The Witch

An elderly friend of ours lives on the fourth floor of a block of apartments in the old part of Cahors. The communal areas, which are semi external, have recently been renovated. "I'm fed up with all these geraniums and flowers" she said when asking for some advice about revitalising her landing. "That Yucca must go, she looks like a Witch". My ears immediately pricked up as I could see her in the new exotic garden, and I suggested that I could take her off her hands. Catherine then commented "but how is she going to get to you, she can't fly on her broom stick?" Well we managed to bundle her into our car even though she was covered in tiling dust from the renovation work.

Yesterday we set about resurrecting her. We firstly removed her broomstick.

Then John removed dead trunks, after all she is over 20 years old. I think more branches need removing but we decided to live with her for a few days before being too drastic.

Then she had a shower.

Finally she was wrapped up for the night as one of our dreaded late frosts was forecast.

Of course the exotic garden has now got to be redesigned!!

How Things Change

He was born a "townie" but now he is a country boy through and through, and it never ceases to amaze me.

He watches over "his" kestrels as if they were his babies. Yesterday he was worried about their safety when a buzzard invaded their space. He trawls the internet to ensure that their behaviour is following the recognised pattern and that all is well. It is not just the kestrels which fascinate him/us.  We seem to have far more small birds, black redstarts, redstarts, tits, sparrows and others we  have not seen or can't identify nesting in the house wall this year and we observe their daily routines from our privileged vantage point inside the house. Yesterday John was thrilled to hear the screeching of the first half dozen swifts to arrive, they nest in our walls also. Of course all this bird activity means we will not be able to eat in the back courtyard until at least July!

Country boy has just gone off to join the other ol' boys from the village who are painting the large pots which are to be used for planting the flowers to brighten up St Germain.

Who would ever have thought he would change so much...….certainly not me...…..but he could not be more content in his rural life.

Garden Club

As if our garden wasn't enough for the Head Gardener, we belong to a Garden Club.  And yesterday the club was on a garden visit which Sue had organised.  The garden, Le Jardin de La Mothe, is about an hour to the east, the other side of Figeac and is a 'Jardin Remarquable'.  The day didn't start well as it was heavy rain and there were questions as to whether it should be postponed, but we had already given a deposit to a restaurant for lunch as so it was 'on' whatever the weather!

We were very fortunate that the moment we arrived at the garden the rains stopped and we were able to go round and admire in comfort.

(Sue with Marion, the Garden owner/designer)
Whilst the garden was unlike ours (more in the Sissinghurst 'room' style) we came away with ideas and plants which we bought there, as we always do !!

Coffee Break

The view from our window yesterday whilst we drank our mid morning coffee...…..

The last photo is supposed to show the magpie leaving his nest but he flies quicker than the cameraman's finger can move!!

Her Reputation goes before Her

We are obviously known in the village as 'those people who open their garden'.  This led to us being approached to help with a group of villagers who want to brighten things up with flower displays for the summer, and there has been a lot of "What do you think Sue?"

We had to wait whilst the Commune passed a budget and then bought some concrete drainage pipes, but today Christiane and Gerard, (the instigators of the scheme), Jose (the man who works for the commune and who knows how everything can be done) and Sue and I met up to decide where the pipes will go.

The proceedings were rather protracted as every time someone passed by we all stopped to greet them, kissing or shaking hands …...as is the French way.

It is only a small beginning but we are hoping that in future years we can gradually add more 'pots' and more colour.  At the moment we have to tread carefully, taking account of what the Mayor wants, being careful not to upset the President of the Petanque Club, and not blocking access for the summer Sunday Market, the occasional Bric-a-Brac Fair and the annual village Fête with accompanying fair and rides … just normal small village politics!

On a more personal note, we have had a pair of Kestrels patrolling around our courtyard for the past week or so and we have tried not to disturb them.  When they first arrived they had a lot of fights with a pair of Magpies who are nesting quite close, but this evening I saw one (the female?) sitting in one of the holes in the rear wall of the house backing on to the courtyard.  We are keeping our fingers crossed as it is now four years since a pair of Kestrels successfully raised 4 young.

You must have faith!!

After many days we have finished lifting, preparing and planting the 800 plus stachys for the sundial bed. Applause required here or comments that I'm balmy might be more appropriate!!

I appreciate that at present they look like brussel sprout plants which have been planted in a heatwave but you must "have faith". The idea is that in future they will mat together like this....

…..and they will withstand the 40+ degrees of the summer without the need for watering. The project is not quite finished as we have pots to plant up for the corners, and collect more gravel from the quarry. You will see photos in due course of the splendid result....remember "you've got to have faith"!!

Meanwhile the pansies bloom, the sun shines and the birds sing.