the day and not just the month. Local knowledge and experience is a great advantage.......I check the weather on the internet, I don't suppose Monsieur does but he is always right. I say to him it's forecast to rain tomorrow and after a significant pause he will say peut-etre or on verra but never no it's not and invariably it doesn't rain. Maybe one day I will be able to do that....I think not.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ToLvDZoMsg4r3oMm0n_AK-1w39Pxb-OX68293L1ZF7D89imyYFwbwID0H0q2BYzJKLm39nji1f0pL0SeB7Un3RaUHb9Yr784SrjuJXdKK5I6EPpr-XYFP-6Gb45WD0zEXDV5yO9RauB5/s1600-h/DSCN1568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323379178213266834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ToLvDZoMsg4r3oMm0n_AK-1w39Pxb-OX68293L1ZF7D89imyYFwbwID0H0q2BYzJKLm39nji1f0pL0SeB7Un3RaUHb9Yr784SrjuJXdKK5I6EPpr-XYFP-6Gb45WD0zEXDV5yO9RauB5/s320/DSCN1568.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-79785598743272223052009-03-17T10:21:00.003+01:002009-03-19T19:44:30.921+01:00Flying offLater today we head off to London, just for two nights, but when we found cheap flights (20 euros return) it was too good an opportunity to miss as Matt and Bethan are over there and we can meet up. They have been finalising some arrangements in Wales at the venue seeing caterers etc. Bethan will have been serious shopping for 'the dress', having a lovely time with her Mum while Matt will have driven from Birmingham to Newcastle to have some serious drinking with friends - there may be a quick Moss Bros suits check involved, but I am sure the nights out will dominate - Mars and Venus again! Then we meet Jude, Bethan's Mum and the happy couple for a meal tonight - perhaps in Chinatown, I hit shops intensively tomorrow, while John meets up with Keith, his brother and probably Matt for more drinking sessions until we all gather for a meal tomorrow night with more family and friends - I can't wait. Excited about seeing my son and Bethan, meeting Jude and sharing food and drinks and of course being embraced by 'big shops' a rare treat. Sure we'll be a little shell shocked by the big city but it'll be fun!!! (Linz) for JohnJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-26897478525912623762009-03-16T10:48:00.012+01:002009-03-17T10:01:43.704+01:00Marteen's BirthdayIt was Marteen's 60th Birthday on Saturday. Marteen found us our house in France and has since become a very good friend along with his french partner, Myriam. Myriam organised a suprise party for Marteen at the salle de fete in Marminiac, where they live.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd_5glkjcioUx8LiRV8fdVE-HO8G95zwxNXynB18fNuokAsAinT2ogPYDDZq5xshWri1z4ypDHklVFDTA73f047MvSMxngTTyVzttpd7rPjyBqoCDYPAXvwcr6emHDlxZYNyPTg9m2jog/s1600-h/100_1212.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313913493665443698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd_5glkjcioUx8LiRV8fdVE-HO8G95zwxNXynB18fNuokAsAinT2ogPYDDZq5xshWri1z4ypDHklVFDTA73f047MvSMxngTTyVzttpd7rPjyBqoCDYPAXvwcr6emHDlxZYNyPTg9m2jog/s320/100_1212.JPG" border="0" /></a> Marteen had no idea at all about the party or that his mother would be there having travelled down from Holland that day. It was a wonderful thing to see his face when he walked into the hall to see his friends and family gathered there.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_ua92mW6ZUrdmkl0v06YouSGVkDdxGUzu8KidiNGJasupC8IU8raV_ES0J5slzLcxGVhyphenhyphen5MKat-tOFIU3TWiL5Jo5NfSxmoRMgsZ8Oour0icvHx00tb-ou-MWa1WNBAAyZNFDW_amFdn/s1600-h/100_1251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313913187685755218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_ua92mW6ZUrdmkl0v06YouSGVkDdxGUzu8KidiNGJasupC8IU8raV_ES0J5slzLcxGVhyphenhyphen5MKat-tOFIU3TWiL5Jo5NfSxmoRMgsZ8Oour0icvHx00tb-ou-MWa1WNBAAyZNFDW_amFdn/s320/100_1251.JPG" border="0" /></a> It turned out to be one of those wonderful nights that we have grown to love here, good friends having a great time in each others company. Lots of food and wine and some very silly dancing.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYiie-agPofo2TicQidN3L2zSVUblP8IwcURGTN2UiZDdoK5oEnPANTHgaGjzLvTepMOmWxfNJjB_objMPx8N3etNDDnL7Po3XwHb35_RSx-tU-Zl1N5p0ZEgm1m9ihwgPbSuultqheFB/s1600-h/100_1231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313912771925672882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYiie-agPofo2TicQidN3L2zSVUblP8IwcURGTN2UiZDdoK5oEnPANTHgaGjzLvTepMOmWxfNJjB_objMPx8N3etNDDnL7Po3XwHb35_RSx-tU-Zl1N5p0ZEgm1m9ihwgPbSuultqheFB/s320/100_1231.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is a photo of Marteen and Myriam, together, as they are always, Marteen making a very moving thank you to all his friends and family.......life for Marteen has not been easy either.....but he has a very optimistic attitude to life which inspires everyone around him.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_FbSnBqZRLSsQbbncH-6L5Ch0F833ZXcZ479E_c0_tmegso9cpmP-oAX_XOIqvgLU01SfQNXrdorLe3raua_jEYrXBUo__F1BOWmRQMHzjjLqxeDwilN3Fpi9rmELTDXuv-ixhp79mwS/s1600-h/100_1221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313723928003085282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_FbSnBqZRLSsQbbncH-6L5Ch0F833ZXcZ479E_c0_tmegso9cpmP-oAX_XOIqvgLU01SfQNXrdorLe3raua_jEYrXBUo__F1BOWmRQMHzjjLqxeDwilN3Fpi9rmELTDXuv-ixhp79mwS/s320/100_1221.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is Marteen's brother and mother entering into the spirit of the evening with a sort of waltz invented after several glasses of vin rouge!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYtf8dklpNPIXr2x4IKhUuCALTHdU2be_hojW0Pvft9zBVCkXIHmMeVVyaFDcDNIHVjfzj8gfKSPgj7rmHOJ9MIF25EQe5ee17izNkL1PD7RD__B_jMLeICuS9H6_BVd9GfzS1OpXVi0D/s1600-h/100_1224.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313723068662314018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYtf8dklpNPIXr2x4IKhUuCALTHdU2be_hojW0Pvft9zBVCkXIHmMeVVyaFDcDNIHVjfzj8gfKSPgj7rmHOJ9MIF25EQe5ee17izNkL1PD7RD__B_jMLeICuS9H6_BVd9GfzS1OpXVi0D/s320/100_1224.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is the wonderful Myriam, a very special person who has become a great friend, and along with Marteen has done so much to help us settle into our new life.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa8q4YW3FXyQzRxFj-Y2kjDFyy9Ju8D1CTTeQ6_C20CfctpeiySRfDjmGW_SiKoMM0BSNJ1DdMyKMWyu2zkB8QB6PQ9ChuM5_u5vdwvtBzZilEWsxMh3-LWmOX_kSRmnxOU5fNuUraQAo/s1600-h/100_1223.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313722706414101202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa8q4YW3FXyQzRxFj-Y2kjDFyy9Ju8D1CTTeQ6_C20CfctpeiySRfDjmGW_SiKoMM0BSNJ1DdMyKMWyu2zkB8QB6PQ9ChuM5_u5vdwvtBzZilEWsxMh3-LWmOX_kSRmnxOU5fNuUraQAo/s320/100_1223.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is me eating raw herring, dutch style........it tasted better than it looks. A word about the braces....... we were asked to wear something red because it is Marteens favourite colour, the braces were all I had!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBppN3R6A0Xhdd31aUAbra-VryHNf1ADlLTZO9EHGAN_snFRvg7DLc1c-Bk6zco_IyECEZUg0-f5tt68P4xZ8vJiUMYZc7_SKtRzoBvmVGbIwu9sTBFz-3gidNeMCzwbmoZT5qHvbHxhA6/s1600-h/100_1218.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313722263875886594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBppN3R6A0Xhdd31aUAbra-VryHNf1ADlLTZO9EHGAN_snFRvg7DLc1c-Bk6zco_IyECEZUg0-f5tt68P4xZ8vJiUMYZc7_SKtRzoBvmVGbIwu9sTBFz-3gidNeMCzwbmoZT5qHvbHxhA6/s320/100_1218.JPG" border="0" /></a> Marteen sings and plays guitar in a local band. He is the "Bob Dylan" of Marminiac. </div><div>'<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L16x8ghVnySfmVoQE7cgM-WRFAjNGTQu-WHyWvjn6Xz2IUi2QcoBwK_NXkrfWQGn9xEVcJLJfRUQd2Vuy0XflO74idVUzDkYkq0bf5RCvFKCAJjeuexAA-kceDDl-ynuq09SzIz8sQF6/s1600-h/100_1226.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313721169592257250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4L16x8ghVnySfmVoQE7cgM-WRFAjNGTQu-WHyWvjn6Xz2IUi2QcoBwK_NXkrfWQGn9xEVcJLJfRUQd2Vuy0XflO74idVUzDkYkq0bf5RCvFKCAJjeuexAA-kceDDl-ynuq09SzIz8sQF6/s320/100_1226.JPG" border="0" /></a> Everyone had their photo taken inside a picture frame........... a wonderful idea............the things people did with the frames!! It was a great night.