January roundup

January has nearly gone and we don't seem to have done much ... grey, damp and frosty.  But there are starting to be signs of Spring.  The pansies are making a nice show now in front of the house

the Camellia is blooming despite the odd touch of frost

 the Winter Jasmine is providing a good show this year ... at last

Also out now are the Hellebores (Christmas Rose)

the first early Crocuses

a solitary Anemone Blanda ... very early

and the first of our Snowdrops

Encouraged by these heralds of Spring we have pushed on with planting the roses (Rambling Rector) which we hope will make a screen between the garden and our new neighbour opposite in place of the old rose pergola ...

 ... and not before time, looking at how they are starting to grow!

So, just got to put up the supports and the training wires.

Here in France it is customary to wish people happy New Year the first time you meet them any time during January.  Despite January nearly being gone, we went, with a large part of the village, to listen to the Mayor give his report of the past year, to wish us all the best for 2020 and then to gossip over a buffet and a glass of wine.  The event was to start at 11am but, as was to be expected, it took about half an hour for everyone to greet everyone else before taking their seats ... and there must have been at least 150 of us!

It was a little different this year as the Salle de Fête (village hall) is being renovated and so the celebration was held in a couple of marquées on the market place ... and it was freezing inside ... colder than outside in the fresh air. 

And there is nothing worse than ice cold red wine!