9th July - Jonzac Adventures

This morning started well with the rescuing of a baby hedgehog from the swimming pool.  Left under a bush but with the sun on his back he soon made a recovery and off he set on his next adventure.

I noticed today that many sunflowers are now showing their happy, smiley, nodding yellow heads.  Field upon field of happiness.  More locally to the gites they  are lagging behind but hopefully that will mean they will be ready for the peak season.  Ours are late as I had to start a second batch after trying to grow seeds that were probably too old.

Jonzac is an historical town 20 minutes from us.  There is a great pool (Les Antilles) with rapids and slides and treatments for adults such as sauna and massage.  All very lovely.  Just behind all of this is a hidden gem.  A lake with a beach surrounding it in a parkland area.  Today the children were invited by a friend to an event there called Jonzac Adventure.  Firstly, we had to join a team at the tourist office and then today the teams all set off on various challenges.  There was boating and fishing, karate and badminton, wall climbing and  physical team challenges and horse riding to name but a few.  It was an incredible day - the children had wonderful fun and came home exhausted.  There was no charge even more incredibly.  If you visit with children this is a fantastic venue to visit.  There is even a BBQ using vine  wood and the food is a good price.  

7th July - Not quite the Tour de France!

The children and I are getting quite into our cycling again - although I am not as fit as I used to be so a "cycle" might be pushing it (oh a pun!).  We set off again this evening for a pootle through the almost ready sunflowers and the vines with their abundance of petite grapes and suddenly I realised I had lost a troop.  My daughter's bike had broken.  I was knee deep in oil after trying to fix the gears and heading home when a rather lovely cyclist in all his cycling regalia stopped and asked if we needed help.  My French being as poor as it is; I managed to mime most of the problem!  So cool!  He got out his repair kit and begin fiddling around with the bike and then asking in his best, oh so lovely English with a French twist, if we lived locally as he couldn't fix it.  What a gentleman.

It rained this evening, the first real rain for quite a while.  I say "real rain"......it lasted half an hour.  It was glorious.  It was that very light mist type rain - but heavy if that makes any sense at all.  The children played in the pool amidst this heavy dewy fall - laughing with delight at the refreshing break in the weather.  I am really hoping it is the incentive my wild flowers need to show their beautiful heads as so far the display is a little on the light side (approximately 10 flowers in 2.5 acres).

6th July - Two Little Foxes and Rapunzel

I was off to the supermarket this morning to find our dog a new dog food - as I decided importing was a crazy option and we just had to go with what is available; so possibly a period of trial and error ahead with Mr Sensitive Tummy.  Anyhow, quite close to where I spotted the wild boar, there in the middle of the road, were two little baby foxes playing together.  Long and lithe with that distinctive bushy tail with the white tips.  The panic when they saw the car: into the bushes - out of the bushes; into the corn; around the corn; back into the corn.  Do we stand still and pretend we are not here or RUN...........and they were gone.

Our smaller gite has been occupied since I arrived and today was the first time I have had the opportunity to have a really good look at it since I bought it.  It is lovely.  It is charming.  It is inviting and relaxing.  The views are spectacular.  From the main living area and two of the bedrooms you look out towards the pool - the crystal blue of the water sparkling like a pool full of gems.  The forest off into the  providing a striking backdrop.  The other bedroom has spectacular views towards the Rapunzel tower.

The Rapunzel tower is an old ruin about a mile away.  To be honest we are all intrigued and fascinated by it and everybody you talk to wants to buy it and develop it.  The truth is it isn't a viable option for any profit - but if you just wanted to live there, wow, what a place - with the most far reaching views.  It is actually part of an old house with this (slightly short but equally charming) Rapunzel tower.  I know we will all be heartbroken if somebody does actually buy it.

5th July - Pons

Today we visited the town of Pons.  A beautiful historic town with a wonderful Keep set right up on high, with wonderful manicured gardens, fountains and cafes in a compact location.  There is also Le Chateau des Enigmes with a treasure trail, picnic spots and tree houses.  It is a spectacular looking building.  Our guests even found somewhere to kayak. 

There was an art and wood carvings sale in the Keep which added further interest to the day.  The carvings were quite spectacular of stalks catching fish and elephants and even a dress made out of circles of wood.

Contrary to tradition, we bypassed the patisserie today, in favour of an ice cream.  A scoop of strawberry and a scoop of vanilla in what has to be one of the largest cones I have ever seen.  Delicious!  We also made an impromptu stop at a market stall on the way home that sold the largest loaf of bread I have ever seen.  It was so large that it was shared amongst us and our friends whom chauffeured us today.  A stroll around Pons is highly recommended.

I have been watching our guests taking out the bikes each day, and thinking it must surely be time for us to get on them.  So we did.  This evening we went off around the lanes and I was so pleased I did.  You get a totally different view when you are 2 feet higher up - seeing the long stretches of vines heading off into the distance, crossing fields of sunflowers and corn.  Just spectacular.  I would wholeheartedly recommend a little pootle out.

02nd July - La Galerie is Finished

After 6 weeks of painting, scrubbing and shopping La Galerie is finally finished.  Our first guests have arrived from Northern Ireland and we couldn't be happier that they are the first family to stay at the gite.

The pool area has its new furniture out and looks lovely, however, it will be having a refurb over the winter with a new liner and hopefully new fencing etc - so that is exciting.

Speaking of the pool.......I went out there late last night to put the umbrellas away.  A storm was in the distance; the electricity had gone out and the thunder was getting closer.  The breeze was picking up and I was worried about them ending up in the pool.  Just as I lifted one out of the base a gust of wind got under the parasol and there I found myself teetering on the very edge of the pool dancing with an umbrella.  It really almost got me.  Admittedly my neighbour had poured 2 very large gin and tonics into me but if anything that probably saved me (being more relaxed and amused by the situation than uptight) - or so I tell myself!

I hope you like the new pictures of La Galerie.

29th June 2015 - Chickens

I took my car to a nearby garage today for its annual service.  As I drove in, a gentleman drew my attention to a hen roaming around on the grass within the enclosure of the garage ground.  Then I spotted several of the tiniest, fluffiest little baby chicks you could imagine.  My French is not good enough ask if the mother hen had flown in over the fence to make this a home for her little ones; or if indeed the owner of the garage had brought her in as a point of interest.

It is currently 11 o clock at night and still 27degrees.  Tomorrow it is forecast to be 39 degrees.  Luckily the house and gites seem to maintain a reasonable and cool temperature.  There is a big push tomorrow to finish La Galerie before our visitors arrive on Wednesday.  All my neighbours, my children and I are going to be out there early to get as much done as we can before the weather gets hot.  In honesty, I should probably have been finished a week ago but I have just continued to add more and more jobs to the list.  It is also photo day tomorrow (or possibly Wednesday morning) so I am really looking forward to putting up the new pictures and I hope our visitors like the spruce up.

25th June - Good neighbours

I remember, as a young girl, I was raised in a community where my neighbours were like family.  If anybody had a problem, somebody could usually help.  My own grandmother was at the very heart of the community.  So many people came to her for advice, for care, for food and for parties.  At times I hated it.  My first boyfriend for instance remained a secret for a whole week before word got back to my family that I was out and about with somebody.  But I really do appreciate and treasure so many aspects.

In the UK I loved our family home and the village we lived in.  Our neighbours were really very lovely, but they were busy - as were we.  I struggled for years to build the house that we lived in, and would often pass the time of day with our neighbours, but they didn't have the time to help. 

Today I was working in La Galerie (again).  The previous owner was in the car park helping my son lay down the gravel that had been delivered.  My neighbours from over the road were painting, repairing and making coffee.  Tonight, I cooked for them and we sat and enjoyed the weather, views and wonderful local food.  Surely that is what it is all about. 