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-56235017291003394312009-03-01T21:03:00.007+01:002009-03-03T22:30:46.363+01:00Foire d'arbres..........Today saw the first plant fair of the season at St.Martial-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nabirat</span>. The local <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pepinieres</span> set up stalls selling their y<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">oung</span> trees and shrubs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCPbwhxvfUs3639On0raYuU1SOZWqmenmPm6-WPYcGx3m1s3Hg2ta1KRRNuniFPVanmuNbRzIX48eXpINFO4BdnMCNTmD7MIQlJC-wIA3Hpz_F3uMHYvKqADpikJe4KGSWSsymhaki9xs/s1600-h/100_1197.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308316054610126594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCPbwhxvfUs3639On0raYuU1SOZWqmenmPm6-WPYcGx3m1s3Hg2ta1KRRNuniFPVanmuNbRzIX48eXpINFO4BdnMCNTmD7MIQlJC-wIA3Hpz_F3uMHYvKqADpikJe4KGSWSsymhaki9xs/s320/100_1197.JPG" border="0" /></a> Despite the rainy weather people from the surrounding villages still turned out to give their support, dragging away trees with huge <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">root balls</span> covered in hessian..........<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6r6bouMA2U2xo4S3YwnVBzJvxjYYCBCH50qj4MvulIerHEOb6RoWf7rPucSE8zFoYU4Ca5Tvcwlh6Kymf9LtxiJGPwVD6XUvi8pp-zEbEhytJOEdNzcqMQG6tNEunKqYCCXpadI6jOzc/s1600-h/100_1195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308315654124342226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6r6bouMA2U2xo4S3YwnVBzJvxjYYCBCH50qj4MvulIerHEOb6RoWf7rPucSE8zFoYU4Ca5Tvcwlh6Kymf9LtxiJGPwVD6XUvi8pp-zEbEhytJOEdNzcqMQG6tNEunKqYCCXpadI6jOzc/s320/100_1195.JPG" border="0" /></a> then returning to mark their places for the" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">repas</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">foire</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">d'arbres</span> "in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Salle</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">de</span> Fetes- a five course lunch with wine included for 20 euros.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5_xHUoS0J9rrJmAuy3_6GlCKr6fKTy2yti8tVTngtzJo1Uw9Ms6eLvuzSUXru8998QfyIBCp6sw878kwfZrCxiKem6EOJ_YDzM2Dk0QAdX3cXqCanPHtVshEgD3MdS-S1sndB4xMx-3s/s1600-h/100_1199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308315174236495426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5_xHUoS0J9rrJmAuy3_6GlCKr6fKTy2yti8tVTngtzJo1Uw9Ms6eLvuzSUXru8998QfyIBCp6sw878kwfZrCxiKem6EOJ_YDzM2Dk0QAdX3cXqCanPHtVshEgD3MdS-S1sndB4xMx-3s/s320/100_1199.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-33350269824638568532009-02-25T22:36:00.010+01:002009-02-25T23:23:51.256+01:00Aujourdhui..........Today was one of "those" days that happen from time to time, when the shutters come down and the day ahead looms long. So we decided to drive south for the day and, after removing ice from the windscreen of the car, we set off for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Albi</span> in the Lot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">et</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Garonne</span>, a drive of about two hours.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1BHe1kyNNhK7io0jmf9g9R8_Vk08hyOh2FEhDEiW-42ueP7XJRxS5jGFKz4pRkKpGLtscHT0SknoDvCQmOzKHmqtiL8hmyWB0P4J8uoFqDqWd5hk3QNoIBgdLBYYMqfB_1jMS7V5yBl1/s1600-h/DSCN1029.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306854282976737602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1BHe1kyNNhK7io0jmf9g9R8_Vk08hyOh2FEhDEiW-42ueP7XJRxS5jGFKz4pRkKpGLtscHT0SknoDvCQmOzKHmqtiL8hmyWB0P4J8uoFqDqWd5hk3QNoIBgdLBYYMqfB_1jMS7V5yBl1/s320/DSCN1029.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />By the time we arrived the temperature had risen to a very pleasant 15 degrees and we were able to walk around the old town with some warm sun on our back. Cathedral <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sainte</span>-Cecile is massive and sits at the top of an incline <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">surrounded</span> by the beautiful warm, pink toned buildings of the old town.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcd1RDGoDGaqo45pthC8v28hMDmjyNxXx-KZmxNll7vtO9G3_elglvuBvov7VlfJJNSvfTyoWU26NMZzu-5WO6W1z26rb-Z3aurV52wNTxdrDoftACMzMhxsXK_cShC4Hb4KTFL0GhO-p/s1600-h/DSCN1030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306854032399978482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcd1RDGoDGaqo45pthC8v28hMDmjyNxXx-KZmxNll7vtO9G3_elglvuBvov7VlfJJNSvfTyoWU26NMZzu-5WO6W1z26rb-Z3aurV52wNTxdrDoftACMzMhxsXK_cShC4Hb4KTFL0GhO-p/s320/DSCN1030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqIlRfmAHcPv-p7f33iGMIFA3aPCABRfVsI9ltG957KLgmyYWlTw7-R-dRkpcxO19TEpzAVhdpNdBtOMi2kcWcLOLF17QftDxvlRbLGXnQkJSbYZ1A8SZqxyxdtlrwaBIGSHkMHGVD1yh/s1600-h/DSCN1039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306853736292980194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqIlRfmAHcPv-p7f33iGMIFA3aPCABRfVsI9ltG957KLgmyYWlTw7-R-dRkpcxO19TEpzAVhdpNdBtOMi2kcWcLOLF17QftDxvlRbLGXnQkJSbYZ1A8SZqxyxdtlrwaBIGSHkMHGVD1yh/s320/DSCN1039.JPG" border="0" /></a> The one downside of the cathedral has nothing to do with the building itself but the fact that it appears to be in the middle of a roundabout, moreover one that is heavily disguised as a pedestrian <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">precinct</span>, which makes negotiating Place <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Sainte</span>-Cecile a little difficult and dangerous at times.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxmR5eA4uHXNqIhVoMAxToCXCsnZR8DBUG0Pdtk8TLzqbw5ewbXeKbfItx3l-zTuEvIcDrVWEpsvimPBCDRk6-MezF89YSKMbWFKjfc2P-DRIrIOw3xLxkdMkTyMxeTRpvc1xWjIiZWBX/s1600-h/DSCN1026.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306853271915499282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxmR5eA4uHXNqIhVoMAxToCXCsnZR8DBUG0Pdtk8TLzqbw5ewbXeKbfItx3l-zTuEvIcDrVWEpsvimPBCDRk6-MezF89YSKMbWFKjfc2P-DRIrIOw3xLxkdMkTyMxeTRpvc1xWjIiZWBX/s320/DSCN1026.JPG" border="0" /></a> The pink bricked buildings of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">old</span> town are now home to numerous bars, restaurants and shops and also the famous Henry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">de</span> Toulouse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lautrec</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Museum</span> displaying his iconic lithographs and paintings of the brothels of Paris.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9W3ryzH3Ovlc_ul3An5bWoFGs714Y7c2LKAz3RwGO4wp83F2_rswMYs8wDeVo2hwJWpVQ7_f6MSOO0HEg-GmlKe52r7u-UoZmpp0gZ8cCqwQSzH1A2_ThyAyxjRxrh9V8-K5Ht7dsv8G/s1600-h/DSCN1025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306852907763041810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9W3ryzH3Ovlc_ul3An5bWoFGs714Y7c2LKAz3RwGO4wp83F2_rswMYs8wDeVo2hwJWpVQ7_f6MSOO0HEg-GmlKe52r7u-UoZmpp0gZ8cCqwQSzH1A2_ThyAyxjRxrh9V8-K5Ht7dsv8G/s320/DSCN1025.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja24ibzdYFcFCogYw6eoIzS2cRCqgM_5I-PFPqrRIGSOJyhxlUbt7ZtoKuOiXGjZj0-f8Tz1mNwr32Bnc5vQ-V9QcW4QBjBSlo444TQqj95XpaYuGnsWA6ez_4TXUVAc6ycerYcl-nGFiQ/s1600-h/DSCN1051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306852641938966290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja24ibzdYFcFCogYw6eoIzS2cRCqgM_5I-PFPqrRIGSOJyhxlUbt7ZtoKuOiXGjZj0-f8Tz1mNwr32Bnc5vQ-V9QcW4QBjBSlo444TQqj95XpaYuGnsWA6ez_4TXUVAc6ycerYcl-nGFiQ/s320/DSCN1051.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-52536933462740395362009-02-18T19:45:00.004+01:002009-02-18T20:18:32.656+01:00Dans le jardin.....I've been working "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dans</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">le</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jardin</span>" over the past week, Lindsay says I'm recreating the Somme at the back of the house, digging trenches for drainage and cables and making a bit of a mess. "where will I hang my washing?" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mmm</span>.<br />We had another Birthday last week, this time our son, Matthew. We returned to Bergerac and bought a plant for Matt------he is now a tree, an Acacia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">dealbata</span> Le <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">gaulois</span>! very grand--------looks like this..................<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZUE5SlFQNfpUFvueIi3VB_JvNaaMDa-LDUzgTIacuhx4HZqDrTsGaJcHbbjJlYxq5h6MuTE19TOlz6856f3H24WMaH9KxI22KGEjohF2cAYq4s-QDnRvwjAFqHEW4AvxAqcnVIquJsdv/s1600-h/img030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304210658936461794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZUE5SlFQNfpUFvueIi3VB_JvNaaMDa-LDUzgTIacuhx4HZqDrTsGaJcHbbjJlYxq5h6MuTE19TOlz6856f3H24WMaH9KxI22KGEjohF2cAYq4s-QDnRvwjAFqHEW4AvxAqcnVIquJsdv/s320/img030.jpg" border="0" /></a>or so we have been led to believe! We have decided that from now on we will mark every birthday with a new plant, shrub or tree, so that every plant in the garden will have a special memory. It maybe Erin or Matt or Adam, Lindsay or even moi!.....and from now <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Bethan</span>.<br /><div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-76716328338553500872009-02-10T16:07:00.014+01:002009-02-10T23:23:42.506+01:005th February............revised post<div align="left">It was Erin's Birthday on the 5th-she would have been 23.............. It was a beautiful sunny day so we decided to drive to Bergerac, which is about 100km north west of us. There is a huge garden centre just outside of the town and we wanted to look for a nice plant to mark Erin's day. We chose a lovely lavender coloured rose and have picked out a place for it on the new terrace by the side of the house. We also bought a wind chime to hang in the same area and when there is a breeze and they chime we will say "Hi Erin". </div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ7Ul-J0BCcZyLuxbIpyBSHmR9-BArh4oP8ubGpQId2kf5fzWaPONC_gT_bC-9jdcAr_rtfmplELQXFMg3T4VoiAO046CYJqOk85hzIezwa98owstRXOiTlCnLXdU9RdLLRZw6sMlDdOL/s1600-h/reflets-de-dordogne.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301188296317903826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZ7Ul-J0BCcZyLuxbIpyBSHmR9-BArh4oP8ubGpQId2kf5fzWaPONC_gT_bC-9jdcAr_rtfmplELQXFMg3T4VoiAO046CYJqOk85hzIezwa98owstRXOiTlCnLXdU9RdLLRZw6sMlDdOL/s320/reflets-de-dordogne.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Bergerac is the largest town in the Dordogne Valley and owes its prosperity and importance to the river. As early as the twelfth century it was a thriving port and crossing point on the river. gabarres carried, wood, stone, wine and other locally produced goods between Perigord and Bordeaux. Today the gabarres carry tourists up and down the river on sightseeing trips as the photograph above shows. The centre of the newer part the town is dominated by the church of Notre-Dame, with its neogothic belltower.<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQkrra2A1C12RrPmdkaNM-WyW341UTWfbxFddPj8Mv_TXlEhCBHmGZ8CWENunSYqdt_q66SRCvwI0yYWh7wEPQ_Zi-M1xLkex16xM4V0cFxpnDQK_X_Tl76GcLO0MR6k-58C5qJDDW41-/s1600-h/DSCN0976.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301188092921122658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQkrra2A1C12RrPmdkaNM-WyW341UTWfbxFddPj8Mv_TXlEhCBHmGZ8CWENunSYqdt_q66SRCvwI0yYWh7wEPQ_Zi-M1xLkex16xM4V0cFxpnDQK_X_Tl76GcLO0MR6k-58C5qJDDW41-/s320/DSCN0976.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bergerac is now known for its wine making and numerous vineyards surround the town. There are thirteen appellations in all. Perhaps the most famous is Chatau Monbazilliac, to the south of the town, which is famous for its sweet, white wine.