Not too long to wait.

Not sure if you will have given up on me,

 as Mr France and I have been missing for almost a year,

 only popping in now again.

I'm pleased to say our house hunting has come to an end.

 After driving many thousands of km. we  have finally found our dream house

 in the South west of France, just over a 100 km from where we used to live. 

The terrain is very different, much more open space,

which varies from agricultural to wine growing.

This impressive building is the  Hotel de Ville /Town Hall.

The stone houses in this region are cream in colour,

 very different to the earthy coloured stone  where we used to live.

.

We have already eaten several times in this very popular small town.

There are lots of restaurants to choose from & plenty of artisan boutiques.

Already the tourists our buying their summer hats.

 

I'm sure it will become our favourite  place.

This is the river that passes through our village.

We now have  only 6 more weeks to wait until its ours.

However the previous owners are leaving soon to return back to the UK.

so we have been able to arrange for us to rent it before we sign with the Notaire.

I'll be able to let you see some pictures of new house when it belongs to us.

We'll be very busy these next few weeks preparing for our move.

 So until then 

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

Feeling like a Dreamer.

Although we've been officially retired for a good many years,

this year is the start of a new way of life.

No more guests to look after,

 it's just me & Mr France.

Free to do what we want, when we want.
Some people think we are mad to close the door on our home for the last 26 years
put our belongings into storage and jump in the car to start something new.
Others, especially our close family say ' good for you, go off and enjoy yourselves.'

This is the region we are staying in for three months and have started to look for our new home.


This region is classed as the 2nd warmest region in France, having a micro climate.

Also we would have the benefit of the coast, which we love.
So we have the best of both, countryside and the coast.
The biggest problem is where to choose.
 We are looking to have a ' coup de foudre'   
- to find a house we fall in love with.

In the meantime we have rented a small cottage, which is perfect.
 If you'd like to see inside, join me for a tour of our tastefully furnished cosy cottage.

A very good wood burner, which  has been doing its job of keeping the cottage nice & warm.


It's tucked away from the owners house with its own sheltered private walled garden.
We have been here now for three weeks & beginning to find our way around the area.
The first two weeks Mr France was recuperating from a lung infection, so he spent
most of his time relaxing & looking through the window at this perfect view.

It's been a blessing knowing we didn't have anything to do.

A nice slow pace of life, taking leisurely breakfasts,

discussing what we are going to do each day.

and what we would like our new house to look like.

We would like it to be a lot like this.

I must say it seems very strange not having things to do .

 after years of always looking after our paying guests,

We need to take our time and make the right choice.

Our hosts are an English couple with a family, who have lived in this area

for several years, which means they are able to give us lots of helpful information.

In the meantime we are enjoying seeing what the region has to offer. 

We've looked at several properties this week, but haven't 

seen anything I could put my mark on and feel 

this is where we could spend the rest of our years.

In the meantime we will keep on looking and enjoy the beauty this area has to offer.

I'll be back soon to show you some of the places we have seen. 

I have taken photos of the houses we have seen, if you'd like to see 

some typical Charentais houses, let me know and I can show you 

the good, the bad & some way out of our budget.

But what would life be without having a dream.

So until next time I'll leave you, 

feeling like a dreamer.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

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

1 st. March Meteorologist Spring

When does Spring actually start ?

For me, it's when I see the flowers I associate with Spring, blooming in my garden.

So it's Spring in my garden it's arrived early this year.

According to the Meteorologist calender it's today the 1st March.

Take a look here to check

Then there's the  Astronomical seasons date which is 20th March 2016

A few were nipped and didn't get to stand up straight

so I cut them and made them into a small display.

Just three daffodils and a little greenery from the garden

 a few sprigs of Forsythia and catkins can make a pretty arrangements.

On the 1st March 1906 Edith Holden  wrote in her diary

March has come in like a lamb

with a warm wind 

and rain from the south west.

Exactly like it has been here today 110 years later.

Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady 

Full of such lovely illustrations. 

Do you like Country Magazines. if that's a yes.

you'll love Country Living UK.

It's high on the list amongst my favourites, as it is with Mary from

 A Breath of Fresh Air,.

take a look at her latest post, she tears out pages and puts them on her fridge. 

I keep some of my copies for several years 

as you can see this one is 2013

For those of you that still have snow 

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of my Spring.

I'll hope you'll come back and visit me again.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

Birthday celebration in Denmark.

In my sons home, their family day starts early.
The school bus arrives at precisely 7:16 am
to take our grandsons to school.

This morning was my 75th birthday.
I was woken by my two grandsons, my son and his wife
 singing happy birthday and waving flags.

 The Danish are very proud of their national flag,
so on celebration days, there is a lot of flag waving.

My day started with a beautiful bouquet of flowers
waiting for me on the breakfast table.
Evidently sneaked in the day before.

My son gave his day for me, to be spent how I wanted.
As it was such a lovely sunny day, I chose to go for a walk .
We needed to take a short drive to where he had chosen for us to walk.
On the way we pass this Châteaux. Dronninglund-slot.
 please take a look at this  It's well worth it.

I always love seeing this château,
so different from the ones i see in France.
 We didn't go inside this time, we just drove down the avenue
lined with huge Oak trees and lots of Beach trees.

We were heading to the woods, full of Beach trees
for me to see Autumn at it's best in Denmark.

We walked all around this lake
and were able to take in all the aspects.
Such beautiful rich shades of rusts to red.

then beneath the trees a carpet of leaves.

At the end of the walk, we saw these two lonely timber houses.

Ready for the drive back home.

Early evening we all went to a lovely restaurant.
Such a special time together with our son and his family.


At the weekend another birthday celebration for me, in Danish family style.

Champagne aperitif

I thought those of you who love porcelain 

would enjoy seeing this coffee pot and coffee cup and saucer.

Here is one I found for sale on ebay.

Royal-Copenhagen-Blue-Fluted-Half-Lace-615-Coffee-pot

I don't know how long this set has been in her family.

I knew it was a valuable heirloom but didn't realise it was so valuable.

I'll be terrified to wash it next time it's used, in case I break it.

Now for a Sunday walk through the woods .

Always somewhere to picnic, lots of wooden tables with benches.
The Danes love to stop and drink coffee outdoors.

Last days walk through the woods and ending on the beach.

I wonder if this tree will be chosen as some ones tree for Christmas ?



These tiny Pine cones ended up in my pocket,
brought back to France for winter decorating.
During my stay I ordered a special candle tray from
Corfixen for winter or any time decoration.



When it arrives I'll show you how I choose to decorate it.
Until then, keep well and stay safe.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian