Midsummer

Well, we're just past midsummer and the Head Gardener thought she should show you the state of play.  We're slightly in the pause between the Spring colours and the main Summer flowering starting ... but you can see for yourselves!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeOSxY8yIMM

Goobye to a good friend.

We went to an interesting but different funeral today.  A good friend, Michel Riocreux, was the man who had introduced us to the Bridge Club in Gourdon.  He was also the man we referred to as the 'Miracle Man' as he had survived 4 different cancers!  However no-one can keep dodging the bullet and he died last Saturday.  Here in France the funeral has to take place within 6 working days, so his ceremony took place this morning.

What made it special was that the religious ceremony was held outdoors in a hollow in a small wood. We understand that it was a quarry, possibly where the stones were cut out for building a monastery in 1235. It was developed about 2 years ago as a pilgrimage centre with links to Lourdes. 

As it is in an extremely 'back-of-beyond' place, Sue and I did a reccy to find it, and we were amazed when we did find it ... peaceful and spiritual with the sun shining through the trees and birds singing.

The photos don't do justice to this lovely, intimate and spiritual place ... but it was a nice way to say 'au revour' to Michel.

And then there was One

A bright sunny morning ...

... and it's getting lonely here!

pm  no one left.  The wide world has called.

PS we heard possibly 2 young voices (Barn Owls) in our Pigeonnier last night !!

Lift-off

Exciting day ...

... they soon leave home.

We're getting bigger

It doesn't take long to grow up!

First Sighting

Can't remember if we have already mentioned that the Kestrels are back again this year and nesting.

They are in the same hole in the wall as last year as well.  We see the male arrive with food from time to time, but he seems to have been at it for quite some time now, so I decided to use the camera on maximum zoom to try to see what is happening!

I very luckily caught the male arriving with food ...

... and there are at least 2 chicks in the 'nest' ... not that I managed to photograph them together!

Looking at the photos from last year, we estimate that they are about 3 weeks earlier this year.

The effect of Rain

I am normally complaining that we haven't had any rain but I can't say that recently as the weather has been very unsettled with lovely heavy thundery showers.

After the irises finished flowering the garden has been in a bit of a hiatus waiting for the summer plants to bloom. If I'm honest I have found it frustrating as I like to see some colour around all the time. This morning I toured the garden to check if anything had suffered from the downpours but to my surprise everything had responded well to the soaking and the summer blooming was just showing signs of starting.

Actually I thought the effect of the rain on the grasses made them look more interesting.