Our Sunday walk

If we had kept to our usual pattern  this is where we would have been walking today.
It's just a 10 min.drive from where we live,

  it's a man made lake from the streams that weave their way through the woods.

This is where we start. it's very scenic.

During the summer months the nearby camping site is full
and in the winter it's very quiet and usually it's only dog walkers we pass.

We can walk all the way around
 and when we are on form and need a brisk walk, it takes about 30 mins.
But on the days when I have my camera in my pocket it takes a little longer,
 Depending on the time of day or the year and whether the sky is blue it can look totally different.
.

These photos show the vast amount of rain we've had this winter

Perhaps we should go early in the morning as I'm sure we'd see the deer.
Unfortunately we've never see them here, they're probably hiding in the woods.


However we didn't go today.

Nothing untoward has happened.
 It was pouring with rain, and I'm only a fair weather walker.
also there was something more important going on.
Well, more important for Mr France, as he's an avid Rugby fan
  and this time of the year it's the six nations championship.
Which for all those who don't follow rugby or like me are not interested.
The six nations we're playing Saturday & Sunday.
just in case you're just a little bit interested and curious to know who the nations are
 they are
ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND,WALES, FRANCE & ITALY.
Although we live in France , Mr France will still be cheering for England
One of our grandsons plays rugby
and has now been chosen to play for our region The Limousin.
 that's when he cheers for France
and shows how proud he is of his grandson.



This photo was taken  in February last year.
when
Most of the lake was frozen .



I can't wait for some clear skies and some sun .
But the forecast is more rain.
So our walk around the lake will have to wait a bit longer.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a bit more of where I live.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

Sleeping garden.

Although our winter has been mild we've had a lot of rain.
My garden is still sleeping.

Crocosmia


this is what we have to look forward to later in the summer.

How often do we not look up and take time to see the beauty of nature.

The sky was blue and the sun was shining

I took time this morning,
there right near to my house was this holly tree, still with plenty of berries.
 These have usually all gone by now.


Though we always make sure our bird feeders are kept full.

Coal tit

A few weeks ago I mentioned I was going to join a photography blog.

Well after reading what my first task was to be I realised it was not for me.

So Mr France has been giving me a few tips, 

and I took  these photos of the birds with his camera ,

I've been using some different menus

and I know I have a lot to learn 

but I feel I have improved.

What do you think ?

Nuthatch

 

Blue tit

I'm not able to do anything strenuous in the garden at the moment,

so as the sun was shining I sat in our sheltered spot 

& Mr France brought me coffee.

We sat at our little round café table

and watched the birds flying from feeder to feeder.

It won't be long before we hear them singing 

and see them starting to build their nests.

I hope you take time to look around
 and see what nature brings where ever you are.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

FRUGAL STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

FRUGAL STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

It will soon be  NEW YEAR 2014

Every year I like to try to do something new.

So 

 I have just signed up to participate in an on line course 

of 8 weeks for still life photography.

you can join too.

But you will have to be quick it starts on 6th Jan -24th Feb 2014

If you're interested   Click Here  and check it out 

@ Cheryl McCain Photography

Last year Mr France bought himself a new camera a PANASONIC DMC- FZ 48

 I have been trying my hardest to learn how to use it, taking photos for my blog.

My camera is also a Lumix-Panasonic DMC-TZ4 which I call an aim and shoot.

No fiddly buttons and just a few menus.

I wasn't going to tell you, I was going to wait and see if I made any progress,

but I'm sure there's lots of you out there,

 just like me,

 who would like to be able to take better photos.

I hope the above link Click Here works I'm not very good at linky things.

 I'm also going to put Cheryl's button on my side bar.

I'm feeling very excited, I can't wait to try!

. 

Wishing  all my friends

A HAPPY NEW YEAR 

2014

I found this on a blog I read today, however I can't remember who's it was.

If it was yours, please let me know.

 I thank you and hope you don't mind me using it.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian