Guest Bloggers

Pat and Mel have sent us an item for our blog, and we think it's nice to have an 'outsider's' perspective of our french life.

ps A couple of days ago I listened to the owl chicks in the evening and I thought I could only hear one. However I listened again last night and I could definitely hear two different voices calling for food.

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We (Pat and Mel), have returned to a cool, wet England after spending four lovely days with Sue and John in France. The pictures on the blog give you no idea of the sheer charm and size of the house and land which they have bought. Believe me, I take my hat off to them watering the flowers and the vegetables after a long day out watching 'The Tour'. This involves transporting the wheelbarrow full of water, and using a watering can to water the vegetable plot which is miles from the house! Cleo provides good company for the gardener.

The produce is excellent and grows at such a rate that some ends up in the compost heap. However this does make for a very upmarket compost heap which requires some attention to presentation.

The plans for the house resemble something from Channel 4 Grand Designs TV programme! Knowing Sue and John, it will look amazing when they have finished! Although they are using a builder, he will only be doing the structural work, and they will be doing lots of the work themselves.

Sue and John are very happy with their new life. John thoroughly enjoys having conversations in French with everyone. Shrugs and hand gesticulations are very important.

Sue's love is her garden and her cooking is still excellent, using her own produce from the vegetable plot.

An unexpected bonus was the 'Owl watch'; quite unusual to see an owl at such close quarters and every evening at dusk, feeding time began for the chicks. When set against a clear sky, with masses of stars, it was very 'Harry Potteresque'. However, it's difficult to capture the owl returning to the nest, as can be seen from the picture!

It was lovely to see Sue and John so happy and contented with their new life in France. They are making lots of friends, both french and english, and we look forward to seeing them again.