My give away gift

I've really enjoyed participating in the give away.

GIVING and RECEIVING.

Yes 

it was me who won 

the give away from

Averyclaire

 Already we have learnt a lot more about each other.

and 

now looking forward to being a friendly follower.

********

NOW

would you like to see what my two winners

Roses, Lace and Brocante

and

Dosie Rosie.

 will be receiving ?

********

If you want a surprise. 

  

Roses, Lace and Brocante

and

Dosie Rosie.

Now is the time to  STOP scrolling down the page

and close your eyes, 

If you're like me you won't be able to resist a little peep

 and then think 

oh well ! it will arrive soon

It just won't be a surprise.

 

I hope my winners will like their gift.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

My give away winners for the Grow Your Blog party.

First of all a big thank you to Vicki   for hosting the Grow Your Blog party,

 which has brought  many new followers to me and all who took part.

I thank all of you who read my post 

and especially those of you who are now following me.
Which I hope will enjoy reading my thoughts and sharing a bit of where I live in France.

And the winner of my give away is Shane from

 Roses Lace and Brocante

As soon as I saw Shane's blog  Roses Lace and Brocante I knew I was going to like it. 

We have so much in common her connection with France and her love of lace. 

We even end our posts with the same message.

if you haven't already visited her, please pop over to see the lovely things she makes with lace.

and
then I decided to chose another name.

Well Mr France was my random chooser.

I asked him to give me a number then out came

Gill from 

 Dosie Rosie

I chose to read this blog because of the name, which is her nick name.!
and then I find she is also English.
This blog is so fresh, Gill writes as if you are with her and she's talking to you,
 full of  bits & pieces from her everyday happenings
and lots of different original craft things she makes.
Pop over to visit her

I hope they'll like my give away.
I'm sure they will find something to make with them.

I have contacted them both so that I can send the packets.
I've also taken some photos so that I can show you what I'll be sending.

but you'll have to wait until I hear from

Roses, lace and Brocante

and

Dosie Rosie

Thank you once again Vicki for all your hard work in  helping us 'Grow our Blogs'

vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

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

Are You Thinking of Visiting France soon ?

Then remember your P's. & Q's.

Always say Bonjour / Hello 

and

S'il vous plait / Please

This article was in our local English Newspaper;

It really made me smile.

When you were little I'm sure your parents taught you to say Please & Thank You.

Do you remember the old saying 

'manners don't cost anything' !!

Make sure you are polite.

or you might pay over the top for your drink.

But seriously just a word of warning !

Have you ever wondered why the locals go into the Bar/Cafe

 in towns or cities and stand at the bar with their drink ?

 Usually you will be charged more for drinks served to you if you sit outside on their terrace.

But at this Bar / Cafe  it was manners.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian

Grow Your Blog Party & Give Away

 I saw this button on a  blog   "Grow Your Blog" party!"    and thought it would be fun. it's a blog by  Vicki

 If this is the  first time you have visited  Me    I hope you'll enjoy what you see. I'm an English lady,  living in rural France, and my blog is about my daily life, my garden and the wild life I see. I can take you on lots of walks near to my home, and share with you the things that make me love where I live. Some times I share a special recipe . 

I do some crafting,  less than I used to.

I've always loved making things, ever since I was at school

 my favourite class was  what they called 'Needlework ' way back then.

My school reports had remarks something like this

'' If Barbara gave as much time to Maths 

as she does to her 'Needlework' she will go far''

Reading my grandsons reports, I don't think teachers have changed much, 

when summing up a pupil.

My lane which I take everyday for a walk.

I only started watercolour painting a few years ago,  when I feel brave enough to share something I've sketched or painted, I'll slip them into a post.

My painting corner 

 I love challenges.

Oh I forgot to tell you, I'm learning how to use Mr France's camera.

Mr. France is my husband, so he'll be popping into a few of the things I share with my followers.

We love to share a good bottle of wine.

If you'd like a peep at some of the things I share 

Make yourself a coffee or a nice cup of tea in your favourite cup.

and 

enjoy a few photos I've taken.

A few flowers to make you think of spring .

This is my potting bench, I spend a lot of time here.

 If you're looking  for  places to visit in Paris and see  lots of photos of the Eiffel Tower I'm not for you.

I'll let you into a secret, I've only ever stayed in Paris once 

and that was only a long weekend.

However if you love the country life

 with some extras thrown in

go to my sidebar and click on follower.

  I hope you'll like what you see.

I'll be waiting for you.

                    
                    Thanks for visiting, and thank you to Vicki at 2 Bags Full, our host.

I will be having my first Give Away  as a thank you
The give away is open to any one that comments on this blog post. 

this will be announced on the 15th February 

This is my first party link up

So look out for your name it might be you

Not sure yet what it will be, but it will something French.

à bientôt

Barbara Lilian