Storm? What storm?

We became aware that an orange alert had been issued for the Midi-Pyrenees for a passage of violent electrical storms with heavy rain, strong gusts of wind and hailstones up to an inch in diameter!

After our previous experiences of heavy rain which cascaded down the hill past the house we thought we would try to prepare some defenses. Mel and I deepened the trenches in front of the steps to the front door and the door of the porcherie but our efforts failed to pass an early inspection.

Madam was singularly unimpressed and had to take matters into her own hands.

At the time of writing it is 21.45 cet and we have had a gently breeze and one light shower ... but we can now sleep easy knowing that we won't get wet feet!

Help from Ryanair

Pat and Mel's stay with us has just been extended ... their flight home has been cancelled because of the Air Traffic Controllers strike here in France!  So they are now here until Saturday (at least!) and Sue is benefiting from more help in the garden.

With Mel's help we've trimmed the hedge and the irises either side of it are all cut back.

Thank you Mr Ryanair!

If you go down to the Woods ....

Pat and Mel are staying with us for a few days and yesterday we dragged them off to one of the cultural adventures of which there seem to be quite a few around here.  On a hot (30-35 degrees) afternoon we (and hundreds of others) walked about 2km along a stream-side walk in the woods up a valley to an old church, Notre Dame de Verdale.






What made it interesting was that there were paintings on display along the walk and bands playing various styles of music.

There was quite a variety of styles .....

The walk ended at this small church and a 'buvette' selling drinks.

Having remade our way back down the walk (another 2km), the calls of nature began to be a bit pressing but we managed to persuade the people selling food at the start/end to allow the girls to use their toilets.

Two very relieved ladies!!