19th June - Seasonality

I have been very English - wondering why there is no lamb in the shops and where on earth is the sweetcorn - don't they know it is summer?  Silly me!  I have finally, if not rather slowly, realised that both meat and vegetables are seasonal in France.  I remember as a little girl looking forward to certain foods at certain times of year.  As the years have advanced I really lost sight of when a carrot had their season, or spring lamb was supposed to hit the shops.  It is really exciting.  I understand there is a glut of certain meats at particular points in the year, for example, quite soon we should be able to buy half a lamb in the supermarket.  I suppose that takes me back to one of my earlier blogs about why the food has so much more flavour.

It has been a lovely day today - although not as productive as I had hoped.  I was planning to paint in La Galerie again, but after an hour this morning I was just too tired (having spent the whole week in there).  The weather turned out better than forecast and it was bright and sunny; so I decided I could be productive and lazy at the same time - I went and sat on the mower and cut the grass.  Driving round the gites I noticed one of the borders was looking a  little tired so I got out my kneepad and gloves (a leaving present from the UK) and tidied it up.  It was, I decided a great opportunity to go and buy a few plants to bring some colour back.  But first..........I was so hot after being out all afternoon......and nobody was here.......absolutely nobody.......the pool was calling me.  Off went the out layers and in I went .  Putting my head back into the cool water was bliss.  Beyond bliss.  To lay there for a few minutes and take in the scenery and watch the sun shimmer on the water. 

This evening the children and I have been shelling our garlic and chilli prawns with crusty bread and this lovely glass of rose should finish the day off nicely.

15th June - The Car Park

Our home already had a "car park" for the gites; but I use the term loosely.  A patch of flattened hard core was not really a welcoming site.  Something needed to be done.

We didn't want to use tarmac or anything formal against the backdrop of our beautiful gites so we needed a cunning plan, a few odds and ends and a good neighbour.

First came the good neighbour - who drove me in his van to the timber yard where a faggot of wood was acquired.  I have seen this wood around the area used for building sheds and the like.  It is the outsides of the tree that are shaved off when the wood is being cut into planks.  It has a beautiful bark coat left on.  So that was loaded up (and rather fortuitously I spotted out the corner of my eye some timber squares that were fantastic quality and it turned out nearly half the price of far less inferior ones I had spotted in the shops - so a return visit is on the cards).  Anyhow, the good neighbour came into his own again (let's face it the car park is really down to him) and he gave me several sheets of old tarpaulin to cover the enlarged space to suppress the weeds.  Tonight the children and I have spent a couple of happy hours putting down the said tarpaulin, edging the area with our faggot of wood and creating a planter over what was  - how can I describe it - a huge pile of rubble!!!!  It started to rain but we were not deterred.  In fact, it was quite wonderful - that light almost fragile rain that barely seems to touch you but still leaves you soaked.  A hot shower and a hot cup of tea later and life feels good.  Tomorrow is exciting - we get to fill the planter with compost and plant out some of the sunflowers and lavender cuttings that have been growing over the spring.  A trip to the builders yard later in the week will complete our new car park - which we will love dearly as we made it ourselves.   Perhaps next year we will put a pathway down to the gites too to complete the improvements.  I wonder what odds and ends I can use next time.

11th June - Bang!

Well it has been quite an explosive day.......

Firstly, upon entering the barn two of our Champagne bottles had exploded.  Our worst fear! So much for using flip top bottles (common sense telling us the flip top would release under pressure) which simply exploded, sending glass everywhere.  Thank goodness we weren't in there.   My neighbour very bravely wrapped a towel around each of the rest and released the gas.  They are all now safely in the fridge where the fermenting process should stop and we should be safe.  Lots of lessons have been learnt for next year - unfortunately the Elderflowers have gone over this year now.  We remain undefeated and after finishing what is left (rude to waste it) we shall endeavour to strive for perfection next year.