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fuqycCE_uebSmibeFm8y82u4yCP7iBhHv1_t_bpHMnT2jEivzBw4TTLqNJZ8kDyTl6AKbIVimUk3d4qMgTOR_9b0CUhOFrMDkBWkZmtIX0kYoTW4RacCbtq_hPTVLk8RUUcVtFMWMCfJ/s1600-h/pomport.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187580850453170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fuqycCE_uebSmibeFm8y82u4yCP7iBhHv1_t_bpHMnT2jEivzBw4TTLqNJZ8kDyTl6AKbIVimUk3d4qMgTOR_9b0CUhOFrMDkBWkZmtIX0kYoTW4RacCbtq_hPTVLk8RUUcVtFMWMCfJ/s320/pomport.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p>The vieille ville is a very picturesque and peaceful area to stroll around, with lots small shops and cafes, where you can relax with a coffee or something stronger! There are also many beautifully restored medieval houses and museums to look out for.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8kTvWN1q34mxkdLuxPb9GvTLll9bb-JaiqPUIifGTguf8T5h9ls7r_18ljdglaZWxwoAGVhvD4X9kbG7E_Rvh9UiKwBCOwfIGf2yOOMrOv3rdEzUq_G2PEFRzd-Ven6heFvL_1fBtiH_/s1600-h/DSCN0985.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301187159545081586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8kTvWN1q34mxkdLuxPb9GvTLll9bb-JaiqPUIifGTguf8T5h9ls7r_18ljdglaZWxwoAGVhvD4X9kbG7E_Rvh9UiKwBCOwfIGf2yOOMrOv3rdEzUq_G2PEFRzd-Ven6heFvL_1fBtiH_/s320/DSCN0985.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc5mBNYqgtfDRB1PSu85ErrqUFM63UoI-sDHwyX1cQWfGvRzIGzGte6tj-wbaC_XXxIfBXzf2g5lkwl2LF0qn8qm4xa3-aO0qIU-OV7HVfNbp8mb-mLi_DHpwmjuZKxoPcFkvUxFxMhTF/s1600-h/DSCN0983.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301186708080131522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc5mBNYqgtfDRB1PSu85ErrqUFM63UoI-sDHwyX1cQWfGvRzIGzGte6tj-wbaC_XXxIfBXzf2g5lkwl2LF0qn8qm4xa3-aO0qIU-OV7HVfNbp8mb-mLi_DHpwmjuZKxoPcFkvUxFxMhTF/s320/DSCN0983.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301186370428887682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Is8oqA0ioAraeErdcW6Gxc6pJTva00Tl3OgN__8zzQJppvss82ZR_VqJVPxXnUtO_rgHXfL_UDTKylr_H0VtU9vh61Ds6B20rFVKcJFnREaQ32BLYnrc6YVh4SJp0P7uJeaQ0HCvkZjq/s320/DSCN0990.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>In the centre of Vieille Ville there is a statue of a man with a big nose called Cyrano de Bergerac, even though this poetic caveliar never set foot in the town, why? This will have to be researched and if anyone knows why he is there let me know.<br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5leU6LP2ZUEdohRlHFYETNVdTvHT4uHV1G9Ta8UBxDe1RzQU8v77udqYCjma-9gkCiHlVuJrCCMC3g1w84Y_xKMOezytr3YT_R4ahvrUVFk-n8OnJ39Rf2a5eonkDlCezngQMFESMO_K/s1600-h/DSCN0980.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301186037429027458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5leU6LP2ZUEdohRlHFYETNVdTvHT4uHV1G9Ta8UBxDe1RzQU8v77udqYCjma-9gkCiHlVuJrCCMC3g1w84Y_xKMOezytr3YT_R4ahvrUVFk-n8OnJ39Rf2a5eonkDlCezngQMFESMO_K/s320/DSCN0980.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-39305140260816123702009-02-04T19:37:00.004+01:002009-02-10T22:18:35.166+01:00Time to relax again....After a week embroiled in fiscal matters, including preparing a dossier for entry into the French health care system, it is good to be able to relax again. Having returned to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">desrevesinfrance</span> I find that I have been tagged by Jude of<a href="http://cariadincrete/"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cariadincrete</span></a>. I have to find the sixth photograph in the sixth folder of My Pictures, publish it and write a story around it----could be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">embarassing</span>! Here goes.....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSudWIbmouw_Qst7C7Uh6s_vQLA45NtgWUcYX3wVYzbo94KHoB9Ff_JHeUUfVg6AzMR0C4Yi33UOnre84wHWM4iCZ0m4KDtwBovI6HGTBRQCzbvAhIoyMZzoGTJ_-u4MRA6DONovcCCqH/s1600-h/DSCN0627.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299013456913566146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSudWIbmouw_Qst7C7Uh6s_vQLA45NtgWUcYX3wVYzbo94KHoB9Ff_JHeUUfVg6AzMR0C4Yi33UOnre84wHWM4iCZ0m4KDtwBovI6HGTBRQCzbvAhIoyMZzoGTJ_-u4MRA6DONovcCCqH/s320/DSCN0627.