Still Taking It Easy

Last night before going to bed I watched the highlights of the second day of the second test match between England and Sri Lanka.

On this warm, gloomy-overcast day, to the accompaniment of a few neighbouring tweeting birds, largely silent bees, and an occasional distant barking dog, I toted my camera on two very short trips around the garden.

Along with her general pot refurbishment and general tidying

Jackie has planted up the bulbs bought yesterday;

her equipment bearing evidence of her labours. She suggests that the pig has moved itself towards the gate in readiness for the coming pannage season.

Beyond the recently planted iron urn extends the Gazebo and Brick Paths from Jackie’s weeded old well surround.

She has recently tracked down a replacement Summer Wine to replace one that died in the Rose Garden.

On Wednesday Martin worked hard clearing a space for it and planted it away from the original site because it is inadvisable to reposition one in the same spot.

Pink chrysanthemums; blue convolvuluses; white begonias, cyclamen, and antirrhinums are rivalled by the Nottingham Castle bench lichen.

We have all colours of Japanese anemone;

and dahlias;

other roses include Absolutely Fabulous and Lady Emma Hamilton.

The Rose Garden continues to flourish.

The rudbeckias sit well behind the pinkish peeling eucalyptus bark.

The Weeping Birch Bed leads through the cryptomeria to Florence sculpture on Fiveways.

More Japanese anemones photobomb the Brick Path and blend well with the iron urn’s pink petunias.

This evening we dined on succulent chicken Kiev; boiled new potatoes; firm carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli; and tender chopped cauliflower leaves with which I drank riserva privada Chilean Malbec 2022.

A Post Covid Visit

On a warm and sunny day our friend Jessie who, because of Covid, has not been able to visit for three years, arrived in time for lunch to stay for the weekend.

It was delightful to catch up again, and for Jessie to be able to remind us of all the changes both inside the house and in the garden since our last visit.

We took a walk around the garden, where I photographed

a random range of roses, dahlias, and other plants all of which are labelled in the gallery.

This evening we dined on pork spare ribs in barbecue sauce and Jackie’s egg and mushroom rice.

To Honour Their Dead

Mo and John departed this morning for their rented house in Bourlens which we visited yesterday.  It has been a most convivial stay and I shall miss them.  However, Judith has warned me against squatters rights in France, so they had to go.

This being All Souls Day, and therefore a holiday, there was a brief flurry of activity until Carrefour closed at midday.  After this, all was tranquil as I found a new walk this afternoon.  Birds sang; there was a short-lived distant whirring of a solitary scooter; otherwise it was just me, one cow, and a few horses.

Landscape from Le Garonnet

Path from Le GaronnetAt the bottom of the steep slope of rue St Jacques I turned left at a no through road sign pointing to Le Gironnet.  Trusting that there may be a footpath at the end, I was not disappointed. Chateau Cluzeau This took me to the lower level of a sharply inclined road leading, on the left, to Chateau Cluzeau, whose vines lined the slopes.  Le Petit CluzeauAlongside this building there was a round towered modern one styled Le Petit Cluzeau.  As I had hoped, the road led me to Le Cluzeau College at the very summit of the other steep climb of rue St Jacques.  Les CluzeauxFrom there I could look down on the Chateau which was itself in an elevated position.

Horses with eyeshadesIn a field there were horses wearing eye-masks which I presumed must be protection against the irritating flies.  One rolled on the grass, seemingly attempting to dislodge other pests.  Rather like me scratching my back in the middle of the night against the corner of the bathroom wall.

Backlit gardenThe day, which had been rather War memorialCarmen's gravedull at the outset, had brightened by the time I returned to No 6.  Passing the war memorial, I noticed fresh pots of flowers.

For the last couple of days a marquee outside the florists had been doing a roaring trade in potted crysanthemums.  Cemetery, SigoulesThese are placed Bouquetbefore the graves in the cemetery which is a truly glorious sight.  The French do honour their dead.

Broken stemWalking around the splendid display, I noticed just one broken stem which I picked up and placed in a convenient bowl of water.

Gaston's graveFloral tributes 1Floral tributes 2Mo has left me with enough food to see me through to Monday.  I began today with her spicy pumpkin soup followed by her delicious chicken dish and a creme caramel.

Floral tributes 3As drops spattered on the canopy above my head outside Le Code Bar, which was, like everywhere else today, closed, a passing small child watching me at my blog, informed me that it was raining.Floral tributes 4  I thanked her graciously.

Earlier, a man had asked me where, in Sigoules, he could find a shop where kouskous was made on the premises.  Not understanding his question I told him the bar would be open at 7.30.  We had to start again, and I didn’t know anyway, so I wasn’t really much help.  He didn’t fancy waiting until the morning for Carrefour’s produce, nor did he wish to avail himself of my offer of some from my fridge.  Maybe because I said it had come from Carrefour.