The weather has also been explosive.  A thunderstorm has been threatening for a couple of days.  Due to our micro climate the weather forecasts weren't very accurate and the storms have been circumnavigating us - however, this evening it hit.  Huge strikes of fork lightening crashing down over the horizon, rain thundering down and the atmosphere so tense it was like knicker elastic on steroids.  We unplugged our wifi and TV until it passed as French electrics aren't quite as health and safety as the UK (but clearly totally adequate) and sat back with a glass of wine to enjoy the spectacle.

7th June - Saintes market

We spent the morning at the market at Saintes.  It wasn't as large as the market day on the first Monday of each month which takes over the whole town, but it was a nice way to spend an hour.  Predominantly food stalls it was very easy to get carried away.  Wonderful smells drifting down the road, tempting you closer.

If you like fresh fish, the variety is out of this world.  You can even have it cooked for you with the most delicious seafood paella on offer or a stew of potatoes and fish.  There were rotisserie chickens and ham hocks.  There were stalls selling white asparagus and my children's favourites and the reason we went - the Saucisson Canard, however, we also picked up Saucisson Beaumont and Saucisson Camembert (that one was for me).  We couldn't wait to tuck in so it was an exit - via the Patisserie as per usual !!!! and home for a feast of goods picked up from our trip including the freshest olives, sun dried tomatoes and crispy bread.  What a treat.

5th June - Finally, we saw the wild bore

We were heading off to school early this morning and halfway through the forest road I saw what I first thought was a hare ahead.  Getting closer, I recognised those "Babe" type features.  It was a gorgeous little wild boar with her baby - does that make it a piglet?; I somehow suspect not.  What a wonderful sight.  I thought about it for the rest of the day.  A fleeting, rare glimpse but very special.

I treated myself to 20 mins in the pool today, on my own.  I ached and was hot from all the painting and the water felt amazing.  So cool and the most beautiful crystal blue.  20 mins of therapy I doubt a masseuse could have bettered.

I forgot to mention the other day - I was stuck at some traffic lights when it finally occurred to me that there was a count down timer on the traffic lights so you knew exactly how long you had before the lights changed.  Wow, so simple I can't believe it wasn't invented years ago.

La Galerie is looking bright and fresh now it has had a good paint (well almost finished).  I have ordered a new TV/DVD, wireless speakers and new mattresses for the bunk beds.  The furniture is looking refreshed and I can't wait to get it fully dressed and ready to go.

2nd June - Sunflowers

Summer has arrived!  It is now hitting the mid to late 20's. 

Last night was everything we hoped for.  My friends and I sat out in the garden, watching the Blonds meander around the fields in their relaxed fashion.  The children splashed and laughed and jumped in the pool.  We finally tasted our Elderflower Champagne.  Not perfect but pretty nice.  Cloudy but fizzy and a gentle waft of Elderflower sat on the palette.  It was alcoholic but not particularly strong - which was nice as it meant we could have a little more.

I was just looking at the field opposite La Galerie to the front of the property as something was growing there.  4 perfectly formed little leaves on each plant.  I think they are Sunflowers.  Couldn't be better. 

27th May - Fizz

Wow, our Champagne is running wild.

What a lovely day.  The weather was absolutely beautiful today.  We had the most wonderful afternoon at a friends with our first BBQ since we arrived.  I feel like I have been here all my life - it is so comfortable and relaxed.  After a couple of glasses of wine talked turned to the Champagne.  My friend had tried her test bottle earlier today and it was fizzy.  I don't mean fizzy, I mean FIZZY.  Clearly the extra yeast we added wasn't necessary.

For fear of explosions we spent the evening releasing the fizz out of the bottles.  My word, some of them were popping.  We have put a couple in the fridge to see if it helps slow the process - otherwise we might be christening the barn with champagne rather than inviting over the other villagers for our intended shindig.

26th May - Production starts

It is a busy time here in Charente Maritime.  Whilst the sun continues to warm up and now resembles what I would consider a good summer in England - we have been busy painting La Galerie and getting it all ship shape for the season.  When I need to get out into the fresh air there has been plenty to occupy - such as growing sweetcorn and sunflowers, maintaining the pool area, powering washing off the winter grime and keeping the grass down.

I had left most of the 2.5 acres to grow for hay and the kindest local farmer dropped over this week and cut it and baled it and took it away.  I will leave it to grow again now but cut some trails in for the children (and adults) to walk through and hopefully the wild flower seeds I have put down will grow in some of the meadow areas.  That would be the most beautiful sight.

I have the kindest, loveliest neighbours and today we bottled our Elderflower Champagne.  After starting off pretty fizzy it then seemed to go flat so we put in some more yeast (all trial and error).  It does look pretty cloudy but we are hoping that it will do its magic tucked away in the barn (well covered over in case it all explodes; as it can be a bit volatile we are led to believe).

We also have our French TV installed now so no excuses not to knuckle down and start improving our vocabulary.

The children went on a kayaking day in the local river - just 15 minutes from here - with the school today.  How fantastic is that!  Makes me wish I was back there.

17th May - Mortagne sur Gironde

Today we decided it was a day of rest so we set off for lunch at Mortagne sur Gironde.  It is only 10 minutes away.  The place is very small really, but beautifully formed.  They are huge rock faces on the right as your drive in and interestingly there are a couple of doors in the rock.  Are they homes or storage or just their for tourists like me to ask questions????  Very interesting.

We arrive and all the yachts are lined up and 3 restaurants sit right next to them.  There are a few stalls which we planned to go and look at but were closed by the time we finished lunch.  It was a shame as I am sure one of them sold fresh fish straight from the water.

The café/restaurant "Chez Gigi" is simple and unassuming.  It sells lots of fresh fish including oysters and sardines but also steaks.  The meal is lovely and the staff even more lovely.  An incredibly friendly gentleman set us at ease and offered to speak in English if we preferred.  He chatted to the children about school.  We couldn't decide if he was native French or English.  It turned out English.  Anyway, very relaxing and a lovely way to while away Sunday.

We returned home and began making our Champagne with our neighbour.  The children chipped in, picking the elderflowers and measuring the water.  It is going to be interesting.  It is currently sat in my kitchen fermenting but I will be moving it to the barn when it gets bottled as we understand it can be quite explosive............

Had my first go with my new chainsaw today.  Broke my new chainsaw today.  Thankfully I have a nice neighbour who appears to have fixed it again for me.  Oh dear.

15th May - The Vineyards

We took a trip today through a back route of the property.  It has only been a week or so since we last drove down that way but we all noticed a huge difference.  The vines are in full leaf and the landscape is bright and new and fresh.  The scenery is just captivating - I can easily while away a few hours just looking out on the vines and the beautiful woodland.

So, did he stay????  He had a hotel stop.  We cleaned him up and he stayed a night - Charlie that is.  Unfortunately, once comfortable he wasn't quite so cute and easy.  For a start he wasn't house trained.  Not pleasant and clearly not his fault.  He had terrible flatulence!  He went from admiring Chessie the rabbit to drooling over her - scary; and he developed a bark that seemed to be focused at moving trees.  So Charlie was taken to a safe house and normality resumed.  We hope he finds a loving home.

Today I went to visit the English shop.  I felt a little like I was letting the side down and to be honest I am more than happy with the food here = except I missed VINEGAR.  I was a little surprised myself.  I hardly ever use it......except on chips.  The vinegar here just isn't the same and a chip isn't a chip without vinegar.  So, I wandered off to the English shop.  It's funny I ended up buying loads of great stuff like Mint Sauce (which actually I should have just made myself thinking about it) and Corn Flakes which I wasn't missing but equally it was nice to have.  Is it wrong not to act 100% French whilst here?  I don't know.  I think I am comfortable indulging myself with the odd English treat.