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hmmmm</span>, well it could have been worse. Although Frederik ( he is the one standing up) must have been waving his hands when I took the photo! In the summer our French neighbours invited us to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">mechui</span>. This, we found out, was the roasting of a whole lamb on a spit- it was delicious, but not for the squeamish I think. There must have been forty people there. All but six of us were family members ranging from children to parents and grandparents and boyfriends and girlfriends. This is one of the wonderful things about this part of France, family is still all important and the love and respect shown is obvious for us to see, and more importantly, they are not afraid to show it openly----even the teenagers!<br /><br /><div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-70508022997804721742009-01-26T16:01:00.006+01:002009-01-27T15:41:57.593+01:00A Walk in the Woods......<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIqJhUPBUgibBDaOsRz-5uiuXWCiwXt12z1-9ZD6zhlTI2c5pWpFBhsDH4yqq5Cb9Gu1VOnMF4kbpYgh5Y2BkU0-HATBWPW6IK3t_o3oTcKxFoFj0bkITS-Aj6BWhKjdVEy9jNIgfk4eu/s1600-h/DSCN0974.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295623222226420338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIqJhUPBUgibBDaOsRz-5uiuXWCiwXt12z1-9ZD6zhlTI2c5pWpFBhsDH4yqq5Cb9Gu1VOnMF4kbpYgh5Y2BkU0-HATBWPW6IK3t_o3oTcKxFoFj0bkITS-Aj6BWhKjdVEy9jNIgfk4eu/s320/DSCN0974.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="left">After the wind and rain, yesterday was"il fait beau" and we walked up the hill past Merlin and through the oak woods. We never cease to be amazed by as we come across hamlets previously unknown to us and unseen behind the cover of summer foliage. Our walk took us past the hamlets of les Cazettes and Poumayrol before returning via an old track leading us down the hillside.<br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKC-ZbXtAMprXJ87oJPfqhq3Do5RC-waA_PpbkIpbzuQra7QJOlw5uogdnKcqdvarZZV4NpF6GZYnlqzbRurWTdFDqx2iuGgz2Zea33BOH_i5fyKCbJKsgd6cDnv4_Tslnb7HL8ovGKt1/s1600-h/DSCN0970.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295620843170433218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOKC-ZbXtAMprXJ87oJPfqhq3Do5RC-waA_PpbkIpbzuQra7QJOlw5uogdnKcqdvarZZV4NpF6GZYnlqzbRurWTdFDqx2iuGgz2Zea33BOH_i5fyKCbJKsgd6cDnv4_Tslnb7HL8ovGKt1/s320/DSCN0970.JPG" border="0" /></a> les Cazettes <em></em><br /></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-23180590295541968652009-01-24T20:47:00.003+01:002009-01-26T18:35:15.868+01:00La Bouriane<div>La <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bouriane</span> extends from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Gourdon</span> to the Lot Valley and from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Cahors</span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Puy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">L'Eveque</span>. It is a region of oak and chestnut woods where the limestone disappears under a bed of sandstone, a lovely red and ochre colour. This soil favours the cultivation of chestnut, pine and walnut trees. There are vineyards galore on the slopes with a southern aspect. A number of rivers carve their way through the plateau creating a hilly, mixed wooded countryside scattered with farms and an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">abundance</span> of wildlife. Butterflies, golden eagles, buzzards, kites, deer and boar are to be found throughout the area, and on Sundays, in the season, the sounds of the hunt can be heard ringing around the hills.</div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7893861546720715871.post-4545999550469486442009-01-24T15:11:00.009+01:002009-01-27T17:38:22.083+01:00Le vent, le vent, le grand vent....