15 June 2016

Life in Rural France.

A little taste of country life.


The wild flowers are blooming everywhere, even though there's not much sun for June 
I love it now the commune 
isn't allowed to spray weed killer along the edge of the lanes. 


Even the lizards are hiding
and only come out when the sun appears for a few moments.



The first sighting of our green lizard.


The Jay came to visit but now its back up in the trees.


The Hoopoe bird is still about.


We hear them everyday,
but mostly see them from a distance.


The blue tits are not at the bird table as often now.


as they are busy finding bugs to feed their young.
and with all the rain there's lots of them about.


These blue tits made their nest in a hole in the wall.
Not sure if it was the same pair from last year, I'd like to think it was.


This was the last baby to leave the nest.



This year the finches are in abundance .
We think this male & female Chaffinch  were a couple, they were always together.


The Brambling  both males.


The green finch 

This male Haw-finch comes to the bird table
every evening to feed before going to roost.




He's a big bird, with a big beak.

We are pleased to see the gold finches back, we haven't seen them for a few years.

I love to see walls and gates in the country. 

I'll close the gate for now
and look forward to opening it again for you soon.

à bientôt
Barbara Lilian




12 June 2016

A mixed bag

This time of the year is always busy for us.
 Garden to keep tidy for our guests 
Especially this adorable 'Labradoodle'  from Holland.
 He was the star  staying in La Petite Maison
I found out he even takes his own selfies.

 Summer time is a must for market shopping.
always get there early, before the crowds appear.
I start off with the fruit stalls.

Then the Charentais melons, to take home and have for lunch
served with some jambon cru, and a crusty baguette.

There was even a stall selling Jambon from the Auvergne.

Local honey on a croissant for breakfast.


 A medley of tasty vegetables for lunch.

Traditional goodies to savour.

A lovely selection of rose shrubs.




Then I found a lovely stall with an English lady selling beautiful original things.
I loved these old cases & boxes she covers in decoupage.



 In the summer there's always an organ grinder playing music .


Time for a spot of people watching and a cup of coffee before leaving.


Easy all in one meals.
Then the joy of eating outside.
Followed by Strawberries from the Dordogne.( The best in France )

Family and friends popping in for aperitifs. 

All the things I love about summer.

How about you, what do you enjoy the most about summer ?

I'm looking forward to some long sunny summer days and evenings.
Spent outdoors.

à bientôt
Barbara Lilian