13th May - He isn't staying!!!!

Well it has been a busy time.  I have been painting in La Galerie.  It is coming to life.  The spring air is flowing through the open windows and the warm sun is changing the whole atmosphere of the place.  I can't wait to see it filled with visitors.

The children finally got to go in the pool.  It is open.  It is crystal blue and it is glorious.  How lucky they are.

On a totally different topic.  A few days ago a little visitor entered our lives.  Initially he watched us from a distance.  In the corner of the garden or under a bush.  Slowly he got closer and closer.  Don't feed it I told the children, it is clearly somebody's who is working in the vineyards - as we often see dogs wondering around.  But this little red haired terrier of some origin or other wouldn't leave.

Last night he came into the private garden but we shooed him away and tried to block it out fearful he would attack Chessie our rabbit.  He was covered in ticks and painfully thin and had a thick chain around his neck which had left a black mark.  I better email the Mairie - they will help.

Today, Charlie (no of course I haven't named him - or fed  him) followed me around like a little shadow.  Out to do the washing, over to the pool....there he was.  Please can he stay my daughter begged.  No, no, no, no, no.

Charlie clearly hasn't been in a house before and of course I haven't de-ticked him or fed him, removed the hideous chain or  bathed him.

Night Charlie!

10th May - In pursuit of a food market

Today was glorious weather.  Clear blue skies and 25 degrees.  I decided it was time to set off in pursuit of a good food market to find some duck sausage  - which the children love.

I was looking forward to the smells and colours and perhaps spending a few more pennies than expected; as I usually do.  But to no avail.   We failed dismally.  I don't know whether it is too early (I don't think so) or whether we were just not looking in the right area.  I will have to take some local advise......

All was not lost though.  We took the coastal road which leads along the Gironde Estuary towards the Atlantic Ocean.  We meandered through little villages with moorings for boats and little cafes with people having a relax with a beer.  We stopped off at Meschers where shops displayed their wears along the roadside and cafes were again filled with people spending their Sunday it what seemed to me to be a most appropriate manner.  I'm sure you can guess where we stopped - the patisserie as we always do.  Lovely.  There were lots of roads off to different beaches which we didn't have time for today but we will be back very soon. 

The coastal road is dotted with destinations to stop off at - I would thoroughly recommend it for a day out.  It was also very popular with cyclists - I couldn't think of a more lovely location to cycle - with such a glorious view.

7th May - Saintes

This morning I was walking our Beardie and two extremely, extremely large hare jumped out onto the road in front of us.  They then did a sharp u-turn and scarpered back into the vines.  They were so large I could see them running for several hundred yards.  They proceeded to jump up high so they could see over the vines as they went.  Lovely.

It was time to take another day off and we headed off for Saintes.  We were all slightly bleary eyed after a late night at a neighbours where a hearty and welcome meal was served, but it was only a 30 min drive away, so nothing too taxing.  We started at the Roman amphitheatre which apparently, in its full glory, could hold up to 20,000 spectators who came to watch the Roman Gladiators.  It was a fantastic place.  You could walk through the tunnel where the chariots would have come into the arena.  It was easy to imagine them thundering down the hill towards the roaring of the crowds.  We peered into a dark more macabre tunnel where we found out that the dead bodies where held until they left for Bordeaux.  The children really enjoyed projecting their voices.  Well worth a trip.

We then headed down to the Charente river where there was a lovely park for adults and children alike.  A small bunch of animals were on display including a fabulous peacock in all his splendour, some slightly podgy goats and some beautiful varieties of hens.  We took the opportunity to visit the patisserie - as tends to be our way.  My Paris Brest was so large I dropped half of it on the floor leaving a large lime green splodge in the middle of the pavement which somebody with very expensive looking shoes then walked through - eeek.  Anyway, the river area is very inviting and the shopping is also very good.  It was a shame we missed the market though.  It will be a good excuse to visit again another day.

Home for a spot of decorating!