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjuLiDHYRQRK2tVzA_7yerWDFv3Sg4U5_Af9g3aaFIHu51VRNe8QSjY5OxdVm-vVfhsouNy7FBP0tjp8Va1PI9XIksZA_acsZe8obETC3kvrEjk2AjzMmGm3suaDWMo0OPhoqEKMiiCtz/s1600-h/DSCN0961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294873704525151650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjuLiDHYRQRK2tVzA_7yerWDFv3Sg4U5_Af9g3aaFIHu51VRNe8QSjY5OxdVm-vVfhsouNy7FBP0tjp8Va1PI9XIksZA_acsZe8obETC3kvrEjk2AjzMmGm3suaDWMo0OPhoqEKMiiCtz/s200/DSCN0961.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dieu</span>, after two days of torrential rain we were hit in the early hours by "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">le</span> vent", and, with apologies to Bruce Springsteen, "it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">blowed</span> away, it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">blowed</span> away, my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">French</span> home it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">blowed</span> away'- well not quite. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">potager</span> is now a paddy field and the prospective chicken run is now a duck pond.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2H9YPnn8v8lsw6TBrhtTuHK0GzTLnbPKfeUs1p4fm_-7CwGlLOEGG3vgfIrKWuHb0bgfBRqU7y913v4zWzXxW8E6ExoKR-J0Mgasc1GNJztPhLsPiVnMVHYzCxI21lWSYeNhTYSffQg_/s1600-h/DSCN0964.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294873700404262002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 489px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2H9YPnn8v8lsw6TBrhtTuHK0GzTLnbPKfeUs1p4fm_-7CwGlLOEGG3vgfIrKWuHb0bgfBRqU7y913v4zWzXxW8E6ExoKR-J0Mgasc1GNJztPhLsPiVnMVHYzCxI21lWSYeNhTYSffQg_/s200/DSCN0964.JPG" border="0" /></a> Chicken run -now duck pond<br /></div><div>........ and there is a strange looking man wearing a mask, rowing around in the cellar singing, "All I Ask of You" in a very operatic voice- I think he must have been washed down from Paris! I have told Lindsay to stay away from the cellar at all costs.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz-OlGAxDssM1Yxeei1oted07LMrrnpKZQ6aLPZPKk1KzB8dvFVbiRteppIlVeTFR8D9H-wOvJ05ZmSIOk6bcdf5I_Rjnd5pQW3syhwSn-XfcIpp7MV_o0hgAawLVMFVLLikbChswixLs/s1600-h/DSCN0960.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294872629932907026" style="WIDTH: 676px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkz-OlGAxDssM1Yxeei1oted07LMrrnpKZQ6aLPZPKk1KzB8dvFVbiRteppIlVeTFR8D9H-wOvJ05ZmSIOk6bcdf5I_Rjnd5pQW3syhwSn-XfcIpp7MV_o0hgAawLVMFVLLikbChswixLs/s320/DSCN0960.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Potager</span></span>(paddy field)<br /><br /><div> It is a little calmer and drier now so hopefully the worst is over and after watching the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">tv</span></span> news channels we seemed to have been spared the worst of the storm. Serves us right, only last week we were talking about the fact that we were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">rarely</span> troubled by wind here------perhaps I should rephrase that.</div><div>Yesterday we visited <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Brive</span></span> with John and Jackie, continuing Lindsay's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">preliminary</span> search for her wedding outfit. We were unsuccessful this time but I'm sure we will return in the near future. We found a very nice bistro -<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bistrot</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">du</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Boucher</span></span>- <a href="http://www.bistrotduboucher.fr/">http://www.bistrotduboucher.fr/</a> John and I had a fantastic Limousin steak, beautifully cooked, while Lindsay and Jackie had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Cabillaud</span></span> with a wonderful sauce. She can't remember what is was and refuses to think about it because she says it's boring and I'm beginning to sound like Michael Winner and should be very worried. On that note perhaps I should now tune into "Final Score".</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00503902882921861612noreply@blogger.com2